ESPN high on Florida commit that other services remain cool on

JaReylan McCoy has been one of the trickiest commits to evaluate for the Gators. The defensive lineman from Mississippi committed to the Gators back in June, but he has a different star rating from all three of the major services. ESPN has him as a five-star, Rivals has him as a four-star, and 247 has him as a three-star.

We noted earlier this week how silly it was that Rivals dropped him nearly 100 slots despite no real football being played, but ESPN explained this week why they are still high on McCoy.

JaReylan McCoy could be an elite prospect

In ESPN's list of the "Top 25 college football recruits regardless of class," McCoy came in at No. 17. They remain high on McCoy and said:

"McCoy has elite length, a big frame and a relentless motor, and all the pieces came together for him on a massive stage during the Under Armour All-America week this winter. McCoy tests off the charts on combine settings (6-7, 260 pounds, 4.88 40-yard dash) and shows the skills and versatility on tape to suggest he could line up in multiple spots along Florida's defensive line."

What stands out about ESPN heaping praise for his All-America performance is that neither 247 nor Rivals appears to share the same sentiment.

Andrew Ivins of 247 dropped his scouting report on McCoy during the week of the All-America game and said:

"Big-featured defensive lineman with some alignment flex that has put some impressive flashes on tape over the years, but one that's got a ways to go if he's going to reach his potential."

However, it's ESPN's assessment that also runs counter to the methodology we saw from Rivals. McCoy was dropped nearly 100 spots in the latest Rivals update, and the justification seems to be that he didn't look great at whatever camps he attended.

Beyond the flaws of these "camps" in the first place, a confusing narrative is being painted that McCoy looked great at the All-America game, but then looked so bad in the spring that he was dropped.

As with all rankings, especially during the offseason, it's semantics, and the real key is whether the film looks good. McCoy will have the opportunity during his senior season to prove which ranking service is ultimately correct.