Rivals.com
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sports media |
| Founded | 1998 in Seattle, Washington, United States |
| Founder | Jim Heckman |
| Headquarters | Seattle , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Shannon Terry (CEO) |
| Products | College football and basketball recruiting coverage, Rivals100 rankings, Rivals Camp Series |
Number of employees | 300+ |
| Parent | On3 (as of April 30, 2025) |
| Website | rivals |
Rivals.com (branded as rivals) is a collection of websites dedicated to covering college football and basketball recruiting across the United States. Established in 1998, the network employs more than 300 individuals.
History
Founded in 1998 by Jim Heckman in Seattle, Washington, Rivals.com initially received financial support from external investors. The platform began by generating income exclusively through advertising before introducing a subscription model charging $10 per month for exclusive recruiting updates and access to message boards. Early investment came from venture capital firms such as Fox and Intel.
In January 2000, Rivals expanded by acquiring AllianceSports, a regional network focused on Southeastern college sports. At its height, Rivals.com managed close to 700 independent sites, employed approximately 200 staff members, aimed for a $100 million initial public offering led by Goldman Sachs, and served as a sponsor for the Hula Bowl. However, the dot-com bubble burst led the parent company to shut down operations in 2001 without declaring bankruptcy. Following this, former executives from AllianceSports purchased and revived Rivals.com. After being removed as CEO, Heckman launched a rival network that evolved into Scout.com, which was subsequently acquired by Fox Interactive Media in 2005.
Under the leadership of former AllianceSports executive Shannon Terry, Rivals.com regained profitability. On June 21, 2007, Yahoo! acquired the company for an estimated $100 million. Subscription plans automatically renew unless canceled at least 48 hours prior to expiration.
On April 30, 2025, Yahoo reportedly transferred ownership of Rivals to the group behind On3.
Rivals 100
The Rivals100 list ranks top high school athletes in football and basketball nationwide using the proprietary Rivals evaluation system. It highlights premier prospects while monitoring their commitments and official signings with collegiate programs.
Ranking Criteria
Rivals employs a multi-tiered rating system to assess football prospects:
- 6.1 = Five-star prospect: Represents an elite athlete generally ranked among the top 30-35 nationally, possessing potential as a first-round NFL draft pick.
- 6.0-5.8 = Four-star prospect: Denotes a high-caliber player typically within the top 300-325 prospects, with potential ranging from first to third-round NFL selection.
- 5.7-5.5 = Three-star prospect: Identifies players ranked approximately within the top 800-850 nationally who exhibit moderate to low professional potential.
- 5.2-5.4 = Two-star prospect: Indicates mid-major level athletes with limited pro prospects expected to contribute one to two years at the collegiate level.
Evaluations incorporate physical measurements, competition quality, individual performance statistics, and overall potential. High star ratings often lead to scholarship offers and increased media visibility, while recruiters utilize these rankings to streamline talent identification.
#1 Ranked Football Players
2020 | Bryan Bresee | Defensive Tackle | Damascus HS (MD) | - 2021 | Korey Foreman | Defensive End | Centennial HS (CA) | - 2022 | Travis Hunter | Cornerback | Collins Hill HS (GA) | - 2023 | Arch Manning | Quarterback | Isidore Newman HS (LA) | - 2024 | Dylan Raiola | Quarterback | Buford HS (GA) | - 2025 | Keelon Russell | Dual-threat QB | Duncanville HS (TX) || Year | Player Name | Position | High School | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Vincent Young | Quarterback | Madison HS (TX) | |
| 2003 | Ernie Sims | Linebacker | North Florida Christian HS (FL) | |
| 2004 | Adrian Peterson | Running Back | Palestine HS (TX) | |
| 2005 | Derrick Williams | Wide Receiver | Eleanor Roosevelt HS (MD) | |
| 2006 | Percy Harvin | Wide Receiver | Landstown HS (VA) | |
| 2007 | Jimmy Clausen | Quarterback | Oaks Christian HS (CA) | |
| 2008 | Terrelle Pryor | Quarterback | Jeannette HS (PA) | |
| 2009 | Bryce Brown | Running Back | Wichita East HS (KS) | |
| 2010 | Ronald Powell | Defensive End | Rancho Verde HS (CA) | |
| 2011 | Jadeveon Clowney | Defensive End | South Pointe HS (SC) | |
| 2012 | Dorial Green-Beckham | Wide Receiver | Hillcrest HS (MO) | |
| 2013 | Robert Nkemdiche | Defensive End | Grayson HS (GA) | |
| 2014 | Da'Shawn Hand | Defensive End | Woodbridge HS (VA) | |
| 2015 | Byron Cowart | Defensive End | Armwood HS (FL) | |
| 2016 | Rashan Gary | Defensive Tackle | Paramus Catholic HS (NJ) | |
| 2017 | Najee Harris | Running Back | Antioch HS (CA) | |
| 2018 | Trevor Lawrence | Quarterback | Cartersville HS (GA) | |
| 2019 | Nolan Smith | Defensive End | (IMG Academy) FL |
Rivals Football Camp Series
Since its inception in 2012, Rivals.com has organized the Rivals Camp Series, which includes evaluation camps and athletic combines across the United States. These events offer athletes the opportunity to train under the guidance of former NFL professionals while competing against elite peers. Distinguished participants have included Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Saquon Barkley, Patrick Mahomes, Puka Nacua, Sauce Gardner, and the 2023 Heisman Trophy recipient Jayden Daniels. Notably, seven of the top ten selections in the 2023 NFL Draft were alumni of these camps.
Evaluation Standards
The ranking methodology for high school basketball prospects on Rivals mirrors that used in football, categorized as follows:
- 5-stars: Exceptional talents projected to excel at premier collegiate programs and potentially in the NBA.
- 4-stars: Players ranked within the top 250-300 nationally, anticipated to be significant contributors at major college programs.
- 3-stars: Among the top 750 prospects with demonstrated college-level ability.
- 2-stars: Prospects likely suited for mid-major programs with limited professional prospects.
- 1-star: Players who remain unranked.
Top-Ranked Basketball Prospects by Year
| Year | Player | High School |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | LeBron James | St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, OH |
| 2004 | Dwight Howard | Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, GA |
| 2005 | Tasmin Mitchell | Denham Springs High School, LA |
| 2006 | Greg Oden | Lawrence North High School, IN |
| 2007 | O.J. Mayo | Huntington High School, WV |
| 2008 | Brandon Jennings | Oak Hill Academy, VA |
| 2009 | Lance Stephenson | Lincoln High School, NY |
| 2010 | Josh Selby | Lake Clifton High School, MD |
| 2011 | Austin Rivers | Winter Park High School, FL |
| 2012 | Shabazz Muhammad | Bishop Gorman High School, NV |
| 2013 | Andrew Wiggins | Huntington Prep, WV |
| 2014 | Jahlil Okafor | Whitney Young High School, IL |
| 2015 | Ben Simmons | Montverde Academy, FL |
| 2016 | Josh Jackson | Prolific Prep, CA |
| 2017 | Michael Porter Jr. | Nathan Hale High School, WA |
| 2018 | R.J. Barrett | Montverde Academy, FL |
| 2019 | James Wiseman | Memphis East High School, TN |
| 2020 | Cade Cunningham | Montverde Academy, FL |
| 2021 | Chet Holmgren | minnehaha Academy, MN |
| 2022 | Dereck Lively II | Westtown School, PA |
| 2023 | Isaiah Collier | Wheeler High School, GA |
| 2024 | Tre Johnson | Link Year, MO |
| 2025 | AJ Dybantsa | Utah Prep Academy, UT |