During rankings meetings, not everyone agrees on everything. In this version of Rivals Views, National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell and Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Analyst Adam Friedman debate the five-star status of a New Jersey standout.
FARRELL'S VIEW
While I like Antonio Alfano quite a bit, I’m not quite sold on the Alabama defensive tackle commitment from New Jersey's five-star status yet. He’s improved quite a bit his senior season and has shown more of a motor each and every play, but he still lacks great consistency overall. And I worry about his athleticism at the position when it comes to being an elite five-star prospect. Alabama is getting a great player and a kid who could eventually play like a five-star as he’s coached up, but right now I’d keep him as a high four-star.
FRIEDMAN'S VIEW
Anybody who turns on the tape of Alfano’s senior season cannot deny his dominance. His speed at the snap is what stands out most about him. He is in the backfield seemingly before any of the offensive linemen have gotten out of their stances. Even if any of the linemen are able to get a hand on him, he is so strong that he continues on as if he’s completely unimpeded.
We’ve been pointing to consistency, on and off the field, as the reason for not rocketing Alfano up the rankings. Alfano has been consistent enough for a long enough period of time for us to have confidence in his long-term potential.
