Ringo Named to Inaugural SI All-American Team

Sports Illustrated breaks down some of the top football prospects in country including new All-American defensive back Kelee Ringo.

Author:
John Garcia, Jr.
Publish date:
Dec 17, 2019

Arguably the most coveted prospect in the country heading into the Early Signing Period, Kelee Ringo will have a wide selection of college football programs to select from come Wednesday when he makes his pledge public.

The Scottsdale (Ariz.) Saguaro defensive back is coming off of another strong campaign, helping the program to 11 wins and on the doorstep of another state championship, falling by one score in the title game against Chandler (Ariz.). The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Ringo doubled as an offensive weapon in 2019, averaging better than 13 yards per carry and scoring 13 touchdowns on the ground. Even though he was rarely targeted while on defense, he added three interceptions as a senior.

Ringo racked up more than 30 scholarship offers throughout his prep career and focused on a few programs down the stretch when it counted most. Oregon, a program he has followed as long as any other growing up on the west coast, hosted him for an official visit this fall. Georgia, a popular prediction on the eve of a public decision, hosted the elite athlete for an official visit over the weekend. Ohio State, Texas and USC are also among those hoping to hear good news Wednesday.

Why Ringo is an All-American:

Take any one element of Ringo's game and it's clear that he is a rare athlete. Not only is his among the bigger cornerback projections over the last few cycles, standing a legit 6-foot-1 plus, but he's already filled out and physically developed along the way. That's before getting into the initial trait most associated with his name, speed.

Ringo has registered some head-turning times both on the football field and on the track circuit. He is a consistent sub 4.5-second runner in the 40-yard dash and can also maintain said speed as proven in the 100-meter dash times in the 10.4 to 10.5-second range.

While he looks like an NFL Draft-ready safety as a high schooler, Ringo has the length, physical prowess and speed to play cornerback very early on at the collegiate level.

2019 SI All-American Offensive Team:

QB Bryce Young, Alabama (Why Young? Highlights)

RB Demarckus Bowman, Clemson (Why Bowman? Highlights)

RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Georgia Tech (Why Gibbs? Highlights)

WR Julian Fleming, Ohio State (Why Fleming? Highlights)

WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State (Why Smith-Njigba? Highlights)

WR Malachi Wideman, FSU (Why Wideman? Highlights)

TE Arik Gilbert, LSU (Why Gilbert? Highlights)

OL Paris Johnson, Ohio State (Why Johnson? Highlights)

OL Tate Ratledge, UGA (Why Ratledge? Highlights)

OL Javion Cohen, Alabama (Why Cohen? Highlights)

OL Issiah Walker, Florida (Why Walker? Highlights)