Hi everyone! It’s a big day today, because it marks the long-awaited (by at least me!) return of my Power Rankings! Though, this time, I’m doing something a bit different. I’m actually not going to rank anyone right off the bat. Today I’m just going to focus on the people themselves — and what a group do we have for SEASON 36! Ghost Island is going to be awesome, I just know it. We’ve got two tribes to look at, each with ten brave new souls ready to enter the hallowed domain of the Survivor gods. I’m going to do this alphabetically and I can’t wait to see how wrong I end up being! I’ll also provide y’all with links to each Castaway’s official intro videos from YouTube so you can get to know them even better if you haven’t seem them yet! Let’s do this!

[Also, PLEASE let me know what you think of the new formatting! WordPress wasn’t gelling with me. ]

Brendan Shapiro | 41 / Herndon, VA / Physical Education Teacher (video)

I love Brendan.. He first applied in 2001, and he’s finally out here. I think he’s going to play really well, IF he can shake the stigma of being older on this very young-skewed tribe. He’s chiseled like a freaking rock, and seems like he has the smarts to get things going and keep it going. As a Physical Education teacher I think he’ll be able to have the emotional intelligence to go deep. My big hesitations with Brendan are that it seems like he’s an OBVIOUS threat, and that he’s easily provoked when people bully each other (that could get him in trouble unfortunately), but overall I’m very high on Brendan! I don’t think he’ll win, but I’d be ecstatic if he did (and I’d probably say that for 17/20 of these people).

PREDICTION: Top 4

Donathan Hurley | 26 / Kimper, KY / Caretaker (video)

Donathan (not Donovan, or Jonathan), is super inspiring already. Coming out as gay in super-conservative rural Kentucky at 13? That takes guts — and you need guts to win Survivor. He’s such a treasure and I think he’ll be instantly well-liked by everyone else in the game. I think, like many in this sort of category beforehand, that this will get him in trouble, because he would easily rack up jury votes at the end if he plays well (and I think he will do so!) Overall, Donathan is one of my faves this season. I don’t think he’ll win, but I’ll cherish every second he’s on my TV screen!

PREDICTION: Late Merge (7th-5th)

Jacob Derwin | 22 / Brooklyn, NY / Music Teacher (video)

Jacob is ANOTHER one of my favorites (seeing a trend yet?) He’s an obvious superfan and someone I really relate to. His story is so similar to mine that I can’t help but root for him. I think his biggest strength is his biggest weakness, especially on this season, which is his game knowledge. That automatically makes him a big threat and I hope it doesn’t cause an early ouster for Jacob. I think that he’s going to excel socially and strategically, but he’s going to need a gift from the Survivor gods if he wants to really seal the deal. Jacob is awesome and I will be devastated if he doesn’t make it to the finale episode.

PREDICTION: Late Merge (7th-5th)

James Lim | 24 / New York, NY / Business Analyst (video)

So, James was my winner pick. Sorry dude.. but I’ve jumped ship. More on that in a bit. Why I like James so much is his story — Born in LA, growing up in South Korea, and moving back to the US to go to High School alone at age 15? That’s insanely cool. I think that James will excel physically and strategically (he was a sprinter at Harvard!), but the social game could be his downfall, and why I decided at the last minute to switch my winner pick. In a lot of preseason interviews with the likes of Gordon Holmes, Josh Wigler, Dalton Ross, etc, James has been described by his fellow castaways as ‘robotic’, and even by Probst himself as a machine. Though, I think James will take that to heart. I hope, and think, that he will do very well. Will he be Yul 2.0? I hope so!

PREDICTION: Top 4

Jenna Bowman| 23 / Venice Beach, CA / Advertising Account Executive (video)

Ok, we’ve had a lot of people that I’ve loved, but Jenna is someone who my gut is not liking. Although she’s got a lot of strengths, something she said in her interview with Josh Wigler for THR struck me… she said that if you don’t have enemies on the jury, you didn’t play the game right, and I think that that could be her downfall. Not taking into account that people will be angry and probably not want to vote for you after you vote them out could prove to be catastrophic. I also think that she might just end up rubbing people the wrong way on her tribe. However, I’m always up for being pleasantly surprised!

PREDICTION: Early Pre-Merge (20th-17th)

Laurel Johnson | 29 / Minneapolis, MN / Financial Consultant (video)

One of the two women with the last name Johnson, Laurel is someone I really like who I want to go far but who I think will flame out in the early/mid game. She thinks she’s hot stuff, but there are other Ivy League athletes here (like James!), and I think that she’s going to go too hard too fast. She’s a superfan, but I think that that will get her in trouble early. I do find it funny that she lied to her boyfriend to practice, though!

PREDICTION: Early Merge (13th-11th)

Libby Vincek| 24 / Houston, TX/ Social Media Strategist (video)

I like Libby a lot. She reminds me (and Probst as well) of Andrea (from Game Changers). I think the biggest thing she has to do at the onset of the game is to break through the hot blonde girl archetype and not fall prey to a showmance, and then she’s in a great spot. She’s athletic and fun, and I can’t wait to see how she does. I’m pretty confident that people will want to keep her around, but then she will surprise people and make a good run!

PREDICTION: Mid-Merge (10th-8th)

Michael Yerger | 18 / Los Angeles, CA / Real Estate Agent (video)

Ok, how the hell can you be a Real Estate Agent at 18??? That’s my biggest question with Michael. I’m always pumped to see players under 20 (or at least younger than me — I’ll be 21 in a few months!), and Michael seems to be promising. He says he’s going to lie about his age (doable. Definitely doable.) That mind game is going to have to be really subtle and well-thought-out to work. I hope that it does! I wonder though how long he’ll be able to keep up the act, and I think some people could see through it or take advantage of his young-person-naivete. I see a lot of myself in Michael, so I’m rooting for the kid!

PREDICTION: Early Merge (13th-11th)

Stephanie Gonzalez | 26 / Ocala, FL / Graphic Sales (video)

Gonzalez is a huge question mark. When prepping for this I swung her back and forth from early boot to going deep… For the sake of the blog, unfortunately (as I can’t put everyone down as doing well…), I’m putting her in the early boot category and I hope I’m wrong. I just think that people are going to be really intimidated by her! She’s tall, pretty, and tough — a deadly combo out in Fiji. She has a fighting spirit and I love that, but I think it could totally work against her.

PREDICTION: Early Pre-Merge (20th-17th)

Stephanie Johnson | 34 / Chicago, IL / Yoga Instructor (video)

On to the other Stephanie, who I also really really like but who I think is gonna flame out early. On the one hand, I’ve gotta root for people from Chicago (as I spent a large chunk of my pre-college life in its suburbs, and I’m back home for Spring Break!), and I love her neon pants and her uber-positive superfan attitude… but that’s pretty much what we got from Katrina last season… and if Stephanie isn’t careful, she’ll end up as the first boot as well, or at least going pre-merge. I really hope I’m wrong, and that she can kick some ass. But, we’ll see. She’s fun, funky, and has a million jobs. Who came up with the idea to reincarnate Debbie Wanner? Give that person a raise! No matter how long she lasts, Stephanie will be a riot and I can’t wait.

PREDICTION: Late Pre-Merge (16th-14th)

Angela Perkins| 42 / Cincinnati, OH / Army Veteran (video)

Angela is a MASSIVE question mark. Obviously with all of what we saw last season with Ben, another military vet, it’ll be interesting to see if they play similarly or not. I think Angela will have a tough time fitting in with this very young-skewed cast, but perhaps she will have it a bit easier on Naviti. She definitely looks like she will be able to hold her own in the challenges, and hopefully has some strategic skills from her time in the Army. I’m very excited to see how she plays, but I don’t see her going far, and if anyone is gonna get a purple edit (Like JP last season… see this link for more info) this season I have a feeling it could be her. Her strength will help Naviti a lot, but closer to the merge when challenge threats are targeted… she could be done for, especially if she doesn’t maintain social ties that she needs to.

PREDICTION: Late Pre-Merge (16th-14th)

Bradley Kleihege|25 / Los Angeles, CA / Law Student (video)

Oh, Bradley. The newest in the line of the Cochran/Spencer/Ryan nerd archetype. Though, I think Bradley will go the way of Spencer — the villainous strategist. Which is ironic, given that he was almost cast in Cagayan instead of Spencer, apparently. Though, If you remember, during Probst’s cast assessment for Cagayan he said that Spencer had 0.0% chance of winning, and he then came fourth (and then second in Cambodia). This time, with Bradley, I think that Probst’s initial assessment of Spencer is more true. EVEN THOUGH this season’s theme is PERFECTLY tailored for someone like Bradley, his penchant for taunting people and getting along better with smart people and not ‘simple’ as he says… probably won’t get him very far. Spencer was the likable underdog… Bradley, sorry man. You just really came off like a jerk! I hope that that’s not true in game, and that you go far. But, not everyone can do as well as Cochran, Spencer, and Ryan.

PREDICTION: Late Pre-Merge (16th-14th)

Chelsea Townsend|25 / Los Angeles, CA / EMT/Pro Cheerleader (video)

I’m really not sure whether to say Chelsea is going to go deep, or be the first boot. She could totally go either way. I mean, she’s a freakin’ Cheerleader/EMT! What was interesting is that her video doesn’t even mention that, though. I’m excited to see if she will be able to turn on her allies, and if she will use her social cheerleader side for good. She seems like a blank canvas, which both excites and worries me. So… I’m very sorry, Chelsea, if you’re reading this. I want to be wrong, and I want you to go far and prove me wrong!

PREDICTION: Early Pre-Merge (20th-17th)

Chris Noble|27 / Brooklyn, NY / Male Model (video)

Oh boy. Chris, sorry man. You just seriously come off as an egotistical jerk. HOWEVER, he went to grad school for Kinesiology, so I’m guessing that there’s a lot more under wraps than I think. I think he’s either going to flame out early, or he will actually play really well. I don’t want to generalize… but man, casting must have really found the jerk jock archetype here. I could be (and hope that I am) totally wrong, but I think that he HAS to be a real team player early on or he will get booted early. I think a lot of people won’t want him around.

PREDICTION: Early Pre-Merge (20th-17th)

Desiree Afuye|21 / Brooklyn, NY / Student (video)

I can’t tell if Desiree is going to be a firecracker or a slow burn. She’s already had a crazy life at almost my age… which blows my mind. She’s been homeless, lived in Nigeria when she was little, and has matured a lot. I see her clashing with a lot of people but I see her bonding with a lot of people as well. I want to see her go far, and I think that if she doesn’t go crazy, and she can play more subtly and slip through the cracks, she can do some wonders.

PREDICTION: Late Merge (7th-5th)

Domenick Abbate|38 / Nesconset, NY / Construction Supervisor (video)

After Joe last season, we see the next in the line of Tony wannabes… or do we? I think Domenick will be his own guy. I think that his drive to innovate and create and be adaptable will be really fun to watch! He has a lot of life experience and I think he will do really well socially and strategically. I’m worried that people are going to see him as a schemer, but, let’s face it, that’s what he’s doing! I mean, he wants to steal parchment from Tribal. GENIUS. Man, I want Domenick to kick some serious ass. Like so many others, I wanna see him win. However, I think that once he starts to get something going, people will wise up and take him out.

PREDICTION: Mid-Merge (10th-8th)

Kellyn Bechtold |30 / Denver, CO / Career Counselor (video)

I love Kellyn. She totally reminds me of one of my really quirky college professors I had a few semesters ago. If Kass and Aubry were combined, we’d probably get Kellyn. She’s had a whirlwind year going into Survivor (TWO MASTERS DEGREES AND A MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE? HOLY MOLY!). I think she’s super smart and nice, and she will be able to harness that and really break the ‘mom’ mold. I think she’ll make it to Final Tribal, and I think if she can get there she could go all the way. I’d love for her to win. Her downfall though could be her strengths, and if she goes more mid-merge I’ll be sad but not surprised.

PREDICTION: Top 4

Morgan Ricke|29 / Orlando, FL / Marine Animal Trainer (video)

“Morgan the Mermaid”… she’s gonna be awesome. She seems really positive and powerful and expressive. She freakin’ works with whales. How cool! I think her athleticism is her major asset, but should she be able to get entrenched in a good alliance and use her social skills to her advantage she could be making a splash in Fiji. If she wins, it totally won’t be a fluke. (Ok… that’s enough with the aqua-puns). She’s been compared in a lot of preseason press to Kim Spradlin (winner of One World)… I think it’s the braid. But, I think that hair aside it’s valid. I can’t wait to see Morgan play and I hope she goes deep!

PREDICTION: Mid-Merge (10th-8th)

Sebastian Noel|22 / Satellite Beach, FL / Fishing Guide (video)

It’s Ozzy 6.0! After Ozzy, Malcolm, Joe, Jay, and recently Devon, Survivor Seb the Merman joins the ranks of luscious-locked muscular dudes. I hope he does as well as Jay and Devon, but unfortunately I see him placing closer to Joe and Ozzy (in his recent run in Game Changers). I’d love to see him go far, but I worry he might fall to the primal instincts of flirtatiousness. I think the fact that the tribes are given less rice and building materials this time will work in Sebastian’s favor, as will his athleticism and oceanic know-how. I hope he and Morgan team up because they have such a similar work environment. Sebastian is one of my favorites already, and I hope he goes farther than I’m putting him. I’ve been LONGING for the day when the Ozzy archetype wins. We got SO EFFING CLOSE for a bit… Seb, bring it home!

PREDICTION: Early Merge (13th-11th)

Wendell Holland|22 / Philadelphia, PA / Furniture Company Owner (video)

Saving the best for last, Wendell is my Winner Pick! It was a tough choice between him and James, but this ‘dope furniture maker’ won out. He’s so freakin’ cool. He’s athletic and knows his weaknesses, but I think he will definitely be more dynamic than he looks. He seems genuine and cites Tyson as one of his favorite players (who is also one of mine!). He also went to Law School before becoming a furniture designer, so he’s not dumb. He’s gonna be able to weed his way through the crazy egos and chiseled bodies, win when he has to, and keep his allies close and his enemies closer. He’s even Probst’s winner pick! Though he has said that when he picks a winner he usually tanks their game, the theme of Ghost Island is to reverse the curse of the past. I think that Wendell will reverse not only Jeff’s curse and whatever the Survivor gods have in store, but also my curse of not getting a winner pick right since Michele! GO WENDELL!!!

PREDICTION: Top 4

So, there you have it. Wendell is my official Winner Pick (I’ve got him, James, and Kellyn in my Final 3, but I don’t think it all matters too much, it’s all for fun!). This cast is really great, for the most part. For pretty much everyone, I like them and think they will go far, or I like them and think they won’t but I’d love it if they did. If we could just have everyone last all 39 days, it would be sweet. However, that’s not the case. I’m super excited to see what Ghost Island has in store for our twenty new Castaways, and the wait isn’t much longer. Survivor: Ghost Island premieres, with its TWO HOUR first episode, “Can You Reverse the Curse?” on Wednesday, January 28th at 7 PM Central, 8 PM Eastern!

The plan right now is to post my first set of Power Rankings after the first episode airs on SUNDAY, March 4th!

Thanks so much for reading, and if you want to stay updated on the goings-on of the blog, or find out more about me personally, follow me on Twitter!

-Austin