5 Survivor 48 players to watch going into the merge

The merge has officially arrived in Survivor 48! Now, the game is about to get really interesting.

We shared a list of five Survivor 48 players to watch heading into the merge. Let's get the list started with Star Toomey.

Star Toomey

“Survivor Smack Talk” – It’s double trouble when an unforeseen twist puts pressure on the castaways during the immunity challenge. Then, there’s nowhere to hide when a pivotal tribal council takes shape and decides who will make the jury, on SURVIVOR, Wednesday, April 9 (8:00-9:30 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+(live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs)*. | CB

Star emerged as everyone’s favorite player during the last episode. Between consoling Cedrek McFadden and being one of the defining voices behind Charity Nelms being voted out, she has shown versatile gameplay up until this point.

She is technically on the outside of the Integrity Alliance, but her newfound close relationship with Eva Erickson may give her an upper hand. Star is an individual challenge threat, as well, but somehow she isn't viewed in that light. In addition to her emotional intelligence, her presence makes her an interesting player to watch moving forward.

Cedrek McFadden

“Master Class in Deception” – Loose lips sink ships when one castaway’s frustrations put a wedge between them and their tribe. A shared meal breeds connection between tribemates as they discuss race and heritage. Then, an emotional immunity challenge brings two adversaries closer than ever imagined, on SURVIVOR, Wednesday, March 26 (8:00-9:30 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand | CB

Cedrek has been the centre of the most vote-outs so far this season. Twitter has been calling him an agent of chaos, which has been true up until this point. His love/hate relationships have been must-watch tv, only second to Sai Hughley’s frenemy relationship with Mary.

A lot of fans saw promise in Cedrek to start the season, but now, he finds himself in a less-than-powerful position. Despite melting down after losing the last immunity challenge, he is mostly cool, calm, and collected. I am curious if his threat level will rise over the next three weeks.

Mary Zheng

“Humble Traits” – A frantic idol hunt could save or ruin one castaway’s game. A castaway’s quick decision making must outlast the test of time when three castaways are sent on a journey. Then, castaways take a leap of faith in their second immunity challenge where they must trust their tribemates to beat out their competition, on SURVIVOR, Wednesday, March 5 (8:00-9:30 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME | CB

It seemed like Mary would be out of the game after the first couple weeks. Sai was gunning for her, and her days seemed numbered. Since then, she’s been a cat with nine lives, not only surviving Tribal Council but not having her name brought up on the merge beach at all. Mary is one of the best confessional contestants. I am looking forward her getting more screen time in the upcoming week.

David Kinne

“Committing to the Bit” – Castaways must fly blind during the immunity challenge, leaving one tribe with tribal council in their sights. The rising tensions within the losing tribe culminate in a historic tribal council, on SURVIVOR, Wednesday, March 12 (8:00-9:30 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream on Paramount+*. Jeff Probst serves as host and executive producer. Pictured (L-R): David Kinne and Mitch Guerra. Photo: Robert Voets/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All | CB

The world’s biggest milk drinker and one of the leaders of the ‘Integrity Alliance’ plans to change the game. Usually, a player of David's physical stature has almost a zero chance of making it to the finale. He will be the measuring stick of the success of this group. In past seasons, he would be an early merge boot as a perceived physical threat.

In the New Era, the first merge exits have been the most unbearable outcasts, which gives him a bit of a runway here. I hope he stays around a few more weeks, just to hear about how much he loves milk.

Joe Hunter

If Joe's moments with Eva haven’t made you shed a tear, then you might not have a heart. Almost immediately, he exclaimed that he would tank his game to save Eva’s, and for this reason, they are the top duo in the game.

Joe didn’t share this realization with all the other contestants, but it seems like they can feel it. After their embrace at the challenge, their bond is no secret. I am curious to see if Joe will really sink his own game for hers and if he will drag anyone down with him.

Watch new episodes of Survivor 48 on Wednesday nights!