2016 Recruiting Primer

Kyle Pollock

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With college football season upon us, that means it’s time to start talking recruiting. Many of this year’s top skill position players are already committed, but there’s still plenty of excitement on the recruiting trail. Let’s take a deeper dive into this year’s class, position-by-position.

Note: All rankings are from 247Sports National Composite, which averages all the major recruiting services into one concise ranking.

Quarterback

This year it seems quarterbacks are committing earlier than ever, with 38 of the top 40 pro style quarterbacks committed and every four star prospect (including dual threat players) also committed. There are two five star players at the position – Shea Patterson (who has pledged to play at Ole Miss) and Jacob Eason (a Georgia commit). Patterson was named the MVP of the Elite 11 camp over the summer, while Eason placed fourth. Patterson is on the smaller side, standing at 6’2” and weighing 195 pounds. Eason is built like a prototypical pocket passer and at 6’5”, 205 pounds, has a good frame that should continue to develop during college. Shane Buechele was named the runner up at the Elite 11 and is currently committed to Texas. He is the nation’s number two dual threat quarterback and will look to help Texas regain its status as a national powerhouse.

As well as the previous three quarterbacks, other could have a chance to step into starting roles right away. Malik Henry (Florida State), KJ Costello (Stanford), Feleipe Franks (LSU), Brandon Peters (Michigan), Messiah deWeaver (Michigan State) and Jake Zembiec (Penn State). Dwayne Haskins could potentially have the biggest impact on his team. Haskins spurned offers from many of the nation’s top programs to remain in his home state of Maryland and this could be a player who totally galvanizes the program. He will have every chance to step up and lead Maryland to future success. Lastly, the top remaining quarterback is Keaton Torre. He is currently ranked as the #19 quarterback in the country and has offers from Louisville and Auburn.

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Running Back

This year’s number one running back is five star Tavien Feaster, who is currently committed to Clemson. He is the only five star running back, but is followed close behind in the rankings by Ohio State commits Kareem Walker and Demario McCall and Penn State commit Miles Sanders. Feaster and Sanders could have an immediate impact if they decide to remain at the schools they are currently committed to, while Walker and McCall may have to wait due to the Buckeyes’ depth at running back. If star Ezekiel Elliott returns, one or both of these players may redshirt. Last week, number five running back Elijah Holyfield (son of boxer Evander Holyfield) committed to Georgia by bringing out two bulldogs named Chubb and Gurley. Holyfield should be behind Nick Chubb and Sony Michel his first season, however, he could be in a committee or be the lead back by his second year on campus (assuming Chubb goes pro).

BJ Emmons is a 232-pound bruiser currently committed to Alabama. He is the premier “big back” of this class, as there is no other back over 220 pounds in the top 40. The two top uncommitted backs are Devwah Whaley and Robert Washington. Whaley is currently projected to go to Texas A&M, with Oklahoma in second:

Washington was a onetime Syracuse commit, but de-committed in late August. It’s anyone’s guess where he’ll go, but currently Syracuse is still considered the favorite. He could be a breakout player in this recruiting class, and should be a great player for whatever team he ends up playing for.

Wide Receiver

Receiver is the key position to watch over the course of this year’s recruiting cycle, as 12 of the top 20 players at the position are currently uncommitted – this includes the two gems of the class, five star recruits Nate Craig-Myers and Kyle Davis. Myers was a one time Auburn commit, while Georgia is considered the favorite to land Davis. Davis was also named the MVP of the Opening 7-on-7 tournament this summer.

Tyrie Cleveland, Dylan Crawford and Josh Imatorbhebhe all killed it at the SPARQ combine at the Opening. The combine tests athletes in four drills: the 40 yard dash, the vertical leap, the power ball throw and the 20 yard short shuttle. The SPARQ score combines all four of these into one metric to give a full overview of athletic ability. All three posted SPARQ scores over 136 in the initial round of testing, which earned them a spot into the top 10 and into the final round. Imatorbhebhe and Cleveland each posted a score of 142 in the finals, while Crawford had a slightly worse performance posting a score of 123.

Perhaps the most impressive feat any of these players pulled off was by Imatorbhebhe, who posted a ridiculous 47-inch vertical leap. He is committed to USC, who is also the favorite to land Crawford. USC already has four wide receivers committed for this class, so if either player decides to attend the school they’ll have fierce competition. TCU is expected to land Cleveland, whose speed could allow him to thrive in the Horned Frogs Air Raid offense.

Other top committed receivers in this year’s class include Sam Bruce (Miami [FL]), Austin Mack (Ohio State), DeKaylin Metcalf (Ole Miss), Tyler Vaughns (USC). Top uncommitted receivers include Devin Duvernay, Binjimen Victor, A.J. Brown and Stephen Sullivan (who recently decommitted from LSU).

Tight End

Isaac Nauta is the lone five star in this year’s tight end class. At 6’4”, 237 pounds, Nauta has good size for a tight end and should be able to put on more weight in college. The number 12 player in nation is currently expected to attend Georgia.

Kaden Smith is the clear number two in the class and is very close to earning a fifth star. Smith is slightly taller than Nauta at 6’5.5”, and weighs roughly the same at 235. The Stanford commit and #31 player nationally impressed in the seven-on-seven portion of the Opening. He has the potential to follow the path of Zach Ertz and Coby Fleener as Stanford tight ends who have made it to the NFL.

Ohio State has a pair of four star tight ends in Jake Hausmann and Luke Farrell. They will look to take the place of current starter Nick Vannett, who graduates after this season. Carey Angeline (USC) and Naseir Upshur (Florida State) are two other names to remember from this class.

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