Top 2017 College Football Recruits at Every Position Heading into 2015 Season

A fresh football season presents heightened expectations for the next crop of coveted college prospects. High school juniors who comprise the 2017 recruiting class will be asked to carry larger loads for their respective programs while pressure mounts to find the right university.

This star-studded group remains relatively new on the national radar, so we're highlighting the top-rated player at every position in 247Sports' composite rankings. Some athletes already announced collegiate commitments, but many remain undecided and open to opportuities across the country.

Pro-Style QB: Hunter Johnson

High School: Brownsburg (Brownsburg, Indiana)

Size: 6'3", 197 pounds

Composite Ranking: No. 1 pro-style quarterback; No. 11 overall

Recruitment Status

Hunter Johnson holds more than 20 scholarship offers, though a few potential landing spots stand out. Tennessee, Penn State and in-state Notre Dame look like strong contenders for the Hoosier. 

Coaching staffs at Stanford, Michigan and NC State are among those likely to continue chasing Johnson until he announces a decision, and perhaps beyond that. The Volunteers lead in his 247Sports Crystal Ball, claiming 56 percent of expert commitment predictions.

Reasons for the Hype

Johnson, who already exhibits the physical frame you prefer for a pocket passer, fires the football downfield with plenty of zip. He can thread passing lanes and appears to understand defensive coverage while working through progressions.

Expect a significant spike in his statistical output this season. Johnson completed 54 percent of pass attempts in 2014, tallying 1,434 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Dual-Threat Quarterback: Tate Martell

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nevada)

Size: 5'11", 180 pounds

Composite Ranking: No. 1 dual-threat quarterback; No. 12 overall

Recruitment Status

Tate Martell, set to decide Aug. 20, is considering five finalists. Michigan, Alabama, Texas A&M, Washington and USC are each still in the mix, though his Crystal Ball trends heavily toward the Trojans and Aggies.

Texas A&M leads with 78 percent of expert projections. Head coach Kevin Sumlin welcomed him to campus this summer.

"The feeling I got there with the entire college atmosphere was pretty cool. That's one school where even if I wasn't going to play football in college, I would still be really interested in going there," Martell told Bleacher Report.

Reasons for the Hype

He emerged as a college recruiting target in middle school, verbally committing to Washington before eighth grade. Martell, who started his high school career in Southern California, could log an incredible high school career if he stays healthy.

Bishop Gorman claimed a sixth-straight state championship and No. 1 overall national ranking last season with Martell orchestrating the offensive attack. He tallied 2,970 total yards, 45 touchdowns and just two interceptions as a sophomore.

Running Back: Najee Harris

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Antioch (Antioch, California)

Size: 6'1½", 210 lbs.

Composite Ranking: No. 1 running back; No. 6 overall

Recruitment Status

Najee Harris continues a trend of big-time running back commitments at Alabama. He pledged to the Crimson Tide in April, giving head coach Nick Saban a top-five rusher for the seventh consecutive recruiting cycle.

Alabama since added 4-star running backs to both its 2017 and 2016 classes, creating a potential logjam in the offensive backfield. Harris also holds offers from Notre Dame, Tennessee, USC and UCLA, among others.

Reasons for the Hype

Harris erupted for 2,290 rushing yards last season, per MaxPreps. He averaged nearly nine yards per carry and scored 23 touchdowns, adding 21 two-point conversions.

"I don't care if I'm the No. 1, No. 20 or No. 100 running back in the country. I'd still be the same person," Harris told B/R's Damon Sayles.

Interior Offensive Lineman: Jack Anderson

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Frisco (Frisco, Texas)

Size:  6'4½", 285 pounds

Composite Ranking: No. 1 offensive guard; No. 28 overall

Recruitment Status

Naturally, several Lone Star State squads are interested in signing Jack Anderson. Texas Tech and Texas A&M look especially strong to land on his upcoming favorites list.

Oklahoma, Baylor, TCU and Georgia are among other programs in pursuit. His offer sheet features more than 40 universities.

Reasons for the Hype

Anderson, one of the most aggressive offensive linemen you'll find in high school football this fall, received a rare early invitation to The Opening. He competed at the showcase event in Oregon this summer, earning respect from several elite 2016 defensive linemen.

"I definitely saw not to underestimate him," LSU commit Caleb Roddy told Bleacher Report. "Some of those younger players who have a lot of hype get exposed at big events. He definitely stepped up to the plate."

Offensive Tackle: Calvin Ashley

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Dr. Phillips (Orlando, Florida)

Size: 6'7", 307 pounds

Composite Ranking: No. 1 offensive tackle; No. 2 overall

Recruitment Status

This massive Sunshine State star commanded scholarship offers from multiple SEC heavyweights as an underclassman. Calvin Ashley announced a commitment to Auburn at the end of his sophomore year.

Florida State was once considered the faraway favorite for Ashley's pledge, carrying 94 percent of expert Crystal Ball predictions.

Reasons for the Hype

Already impressively coordinated for an athlete of his stature, Ashley exhibits all the attributes of a plug-and-play college talent at offensive tackle. His reach and raw strength overwhelm high school opponents, but he doesn't get lazy off the snap despite a distinct ability advantage.

He continues a trend of blue-chip blockers from Florida, following recent recruits Martez Ivey and Baveon Johnson. Expect Ashley to compete for immediate reps at the next level.

Tight End: Brock Wright

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Cy-Fair (Cypress, Texas)

Size: 6'4½", 243 pounds

Composite Ranking: No. 1 tight end; No. 30 overall

Recruitment Status

Brock Wright visited multiple marquee programs early in the recruiting process, traveling to Michigan, Texas and Notre Dame earlier this year. He pledged to the Fighting Irish in June, three months after receiving an offer from the team during his first campus trip.

Notre Dame continues to develop quite a reputation at the tight end position. Head coach Brian Kelly signed top-rated 2015 commit Aliz'e Jones in February, creating a competitive environment for Wright.

Reasons for the Hype

College coaches search for balance in instant-impact tight ends, and you can already see that trait in Wright. He's an excellent blocker, sealing off seams for running backs and driving defenders downfield when called upon.

Wright collected 17 receptions as a sophomore, averaging 21.7 yards per catch. Expect him to exploit the intermediate area as his route-running grows sharper and leaves linebackers grasping for air.

Wide Receiver: Trevon Grimes

Credit: 247Sports

High School: St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

Size: 6'3", 180 pounds

Composite Ranking: No. 1 wide receiver; No. 9 overall

Recruitment Status

Ohio State is a slam-dunk favorite for Florida playmaker Trevon Grimes according to Crystal Ball projections. All 25 expert predictions point toward the Buckeyes, but this process still may be far from complete.

His alternative options include Clemson, Auburn, Georgia, LSU and Notre Dame. Grimes is sure to hear about the Gators regularly from 4-star 2017 Florida quarterback commit and high school teammate Jake Allen, though he also plays with 5-star Ohio State defensive end pledge Nick Bosa.

Reasons for the Hype

Grimes lines up alongside seniors/Miami commits Sam Bruce and Michael Irvin Jr. at St. Thomas Aquinas. Together they may form the country's most formidable corps of receivers. With a talent like Allen leading this aerial attack, expect the spotlight to shine brightly every game.

Bruce and Irvin are older, but Grimes could emerge as the most important piece of passing efforts. His rare blend of length and agility set the stage for a breakout junior campaign that would solidify a spot atop 2017 receiver rankings.

Defensive End: A.J. Epenesa

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Edwardsville (Edwardsville, Illinois)

Size: 6'5", 230 pounds

Composite Ranking: No. 1 defensive end; No. 14 overall

Recruitment Status

A.J. Epenesa collected a wide variety of offers midway through his sophomore year. Scholarship opportunities at Ohio State, Tennessee, USC, UCLA and Michigan have each arrived since late February.

Oklahoma and Notre Dame are early contenders, while 73 percent of Crystal Ball predictions pick him to end up at Iowa. His father played on the Hawkeyes defensive line nearly 20 years ago.

Reasons for the Hype

Epenesa is oozing with raw talent at defensive end, already displaying the size and aggressiveness to shut down his edge. Continued physical development could put him in the 260-pound range when he takes his first collegiate snap, which will likely occur as a true freshman.

He was a member of MaxPreps' 2013 Freshman All-American Team. Epenesa overwhelmed opponents as an underclassman, so keep a close eye on how dominant he looks this fall.

Defensive Tackle: Marvin Wilson

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Episcopal (Bellaire, Texas)

Size: 6'4", 316 pounds

Composite Ranking: No. 1 defensive tackle; No. 4 overall

Recruitment Status

Marvin Wilson is the center of attention in another star-studded class of Texas athletes, garnering the state's top rating. Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin and Longhorns leader Charlie Strong each identified him as a must-have target early in the process.

Several other schools have emerged as possible landing spots since the end of his sophomore season. LSU, USC, Michigan, Georgia and Alabama are now in the mix.

Reasons for the Hype

Wilson is fresh off a ferocious 2014 campaign that saw him collect 67 tackles and 15 sacks. He racked up 34 tackles for loss as an underclassman.

Given his stature and run-stuffing ability, Wilson projects as a 1- or 2-gap defensive tackle. An ability to put consistent pressure on quarterbacks separates him from the pack at this deep position.

Linebacker: Dylan Moses

High School: University Lab (Baton Rouge, Florida)

Size: 6'2", 220 pounds

Composite Ranking: No. 1 outside linebacker; No. 1 overall

Recruitment Status

Dylan Moses, who could potentially play running back in college, held multiple offers in middle school. He committed to local SEC powerhouse LSU early as a freshman and remained pledged to the Tigers for more than a year.

Dynamics changed Aug. 3, when Moss decommitted from LSU. The school still looks like his likely destination, but expect Alabama, Florida State, Texas and others to push hard for a role in this recruitment.

Reasons for the Hype

Perhaps the most highly publicized college football recruit ever, Moses landed on the cover of ESPN The Magazine as a 15-year-old. He's been compared to other prodigious American athletes like LeBron James and Bryce Harper, securing national notoriety before his first varsity snap.

Despite immense immediate pressure at the high school level, Moses continues to match lofty expectations. He earned National Freshman of the Year honors from MaxPreps in 2013 and already has more than 300 total tackles through two seasons.

Cornerback: DeAngelo Gibbs

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Peachtree Ridge (Suwanee, Georgia)

Size: 6'2", 204 pounds

Composite Ranking: No. 1 cornerback; No. 5 overall

Recruitment Status

Georgia is the favorite to sign in-state standout Deangelo Gibbs, though plenty of programs aim to avoid that outcome. Tennessee, USC, Oregon and Notre Dame are among his top options away from home. 

Only the Volunteers have stolen a prediction from the Bulldogs in Gibbs' Crystal Ball.

Reasons for the Hype

Gibbs grew up training with his uncle, longtime NFL wide receiver Jake Reed. He arrived in high school prepared to compete at a high level and immediately emerged as one of the Southeast's most impressive young defensive prospects.

His skills shined as a freshman in 2013 when he played the lead role in ending current Missouri wide receiver Nate Brown's season-long touchdown streak. Gibbs has been shutting down passing lanes ever since.

Safety: Jeffrey Okudah

Credit: 247Sports

High School: South Grand Prairie (Grand Prairie, Texas)

Size: 6'1½", 194 pounds

Composite Ranking: No. 1 safety; No. 10 overall

Recruitment Status

Yet another scintillating Lone Star State talent, safety Jeffrey Okudah rose to prominence as a sophomore, commanding more than 30 scholarship offers. He visited several universities this summer, including Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Oklahoma, Ohio State and Tennessee.

The U.S. Army All-American Bowl selection remains largely open as a recruit. His Crystal Ball favors Baylor, but Stanford and Alabama also warranted commitment predictions.

"I'm looking for a school that can develop a DB to the next level, a school that has that tradition and one that has that established network for a player to succeed in life after football is over," he told B/R's Damon Sayles.

Reasons for the Hype

Okudah did damage on both sides of the ball last fall, displaying defensive dominance and offensive explosiveness. He averaged 24 yards per reception on 19 catches, resulting in six scores.

His athletic range allows him to anchor the back end of a defense with authority and gives college coaches an instant special teams ace. Okudah exhibited his abilities with a 39.7-inch vertical jump at The Opening regional camp in Dallas this spring.

Athlete: Devon Hunter

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Indian River (Chesapeake, Virginia)

Size: 6'3", 210 pounds

Composite Ranking: No. 1 athlete; No. 35 overall

Recruitment Status

Devon Hunter is a hot commodity in ACC territory. Clemson, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Florida State have each spent significant time showing him love.

Michigan and Alabama highlight an expansive list of possibilities that already includes more than 25 college teams. Linebacker Jaquan Yulee, a 2016 Crimson Tide commit, is his teammate at Indian River.

Reasons for the Hype

Hunter could fill various needs on a college roster. He showed off a dynamic skill set during his dominant underclassman career, collecting 917 rushing yards, 816 receiving yards, 18 touchdowns, 107 tackles and two interceptions.

He projects as either a safety or wide receiver, though his ultimate role remains a topic of discussion among coaching staffs.

Quotes obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue unless otherwise noted. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.