College Football Recruits Who Can Be the Next 2-Way Star Players
The news of UCLA junior Myles Jack withdrawing from school and preparing to enter the 2016 NFL draft came as something of a surprise to those who have followed his career. Jack—no pun intended—has been a jack of all trades on the field, shining as an outside linebacker and moonlighting as a reliable running back.
Jack had 15 tackles (nine solo), two pass deflections and an interception in three games before a season-ending knee injury sidelined him last month. He also rushed for a touchdown and returned a kickoff 29 yards during the season.
A player with Jack's versatility at the college level is rare, and as he recuperates from the knee injury to prepare for the draft, college football will now look for it's next super-versatile athlete. While nothing is guaranteed, there are a few from the 2016 and 2017 classes who could be two-way standouts at the next level.
Here are some players, in alphabetical order, to keep an eye on for the future.
4-Star Devin Asiasi
1 of 7
Hometown (School): Concord, California (De La Salle)
Class: 2016
Size: 6'5", 260 lbs
247Sports composite rank: No. 60 overall (No. 4 ATH)
It's hard to put Devin Asiasi at one position, particularly when he's shined as both a tight end and defensive end against top competition this year. Asiasi has the size and quickness to be an elite defensive end, but it's his speed, hands and route-running ability that makes him look really impressive as a tight end.
Asiasi has 22 reported offers and isn't planning on making a decision until national signing day. He announced a top eight in June, and schools like USC, Washington and Cal are among the schools to keep an eye on. Alabama is considered to be a school in the running, as well.
4-Star Trevon Diggs
2 of 7
Hometown (School): Rockville, Maryland (The Avalon School)
Class: 2016
Size: 6'0", 183 lbs
247Sports composite rank: No. 84 (No. 5 ATH)
With 21 reported offers, Trevon Diggs is one of those athletes who can show big-play ability the first day he steps on a college campus. Although he has the ability to put receivers on islands as a cornerback, Diggs may be best suited as a receiver at the next level because of his strength, speed and hands.
Diggs originally planned on committing July 4 but postponed the date in order to take visits and do further research. Diggs, who is getting advice from older brother and NFL receiver Stefon Diggs, has intriguing offers from Alabama, Maryland, LSU and others.
5-Star Mecole Hardman Jr.
3 of 7
Hometown (School): Elberton, Georgia (Elbert County HS)
Class: 2016
Size: 5'10", 175 lbs
247Sports composite rank: No. 21 overall (No. 1 ATH)
When you watch Mecole Hardman Jr. on the field there is much to like because he makes the game look so easy. As a receiver, he has excellent hands and runs pristine routes. As a cornerback, he's a shutdown defender who has a knack of making the big play.
Hardman has nearly 30 offers but announced a top 10 in August. He recently chatted with Bleacher Report to discuss his timeline for his decision. Georgia, Tennessee, Miami and Michigan are among the schools in the running.
4-Star Jack Jones
4 of 7
Hometown (School): Long Beach, California (Polytechnic HS)
Class: 2016
Size: 5'10", 170 lbs
247Sports composite rank: No. 48 overall (No. 3 ATH)
Here's what makes Jack Jones such an admirable player: When he participated in spring camps he not only went through receiver and defensive back drills, but he also was either first in line or the athlete who made sure he received multiple reps. Jones is a workhorse who wants to be the gold standard at all positions.
Jones' recruiting is wide open, but Arizona State, Texas A&M, USC, UCLA, Washington and Florida are considered to be in the lead. Jones has said on multiple occasions he will "play any position a coach wants."
5-Star Dylan Moses
5 of 7
Hometown (School): Baton Rouge, Louisiana (University Lab School)
Class: 2017
Size: 6'2", 220 lbs
247Sports composite rank: No. 1 overall
It's not rare to see Dylan Moses finish a game with double-digit tackles as an outside linebacker and a touchdown on offense as a running back. Moses' versatility has been a story since he started high school, and the expectations for him shining in college are sky high.
Moses, the nation's top-ranked player in the 2017 class, committed to LSU as a freshman in September 2013 but decommitted in August of this year to explore other options and go through the recruiting process. He has 25 reported offers, including Alabama, Florida State, Texas and USC.
4-Star Demetris Robertson
6 of 7
Hometown (School): Savannah, Georgia (Savannah Christian Prep)
Class: 2016
Size: 6'1", 165 lbs
247Sports composite rank: No. 32 overall (No. 2 ATH)
Put the ball in Demetris Robertson's hands and he's an instant threat. As a wide receiver, he can line up on the outside or at slot. On special teams, he can be dangerous as a kick returner or punt returner. And on defense, Robertson makes for a reliable safety with cornerback-like coverage skills.
Robertson committed to Alabama in July of last year but decommitted in April. Alabama is still a contender, but Georgia, Stanford, Cal and Notre Dame are four schools also fighting hard for Robertson's services.
4-Star Devin White
7 of 7
Hometown (School): Springhill, Louisiana (North Webster)
Class: 2016
Size: 6'1", 258 lbs
247Sports composite rank: No. 90 overall (No. 6 ATH)
An athlete like Devin White goes against everything metrics may try to sell. Few athletes his size run sub-4.5-second 40-yard dash times. And few athletes can score touchdowns at running back, receiver or H-back while also making tackles as a linebacker, safety or defensive end.
White, a classic "Weapon X" option at the next level, has plans of playing running back in college, but he can be effective on both sides of the ball. He released a top 10 in July but tweeted in June he has a good idea of which school he will attend.
Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles
