Bleacher Report's Top 25 2017 Recruiting Classes After The Opening
A total of 13 players from the 2017 class ended their recruiting processes last week as the 2016 edition of The Opening took place. Five announced during Bleacher Report's "Commitment Week," and eight others made their decisions live either via Bleacher Report or ESPN.
With their decisions, there were shakeups in the team recruiting rankings. Some schools saw their stock rise, while others may have taken a slight dip because of the success of the schools around them.
Recruiting is a marathon and not a sprint, as final rankings will emerge after national signing day. For now, Bleacher Report wants to provide a top-25 recruiting ranking for the 2017 class. Rankings were based upon a team's success at landing 5-star recruits, 4-star recruits and its overall ability to fill its needs.
25. Northwestern
1 of 25
Total commitments: 17
5-star commitments: 0
4-star commitments: 0
Best of the bunch
Sam Miller is a hybrid defender who can play defensive tackle and defensive end. Miller is 6'3" and 260 pounds, and he is expected to be a leader in Northwestern's defense sooner than later.
Top targets
Northwestern always looks for the big-play athletes who also value the school's quality academic reputation. Osiris St. Brown, a 4-star wide receiver, could be a playmaker for the Wildcats. He has an older brother at Notre Dame, but if he is looking to take a separate path, Northwestern would be a choice to consider.
24. Duke
2 of 25
Total commitments: 16
5-star commitments: 0
4-star commitments: 1
Best of the bunch
Drew Jordan plays the game with no fear. The 4-star defensive end showed his worth as a member of the final five defensive linemen at The Opening. He never backed down from a challenge and won his fair share of battles. Expect more of the same at Duke.
Top targets
Landing an elite quarterback is always a smart idea, and Jack Sears plays the game as an elite athlete. He did a good job last week in Oregon as a member of the Elite 11, and he's looking to take his talents to a new level.
23. Houston
3 of 25
Total commitments: 18
5-star commitments: 0
4-star commitments: 0
Best of the bunch
Mohamed Sanogo is arguably one of the best players without a nationally known background. A 3-star inside linebacker, Sanogo won the linebacker MVP award for The Opening's Dallas regional.
Top targets
Last year's gem was 5-star defensive tackle Ed Oliver. This year, the Cougars are hoping to keep a local product close to home in 5-star defensive tackle Marvin Wilson. Houston uses the hashtag #HTownTakeover on social media, as it is all about keeping the top talent in the area.
Along with Wilson, 4-star defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson is a prime target for the Cougars. Chaisson has Houston high on his list, along with Oklahoma, LSU, Texas and other programs.
22. South Carolina
4 of 25
Total commitments: 16
5-star commitments: 0
4-star commitments: 1
Best of the bunch
Shi Smith isn't the biggest player in the world (5'9 ½",175 lbs), but South Carolina loves the fact that he can be a playmaker every time he's on the field. He's the No. 2-ranked player from the state of South Carolina, and he's someone who can blossom into a dangerous player in the SEC.
Top targets
The biggest name coming out of the South Carolina fan circle is Jamyest Williams, a 4-star shutdown cornerback who has built good relationships with coach Will Muschamp and his staff. Williams is a next-level talent at the cornerback position, and he plays the game as if he has something to prove.
21. USC
5 of 25
Total commitments: 10
5-star commitments: 1
4-star commitments: 2
Best of the bunch
Running back Stephen Carr definitely looked the part throughout last week at The Opening. A 5-star talent, Carr has power, speed and elusiveness. At 6'0" and 202 pounds, he can be a chameleon on the field, adapting to whatever defenses give him.
Top targets
Can the Trojans finish the recruiting class by picking up a commitment from Joseph Lewis? The 5-star talent has a few schools on his list, but with USC being close to home, it can be the ultimate answer for Lewis and a big win for the Trojans on signing day.
20. Maryland
6 of 25
Total commitments: 11
5-star commitments: 1
4-star commitments: 4
Best of the bunch
Maryland scored a monster commit in 5-star defensive end Joshua Kaindoh in April. Kaindoh can be one of those athletes who sees immediate playing time as a freshman. He has the physical and mental tools to do so.
Top targets
Maryland could land two athletes from DeMatha Catholic High School, which is located in the state. Chase Young (5-star defensive end) and Anthony McFarland Jr. (4-star all-purpose back) are two targets the Terrapins would love to have.
19. Rutgers
7 of 25
Total commitments: 19
5-star commitments: 0
4-star commitments: 2
Best of the bunch
All eyes will be on Micah Clark to help Rutgers' offensive line. Clark is a 4-star tackle who is ranked No. 2 among players from the state of New Jersey.
Top targets
Rutgers would love to land standouts from the state of New Jersey, and there are two 4-stars to keep an eye on. Defensive tackle Fred Hansard and athlete Markquese Bell are still open with their processes, and the Scarlet Knights have a decent shot at landing them both.
18. Iowa
8 of 25
Total commitments: 15
5-star commitments: 1
4-star commitments: 2
Best of the bunch
Defensive end A.J. Epenesa is a 5-star prospect the Hawkeyes have high expectations for. He's a long athlete at 6'5" and 230 pounds, and he's quick enough off the ball to beat offensive linemen and make plays.
Top targets
Oliver Martin is a 3-star wide receiver who played with and held his own against the 4- and 5-star players at The Opening. Martin is from Iowa City, Iowa, so landing him would mean keeping a stud prospect close to home for the Hawkeyes.
17. Mississippi State
9 of 25
Total commitments: 17
5-star commitments: 0
4-star commitments: 2
Best of the bunch
The backfield duo of running back Kylin Hill and quarterback Keytaon Thompson gives Mississippi State something to watch for over the next couple of years. Both are talented individuals with game-changing ability.
Top targets
Keeping the in-state talent close is always a good idea, and when it's 5-star running back Cam Akers, that's a great idea. You can bet that coach Dan Mullen and his staff are doing all they can to get Akers to commit. Defensively, 4-star cornerback Brad Stewart would be a solid addition to the 2017 class.
16. Michigan State
10 of 25
Total commitments: 15
5-star commitments: 0
4-star commitments: 3
Best of the bunch
Tight end Matt Dotson made Michigan State's offensive class stronger when he committed during Bleacher Report's "Commitment Week." He and offensive lineman Kevin Jarvis will be called upon to anchor the Spartans' line.
Top targets
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones would be a huge get for Michigan State on offense. Defensively, players like cornerbacks Amir Riep and Ambry Thomas would make the secondary better.
15. Auburn
11 of 25
Total commitments: 11
5-star commitments: 1
4-star commitments: 5
Best of the bunch
Auburn's class features three solid offensive linemen, with the newest commit being 4-star Nick Brahms, who announced his verbal commitment at The Opening. Calvin Ashley, however, is still the player to watch. The 5-star tackle is a top-15 prospect nationally.
Top targets
Defensively, Will Ignont is a top-200 player nationally and a solid inside linebacker. Offensively, Nico Collins is an in-state talent who could help Auburn's wide receiver group.
14. North Carolina
12 of 25
Total commitments: 14
5-star commitments: 0
4-star commitments: 4
Best of the bunch
North Carolina has a quartet of 4-star athletes, but Jonah Melton may be the one to watch overall. Melton is a top-10 offensive guard and the No. 2-ranked player from the state of North Carolina. The sleeper of the class, however, may be 3-star running back Michael Carter, who impressed at The Opening's Chicago regional.
Top targets
North Carolina would love to score a couple of commitments from the state of Virginia in Devon Hunter and Jonathan Sutherland. Both are 4-star, national top-25 safeties who could boost the Tar Heels' secondary.
13. Arizona
13 of 25
Total commitments: 22
5-star commitments: 0
4-star commitments: 3
Best of the bunch
As someone who can play multiple positions on both sides of the ball, 4-star athlete Greg Johnson is a player Rich Rodriguez and the Arizona coaching staff is excited about. Johnson may find a home as a cornerback, but he's equally effective as a wide receiver.
Top targets
Arizona is hoping to land Isaac Slade-Matautia, a top-20 outside linebacker and the No. 2 player from the state of Hawaii. Cornerback Thomas Graham is a 4-star talent from California who can also boost the Wildcats' class.
12. Miami
14 of 25
Total commitments: 15
5-star commitments: 0
4-star commitments: 5
Best of the bunch
Miami has a few 4-star commitments, but Navaughn Donaldson may be the most intriguing of the bunch. Donaldson is a monster at the position at a shade under 6'6" and 335 pounds.
Top targets
Anthony McFarland Jr. and Marco Wilson are two players who performed well at The Opening. McFarland is the nation's No. 4-ranked all-purpose back. The Hurricanes hope they can sway Wilson (a top-25 cornerback) from choosing Florida.
11. Tennessee
15 of 25
Total commitments: 18
5-star commitments: 0
4-star commitments: 2
Best of the bunch
The defense for the Volunteers looks promising with 4-star safety Maleik Gray and 4-star defensive tackle Eric Crosby committed. Gray is a top-five safety in the 2017 class.
Top targets
The future could be very bright for Tennessee if the Volunteers manage to keep a few studs in the state. Two in-state players to watch are 5-star athlete JaCoby Stevens and 4-star offensive tackle Trey Smith.
10. Texas A&M
16 of 25
Total commitments: 17
5-star commitments: 0
4-star commitments: 6
Best of the bunch
Texas A&M has had a great summer, and the good recruiting news continued to flow when the Aggies got a commitment from 4-star quarterback Kellen Mond on June 27. The Aggies believe Mond can be that major building block to bigger and better things in College Station.
Top targets
As a 5-star athlete from Texas, Jeffrey Okudah is ranked the No. 1 safety in the 2017 class, even though he spends the majority of his time at the cornerback position. Okudah is believed to be focusing on out-of-state schools, but Texas A&M is still an option if he chooses to stay in state.
Texas A&M has done a good job recruiting the state of Arizona, and 5-star offensive tackle Austin Jackson is a player to watch. Jackson is the top-ranked player from the state of Arizona. Christian Kirk and Kyle Allen were in similar boats when they were recruited by the Aggies.
9. Clemson
17 of 25
Total commitments: 11
5-star commitments: 2
4-star commitments: 6
Best of the bunch
One of the headliners of Bleacher Report's "Commitment Week" was 5-star Tee Higgins, who gave coach Dabo Swinney his pledge. Higgins is the top-ranked player in the state of Tennessee and the No. 3-ranked wide receiver in the 2017 class. He and No. 1 pro-style quarterback prospect Hunter Johnson are expected to make magic.
Top targets
Offensively, 4-star tackle Trey Smith would be a big get for the Tigers. Defensively, 4-star cornerback Jamyest Williams is a game-changing defender who frustrates receivers big and small.
At 6'2" and 200 pounds, JaCoby Stevens is a guy who could be equally effective on both sides of the ball. Stevens, a 5-star player and the top-ranked athlete in the 2017 class, can shine at either wide receiver or safety.
8. Florida State
18 of 25
Total commitments: 11
5-star commitments: 1
4-star commitments: 8
Best of the bunch
Florida State added a key piece to its offense at The Opening in 4-star Khalan Laborn, the nation's No. 2-ranked all-purpose back in the 2017 class. The class, however, is still headlined by 5-star cornerback Stanford Samuels III, who quietly had an impressive showing at The Opening.
Top targets
Jerry Jeudy is believed to be an Alabama lean, but Florida State is hoping to turn things around in the upcoming months. The 4-star wide receiver was a prime target during seven-on-seven play at The Opening.
Marvin Wilson, the nation's top-ranked defensive tackle, is looking into an official visit to Florida State. This could be a great opportunity for head coach Jimbo Fisher and his staff to close the deal on a stud in the trenches.
7. Oklahoma
19 of 25
Total commitments: 15
5-star commitments: 0
4-star commitments: 10
Best of the bunch
At 6'4" and 310 pounds, Tyrese Robinson is what you want in an offensive lineman. He can play either guard or tackle. Quarterback Chris Robison gave Oklahoma fans reason to cheer at The Opening, helping team Vapor Speed win the seven-on-seven tournament.
Top targets
Oklahoma is hoping to land Anthony Hines III, a 4-star prospect with 90 offers. Hines is the nation's top-ranked inside linebacker, and he showed his overall skill set, as well as his cerebral side, at The Opening.
The Sooners are very good at recruiting the state of California, and cornerback Jaylon Johnson and Addison Gumbs, two 4-star athletes, are names to keep an eye on.
6. Notre Dame
20 of 25
Total commitments: 15
5-star commitments: 0
4-star commitments: 10
Best of the bunch
Notre Dame added more fuel to the fire in its offensive line class by landing 4-star guard Robert Hainsey at The Opening. Hainsey and 4-star tight end Brock Wright are the two highest-ranked players in Notre Dame's class.
Top targets
Foster Sarell is a big fan of what Notre Dame has to offer, and the nation's No. 2-ranked offensive tackle made a statement to claim the No. 1 spot at the position at The Opening. He told Bleacher Report he was very high on the Irish.
Another offensive lineman to keep an eye on is 4-star Jedrick Wills. After a convincing performance at The Opening, Wills said Notre Dame is a school that is on his radar.
To land both Sarell and Wills would be huge for the Irish.
5. LSU
21 of 25
Total commitments: 15
5-star commitments: 1
4-star commitments: 7
Best of the bunch
LSU has a nice 1-2 punch in the trenches with 5-star defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin and 4-star offensive lineman Austin Deculus. Both have the potential to be game-changers at their respective positions.
Top targets
Dylan Moses was once committed to LSU, and the Tigers would love to have him back when national signing day comes. Moses is the nation's No. 2-ranked overall player and the No. 1-ranked outside linebacker in the 2017 class.
One player who had his share of made plays at The Opening is 4-star safety Todd Harris. LSU loves to keep its in-state players close to home, and the Plaquemine, Louisiana, prospect would be a solid get.
4. Michigan
22 of 25
Total commitments: 18
5-star commitments: 1
4-star commitments: 7
Best of the bunch
The keystone of the Michigan class is 5-star quarterback Dylan McCaffrey, who impressed at The Opening with his leadership skills. Athletes at The Opening gravitated to McCaffrey, the younger brother of Heisman Trophy finalist Christian McCaffrey from Stanford.
Top targets
Keeping in-state talent close to home is a priority for head coach Jim Harbaugh and his staff, and 5-star wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones is the primary in-state target. He is ranked the No. 1 wide receiver in the 2017 class.
Two other names to watch are 4-star wide receiver Nico Collins and 4-star outside linebacker Drew Singleton. Collins and Singleton are the No. 1 players in Alabama and New Jersey, respectively.
3. Alabama
23 of 25
Total commitments: 15
5-star commitments: 2
4-star commitments: 10
Best of the bunch
Running back Najee Harris has established himself as the best player in the 2017 class, and there are few arguments about offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood being a top-five offensive tackle. Both 5-star players were dynamic at The Opening, as was 4-star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, the Elite 11 MVP.
Top targets
Alabama seems to have its pick of the elite athletes, and head coach Nick Saban is eyeing a few studs from the 2017 class. A couple of longtime targets are 5-star linebacker Dylan Moses and 5-star defensive tackle Marvin Wilson.
One player to keep an eye on is Isaiah Wilson. The 5-star offensive tackle from Brooklyn, New York, would be a huge get, as Michigan is believed to be in the lead for his services.
2. Georgia
24 of 25
Total commitments: 15
5-star commitments: 1
4-star commitments: 11
Best of the bunch
Georgia landed two 4-star talents over the weekend in offensive tackle Andrew Thomas and running back Toneil Carter. The top dog of the Dawgs' 2017 roster, however, is still 5-star defensive end Robert Beal, who should challenge for immediate playing time.
Top targets
Georgia's secondary could be enhanced with the addition of Deangelo Gibbs, a 4-star safety who can also play cornerback at the next level. Gibbs' versatility could allow him to be used in multiple defensive packages.
On offense, Georgia loves its running backs, and 5-star D'Andre Swift could be an excellent complement to Carter. Swift is the top-ranked all-purpose back in the 2017 class and is as dangerous out of the backfield as he is lined up as a slot receiver.
1. Ohio State
25 of 25
Total commitments: 14
5-star commitments: 3
4-star commitments: 10
Best of the bunch
The Buckeyes have three 5-star players in offensive tackle Josh Myers, cornerback Shaun Wade and offensive lineman Wyatt Davis. After his performance at The Opening, Davis made his case as the headliner of the class, lining up at both tackle and guard in intense battles against the defensive linemen.
Top targets
Two of Ohio State's biggest targets hail from the state of Texas. Defensive back Jeffrey Okudah and linebacker Baron Browning, two 5-star athletes, have been major targets for coach Urban Meyer and his staff for months.
Ohio State would love to land 5-star wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones as well. Peoples-Jones is from Detroit, and it would be a huge win for the Buckeyes to win a recruiting battle against Michigan and Michigan State.
Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports. All quotes and observations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Damon via Twitter @DamonSayles.
