2016 Recruits Who Are Better Than Their 2015 Counterparts

Each college football recruiting class carries a unique identity.

Sure, the same powerhouse programs produce an abundance of talent on an annual basis and certain states consistently cultivate more prospects than others, but it's important to press the reboot button every year before scouting a new crop of recruits.

We began extensive 2016 film study early in the cycle and have continued to monitor America's next wave of playmakers through their junior campaigns. As usual, certain standouts seem to trump positional counterparts of the past cycle, while others don't quite measure up to the same standard. 

Based on their progression to this point, here's a look at the top-rated 2016 players who seem to set the bar higher than premier positional predecessors of the 2015 class. 

Prospects listed are No. 1 at their respective position in 247Sports' composite rankings.

TE Isaac Nauta

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 35 overall

High School: IMG Academy; Bradenton, Florida

2015 Counterpart: Aliz'e Jones (signed with Notre Dame)

Recruitment Status: Committed to Florida State

Isaac Nauta frequently visited Florida State last fall and punctuated his junior season with a December pledge to the Seminoles. His scholarship list includes nearly 40 teams, with Miami, Missouri, Auburn and FSU among teams that extended offers before his sophomore campaign.

Why We Give Him the Edge

Jones is an outstanding receiver, as evidenced by 26 touchdown catches as an underclassman at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas. However, he hasn't yet developed into a balanced tight end and is probably better defined as a "hybrid" player at the position.

Nauta, a 6'5", 240-pound prospect, brings blocking abilities and exceptional pass-catching skills to an offensive attack. He spent time in the trenches on both sides of the ball at Buford High School during recent title runs, while serving as a primary downfield weapon.

B/R national recruiting analyst Sanjay Kirpalani broke down his game during evaluation in our CFB Future 100 series.

"Nauta is the total package at tight end," he wrote. "He’s a physical force as a blocker, and his hands and route running are on par with some of the elite receivers in the 2016 class. As good as he is at tight end, he’s a college-caliber talent at defensive end as well."

OT Greg Little

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 1 overall

High School: Allen High School; Allen Texas

2015 Counterpart: Martez Ivey (signed with Florida)

Recruitment Status: Committed to Texas A&M

Greg Little is set to follow former high school teammate and 5-star quarterback Kyler Murray to College Station next year. He pledged to the Aggies last June and remains a cornerstone of the Texas A&M class despite recent offers from Alabama, Ohio State and UCLA.

Why We Give Him the Edge

Life would be a lot easier for quarterbacks if you could always keep blockers like Little and Ivey as bookends up front. Unfortunately for passers across the country, their talent is a rarity. 

You can make a strong case that Ivey was the top overall player in the 2015 class, but much of that sentiment is due to development after his junior season. Little, a two-year starter at tackle who stands 6'5", 282 pounds, is already more physically imposing than Ivey and seems a stride ahead of where his counterpart was at this time last year.

B/R national recruiting analyst Damon Sayles detailed his approach for our CFB Future 100 series.

"

There are very few flaws with Little's game. He's a big, strong offensive tackle who moves well laterally and loves to record pancake blocks. It's rare to see Little overpowered by a defensive lineman. Part of that is because of his technique and poise on the line. On the field, Little is mature beyond his age—and he's only going to get better. 

"

RB Kareem Walker

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 7 overall

High School: DePaul Catholic (Wayne, New Jersey)

2015 Counterpart: Damien Harris (signed with Alabama)

Recruitment Status: Committed to Ohio State

Kareem Walker collected offers from Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State, Wisconsin and Alabama as an underclassman, giving him plenty of early options. He pledged to Ohio State during the Buckeyes' national championship victory over Oregon. 

Why We Give Him the Edge

The 2016 running back class looks to carry more clout than the 2015 crop of rushers, and that's reflected atop a deep list of impressive playmakers. Walker warranted a score of 96/100 during junior season film study, while Harris graded out at 93/100 as a senior.

Both running backs excel when it comes to downfield vision, but Walker is slightly shiftier at a larger size (6'1", 210 pounds). Fluid hips and elite acceleration allow him to exploit seams in the defense while working toward daylight. 

Walker rushed for 2,771 yards and 38 touchdowns during the past two seasons. His blend of violence, vision and finesse set him apart from the pack.

LB Keion Joyner

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 5 overall

High School: Havelock; Havelock; North Carolina

2015 Counterpart: Malik Jefferson (enrolled at Texas)

Recruitment Status: Uncommitted

Keion Joyner has suitors across the country, but his top contenders are primarily located in the Southeast. LSU, Auburn, Florida State, Florida, UNC and South Carolina are among a vast collection of programs in pursuit.

Why We Give Him the Edge

Joyner is well-built at 6'3" and, while he may not be quite as fast as Jefferson, there's comparable explosiveness in place from sideline to sideline. He's a bit more stout against the run, while gradually developing increased proficiency as a pass-rusher.

His past two seasons featured 194 tackles—35 for loss—and 13 sacks.

Jefferson is an immense talent and should immediately contribute in the Longhorns defense, but I viewed him as a fringe top-15 prospect during the 2015 cycle. Joyner is firmly in place among this year's group.

B/R national recruiting analyst Damon Sayles scouted him for our CFB Future 100 series.

"Joyner, for an outside linebacker, has great size and excellent lateral movement," Sayles wrote. "He is a tackling machine who also is getting better at coverage in passing situations. Joyner uses his athleticism to be a disruptive defender, and he plays with a high motor."

QB Jacob Eason

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 4 overall

High School: Lake Stevens; Lake Stevens, Washington

2015 Counterpart: Josh Rosen (enrolled at UCLA)

Recruitment Status: Committed to Georgia

Jacob Eason, a Notre Dame legacy, pledged to the Bulldogs last July. He landed offers from the Fighting Irish, Florida, Oklahoma State, Tennessee, Alabama and Florida State before the end of his sophomore year.

Why We Give Him the Edge

My film studies of Rosen's senior season and Eason's junior campaign occurred within weeks of each other, and clear separation was established during those assessments. I graded Rosen out at 92/100, while Eason warranted a score of 97/100, placing him in rare territory among recent prospects at the position. 

He already features a larger physical frame (6'5", 205 pounds) and displays impeccable pocket fundamentals similar to what Rosen exhibited in high school. Eason's combination of accuracy and arm strength is among the best I've scouted this decade.

His delivery is effortless and the ball launches out of his hand, much like former Georgia star Matt Stafford. Eason has thrown for 6,228 yards and 59 touchdowns through 25 high school games, per MaxPreps.