Top Takeaways from 247Sports' First Rankings for Class of 2018

College football's future standouts are currently tearing up the competition at high schools across the country. Attention typically surrounds senior athletes, but plenty of underclassmen warrant a closer look following stellar freshman seasons. 

The 2018 recruiting class, a star-studded assemblage of football's most promising sophomore players, stepped into the spotlight Wednesday when 247Sports unveiled top-100 rankings of the group.

Ranking	Name	Position	High School
1	Trevor Lawrence	QB	Cartersville (Georgia)
2	Zamir White	RB	Scotland County (North Carolina)
3	Micah Parsons	DE	Central Dauphin (Pennsylvania)
4	Xavier Thomas	DE	Wilson Senior (South Carolina)
5	Justin Mascoll	DE	South Gwinnett (Georgia)
6	Jalen Hall	WR	Hawkins (California)
7	Max Wright	DE	Taylor (Texas)
8	Brey Walker	OT	Southmoore (Oklahoma)
9	Tyreke Johnson	S	Trinity Christian Academy (Florida)
10	Dare Rosenthal	OT	Ferriday (Louisiana)

It's an early glimpse at prospects who could someday develop into household names. Upon review of these rankings, here are a few takeaways worth highlighting as we acclimate ourselves with a new crop of coveted talents.

QB Trevor Lawrence Claims Top Spot

The 6'5", 191-pound Peach State passer finds himself sitting at No. 1 with a target on his back and three years remaining in high school. No relationship in recruiting commands more investment and trust than the bond between quarterbacks and college coaches, so it's no surprise Lawrence already holds nearly 20 scholarship offers.

His college options include Tennessee, Clemson, Ole Miss and in-state Georgia.

Lawrence led Cartersville High School to the state semifinals last fall, throwing for 3,042 yards and 26 touchdowns as a freshman, according to Barton Simmons of 247Sports. 

"I've had all these college coaches ask me, 'tell me about your quarterback'," Cartersville head coach Joey King told Simmons. "My response is that he's legit in whatever category you want to come up with. We clocked him at a 4.7 40. He's tall, strong. He cleans 230 pounds as a freshman. He's a solid student, he loves the game, he studies it and he's a humble kid."

Lawrence is one of 12 quarterbacks featured in the initial 2018 rankings, joined by Matt Corral (California; No. 16), Joey Gatewood (Florida; No. 23), Allan Walters (New Jersey, No. 44), Chris Scott (Mississippi; No. 47), Casey Thompson (Oklahoma; No. 50), Emory Jones (Georgia; No. 56), Tyler Desue (Virginia; No. 62), Dorian Thompson-Robinson (Nevada; No. 66), Jack West (Alabama; No. 72), Jaelyn Nolan (Texas; No. 74) and Alontae Taylor (Tennessee; No. 89).

Credit: 247Sports

RB Zamir White Snatches Second 5-Star

Only two 5-star labels were handed out in these rankings. The first went to Lawrence. North Carolina running back Zamir White takes top honors as well, following a freshman campaign that featured 1,200 yards and 18 touchdowns. 

"We don't like to make a lot of running backs 5-stars but because White has unique size, he already flashes game burst and he's a physical dude at 15 years old, he's got the kind of rare traits that we don't often see at the position. Todd Gurley is his ceiling," Simmons wrote.

White stands 6'1", 202 pounds and carries offers from Clemson, Georgia, Florida State and Ohio State, among other powerhouse programs.

More Dominant Defensive Ends on the Come Up

The 2016 recruiting class includes an expansive collection of elite defensive linemen. It appears this 2018 group could take similar shape.

Among the top seven recruits in these rankings, four players are projected to play defensive end. The list is led by Pennsylvania pass-rusher Micah Parsons.

The 6'3", 225-pound Central Dauphin High School sophomore already holds Big Ten offers from Penn State, Rutgers and Michigan. 

Southeast standouts Xavier Thomas (South Carolina) and Justin Mascoll (Georgia) claim several SEC opportunities, while 6'4", 235-pound Max Wright is the top-rated Lone Star State product.

Miami Mighty Strong Early in 2018 Cycle

The Hurricanes hold a nation-best three pledges from players who made this list. Cornerback Al Blades Jr. (No. 39), defensive end Billy Joseph (No. 81) and athlete Jalen Patterson are each 4-star prospects who made early commitments to Miami.

Alabama, LSU and Tennessee are the only other teams to carry top-100 commitments in the 2018 class. Each program landed one member of the list.

The Hurricanes' 2018 recruiting efforts have resulted in an NCAA-high five committed athletes.

Sunshine State Features the Most Stars

Florida annually produces an abundance of college football prospects who ultimately reach stardom in college and the NFL. This latest wave of athletes is apparently no different, as it features 15 players in top-100 rankings.

That total easily outpaces other states, as Texas and California follow behind with 10 apiece. Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee each produced at least five top-ranked 2018 recruits, providing further evidence of how the SEC stays strong.

Tyler Donohue is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.