B/R CFB Recruiting 200: Top 10 Athletes

After thorough study using specific scoring criteria, Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analysts Damon Sayles, Sanjay Kirpalani andTyler Donohue have graded the top 200 players in the 247Sports composite rankings and provided in-depth analysis on each young athlete. Bleacher Report will run a position-by-position breakdown series of the best college football recruits in the class of 2016. Here we present the Top Athletes.

Versatility is a skill that more and more college coaches are actively searching for in the recruiting process.

In each cycle, there are a few rare talents who have the potential to be effective in college at multiple positions, with some who could play on either side of the ball.

The latest installment of Bleacher Report’s CFB 200 series will focus on athletes and project them at the position we believe they will play on the college level. We'll also score them on their ability to develop when they focus on one spot full time. Players are listed according to their 247Sports composite rating.

How does the 2016 group of athletes measure up, and where will these standouts line up in college?

All analysis provided by B/R National Recruiting Analyst Sanjay Kirpalani. All quotes and scouting observations were obtained firsthand.

10. 4-Star QB Tristen Wallace

Height/Weight: 6’3”, 228 lbs 

High School: DeSoto High (DeSoto, Texas)

247Sports Ranking: No. 10 ATH, No. 194 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 87/100 

Committed to Oregon on Dec. 13, 2015

When it comes to recruiting and commitments, 4-star athlete Tristen Wallace is hoping the third time will be a charm. 

Wallace began 2015 by committing to Texas Tech before reopening his recruitment two months later. The Lone Star State standout then pledged to Ohio State before abruptly flipping to Oregon in December. 

The 6’3”, 228-pounder is likely to be a dual-threat quarterback in Eugene, but his size and athleticism could make him an intriguing option at wide receiver in the future.

Bleacher Report Analysis

Wallace is more advanced as a runner at this stage of his career. He’s dynamic in the open field and can run the zone read effectively. As a passer, he displays a nice touch on longer attempts and the tendency to extend plays while making throws on the run. However, his accuracy on short and intermediate routes needs work. Still, he has the traits necessary to be a successful quarterback in Oregon’s offense if he continues to develop as a passer.

9. 4-Star WR Ahmir Mitchell

Height/Weight: 6’3”, 206 lbs

High School: Cedar Creek High (Egg Harbor City, New Jersey)

247Sports Ranking: No. 9 ATH, No. 167 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 89/100

Committed to Michigan on Aug. 27, 2015

After landing more than 15 offers, 4-star athlete Ahmir Mitchell narrowed his choices to Big Ten rivals Michigan and Ohio State.

The Wolverines eventually won out for Mitchell’s pledge—which continues a strong push into the Garden State by head coach Jim Harbaugh and his staff. Mitchell is one of four Wolverines commits who rate among the state's top 10 overall prospects, and Harbaugh is hoping to land 5-star defensive tackle Rashan Gary to close out the 2016 cycle. 

As detailed by Clint Brewster of 247Sports, Mitchell is an early enrollee and will begin his career as a wide receiver.

Bleacher Report Analysis

Mitchell is a smooth athlete who is elusive in open space. As a receiver, he attacks the ball when it is in the air. He’s not a polished route-runner, but he’s a big-bodied target with good hands and decent speed. With his versatility to make plays in traffic or in space, Mitchell has a chance to become a contributor early in his career at Michigan.

8. 4-Star RB George Hill

Height/Weight: 6’0”, 200 lbs

High School: Hubbard High (Hubbard, Ohio)

247Sports Ranking: No. 8 ATH, No. 152 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 90/100

Committed to Pittsburgh on Dec. 18, 2015

Back in June 2014, 4-star athlete George Hill committed to in-state power Ohio State.

However, he reopened his recruitment in October 2015 and subsequently committed to Pittsburgh over Michigan State and West Virginia.

Hill, who as a junior formed a dynamic backfield duo with current Michigan State star freshman rusher LJ Scott, has the skill set to play running back or receiver at the college level.

Bleacher Report Analysis 

Hill is a speed merchant who has the unique ability to cut while maintaining the option to accelerate in the open field. What makes him an intriguing talent is he has the capability to line up at receiver. At that position, he puts defenses in a bind because of how natural he is as a pass-catcher combined with his versatility to still be a threat in the run game on speed sweeps. Overall, Hill is a weapon who could be used in a variety of ways in the college game.

7. 4-Star WR Scott Bracey

Height/Weight: 6’3”, 210 lbs

High School: Benedictine (Richmond, Virginia)

247Sports Ranking: No. 7 ATH, No. 138 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 88/100

Committed to Duke on July 25, 2014

The first pledge in Duke’s 2016 class came from 4-star athlete Scott Bracey.

Bracey chose the Blue Devils over offers from Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Michigan and Ohio State, among others. 

He played both quarterback and receiver at Benedictine over the last few years.

Bleacher Report Analysis

Bracey is a versatile receiving option who can be effective in space and work the middle of the field because of his size. He shows great body control in fighting for passes in the air, which should make him a red-zone threat early in his career. He still has to work on the nuances of playing receiver full time, especially in areas such as route running. However, he possesses a good bit of upside at the college level at receiver.

6. 4-Star S Jordan Fuller

Height/Weight: 6’ 1/2”, 196 lbs

High School: Old Tappan High (Westwood, New Jersey)

247Sports Ranking: No. 6 ATH, No. 130 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 89/100

Uncommitted: Considering Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State and Rutgers

Aside from 5-star defensive tackle Rashan Gary, the other big prize who remains uncommitted in New Jersey is 4-star athlete Jordan Fuller. 

Fuller’s older brother Devin is a receiver at UCLA. 

He’s taken an official visit to Notre Dame, and as Tom Loy of 247Sports notes, he will likely take more officials in January.

Bleacher Report Analysis

While Fuller played quarterback and receiver in high school, most universities are recruiting him to play either corner or safety. At roughly 6’2”, 190 pounds, he’s fluid enough to play corner, but he has great long-term potential at safety. He’s a rangy, center fielder type who can cover a lot of ground while maintaining the kind of physicality that elite players at the position typically have.

5. 4-Star RB Sewo Olonilua

Height/Weight: 6’2.5”, 217 lbs 

High School: Kingwood High (Humble, Texas)

247Sports Ranking: No. 5 ATH, No. 124 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 91/100 

Committed to TCU on Dec. 6, 2014

One of the anchor's of TCU's 2016 recruiting class is in-state 4-star athlete Sewo Olonilua.

The No. 20 prospect out of the Lone Star State in the 2016 cycle could play either running back or defensive back in college.

However, it appears as if his career in Fort Worth will begin with him lining up on offense in the backfield. 

Bleacher Report Analysis 

Olonilua is an athletic specimen who moves very well for a prospect his size. While I was impressed with him as a safety at The Opening and feel that spot could be where his highest ceiling is, he's also an intriguing prospect as a running back. He shows great acceleration when he makes his cut and knows how to stick his foot in the ground and get upfield in a hurry. He's also got decent speed and the ability to absorb contact while keeping his legs churning. Overall, his size and versatility out of the backfield make him a weapon that could contribute early in his college career.

4. 4-Star WR Trevon Diggs

Height/Weight: 6’0”, 183 lbs

High School: The Avalon School (Gaithersburg, Maryland)

247Sports Ranking: No. 4 ATH, No. 113 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 89/100 

Committed to Alabama on Nov. 7, 2015

A few years ago, Alabama head coach Nick Saban was unsuccessful in his attempts to lure stud receiver Stefon Diggs away from Maryland.

However, with Stefon’s younger brother—4-star athlete Trevon Diggs—Saban’s persistence paid off, as Trevon committed to the Tide in early November.

But according to Ahmed Ghafir of 247Sports, the Terrapins aren’t giving up in their pursuit of the state’s No. 5 prospect in the 2016 cycle. 

Bleacher Report Analysis

Diggs is a stud athlete who could play corner or receiver in college. At The Opening, a handful of reporters felt Diggs should play defense. However, he’s too good of a weapon with the ball in his hands. While he’s not as elusive as his older brother, he seems to be a more natural, well-rounded receiver prospect at this stage of his career. Diggs works well in space and is smooth in breaking in and out of his routes.

Overall, he’s a polished product who has a chance to contribute early in his college career.

3. 4-Star CB Marquez Callaway

Height/Weight: 6’1 1/2”, 177 lbs

High School: Warner Robins High (Warner Robins, Georgia)

247Sports Ranking: No. 3 ATH, No. 103 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 90/100

Committed to Tennessee on Jan. 21, 2015

Tennessee scored a major win in the state of Georgia when they were able to land 4-star athlete Marquez Callaway earlier this month.

As Ryan Callahan of 247Sports notes, Mississippi State and Ole Miss were the two schools that were battling the Vols for his services. 

The 177-pounder could play receiver or corner at the next level.

Bleacher Report Analysis 

Callaway has the tools to be an effective receiver, but his greatest ceiling at the next level lies as a corner. There aren’t too many 6’1 1/2” corners who move as fluidly as he does. He attacks the ball in the air like a receiver and has good instincts in coverage. He needs to add more muscle to be physical enough in run support but is an intriguing prospect who could develop into a stud defensive back if he adapts to playing one position full time.

2. 4-Star S Jamel Cook

Height/Weight: 6’4”, 190 lbs 

High School: Central High (Miami, Florida)

247Sports Ranking: No. 2 ATH, No. 94 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 90/100 

Committed to Florida State on Feb. 21, 2015

Florida State has had some success recruiting Central High School in Miami in recent years, with former stars such as current Falcons running back Devonta Freeman and current 'Noles star rusher Dalvin Cook among the former Rockets to find success in Tallahassee. 

The Seminoles landed another stud from the Rockets program in 4-star athlete Jamel Cook in Feb. 2015.

However, while Cook has been on the Seminoles' commit list for nearly a year, as Ryan Bartow of 247Sports noted, he’s leaving the door open to visit a number of schools leading up to Feb. 3's national signing day.

Bleacher Report Analysis

Cook is a fluid athlete who played wide receiver and defensive back on the prep level. While he can play offense, he’s special in the secondary. I saw Cook at The Opening last July and he was one of the better safeties in attendance. His instincts and range were evident, as he was all over the field in seven-on-seven play. His size and athleticism also make him a candidate to play a hybrid defensive back/linebacker at the next level.

1. 5-Star WR Mecole Hardman Jr.

Height/Weight: 5’10”, 169 lbs

High School: Elbert County High (Elberton, Georgia)

247Sports Ranking: No. 1 ATH, No. 13 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 93/100

Uncommitted: Considering Alabama, Georgia, Miami, Michigan and Tennessee

Although he mainly played quarterback for his high school squad, 5-star athlete Mecole Hardman Jr. will likely play receiver or corner at the college level.

Hardman has already taken official visits to Miami and Michigan, and he’s taken several unofficials to Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.

His decision is likely to come on national signing day.

Bleacher Report Analysis

I’ve spoken with Hardman many times, and he hasn’t ruled out playing both ways in college. He’s one of the rare athletes who has the skills and toughness to do so. I’ve seen him at multiple camps, and his competitiveness is evident whenever he touches the field.

I’ve long believed receiver is his best position, but he opened many people’s eyes with how dominant he looked at corner at The Opening. Assuming he does focus his attention on one position in college, he has the attitude and tools necessary to become a special player.