Best Fits for Top 10 Uncommitted 2017 RB Recruits
The 2017 recruiting cycle remains largely unsettled nearly 11 months shy of national signing day, but upcoming commitments will continue to redefine things during a busy spring and summer. There is plenty of intrigue surrounding a deep stable of running backs in this class, as 17 of the top 25 players at the position in 247Sports composite rankings remain uncommitted.
Though elite talents such as Najee Harris (Alabama), Stephen Carr (USC) and J.K. Dobbins (Ohio State) have already announced collegiate intentions, coaching staffs across the country can still survey several options in the offensive backfield. Here's a peek at 10 prospects who remain undecided about their playing future and which programs could eventually secure their services.
10. 4-Star Nathan Tilford
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High School: Colony (Ontario, California)
Size: 6'2", 190 lbs
Composite Ranking: No. 145 overall; No. 10 running back
Recruiting Rundown
It's been a lengthy process for Nathan Tilford, who received offers from USC and Arizona State before high school. Arizona, Michigan and Tennessee have since joined the mix, with the Volunteers extending his most recent offer.
Tilford grew up a Trojans fan, according to Tom Loy of 247Sports, though USC already holds a commitment from fellow 4-star back Carr, who is considered the nation's No. 2 running back in composite rankings. Among his current offers, Arizona State is particularly compelling since he also provides promise as a receiver, and the Sun Devils love to provide backs with a high volume of pass targets.
Tilford tallied 1,830 rushing yards, 228 receiving yards and 30 offensive touchdowns during the past two seasons, per MaxPreps.
Best Fit: Arizona State
9. 4-Star Trey Sermon
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High School: Sprayberry (Marietta, Georgia)
Size: 6'1", 206 lbs.
Composite Ranking: No. 126 overall; No. 9 running back
Recruiting Rundown
The new Georgia Bulldogs staff is steadily building a strong relationship with in-state standout Trey Sermon, but he's expressed significant interest beyond state borders. His collection of favorites also includes Auburn, Florida, Tennessee and Ohio State, according to Kipp Adams of 247Sports.
This could come down to an SEC showdown, with Auburn and Georgia serving as the most likely contenders as things progress. Given the continued efforts of a fresh Bulldogs staff, Georgia should remain in good shape to reel in yet another impressive Peach State rusher.
Health issues limited Sermon last season, but did he manage to run for 609 rushing yards and seven scores on just 110 carries, according to Eric Rutter of TodaysU.com.
Best Fit: Georgia
8. 4-Star A.J. Davis
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High School: Lakeland (Lakeland, Florida)
Size: 5'11", 190 lbs
Composite Ranking: No. 119 overall; No. 8 running back
Recruiting Rundown
A.J. Davis continues to emerge as a hot commodity, with a slew of new offers arriving at the end of a busy winter stretch. Michigan, Missouri, Maryland, LSU, North Carolina, Nebraska and Louisville are among the programs that have extended offers since late January.
He recently spent time in Gainesville, visiting with the Gators. Florida's staff has put itself in good position with the in-state playmaker. It has done an excellent job putting pieces in place for an explosive offensive attack through two signing days under head coach Jim McElwain, though Auburn and Oklahoma are among programs you can expect to provide serious competition outside the Sunshine State.
Davis rushed for 1,671 yards in 2015 and is approaching 4,000 rushing yards for his career, according to Roy Fuoco of Polk Preps.
Best Fit: Florida
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. 4-Star Colin Wilson
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High School: Clay (Green Cove Springs, Florida)
Size: 6'1", 220 lbs
Composite Ranking: No. 100 overall; No. 7 running back
Recruiting Rundown
Colin Wilson collected an abundance of offers as an underclassman, landing scholarships from schools such as Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Stanford and USC before the start of his junior season. Clemson, which has done an excellent job signing top-tier talent from the Sunshine State, has already secured multiple visits from Wilson and should be in the mix throughout.
He picked up another compelling collegiate opportunity during the winter when Notre Dame offered. Miami may be a team to monitor moving forward, as a new Hurricanes staff explores its options at the position.
Wilson burst onto the national recruiting scene with an outstanding 2014 season. He rushed for 1,555 yards and 27 touchdowns as a sophomore, and he also provides promise at defensive back.
Best Fit: Clemson
6. 4-Star Toneil Carter
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High School: Langham Creek (Houston, Texas)
Size: 5'11", 205 lbs
Composite Ranking: No. 90 overall; No. 6 running back
Recruiting Rundown
Texas A&M seems to be the most likely destination if Toneil Carter elects to stay in his home state, though Baylor and Texas would love to alter that narrative. The Aggies have significant SEC competition for his signature, with Georgia, LSU and Arkansas among interested schools.
The Bulldogs welcomed him to campus this week, and in a class that could include multiple top-tier running backs, don't be shocked if a new Georgia staff lures him to Athens next year. Carter could command early playing time with multiple programs, and Texas A&M may be in an excellent position to realistically provide those reps.
Carter collected 2,588 rushing yards during the past two seasons, scoring 36 touchdowns in the process.
Best Fit: Texas A&M
5. 4-Star Ty Chandler
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High School: Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville, Tennessee)
Size: 5'11", 190 lbs
Composite Ranking: No. 82 overall; No. 4 running back
Recruiting Rundown
Tennessee is heavily targeting this in-state playmaker, but the Volunteers have plenty of company in the pursuit of Ty Chandler. Ole Miss, Auburn and Florida are just a few of the conference foes who'd also love to land him, while a recent offer from Michigan expands this recruitment into Big Ten territory.
Chandler traveled to Auburn earlier this month, though it may be difficult for any team to top the full-court press that Tennessee's staff is applying. He took part in February junior-day festivities in Knoxville and is viewed as a potential essential local cog of the Volunteers' future offensive attack, much like Jalen Hurd as an in-state recruit.
Chandler churned out 2,585 yards and 34 touchdowns on 347 rushing attempts in 2015, according to Sam Brown of the Tennessean.
Best Fit: Tennessee
4. 4-Star Anthony McFarland Jr.
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High School: DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Maryland)
Size: 5'9", 189 lbs
Composite Ranking: No. 50 overall; No. 3 all-purpose back
Recruiting Rundown
First-year Maryland Terrapins head coach D.J. Durkin must find a way to keep local talent on home turf in order to make serious strides in the Big Ten, and Anthony McFarland may be priority No. 1 in those efforts this cycle. Big Ten contention comes from Penn State and Michigan, who each hosted him on campus last fall.
McFarland identified Georgia as his leader last April, according to Jason Butt of the Washington Post, but plenty has changed in Athens since then, and a new staff is in place. Alabama could also advance as a threat to swipe him away from the Mid-Atlantic, but neither the Crimson Tide nor Bulldogs could make him an immediate offensive focal point like Maryland would.
Best Fit: Maryland
3. 4-Star Khalan Laborn
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High School: Ocean Lakes (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
Size: 5'9", 193 lbs
Composite Ranking: No. 42 overall; No. 2 all-purpose back
Recruiting Rundown
Multiple visits to Tallahassee have helped Florida State situate itself among perceived leaders in the widespread recruitment of Khalan Laborn. The Seminoles signed 5-star Ocean Lakes defensive back Levonta Taylor on national signing day and could eventually reunite him with his former teammate.
"He's pushing me a little hard. It's a brotherly love push," Laborn told Wayne McGahee III of Scout.com. "You're mediocre if you don't come here, or come here and be great. That was his message."
Virginia Tech and Virginia would love to keep him home, while sharing this chase with ACC rivals such as North Carolina and Louisville. Ultimately, signs point toward those teams dealing with him as a conference foe for years to come.
Best Fit: Florida State
2. 4-Star Cam Akers
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High School: Clinton (Clinton, Mississippi)
Size: 5'11 ½", 210 lbs
Composite Ranking: No. 35 overall; No. 3 running back
Recruiting Rundown
Cam Akers spent seven months committed to Alabama but elected to reopen his recruitment in early March. He didn't shut the door on a potential return to the Crimson Tide's class, but considering the presence of 5-star running back pledge Harris, a reunion seems unlikely.
Within two weeks of his decommitment, Akers spent time at Ohio State and added an offer from Arkansas. Ole Miss may be the team to watch, though, as an explosive Rebels offense that added elite talent at quarterback, offensive tackle and wide receiver last cycle could be further solidified with a ferocious homegrown rusher like Akers.
He's played primarily quarterback through three high school seasons, accounting for more than 8,000 offensive yards and 84 touchdowns.
Best Fit: Ole Miss
1. 4-Star D'Andre Swift
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High School: St. Joseph's (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Size: 5'9", 204 lbs
Composite Ranking: No. 32 overall; No. 1 all-purpose back
Recruiting Rundown
D'Andre Swift, a dangerously speedy playmaker from the City of Brotherly Love, has taken things slow with his decision-making process. There's still plenty to process at this point, and he mentioned Georgia, Penn State, Florida State, Ohio State, Clemson and Miami among programs that have stepped things up in his recruitment during a recent conversation with Chris Kirschner of SEC Country.
A commitment isn't expected until after Swift's senior season, so don't expect much to clear up from a favorites perspective this spring. Penn State has been a contender here since the onset and hosted him on campus again last month, aiming to lure its top homegrown talent to Happy Valley. This route makes a lot of sense if Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin can avoid the hot seat by finally getting the team's offense on track this fall.
Alabama, Michigan and Florida State are just a few programs that could capitalize if Penn State slips here.
Best Fit: Penn State
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
