The Opening 2016: Predicting Where All Uncommitted Recruits Will Land
The country's most coveted college football recruits assemble at Nike's world headquarters July 5-10 when The Opening takes center stage in Beaverton, Oregon. Quarterbacks and receivers step into the spotlight through the first three days of action before they're joined by premier prospects throughout various positions, pushing the competitor total to 166 athletes.
Among this talent-laden collection, a large volume of players remain undecided about their collegiate future. While many marquee recruits have already announced intentions to attend an array of universities, intrigue abounds as others work to find an ideal fit.
Working our way through The Opening roster position by position, here's a glimpse at where we project each uncommitted attendee to play college football.
Quarterbacks
1 of 8
4-star Jack Sears, San Clemente High School (San Clemente, California) - UCLA
Among the dozen quarterbacks competing for Elite 11 MVP honors in Beaverton, only Sears is still searching for a collegiate home. The 6'3", 200-pound passer, who tallied 46 total touchdowns in 2015, has expressed serious interest in schools across America, including Duke, Tennessee, Utah and UCLA.
He's been diligent on the recruiting trail by spending time at various campuses but we anticipate he stays close to home with the Bruins. Sears could be in line for starting snaps as a sophomore if UCLA standout Josh Rosen elects to leave early for the 2018 NFL draft, potentially creating a rivalry matchup with USC quarterback and San Clemente predecessor Sam Darnold down the line.
Running Backs
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5-star Cam Akers, Clinton High School (Clinton, Mississippi) - Ohio State
Ole Miss, Georgia, Florida State, LSU and Alabama each remain in ardent pursuit of Akers, who initially pledged to the Crimson Tide before backing off that verbal pledge earlier this year. It will take plenty of persuasion to lure him beyond the Southeast, but the Buckeyes have already laid a ton of groundwork, and Akers has reciprocated heavy interest every step of the way.
5-star D'Andre Swift, St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) - Georgia
Swift hasn't kept his affinity toward Athens a secret, traveling a long distance to campus multiple times this year, including a trip to the spring game. Georgia is looking to land two top-level running backs in this cycle, and despite serious interest in Florida State, Penn State and Alabama, we anticipate Swift will be one of them.
4-star Khalan Laborn, Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School (Virginia Beach, Virginia) - Florida State
Some anticipated Laborn would become a member of the Seminoles class this spring, but his recruitment has seeped into the summer without a resolution. We think a decision is on the horizon, with Florida State eventually bringing Laborn into the fold and reuniting him with former high school teammate Levonta Taylor.
4-star Anthony McFarland Jr., DeMatha Catholic High School (Hyattsville, Maryland) - Miami
This would really sting for Maryland, where Terps head coach D.J. Durkin and company have invested a lot of time into the pursuit of McFarland, who is still weighing options at various universities, including Alabama and Texas A&M. He developed a strong relationship with Hurricanes head coach Mark Richt and offensive coordinator Thomas Brown during their tenure at Georgia, and that element has carried over to Miami.
4-star Toneil Carter, Langham Creek High School (Houston, Texas) - Georgia
The Bulldogs signed an elite running back duo in 2014 with Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. We anticipate a similar result this cycle, and our pick is for Carter—also considering Texas A&M and LSU, among others—to pair with Swift.
3-star Chase Hayden, St. George's Independent School (Collierville, Tennessee) - Arkansas
Hayden seems destined to spend his college days in the SEC, with South Carolina, Tennessee and Florida among schools that have extended offers. Following a late June visit to Arkansas, we're going with the Razorbacks for now.
2018 Prospects
5-star Jaelen Gill, Westerville South High School (Westerville, Ohio) - Ohio State
All signs point toward Columbus for the country's top-rated all-purpose back in the rising junior class. Gill, who doubles as a baseball star and could attract attention from MLB scouts, essentially lives minutes away from campus, has a great relationship with running backs coach Tony Alford and is close friends with 2017 Ohio State pledge Brendon White.
Receivers/Tight Ends
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5-star WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cass Tech High School (Detroit, Michigan) - Michigan
Peoples-Jones, a rare two-time participant at The Opening, has played his recruitment process relatively close to the vest, but top contenders have seemingly emerged at Michigan, Florida and Ohio State. Things have been trending toward Ann Arbor, where blue-chip receiver talent should be attracted by an enviable stable of young quarterbacks and Wolverines depth chart needs.
5-star WR Joseph Lewis, Hawkins High School (Los Angeles, California) - USC
The Trojans arguably signed college football's most impressive receiver haul last cycle, but that won't prevent USC from attracting a local downfield weapon such as Lewis. Offensive coordinator Tee Martin was promoted from receivers coach for a reason, and he'll display his value again by landing this elite talent.
5-star WR Tee Higgins, Oak Ridge High School (Oak Ridge, Tennessee) - Clemson
This 6'4 ½", 188-pound prospect may be the most tantalizing player at the position due to his rare blend of length and athleticism. The in-state Volunteers once held his commitment and remain in the race, but we like Clemson to seal the deal this summer and add another dynamic element to its loaded receiver corps.
5-star WR Tyjon Lindsey, Centennial High School (Corona, California) - Ohio State
Despite his status as one of the West Coast's premier playmakers, this seemingly shapes up as a Big Ten battle between Nebraska and Ohio State. Lindsey is clearly compelled by the Cornhuskers staff, and those coaches have enjoyed immense recruiting success in California, but it will be difficult to surpass the Buckeyes, who boast a commitment from one of his best friends in blue-chip quarterback Tate Martell.
5-star WR Trevon Grimes, St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) - Ohio State
Yes, we believe the Buckeyes will land two 5-star receivers this cycle, with Grimes looking like perhaps the program's surest commitment bet regardless of position. Despite persistent sales pitches from Florida universities, this Midwest native has long acknowledged Ohio State as his leader.
4-star WR James Robinson, Lakeland High School (Lakeland, Florida) - Florida
Early on in this process, it appeared Clemson would be a key player, but things have cooled off there, leading to a potential battle between Florida and Oklahoma. The Gators have focused on enhancing the situation at receiver, where production has been predominately underwhelming this decade, and Robinson is a field-stretcher who fits that need.
4-star WR Jerry Jeudy, Deerfield Beach High School (Pompano Beach, Florida) - Alabama
This is about as hotly contested a recruitment as any receiver in America, with Miami and Florida State giving chase in-state and Georgia and Tennessee providing competition within the SEC. The Crimson Tide have been a stride ahead of the pack for a while now and, given the success of fellow Pompano Beach product Calvin Ridley in Tuscaloosa, it's difficult to foresee another team overcoming Alabama.
4-star WR Jeff Thomas, East St. Louis High School (East St. Louis, Illinois) - Alabama
The Crimson Tide could continue to stockpile downfield weapons with a scintillating receiver who has garnered SEC attention from nearby Missouri and beyond. Michigan State and Auburn are among other squads to monitor here, though Alabama made a strong early impression on Thomas.
4-star WR Devonta Smith, Amite High School (Amite, Louisiana) - Alabama
OK, so we might be getting a bit overzealous when it comes to the Crimson Tide's receivers haul, but Alabama is sitting pretty with Smith right now. Florida State and LSU are among alternative options, but this is Alabama's target to lose during the early stages of summer.
4-star WR Nico Collins, Clay-Chalkville High School (Pinson, Alabama) - Michigan
Alabama looked like the team to beat for Collins earlier in this cycle, but a recent visit to Ann Arbor and continued dialogue between him and the Wolverines staff has altered that sentiment. Michigan is in position to land two of the class' top 15 receivers.
4-star WR Mark Webb, Archbishop Wood High School (Warminster, Pennsylvania) - Georgia
The Bulldogs have impressed Webb and his family during time in Athens, and he is clearly a priority target for this staff despite a lack of ideal proximity. Expect Georgia to bring in Webb alongside fellow elite Philadelphia area athlete D'Andre Swift if things go according to plan for offensive coordinator Jim Chaney.
4-star WR Omar Manning, Lancaster High School (Lancaster, Texas) - TCU
The Horned Frogs finished 2016 recruiting efforts with a nice infusion of talent at receiver and can further augment the corps with Manning in the mix. His list of suitors has grown with Michigan, LSU, Ohio State and Nebraska offering since late April, but he will still like where things stand with TCU.
4-star TE Josh Falo, Inderkum High School (Sacramento, California) - Oregon
The Ducks have gone in on several tight ends in this class, landing one and perhaps prepared to pluck another. Falo, a 6'5" specimen, could pull the trigger this summer and further enhance Oregon's on-the-rise recruiting class.
4-star TE Matt Dotson, Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati, Ohio) - Penn State
The latest stretches of this recruitment have featured a power struggle between Big Ten opponents Penn State and Michigan State. Both schools are still hanging in the balance, but Dotson was blown away during his time in Happy Valley, so we're sticking with the Nitany Lions here.
4-star WR Jeremiah Holloman, Newton High School (Covington, Georgia) - Georgia
Holloman, a rising star on the recruiting trail, emerged as a top target for Kirby Smart's staff earlier this year, and Georgia has vigorously given chase among schools such as Auburn and Tennessee. The Bulldogs will convince several sensational homegrown talents to stay home this cycle, and we expect Holloman to be one of them.
4-star WR KJ Hamler, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida) - Oregon
Hamler transferred to IMG from a high school in the Detroit area so there are significant Big Ten vibes to his recruitment, with Michigan State and Penn State emerging as main contenders. However, a late May offer from Oregon is one he coveted and a campus visit could push him toward pulling the trigger on a cross-country college commitment.
3-star TE Tre' McKitty, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida) - Auburn
McKitty, a former Miami commit, is set to announce his decision at The Opening. A recent visit to Oregon impressed him, but Auburn has been a frequent host, making the Tigers his team to beat.
3-star WR Oliver Martin, West Senior High School (Iowa City, Iowa) - Michigan State
Martin, who caught 17 touchdown tosses in 2015, drew rave reviews on the camp circuit this spring and could surprise onlookers in Oregon given his status as lowest-rated receiver at The Opening. We view a late June offer from Michigan State as a potential game-changer, projecting him to land in East Lansing despite opportunities at Iowa and Wisconsin.
2018 Prospects
5-star WR Jalen Hall, Hawkins High School (Los Angeles, California) - USC
Hall, the only 2018 receiver invited to compete at The Opening, carries an abundance of options, with Ohio State, Texas A&M, Michigan, Auburn and Oklahoma extending offers since February. The nearby Trojans are in good shape with him and fellow 5-star Hawkins receiver Joseph Lewis at this stage, and offensive coordinator Tee Martin is a proven closer when it comes to top-tier pass-catchers.
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Offensive Linemen
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5-star OT Foster Sarell, Graham Kapowsin High School (Graham, Washington) - Washington
The Huskies are engaged in a contentious showdown with Notre Dame and Stanford for this paramount in-state priority. Sarell received a Washington offer his freshman year and became an immediate concern for head coach Chris Petersen when he arrived in Seattle. Expectations are mounting for Washington on the field, and signing Sarell would further signify this squad is on the rise in Pac-12 title contention.
4-star OT Jedrick Wills, Lafayette High School (Lexington, Kentucky) - Notre Dame
This would be a tough blow to the Kentucky Wildcats considering Wills' proximity to campus, but his budding rapport with the Fighting Irish is difficult to ignore. Notre Dame offensive line coach Harry Hiestand is among the best in the business at securing elite talent from different parts of the country, and we anticipate he'll add Wills to his list of recruiting successes.
4-star OT Trey Smith, University School (Jackson, Tennessee) - Ole Miss
Few recruits have seen their stock surge since last season like Smith, who could continue his breakout in Beaverton and create a legitimate case for a No. 1 positional ranking. SEC interest is rampant, with in-state Tennessee and Alabama presenting intriguing options, though the Rebels have established a relationship that may result in an elite bookend situation that puts Smith across the line from No. 1 overall 2016 offensive tackle Greg Little.
4-star OT Andrew Thomas, Pace Academy (Atlanta, Georgia) - Georgia
Plenty of folks were extremely pleased with the Bulldogs' hiring of Sam Pittman as offensive line coach last winter, and you can count Andrew Thomas among them. Clemson and Notre Dame are challengers here, but Georgia is in an excellent situation to secure this top-10 tackle prospect sooner rather than later.
4-star OT Walker Little, Episcopal High School (Bellaire, Texas) - Texas
Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong and his staff have invested heavily in enhancing the team's offensive front, receiving a huge boost from the late 2016 class addition from former Baylor signee Patrick Hudson. Little, a candidate to head west for a future at Stanford, would be another mighty big piece to build around in Austin.
4-star OG Robert Hainsey, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida) - Notre Dame
The widespread recruitment of Hainsey seems to be nearing a resolution, with the Fighting Irish standing out as the greatest force to be reckoned with here. We expect Notre Dame to edge out a lengthy list of contenders that includes Auburn, Florida and Michigan.
4-star OC Cesar Ruiz, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida) - Michigan
Alabama, Miami and Florida State are just a few of the many suitors for this elite interior linemen, though Michigan has maintained its position as a perceived favorite for some time. In Ann Arbor, he would reunite with former Camden High School (New Jersey) teammates Ron Johnson and Brad Hawkins.
4-star OG Nick Brahms, Navarre High School (Navarre, Florida) - Auburn
Brahms burst onto the national recruiting scene during this year's camp circuit, and the Tigers have maintained strong position since. Miami, Oregon, Duke, North Carolina and Tennessee are among other options.
4-star OT Kai-Leon Herbert, American Heritage High School (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) - Michigan
The Florida Gators seemed firmly entrenched as front-runners here until recently. Our indication is a recent visit to Ann Arbor has helped shift things in the Wolverines' favor, and head coach Jim Harbaugh may be on the verge locking down another major offensive line acquisition.
4-star OT Obinna Eze, Davidson Academy (Nashville, Tennessee) - Alabama
This is a wild-card recruitment considering Eze, a Nigerian native, has yet to actually play at the varsity level. Offers have poured in, and he's validated them on the camp circuit. Also, the track record in Tuscaloosa is very appealing to him.
3-star OG Jordan Reid, Cass Tech High School (Detroit, Michigan) - Michigan State
Reid, who dominated during The Opening regional action in Columbus this spring, appears poised to pull the trigger on a commitment in Oregon. Florida, Pittsburgh and Tennessee are alternative contenders, but the Spartans should bring him into the fold.
2018 Prospects
5-star OG Jamaree Salyer, Pace Academy (Atlanta, Georgia) - Georgia
This high-profile 2018 recruitment could be closely tied to the outcome for 4-star 2017 offensive lineman and Pace Academy teammate Andrew Thomas, as a "package deal" of sorts may be in the works. Clemson, always a threat to attract top Peach State talent, is solidly in the mix, along with schools such as Alabama and Notre Dame to some degree, but the Bulldogs could close with a two-for-one deal that helps solidify things up front for years to come.
Defensive Linemen
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5-star DT Marvin Wilson, Episcopal High School (Bellaire, Texas) - LSU
The Tigers have laid groundwork to again land one of college football's most impressive recruiting classes, but so much is contingent based on head coach Les Miles' ability to maintain security for his staff. LSU defensive line coach Ed Orgeron is a revered recruiter, though he faces serious competition from Florida State's Odell Haggins in this instance.
5-star DE Robert Beal, Norcross High School (Norcross, Georgia) - Georgia
Beal graded out as our No. 1 edge-rusher in the 2017 cycle, so it's no surprise he's commanded constant attention from a variety of powerhouse programs. The former Notre Dame commit has fielded recruiting efforts from Alabama, Texas and Florida State, but we expect Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart to secure one of his most important targets before the season begins.
5-star DE Chase Young, DeMatha Catholic High School (Hyattsville, Maryland) - Ohio State
This uber-athletic pass-rusher is another athlete who appears to be leaning toward the Buckeyes. Nearby Maryland has made him a major concern, and Alabama loves what he could provide at outside linebacker, but Ohio State seems to be in the driver's seat in advance of a commitment announcement.
4-star DT Jay Tufele, Bingham High School (South Jordan, Utah) - UCLA
Tufele's recruitment has a wide-open feel to it right now, and it ranges across the country with Ohio State and Michigan still in line for upcoming visits. Utah would love to land the local prospect but must contend with Pac-12 opponents such as Oregon, USC and UCLA, which is our pick by a slight margin at this stage.
4-star DT Greg Rogers, Arbor View High School (Las Vegas, Nevada) - USC
Rogers told Bleacher Report's Sanjay Kirpalani he's eyeing an early December announcement, so five official visits is a possibility, with Oklahoma, UCLA, Michigan, Colorado and Arizona State in the mix to host him. The Trojans have gained traction in recent months, so things seem to be lining up well here for USC.
4-star DE K'Lavon Chaisson, North Shore High School (Houston, Texas) - Oklahoma
Nearby Houston would love to continue its eye-opening roster buildup with Chaisson on board, while Texas also presents an in-state landing spot. However, Oklahoma and LSU may be the two teams out in front, with the edge going toward the Sooners.
4-star DE Malik Herring, Mary Persons High School (Forsyth, Georgia) - Georgia
Herring, a freakish athlete who collected 21 tackles for loss last season, is another Peach State product who could present major potential in Kirby Smart's defensive scheme. Alabama and Clemson would love to swipe him away from home turf.
4-star DE LaBryan Ray, James Clemens High School (Madison, Alabama) - Alabama
Tennessee, Florida State, Ole Miss and Michigan are among teams that would love to stand in the way of this connection, but Alabama looks like the clear team to beat moving ahead. The 6'4", 270-pound menace would give head coach Nick Saban yet another beast to develop in his front-seven attack.
4-star DE Addison Gumbs, Stellar Prep (Hayward, California) - Washington
Huskies head coach Chris Petersen has put his program in position to swipe a blue-chip defender away from California. Gumbs is also strongly considering Oklahoma and USC, so this isn't a cake walk for Washington.
4-star DE Jordan Williams, Frank W. Cox High School (Virginia Beach, Virginia) - Clemson
This is another instance of Clemson and Tennessee butting heads over the same recruit. The Tigers hosted him on campus last month, and the staff has strengthened its standing with the strong-side enforcer of late.
4-star DE Joshua Paschal, Good Counsel High School (Olney, Maryland) - Notre Dame
A late spring offer from the Fighting Irish shook up a recruitment that previously appeared to center on nearby Maryland and Kentucky, where his older brother signed. He visited South Bend in June, pushing Notre Dame to the forefront in the discussion for Paschal.
2018 Prospects
5-star DE Xavier Thomas, Wilson High School (Florence, South Carolina) - Clemson
Thomas is one of the few 2018 recruits expected to compete at The Opening, though he may already measure up against many of 2017's elite linemen. Considered the No. 4 overall recruit in his class, scholarship offers will continue to mount in SEC and ACC territory, where we like the reigning ACC champion's chances of eventually reeling in this crucial in-state stud.
Linebackers
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5-star Dylan Moses, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida) - LSU
This Louisiana native landed on the recruiting radar in eighth grade, garnering widespread attention well before the vast majority of his contemporaries. Moses, who previously attended school in Baton Rouge before a recent transfer to IMG Academy, is tight with the Tigers staff, and if head coach Les Miles can avoid job security uncertainty, which plagued him last season, then he's in a solid position to regain a pledge rather than loose the linebacker to Alabama or Texas.
5-star Baron Browning, Kennedale High School (Kennedale, Texas) - Ohio State
This recruitment appears likely to last into the winter with several schools in play, including in-state options at Texas and TCU. Browning, who tallied 74 tackles and four forced fumbles in 2015, is expected to make another unofficial visit to Columbus this summer for Friday Night Lights, per Ari Wasserman of Cleveland.com, and we get the sense he could be drawn into leaving home for a spot in college football's top-ranked class.
4-star Drew Singleton, Paramus Catholic (Paramus, New Jersey) - Michigan
Former Paramus Catholic head coach Chris Partridge now serves as linebackers coach at Michigan, where Paramus Catholic products Rashan Gary and Jabrill Peppers should play pivotal roles in the Wolverines defense this fall. Clemson and Rutgers will continue to make a push, but this feels like a slam dunk for Michigan.
4-star Anthony Hines, Plano East High School (Plano, Texas) - Oklahoma
Though he isn't a 5-star in composite rankings, not many 2017 recruits compare to Hines when it comes to scholarships (90 schools have offered, according to 247Sports). We can see the Sooners edging out Texas for this Lone Star State standout, while Ohio State remains on the peripheral.
4-star Justin Foster, Crest High School (Shelby, North Carolina) - Tennessee
The Volunteers have been highly efficient targeting North Carolina talents during recent cycles, and Foster is in the crosshairs this time around. Clemson and Notre Dame provide competition, so future campus visits should prove pivotal.
4-star Jordan Anthony, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida) - Michigan
The Wolverines have applied a full-court press in the pursuit, implementing multiple assistants for in-person conversations in the process. Penn State and Maryland are other potential Big Ten options, but we like Michigan to close strong with Anthony.
4-star Will Ignont, Buckhorn High School (New Market, Alabama) - Auburn
Ignont has been high on Alabama throughout the process, but it remains to be seen if the match is there given the Crimson Tide's abundant depth at linebacker and alternative targets in the 2017 cycle. Early opportunities would seemingly be easier to come by at Auburn, where he visited in June.
4-star Leonard Warner, Brookwood High School (Snellville, Georgia) - Georgia
Interest has mounted for Warner since the conclusion of his junior season, with Ohio State, Auburn, Duke and Oklahoma among interested teams beyond state borders. The Bulldogs can lean on longtime NFL defensive coordinator Mel Tucker to get this done.
4-star Isaiah Pola-Mao, Mountain Pointe High School (Phoenix, Arizona) - Washington
We expect the Huskies to close this commitment before next season, perhaps as early as July if things go well for the staff. Arizona State and Arizona likely won't step aside quietly, but Washington has its sights set on adding Pola-Mao as another impressive piece of its burgeoning class.
4-star Kenney Britt, Oxford High School (Oxford, Alabama) - Auburn
The Tigers have been viewed as the front-runners here since the late stages of the spring. Expect Auburn assistants Travis Williams and Rodney Garner to help bring Britt aboard sooner rather than later.
3-star Sherrod Greene, Rocky Mount High School (Rocky Mount, North Carolina) - South Carolina
New Gamecocks head coach Will Muschamp has built his reputation on the defensive side of the ball, and he'll need playmakers like Greene to make a personal imprint on South Carolina's attack. We anticipate the linebacker will head south after further examining offers from North Carolina and NC State.
2019 Prospects
Owen Pappoe, Grayson High School (Loganville, Georgia) - Georgia
Pappoe will make history in Beaverton, becoming the first rising sophomore to participate at The Opening. He's a slam-dunk 5-star recruit when 2019 rankings are eventually revealed and could actually top that list.
It's far too early to project a landing spot for Pappoe, who entered high school with more than a dozen offers, but looking down the line, Georgia could be well-situated. We anticipate the Bulldogs will sign multiple Grayson High School products this cycle, and Kirby Smart could have his program rolling into national title contention when it's time for this young phenom to decide.
Defensive Backs
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5-star S Jeffrey Okudah, South Grand Prairie (Grand Prairie, Texas) - Ohio State
The Buckeyes were established as favorites here during Okudah's junior campaign and, despite visits and interest elsewhere, he's done little to dispel that sentiment. Oklahoma, Stanford and Alabama are among alternative landing spots, though we anticipate he'll ultimately join a star-studded Ohio State class and become a potential immediate secondary lynch pin for new defensive coordinator Greg Schiano.
5-star CB Darnay Holmes, Calabasas High School (Calabasas, California) - Nebraska
The nation's top-ranked cornerback is seriously considering joining high school teammates Tristan Gebbia (quarterback) and Keyshawn Johnson (receiver) in an impressive Cornhuskers class, lining up an official visit in Lincoln for September. UCLA, Stanford, Ohio State and Michigan remain major contenders, leaving the crystal ball here rather murky months before his senior season.
4-star CB Deangelo Gibbs, Grayson High School (Loganville, Georgia) - Georgia
Expect Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart to assemble one of the nation's most promising defensive hauls on national signing day, with a pair of Grayson secondary standouts potentially in the mix. We'll get to the other momentarily on this list, but Georgia is moving in the right direction for Gibbs despite a longstanding relationship with Tennessee.
4-star CB Thomas Graham, Rancho Cucamonga High School (Rancho Cucamonga, California) - UCLA
The former USC commit has shown substantial interest in fellow Pac-12 contenders Oregon and Arizona, but we envision him pulling off a crosstown swap to UCLA. Notre Dame is one program in particular that could ultimately dash that outlook.
4-star CB Jamyest Williams, Grayson High School (Lawrenceville, Georgia) - Georgia
Williams, among the most impressive defenders we scouted on the spring camp circuit, has taken several visits to Clemson and remains compelled by Ohio State. However, he's clearly excited about the new Bulldogs staff, and there's an opportunity for him and Gibbs to patrol the same backfield beyond Grayson by signing on for a future in Athens.
4-star S Devon Hunter, Indian River High School (Chesapeake, Virginia) - Virginia Tech
It was an offseason of change for the Hokies with longtime head coach Frank Beamer retiring, but defensive coordinator Bud Foster remains a highly respected mainstay in Blacksburg. Hunter, who is also looking closely at North Carolina, Florida, Auburn and others, would provide Virginia Tech's staff with a significant boost by climbing aboard.
4-star S Todd Harris, Plaquemine High School (Plaquemine, Louisiana) - LSU
Despite interest in SEC rivals Ole Miss, Arkansas, Georgia and Mississippi State, the Tigers are in excellent shape to sign this in-state stud. Harris, who tallied 165 tackles and six interceptions during the past two seasons, should become one of several key defensive backfield additions to a potentially dominant LSU secondary.
4-star CB AJ Terrell, Westlake High School (Atlanta, Georgia) - Clemson
The Tigers have made a push for the Atlanta product, who is also exploring out-of-state options at Auburn, Florida and South Carolina. Georgia is a program to watch here, but can the Bulldogs really reel in three top-10 prospects at the position?
4-star S Grant Delpit, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida) - LSU
Delpit, who transferred to IMG Academy from the Houston area, has long been viewed as an LSU lean. The Tigers never struggle to land loads of secondary talent each cycle, and he should figure into the collection next signing day despite attempts of Alabama, Auburn, Florida State and several other schools.
4-star CB Jaylon Johnson, Central East High School (Fresno, California) - USC
Oklahoma and USC look like primary contenders here, though offers arrived from Michigan and Nebraska in the past month. The Trojans suffered a decommitment at the position earlier this year and are still looking to fill secondary holes this cycle, while the Sooners have secured multiple 4-star talents there.
4-star CB Amir Riep, Colerain High School (Cincinnati, Ohio) - Ohio State
Michigan State is another Big Ten program to keep an eye on here, but the Buckeyes are in position to pounce soon. Riep, who has racked up nearly 50 offers, could be the latest member of Ohio State's class before the end of July.
4-star CB Ambry Thomas, Martin Luther King High School (Detroit, Michigan) - Michigan
The Wolverines continue to gain momentum in Detroit with a dynamic defensive back who also holds offers from Michigan State, Penn State and Notre Dame. It could be a huge cycle for head coach Jim Harbaugh in the city.
4-star CB Alex Perry, Bishop Gorman High School (Las Vegas, Nevada) - Colorado
This has been a relatively strong cycle for the Buffaloes to this point, and picking up an Opening invitee would further signify progress. The jury is largely out on Perry's destination, but a positive on-campus experience could push Colorado closer to a commitment.
4-star CB Elijah Molden, West Linn High School (West Linn, Oregon) - Oregon
The Ducks endured a choppy start to the 2017 recruiting cycle, but things have begun to move in a positive direction. Oregon isn't regularly a deep state in terms of Power Five talent, so it's imperative for the Ducks to capitalize on premier local athletes, which was an issue at times earlier this cycle.
4-star CB Marco Wilson, American Heritage High School (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) - Florida
Wilson, a hard-nosed and physically imposing defensive back, appears most likely to land in-state at either Florida or Miami. If you're looking for a wild-card defender, keep tabs on USC as things progress, but we like the Gators' chances overall.
4-star S Jaylen Kelly-Powell, Cass Tech High School (Detroit, Michigan) - Michigan
The Wolverines would love to land Cass Tech teammates Kelly-Powell and Donovan Peoples-Jones, a 5-star receiver we projected to Ann Arbor earlier in this piece. We're betting Michigan gets it done and adds this downfield enforcer to its defensive arsenal.
3-star CB Harrison Hand, Cherry Hill West High School (Cherry Hill, New Jersey) - Rutgers
New Scarlet Knights head coach Chris Ash is well on his way toward reclaiming the southern section of New Jersey after it was plundered by Michigan and Penn State in recent cycles. With other area players already buying into a new vision at Rutgers, expect Harrison Hand to follow suit and challenge for early reps.
3-star CB Donovan Johnson, Cass Tech High School (Detroit, Michigan) - Penn State
Yet another Cass Tech standout in Beaverton, Johnson is perhaps the least likely to stay in Michigan. Virginia Tech and West Virginia could challenge here, but for now we're pointing out Penn State as his landing spot.
2018 Prospects
5-star S BJ Foster, Angleton High School (Angleton, Texas) - Texas
The 2018 class' top-ranked safety has seen his recruitment gain momentum in recent weeks with offers arriving from Ole Miss, Michigan, Georgia, Stanford, Ohio State and LSU since May. Despite a sub-.500 record in Austin, Longhorns head coach has proved adept at plucking premier in-state defenders, and Foster fits the bill as a tone-setter in the Texas secondary.
5-star CB Patrick Surtain Jr., American Heritage High School (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) - LSU
The son of former Miami Dolphins Pro Bowl defensive back Patrick Surtain is poised to build a reputation of his own, sitting atop 2018 cornerback rankings. Florida, Florida State and Miami each aim to keep him in the Sunshine State, but Surtain is a candidate to further enhance the "DBU" aura at LSU, where the staff has consistently acquired secondary talent from the Sunshine State.
Athletes
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4-star OrTre Smith, Wando High School (Mount Pleasant, South Carolina) - Clemson
This is another example where the Tigers are battling with in-state rival South Carolina, while North Carolina will also give chase. The 6'3", 215-pound prospect will have a hard time saying no to Clemson if another headline-grabbing season lies ahead.
4-star Salvon Ahmed, Juanita High School (Kirkland, Washington) - Washington
The Huskies will battle with Pac-12 foes, specifically Stanford, for the in-state prospect. Considered a top-three overall recruit in Washington, Ahmed is exactly the kind of recruit head coach Chris Petersen must pull in on a consistent basis in order to maintain upward trajectory for his program.
4-star Markquese Bell, Bridgeton High School (Bridgeton, New Jersey) - Rutgers
Michigan could add to its Garden State pipeline, but we like the position Rutgers has put itself in with Bell, who would be another huge in-state pickup for the Scarlet Knights under first-year head coach Chris Ash. Clemson and Ohio State are two alternative options to watch, though each may take a wait-and-see approach with a commitment here.
4-star CJ Holmes, Cheshire Academy (Cheshire, Connecticut) - Notre Dame
It took longer than it probably should have, but Holmes soared to national prominence this spring, which included offers from Notre Dame, Alabama and Michigan during an 11-day stretch in May. He attended camp in South Bend last month, putting in plenty of work at running back, and that's where we foresee him landing sometime this summer.
3-star Derrek Pitts, South Charleston High School (Charleston, West Virginia) - West Virginia
Pitts, who is likely to line up at safety in college, spent time at Tennessee and Pittsburgh in June, but we anticipate he'll remain in his home state as a member of the Mountaineers.
Tyler Donohue is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. All quotes and information firsthand unless otherwise noted.
Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.
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