B/R Recruiting CFB 200: Top Athletes of 2017 Class

After thorough study using specific scoring criteria, Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analysts Damon Sayles, Sanjay Kirpalani and Tyler 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 2017. Here we present the Top Athletes.

The success of two-way standouts such as UCLA's Myles Jack and USC's Adoree' Jackson in recent years continues to cast a light on prospects who can provide options across the field. Position-versatile prospects are perennially among the most prized players of each recruiting cycle.

That remains the case in this push toward national signing day 2017, as coaches across college football haven't shied away from targeting athletes who've yet to land a specific positional label. Some may arrive on campus working with receivers before stepping into the spotlight at defensive back and vice versa.

An impressive collection of 2017 playmakers remain in the "athletes" mix, not quite relegated to a singular segment of recruiting rankings. Though that could change as things progress—three such top-200 prospects recently received a position tag—this stretch of summer presents an opportune time to analyze each talent.

Our review included an assessment of athletes based on criteria of the position we believe they project strongest among collegiate competition. Here's a glimpse at these promising players, including the latest developments in their respective recruiting process.

Player order and star ratings based on 247Sports' composite rankings through July 21. Unless otherwise noted, player stats are courtesy of 247Sports. Quotes and information acquired firsthand by the authors. 

6. 4-Star WR Markquese Bell

Credit: Student Sports

Height/Weight: 6’3”/194 lbs 

High School: Bridgeton (Bridgeton, New Jersey)

247Sports Ranking: No. 6 athlete; No. 178 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 90/100

Recruitment Status: Contenders include Clemson, Michigan, Ohio State and Rutgers

Rutgers has enjoyed a strong 2017 recruiting cycle under first-year head coach Chris Ash, primarily fueled by an increase of interest among in-state talent. The Scarlet Knights firmly have their sights set on Markquese Bell, who is also receiving a heavy dose of peer recruiting from current Rutgers commits.

There's major competition from Clemson and within the Big Ten Conference. Michigan enjoyed tremendous success in the Garden State last cycle and now aims to duplicate that to some degree, while Ohio State entered the equation with a June offer and is set to host Bell on campus this month, he told B/R.

Bleacher Report Analysis

Bell, a state track and field champion in the high jump, seems comfortable with an open-ended collegiate outlook, as he continues to command interest at both safety and receiver. We focused on his offensive prowess, which puts him position to force matchup issues along the outside with a lengthy frame.

Large, reliable hands (24/25) pluck passes at their high point, and Bell puts in excellent work turning upfield upon gaining possession at the top of routinely sharp routes (18/20). Comfortable making catches in traffic or against double-teams, exceptional leaping ability and an expansive wingspan make life difficult for defenders. 

Bell isn't a burner, but there's some wiggle and burst to his open-field approach, and there's an apparent level of comfort for him as a pass-catcher. He caught 52 passes for 792 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2015, according to Kevin Minnick of the Courier-Post.

5. 4-Star WR Chadarius Townsend

Credit: 247Sports

Height/Weight: 6’0”/190 lbs

High School: Tanner (Tanner, Alabama)

247Sports Ranking: No. 5 athlete; No. 177 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 89/100

Recruitment Status: Committed to Alabama

Chadarius Townsend became the first in-state commitment of head coach Nick Saban's 2017 Crimson Tide class by issuing a verbal pledge prior to his junior season. He plays quarterback for his high school squad but, according to Hank South of 247Sports, envisions playing elsewhere within the offense and on special teams in Tuscaloosa. 

His offers sheet also includes Auburn, Florida and Mississippi State.

Bleacher Report Analysis

The transition to receiver in Tuscaloosa could include some growing pains for Townsend, but he's proved to be an electric playmaker in the open field throughout his high school career. Speed (14/15) is a scintillating element of his arsenal, and he won't have trouble challenging SEC defensive backs when it's time to turn on the jets downfield.

Townsend is tough to corral in space and displays excellent vision while navigating through traffic, which should serve him well after the catch. His vision and acceleration should at least compel Alabama's staff to find out what he can do in a kick returner role. 

Already more physically developed than several blue-chip receivers in this class, his opportunities to earn snaps will be largely based on learning nuances at the position. Townsend accounted for 2,329 total yards and 35 touchdowns in 2015, according to South.

4. 4-Star RB Alaric Williams

Credit: 247Sports

Height/Weight: 6’0”/195 lbs

High School: Southside (Ashville, Alabama)

247Sports Ranking: No. 4 athlete; No. 170 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 89/100 

Recruitment Status: Committed to Auburn

The Tigers claimed an early commitment from in-state stud Alaric Williams, securing his verbal pledge in July 2015. Auburn coaches plan to implement him in the offensive backfield, according to Drew Champlin of AL.com.

Williams attracted widespread SEC attention as an underclassman, collecting alternative offers from Alabama and Georgia.

Bleacher Report Analysis

A balanced set of skills at running back make him a threat to do damage between the tackles, off the edge or in an occasional receiver role. Natural anticipation as a play progresses is augmented by quality vision (18/20) and lateral agility (14/15).

Williams may not outrace SEC defenders downfield throughout this career, but his burst at the starting point of a rushing attempt puts him in position to pick up 10-yard chunks in a hurry. There's some physicality to his game too (17/20 power) that forces opponents to wrap up and drive him down to the turf since he'll glance off arm tackles.

Williams gained 1,175 yards on the ground as a junior, according to the Gadsden Messenger, tallying 11 rushing touchdowns.

3. 4-Star Dual-Threat QB Tray Bishop

Credit: 247Sports

Height/Weight: 6’3”/193 lbs

High School: Dawson County (Terrell, Georgia)

247Sports Ranking: No. 3 athlete; No. 148 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 88/100

Recruitment Status: Committed to Auburn

A trio of SEC squads (Auburn, Florida and Georgia) remained in contention for Peach State playmaker Tray Bishop deep into the summer, according to Kipp Adams of 247Sports. To see evidence of his diversity, you simply need to understand how each program planned to use him on the field.

Florida saw him at safety and Georgia eyed his impact at receiver, but Auburn envisions him as a potential dual-threat quarterback—the position he plays in high school—and ultimately prevailed here. The Tigers secured his pledge July 25, according to Keith Niebuhr of 247Sports.

Bleacher Report Analysis

Since Bishop is headed to Auburn, our focus shifted to his potential at quarterback during scouting sessions. He's a fluid athlete who possesses the athleticism to excel at defensive back or receiver, and it's no surprise his mobility (18/20) ranks among the most impressive dual-threat talents in top-200 composite rankings.

He won't shake defenders out of their cleats in the open field, but his straight-line speed especially stands out. Bishop is a long athlete who scoots with strong strides and presents a difficult challenge for defenses on short-yardage situations. Expect college coaches to call his number as a runner in goal-line packages if he does indeed line up behind center.

As a passer, progression in mechanics is a must in order for Bishop to effectively orchestrate the attack for a conference title contender, but his arm strength and accuracy (combined 30/35) lend credence to Auburn's interest in his potential behind center.

2. 4-Star CB Salvon Ahmed

Credit: 247Sports

Height/Weight: 6’0”/185 lbs

High School: Juanita (Kirkland, Washington)

247Sports Ranking: No. 2 athlete; No. 121 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 90/100

Recruitment Status: Contenders include Notre Dame, Oregon, Stanford, USC and Washington

Salvon Ahmed tweeted a top-five list upon his arrival at The Opening earlier this month. This shapes up as a highly contentious Pac-12 battle with Notre Dame serving as an outlier to the east. 

Arizona, Arizona State, Washington State and Utah are among alternative conference members that didn't make the cut in a process that figures to feature several official visits as Ahmed sorts through his options.

Bleacher Report Analysis

An explosive stud who warrants consideration at running back and slot receiver, Ahmed is ideally suited for a role in the defensive backfield. It's where he roamed at The Opening, serving up coverage skills (36/40) that warranted attention previously during 2015 film-study sessions.

Ahmed remains a bit raw when it comes to technique but thrives throughout matchups in space and won't let even the speediest receivers leave him grasping for air. He registered the fastest 40-yard dash time during Nike Football Ratings Championship action at The Opening, stopping the clock at 4.32 seconds.

Ahmed combines sheer speed with a physical nature that creates No. 1 cornerback potential with whichever defense he joins in college. A dominant junior campaign included more than 2,000 yards on offense, nearly 30 total touchdowns and four interceptions, according to Scott Eklund of Dawgman.com.

1. 4-Star CB Greg Johnson

Height/Weight: 5’10”/185 lbs

High School: Hawkins (Los Angeles, California)

247Sports Ranking: No. 1 athlete; No. 92 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 91/100 

Recruitment Status: Committed to Arizona

Wildcats head coach Rich Rodriguez is enjoying an immensely successful 2017 recruiting cycle. Arizona carries the top-ranked class in Pac-12 composite rankings, and Greg Johnson serves as the crown jewel of this group.

He became the latest California prospect to pick Arizona in March, spurning options that included UCLA, Florida, Michigan and Notre Dame.

Bleacher Report Analysis 

It will be tempting for Wildcats coaches to carve out a role for Johnson on both sides of the ball during his time in Tucson. He's a dynamic offensive threat who contributed in every phase these past two seasons, collecting 3,479 rushing yards, 1,242 passing yards, 872 receiving yards and 45 total touchdowns, per MaxPreps.

Put the ball in hands and good things happen, but line him up across scrimmage and you're looking at a special secondary talent. Johnson's ball skills (19/20) are among the finest in this class, and he flashes enough speed (19/20) and physicality to blanket his portion of the field in pass coverage (36/40).

A quick-twitch athlete, he flips his hips with rare fluidity and breaks on the ball to create significant issues for an opposing aerial attack while also streaking to the action in run support.

Johnson enjoyed his most productive defensive campaign in 2015, finishing with 42 tackles, four interceptions and two sacks. He also competes against a pair of 5-star receivers in Hawkins High School teammates Joseph Lewis and Jalen Hall on a regular basis.