Power Ranking Top 25 2017 Recruits After The Opening
Midway through their final summer break of high school, top football prospects across America are preparing for final seasons at the prep level. This process includes individual and team offseason training, along with camp showcases.
The Opening, an elite invite-only event held July 5-10 at Nike's world headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, provided our latest glimpse of more than 150 athletes in the 2017 recruiting class. A busy week included combine testing, hours of installing systems, one-on-one drills and a seven-on-seven tournament.
While only linemen wore shoulder pads during action, intense competition tends to separate alpha dogs from the pack. Based on efforts at the country's premier prospect event and the overall impression players have made throughout their high school careers, here's how we rank the class' top 25 recruits nearly seven months shy of national signing day.
25. S Richard LeCounte III
1 of 25
High School: Liberty County (Riceboro, Georgia)
Size: 5'10 ½", 174 lbs
Recruitment: Committed to Georgia
Why He's on the List
Richard LeCounte III became the first recruit to commit to a new Bulldogs regime last December and it really seems head coach Kirby Smart hit a home run on his initial 2017 pledge. This diverse defensive back brings great awareness to a position that requires a ton of insight, as he consistently called out messages in seven-on-seven tournament action at The Opening and served as a defensive leader.
His hip fluidity and seamless backpedal put him in position to smother receivers in coverage and he's excellent in timing out support efforts in aid of cornerbacks. LeCounte is also a capable run defender who will light up his fair share of offensive playmakers over the course of a college career.
24. WR Jerry Jeudy
2 of 25
High School: Deerfield Beach (Pompano Beach, Florida)
Size: 6'1", 177 lbs
Recruitment: Uncommitted; contenders include Alabama, Florida State, Miami, Tennessee and USC
Why He's on the List
Jerry Jeudy is a beast on both sides of the football at Deerfield Beach, bullying opponents as receiver and defensive back. He will ultimately make his money on offense, where quickness and agility guide his efforts and combine to translate into relentless downfield burst.
He gets out of breaks with tenacity and continues to do a better job of timing his routes, leaving defenders grabbing for air in his wake while quarterbacks find him in stride. Jeudy earned all-tournament honors at The Opening, where he proved to be a major force near the goal line despite tight coverage.
23. DE A.J. Epenesa
3 of 25
High School: Edwardsville (Edwardsville, Illinois)
Size: 6'5", 230 lbs
Recruitment: Committed to Iowa
Why He's on the List
A.J. Epenesa is one of two athletes on this list who didn't attend The Opening, but that doesn't nullify the work he's put in through three years of prep football. The Hawkeyes legacy is an absolute monster in run defense, setting the edge and shutting down his perimeter.
He is equally explosive maneuvering laterally or downhill, dismantling offensive game plans by collapsing lanes away from his initial starting point. Epenesa, who operates with textbook knee bend and arm extension, tallied 39 tackles—11 for loss—and six sacks last season despite limited plays sent his way.
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22. LB/DE Robert Beal
4 of 25
High School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)
Size: 6'3 ½", 230 lbs
Recruitment: Committed to Georgia
Why He's on the List
Despite being on the invitee roster, Robert Beal ultimately wasn't in attendance at The Opening. While it cost us another opportunity to assess his development, he earned our highest grade (97/100) during widespread film review of 2017 edge-rushers earlier this cycle.
Beal, who played at Norcross High School (Georgia) before transferring to IMG Academy this offseason, is an explosive defender who sheds lead blockers with authority and counters larger linemen with some of the best handwork in this class. Along the way, he maintains ideal pad level and puts himself in position to blow up efforts in the offensive backfield as a run-stuffer and pass-rusher.
21. CB Jamyest Williams
5 of 25
High School: Grayson (Loganville, Georgia)
Size: 5'9", 170 lbs
Recruitment: Uncommitted; contenders include Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, South Carolina and Tennessee
Why He's on the List
Despite giving up inches of height in just about every matchup, Jamyest Williams has developed the reputation of a competitor receivers dread working against. His bulldog mentality and ultra-aggressiveness start at the line of scrimmage and continue downfield, as he's forceful but not grabby and finishes through the football.
Williams, who is also a natural leader, looks like a collegiate defensive captain in the making. He's consistent in downfield coverage and can also pack some power into hits when faced with open-field tackling opportunities.
20. QB Hunter Johnson
6 of 25
High School: Brownsburg (Brownsburg, Indiana)
Size: 6'3 ½", 201 lbs
Recruitment: Committed to Clemson
Why He's on the List
The Elite 11 journey didn't end how many anticipated for Hunter Johnson, as he struggled to create momentum with seven-on-seven teammates and faced a swift exit from the tournament. However, you'll be hard-pressed to identify a quarterback who consistently threw a prettier pass than him over the course of competition, dating back to a May regional appearance in Chicago.
Johnson is considered a premier pro-style prospect, but don't let that label fool you into thinking he's strictly a pocket guy. This is an extremely impressive athlete who reached state finals in track and field and competed in Bleacher Report's dunk competition at Nike's world headquarters.
Increased decisiveness during the course of progressions will help him elevate his effectiveness and complement a skill level that rivals past No. 1 overall quarterback recruits of this decade. Voted "most likely to succeed in any offensive system" by Elite 11 counselors, Johnson threw for 2,545 yards and 31 touchdowns in 2015, per MaxPreps.
19. WR Tee Higgins
7 of 25
High School: Oak Ridge (Oak Ridge, Tennessee)
Size: 6'4 ½", 188 lbs
Recruitment: Committed to Clemson
Why He's on the List
Tee Higgins, who caught 16 touchdowns last fall and pledged to the Tigers on July 4, is the kind of receiver an offensive coordinator might imagine when asked to piece together an ideal pass target. He offers excellent coordination and speed for an athlete of his height, resulting in frustrating matchups across the ball.
He didn't have a chance to make a major impression deep into The Opening seven-on-seven tournament, but Higgins was a must-watch in most receiver drills. In addition to exhibiting elite extension and catch radius, his week included several receptions that featured him adjusting in midair and hitting the turf almost in stride, which is quite a sight at nearly 6'5".
18. LB Baron Browning
8 of 25
High School: Kennedale (Kennedale, Texas)
Size: 6'3", 230 lbs
Recruitment: Uncommitted; contenders include Alabama, Ohio State, Texas and TCU
Why He's on the List
Baron Browning brings grown-man size to linebacker nearly two months before his final high school season, and shows a firm understanding of how to engage offenses depending on formation and assignment. Though he could probably rely on athletic prowess at the prep level, he augments an impressive skill set with all-out effort and a willingness to compete in pass coverage.
He is a sideline-to-sideline defender likely slotted for an every-down role during the course of his college career, as strides likely lie ahead in his downfield efforts against tight ends and running backs. Browning, who recorded 74 tackles, four forced fumbles and two interceptions in 2015, also showed off some quality quickness for his size at The Opening with a 4.56-second 40-yard dash and 4.18 agility shuttle.
17. WR Tyjon Lindsey
9 of 25
High School: Centennial (Corona, California)
Size: 5'8 ½", 180 lbs
Recruitment: Uncommitted; contenders include Alabama, Auburn, Nebraska, Ohio State and USC
Why He's on the List
Don't let his diminutive stature fool you, Tyjon Lindsey can dominate defenses at his finest. The former Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) standout operates downfield with the mindset of a technician, particularly when it comes to footwork, and finishes by fighting for the football at its high point.
Lindsey, an all-tournament selection at The Opening despite his team's overall struggles, has few peers in route-running precision and does a great job consistently gaining a stride past coverage. He can become an extension of the run game on short passes that allot him wiggle room, or surge deep as a dangerous long-ball target, evidenced by his 25.3 yards-per-catch average and 29 touchdown receptions since 2014, per MaxPreps.
16. OT Alex Leatherwood
10 of 25
High School: Washington (Pensacola, Florida)
Size: 6'6", 327 lbs
Recruitment: Committed to Alabama
Why He's on the List
The Crimson Tide are in line to land another dominant force at offensive tackle in the form of Alex Leatherwood. Competing in a crowd of physical monsters at The Opening, there may not have been a more intimidating presence than this Sunshine State blocker.
Leatherwood, who looks like an NFL rookie rather than a high school senior, brings more to the field than just a formidable frame. He chucks defensive linemen with regularity, taking control of pad level and angling opponents with authority, making him a running back's best friend when it's time to identify open holes.
15. WR Joseph Lewis
11 of 25
High School: Hawkins (Los Angeles)
Size: 6'1 ½", 207 lbs
Recruitment: Uncommitted; contenders include Arizona, Nebraska, Oklahoma and USC
Why He's on the List
Joseph Lewis solidified his spot in the discussion as this class' top receiver recruit, running routes with precision and aggression at The Opening. It was a similar approach to what we've witnessed throughout his high school career, which features at least 775 receiving yards each season, according to MaxPreps.
He has a great feel for finding seams downfield and isn't afraid to get physical with defensive backs in order to develop and exploit space, smoothly cutting toward an intended area. Lewis also displays one of the surest sets of hands in this cycle, coming down with catches in traffic that others often fail to secure.
14. OT Josh Myers
12 of 25
High School: Miamisburg (Miamisburg, Ohio)
Size: 6'6", 306 lbs
Recruitment: Committed to Ohio State
Why He's on the List
Josh Myers, an early member of the Buckeyes' top-ranked recruiting class, pulverizes opponents at the point of attack. A devastating initial punch costs defensive linemen balance and pad level, setting the stage for him to get his hands inside and follow through with a powerful lower body that helps him finish things off until the next rep.
That strong base also allows Myers to hold his ground while encountering power rushers, and he counters with quality arm extension that doesn't leave him susceptible to disengagement moves on the part of defenders. Ohio State could be looking at a potential three-year starter if his trajectory continues at its current rate.
13. QB Davis Mills
13 of 25
High School: Greater Atlanta Christian School (Norcross, Georgia)
Size: 6'3", 192 lbs
Recruitment: Committed to Stanford
Why He's on the List
Get ready for comparisons to former Cardinal quarterback Andrew Luck during the months ahead, as that was a name Elite 11 staff members and various analysts referenced while reviewing Davis Mills. This Peach State passer sat atop Elite 11 rankings throughout early June finals in Los Angeles and made a strong case for MVP honors at The Opening.
Mills, who helped lead his seven-on-seven team to the tournament title game, displays rare anticipation for downfield developments that is often lacking for quarterbacks at this stage of careers. He also has a firm feel for which passes require significant extra touch, allowing him to beat quality defensive coverage by lofting the ball into a bucket.
His ability to routinely find receivers in stride and an attitude that remains steady whether he just drilled a laser for big yardage or suffered an interception make Mills seem mature enough to lead a collegiate attack early. Selected "most likely to be a No. 1 NFL draft pick" by Elite 11 counselors, he collected 5,088 yards and 51 touchdowns in 2014 and '15.
12. WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
14 of 25
High School: Cass Technical (Detroit, Michigan)
Size: 6'2", 192 lbs
Recruitment: Uncommitted; contenders include Florida, Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State
Why He's on the List
Donovan Peoples-Jones undoubtedly could have landed higher in these rankings if he was at full health. Unfortunately, we were unable to watch him work at The Opening due to a hamstring issue, costing him an opportunity to repeat as the event's Nike Football Ratings champion.
This receiver class as a whole is largely packed together up top, with no clear-cut No. 1 recruit in the mix, though he did look the part this May during regional action in Columbus. Peoples-Jones was unable to state his case with a full-throttle effort in Beaverton but based on regional efforts and his body of work at Cass Tech, we're still comfortable placing him atop a tightly condensed collection of pass-catchers right now.
His long reach and ultra-athleticism almost make it seem as though Peoples-Jones is competing at 6'4" rather than 6'2", and he often leaps over defenders before hitting his stride and zooming toward the end zone. He averaged 25.9 yards per reception as a junior, resulting in 14 touchdown catches.
11. CB Darnay Holmes
15 of 25
High School: Calabasas (Calabasas, California)
Size: 5'10", 190 lbs
Recruitment: Uncommitted; contenders include Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Stanford and UCLA
Why He's on the List
Darnay Holmes showed off his diverse skill set in Beaverton, putting opponents on notice as both a receiver and cornerback in the star-studded seven-on-seven tournament. He landed on the all-tournament team at "athlete" as a result, and that placement was warranted.
Holmes, who recorded 144 receptions for 2,236 yards and 25 touchdowns during the past two seasons, per MaxPreps, wasn't tested often by quarterbacks. He does an outstanding job mirroring receivers' movements and will occasionally bait passes before turning on the jets to pluck the ball for himself.
Expect Holmes to earn abundant reps against No. 1 opposing receivers within two years on a college campus. He could also occasionally contribute as a receiver depending on roster needs and how much responsibility a coaching staff is willing to send his way.
10. QB Tua Tagovailoa
16 of 25
High School: St. Louis High School (Honolulu)
Size: 6'1", 215 lbs
Recruitment: Committed to Alabama
Why He's on the List
The Summer of Tua continued in Beaverton, where Tagovailoa shined en route to Elite 11 and seven-on-seven tournament MVP honors. This crescendo occurred less than two months after Elite 11 head coach and Super Bowl champion Trent Dilfer challenged him to embrace the intricacies and challenges of a pro-style setting.
Tagovailoa, who flourishes in a spread option attack at the same high school that produced 2014 Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota, made amazing strides at Elite 11 finals June 3-5. He completed 14 of 15 pass attempts with seven scores during seven-on-seven action in Los Angeles, and registered the event's top "pro day" score.
Instead of taking a step back or plateauing, Tagovailoa further elevated his approach at The Opening, where he threw four first-half touchdowns in the tourney title game and became a beloved figure for teammates. The Hawaiian rallies a squad without screaming, presents a serious rushing threat in live action and threw the most consistent deep ball during Elite 11 phases, augmenting what we've witnessed during a high school career that has featured 57 touchdown tosses and just 10 interceptions since 2014, per MaxPreps.
9. DE Jaelan Phillips
17 of 25
High School: Redlands East Valley High School (Redlands, California)
Size: 6'5", 235 lbs
Recruitment: Committed to UCLA
Why He's on the List
Multiple top-tier offensive lineman at The Opening noted the difficulties that accompany lining up across from Jaelan Phillips, specifically pointing to his speed off the perimeter as a major issue. Phillips, who truly seems to embrace coaching, has the makings of a dynamic force off the edge and can start plays standing up or with his hand planted.
His efforts in the trenches easily stood out among a group of defensive linemen who were predominately torn apart by offensive linemen during drills. Expect Phillips to further build on a productive junior season that featured 87 tackles, 13.5 sacks and three interceptions.
8. RB Cam Akers
18 of 25
High School: Clinton (Clinton, Mississippi)
Size: 5'11 ½", 212 lbs
Recruitment: Uncommitted; contenders include Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State and Ole Miss
Why He's on the List
Despite starring at quarterback for Clinton High School, Cam Akers continues to state his case as a top overall running back in the 2017 cycle. Weighing in well above 200 pounds, he clocked a 4.41 in the 40-yard dash in Beaverton and nearly took MVP honors in the Nike Football Ratings championship.
He's a load to bring down, especially when those powerful legs are tearing up turf at full force. Akers' receiving skills were also on display during The Opening. A violent, compact rushing style helped him pick up 2,314 yards and 33 scores on the ground while playing quarterback in 2014 and '15.
7. CB Stanford Samuels
19 of 25
High School: Flanagan (Hollywood, Florida)
Size: 6'2", 175 lbs
Recruitment: Committed to Florida State
Why He's on the List
There's a reason quarterbacks focused attention elsewhere when Stanford Samuels patrolled his portion of the field. This long-limbed athlete exudes confidence at cornerback, where elite instincts are apparent in the way he approaches coverage against a variety of looks.
He has the ability to erase a receiver from the equation by blanketing him with a wide wingspan and quick footwork, and that extended to a setting in Beaverton that featured a plethora of star pass-catchers. Samuels' highlights at The Opening included an acrobatic one-handed interception in the end zone and this Seminoles legacy looks primed to keep points off the board throughout his college career.
6. OT Trey Smith
20 of 25
High School: University School (Jackson, Tennessee)
Size: 6'5 ½", 299 lbs
Recruitment: Uncommitted; contenders include Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Ole Miss and Tennessee
Why He's on the List
Trey Smith continues to assert himself as one of the premier linemen in this class. When he operates at his sharpest and avoids lunging at defenders there's undoubtedly a case to be made on his behalf as America's No. 1 overall recruit.
Despite a strong effort at The Opening, Smith acknowledged there's room for him to polish areas of technique and he's using his exclusion from the staff's "Final Five" (accolade for top offensive linemen) as a teachable moment. Smith is an intellectual student of the game and matches a trim, developed physical frame with his drive to carry a mental edge on each rep.
5. DT Marvin Wilson
21 of 25
High School: Episcopal (Bellaire, Texas)
Size: 6'4", 329 lbs
Recruitment: Uncommitted; contenders include Alabama, Florida State, LSU, Oklahoma, Texas and USC
Why He's on the List
Overall, the 2017 defensive tackle class is a significant drop-off from the 2016 group led by No. 1 overall recruit Rashan Gary. Still, Marvin Wilson was a major silver lining among players at the position in Beaverton.
He's a world-class smack-talker and largely backs up the bravado by bulldozing his way into the backfield. Wilson fires off the snap with low center of gravity and explodes through the chest plate of an offensive lineman, routinely fighting off double-team blocking efforts at Episcopal with a blend of brute force and effective power moves.
Wilson is an absolute menace who can derail interior rushing efforts by clogging things up, and there's evidence he can be a disruptive pass-rusher inside. His emergence as a national recruit occurred early, as he tallied 34 tackles for loss and 19 sacks combined during his freshman and sophomore campaigns.
4. DB Jeffrey Okudah
22 of 25
High School: South Grand Prairie (Grand Prairie, Texas)
Size: 6'3 ½", 190 lbs
Recruitment: Uncommitted; contenders include Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, USC
Why He's on the List
While surveying the 2017 class for secondary prospects capable of developing into dominant defenders at multiple positions, Jeffrey Okudah stands out. Smooth and smart, this Lone Star State standout put in work at cornerback during The Opening and swiftly settled in as one of the top performers at that position.
Since he is currently considered the country's top 2017 safety prospect in composite rankings, this versatility speaks volumes about Okudah's ability to impact a collegiate defense from his first day on campus. A true student of the game, he takes his craft seriously and can cover any receiver, from long and strong to short and swift.
3. LB Dylan Moses
23 of 25
High School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)
Size: 6'2", 220 lbs
Recruitment: Uncommitted; contenders include Alabama, LSU and Texas
Why He's on the List
If you put together a list of top-tier 2017 recruits four years ago, Dylan Moses would've already been on the national radar. He received scholarship offers from several powerhouse programs before high school and committed to the LSU Tigers midway through his freshman season, though he backed off that verbal pledge last summer.
Moses, who attended school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, before transferring to IMG Academy last winter, has largely lived up to the hype. A two-time invitee to The Opening, he's fundamentally mastered many aspects of linebacker and patrols the field with quiet authority.
When dealing with running backs in the open field, Moses displays the anticipation and decisiveness of a rusher, and he would likely make a fine ball-carrier himself if that was indeed his collegiate route. He logged another triple-digit tackle total last fall, according to MaxPreps, and has worked to develop a college-ready physique that can withstand every-down duties.
2. OT Foster Sarell
24 of 25
High School: Graham-Kapowsin (Graham, Washington)
Size: 6'6 ½", 311 lbs
Recruitment: Uncommitted; contenders include Notre Dame, Stanford and Washington
Why He's on the List
Foster Sarell, who earned offensive line MVP honors at The Opening, looks like a complete package at left tackle. His wingspan and quick feet enable him to cut off angles for edge-rushers, effectively keeping his quarterback clean from that side of the line.
Well-versed in the drive-catch concept, Sarell doesn't often succumb to bad habits like lunging. This fundamental polish, along with his immense stature, will put him in position to compete for starting reps as a collegiate freshman. His intelligence at such a crucial spot on the field is also a major plus, as he's able to diagnose what may be headed his way pre-snap before reacting with elite size, athleticism and the overall understanding of a tackle's role.
1. RB Najee Harris
25 of 25
High School: Antioch (Antioch, California)
Size: 6'3", 226 lbs
Recruitment: Committed to Alabama
Why He's on the List
Another physical freak in this collection, Najee Harris doesn't need much room to make defenses look silly. His balance as a runner is on full display in a workhorse role at Antioch, where he plows past would-be tacklers and bursts through seams to split secondaries, finding daylight for huge gains and shouldering the load with high-volume rush attempts.
Those scintillating skills don't fully transition into a camp setting such as The Opening, where Harris dominated far more reps than he's surrendered during two appearances, but he physically looked more impressive than anytime we've laid eyes on him in the past. Harris' effectiveness as a pass target—his hands are more reliable than several blue-chip receivers—also sets him apart since it forces defenses to account for what he can do downfield without the ball in his hands.
Harris is already a physical beast out of the backfield, so it's tantalizing to imagine how he could progress during a few years in Alabama's training program. He gained 5,007 yards on the ground during the past two seasons, averaging 9.7 yards per carry and rushing for 59 scores.
Observations obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue. Prospect information courtesy of 247Sports.
Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.
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