4-Star Recruits Who Could Earn 5-Star Status Before Signing Day

Tuesday saw a shake-up in the 247Sports composite rankings for the 2017 class. Three athletes—Alabama quarterback commit Tua Tagovailoa, Stanford tight end pledge Colby Parkinson and uncommitted offensive tackle Trey Smith—became the newest 5-star prospects after the most recent industry-generated updates in recruiting rankings.

There are currently 32 5-star players in the class, per the 247Sports composite rankings. Smith made the biggest jump, rising from No. 51 to No. 20 in the rankings. Parkinson moved up six spots to No. 31, while Tagovailoa jumped three spots to No. 32.

But how soon could we see another 4-star player get a fifth-star promotion? There are 290 athletes nationally who are rated with four stars (not including the 5-star players). Here are 10 athletes who could make the jump to 5-star status with excellent play throughout the season. They are listed in alphabetical order.

DE Robert Beal

Hometown (School): Bradenton, Florida (IMG Academy)

Size: 6'3 ½", 230 lbs

247Sports composite ranking: No. 38 overall (No. 3 WDE)

Commitment status: Committed to Georgia

Size. Power. Speed. Versatility. Robert Beal has all of the intangibles to not only be a solid 5-star rush end but also a reliable option on defense in the SEC. He committed to Georgia on July 5 and is the program's second-highest-rated player behind 5-star safety Richard LeCounte III.

Beal plays for an IMG Academy team that will be tested early by Georgia power Grayson High School in a nationally televised game Saturday. Beal can set the tone as a playmaker and a leader on an IMG team that has tons of expectations this season.

OT Austin Deculus

Hometown (School): Cypress, Texas (Cy-Fair)

Size: 6'6", 331 lbs

247Sports composite ranking: No. 34 overall (No. 8 OT)

Commitment status: Committed to LSU

College coaches like their offensive linemen big, mean and surly, and Austin Deculus is all three. Off the field, he's a nice guy, but his menacing play on the field makes you appreciate his Jekyll-and-Hyde approach to the game.

Deculus chose LSU on May 20 and is the Tigers' top-ranked offensive pledge. He is one of four offensive linemen committed to LSU, and he also could be an impact player early, as he can line up at both tackle and guard. Deculus also is strong; he recently set a new record in the squat at his high school.

APB J.K. Dobbins

Hometown (School): La Grange, Texas (La Grange)

Size: 5'9 ½", 199 lbs

247Sports composite ranking: No. 40 overall (No. 1 APB)

Commitment status: Committed to Ohio State

In defining "all-purpose back," an athlete must show himself worthy of doing everything. J.K. Dobbins is the quintessential, do-it-all back. He can run, catch and block. And he can score—a lot. In three varsity seasons, the Ohio State pledge has 81 touchdowns (74 rushing).

Dobbins always has been a solid athlete to watch, but his efforts at The Opening increased his popularity and made him more of someone to keep an eye on. He won the Nike Football Ratings National Championship in Beaverton, Oregon.

WR Jerry Jeudy

Hometown (School): Pompano Beach, Florida (Deerfield Beach)

Size: 6'1", 177 lbs

247Sports composite ranking: No. 36 overall (No. 6 WR)

Commitment status: Committed to Alabama

Alabama's reputation for landing big-name wide receivers won't stop with the 2017 class. Jerry Jeudy is an incredible athlete who has the goods to be the next great receiver in Tuscaloosa. He caught 41 passes for 496 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior, but he really showed his playmaking ability at The Opening and during camp exposure this summer.

With the help of a competitive high school schedule, Jeudy can show he's worthy of 5-star recognition. In Deerfield Beach's clash against Chaminade-Madonna Prep last Saturday, he put up big numbers, catching four passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns.

DE Joshua Kaindoh

Hometown (School): Bradenton, Florida (IMG Academy)

Size: 6'6", 256 lbs

247Sports composite ranking: No. 39 overall (No. 2 SDE)

Commitment status: Committed to Maryland

There's such a thing as looking the part and playing the part. Joshua Kaindoh fits both descriptions as a defensive end who is fun to watch at IMG Academy. Maryland won a huge commitment battle in landing Kaindoh, who originally is from the Old Line State. He chose the Terrapins on April 30 and is the top-ranked pledge of the program's 2017 class.

Kaindoh, as an IMG defender, will see the best from every offensive tackle he lines up against, but look for that to fuel him throughout the season. All eyes will be on IMG each week, which will give Kaindoh plenty of opportunities to prove he's 5-star material as a multifaceted defensive end.

QB Tate Martell

Hometown (School): Las Vegas (Bishop Gorman)

Size: 5'10 ½", 203 lbs

247Sports composite ranking: No. 57 overall (No. 2 dual)

Commitment status: Committed to Ohio State

Polarizing yet productive, Tate Martell only knows winning. He's never lost an 11-on-11 high school game as a varsity starter for Bishop Gorman, and he's hoping to lead his team on another national-championship run. Martell threw for 2,608 yards and 32 touchdowns as a junior and has more than 5,100 yards and 72 touchdowns with only eight interceptions in two varsity seasons.

Martell was once a 5-star quarterback and is ready to prove to his critics that he's still as good as once advertised. Bishop Gorman's 2016 football schedule is a gauntlet of sorts, but if Martell can be the leader and playmaker Ohio State coaches know him to be, don't be surprised if he regains that fifth star.

QB Dylan McCaffrey

Hometown (School): Littleton, Colorado (Valor Christian)

Size: 6'5", 196 lbs

247Sports composite ranking: No. 45 overall (No. 3 pro)

Commitment status: Committed to Michigan

After committing to Michigan in February, Dylan McCaffrey has spent his football days getting better for his team and playing the role of player-recruiter for the Wolverines. He's made positive strides throughout the spring and really showed his leadership skills at The Opening.

As the younger brother of Heisman hopeful Christian McCaffrey of Stanford, Dylan understands the concept of going above and beyond for the good of himself and his teammates. After he threw for 2,800 yards, rushed for 592 yards and rang up 40 total touchdowns (27 passing) as a junior, look for him to raise his stakes during his senior season.

OC Cesar Ruiz

Hometown (School): Bradenton, Florida (IMG Academy)

Size: 6'3", 315 lbs

247Sports composite ranking: No. 66 overall (No. 1 OC)

Commitment status: Uncommitted

How often do we see centers rated as 5-star players? Normally, it's the tackles who receive all of the publicity on the offensive line. In Cesar Ruiz's case, the potential of earning a fifth star is a possibility. Ruiz is that good. He's also a team captain for IMG Academy, which illustrates his leadership.

At The Opening, Ruiz, who is from Camden, New Jersey, was an anchor among one of the best offensive line classes the event has witnessed. At IMG, he's a stalwart who gets the job done each time he lines up on the ball. Michigan, Alabama, Oklahoma and Clemson are among the schools that are hoping to land his commitment.

RB D'Andre Swift

Hometown (School): Philadelphia (St. Joseph's Prep)

Size: 5'9 ½", 214 lbs

247Sports composite ranking: No. 37 overall (No. 4 RB)

Commitment status: Uncommitted

As someone who has flirted with 5-star status for months, D'Andre Swift is hoping to do enough this season to call himself a 5-star running back. Swift is what his name implies when he gets the ball. He's quick, elusive and dangerous with the ball in the open field. He also is a reliable receiving option out of the backfield and has lined up as a slot receiver.

Swift rushed for 1,029 yards and 12 touchdowns and caught 22 passes for 321 yards and four touchdowns as a junior. He has more than 2,700 rushing yards and nearly 90 receptions in three varsity seasons. Swift's verbal commitment is coming soon, and Georgia, Alabama, Clemson, Florida State and in-state option Penn State are the front-runners.

CB Jamyest Williams

Hometown (School): Loganville, Georgia (Grayson)

Size: 5'9", 170 lbs

247Sports composite ranking: No. 55 overall (No. 8 CB)

Commitment status: Uncommitted

A fan favorite, Jamyest Williams often comes up in discussion when mentioning someone who gives everything he has to the game. His fight, coupled with his coverage skills, makes him a candidate as a permanent 5-star player before national signing day.

Williams will announce his college plans Saturday, choosing between South Carolina, Ohio State and in-state option Georgia. The winner will get a shutdown cornerback who can be left alone on an island in one-on-one situations. Williams makes you forget that he doesn't have a lot of size, but his dog mentality puts him in the category of elite defenders.

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles