2017 Army All-American Bowl: Grading the Performance of the Top 10 Recruits

The 2017 Army All-American Bowl rosters featured the best of the best, showcasing the No. 1 prospect at several positions and a majority of the top recruits in the nation.

Running back Najee Harris, offensive tackle Foster Sarell and safety Devon Hunter highlighted the 10 highest recruits, who are each listed among Scout's top 14 prospects. One player ended up sitting out the game, but he has earned the mention.

Three of the 10 players announced their verbal commitments, too. Although the pledges are non-binding and other schools may continue recruiting the talent, it's rare that a late flip will happen.

We've handed out grades for each athlete's performance in the game itself. Starting with Wyatt Davis (No. 14 overall), the list ascends based on Scout's current overall rankings.

Wyatt Davis, Offensive Guard

Offensive linemen usually aren't mentioned until they do something terribly wrong. Wyatt Davis avoided all negative attention.

While that isn't to say the 5-star guard dominated Saturday afternoon, he was a consistent performer up front for the West team. Playing alongside Sarell, Davis put together a more balanced game than his fellow 5-star recruit.

He started the game with a quality run block before opening a running lane to help Harris convert a fourth down. During the second quarter, Davis and Sarell sprung Eno Benjamin for a 20-yard gain.

Davis was reliable as a pass blocker, too. He'll be taking these talents to Ohio State in 2017.

Grade: A-

Jeffrey Okudah, Athlete

Jeffrey Okudah might play safety in college, but he spent the afternoon lining up at corner. Speaking of college, though, the 5-star athlete chose his next destination: Ohio State.

During the game, he showed great effort on punt coverage chasing down a bouncing kick, but Okudah mishandled the ball. While it resulted in a touchback, he was in the right spot.

Okudah denied his first target—a back-shoulder throw—with tight coverage. Donovan Peoples-Jones beat Okudah on a slant route, but the 5-star responded on the very next play and broke up a pass.

Shortly before the second quarter ended, Okudah made a terrific read on a hook-and-ladder, stayed in position and made the tackle. Though he exited the field in pain, Okudah returned.

The new Buckeyes pledge ended with two tackles and the PBU.

Grade: B+

Darnay Holmes, Cornerback

Despite the urges of his nephew—who on the NBC broadcast clearly preferred Ohio State—5-star cornerback Darnay Holmes elected to stay local and chose UCLA.

Moments before the halftime, he brought out a kick from five yards deep. The questionable decision appeared tremendously ill-fated, although Holmes shook one tackler and salvaged 18 yards.

In the third quarter, he broke up a pass that K.J. Jarrell should have intercepted on the deflection. Holmes made a special-teams tackle, then broke quickly on a hitch and limited the East to a minimal gain.

Holmes finished the contest with the two defensive plays and returned two kickoffs for a total of 39 yards.

Grade: B+

Stephen Carr, Running Back

When looking at film, there's no question Stephen Carr has elite talent. At this time, 247Sports lists 21 offers.

However, for whatever reason, the 5-star USC pledge only managed one touch Saturday afternoon. He recorded that rushing attempt on the opening drive, gaining three yards.

In case any Trojans fans are worried, Barton Simmons of 247Sports called Carr a standout performer on Day 1. Don't worry, USC lovers, you're still getting a potentially great player.

Grade: Incomplete

Jaelan Phillips, UCLA

Jaelan Phillips found himself in the backfield on the East team's first offensive snap. Unfortunately, he found Cam Akers, too. However, Phillips didn't give up and chased down Akers for the tackle.'

A UCLA commit, Phillips' athleticism and determination were on full display throughout the showcase.

Although he never officially recorded a sack, Phillips consistently found a way into the backfield. He notched one hurry and contributed on a tackle for loss during the third quarter.

On the first play of the final frame, Phillips ditched a block and helped chase down Tua Tagovailoa.

Quarterback and Clemson commit Hunter Johnson took home the hardware, but Phillips had a legitimate case for game MVP. He led all players with five total tackles.

Grade: A

Devon Hunter, Safety

Devon Hunter never entered the spotlight, but he was constantly around the football on defense and special teams.

The uncommitted safety paced the East team with four total tackles, including three solo stops. Hunter also shed a block and ushered a scrambling Tate Martell out of bounds before the first-down marker.

Hunter did not allow a reception while the West quarterbacks mustered a 6-of-12 mark for 67 yards.

Grade: A

Cam Akers, Running Back

Cam Akers showed off tremendous elusiveness on his first carry, avoiding a fellow top recruit in the backfield and gaining 13 yards.

The Florida State-bound running back had excellent burst through the line of scrimmage. In the fourth quarter, Akers displayed excellent bounce with little wasted movement on a four-yard score.

Akers finished the afternoon with a game-high 38 rushing yards, adding one reception for six yards.

Grade: A

Davis Mills, Quarterback

The Army All-American Bowl boasted several of the nation's top quarterbacks, but the position's No. 1 player was not available.

According to USA Today, Davis Mills (knee) sat out for precautionary reasons. Anthony Herron of the Pac-12 Network shared a picture of Mills throwing passes before the game.

Mills, who committed to Stanford in March 2016, should be well-protected by fellow 5-star and Army All-Americans in Walker Little and Sarell, who—spoiler alert—revealed his commitment Saturday.

Grade: Incomplete

Foster Sarell, Offensive Tackle

Foster Sarell is headed to Stanford. Before he moves to Palo Alto, though, he had one final exhibition to play.

On the first possession, Sarell reached the second level on a running play (good), gave up a pressure that Martell escaped (bad) and pulled to clear a running lane for Martell (good).

Midway through the second quarter, the 5-star executed a double-team with Davis on the long run for Benjamin. Later in the drive, Sarell pancaked a defender to free Benjamin.

Like a few others, Sarell had trouble staying in front of Ohio State pledge Chase Young. Overall, Sarell struggled with the speed of edge-rushers. There's little doubt he'll eventually adjust, but it was an issue.

Sarell's run-blocking was terrific, and he capped the outing by sealing a running lane for Martell's 18-yard touchdown.

Grade: B

Najee Harris, Running Back

Najee Harris is pledged to Alabama, but it's unknown if the nation's No. 1 prospect will enroll in Tuscaloosa or Ann Arbor for the spring semester. There were no questions about his on-field play, though.

The 5-star showed off a powerful running style with a desire to fall forward. Harris handled a team-high eight carries, gaining 22 yards and picking up three first downs.

After the game, John Garcia Jr. of Scout noted "Harris says he doesn't know where he is going." Whenever we find out, though, it's perfectly clear that program is getting a talented runner.

Grade: B

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All recruiting information via Scout. Stats from cfbstats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.