Ranking the Top 25 Freshmen for the 2017 College Football Season
College football recruiting has grown into a year-round, never-ending beast. Once one yearly recruiting cycle ends, the next begins, fraying fans' nerves and building program expectations on a constant basis. There’s one really fun thing about the whole process: seeing players excel on the field and develop into consistent performers and stars for their new programs.
With the advent of early enrollment, that process has already begun for 2017. A wave of freshmen are going through spring practice with their programs of choice, and more will join them this summer in pursuit of playing time, production and glory. Which players will make the biggest impacts? It's an inexact science, but we're going to take a look at the guys we think can make a splash.
We looked at players from the class of 2017 as well as players who redshirted for various reasons last fall and will compete as redshirt freshmen this season. Recruiting rankings from Scout.com for 2016 and 2017 were used as an initial guide, but potential playing time was also considered as an issue. Here's a look at the top 25 freshmen of 2017.
25. Texas A&M DT Justin Madubuike
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Recruiting rundown
McKinney North HS, McKinney, Texas. No. 18 overall recruit in 2016 class.
Best attribute
Madubuike has room to grow at 6'3", 275 pounds but plays with outstanding effort. He has a high motor, which makes him difficult for opposing offensive linemen to control and wears them down over the course of a game. He is a very disruptive player.
Likely 2017 role
Last fall, Madubuike redshirted as a defensive end behind Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall. They're gone, but he's playing inside as a defensive tackle. He will see significant snaps while battling with Daylon Mack and Kingsley KeKe for playing time.
Long-term outlook
Madubuike is a versatile player who could fit in at defensive tackle or end. He is on track to play inside and could develop into a truly dominant force if he can pair effort with some improved strength and bulk.
24. Florida State DT Marvin Wilson
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Recruiting rundown
Episcopal HS, Bellaire, Texas. No. 10 overall recruit in the 2017 class.
Best attribute
Wilson is one of the nation's top defensive linemen, and his power is why. He checks in at 6'4" and 329 pounds and is a powerful rusher with long arms and excellent explosion at the point of attack. His frame commands respect and double-teams and frustrates opposing offensive linemen.
Likely 2017 role
Florida State returns a deep, talented defensive tackle unit led by starters Derrick Nnadi and Marcus Christmas. Expect Wilson to carve out a role for himself, albeit as a reserve while he learns from veterans.
Long-term outlook
He is a key addition to FSU's defensive line, but it could take a little while before he reaches his true potential. Wilson profiles as a powerful run-stuffer and likely future starter for the Seminoles.
23. Iowa DE A.J. Epenesa
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Recruiting rundown
Edwardsville HS, Edwardsville, Illinois. No. 21 overall player in 2017 class.
Best attribute
A.J. Epenesa is one of Iowa's top recruits in recent memory and a legacy one, and he can create his own legacy with great athleticism and a motor that doesn't quit. He also has a college-ready frame at 6'5" and 260 pounds that should help him make a quick impact.
2017 role
Iowa has a pair of rather entrenched players right now atop the defensive end depth chart in Parker Hesse and Anthony Nelson. But the Hawkeyes need more pass-rushing punch, and Epenesa will provide that, at least initially, as a reserve.
Long-term outlook
He is one of Iowa's most decorated recruits, and expect Epenesa, with a little polish, to refine his skills and live up to the hype. It'd be a surprise if he wasn't a multiyear starter and star for the Hawkeye defense.
22. Florida State DE Joshua Kaindoh
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Recruiting rundown
IMG Academy, Bradenton, Florida. No. 20 overall player in 2017 class.
Best attribute
At 6'6" and 252 pounds, Kaindoh has great size as a defensive end and pairs that with excellent athleticism. He has great speed and burst and can use it to rush quarterbacks and also keep up in pass coverage. He's a tough player for opposing offensive linemen to contain.
2017 role
Kaindoh is already on campus at Florida State and is competing for a role at strong-side defensive end. He'll most certainly play, at least as a reserve, this fall and could see his snaps increase as the season progresses.
Long-term outlook
Kaindoh has the frame and athletic ability to become a special player on Florida State's defensive line. As he refines his skills and improves, expect him to be a multiyear starter for the Seminoles.
21. Florida State CB Stanford Samuels III
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Recruiting rundown
Charles W. Flanagan HS, Pembroke Pines, Florida. No. 18 overall player in 2017 class.
Best attribute
Samuels has the size that you're looking for from a cornerback. At 170 pounds, he's a bit light, but he stands 6'2", allowing him to match up very well with receivers. He pairs that size with good coverage skills and active hands, which makes him an elite prospect.
Likely 2017 role
With the likes of Tarvarus McFadden and Marcus Lewis already on campus, Samuels will have a tough time cracking the starting lineup as a freshman. However, he appears assured of a role in the cornerback rotation, where he can learn from veteran players.
Long-term outlook
Samuels needs to put on some weight, but he is a hard hitter and a physical player who has huge potential. He projects as a future starter and star in the Seminole secondary in the next couple of years.
20. Alabama LB Ben Davis
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Recruiting Rundown
Gordo HS, Gordo, Alabama. No. 11 overall recruit in 2016 class.
Best attribute
Davis stands 6'4" and 235 pounds and is a very athletic player who can make impacts from sideline to sideline for Alabama. He has the frame to be a thumper in the middle of the Crimson Tide defense while chasing down ballcarriers with ease.
Likely 2017 role
Redshirting Davis was a surprise, but it's the kind of thing Alabama could do with a loaded linebacker corps that included Reuben Foster, Ryan Anderson and Tim Williams. They're gone, and playing time has opened up. He has seen time at outside linebacker early this spring but will likely fit in as a reserve inside 'backer.
Long-term outlook
Davis' Crimson Tide career got off to a delayed start, but he has potential to develop into a hard-hitting, versatile linebacker who could be a great pass-rusher. He'll have to wait his turn, but expect him to evolve into a force in the middle for Alabama.
19. Michigan RB Kareem Walker
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Recruiting rundown
DePaul Catholic HS, Wayne, New Jersey. No. 28 overall recruit in 2016 class.
Best attribute
Walker has the frame at 6'1" and 207 pounds to run with physicality between the tackles. He projects as a potential every-down back who has a nice mix of size and speed, which will play well in the Big Ten.
Likely 2017 role
Considered one of the nation's top backs in 2016, Walker redshirted to focus on academics. Chris Evans is the Wolverines' likely lead back, but Walker should see more than his share of carries along with Karan Higdon and Ty Isaac.
Long-term outlook
Michigan doesn't have a true bell-cow back whom it can rely on right now in Jim Harbaugh's offense. Walker has the ability to develop into that kind of player who can take pressure off the passing game and make big plays on the ground for Michigan with explosive runs.
18. Tennessee QB Jarrett Guarantano
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Recruiting rundown
Bergen Catholic HS, Oradell, New Jersey. No. 60 overall player in 2016 class.
Best attribute
Guarantano spent last season sitting behind Joshua Dobbs, a four-year starter and offensive leader. But once he gets on the field, fans will notice his arm. He stands 6'4" and 205 pounds and has excellent downfield passing ability, which can leverage Tennessee's wide receivers.
Likely 2017 role
This spring, Guarantano is battling Quinten Dormady for the role Dobbs left behind. Dormady will put up a big fight, but Guarantano should snag the role and put himself in position to be a four-year starter in Knoxville.
Long-term outlook
He needs to put on some weight, but Guarantano has major potential as he grows with Tennessee's offense. He has a good arm and the ability to scramble for yardage, which will make him a fixture with the Vols for the next few years.
17. Michigan DT Aubrey Solomon
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Recruiting rundown
Lee County HS, Leesburg, Georgia. No. 11 overall recruit in the 2017 class.
Best attribute
Solomon is an excellent addition to an already talented Michigan defensive line. He stands 6'3" and 304 pounds but has great quickness and explosion off the ball for a man of his size. His athleticism will be a major plus.
Likely 2017 role
Michigan has a deep, talented defensive line, but Solomon is a key addition. He's unlikely to start this season but will be a great building block at defensive tackle alongside Rashan Gary at defensive end.
Long-term outlook
The Wolverines brought Gary along slowly as a reserve last fall and will turn him loose this year as a starter. It wouldn't be a surprise if they did the same with Solomon. He has the athleticism and skills to be a star in the trenches for several seasons in Ann Arbor.
16. Alabama LB Dylan Moses
10 of 25Recruiting rundown
IMG Academy, Bradenton, Florida. No. 14 overall recruit in 2017 class.
Best attribute
There's a lot to like about Moses. He is a multitalented player who excelled at both tailback and linebacker in high school. He has an excellent combination of speed, power and athleticism in a 6'2", 235-pound frame. He could fit in a number of places on the field, and that's what makes him such an appealing prospect.
Likely 2017 role
Alabama has a deep linebacker corps, but expect Moses to dent the rotation quickly as a "Will" linebacker. He is a smart, versatile player who could make it impossible for coaches to keep him off the field as a true freshman, despite the accumulation of talent around him.
Long-term outlook
The Crimson Tide's overall depth on defense and especially at linebacker makes patience a virtue. But Moses is too good to stay on the sidelines for long. Expect him to start outside and eventually move inside and flash his power as a starting linebacker.
15. UCLA CB Darnay Holmes
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Recruiting rundown
Calabasas HS, Calabasas, California. No. 13 overall recruit in 2017 class.
Best attribute
Holmes is a standout wide receiver and cornerback, but he fits in best at UCLA as a cornerback. Why? He has great speed that will allow him to keep up with any opposing wide receiver's explosion off the line of scrimmage.
Likely 2017 role
Holmes committed to UCLA in early January and enrolled early with the Bruins to give himself an edge in playing early. He probably won't crack a starting role this year but will carve out a reserve role as a true freshman.
Long-term outlook
At 5'10" and 185 pounds, Holmes isn't the biggest player but is very fast and athletic. He'll likely return kicks and turn into a pure cover corner and impact the Bruins in a number of ways across the board—perhaps even catching some passes on the side.
14. Ohio State OG Wyatt Davis
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Recruiting rundown
St. John Bosco HS, Bellflower, California. No. 16 overall recruit in 2017 class.
Best attribute
At 6'4" and 310 pounds, Davis played tackle in high school but figures to be a guard at Ohio State. His frame and technique are an excellent combination, giving him the ability to fit in early as a freshman offensive lineman for the Buckeyes.
Likely 2017 role
Ohio State returns four starters from 2016, and All-American Billy Price's move to center leaves a void at right guard. Multiple players, including Malcolm Pridgeon and Demetrius Knox, are competing for the role, but when Davis arrives on campus, he should be no worse than a reserve at guard.
Long-term outlook
Davis has the size and skills to fill multiple roles on the Ohio State offensive line. He is expected to play early and will only improve with time, given how well he can move. Expect him to emerge as a starter sooner rather than later on.
13. Texas A&M LB Anthony Hines
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Recruiting rundown
Plano East HS, Plano, Texas. No. 19 overall player in 2017 class.
Best attribute
Texas A&M's defense is improving under defensive coordinator John Chavis' watch, and adding a versatile player like Hines will help. He plays all over the field and could eventually fit in as a middle or outside linebacker, giving Chavis another great chess piece to work with.
Likely 2017 role
Last fall, Hines had an absurd 220 tackles for Plano East. He is an early enrollee at A&M and fitting in well, competing for a starting linebacker role in his first spring. He'll have a significant impact as a true freshman.
Long-term outlook
It's clear that Hines is a productive player and a strong hitter. Players who are already in the mix for a starting job as early enrollees are on the right track. Expect him to be a multiyear starter for the Aggies defense.
12. Ohio State DE Chase Young
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Recruiting rundown
DeMatha Catholic HS, Hyattsville, Maryland. No. 12 overall recruit in 2017 class.
Best attribute
Young is a terror off the edge with excellent quickness and speed. He explodes off the point of attack and an overall athletic player, but his speed is a major difference-maker in his pass-rushing ability.
Likely 2017 role
Ohio State's defensive line rotation is talented and full of impact players. But Young's talent makes a redshirt year unlikely. He'll have an opportunity to play in 2017 as a reserve and get meaningful snaps.
Long-term outlook
At 6'5" and 250 pounds, Young has good size for a defensive end but could also gain weight and turn into an athletic defensive tackle who could still slide outside on occasion. He'll make a big impact before his OSU career is over.
11. Stanford OT Walker Little
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Recruiting rundown
Episcopal HS, Bellaire, Texas. No. 4 overall recruit in the 2017 class.
Best attribute
When you look at Little, you see someone who is anything but little. He measures up at 6'7" and 310 pounds and has the perfect build for an offensive tackle. He also has the ability and frame to grow in a smart fashion and develop on Stanford's offensive line.
Likely 2017 role
Stanford has a need for offensive tackles immediately, and that means Little, along with fellow freshman Foster Sarell, should crack the two-deep quickly as a reserve. That will groom him for an eventual starting role.
Long-term outlook
Little is an excellent tackle prospect who is a great, nasty run blocker. He has the frame to compete immediately and mature into a starter. He could be a bookend tackle starter for the next few years for the Cardinal.
10. Alabama OT Alex Leatherwood
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Recruiting rundown
Booker T. Washington HS, Pensacola, Florida. No. 9 overall recruit in the 2017 class.
Best attribute
Leatherwood has the size and frame to immediately contribute at Alabama. He stands 6'6" and 315 pounds and has excellent strength, which makes him a good run-blocker. He's a balanced lineman and can be a force quickly.
Likely 2017 role
Cam Robinson's departure to the NFL creates musical chairs on the line, with Jonah Williams likely moving to left tackle. That creates an opening at right tackle, which Leatherwood could battle to fill as a true freshman.
Long-term outlook
He profiles as a right tackle, and it's clear that Leatherwood will make a name for himself with the Crimson Tide. If he improves his pass-blocking, he could be a multiyear starter at either tackle spot and gain attention from pro scouts.
9. Southern California RB Stephen Carr
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Recruiting rundown
Summit HS, Fontana, California. No. 8 overall recruit in the 2017 class.
Best attribute
Carr has the size and speed to be a complete back who can grind out yardage between the tackles and make big plays with speed around the edge. He's a powerful runner who'll fit in nicely in the Trojans backfield.
Likely 2017 role
Southern California has returning 1,000-yard rusher Ronald Jones but no clear No. 2 rusher. The door is open for Carr to seize that role and grab an important spot in the backfield hierarchy.
Long-term outlook
Carr will face competition, but at 6'0" and 200 pounds, he has the frame and playmaking ability to emerge as the Trojans' lead back before the end of his career and bedevil Pac-12 defenses.
8. Virginia Tech S Devon Hunter
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Recruiting rundown
Indian River HS, Chesapeake, Virginia. No. 7 overall recruit in the 2017 class.
Best attribute
Virginia Tech needed to grab more top in-state recruits, and the Hokies scored with Hunter. He can play quarterback, running back or wide receiver but will fit in nicely at safety. He is a playmaker with excellent instincts and a nose for the ball.
Likely 2017 role
Hunter won't enroll until this summer, but he'll fit in somewhere at safety or potentially the rover spot. Expect him to learn and grow this fall as a reserve in defensive coordinator Bud Foster's defense.
Long-term outlook
Foster has had plenty of talented defensive backs in his time in Blacksburg, and Hunter looks to be next in the assembly line. He is a versatile, intelligent player who'll grow into a starting role for Virginia Tech's defense in short order.
7. Stanford OT Foster Sarell
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Recruiting rundown
Graham-Kapowsin HS, Graham, Washington. No. 2 overall recruit in 2017 class.
Best attribute
Sarell is one of the top overall recruits in the class of 2017 and the top offensive lineman. Why? He has a college-ready frame right now. At 6'7" and 315 pounds, Sarell is an imposing force who has a very high ceiling.
Likely 2017 role
Stanford returns four starters on its offensive line, but there is room for improvement. The Cardinal offensive line struggled mightily in pass protection, and Sarell should be called on immediately as a reserve, at the very least. He'll be thrown into the mix in 2017.
Long-term outlook
Sarell has great feet, athleticism and a perfect frame with potential to put on added weight. It'd be stunning if he wasn't a multiyear starter on the left side of Stanford's offensive line.
6. Michigan WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
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Recruiting rundown
Cass Technical HS, Detroit. No. 22 overall player in 2017 class.
Best attribute
Donovan Peoples-Jones is the right man at the right time for Michigan. The Wolverines need athleticism and leaping ability in their receiving corps, and Peoples-Jones will provide it. He stands 6'3" and 190 pounds and is a big-play receiver who can contribute early on.
Likely 2017 role
The graduations of Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson, who combined for 92 catches, 1,362 yards and nine touchdowns, leave opportunities in Michigan's offense, and Peoples-Jones is poised to take advantage as a true freshman. He'll be, at worst, a key part of the receiver rotation.
Long-term outlook
Peoples-Jones has the length and leaping ability to be one of the best receivers in the Big Ten. Expect him to develop chemistry with quarterback Wilton Speight and become a go-to player in Michigan's offense for the next couple years.
5. Penn State CB Lamont Wade
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Recruiting rundown
Clairton HS, Clairton, Pennsylvania. No. 17 overall player in 2017 class.
Best attribute
Wade is a highly versatile player whose best quality is the variety he brings to the football field. He stands just 5'9" and 190 pounds but has a physical, driven nature that allows him to contribute as a cornerback, a running back and a kick returner. Expect him to make an impact in multiple areas in his Penn State career.
Likely 2017 role
Early on, Wade should fit in as a cornerback in Penn State's rotation. But you could also see him returning kicks and making a name for himself with a limited package on the offensive side of the ball. He's a lock to contribute as a freshman, however.
Long-term outlook
Wade has drawn comparisons to Jabrill Peppers for his multitalented skill set. He is an excellent all-around athlete who is tough and a playmaker all over the field. He should be an excellent starting corner who contributes elsewhere for the Nittany Lions.
4. Ohio State CB Jeffrey Okudah
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Recruiting rundown
South Grand Prairie HS, Grand Prairie, Texas. No. 15 overall recruit in 2017 class.
Best attribute
Okudah is already on campus at Ohio State, and at 6'1" and 190 pounds, he has the attributes to make a quick impact. He is a long, physical player who is used to playing tough in coverage. That is an excellent attribute to contribute in a Buckeye defense.
Likely 2017 role
Ohio State has a major opportunity in its secondary. Cornerbacks Gareon Conley and Marshon Lattimore are off to the NFL, leaving a pair of starting roles up for grabs. That's excellent news for Okudah, who could easily break through into a starting role as a true freshman.
Long-term outlook
The Buckeyes have a strong recent track record of sending cornerbacks to the NFL, and Okudah fits perfectly into that progression. He has a pro-ready body and a physical nature. He could grow into a safety role, but he has the makings of a star for Ohio State.
3. UCLA DE Jaelan Phillips
23 of 25Recruiting rundown
Redlands East Valley HS, Redlands, California. No. 5 overall recruit in the 2017 class.
Best attribute
Phillips is an excellent pass-rusher. He has played both outside linebacker and defensive end and has the versatility to play out there or play on the edge while also dropping back in coverage. But his best skill is getting after quarterbacks and making life miserable for opposing offensive lines.
Likely 2017 role
He is going through spring practice with UCLA and getting a jump on college life. That should cement a quick adjustment and make sure he can make a big impact as a true freshman as a reserve or possibly a starter.
Long-term outlook
At 6'6" and 260 pounds, Phillips has an explosive presence on the defensive line. Once he refines pass-rushing moves at the collegiate level, he'll quickly develop into an every-down starter who'll give UCLA's defense a major boost in a variety of ways.
2. Alabama RB Najee Harris
24 of 25Recruiting rundown
Antioch HS, Antioch, California. No. 1 overall recruit in 2017.
Best attribute
Under Nick Saban, Alabama has put together a never-ending run of talented backs, and Harris is the latest in that line. He stands 6'3" and 225 pounds and is the total package, mixing size, speed and power. He's very difficult to bring down.
Likely 2017 role
Alabama brings back a pair of powerful, talented backs in Damien Harris and Bo Scarbrough, but Harris should see immediate time, battling for carries with Joshua Jacobs and B.J. Emmons. He'll see the field.
Long-term outlook
Harris has the size and speed to be a punishing, game-breaking back. It may take some time with veterans in front of him, but Alabama backs before him have shown that developing and waiting your turn pays big dividends eventually, and they should for Harris as well.
1. Florida State RB Cam Akers
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Recruiting rundown
Clinton HS, Clinton, Mississippi. No. 3 overall recruit in the 2017 class.
Best attribute
College will be a bit of a transition for Akers, a running quarterback who's moving to tailback. But his combination of physicality and quickness should allow him to fit in very nicely in the Seminole backfield. He's a physical, versatile runner.
Likely 2017 role
Florida State needs a lead back after Dalvin Cook took his 1,765 yards and 19 touchdowns to the NFL, and Jacques Patrick is the clear favorite to assume that role. But Akers will see plenty of carries as a freshman and could carve out an even bigger role as the season rolls on.
Long-term outlook
Akers is one of the top tailbacks in the class of 2017, with the vision, power and the ability to make a variety of different runs. His versatility will help him grow into one of the ACC's top backs and lead Florida State's backfield for multiple seasons.
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