Ok so as promised I'm going to first release a bunch to Top 5's via position. Again these are who I feel are the Top 5 recruits via each position. Please understand that these are not necessarily the Top 5 players per position. If you have any questions or need to understand better the differences feel free to post or email me anytime edgytim@edgytim.com I will run these out into a free story in a week or so, but in the meantime DO NOT release or republish on any social media whatsoever. Violating this request will automatically terminate your access to this board. Also note I'm basing position off of the Rivals.com database profiles...and if I feel someone could/should draw looks/offers at another spot I will make mention of it in the ranking.
Thanks
Top 5 Recruits Class of 2017: Defensive Tackles
Overall Position Grade: B- It's pretty hard to follow up on last year's defensive tackles class, a class that featured some extremely high level names. While the Class of 2017 defensive tackles don't have quite the Power 5 potential players in both talent level and sheer volume, I still like this group. This DT class doesn't have the overall size for the Power 5 schools, yet this is a class that no question will have several names signing at the Mid D1 to 1AA/D2 level.
1. John Mitchell Crete-Monee (6-foot-3, 270 pounds)- It was almost a coin flip for me when trying to pick the #1 rated DT, yet I'll go with John Mitchell in this first positional ranking. Mitchell has some very similar traits as some of the better defensive tackles from the Class of 2016. Mitchell has a great combination of size, strength and also has the ability to just make plays and be a force on the defensive line. Mitchell I feel also played very strong overall competition all season in 2015 and seemed to get better as the season progressed. Mitchell has very good quickness....and looking at him in person he's one of those kids who almost looks thin....at 270 plus pounds. Mitchell will add more size and strength for the college level and will be around the 290/300 pound range pretty quickly. I also love Mitchell's overall quick feet, quick hands and Mitchell also has exceptional balance and lower body strength. Mitchell is also a bit of a wait and see from the Big Ten school level and if Mitchell can continue to make progress in the classroom expect the Big Ten to come calling.
My Guess on John Mitchell College of Choice: Mid Big 10 level/High MAC
2. Caylon May Rich Central (6-foot-3, 290 pounds)- Just flip on the ole Hudl highlights on Caylon May and you simply see a lot of things to like from a D1 level. May has terrific size and strength. May also shows to be a natural athlete with very good bend, moves well in space and just is an extremely fluid player for being a legit 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds plus. May at times can be overwhelming, yet what I also like from May is how he can also use his quickness, hands and moves. Most D tackles at this level are strictly bull rushers and that at times goes for May, yet May also has the tools to develop those next level skills and technique. Concerns? May hasn't really faced a ton of high level competition and will no question need to adjust to that at the college level. Also word is may still has work to do in the classroom as well. Yet when it's all said and done Caylon May is a major D1 level name here. Huge upside for May.
My Guess on Caylon May College of Choice: Mid to Lower Big 10 schools/High MAC
3. Chris Elmore Phillips (6-foot-0, 270 pounds)- Chris Elmore might of been one of the most dominant defensive linemen I saw all year live in 2015. Elmore has a terrific nose for the football. loves to play very physical and can close like no one's business. Elmore is also an every down linemen who plays the run and can get an interior pass rush equally well. Elmore also just plays with a serious ass mean streak, something that I find to be a requirement to succeed at the next level. Elmore also has that quick twitch that you look for in a D1 level athlete and moves very well for such a big kid.. That's the good and I can keep going for awhile. The not so good? Elmore is just hitting 6-foot-0 and his overall size/height/reach is an issue for Power 5 schools. Boo hoo for them, yet in the overall recruiting evaluation this needs to be considered thus the #3 ranking here. Overall? I love this kid and Western Michigan just stole a down in and down defensive linemen in Elmore.
My Guess on Chris Elmore College of Choice: Western Michigan commitment
4. Devante Dunn Nazareth Academy (6-foot-1, 261 pounds)- Also not a whole lot to not love about Devonte Dunn to be honest. Dunn has been a varsity starter since his freshman year at Naz and has been a mainstay for the Road Runners. Dunn has exceptional power and strength and also has a terrific motor. Dunn is also a very fundamentally sound defensive linemen who just seems to keep coming and coming on each and every down. Dunn, who is listed generously at 6-foot-1 can just take on double teams and in most cases beat those double teams. Dunn also has very good speed and is more than capable of beating kids with both speed, quickness and technique. Overall knock? Size. Dunn, much like Chris Elmore has a chance to become a very strong/longterm player at the next level for Toledo.
My Guess on Chris Elmore College of Choice: Toledo commitment
5. Ryan O'Malley Libertyville (6-foot-4, 255 pounds)- OMalley was already verbally pledged to the old Illinois staff under Tim Beckman, but that off was pulled a few weeks once Lovie Smith and staff took over in Champaign. Ryan O'Malley is indeed a D1 level name to watch in the Class of 2017. O'Malley on tape and live is a very tough inside defender who is technically sound. O'Malley has a good nose for the football, pursues well and is also a very solid tackler. O'Malley also is always moving and looking to get involved and I love his motor as well. Room for improvement? O'Malley is more of a bull rusher and needs to work on a bit more moves and also needs to use his hands a bit better (something that literally every HS linemen needs to do). O'Malley could also improve his overall quickness including a better first step. Yet overall? I see a lot to like here in Ryan O'Malley
My Guess on Ryan O'Malley College of Choice: High MAC schools/Mid D1 schools
One Who Just Missed:
Montini Catholic Joe Spivak (6-foot-1, 292 pounds)- Easily one of my favorite kids to watch and trust me I really, really worked hard to try to squeeze Joe Spivak into my Top 5. Spivak, also listed generously as 6-foot-1 is a big smaller for the Power 5 schools. Spivak, who's Dad Joe also played at Illinois State back in the 80's is just a relentless kid down in and down out. Spivak just has a 110 percent motor who is always involved and always around the football. Again Spivak is simply a kid who loves football and plays all out. Spivak has speed and good quickness and did I mention his nose for getting to the ball? I see Spivak becoming a lower D1/high FCS level player.
Top 5 Recruits Class of 2017: Next up? Linebackers
Thanks
Top 5 Recruits Class of 2017: Defensive Tackles
Overall Position Grade: B- It's pretty hard to follow up on last year's defensive tackles class, a class that featured some extremely high level names. While the Class of 2017 defensive tackles don't have quite the Power 5 potential players in both talent level and sheer volume, I still like this group. This DT class doesn't have the overall size for the Power 5 schools, yet this is a class that no question will have several names signing at the Mid D1 to 1AA/D2 level.
1. John Mitchell Crete-Monee (6-foot-3, 270 pounds)- It was almost a coin flip for me when trying to pick the #1 rated DT, yet I'll go with John Mitchell in this first positional ranking. Mitchell has some very similar traits as some of the better defensive tackles from the Class of 2016. Mitchell has a great combination of size, strength and also has the ability to just make plays and be a force on the defensive line. Mitchell I feel also played very strong overall competition all season in 2015 and seemed to get better as the season progressed. Mitchell has very good quickness....and looking at him in person he's one of those kids who almost looks thin....at 270 plus pounds. Mitchell will add more size and strength for the college level and will be around the 290/300 pound range pretty quickly. I also love Mitchell's overall quick feet, quick hands and Mitchell also has exceptional balance and lower body strength. Mitchell is also a bit of a wait and see from the Big Ten school level and if Mitchell can continue to make progress in the classroom expect the Big Ten to come calling.
My Guess on John Mitchell College of Choice: Mid Big 10 level/High MAC
2. Caylon May Rich Central (6-foot-3, 290 pounds)- Just flip on the ole Hudl highlights on Caylon May and you simply see a lot of things to like from a D1 level. May has terrific size and strength. May also shows to be a natural athlete with very good bend, moves well in space and just is an extremely fluid player for being a legit 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds plus. May at times can be overwhelming, yet what I also like from May is how he can also use his quickness, hands and moves. Most D tackles at this level are strictly bull rushers and that at times goes for May, yet May also has the tools to develop those next level skills and technique. Concerns? May hasn't really faced a ton of high level competition and will no question need to adjust to that at the college level. Also word is may still has work to do in the classroom as well. Yet when it's all said and done Caylon May is a major D1 level name here. Huge upside for May.
My Guess on Caylon May College of Choice: Mid to Lower Big 10 schools/High MAC
3. Chris Elmore Phillips (6-foot-0, 270 pounds)- Chris Elmore might of been one of the most dominant defensive linemen I saw all year live in 2015. Elmore has a terrific nose for the football. loves to play very physical and can close like no one's business. Elmore is also an every down linemen who plays the run and can get an interior pass rush equally well. Elmore also just plays with a serious ass mean streak, something that I find to be a requirement to succeed at the next level. Elmore also has that quick twitch that you look for in a D1 level athlete and moves very well for such a big kid.. That's the good and I can keep going for awhile. The not so good? Elmore is just hitting 6-foot-0 and his overall size/height/reach is an issue for Power 5 schools. Boo hoo for them, yet in the overall recruiting evaluation this needs to be considered thus the #3 ranking here. Overall? I love this kid and Western Michigan just stole a down in and down defensive linemen in Elmore.
My Guess on Chris Elmore College of Choice: Western Michigan commitment
4. Devante Dunn Nazareth Academy (6-foot-1, 261 pounds)- Also not a whole lot to not love about Devonte Dunn to be honest. Dunn has been a varsity starter since his freshman year at Naz and has been a mainstay for the Road Runners. Dunn has exceptional power and strength and also has a terrific motor. Dunn is also a very fundamentally sound defensive linemen who just seems to keep coming and coming on each and every down. Dunn, who is listed generously at 6-foot-1 can just take on double teams and in most cases beat those double teams. Dunn also has very good speed and is more than capable of beating kids with both speed, quickness and technique. Overall knock? Size. Dunn, much like Chris Elmore has a chance to become a very strong/longterm player at the next level for Toledo.
My Guess on Chris Elmore College of Choice: Toledo commitment
5. Ryan O'Malley Libertyville (6-foot-4, 255 pounds)- OMalley was already verbally pledged to the old Illinois staff under Tim Beckman, but that off was pulled a few weeks once Lovie Smith and staff took over in Champaign. Ryan O'Malley is indeed a D1 level name to watch in the Class of 2017. O'Malley on tape and live is a very tough inside defender who is technically sound. O'Malley has a good nose for the football, pursues well and is also a very solid tackler. O'Malley also is always moving and looking to get involved and I love his motor as well. Room for improvement? O'Malley is more of a bull rusher and needs to work on a bit more moves and also needs to use his hands a bit better (something that literally every HS linemen needs to do). O'Malley could also improve his overall quickness including a better first step. Yet overall? I see a lot to like here in Ryan O'Malley
My Guess on Ryan O'Malley College of Choice: High MAC schools/Mid D1 schools
One Who Just Missed:
Montini Catholic Joe Spivak (6-foot-1, 292 pounds)- Easily one of my favorite kids to watch and trust me I really, really worked hard to try to squeeze Joe Spivak into my Top 5. Spivak, also listed generously as 6-foot-1 is a big smaller for the Power 5 schools. Spivak, who's Dad Joe also played at Illinois State back in the 80's is just a relentless kid down in and down out. Spivak just has a 110 percent motor who is always involved and always around the football. Again Spivak is simply a kid who loves football and plays all out. Spivak has speed and good quickness and did I mention his nose for getting to the ball? I see Spivak becoming a lower D1/high FCS level player.
Top 5 Recruits Class of 2017: Next up? Linebackers
