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: Linebackers
Overall Position Grade: C Linebacker in general is one of those positions here in Illinois that remains a bit of a mystery for me and others. It seems that aa state known for Butkus and rough and tumble linebackers, we've developed generally very few major impact linebackers at the college level over the past several years. Why? Not sure...again I see several potential LB types on the hardwood but regardless we seem to see less and less stud linebackers in this state. The overall depth and especially the numbers are down again here.
1. Micah Awodiran Marist (6-foot-1, 215 pounds)- Awodiran hands down is the state's top linebacker in the Class of 2017. Awodiran has the look and feel of a Power 5 name. Awodiran has a great mix of size, speed and quickness. Awodiran also has a very high knowledge level, and reads and reacts as well as anyone listed here as well. Awodiran is also capable of making plays from sideline to sideline, has the ability to fight off traffic and get to the ball carrier. Awodiran also can deliver a big time punch, wraps up well and is a heavy hitter no question. Awodiran will need to add a bit moire size and weight at the college level but he has the frame to get that done pretty easily.
My Guess on Micah Awodiran College of Choice: Boston College/Illinois/Syracuse/Iowa State/Indiana
2. Terrez Lagrone East St. Louis (6-foot-3, 217 pounds)- I was able to evaluate Lagrone in person twice over the past few years and I like what I see from this kid. Lagrone to me is a kid who could easily play ILB/OLB or DE and if he keeps adding weight will be even a possibility to play DT at the college level. Word out of the East Side is that Lagrone is closer to 250 pounds and a lot of that is just a big kid with a huge frame beginning to fill out. Lagrone has just a very solid game. Lagrone has a good mix of speed, quickness and strength. Again for me it all depends on a college's needs. Overall Lagrone passes any eyeball test easily. Issues? Can Lagrone make the transition to another position if/when asked? Sometimes it's much easier said than done and despite having the on the hoof look will Lagrone's overall game follow as well? Lots of questions for sure...but also no one here has as much upside and potential overall value at the next level either. Schools will take a shot with a kid like Terez Lagrone.
My Guess on Terez Lagrone College of Choice: Indiana/Illinois/high level MAC
3. Jawon Denton Morgan Park (6-foot-3, 200 pounds)- Denton is an outside linebacker with a ton of potential and upside at the college level. Denton is long, lean and very quick with a huge reach who will just add more size and weight at the college level. Denton no question has that quick twitch your looking from in a high level caliber recruit and athlete. Denton played defensive end but has the overall game that will translate well to an OLB spot in college. I also love Denton's first step and he is a kid that can just get up to speed in a hurry. Concerns? Denton will need to learn the OLB position on the fly and that will include learning how to drop back into coverage...yet overall Denton's physical skills and upside are big time. Denton to me is the type of kid/recruit that NIU has landed over the years. A bit raw, a bit off the radar but a kid with pure speed and athletic ability.
My Guess on Jawon Denton College of Choice: NIU/WMU/CMU/Lower Big 10 level school
4. Erik Mueller Wheaton North (6-foot-2, 230 pounds)- Mueller, much like Denton and Lagrone has a pretty good chance of playing at another spot in college. Mueller has good size and to me looks like a kid who could eventually play either DE or DT at the college level. As a linebacker? Mueller is a terrific inside linebacker gap filler who just can close down anything from tackle to tackle. Mueller has good instincts, makes very good reads and can deliver a serious wallop. Mueller also has way-above average instincts and is very capable of fighting off traffic and closes very well. Room for improvement? Mueller no question will need to improve his overall speed to play linebacker at the college level, yet which LB doesn't need to improve overall speed/quickness? I just like Mueller because he is simply a damn good football player first and foremost, something that too often gets lost in the recruiting translation.
My Guess on Erik Mueller College of Choice: MAC level school
5. Trey Telez Lincoln-Way West (6-foot-1, 223 pounds)- I love watching this kid play. Trey Telez was simply one of the most physical hardest hitting kids I saw all live in 2015. Telez played OLB for the Warriors and whether it was on defense or special teams everyone knew where he was at all times. Telez has a non-stop motor and great overall on the field awareness and instincts. Telez can shed blockers and plays from sideline to sideline. Telez is also very solid in pass coverage and always seems to be around the football. Heavy hitter? Telez is super sized in the heavy hitter department. Knocks? Overall size...and schools will no question want to eyeball Telez this spring...yet in the end some school will lock up a really, really good football player here.
My Guess on Trez Telez College of Choice: MAC level/high FCS school
One Who Just Missed:
Barrington Blake Holley (6-foot-1, 215 pounds)- Trust me it was a very hard call to leave out Holley from this Top 5. If I was allowed I would have moved at least 1-2 of these linebackers over to the defensive line side just to get Holley in this Top 5...but the rules are the rules so. Holley has a good mix of speed, instincts and he just has a high knowledge level of the position. Holley is equally as impressive in the run game and the passing game and will continues to draw a ton of spring and summer looks.
Top 5 Recruits Class of 2017: Next up? Defensive Backs
Thanks
Top 5 Recruits Class of 2017: Linebackers
Overall Position Grade: C Linebacker in general is one of those positions here in Illinois that remains a bit of a mystery for me and others. It seems that aa state known for Butkus and rough and tumble linebackers, we've developed generally very few major impact linebackers at the college level over the past several years. Why? Not sure...again I see several potential LB types on the hardwood but regardless we seem to see less and less stud linebackers in this state. The overall depth and especially the numbers are down again here.
1. Micah Awodiran Marist (6-foot-1, 215 pounds)- Awodiran hands down is the state's top linebacker in the Class of 2017. Awodiran has the look and feel of a Power 5 name. Awodiran has a great mix of size, speed and quickness. Awodiran also has a very high knowledge level, and reads and reacts as well as anyone listed here as well. Awodiran is also capable of making plays from sideline to sideline, has the ability to fight off traffic and get to the ball carrier. Awodiran also can deliver a big time punch, wraps up well and is a heavy hitter no question. Awodiran will need to add a bit moire size and weight at the college level but he has the frame to get that done pretty easily.
My Guess on Micah Awodiran College of Choice: Boston College/Illinois/Syracuse/Iowa State/Indiana
2. Terrez Lagrone East St. Louis (6-foot-3, 217 pounds)- I was able to evaluate Lagrone in person twice over the past few years and I like what I see from this kid. Lagrone to me is a kid who could easily play ILB/OLB or DE and if he keeps adding weight will be even a possibility to play DT at the college level. Word out of the East Side is that Lagrone is closer to 250 pounds and a lot of that is just a big kid with a huge frame beginning to fill out. Lagrone has just a very solid game. Lagrone has a good mix of speed, quickness and strength. Again for me it all depends on a college's needs. Overall Lagrone passes any eyeball test easily. Issues? Can Lagrone make the transition to another position if/when asked? Sometimes it's much easier said than done and despite having the on the hoof look will Lagrone's overall game follow as well? Lots of questions for sure...but also no one here has as much upside and potential overall value at the next level either. Schools will take a shot with a kid like Terez Lagrone.
My Guess on Terez Lagrone College of Choice: Indiana/Illinois/high level MAC
3. Jawon Denton Morgan Park (6-foot-3, 200 pounds)- Denton is an outside linebacker with a ton of potential and upside at the college level. Denton is long, lean and very quick with a huge reach who will just add more size and weight at the college level. Denton no question has that quick twitch your looking from in a high level caliber recruit and athlete. Denton played defensive end but has the overall game that will translate well to an OLB spot in college. I also love Denton's first step and he is a kid that can just get up to speed in a hurry. Concerns? Denton will need to learn the OLB position on the fly and that will include learning how to drop back into coverage...yet overall Denton's physical skills and upside are big time. Denton to me is the type of kid/recruit that NIU has landed over the years. A bit raw, a bit off the radar but a kid with pure speed and athletic ability.
My Guess on Jawon Denton College of Choice: NIU/WMU/CMU/Lower Big 10 level school
4. Erik Mueller Wheaton North (6-foot-2, 230 pounds)- Mueller, much like Denton and Lagrone has a pretty good chance of playing at another spot in college. Mueller has good size and to me looks like a kid who could eventually play either DE or DT at the college level. As a linebacker? Mueller is a terrific inside linebacker gap filler who just can close down anything from tackle to tackle. Mueller has good instincts, makes very good reads and can deliver a serious wallop. Mueller also has way-above average instincts and is very capable of fighting off traffic and closes very well. Room for improvement? Mueller no question will need to improve his overall speed to play linebacker at the college level, yet which LB doesn't need to improve overall speed/quickness? I just like Mueller because he is simply a damn good football player first and foremost, something that too often gets lost in the recruiting translation.
My Guess on Erik Mueller College of Choice: MAC level school
5. Trey Telez Lincoln-Way West (6-foot-1, 223 pounds)- I love watching this kid play. Trey Telez was simply one of the most physical hardest hitting kids I saw all live in 2015. Telez played OLB for the Warriors and whether it was on defense or special teams everyone knew where he was at all times. Telez has a non-stop motor and great overall on the field awareness and instincts. Telez can shed blockers and plays from sideline to sideline. Telez is also very solid in pass coverage and always seems to be around the football. Heavy hitter? Telez is super sized in the heavy hitter department. Knocks? Overall size...and schools will no question want to eyeball Telez this spring...yet in the end some school will lock up a really, really good football player here.
My Guess on Trez Telez College of Choice: MAC level/high FCS school
One Who Just Missed:
Barrington Blake Holley (6-foot-1, 215 pounds)- Trust me it was a very hard call to leave out Holley from this Top 5. If I was allowed I would have moved at least 1-2 of these linebackers over to the defensive line side just to get Holley in this Top 5...but the rules are the rules so. Holley has a good mix of speed, instincts and he just has a high knowledge level of the position. Holley is equally as impressive in the run game and the passing game and will continues to draw a ton of spring and summer looks.
Top 5 Recruits Class of 2017: Next up? Defensive Backs
