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: Offensive Tackle
Overall Position Grade: C Not a bad overall class, just not the mix of quality and quantity that we've become known for here in Illinois. I see a handful of what I would consider higher tier kids but not what I would call Power 5 caliber. Once you get past the Top 5-7 names the overall depth and talent level drops considerably and the D2 level and below will need to scramble to find available tackle body types.
1. Dalton Wagner Richmond-Burton (6-foot-8, 291 pounds)- Wagner gets the nod as the top OT in the Class of 2017 and you can see by his video he has alot to like here. Wagner is just a huge kid physically and that size alone started to attract recruiting looks going back to his freshman year. Wagner has the length and frame needed to play at the high Power 5 level. Wagner also is pretty athletic and flexible for his size and I also like how well Wagner moves. Wagner also has impressive bend and lean especially when you consider that he's closer to 6-foot-10 these days. Now, the issues/questions? How strong is Wagner's overall pass pro? Wagner has played his entire high school career in a power running offense and can he pass protect? Can Wagner move side to side well and can he be quick enough to cut off the college speed rushers? Also can/will Wagner's overall size/length become an issue when it comes to blocking stronger defenders who also have good bend? If you look at Wagner's offers to date he's landed several top offers...yet the Oklahoma's of the world along with several others Power 5 schools are very interested but...my guess is Richmond-Burton will be a first stop for numerous major Power 5 schools this spring.
My Guess on Dalton Wagner College of Choice: Oklahoma/Missouri/Arkansas/Big Ten
2. Tyler Jost Libertyville (6-foot-6, 265 pounds)- Tyler Jost is another top level name in the offensive tackle group. Jost is a big kid with a frame that will no question allow him to add a considerable amount of weight and strength at the next level. Jost was just very impressive live in 2015. Jost has great reach and length and also moves well. I also like Jost feet and balance here. Jost again just runs well and looks to also be very solid from an overall fundamental standpoint. Jost no question still has work to do but his overall tools and his potential to develop are a big reason I ranked him as the #2 kid in this group. Knocks? Jost still needs to add more strength and punch. Jost engages well but needs a bit more power and a better punch to finish opposing defenders and overwhelm then at the point of attack. Jost also from time to time will pop straight up and needs to work on improving and being more consistent on his overall bend and leverage. Overall the positives far out weight the negatives for Tyler Jost and he's a kid who has a chance to develop into a very strong player at the next level.
My Guess on Tyler Jost College of Choice: Iowa State verbal commitment
3. Isaac Hawn St. Charles North (6-foot-6, 285 pounds)- I had a chance to see Hawn live in 2015 and I came away pretty impressed with his overall game. Hawn is a big long armed kid who is a bit more college ready now physically compared to a few others listed here. Hawn moves well and also has a good overall base and balance. Hawn also has good power and strength and is pretty fundamentally sound. Hawn in his pass pro is very comfortable and has solid overall footwork. Areas for improvement? I'd like to see Hawn focus/improve his strength, speed and quickness. Trust me that's no knock on his game which at the high school level is well advanced. I feel Hawn can get a bit stronger, he can get a bit more punch and he can improve his overall speed/quickness and feet. Once Hawn can make those strides I feel he has a chance to become a Power 5 caliber recruit in this class. The spring will again be important on several levels for Hawn. If Isaac Hawn can show overall improvement in his game I see no reason why he couldn't bring in more of lower to mid Big Ten level offers this spring and summer.
My Guess on Isaac Hawn College of Choice: Miami of Ohio/Illinois
4. Dylan Deatherage Bishop McNamara (6-foot-6, 255 pounds)- Deatherage frame and size wise very, very similar to Tyler Jost in my opinion. Deatherage, who is already committed to Western Michigan has the length, frame and upside to easily become a lean 290-300 pounder in a few years. Deatherage, who plays both ways for the Fighting Irish was a big part of leading Bishop Mac to a 3A state title in 2015. Deatherage has great overall size, frame and length. I'm also very impressed with Deatherage's overall feet, balance and first step. While Deatherage can no question work on his overall speed, I feel he has more than enough speed and quickness for the next level. Deatherage again will no question add more size and power at WMU. I like his overall game and his upside could be as good or even better than anyone listed here. Issues? No question Deatherage will need time to adjust to the speed of the college game like every other recruit. Deatherage also will need to take on better, stronger and quicker defensive ends and that will also take some time. Yet when it's all said and done? WMU might have a real steal here and a kid who could make some serious noise at the next level.
My Guess on Dylan Deatherage College of Choice: Western Michigan verbal commitment
5. Verderian Lowe Rockford Auburn (6-foot-5, 352 pounds)- Lowe is one of those kids who saw his recruiting stock take off in a big way, compliments of a regional Rivals camp at Maine South in his freshman year. Lowe back then was a very raw but also a very intriguing kid who more than handled himself against some very good competition and in one on ones. Lowe these days has just made nice overall progress in his game and most importantly in his overall weight/strength. Lowe is listed by Rivals at 352 pounds but after seeing him up close this winter at my Showcase he's now closer to say 330-325 pounds. Lowe for a kid his size moves pretty well, has decent feet and is also pretty fluid. Lowe also has the ability to cut off the speed rusher and also can be at times dominant in either the run game or the pass pro. Areas of improvement? I want to see a bit more nasty from Lowe in his game. Lowe also needs to improve his punch and be able to strike quickly and hard on every snap. I would also like to see Lowe make that first initial block then go looking for more at the second level. Yet overall? It's pretty hard to pass on a kid with these type of tools and potential. Lowe's abilities at the various camps no question shows his upside yet I also want to see that translate to the field/tape. Lowe could no question become a big time sleeper at the next level.
My Guess on Verderian Lowe College of Choice: Illinois/Indiana/MAC level schools
One Who Just Missed:
Fabian Kratz Naperville Central (6-foot-5, 279 pounds) Kratz, a foreign exchange student from Germany has the overall look, size and tools to play at the D1 level. Kratz was pretty raw and a bit overwhelmed early in 2015 but then settled down and really found his game later in the season. If Kratz can keep making progress on and off the field look out.
Top 5 Recruits Class of 2017: Next up? Defense
Thanks
Top 5 Recruits Class of 2017: Offensive Tackle
Overall Position Grade: C Not a bad overall class, just not the mix of quality and quantity that we've become known for here in Illinois. I see a handful of what I would consider higher tier kids but not what I would call Power 5 caliber. Once you get past the Top 5-7 names the overall depth and talent level drops considerably and the D2 level and below will need to scramble to find available tackle body types.
1. Dalton Wagner Richmond-Burton (6-foot-8, 291 pounds)- Wagner gets the nod as the top OT in the Class of 2017 and you can see by his video he has alot to like here. Wagner is just a huge kid physically and that size alone started to attract recruiting looks going back to his freshman year. Wagner has the length and frame needed to play at the high Power 5 level. Wagner also is pretty athletic and flexible for his size and I also like how well Wagner moves. Wagner also has impressive bend and lean especially when you consider that he's closer to 6-foot-10 these days. Now, the issues/questions? How strong is Wagner's overall pass pro? Wagner has played his entire high school career in a power running offense and can he pass protect? Can Wagner move side to side well and can he be quick enough to cut off the college speed rushers? Also can/will Wagner's overall size/length become an issue when it comes to blocking stronger defenders who also have good bend? If you look at Wagner's offers to date he's landed several top offers...yet the Oklahoma's of the world along with several others Power 5 schools are very interested but...my guess is Richmond-Burton will be a first stop for numerous major Power 5 schools this spring.
My Guess on Dalton Wagner College of Choice: Oklahoma/Missouri/Arkansas/Big Ten
2. Tyler Jost Libertyville (6-foot-6, 265 pounds)- Tyler Jost is another top level name in the offensive tackle group. Jost is a big kid with a frame that will no question allow him to add a considerable amount of weight and strength at the next level. Jost was just very impressive live in 2015. Jost has great reach and length and also moves well. I also like Jost feet and balance here. Jost again just runs well and looks to also be very solid from an overall fundamental standpoint. Jost no question still has work to do but his overall tools and his potential to develop are a big reason I ranked him as the #2 kid in this group. Knocks? Jost still needs to add more strength and punch. Jost engages well but needs a bit more power and a better punch to finish opposing defenders and overwhelm then at the point of attack. Jost also from time to time will pop straight up and needs to work on improving and being more consistent on his overall bend and leverage. Overall the positives far out weight the negatives for Tyler Jost and he's a kid who has a chance to develop into a very strong player at the next level.
My Guess on Tyler Jost College of Choice: Iowa State verbal commitment
3. Isaac Hawn St. Charles North (6-foot-6, 285 pounds)- I had a chance to see Hawn live in 2015 and I came away pretty impressed with his overall game. Hawn is a big long armed kid who is a bit more college ready now physically compared to a few others listed here. Hawn moves well and also has a good overall base and balance. Hawn also has good power and strength and is pretty fundamentally sound. Hawn in his pass pro is very comfortable and has solid overall footwork. Areas for improvement? I'd like to see Hawn focus/improve his strength, speed and quickness. Trust me that's no knock on his game which at the high school level is well advanced. I feel Hawn can get a bit stronger, he can get a bit more punch and he can improve his overall speed/quickness and feet. Once Hawn can make those strides I feel he has a chance to become a Power 5 caliber recruit in this class. The spring will again be important on several levels for Hawn. If Isaac Hawn can show overall improvement in his game I see no reason why he couldn't bring in more of lower to mid Big Ten level offers this spring and summer.
My Guess on Isaac Hawn College of Choice: Miami of Ohio/Illinois
4. Dylan Deatherage Bishop McNamara (6-foot-6, 255 pounds)- Deatherage frame and size wise very, very similar to Tyler Jost in my opinion. Deatherage, who is already committed to Western Michigan has the length, frame and upside to easily become a lean 290-300 pounder in a few years. Deatherage, who plays both ways for the Fighting Irish was a big part of leading Bishop Mac to a 3A state title in 2015. Deatherage has great overall size, frame and length. I'm also very impressed with Deatherage's overall feet, balance and first step. While Deatherage can no question work on his overall speed, I feel he has more than enough speed and quickness for the next level. Deatherage again will no question add more size and power at WMU. I like his overall game and his upside could be as good or even better than anyone listed here. Issues? No question Deatherage will need time to adjust to the speed of the college game like every other recruit. Deatherage also will need to take on better, stronger and quicker defensive ends and that will also take some time. Yet when it's all said and done? WMU might have a real steal here and a kid who could make some serious noise at the next level.
My Guess on Dylan Deatherage College of Choice: Western Michigan verbal commitment
5. Verderian Lowe Rockford Auburn (6-foot-5, 352 pounds)- Lowe is one of those kids who saw his recruiting stock take off in a big way, compliments of a regional Rivals camp at Maine South in his freshman year. Lowe back then was a very raw but also a very intriguing kid who more than handled himself against some very good competition and in one on ones. Lowe these days has just made nice overall progress in his game and most importantly in his overall weight/strength. Lowe is listed by Rivals at 352 pounds but after seeing him up close this winter at my Showcase he's now closer to say 330-325 pounds. Lowe for a kid his size moves pretty well, has decent feet and is also pretty fluid. Lowe also has the ability to cut off the speed rusher and also can be at times dominant in either the run game or the pass pro. Areas of improvement? I want to see a bit more nasty from Lowe in his game. Lowe also needs to improve his punch and be able to strike quickly and hard on every snap. I would also like to see Lowe make that first initial block then go looking for more at the second level. Yet overall? It's pretty hard to pass on a kid with these type of tools and potential. Lowe's abilities at the various camps no question shows his upside yet I also want to see that translate to the field/tape. Lowe could no question become a big time sleeper at the next level.
My Guess on Verderian Lowe College of Choice: Illinois/Indiana/MAC level schools
One Who Just Missed:
Fabian Kratz Naperville Central (6-foot-5, 279 pounds) Kratz, a foreign exchange student from Germany has the overall look, size and tools to play at the D1 level. Kratz was pretty raw and a bit overwhelmed early in 2015 but then settled down and really found his game later in the season. If Kratz can keep making progress on and off the field look out.
Top 5 Recruits Class of 2017: Next up? Defense
