College Football Recruiting Rankings
Every year we discuss who the top players are coming into the NFL draft. However, sometimes the college football recruiting is looked at more as an appetizer to the main dish of the NFL draft. Many of these guys who find themselves being highly recruited will also flutter the lines of the NFL draft in the next three to five years from the time they enter the college ranks. Already we’ve encountered some of the country’s top freshman making an impact this year. Here are just a couple who have flashed signs of great talent.
Saquon Barkley RB, Penn State
Saquon Barkley isn’t making huge headlines outside of Beaver Stadium, but the true freshman from Penn State has accounted for 632 yards and 4 touchdowns in the six games he’s played in. He’s averaged a minimal 7.5 yards per carry in every game except one and put up an outstanding 194 yard rushing performance against THE Ohio State. It’s unfair for me to ask you to remember a guy for the next three seasons, but this is one player who might hear his named called in May.. might be June by the time he graduates.
Christian Kirk WR, Texas A&M
Don’t mistake Christian Kirk for a third year junior because he plays like one. Kirk is one of the most explosive players in the nation aside from the true freshman tag that he’s riding with. He posted a solid day against Alabama with seven catches and 90 yards, but has seen better performances against Arizona State (106 yards), Nevada (120 yards), and Arkansas (173 yards). Kirk already looks like he’s in NFL form as a true freshman, but he’ll have to wait until 2018 before he makes any decisions about his future.
Malik Jefferson MLB, Texas
Easily the leader of a young Texas defense that also features Kris Boyd and Holton Hill, Jefferson has made himself a presence and a name to remember for years to come. Texas has seen it’s share of solid middle linebackers, but Malik Jefferson seems to be the next Derrick Johnson and with plenty of room to grow both mentally and physically. Jefferson might end up becoming the best player of his draft class when he gets that chance.
Josh Rosen QB, UCLA
Don’t worry Bruin fans I didn’t forget about you. What a game Josh Rosen put up in his first start as a college athlete, completing 80% of his passes and throwing for four scores against the Cavaliers. That’s anybody’s dream start. Of course, nobody could expect that kind of performance every game. Since then, the Bruins have dropped two games to the Sun Devils and the Cardinal. None the less, Rosen looks like the QB of the future for UCLA. He’s produced excellent stats for a true freshman and has taken the Bruins at a 5-2 record.
Here are ESPN’s rankings for the top recruiting classes so far this year (subject to change and by the hour).
- Ohio State – 19 commits
- LSU – 19 commits
- Florida State – 18 commits
- Penn State – 19 commits
- Alabama – 17 commits
- Ole Miss – 19 commits
- Georgia – 16 commits
- Miami (FL) – 20 commits
- Michigan – 21 commits
- Stanford – 19 commits
- USC – 15 commits
- Michigan State – 20 commits
- Tennessee – 17 commits
- Baylor – 15 commits
- Clemson – 11 commits
- UCLA – 18 commits
- Auburn – 11 commits
- Texas A&M – 16 commits
- Florida – 20 commits
- Notre Dame – 17 commits