re: Class of 2017 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: Say Your Goodbyes Edition

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27. 5-Star ATH JaCoby Stevens

Height/Weight: 6’2”, 200 lbs

High School: Oakland HS (Murfreesboro, Tennessee)

Composite Ranking: No. 1 athlete; No. 27 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 93/100

Recruitment Status: Contenders include Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Auburn, LSU and Tennessee

At one point early in his recruitment, 5-star athlete JaCoby Stevens was committed to SEC power LSU. However, he decided to reopen his recruitment and still has the Tigers as one of seven schools still in the running to land him.

Stevens, who will likely play safety at the next level, is currently viewed as a Georgia lean, according to his 247Sports crystal ball.

Bleacher Report Analysis

Stevens has the skills to become a big-time pass target in college, but safety is the spot that ultimately maximizes his strongest traits best. A balanced comfort level in run support and pass coverage (47/50) added up to create a monster defensive campaign last season.

He compiled 84 tackles—8.5 for loss—and six interceptions as a junior, according to Tom Kreager of the Daily News Journal. Stevens' presence near scrimmage or deep downfield provides a compelling dynamic to any defensive strategy, while his offensive prowess (25.2 yards per catch with 11 touchdown receptions) also warrants a long look.

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21. 5-Star OT Isaiah Wilson


Height/Weight: 6'6 ½", 354 lbs

High School: Poly Prep (Brooklyn, New York)

Composite Ranking: No. 5 offensive tackle; No. 21 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 95/100

Recruitment Status: Contenders include Alabama, Georgia, LSU and Michigan

An athlete like Isaiah Wilson can be very valuable for any college program. Size-wise, he'd make a great guard, but he has the quickness off the ball to be an elite tackle. Michigan is a team to watch for Wilson, as are Georgia, Alabama, Penn State, LSU and Rutgers.



Bleacher Report Analysis

This mammoth Brooklyn blocker is a true behemoth in the deep 2017 offensive line class. His powerful punch (14/15) enables him to knock opponents off balance during downfield run-blocking forays or while falling back in pass protection (24/25).

He essentially presents a brick wall for defenders to work past and doesn't make the process easy when playing with a mean streak. Wilson, who seemingly remains wide open to several collegiate options, could line up at guard, tackle or both during the remainder of his career.

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12. 5-Star OT Alex Leatherwood


Height/Weight: 6'6", 327 lbs

High School: Booker T. Washington HS (Pensacola, Florida)

Composite Ranking: No. 3 offensive tackle; No. 12 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 95/100

Recruitment Status: Committed to Alabama

When Alex Leatherwood is on the field, he is mean, surly and all about business. He's exactly the type of offensive lineman Alabama looks for. Leatherwood committed to the Crimson Tide in June 2015 and is very solid with his pledge.



Bleacher Report Analysis

Leatherwood is that special kind of lineman every quarterback cherishes in an offensive attack. This massive specimen takes his role as protector seriously and competes with an angry resolve.

Powerful (14/15) in the trenches, Leatherwood overwhelms opponents in a run-blocking setting (10/10), which bodes well for the bevy of elite talents in Alabama's offensive backfield. In addition to strength, he moves well side-to-side (23/25) and delivers a technically advanced punch that can contain pass-rushers off the edge.

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8. 5-Star RB Cam Akers


Height/Weight: 5'11", 213 lbs

High School: Clinton HS (Clinton, Mississippi)

Composite Ranking: No. 2 running back; No. 9 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 96/100

Recruitment Status: Contenders include Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss and Ohio State

The Crimson Tide initially secured Cam Akers' commitment last August, pairing him with No. 1 overall running back prospect Najee Harris. However, this pact fell apart when he backed off the verbal pledge in March and followed with visits across the Southeast and north to Ohio State.

This process has a wide-open feel to it, but the Buckeyes may be in excellent position to pry away a top talent from SEC territory.



Bleacher Report Analysis

Built like a tank, Akers amazed during combine testing at The Opening. Weighing in among the heaviest running backs in attendance, he led all positional peers with a 4.41-second 40-yard dash and nearly captured Nike Football Testing Championship MVP accolades.

Though Akers lines up at quarterback for Clinton High School, it's easy to see how his skills transfer to full-time rushing duties. His blend of speed (20/20) and power (20/20) goes unmatched in this class, resulting in 1,418 yards (8.4 per carry) and 16 touchdowns on the ground last fall.

He also flashed strong hands (14/15) at The Opening, providing an indication he could be ready for an every-down role early in college. If Akers strictly played running back these past few seasons, you wonder whether he would actually sit ahead of Harris at this stage of the cycle.

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2. 5-Star LB Dylan Moses


Height/Weight: 6’2”, 220 lbs

High School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)

Composite Ranking: No. 1 outside linebacker; No. 2 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 93/100

Recruitment Status: Contenders include Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, Texas and UCLA

Dylan Moses, a 5-star linebacker, has been a household name in recruiting circles since he was a freshman in high school. Nearly two years after committing to LSU, Moses backed off that pledge in August 2015.

The Tigers, along with Alabama, remain the two programs in a heated battle to land the nation's top linebacker in the 2017 cycle.



Bleacher Report Analysis

It didn't take long for Moses to validate practically unprecedented hype in high school after he emerged as a force at linebacker and running back at University Lab High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. While he's seemingly plateaued from a physical measurements standpoint, the young phenom has grown into a seasoned vet who appears prepared for collegiate challenges.

Moses owns multiple triple-digit tackle totals in his high school career, and textbook fundamentals at the point of wrap-up (24/25) make him especially effective against rushing efforts (14/15). He's instinctive and savvy enough to persistently sniff out plays, putting pressure on opposing offensive coordinators to mix things up at a pace that makes their personnel uncomfortable.

We've grown so accustomed to Moses on the recruiting trail that it's easy to take his success for granted or assume he's peaked as a player. That isn't the case, as a blend of elite athleticism and unique football IQ set the stage for further advancement toward continued stardom.

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1. 5-Star RB Najee Harris


Height/Weight: 6'3", 226 lbs

High School: Antioch HS (Antioch, California)

Composite Ranking: No. 1 running back; No. 1 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 97/10

Recruitment Status: Committed to Alabama

Najee Harris joined a long line of high-profile Crimson Tide running back pledges when he accepted an offer from Nick Saban in April 2015. Despite a longstanding commitment, speculation continues to swirl Harris could eventually opt to remain on the West Coast (with USC or UCLA) or bolt for another powerhouse program far from home (Ohio State and Michigan should be monitored).



Bleacher Report Analysis

Arguably the most complete prospect at his position since No. 1 overall 2014 recruit Leonard Fournette, Harris will encounter immense expectations when he arrives on a collegiate campus. He continues to grow more physically imposing and isn't far off from matching the high school measurements of Heisman Trophy-winning Alabama running back Derrick Henry (6'3", 240 lbs).

He won't rely soley on speed to torch defenses, though quickness (17/20) is indeed a strong suit, as he can methodically wear down an opponent with rare power (20/20). Harris gains momentum as a game wears on, and he's the kind of ball-carrier who can close out contests by picking up clock-milking first downs.

His ability to identify holes (20/20) allows him to pick up steam before encountering defenders, plowing through arm tackles with ease. Harris, who possesses better hands (15/15) than several blue-chip receiver recruits, surpassed 200 rushing yards in six matchups last fall, per MaxPreps, and punctuated his dominant campaign with a 390-yard, six-touchdown effort in the playoffs.

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Hogs of Anarchy said... (original post) I've heard there are major Character issues as well


FWIW on that. Patton didn't seem to indicate that. There was some earlier in his career, but Patton told me he had gotten past that. Just going to be hard to qualify. Part of the reasons for the early character flaws was partly his home life wasn't the best and thus that ties right in with the hole that was dug for him academically. We have to remember not every home has parents who make sure the kids get it in the classroom before they suit up on the field.

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