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

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Opelika’s Jake Bentley appeared the odds-on Mr. Football favorite after the 2015 season, but he then opted to leave high school a year early and sign with South Carolina. He’s now throwing TDs for the Gamecocks.

With Bentley now in college, who are the top candidates this year? Let’s take a look at a dozen of the top candidates -- as the playoffs start tonight -- and then your vote in fan poll at the bottom (poll ends Saturday at 11 p.m.).

1) Henry Ruggs, WR, Lee-Montgomery

One of the state’s top uncommitted players, Ruggs caught 38 passes for 664 yard and 10 TDs and also played quarterback in several games this season. As a quarterback, he completed 11-of-22 passes for 184 yards and three TDs and also finished the season with 35 carries fro 422 yarsd and six touchdowns. That’s 19 TDs accounted for on 95 touches. Ruggs’ season is finished, as the Generals missed the playoffs after having to forfeit six wins for using an ineligible player.

2) JaTarvious Whitlow, LaFayette

Whitlow, an uncommitted small-school star, has put up video-game numbers this season for Lafayette – 114 rushes for 1,672 rushing and 27 TDs; 77-of-124 passing for 1,916 yards and 25 TDs vs. five interceptions; 12 2-point conversion runs; 10 punts for a 42.7-yard average; 8 touchbacks on 36 kickoffs; 4-of-5 on PATs; nine punt returns for 298 yards for 33.1-yard average; two kick return TDs; on defense, six tackles, one sack, one interception and two caused fumbles.

3) Bubba Thompson, QB, McGill-Toolen

Thompson, an Auburn baseball commit recently picked up football offers from Ole Miss and Tennessee, thanks to completing 150-of-204 passes for 2,212 yards and 30 touchdowns. He’s throw just two interceptions while running 25 times for 287 yards and three TDs.

4) Jaylond Adams, ATH, Minor

Adams, an uncommitted senior, has 50 receptions for 1,109 yards and 16 touchdowns and 52 carries for 560 yards and 12 touchdowns. That’s 28 TDs on 102 touches for the Tenacious Tigers (9-1).

5) Malik Cunningham, QB, Park Crossing

Cunningham, a senior and Louisville commit, has completed 125-of-194 for 1,935 yards and 18 TDs, with seven interceptions. He’s thrown TDs to seven different receivers, while also running 119 times for 741 yardsd and 15 touchdowns.

6) LaBryan Ray, James Clemens

The state’s No. 1 prospect, Ray has 99 tackles, including 19 tackles for loss and 11 sacks, to go with 13 QB hurries, four pass deflections and a blocked punt that he scooped for a touchdown. He is uncommitted.

7) Kadarius Toney, QB, Blount

Toney, a senior and Florida commit has completed 121-for-178 passes for 1,842 yards and 21 TDs, with nine interceptions. He’s also run 52 times for 637 yards and nine touchdowns.

8) Thomas Johnston, LB, Spanish Fort

Johnston, an uncommitted senior, has recorded 142 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, a sack, a blocked punt, and three pass break-ups this season. He needs four tackles this week to break the AHSAA career tackle record currently held by 1998 Mr. Football DeMarco McNeil.

9) Terence Dunlap, Maplesville

Dunlap is the best offensive weapon for the two-time defending Class 1A champ Red Devils (9-0) and has 111 carries for 1,946 yards and 30 touchdowns this season, despite sitting for much of the second half in a number of blowout victories. Dunlap was selected to play in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic.

10) Kyriq McDonald, DB, James Clemens

McDonald, a senior and Alabama commit has 58 tackles, including nine tackles for loss, to go with nine pass break-ups and three interceptions. On special teams, he has eight returns for 273 yards and TDs and a blocked punt. He’s also seen spot duty late in the season as a running back and receiver.

11) Nico Collins, WR, Clay-Chalkville

The Cougars struggled to a a 6-4 season, but the 6-foot-5 Collins has 43 catches for 865 yard and nine touchdowns against defenses often designed to stop him. He also had two rushes for 36 yards. He remains uncommitted.

12) Brian Robinson, RB, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa

Robinson, a senior and Alabama commit, has 990 yards and 18 touchdowns on 161 carries for the Patriots (10-0). He also has 24 catches for 302 yards and two more TDs, as well as four kickoff returns for 68 yards.

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