Ad Disclosure
With the 2016 recruiting cycle coming to a close Wednesday, it’s time to take an early look at the Class of 2017 as that cycle has already begun.
Below are the five-star (247Sports Composite rankings) prospects who are currently uncommitted for 2017 within the geographic recruiting footprint of the Southeastern Conference.
Dylan Moses, LB/RB, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy: Moses, the current top overall prospect in the class, committed to LSU way early and has since opened things up. The Tigers are still in the hunt for the Baton Rouge native, with Alabama also in the mix. Moses is a powerful athlete and a great football player.
Melvin Wilson, DT, Bellaire (Texas) Episcopal: Wilson is the 2017 version of Auburn signee Derrick Brown. The 6-foot-4, 316-pounder is an excellent athlete with good quickness and lateral ability. LSU and Texas A&M are among the early SEC contenders with Texas, Southern California, Oklahoma, Michigan and a host of others.
Jeffery Okudah, S, Grand Prairie (Texas) South Grand Prairie: Okudah, the current No. 8 overall prospect in the 2017 class, has excellent size at 6-foot-1.5, 194 pounds. He’s good in coverage (great range) and also run support. Ohio State is considered the early favorite, with Alabama, Georgia, Florida, LSU, Texas A&M and others in the hunt from the SEC.
DeAngelo Gibbs, CB, Loganville (Ga.) Grayson: Gibbs is a rare, thickly-built cornerback prospect with excellent coverage skills for his size — a slightly shorter version of Southern California cornerback Iman “Biggie” Marshall. Georgia and Tennessee are two programs that are early factors. Auburn, Florida, LSU and the rest of the SEC also is chasing Gibbs.
Trevon Grimes, WR, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas: The next big thing from STA, Grimes is the No. 11 overall prospect in the class. The 6-foot-3, 180-pounder has elite size, speed and hands and comes from a top talent producing high school program. Ohio State is considered the early favorite, with Florida and others in the mix as well.
Josh Kaindoh, DE, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy: The 6-foot-6, 237-pound Kaindoh is originally from Pennsylvania, so Penn State and Ohio State have the early edge. Most SEC programs have offered. He’s a lengthy, quick-twitch pass rusher.
Jarez Parks, DE, Sebastian (Fla.) Sebastian River: The 6-foot-5, 255-pound Parks is similar to recent Florida standout Jonathan Bullard — he’s a big end that can slide inside and fits well in a 3-4 or a 4-3 alignment. Speaking of the Gators, they are the early team to beat here, with Alabama, Florida State, Miami and others also in the mix.
Additionally, here are the five-star prospects already committed to SEC programs:
- Najee Harris, RB, Antioch (Calif.)- 6-2, 220, No. 2 overall, committed to Alabama
- Calvin Ashley, OT, Orlando (Fla.) Dr. Phillips- 6-7, 307, No. 4 overall, committed to Auburn
- Tyler Shelvin, DT, Lafayette (La.) Northside- 6-2, 329, No. 18 overall, committed to LSU
- Tate Martell, QB, Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman- 5-11, 180, No. 19 overall, committed to Texas A&M
- Richard LeCounte III, ATH, Riceboro (Ga.) Liberty County- 5-11, 174, No. 25 overall, committed to Georgia
Recruiting writer for Saturday Down South
