CFB Future 100: Top 7 Athlete Recruits in Class of 2017

Bleacher Report

After a thorough study using specific scoring criteria, Bleacher Report national recruiting analysts Damon Sayles ^[1], Sanjay Kirpalani ^[2] and Tyler Donohue ^[3] have graded the top 100 players in the 247Sports composite rankings ^[4] and provided in-depth analysis on each young athlete. Bleacher Report will run a position-by-position breakdown series of the best college football recruits in the 2017 class. Here, we present the Top Atheltes.

Other Positions:

Now more than ever, in college football recruiting, versatility is a skill that is coveted by coaches around the country.

Every so often, there are a handful of elite prospects in each class who have the ability and toughness to play more than one position at a high level.

The recent phenomenon of coaches recruiting players as "athletes" isn't going away anytime soon.

The 2017 class features a small but talented crop of players who could make an impact at more than one position in college.

In fact, there are seven prospects—headlined by 5-star JaCoby Stevens ^[9]—who rank among the nation's Top 70 overall prospects.

The latest installment of B/R's CFB Future 100 series put the nation's top athletes under a microscope.

We will take a crack at projecting them at the position we believe they will play at the college level and scoring them ^[10] on their ability to develop when they focus on one spot full time.

How do the athletes of the 2017 class stack up in comparison to one another, and where will these stud recruits line up in college?

All analysis provided by B/R National Recruiting Analyst Sanjay Kirpalani ^[11].

Height/Weight: 6'4 ½", 207 lbs

High School: Jonesboro High School (Jonesboro, Georgia)

247Sports Ranking: No. 7 ATH, No. 66 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 90/100

Recruitment Status: Considering Clemson and North Carolina

One of the most intriguing athletes in the 2017 class is 4-star Georgia native James "M.J." Walker ^[14].

That's because he's also a top-10 prospect nationally on the hardwood, as detailed by ESPN ^[15].

If he sticks to football, Walker is a candidate to play wide receiver, safety or even linebacker at the next level.

Bleacher Report Analysis

I first saw Walker when he was a sophomore. He wasn't listed on the roster, so I asked people on the sidelines who No. 7 was. He played quarterback and safety when I saw him, but Zerrick Cooper—a QB who just signed with Clemson in the 2016 cycle—told me about his basketball exploits and raved about his freakish athleticism.

His basketball background shows up on tape when he plays receiver. He has strong hands (23/25 points), and his leaping ability is tremendous. He also uses his body to box out defenders in jump-ball situations. He's far from a polished product, but with his raw athleticism, it's easy to see why schools are offering him even though basketball may be where his future lies in college.

Height/Weight: 5'10", 185 lbs

High School: Hawkins High School (Los Angeles, California)

247Sports Ranking: No. 6 ATH, No. 56 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 91/100

Recruitment Status: Considering Arizona, Arizona State, Michigan, Tennessee and Washington

Hawkins High School in Los Angeles is home to a handful of elite prospects, including 4-star athlete Greg Johnson ^[18].

Johnson, who could line up at running back or corner in college, is approaching 20 offers heading into the spring.

According to Ryan Bartow of 247Sports ^[19], Arizona, Michigan, Tennessee and Washington are the schools that are aggressively pursuing him.

Bleacher Report Analysis

Johnson has a decision to make with regards to playing offense or defense. There's no denying he's a special talent with the ball in his hands. However, similar to Jack Jones and Mecole Hardman Jr. in the 2016 cycle, his greatest ceiling may come at the corner spot. He has great ball instincts (18/20 points), and he plays with a physical mentality that you want in a corner. He's got the speed (18/20 points) and athleticism to recover on plays when he's beaten off the line.

Plus, he could be an elite return man on special teams. Johnson has a chance to be an early-impact guy wherever he lands.

Height/Weight: 5'9", 170 lbs

High School: Archer High School (Lawrenceville, Georgia)

247Sports Ranking: No. 5 ATH, No. 52 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 94/100

Recruitment Status: Considering Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia and Michigan State

One of the select few juniors invited to The Opening last summer was 4-star athlete Jamyest Williams ^[22].

Williams, who could play corner, receiver or running back in college, collected 1,152 yards of total offense and 13 total touchdowns as a sophomore. He also collected a pair of interceptions and had 60 tackles and 25 pass breakups on defense.

Williams was one of the most active players on the spring and summer camp circuit last year, which helped him amass more than 40 offers heading into the spring.

Bleacher Report Analysis

I got a chance to view Williams in several camp settings last spring and summer. Not once did he disappoint. He brought an energy and level of competitiveness that made him stand out everywhere he went. That's why when he flashed at The Opening last summer, I wasn't surprised.

Even though he is special with the ball in his hands, I'd lean toward playing him on defense. He's 5'9", but he plays 6'4". He has standout ball instincts, and with sub-4.4 times (19/20 points speed) in the 40-yard dash, he has outstanding makeup speed and great short-area burst.

He'd make an ideal nickel corner who could also wreak havoc as a blitzer. Williams is a unique talent who would be a top-10 overall prospect if he were two inches taller.

Height/Weight: 6'3", 210 lbs

High School: Indian River High School (Chesapeake, Virginia)

247Sports Ranking: No. 4 ATH, No. 49 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 91/100

Recruitment Status: Considering Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State and Virginia Tech

Virginia has been a breeding ground for elite talents in recent years, and 4-star athlete Devon Hunter ^[25] is primed to continue that tradition.

The No. 2 prospect from the state of Virginia could play receiver or safety at the next level.

Over his freshman and sophomore seasons, Hunter accounted for 1,733 yards of total offense and 18 total touchdowns on offense while racking up 107 tackles, 10 pass breakups and two interceptions on defense.

Bleacher Report Analysis

While I love Hunter's athleticism on defense, I believe he could be a downright scary weapon as a receiver on offense in college. At 6'3", 210 pounds, Hunter has the speed and quickness (14/15 points) of a 180-pound slot receiver. He shows great body control as a receiver, and his defensive background is apparent when he's fighting for jump balls.

Plus, with his size, he's a willing and capable blocker (5/5 points) in the run game. Overall, Hunter has the potential to become a dominant receiver if he continues to develop and learn the finer points of playing the position.

Height/Weight: 6'1 ½", 195 lbs

High School: La Vergne High School (La Vergne, Tennessee)

247Sports Ranking: No. 3 ATH, No. 33 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 93/100

Recruitment Status: Considering Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Tennessee and USC

Florida State pulled a major coup out of Tennessee in the 2013 class when it landed stud corner Jalen Ramsey, who is likely a first-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft after an outstanding three-year career in Tallahassee.

The 'Noles are hoping to land another stud from the Volunteer State in 4-star athlete Maleik Gray ^[28], who already has more than 20 offers to date.

According to Ryan Callahan of 247Sports ^[29], Florida State is the current favorite to land Gray.

Bleacher Report Analysis

I believe Gray's talents would be best utilized at safety. That's because he has the cover skills (23/25 points) of a corner, but he also possesses the speed and instincts to play sideline-to-sideline like a shifty outside linebacker.

He's physical in run support and works well against slippery running backs and receivers in open space. He also has the versatility to be a weapon as a blitzer coming off the edge in certain situations. Overall, Gray has the makings of a dynamic safety prospect who can make an early impact in his college career.

Height/Weight: 5'11", 174 lbs

High School: Liberty County High School (Riceboro, Georgia)

247Sports Ranking: No. 2 ATH, No. 29 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 93/100

Recruitment Status: Committed to Georgia on Dec. 13, 2015

The first commitment of the Kirby Smart era at Georgia came from 5-star athlete Richard LeCounte III ^[32].

LeCounte committed to the Bulldogs over offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State and Ohio State, among others.

According to Kipp Adams of Dawgs247 ^[33], LeCounte envisions himself lining up at either corner or free safety in Athens.

Bleacher Report Analysis

LeCounte is an explosive player with great ball instincts and freakish athleticism ^[34]. He can be a dynamic weapon on offense, but his game and aggressive mentality appears ideally suited for defense. With his range in coverage and physicality as a tackler, I like him best at safety.

He has tremendous ball skills (19/20 points), and he's able to cover a ton of ground as a center fielder type in the secondary. He also plays with the physicality of a linebacker despite weighing just 174 pounds. LeCounte has the athleticism and skill set to be a difference-maker early in his college career.

Height/Weight: 6'2", 200 lbs

High School: Oakland High School (Murfreesboro, Tennessee)

247Sports Ranking: No. 1 ATH, No. 15 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 93/100

Recruitment Status: Considering Alabama, Florida, Florida State, LSU and Tennessee

The top overall prospect from Tennessee in the current cycle is 5-star athlete JaCoby Stevens ^[37].

Stevens, who backed off an early pledge to LSU in November, has compiled more than 25 offers heading into the spring.

The 6'2", 200-pounder could play receiver or safety in college.

Bleacher Report Analysis

I'm truly torn on Stevens because I like his potential at wide receiver at the next level. However, you don't see too many athletes with his length, size and athleticism at the safety position. He has outstanding ball skills, and he flashes a great burst of speed when closing on pass plays close to the sideline.

In run support, he's a physical presence (23/25 points) who can operate comfortably in space against speedy backs and receivers. Stevens has a tremendous ceiling as a defender regardless of where he lands in college.