As we venture into May, recruiting for the 2017 class is starting to pick up. More and more players are beginning to narrow their top lists and plan their official visits for the fall. And let's not forget those athletes who've already committed[1]. Look for May to continue being a trending topic in regard to recruiting, particularly with athletes finishing up spring football at their respective high schools. Here's a look at where a few of the nation's top athletes currently stand recruiting-wise. 5-star OT weighing options for top schools Isaiah Wilson[2] still remembers his first offer. Boston College made him a very happy freshman. As the Brookyln, New York, 5-star offensive tackle wraps up his junior year, he's now faced with a decision to choose out of his top five consisting of Michigan, USC, Alabama, LSU and Georgia. A decision is expected to be made sometime shortly before national signing day. For now, the process is moving at a slow pace for Wilson, who claims more than 50 offers. He said he'll begin planning official visits soon. "I'm taking my time. This can be really fun, but it can be tedious, too," Wilson said. "I'll put my officials out soon. I think I'm going to make a decision either in December or early 2017. "It's an amazing opportunity to be able to say I can have my pick of the litter and choose the school I want. I just want to make sure I explore all the options." At 6'7" and 322 pounds, Wilson is ranked as the No. 5 offensive tackle and No. 20 player overall in the 2017 class. Additionally, he's the top-ranked player from the state of New York, something he takes pride in and works extremely hard to protect. The five schools being considered all have the qualities of a great on-campus environment, solid player-coach relationships and overall game atmosphere, Wilson said. Academics will also play a role in his final decision. The X-factor, however, in making a decision: Wilson wants to go somewhere that feels like his home in Brooklyn. "Once it feels like home, that's it," he said. "If I can find a place where I can see myself the next three or four years, a place where I feel really comfortable, then it's a wrap." 4-star DE ends process, chooses Ole Miss He never announced a list of top schools, but Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 4-star defensive end Bryan Jones[3] kept a close eye on the schools taking the extra steps to recruit him. Ole Miss was one of those schools that always ranked high because of the constant communication. On Sunday, the nation's No. 6-ranked strong-side defensive end in the 2017 class chose to end his recruitment and commit to head coach Hugh Freeze and the Rebels. Jones is Ole Miss' fourth commit of the 2017 class[4] and the first 2017 pledge for the Rebels since February. Recruited by defensive line coach Chris Kiffin[5], Jones chose Ole Miss over LSU, Tennessee, North Carolina State, Texas, Texas A&M and several other programs. Jones claims 32 offers. "I love the great job Coach Kiffin is doing with the [defensive linemen], and I love the way the defense attacks offenses and uses its best players to get the job done," Jones said. "I love Coach Freeze because he's a players coach, and he's down to earth. The whole coaching staff has been in touch with me since they offered me, every day, nonstop." Jones, now at 6'5" and 243 pounds, is Ole Miss' highest-ranked defensive pledge. He is expected to team up with 3-star junior college pledge Markel Winters[6] on the defensive line. Top 5 for RB, son of former NFL back As the son of a former NFL running back, Chase Hayden[7] constantly gets advice from coaches and older individuals to become the consummate student-athlete at the next level. The best advice comes from his father, Aaron Hayden, who played college ball at Tennessee, then spent four years in the NFL and was a part of the 1997 Green Bay Packers team that advanced to Super Bowl XXXII. "He says all the time that everybody arrives on campus talented. You've got to show something to separate yourself," Chase said. "You've got to be a student of the game. You've got to know your playbook inside and out and do all of the little things if you want to stand out." Hayden's parlayed that advice and more into success on the football field, which includes 16 reported offers. The Collierville, Tennessee, 3-star running back rushed for 2,625 yards and 37 touchdowns as a junior. On May 5, Hayden announced his top five[8] of Arkansas, Illinois, Oklahoma State, South Carolina and Tennessee, his father's alma mater. "I'm trying to find out more about them," Hayden said of the five schools. "Out of all the offers, those were the most serious about me. I'm trying to choose the best place for me and pick a place where I feel I can fit in. I want to go to a place where I spend my years and be happy, even if I wasn't playing football." Hayden said he's relying on his father, mother and other family to assist in making the right decision. He added that while he has a top five, he's keeping his recruiting door ajar in case he receives a marquee offer by the end of the spring or early summer. Offers galore for versatile 2-sport standout From a recruiting standpoint, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, athlete Jordan Wright[9] is playing with house money. He's a two-sport standout with a total of 24 college scholarship offers for football and basketball. On the football field, Wright is a 3-star defensive end/tight end who has 20 offers. His latest offer came from Alabama last week, and Wright said the Crimson Tide offered him as a tight end. Wright has football offers as both a defensive end and tight end, and he also has offers as a shooting guard and wing on the basketball court. Wright holds a Virginia Tech basketball offer and has also been offered by Florida International, Binghamton and San Francisco. "It's been hard, but it's a blessing to have this opportunity," Wright said. "Most kids don't even have a chance to play at the next level. To be offered in both [sports], it's a blessing." Wright admits his first love was basketball. He first picked up a basketball at two years old, compared to first trying football at age five. Wright said there are many who feel football would be his best path athletically, but he's looking to give both sports a try in college. "I feel I can step up to the challenge and work hard in both," said Wright, who has football offers from Alabama, Michigan, Miami, Mississippi State, USC and a host of other programs. Wright said he will make public a top-10 list after spring football. The winning school will get a long, athletic playmaker who is focused on being in a good environment where he has solid relationships with the team and coaching staff. Wright also said academics will play a major role in his decision. He is looking to major in sports medicine. Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports[10]' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter @DamonSayles[11].
Brooklyn, New York, 5-star offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson has a top five of Michigan, USC, Alabama, LSU and Georgia. One of these schools will land a top-five offensive tackle and a top-20 player overall in the 2017 class.
References
- ^ already committed (247sports.com)
- ^ Isaiah Wilson (247sports.com)
- ^ Bryan Jones (247sports.com)
- ^ 2017 class (olemiss.247sports.com)
- ^ Chris Kiffin (247sports.com)
- ^ Markel Winters (247sports.com)
- ^ Chase Hayden (247sports.com)
- ^ top five (twitter.com)
- ^ Jordan Wright (247sports.com)
- ^ 247Sports (247sports.com)
- ^ @DamonSayles (twitter.com)
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