Inside the numbers: Irish invade Pa., more Mid-Atlantic trends
While it might produce the smallest number of Power Five prospects, the Mid-Atlantic is packed with top flight talent that schools from coast to coast are fighting over. Here are some of the early trends in the 2017 Mid-Atlantic class.
RELATED: Inside the numbers Midwest | Inside the numbers Southeast
33 - Percent of 2017 Notre Dame commits from Western Pa.
There is no hotter team in America right now than Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish have made a big statement in western Pennsylvania with commitments from Rivals100 offensive lineman Joshua Lugg, Rivals100 linebacker David Adams, and big-time defensive tackle Kurt Hinish.
There are more highly rated prospects in Pennsylvania this year than in the past few years and Notre Dame made sure to get in while the talent level is rebounding. It’s impressive how Brian Kelly and his staff stole Lugg, Adams, and Hinish out from under Pittsburgh’s nose while also taking advantage of a Penn State team filled with question marks.
Don’t be surprised if Notre Dame grabs a big-time prospect in the 2018 class as well. Phil Jurkovec, one of the best sophomore quarterbacks in the country, is very high on Notre Dame as well.
48 - Class of 2017 four- and five-star prospects from the Mid-Atlantic
The 2016 Mid-Atlantic class finished with 61 players rated at least four-stars. The 2017 may not reach that threshold, but a few more players may get their fourth star after the camp season. While this class has excellent top-level talent, there doesn’t seem to be as much depth as years past. In 2015, there were 59 players with a rating greater than three-stars, 57 in 2014, and 51 in 2013. The 2017 class will probably end up with slightly less than the 2014 class and could be close to the 2013 class.
1 - Five-star prospects from New York
There hasn’t been a five-star in New York since Ishaq Williams in 2011. Isaiah Wilson has already helped New York match that total. Currently rated as the No. 5 prospect in the Rivals100, Wilson may be leading the best class of New York prospects in the last few years.
The 2014 class from the Empire State featured Ohio State star Curtis Samuel, 2015 ACC offensive rookie of the year Qadree Ollison, and big-time prospects Thomas Holley and Jay Hayes. Wilson, four-star quarterback Jack Coan, defensive tackle Romello Martin, and linebacker Isaiah McDuffie have a chance to match or exceed the impact of the 2014 class from New York.
5 - Players from West Virginia rated three stars or higher
The 2017 class is the most talented class from West Virginia in the Rivals era. There haven’t been this many players rated at least a three-star since 2005 when there were four. The last four-star prospect to call West Virginia home was offensive lineman Josh Jenkins. He finished at No. 204 in the Rivals250.
Four-star Derrek Pitts leads the 2017 class from West Virginia. He is a national recruit with offers from Auburn, Florida, Nebraska, Oklahoma and many others. Offensive linemen Billy Ross and Riley Locklear are national recruits as well and they have a chance to earn their fourth stars depending on how the rest of the offseason and upcoming season go. Linebackers Maverick Wolfley and Dorian Etheridge have tons of potential and are extremely versatile.
9 - In-state commits for North Carolina and NC State
It’s a very good year in North Carolina with 10 prospects already rated with four stars and more likely on the way. The North Carolina group of prospects is also deep with 27 players currently ranked as three-star prospects.
The Tar Heels hold five commitments from players currently in the top 11 in the state rankings. All four of N.C. State’s commitments are in-state prospects. Both schools are expecting to land more players from their home state and there is plenty of talent to go around.