Five to watch from 2018: Midwest
It looks like a strong year for top-end talent in the Midwest, and several class of 2018 prospects from the region make debuts in the initial Rivals100. Here is a look at five who could be challenging for five-stars in the future.
Recruiting wrap: Early offers have come in from Illinois, Michigan and Ole Miss, among others. McCall lists no favorites, but has a 2017 teammate committed to the Wolverines.
Why we should watch: There are guys who come around in every class who are blessed with remarkable football builds, and McCall is one of those guys in 2018. Already up to 325 pounds, he does not carry a lot of bad weight and looks like he’s spent most of his 15 years in the weight room. McCall also has unnatural quickness for his size. The question going forward will be, is offensive guard of defensive tackle a better fit?
Who he’s up against: At offensive guard, Jamaree Salyer and fellow Midwesterner Emil Ekiyor are among those McCall will compete for top standings with. If further evaluations show defensive tackle is a better fit, though, he will face stiff competition from the likes of Maryland’s P.J. Mustipher and St. Louis’ Trevor Trout.
Recent recruit comparison: Neville Gallimore, 2015, Oklahoma
Recruiting wrap: Walker is committed to Oklahoma.
Why we should watch: Walker is a mountain of a man already at 6-foot-6 and 320 pounds and he has decent feet for his size. The sophomore looked like he was still growing into that frame this past fall and was not fully utilizing his skill set and strength. We want to see the intensity necessary to battle in the trenches from him as he progresses through his prep career, but early returns from the off-season indicate he is progressing nicely.
Who he’s up against: Offensive tackle is usually one of the deepest positions at the top, but only Georgia native Dylan Wonnum joins Walker with an early 6.0 Rivals Rating.
Recent recruit comparison: Cameron Robinson, 2014, Alabama
Recruiting wrap: Smith holds offers from Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and Purdue, but the biggest recruiting question is which sport he will play in college.
Why we should watch: A 6-foot-5, 215-pound pass-catching sophomore is usually tagged as a future tight end, but you cannot make that assumption with Smith. The two-sport star has plenty of bouncy athleticism, explosiveness and body control to stay on the outside in college. Colleges are already enamored with his potential, but also concerned he might opt to play basketball instead.
Who he’s up against: Five-star Jalen Hall out of Los Angeles is the early No. 1 at the position, but Smith makes up the group in closest pursuit that also includes Oklahoma’s Sean Shaw, IMG Academy’s Brian Hightower and Alabama’s Justyn Ross.
Recent recruit comparison: Allen Lazard, 2014, Iowa State
Recruiting wrap: Missouri is the early leader for Trout, with Indiana, Iowa and Nebraska also in the conversation with offers.
Why we should watch: Trout initially caught our attention at the St. Louis Rivals Camp when he was just a freshman, making the final showcase against several five-stars and more than holding his own. Trout has good size for the position at 6-foot-3 and 295 pounds, but what makes him unique is his quickness and athleticism. He is a pass-rushing three-technique defensive tackle with a ton of upside.
Who he’s up against: Trout is one of two defensive tackles earning a 6.0 Rivals Rating in the first release of the Rivals100. The other is Mustipher.
Recent recruit comparison: Ed Oliver, 2016, Houston
Recruiting wrap: Ohio State has long been considered the team to beat in this recruitment, but Gill said this past weekend he is in no rush to make a decision. He recently visited USC and UCLA.
Why we should watch: Since day one of his freshman season, Gill has faced high expectations. The central Ohio prospect has a skill set that could easily project to any number of positions. Most coaches agree, though, that they do not want to take the ball out of his hands, so running back or wide receiver are most likely at the next level. Gill possesses natural athleticism and playmaking ability.
Who he’s up against: Gill is the only all-purpose back with a 6.0 Rivals Rating in the initial 2018 Rivals100 and one of only three -– along with Virginia’s Ricky Slade and Texas’ Stanley Hackett -– in the ranking.
Recent recruit comparison: Curtis Samuel, 2014, Ohio State