Midwest spotlight: How five-stars from 2017 class are progressing
The Big Ten signed their largest number of five-star recruits in a single class by almost double in the 2017 class. Those 11 players are now true freshmen at their respective schools, and we check in to see how they are progressing in their first years.
The No. 1 ranked wide receiver in the entire 2017 class was not even the top true freshman receiver on his own team when Michigan trotted out for their season opener, but Peoples-Jones has been impactful in more ways than one so far this season. He has three receptions for 60 yards and one carry for 44 yards through four games, and he has been Michigan’s starting punt returner since the opener. His punt return for a touchdown gave the Wolverines breathing room against Air Force, and Peoples-Jones has averaged 14.73 yards on 11 returns this season.
A legacy recruit who chose his father’s alma mater early in his recruitment, Epenesa has also gotten an early start to his Iowa career. Initially third on the Hawkeyes' preseason depth chart, Epenesa has steadily seen his playing time increase, and he is now a close second string to Parker Hesse. Through five games Epenesa has totaled seven tackles, 2.5 sacks, four quarterback hurries, and he forced a fumble by Penn State’s Trace McSorley in a key point in that game. He also recorded his first career reception Saturday against Michigan State on a fake punt.
It could be argued no one on this list had tougher competition to see the field this season than Young, who plays a position for Ohio State that boasts four upperclassmen who are likely to be playing on Sundays. Young is officially listed third string behind Sam Hubbard and Jalyn Holmes, but he has played in four of five games this season and leads all Ohio State true freshmen in tackles with nine while adding two tackles for loss. Against Rutgers on Saturday, Young tied for fourth-most tackles in the game.
Like Epenesa, Solomon is starting to see his playing time increase as the season progresses. Michigan does not release a depth chart, so pinning down exactly where Solomon is in the rotation involves some guesswork, but he has seemed to emerge as the clear No. 2 nose tackle in Michigan’s three-man front behind senior Maurice Hurst. Solomon has played in all four of Michigan’s games, registering four total tackles, including one for loss.
Browning has made a strong comeback since he suffered a shoulder injury in spring ball after enrolling early. That injury required summer surgery, and the Ohio State coaches have been easing him back over the course of fall camp and early part of this season, but over the last three games Browning has come through with seven total tackles. Officially he is listed as the third string middle linebacker, but the coaching staff is giving him looks at each of the linebacker spots and his playing time continues to increase.
Head coach James Franklin declared before the season that the No. 1 cornerback prospect in the 2017 class had already proven worthy, along with two other true freshmen, for playing time this season. Although officially listed third on the depth chart behind senior Christian Campbell and fellow true freshman Tariq Castro-Fields, Wade has 10 tackles through five games while Castro-Fields has just one, though Castro-Fields does have an interception. Wade registered his first pass breakup in Saturday game against Indiana.
If we do this list at the end of the season, expect Okudah to rise. The calls for him to see more playing time are plentiful, and his playing time has increased as Ohio State is trying to work out the kinks in their secondary. Listed as a safety prospect coming out of high school, Ohio State has been utilizing Okudah at cornerback, where he is currently second string behind junior Denzel Ward. He has seen action in every game, registering three tackles and one pass breakup.
Grimes has played in two games this season, but was not on the travel roster when Ohio State went to Rutgers this past weekend. The South Florida native is still working his way back from an ACL tear that occurred during his senior season of high school and required surgery less than a year ago. His first action came against Army in week three, and he has totaled three receptions for 20 yards in two games played thus far.
Ohio State has had depth issues on the offensive line over the last couple years, but through recruiting they have been throwing bodies at the position. While Davis is among the most talented linemen to come to Ohio State in recent years, he is young and likely needs some seasoning. He is listed as co-second string right guard with junior Malcolm Pridgeon behind sophomore Brandon Bowen. Davis has yet to see the field in 2017, however, and looks to be a redshirt candidate barring injury to someone above him on the depth chart.
Originally from Silver Spring, Md., Anthony played out his high school career at IMG Academy in Florida, where he was known for his athleticism and motor. In fall camp Anthony was getting looks at both the MIKE and WILL linebacker positions and received positive reviews in the preseason. Thus far in 2017, though, Anthony has not seen action through four games and is likely to redshirt this year.
Wade was an early enrollee for the Buckeyes, but the buzz is that he is dealing with some kind of an injury coming out of fall camp. He has yet to see game action for the Buckeyes through five games this season and is not even listed on the depth chart. Despite the issues Ohio State has had in the defensive backfield, this looks likely to be a redshirt season for the former five-star from Jacksonville.
