Recruiting predictions for 2017: ACC
The ACC featured two of the highest rated recruiting class in the 2016 cycle. Can the same thing happen again in 2017? Here are five predictions for the ACC’s 2017 recruiting cycle.
1. Clemson will sign more five-stars than Florida State
It’s pretty impressive how dominant Florida State has been in the ACC recruiting rankings. The Seminoles have won the ACC recruiting title every year since 2008 and have dominated the rest of the conference in five-star commitments. This year will be different. Clemson has more momentum on the field and on the recruiting trail than ever before. The Tigers already have a five-star commitment in quarterback Hunter Johnson. Five-star wide receiver James Robinson is a Clemson lean right now. Linebacker Drew Singleton and wide receiver Tee Higgins have good shots at earning their fifth stars and they seem like Clemson leans as well.
Florida State has a commitment from D.J. Matthews, a current four-star, but he could end up as a five-star. The Seminoles also seem like the likely destination for possible five-star Jarez Parks. Florida State is expected to pick up more big commitments down the road.
There is still plenty more to develop with both of these classes. Clemson and Florida State are major contenders for No. 2 overall Josh Kaindoh. Both the Tigers and Seminoles are in it for top running backs D'Andre Swift and Khalan Laborn. Clemson seems like the leader for defensive back LeAnthony Williams and that could help them flip possible five-star defensive back Xavier McKinney.
2. Mark Richt will lift Miami back into top 10
With how much talent is in south Florida, it is inexcusable that the last time Miami finished in the top 10 of the team rankings was 2012. The Mark Richt era in Coral Gables has begun and he will take the Hurricanes inside the team rankings top 10 this year. Miami currently has 10 commitments and nine of them committed before Richt took over. There will likely be some players to leave this Miami class, but there are currently 45 players from Florida rated at least four-stars and 40 of them are in the Rivals250. Of those 40 players, all but 11 are from south of Route 4. Expect Richt and his staff to go to work on those 29 Rivals250 players in south Florida and land enough to put the Hurricanes back in the top 10 of the team rankings.
3. North Carolina will finish in the top 15
Not since 2009 have the Tar Heels finished with a recruiting class inside the top 15. For the past few years Larry Fedora and his staff been right around the 25 mark, which is impressive considering that four years ago North Carolina’s recruiting class finished 42nd and 44th the year before that. Four four-stars have already committed and five of their six commitments are from the state of North Carolina. As the Heels continue to get good results on the field, expect their recruiting classes to improve. Lots of credit has to go to Gene Chizik and his defensive staff. They are excellent recruiters that know how to close.
4. Babers will make waves at Syracuse
Syracuse football has been down for a long time, but with Dino Babers now at the helm, things are looking up for the Orangemen. Before the 2016 class, the last time Syracuse finished in the top 10 of the conference rankings was 2008. Babers and his staff rallied with less than two months until Signing Day and got Syracuse to finish with their best recruiting class in a long time. Syracuse isn’t one of the flashiest places, but Babers and his staff have a lot to sell to this 2017 class.
5. Pittsburgh will lock up local talent
To be a successful college football team, programs need to recruit their home state well. Pittsburgh and Pat Narduzzi are focused on keeping the best players in western Pennsylvania at home. The Panthers signed seven of the top players in western Pennsylvania, only missing on three they really wanted. There are a lot of players in the 2017 class that Narduzzi and his staff are trying to get to join the #412Crew. The top priority is five-star cornerback Lamont Wade, but Ohio State and a few other programs have his attention as well. Four-stars David Adams, Donovan Jeter and CJ Thorpe all have Pittsburgh as their leader or in their top group. Pittsburgh is bound to offer more players from western Pennsylvania, so don’t be shocked if the Panthers sign as many as eight from their backyard.