Wilson debuts at No. 1 in 2017 Rivals100
The first numerical Rivals100 for the class of 2017 is out and with that
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comes our first No. 1 player as well. And while many expected football prodigy
Dylan Moses, the long-time LSU commitment from Baton Rouge (La.)
University Lab who has been on the recruiting radar since before 8th grade, to be the
easy choice for No. 1, it is actually Houston (Texas) Episcopal defensive tackle
Marvin Wilson who takes the honor and becomes one of eight new five-stars in the class.
"This wasn't an easy decision and was actually quite a debate," said Rivals.com
National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell. "It's so early that it's hard
for one player to emerge above the rest. I feel like I say this every time we
come out with an initial ranking but it's true, this is the earliest we've ever
released a list for a class and there is so far to go. These guys still have
their junior and senior seasons ahead of them and all that comes in between and
after.
"But Wilson wins out for many reasons -- first off he's a terrific prospect
with good size, agility, quickness off the snap, balance and a motor that never
stops. And he plays a position that is weighed more than linebacker or running
back, the two positions that Moses projects at right now. Defensive tackles have
always been a huge need for college and NFL programs and now with Wilson and
Dexter Lawrence they are starting to get their due."
Rivals.com Mid-South Recruiting Analyst Jason Howell adds to the
accolades for Wilson.
"Marvin Wilson takes the No. 1 spot in the initial 2017 rankings for several
reasons," Howell said. "His size -- 6-foot-4, 320-pounds -- immediately jumps out and then he
starts to play. He has a lot of polish to his game and a non-stop motor. It would be easy for him to just be a bull rusher and rely on his
size and strength, but he works his hands, he is light on his feet, and he reads
his opponent. Another thing is his drive, he is always working to fine-tune his
game and learn and do the little stuff that will allow him to grow as a player.
So there's raw size, athleticism, intelligence, and work ethic, and that is a
tough combination to find."
The rest of the top five is rounded out by Moses, Miamisburg, Ohio offensive
tackle Josh Myers, Brownsburg, Ind. quarterback Hunter Johnson
and Clairton, Pa. cornerback LaMont Wade with Johnson and Wade earning
their fifth stars since the last ranking.
"It's a strong top five with Moses essentially 1A right now I believe," Farrell
said. "He's a dynamic athlete and just dominates at either running back or
linebacker, whatever position he chooses to play and if he grows into that edge
rusher many predicted, watch out. Myers is the best of a strong offensive tackle
group, Johnson is clearly the best pro-style quarterback we have seen so far and
Wade is a ball of energy who is better than Tyler Boyd from the same
program at the same stage."
Rivals.com Midwest Recruiting Analyst Josh Helmholdt talks about newly
minted five-star Johnson.
"When you combine the arm strength, the potential and the intangibles, Hunter
Johnson clearly stood out to us as the early leader among the quarterback group
in 2017," Helmholdt said. "Physically he has no limitations and mentally and fundamentally he is
well ahead of the curve. The Indiana native still can learn to
vary his trajectories more effectively and become a more consistent thrower of
the football, but there is nothing holding him back from ultimately reaching his
high potential ceiling."
As for Wade, Rivals.com Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Analyst Adam Friedman
loves what he brings to the table.
"There are a lot of similarities to Wade and 2016 No. 1 cornerback Levonta Taylor. Both are just shy of 5-foot-11, have excellent footwork,
explosiveness and are two of the most competitive and vocal intimidators
around," said Friedman. "Wade's instincts and anticipation are just shy of
Taylor's but they are exceptional for a player his age. The excellent
performance Wade turned in at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge was reminiscent of Taylor's performance as an underclassman in
2014."
The rest of the top 10 is impressive as well, with a new five star in linebacker
Nate McBride from Vidalia, Ga. checking in at No. 10 preceded by Ft.
Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas wide receiver Trevon Grimes,
Antioch (Calif.) Antioch Senior running back Najee Harris, Suwanee
(Ga.) Peachtree Ridge safety DeAngelo Gibbs and Orlando (Fla.) Dr.
Phillips offensive tackle Calvin Ashley.
"We have a good mix of positions in the top 10 for 2017 with quarterback,
running back, wide receiver, offensive tackle, defensive tackle, linebacker,
safety and cornerback all represented," said Farrell. "We have a big wide
receiver, a big running back, a big cornerback essentially in Gibbs who will be
an amazing safety and a massive tackle in Ashley. And with
McBride, he's arguably the most athletic all-around linebacker I've seen since
Jaylon Smith I would say. They are different players as Smith was much
longer, lighter and had more room to fill out, but McBride is a quick-twitch kid
with great burst, excellent coverage skills and he tackles everything."
Rivals.com Southeast Recruiting Analyst Woody Wommack is a huge fan of
McBride as well.
"McBride came from nowhere to the nation's No. 1 top linebacker mainly because
of his potential to be a star at the next level and beyond," Wommack said. "After
an impressive sophomore season that saw him star both at linebacker and running
back, McBride advanced to the state track meet in both the 100 and 200 meters
and put up impressive times for any prospect, let alone on that is a legitimate
6-foot-2 and 200-plus pounds. McBride has the physical attributes, the
tape and the camp showings to deserve starting out at the top of his position in
his class."
Following Newbury Park, Calif. cornerback Darnay Holmes at No. 11, the
next four prospects are new five stars -- Atlanta (Ga.) Hapeville Charter
cornerback William Poole III , Lexington (Ken.) Lafayette
offensive tackle Jedrick Wills, Baltimore (Md.) Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
defensive end Josh Kaindoh and Brooklyn (N.Y.) Poly Prep offensive
tackle Isaiah Wilson.
"These new five stars are interesting prospects," Farrell said. "Poole III is a
long-armed cornerback with good size, excellent hips and instincts that can't be
taught when it comes to playing the football. Wills is a tackle in a guard's
body right now who is so great with his feet and his ability to re-set that he's
closer to his ceiling and being college ready than any of them. And with Kaindoh
and Wilson it's about projecting where they will be in a couple of years because
physically they are both off the charts, they have great work ethics and their
ceilings are sky high."
Wommack talks about Poole III and Wills, two players in his states of coverage.
"After surprising many by winning the defensive back MVP at Rivals Camp Series: Atlanta, Poole quickly proved that he was a name to watch,"
Wommack said. "But after putting on a
show at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge in Baltimore against some of the top talent in
the country, Poole earned his status as a five-star prospect.
Poole has ideal size for a lock-down cornerback and a long, lean frame to go
along with an impressive set of fundamental skills. Poole is already an
impressive prospect and looks like he still has plenty of room to develop before
he reaches his ceiling.
"Playing alongside class of 2016 Rivals250 offensive tackle Landon Young, it's not surprising that Wills initially caught the eye of college
coaches on film. But it wasn't until he came out and competed at events over the
last few months that he really made a name for himself. He started by dominating
at RCS: St. Louis, punching his ticket to the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge. Once in Baltimore he proved virtually unbeatable, even by the top
defensive line prospects in the Class of 2016. That sheer dominance combined
with his size and strength puts him near the top of his class at his position."
Friedman covers Maryland and New York where Kaindoh and Wilson reside.
"There are few players in this class with the ceiling that Kaindoh has,"
Friedman said. "He is
already 6-foot-5 and 241 pounds and is adding more good weight every time we see
him. Kaindoh's technical progress from seeing him at workouts at his school in
March to RCS: New Jersey in April
and, most recently, at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge in June has been exponential. He still has a ways to go
adding lower body strength and learning more hand techniques but if he keeps on
track there is little doubt he will have an early impact in college.
"Great size, strength, athleticism and a nasty streak are the most common
responses when offensive line coaches talk about what they want in a
prototypical tackle. Wilson checks all the boxes and then some. At 6-foot-6 and
330 pounds, Wilson is physically ready for the college football field right now.
His technique is coming along and a big part of that is being patient in his
pass sets but his abilities as a run blocker are outstanding. Wilson is the type
of offensive lineman that plays to the echo of the whistle and will send a
message to the defense early in the game."
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