This week we looking briefly through each recruitment class and gave a grade corresponding with how it lived up. However, in this post, we will go deeper as to which players are the the best recruited and those who are underrated out of the class. If you are looking to better know the player that will further impact your team, then this is the way to do it.
ACC Atlantic Division
Boston College:
Crown Jewel of the Class: RB Patrick Garwo
If there is any thought in any fan’s head up at Chestnut Hill for football after A.J. Dillon, they have rested now. Garwo is an explosive, power back that plays much similarly to what we’ve seen from A.J. Dillon. He is the 5th best player out of Pennsylvania and landed just outside of the ESPN Top-300 for recruiting. If Addazio wants to continue his line of explosive and powerful offense through running backs, it can and will continue.
Underrated Player: S Jalen Williams
Williams sits at 6″0 and is overall underrated as a player. His speed is not quite up-to-par with what a fast, physical defense needs. However, Williams shows he can tackles, sometimes better than his own linebackers. I am 100% sure that Boston College will work up his speed to make him one of the more potentially lethal safeties in the conference.
Overview of the Rest:
This class finished 55th nationally and a mere 12th in the ACC Conference. However, I don’t feel as if Boston College should listen heavily to those rankings because they put together themselves a solid class that fed positions they needed to be dealt with. The only group they needed a lot more of was the linebacker core. Other than that, this was a solid class for the Eagles.
Clemson:
Crown Jewel of the Class: CB Andrew Booth
I think Brent Venables is going to have quite the time of his life when he gets to work with Booth hands on. Booth is a 6″1 cornerback that weighs in at a perfect 188 pounds. He is incredibly fast and has a wingspan that causes problems for any 50/50 balls a wide receiver might have to go get. Watch for Booth to make his way well into the NFL Draft talks and perhaps make his name at that level, as well.
Underrated Player: ILB Greg Williams
Williams came in at a 3-star rating and was placed at the 937th rank for the national list. Don’t let these things fool you. Greg Williams is a threat for each and every team he will get the chance to play as he physically posing. Clemson’s strength and conditioning will get to him to develop him into an unstoppable blitzing threat for offenses. Expect a lot from Williams when it comes to making a name at Clemson.
Overview of the Rest:
This is once again a powerhouse class to guide Clemson into the general signing day. And after another CFP Championship has made its way home, Clemson will have no trouble in bringing in the recruits they want. Great recruiting has become a staple at Clemson and this trend will most likely continue for years to come.
Florida State:
Crown Jewel of the Class: CB Akeem Dent
The Seminoles perhaps just added one of the most dangerous cornerbacks to ever walk the halls of Doak Campbell. Dent ranked 33rd in the nation overall for high school football. He decided to choose the Seminoles over the likes of Alabama, Clemson, and Miami after he found the school just for him. And with sitting at 5″11, 180 pounds, he will become an instant threat for Florida State to use.
Underrated Player: OT Jay Williams
No one has really viewed an offensive line prospect and got excited while talking about them. However, for Florida State fans, they should start with this offensive tackle out of California. Williams ranked 66th in the national rankings and finished 9th in his position. Also, he stands at a large 6″6 and clocks in at 290 pounds for weight. And after the monstrosity of a line Florida State had this year, the fans should be glad they got such a steal.
Overview of the Rest:
After a very lackluster year, the Seminoles roll in a great recruiting class once again. This one solely goes to Willie Taggart and the recruiting effect he has on the colleges he goes to. This is one of the better classes I think he has had too as a head coach. Overall, the Seminoles fixed up the spots they needed work at and will look to get back on track for 2019.
Louisville:
Crown Jewel of the Class: RB Aidan Robbins
The diamond in the rough when it comes to Louisville’s early signing class. Robbins is interested in building something of his own when it comes to the Cardinal backfield. And what better place to do it than right at home at your dream school? Robbins sits at 6″2 and 220 pounds, which are some thrilling attributes for a running back to have. Robbins will bring a well done mix of speed and power to Louisville’s running back core.
Underrated Player: OG Ty Murray
If you haven’t watched any of Murray’s film, you should. I promise you the amount of pancake blocks and drives are consistent throughout the whole length of the video. Murray sits at 6″4 and weighs 300 pounds, which is truly the desired size for an offensive guard. And with the ways Louisville’s offensive line has gone last year, this is a great and underrated move into the program.
Overview of the Rest:
Lacking. That is the word to wrap up this whole class. The class was just so small that you could not draw anything good from it. The players that took part of this class were great, but it was over done by the issue of recruiting for Louisville. I think we all hope to see Louisville return back to prominence and once again compete for an ACC title.
North Carolina State:
Crown Jewel of the Class: DE Savion Jackson
Jackson is the 93rd ranked player in the nation out of high school and will provide a great deal of physicality for this defense. He is 6″3 and weighs 260, which means he his big enough and quick enough for that edge rush. He reminds me of a Bradley Chubb type of player that will boost the Wolfpack back into ACC contention status.
Underrated Player: CB Jalen Frazier
Don’t look at the fact that Frazier ranked in at 824 nationally, but look at his state rank at 37. Frazier is really fast and coordinated cornerback that will provide some great depth for the Wolfpack secondary, until his time is up to start. He decided to stay in-state even after receiving offers from Syracuse, Michigan, and Clemson. Watch out for Jalen Frazier to be a great addition to this NC State defense and help out this struggling secondary.
Overview of the Rest:
This continued trend of NC State heavily recruiting on the defensive side of the ball has started ever since Bradley Chubb stepped foot on campus. We see a time that strives for a strong defense and builds a equally tough offense behind it. This was an extremely good class for NC State for the defense, just would have liked to see more offensively.
Syracuse:
Crown Jewel of the Class: OLB Mikel Jones
Straight out of IMG Sports Academy is Mikel Jones who added a necessary defensive presence at linebacker. Everyone thought it was a clear race between Clemson and Georgia, but Jones shocked us all with his Syracuse decision. Jones runs a 4.25 shuttle, which is really great for a linebacker like himself that is 6″2 and 208 pounds. I am confident that Mikel Jones will provide enough for the Orange linebacker core as far as outsides go.
Underrated Player: DE Andrew Tuazama
At defensive end, Andrew Tuazama was a very under recruited player for an unknown reason. As of now, his description sits at a 6″6, 235 pound defensive end who has a long reach and is fast. I guess Syracuse were the only ones with enough sense to take on his talent and develop it. Whether or not Syracuse can develop him the right way is unknown, but what is 100% guaranteed is that he can play some ball.
Overview of the Rest:
I am not sure why such a defensive class was ranked 13th in the ACC, only above Louisville. However, this class didn’t get enough on offense, so maybe that’s where it went wrong. For the Orange, this was still a good boost for their defense and hopefully they can approve on last season.
Wake Forest:
Crown Jewel of the Class: WR Nolan Groulx
That’s right, when you already have filthy wide receivers like Greg Dortch, you just add more to help him out. Groulx nowhere on recruiting radar to even come close to going to Wake Forest, but rather South Carolina or Wisconsin. However, this is where he is and with other receivers like Dortch and a QB in Jamie Newman, he’ll have a great time. Also, with his keen ability for speed at 6″0, he could spell trouble in the screen and wheel game.
Underrated Player: S Jeremiah Gray
Not only does he run a 4.63 40-yard dash, but his shuttle is a 4.12. Gray has shown that he belongs at a top school for football and decided to join a growing one in Wake Forest. Jeremiah is 6″1 and 208, which is a bigger build for a traditional safety. Watch out for Gray to maybe be used as a corner due to size and speed.
Overview of the Rest:
Wake Forest didn’t have too many players in this class, but recruited well in what they did. They could have done a lot more with offensive and defensive linemen, but the rest of the recruits make up for the lack of those. This should be a good developmental class for the Demon Deacons going forward.
ACC Coastal Division
Duke:
Crown Jewel of the Class: CB Tony Davis
This recruit will bring a lot more depth to this shallower position on the Duke Blue Devil’s roster. Davis brings more so the physicality aspect to the position with his speed and power. He chose the Blue Devils over other great schools like Georgia and Florida, so maybe there is something in Durham he sees that we don’t.
Underrated Player: RB Jaylen Coleman
Running backs haven’t been the big known thing for the Duke program ever since it even started. I think now the Blue Devils have a chance at creating maybe there first outstanding back with an under recruited Jaylen Coleman. This young athlete brings a great running mind, as well as, an inept ability to catch-and-run too.
Overview of the Rest:
I think the Blue Devils need to work a lot more at the linebacker and quarterback spot for their future. Other than that, this class was very underrated and will develop well. Another above average class from the Blue Devils, can they break the 7-hold and return to glory?
Georgia Tech:
Crown Jewel of the Class: CB Wesley Walker
Georgia Tech’s secondary has been more on the lower performing side as of recently. I think we will see this shift sooner rather than later with Walker at the helm of this. Wesley Walker is a versatile cornerback, especially in that he will kill you with speed, so don’t think you’ve ever got him beat.
Underrated Player: WR Kalani Norris
Norris had been shadowed by another receiver in the class in Ahmarean Brown, but he can do just as much. Kalani is a speedy receiver that will come into big help for the Yellow Jackets if Geoff Collins decides to change up the triple option attack. Watch for Norris to become a needed skill position filler for this team.
Overview of the Rest:
This was a decent class for this team, especially with a new head coach coming in to lead the team. I don’t think there was enough on the defensive side of the ball, but overall the Yellow Jackets did enough. Don’t expect any tremendous results from this group and don’t be quick to count them out.
Miami:
Crown Jewel of the Class: WR Jeremiah Payton
Just when it looked like the Hurricanes might’ve been out when it came to receivers, they land a big player. Payton is a speed demon on the offensive side and can burn out a misread coverage quick. I think Miami will love to play with Payton and develop him into his best suit.
Underrated Player: TE Larry Hodges
Hodges almost didn’t end up here, but I am sure that the fans are happy to have him. Hodges is a smaller tight end, but just the physical type to wear down the edge rushers. Look for Hodges to move into a key piece of the Hurricane rushing attack.
Overview of the Class:
This class could have been so much better then it ended up being. Miami just needs to work with what they did bring in a develop this team back to a Coastal contender. Overall an above average class for the Hurricanes that will do great things.
North Carolina:
Crown Jewel of the Class: QB Sam Howell
Howell looks to be the answer to quarterback troubles at North Carolina, ever since Trubisky left. Howell is a 6″1 and 225 pound quarterback who can absolutely sling it across the field. Watch for Howell to become the offensive leader in a year or two.
Underrated Player: DE Tomari Fox
Fox is known as a power edge rusher that uses his strong physicality to bully his way into the backfield. Fox is 6″3 and 225, which means he is at a perfect height for this position. I think other teams, as well as UNC fans, have over looked how much Fox will be able to do.
Overview of the Rest:
This was actually a decent class for a struggling team. Mack Brown will have plenty of pieces on his board to work with as he takes over. This was an underrated class overall that will do some great things.
Pittsburgh Panthers:
Crown Jewel of the Class: RB Daniel Carter
The Panthers add another great running back to their core and will keep this trend. Carter is a small back that uses his power and speed equally to challenge his defensive counterparts. Carter will make his name known in the Pittsburgh running back history list.
Underrated Player: QB Davis Beville
In a time when the ACC is full of great quarterbacks, they might have added another. Davis Beville towers at 6″6 and has great downfield vision that helps him throw efficiently. Watch for Beville to cement his role at quarterback for the Panthers.
Overview of the Rest:
The Panthers essentially just built up the barracks with this early class. They didn’t land any super big names, but just made sure they built on their depth. A great class for the Pittsburgh Panthers as they look to take the Coastal Division again.
Virginia:
Crown Jewel of the Class: DT Jowon Briggs
Jowon Briggs decided to head to Charlottesville over Notre Dame in a surprising twist. Briggs is a supreme talent at the defensive line and will do a big part of the work in the trenches. Briggs is 6″2 and 295 pounds to bring in a large quantity of size to tire down the offensive line.
Underrated Player: WR Dontayvion Wicks
Wicks is one of the lesser known wide receivers in this class, but can do just as much. Wicks is a speed receiver that has foot work that is wanted all over the football scene. Wicks will either hit hard and make a name or won’t hit at all.
Overview of the Rest:
This was a class that was needed for Virginia. They didn’t go to far out with a lot of super talented recruits, but upgraded in certain positions. The Cavaliers still got enough out for a successful class.
Virginia Tech:
Crown Jewel of the Class: WR Jaden Payoute
Payoute will become an extremely dangerous and useful tool for the Hokies to use on offense. His speed beats that of many of the other wide receivers in the ACC and this will only get better. I expect Jaden Payoute to become a center of this Virginia Tech wide receiver core.
Underrated Player: S Nyquee Hawkins
Hokies fans tend to forget that they had the best secondary in the ACC for quite a few years earlier. Now they get a chance to redo that , starting with Nyquee Hawkins who moves effortlessly around the field. Watch out for Hawkins to start out the gate around Sophomore year.
Overview of the Rest:
The Hokies really filled in what was left after last years crazy defensive recruitment year. They boosted up on offensive weapons at wide receiver and running back. This was one of the better classes in the Hokie’s recent history.
Photo Credit: https://www.thewrap.com/welcome/1240166/single/~acc-is-latest-league-to-pull-games-out-of-north-carolina~/
