The competition to climb ESPN’s class rankings on signing day was thrilling, but how will it affect the 2017 College Football Playoff? For a handful of teams, the 2017 additions could translate in a major way:
USC Trojans
Trench play, trench play and more trench play. The lines are where playoffs are won, and USC really helped itself. ESPN 300 offensive tackle Austin Jackson, OT Alijah Vera-Tucker and defensive tackle Jay Tufele reload the trenches and were huge signing-day wins. Four-star OT Andrew Vorhees joins as well, and ESPN 300 DT Marlon Tuipulotu was a huge flip from Washington. Adding weapons for quarterback Sam Darnold in the passing game will only help next season. No. 1 tight end Josh Falo could become an immediate target, while ESPN 300 running back Stephen Carr has the look of a multiyear starter and should provide immediate depth to the backfield next fall. ESPN 300 safety Bubba Bolden, linebacker Levi Jones and defensive back Isaiah Pola-Mao have the size and range to produce in the back seven and on special teams in 2017.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Perhaps no team addressed significant losses with better players than Ohio State. Six defensive backs headline the class, led by five-star Jeffrey Okudah, ESPN JC 50 No. 4 Kendall Sheffield and ESPN 300 Shaun Wade. All three are already enrolled. ESPN 300 receiver Trevon Grimes gives the class a guy who can immediately get deep and make contested plays that the team has sorely been lacking. ESPN 300 DTs Haskell Garrett and Jerron Cage fill needs up front. ESPN 300 defensive end Chase Young possesses a high ceiling as an edge rusher, as does ESPN 300 outside linebacker Baron Browning. ESPN 300 J.K. Dobbins is a significant upgrade over Mike Weber at running back. ESPN 300 offensive linemen Josh Myers and Wyatt Davis could play tackle or guard, but Davis is further ahead right now and more college-ready.
Michigan Wolverines
Michigan continues to roll in recruiting and met huge needs on the defensive front and at wide receiver. DT Aubrey Solomon (No. 63 in ESPN 300) should come in and challenge for early turns, while ESPN 300 Luiji Vilain is one of the top edge-rush prospects in the class who could be an early third-down specialist. After losing a slew of pass-catchers, wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones should play right away with his size and athleticism and become a go-to target for quarterback Wilton Speight. Nico Collins was a great pickup on signing day and could be an H-back type in some formations. In-state ESPN 300 prospects Ja'Raymond Hall, Joshua Ross, Corey Malone-Hatcher and Jaylen Kelly-Powell were key additions as well, and ESPN 300 Ambry Thomas could be an early contributor at cornerback.
Alabama Crimson Tide
This class might not see as many immediate-impact players as last year’s class, but it will help keep the Tide from taking a step backward. There are two four-star quarterbacks in ESPN 300 Tua Tagovailoa and Kentucky flip Mac Jones, and both are sorely needed for depth. ESPN 300 receiver Tyrell Shavers has as much upside as any receiver in the class, while ESPN 300 Jerry Jeudy is the latest elite receiver out of South Florida to head to Tuscaloosa. ESPN 300 linebackers Vandarius Cowan, Markail Benton and Chris Allen join Dylan Moses in the front seven and should provide immediate depth. No. 2 DT LaBryan Ray and Phidarian Mathis were must-gets late for the Tide. The junior-college ranks are plentiful in the class with ESPN JC 50 No. 3 OT Elliot Baker and No. 5 Isaiah Buggs, and both are expected to be impact players.
Florida State Seminoles
This class is all about depth, as the bulk of the Seminoles’ roster returns in 2017. The Seminoles beefed up on signing day with the addition of DT Marvin Wilson, the hot prize of the day, who should immediately get into the rotation. The Noles have loaded up at running back with ESPN 300s Cam Akers, Khalan Laborn and Zaquandre White, and given the loss of Dalvin Cook, all three should be in the mix for carries this fall. South Carolina flip Hamsah Nasirildeen is a monster addition, as Derwin James will be moving on to the NFL soon and is coming off injury. Four-star DTs Ja'len Parks and Cory Durden join Wilson to provide immediate depth up front. ESPN JC 50 OLB Adonis Thomas has the physical tools to contribute early.