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ESPN Analyst- Senior National Recruiting Analyst for ESPN.com
- Coached in four professional football leagues
- Graduated from Eastern Kentucky and Marshall
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ESPN Staff Writer- National recruiting analyst and analyst for ESPNU
- More than a decade of college and pro coaching experience.
- Graduated from Indiana and Nebraska-Omaha
The 2017 recruiting class has greatly affected the college football landscape over the past three seasons, and for many, it will culminate Thursday with the beginning of the NFL draft.
Our ESPN NFL draft experts project over 20 prospects from that class will hear their names called in the first round, many of whom met our three-and-out college projections inside the 2017 ESPN 300 rankings.
There are, however, some notable prospects from that list who are returning for one more season to boost their 2021 draft stock. There are others who outperformed our original projections as high school prospects -- including Jonathan Taylor, who was omitted from the ESPN 300 but will likely see his name called on Day 1 of the draft.
We reranked the Class of 2017 in October, but in honor of the upcoming NFL draft, we take another shot. Here are our top 32 players knowing what we know now.
1. DE Chase Young
Ohio State Buckeyes
2017 ESPN 300 rank: 27
The 6-foot-5, 265-pound end broke records at Ohio State, and he is now projected to be a top-five selection in the coming days after tallying 98 tackles and 30.5 sacks in three seasons. He flashed this potential at DeMatha Catholic High School in Maryland. Now he is 40 pounds heavier and much more explosive.
2. QB Tua Tagovailoa
Alabama Crimson Tide
2017 ESPN 300 rank: 57
Despite a number of injuries and surgeries, Tagovailoa is still expected to be a first-round selection due to uncanny accuracy and timing. He completed more than 69% of his passes in three seasons at Alabama. Though he was a late bloomer out of Hawai'i, he surged after winning the 2016 Nike Elite 11 in the summer preceding his senior season.
Take a look back at Tua Tagovailoa's best moments at Alabama and see what the No. 5 pick in the 2020 NFL draft will bring to South Beach.
3. CB Jeff Okudah
Ohio State Buckeyes
2017 ESPN 300 rank: 7
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound corner became a playmaker in Year 3 for the Buckeyes with three interceptions and two forced fumbles. A lock to be a first-round pick, Okudah was a five-star prospect who lived up to the billing.
4. WR Jerry Jeudy
Alabama Crimson Tide
2017 ESPN 300 rank: 20
Jeudy used his excellent route-running skills to tally 159 catches for 2,742 yards and 26 touchdowns in three seasons in Tuscaloosa. A smooth athlete, Jeudy was the third-rated wide receiver out of high school; now he is a lock to be a first-round NFL draft pick.
5. OT Alex Leatherwood
Alabama Crimson Tide
2017 ESPN 300 rank: 8
Leatherwood spurned the 2020 NFL draft to return to Tuscaloosa for a final season. The versatile lineman has started 28 games for the Crimson Tide and has settled in at left tackle after beginning his career at guard. The former five-star prospect should be a first-round pick in 2021.
6. OT Tristan Wirfs
Iowa Hawkeyes
2017 ESPN 300 rank: Unranked
The 6-foot-5, 322-pound athletic lineman became the first true freshman to start at offensive tackle for the Hawkeyes in the Kirk Ferentz era and developed into one of the top 2020 NFL draft prospects. Wirfs matured physically out of high school more quickly than we expected.
7. OT Jedrick Wills Jr.
Alabama Crimson Tide
2017 ESPN 300 rank: 33
The former Under Armour All-America Game standout started his final 28 games for the Crimson Tide after becoming a key cog off the bench at right tackle during his freshman season. Our second-rated guard out of high school has shown the athleticism to move out to tackle, which has helped his draft stock.
8. RB Jonathan Taylor
Wisconsin Badgers
2017 ESPN 300 rank: Unranked
The 5-foot-11, 219-pound New Jersey product put together back-to-back seasons of more than 2,000 rushing yards and finished his three-year Badgers career with 6,174 yards rushing and 55 touchdowns. Taylor flew under our radar and that of most colleges despite showing very good speed out of high school as a three-star prospect.
9. WR CeeDee Lamb
Oklahoma Sooners
2017 ESPN 300 rank: 290
Lamb was a star from day one for the Sooners, amassing 173 receptions for 3,302 yards and more than 30 touchdowns in three seasons after a standout high school career in the Houston area. Lamb went from lanky to built and explosive during his time in Norman.
10. S Grant Delpit
LSU Tigers
2017 ESPN 300 rank: 47
Delpit was a projected first-round pick heading into his junior season in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and the Under Armour All-America Game alumnus remains so after finishing his three-year college career with 199 tackles, eight interceptions and seven sacks for the national champions. Delpit was a versatile defender coming out of high school with all the right measurables.
11. RB Travis Etienne
Clemson Tigers
2017 ESPN 300 rank: 114
The 5-foot-10, 210-pound Louisiana product surprised many by returning to Clemson for his senior campaign after back-to-back seasons of more than 1,600 rushing yards in 2018 and 2019. He has scored 62 touchdowns in three seasons for the Tigers. Etienne had the total package in high school but fell a bit under the radar early on.
12. OT Andrew Thomas
Georgia Bulldogs
2017 ESPN 300 rank: 40
Thomas headed to Athens with very high expectations as a highly flexible and athletic prospect out of the Atlanta area. He lived up to his billing, starting 41 games in three seasons, spending the past two at left tackle after starting at right tackle as a freshman.
13. WR Henry Ruggs III
Alabama Crimson Tide
2017 ESPN 300 rank: 166
The 6-foot, 190-pound former two-sport star (basketball) developed into one of the most dangerous receivers in college football his final two seasons in Tuscaloosa, with 86 receptions for 1,487 yards and 18 scores. Ruggs, who posted a 4.27-second 40-yard dash at NFL scouting combine, was referred to as a jet in his high school scouting report.
See why former Alabama WR Henry Ruggs III was the first ever draft pick by the Las Vegas Raiders.
14. OLB K'Lavon Chaisson
LSU Tigers
2017 ESPN 300 rank: 34
The latest product of Houston's North Shore High School to be an NFL prospect battled injuries in three years in Baton Rouge, but his edge playmaking ability is rare and elite. The 6-foot-4, 250-pounder registered 60 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 2019 after packing on more than 30 pounds since high school.
15. DT Marvin Wilson
Florida State Seminoles
2017 ESPN 300 rank: 4
The 6-foot-5, 311-pound lineman from the Houston area recorded 8.5 tackles for loss and five sacks in 2019 despite missing four games. Wilson, a dominant five-star high school prospect, took a bit more time in college to show the same impact. He will return to Florida State for his senior season and is projected to be a 2021 first-round pick.
16. OG Trey Smith
Tennessee Volunteers
2017 ESPN 300 rank: 1
The top-ranked prospect in the 2017 class decided to return to Knoxville for his senior campaign and could be a first-round selection in the 2021 NFL draft playing alongside future high draft picks at tackle with the Volunteers. Smith has battled some health issues but is dominant when he's at the top of his game.
17. OLB Patrick Queen
LSU Tigers
2017 ESPN 300 rank: Unranked
The 6-foot-1, 227-pound playmaker began his career at LSU at running back before moving to linebacker, where he developed to the tune of 85 tackles and three sacks as a junior for the national champions. His versatility was evident as a four-star high school prospect, but he has exceeded his expectations as a playmaker.
18. WR Tee Higgins
Clemson Tigers
2017 ESPN 300 rank: 18
The long-limbed playmaker caught 135 passes for 2,448 and 27 touchdowns in three seasons for the Tigers and is projected to be a first-round pick next week. Higgins showed tremendous ball skills and body control out of high school as our No. 2 overall receiver.
Check out highlights from Clemson wide receiver Tee Higgins as we get closer to the 2020 NFL draft.
19. RB J.K. Dobbins
Ohio State Buckeyes
2017 ESPN 300 rank: 44
The Texan with excellent feet in the hole and vision rushed for more than 1,000 yards in all three seasons in Columbus, including 2,003 yards and 21 scores as a junior. This top-five back out of high school with outstanding measurables posted 4.4 40-yard dash.
20. OT Walker Little
Stanford Cardinal
2017 ESPN 300 rank: 48
The 6-foot-7, 309-pound tackle was a near lock to be a first-round selection in the 2020 NFL draft before sustaining a season-ending knee injury in the Cardinal's opener against Northwestern. Little opted to return to Stanford for his senior season. Little, a top-10-rated tackle in the 2017 class, has great feet and potential.
21. RB Chuba Hubbard
Oklahoma State Cowboys
2017 ESPN 300 rank: Unranked
After rushing for 2,094 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2019, it seemed a foregone conclusion that the 6-foot-1, 207-pound would enter the 2020 NFL draft. Instead, Hubbard, a four-star prospect out of Canada, will return to Stillwater to chase records and the Heisman Trophy.
22. LB Dylan Moses
Alabama Crimson Tide
2017 ESPN 300 rank: 5
The 6-foot-3, 235-pound elite athlete was a near lock to be a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft, but a knee injury ended his junior season before it began. Moses is returning to Alabama and will begin the 2020 season as a projected first-round pick in 2021. He is one of the more decorated athletes in the 2017 class.
23. OT Mekhi Becton
Louisville Cardinals
2017 ESPN 300 rank: Unranked
The 6-foot-7, 369-pound elite athlete at the offensive tackle position was a three-year starter for the Cardinals and is a lock to be a first-round pick next week. The former four-star prospect with a big body and a nasty demeanor made an impact more quickly than anticipated.
24. CB CJ Henderson
Florida Gators
2017 ESPN 300 rank: 131
Henderson combined ideal size (6-foot-1, 202 pounds) with productivity to the tune of 93 tackles, six interceptions and four sacks in three seasons for the Gators before entering the 2020 draft. Henderson was a projected at athlete in the ESPN 300 because of his skills on both sides of the ball.
25. DE AJ Epenesa
Iowa Hawkeyes
2017 ESPN 300 rank: 94
The 6-foot-6, 280-pound end lived up to his billing in his final two seasons for the Hawkeyes, totaling 86 tackles, 31 tackles for loss, 22 sacks and eight forced fumbles. Epenesa has filled out his huge frame out of high school and retained his edge quickness.
Check out some highlights of former Iowa defensive lineman A.J. Epenesa as he heads into the 2020 NFL draft.
26. RB D'Andre Swift
Georgia Bulldogs
2017 ESPN 300 rank: 66
The 5-foot-9, 215-pound playmaker out of the backfield averaged over 6 yards per carry and caught 73 passes for 666 yards, totaling 25 touchdowns in three seasons for the Bulldogs. He reminded us of Nick Chubb coming out of high school with his lower-body power and balance.
27. S Xavier McKinney
Alabama Crimson Tide
2017 ESPN 300 rank: 87
The Under Armour All-America Game alum out of Georgia racked up 169 tackles and five interceptions in his final two seasons for the Crimson Tide and is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2020 draft. The former top-10 safety has been a reliable defender for Nick Saban's team over the years.
28. DE Yetur Gross-Matos
Penn State Nittany Lions
2017 ESPN 300 rank: 247
The 6-foot-5, 264-pound end exceeded all expectations for the Nittany Lions, tallying 94 tackles and 17.5 sacks in his last two college seasons, and is expected to be selected in the first round of the 2020 draft. Gross-Matos quickly developed technique and explosiveness once he arrived on campus.
29. CB Shaun Wade
Ohio State Buckeyes
2017 ESPN 300 rank: 6
The former five-star prospect and No.1-rated cornerback matched his projection. Wade is the top NFL prospect in the Buckeyes' secondary after the departures of Okudah and Damon Arnette. The first-round projection in the 2021 NFL draft has 56 tackles and four interceptions over the past two seasons.
30. OT Isaiah Wilson
Georgia Bulldogs
2017 ESPN 300 rank: 2
After a redshirt season in Athens, Wilson started 14 games in 2018 and 10 in 2019 despite battling injury. The 6-foot-7, 340-pound right tackle is expected to be taken in the first two rounds of the 2020 NFL draft. Wilson was a physically imposing prospect out of New York who was a bit raw.
31. RB Cam Akers
Florida State Seminoles
2017 ESPN 300 rank: 9
A top-10 overall prospect, Akers was productive despite some real offensive struggles in Tallahassee. The former Mississippi player of the year ran for over 1,000 yards in two of three seasons and totaled more than 3,300 all-purpose yards and 34 touchdowns.
32. QB Jake Fromm
Georgia Bulldogs
2017 ESPN 300 rank: 132
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Fromm took over as a freshman after an injury to Jacob Eason and never gave up the reins. He threw for 8,224 yards and 78 touchdowns for the Bulldogs and is expected to be selected in the second or third round of the 2020 NFL draft. Fromm was a college-ready prospect out of high school, with prolific passing numbers.