Nick Bosa was a key cog in St. Thomas Aquinas' state championship as a freshman last year. Ninth graders are making an increasingly large impact on the varsity level at the nation's top programs.
Photo by Gray Quetti
They have yet to enter high school, but they have already toured college campuses, fielded offers from elite schools and — in one case — appeared on the cover of ESPN the Magazine.
Members of the Class of 2017 are quickly on their way to becoming household recruiting names, as they continue on their way to high school orientation.
According to the 247Sports database, two players from the Class of 2017 have already committed to colleges and dozens of others are already on the radar of top Division I schools.
It's another sign that the college football recruiting process continues to accelerate, showing no signs of slowing down.
On the high school level, more freshmen are proving to be impact players than ever before, even at top powerhouse programs.
Last year's National Freshman of the Year,
Nicholas Bosa, made a big impact as a ninth grader at
St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.). The Sunshine State dynasty has seen dozens of former players excel in college and the NFL, but rarely carries freshmen on its varsity roster, let alone in key roles.
California juggernaut
De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) standout
Boss Tagaloa, younger brother of Cal 350-pound left tackle Freddie Tagaloa, saw the field for the Spartans last fall. Months later, he became the first De La Salle freshman ever to receive a college scholarship offer.
Simply put, ninth graders are more advanced than they have ever been. With that in mind, MaxPreps takes a look at 50 incoming freshmen who could make an impact on the varsity level this fall and beyond.
MaxPreps Class of 2017 Top 50 Watch List
| Name | College |
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| Seth Agwunobi, QBShiloh Christian (Springdale, AR) |
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| Elijah Barnwell, DBPiscataway (NJ)6-0/170 |
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| Jake Bentley, QBByrnes (Duncan, SC)6-4/200 |
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| Markail Benton, WRCentral (Phenix City, AL)6-2/190 |
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| Trey Blount, WRHillgrove (Powder Springs, GA)6-1/175 |
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| Alonzo Booth, RBCanal Winchester (OH)6-0/225 |
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| Grant Breneman, QBCedar Cliff (Camp Hill, PA) |
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| Savalas Cann, DBBamberg-Ehrhardt (Bamberg, SC)6-0/175 |
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| Danny Clark, QBWashington (Massillon, OH)6-3/200 |
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| Connor Curry, QBEvangel Christian Academy (Shreveport, LA)6-1/163 |
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| Dante Demery, OLBrunswick (GA)6-6/300 |
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| DeAngelo Gibbs, WRNewton (Covington, GA)6-2/185 |
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| Trevon Grimes, WRSt. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, FL)6-3/170 |
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| Connor HeywardPeachtree Ridge (Suwanee, GA)5-11/170 |
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| Kasim Hill, QBGilman (Baltimore, MD)6-2/190 |
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| Anthony Hines III, LBEpiscopal School of Dallas (Dallas, TX)6-1/190 |
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| Darnay Holmes, WROaks Christian (Westlake Village, CA)5-8/160 |
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| Devin Hutton, RB/LBArchbishop Rummel (Metairie, LA)6-3/220 |
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| Hezekiah Jones, WRGeorge Ranch (Richmond, TX)5-11/160 |
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| Zach Leonard, OLGodby (Tallahassee, FL)6-6/300 |
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| London Lewis, OL/DLSt. Pius X Catholic (Atlanta, GA)6-3/240 |
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| Corey Malone Hatcher, DESt. Joseph (MI)6-2/205 |
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| Tate Martell, QBPoway (CA)5-11/180 | Washington |
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| Dakari Matthews, QBTrinity Christian (Jacksonville, FL)5-10/160 |
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| Jalen McKenzieDe La Salle (Concord, CA) |
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| Jordan Merrell, RBUniversity (Fort Lauderdale, FL)5-9/160 |
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| Loren Mondy, LBHighland Park (Dallas, TX)6-0/226 | Arizona State |
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| Dylan Moses, RB/LBUniversity Lab (Baton Rouge, LA)6-1/215 |
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| Thayer Munford, OLLa Salle (Cincinnati, OH)6-5/300 |
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| Ontaryo Nearor, DLRed Level (AL)6-4/200 |
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| Jalen Norwood, RB/LBNorth Florida Christian (Tallahassee, FL) |
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| Michael Owusu, ATHOaks Christian (Westlake Village, CA) |
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| Joshua Ross, LBSt. Mary Prep (Orchard Lake, MI) |
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| Chris Sikes, DLBlock (Jonesville, LA) |
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| Drew Singleton, SSParamus Catholic (Paramus, NJ)6-0/180 |
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| Alec Sinkfield, RBAmerican Heritage (Delray Beach, FL)5-8/160 |
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| Dante Sparaco, QBGlenwood Springs (CO)6-3/200 |
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| Camaron Spence, DLGilman (Baltimore, MD)6-4/265 |
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| Jacoby Stevens, WREnsworth (Nashville, TN)6-2/190 |
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| Isaiah Stokes, DLSouthwind (Memphis, TN)6-7/225 |
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| Lindell Stone, QBCarroll (Southlake, TX)6-0/180 |
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| Jordan Strong, DLOmaha North (Omaha, NE)6-2/250 |
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| Malcolm Sumler, WR/DBDinwiddie (VA)6-0/185 |
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| De'andre SwiftSt. Josephs Prep (Philadelphia, PA) |
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| Nathan Tilford, WRUpland (CA)6-2/180 |
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| Mason Tolliver, DLCrespi (Encino, CA) |
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| Juawan Treadwell, ATHCrete-Monee (Crete, IL)6-0/160 |
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| Aapri Washington, DB/ATHSouthLake Christian Academy (Huntersville, NC)5-8/155 |
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| Jamyest Williams, ATHDuluth (GA)5-8/160 |
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| Emoni Winkfield, ATHSerra (Gardena, CA) |
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