Leading the way is the Sunshine State, where it’s a fantastic year in the state of Florida, where many prospects can stake the claim to the state’s finest blue-chipper. Is it a linemen (Matt Patchan, Michael Brewster or Marcus Fortson)? Is it a cornerback (Patrick Johnson or T.J. Bryant)? Is it a linebacker (Nigel Bradham or Nigel Carr)? “This recruiting season for Florida is one of it’s finest in years, with some of the nation’s top talent spread throughout the state,” said Miller Safrit, Southeastern Recruiting Analyst for Scout.com. “Any of top six players could easily hold the top spot this year, though that early distinction goes to Miami commitment Patrick Johnson (Pompano Beach, Fla.) who has dominated receivers in San Antonio and Miami and still has a lot of room to grow with his frame and technique.”
The recruiting world has long heard of A.J. Green (Summerville, S.C.) and now it’s finally his time. Green, a five-star prospect and the nation’s No. 2 rated wide receiver, leads a good contingent this season from the Palmetto State. He holds the top spot in South Carolina over one of the country’s top defensive lineman and one of the nation’s most versatile defensive back. “South Carolina is very top-heavy with two of the top six prospects in the Southeast in Georgia commitment A.J. Green and Clemson commitment Daquan Bowers,” said Safrit. “Both could easily make a case for the top spot overall in the region. Of course, the state’s number three prospect, Charles Whitlock, could be the most versatile player in the state as he could easily play four positions at the next level between quarterback, running back, receiver, and defensive back.”
Michigan is blessed once again with some very good talent, especially at the top. Two prospects are in the Scout.com National 100 (Boubacar Cissoko and Dan O’Neil) while one (Jonas Gray) barely missed it. “The state of Michigan continues to produce top notch talent,” said Bob Lichtenfels, Midwest Recruiting Analyst for Scout.com. “I think from what we have seen the past few years and especially this season, the Midwest is no longer Ohio and everyone else. The top four to five players in Michigan can play for anyone in the nation and that’s saying something. These guys can all be impact players at the next level.”
Like Michigan, Colorado has some super talent at the top. A trio of prospects made the National 100, and there is a major name at the top of the list.
“It is a great year for talent at the top of the Colorado state rankings,” said Greg Powers, Midlands Recruiting Analyst for Scout.com. “Linebacker Jon Major (Parker, Co.), offensive tackle Bryce Givens (Denver, Co.), and safety Nolan Brewster (Denver, Co.) are all National 100 talents, and have earned scholarship offers from an abundance of major football programs.”
Kavario Middleton
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There are two super defensive ends from the state of Washington this year in Kavario Middleton (Lakewood, Wa.) and Everette Thompson (Burien, Wa.) but it’s the offensive linemen that dominate the top of the Washington state rankings. “For Washington, it's an extremely strong year, especially for linemen,” said Chris Fetters, Northwest Recruiting Analyst for Scout.com. “You know it is when eleven months before signing day the University of Washington extended verbal offers to four in-state lineman - Alameda Ta'amu (Seattle, Wa.), Senio Kelemete (Seattle, Wa.), David DeCasto (Bellevue, Wa.) and Drew Schaefer (Redmond, Wa.) - all in one day! And none of those players are the top in-state player (although all could lay claim to their own legitimate argument). That's how deep Washington is this year.”
Tomorrow, Scout.com will release the state rankings of California, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Virginia and Wisconsin.
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