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National Recruiting Analyst
Posted Jul 4, 2007
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The Scout.com Pre-season State Rankings for the Class of 2008 will be released over the next two weeks. Today, Texas, Oregon, Alabama, North Carolina, and Iowa all unveiled. Headlining these states are wide receiver Julio Jones, running backs Jermie Calhoun, Justin Johnson and Brandon Barnes, defensive lineman Ethan Johnson and offensive lineman Dan Hoch.
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No other state produces as much talent as the Lone Star State and this season the state of Texas is top notch both at the top and in depth. Sitting atop the Texas state rankings are two five-star running back prospects that both happen to be committed to the Sooners. “The state of Texas has a ton of top tier talent again this season,” said Alan Zepada, Southwest Recruiting Analyst for Scout.com. “Leading the way are a pair of East Texas backs who are both committed to Oklahoma in Justin Johnson (Gilmer, Texas) and Jermie Calhoun (Van, Texas). The biggest surprise for this year is the number of early commits that have left only six of the top 30 in Texas uncommitted so far. Furthermore, six of the top 10 in the state are committed to out-of-state schools.”
Julio Jones
Alabama is one state that is loaded this season. This state’s top prospect also happens to be the nation’s No. 3 prospect overall, wide receiver Julio Jones (Foley, Ala.). “It is an incredibly deep year in Alabama this year as they have the top prospect in the Southeast, Julio Jones, four of the nation’s top 100 prospects, and eleven four-star prospects this season,” said Miller Safrit, Southeast Recruiting Analyst for Scout.com. “The state is particularly deep at defensive end, as seven of the top 25 prospects in the state are edge rushers.”
Brandon Barnes
One of the nation’s very best two way prospects is Brandon Barnes (Bunn, N.C.) and it is Barnes that is the top prospect in the Tar Heel State. “After one of the deepest years ever in 2007, the state of North Carolina may not be as deep as it was in the last class, but the talent at the top is very talented,” said Safrit. “(Brandon) Barnes heads up the state’s top spot and could move up even higher nationally as he starts to get the ball even more during his senior season. “
Ethan Johnson
One state that doesn’t get that much talk is Oregon yet the state of Oregon is blessed with a great big man at the top and some skilled players in the middle. "Just like Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska) and Myles Wade (Oregon) before him, the state of Oregon has one truly dominant lineman, and his name is Ethan Johnson,” said Chris Fetters, Northwest Recruiting Analyst for Scout.com. “His early commitment to Notre Dame is not surprising - Johnson is that talented. But this group may very be known for it's skill players when it's all said and done. Highlighted by Paul McCoy, Raphiel Lambert, Jordan Polk and Scott Grady (committed to Oregon) - this group is as talented as any the Beaver State has ever produced."
Dan Hoch
Headlining the state of Iowa is an offensive line prospect that has decided to leave the state to play his college football. “The state of Iowa is not as rich with talent at the top of the rankings as it has been in years past, but Nebraska commit Dan Hoch is a talented offensive lineman who plays with bad intentions,” said Greg Powers, Midlands Recruiting Analyst for Scout.com. “The class may not be star studded, but it is very balanced after Hoch at the 2-10 spots. All of these players will be playing division one football.”
Tomorrow, Scout.com will release the state rankings of Tennessee, Missouri, Minnesota, and Nevada.
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