The 2017 class boats a tremendous amount of talent. So much talent that we changed our usual top 50 list of rankings to a top 100. This is the second version of the 2017 rankings, following an initial list last summer. These seniors delivered on their junior film, which gave us a much wider net to cast in search of our rankings. Our recruiting analysts Daniel Seahorn and Mike Roach combined their individual rankings after evaluating nearly 400 players. The rankings were in sore need of an update, and we believe we’ve poured the proper amount of work into it to give you a great product.
The number one spot came down to two players, but in the end we felt Kennedale linebacker Baron Browning edged out Bellaire Episcopal defensive tackle Marvin Wilson for the top honors. The debate for that spot was a back and forth affair, but in the end we found that Browning had one of the most unique skillsets we’d seen in quite some time. Browning, Wilson, and Jeff Okudah of South Grand Prairie make up our five star players in this class. Guyer quarterback Shawn Robinson held the top spot on the inaugural list, and even though he dropped a bit after an up and down junior season, we still think he’s an elite college prospect.
This year shows the state is incredibly deep at wide receiver. Players like Omar Manning, Damion Miller, Mannie Netherly, and Tylan Wallace were considered for the top player at the position. We view this as a wide open contest going into the next year, with the next tier of players like RJ Sneed, Jalen Reagor, Charleston Rambo, and Tyrell Shavers fighting to be in the competition. The depth and top end talent at the position this season is staggering.
Offensive line also looks promising for this cycle. Walker Little is our top prospect at the position, while Jack Anderson, Tyrese Robinson, Austin Deculus, and Grayson Reed will try and make their case over the course of the next year.
Quarterback is also stacked with depth, and Texas commit Sam Ehlinger makes his way into the top 10 after a fantastic junior season. If the state is down at any position, it is probably along the defensive line and at cornerback. While there is plenty of depth at the cornerback position, the top end talent isn’t quite where we’ve seen it in past years.
As of the publishing of this list, we will immediately start re-evaluating players for the next update. The camp circuit in the spring is a great tool for that. So take a look at the first ever HornSports 2017 Top 100, and feel free to discuss with us on the Burnt Orange Board.
