247Sports updated its 2018 Top247 player rankings today (not the 247Sports Composite player rankings).
Just In: 247Sports #Top247 for 2018 gets midseason update! https://t.co/F86e1qJySk pic.twitter.com/c3wUoJ4KpG
— 247Sports (@247Sports) October 12, 2016
Of course, that update does impact the 247Sports Composite as well, but let's not over-complicate things. I'll make this even easier on myself by leveraging Bucknuts' Bill Kurelic for some verbiage about ranking moves:
Ohio State quarterback commitment Emory Jones has made a big jump going up 22 spots to check in at No. 21 on the updated rankings, and Buckeye running back commitment Brian Snead checks in at No. 78.
The Buckeyes have an excellent shot at landing linebacker Palaie Gaoteote who has moved up to No. 5 in the rankings. Gaoteote moved up five spots from the previous rankings.
The Buckeyes are also one of the top choices of defensive tackle Taron Vincent who checks in at No. 19.
One of the biggest movers was Ohio State tight end target Jeremy Ruckert who moved up 57 spots to No. 39.
And then of course there are plenty of Ohioans on the updated 2018 Top247 with offensive lineman Jackson Carman the highest ranked. Carman moved up nine spots to No. 14. Running back Jaelen Gill is No. 32, defensive lineman Leonard Taylor is No. 46, linebacker Dallas Gant is No. 58, wide receiver L’Christian Smith is No. 152, linebacker Christopher Oats is No. 193, and defensive lineman Aeneas Hawkins is No. 223, an increase of 103 spots. The Buckeyes have offered all seven of those Ohioans and are either the leader or a top choice of all of them.
OK, I'm willing to re-complicate. Here's a breakdown of (a randomly chosen) 31 OSU commits and targets and their Top247 and 247Sports Composite Rankings and their ranking change with this updated.
Player | Top247 as of 10/12 | +/- | Position Ranking | 247Sports Composite | +/- Since 10/12 Update |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Commits: | |||||
Emory Jones, DT QB | 21 | +22 | 2 | 21 | -2 |
Brian Snead, RB | 68 | -11 | 4 | 53 | +30 |
Targets: | |||||
Taron Vincent, DT | 19 | -2 | 1 | 9 | +5 |
Jackson Carman, OT | 14 | 9 | 3 | 8 | +9 |
Christopher Oats, OLB | 193 | -25 | 15 | 236 | -8 |
Matthew Jones, DT | 35 | -11 | 4 | 43 | +6 |
Jaelen Gill, APB | 32 | -10 | 1 | 31 | -6 |
Jaiden Woodbey, S | 92 | -11 | 6 | 32 | -6 |
Palaie Gaoteote, OLB | 5 | +5 | 1 | 15 | +14 |
Zack Kuntz, TE | 17 | -1 | 1 | 54 | -4 |
Jahan Dotson, WR | 96 | -2 | 12 | 59 | -5 |
Jeremy Ruckert, TE | 39 | +57 | 2 | 77 | +2 |
Mustapha Muhammad, TE | 115 | +30 | 6 | 94 | +6 |
L'Christian Smith, ATH | 152 | -52 | 7 | 101 | -3 |
Amari Burney, WR/S | 121 | +6 | 9 | 107 | -3 |
Christian Tutt, CB | 74 | -40 | 10 | 112 | -6 |
Dallas Gant, OLB | 58 | -14 | 2 | 132 | -8 |
Tyreke Smith, WDE/TE | 176 | +218 | 6 | 175 | -15 |
Aeneas Hawkins, DT | 223 | +103 | 19 | 313 | +17 |
T.J. Pledger, APB | 65 | +141 | 3 | 25 | +5 |
PJ Mustipher, DT | 36 | -9 | 5 | 56 | -9 |
Asante Samuel Jr., CB | 208 | -1 | 23 | 113 | - |
Jalen Hall, WR | 9 | -2 | 1 | 3 | - |
Zamir White, RB | 3 | - | 1 | 4 | - |
Rasheed Walker, OT | 156 | +55 | 20 | 231 | +7 |
Michael Thompson, DT | 45 | - | 7 | 84 | -3 |
Leonard Taylor, TE | 46 | -21 | 3 | 147 | -4 |
Ricky Slade, APB | 52 | -15 | 2 | 24 | - |
Derrik Allen, CB/S | 27 | -7 | 3 | 23 | -2 |
Kwantel Raines, S | 98 | +37 | 7 | 110 | -3 |
Lots of ups and downs. Not everyone here is a serious target, I don't think, and the staff evaluations matter so much more than 247's, of course. But it's interesting to see big swings. Some likely just finally got to the camp circuit. Others, maybe genetics of peers caught up to them.
2017 is boring anyway. But it's hard to see how this class will ever match up to the 2017 class. The entitlement is real.
See the rankings for yourself here.
*12/19 Updated: 247 Composite updated for changes to components other than Top247*