5 teams off to a fast recruiting start in the class of 2017

With National Signing Day just starting to shrink in the rearview mirror, this may not feel like the most natural time to think about the 2017 recruiting class. But rest assured, the coaches of your favorite team has been thinking about this since even before Signing Day, and probably have a few commitments to show for it.

A lot can and will change during the next year, but let’s take a look at the teams that have gotten out to fast starts with their 2017 recruiting classes. Here are some of the top individual recruits to keep an eye on, as well.

The Buckeyes are one of the nation’s best recruiting teams under Urban Meyer, and it looks like 2017 won’t be any different. They already have the commitments of two five-star prospects in offensive tackle Josh Myers and cornerback Shaun Wade. Myers is rated as the No. 3 prospect in the entire nation according to the 247Sports Composite, as well as the top offensive tackle and the top overall player in the state of Ohio. Wade is the No. 12 prospect in the country, and the No. 3 corner and overall player in Florida. The only non-blue chip prospect currently in Ohio State’s 2017 class is Blake Haubeil, who happens to be a kicker.

The Crimson Tide have scored the nation’s top recruiting class for six years in a row, so it’s hardly a surprise to see them here yet again. Five-star running back Najee Harris is the top-rated player in Alabama’s class, coming in as the No. 2 overall player in the country. The Tide have two more four-star running backs in their class to boot in Cam Akers and Brian Robinson. I’m sure Nick Saban can find a way to put these guys to good use eventually.

The Hurricanes are off to another hot start on the recruiting trail with their 2017 class, and Mark Richt and his new staff should be able to keep the heat on. All four of Miami’s four-star commit hail from either Miami or Ft. Lauderdale. 6’5, 300-pound offensive tackle Navaughn Donaldson and running back Robert Burns are a pair of exciting prospects from Miami that are on track to stay home to play college ball. The Hurricanes ranked highly early during the last cycle, however, and fell off significantly thanks to decommitments.

Art Briles and the Bears have picked up the pace on the recruiting trail in recent years, jumping up to 17th in 2016 after spending the previous five years fluctuating between 26th and 36th, per the 247Sports Composite. They’re keeping the pedal to the floor so far for 2017, and have a five-star in the fold already. Baron Browning is the No. 25 overall player in the country, and he’s an outside linebacker, not a quarterback or wide receiver like you’d expect. Don’t worry, though, Baylor has two four-star wide receivers and a four-star dual threat quarterback committed already, as well.