HERO Sports released its 2019 FCS recruiting rankings this week, both for individual recruits and for the Top 25 teams. We thought it would be interesting to look back at the 2017 FCS recruiting rankings for individuals, and see how they're doing early in their careers. Some played as true freshman, some are only halfway through the first year of their careers (they redshirted) and some … aren't even around anymore. Take a look:
[divider]MORE: Compare Any Two FCS Players or Any Two FCS Teams
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OVERALL FCS RECRUITING RANKINGS – 2019 – The List[divider]
THE HERO SPORTS 2017 RECRUIT RANKING: The Top 250[divider]
THE TOP TEN
1. SAM HOUSTON STATE, DB, Tyon Merchant
OTHER OPTIONS: Former Oklahoma St. pledge; Ariz State, Arkansas, Houston, SMU
IN COLLEGE: Told HERO Sports this summer – "No sir, it didn't go well" when asked about his time at Sam Houston State. Merchant was on the roster as a redshirt freshman last year, but is no longer with the program.
2. NORTHERN ARIZONA, WR, Chance Brewington
OTHER OPTIONS: Hawaii, Idaho, New Mex, New Mex State, San Jose St
IN COLLEGE: Started nine games and played in 11 as a true freshman, ranking third on the team in receptions (31-396, 2 TDs). He caught three passes in his college debut against the Pac 12's Arizona … Is third on the team in receiving with 22 catches for 230 yards and 1 TD.
3. SAVANNAH STATE, WR, Xavier Jenkins
OTHER OPTIONS: Former Georgia commitment
IN COLLEGE: Jenkins was announced as a Savannah State signee in February 2017, but was not on the roster that fall or this fall.
4. HOWARD, DB, Tye Freeland
OTHER OPTIONS: Syracuse, Rutgers, Virginia, Wake Forest
IN COLLEGE: As a true freshman in 2017, he posted 44 tackles, 6 passes defensed, 3 forced fumbles, 3 fumbles recovered and a TFL in just 8 games of action … In 2018, he is the Bison' third-leading tacklers with 27, adding 6 passes broken up and one INT, along with 1 tackle for loss.
5. SAM HOUSTON STATE, QB, Ty Brock
OTHER OPTIONS: Houston, SMU, LaMonroe, McNeese, Houston Baptist
IN COLLEGE: After redshirting in 2017, Brock has assumed the starting quarterback duties and has thrown for 1,246 yards and 9 TDs, while also rushing for 3 TDs as the team's second-leading threat in the run game.
MCLAUGHLIN: Sam Houston State lands 3-star Ty Brock
6. MONMOUTH, DB, Justin Terry
OTHER OPTIONS: Albany, Villanova, Stony Brook, Wagner
IN COLLEGE: Played in nine games as a true freshman cornerback, started one game. Had 24 tackles, and posted 6 of them in the FCS Playoff loss at Northern Iowa … So far in 2018, he is 4th on the team in tackles with 31 and has 3.5 tackles for loss. Leads team with 8 passes defensed, and has one hurry and one blocked kick.
7. YALE, LB, Micah Awodiran
OTHER OPTIONS: Arkansas, Boston College, Duke, Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas, Maryland, Mizzou, Purdue, Syracuse, Vandy
IN COLLEGE: Played in nine games and started three as a true freshman linebacker, recording 14 tackles and 1 sack … So far in 2018, in six games he has posted 18 tackles, 1 TFL.
8. VILLANOVA, RB, Damone Drew
OTHER OPTIONS: Virginia, Syracuse, Cincy, AppSt, Temple
IN COLLEGE: As a true freshman, played in six games and had 16 carries for 76 yards … Has only played in one game for the Wildcats, rushing for 24 yards on 6 carries.
9. SOUTH DAKOTA, WR, Reggie Crawford
OTHER OPTIONS: Illinois, Wyoming, Ball St, W Illinois, Mizz St
IN COLLEGE: He redshirted in 2017 … Has played in all seven games and has 7 receptions for 64 yards and a TD.
10. HARVARD, RB, Devin Darrington
OTHER OPTIONS: Pitt, Syracuse, Rutgers, Indiana, Vandy, Temple
IN COLLEGE: Played in three games as a true freshman … In 2018, second for the Crimson in rushing with 285 yards and 2 TDs in 6 games.[divider]
HERO SPORTS FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICANS – 2017
(NOTE: Redshirt freshman from the 2016 recruiting class also made this team)
No. 27 – SOUTH DAKOTA – OL Tyler Ciurej
OTHER OPTIONS: Colorado State, New Mexico, Liberty, SDSU
No. 55 – AUSTIN PEAY – QB Jeremiah Oatsvall
OTHER OPTIONS: Navy, Army, Air Force, Chatt, ETSU, EKU, Merc, Furm, Sam, WCU
No. 90 – HOWARD – QB Caylin Newton
OTHER OPTIONS: Southern U., Hampton, Savannah State
No. 126 – SAM HOUSTON ST. – DB Zyon McCollum
OTHER OPTIONS: Utah, Tulane
No. 147 – TEXAS SOUTHERN – LB Patrick Howell
OTHER OPTIONS: Memphis, UTSA, Lamar, Northwestern State
No. 224 – JACKSONVILLE STATE – ATH Trae Barry
OTHER OPTIONS: Troy, Arkansas State, Mercer, Lamar[divider]
OTHER NOTABLES
No. 13 – MERCER – QB Robert Riddle
OTHER OPTIONS: Ball State, West Carolina, Lafayette, UT Martin, VMI
IN COLLEGE: Riddle is currently injured, but made quite the impression as the early-season starter for the Bears (851 yds passing, 6 TDs, 3 rushing TDs).
No. 15 – HARVARD – OL Eric Wilson
OTHER OPTIONS: Minnesota, Iowa State, ColSt, FAU, MACs, Ivies
IN COLLEGE: Currently the starting left guard for the Crimson as a sophomore, and played in two games as a freshman backup.
No. 18 – WILLIAM & MARY – QB Shon Mitchell
OTHER OPTIONS: Va Tech, Wake Forest, Charlotte
IN COLLEGE: Two-year starter – 2,600-yard career passer already, 17 TDs.
MCLAUGHLIN: William & Mary lands gem QB Shon Mitchell
No. 19 – ETSU – DB Karon Delince
OTHER OPTIONS: Former Jacksonville St. pledge, offers Kentucky, Duke, Miss. State, SoMiss, Troy – 11 total offers
IN COLLEGE: Solid contributor as a true freshman last year, this year has 26 tackles, 5 passes defensed and 1 INT.
No. 87 – ALABAMA A&M – QB Aqueel Glass
OTHER OPTIONS: FIU, Missouri State
IN COLLEGE: Two-year starter – 2,600-yard career passer already, 17 TDs.
No. 98 – JAMES MADISON – OL Liam Fornadel
OTHER OPTIONS: Rutgers, Buffalo, Charlotte
IN COLLEGE: Played in all 15 games in 2017 as a true freshman, starting in the FCS Semifinal and FCS National Championship against NDSU.
No. 101 – HARVARD – RB Aaron Shampkin
OTHER OPTIONS: Washington State
IN COLLEGE: Currently the No. 6 YPG rusher in the FCS – 778 yards and 7 TDs in 6 games.
No. 115 – UT MARTIN – QB Dresser Winn
OTHER OPTIONS: Former Western Mich. pledge; Ohio U, Miami-O, Akron – 11 offers
IN COLLEGE: Currently the No. 25 passer in the FCS – 1,601 yards and 12 TDs in 7 games.
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