Maize
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RE: FSU 2 in this early Top25
Pro Football Focus Post Signing Day Top 25...Pure Analystical Site...
1. Alabama
Having spent the entire 2016 season atop the rankings, Alabama is all but certain to enter the 2017 season in the same spot, even considering its loss to Clemson in the national title game. For one thing, the Crimson Tide bring back quarterback Jalen Hurts for his sophomore season, along with a trio of talented running backs in Damien Harris, Bo Scarbrough and Joshua Jacobs; all four players exceeded 500 rushing yards in 2016. That quartet averaged 6.5 yards per carry between them, and forced a combined 134 missed tackles on runs. The turnover is more significant on defense, but no program is better placed to replenish their two-deep than the Crimson Tide. Regardless of which of the four major recruiting services you use, Alabama has finished with a top-two recruiting class in each of the past three seasons, and after National Signing Day were the unanimous No. 1 once again. They have talent on hand.
2. USC
USC won its final nine games, finishing the season with a hugely entertaining Rose Bowl victory over Penn State. The Trojans’ sights will be set even higher in 2017, largely thanks to the play of freshman quarterback Sam Darnold. Darnold may not have opened 2016 as the starter, but he made the position his own once given a chance. Perhaps the most impressive thing about Darnold’s play has been his ability to deal with pressure, he has the mobility to escape the pocket and throws an accurate ball on the run. His 65.7 percent accuracy under pressure ranks eighth out of 132 qualifying quarterbacks, and only 7.2 percent of pressures were turned into sacks, the second-lowest rate in the nation.
3. Ohio State
Ohio State’s season ended badly, being completely outplayed by Clemson in the playoff semifinal. 2016 was supposed to be a year too early for this young roster, with 2017 the year the group was expected to blossom. However, a number of key defenders declared for the NFL draft, including three members of the secondary, diminishing their 2017 prospects. Two who definitely return are defensive end Nick Bosa and linebacker Jerome Baker. Bosa recorded five sacks and 38 total pressures, on his way to an 84.1 overall grade as a true freshman. True sophomore linebacker Baker earned an 86.5 overall grade, second-best in the Big Ten, and should be the star of the LB unit next season. The Buckeyes host Oklahoma in Week 2, giving their schedule the necessary oomph to be in contention for the playoff from the get-go, provided they win.
4. Oklahoma
Oklahoma finished the season with 10 straight victories, but they couldn’t shake off the damage caused by two early losses, combined with a the Big 12’s perception problem. In quarterback Baker Mayfield, they have one of the most influential players in college football. Mayfield finished 2016 with a 93.7 overall grade, and a 90.9 passing grade, the best marks in the nation. He also led all quarterbacks with a 63.5 percent accuracy percentage on deep passes (those that travel 20-plus yards downfield in the air). Losing both featured running backs is a blow, but one softened by the addition of a pair of 4-star backs out of high school, including early enrollee Trey Sermon, who should contend for playing time in 2017. The Sooners face an early-season test with a trip to face Ohio State in Columbus, if they can gain revenge for this year’s contest it would really set them up for a spot at the playoffs.
5. Clemson
After a thrilling national championship victory, on the heels of back-to-back appearances in the title game, Clemson is faced with a challenging transition on offense, as the Tigers are likely to lose quarterback Deshaun Watson and a chunk of the talent around him. They have prepared for it, including the addition of 5-star early enrollee Hunter Johnson in this year’s signing class, but an initial step back is to be expected. Thankfully, they return two rocks on the defensive line in defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (87.6 overall grade) and edge defender Christian Wilkins (83.4). Lawrence was outstanding for a true freshman, recording seven sacks, 46 total pressures and 30 defensive stops. Clemson faces SEC opponent Auburn early in the season, and host the Tigers’ most obvious conference rival in Florida State, giving them an advantage in the ACC.
6. Florida State
Florida State was one of the most impressive teams during bowl season, and will hope that heralds a return to the top of the college football world. To do that, they will need to be better on offense right from the start of the season, as they open the 2017 campaign with a neutral site game against Alabama. Quarterback Deondre Francois endured some freshman struggles, but wasn’t helped by the play of the offensive line. When kept free of pressure he graded well, but he was pressured on 33.5 percent of his dropbacks; 92 of 132 qualifying quarterbacks were pressured less often. One big boost for the Seminoles in 2017 will be the return of safety Derwin James, who posted an outstanding 91.1 overall grade as a true freshman before missing much of 2016 to injury.
12. Louisville
A poor final three games take the shine off an otherwise-excellent season for the Cardinals, and lowers expectations for 2017. They do return Lamar Jackson, the most exciting quarterback in football, and that will ensure they get their share of the spotlight. Jackson finished 2016 with an 87.8 overall grade, a 96.2 grade as a rusher and averaged a ridiculous 9.4 yards per designed carry. The bad news for Louisville is their schedule; an out-of-conference slate of Purdue, Kent State, Murray State and Kentucky doesn’t set the pulse racing, which means they need to achieve perfection to challenge for a playoff place.
17. Miami
Someone has to win the ACC Coastal, so why not Miami? The division is losing much of its quarterback talent to the NFL draft (including Miami’s own Brad Kaaya), leaving the Coastal wide open for whichever team hits the ground running. That could well be Miami, who return many of their best players including a pair of impressive true freshmen, wide receiver Ahmmon Richards and defensive end Joe Jackson. Richards averaged 3.06 yards per route run, the 18th-best rate among 257 qualifying receivers. Jackson recorded nine sacks and 32 total pressures, all from the weak side of the line, which typically means he is up against the opposition’s best pass protector.
23. Virginia Tech
The early departures of their starting quarterback, and two of the team’s top three receivers, isn’t good news for the Hokies and could cause a setback in year two under head coach Justin Fuente. Then again, 2016 was expected to be a transitional season and the Hokies still played for the ACC title, so why can’t they challenge again in 2017? One key player who does return is left guard Wyatt Teller. Teller earned an 85.5 overall grade in 2016, following grades of 82.8 and 83.7 in 2014 and 2015, respectively.
https://www.profootballfocus.com/college...-for-2017/
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