UCbball21
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Location: New York, New York
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RE: FB Class of 2020
Quote:With most of the local 2019 football class signed following the Wednesday, Feb. 6, Signing Day, attention shifts to the 2020 class.
Here's an early look at some of the area's top football players in the 2020 class. We will update this list closer to the start of the prep football season this fall.
20. Elijah Eberhardt, Princeton, defensive back
A season-ending injury in week three against Colerain this past year saw Eberhardt's junior campaign come to an untimely close. The 5-foot-11, 170-pounder was on pace for a huge season after recording seven tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception in Princeton's opening two games. Those numbers came on the heel of a 25-tackle sophomore season. Despite the injury, Eberhardt is still a major prospect clocking in at No. 20 on 247sports.com's Ohio 2020 composite rankings. 247 also lists him as the No. 59 cornerback in the country. He holds an offer from Western Michigan.
19. Tanner Cromer, Reading, defensive end
Cromer already holds the Reading record for sacks with one more year to go in his career. The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder amassed 17 sacks as a sophomore and seven this past season. He was named first-team all-district and special mention all-state for a junior year in which he finished with 48 tackles (36 solo), a forced fumble and three fumble recoveries. He's listed as the No. 65 player in Ohio's '20 class by 247's composite rankings and the nation's 62nd-ranked weak-side defensive end.
18. Brycen Huddleston, Highlands, linebacker
Huddleston picked up his first offer Feb. 4 from Eastern Michigan. The Highlands standout had a big junior season where he played key roles on offense, defense and special teams for the Bluebirds. He was named honorable mention all-state this past season.
17. Deshawn Pace, Colerain, defensive back
Pace recorded 67 tackles (36 solo), two interceptions, three fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, a defensive touchdown and a half sack during Colerain's run to the state championship game this fall. Listed as the No. 51 player in the state by 247sports.com's composite rankings, Pace is also ranked as the No. 73 safety prospect in the country. He received his first two offers on Feb. 8 from Liberty University and Bowling Green.
16. Carrington Valentine, Moeller, defensive back
Valentine is one of the most diverse players on this list as he made major impacts on offense, defense and special teams for Moeller this past season. Valentine, who is projected as a cornerback at the next level, has received five offers since Jan. 25, including invites from Boston College, Louisville and Purdue. He is ranked as the No. 41 player in Ohio and the No. 85 cornerback in the country by 247's composite list.
15. Luke Kandra, Elder, offensive guard
A strong junior season has helped skyrocket Elder offensive linemen Luke Kandra up recruiting boards. The 6-foot-4, 290-pounder has picked up nine offers since Dec. 5. Boston College, Cincinnati, Indiana and Purdue are among schools on his offers list. Kandra is rated as the No. 37 player in Ohio's '20 class by 247's composite and the No. 44 offensive guard prospect in the country.
14. David Afari, Lakota West, running back
Lakota West's David Afari currently holds five offers including invites from Cincinnati, Louisville and Miami. Afari broke onto the scene as a sophomore with a 1,109-yard, seven-touchdown rushing season. His numbers dipped as a junior but showed the ability to be a receiving threat out of the backfield (12 catches) while also picking up kick-return duty (five returns for 195 yards and a touchdown). 247sports.com's composite ranks him as the No. 43 player in Ohio's class and the No. 80 running back in the country.
13. Miquan Grace, Winton Woods, defensive back
Grace has been on the radar of colleges since his freshman season at Winton Woods. Coming off a giant junior season for the Warriors, he helped them advance to the Division II state semifinal. Holding double-digit offers, Grace has been attracting attention from programs around the country. 247's composite lists him as the No. 53 player in Ohio's '20 class and a top-100 cornerback prospect in the country.
12. Joe Royer, Elder, tight end/receiver
Royer was second in the Greater Catholic League-South and second on his team in receiving yards this past season finishing with 31 receptions for 612 yards and five scores. His 19.7 yards per catch led the conference. He currently holds six offers and is ranked as the No. 34 overall recruit in Ohio by 247's composite and the No. 37 tight end. Boston College was the first school to offer him on Nov. 10.
11. DeMeer Blankumsee, Winton Woods, wide receiver
After a breakout junior season, Blankumsee's recruitment has exploded the last few months. He received his first offer on Dec. 6 from Missouri and has been rising up prospect boards since. He is currently ranked as the No. 27 player in Ohio's '20 class by 247's composite and holds seven offers. He received three offers Jan. 24 when Kentucky, Toledo and Western Michigan extended invites.
10. Jakob James, Elder, offensive tackle - Ohio State verbal commit
At 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds, James was a force along the offensive line for Elder this past season. With more than 20 offers, James chose Ohio State Jan. 21 from a list that included LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Penn State, Tennessee and West Virginia. 247sports.com's composite lists him as the No. 31 player in Ohio's '20 class and a top-90 offensive tackle in the country.
9. Cameron Porter, La Salle, running back - Northwestern verbal commit
Porter gave his verbal commitment to Northwestern Dec. 8. The 5-foot-11, 207-pounder is ranked as the No. 11 overall recruit in Ohio's 2020 class per 247sports.com composite rankings and a top-40 player at his position in the country. Porter's numbers were down this past season after leading the Greater Catholic League-South in rushing as a sophomore when he ran for 924 yards and nine touchdowns. In addition to Northwestern, he also holds offers from Cincinnati, Iowa, Louisville and Minnesota.
8. Miyan Williams, Winton Woods, running back
The Division II Offensive Player of the Year in both the state of Ohio and the Southwest District last season, Williams was arguably the most important player on any local team in 2018. Williams' offers count is in the double-digits with his most recent coming from Kansas on Jan. 31. Williams is ranked as high as the No. 32 player in the state by 247's composite rankings and a top-70 player at his position nationally. Other offers include Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota and Purdue, to name a few.
7. Daved Jones, Lakota West, linebacker
Jones ranks as one of the best linebackers in Ohio and one of the top inside linebackers in the country. 247's composite lists him as the No. 16 overall recruit in Ohio's '20 class and the top inside linebacker in the state. Nationally, 247 ranks Jones as the 21st overall inside linebacker. He currently holds several offers including invites from Cincinnati, Iowa State, Kentucky, Louisville, Nebraska and Purdue. He had 44 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and a defensive touchdown last season for Lakota West.
6. Evan Prater, Wyoming, dual-threat quarterback
The 6-foot-5, 190-pound quarterback helped lead Wyoming to an undefeated season and, in doing so, was named both the Southwest District and the Ohio Offensive Player of the Year in Division IV. He accounted for 60 touchdowns (28 passing, 32 rushing) during his junior campaign. Colleges are taking notice. This past week he received offers from Purdue, Michigan State and Duke. He now holds 15 Division I offers in football as well as a DI offer in basketball from Wright State. 247sports.com's composite ranking lists him as the No. 15 dual-threat QB in the country and the No. 15 player overall in Ohio's '20 class.
5. Jaheim Thomas, Princeton, linebacker
The No. 4 prospect in Ohio's 2020 class per 247sports.com's composite rankings, Thomas holds more than two dozen offers, many from Power 5 programs. 247 lists him as the No. 17 overall outside linebacker in the nation and the top linebacker in the state. He had 38 tackles (24 solo), two sacks and two interceptions (including a pick-six) last season. Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame and Wisconsin have all shown heavy interest.
4. JuTahn McClain, Fairfield, all-purpose back
McClain is coming off a junior campaign in which he accounted for more than 2,300 total yards and earned first-team all-Ohio honors. 247sports.com's composite rankings list him as the No. 8 overall recruit in Ohio and the No. 6 all-purpose back in the country. He holds several offers including invites from teams like Cincinnati, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Penn State.
3. Darrion Henry, Princeton, defensive end
Henry led the Greater Miami Conference with 8.5 sacks this past season. He's considered a top-50 player nationally by 247sports.com's composite rankings, the No. 2 overall recruit in Ohio, the top defensive player in Ohio's '20 class and the No. 4 strong-side defensive end prospect in the nation. At 6-foot-6 and 260 pounds he holds more than 20 offers.
2. Michael Mayer, Covington Catholic, tight end - Notre Dame verbal commit
Every recruiting site in the country agrees that Mayer is the top offensive prospect in the Bluegrass State's 2020 class. Considered a four-star recruit, the 6-foot-5, 240-pounder is one of the top 100 overall recruits in the country and one of the top tight ends in the nation. He gave his verbal commitment to Notre Dame on July 1, 2018.
1. Paris Johnson Jr., St. Xavier, offensive guard - Ohio State verbal commit
The 6-foot-7.5, 295-pound Johnson is one of the premier prospects in the country. 247sports.com's composite rankings list him as a five-star blue chip prospect as well as the No. 1 offensive guard in the '20 cycle, the No. 1 player in Ohio's '20 class and the No. 6 overall recruit nationally in 2020. He's already committed to play in next year's All-American Bowl and gave his verbal commitment to Ohio State on June 28, 2018.
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