Top-rated recruits trending toward defense, especially linemen

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It’s no coincidence that so many five-star defensive tackles are pouring into the conference at once in 2015. Based on the 247Sports composite rankings, we’ve seen an explosion of five-star defensive linemen in the last five recruiting classes, including the current group of 2016.

Compared to the five-year window between 2007-11, we’ve seen recruiting services drastically increase the number of five-star defensive players.

What other trends can we spot among top-rated recruits in the last decade?

FIVE-STAR RECRUITS BY POSITION, OFFENSE

Recruiting services have become more selective with quarterbacks in the last five years. And with the proliferation of uptempo spread offenses — and less of a need to define multitalented players into a single role — the number of five-star players classified as “athletes” has almost doubled.

But there aren’t many major changes in recruiting patterns on offense in the last five years as compared to the previous five years. The total number of combined running backs and receivers has remained steady, while tight ends and offensive linemen have moved a negligible amount.

FIVE-STAR RECRUITS BY POSITION, 2007-2011

Recruiting services labeled a whopping 17 additional defensive linemen as five-star players in the last five years. After 29 players earned that distinction from 2007-11, 46 earned it from 2012-16.

To put it another way, we’ve seen almost as many five-star defensive ends in the last five years as we’ve seen five-star quarterbacks in the last 10.

Defensive tackle has become the second-most popular position among elite recruits, ahead of running back. The big men in the middle saw the biggest uptick in recruiting value of any position in recent years, followed by defensive end and cornerback.

Whether it’s because recruiting services are doing more organic evaluating — it’s easier to label offensive players higher on the scale if you’re going by stats alone — or defensive prep talent has become more predictable at the collegiate level, the trend is clear.