In looking at the Class of 2017 from a national perspective, there are some positions that are stronger than others and some that are weaker.

So with that, here’s one position of strength and weakness on each side of the ball for the 2017 recruiting cycle.

Offense

Strength: Offensive Tackle

Five of the top 19 overall prospects (all five-star rated) in the 247Sports Composite rankings for the 2017 cycle are offensive tackle prospects, including two of the top four.

Weakness: Quarterback

There are an average number of five-star prospects at this position currently (three), but overall, the position is not very deep nor overly-impressive at the top nationally. There are no Jacob Eason/Shea Patterson type no-brainer prospects, thus almost unprecedentedly, no quarterback prospects are currently ranked in the top 10 overall.

Defense

Strength: Cornerback

A quarter of the top 12 prospects nationally (three) are at the every-valuable cornerback position per 247Sports Composite rankings for the 2017 cycle. There are also several within striking distance of five-star status as seven of the top 50 prospects nationally are corners.

Weakness: Linebacker

There are only two linebacker prospects currently rated five-stars and those are the No. 2 overall (Dylan Moses) and the No. 23 overall (Baron Browning). Beyond that, there’s only one more linebacker prospect ranked among the top 50 prospects nationally per 247Sports Composite rankings.

Notes

  • Within the SEC geographic recruiting footprint (every state with an SEC program within its borders), the positions break down evenly as there are two five-star prospects at defensive end, cornerback, defensive tackle, linebacker, offensive tackle, safety and wide receiver from those states. There is one five-star in the athlete category, giving the footprint 15 five-star prospects for the 2017 cycle.
  • The state of Florida has more five-star prospects than any other state. Of the 30 five-stars in the 2017 cycle per 247Sports Composite rankings, the Sunshine State boasts seven of them. Second-best is California with five. Other states: Texas 3, Georgia 2, Illinois 2, Tennessee 2, and one each from Ohio, Michigan, Washington, Arizona, Louisiana, Colorado, New York, Indiana and Nevada.

Five fives to the SEC

Here are the current five-star prospects who have committed to SEC programs.

Najee Harris, RB, Antioch (Calif.) — ALABAMA
Calvin Ashley, OT, Orlando (Fla.) First Academy — AUBURN
Tyler Shelvin, DT, Lafayette (La.) Northside — LSU
Tate Martell, QB, Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman — TEXAS A&M
Richard LeCounte III, ATH, Riceboro (Ga.) Liberty County — GEORGIA