Class of 2018 Early Signing Period Review: Top Rated Recruit, Instant Impact Players and Who Not to Sleep On in This Class
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Tom Allen has brought in a tremendous recruiting class and more is on the way. Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle
Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
2018 Early Signing Period Review
On Wednesday, the Indiana Hoosiers signed high school prospects as part of the Early Signing Period for the 2018 recruiting class. The class is currently ranked 41st according to the 247 Sports Composite rankings. Indiana head coach Tom Allen said the Hoosiers could sign three-to-four more players before the 2018 class is finished. Let’s take a look at the highest-rated recruit, players who could provide an instant impact and the sleeper of the class.
Highest-rated Recruit
Ronnie Walker, RB
Walker is rated between a high three-star and a four-star prospect by different recruiting services. According to 247 Sports Composite rankings he is rated at 88.17, the highest rated prospect in the class. Walker will be an early enrollee, which should allow him to battle Morgan Ellison for the starting running back spot. Walker possesses the ability to make one cut and break big runs. He should be in the mix from the moment he steps on campus. NOTE: He is an impact player, but I won’t include him on the list below.
Instant Impact
1. Charles Campbell, K
The Hoosiers need a kicker for the 2018 season and Campbell should be able to come in and put his name in the ring to be the starting place kicker when the season kicks off a FIU in September. Campbell had a good enough high school career to be named a U.S. Army All-American. While the Hoosiers have some experienced kickers on the roster, Campbell could be good enough to pass them in fall camp.
2. Reese Taylor, ATH
The Indiana Mr. Football award winner is one of the most anticipated recruits to come through Bloomington. Allen has said Taylor wants to play on the defensive side of the ball, but will have a package on offense. Taylor is a special talent who should find his way onto the field next season in some form or another.
3. Cam Jones, LB
The Hoosiers will need a youngster to step up at the linebacker position and three-star prospect Cam Jones could be the one to do that. At six-foot-two and 210 pounds, Jones has the frame to add the bulk needed to see the field in 2018.
4. Jaylin Williams, CB
The Hoosiers have some decent depth at cornerback, but Jaylin Williams is good enough to force his way into the rotation, especially if the Hoosiers have to deal with the number of injuries that decimated the secondary in 2017. Williams is five-foot-11 and 170 pounds.
5. Mikel Pinex, QB
Indiana got the quarterback commit they desperately needed and beat out Florida State in doing so. Pinex is a six-foot-two, 195-pound dual-threat quarterback who will be enrolling early in Bloomington giving him a chance to catch up with incumbents Peyton Ramsey and Nick Tronti.
6. James Head, DE
The Hoosiers need a force at speed rusher and they may have found one is James Head. Another early enrollee will get his shot during spring practice to impress Mark Hagan and the rest of the defensive staff. The end positions are wide open after the graduation of Greg Gooch and Robert McCray.
Sleeper
Jacolby Hewitt, WR
The receiving corps for the Hoosiers will look a lot different in 2018 after Simmie Cobbs declared for the NFL draft and youngsters Taysir Mack and Phil Benker decided to transfer. Hewitt may not be the first name out of people’s mouths when it comes to filling in the holes created by these departures. However, Hewitt will be in for the spring and he brings the speed and decent size (6-2) that coach Grant Heard is looking for. Don’t be surprised if the Tennessee native is in the rotation early on.