Updated June 06, 2017
Posted June 06, 2017
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Oregon HS football: Top 15 prospects for class of 2018
Each class in Oregon high school football brings its own unique flair to the table.
The class of 2018 is no exception, as the group is loaded with more four-star prospects than ever before.
It also consists of several high ceiling/low floor, boom-or-bust type prospects.
The most difficult in-state group to rank in recent memory, the only consensus among high school and college coaches is that there isn’t one.
Beyond the top two prospects in the state, opinions vary wildly as to how the rest of the top 15 projects to the college level.
Here’s a look at how The Oregonian’s Andrew Nemec rates the state’s top talent:
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How the list is put together
Oregon high school football class rankings are assembled after watching players in person and on film, as well as gathering opinions from numerous high school and college football coaches.
The Oregonian
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Noteworthy
- How deep is 2018? The entire top 10 would've had an argument for the No. 1 spot in the class of 2015, and nearly every player on the honorable mention list would've cracked the top five had they been in that class.
In the class of 2015, the No. 1 prospect finished with 16 scholarship offers. No. 10 on this list already has 13. In other words, it's closer than many might suspect and speaks to the jaw-dropping talent in the current class.
- The top two prospects in this class are nearly unanimous. The hard part? Sorting out 3-11. The margin between 3 and 11 is razor thin. Many of those athletes have an argument for the No. 3 spot, depending on what coaches value and whether one takes upside or more proven commodities. Opinions varied greatly among coaches, scouts, etc.
- The list cuts off at 15, but also includes honorable mention targets. Frankly, every athlete mentioned (and even some who aren't) have a chance to earn a Pac-12 scholarship offer. There are some extremely talented high school football players who didn't make this list.
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Honorable mention (alphabetical order)
The entire honorable mention list consists of players who could very well be Pac-12 prospects. That kind of depth has never before existed in Oregon. Again, the 2018 class is truly special.
Courtesy of Malakai Salu
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3* TE Keishon Dawkins (West Linn HS)
West Linn tight end Keishon Dawkins has the size (6-6, 240 pounds) to be a Pac-12 target.
The question will be his speed. If he can get down to the 4.7-4.8 range, his recruitment could take off.
Dawkins holds an early offer from Nevada, and more should be on the way.