To say the Best of the Midwest Combine in Indianapolis last year was loaded with talent would be an understatement.
Five-star OLB Jaylon Smith will be in the mix for MVP honors.
The event saw 42 prospects land at least one Division-I scholarship offer, led by future Ohio State linebacker David Perkins, who clocked two 4.4 second 40-yard dashes to take home overall MVP honors. Among the others to help build their reputation at the event included Notre Dame defensive line signee Sheldon Day, his future Irish teammate John Turner, prolific receiver and SMU recruit Gehrig Dieter, elite juniors in running back Ty Isaac and linebacker Tim Kimbrough, Michigan State bound tight end Josiah Price, Indiana signees Kevin Davis, Jordan Wallace and Caleb Cornett, Cincinnati commits Deionte Buckley, Joshua Posley, Jonathan Burt and Deyshawn Bond, and Louisville pledges, offensive linemen DeAndre Herron and Sid Anvoots in the 2012 class, and quarterback Kyle Bolin in the class of 2013.
247Sports will have several reporters and analysts in the house for this year’s showcase this coming Monday, where we may see an even more talented roster than the year before.
247Sports Top-100 Headliners
Jaylon Smith, five-star outside linebacker, Fort Wayne (Ind.) Bishop Luers
The Skinny: Favoring his early offers from Notre Dame, Ohio State and Purdue. Also holds scholarships from Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Mississippi , Mississippi State, Tennessee and Texas A&M.
Steven Elmer, four-star offensive tackle, Midland (Mich.) High
The Skinny: Committed to Notre Dame during the fall over offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Stanford, Syracuse and Wisconsin.
Tim Kimbrough, four-star inside linebacker, Indianapolis (Ind.) Warren Central
Notre Dame commit Steven Elmer (pictured) and Logan Tuley Tillman are two of the top offensive tackles in the country.
The Skinny: Favoring Ohio State early in the process. Holds scholarships from Cincinnati, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Carolina, Purdue, Ball State and Massachusetts.
Logan Tuley-Tillman, four-star offensive tackle, Peoria (Ill.) Manual
The Skinny: Favoring Michigan and Alabama at this point in the process, but his offer list continues to grow. Notre Dame, Ohio State, Arkansas, Florida State, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Wisconsin are among his other scholarships.
Already Holding BCS Offers
Kyle Bolin, four-star quarterback, Lexington (Ky.) Catholic
The Skinny: Committed to Louisville during the season over offers from Cincinnati and Illinois. Put himself on the map at this event last year, and also had a good showing at the Elite 11 regional at Ohio State during the summer.
Antonio Allen, three-star safety, Indianapolis (Ind.) Ben Davis
The Skinny: One of the hardest hitting defensive backs in the country, Allen is keen on Iowa and Kentucky early, with Cincinnati, Illinois, Indiana and Purdue also extending a scholarship.
Four-star ILB Tim Kimbrough was an up-and-comer at last year's event. Now he's one of the headliners.
David Kenney, three-star defensive end, Indianapolis (Ind.) Pike
The Skinny: Iowa is the early leader with Indiana, Iowa State and Minnesota having also offered.
Timothy Gardner, three-star offensive lineman, Indianapolis (Ind.) Lawrence Central
The Skinny: Is high on Purdue at this point. Also holds offers from Indiana and Toledo.
Alonzo Saxton, 2014 defensive back, Columbus (Ohio) Bishop Hartley
The Skinny: Illinois and Toledo have already offered one of the Buckeye State’s top sophomores.
Already Holding A Division-I Offer
-Franklin (Ohio) Bishop Fenwick quarterback Ricky Davis-Akron and Bowling Green
-Saint John (Ind.) Lake Central running back David Yancey-Wyoming
-Fort Wayne (Ind.) Homestead receiver Isaac Griffith-Ball State
-Chicago (Ill.) Simeon linebacker Reggie Spearman-Ball State
-Indianapolis (Ind.) Cathedral linebacker Stu Stanley-Ball State
-South Bend (Ind.) Clay receiver Wesley Thomas-Central Michigan
-Portage (Mich.) Central offensive tackle Nate Jeppesen-Central Michigan and Western Michigan
Underclassmen to watch
-Jamitreus Crockham, 2014, Fishers (Ind.) Hamilton Southeastern
The Skinny: Already getting several BCS looks after rushing for 1,009 yards on just 131 carries and 16 touchdowns as a sophomore.
-Brent Lyles, 2014, Indianapolis (Ind.) Pike
The Skinny: Also getting major looks after completing 90-of-133 passes for 1,438 yards and 16 touchdowns to just three interceptions, after taking over as the starter halfway through the season.
-Adrian Smith, 2014, Indianapolis (Ind.) Warren Central
The Skinny: Will be a key cog in the Warriors backfield this coming fall after the graduation of Cincinnati signee Deionte Buckley.
Keep an eye on
Many prospects will emerge like Bolin and Isaac did at last year’s event. Other prospects with likely Division-I futures includes Dwayne Brown, Jamaal Bridges, Shaquille Breeding, Tre Moore, Anthony Winbush and Cantrell Andrews of Indianapolis (Ind.) Warren Central, receiver Mike Rogers of Fort Wayne (Ind.) Bishop Luers, receiver Jared Murphy of Columbia City (Ind.) High, defensive back Delon Pettiford of Indianapolis (Ind.) Lawrence Central, linebacker Jordan Jackson of Indianapolis (Ind.) Decatur Central, Nobleville (Ind.) Guerin Catholic quarterback Tino Smith and receiver Anthony Warrum of Indianapolis (Ind.) Heritage Christian.
- Steve Wiltfong
- National Recruiting Writer - 247Sports