BOXTOROW.COM – The North Carolina Central University 2017 football recruiting class has been ranked No. 2 among HBCU FCS programs, according to BOXTOROW's 11th annual list.
 
The rankings are based on research conducted by FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW from school releases, local newspaper articles and recruiting boards.
 
In the press release announcing NCCU as second-best HBCU FCS recruiting class, it states:
"The Eagles won the MEAC championship for the third year in a row, but won it outright last year for the first time since 1973. After having the number one recruiting class in 2015, they did not make the rankings last year, but came back strong this year. This is probably head coach Jerry Mack and staff's best class.  The Eagles added depth in the trenches on both sides of the ball where they were already strong by signing 10 of their 22 players to the offensive and defensive lines.  The prize of the class could be Miami Norland defensive back Aaron Duncan a three-star recruit by Scout and 247 who had offers from Southern Miss, NC State and Tulane.  He played safety, but could convert to corner and help replace former BOXTOROW All-America Mike Jones who graduated, enrolled at Temple and is eligible to play right away.  The Eagles also bolstered their linebacking corps by signing three including Branden Bailey (Deerfield Beach), who was rated as a three-star recruit by Scout.com and ranked as the 10th inside linebacker in Florida and Patrick Conner from Greensboro Dudley who helped lead the Panthers to another state title and along the way recorded 166 tackles, seven tackles for loss, eight sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.  With the graduation of quarterback Malcolm Bell, the Eagles signed Chauncey Caldwell from Charlotte's Mallard Creek.  Caldwell is rated a two-star recruit by Scout.  He has ties to Durham having played at Hillside as a junior, passing for more than 2,500 yards with 32 touchdowns and rushed for more than 400 yards with seven touchdowns.  About more than 50 percent of the Eagles roster are former North Carolina high school players and the Eagles stayed within that number, signing 12 from NC.  Other highlights of the class include FBS transfers Randy Anyanwu, a defensive end from Buffalo and defensive tackle Chris Burton from Cincinnati; two-star offensive lineman Jose Jeanty, (Deerfield Beach); former Hillside star Kalen McCain (Lackawanna); 247 Sports two-star offensive lineman Somadina Okezie-Okeke (River Ridge) and JUCO wide receiver Eric Saintil (Shasta College), who registered 35 catches for 798 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2016 and could help in replacing wide receiver Lavontis Smith."
 
This is NCCU's second-highest ranking in the 11 years FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW has announced its top recruiting class list. The Eagles topped the list in 2015, ranked fourth in 2011, sixth in 2014, 10th in 2012, and were not ranked among the top 10 in 2016, 2013, 2010 or 2009.
 
Tennessee State of the Ohio Valley Conference topped the list this year. Behind NCCU on the top 10 list are Jackson State, Norfolk State, Howard, Alcorn State, Florida A&M, Bethune-Cookman, South Carolina State, and Grambling and Savannah State tied for 10th.
 
To view the complete list, visit BoxToRow.com.
 
For details about NCCU's 2017 football recruiting class, visit http://nccueaglepride.com/news/2017/2/1/signing-day-central-nccu-football-updates.aspx