No. 9 in 2017 Rivals100

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Dr. Phillips junior offensive tackle Calvin Ashley didn't have any expectations for where he would rank in Rivals.com's initial 2017 rankings.

But even when the rankings were released on Monday, Ashley, an Auburn commitment, was surprised.

"I thought I might be pretty high up," Ashley said. "But I didn't expect I would be that high."

Ashley, from Orlando, Fla., ranks the No. 9 player in the 2017 class and No. 2 offensive tackle.

"It feels really good," Ashley said. "I'm very appreciative to be ranked among the top 10 in my class."

Defensive tackle Marvin Wilson of Houston, Texas topped the rankings. Athlete Dylan Moses of Baton Rouge, La., offensive tackle Josh Myers of Ohio, Brownsburg (Ind.) quarterback Hunter Johnson and defensive back Lamont Wade round out the top five.

Myers is the only offensive tackle ranked ahead of Ashley.

"The rankings don't get to me," Ashley, 6-foot-8 and 311 pounds, said. "It's nice, but it doesn't affect my game. I'll still work and play the same way."

Ashley is Auburn's lone commitment in the '17 class, but several top targets also are included in the newly released rankings.

Peachtree Ridge (Suwanee, Ga.) defensive back Deangelo Gibbs (No. 9), Vidalia (Ga.) linebacker Nate McBride (10), Hapeville Charter (Atlanta, Ga.) cornerback William Poole III (12), Cedar Grove (Ellenwood, Ga.) offensive guard Netori Johnson (24), Mary Persons (Forsyth, Ga.) defensive end Malik Herring (40), Central Gwinnett (Lawrenceville, Ga.) offensive tackle Tony Gray (42) and Buckorn (New Market, Ala.) linebacker Will Ignont (46) all are Auburn targets ranked in the top 50.

Other top targets ranked in the 2017 Rivals100 include McAdory (McCalla, Ala.) safety Malcolm Askew (53), Clay (Ala.) receiver Nico Collins (54), St. James (La.) quarterback Lowell Narcisse (56), Archer (Lawrenceville, Ga.) safety Isaiah Pryor (57), Liberty County (Ga.) cornerback Richard LeCounte (64), Trezevant (Memphis, Tenn.) running back Cordarrian Richardson (79), Central (Phenix City, Ala.) linebacker Markail Benton (81) and Roswell (Ga.) cornerback LeAnthony Williams (89).

Rivals.com will release its first 2017 Rivals250 on Tuesday.

Ashley's Sophomore Highlights