Can I date a Freshman as a Junior?

I am a 16 year old, My birthday is the beginning of July 2007, and I am a junior in hs. This guy that likes me, who I think is very cute is a freshman in hs, he's currently 15, born the first week in Jan, but in the year 2009. I will be turning 17 in 4 months while he is still 15, and we'll have the "2 year age gap" for 9 months, however for the rest of the year our age gap will be 17 and 16. I dont know if I should go for it or not because there is the rule of "if your grades dont touch, neither should you" but also some of my friends are saying go for it because the age gap isn't that big. What should I do?

Update: I didnt end up going for it, I think it'd be better if we're just friends, yeah Ik its not a big age gap and his maturity level isnt too low but i have a feeling if we got into a relationship I would probably see it differently.