Rivals' Top 50 Football Recruits

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Feb 1, 2012

Rivals' Top 50 Football Recruits

WR Dorial Green-Beckham

High School: Hillcrest (Mo.) Height: 6-6 Weight: 220 Perhaps the most accomplished wideout in high school history, Green-Beckham amassed 6,447 career receiving yards, a new national record. He lived up to the billing in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl: He made a one-handed, 79-yard touchdown reception on 3rd-and-38 in the West's 24-12 victory. He committed to Missouri over Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma on Signing Day.

OT D.J. Humphries

High School: Mallard Creek (N.C.) Height: 6-5 Weight: 275 An imposing presence on the offensive line, Humphries bolstered a unit that tallied more than 5,000 yards in 2011. He committed to Florida in August, and plans to enroll early before making his freshman debut in 2012.

DE Mario Edwards

High School: Denton Ryan (Texas) Height: 6-3 Weight: 285 A Florida State legacy (his father, Mario Sr., was a Seminole cornerback), Edwards committed to Jimbo Fisher and staff before the onset of his senior year. He then proceeded to dominate. He bulldozed his way to 72 tackles, 32 for loss and 11 sacks in leading the Raiders to a 12-1 record and the third round of the Texas 4A Division I playoffs.

S Shaq Thompson

High School: Grant Union (Calif.) Height: 6-2 Weight: 210 A do-everything standout, Thompson totaled 893 passing yards, 1,134 rushing yards, 23 touchdowns and 57 tackles for the Pacers in '11. He is projected to play safety at the next level, and committed to Washington -- after formerly pledging to Cal at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl -- on Jan. 30.

RB Johnathan Gray

High School: Aledo (Texas) Height: 5-11 Weight: 200 Arguably the greatest high school running back of all-time, Gray amassed 10,908 rushing yards and 205 career touchdowns, the latter setting a new national record. He racked up 3,905 rushing yards, 567 receiving yards and 70 total touchdowns during his sensational senior season, and carried Aledo to a third straight Class 4A Division 2 title in December. He has committed to Texas, where he'll likely split time with former five-star tailback Malcolm Brown.

DE Jonathan Bullard

High School: Crest (N.C.) Height: 6-4 Weight: 245 Florida-bound as of Jan. 7, Bullard sparked a Crest defensive unit that notched three shutouts in 2011. His size, strength and tenacity are all BCS-caliber, something he demonstrated in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, collecting three tackles and a sack.

DT Eddie Goldman

High School: Friendship Collegiate (D.C.) Height: 6-5 Weight: 305 A dangerous pass-rusher and run-stuffer, Goldman terrorized defenses for 9-1 Friendship Collegiate Academy. He stampeded his way to 23 tackles for loss and 15 sacks as a senior, and will look to wreak similar havoc as a freshman next fall. He pledged to Florida State on National Signing Day.

ATH Stefon Diggs

High School: Good Counsel (Md.) Height: 6-1 Weight: 195 Potentially the nation's most versatile athlete, Diggs did it all for Good Counsel in 2011. He racked up 1,443 all-purpose yards, 13 touchdowns, 32 tackles and four interceptions in leading the Falcons to their third straight WCAC title. He's considering heading to Cal, Virginia, Florida and Auburn, among others.

DE Noah Spence

High School: Bishop McDevitt (Pa.) Height: 6-3 Weight: 235 An unmistakable presence on the line, Spence may be the nation's most gifted pass-rusher. He registered 84 tackles, 23 for loss and 10 sacks for 13-3 Bishop McDevitt, and committed to Ohio State after visiting Columbus on Dec. 18.

QB Jameis Winston

High School: Hueytown (Ala.) Height: 6-4 Weight: 190 The consummate dual-threat quarterback, Winston compiled 2,424 passing yards, 1,063 rushing yards and 43 total touchdowns for Hueytown in 2011. He has the makings of the next great Seminole signal-caller, but also faces a dilemma: He'll likely be selected as a first-rounder in this summer's MLB draft.

DE Darius Hamilton

High School: Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) Height: 6-4 Weight: 250 The best player on arguably the nation's best defense -- Don Bosco allowed a meager 8.4 points per game -- Hamilton helped carry the Ironmen to their sixth consecutive Non-Public Group 4 title. His stats weren't bad either. Hamilton piled up 74 tackles and 17 sacks, and committed to Rutgers on Jan. 31.

RB T.J. Yeldon

High School: Daphne (Ala.) Height: 6-2 Weight: 205 A longtime Auburn commit, Yeldon shocked the SEC -- and much of the nation -- by altering his plans to attend archrival Alabama in December. The strong, compact back rushed for 2,193 yards and 32 touchdowns as a senior at Daphne.

CB Tracy Howard

High School: Miramar (Fla.) Height: 5-11 Weight: 175 A lockdown corner at Miramar, Howard carried the Patriots to a Florida Class 8A championship berth as a senior. It's no surprise how. He hauled in 10 interceptions, fronting a "Dark Side" defensive unit that notched three shutouts in 2011. He chose Miami over Florida and Florida State on National Signing Day.

DT Ondre Pipkins

High School: Park Hill (Mo.) Height: 6-3 Weight: 325 A 6-foot-3, 325-pound force, Pipkins upped his value in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He notched two tackles and forced a fumble, emerging as one of the game's clear defensive standouts. He committed to Michigan over Alabama, Florida and Oklahoma, among others, in August.

RB Trey Williams

High School: Dekaney (Texas) Height: 5-8 Weight: 175 One of the nation's most dynamic backs, Williams was virtually unstoppable during his explosive senior year. He rolled up 3,884 yards and 48 touchdowns in leading Dekaney to a Texas Class 5A Division 2 title, and committed to Texas A&M in April. He has the potential to compete for playing time immediately.

OT Zach Banner

High School: Lakes (Wash.) Height: 6-9 Weight: 310 A towering presence on the line, Banner bolstered a Lancers' attack that rushed for 2,650 yards and 45 touchdowns this season. He has arguably the best frame of any lineman in the '12 class and committed to USC on Jan. 30.

S Landon Collins

High School: Dutchtown (La.) Height: 6-0 Weight: 210 The nation's premier defensive back -- who committed to Alabama over in-state LSU at the Under Armour All-America Game despite his mother's wishes -- was a phenom at Dutchtown. He hauled in four interceptions and two pick-sixes for the 10-1 Griffins.

ATH Nelson Agholor

High School: Berkeley Prep (Fla.) Height: 6-1 Weight: 185 A model of versatility, Agholor served as a running back, wide receiver, defensive back and return man. He thrived at each: He tallied 2,362 all-purpose yards, 34 touchdowns and 35 tackles for the 12-1 Buccaneers. He'll likely play receiver in college, and signed with USC on National Signing Day.

OT Kyle Murphy

High School: San Clemente (Calif.) Height: 6-7 Weight: 270 One of the most athletic lineman in the class of 2012, Murphy anchored a San Clemente attack that averaged 392 yards per game. Courted by countless BCS programs nationwide, he committed to Stanford on Feb. 1.

QB Gunner Kiel

High School: Columbus East (Ind.) Height: 6-4 Weight: 210 A former Indiana pledge, Kiel reopened his commitment in October and declared to LSU before enrolling at Notre Dame. He could make an instant impact in South Bend. Indiana's Mr. Football threw for 2,517 yards, 28 touchdowns and just four interceptions during his standout senior season at Columbus East.

DT Ellis McCarthy

High School: Monrovia (Calif.) Height: 6-3 Weight: 311 One of the most intimidating linemen in the class of 2012, the 6-foot-4, 305-pound McCarthy is a pass-rushing menace. He stampeded his way to 78 tackles and 12 sacks as a junior, and was equally dominant in 2011 despite missing time to injury. He committed to UCLA -- after promptly decommitting from Cal -- following the departure of assistant coach Tosh Lupoi.

OT Kyle Kalis

High School: St. Edward (Ohio) Height: 6-5 Weight: 300 An Ohio State commit until the Jim Tressel scandal, Kalis switched his intent to archrival Michigan in July. He's a proven winner. The son of former Minnesota Vikings' tackle Todd Kalis helped St. Edward to a 23-4 mark since 2010.

OT John Theus

High School: The Bolles School (Fla.) Height: 6-5 Weight: 305 A bona fide stalwart, Theus keyed a Bolles School offense that averaged 38.4 points in its Florida Class 4A championship season. He committed to Georgia in July, where he'll block for sophomore Isaiah Crowell and fellow Rivals' top recruit Keith Marshall.

ATH Eddie Williams

High School: Arnold (Fla.) Height: 6-4 Weight: 215 Another five-star member of `Bama's loaded 2012 haul, Williams served as a multi-purpose threat for 5-5 Arnold. He played quarterback, wide receiver and safety, displaying speed and athleticism that should translate well to the next level. He committed to Alabama over in-state Florida and Florida State in August.

DE Adolphus Washington

High School: Taft (Ohio) Height: 6-5 Weight: 245 One of the headliners of Urban Meyer's loaded incoming defensive line haul, Washington collected 90 tackles and 23.5 sacks as a senior at Taft. He committed to Ohio State over Alabama, Auburn and Michigan, among others, in November.

DT Malcom Brown

High School: Brenham (Texas) Height: 6-3 Weight: 300 A powerhouse on the line, Brown led Brenham to an 11-1 record and the second round of the Texas 4A Division 2 playoffs in 2011. His speed and technique are prized among defensive tackles, and he committed to the Longhorns over Texas A&M in April.

DT Aziz Shittu

High School: Buhach Colony (Calif.) Height: 6-3 Weight: 275 A 6-foot-4 defensive tackle with incredibly quick feet, Shittu (8) reopened his commitment after reneging on his Stanford pledge in June. He collected 89 tackles and six sacks as a senior before recommitting to the Cardinal on National Signing Day.

DE Dante Fowler Jr.

High School: Lakewood (Fla.) Height: 6-3 Weight: 240 Known for his explosiveness and closing speed, Fowler made a national splash by racking up 20 sacks as a junior. He declared to Florida State in December 2010, but flipped and signed with Florida on National Signing Day.

OT Jordan Simmons

High School: Crespi (Calif.) Height: 6-5 Weight: 333 Armed with a 6-foot-5, 333-pound frame, Simmons emerged as one of the premier linemen in the country during his senior season at Crespi. He blocked for an offense that racked up 3,485 total yards and helped lead the Celts to a 7-3 record. He committed to USC -- just 23.5 miles from his high school -- in October.

RB Randy "Duke" Johnson

High School: Miami Norland (Fla.) Height: 5-10 Weight: 175 Johnson was simply remarkable in his senior campaign at Miami Norland, rushing for 2,0867 yards and 29 touchdowns to lead the Vikings to a 15-0 mark and a Florida Class 5A championship. He committed to Miami in September of 2010.

ATH Josh Harvey-Clemons

High School: Jenks (Okla.) Height: 6-2 Weight: 215 The blue-chip recruit punished offenses as a senior, collecting 105 tackles and three interceptions for 8-4 Lowndes. The 6-foot-5, 210-pounder is SEC bound: He announced for Georgia on National Signing Day.

OT Andrus Peat

High School: Corona del Sol (Ariz.) Height: 6-7 Weight: 305 The beneficiary of a rich football lineage (his father was a former NFL lineman, his brother is currently a lineman at Nebraska), Peat has the look of a star in the making. He opened holes for an offense that rushed for 2,165 yards last season, and is markedly nimble for his 6-foot-7, 305-pound frame. Targeted by countless BCS programs, he committed to Stanford on National Signing Day.

OT Joshua Garnett

High School: Puyallup (Wash.) Height: 6-5 Weight: 305 One of the top interior linemen in the country, Garnett fronted a Vikings' unit that averaged 38 points per game. He's known for both his deft pass- and run-blocking savvy, and committed to Stanford on Jan. 26.

WR Thomas Johnson

High School: Dallas Skyline (Texas) Height: 5-11 Weight: 175 Texas-bound since Feb. 22, Johnson decommitted just one day after the Under Armour All-American Game. The four-star wideout hauled in 59 passes for 1,077 yards and 13 scores this season, and committed to Texas A&M on Feb. 1.

QB Cyler Miles

High School: Mullen (Colo.) Height: 6-4 Weight: 220 One of the most versatile quarterback prospects in the nation, Miles finished his senior campaign 128-of-185 passing for 1,577 yards and 17 touchdowns. He won U.S. Army Bowl co-MVP honors after throwing for 155 yards -- including a 79-yard strike to Dorial Green-Beckham -- and committed to Washington in June.

DE Chris Casher

High School: Davidson (Ala.) Height: 6-5 Weight: 240 Casher missed his entire senior season due to Alabama transfer rules, but that doesn't make the 6-foot-4, 225-pounder any less dangerous. He competed in the Under Armour All-America Game on Jan. 5, exactly a year after he committed to Florida State.

ATH Devin Fuller

High School: Old Tappan (N.J.) Height: 6-0 Weight: 185 A BCS-caliber athlete, Fuller totaled 2,247 passing yards, 1,326 rushing yards and 37 touchdowns for the 7-5 Golden Knights. He'll play quarterback in college, and committed to UCLA on Jan. 29.

RB Mario Pender

High School: Island Coast (Fla.) Height: 5-11 Weight: 195 A dynamic big-play threat, Pender galloped for 1,252 yards and 14 touchdowns -- and averaged a whopping 11.8 yards per carry -- as a senior. He committed to Florida State last October, and will bolster a Seminoles' backfield that already boasts young talent in James Wilder Jr. and Devonta Freeman.

ATH Kendall Sanders

High School: Athens (Texas) Height: 6-1 Weight: 175 Originally an Oklahoma State commit, Sanders (center) decommitted from the Cowboys in late November before pledging to the Longhorns on Dec. 2. He hauled in three interceptions as a senior, and caught two more in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

LB Jabari Ruffin

High School: Downey (Calif.) Height: 6-4 Weight: 230 Blessed with tremendous field vision and speed (he runs a 4.6 40), Ruffin has emerged as one of the premier linebackers in the class of 2012. He committed to USC in March before compiling 99 tackles as a senior.

WR Cayleb Jones

High School: Austin (Texas) Height: 6-3 Weight: 200 The son of former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Robert Jones, Cayleb possesses ideal size and strength for a budding BCS wideout. He corralled 75 passes for 1,042 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior, and should add to a young Longhorns receiving corps that already features Jaxon Shipley and Mike Davis. Jones committed to Texas over a number of other suitors in February.

RB Todd Gurley

High School: Tarboro (N.C.) Height: 6-1 Weight: 195 Simply prolific as a senior, Gurley ran for nearly 2,600 yards and 26 touchdowns to earn AP North Carolina Player of the Year honors. He capped his sparkling season by galloping for 242 yards and four touchdowns in Tarboro's Class 2A title triumph, and committed to Georgia over Clemson on Jan. 13.

LB Reggie Ragland

High School: Bob Jones (Ala.) Height: 6-4 Weight: 245 Potentially the next centerpiece in Nick Saban's vaunted defense, Ragland turned heads by accounting for 97 tackles -- including 22 for loss -- in 2011. He picked the hometown Crimson Tide over archrival Auburn in December 2010.

QB Zach Kline

High School: San Ramon Valley (Calif.) Height: 6-2 Weight: 210 A former Elite 11 selection, Kline lived up to his billing by throwing for 3,609 and 35 touchdowns in leading San Ramon Valley to a 10-4 record and a CIF NCS championship game berth. He committed to Cal in September 2010.

WR Amari Cooper

High School: Miami Northwestern (Fla.) Height: 6-1 Weight: 175 After corralling 36 receptions for 722 yards and six scores for 7-3 Northwestern, Cooper made a national impression by scoring two touchdowns, including a 93-yard punt return, in the Under Armour All-America Game. He committed to Alabama over Florida State, Miami, Ohio State and West Virginia in September.

OT Max Tuerk

High School: Santa Margarita (Calif.) Height: 6-6 Weight: 294 The lead blocker for a Santa Margarita offense that rushed for more than 3,600 yards, Tuerk was a crucial component in the Eagles (13-2) CIF PAC 5 championship run. The 6-foot-6, 294-pounder has the potential to start immediately, and committed to in-state USC on May 25.

LB Ukeme Eligwe

High School: Stone Mountain (Ga.) Height: 6-3 Weight: 210 An unmistakable producer in the middle, Eligwe tallied 85 tackles, 13 for loss and three fumble recoveries for the 8-2 Pirates. He announced his intent to coach Jimbo Fisher and Florida State in April.

RB Keith Marshall

High School: Millbrook (N.C.) Height: 5-11 Weight: 195 The second blue-chip running back to commit to Georgia in the past two years (Isaiah Crowell committed in the class of 2011), Marshall was unstoppable during his career year at Millbrook. He rushed for 1,891 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior, and was even more impressive as a sprinter, running the 100-yard dash in 10.3 seconds. Clemson, Notre Dame, Florida, South Carolina and UNC were among the other schools in contention.

WR Deontay Greenberry

High School: Washington Union (Calif.) Height: 6-3 Weight: 187 California's Mr. Football, Greenberry was nothing short of dominant at Washington Union as a senior. He finished with 109 receptions for 2,165 yards and 33 touchdowns, blowing by defenders with his athleticism, route-running and speed. He flipped from Notre Dame to Houston on Signing Day.

DE Eli Harold

High School: Ocean Lakes (Va.) Height: 6-4 Weight: 220 A defensive star as a senior, Harold amassed 78 tackles, 28 for loss and 16 sacks for the 8-3-1 Dolphins. He committed to local Virginia in August, and could provide an immediate boost to a Cavaliers' unit that totaled a meager 20 sacks in 2011.