Making Recruiting Decisions: Best Scenarios II
At the end of last week we jumped on and knocked out all of the best schools to attend if you're an elite offensive prospect and now we're coming to the side of the ball that wins championships; defense. A brief FYI, no we will not be doing kickers, punters and long snappers. If you can punt, you can punt anywhere. Outside of playing in the altitude it doesn't matter. Same with kickers and long snappers, there is no system that will vastly alter their path.
So back to real football players, the men on the defensive side of the ball. These are the guys that I truly enjoy watching because while offense is nice, defense is still the most impossible thing to fake on a football field. There has never been a gimmick defense and there will never be a gimmick defense.
Here's the positions we'll check out:
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Tweener DT/DE |
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Quick DT |
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Large DT |
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Pass Rush LB |
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Tackle Machine LB |
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Tweener LB/S |
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Big CB |
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Short CB |
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Tackling CB |
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Tall S |
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Short S |
Thirteen more positions and once again remember folks, this isn't your rinky dink two star recruit from Nowhere, Montana. When we're making this list we're talking about the cream of the crop from Florida, Texas, Ohio, California and any other recruiting hot bed that you can think of.
Read more for where these 13 beasts of the defensive side of the ball end up...
We'll run down the list and start with the most dangerous, impact player on the defensive side; the ends who make quarterbacks' lives hell and punish teams by making tackles for loss.
Speed DE: Florida
The Gators defense, under Corch Meyers, is predicated on speed. They aren't the biggest defense but they are definitely the fastest. Coming out of high school the Gators look for guys with wheels and if a speedy end is out there Gainesville definitely should be his destination. A chance to come off the edge, run the hump and attack the quarterback. Florida State used to be the place for speed on the edge but the staff upheavil has left too many questions. Look for more quickness as burners enroll for the Gators.
Big No's: Alabama, West Virginia
Power DE: Penn State
The Nittany Lions defense is built on their linebackers but their ends play a critical role in helping the LB's get their tackles. Asked to hold the point, squeeze the pocket, maintain contain and be active in the run game the defensive ends for the Lions are complete players. While Aaron Maybin was a stand out as a speed guy, Penn State is more at home with system products with power such as Tamba Hali and Maurice Evans. Happy Valley, sneaks in ahead of LSU, USC, Ohio State and Oklahoma because of the discipline and versatility they demand from their power ends.
Big No's: Florida, Texas, West Virginia
Tweener DT/DE: Alabama
This is the position we see a lot coming out of high school. A guy that played both position in high school but falls into that 265 with room to grow category. Alabama wins out over West Virginia and other three-man line teams because of the teaching and insight that Saban gives each of his players. In the 3-4 instead of being "too slow" at 285 the player is stout and capable of occupying the guard/tackle double team as guys like Brandon Deaderick and Marcel Dareus did for the Tide this season. Not only will this spot prepare the players for great college football they'll have a dual skillset come NFL draft time. USC is a solid choice with the success they've had with quick players on the inside but Bama is the pick.
Big No's: Florida State, Texas, Oklahoma
Massive DT: LSU
Sure Alabama's Terrence Cody is a prime candidate for the best big man in this years season but over the last several seasons LSU has been a bear at getting serious play out of their defensive tackles. The Bayou Bengals defense is centered around their defensive line play and when they get great play from guys like Glenn Dorsey, Rick Jean-Francois and Marlon Favorite they are among the nation's best. Couple the Bengals recent success at the position with John Chavis' long time success at Tennessee and LSU is just the spot to pass the next for years for big time defensive tackles.
Big No's: Florida, Texas, Iowa
Pass Rush LB: Texas
After showing up on the Big No's list a couple times the Longhorns get their due by being the best destination for the pass rush specialist linebacker. With back to back performances from Brian Orakpo and Sergio Kindle in recent years the defense ran by Will Muschamp is a mecca for quick guys playing that hybrid position. Not truly defensive ends, not wholly linebackers Coach Boom has gotten plenty of great work out of guys designed to feast off of third and long. USC has had a little success in this area as has Penn State but no one can touch Texas method of finding burners to come off the edge and wreck shop.
Big No's: Alabama, Ohio State, Florida
Tacklin' Machine LB: Penn State
Not the fastest, not the quickest but he is a guy that has a nose for the football and a way of getting through the traffic and bringing down the ball carrier. Ohio State has had guys like Laurinitaitis and Hawk in recent years that have been among the nation's leading tacklers. BC's Brian Toal, Mark Herzlich and Mike MacLaughin add Chestnut Hill to the mix. Alabama's Rolando McClain is ITB's favorite college football player of the season. However, Penn State is the gold standard, still, for linebackers getting their tackles. Sean Lee, Paul Pozluzny and Dan Connor come to mind and as the Nittany Lions move forward Happy Valley will continue to be the destination for solid linebackers.
Big No's: West Virginia, Texas, Notre Dame
Tweener LB/S: Virginia Tech
The Hokies have had serious success on the backs of guys who fit into this "tweener" mold; this year the 5'11" 210 lbs Cody Grimm was the heart and soul of their defense. Guys like Cam Martin and Xavier Adibi also fit into the mold of linebackers who entered school as slim speedy, safety types that grew into their linebacker roles. While Alabama's use of the guys like Cory Reamer makes them a viable option no one gets more out of this type player than Bud Foster. Thanks to Foster's scheme he puts his players in position to utilize their speed, avoiding being at a disadvantage against bigger blockers and make plays against the run and the pass.
Big No's: Florida, LSU, Iowa
Big CB: Ohio State
This choice is less about the position the player occupies in high school and more for the Buckeye's ability to take a 6 foot-plus high school defensive back and make him a solid player in the back end. Whether that means the player filling out into a safety or being a physical corner a la Malcolm Jenkins the Buckeye's have largely gone unnoticed for their ability to produce quality players in the back four. Miami and Florida State made big physical defensive backs famous and a must have but right now Ohio State's defense is playing better than most and it is largely due to their ability to get good size at the position.
Big No's: There isn't a no here, anyone would be lucky to land a 6' 205 lb CB
Short CB: Florida
Just like the Gators have a knack for using the smallish defensive linemen they've also found a way to use DB's under 6' tall. Joe Haden and Janoris Jenkins both are listed at a generous 5'11" in the program and as we all know that number will shrink when Haden gets to Indianapolis for the combine. South Carolina, with guys like Captain Munnerlyn and Stephon Gilmore are two guys that help the Gamecocks become a viable option but Florida's use of short speedsters makes the Gators the top spot.
Big No's: Ohio State, Oklahoma
Tackling CB: Virginia Tech
The Hokies play an aggressive style where they utilize a field and a boundary corner as opposed to the normal left and right corner. Both corners have similar responsibilities they both have to put a tremendous emphasis on tackling. The field corner because of the amount of ground he must cover and the boundary corner due to teams "right handed" running style. This system has employed the likes of Macho Harris, Jimmy Williams and now Stephen Virgil, all aggressive, active corners in the run game. For cover guys who like to mix it up there is no better destination than Blacksburg.
Big No's: Florida, Florida State, Texas
Tall Safety: USC
The Trojans like their players to be specimens and there is no better example of that than Taylor Mays. Their defense was designed to get the 6'4" beast into passing lanes and allow him to create trouble. Now with Monte Kiffin the final piece of their beast puzzle is added as tall rangey safeties will be a force in the Tampa-2. The height and speed combo is a deadly mix as guys are tall enough to get great reads on quarterbacks as well as fast enough to react to the reads and get to the ball carriers with bad intentions.
Big No's: Not a single bad fit for a 6'2" safety
Short Safety: Florida
Another personification of the Gators desire for speed over size is manifested in their safety selection. Sure Major Wright is listed at 6 foot but the real jewel in their crown of short safeties is the 5'9" Ahmad Black. Black was a hero in the national title game, a major force against the run and pass and was a legitimate beast in SEC play. UNC's new regime saw some success with Trimane Goddard as a smaller, elite college safety, but they don't compare to the Gators run of success with shorter safeties.
Big No's: Alabama, LSU, Nebraska
Quick DT's is now eliminated thanks to my realization that the tweener and quick DT is the exact same position. Fail by me.
