November 17, 2009

Rivals.com recruiting staff

VOTE: Best against the run | Best pass rusher | Quickest first step

Pick a category Stongest arm Most accurate Best scrambler Home-run threat Best inside runner Best in space Best downhill runner Best deep threat Best hands Best after catch Best athlete Fastest Best hands Best athlete Best run blocker Best pass blocker Most agile Best athlete Best against the run Best pass rusher Quickest first step

The Rivals.com recruiting experts have broken down countless hours of film and racked up plenty of frequent flyer miles to see the top prospects compete at events across the country. In the process of evaluating overall talent, several prospects gained notice for their mastery of specific skills.

We've selected the best of the best in each category for every position and ranked them. Rivals.com recruiting analyst Barry Every breaks down the defensive ends.

DE RANKINGS: Against the run | Best pass rusher | Quickest first step | AMP: Best pass rushers

Ferguson Highlights
CONSIDERING: Still has a long list of schools.
PARTICULARS: 6-3/272
BUZZ: Had 203 tackles over the past two seasons and proved to be one tough customer while at Top Gun this past summer.

Lueders Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Notre Dame
PARTICULARS: 6-5/250
BUZZ: A high school linebacker that will bring those instincts to the defensive end position; he recorded 128 tackles in 2008.

Martin Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Notre Dame
PARTICULARS: 6-4/240
BUZZ: Recorded 223 tackles over the past two seasons while playing linebacker and proving he can read run/pass with the best of them.

King Highlights
CONSIDERING: Cal and Oregon are at the top of his long list.
PARTICULARS: 6-6/253
BUZZ: Massive defensive end that proved hard to move off the ball at Top Gun this past summer.

Wilson Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Texas
PARTICULARS: 6-4/240
BUZZ: Recorded 168 tackles the past two years while also starting on the offensive line in Texas 5A football.

Ferguson Highlights
CONSIDERING: Still has a long list of schools.
PARTICULARS: 6-3/272
BUZZ: Proved that he is an athletic and powerful pass rusher while at Top Gun this summer.

Odighizuwa Highlights
CONSIDERING: Cal, Nebraska, Oregon, Oregon State and UCLA lead his list.
PARTICULARS: 6-3/234
BUZZ: Odighizuwa may understand leverage better than any lineman in the country as he destroyed offensive linemen at the U.S. Army All-American Combine.

Stripling Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Georgia
PARTICULARS: 6-6/215
BUZZ: Recorded 15 sacks during the regular season this year, and proved to be a pass-rushing monster at Tennessee's Lineman Camp.

Jeffcoat Highlights
CONSIDERING: List includes Arizona State, Florida, Houston, Oklahoma, Texas and USC.
PARTICULARS: 6-5/230
BUZZ: Uses his basketball skills and superior athleticism to beat offensive tackles and showed off his pass-rushing ability at USC's Rising Stars Camp.

Powell Highlights
CONSIDERING: Florida and USC lead for Powell.
PARTICULARS: 6-4/230
BUZZ: Great all-around athlete that showed off amazing pass-rush skills during USC's Rising Stars camp.

Miller Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Tennessee
PARTICULARS: 6-4/227
BUZZ: Was outstanding during one-on-ones at the Tennessee Linemen Camp and then flashed his talent off on national TV versus Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas.

Ferguson Highlights
CONSIDERING: Still has a long list of schools.
PARTICULARS: 6-3/272
BUZZ: Dominated the offensive linemen at the Nike Camp at State College in the spring.

Jeffcoat Highlights
CONSIDERING: List includes Arizona State, Florida, Houston, Oklahoma, Texas and USC.
PARTICULARS: 6-5/230
BUZZ: Jeffcoat proved he is more than just a future strongside defensive end at USC's Rising Star Camp.

Stripling Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Georgia
PARTICULARS: 6-6/215
BUZZ: Left several offensive tackles still in their stance at Tennessee's Linemen Camp.

Powell Highlights
CONSIDERING: Florida and USC lead for Powell.
PARTICULARS: 6-4/230
BUZZ: His first step is so quick some coaches think he could play linebacker.