November 19, 2009

Rivals.com recruiting staff

VOTE: Best athlete | Best pass rusher | Best run-stuffer | Quickest | Strongest

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 Best athlete Best closing speed Best instincts Best run stopper Best athlete Best pass rusher Best run-stuffer Quickest Strongest

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 tackles.

DT RANKINGS: Best athlete | Best pass rusher | Best run-stuffer | Quickest | Strongest

Uko Highlights
CONSIDERING: List includes Cal, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee and USC.
PARTICULARS: 6-4/280
BUZZ: Uko had some of the lightest feet of any lineman this spring at the Los Angeles Nike Camp.

Quarles Highlights
COMMITTED TO: South Carolina
PARTICULARS: 6-4/265
BUZZ: He plays every position along the defensive line for his high school team.

Smith Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Georgia
PARTICULARS: 6-4/250
BUZZ: He has the ability to play either strongside defensive end or defensive tackle.

Dorsey Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Texas
PARTICULARS: 6-2/276
BUZZ: Dorsey is slightly undersized but very athletic; he recorded 20 tackles for loss last season.

Orr Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Florida
PARTICULARS: 6-4/300
BUZZ: Orr actually also plays tight end and linebacker for his high school team.

Floyd Highlights
CONSIDERING: List includes Florida, North Carolina, Ohio State, Penn State, Rutgers, South Carolina and USC.
PARTICULARS: 6-3/310
BUZZ: He proved at three separate combines - U.S. Army All-American, Penn State Nike Camp and FBU Top Gun - to be the best inside pass rusher.

Thornton Highlights
CONSIDERING: List includes Auburn, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Miami Penn State and Michigan.
PARTICULARS: 6-2/280
BUZZ: He recorded 95 tackles playing for possibly the fastest front seven in high school.

Nix Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Miami
PARTICULARS: 6-2/320
BUZZ: He had 50 tackles and 10 sacks last season.

Quarles Highlights
COMMITTED TO: South Carolina
PARTICULARS: 6-4/265
BUZZ: He had 75 tackles and 17 sacks as a junior.

Smith Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Georgia
PARTICULARS: 6-4/250
BUZZ: He recorded 104 tackles with 14 sacks last season.

Hailes Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Penn State
PARTICULARS: 6-1/305
BUZZ: Another thick-bodied player who was impossible to move at the U.S. Army All-American Combine.

Nix Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Miami
PARTICULARS: 6-2/320
BUZZ: This wide monster really excelled at the Gridiron Kings in Orlando, Fla., this summer.

Floyd Highlights
CONSIDERING: List includes Florida, North Carolina, Ohio State, Penn State, Rutgers, South Carolina and USC.
PARTICULARS: 6-3/310
BUZZ: This two-way starter has the best looking power base and the strength to take on two blockers.

Heimuli Highlights
CONSIDERING: Oregon, Oregon State, UCLA and USC lead a long list.
PARTICULARS: 6-4/280
BUZZ: He demonstrated at the U.S. Army All-American Combine and USC Rising Star camp that he is the master of the bull rush.

Bible Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Texas
PARTICULARS: 6-3/280
BUZZ: He recorded an amazing 42 tackles for loss as a junior.

Uko Highlights
CONSIDERING: List includes Cal, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee and USC.
PARTICULARS: 6-4/280
BUZZ: He had a stellar performance during one-on-ones at the Los Angeles Nike Camp.

Quarles Highlights
COMMITTED TO: South Carolina
PARTICULARS: 6-4/265
BUZZ: He uses his length and sheer hustle to make plays in the backfield.

Thornton Highlights
CONSIDERING: List includes Auburn, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Miami Penn State and Michigan.
PARTICULARS: 6-2/280
BUZZ: There are a bunch of centers in the state of Georgia who still don't know what happened against Thornton after they snapped the ball.

Smith Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Georgia
PARTICULARS: 6-4/250
BUZZ: He is in the backfield before the handoff half the time. He has the ability to catch running backs from behind.

Orr Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Florida
PARTICULARS: 6-4/300
BUZZ: He is athletic and quick enough to play linebacker in high school.

Heimuli Highlights
CONSIDERING: Oregon, Oregon State, UCLA and USC lead a long list.
PARTICULARS: 6-4/280
BUZZ: Heimuli handles opponents straight up using his brute strength.

Whitaker Highlights
CONSIDERING: List includes Auburn, Cal, Georgia, Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Tennessee.
PARTICULARS: 6-3/295
BUZZ: He spent the whole summer working out twice a day, mostly on his own.

Bible Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Texas
PARTICULARS: 6-3/280
BUZZ: This powerfully built lineman has proven he can take on double-teams on a regular basis.

Floyd Highlights
CONSIDERING: List includes Florida, North Carolina, Ohio State, Penn State, Rutgers, South Carolina and USC.
PARTICULARS: 6-3/310
BUZZ: He attended three major camps and was never moved backward.

Potoae Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Washington
PARTICULARS: 6-3/285
BUZZ: He is the strongest player ever from a high school that has produced plenty of Division I prospects.