November 24, 2009

Rivals.com recruiting staff

VOTE: Best ball skills | Best coverage skills | Fastest | Hardest hitter

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 Best athlete Best ball skills Best coverage skills Fastest Most physical Best ball skills Best coverage skills Fastest Hardest hitter

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 safeties.

SAFETY RANKINGS: Ball skills | Coverage skills | Fastest | Hardest hitter

Ogletree Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Georgia
PARTICULARS: 6-3/210
BUZZ: Known mostly for his big hits, this Georgia commitment also plays receiver and excels on special teams.

Riley Highlights
CONSIDERING: Florida, Notre Dame, Tennessee and USC lead.
PARTICULARS: 6-1/200
BUZZ: This two-way starter is used to having the ball in his hands. Riley excelled at the Los Angeles Nike Camp in the spring.

Bailey Highlights
COMMITTED TO: USC
PARTICULARS: 6-1/195
BUZZ: This USC commitment went over, around, under and through receivers to haul in nine interceptions last season.

Dixon Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Baylor
PARTICULARS: 6-1/194
BUZZ: This four-star standout broke on the ball like a corner with hands of glue during his performance at the Gridiron Kings this summer.

Allen Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Alabama
PARTICULARS: 6-3/195
BUZZ: The No. 1 safety in the nation, Allen has the knack of finding the ball before the receiver - as he did while participating at Top Gun.

Jackson Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Texas
PARTICULARS: 6-3/175
BUZZ: Jackson - who has committed to the Texas Longhorns - had 10 picks, 20 pass breakups and a 2009 state title.

Bailey Highlights
COMMITTED TO: USC
PARTICULARS: 6-1/195
BUZZ: Bailey, the No. 7 safety in the nation, proved very adept in coverage at the Los Angeles Nike Camp.

Dixon Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Baylor
PARTICULARS: 6-1/194
BUZZ: This Baylor commitment is another tall, rangy defender who could play corner in a pinch.

Wright Highlights
CONSIDERING: USC leads Arizona, Colorado, Tennessee and Washington.
PARTICULARS: 6-1/201
BUZZ: Many experts believe this four-star prospect will play cornerback at the next level.

Allen Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Alabama
PARTICULARS: 6-3/195
BUZZ: This Alabama commitment is a tall, rangy athlete who covers more ground than anybody in the country.

Till Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Maryland
PARTICULARS: 6-3/190
BUZZ: Till, a Maryland commitment, is a very tall and rangy athlete who runs a 10.8 100 meters.

Jefferson Highlights
COMMITTED TO: UCLA
PARTICULARS: 6-0/196
BUZZ: A top-five safety, Jefferson may have the fastest closing speed of anyone in the country.

DembyHighlights
COMMITTED TO: Houston
PARTICULARS: 5-10/180
BUZZ: This Houston commitment is a very dangerous punt and kick returner who is a pick-six machine.

Haynes Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Oklahoma
PARTICULARS: 6-1/181
BUZZ: Haynes ran the second-fastest 40 out of more than 300 kids at the SW Ultimate100 as a junior.

Dorsey Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Florida
PARTICULARS: 6-1/175
BUZZ: Dorsey turned in the fastest 40 time (4.25) at the Under Armour Combine in Orlando, Fla.

Reid Highlights
COMMITTED TO: LSU
PARTICULARS: 6-2/210
BUZZ: Reid, an LSU commitment, has the potential to become an outside linebacker. Reid recorded nine sacks last season.

Loften Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Oklahoma
PARTICULARS: 5-10/195
BUZZ: He could be the hardest hitter in the state of Texas. Loften has accumulated 210 tackles during the past two seasons.

Williams Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Alabama
PARTICULARS: 6-2/205
BUZZ: The huge Alabama commitment looks like a muscular and athletic outside linebacker.

Elam Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Florida
PARTICULARS: 6-0/205
BUZZ: Elam, a five-star prospect, is a ball of muscle who is always looking to uncoil and knock a ball carrier out of his shoes.

Ogletree Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Georgia
PARTICULARS: 6-3/210
BUZZ: His film speaks for itself. Ogletree reminds many Bulldogs fans of former Georgia and current NFL player Thomas Davis.