July 7, 2008

Rivals.com recruiting staff

VOTE: Fastest | Best ball skills | Best coverage skills | Most physical

Pick a category Stongest arm Most accurate Best scrambler Quickest Strongest Best athlete Best run stuffer Best pass rusher Best home-run threat Best inside runner Best in space Best downhill runner Strongest Best against the run Best pass rusher Quickest first step Best run blocker Best pass blocker Strongest Most agile Best athlete Best instincts Best run stopper Best closing speed Best athlete Best deep threat Best hands Best after catch Best athlete Fastest Best ball skills Best coverage skills Most physical Best athlete Fastest Best hands Best athlete Fastest Best ball skills Best coverage skills Most physical

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.

Coming Next: Athletes

SAFETY RANKINGS: Fastest | Best ball skills | Best coverage skills | Most physical

5. William Marable, Norfolk (Va.) Norview
Marable highlights
PARTICULARS: 6-0/195
THE BUZZ: Ran a 4.49 as a sophomore and earned MVP honors at National Underclassmen combine.

4. Tevin McCaskill, Miami Northwestern
McCaskill highlights
PARTICULARS: 6-2/182
THE BUZZ: Recorded a 4.45 at the Nike Combine in Miami.

3. Kevin Brent, Dallas South Oak Cliff
Brent highlights
PARTICULARS: 5-11/196
THE BUZZ: Runs all the relays and is a 200-meter specialist.

2. Jajuan Harley, Tallahassee (Fla.) Rickards
Harley highlights
COMMITMENT: Florida State
PARTICULARS: 6-2/190
THE BUZZ: Recorded a 10.7 100-meters this spring.

1. Craig Loston, Aldine (Texas) Eisenhower
Loston highlights
COMMITMENT: Clemson
PARTICULARS: 6-2/193
THE BUZZ: Has run a 10.4 100-meters.

OTHERS: Gerald Hodges, Paulsboro, N.J. (Rutgers commitment); Dexter Linton, Arlington (Texas) Bowie (Kansas commitment); Charlie Thomas, Beaumont (Texas) Central (Texas A&M commitment); Justin Turner, Massillon (Ohio) Washington (Michigan commitment); Jamie Wood, Pickerington (Ohio) Central (Ohio State commitment).

BEST BALL SKILLS

5. Shawn Williams, Blakely (Ga.) Early County
Williams highlights
COMMITMENT: Georgia
PARTICULARS: 6-1/195
THE BUZZ: Recorded three interceptions to go along with 21 catches on offense.

4. Bradley McDougald, Dublin (Ohio) Scioto
McDougald highlights
COMMITMENT: Ohio State
PARTICULARS: 6-0/181
THE BUZZ: Had 27 catches, ran for more than 1,000 yards and added a pick on defense.

3. Craig Loston, Aldine (Texas) Eisenhower
Loston highlights
COMMITMENT: Clemson
PARTICULARS: 6-2/193
THE BUZZ: Not just a speed guy, he also recorded three picks and returns punts.

2. Daytawion Lowe, Midwest City (Okla.) Carl Albert
Lowe highlights
PARTICULARS: 6-0/175
THE BUZZ: Recorded three picks and returns punts for his team.

1. Darren Myles, Atlanta Carver
Myles highlights
PARTICULARS: 6-1/175
THE BUZZ: Had an amazing performance at the Tuscaloosa Nike Camp.

OTHERS: Isaiah Bell, Youngstown (Ohio) Liberty (Michigan commitment); Kevin Brent, Dallas South Oak Cliff; Jabari Carr, San Jose (Calif.) Oak Grove; Alex Mascarenas, Mission Viejo (Calif.) Mission Viejo (UCLA commitment); Jamie Wood, Pickerington (Ohio) Central (Ohio State commitment).

BEST COVERAGE SKILLS

5. Jamie Wood, Pickerington (Ohio) Central
Wood highlights
COMMITMENT: Ohio State
PARTICULARS: 6-2/190
THE BUZZ: Two-way starter that has speed, hips, and ball skills to be successful.

4. Craig Loston, Aldine (Texas) Eisenhower
Loston highlights
COMMITMENT: Clemson
PARTICULARS: 6-2/193
THE BUZZ: Has such great recovery speed that it is hard to get open for very long.

3. Darren Myles, Atlanta Carver
Myles highlights
PARTICULARS: 6-1/175
THE BUZZ: Looked like a corner during drill work at the Tuscaloosa Nike Camp.

2. Tevin McCaskill, Miami Northwestern
McCaskill highlights
PARTICULARS: 6-2/182
THE BUZZ: His performance at the Miami Nike camp earned him MVP honors.

1. T.J. McDonald, Fresno (Calif.) Edison
McDonald highlights
COMMITMENT: USC
PARTICULARS: 6-2/200
THE BUZZ: Had a tremendous showing at the USC Rising Senior Camp.

OTHERS: Kevin Brent, Dallas South Oak Cliff; Jabari Carr, San Jose (Calif.) Oak Grove; Vladimir Emilien, Lauderhill (Fla.) Plantation; Justin Turner, Massillon (Ohio) Washington (Michigan commitment); Dijon Washington, Lawndale (Calif.) Leuzinger.

MOST PHYSICAL

5. Kevin Brent, Dallas South Oak Cliff
Brent highlights
PARTICULARS: 5-11/196
THE BUZZ: Not only does he have speed he packs a real punch when he tackles.

4. D.J. Swearinger, Greenwood, S.C.
Swearinger highlights
PARTICULARS: 5-11/191
THE BUZZ: Two-way starter had 93 tackles and also ran for 516 yards and nine TDs.

3. Jawanza Starling, Tallahassee (Fla.) Lincoln
Starling highlights
PARTICULARS: 6-2/195
THE BUZZ: Had 98 tackles and 10 TFL's last season.

2. Chris Payne, Columbia, S.C.
Payne highlights
COMMITMENT: South Carolina
PARTICULARS: 5-10/190
THE BUZZ: Two-way starter racked up 146 tackles and 19 TFLs.

1. Zeke Motta, Vero Beach, Fla.
Motta highlights
PARTICULARS: 6-2/207
THE BUZZ: Racked up an amazing 152 tackles and had great performance at Gainesville Nike Camp.

OTHERS: Craig Bills, Provo (Utah) Timpview; Devonte Holloman, Rock Hill (S.C.) South Pointe; T.J. McDonald , Fresno (Cailf.) Edison; Kenny Vaccaro, Brownwood, Texas; Shawn Williams, Blakely (Ga.) Early County.

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