float: right; width: 220px; margin: 6px">

The state of California has its best offensive line class in recent memory in the 2012 class so it's a little surprising the top four players in the California preseason Top 100 are on the defensive side of the ball but that just speaks to the strength of this group.

Leading the way is five-star defensive tackle Ellis McCarthy from Monrovia, followed by former Cal commit Shaq Thompson, a five-star safety from Sacramento Grant and then fellow five-star DT Aziz Shittu, a former Stanford pledge from Atwater Buhach.

The No. 4 player in California is USC commit Arik Armstead, who could play either defensive end or offensive tackle.

The first true offensive lineman in the rankings is San Clemente's Kyle Murphy, who shined at the Stanford NIKE Camp and especially last week at The Opening. USC, Cal, Oregon, Stanford and Florida are some favorites.

Sixth on the list is Michigan pledge Erik Magnuson followed by Cal quarterback pledge Zach Kline, Encino Crespi offensive guard Jordan Simmons, USC linebacker pledge Jabari Ruffin from Downey and No. 10 is Notre Dame cornerback commit Tee Shepard, who's planning to transfer from Fresno Central East to Fresno Washington Union for his senior season.

There are currently three five-star prospects in California's 2012 class in McCarthy, Thompson and Shittu but that could change because the offensive line class is that good. At different events over the last few months, Murphy, Magnuson and Simmons have all proven to be dominant players that should at least be in the conversation.

Another outstanding position group is wide receiver which is currently led by Inglewood's Derrick Woods at No. 11. But Deontay Greenberry (No. 20), Bryce Treggs (21), Gabriel Marks (23) and Darreus Rogers (24) have all had outstanding summers and that could help their rankings moving forward.

Treggs, from Bellflower St. John Bosco, and Marks, out of Los Angeles Venice, have been the most dominant. Marks was the best receiver by far at the B2G Elite Camp and Treggs dominated The Opening, one of the best collections of talent in a long time.

Other state rankings are also being released Wednesday including Oregon which is topped by four-star offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo, an Oregon State pledge who has dominated multiple camps this summer. He was one of the best lineman at The Opening and should see a nice bump in the next set of rankings.

Wisconsin is led by Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln outside linebacker Vince Biegel, a Badgers commitment; the top player in Maryland is Olney Our Lady of Good Counsel wide receiver Stefon Diggs; and leading the way in Iowa is West Des Moines Dowling receiver Amara Darboh.

On Thursday, Rivals.com will release its state rankings from Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina and the Rocky Mountain states.

[rl]