Category rankings: Defensive ends
TheRivals.comrecruitingexpertshavebrokendowncountlesshoursoffilmandrackedupplentyoffrequentflyermilestoseethetopprospectscompeteateventsacrossthecountry.Intheprocessofevaluatingoveralltalent,severalprospectsgainednoticefortheirmasteryofspecificskills.
We'veselectedthebestofthebestineachcategoryforeverypositionandrankedthem.Rivals.comrecruitinganalystMikeFarrellbreaksdownthedefensiveends.
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DERANKINGS:Strongest|Againsttherun|Bestpassrusher|Quickestfirststep
STRONGEST
5.RayDrew,Thomasville(Ga.)ThomasCountyCentral
DrewHighlightsClickHeretoviewthisLink.
Considering:Georgia,Auburn,FSU,LSU,Alabamaandmanyothers.
Particulars:6-5/243
Buzz:Poundforpoundoneofthestrongestplayersinthecountrywhenitcomestoexplosionandleverage.
4.AnthonyZettel,WestBranch(Mich.)OgemawHeights
ZettelHighlightsClickHeretoviewthisLink.
Considering:MichiganleadsIowa,MichiganState,PennState,USCandothers.
Particulars:6-4/254
Buzz:Uncannypowerfromaframethatstillhasplentyofroomtofillout.
3.StephonTuitt,Monroe(Ga.)Area
TuittHighlightsClickHeretoviewthisLink.
Committedto:NotreDame
Particulars:6-5/260
Buzz:Bigbodyallowshimtodominateandoverpoweropponentswhenhewantsto.
2.JadeveonClowney,RockHill(S.C.)SouthPointe
ClowneyHighlightsClickHeretoviewthisLink.
Considering:SouthCarolina,Alabama,FSU,OhioState,LSUandothers.
Particulars:6-6/247
Buzz:Thenation'sbestplayerhasthestrengthandpowertoplayinsideifneededincollege.
1.AaronLynch,CapeCoral(Fla.)IslandCoast
LynchHighlightsClickHeretoviewthisLink.
Committedto:FSU
Particulars:6-6/245
Buzz:Aweightroomwarriorwhotossesopponentsasidelikebowlingpinsattimes.
BESTAGAINSTTHERUN
5.D.J.Pettway,Pensacola(Fla.)Catholic
PetwayHighlightsClickHeretoviewthisLink.
Committedto:Alabama
Particulars:6-3/255
Buzz:Averyactivelineman,Pettwayshedsandshocksaswellasanyone.
4.ToddBarr,Lakewood,Calif.
BarrHighlightsClickHeretoviewthisLink.
Considering:Cal,Florida,Oregonandothers.
Particulars:6-3/265
Buzz:Nearly100tacklesasajuniorfora265-poundershowshisabilityasmorethanapassrusher.
3.IshaqWilliams,Brooklyn(N.Y.)Lincoln
WilliamsHighlightsClickHeretoviewthisLink.
Considering:PennState,NotreDame,Alabama,Syracuseandothers.
Particulars:6-6/220
Buzz:Williamsuseshisimpressiveburstandbecomesskinnyintheholetomakeplayafterplayagainsttherun.
2.JermauriaRasco,Shreveport(La.)EvangelChristian
RascoHighlightsClickHeretoviewthisLink.
Considering:TexasandLSUleadothers.
Particulars:6-3/227
Buzz:Readsandrecognizeswellandrunsthingsdowntotheoutsidewithease.
1.JadeveonClowney,RockHill(S.C.)SouthPointe
ClowneyHighlightsClickHeretoviewthisLink.
Considering:SouthCarolina,Alabama,FSU,OhioState,LSUandothers.
Particulars:6-6/247
Buzz:Clowney'sbacksidepursuitintherungameisbetterthananyone'sinrecentyears.
BESTPASSRUSHER
5.JeoffreyPagan,Asheville,N.C.
PaganHighlightsClickHeretoviewthisLink.
Committedto:Florida
Particulars:6-4/272
Buzz:Afreakyathlete,Paganisjustlearninghowtopassrushbutstilldominateswhenhe'sallowedtocutloose.
4.AaronLynch,CapeCoral(Fla.)IslandCoast
LynchHighlightsClickHeretoviewthisLink.
Committedto:FSU
Particulars:6-6/245
Buzz:Lynchusesrawathleticismtodisruptthepassinggame.
3.ToddBarr,Lakewood,Calif.
BarrHighlightsClickHeretoviewthisLink.
Considering:Cal,Florida,Oregonandothers.
Particulars:6-3/265
Buzz:Oneofthebestrun-passcombodefensivelinemenaround,Barrmoveswellandisanexcellentpassrusher.
2.AnthonyZettel,WestBranch(Mich.)OgemawHeights
ZettelHighlightsClickHeretoviewthisLink.
Considering:MichiganleadsIowa,MichiganState,PennState,USCandothers.
Particulars:6-4/254
Buzz:ThereisnobettermotorinthecountrythantheoneonZettel,handsdown.
1.JadeveonClowney,RockHill(S.C.)SouthPointe
ClowneyHighlightsClickHeretoviewthisLink.
Considering:SouthCarolina,Alabama,FSU,OhioState,LSUandothers.
Particulars:6-6/247
Buzz:Clowneyrunslikeawidereceiverdespitehismassiveframeandengulfsquarterbackseverygame.
QUICKESTFIRSTSTEP
5.NathanHughes,Klein(Texas)KleinOak
HughesHighlightsClickHeretoviewthisLink.
Committedto:Oklahoma
Particulars:6-6/263
Buzz:Despitehisbigframe,Hughesisexplosiveinhisfirststepevenatlinebackerwhereheplayedsomethisseason.
4.NorkeithusOtis,Gastonia(N.C.)Ashbrook
OtisHighlightsClickHeretoviewthisLink.
Committedto:NorthCarolina
Particulars:6-3/200
Buzz:Likelyprojectsasalinebackerincollege,buthisfirststepwillallowhimtobeamenaceofftheedgeanyhow.
3.AnthonyChickillo,Tampa(Fla.)Alonso
ChickilloHighlightsClickHeretoviewthisLink.
Committedto:Miami
Particulars:6-3/226
Buzz:Hisget-offismatchedonlybuthismotoranddesiretogetafterthequarterback.
2.CurtMaggitt,WestPalmBeach(Fla.)Dwyer
MaggittHighlightsClickHeretoviewthisLink.
Considering:Florida,FSU,Alabama,LSU,Wisconsinandothers.
Particulars:6-3/200
Buzz:Theundersizedendisofteninthebackfieldatthesametimethequarterbackgetsthesnap.
1.JadeveonClowney,RockHill(S.C.)SouthPointe
Clowney HighlightsClick Here to view this Link.
Considering: South Carolina, Alabama, FSU, Ohio State, LSU and others.
Particulars: 6-6/247
Buzz: If Clowney doesn't know the snap count ahead of time, it sure looks like it on every play.
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