Published Jun 4, 2008
Category rankings: Defensive tackles
Rivals.com recruiting staff
Publisher
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.
Coming Next: Running backs
Has recorded a 4.7 40-yard dash and a 34-inch vertical leap; he's as quick as a cat.
Another defensive tackle that has such a good speed that he could also play defensive end.
Comes off the ball so quick he may be able to play defensive end in college.
Controlled the line of scrimmage with his quickness in the state championship game last December.
For two hours he fired off the ball and embarrassed lineman after lineman at the U.S. Army Junior Combine in San Antonio.
OTHER QUICK LINEMEN: Josh Boyd, Philadelphia (Miss.) Philadelphia; Gary Brown, Quincy (Fla.) West Gadsden; Corey Gaines, Tallahassee (Fla.) Godby; Derek Johnson, Hoxie (Ark.) Hoxie; Luther Robinson, Ft. Pierce (Fla.) Westwood.

Defensive tackle tosses his opponents around like rag dolls; could also be an offensive tackle.
The No. 1 rated defensive tackle prospect overall benches 365 pounds and squats 485.
Used a powerful bull rush to dominate the offensive linemen at the U.S. Army All-American Combine.
Most Ohio football experts consider him the strongest player in the state; claims 40 reps of 225 pounds.
Had a dominating performance at the Premier Showcase in New Jersey and has a 520-pound bench press.
OTHER STRONG LINEMEN: DeAndre Coleman, Seattle (Wash.) Garfield; Latu Heimuli, Salt Lake City (Utah) Highland; Calvin Howell, San Antonio (Texas) Warren; Jacobbi McDaniel, Greenville (Fla.) Madison; Tyler Stockton, Princeton (N.J.) Hun School.

Another athletic lineman who could play several positions along the defensive line.
Two-way star could play several positions at the next level because of his athleticism.
Worked out on both sides of the ball at the U.S. Army All-American Combine and used his feet to get the upper hand of his competitors.
His bull rush dominated opponents at the U.S. Army Combine but he also has great athleticism and technique.
On film he moves like a dancing bear; at the Baton Rouge Nike Camp he ran on the balls of his feet just like a sprinter.
OTHER GREAT ATHLETES: Abry Jones, Warner Robins (Ga.) Northside; Jamarkus McFarland, Lufkin, Texas; Demonte McAllister, Tampa (Fla.) Alonso; Dillon Quinn, Pawling (N.Y.) Trinity Pawling; Darrington Sentimore, Destrehan, La.

Had a tremendous showing at the Gainesville Nike Camp.
Was impossible to move at the U.S. Army All-American Combine.
He had an amazing 67 unassisted tackles from his interior defensive line position in '07.
Two-way starter not only help lead his team to a state championship; plays with great leverage.
At 6 feet 3, 296 pounds this baby bull is almost impossible to move off the line of scrimmage.
OTHER RUN STUFFERS: D.J. Fluker, Foley, Ala.; Calvin Howell, San Antonio (Texas) Warren; Brandon Moore, Montgomery (Ala.) Carver; Tyler Stockton, Princeton (N.J.) Hun School; Jamar Travis, Brewton (Ala.) W.S. Neal.

Had 20 tackles for losses and recorded 13 sacks last year.
Recorded 13 sacks as a junior while leading his team to a state championship.
Recorded 12 sacks, and showed every possible technique a defensive lineman could use at the U.S. Army Combine.
Recorded 117 tackles and 24 sacks while winning a state championship.
Registered 113 tackles and an amazing 26 sacks this past season.
OTHER PASS RUSHERS: Josh Boyd, Philadelphia, Miss.; Demonte McAllister, Tampa (Fla.) Alonso, Jamarkus McFarland, Lufkin, Texas; Dillon Quinn, Pawling (N.Y.) Trinity Pawling; Luther Robinson, Ft. Pierce (Fla.) Westwood.
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