Farrell: Army All-American Position Breakdown
SAN ANTONIO, Texas - With three days of practice to evaluate as well as a few scrimmages, Rivals.com's Mike Farrell feels comfortable enough to rank the players by position based on their performances and potential. Some positions, like wide receiver, were very difficult because of the play of studs like Deon Beasley while positions like the defensive line were an easy call because of the dominance of the West unit. Take a look, brag to your friends and gaze upon the next stars of college football.
Quarterback
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2) Tim Tebow
3) Jevan Snead
4) Josh Freeman
5) Zach Frazer
Mustain has been the best of an overall inconsistent group of quarterbacks so far. He's looked comfortable since Tuesday, has been the most accurate and has great touch on his passes. Tebow has been better as each day has passed and has also rushed for some yardage. Snead, Freeman and Frazer have been good in spots, but haven't stood out like the top two. Tebow has more weapons at his disposal, but Mustain has done more with slightly less.
Running Back
1) Chris Wells
4) C.J. Spiller
Wells is a monster, one of the biggest backs with speed in recent memory. He's a load to handle if he gets two or three steps underway and he has the quicks to bounce it outside at times. Goodson is an absolute burner who turns upfield at full speed and has great burst. Aldridge has quick feet and great vision while Spiller is a threat out of the backfield. Murray hasn't been dominant as expected, but he still has very good skills.
Wide Receiver
1) Percy Harvin
5) Deon Beasley
Possibly the deepest position of all, Harvin and Hazelton are still head and shoulders above the rest. Harvin is a highlight film waiting to happen and Hazelton is physically dominant. Holland is super fast and has pulled in some one-handed catches while Ausberry is so big he's a nightmare in the red zone. Beasley is little, but he can scoot.
Tight End
2) Nate Byham
3) Adam James
4) Robert Rose
The tight end position is never really utilized in typical fashion in these games. Reuland has played in the slot as has Byham unless it's a double tight set. The rest of the list are used as blockers in those heavy sets. Reuland has fought the ball a bit as has Byham, but both show good upfield speed for big guys.
Offensive Line
1) Andre Smith
2) Sam Young
3) Justin Boren
5) Carl Johnson
The big uglies are pretty big and impressive, but Smith is head and shoulders above the rest because of the way his feet and arms work so well together. He gets a strong punch off the line while sliding back, punches again with knees bent and then locks and stands his ground. Sam Young is much more flexible than he was this past summer and last year and has great form while Boren gives defensive linemen fits because he's so low. Stewart needs to lose around 30 pounds, but he's agile and wide and very strong. Carl Johnson struggled at tackle but is a dominant guard prospect.
Defensive Line
1) Gerald McCoy
2) Eddie Jones
3) Al Woods
4) Butch Lewis
If wide receiver is the deepest position, defensive line could be the most top heavy. The West front four is ridiculous and McCoy is so agile and strong he can't be let loose and needs to be doubled. Eddie Jones is so quick off the edge and has a non-stop motor and love for the game that comes out on the field. Woods needs to play lower and get stronger, but even playing high he's so big and quick that he's a load and a disruptor. Lewis is playing out of position at defensive end but has fit in well and seems to like the extra space. Evans is undersized but active, super quick off the snap and very good in the run game.
Linebacker
4) Akeem Hebron
These linebackers love to do two things -- hit and talk. Spikes leads the way with his size, instincts and ability in coverage. He's a jumbo-size linebacker as is Johnson, who is the bigger talker of the two. Bradford and Hebron are smaller backers who hit the gap fast, anticipate well and aren't afraid to take on bigger players. Kindle is the most athletically gifted of the linebackers and makes plays that make you shake your head, but he hasn't been consistent enough to move to the top.
Defensive Back
1) Devin Ross
2) A.J. Wallace
3) Perrish Cox
4) Jai Eugene
5) Taylor Mays
Devin Ross could be the surprise of the entire week, especially since he struggled out in California last week for the CaliFlorida Bowl. He breaks on the ball very well, has good ball skills and turns and runs with everyone. He's not very big compared to some others, but it doesn't matter. Wallace is smooth and very fast. He opens his hips and runs with nearly everyone and makes plays on the ball rather than the man. Cox is adept at breaking up passes and has good size, Eugene is good in single coverage and is strong and Mays is huge and moves like a safety with linebacker size.