First and 10: Big Hitters
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Unlike most of the prospects on this list, Roundtree didn't emerge on the recruiting scene until after his junior season. Once the film of him knocking people's blocks off surfaced, it was clear that he was an elite level prospect. Roundtree went from unranked to being a five-star - a leap that isn't exactly common - and it was mainly for his ability to read, react and deliver crushing blows. What makes Roundtree's exploits of laying the lumber so impressive is that they not only come in the secondary, but he loves to come up and help against the run and get after the quarterback. When Roundtree is on the prowl, nobody on the field is safe.
-- Woody Wommack, Southeast analyst
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Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity Christian
Like James, Edwards in another hard-hitter from the safety position, standing at 6-foot, 196 pounds. The four-star is ranked No. 9 at his position and has a reputation for packing a serious punch. His aggressive style of play has earned him nearly 30 offers, though he has twice de-committed; first from Ohio State then from Auburn. He mentioned Stanford as a favorite in August and took a visit to North Carolina in October.
-- Krohn
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LB
Brookhaven (Miss.)
It does not take long for Lewis to jump off the page. The 6-foot, 240-pound prospect does not merely record a tackle, he makes memories. He does not just want to get the ball carrier on the ground, he wants to make sure that ball carrier remembers what happened the last time. He arrives at the ball with power and explosion. He runs through the man and he works angles. It does not matter if he meets his man head on or if he is coming across the defense, he is going to put someone on the ground in a violent manner. Simply put, he is the kind of big hitter who makes offensive players not want the ball.
-- Jason Howell Midlands Recruiting Analyst
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Cedar Hill (Texas)
Moore has always been a ferocious hitter. He always seems to be in attack mode and he will stop at nothing to get to where he needs to go. He arrives at the ball carrier in a mean and nasty mood. He is quick, he is fast, and he plays through the echo of the whistle. He is also a very smart player and while he plays nasty he plays clean and under control. Moore gives the Cedar Hill defense a very sharp edge.
-- Howell
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Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman
Fertitta, a Notre Dame commit, is undersized but plays with a reckless abandon anyway. He routinely lays big hits on receives over the middle and his quickness has everything to do with the impact. Players of limited size sometimes shy away from physicality but aggression and big hits have become Fertitta's calling card over the years. Fertitta is a full-fledged headhunter that almost seems to enjoy sacrificing his own body in the name of a jarring blow.
-- Rob Cassidy, Southwest/Midlands Analyst
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LB
Cincinnati (Ohio) St. Xavier
The nation's No. 1 ranked inside linebacker packs a punch when he arrives at the football. At 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, Hilliard has an ideal frame for the linebacker position, combining both length and bulk. He knows how to use that frame to deliver the big hit as well. One reason for Hilliard's heavy-hitting ability is that he always plays with good pad level and rarely gets caught higher than his opponent, giving him maximum leverage and allowing him to deliver his full power into his opponent.
-- Josh Helmholdt, Midwest Recruiting Analyst
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Long Beach (Calif.) Poly
Marshall does not get many chances to make big hits in games because quarterbacks rarely throw to his side. When they do it's usually an incomplete pass because the top-rated cornerback in this class is so talented. On the rare occasions that a pass is completed to his side or he comes from across the field to make a play, Marshall really hits hard and drives players into the ground. With his size, the five-star is super physical and tough and wants receivers to remember that he's on the field.
-- Adam Gorney, West Coast Recruiting Analyst
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Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
Humphreys is one of those blue-collar linebackers or safeties that loves to play physical and hit people. He's very good at it, too, and doesn't incur penalties but makes it known that he's one of the tougher players in Southern California. The best thing about the Duke commit is that he's really smart and understands the game so he doesn't just fly around the field looking to hit people. Instead, he's very targeted and precise and usually only nails someone hard when it's necessary to jar the ball loose.
-- Gorney
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Riverside (Calif.) Riverside Poly
Ross plays a lot of cornerback as well which actually limits his ability on defense but when he comes up in run support or goes across the field to make a tackle, he packs a punch. The four-star is super athletic and plays every down with a lot of aggression so he's always around the play. If he moved to safety there would be more big hits, but even at cornerback Ross has a physical impact every time he's on the field.
-- Gorney
Woody Womack
Southeast Recruiting Analyst
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