Judge Farrell: DT 2005-2007

With the class of 2016 rankings locked and loaded, defensive tackles Rashan Gary and Dexter Lawrence finish as the top two in the country overall and, of course, at their positions. Sounds like the perfect time for Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell to put on his judge’s robe and take a look at the top two defensive tackles each year since our inception.

Today Judge Farrell looks at 2005-2007, led by Buccaneers star Gerald McCoy.

Previous: 2002-2004

The skinny: Granger took official visits to Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Arizona State and LSU before committing to the Sooners in the days leading up to National Signing Day. Granger had a promising redshirt freshman season in Norman; however, injuries quickly hindered his progress during the remainder of his collegiate career. This led to him going undrafted in 2010. After being signed and quickly cut by Seattle, Granger saw some time in the Arena Football League with Iowa and the United Football League with Omaha.

Farrell’s take: Granger was a monster back in his high school days, a guy with a terrific combination of power and quick feet. He looked like a college player by his junior year and could crush the pocket as well as stuff the run. He started off well in his college career, making some plays in the backfield but it was injuries that really hindered him instead of a silly off-field incident.

The skinny: Bright was one of several top-level Class of 2005 five-star recruits who flamed out quickly. Bright took official visits to Florida State, Texas A&M and Purdue, which is where his brother played, and on National Signing Day he committed to the Seminoles over the Aggies. However, Bright never qualified academically, so he spent a prep season at Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia hoping to remedy this. This effort fell short and he never saw the field at Florida State. After a brief stop at Butler Community College in Kansas in 2007, Bright faced a felony count of possession of marijuana with the intent to sell in Pennsylvania before finding his way to Division II Shaw University in North Carolina. He gained academic eligibility for the 2009 season when he finished with 48 tackles and 7.5 tackles for a loss. Foregoing his final season of college football, Bright declared for the 2010 NFL Draft, but went undrafted and unsigned. Bright finished his playing days in the Arena Football League, where he played for Jacksonville, Tulsa, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Pittsburgh and Wichita in the span of three seasons.

Farrell’s take: Bright is still a legend in high school recruiting circles, a dominant and athletic defensive tackle who played with such passion and anger he went into the stands one game after hecklers. Academic and behavioral issues derailed his career even at the high school level and he’s up there with Nathaniel Robinson as one of the most talented defensive tackles I’ve seen who never amounted to much.

Judge Farrell's Verdict: Granger easily had the better career.

The skinny: McCoy took official visits to Notre Dame, Miami, LSU, USC and Virginia Tech before deciding the pull to play for the in-state Sooners was too much to overcome. He spent four seasons in Norman, earning first-team All-American honors in both 2007 and 2008. Entering the 2009 NFL Draft in very high regard, McCoy was selected third overall by Tampa Bay. He has spent his entire six-year NFL career with the Buccaneers, where he has earned Pro Bowl invites the last four seasons and first-team All-Pro honors after the last three. In 2015 he finished with 34 tackles, 8.5 sacks and one forced fumble. McCoy signed an eight-year, $108.6 million contract in 2014 with $51.5 million guaranteed.

Farrell’s take: McCoy was a guy with a great first step, shot the gap easily and was very good in space and keeping his feet while working outside through traffic. He was powerful at the point of attack but what set him apart was his ability to get after the passer, a rarity for a defensive tackle and something he’s shown in the NFL. The best player in the Rivals era from Oklahoma? Yep.

The skinny: Woods avoided any serious drama during his recruiting process by committing to LSU in May, 2005 and sticking with his word throughout. Playing four seasons in Baton Rouge, Woods left his best for last as he finished 2009 with 33 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss and one sack. Selected in the fourth round by New Orleans in the 2010 Draft, he signed a four-year contract but was released prior to the start of the season. Since then he has jumped around the NFL, finding a home in Pittsburgh for two seasons and starting nine games for Tennessee in 2015. He is currently a free agent.

Farrell’s take: Woods was one of the biggest defensive tackles I’ve ever seen in person, a monster of a man as a high school player who was nearly 6-foot-5 and looked like he was 350 pounds with little bad weight. Like many defensive tackles, it took Woods some time to develop, but he got better each year and is still talented enough to draw an NFL paycheck despite bouncing around. This guy was so dominant I thought he might hurt his own teammates in practice with his sheer size alone.

Judge Farrell's Verdict: McCoy has clearly been the better prospect.

The skinny: Austin took his five official visits to North Carolina, USC, Florida State, Tennessee and Illinois. Florida State or USC were considered the leaders for several months, but Austin pulled somewhat of a surprise on National Signing Day and committed to the Tar Heels. At UNC, Austin became an immediate contributor and then continued to produce in 2008 and 2009. However, everything at UNC was derailed for him prior to the 2010 season, when he was suspended for receiving improper benefits. Because of this and other lingering issues, Austin slipped into the second round of 2011 NFL Draft, where he was selected by the New York Giants with the No. 52 overall pick. Austin spent two seasons with the Giants and then split 2013 between Dallas and Miami, before signing with the Denver Broncos in 2014. After a promising first season in Denver, the Broncos placed him on season-ending injured reserve in August and then waived him in October.

Farrell’s Take: I still remember the first time I saw Austin at the now-defunct Elite College Combine in New Jersey wearing track shorts and running a 4.6 or so in the 40 yard dash. That was the first year I remember sophomores really bursting into the scene in recruiting and Austin led the way. You could put Austin against any defensive tackle in Rivals.com history when it comes to sheer athleticism, but scandal at UNC and injury in the NFL have led to a disappointing post-high school career for the most part.

The skinny: Davis committed to Florida leading up to the start of his senior season and never strayed from his word. He played for two seasons in Gainesville before off-field issues led to his transfer to Jacksonville State. After one season with the Gamecocks, Davis declared for the NFL Draft, where he went undrafted. After a failed attempt with Tampa Bay in 2010, Davis played a season in the Arena League before making his way to Canada, where he has played for Calgary, Hamilton and Edmonton over the last five seasons.

Farrell’s take: What is it with highly-rated defensive tackles and off-field issues? Davis is another who derailed his career with foolish off-field activities and never developed as expected. I always remember him as the defensive tackle who walked like he was 50 years old but played like he was a young superstar. Davis had his moments, like in the title game against Oklahoma for the Gators, but with his talent he shouldn’t be in the CFL right now.

Judge Farrell's Verdict: Austin had a better college career and was drafted higher, so he gets the nod.