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David Ducre is oneof four in-state backs committed to LSU.
THE NAMES:
David Ducre, Mandevill (La.) Lakeshore
Derrius Guice, Baton Rouge (La.) Catholic
Nicholas Brossette, Baton Rouge (La.) University Laboratory School
Bry'Kiethon Mouton, Lafayette (La.) Acadiana
THE SITUATION:
Mouton is a fullback, so he probably doesn't figure into any upcoming competition between backs, but his commitment should be noted nevertheless. At the crux of LSU's class are three four-star running backs, all of which will battle for touches as their careers unfold. Add in the fact that the Tigers grabbed last year's No. 1 running back, Leonard Fournette and you have a full-fledged party in the backfield. You also have a heated competition and the recipe for a possible transfer or two down the road. The fact that the Tigers' stable of 2015 running backs has been crafted entirely with in-state talent is also notable.
THE CREAM OF THE CROP:
Guice is one of those players that stands out even in warmups. He already boats the build of a college back and knows how to use his physique to his advantage on the field. Guice is as well-rounded a back as there is in the class, and the power he will bring to LSU's ground attack will not go unnoticed.
OHIO STATE LINEBACKERS
Nick Conner took home linebacker MVP honors from the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge presented by Under Armour.
THE NAMES:
Jerome Baker, Cleveland (Ohio) Benedictine
Nick Conner, Dublin (Ohio) Scioto
Justin Hilliard, Cincinnati (Ohio) St. Xavier
THE SITUATION:
A homegrown trio of four-star linebackers, Ohio's State crop of committed talent at the position is overwhelming. The haul includes the No. 1-ranked inside linebacker (Hillard) and the No. 5-ranked outside linebacker (Baker). Conner, who also plays inside, had a spectacular summer camp circuit and took home positional MVP honors at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge presented by Under Armour.
THE CREAM OF THE CROP:
Hilliard is the highest touted prospect of the group and for good reason. He knows how to use his 225-pound almost perfectly and has built a reputation on quickness and jarring hits. Hillard is a disruptive force in the backfield but is also capable in coverage.
GEORGIA DEFENSIVE ENDS
Jonathan Ledbetter is the No. 38 overall prospect in the nation.
THE NAMES:
Michael Barnett, Ridgeville (S.C) Woodland
Jonathan Ledbetter, Tucker (Ga.) Tucker
Natrez Patrick, Atlanta (Ga.) Mays
Chauncey Rivers, Stone Mountain (Ga.) Stephenson
Quincy Vasser, Navarro (Texas) Community College
Justin Young, Loganville (Ga.) Grayson
THE SITUATION:
It's one thing to have six defensive ends in a single class. Having four of them carry four-star rankings is quite another. Some of the prospects in the fold are versatile enough to play other positions at UGA, but the sheer talent on commitment list is a sight to see. Georgia's group of committed ends is a nice mix of quick pass-rush specialists (Bennett) and powerful tacticians with massive upside (Ledbetter).
THE CREAM OF THE CROP:
The No. 38 overall prospect in the 2015 class, Ledbetter leads Georgia's unbelievably deep and talented group of defensive ends. He sometimes works as a defensive tackle and the high school level, but will likely be a full-time end in college. He's as strong a prospect as there is at the position and will only become more dangerous as he polishes his pass-rush skills.
CLEMSON WIDE RECEIVERS
Ray-Ray McCloud III could have an impact at other positions as well.
THE NAMES:
Shadell Bell, Decatur (Ga.) Columbia
Deon Cain, Tampa (Fla.) Tampa Bay Tech
Ray-Ray McCloud III, Tampa (Fla.) Sickles
Jae'lon Oglesby Fork Union (Va.) Fork Union Military Academy
THE SITUATION:
With four wide receivers rated four-stars or better, Clemson has amassed a stunning crop of big-play threats. McCloud, a five-star prospect, is listed as an "athlete" but will likely play wide receiver in the ACC. Clemson has long since been a recruiting force in Florida, so the fact that two of its highly touted receiver commits are from the Sunshine State should shock nobody.
THE CREAM OF THE CROP:
A five-star prospect and the No. 18 prospect in the entire 2015 class, McCloud is the headliner here. Despite his 5-foot-9 frame, he is as versatile a prospect as there is in America. The speedy McCloud can change a game from the receiver position but can also make a splash playing running back or cornerback. There's a lot to like about McCloud, who would be the top overall prospect in most schools' recruiting hauls.
USC QUARTERBACKS
Ricky Town is the No. 3 pro-style quarterback in the class of 2015.
THE NAMES:
Ricky Town, Ventura (Calif.) St. Bonaventure
Sam Darnold, San Clemente, Calif.
THE SITUATION:
This is probably only notable because of recent history. A few years ago, the Trojans took a pair of four-star quarterbacks in Cody Kessler and Max Wittek. Of course Wittek eventually transferred leaving the higher-ranked Kessler as the guy. Town and Darnold, each of whom also carry a four-star ranking, could face a similar situation down the road at USC, which has former No. 1 overall quarterback Max Browne already on the roster.
THE CREAM OF THE CROP:
Town, the No. 3 pro-style quarterback in the class, seems like the better option ... possibly. Then again, possibly not. Town isn't the most consistent quarterback in the country and tends to go in streaks. That said, he's fantastic when he is at his best. The lower-ranked Darnold, on the other hand, is seen as a prospect on the rise. He has every physical tool a college coach wants in a quarterback but hasn't been tested or showcased in the same way as Town.
ARKANSAS TIGHT ENDS
Will Gragg still has plenty of schools after him despite his pledge to Arkansas.
THE NAMES:
Austin Cantrell, Roland, Okla.
Will Gragg, Dumas, Ark.
C.J. O'Grady, Fayetteville, Ark.
THE SITUATION:
Three tight ends in a single class? Why not? You don't see it often, but a program's needs are what they are. Gragg is the only four-star in the bunch. But Cantrell, who the Razorbacks plucked out of small-town Oklahoma, is a sleeper prospect that could have enormous upside down the road. O'Grady, an in-state talent with a nice frame had plenty of options and chose Arkansas over offers from the likes of Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Texas.
THE CREAM OF THE CROP:
Gragg is, by far, the most ready to contribute at the college level. He also has the highest ceiling. That could be the reason why schools such as Texas, Ole Miss and LSU are still in pursuit despite his verbal commitment to the Razorbacks. Gragg, who possesses solid hands, has a knack for getting separation against even the quickest linebackers he faces.
OKLAHOMA OFFESNIVE LINEMEN
Bobby Evans is one of three four-star offensive linemen committed to Oklahoma.
THE NAMES:
Jamal Danley, Scooba (Miss.) East Mississippi C.C.
Bobby Evans, Allen, Texas
Cody Ford, Pineville (La.) Pineville
THE SITUATION:
It's as much about what Oklahoma has as it I about what it may collect in the coming months. The Sooners have three four-star offensive linemen already in the fold. And while Danley is a junior college addition, things could get pretty crowded if OU catches some breaks. Oklahoma is among the finalists to land four-star in-state guards Josh Wariboko and Jalin Barnett. If the Sooners are able to secure both, it's offensive line haul will undoubtedly be the best in the country.
THE CREAM OF THE CROP:
The top option here really depends on how you examine the class. Danley, a junior college prospect. is, by far, the most ready to contribute immediately. His body is college ready and his strength is on par with BCS-level lineman as things stand now. Both Evans and Ford have high ceilings, though, and could develop into better players a few years down the road.
Rob Cassidy
Midlands/Southwest Recruiting Analyst
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