The NFL Combine is set for the end of the month, so we are taking a look at each position and how the players rank heading into the big event. In Rivals.com tradition, we also look back at how they ranked out of high school.
Today we look at our top defensive ends.
The skinny: The top-rated weak-side defensive end and second-best player in the 2014 class committed to Texas A&M in October over Alabama, Ohio State, TCU, Florida State and others. This season, Garrett finished with 33 tackles, 15 for loss, including 8.5 sacks. He recorded 10 QB hurries, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Interesting note: Garrett’s brother, Sean Williams, was a first-round selection in the 2007 NBA Draft out of Boston College. His sister, Brea, was a track and field star at Texas A&M who was an NCAA champion in the weight throw category.
Farrell’s take: There was a heated debate over who was No. 1 in the class of 2014, with many believing it was Garrett. That debate is over. We picked the wrong guy. In the end, we decided Alabama junior Da’Shawn Hand should remain in the top spot with Garrett at No. 2. While Hand still struggles to break out, Garrett is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft in 2017. Garrett is a freaky athlete who has learned to hold the edge better and has to be accounted for on every down. NFL scouts are absolutely in love with him.
The skinny: Barnett committed to Tennessee midway through his senior season, but he apparently made his mind up much earlier. According to reports, after he saw the Volunteers play for the first time during his freshman year against LSU, Barnett said he knew he’d end up playing in Knoxville. LSU, Vanderbilt, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Ohio State and others were involved. This season, Barnett totaled 56 tackles, 19 for loss, and 13 sacks. He also had two forced fumbles, an interception and 16 QB hurries.
Interesting note: Barnett was the first true freshman to start the season opener in school history and he finished that season with freshman records of 10.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for loss.
Farrell’s take: Some guys do a lot of developing between the time they sign and when they arrive on campus, and Barnett is clearly one of those players. We liked him, obviously, based on his top-175 ranking, but did we see his massive impact on the SEC during his career? Nope. He can bull rush you, he can beat you with speed and a shoulder dip even when plays are run to the opposite side. Anyone who breaks Reggie White’s Tennessee sack record is special and teams would be smart to look at him in the top 15 range.
The skinny: Thomas committed to Stanford over Arkansas, UCLA and many others on National Signing Day. He led the Cardinal with 62 tackles along with 15 for loss and eight sacks this season. Thomas also recorded two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and a safety.
Interesting note: During his Signing Day news conference, Thomas announced he had selected Stanford by placing a live tree on the table and putting on nerd glasses.
Farrell’s take: Known as much for the way he committed as his play, Thomas was a quiet high four-star. In the 2014 recruiting class, we had him behind Hand and Malik McDowell at strongside defensive end. I loved his technique and his endless motor, but he fell just short of five stars, by four spots, and he’s showing us that could have been a mistake. A big end, Thomas played the run well and could get after the passer. His versatility at Stanford and ability to play inside or outside at the next level have many scouts falling in love.
The skinny: Charlton committed to Michigan shortly after Signing Day of his junior year over offers from Iowa, Ole Miss, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Pitt, Tennessee, UCLA and many others. He mainly played linebacker in high school and was also a basketball star who intrigued Michigan coach John Beilein. Charlton recorded 43 tackles (13 for loss) with 9.5 sacks and 10 QB hurries this season.
Interesting note: Charlton’s real first name is Vidauntae. He received the nickname Taco in his younger years by his mother and grandmother and his Twitter handle is @TheSupremeTaco.
Farrell’s take: I remember the first time I saw Charlton. He was a 6-foot-6, 240-pound sophomore who looked simply amazing on the hoof. He was raw of course and didn’t know how to use his length well, but as I saw him more often, he improved each time. He made our Rivals250, but wasn’t higher in the rankings because he was inconsistent and not as physical as we wanted. Now he’s in the mix to be drafted higher than everyone ranked ahead of him at his position in 2013 except for Jonathan Allen and linebacker Tim Williams.
The skinny: Harris was a two-star prospect and little was known about him coming out of Kansas City (Mo.) Lincoln College Prep. He recorded 60 tackles, including 12 sacks in his senior season, and Missouri is listed as his lone offer. Harris was second on the team this season with 61 tackles along with 12 for loss and nine sacks, both team highs. He forced two fumbles and recovered one.
Interesting note: Also a standout basketball player at Lincoln College Prep, Harris took to boxing in his younger years and credits a lot of success on the field to his time spent sparring in the ring.
Farrell’s take: This was a kid we didn’t get to evaluate much at all because he emerged for Missouri so late and didn’t have film prior to his senior year, so the sample size was very small. He's a great example of a prospect who just started to get really elite after he left high school and an example of great scouting by the Mizzou staff. He played football as a freshman in high school and quit because he didn’t like the hitting and felt he was a basketball player. He obviously took up the sport again and now the NFL is charting his every move. His numbers were solid this year, but the extra attention paid to him, paired with his team’s struggles, have some giving him a round two grade.
