The first five-stars: John Theus
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Rivals.com has identified the first five-star prospects for the 2012 class and is unveiling them this week. Twelve prospects have been awarded five-stars but are not ranked at this time and we will profile three each day. The five-star spotlight is now on Jacksonville (Fla.) Bolles offensive tackle John Theus.
Five stars: John Theus
John Theus is a very good run blocker and excellent in pass protection.
HIGHLIGHT REELS
John Theus, OT, Jacksonville (Fla.) Bolles
Attributes: 6-6, 300, 5.2 40
Top schools: Offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Maryland, Miami, Michigan, Mississippi State, North Carolina, Rutgers, South Carolina, Texas, UCF
Scouting report: Theus is a very talented offensive tackle prospect who has a great frame and good athleticism. Theus is a very strong lineman who displays excellent technique and a high football IQ. He is very good in both pass protection and as a run blocker. He isn't the fastest lineman down the field, but he gets the job done with effective quickness when he has to pull or go to the second level as a run blocker. He has sound fundamentals and has been well coached at the high school level.
Analyst's take: "When you watch Theus, the first thing that stands out to you is his frame and how well he carries 300 pounds. He can easily add more size and muscle on his long, lanky frame. Theus does an excellent job keeping defensive ends at bay with his long arms and by putting himself in the proper position to handle the defensive rush. He isn't the fastest offensive lineman, but has good foot speed and can re-direct easily and get to the second level to block linebackers in the running game or on screens." - Chris Nee, Rivals.com
Why he's a five-star: "Theus is a very competitive and intelligent lineman that has a superior powerbase. He is a natural hip and knee bender that can stay locked on defenders and move his feet. The best years are still ahead of him because he is still filling out is tremendous frame." - Barry Every, Rivals.com
His coach says: "He has obviously got the size and the quickness to play, but he is a very hard worker and a very intelligent player for us. We ask him to play one of the hardest positions on the field for us and he does a great job there for us for a couple of years now. I think he can be as good as he wants. He is obviously one of the best players we have ever had here. He just has to stay injury free and see what happens, but he certainly has the size and can run and the quickness to do it." - Bolles offensive line coach Wayne Belger
Odds and ends: Theus was first scouted by Rivals.com at the Atlanta National Underclassmen Combine in June of 2009, when he was preparing for his sophomore season. He was voted the overall freshman MVP at that event. He was again scouted last summer Georgia's team camp, where he again impressed and showed a 21-pound weight gain from Atlanta NUC. Theus, who is an Army All-American, is the younger brother of incoming Georgia long-snapper Nathan Theus.
Player comparison: 2011 NFL Draft Pick Anthony Castonzo (Boston College)
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