Feb. 6, 2008

By Tom Lemming

Special to CSTV.com

TOM LEMMING
Tom is CSTV's college football recruiting analyst, and writes for CSTV.com regularly.
E-mail
        ---   Column Archive   --- SIGNING DAY 2008 2/8: Mailbag - Signing Day Fall Out 2/8: Overall Conference Class Rankings 2/6: Winners & Losers 2/5: Flashback 2007 2/1: Mailbag - Where Will They Go? SIGNING DAY 2007 2/7: Winners and Losers 1/22: Countdown to Signing Day 1/15: Best Available CONFERENCE BREAKDOWNS 08 2/16: Big East 2/15: Pac-10 2/14: Big Ten 2/13: Big 12 2/12: ACC 2/8: SEC CONFERENCE BREAKDOWNS 07 2/13: SEC 2/12: Pac-10 2/11: Big Ten 2/10: Big East 2/9: Big 12 2/8: ACC CONFERENCE BREAKDOWNS 06 4/28: Pac-10 4/25: Big East 4/19: ACC 4/14: Big 12 4/12: Big Ten 4/6: SEC CLASS PLAYER RANKINGS 2/06: Class of 2009 Top 100 First Release 2/05: Class of 2007 Look Back 1/23: Final Class Of 2008 Top 100 1/11: Stock Watch - 2009 Potential All-Americans 1/5: Stock Watch - All-American Bowl 1/4: Stock Watch - All-American Practice Week 8/2: 2008 Top 100 Overview 4/9: 2008 Updated Watch List 2/8: 2008 Early Watch List 2/5: Top 100 Latest 1/29: 2007 - Final Rankings 1/23: 2006 - Final Rankings 2008 TOP 25s 11/15: Inside Linebackers 11/14: Outside Linebackers 11/13: Athletes 11/13: Cornerbacks 11/12: Fullbacks 11/08: OGuards/Centers 11/01: Offensive Tackles 10/20: Defensive Ends 10/14: Tight Ends 10/04: Safeties 9/19: Defensive Tackles 9/12: Tailbacks 9/5: Pro-Style QBs 8/28: Dual Threat QBs BCS BOWLS 1/5: BCS Championship Game 12/31: BCS Orange Bowl 12/30: BCS Sugar Bowl 12/30: BCS Fiesta Bowl 12/30: BCS Rose Bowl ROAD TRIP 2007 6/7: Mailbag 5/23: History Lesson 5/11: Ten With Tom 3/29: North Carolina 3/16: East Coast Swing 2/28: Setting Up Shop 2/26: Texas ROAD TRIP 06 7/14: Part IX 6/22: Part VIII 6/2: Utah 5/26: Colorado 5/16: Illinois 1/19: Part IV 1/12: Part III 1/06: Part II 12/30: Part I NFL DRAFT 4/27: From Five-Star to First Rounder

The Class of 2009 has athletes at every position and it's shaping up to be the year of the quarterback as opposed to 2008, which was the year of the wide receiver.

USC is in the very early lead, way out in front of all the other top teams in the nation when it comes to commitments from these high school juniors. They have six big time players who are already committed - five Top 100 guys. Georgia could be considered No. 2 right now.

So far, I've seen 68 of the Top 100 players in this Class of 2009 Top 100 initial release. It will be a very fluid list because I'll be traveling for the next four months, and the road starts right after Signing Day.

Here's a glimpse at the current top five prospects, with the Class of 2009 Top 100 following below:

1. Matt Barkley, QB - 6-3, 220, 4.7, Santa Ana-Mater Dei, Calif.

He's the 2009 Jimmy Clausen (No. 1 ranked 2007 prospect). He's physically stronger than Clausen, almost like the precision passer that Clausen was. It's a huge catch for USC. He fits in the Matt Leinart and Carson Palmer line of quarterbacks. I think he'll be a Heisman candidate in two or three years, even though there are some talented guys ahead of him like Mitch Mustain, Mark Sanchez and Aaron Corp.

2.  Bryce Brown, RB - 6-2, 215, 4.4, Wichita-East, Kan.

Bryce had 52 offers as of January which is an enormous amount of offers for a junior. Considering his size and the fact he runs a 4.38, he's got the combination of speed, size, vision and strength. He's the Darrell Scott (No. 2 ranked senior) of the Class of 2009 because they're almost identical. His brother is No. 5 ranked senior Arthur Brown, and I would imagine Miami would be the early favorite because the brothers are inseparable.

3. Craig Loston, DB - 6-2, 210, 4.35, Houston Ike, Texas

He's this year's version of Ronnie Lott. He's a brilliant hitter and a smooth backpeddler who is a phenomenal athlete for a guy of that size. If you're going to have a DB as the No. 1 player in the country, he's a good choice. 

4. Chris Whaley, RB - 6-3, 220, 4.45, Madisonville, Texas

He runs a 10.8 100 meters and averaged 11 yards per carry in pretty good competition in his hometown. Built like Eric Dickerson, he's a track guy, a legit football player and might wind up being the No. 1 player in when it's all said and done. He's already got several offers and his brother was just signed by Nebraska.

5. Cierre Wood, RB - 6-0, 189, 4.4, Oxnard-Santa Clara, Calif.

Had a great junior year and was actually his area's player of the year over Darrell Scott. His potential should allow him to have a chance to be better than Scott. He's truly a game-breaking back.

Class of 2009 Top 100 - First Release

1.         QB          Matt Barkley                                6-3, 220, 4.7                                   Santa Ana-Mater Dei, CA

2.         RB          Bryce Brown                               6-2, 215, 4.4                                   Wichita-East, KS

3.         DB          Craig Loston                              6-2, 210, 4.35                                 Houston Ike, TX

4.         RB          Chris Whaley                              6-3, 220, 4.45                                 Madisonville, TX

5.         RB          Cierrre Wood                              6-0, 189, 4.4                                   Oxnard-Santa Clara, CA

6.         DL           Jamarkus McFarland                6-3, 280, 4.9                                   Lufkin, TX

7.         DL           Devon Kennard                          6-4, 230, 4.6                                   Phoenix-Desert Vista, AZ

8.         QB          Tom Savage                               6-5, 224, 4.75                                 Springfield-O'Hara, PA

9.         WR         Marlon Brown                             6-5, 200, 4.55                                 Memphis-Harding Acad., TN

10.      WR         Josh Adams                               6-4, 200, 4.5                                   Cambridge Rindge Latin, MA

11.      DB          DeVonte Holloman                   6-3, 210, 4.5                                   Charlotte Independence, NC

12.      DL           D.J. Fluker                                   6-7, 315, 5.1                                   Biloxi, MS/Foley, AL

13.      OL           Xavier Nixon                                6-6, 270, 4.9                                   Hope Mills-Britt, NC

14.      LB           Manti Te'o                                    6-2, 225, 4.6                                   Honolulu-Punahou, HI

15.      QB          Garrett Gilbert                             6-3, 190, 4.7                                   Lake Travis, TX

16.      RB          Lamar Miller                               5-11, 190, 4.4                                 Miami-Killian, FL

17.      DB          Stephon Gilmore                       6-2, 189, 4.5                                   Rock Hill-Southpointe, SC

18.      WR         Rueben Randle                         6-3, 195, 4.47                                 Bastrop, LA

19.      QB          Russell Shepard                       6-2, 195, 4.47                                 Houston-Cypress Ridge, TX

20.      WR         Logan Heastie                           6-3, 195, 4.5                                   Chesapeake-G.B., VA

21.      RB          Eddie Lacy                                  6-2, 206, 4.4                                   Geismar-Dutchtown, LA

22.      LB           Dorian Bell                                  6-1, 220, 4.6                                   Monroeville-Gateway, PA

23.      DL           Chris Davenport                        6-4, 300, 5.2                                   Mansfield, LA

24.      DB          Cliff Harris                                   5-11, 170, 4.4                                 Fresno Edison, CA

25.      OL           Kevin Graf                                   6-6, 300, 5.2                                   Agoura Hills, CA

26.      LB           Petey Smith                                6-1, 240, 4.6                                   Seffner Armwood, FL

27.      WR         Devon Flourney                          6-1, 180, 4.4                                   Balboa-Birmingham, CA

28.      QB          Tyrik Rollison                             6-2, 185, 4.6                                   Sulphur Springs, TX

29.      DB          Dre Kirkpatrick                           6-2, 180, 4.46                                 Gadsden City, AL

30.      DL           Justin Chaisson                        6-5, 260, 4.7                                   L.V.-Bishop Gorman, NV

31.      OL           Mason Walters                           6-6, 290, 5.0                                   Wolfforth Frenship, TX

32.      DL           Ryne Giddins                             6-4, 230, 4.6                                   Seffner Armwood, FL

33.      RB          Larry Caper                                 5-10, 210, 4.4                                 Battle Creek-Central, MI

34.      DL           William Campbell                     6-5, 315, 5.0                                   Detroit-Cass Tech, MI

35.      DL           Craig Drummond                      6-4, 250, 4.7                                   Chicago-Morgan Park, IL

36.      DL           Jacobbi McDaniel                      6-1, 275, 4.8                                   Madison Co., FL

37.      DL           Josh Boyd                                   6-4, 260, 4.7                                   Philadelphia, MS

38.      RB          Dexter Pratt                                 6-1, 214, 4.48                                 Navasota, TX

39.      DB          Willie Downs                              6-2, 195, 4.5                                   Tallahassee Godby, FL

40.      DL           John Simon                                6-3, 265, 4.9                                   Youngstown-Mooney, OH

41.      DL           Chris Bonds                               6-4, 265, 4.7                                   Columbia-Richland, SC

42.      LB           Tana Patrick                               6-2, 220, 4.6                                   N. Jackson-Stevenson, AL

43.      QB          Kevin Newsome                        6-2, 207, 4.5                                   Chesapeake-W. Branch. VA

44.      DL           Nick Kasa                                   6-6, 248, 4.7                                   Broomfield-Legacy, CO

45.      QB          Morgan Newton                         6-5, 205, 4.5                                   Carmel, IN

46.      QB          Clayton Moore                            6-3, 200, 4.7                                   Louisville, MS

47.      OL           Lendell Buckner                        6-3, 320, 5.0                                   Chicago-Leo, IL

48.      OL          Eric Shrive                                   6-7, 280, 5.2                                   West Scranton, PA

49.      WR         Justin Brown                               6-4, 205, 4.5                                   Wilmington, DE Concord

50.      WR         Chad Bumphis                          5-11, 185, 4.35                               Tupelo, MS

51.      ATH        Mike Ford                                    5-9, 205, 4.5                                   Leesville, LA

52.      OL           John Martinez                             6-4, 260, 4.8                                   Murray-Cottonwood, UT

53.      QB          Clark Evans                                6-5, 220, 4.8                                   Los Alamitos, CA

54.      QB          Moses Alipate                            6-6, 235, 4.8                                   Bloomington-Jefferson, MN

55.      RB          Ronnie Wingo                            6-2, 201, 4.4                                   St. Louis-University, MO

56.      DL           Brennan Williams                     6-6, 260, 5.0                                   W. Roxbury-Catholic, MA

57.      OL           Tom Ashcraft                              6-4, 280, 5.1                                   Cedar Hill, TX

58.      RB          Desmond Scott                          5-9, 180, 4.47                                 Durham-Hillside, NC

59.      DL           Brandon Jenkins                       6-4, 230, 4.7                                   Tallahassee-Florida, FL

60.      QB          Nathan Scheelhaase               6-2, 187, 4.5                                   Kansas City-Rockhurst, MO

61.      DL           Corey Adams                             6-4, 275, 4.8                                   Scottsdale-Saguaro, AZ

62.      QB          Allen Bridgeford                         6-4, 190, 4.8                                   Mission Viejo, CA

63.      DL           J.C. Lanier                                  6-3, 320, 5.1                                   Twin City-Emanuel Co., GA

64.      RB          Montrell Conner                         6-2, 210, 4.4                                   Monroe-Ouachita, LA

65.      TE           Levine Toilolo                             6-7, 230, 4.87                                 La Mesa-Helix, CA

66.      QB          Tajh Boyd                                    6-1, 200, 4.6                                   Hampton-Phoebus, VA

67.      QB          Ryan Mossakowski                   6-4, 200, 4.8                                   Frisco Centennial, TX

68.      DB          Todd Thomas                            6-3, 195, 4.5                                   Beaver Falls, PA

69.      QB          Donovan Tate                             6-2, 195, 4.48                                 Cartersville, GA

70.      WR         Marlon Pollard                            6-0, 160, 4.3                                   San Bernardino-Cajon, CA

71.      DL           Alex Okafor                                  6-5, 230, 4.6                                   Pflugerville, TX

72.      LB           Vontaze Burflict                          6-2, 235, 4.6                                   Corona-Centennial, CA

73.      OL           Brandon Webb                           6-4, 300, 5.1                                   Owasso, OK

74.      DL           Sheldon Richardson                6-4, 280, 4.9                                   St. Louis-Gateway Tech, MO

75.      QB          Shavodrick Beaver                    6-4, 185, 4.5                                   Wichita Falls-Rider, TX

76.      RB          Aaron Hayward                          6-0, 190, 4.5                                   C.P.-Penns Grove, NJ

77.      RB          Lonnie Pryor                               5-11, 195, 4.5                                 Okeechobee, FL

78.      QB          A.J. McCarron                             6-4, 190, 4.8                                   Mobile-St. Paul's, AL

79.      QB          Evan Watkins                             6-6, 225, 4.8                                   C.S.-Glenbard North, IL

80.      WR         Randall Carroll                          5-11, 190, 4.3                                 Los Angeles-Cathedral, CA

81.      RB          Theo Riddick                              5-10, 190, 4.4                                 Somerville-Immaculata, NJ

82.      QB          Tate Forcier                                6-1, 190, 4.63                                 Carlsbad, CA

83.      QB          Zach Mettenberger                    6-5, 217, 4.8                                   Watkinsville-Oconee Co., GA

84.      DL           Fletcher Cox                               6-4, 250, 4.7                                   Yazoo City, MS

85.      RB          David Oku                                   5-9, 180, 4.4                                   Midwest City-Albert, OK

86.      RB          Patrick Hall                                 6-1, 190, 4.5                                   Ventura-St. Bonaventure, CA

87.      QB          Eugene Smith                            6-4, 180, 4.6                                   Miramar, FL

88.      WR         Shaquelle Evans                       6-2, 190, 4.5                                   Inglewood, CA

89.      WR         Je'Ron Stokes                            6-1, 178, 4.4                                   Philadelphia-Northeast, PA

90.      LB           Storm Klein                                 6-3, 225, 4.6                                   Newark-Licking Valley, OH

91.      OL           Quinton Washington                 6-4, 320, 5.3                                   St.StephensTimberland, SC

92.      QB          Jamie Collins                             6-3, 210, 4.5                                   Meadville-Franklin Co., MS

93.      LB           Darius Moffett                             6-3, 225, 4.6                                   Chicago-Hubbard, IL

94.      OL           Marcus Hall                                6-5, 290, 5.1                                   Cleveland-Glenville, OH

95.      LB           Mike Privott                                  5-11, 225, 4.7                                 Norfolk-Lake Taylor, VA

96.      DB          Gabe Lynn                                  6-1, 190, 4.4                                   Jenk, OK

97.      TE           Morrell Presley                           6-4, 208, 4.59                                 Carson, CA

98.      OL           Leon Hill                                      6-5, 325, 5.2                                   Chicago-Leo, IL

99.      OL           J.K. Jay                                        6-6, 275, 4.8                                   Greenville-Christ, SC

T-100 DL           Deandre Coleman                    6-4, 295, 5.0                                   Seattle Garfield, WA

T-100 DL           Jamil Merrell                               6-4, 215, 4.6                                   Hodgson, DE

T-100 WR         Pat Patterson                             6-3, 220, 4.6                                  Macon-Noxubee Co., MS