Though this year's class is led by the offense, there are still plenty of super-talented defenders to go around, starting with the defensive linemen.
|  | | Marquise Hill |
Defensive linemen
Marquise Hill -- a 6-7, 290-pounder from De La Salle H.S. in New Orleans -- fits the computer printout of what a DL should be. He's very athletic-looking with long arms and shows tremendous closing speed and outstanding body control on film. He's also a standout talent in basketball but should choose to play football in college. Hill has committed to LSU.
Six-foot-four, 308-pound Anttaj Hawthorne of Hamden, Conn., is the No. 1 prospect in New England. For over a year now I've heard of this dominating defender, who must be double- and triple-teamed at all times. As a junior he totaled more than 76 tackles, nine QB sacks and close to 20 tackles for losses. He has exceptional lateral speed to go with quick feet and great natural strength. He's probably the nation's most dominating inside presence.
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LEMMING'S TOP 10
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Here are Tom Lemming's top 10 defensive players for 2000-01:
1. Marquise Hill, DL
2. Anttaj Hawthorne, DL
3. Jerome Carter, DB
4. Pat Massey, DL
5. Robert Boulware, DB
6. Leon Williams, LB
7. Shaun Cody, DL
8. Marquis Elmore, LB
9. Brett Bell, DB
10. Marlin Jackson, DB
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Next in line is Ohio's top prospect -- 6-8, 245 pound Pat Massey of Cleveland St. Ignatius -- who recorded 13 QB sacks, 19 QB hurries and three interceptions in '99, returning two of them for scores of 75 and 55 yards. He accomplished all this despite missing three games due to a pinched nerve. Like Hill, Massey was built to play DE with long arms, exceptionally quick feet and tremendous instincts. A superior athlete, he has committed to Michigan.
With apologies to both Hill and Massey, Shaun Cody, a 6-4, 253-pounder from Hacienda Heights, Calif., was the most productive DE in the nation, recording 33 sacks, 150 tackles and an eye-popping 51 tackles for losses in '99. He was voted First Team All-State and was named California's Defensive Player of the Year. He is a high school version of Kevin Greene and right now has USC, UCLA, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Colorado high on his list.
The No. 1 defensive lineman in Texas is Tommie Harris of Killeen's Ellison H.S. He's a devastating DT with long arms, good closing speed and great body control. He recorded 137 tackles and eight sacks in '99 to go with an area-record 31 tackles for losses. Super-strong with lightning speed, he is known for his ability to run down unsuspecting backs from behind. Miami, Texas, LSU, FSU and Texas A&M are at the top of his list.
The aforementioned Anttaj Hawthorne has already committed to Wisconsin, as has the state of Wisconsin's top prospect, Robert Taylor, a 6-4, 310-pounder from Oak Creek, a suburb of Milwaukee. Badgers fans are giddy about receiving commitments from two of the nation's premier DT prospects. In '99 Taylor earned All-State honors after recording 63 tackles, six sacks and 20 tackles for losses. He is also a force as a run-stopper.
One of the top two prospects in the state of South Carolina is George Gause, a 6-4, 235-pound human rocket with exceptional body control and burst. He recorded eight QB sacks and 13 QB hurries in '99, displaying unusual athletic ability for someone his size. Gause is also a three-time state champion in the triple jump. He has committed to South Carolina.
The top prospect in the state of Delaware once again is a Harris, this time Kwame's little brother Orien, a 6-4, 275-pound DE with an aggressive nature to go with tremendous strength and instincts. He is a two-time All-Stater who is looking at Penn State, Florida, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Tennessee and Nebraska.
One of the top three prospects in New Jersey is Thomas Carroll, a 6-4, 225-pound end from Lakewood who has impressed every scout who saw his film. His size-17 shoe indicates that he is not done growing, and he should weigh about 280 in college. He's committed to Miami (Fla.).
Staying in the East, Erie Cathedral Prep H.S. standout Charles Rush is the most recruited DL prospect in Pennsylvania and has been a dominating DT for the past two years. He uses his hands well and does a great job of playing off blocks. He's also super strong with excellent grades. He's considering Penn State, Notre Dame, Michigan, Pitt and Virginia Tech.
Nebraska's top prospect is DL Titus Adams (6-3, 275) of Omaha, Neb., Creighton Prep H.S. who recorded 78 tackles, 10 QB sacks and 21 tackles for losses as a junior. He helped lead Creighton Prep to the state title in '99 and has committed to Nebraska.
Linebackers
While it is a good year for defensive line prospects, I think it's at best an average year for linebackers. In fact, the top three linebacker prospects have also played the majority of their prep time at defensive end. I'll start with Marquis Elmore, a 6-4, 225-pounder from Folkston's Charlton County H.S., Ga., who has played DE, OLB and ILB in high school. As a junior he earned Class A Defensive Player of the Year after completely dominating every opponent he went up against his junior year. Just about everybody I've talked to in the state mentions Elmore as Georgia's top defensive prospect. He has already committed to Georgia and will first get a shot at playing ILB in Athens, but will probably wind up playing rush end.
Next up is defensive end Pierre Woods, a 6-6, 210-pound speedster from Cleveland, Ohio, Glenville H.S. who is one of the two most dominating defensive players in the state, recording 11 sacks, 15 tackles for losses and one INT in '99. On film he shows explosive moves off the ball and tremendous closing speed. Although he plays DE in high school, his frame may dictate a move to OLB in college. He has committed to Michigan.
|  | | Leon Williams |
Our next prospect might be the No. 1 LB prospect in the nation: Leon Williams (6-3, 230) from Brooklyn, N.Y., Canarsie H.S. He is without a doubt the top prospect in the state. A big, physical and muscular ball player with exceptional quickness, strength and an aggressive nature, he played both ILB and OLB in '99, but may wind up playing some DE this year. He has already committed to Penn State and should help continue their great tradition of linebackers.
One of the top four prospects in Alabama is a tall, thin-looking speedster from Opelika named Lemarcus Rowell. I watched this 6-4, 215-pounder's junior film and was amazed at his exceptional quickness to the ball and great range. He recorded 156 tackles as a junior and was known for his ability to run down ball carriers from behind. He was the most dominating defensive player in the state. Right now he's looking at Alabama, Tennessee, Auburn, Penn State, Florida and Florida State.
The top linebacker on the West Coast is Michael Craven (6-2, 220) from Westminster La Quinta H.S., Calif. He is like lightning to the ball and can backpedal and play the pass as well as any OLB in the country. As a junior he recorded 87 stops, 13 sacks and three INTs. His GPA is also a perfect 4.0 and he scored a 1260 on the SAT, which means he will be recruited nationally by every big-time program, including Stanford, Notre Dame, USC, UCLA and Ohio State.
One of the top three prospects in Kentucky and the state's top defensive player is Brent Grover (6-4, 235) of Fort Thomas Highlands H.S., who was a tackling machine in '99, recording 158 tackles and 28 for losses. His GPA is a perfect 4.5 and he scored a 1430 on the SAT, which almost makes him too smart for football. Grover has committed to Purdue.
An intriguing member of this group is Jacques Dumas (6-8, 228) of Asheboro, N.C.. He's intriguing not only because of his great skills on the football field, but also because he already looks like an NBA player and is considered to be one of the top basketball prospects in North Carolina. He has committed to UNC for football and will wind up playing either OLB or DE.
It's an average year for talent in the state of Illinois but one of the very best prospects is inside linebacker Corey Mays (6-1, 235) of Chicago Morgan Park H.S., who's one of the most physical backers in the nation and has been blessed with great speed and instincts. He's committed to Notre Dame. Another top Illinois prospect is Lionel Williams, a 6-4, 235-pounder from Addison Trail, H.S., who has All-American ability at DE and ILB. As a junior he recorded 89 tackles, 13 QB sacks and 25 tackles for losses playing both positions. He has already committed to Illinois.
Defensive backs
In my opinion, 1999-2000 was an extremely weak year for defensive back prospects; this year is another story. The nation is loaded with tremendously quick cornerbacks and hard-hitting and instinctive free safeties. It's tough at this moment to name the best DB prospect in the country, but there are six or so who have a shot at the No. 1 position in December.
|  | | Jerome Carter |
For hitting ability, strength and toughness, you have to go with Jerome Carter (6-1, 205) of Lake City Columbia H.S., Fla., who ranks as one of the top two overall prospects in the state. Every opponent I talked to who faced Carter last year mentioned his dominating presence. Right now FSU and Florida lead Georgia, Alabama and Auburn for his services.
The best pure CB prospect at this point will be a surprise to many people, but I'm going with Robert Boulware (5-11, 180) from Charlotte Vance H.S., N.C., an exceptional cover corner with terrific speed, body control, instincts and strength. As a junior he picked off four passes, broke up 15 others and recorded 80 tackles. On film he shows exceptional cover skills; he has committed to Tennessee.
Another great cover corner is Brett Bell, the top prospect in Illinois, who has been blessed with great height, exceptional agility, balance and tremendous speed. He picked off nine passes as a sophomore and most quarterbacks stayed away from his part of the field during his junior year. He's also the state's top punt and kickoff returner. He's been timed at 10.6 in the 100 meters and has committed to Wisconsin.
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ABOUT TOM LEMMING
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Tom Lemming is editor of Prep Football Report. For information on how to subscribe to Prep Football Report's three yearly magazines and five newsletters, fax your request to 847-842-1313 or write to P.O. Box 59113, Schaumburg, Ill. 60159. For year-round recruiting updates, call Tom Lemming's Prep Football Hotline at 900-860-9888. Calls are $1.79 per minute, and callers must be 18 years old or have parents' permission. |
The top DB prospect in Pennsylvania is Marlin Jackson of Sharon, and like Brett Bell he is 6-1, 185, with 4.4 speed and tremendous instincts. He supports the run as well as any CB in the country and covers most receivers like a blanket. Jackson committed early to Michigan, but that has not stopped Tennessee, Florida, Ohio State and Penn State from continuing to recruit this super.
Michigan not only has a commitment from Jackson, but the Wolverines also have one from the state's top DB prospect and one of its top two overall prospects: Ernest Shazor of Detroit King H.S. During my travels through Michigan this past May, several coaches mentioned to me that Shazor was the most dominating presence in the Detroit public league in '99. He played both FS and CB as a junior, recording 115 tackles and seven INTs. He's a dominating force who should see a lot of playing time as a freshman.
One of the top two prospects in Tennessee has been called the state's most dominating defensive presence by his coach, Tim Thompson of Memphis Melrose H.S. Derron Johnson is a 6-4, 205-pounder who reads offenses extremely well and shows great reactions. He's been timed at 10.8 in the 100 meters and shows a great combination of size, speed and strength. Right now he's looking at Kentucky, LSU, Tennessee, Alabama and FSU.
Another pure corner with unlimited potential is Antrel Rolle of Homestead, Fla., who shows big-time coverage skills and excels at stopping the run. He has picked off seven passes each of the past two years playing against tremendous competition. He's also an outstanding student with an 1100 SAT score to his credit. He has committed to Miami.
Three other defensive backs come to mind because of their great versatility. Quan Cosby, a 5-10, 180-pounder from Mart, Tex., picked off 13 passes in '99, returning three of them for scores, and he also returned nine punts and kickoffs for TDs. Cosby is also an outstanding all-around quarterback on offense. He is looking at Notre Dame, Texas, Florida State and Texas A&M. Then there's Matt Ware, a 6-3, 195-pounder from Los Angeles Loyola H.S. who is considered to be one of the top quarterback prospects in Los Angeles and also one of the top two defensive back prospects in the state. Ware has already committed to UCLA. The third all-around prospect is Craphonso Thorpe, a 6-2, 175-pounder from Tallahassee Lincoln H.S., Fla., who averaged over 20 yards per catch at wide receiver and broke up 13 passes at cornerback in '99, helping lead Lincoln to the state title. He has committed to FSU.
Another one of the nation's premier defensive backs is Dominic Robinson (6-2, 187) of Diamond Bar, Calif., who's known for his toughness, quick feet and smooth backpedal. As a junior he picked off seven passes, returning one of them for 60 yards and a score. He has totaled 13 picks over the past two years. Robinson is looking at Washington, UCLA, Ohio State, Nebraska, Colorado and Michigan.
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ALSO SEE
Lemming: The nation's offensive elite
Recruiting: Lemming's 2001 'Super Team'
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