|
LEMMING'S TOP 10
|
|
Here are Tom Lemming's top 10 offensive players for 2000-01:
1. Brodie Croyle, QB
2. Joe Mauer, QB
3. Eric Shelton, RB
4. Kevin Jones, RB
5. J.R. Lemon, RB
6. Jabari Davis, RB
7. Reggie Williams, RB
8. Adrian McPherson, QB
9. Derek Anderson, QB
10. Roscoe Crosby, WR
|
Soon on ESPN.com we'll be giving fans the chance to vote for our first-ever Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year. But before we launch the balloting, I'd like to spotlight the nation's top players in the Class of 2001, starting with the offense.
This year's class appears to be loaded with outstanding quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers. The tight end crop is average and I don't think it's going to be a great year for offensive linemen, although, as always, there are still enough big guys with smarts, quick feet and great size to go around.
| |  | | Ben Wilkerson |
Offensive linemen
This year's class doesn't appear to boast the equivalent of Michael Muñoz, Wes Sims or Kwame Harris from last year's class. In fact, the best OL prospect in the nation, for the first time in years, appears to be a center: Ben Wilkerson, a 6-4, 265-pounder from a tiny Texas town near the Texas/Louisiana border, Hemphall. I've seen all the top OL prospects on film and I believe that Wilkerson has the athletic ability, strength, agility, smarts and balance to be named No. 1. He has committed to LSU.
Following closely behind Wilkerson are a couple of athletic OL prospects who can also play other positions. In fact, Mark LeVoir of Eden Prairie, Minn., has only played tight end on offense. However, the scouts love his quick feet, long arms and explosive moves and consider him to be the nation's premier tackle prospect. LeVoir would prefer to play tight end in college, but the scouts have other ideas. The same can be said for Lorenzo Alexander of Berkeley, Calif., a 6-3, 275-pounder who shows tremendous skills at defensive tackle and offensive guard. On film he is a dominant run blocker who can bend his knees and stay with a defender until the whistle. On defense he recorded 150 tackles and eight QB sacks. LeVoir has committed to Notre Dame, while Alexander has pledged to Cal.
A few other offensive linemen to keep your eye on this fall are 6-5, 320-pound Ronnie Lunford of Jacksonville, Fla.; Tyler Reed (6-5, 305) of Pittsburgh, Pa.; the state of Iowa's top prospect, 6-7, 300-pound Blake Larsen of Atlantic (Iowa commitment); the fastest-rising OL prospect in the nation, Andrew Whitworth (6-6, 300) of West Monroe, La. (LSU commitment); the least-known of these super OL prospects, Jared Pierce (6-7, 290) of Trumbull, Conn. (committed to Syracuse); and one of the most talented big men in the nation, Russell Bonham (6-4, 350; Maryland commitment) of Winston Salem, N.C.
| |  | | Marcus Spears |
Tight ends
The tight end position is a bit weak this season, but definitely not at the top. The No. 1 prospect at tight end is Marcus Spears, a mammoth 6-5, 270-pounder from Baton Rouge, La., a receiver who can make the spectacular catch look routine. Spears also shows unusual speed for someone his size. He has committed to LSU and is considered to be one of the top two prospects in the state.
One of the least-known, but a player whom I consider to be one of the top two, tight end prospects in the nation is Pat Estes, a 6-7, 245-pound athlete from Richmond, Va., who possesses all the skills to become an All-American in college. Before I arrived in Richmond this past June, I had already heard about Mike Robinson and Aaron Alexander, but knew very little about Estes. What I saw on film was the full package -- a receiver with great size, sure hands, tremendous speed and outstanding body control. His early commitment to Virginia has kept some national schools from finding out just what a great talent he is.
Another tight end with enormous potential is Kyle Ealey, a 6-8, 255-pounder from Westchester, Ill., who attends St. Joseph High School and plays both basketball and football. St. Joseph is known for producing basketball Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas; Ealey went to St. Joseph's to play basketball but developed into an even better football prospect. He is one of the more impressive-looking TE prospects with the growth potential to possibly wind up playing defensive tackle in college. He has already committed to Michigan.
The top prospect in Indiana is Trai Essex, a 6-5, 245-pound tight end who caught 21 passes for 527 yards and seven TDs in '99 and was also considered to be one of the state's top power forwards in basketball. Essex has committed to Northwestern.
| |  | | Reggie Williams |
Wide receivers
Although the offensive line and tight end positions may be weak, you certainly cannot say that for the wide receiver position. I called 1999-2000 the year of the wide receiver, and this year there's not been too much of a drop-off in talent. The premier WR heading into the year 2000 is Reggie Williams of Tacoma, Wash., the top prospect on the West Coast and a remarkable talent in football, basketball and track. Last year Williams caught 25 passes for 555 yards and seven TDs, averaging 23 yards per catch. He also picked off five passes at free safety and returned two punts and a kick-off back for scores. In basketball he averages 13 points and nine rebounds a game as a power forward, and in track he went to the state championships in the 100-meter dash with a best time of 10.7; he's also the state's top triple- jumper with a leap of 46½ feet. Williams is a great talent who is looking at Michigan, Notre Dame, USC, Washington and UCLA.
Right behind Williams among receivers is the top prospect in South Carolina -- Roscoe Crosby -- who, like Williams, is a three-sport standout and considered to be one of the top baseball prospects in the nation. This past spring he batted .561 with nine home runs. However, in football there are few who can compare to this speedster, who possesses great size, hands and concentration and latched onto 84 passes for 1,512 yards and 27 TDs in '99. Baseball schools such as FSU, Clemson, LSU and Georgia Tech are clamoring for his services.
The state of Georgia has two great two-sport standouts at the wide receiver position: Fred Gibson (6-4, 185) of Waycross and Michael Collins (6-5, 215) of Commerce, both of whom are considered Division I prospects in not only football, but also basketball. Last season Gibson caught 52 passes for 1,120 yards and 14 TDs, averaging 23 yards per catch, while Collins averaged better than 20 yards per catch.
Anthony Mix, a 6-4, 220-pounder from the Mobile, Ala., area has blazing 4.38 speed and is considered to be one of the top three prospects in the state. On film Mix is a big, physical receiver who can blow past even the fastest of defenders. He's been offered by every major school in the South.
Roscoe Crosby is not the only super WR prospect in South Carolina; many scouts believe that Airese Currie of Columbia has what it takes to become a superstar in college. In track he's been timed at 10.36 in the 100 meters and has been offered by just about every major school in the nation including Georgia, Clemson, Tennessee, Notre Dame and Florida.
Although the South is known for producing great skill-position players, there are always some tremendous wide receivers in the Midwest, such as last year's No. 1 national prospect, WR Charlie Rogers of Saginaw, Mich. This year is no exception, as the state of Minnesota boasts a five-star player in Larry Fitzgerald, a strong, deceptively fast wide receiver from Richfield who caught 54 passes for 1,347 yards and 12 TDs in '99. He's committed to Pittsburgh.
It's tough not to mention some other super WR prospects, such as Michael Clayton, a 6-4, 195-pounder from Baton Rouge, La. (LSU commitment); Montrell Jones (6-2, 190) of Louisville, Ky.; one of the nation's premier WR/KR prospects, Fred Lee of Harrisburg, Pa.; the top prospect in Arizona, Lynzell Jackson (6-3, 175) of Tempe; one of the top two prospects in Oklahoma, Jerome Janet of Tulsa; and Carlos Campbell of Hampton, Va..
Running backs
There are so many great running backs, it's difficult to pick a First Team backfield. But four backs stand out. The first is Kentucky's top player, Eric Shelton, a 6-2, 230-pounder from Lexington who reminds me of former Prep Football Report All-American Curtis Enis, not only in size, but also strength, speed and balance. As a junior Shelton rushed for 250 yards and 34 TDs averaging 10 yards per carry. He's also a standout linebacker on defense and like former Reebok All-American T.J. Duckett, he will have his pick of not only any school in the country, but also at what position he wants to play in college. Right now he's looking hard at Florida, Texas, Tennessee, FSU and Ohio State.
| |  | | Kevin Jones |
Without a doubt the most celebrated running back prospect in the nation is Kevin Jones (6-1, 215) of Springfield, Pa., who not only has great size and tremendous strength, but is also the fastest big-time back in the nation, having been timed at 10.2 in the 100 meters. I recently sat down with Kevin and his father to watch his junior-season tape and was amazed at the resemblance in his running style to that of a former Prep Football Report All-American of 20 years ago, Herschel Walker. Even though Jones can outrun every defender he faces, he also likes to lower his shoulder and blast unsuspecting defenders to the ground. Right now he's looking at Penn State, Michigan, Virginia Tech, Tennessee and Florida State.
Rounding out our "super four" of great backs are two Atlanta area prospects: J.R. Lemon (6-2, 214) of Tyrone and Jabari Davis (5-11, 225) of Tucker. While Lemon is a prep version of Eddie George, Davis reminds many of Ricky Williams. Both players have been timed in a 10.8 100 meters and have great size, strength, balance and determination. Lemon is looking at Georgia, Michigan, Notre Dame, FSU and Tennessee while Davis is considering Tennessee, Texas, Nebraska, Georgia, Alabama and FSU.
A couple of other backs who have a chance of earning a spot on the first team are Kelly Baraka of Portage, Mich., the state sprint champion and a prospect at both running back and defensive back; and Lydell Ross, a 6-0, 200-pound speedster from Tampa, Fla., whom I consider to be one of the top three prospects in that state. Also keep an eye on Brandon Brokaw of Pennington, N.J., a power back at 6-0, 225, with major-college speed and determination (Boston College commitment). The top prospect in St. Louis is Damian Nash, a prep quarterback who will be switched to running back in college. Right now he is leaning to Illinois and has been offered by just about every major school in the nation.
|
ABOUT TOM LEMMING
|
|
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 two prospects in Arkansas are All-American running backs with great size, speed and production. Cedric Houston of Clarendon rushed for 2,445 yards and 32 TDs, breaking several state records, as a junior. He has committed to Tennessee. The other back, De'Arrius Howard of West Memphis, rushed for 2,243 yards and 30 TDs and has been timed in a 10.5 100 meters. He has been offered by Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Florida and Michigan, to name a few.
The top two running backs in Texas are 5-11, 220-pound David Underwood of Madisonville, who has already committed to Michigan, and record-breaking Cedric Benson (Texas commitment) of Midland, who rushed for an eye-popping 3,526 yards and 44 TDs in '99. One of the top three fullback prospects in the nation is James Buchanan, a 6-2, 240-pounder from Sarasota, Fla., who has committed to FSU. Super-talented Joseph Addai of Houston, Tex., is a 6-2, 190-pound quarterback who has committed to LSU and will be switched to running back in college. Other backs to keep your eye on are Ty Eriks (6-2, 220, committed to Washington) of Seattle; Seymore Shaw (6-0, 220) of Shawnee, Okla. (committed to Oklahoma); the top running back in California, Dwayne Wright of San Diego (committed to Washington State); Carnell Williams of Attalla, Ala. (Tennessee commitment); and Jeff Sanders of Jackson, Miss.
| |  | | Joe Mauer |
Quarterbacks
The glory position in football is quarterback, and this year there are several prospects with a chance of earning First Team All-American honors. The two top candidates are Joe Mauer and Brodie Croyle. Mauer, of St. Paul, Minn., is a remarkable three-sport athlete who was a member of the 1999 Baseball USA Junior National Team that won the gold medal in Taiwan. Last spring he batted better than .500 and is considered to be the top catching prospect for next June's amateur draft. In basketball he earned All-Minneapolis area honors as a shooting guard, averaging more than 20 points per game. In football he passed for 2,506 yards and 32 TDs, showing a strong arm, a quick release and nice touch. Right now he's undecided about his future, but is looking at Minnesota, Michigan, Florida, FSU, Miami and Arizona.
The other super QB prospect is Brodie Croyle, the top prospect in Alabama, who passed for 2,904 yards and 35 TDs in '99. He's the son of former Alabama All-American DE John Croyle and has committed to the Crimson Tide. On film he appears to have no weakness; he shows a great touch, tremendous awareness and super arm strength. Croyle injured his knee in the second game of this season and missed the rest of the 2000 campaign.
Right behind Mauer and Croyle is Florida's top prospect, Adrian McPherson of Bradenton. Just like so many of this year's top offensive players, McPherson is a two-sport standout who was offered by several major schools in basketball after averaging 34 points a game this past winter. Right now he's looking at Miami, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Ohio State, Michigan State and Tennessee. As a junior he threw for 2,497 yards and 33 TDs.
Usually the top quarterback prospects on the West Coast are from California, but this year Oregon has the region's top three QB prospects: Derek Anderson (6-6, 225) of Scappoose, who threw for 2,392 yards and 25 TDs as a junior and has already committed to Oregon State; Kellen Clemens (6-2, 200) of Burns, who passed for 3,200 yards and 37 TDs in '99 and has committed to Oregon; and the nation's fastest QB prospect, Nic Costa (5-11, 200) from Aloha, who threw for 1,700 yards and 16 TDs and rushed for over 200 yards in '99 despite the fact that he played with a broken left foot for a good part of the season. He was the state sprint champion as a freshman and sophomore and has been timed in a 10.3 100 meters. Several schools are recruiting Costa ostensibly for the quarterback position with an eye towards moving him to either wide receiver or defensive back. I've seen Costa on film and believe he certainly has the ability to become a game-breaking quarterback in college.
Speaking of game-breaking quarterbacks, this year's prep version of Michael Vick is Cecil Howard of McKeesport, Pa. As a junior Howard earned Second Team All-State honors after rushing for an eye-popping 1,955 yards and 22 TDs while throwing for 350 yards and nine scores. It's obvious he will need work on his passing skills, but the arm strength, poise and smarts are definitely there to go along with unbelievable ball-handling skills and running ability. It looks to me like Syracuse has gotten a commitment from their next Donovan McNabb.
Another quarterback receiving a lot of attention down South is D.J. Shockley of Riverdale, Ga., the Peach State's top QB prospect, who threw for 26 TDs in '99 and was picked off just four times. He also ran for 733 yards and 11 scores. He's the son of a coach and is also a standout in track and basketball. Shockley has committed to Georgia.
Kansas' top prospect is Travis Jackson of Olathe, a 6-4, 210-pound standout who threw for 2,673 yards and 17 TDs last season. He's already been offered by Stanford, Missouri, Michigan, Tennessee and Oklahoma. USC already has commitments from two of California's finest QBs in Billy Hart of Mission Viejo and Matt Leinart of Santa Ana. Both prospects have great arms and are terrific athletes.
Perhaps the nation's fastest-rising prospect, not only because of his potential, but also because he's committed to Purdue, is Kyle Orton, a 6-4, 200-pounder from Runnells, Iowa, who threw for 1,150 yards and 10 TDs in '99, Those aren't great numbers, but the fact that Purdue likes his arm strength and potential was enough for several other schools to offer Orton after Purdue had already gotten the commitment.
|
|
ALSO SEE
Lemming: The nation's defensive elite
Recruiting: Lemming's 2001 'Super Team'
Recruiting: Lemming's revised top 100
|
