Gabe Watson

It's awfully tough to put together a top 10 list, mainly because one tends to lean towards quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers. Linemen are usually the forgotten players when it comes to selecting All-American teams, but every now and then there's a player who really stands out and garners accolades simply because he is that good. I believe Gabe Watson (6-4, 334, 4.9) of Southfield, Mich., is certainly that type of player.

He's a two-way tackle who's devastating against the run and shows the agility, quickness and strength to become a very effective pass rusher at defensive tackle in college. However, I believe Watson could become a superstar at offensive guard. When you combine his great size with his super quickness, tremendous strength and unusually good football sense, you've got yourself an All-American waiting to happen.

As a junior Watson totaled 78 tackles, eight QB sacks, one INT and 16 tackles for losses at defensive tackle. He's an exceptional run stopper with good flexibility, outstanding body control and a nose for the ball. He does a good job of taking on two and sometimes three blockers, penetrating and applying pressure on the quarterback.

On offense, he's a dominating run blocker who can bend his knees and stay with his defender until the whistle, an extremely aggressive player who loves to pancake defenders. This year I have not seen a better all-around offensive line prospect. He plays tackle in high school but his size, quickness and ability to pull and trap should make him a dominating guard in college. He bench-presses 405 pounds and in track he has thrown the shot put over 51 feet.

He's the consensus No. 1 player in the state of Michigan and in my mind the top offensive line prospect in the country. A testament to Watson's ability is the fact that he's been offered a scholarship by every school that has come to his high school to watch his film. When I recently met with Watson, he told me that Michigan is his leader, followed closely by Ohio State, Miami (Fla.), Nebraska, Michigan State, FSU, Tennessee and Minnesota. The Wolverines could be tough to beat; however, just about every powerhouse in the country will be giving it their best to land this two-way prep standout.

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 ($60 for the magazines and $90 for both magazines and newsletters), fax your name, address and fax number 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.