National Signing Day 2012: Tracking the Top 25 Recruits

With NSD rapidly approaching, we're going introduce a new series here at B/R. Nothing too fancy or flashy—just a nice, keen focus on the top-25 players in the country.

We're going to track them and let you know who they are, what they can do, where they're going and/or where they are looking. Should be fun and interesting.

Here we go!

25. Jabari Ruffin, LB (USC)

Ruffin stands in the 6'3"-6'4", 230-pound range. He makes plays on offense as TE/WR/RB, but his future more than likely lies on defense as an OLB.

I think Ruffin can play the SAM spot at the second level since he plays stout against the run, but he can also cover TEs and RBs in coverage. Ruffin could see some snaps next year, look for him to impact on special teams first.

Ruffin is committed to USC.

24. Shaq Roland, WR (South Carolina)

Roland is a smooth, shifty and very speedy WR who stands at 6'1" and 180 pounds. He's viewed as the best player in the state of South Carolina this year.

Roland is an incredibly smooth athlete who looks natural and fluid in his movements. He also could get some looks as a DB. Roland has a chance to impact at WR and maybe as a return man as a freshman.

He's headed to South Carolina.

23. Avery Young, OT

Young can set up quickly, slide, mirror, bend, recover and anchor versus rushers down after down. Once he learns good hand placement and how to mix up his sets, he could develop into an All-American left tackle.

He's 6'6", 275 pounds and has all the physical tools. Some college seasoning and development should make him a standout.

Auburn appears to lead Alabama, Georgia and Florida for now.

22. Darius Hamilton, DE/DT

Hamilton is a 6'4", 245-pound defensive prospect who can do it all. 

Most ends at the high school level only focus on their pass-rushing prowess, yet Hamilton shows the strength to anchor and shed against the end. He's so strong and physical at the point of attack, he could tack on some pounds and play DT in college. 

Hamilton is working on his trips right now, with Florida, Tennessee, Rutgers, Cal and USC all in the mix.

21. Malcom Brown, DT (Texas)

At 6'2" and 280 pounds, Brown looks like a great future 3-technique, as his quickness at the snap is formidable. He flies off the ball, blows by guards, disrupts offensive fronts and plays in the backfield.

Brown has solid play strength, will fight with leverage and can play the run as well he can rush the passer from the middle. I feel Brown has a solid chance to make in impact as a true freshman, maybe as a sub-package interior rusher.

Brown is headed to Texas.

20. Ronald Darby, CB

Darby has very good foot quickness, which is why he projects well to corner and shows solid instincts in coverage. He comes out of his backpedal well and can close in a hurry.

Darby can also return punts and kicks very, very well, too. He also would like to run track in college, but I think Darby knows his future lies on the gridiron.

Clemson, Notre Dame and Florida State appear to be the main three, as Darby has de-committed from the Irish.

19. John Theus, OT (Georgia)

At 6'6" and 295 pounds, Theus is solid in pass protection, and I think his best spot is right tackle. He moves targets off their marks with ease, has quick feet and plays physically at the point of attack.

Theus also has some explosion at the point of attack and works every snap. He can easily nestle in as a RT next year and develop himself to be ready to man the LT spot in year two.

He's committed to Georgia.

18. Gunner Kiel, QB (Notre Dame)

Kiel is a 6'4", 200-pound QB with great tools. He flashes striking accuracy and has a solid arm, good field vision and some athleticism. 

Kiel runs a spread offense, showing a total grasp and command of what he's doing. He's not Michael Vick, but Kiel can take off with the ball some as well.

I really feel Kiel can be the opening day starter for Notre Dame next year. He'll be there for spring ball, and his high school offense was not too different from the Irish attack.

17. Quay Evans, DT (Mississippi State)

At 6'2" and 320 pounds, Evans is an immovable object in the trenches. Once he gets his hands on a blocker and inside the body, it's over. Evans can use brute and sheer strength to toss them around or overpower them to get into the backfield.

Evans should be a starter, or at least a key contributor next year. He's got college strength and snap quickness already.

He's is committed to Mississippi State.

16. Eddie Goldman, DT

Goldman is a 6'5", 305-plus-pound defensive tackle who has "special" written all over him. He has the quickness to jump blockers at the snap, the strength to toss and shed as well as anchor ability to stop double-teams in their tracks and make a mess in the middle.

Goldman has a chance to be special. He doesn't want to be a NT in a 30-front, so look for him to end up at a 4-3 schemed school.

Top schools for Goldman include Florida State, Alabama, Cal, Auburn, Clemson, Maryland and Miami.

15. Jameis Winston, QB (Florida State)

At 6'4" and 200 pounds, Winston combines a rifle arm with great play speed and running ability. While Gunner Kiel is the better pure QB prospect, I believe Winston is the better player and has more potential.

Winston has a strong arm, can push the ball deep and seems to have a good feel for things. He shows solid pocket presence, is a great athlete and can make dazzling runs with his legs.

He's committed to Florida State, but Alabama and Stanford are still after him.

14. Reggie Ragland, LB (Alabama)

At 6'4" and 245 pounds, Ragland is a future standout in college; I expect a wealth of things from him in two to three years. Ragland shows tremendous instincts and run-plugging ability. He plays to his size at the point of attack.

He's committed to Alabama and has the makings to follow the Rolando McClain and Dont'a Hightower molds.

I doubt Roland makes a big impact next year, but I think he'll get some snaps and see time on special teams like Trey DePriest did this past season.

13. D.J. Humphries, OT (Florida)

At 6'6" and 270 pounds, Humphries is a left tackle through and through, and is likely the country's best athlete in the trenches.

Humphries plays with easy movement, knee bend, balance, second-level ability, strength and mirror ability. Humphries could see time next year, but ideally I would like to see him redshirted so he can tack on some extra girth and be ready to roll as a redshirt freshman.

He's pledged to Florida.

12. Eddie Williams, DB (Alabama)

Williams is an elite free safety prospect who is 6'4", 205 pounds and one of the best overall players in the country. Some list him as an ATH because he is that versatile, showing an ability to factor at a plethora of positions.

I expect Williams to have to learn the ropes of the complex 'Bama scheme as a freshman. HaHa Clinton-Dix's freshman season likely could be a model for Williams at Alabama.

11. Landon Collins, SS (Alabama)

Collins is a 5-star recruit and one of the top players in the country who can play safety and outside linebacker.

At 6'0" and 210 pounds, Collins shows to be uber-instinctive in the box, physical versus the run and rangy in chase and pursuit.

Collins committed to Alabama over LSU, and down the line he and Eddie Williams could be the two best safeties in the SEC together.

10. Keith Marshall, RB (Georgia)

Marshall is a 5'11", 190-pounder who has great breakaway speed, explosiveness, quickness and elusiveness. Marshall should form an excellent duo with Isaiah Crowell next year as a 1-2 punch in Athens.

When you have 4.32 speed, chances are you are going to be on a lot of lists. Marshall is a terror to defenses because he's a prime-time home run threat with the ball.

He has committed to Georgia.

9. Arik Armstead, DE/OT

A 6'8", 280-pound monster, Armstead can play DE, DT and even OT for you. In fact, Scout.com has him as their top OT prospect.

Armstead has solid snap quickness, point-of-attack strength and can anchor well. But I think he likes DL and wants to stick at DE. He's got potential to be a heavy-handed, strong-side shedder-type who can play the run and pressure the pass.

Cal, Auburn, Oregon and Notre Dame are in the mix. However, a decision has been delayed and won't be made until NSD.

8. Kwon Alexander, OLB

At 6'2" and 210 pounds, Alexander projects well at WILL, but I think he can also play SAM in a 4-3 scheme due to his ability to carry tight ends around the field in coverage.

He's the rangiest defender in the country. Alexander will be recovering from a torn ACL, so a redshirt year may be in store. Alexander may be best served to redshirt as a true freshman to continue strengthening his torn ACL.

LSU, Auburn and Alabama are on him the hardest right now. A decision will be made on NSD.

7. Stefon Diggs, WR

At 6'1" and 190 pounds, Diggs is a quicker-than-fast athlete who has tremendous speed. His RAC ability is amazing, and he is likely tops in this category in the country for 2012. Diggs can shake, bake and clean the dishes routinely.

I go back and forth between Diggs as a WR, ATH and DB.

Diggs had a good trip to Auburn, and Cal, Maryland, Florida and USC are in the mix.

6. Andrus Peat, OT

At 6'7" and 305 pounds, Peat is the top line prospect in the country and will be a franchise left tackle. Sound in his technique; smart, patient and savvy in pass-protection; Peat is an elite offensive lineman.

Peat could see immediate action wherever he winds up.

Peat is looking at Nebraska, Arizona State, USC, Stanford and Florida State.

5. Shaq Thompson, DB (California)

Thompson is a 6'2", 205-pound safety prospect who can also play running back and a little bit of cornerback. He can play both FS and SS—and even some CB in a pinch.

Thompson fires at the run, but he also has great range and cover instincts on the back-end. He should start early as a true freshman because of his size, hitting ability, instincts and play speed.

He's committed to Cal.

4. Noah Spence, DE (Ohio State)

At 6'4" and 245 pounds, Spence can also stand up as a 3-4 OLB and rush the passer while also making plays from the backside against the run. He's an elite pass-rusher and fabulous DE prospect.

You watch Spence on film, and you get the snap quickness, the ability to stay clean, the conversion of speed to power and the burst to finish on the passer.

Spence is committed to Ohio State, where he will play a hybrid DE/OLB role.

3. Johnathan Gray, RB (Texas)

At 5'11" and 195 pounds, Gray has elite vision, feel, instincts, elusiveness, speed and quickness. His skill set is remarkable, and he proved at The Opening that he can catch the football with the best of them.

Gray flashes good jump-cut ability, a burst to the second level in alleys, strength to break tackles, elusiveness and speed to reel off long runs.

He's going to Texas to team up with 2011 top RB Malcolm Brown.

2. Mario Edwards, DE

Edwards is a 6'4", 297-pound monster of a defensive end—and, in my eyes, the most complete DE prospect in America right now.

He has the strength to play the run, anchor, stop and stack at the point and shed blocks. Then he has the speed to chase and pressure passers all night long. Edwards is a future superstar.

Florida State, LSU, Oklahoma and Texas are in the mix.

1. Dorial Green-Beckham, WR

DGB is a tall and long-framed athlete with an incredible strike zone. At 6'6", he clearly has the size to tower over defenders and is a natural terror in the red zone. 

Yet, he's also in the 220-pound range and runs the 40 in the 4.4 area. He's a phenomenal athlete, has great ball skills and shows a burst in and out of his breaks to gain separation. DGB also can shield a DB away from the ball, flashes pluckability and is very good as a RAC player.

Missouri, Arkansas, Alabama, Oklahoma and Texas are his top five.