CFB Recruiting 200: Top 17 Defensive Tackles
After thorough study using specific scoring criteria, Bleacher Report recruiting analysts Sanjay Kirpalani and Tyler Donohue have graded the top 200 players in the 247Sports Composite Rankings and provided in-depth analysis. As national signing day draws near, Bleacher Report provides a position-by-position breakdown of the best college football recruits. Today we present the Top Defensive Tackles.
Other Positions
One of the deepest positions in the 2015 class is the crop at defensive tackle, which is the latest focus of Bleacher Report’s CFB 200 series.
In fact, 12 players at the position are ranked among the nation’s top 100 recruits.
The class is headlined by 5-star phenoms in Georgia commitment Trent Thompson and Tennessee pledge Kahlil McKenzie.
We have evaluated the cream of the crop of interior defensive linemen, scoring them on their abilities in key metrics such as pass rush (15 points), tackling (15 points), strength (25 points), run support (25 points), hands (15 points) and motor (5 points). The cumulative scores from those characteristics resulted in our overall grade of each prospect.
How do the 2015 defensive tackles stack up against one another?
*All analysis provided by B/R National Recruiting Analyst Sanjay Kirpalani. All rankings courtesy of 247Sports Composite Rankings.
17. 4-Star Darvin Taylor
1 of 17Height/Weight: 6’2”, 295 lbs
High School: Thomas Dale High, Chester, Va.
247 Ranking: No. 17 DT/No. 200 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 90/100
Committed to Florida State on Aug. 28, 2014
Florida State, Miami and Virginia Tech were among the first schools to offer Darvin Taylor back in May 2013.
He took trips to schools such as North Carolina, Penn State, Virginia, Virginia Tech and West Virginia, but he was a heavy FSU lean after he visited Tallahassee for a junior day during the spring.
Taylor committed to the ‘Noles in August and has been a firm pledge since.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Taylor runs well for a guy his size. He can play a little high at times, but he’s athletic enough to play defensive end in a 3-4 scheme. However, his most natural fit may come as a tackle in a 4-3 scheme. His quickness and ability to penetrate gaps is what makes him a coveted prospect.
16. 4-Star Marquise Overton
2 of 17Height/Weight: 6’1”, 301 lbs
High School: Jenks High, Jenks, Okla.
247 Ranking: No. 16 DT/No. 198 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 89/100
Committed to Oklahoma on Jan. 3, 2014
After reeling in early offers from the likes of Baylor, Ole Miss, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, Marquise Overton committed to the Sooners in January 2014.
Since then, he’s never wavered on his early pledge.
He’s the No. 3 prospect in the state of Oklahoma and the state’s top overall defensive recruit.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Overton is a little on the short side, but he uses his height as an advantage to gain leverage and get low off the snap. He flashes a quick burst, which he uses to gain penetration. He has a great motor and uses his hands well in disengaging blocks.
15. 4-Star Hjalte Froholdt
3 of 17Height/Weight: 6’4”, 282 lbs
High School: IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla.
247 Ranking: No. 15 DT/No. 143 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 90/100
Committed to Arkansas on Dec. 2, 2013
It didn’t take long for college coaches to discover Hjalte Froholdt, whose journey as a foreign exchange student took him from Denmark to the United States during his sophomore year.
Froholdt committed to Arkansas over offers from powers such as Alabama, Florida State, Michigan and Michigan State in December 2013.
He’s been a solid pledge for Bret Bielema’s club and will be an early enrollee in Fayetteville.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Despite the fact that he’s only played organized football for three years, Froholdt has a very high football IQ. He’s got a relentless motor and is versatile enough to play defensive end or in the middle as a defensive tackle. IMG head coach Chris Weinke raved about his talent and potential at the next level. After seeing him in person twice, I can see why.
14. 4-Star Adam McLean
4 of 17Height/Weight: 6’2”, 290 lbs
High School: Quince Orchard High, Gaithersburg, Md.
247 Ranking: No. 14 DT/No. 124 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 91/100
Committed to Maryland on Dec. 4, 2014
Adam McLean had a strong offer list by the end of spring 2013, but he chose to commit to Penn State in April.
However, he decommitted from the Nittany Lions in November and pledged to Maryland a few weeks later.
Despite his commitment, he has a visit scheduled to Ole Miss in January.
Bleacher Report Analysis
McLean uses his hands to get off blocks and has the agility to move laterally in quick bursts. He’s able to get consistent penetration as a run-stuffer, and he’s shown the propensity to bat down passes when he can’t get to the quarterback. He has to show a little more power and aggression in taking on blocks.
13. 4-Star Tim Settle
5 of 17Height/Weight: 6’3”, 300 lbs
High School: Stonewall Jackson High, Manassas, Va.
247 Ranking: No. 13 DT/No. 101 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 92/100
Committed to Virginia Tech on Jan. 2, 2015
Similar to fellow Virginia natives and good friends Da’Shawn Hand and Matthew Burrell, Tim Settle was a nationally known quantity well before his senior season began.
After netting offers from a numbers of powers from coast to coast, his recruitment came down to Louisville, Oklahoma State, USC, Virginia Tech and Washington State.
Settle committed to the Hokies during the Under Armour All-American Game.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Settle is a powerful force in the middle, who is often too strong to be blocked with just one man. He uses his hands well to get off blocks and to lock on to blockers when he’s bull-rushing. He’s very athletic for his size, and he can also collapse the pocket on passing downs. If he can manage his weight and maintain his explosiveness, he can be a very productive defensive tackle in college.
12. 4-Star Albert Huggins
6 of 17Height/Weight: 6’3”, 283 lbs
High School: Orangeburg-Wilkinson High, Orangeburg, S.C.
247 Ranking: No. 12 DT/No. 92 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 91/100
Committed to Clemson on Dec. 12, 2014
Albert Huggins earned offers from the likes of Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia and South Carolina in spring 2013.
However, his recruitment came down to Clemson and Georgia, with the Tigers earning his commitment last month.
He’s already enrolled at Clemson, where he figures to fight for playing time on a defensive line unit that graduated all four of its starters.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Huggins logged snaps as a defensive end in high school, and you can see the array of pass-rushing moves already in his game. He does of good job of shooting his hands into linemen on first contact, and he’s got great quickness coming off the ball. He’s athletic and powerful enough to be an immediate contributor to the Tigers defensive line.
11. 4-Star Neville Gallimore
7 of 17Height/Weight: 6’2”, 330 lbs
High School: Canada Prep Football Academy, St. Catharines, Ontario
247 Ranking: No. 11 DT/No. 72 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 88/100
Committed to Oklahoma on Jan. 3, 2015
Neville Gallimore is the first international player to earn an invitation to the U.S. Army All-American Game, per Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports.
The Ottawa native had offers from schools such as Auburn, Florida State and Ohio State before committing to Oklahoma during the U.S. Army All-American Game.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Gallimore is a raw prospect, but his size and athleticism are undeniable. While he can overpower players on the prep level, he will have to focus on staying low off the snap and getting a quicker burst coming off the line of scrimmage. However, in terms of upside, he has as much as any prospect in the 2015 cycle.
10. 4-Star Jacob Daniel
8 of 17Height/Weight: 6’4”, 310 lbs
High School: Clovis North High, Fresno, Calif.
247 Ranking: No. 10 DT/No. 69 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 89/100
Committed to USC on May 13, 2014
After receiving a number of offers over the course of 2013, Jacob Daniel committed to Washington in November 2013 to then-Huskies head coach Steve Sarkisian.
When Sarkisian bolted for USC a month later, Daniel decommitted from Washington before eventually committing to USC.
Daniel has been a solid commit to the Trojans since then.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Daniel is a powerful defender at the point of attack. He has great strength and often requires a double-team. He’s more effective versus the run at this point, but he’s athletic enough to push the pocket on passing downs. His best fit may be as a nose in a 3-4 scheme.
9. 4-Star Shy Tuttle
9 of 17Height/Weight: 6’3”, 320 lbs
High School: North Davidson High, Lexington, N.C.
247 Ranking: No. 9 DT/No. 53 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 91/100
Committed to Tennessee on Sept. 26, 2014
Shy Tuttle garnered offers from most SEC and ACC schools during his recruitment, but his decision was eventually narrowed down to North Carolina and Tennessee.
He chose the Vols in late September, and he is already enrolled in classes and will compete for a spot in the defensive line rotation in the spring.
Bleacher Report Analysis
At 320 pounds, Tuttle was a man-child on the high school level. He takes on blocks and has the power to bull rush his way into the backfield. He’s athletic enough to make plays where he has to move laterally. It would be beneficial if he used his hands more as a weapon to disengage blocks. Overall, he has the skill set to be an immediate contributor for the Vols.
8. 4-Star Breiden Fehoko
10 of 17Height/Weight: 6’3”, 290 lbs
High School: Farrington High, Honolulu, Hawaii
247 Ranking: No. 8 DT/No. 50 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 93/100
Committed to Texas Tech on April 14, 2014
It’s a family affair with Breiden Fehoko and Texas Tech. According to Daniel Paulling of Wreckem247 (subscription required), his older brother Sam is a graduate assistant for the Red Raiders, while another brother, V.J., played linebacker for Tech.
Fehoko chose the Red Raiders in April over offers from Alabama, Ole Miss and Oklahoma, among others.
He’s already in Lubbock as an early enrollee and will compete in spring practice for a spot in the defensive line rotation.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Fehoko is one of the more explosive players in this class. His first step off the ball is paralyzing for offensive linemen. He’s 290 pounds yet moves like he weighs 250. He’s still a little on the raw side, so improving his technique and expanding his arsenal of moves will be critical to his development.
7. 5-Star Daron Payne
11 of 17Height/Weight: 6’2”, 325 lbs
High School: Shades Valley High, Birmingham, Ala.
247 Ranking: No. 7 DT/No. 29 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 92/100
Committed to Alabama on Jan. 2, 2015
Daron Payne was another player whose recruitment came down to in-state rivals Alabama and Auburn.
Payne committed to the Tide during the Under Armour All-America Game, but he hasn’t ruled out taking another visit to Auburn before signing day.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Payne’s game is all about strength and power. I saw him at the Birmingham Nike camp last spring, and he put on a show in one-on-one drills, where multiple linemen ended up on their rear ends after trying to slow him down. He’s an ideal fit as a run-stuffing nose in a 3-4 scheme.
6. 5-Star Christian Wilkins
12 of 17Height/Weight: 6’4”, 290 lbs
High School: Suffield Academy, Suffield, Conn.
247 Ranking: No. 6 DT/No. 24 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 91/100
Committed to Clemson on Jan. 5, 2015
Christian Wilkins ended a hotly contested recruitment when he committed to Clemson earlier this month.
The Tigers were a surprise choice, with many in the recruiting community suspecting that Notre Dame, Ohio State and Penn State were the primary players for Wilkins, who had a strong performance during the week of the Under Armour All-America Game, which took place Jan. 2.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Wilkins is a supreme athlete who also played defensive end in high school. The quickness and pass-rushing ability he’s displayed off the edge gives him the type of versatility rarely found in 290-pound defensive linemen. His biggest adjustment to college will be to add strength in order to be stout at the point of attack against run plays.
5. 5-Star Rasheem Green
13 of 17Height/Weight: 6’5”, 275 lbs
High School: Junipero Serra High, Gardena, Calif.
247 Ranking: No. 5 DT/No. 23 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 95/100
Uncommitted: Considering USC, Oregon, Arizona State and Miami
Rasheem Green joins John Houston as elite defensive talents to emerge from powerhouse Junipero Serra High School just south of Los Angeles.
Green has already taken official visits to Oregon, Miami, Arizona State and Oklahoma, with his final visit going to USC and Arizona State later in January.
The Trojans are considered the favorites to land Green.
Bleacher Report Analysis
What makes Green special is that he can go through or around offensive linemen with equal effectiveness. He’s got a lean frame that could stand to add weight, and he’s versatile and talented enough to play defensive end in passing situations. Overall, he’s a freakish talent with tremendous upside heading into college.
4. 5-Star Daylon Mack
14 of 17Height/Weight: 6’0”, 330 lbs
High School: Gladewater High, Gladewater, Texas
247 Ranking: No. 4 DT/No. 14 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 95/100
Uncommitted: Considering TCU, Texas A&M, Texas, LSU, Auburn
Daylon Mack committed to Texas A&M in October 2013 over offers from the likes of Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, LSU and Oregon.
However, he subsequently decommitted from the Aggies after their subpar 2014 season in late December.
Despite him stating that TCU is his leader, per James Smith of The Times-Picayune, Texas A&M and Texas will likely battle it out for the elite defender.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Some may view Mack’s lack of height as a negative. However, he uses his low center of gravity to get under blocks and then his power to drive through linemen on his way into the backfield. He’s too quick for bigger linemen and too strong for lean ones. Overall, he’s an explosive player and one who should be able to be dominant early in his college career.
3. 5-Star Terry Beckner Jr.
15 of 17Height/Weight: 6’4”, 293 lbs
High School: East Saint Louis High, East Saint Louis, Ill.
247 Ranking: No. 3 DT/No. 13 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 93/100
Uncommitted: Considering Missouri, Florida State, Ohio State, Auburn and Oregon
Terry Beckner Jr. remains one of the nation’s most coveted recruits heading down the stretch toward signing day.
Missouri is the perceived favorite on his Crystal Ball page, but Florida State and Ohio State are in prime position to lure him away from Columbia.
He’s already visited the Seminoles, and he has visits scheduled to Ohio State, Auburn and Missouri in January.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Beckner is an overpowering force up front, simply swallowing blockers because of his size and strength. Beckner can play defensive end in a 3-4 scheme, where he’s more of an edge-setter in the run game. But, he has some pass-rush skills in his arsenal. However, his size and ability to penetrate makes him tougher to defend when he lines up at defensive tackle. His potential at that spot is much greater in the long-term.
2. 5-Star Kahlil McKenzie
16 of 17Height/Weight: 6’3”, 354 lbs
High School: Clayton Valley High, Concord, Calif.
247 Ranking: No. 2 DT/No. 6 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 94/100
Committed to Tennessee on July 10, 2014
Kahlil McKenzie had offers from a number of the nation’s top programs after spring 2014.
He committed to Tennessee over Arizona, Oklahoma and Wisconsin.
He is the son of Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie, who is also a Tennessee alum.
Bleacher Report Analysis
When it comes to sheer size, no prospect in the 2015 class is more physically imposing than McKenzie. He’s got NFL size and is still athletic enough to move laterally. He’s extremely strong and was simply unblockable on the high school level. In college, McKenzie will command double-teams because of his ability to penetrate gaps.
1. 5-Star Trent Thompson
17 of 17Height/Weight: 6’3”, 313 lbs
High School: Westover High, Albany, Ga.
247 Ranking: No. 1 DT/No. 1 Overall
Bleacher Report Score: 96/100
Committed to Georgia on Aug. 12, 2014
Trent Thompson was another prospect who had a national offer list before fall 2013.
He committed to his longtime favorite, Georgia, over Alabama, Auburn, Clemson and Florida State.
He’s taken trips to Alabama and Auburn during the fall, and it’s not out of the question that he won’t use any of his official visits during January, with the Tide and Tigers aiming to get him on campus before signing day.
However, according to Jake Rowe of Dawgs247, Thompson has stated his intent to stick with the Bulldogs.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Thompson is the total package at defensive tackle. When I saw him live this past season, he took over a game that was close at halftime and changed it by beating double- and triple-teams while creating havoc.
He’s a powerful force that can overpower linemen, and he packs a punch that ball-carriers feel when he hits them. Georgia is in a spot where it needs him to come in ready to play right away, and he’s one of the rare talents who possesses the ability to be dominant in the SEC immediately.
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