College Football 2011: Top 5 Players by Position

It starts in high school.

You know who you are. You count the 5-star and 4-star recruits that your team has signed, and the expectations grow from there.

So what do you do know? It's summer and college football is still a few months away.

Here's an idea, let's take a look at the top five players by position.

How many of the 5-star recruits made this list?

Keep reading for the best of the best.

Quarterbacks

1. Andrew Luck, Stanford: Luck has the bloodlines and the resume to back up this selection. He's a Heisman favorite and the Cardinal's fortunes will ride on his leadership. Should be the No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft.

2. Landry Jones, Oklahoma: He has one of the best receiving corps in the nation, so that should equate to another big year. Has a nice arm and the crazy statistics (4,718 yards and 38 touchdowns). Could he lead the Sooners to their first BCS title since 2000?

3. Kellen Moore, Boise State: Moore doesn't have the physical skills of so many other quarterbacks in the nation, but he has the intangibles. Not to mention he's 38-2 as a starter.

4. Darron Thomas, Oregon: Maybe Thomas isn't the prototypical quarterback, but that's what makes him special. He's amazing at running Chip Kelly's read-option, which makes the Ducks go.

5. Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State: Weeden is the old guy of the group at 27. Once you look past his advanced years, you get a guy who threw for 4,277 yards in one of the best breakout seasons of 2010.

Running Backs

1. LaMichael James, Oregon: James was suspended for one game last season, and he was still a Heisman finalist. He was the best runner in 2010, so why should 2011 be any different?

2. Knile Davis, Arkansas: If anyone can challenge James for the top spot on this list, it is Davis. SEC fans may argue there are better backs, but his 1,322 yards and 13 touchdowns tell a different story.

3. Trent Richardson, Alabama: He split time with Mark Ingram last year, and now there are those in Tuscaloosa who think Richardson could win a Heisman just like Ingram.

4. Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina: Lattimore truly burst onto the scene in South Carolina's win over Georgia in front of the home crowd. He's fast, strong and tough to bring down. Lattimore still holds the edge over fellow freshman phenom Michael Dyer at Auburn.

5. Edwin Baker, Michigan State: Baker was a key reason why the Spartans tied for the Big Ten crown last year. He rushed for 1,201 yards and will be the best back in the Big Ten.

Wide Receivers

1. Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State: Blackmon won the Biletnikoff Award in a breakout 2010. He had 111 catches for 1,782 yards and 20 touchdowns—all school records. With Brandon Weeden back at quarterback, it is easy to predict big things for Blackmon.

2. Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina: At 6'4", 230, Jeffery is a great target for Stephen Garcia. He can go over the middle or stretch a defense. Jeffery has the potential to pass Blackmon and win the Biletnikoff this season.

3. Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma: A receiver with Broyles' ability would normally top this list. That's just how good the wideouts are in 2011. Everyone thought Broyles would bolt for the NFL after putting up some impressive numbers—131 receptions, 1,622 yards and 14 touchdowns.

4. Michael Floyd, Notre Dame: How much Floyd will play this fall is still sketchy after a suspension this spring. Coach Brian Kelly expects to use him a lot, but if Floyd goes astray again, his days in South Bend could be over really quick.

5. Greg Childs, Arkansas: Childs slipped on this list a little because he's still recovering from a 2010 knee injury. But even without Ryan Mallett throwing darts to him, Childs will be one of the top receivers in the SEC.

Tight Ends

1. Michael Egnew, Missouri: Egnew was an All-American last season and he pretty much tops all preseason lists as well. He's more of a big receiver playing tight end than he is at blocking.

2. Ladarius Green, Louisiana-Lafayette: Green missed two games with an ankle injury, but still led all tight ends with 794 yards receiving.

3. David Paulson, Oregon: You don't think about tight ends that much when you try to dissect an offense like Oregon's. However, Paulson is just another dynamic that makes the Ducks that much tougher to stop.

4. George Bryan, North Carolina State: As far as tight ends go, Bryan is sort of a touchdown machine with 14 career grabs. He's also been the ACC's best the past two years.

5. Orson Charles, Georgia: Charles is blessed with both size and speed to be a serious threat in the SEC. Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray has a lot of confidence in his tight end.

Offensive Linemen

1. Nate Potter, Boise State: One of the key reasons why Boise State has been able to compete with the BCS powers is the Broncos' ability to recruit NFL-quality interior linemen. Potter is the next great one for Chris Petersen.

2. Mike Brewster, Ohio State: It's so difficult to evaluate any player or situation with Ohio State right now, but Brewster is going to be starting at center for a fourth straight season and he's a beast inside. He could play a major role in helping a young quarterback mature this season.

3. Levy Adcock, Oklahoma State: Adcock went from unknown to possible first-round pick after a great junior season in Stillwater. He's a big reason why Brandon Weeden has to much time to throw.

4. Barrett Jones, Alabama: Jones has gone from big-time recruit to All-American and he's just a junior. Jones will be one of the main blockers as Trent Richardson makes his own Heisman run.

5. David DeCastro, Stanford: If you watched Stanford play last season, it was easy to see why Andrew Luck was able to be so successful. He had a great offensive line. A key component of that group was DeCastro.

Defensive Linemen

1. Jared Crick, Nebraska: This is the biggest no-doubter. Crick is a beast who has become a sack machine for the Cornhuskers. His physical play and non-stop motor should make him an All-American again.

2. Brandon Jenkins, Florida State: Jenkins is the best defensive end playing today. His 2010 was special. He recorded 13.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for a loss. He's a key piece in a maturing and improving FSU defense.

3. Billy Winn, Boise State: Winn is another one of Boise's great linemen, and the Broncos have earned a reputation as having one of the nation's best defensive lines. Winn is a big reason why.

4. Quinton Coples, North Carolina: Coples is one the least heralded defensive players at North Carolina in recent years, but Butch Davis has made the call to play him solely at end this fall. He should wreak havoc from there.

5. Bruce Irvin, West Virginia: Irvin may have been used as a third-down specialist only last season, but no one could stop him without double-teaming him. Irvin is going to have a bigger role this year, and he should easily match his 14 sacks.

Linebackers

1. Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State: Burfict hasn't always made the best decisions, but no one questions his talent. Burfict is one of the best defensive players in the country, much less the best linebacker.

2. Dont'a Hightower, Alabama: Hightower is fun to watch and he just loves to hit running backs, quarterbacks and receivers. You almost can't tell he had knee surgery in 2009.

3. Travis Lewis, Oklahoma: Lewis could have left for the NFL after last season and he would have been a top pick. Instead, the gifted linebacker wanted another shot at winning a title. He may get the Big 12 crown, but the BCS title won't be easy.

4. Luke Kuechly, Boston College: Kuechly is the hardest working player in the country. What he lacks in ability, he makes up for in smarts.

5. Courtney Upshaw, Alabama: Upshaw is a big reason why the Tide will have one of the best pass rushes in the SEC. He had 14.5 tackles for a loss last year.

Cornerbacks

1. Cliff Harris, Oregon: Harris is the 2011 version of Patrick Peterson. He's a shutdown corner who also doubles as one of the most dangerous return men.

2. Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina: Gilmore hasn't always lived up to his billing, but the physical gifts are there to be a Top 15 draft pick.

3. Jayron Hosley, Virginia Tech: Hosley is a preseason All-American after turning in one of the best seasons in 2010. He was tops in the nation in interceptions with nine.

4. Kenny Tate, Maryland: Tate plays a hybrid S/LB, but Maryland considers him a safety. That's how athletic he is, and the Terps are going to rely on him heavily in 2011.

5. Keith Tandy, West Virginia: Tandy is one of the few returning starters from the Mountaineers' top-rated defense from 2010. Big East quarterbacks will avoid throwing his way this season.

Safeties

1. Mark Barron, Alabama: Barron is a two-time All-American who is the best safety on one of the best units in the country. He's a three-year starter, so the fact he saw limited action this spring should not be a concern.

2. T.J. McDonald, USC: McDonald is a USC legacy and he's finally living up to the hype coming out of high school. He had 89 tackles last season for the Trojans.

3. Robert Lester, Alabama: Starting to see why the Tide safeties are so good? Lester led the SEC with eight interceptions, and you could get some coaches who would say he's better than Barron.

4. Delano Howell, Stanford: Howell was recruited as a running back. When Stanford needed to improve its speed in the defensive backfield, it turned to the athletic Howell.

5. Hakeem Smith, Louisville: Charlie Strong is a great defensive coach, but it also helps to have talent. That's where Smith comes in for the Cardinals. He earned the Big East Rookie of the Year.

Kickers

1. Blair Walsh, Georgia: Walsh is consistent and has a strong leg. He's also a two-time Groza Award winner.

2. Grant Ressel, Missouri: When it comes to accuracy, Ressel is your kicker. He almost never misses inside the 50.

3. Dan Conroy, Michigan State: Conroy is the best in the Big Ten and when necessary, he can hit field goals from 50-plus.

4. Danny Hrapmann, Southern Miss: Sometimes the best kickers come from smaller schools. Hrapmann may have the strongest leg of the group after connecting on a 54-yarder last season.

5. Carson Wiggs, Purdue: There's no getting past the fact that Wiggs has made field goals from 59, 55, 53 and 51. By the way, those are the four longest in Purdue history.

Punters

1. Drew Butler, Georgia: Butler and Blair Walsh make for the best 1-2 punch in special teams. Butler can boom his kicks and also has a good touch when needed.

2. Quinn Sharp, Oklahoma State: Sharp averaged more than 46 yards a kick in 2010. He's also considered a top kick-off specialist.

3. Jeff Locke, UCLA: Locke gets some of the best hang time in the game, as he netted more than 41 yards a kick.

4. Tress Way, Oklahoma: In just two seasons, Way is considered the best punter in Sooners history.

5. Bryan Anger, Cal: Anger has earned more accolades than Jeff Locke after averaging 45.6 yards a kick.