College Football Recruiting 2012: Which Recruits Have the Highest Upside?

We always use the words "potential," "high ceiling," "blank canvas" and "upside" in evaluations. Well I'm going to give you a couple recruits that have all that and more.

These players are recruits that I feel with some college seasoning combined with their size, athleticism and skill set, they could develop into studs. Big time studs.

Here are the recruits with the more upside.

8. Nelson Agholor, WR/DB

I know I have put Agholor on a couple other lists that question some things, but I have no knocks on this guy's athletic ability. That's what makes his ceiling so high, because he's so athletically gifted that he could play an array of spots.

6'1", 180 pounds, he has the speed and hips to be an excellent corner, but also shows solid coverage instincts and range to be a safety. Not to mention good hands and play making ability to be a dominant WR.

He has a huge amount of upside.

7. Jordan Jenkins, DE

They call him "The Freak". Yes, because Jenkins is freakishly gifted as an athlete and I expect big things from the 6'3", 250-pounder.

I think he's so athletic that he could be a DPR type of guy for a defense as a true freshman. As he gains more strength to anchor versus blockers on the edge or set the edge as a standup 3-4 OLB, he should be an All-SEC caliber player wherever he goes.

Freakish athletic ability + size + college coaching = great player.

6. Jameis Winston, QB

Winston is a 6'4", 190-pound WB with a huge upside. I love his ceiling because he has all the tools to be a successful starter in college.

I think once a full time QB coach gets a hold of him, refines his climbs, set ups and overall footwork, his accuracy will sky rocket. He already has great size, great arm strength, field vision and playmaking ability to go a long with dual threat skills.

He could have a big time future in front of him.

5. Mario Edwards, DE

ESPNU ranks Edwards as the top overall recruit in the country as the huge DE prospect stands 6'4" and weighs nearly 270 pounds. He has a DT's frame but LB athletic ability and moves around freely and easily for such a big edge defender.

You take his size and athleticism and combine that with the projected strength he should develop in a college strength program, and you realize he may be a monster at Florida State.

He could play both DE spots in a 40 front and kick inside to DT in sub packages.

4. Kwon Alexander, OLB

Alexander has a 6'2", 210-pound OLB that can play with the range of a lion on the field. He can get to any place on the field and around any OL coming onto his level to block him.

He's extremely fast, quick, agile and instinctive. I think once he puts on some extra weight and gets coached up on how to properly man up on TEs and RBs in coverage, he could be a complete defensive player.

He's that talented.

3. D.J. Humphries, OT

Humphries is easily the best athlete among all trench recruits in the country. He's a 6'6", 270-pound LT prospect that moves like a small forward playing basketball.

Quick feet, mirror ability, adjust ability, agility and balance are all some of his skill sets. Once he tacks on some more weight and refines his game on how to mix sets and play with consistent leverage, he should be in the NFL.

He's like a cross between Tyron Smith and D'Brickashaw Ferguson.

2. Jessamen Dunker, OT

Dunker is very similar to Humphries, but he's bigger at 6'6" 315 pounds. In fact, Dunker is a former hoops player that made the transition to the football field.

He's a super athlete for a big man, but is a very raw. Boy, once he gets coached up on how to play with proper technique, you could be looking at a first-round pick.

Someone that big and that athletic almost has no chance of being a bust, should he commit himself and learn better technique.

1. Dorial Green-Beckham, WR

I think everyone would say a 6'6", 220-pound WR with 4.3 speed, natural receiving skills, length, quick feet, explosiveness, leaping ability, competitiveness, a large strike zone and catch in crowd ability as a high schooler has upside.

Green-Beckham has that and more.

I fully expect him to become a No. 1 receiver for his college offense by his sophomore year, and he could be a three-and-out player.