College Football Recruiting 2013: Ranking the Top 10 Defensive Tackles

We move on in our early 2013 rankings, and we arrive now at the defensive tackles. We have some good variety here at this position, whether you need a 1-gapper and quick guy, or a 2-gapper type with excellent play strength.

Having a playmaker in the middle of the defensive trenches is still important, as defenses must now ask their DTs to generate a push up the middle as a pass rushers. Getting off blocks and making plays in the backfield is still welcomed at the DT position.

10. Isaiah Golden

Golden is a 6'2", 320-pound plugger. He space eats it all up in the middle, can lean on OGs all game and is explosive at the snap. He's physical at the point, tough and is strength to shed well.

Committed to Texas A&M. 

9. Billy Price

Price isa  6'4", 265-pound DT that could be one of the best overall prospects in the Midwest. He's very strong in the trenches, doesn't back down from anyone and has strength to shed, anchor and make plays in the middle.

Early offers include Notre Dame, Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State, Tennessee and UCLA.

8. Justin Manning

Manning is the younger brother of DeMarcus Granger and stands 6'2", 275-pounds. He's extremely physical, relishes contact and will stop, stack and anchor in the trenches all day.

Mainning plays big at the point of attack and has strength to shed, toss and pursue. Miami, A&M, UCLA, Tennessee, Arizona and Texas Tech have offered.  

7. Greg Gilmore

Gilmore is a rare DT that also has quick feet and flexible hips. Those traits really aid his athletic ability and allow him to get around blockers quickly. He stands 6'4", 285 pounds and is from North Carolina.

Offers include Florida, LSU, Clemson and Ohio State. 

6. Montravius Adams

Adams is a 6'4", 290-pound DT from Georgia with huge potential. Think Jonathan Taylor here.

He's very raw, but his power is amazing, as Adams has excellent play strength, solid quickness and will be over 300 pounds in college.

USC, Alabama, Florida, Clemson, FSU, Georgia and Miami have offered. 

5. Greg Webb

If you're program is in need of 6'2", 290-pound run stuffer, Webb is your guy. He's from New Jersey, loves to play big at the point of attack, stacks well and can anchor in the middle vs. the run.

He's very strong and can 1-gap or 2-gap if you need him to. Penn State, Oklahoma, Michigan and Michigan State have offered. 

4. Dee Liner

Liner is still growing and adding to his frame, that's why he looks like a LBer right now. But he's 6'3", 260-pounds and has a skill set of  DT.

He's got a great and powerful athleticism to himself, solid snap quickness and a big time motor. Liner's headed to Auburn. 

3. Caleb Brantley

Brantley is 6'2", and just a few tick tacks under 300 pounds. He's got great size for a middle man, but he plays quick and can penetrate gaps with ease.

Brantley has gap quickness off the ball, keeps coming snap after snap and can chase well in pursuit. He's committed to Florida.

2. Kenny Bigelow

Bigelow is a big time prospect that hails from the great state of Delaware. He stands 6'3" and weighs 280-pounds.

Bigelow is a playmaker on the DL, as his lighter frame allows him to out athlete blockers, blow by OGs and make plays in the backfield. He also could be a strong side DE type, kind of like Aziz Shittu.

Committed to USC.

1. Robert Nkemdiche

I know I added Nkemdiche to the DE board, but he also can play DT. It's a toss up where he's going to be right now going forward to so, for now, I'm keeping him atop both boards.