College Football Recruiting 2013: Power Ranking Top 3 ATH Prospects

Here at Signed, Sealed, Delivered we'll power rank the top players at each position in one of our many daily features. Be sure to check it out and, more often than not, argue your case against what we have to say—we're all ears.

Joining the collegiate ranks dubbed an athlete can be a double-edged sword.

On one end, every team knows that the player possesses superb athleticism and versatility. If truly good enough, the team has no choice to but to find a spot on the field for them.

On the other end, teams could move a player around to where they need a body on a yearly basis. Quarterback to wide receiver back to quarterback doesn't bode well for development. Neither does tight end to defensive end, cornerback to safety or running back to wide receiver back to running back.

But that is sometimes the life of an athlete when playing on Saturdays, and the players who want to win do what is asked of them.

It isn't always bad either. Some teams simply know how to get the most of their best athletes and it pays huge dividends in the end.

Again, it is a double-edged sword.

The 2013 class has no shortage of athletes to watch, and soon enough you'll see them on the field somewhere on Saturdays.

3. Jalin Marshall, Middletown (OH), Middletown—Committed to Ohio State

It is hardly a surprise that Marshall is heading for Urban Meyer's offense next year in Columbus. Aside from his locale, Marshall is a perfect fit in what will likely be a Percy Harvin-like role.

He plays quarterback right now, but at 6', 190 pounds, he's projected as either a running back or wide receiver at the next level, but as a Buckeye he can play both.

Marshall is simply an all-around playmaker who excels with the ball in his hands. You'll notice, even as a quarterback, the majority of his highlights come on the ground.

Scout gives him a 5-star rating while Rivals holds up at four.

It would be a huge surprise if he change his mind and picks another school when National Signing Day finally rolls around 10-plus months from now.

2. Ardarius Stewart, Fultondale (AL), Fultondale—Committed to Alabama

At 6'3", 190 pounds, Stewart is Rivals' No. 75 overall player and Scouts' No. 85 overall player. Both outlets rank him as a 4-star prospect, but Scout does so as a wide receiver.

With his height, receiver seems like the most logical position for Stewart at the next level.

He accounted for over 3,400 offensive yards last year (2,000-plus on ground, 1,400-plus in air) and scored 50 total touchdowns.

That said, and like with all dual-threat QBs potentially transitioning out wide, we are unsure of how he'll handle himself as a route-runner and pass catcher. Some players, regardless of rare athleticism, are simply uncomfortable trying to make catches that way.

But Stewart could even play defense. With a 6'3" frame, he will undoubtedly put on muscle in a college weight program. He would be one hell of an imposing safety were he to bulk to 200-205 pounds in a year or two.

The Crimson Tide commit was quoted by TideSports writer Greg Ostendorf saying, "I really just want to be on the field. If they wind up putting me on defense, I'll play defense, but I think I might wind up offense."

Wherever he plays, he's going to be making plays.

1. Derrick Henry, Yulee (FL), Yulee - Committed to Georgia

This kid is simply impossible to ignore because he's not a normal prospect.

At 6'3", 241 pounds, most would look upon this kid and think linebacker, but the Florida native is a ball-carrier with prodigious skill.

He ran for over 2,600 yards as a junior and scored 33 touchdowns. He doesn't appear to be blazing fast, but he doesn't get caught from behind often and he does possesses unique explosion for his size.

Henry is actually so gifted athletically that he doesn't completely know how to use his size to his advantage because he hasn't had to yet.

The likely running back needs to learn how to get lower and run behind his pads more. That will likely come the hard way once he stops running through would-be arm tackles at the next level. He'll toughen up once the full pads are on, and he'll quickly start dishing out punishment rather than taking it.

Henry carries a 4-star rating from Rivals and a 5-star rating from Scout.

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