College Football Recruiting 2013: The Top Commit at Each Defensive Position

Yesterday we looked at the top committed offensive player at each position, so it's only fitting that we flip sides and look at defense.

Again, with the trend being to commit early, we have some top-flight committed prospects already in May.

These defenders are surely to be stalwarts in their future programs, and they will be studs. So, without further ado, here are the top defensive commitments.

DT: Kenny Bigelow

Commitment: USC

Bigelow is a super athletic 6'3", 285-pounder who can also play some strong-side DE for a front. Yet, he's looked at mostly as a future 3-technique, as he has great one-gap penetration quickness.

Bigelow is physical at the point of attack, flashes solid strength and is very good in short-area pursuit.

DE: D.J. Ward

Commitment: Oklahoma

Ward is an Oklahoma native who plays with great range on the edge. He goes in the 6'4", 235-pound range and is an excellent athlete. 

Ward has good snap quickness, will fight to pressure the passer and has a burst to finish. He plays the run away from him better than he does at him right now, but his strength will improve in Norman. 

OLB: E.J. Levenberry

Commitment: Florida State

Hailing from Virginia, Levenberry is a 6'2" 'backer who weighs nearly 230 pounds. He can play all three spots in a 4-3 and can excel at them all.

Athletic, tough and physical, Levenberry will plug a run alley straight up, or he will use his speed and range to make a stop on the flanks.

ILB: Reuben Foster

Commitment: Alabama

Foster is a 6'2", 245-pound linebacker who just has it all. He's instinctive and aware, reads and reacts well and has great vision.

Foster has good quickness to fill a hole, speed to beat an OL or FB to a spot, is physical at the point of attack, is strong and stout to shed and can tackle with some thump. He may be the most complete player at his position in the country.

SS: Antonio Allen

Commitment: Ole Miss

Allen is a pure SS prospect in my eyes, and even though he's just about 5'9" and 195 pounds, he packs a punch. He's instinctive and quick to attack the line against the run and thump a ball-carrier.

Like a true SS, Allen isn't a ball-hawk on the back end, but he has speed to patrol his area in coverage. I think he's a bit underrated on some lists. 

FS: Dymonte Thomas

Commitment: Michigan

Thomas is a versatile player, and there is a chance he could play a few other positions, but right now it seems like FS is where he's penciled in at Ann Arbor.

A 6'1", 185-pounder, Thomas has great range, can be moved all around the field and plays with range, athleticism and speed. He can attack the line to stop the run or patrol the deep middle.

CB: Eli Woodard

Commitment: Ohio State

Woodard is a 6'0", 195-pound corner with a quick backpedal and is excellent in transition. He sees the play well in zone coverage, has good instincts and anticipates well to jump routes for picks.

Woodard can play all three types of coverage effectively, he can mirror well with his hips and foot quickness and he has the speed to carry receivers deep. Woodard has No. 1 corner skills and potential.

Edwin Weathersby has worked in scouting/player personnel departments for three professional football teams, including the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and the Las Vegas Gladiators of the Arena League. He spent a year evaluating prep prospects and writing specific recruiting and scouting content articles for Student Sports Football (now ESPN Rise-HS).

A syndicated writer, he's also contributed to WeAreSC.com, GatorBait.net and Diamonds in the Rough Inc., a college football and NFL draft magazine.