CFB Recruiting 2013: The Best-Case Scenario for Each 2013 Top 25 Recruit

When a recruit makes a decision and pulls the trigger to commit to a school, we turn our focus to why it's a great decision for the recruit. We begin to imagine the best scenario possible for them because we want everyone to succeed.

On Monday, we looked at the other side of the coin and examined the worst-case scenario for each top-25 recruit from the 2013 class. Today, we're going to stick with the positive and give you the best scenario for the 25 most elite prospects in the country.

Whether it means putting up outstanding stats, leaving a great legacy or being compared to a former standout at the school, here are the best-case scenarios for the top-25 recruits in 2013.

25. Ryan Burns, QB

Ryan Burns starts off our top-25 list, and he's a QB that I really like. From Virginia and committed to Stanford, you have to like Burns' size and frame at 6'5", 220 pounds.

As a Stanford commit, he could be the best QB prospect to go Palo Alto since Andrew Luck. That is why I believe the best-case scenario for him is leaving Stanford being mentioned in the same breath as Luck, John Elway and Jim Plunkett. 

24. Dorian Johnson, OT

Dorian Johnson has the skill set to become a top-tier talent as a true freshman. The 6'6", 285-pounder has a quick stab, good snap quickness, upper-body strength and athleticism.

The best-case scenario for Johnson is that, after decommitting from Penn State on Tuesday (ESPN.com), he proves he can be a consistent and elite college LT. 

23. Shane Morris, QB

Shane Morris is a 6'3", 190-pounder from Michigan who pledged to the Wolverines. He's an in-state legend already, and he's only going to become an even bigger star in Ann Arbor.

He's the best pure and traditional QB prospect Michigan has had in a long time. Morris is the face of this 2013 recruiting class and the future face of the program.

The best-case scenario for him is he becomes a multi-year starter, team leader, Heisman contender and one of the most winning QBs in school history.

22. Eddie Vanderdoes, DT

USC has had its fair share of great DTs through the recent years. From Shaun Cody to Mike Patterson to Sedrick Ellis to Jurrell Casey, among others, USC has produced good interior DLs.

Eddie Vanderdoes is a 6'4", 305-pounder with brute strength and the skills to hold his own as a true freshman if needed. The best-case scenario for him is that he cements his place among top USC DTs and leaves the school as an NFL prospect for both 4-3 and 3-4 teams. 

21. Cameron Burrows, CB

A big corner at 6'1" and almost 200 pounds, Cameron Burrows is one of the best back-end defenders in the country. Some compare him to Charles Woodson, due to their similar size and ability to play on the outside in addition to safety.

However, Burrows is committed to Ohio State and not Michigan, Woodson's alma mater. The best-case scenario for Burrows is that he becomes an All-Big Ten CB for the Buckeyes. 

20. Matthew Thomas, OLB

Matthew Thomas is one of the most scheme-versatile defenders in the country. The Miami native is a 6'3", 210-pound OLB that can fit in a 3-4 or 4-3 also as an OLB.

The best-case scenario for Thomas is that he goes to a school like Alabama or Florida State and joins the ranks of Courtney Upshaw and Peter Boulware at those respective programs.

Or, he could go to Miami and be the player that Arthur Brown never became in Coral Gables. 

19. Christian Hackenberg, QB

One of the elite field generals in the country, the 6'3", 215-pound Christian Hackenberg is committed to Penn State. The best-case scenario for him is that he becomes the face of the program during this time and develops into an elite college QB.

I'll even go out on a limb and say that Hackenberg has the potential to leave Happy Valley as the most talented QB to ever play for the Nittany Lions. 

18. Darius James, OL

The best-case scenario for Darius James is that he comes to Texas, and eventually, his combination of size and athleticism makes it too hard not to put him at LT.

This is a guy that is already 6'5", 320 pounds and shows excellent agility for an OL. Many have him pegged to be a center, but he may be too big and athletic not to man the left edge on the offensive front. 

17. Kendall Fuller, CB

Kendall Fuller is heading to Virginia Tech, and his athleticism will get him on the field early. He's 5'11", 190 pounds and has a very high ceiling.

The best-case scenario for him is that he becomes the No. 1 CB for Bud Foster in his sophomore year. This will make him a multi-year All-ACC CB and NFL prospect.

16. Ty Isaac, RB

I remember when USC signed Whitney Lewis, they envisioned him playing the same role Malaefou MacKenzie had during his time in the Norm Chow offense. 

MacKenzie was a do-it-all player that could line up at RB one play and run the ball. Then, he could catch the ball out of the backfield and even play some WR/H-back.

Well, Lewis didn't really like that idea and flamed out. Ty Isaac has a similar skill set, and the 6'3", 220-pound running back's best-case scenario could actually be becoming a player like MacKenzie was.

15. Robert Foster, WR

If I had to pick two favorites for Robert Foster right now, they would be Alabama and Pitt. Those schools are the two that, to me, it seems he really digs right now.

A 6'2", 190-pounder from Pennsylvania, Foster's speed and explosiveness are dangerous for defenses. If he goes to Alabama, then he could be the best WR since Julio Jones, and at Pitt, he could be the best WR since Larry Fitzgerald.  

14. Antonio Conner, S

Antonio Conner is going to play in the SEC—that is a fact. He's a Mississippi native that I believe could end up at Ole Miss, but watch out for MSU, Alabama and LSU.

The 6'2", 200-pounder's best-case scenario is that he develops into an All-SEC DB. He has the instincts and athleticism to achieve this feat and get himself to the NFL.

13. Montravius Adams, DT

Montravius Adams has the potential to be a great three-technique DT and reminds me a lot of Tommie Harris coming out of high school. He could head to Auburn, become the next DT for the Tigers and leave in the same limelight as Nick Fairley.

Or, he could head to Clemson, team with Robert Nkemdiche and become an All-American. Wherever he goes, look for him to be a standout and a multi-year starter, as he evolves into a great pass-rushing DT. 

12. Su'a Cravens, S

The best-case scenario for Su'a Cravens at USC is that he's the second coming of Troy Polamalu. In fact, Cravens, standing 6'1", is already taller than the 5'10" Polamalu.

Cravens has the instincts, athleticism and speed to play the same type of role Polamalu did for the Trojans. I know that's a steep comparison, but that is Cravens' best-case scenario because he has that much potential. 

11. Ricky Seals-Jones, WR

Ricky Seals-Jones is a 6'5", 230-pound WR right now that could actually be a TE in college. He's a great pass-catcher wherever he plays, showing solid speed, athletic ability and ball skills.

His best-case scenario is that he plays with the same type of dominance that Mike Williams did during his two years at USC. RS-J is comparable to Williams in size and frame, but he may be a bit faster than the former Trojan. 

10. Eli Woodard, CB

Eli Woodard is close to being a complete cornerback and could grow into a safety in college. He is already 6', 185 pounds and plays with incredible intelligence, discipline, anticipation, instincts and technique.

His best-case scenario is that he is a cornerstone player for Ohio State. He has leadership qualities and All-American potential. 

9. Carl Lawson, DE

There has been some chatter this offseason that Carl Lawson could be better than Robert Nkemdiche. I like Nkemdiche a lot myself, but Lawson is almost right there with him.

At 6'2" and close to 255 pounds, Lawson has the ceiling to be a complete DE at Auburn and a team captain. His best-case scenario is that he becomes an All-SEC and All-American DE and leaves Auburn as one of the greatest overall Tigers to play on The Plains.

8. Dee Liner, DT

Dee Liner's best-case scenario is that he becomes the best swing DL in the country. I can see him playing a role where he starts at the strong side DE spot one week and then at the three-technique spot the next.

He is a 6'3", 275-pounder with great, surging quickness and athleticism to play in the trenches. He should make some pre- and postseason lists while at Auburn. 

7. Max Browne, QB

USC has developed a well-known QB tradition in recent years, and Max Browne could be the next in line to get the keys to car. He's 6'5", 215 pounds and has just about every tool to be a great, pure pocket passer in Los Angeles.

The best-case scenario for Browne is that he carries out the legacy of Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, Mark Sanchez and Matt Barkley. He should become a team captain and multi-year starter, lead USC to a couple of Rose Bowls and put up outstanding numbers.

6. Jaylon Smith, OLB

Jaylon Smith looks like a big safety rather than an OLB at first glance. He's a long 6'3" and 220-to-225 pounds. Committed to Notre Dame, he is likely to play OLB in South Bend and should be a great one.

The best-case scenario for him is that he leaves South Bend as one of the all-time great defensive players in school history. Smith could join the likes of Bob Crable, Manti Te'o, Alan Page, Chris Zorich and more. 

5. Kenny Bigelow, DT

For Kenny Bigelow, the best-case scenario at USC is that he's Sedrick Ellis 2.0. He has the potential to be a dominating DT early in his career, thanks to great snap quickness, strength, instincts and athleticism. 

As I said with Eddie Vanderdoes, USC has put out some great DTs over the years, and Bigelow should leave Troy as another one on that list. 

4. Laremy Tunsil, OT

It was easy pickings for Laremy Tunsil's best-case scenario because if things go right with him and his development, then you're getting D'Brickashaw Ferguson. Period.

At 6'6", 295 pounds, Tunsil moves like a shooting guard on the basketball court. Look for him to end up at Florida, Georgia or Alabama. 

3. Vernon Hargreaves III, CB

With Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida is getting a plug-and-play, potential No. 1 CB. He plays with great technique, instincts and athleticism in a 5'10", 185-pound frame. The Gators could be getting themselves Janoris Jenkins 2.0, minus the off-the-field concerns.

2. Reuben Foster, LB

For Reuben Foster, his best-case scenario is that he becomes a plug-and-play LB at Auburn and leaves for the NFL after his junior year, becoming a first round pick.

This guy is ready to play college football right now because inside that near-6'2", 250-pound frame, he has the strength, athletic talent and instincts to ball out immediately . He should be a freshman All-American, make several All-SEC squads and be an All-American before he leaves for the pros. 

1. Robert Nkemdiche, DE

For as good as Da'Quan Bowers was his final year, there were some bust whispers around him before. However, he, Gaines Adams and Ricky Sapp, are three recent, great Clemson DEs.

Robert Nkemdiche may be more talented than all of them. 

He's 6'4", 270 pounds and possesses incredible strength, athleticism, speed, tenacity and quickness. The best-case scenario for Nkemdiche is he is an immediate contributor, All-American and three-and-out player while winning numerous awards and becoming a first-round pick compared to great DEs like Julius Peppers, Michael Strahan and DeMarcus Ware.

Edwin Weathersby has worked in scouting/player-personnel departments for three professional football teams, including the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and 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 scout and writer, he's also contributed to WeAreSC.com, GatorBait.net and Diamonds in the Rough Inc., a college football and NFL-draft magazine.