Power Ranking the Headliners of the Top 10 Recruiting Classes

Recruiting classes are full of good players, but the headliners are the cream of the crop. Not any recruit can be a headliner, as that honor is only given to the best player or players in a class.

The Top-10 recruiting classes are all tremendous collections of talent. However, just because a class has a No. 1 ranking does not mean its class headliner is superior to another headliner of a Top-10 recruiting class.

So it follows that 247Sports recruiting rankings, Michigan may have the No. 10 class in the 247Sports recruiting rankings, but its top player is one of the very best prospects in the country. Miami's recruiting class is highly touted due to the electric ability of its headliner, and one may be shocked at who is considered Ohio State's top commitment.

Player evaluations are based on review of tape at Scout.com, Rivals, 247Sports and ESPNU.

 

10. Jerrod Heard, QB, Texas

The Longhorns check in at No. 9 in the 247Sports recruiting rankings, and their 22-man class is led by quarterback Jerrod Heard.

Heard, who is 6'2.5" and 190 pounds, is a dual-threat quarterback who can scan the field, make solid post-snap adjustments and fire the ball to targets with velocity. He displays good ball-placement skills, will pitch with touch and excels in the intermediate passing game.

Heard's athleticism and mobility allow him to attack the edges to make good throws on the run. If needed, Heard can also tuck the football and make plays as a runner. 

9. Dante Booker, OLB, Ohio State

Ohio State has 16 commitments, and its top player is Dante Booker, an outside linebacker from Ohio. Booker, who is 6'3" and 212 pounds, is a gifted athlete who excels in coverage.

He has no problems being asked to buzz back into coverage, keeping his head on a swivel and jumping intermediate passing lanes. With his ability to quickly find the football, fit into gaps and play with solid toughness at the point of attack, Booker is also good against the run.

Booker will be an every-down outside 'backer for the Buckeyes. 

8. Kain Daub, ILB, Florida State

Florida State has the No. 2 class in 247Sports' recruiting rankings, and linebacker Kain Daub is its best player.

With Daub, the Seminoles have a physical, rugged and downhill-striking 'backer who is 6'3" and 234 pounds. He is a tough player who shows great straight-line speed, tight-box quickness and hits like a truck.

Daub has solid instincts, will fire inside alleys, take on lead blockers and has good shedding ability. Expect him to punish a running back or two before he leaves Tallahassee. 

7. Jalen Hurd, RB, Tennessee

Jalen Hurd is coming off a junior season when, according to maxpreps.com, he rushed for 3,357 yards, averaged 10.59 yards per carry and scored 43 touchdowns.

The Tennessee native is the jewel of Butch Jones' class, as the Vols' head coach will likely have a key role for Hurd to play as a true freshman.

Hurd, who is 6'3" and 220 pounds, is a physically imposing back who has deceptive quickness, light feet and good elusiveness. He shows good vision, will let his blocks set up and also flashes great receiving skills.

It will be interesting to follow Hurd's career as it unfolds in Knoxville. 

6. David Cornwell, QB, Alabama

David Cornwell has as much arm strength as any quarterback in the country. He has prototypical size at 6'5" and 241 pounds and is slightly more athletic than the general perception of him.

Cornwell can deliver strikes deep downfield with authority. He can sit in the pocket, survey the field and attack the perimeter. The 'Bama commit is an accurate passer who can also throw with touch.

Cornwell will be a candidate to replace Alabama starting quarterback AJ McCarron in 2014. 

5. Kyle Allen, QB, Texas A&M

Kyle Allen may not have as much arm strength as Alabama commit David Cornwell, but the Arizona native has outstanding anticipation skills, accuracy and field vision.

Allen, who is 6'2.5" and 185 pounds, has adequate arm strength but is better at throwing into windows before they open. He has a knack for throwing his receivers open, is an excellent distributor of the football and flashes deceptive mobility.

Allen may not be dominant in one category, but he's solid in all facets of the quarterback position. 

4. Elijah Hood, RB, Notre Dame

Notre Dame is getting a tank of a running back in Elijah Hood. He is not as sudden as Florida commitment Dalvin Cook, but when Hood gets his legs churning, he is difficult to stop.

Hood, who is 5'11.5" and 222 pounds, is a bell-cow back who is a load to handle at the point of attack. He has terrific power, flashes quick feet and has the speed to run away from a defender or two in the open field.

Hood can push piles as a short-yardage runner, as he is a powerful force with the ball. He will impress the Notre Dame staff early in his career. 

3. Joseph Yearby, RB, Miami

The Hurricanes convinced Joseph Yearby to stay home and play in Coral Gables over heading to rival Florida State. That is a huge coup, as playing against Yearby would have been a big headache for Miami.

Yearby, who is 5'9" and 190 pounds, is one of the most explosive athletes in the nation. He has awesome stop-and-start ability, and he is a darter who is lethal in the open field. The Miami native has fantastic elusiveness and is a threat to score anytime he touches the ball.

Yearby displays great vision, instincts and has the ability to easily turn the corner on a defense. He could be a better version of Miami running back Duke Johnson. 

2. Sony Michel, RB, Georgia

One of the best players in the country, Sony Michel is the clear-cut headliner of Georgia's class. Michel, who is 5'11" and 205 pounds, is a Florida native who should become a dominant runner in Athens.

He has great vision, as he can press play-side holes and still see backside alleys open up. Michel shows great elusiveness, has a great burst through seams and runs with good power. He is an agile runner who can make defenders look silly in the open field.

Not to be restricted as just a traditional running back, Michel has shown he can split out wide and be a big factor in the passing game. 

1. Jabrill Peppers, ATH, Michigan

Perhaps the most versatile player in the country, Jabrill Peppers is an elite prospect from New Jersey. He has the talent to be a great cornerback, running back, safety, receiver or outside linebacker.

Peppers, who is 6'1" and 205 pounds, is a self-motivated player with an impressive work ethic. He has amazing athleticism, football intelligence and instincts.

As a cornerback, Peppers displays the ability to play press-man, off-man and zone coverage. He has good technique, loose hips and great short-area quickness. It is not far-fetched to compare him to Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson.

 

Edwin Weathersby is the College Football Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. He has worked in scouting/player personnel departments for three professional football teams, including the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns.