Under Armour All America Game 2014: 10 Best Recruits to Watch
Dozens of premier college football prospects swarm to St. Petersburg, Fla. on Thursday afternoon for the annual Under Armour All America Game. Players from every corner of the country compete at Tropicana Field in front of a national audience, as 4 p.m. kickoff takes center stage on ESPN.
Team rosters are brimming with future national stars and potential NFL standouts. We rank the top 10 recruits from an impressive collection of elite talent.
10. 4-Star QB Deshaun Watson (Gainesville, Ga.)
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Few high school football players have dominated competition in Georgia like Deshaun Watson. The 6'3", 200-pound Gainesville quarterback collected more than 13,000 passing yards and 155 touchdowns during his career, per MaxPreps.
Watson became the state's all-time leader in passing yards prior to the conclusion of his junior season. He added more than 4,000 yards and 59 scores on the ground in four years as a starter.
Clemson will look for Watson to compete for its starting job following the departure of star quarterback Tajh Boyd. Keep an eye on his pocket presence during the action, as it helps set him apart as a polished product.
9. 5-Star DE Lorenzo Carter (Norcross, Ga.)
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Lorenzo Carter is a terrorizing figure for quarterbacks, continually erupting for dominant performances off the edge. The 6'5", 232-pound pass-rusher anchored a ferocious defensive attack for state champion Norcross.
Carter racked up 132 tackles as a senior, per 247Sports, following a 136-tackle effort in 2012. He compiled 24 sacks and 45 tackles for loss during the past two seasons.
LSU, Georgia and Florida seem to be the front-runners for his services. His other options include Alabama, Clemson, Florida State and Notre Dame.
8. 5-Star WR Speedy Noil (New Orleans, La.)
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Louisiana is loaded with wide receiver talent this recruiting cycle and Speedy Noil may be the best of the bunch. He played a variety of positions at Edna Karr High School, but he translates best as a downfield threat at the next level.
The 5'10.5", 176-pound pass target lives up to his nickname, clocked at 4.40 seconds in the 40-yard dash, according to 247Sports. He will wreak havoc out of the slot and challenge even elite cornerbacks in downfield routes.
Noil will announce his commitment Thursday, with Texas A&M and LSU at the forefront of his options. He is listed as the nation's top-ranked receiver recruit in 247Sports composite rankings.
7. 5-Star CB Marlon Humphrey (Birmingham, Ala.)
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Heralded Hoover High School star Marlon Humphrey is a prodigious figure on the football field and track scene. He owns 13 career state track and field titles, including dominance in hurdle events.
On the field, he is a suffocating coverage cornerback. His skill set and size (6'1", 175 pounds) vault him to No. 1 among national prospects at the position in 247Sports rankings.
Humphrey secured 13 interceptions during the past three seasons, per 247Sports. His top options include Alabama, Florida State and Mississippi State.
6. 5-Star RB Dalvin Cook (Miami, Fla.)
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Dalvin Cook may play second-fiddle to another Under Armour All America running back (stay tuned), but he deserves a spotlight of his own. The Miami Central star rushed for more than 1,900 yards and 34 touchdowns during his senior season, according to 247Sports.
The 5'11", 190-pound ball-carrier pounds the rock with an aggressive approach and can reach the end zone from anywhere on the field when he finds open space. Cook's recruitment has been an interesting journey.
He initially committed to Florida in April but whispers of an eventual switch eventually came to fruition. Cook flipped to rival Florida State on New Year's Eve.
5. 5-Star LB Raekwon McMillan (Hinesville, Ga.)
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Raekwon McMillan made a case to be considered the nation's No. 1 middle linebacker with a pair of magnificent seasons at Liberty County High School. He posted largely unparalleled statistics as a junior and senior.
McMillan made 311 tackles during the past two seasons, per 247Sports. The 6'2", 242-pound prospect has a motor that doesn't slow down and makes an impact in every facet of a defensive game plan.
He committed to Ohio State in December. Auburn, Georgia, Alabama and Clemson were also in the mix.
4. 5-Star OT Cameron Robinson (West Monroe, La.)
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Mammoth Louisiana product Cameron Robinson is the nation's consensus top-ranked offensive lineman. The 6'7", 335-pound bookend bullies opponents with sheer strength and polished fundamentals.
He takes control off the snap with quick hand movement and powerful finishing moves. Robinson has the makings of an eventual Outland Trophy candidate.
Alabama added a commitment from the big man in early September.
3. 5-Star DE Da'Shawn Hand (Woodbridge, Va.)
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Da'Shawn Hand heads into the matchup looking to prove himself against the nation's top offensive linemen. He's spent the majority of his life making blockers look silly while ruining offensive strategies.
The 6'4", 265-pound pass-rusher racked up 16 sacks during his senior season. He finished his high school career with 56 sacks.
Hand will spend his college days chasing down SEC quarterbacks. He committed to Alabama in November.
2. 5-Star DB Jabrill Peppers (Paramus, N.J.)
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New Jersey native Jabrill Peppers put the nation on notice in 2011 when he was named the national sophomore player of the year. Now fresh off a state title at Paramus Catholic, the supremely gifted playmaker is prepared to take the next step toward fulfilling lofty expectations.
He could certainly excel on offense in college, but he is best suited to dominate in the defensive secondary. Peppers picked off eight passes and tallied 137 tackles in the past two seasons, per 247Sports.
He committed to Michigan in May. Expect the Charles Woodson comparisons to come early and often.
1. 5-Star RB Leonard Fournette (New Orleans, La.)
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Leonard Fournette is the alpha dog at an event filled with national superstars. The nation's consensus No. 1 running back is rated the top overall prospect in 247 Sports' composite ratings.
The 6'1", 226-pound St. Augustine standout can run over and around defenders, while displaying superior receiving skills out of the backfield. He churned out 7,600 yards and 88 touchdowns during his high school career.
Fournette is expected to announce his college choice Thursday during the festivities. The highly anticipated decision appears to center on SEC rivals Alabama and LSU.
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