Most Underrated Defensive College Football Recruits in the Class of 2015

For perspective on how fickle recruiting rankings can prove to be, take the example of the current defensive end duo of the Houston Texans: Jadeveon Clowney and J.J. Watt.

Four years ago, Clowney—the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft by the Texans—was a household name as the nation’s top recruit in the 2011 class.

By contrast, Watt was a little known 2-star recruit from Wisconsin who signed with Central Michigan in 2007 before eventually transferring to play for the Badgers a year later.

The 2015 class is sure to produce a few hidden gems who emerge as stars on the college level.

Which defensive standouts in the current cycle are being vastly underrated by recruiting services, analysts and fans?

Kenyatta Anderson

Credit: 247Sports

Dating back to Greg Schiano’s tenure at Rutgers, the Scarlet Knights have made a habit of finding sleeper recruits from the state of Florida. 

Kyle Flood has continued that tradition, especially in the secondary. Rutgers signed three corners from Florida in its 2014 class and has another—3-star Jarius Adams—committed in the current cycle.

Flood’s next Sunshine State import could be Kenyatta Anderson—a 6’0”, 186-pound senior corner. Like Adams and the three corners the Knights signed last year, Anderson—not rated by 247Sports—doesn’t have a 4-star or 5-star rating next to his name. 

However, as Josh Newberg of 247Sports noted, Anderson’s frame and athleticism are exactly the traits that some of the nation’s top programs are coveting in its top corner targets.

Damon Arnette

At 6’2”, 185 pounds, Damon Arnette represents one of the rare bigger corner prospects who are becoming the trend in college and pro football. 

As Alex Gleitman of Bucknuts notes (subscription required), Arnette impressed onlookers at Ohio State’s Friday Night Lights camp by showing the hips and athleticism necessary to play corner over the summer.

In July, Arnette committed to South Carolina over offers from the Buckeyes, Florida State, Wisconsin and Ole Miss among others.

Despite his size and swelling offer list, Arnette is rated as just the nation’s 66th best corner in the 2015 class. However, despite his low rating, he possesses as much upside as any corner who will make the transition to college next fall.

Hunter Dale

As one of the defensive anchors at Louisiana powerhouse John Curtis High School, 3-star safety Hunter Dale has played a major part in helping the Patriots win state titles in each of the last three seasons.

The 5’11”, 195-pounder has been a playmaker in the Patriots secondary in that span, totaling 67 tackles, 19 pass breakups and 13 interceptions over the last three years.

Dale—who holds offers from powers such as Florida, Miami, UCLA, Oregon, Nebraska and Ole Miss—is ranked as the No. 38 safety in the country.

While he doesn’t have prototypical size, his instincts and ball skills in coverage are reflections of a player worthy of receiving attention from a number of the nation’s top programs.

Nick Dawson

Credit: 247Sports

With a loaded group of defensive linemen among the headliners at the Atlanta NFTC, it was 3-star linebacker Nick Dawson who stole the show by winning MVP honors among the defensive line group, per Student Sports.

Included among the names he beat out for that honor were 4-star defensive ends Jonathan Ledbetter, Mekhi Brown and Chauncey Rivers. 

The 6’2”, 215-pound Dawson is ranked as the No. 63 player in talent-rich Georgia, but he’s earned offers from schools such as Louisville, Virginia and Cincinnati.

Despite living in the heart of SEC country and his strong showing in the offseason camp circuit, Dawson is still flying under the radar when it comes to offers and attention from some of the nation’s top programs near his area.

Houshun Gaines

Credit: 247Sports

At 6’4”, 220 pounds and blessed with 4.7 speed in the 40-yard dash, 3-star defensive end Houshun Gaines has all of the characteristics associated with the new, modern pass-rushers who are becoming the most coveted prospects in recruiting.

Gaines, who registered 85 tackles including 21 for loss and 11.5 sacks as a junior, is rated as the No. 24 strong-side defensive end in the 2015 class.

However, the North Carolina product holds offers from Florida, Miami, N.C. State and Virginia Tech among others. 

“Florida, Virginia Tech and N.C. State and North Carolina,” Gaines told GatorBait’s Luke Stampini of the schools in the running for him (subscription required). “They are all recruiting me the hardest, I have the best relationship with those people and I’ve built a great relationship with those schools.”

While it’s something of a mystery as to why he hasn’t accrued a higher rating, Gaines is a player with a ceiling as high as any pass-rusher in the 2015 class.

Raequan Williams

Credit: 247Sports

Another 3-star talent who has seen his stock surge in recent months is Chicago defensive tackle Raequan Williams.

According to Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports (subscription required), Iowa is the favorite to land the 6’4”, 280-pounder, with schools such as Missouri, Arizona and Oregon among those giving chase to the Hawkeyes.

The Ducks are his latest offer joining the likes of the Tigers, Wildcats and schools such as Kentucky and Arizona State in offering the nation’s No. 29 defensive tackle. 

Wiltfong also notes that Williams is a standout in basketball, which makes him a rare nimble athlete playing one of the most physical positions on the field.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani