Pro Player Comparisons for Top 10 5-Stars in Class of 2015

The most celebrated standouts of a star-studded 2015 recruiting class will aim to make an immediate impact against collegiate competition. After years of dominating at the high school level, elite prospects put their pride—and hype—on the line when they arrive on campuses across the country.

Some 5-star recruits have already enrolled and will participate in spring practice, while others won't leave home until this summer. Aside from striving for an educational degree, these dominant playmakers also carry dreams of achieving NFL fame and glory.

We broke down the top 10 players in this recruiting cycle, searching for a professional comparison based on potential and skill set. Here's a look at how these heralded teenagers measure up against NFL stars of today.

*Recruits listed in order of appearance in 247Sports' composite rankings.

10. LB Malik Jefferson

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 outside linebacker; No. 10 overall

High School: Poteet (Mesquite, Texas)

Size: 6'2.5", 215 lbs.

Recruitment Status: Enrolled at Texas.

Pro-Player Comparison: Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The three-year veteran out of Nebraska has quietly carved out his place among the league's premier outside linebackers despite competing for a struggling squad. Though he entered the NFL slightly undersized, David's tenacity at the point of attack and speed along the perimeter make him a special weapon. 

Malik Jefferson must add significant bulk to his physical frame in order to size up against collegiate blockers, but his ability to diagnose plays and swarm to the ball with elite quickness sets him apart from the pack. Like David, he exhibits range that should keep him on the field for the majority of snaps.

David had seven sacks and five interceptions in 2013. Jefferson, who secured 24 sacks as an upperclassman, possesses a blend of blitz capability and intermediate pass-coverage skills that result in legitimate three-down potential.

"I think I'm a balanced linebacker, and coaches can count on me to get the job done whatever we need to do," Jefferson told me this summer. "I like stuffing the run, but I have no problem dropping back to cover passes."

9. DE Josh Sweat

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 weak-side defensive end; No. 9 overall

High School: Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, Virginia)

Size: 6'5", 240 lbs.

Recruitment Status: Enrolled at Florida State.

Pro-Player Comparison: Jadeveon Clowney, Houston Texans

This comparison goes far beyond hairstyle. 

Clowney rose to the top of the 2014 NFL draft board due largely to his "can't miss" physical traits and freakish athleticism. We've seen similar traces of Superman genes from Josh Sweat, who started his senior year rated No. 1 overall on this list before suffering a season-ending knee injury in September.

He stunned onlookers by flying through the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds at The Opening this summer and placed second in Nike's national SPARQ testing, which tests agility, strength, speed and leaping ability.

Essentially, he's a combine king.

However, there's so much more to Sweat than just the measurements, evidenced by his 94 tackles and 22 sacks as a junior. He plays with the same kind of violence as a defender, receiver and rusher that we witnessed on Clowney's high school highlights.

"You have to be perfect against Sweat," 5-star offensive tackle Mitch Hyatt told me. "Otherwise you're done."

8. DB Kevin Toliver

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 2 cornerback; No. 8 overall

High School: Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Florida)

Size: 6'2", 185 lbs.

Recruitment Status: Enrolled at LSU.

Pro-Player Comparison: Aqib Talib, Denver Broncos

Kevin Toliver didn't often encounter pass targets during consecutive state title runs as an upperclassman given his reputation as an established ball hawk. So when he had a chance to match up against America's premier pass-catchers at The Opening last summer, it was an opportunity for him to meet expectations.

He did just that, using solid physicality off the snap and elite length to disrupt the timing of receivers. Toliver is scheme-diverse and can thrive in a press-coverage setting or play off his man, much like Talib.

Though the enigmatic defender had early ups and downs in Tampa Bay, he's solidified himself as a top-tier defensive back during stints in Denver and New England. Talib, like Toliver, pulls off impressive midair adjustments and disrupts pass attempts with his desirable wingspan, resulting in eight interceptions since 2013.

7. DE CeCe Jefferson

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 2 strong-side defensive end; No. 7 overall

High School: Baker County (Glen Saint Mary, Florida)

Size: 6'2", 275 lbs.

Recruitment Status: Considering Ole Miss, Alabama, LSU, Auburn and Florida.

Pro-Player Comparison: Everson Griffen, Minnesota Vikings

The former USC standout was widely considered the top defensive end in his recruiting class and continues to impress as a physical specimen with Minnesota. Like CeCe Jefferson, he doesn't possess elite height, but his explosiveness is off the charts. 

Griffen compiled a career-high 12 sacks in 2014, his fifth NFL season. He's grown into a relentless worker as a pro, which is a character trait we're already accustomed to seeing from the workmanlike Jefferson.

Jefferson is quick enough off the snap to gain a step on top-level offensive tackles and delivers a punch that sends opponents off balance en route to the quarterback. He tallied 40.5 sacks through his first three seasons of high school, per USA Today, but missed the majority of 2014 with a shoulder injury.

6. DT Kahlil McKenzie

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 2 defensive tackle; No. 6 overall

High School: Clayton Valley (Concord, California)

Size: 6'3", 354 lbs.

Recruitment Status: Committed to Tennessee.

Pro-Player Comparison: Dontari Poe, Kansas City Chiefs

Few big fellas on this planet can maneuver with the agility and explosiveness Kahlil McKenzie exhibits on a snap-by-snap basis. Considering he's been working to cut down on body fat, expect those attributes to became even more enhanced by the time he suits up in Knoxville.

Poe, a 6'3", 340-pound Pro Bowler, is much more than a lane-clogging tackle. He forces his way into the backfield, altering the complexion of opposing rushing attacks and placing pressure on the quarterback.

Poe's evolving prowess as a pass-rusher was on display during his second and third NFL seasons, resulting in 10.5 total sacks since 2013. Expect McKenzie, the son of Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie, to warrant three-down status as he continues to develop a rare blend of athleticism and sheer strength.

"I'm versatile at the defensive tackle position," McKenzie told me last July. "I can get to the quarterback, take on double-teams and stop the run. It's important to be able to do all those things in order to be successful at the next level."

5. DB Derwin James

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 safety; No. 5 overall

High School: Haines City (Auburndale, Florida)

Size: 6'2", 201 lbs.

Recruitment Status: Enrolled at Florida State

Pro-Player Comparison: Kenny Vaccaro, New Orleans Saints

Vaccaro and Derwin James each fit the bill as intimidating defenders who bring a linebacker mentality to the secondary. Both players can frequently be seen dishing out jolting hits near the line of scrimmage while lending aid against the run or immediately after a receiver comes in contact with the ball.

"I like to hit guys and make them think about it next time they come my way," James told me before his senior season. "I play with my heart and go all-out on every play. That's the only way I know how to play this game."

Aside from excelling as a tackler, James makes smooth transitions into pass coverage. He can run stride-for-stride with most receivers and displays excellent closing speed in downfield support. 

His aggressiveness can be a double-edged sword at times when he's looking to jump a route, something that occasionally hurts Vaccaro in New Orleans. However, no coach would want either player to pull back on the throttle that makes each effective enforcers.

4. DB Iman Marshall

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 cornerback; No. 4 overall

High School: Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, California)

Size: 6'1", 190 lbs.

Recruitment Status: Considering USC, Florida State, LSU, Notre Dame, Oregon and Michigan.

Pro-Player Comparison: Joe Haden, Cleveland Browns

The former Florida star is physical at the outset of a contest and wears opponents down through attrition during the course of four quarters. Iman Marshall, who didn't allow a pass completion in league play during his junior season, is a fearless defender and the kind of guy you lament lining up across.

“He’s really impressive at the line,” 4-star UCLA wide receiver Ryan Newsome told me last summer. "He jams you up, and you can tell he’s been working on that part of his game because the technique is solid."

As the play progresses downfield, Marshall relies on long hours of film study to prepare him for what's coming next. It also helps that he can utilize elite length and quick footwork.

“Preparation is so important because it helps you react as quickly as possible, and that’s what playing defensive back is all about,” he told me. “When you study something over and over again, nothing is a surprise anymore. You understand what’s coming—the formations, the schemes, everything.”

Just like Haden, a Pro Bowler who carries sharp football intellect, Marshall can eliminate an opponent's top passing target from the equation when it matters most.

3. DE Byron Cowart

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 strong-side defensive end; No. 3 overall

High School: Armwood (Seffner, Florida)

Size: 6'4", 250 lbs.

Recruitment Status: Considering Florida, Florida State and Auburn.

Pro-Player Comparison: Von Miller, Denver Broncos

Byron Cowart possesses a level of athleticism and size that lends itself well to a hybrid role. He could wreak havoc in a stand-up rush setting or patrol the perimeter with authority by setting the edge with his hand in the dirt.

These parallels call Miller to mind, along with the draft-day debate of where exactly he'd fit within an NFL defensive scheme.

Despite missing nearly half of the 2013 season, Denver's dynamic defender already has 49 sacks through four NFL campaigns. Miller matches incredible acceleration with anticipation and is at the top of his craft when he puts in necessary work on a consistent basis.

Cowart, who collected 140 tackles and 24 sacks as an upperclassman, shows clear work ethic and ramps things up during crucial phases of the game. Expect him to be a versatile three-down edge-rusher throughout his college career.

2. OT Martez Ivey

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 offensive tackle; No. 2 overall

High School: Apopka (Apopka, Florida)

Size: 6'5.5", 275 lbs.

Recruitment Status: Considering Auburn and Florida.

Pro-Player Comparison: Tyron Smith, Dallas Cowboys

Though you may now know Smith as a mammoth bookend on Dallas' much-improved offensive front, he weighed in at approximately 260 pounds as a high school senior. Martez Ivey has the length and athleticism scouts covet when searching for a franchise left tackle, though, he looks more like a basketball forward at this stage of his physical progression.

His bulk will quickly be addressed on a college campus courtesy of professional trainers and nutritionists. Ivey is an incredibly balanced blocker, whether he's clearing rushing lanes or keeping edge-rushers away from the quarterback.

Noticeable strides in technique and lower-body discipline since 2013 have quickly transformed Ivey from high-ceiling project to plug-and-play talent. He should anchor an SEC offensive line for at least three seasons and, if healthy, follow in Smith's footsteps as a high-end NFL draft pick.

1. DT Trent Thompson

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 defensive tackle; No. 1 overall

High School: Westover (Albany, Georgia)

Size: 6'2.5", 313 lbs.

Recruitment Status: Committed to Georgia

Pro-Player Comparison: Marcell Dareus, Buffalo Bills

Due to a depressing playoff drought and lack of superstar power, the nation doesn't get to see much of Buffalo in prime time during the season. It's a shame, because folks are missing out on an interior defensive phenom in Dareus.

The Alabama product has erupted as the complete package at tackle and is arguably the league's most penetrative player at the position. His high motor is a joy to watch, which is also the case when you turn on tape of Trent Thompson. 

Thompson fires through double-teams through the trenches with such ferocity you'd think he was a 250-pound middle linebacker surging toward the backfield. His ability to produce immense short-area quickness is reminiscent of Dareus, who tallied a career-best 10 sacks in 2014. 

Thompson, who registered 74 tackles behind the line of scrimmage as an upperclassman, will make life miserable for opposing offensive coordinators and instantly provides the Bulldogs with a disruptive stalwart at the defensive center.

Quotes obtained firsthand by B/R national recruiting columnist Tyler Donohue.

Recruit ratings and info courtesy of 247Sports.