2016 Under Armour All-America Recruits with Best NFL Skill Sets
Comparing high school football players to NFL athletes is unfair to the high school player. But let's be honest: If they've got it, they've got it.
There are athletes in the 2016 class who may not be pros now but definitely have the assets—physically and mentally—to be pros in the future. Many of those athletes will showcase their skills Saturday at the Under Armour All-America Game in Orlando, Florida.
Playing college ball on Saturdays is the current goal for the majority of these athletes, but playing in the NFL is a childhood dream that may not be too far away for a few athletes playing in Saturday's all-star game. Here are eight athletes who, if all goes their way (no injuries, off-the-field issues, etc.), have the skill set to potentially play on Sundays in the NFL. All names are listed in alphabetical order.
5-Star DE Oluwole Betiku
1 of 8
Hometown (school): Gardena, California (Junipero Serra HS)
Size: 6'3½", 240 lbs
247Sports.com composite ranking: No. 11 overall (No. 1 WDE)
Committed to USC
Take a look at Oluwole Betiku, and notice how he already is built like an NFL athlete. Chiseled from top to bottom, Betiku is a phenom at the defensive end spot. He's cat quick off the line of scrimmage, and he's powerful against 300-pound offensive linemen.
Best skill set: Drive.
There aren't many athletes more focused on excelling than Betiku. He'll be the first to remind everyone that he plays every down for his family, and he'll keep playing at an extremely high level until he achieves his goal of playing in the NFL for the good of his family.
5-Star DE Nick Bosa
2 of 8
Hometown (school): Fort Lauderdale, Florida (St. Thomas Aquinas HS)
Size: 6'4", 265 lbs
247Sports.com composite ranking: No. 6 overall (No. 1 SDE)
Committed to Ohio State
While many are expecting Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa to announce his intentions of entering the NFL Draft (after the Fiesta Bowl, per the Columbus Dispatch), Ohio State fans are eagerly anticipating the second coming, of sorts. Younger brother Nick Bosa is expected to fill in right where big brother leaves off, as both are physical, dominant bookends.
Best skill set: Pursuit
The phrase "nose for the football" always pops up with players like Bosa. College coaches want their defensive linemen to have high motors and to always be around the football. Bosa is one of the best in his class at not only playing at a high level but also at finding his way to the center of the action every play. He, indeed, has a great nose for the football.
5-Star DT Rashan Gary
3 of 8
Hometown (school): Paramus, New Jersey (Paramus Catholic HS)
Size: 6'5", 293
247Sports.com composite ranking: No. 1 overall
What's scarier than Rashan Gary? A slimmer, quicker, meaner Rashan Gary. Since The Opening, Gary—who checked in at 311 pounds at The Opening—is a lighter version of the dominant athlete who seems to be a half-step ahead of the rest of the elite-level talent in the 2016 class. Still uncommitted, Gary has schools like Michigan, Alabama, Ole Miss, USC and Clemson going all in for his talents.
Best skill set: Athleticism
Whether the topic is his strength, explosiveness, power or speed off the snap, Gary tends to raise the bar each time he steps on the field. The fact that he's versatile and quick enough to play both defensive tackle and defensive end makes him even more of a wanted athlete. He will make one lucky school very happy come national signing day.
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5-Star S Brandon Jones
4 of 8
Hometown (school): Nacogdoches, Texas (Nacogdoches HS)
Size: 5'11½", 193 lbs
247Sports.com composite ranking: No. 15 overall (No. 1 S)
There are a few safeties in the 2016 class who could excel at the college level and one day find their way on professional teams. Brandon Jones is a player many are keeping their eyes on, as he brings a certain level of determination to the table. It wasn't long ago that he missed half of his junior year with a knee injury. He came back stronger than ever and has been ranked the nation's top-ranked safety.
Best skill set: Versatility
Jones will find his way on the field early because of his ability to play any position in the secondary. He's a natural safety, but he has coverage skills like a cornerback. Normally, finding corners to play safety is easy; finding safeties to play corner, however, is a little more difficult. Look for Jones to further hone his skills as both a coverage defender and a tackling safety.
5-Star OT Greg Little
5 of 8
Hometown (school): Allen, Texas (Allen HS)
Size: 6'5½", 305 lbs
247Sports.com composite ranking: No. 2 overall (No. 1 OT)
Committed to Ole Miss
Ole Miss is expecting to lose Laremy Tunsil to the NFL Draft. With a guy like Greg Little coming to Oxford, the Rebels shouldn't worry about a drop-off in talent. Little is the real deal as a left tackle and takes pride in protecting his quarterback's blind side. Ask Oklahoma's Kyler Murray, Minnesota-bound Seth Green or underrated quarterback Mitchell Jonke; all three can vouch for Little's play.
Best skill set: Technique
When a former NFL defensive lineman says Little is good enough now to make an NFL practice squad, that tells a lot in a few words. Credit that to Little's outstanding technical background. His overall footwork and pad level makes him the best offensive tackle in the 2016 class—and he's only going to get better playing against some of the best defenders the SEC has to offer.
5-Star DT Ed Oliver
6 of 8
Hometown (school): Houston (Westfield HS)
Size: 6'2", 277 lbs
247Sports.com composite ranking: No. 10 overall (No. 4 DT)
Committed to Houston
Since his sophomore year, Ed Oliver has been an exciting player to watch. He wasn't the biggest defensive lineman, but he's always been the player who brings the "wow" factor to every game and every camp setting. When Oliver committed to Houston in May, he became one of the highest-ranked recruits ever to choose the Cougars.
Best skill set: Motor
Oliver frustrates offensive linemen with his ability to go at the same speed and intensity levels for four quarters. Rarely does he take a play off, and rarely does he allow an offensive lineman to establish dominance. Oliver is a player who can be a solid pro prospect by dominating the athletes in the American Athletic Conference.
5-Star CB Levonta Taylor
7 of 8
Hometown (school): Virginia Beach, Virginia (Ocean Lakes HS)
Size: 5'11", 182 lbs
247Sports.com composite ranking: No. 7 overall (No. 1 CB)
Committed to Florida State
Florida State has had its share of quality defensive backs come through the program, and Levonta Taylor is expected to be the next big thing out of Tallahassee. From his overall speed and recovery speed to his tackling and change of direction, Taylor is a do-it-all cornerback who can be a big-time ball hawk in the ACC sooner rather than later.
Best skill set: Instincts
Being a shutdown defender is a prerequisite for wanting to be a good NFL cornerback, but playing with good instincts is an underrated characteristic. Taylor plays the position the way many college coaches prefer, and by continuing to hone his skills, we could see him making plays on Sundays.
5-Star LB Lyndell 'Mack' Wilson
8 of 8
Hometown (school): Montgomery, Alabama (Carver HS)
Size: 6'2", 220 lbs
247Sports.com composite ranking: No. 13 overall (No. 1 OLB)
When your nickname is "Mack," you're expected to run, hit and operate like a truck. Lyndell Wilson is a playmaker at the outside linebacker position. As solid as Wilson is, he's only going to get better in college. He recently announced that Florida, Alabama and Georgia were his top three schools. He'll take official visits to all three schools in January.
Best skill set: Pursuit
The best linebackers are the ones who can tackle in one-on-one situations, make the right reads on defense and play sideline to sideline each play. Wilson can do all of that, and with his speed, plays for opposing skill-position players can result in bad situations. Wilson is great at making beelines for running backs and receivers, and he finishes plays well.
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