National Signing Day 2018: Ranking the Top 25 Defensive Prospects
As good as the quarterbacks are in the 2018 recruiting class—and it's an exceptional class led by Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields and JT Daniels—this is one of the best seasons on paper for defenders in a long time.
About the only area that doesn't have a handful of elite talents is defensive tackle. Defensive ends and linebackers are loaded, and this has the potential to be the deepest group of defensive backs in ages.
Game-changers dot the field at every position.
Pass-rushers like Micah Parsons, Xavier Thomas and Eyabi Anoma make this a bumper crop of studs on the outside. Then there are so many defensive backs, it's hard to determine which ones belong above the others. Players like Patrick Surtain Jr., Tyson Campbell and Isaac Taylor-Stuart are immediate-impact players.
It may be difficult to determine who belongs where on a top-25 list, but there's no fun in refusing to try, right? Factoring in instant-impact ability, ceiling, skill sets and fits for the programs recruiting them, we give you Bleacher Report's top 25 defensive players in the 2018 class.
An early signing period means a lot of these guys are already off the board. For others, their recruitments will carry with them some of the biggest remaining storylines of the recruiting cycle.
Let's take a look at our top 25.
25. S DeMarvion Overshown
1 of 25
Height/Weight: 6'4", 200 lbs
High School: Arp (Arp, Texas)
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 56 overall (No. 6 S)
Signed with Texas on Dec. 20
At one point in his recruitment, DeMarvion Overshown was the top-rated player in the state of Texas. He didn't end up that way, but he has as much raw ability and size as anybody in the state. The Longhorns should be thrilled that he's an unfinished product.
Can you imagine a 6'4", head-hunting safety roaming around on the back level of your defense? That's the toolset Texas defensive coordinator Todd Orlando gets to mould. He has great length and closing speed, but his frame is not yet matured, and he doesn't always know exactly what to do on the field.
He didn't play top-level competition in Texas, so the competitive aspect may come along a little more slowly. But he played receiver in high school, so Overshown knows what to do when he gets his hands on the ball. It's also not out of the realm of possibility that he could add enough weight to play linebacker.
1 Thing to Know
Everything may be bigger in Texas...except Arp. The small town has barely 1,000 people, but Overshown is one of them, and he is one of the best players in the country.
He told 247Sports' EJ Holland he thought playing somewhere so small may wind up yielding an offer from the UTSA Roadrunners (who were the first to extend a scholarship), but then the big boys came calling.
24. CB Al Blades Jr.
2 of 25
Height/Weight: 6'0", 170 lbs
High School: St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 83 overall (No. 12 CB)
Signed with Miami on Dec. 20
Al Blades Jr. has NFL bloodlines. That is always a nice start, but he is blessed with a nice size-speed combination, too. At 6'0", he has long arms and also boasts quality speed. He has good recovery speed and drops on the deep ball well.
His man-coverage skills are his strength, and once he develops the recognition for what to do when the ball is in the air, he'll be an elite player. Those are his weakest areas, but his technique is a great start to being a complete shutdown corner.
He isn't at his best dropping back in zone coverage yet, and he'll need to pack on some weight to help in the run game, but Blades is a feisty tackler and a fierce competitor who has a high ceiling.
1 Thing to Know
Blades is one of those names synonymous with Miami Hurricanes football. The younger Blades honored his late father, who played for the U, with a commitment to the 'Canes on Father's Day. Blades' uncles, Bennie and Brian, were stars on the great Miami teams of the 1980s.
The elder Al Blades died in a car accident in 2003.
23. CB Brendan Radley-Hiles
3 of 25
Height/Weight: 5'10", 183 lbs
High School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 49 overall (No. 7 CB)
Signed with Oklahoma on Dec. 20
Good things may come in small packages in Brendan Radley-Hiles' case. He doesn't have the prototypical size of a shutdown corner, but that doesn't mean he'll stand on the sideline for a year. He similar to South Carolina star freshman Jamyest Williams.
Radley-Hiles has a nose for the football, arrives in a hurry and packs a punch once he gets there. He has exceptional ball skills and looks like his drop step and pivot are as good as any cornerback in the country coming out of high school. Being smaller, he has to devote himself to becoming a technician.
Radley-Hiles' year at IMG will help him be college-ready, and he'll have to step into the fire of contending with Big 12 wide receivers. He doesn't look like he's 5'10", but that doesn't matter more often than not. He's going to come at you.
1 Thing to Know
The prospect known as "Bookie" is already drawing high praise from his Oklahoma coaches. Sooners DBs coach Kerry Cooks told SoonerSportsTV's Chris Plank that Radley-Hiles can have a "Baker Mayfield-ish" impact for the defense.
"He's going to be a guy that's going to be able to get everybody lined up, and he's going to do his job at a high level," he said, via OUInsider's Joey Helmer.
22. ILB Channing Tindall
4 of 25
Height/Weight: 6'2", 213 lbs
High School: Spring Valley (Columbia, South Carolina)
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 96 overall (No. 4 ILB)
Signed with Georgia on Dec. 21
Channing Tindall is one of the most impressive physical specimens at linebacker in this class. He is the perfect SEC linebacker who can play sideline to sideline and has the frame to pack on some muscle and not lose a step.
That's why it was a major loss for the Gamecocks to let him out of their back yard. He'll be able to add weight and become a violent hitter who will wreak havoc on running backs all over the league. He'll be a vital cog in defensive coordinator Mel Tucker's system for years.
Tindall's athleticism made him a coveted commodity, and he's raw but shows the kind of head-hunting ability on film that's a necessity for a run-heavy league. He'll need some time to learn the defense, but his athleticism will help him be in the right place most of the time.
1 Thing to Know
Georgia has no clear-cut replacement for Roquan Smith, who is on his way to the NFL after an incredible career in Athens. Tindall, who shares Smith's elite speed for the position, thinks he has a chance to get on the field immediately to help fill that gap in the lineup.
"I feel pretty good that I’ll be able to get into a rotation if I just buckle down, learn the plays and do what I need to do," he said, per Marc Weiszer the Athens Banner-Herald.
21. ILB Brandan Kaho
5 of 25
Height/Weight: 6'2", 232 lbs
High School: Reno (Reno, Nevada)
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 131 overall (No. 7 ILB)
Signed with Washington on Dec. 20
In a year with quite a few inside linebackers who can play right away, Brandon Kaho fits right in. He chose Washington over Alabama, and he has the size and strength to step onto the field immediately for the Huskies.
He's going to be a good one no matter where he is on the field. He displayed a nice burst and good vision as a running back, and those traits will help him on the second level of a defense. He has a good first step, and he shouldn't have any concerns in coverage. That's where he'll shine.
Whether Kaho plays on the outside or inside at linebacker, he'll almost certainly get an opportunity in 2018. The Huskies are known for producing defensive playmakers, and Kaho looks like the next one.
1 Thing to Know
Kaho committed to BYU in the summer of 2016, but on Dec. 16, he decided to play for Chris Petersen at Washington instead.
The big linebacker is a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints and was initially set to serve his mission out of high school, but he now may wait, according to 247Sports' Chris Fetters.
20. DT Josh Belk
6 of 25
Height/Weight: 6'3", 309 lbs
High School: Lewisville (Richburg, South Carolina)
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 94 overall (No. 7 DT)
Signed with Clemson on Dec. 20
Josh Belk's performance in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl practice was enough to boost him to a 5-star and the nation's top defensive tackle in 247Sports' rankings (not their composite rankings). It's easy to see why.
Though he was hardly an unknown at tiny Lewisville High School, and he drew attention from the nation's top programs and the prestigious all-star game, he didn't get to test his skills against the best until he went to San Antonio. He then showed out.
He looks like a guy who can plug up the middle and be a run-stopping force on the inside. He has the ability to develop his pass-rushing skills, but that's not his game. He is just fine standing up offensive linemen at the point of attack with sheer strength and violent hands.
With all the talent the Tigers have in front of him, he'll be able to get in the weight room, watch film and develop. It won't be long until he's ready to contribute in a big way.
1 Thing to Know
According to the News & Reporter's Travis Jenkins, Lewisville High School is the smallest to ever send a prospect to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
19. S Jaiden Woodbey
7 of 25
Height/Weight: 6'2", 204 lbs
High School: St. John Bosco (Fontana, California)
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 31 overall (No. 4 S)
Signed with Florida State on Dec. 20
Jaiden Woodbey isn't going to wow anybody with top-end speed, but that doesn't have to be his game for him to excel, especially in the aggressive, attacking defense Florida State is expected to deploy under new coordinator Harlon Barnett.
The 6'2", 204-pound safety is an enforcer, the kind of player who can come up near the line of scrimmage, blitz off the edge and be a force in the run game. He needs to work on his coverage skills, but Woodbey is the kind of big-bodied safety who can develop a niche.
He needs to work on his coverage skills and change of direction, but he's as good of an in-box safety as there is in this class.
1 Thing to Know
Woodbey didn't talk much about having a "dream school," but Florida State must have been it. He didn't have an offer from Jimbo Fisher's staff, but when Willie Taggart offered him a shot a week before the early signing period, Woodbey flipped from Ohio State.
He'd been committed to the Buckeyes but also was considering USC where his father played, according to Cleveland.com's Bill Landis.
18. OLB JJ Peterson
8 of 25
Height/Weight: 6'2.5", 231 lbs
High School: Colquitt County (Moultrie, Georgia)
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 50 overall (No. 3 OLB)
Committed to Tennessee on Jan. 6
JJ Peterson was a major coup for new Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt when he arrived on Rocky Top. Peterson is already more than 230 pounds and is one of the fastest linebackers in the country.
He's as good as any of the second-level players in the country in space, and he came from an elite high school program. It's uncertain where he'll play, but he has the versatility to play any position at linebacker, and he'll be a major staple for UT as it transitions to a 3-4.
The only knock on Peterson is he's a quiet guy. If he can emerge as a leader with a fiery mentality, the sky's the limit.
1 Thing to Know
The Tennessee ties run deep for Peterson. Not only are former Colquitt County teammates Shawn Shamburger and Ja'Quain Blakely on UT's roster, Pruitt also recruited Peterson while he was defensive coordinator at Alabama.
17. S Caden Sterns
9 of 25
Height/Weight: 6'1", 192 lbs
High School: Steele (Cibolo, Texas)
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 28 overall (No. 3 S)
Signed with Texas on Dec. 20
There are other defensive backs on this list and even lower in the rankings who are more talented than Caden Sterns. In Texas' loaded secondary class, there may be players who'll be coming onto the Longhorns with more sheer ability.
But Caden Sterns is known as a playmaker. It shows up on his film, and it showed up in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, where he went up against the top players and won the MVP award. That's the kind of rise-to-the-occasion ability that gets you recognized.
He's blessed with excellent size and ball skills, and that will help him. But he needs to work on lateral quickness and tackling to realize his full potential. He can grow in those areas with the coaching he'll receive from defensive coordinator Todd Orlando.
1 Thing to Know
Sterns is the younger brother of former Oklahoma State safety Jordan Sterns, who had a standout career in Stillwater and is now with the Kansas City Chiefs. If Caden needs guidance to stay on track toward becoming a star at the position in the Big 12, he knows where to go.
16. DT Taron Vincent
10 of 25
Height/Weight: 6'2", 285 lbs
High School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 18 overall (No. 1 DT)
Signed with Ohio State on Dec. 20
There are few defensive tackles in this class better than Taron Vincent. As a matter of fact, it was tough to find even one who matched his power at the point of attack and athleticism. Once he learns to play hard every snap, he'll be an awesome asset to the Buckeyes.
This is the kind of player who'll thrive under defensive coordinator Greg Schiano's tough-love mentality, and he'll be well-prepared for Big Ten competition after playing his senior season at IMG Academy.
With Dre'Mont Jones returning, Vincent will have some time to develop and be brought along slowly, but snaps are there for the taking. He's explosive and athletic enough to excel, but he's far from a finished product. With OSU losing five defensive linemen, it's possible Vincent may be asked to step in and play.
He'll need to continue to develop, but he already has a firm base with which to work.
1 Thing to Know
It isn't uncommon to find star college players with NFL bloodlines, but it's a bit rarer to see an elite defensive tackle who is the son of a former elite cornerback.
Taron Vincent is the son of former NFL All-Pro (and current NFL executive) Troy Vincent, who played his college football at Wisconsin.
15. WDE Jalen Redmond
11 of 25
Height/Weight: 6'4", 233 lbs
High School: Midwest City (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 155 overall (No. 10 WDE)
Signed with Oklahoma on December 20
This is one of those raw-ability rankings, and nobody has more than Jalen Redmond. He's already on campus, which is great news for Oklahoma. As everybody saw in the College Football Playoff, the Sooners can use their share of defensive difference-makers, and Redmond can to step right in and play.
He has long arms and a quick burst, and he can also get up and go for a kid his size. He's already 233 pounds, and his 247Sports profile lists him as having 4.57 speed.
His basketball background will only help, and on his film, he has the quick-twitch ability that you look for anywhere on the field, but especially at the positions where a first step can mean the difference in a big play and a blow-by. Redmond has an exciting upside, and he is as intriguing of a prospect as there is in this class.
1 Thing to Know
Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley believes Redmond will have an immediate impact, replacing the pass-rushing skills of Ogbonnia Okoronkwo.
"We think Jalen's a guy who can help do that," Riley told the Norman Transcript's Tyler Palmateer. "He's a guy who just keeps getting bigger and bigger, but he maintains his athleticism and is really fluid. ... We've got a lot of hopes for him. He's one of those guys that's gonna have an opportunity right away."
14. S Tyreke Johnson
12 of 25
Height/Weight: 6'1", 191 lbs
High School: Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Florida)
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 21 overall (No. 1 S)
Signed with Ohio State on Dec. 20
Tyreke Johnson looks like the ideal player to carry on Ohio State's long legacy of producing elite defensive backs. He's tall and rangy and yet possesses the athleticism to play either corner or safety on the next level.
He'll work out both places to start out, and while a lot of people believe he'll grow into a safety, he has cornerback skills. Since he's a little bit of a 'tweener, it knocks him a bit down the list, but he'll get great coaching in Columbus, and they'll find where he fits best.
Johnson's size and ball skills separate him from the rest.
1 Thing to Know
This isn't Johnson's first rodeo when it comes to the recruiting process. Perhaps you've heard of his brother, former Mr. Football in the state of Florida, De'Andre, a quarterback who signed with Florida State before an off-the-field incident ended his Seminoles career.
After a sidebar at East Mississippi Community College where he was part of the Netflix show "Last Chance U," he's now on Lane Kiffin's Florida Atlantic team.
13. WDE KJ Henry
13 of 25
Height/Weight: 6'5.5", 235 lbs
High School: West Forsyth (Clemmons, N.C.)
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 14 overall (No. 3 WDE)
Signed with Clemson on Dec. 20
KJ Henry is a Clelin Ferrell clone, and he will eventually step right into that weak-side defensive end role and be a massive force for Brent Venables' defense. He needs to spend some time in the weight room, but he looks comfortable using his body and has exceptional athleticism.
With all the studs Clemson already has on the defensive line, Henry will get the developmental time he desperately needs. Once he learns technique and moves, he'll be an all-conference performer. The good news is he will have the coaches who developed Ferrell and tons of talent all around him to push him.
With Henry's football pedigree, he'll shine soon enough.
1 Thing to Know
Henry's father, Keith, is the running backs coach for the UNC-Charlotte 49ers and has long been an assistant coach who recruited the Carolinas. He also spent time as an assistant with Ohio and Wake Forest before the past few years with Charlotte.
The younger Henry could have picked whatever school he wanted to attend before settling on Dabo Swinney's Tigers.
12. SDE Brenton Cox
14 of 25
Height/Weight: 6'4.5", 247 lbs
High School: Stockbridge (Stockbridge, Georgia)
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 23 overall (No. 2 SDE)
Signed with Georgia on Dec. 20
Where Adam Anderson will provide the flash, Brenton Cox will handle the brawn. He looks the way massive SEC defenders should, with a near-6'5" frame, long arms and a body that can hold 280 pounds without losing a step.
Cox is still a bit raw, but his strength is what sets him apart. He's the prototype of a 3-4 defensive end, and he'll almost certainly play his entire career with his hand down. He isn't ready to step right in and play, but once he gets some teaching, he'll be is one of the best players in this class.
It's maybe better that Cox maybe isn't as polished as some of the other guys on this list, because he makes plays at times without really knowing what he's doing. UGA defensive coordinator Mel Tucker will get the most out of him.
1 Thing to Know
As loaded as Ohio State's smallish class is, this is further proof it could have been that much better. Not only did the Buckeyes lose Woodbey in the early signing period, but former commitment Cox flipped to home-state Georgia as well.
Stockbridge is fewer than 60 miles to UGA, and he told ESPNU (h/t SI.com) when he pledged: "It just felt like home, and I'd rather put on for my home state then go somewhere else and play hard for them."
11. OLB Quay Walker
15 of 25
Height/Weight: 6'4", 236 lbs
High School: Crisp County (Cordele, Georgia)
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 39 overall (No. 2 OLB)
Committed to Alabama
It's going to be interesting to see whether Quay Walker winds up at Georgia, Tennessee or Alabama. If he signed anywhere else, it would be a surprise. Whoever gets him is going to get a future star.
Florida and Florida State could pull an upset, though.
Walker is rangy, strong and fast enough to play all over the field. He is good buddies with fellow defensive star (and UT commit) JJ Peterson, and he's a long-time Alabama commitment. But the lure to play for his home-state school is strong, too, especially with the defensive class the Bulldogs put together.
Walker is raw, but he's huge and fast. Once a good defensive coach gets to work with him, he's got all-conference ability.
1 Thing to Know
Though Walker has been committed to Alabama for a long time, he is thought to be wide open, with Georgia one of the favorites to land him and add to its loaded class. He visited Knoxville with JJ Peterson recently.
The Vols may be a dark horse. New UT head coach Jeremy Pruitt knows Walker from his time at Alabama, and Vols defensive coordinator Kevin Sherrer recruited him to Georgia.
10. CB Olaijah Griffin
16 of 25
Height/Weight: 6'0", 170 lbs
High School: Mission Viejo (Mission Viejo, California)
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 25 overall (No. 3 CB)
Uncommitted
Olaijah Griffin is a pure cornerback who is high on a lot of teams' lists. He once referred to Tennessee as his leader, but he is also high on USC. The California native plans on visiting Alabama and Georgia, too, so this could wind up being one of the most interesting recruiting storylines to follow.
Griffin has elite ball skills and speed, and he is a competitor on every down who is not afraid to high-point the ball like a receiver, a position he also played in high school. If Griffin wound up with the Vols or Trojans, he would play right away.
He's tall, athletic, fast and can make things happen when the ball gets in his hands. He needs to work some on his tackling.
1 Thing to Know
Perhaps it's no coincidence Griffin's initials are "OG." The stud cornerback is the son of famed rapper Warren G, who teamed with the late, great Nate Dogg for one of the most iconic songs of the 1990s: 1994's "Regulate."
9. ILB Palaie Gaoteote
17 of 25
Height/Weight: 6'2", 235 lbs
High School: Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nevada)
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 15 overall (No. 1 ILB)
Signed with USC on Dec. 20
It doesn't matter where you play, college coaches will find you. But when Palaie Gaoteote went to Bishop Gorman and starred as a senior, it was obvious he's a big-time prospect. With Cameron Smith leaving the Trojans, he has a clear path to step in and play early.
Though he weighs 235 pounds, Gaoteote is an every-down linebacker who is versatile enough to play inside and out. His film is full of him blowing up plays in the backfield and pushing around some of the best players in high school football.
He will struggle initially in coverage situations, however, and he needs to work on playing sideline to sideline.
1 Thing to Know
The Hawaii native played at Mililani High School in his home state before transferring to one of the powerhouse programs in the country. He not only played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl but also in the Polynesian Bowl at Aloha Stadium.
He got to play in front of his folks one more time after playing his final season 2,700 miles away from his home.
8. S B.J. Foster
18 of 25
Height/Weight: 6'1", 188 lbs
High School: Angleton (Angleton, Texas)
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 26 overall (No. 2 S)
Signed with Texas on Dec. 20
The Texas defensive backs recruiting class is as good on paper as any that ever has been recruited, and that's not hyperbole. There are 4- and 5-star prospects everywhere. But the one with the most talent is Foster.
He's a safety all the way, and though you may think 188 pounds is far too light to hold up at that position, he's got a great frame that will easily carry more weight. He has great ball skills and was a two-way star in high school who could have played offense in college if he chose that emphasis.
Foster is ideal for safety in the Big 12. With all the passing in that league, his speed and ball skills will serve him well. He's a hard hitter, too. Foster will play right away in Austin along with DeMarvion Overshown.
1 Thing to Know
Yes, another Longhorns defensive back signee (the fourth on this list). Foster showed out in the Under Armour game by forcing a fumble and delivering several big hits as he teamed up with Overshown to provide a formidable force on the back end of the defense.
It's a sign of things to come for the Longhorns, who should have U.S. Army All-American Sterns and stud corner Cook to be the new DBU.
7. OLB Adam Anderson
19 of 25
Height/Weight: 6'4", 214 lbs
High School: Rome (Rome, Georgia)
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 19 overall (No. 1 OLB)
Signed with Georgia on Dec. 20
Adam Anderson just looks like one of those big, pass-rushing monsters that Georgia coach Kirby Smart churned out first at Alabama and now with the Bulldogs. Of all the star prospects UGA signed, Anderson has the most ability.
At 6'4" but only 214 pounds, he has a lot of room to grow, but Anderson plays hard seemingly all the time. He's a ferocious defender who gets after quarterbacks and has the size to get in passing lanes. With his long arms and strength, he'll be a terror for opposing tackles once he adds 20 pounds.
That weight should come quickly in a college program, and if he keeps up his work ethic, Anderson will be as good as any defender in this class. It's hard to call a 5-star a sleeper, but Anderson doesn't get the headlines like some of the guys above him. He will soon enough.
1 Thing to Know
The recruiting process was especially topsy-turvy for the Rome product, as he saw his courtship take several turns. Anderson was committed to LSU and Georgia at one time during his recruitment before decommitting from both schools only to wind up choosing the Bulldogs again and signing.
6. CB Tyson Campbell
20 of 25
Height/Weight: 6'2", 180 lbs
High School: American Heritage (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 11 overall (No. 2 CB)
Uncommitted
Considering I think Isaac Taylor-Stuart will ultimately wind up at safety, that makes Tyson Campbell the second-best cornerback in this class behind surefire star Patrick Surtain Jr. There's nothing wrong with being second to that future star, either.
Campbell is elite in his own right, showing excellent ball skills on film, top-end speed and good awareness. The size-speed combination is something that cannot be taught, and when you take into consideration that he's also a quality receiver, that has "playmaker" written all over it.
Right now, this seems like it could be a Georgia-Alabama battle, but Ohio State, Miami, Auburn, LSU and others are on the fringe. Campbell has as much upside as anybody in this class.
1 Thing to Know
Campbell still seems open in his recruitment, though if he choses to attend Georgia, he'd be continuing a recent trend, as the Bulldogs have built a sturdy pipeline with powerhouse American Heritage.
The Fort Lauderdale program is also the alma mater of UGA star running back Sony Michel and former standout playmaker Isaiah McKenzie.
5. CB Isaac Taylor-Stuart
21 of 25
Height/Weight: 6'2", 187 lbs
High School: Helix (San Diego)
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 35 overall (No. 4 CB)
Uncommitted
Isaac Taylor-Stuart, much like Patrick Surtain Jr., has ideal size for a cornerback. He actually could play either there, in nickel situations, or at safety if that necessitates itself. Whoever gets him is going to get a versatile playmaker who should develop into a shutdown corner and hard hitter.
Right now, it appears he'll wind up at USC, Texas A&M, Alabama, Georgia or Tennessee. Taylor-Stuart is lanky and has excellent straight-line speed, but his change-of-direction limitations could see him wind up at safety. Wherever he plays, he'll shine.
There's a little bit of Minkah Fitzpatrick in his game, and all that guy was was the best defensive back in college football in 2017.
1 Thing to Know
The California native could wind up at USC, but he's got a very SEC feel to his recruitment so far. He's set to make visits to Alabama and Tennessee in the coming weeks.
Taylor-Stuart hails from the same high school as former USC great Reggie Bush.
4. SDE Xavier Thomas
22 of 25
Height/Weight: 6'3", 260 lbs
High School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 3 overall (No. 1 SDE)
Signed with Clemson on Dec. 20
Most recruiting services have Xavier Thomas ahead of Micah Parsons, but he's not quite as polished. Perhaps his ceiling is a tad bit higher, but he needs to become more of a technician. While he got by on sheer athletic ability in college, he must learn moves.
Even so, it's his first step that makes Thomas elite. He's an extremely intelligent football player, and even if the college weight room brings with it another 20-25 pounds, he's agile enough to stay on the end. With Clemson's defensive line depth, he won't be relied upon right away.
But you can bet Thomas will work his way into the rotation. He's a three-year player who'll wind up being a high draft pick if he continues to develop.
1 Thing to Know
Thomas surged past Parsons as the nation's top player on some lists, and after a huge senior season at nationally known powerhouse IMG Academy, he was named the Anthony Munoz Lineman of the Year, which recognizes the top lineman on either side of the ball in all of high school football.
He and KJ Henry will help the Tigers keep on reloading on the defensive front.
3. WDE Micah Parsons
23 of 25
Height/Weight: 6'3", 235 lbs
High School: Harrisburg (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 5 overall (No. 2 WDE)
Signed with Penn State on Dec. 20
The explosive Micah Parsons is a player whom virtually everybody in the nation coveted, but he elected to stay home and play for the Nittany Lions in the end. What coach James Franklin is getting is a game-breaking player who may not have quite the explosion of a Xavier Thomas, but he's elite.
Parsons' strength and maturity set him apart. Once he gets his burst and works on explosive hands at the point of attack, he'll be unstoppable. This is a kid who'll step right in and be a difference-maker on PSU's defense this year.
He has the same kind of unique ability as Michigan's Rashan Gary.
1 Thing to Know
Parsons committed to nearby Penn State and Franklin early before reopening his recruitment and showing heavy interest in Ohio State and others before settling again on the Nittany Lions.
The Buckeyes stopped recruiting Parsons to avoid NCAA penalties after the prospect was photographed with ESPN television personality (and former Buckeyes quarterback) Kirk Herbstreit and OSU great running back Eddie George on the set of ESPN’s College GameDay during a visit to Ohio State.
2. CB Patrick Surtain Jr.
24 of 25
Height/Weight: 6'1", 199 lbs
High School: American Heritage (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 6 overall (No. 1 CB)
Uncommitted
Ranking Patrick Surtain Jr. this highly may sound crazy, especially with nationally known studs like Micah Parsons and Xavier Thomas just below him, but Surtain is that good. When you couple his long, lanky frame and fluid hips with the fact that his NFL bloodlines run deep, the ceiling is extremely high.
Whoever gets Surtain is going to be grabbing a cornerback who can step right in and play from day one. At a place like Alabama, he may have to sit a year before starting, but he'd likely slide right in and make an instant impact at LSU.
Those are the top two teams on Surtain's list, and if he goes anywhere else, it would be a surprise.
Surtain's backpedal and turn are elite, and his footwork is as good as any high school defensive back you'll see. He's grown up watching his dad play the position, and it shows. He's a can't-miss.
1 Thing to Know
The second player on this list to be the son of a former NFL All-Pro defensive back, Surtain's father played 11 seasons in the league (most notably with the Miami Dolphins) after his playing days at Southern Miss.
The family originally hails from Louisiana, however, which is why the younger Surtain has always held LSU in high regard.
1. WDE Eyabi Anoma
25 of 25
Height/Weight: 6'5", 235 lbs
High School: St. Frances Academy (Baltimore)
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 4 overall (No. 1 WDE)
Signed with Alabama on Dec. 20
Most of the time, you can't judge rankings based on one game, especially when it's an all-star game. But Eyabi Anoma's performance in the Under Armour All-America Game, coupled with his already massive size and speed, was enough for me to shoot the Baltimore product up the list.
He is still a bit raw, but his size and incredible athleticism allow him to get around the best tackles on first step alone. That much of his game is elite, and considering he's going to play for the best collegiate coaches in America, they'll get the technique part down.
Anoma has an ideal body type for a 3-4 with the size to put his hand down and the speed to be a pass-rushing outside linebacker in Alabama's scheme. He'll thrive for the Tide.
1 Thing to Know
Anoma was already a household name in recruiting circles, but, like Caden Sterns, he bolstered his high school fame with a big game in an all-star contest.
He was named as one of the top performers in the Under Armour All-America Game with two sacks and a late-game, third-down stop that helped his Team Highlight beat Team Spotlight, 23-21. By the way, he surged past Nicholas Petit-Frere (a 5-star tackle) to make the play.
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