The Most Devastating Two-Player Combos in the 2011 CFB Recruiting Class

When looking at recruiting classes it's not always about a sheer collection of talent, but more so how the individual pieces complement each other to create a better whole. 

A dangerous running back and receiver combo can be devastating. 

A pair of pass-rushing ends can be unstoppable. 

A cornerback duo can completely shutdown a passing game.

Alone, these player might not mean too much, but together they form something very special. 

Here are the top 10 recruiting duos of the 2011 class. 

10. Michael Bennett and Chase Farris, Ohio State

Ohio State might have better individual prospects committed with 5-star quarterback Braxton Miller and 5-star defensive end Steve Miller, but their best combo comes in the middle of their defensive line with Michael Bennett and Chase Farris at defensive tackle.

Bennett is ranked as the No. 1 defensive tackle on Rivals and No. 5 on Scout. He's a big-bodied lineman that can play both offense and defense and will grind it out in the trenches with as much intensity and aggression as anyone in the country.

He's joined by Farris, who at 6'5" and 250 lbs is lighter than Bennett, but has the frame to put on a ton of weight. That's probably why Scout lists him as a 4-star defensive tackle ranked 11th at his position. 

9. Ben Koyack and Justice Hayes, Notre Dame

Notre Dame's offensive class is shaping up to be a pretty good with a couple of key weapons that should develop into a dominant pair over the next few years. 

With Ben Koyack at tight end and Justice Hayes at running back, it'll be difficult to for any defense to lock down both weapons in Brian Kelly's new spread offense. 

Koyack is the big 5-star target with the speed and athleticism of a wide receiver who will stretch the field and require a lot more attention than your average tight end. 

Hayes is the 4-star all-purpose back that can do it all for the Irish. He can run between the tackles, take the ball outside, contribute as a receiver or stay in and block.

8. Herschel Sims and J.W. Walsh, Oklahoma

Oklahoma State doesn't usually compete with the big boys of the Big 12 when it comes to the elite recruits that flow into the conference, but they got a couple of great prospects with 5-star running back Herschel Sims and 4-star quarterback J.W. Walsh. 

Sims is one of the top home-run hitters of the 2011 class and not only is he a threat to break free and go the distance on any given play, he'll save his best for the clutch; Sims plays better the bigger the stage and that's simply something you can't teach. 

Coming aboard with him is Texas' top quarterback, J.W. Walsh. He's a classic gun-slinger with a cannon-arm and the confidence to rocket the ball downfield or into tight spaces. 

With so much focus on Sims, Walsh should be free to play catch all day with his receivers. 

7. Kenny Hilliard and Jarvis Landry, LSU

Kenny Hilliard and Jarvis Landry are two of the most underrated prospects in the country and while neither of them have received 5-star grades, they both have 5-star talent. 

These two are just gamers, plain and simple. Neither brings the most athleticcim or speed or strength to the table, but what they do bring can't be taught.

Hilliard and Landry make things happen. 

Hilliard is a patient runner with great vision and subtle moves. If you want someone to pound it between the tackles and rip off five to 10-yard runs one after another, he's your guy. 

Landry is one of the most exciting players to watch in the country; no one's game film is more impressive. 

6. Leroy Scott and Josh Turner, Texas

The first Texas pair to appear on this list comes on the defensive side of the ball and the second comes on offense; that's an example of how strong a recruiting class they're putting together in Austin. 

Leroy Scott and Josh Turner are both 5-star cornerbacks ranked No. 2 and No. 3 at their position by Scout. When the two of them mature and take over as starters in a couple years or so, they have the chance to form one of the best duo's in the country. 

Scott is the man-child of the two, the aggressive big-hitter with solid coverage skills. 

Turner is the play-maker, the more instinctive of the two and a defender with a very good pair of hands. 

Together they compliement each other's skills about as well as anyone in the ocuntry.

5. Mike Bellamy and Charone Peake, Clemson

Clemson is known for the explosiveness of their offense and while C.J. Spiller and Jacoby Ford are gone, there are a couple of 5-star prospects entering the fold in 2011 in running back Mike Bellamy and wide receifer Charone Peake.

Bellamy is one of the fastest prospects in the 2011 class, with legit 4.3-second 40-yard dash time and change of direction ability that's nearly unstoppable. When he gets loose in space, he's gone. 

Peake is the tall speeder that will stretch the defense and get downfield for the deep ball. He's a little undersized, but there's no denying is ability to get up in the air and make a play. 

With Bellamy drawing up to the line of scrimmage and Peake keeping the safeties back, there should be a ton of space in the middle of the field for all of their teammates. 

4. Brent Calloway and Trey DePriest, Alabama

Brent Calloway and Trey DePriest form the top linebacker duo of the 2011 class. Calloway is a top 15 prospect on Rivals, while DePriest rounds out the top 100. 

Calloway is a two-way player in high school, but his future on the next level lays on defense, where he's set up to play outside linebacker specializing as a pass-rusher.

There aren't many prospects that have more potential at the position and even fewer who are as polished and ready to play. To complement that skill-set is one of the top middle linebackers in the country.

DePriest is ranked as a top 5 middle linebacker and while he's got the versatility and athleticsm to play outside as well, his leadership, pursuit, and coverage skills are perfect for the middle. 

3. De'Anthony Thomas and Jalen Grimble

USC's top two prospects are also the two that complement each other the most, though in a more untraditional way than everyone else on the list. 

De'Anthony Thomas is one of the top overall prospects from the 2011 class, ranked within the top 10 on both Scout and Rivals. Jaeln Grimble is a 5-star defensive end ranked in the top five at his position by Scout. 

Thomas is a versatile athlete who could potentially play at running back or cornerback and might even be able to bulk up and play linebacker as well. He expects to compete for time in the secondary though so that's where we'll put him here. 

With Thomas covering and Grimble rushing the passer, there could be some serious trouble for opposing quarterbacks on two counts with this pair. 

2. Malcolm Brown and Christian Westerman, Texas

Texas has a couple of stud offensive players to headline their 2011 recruiting class in 5-star running back Malcolm Brown and 5-star offensive tackle Christian Westerman. 

Westerman is a top five offensive tackle who could be a candidate to move inside to guard or stay at right tackle where he's played the majority of his high school career. He's a very strong run blocker and could open up high ways on counters as a pulling guard. 

Brown is a star in the making and the No. 1 running back in the country. When he arrives on campus he'll instantly become the best back on the Longhorns roster. 

There's a very good chance he'll be running through the holes Westerman opens up for him right from day one. 

1. Brandon Williams and Trey Metoyer, Oklahoma

Brandon Williams and Trey Metoyer are both listed as 5-star talents on Scout, but it's only recently that they're received that honor. Before then they would have to be considered some of the most underrated prospects of the 2011 class. 

Williams is the do-it-all back who can catch the ball out of the backfield, pound it between the tackles, take it outside, catch passes in the middle, and hit the after burners when he gets free in space.

He's ranked as top 10 running back on both Scout and Rivals and very well may prove to be the best back of the class. 

Metoyer is the big, hulking receiver who overpowers his defenders down the middle of the field, presents the ideal redzone target, and is a headache for offensive coordinators everywhere.

Long night's will be spent trying to shut these two down.