2012 College Football Recruiting: The Top Positional Prospects

The 2010 high school football season is under way, college football will be following this week, and the NFL isn't too far behind, but we're going to skip over all of that and more for a second and take you to 2012. 

College football recruiting is accelerating each year. Buzz about prospects, scouting by coaches, verbal offers and commitments, all of it is happening sooner and sooner as information from around the country becomes more attainable. 

That's why when we take a look at the top prospects for the 2012 class, there's enough out there where this isn't just a shot in the dark. 

Obviously not every highly-touted 2012 prospect will pan out, but here are a few to really keep your eyes on because these are the stars in the making. 

Here are the top position prospects of the 2012 recruiting class. 

QB: Jameis Winston, Hueytown, AL

Winston is one of the most athletic prospects from the 2012 class and will likely emerge as the the top dual-threat passer. 

The 6'3", 180-lb recruit has already received offers from Alabama, Auburn, Ohio State, Ole Miss, and Miami after throwing for over 700 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. 

That was playing in Alabama's 6A classification, one of the toughest scene's in high school football. Not many prospects his age get the nod as a starting quarterback against that competition and even fewer produce like Winston did.

His coach, Jeff Smith, thinks he's one of the best underclassmen in the Southeast, if not the entire country. 

RB: Barry Sanders Jr., Heritage Hall, OK

Barry Sanders Jr. might be the son of the legendary running back who's arguably the best of all time, but that isn't why he's the top back of the 2012 class. The younger Sanders is listed because when he plays, he plays a whole lot like the elder version. 

He averaged over eight yards a carry last season, rushing for 12 touchdowns and leading his team to a perfect 15-0 season.

Sanders has great balance, vision, and change of direction ability. Simply put, he's his father's son. 

It will not be long before every college football recruiting fan in the country becomes very familiar with his name. 

He already has a ton of interest and has received offers from Arizona, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Texas Tech, and Tulsa.

WR: Dorial Green-Beckham, Hillcrest, MO

An athlete of Green-Beckham's stature is a very rare thing indeed. He might be the best high school athlete to ever come out of Missouri and there's a good argument to back that up. 

Last season the 6'5" 200-lb phenom was the hands-down best football player in the country, dominating defenses as a wide receiver like few can. 

He then moved over to the hardwood and transformed into one of the most dominant basketball players in the state, serving as a double-double machine and a consistent, high-flying highlight reel. 

When it came to track, he won two state titles, one for the 100-meter dash and a second for the triple jump; he also finished second in the long jump. 

They're calling him the next Randy Moss. 

Missouri has already offered, naturally, but plenty others will follow suit. 

OL: Freddie Tagaloa, Salesian, CA

Unfortunately, Tagaloa isn't strictly a football player. He's just as highly regarded as a basketball player and many feel his future looks equally bright in either sport. 

It remains to be seen which route the 6'8", 270-lb manchild will take, but this will be the defining year; after 2010, Tagaloa will likely commit to one sport or the other. 

He moves about as well as you could expect any big man to move and has extremely light feet, long arms, great balance, and quick hands; all the tools of an elite left tackle.

What's most impressive about his game, besides his massive frame, is his ability to get downfield with players half his size and make blocks in the second, third, and even fourth levels. 

Cal has offered, but there is a lot of interest from all the Pac-10 schools. We'll just have to wait and see if he sticks to football. 

DL: Noah Spence, Bishop McDevitt, PA

Defensive end Noah Spence has had a great high school career to this point, registering 40 tackles and 9.5 sacks as a freshman and following it up with a 55-tackle, eight-sack season as a sophomore. 

His high school coach, Jeff Weachter, projects Spence to be in the 6'5" and 270-lb range by the time he hits the college game and will challenge LeSean McCoy, now with the Philadelphia Eagles, as the best player in school history. 

Bishop MCDevitt is always in the mix for the Pennsylvania's 4A state championship and that should keep Spence in the spotlight throughout his junior year. 

He's already at 14 offers and counting.  

LB: Patrick Wooten, Jordan, CA

Patrick Wooten is simply a tackling machine. He's had over 150 tackles each of the last two seasons and has served as the anchor of Jordan's defense since he first stepped on campus as a 15-year-old. 

He does a great job of reading the play and exploding into the ball-carrier with great technique. His pursuit and sideline-to-sideline ability are jaw-dropping and at 5'11" and 180 lbs he might be better suited for the safety position if he doesn't bulk up. 

Wooten also plays a little wide receiver and has a nice pair of hands. 

He's flying somewhat under the radar right now, but that won't last for long. Wooten is a playmaker with a ton of potential. 

DB: Allen Gant, Sylvania Southview, OH

When it comes to describing Gant's talent and potential, no one has put it better than Southview head coach Jim Mayzes.

“I’ve never had a freshman play for me before, and he started both ways.

“I’ve been hearing about him since he was five years old,” Mayzes said. “He’s had a lot of attention and he’s had a good attitude all throughout.”

The 6'2", 200-lb prospect was a huge part of his team's success last season and has picked up a lot of steam on the recruiting scene.

He's got the talent to play wide receiver or defensive back in college, but its on the defensive side that his future looks brightest. 

There's interest from from pretty much the entire Big 10 already. 

ATH: Deion Sanders Jr., Cedar Hills, TX

We gave you the son of one football legend, now here's another. 

Deion Sanders Jr. 

Just like his father, the younger Deion is an incredible athlete with a great set of skills at the cornerback back position, but he's just as dangerous on the other side of the field. 

He's got top-flight speed and quickness, is so elusive in open space, and has a great pair of hands. There aren't many prospects his age who run better routes and just as few who blanket a receiver on defense. 

Unfortunately for Sanders, Cedar Hill is one of the deepest teams in the country so he'll have to fight for playing time.

But expect him to be a household name in a year or two.