College Football Recruiting: The Top Prospects Who Could Be Two-Way Players

Many high school football players start or contribute on both sides of the field, but almost all of them have a primary position, and even fewer of them have the potential to continue to be a two-way player in college. 

It's a very rare thing to find a recruit that has the potential to be successful at two very different positions.

We're not talking about making a switch from corner to safety or defensive end to linebacker. We're talking about recruits who are good enough that they could potentially contribute, and in some cases even start, on offense and defense. 

Not too many college football players do it and It's nearly unheard of in the NFL, but there are guys out there who have the knack for it. 

Here are the top 10 prospects that could potentially be two-way players at the next level. 

10. Ishaq Williams, DE

Commitment: Uncommitted

One of the top defensive ends of the 2011 recruiting class, 5-star recruit Ishaq Williams is an athletic freak with the potential to be a superb outside linebacker or strong safety on top of his skill along the defensive line.

He's long and rangy, runs a deceptively fast 4.7-second 40-yard dash, and is one of the most intense players you'll ever come across.

This guy doesn't just have a great motor; he's out for blood on every single play and won't stop until he makes something happen. That's the kind of aggression you love to see on the defensive side of the ball.

But it could be just as dangerous at wide receiver or tight end. Williams has played both in high school, and at 6'6" and 220 lbs, he runs a 4.65 second 40 and has a solid pair of hands.

Williams has made visits to Notre Dame, Alabama, Pitt, Syracuse, Penn State, Maryland, and most recently Rutgers. He doesn't plan on committing until January, but will cut his list to five to seven schools in the next few weeks.

9. Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State

Commitment: Ohio State

Bennett is Rivals' No. 1 defensive tackle but earns only four stars because of his inexperience on that side of the ball. He's a two-way player who lines up at offensive guard and tackle as well as at defensive tackle.

He's got a nasty side to him you love to see in linemen and has an attacker's mentality that allows him to thrive in the trenches and push his body around with intensity.

Bennett is one of the strongest DTs in the class and does a great job of staying low and getting underneath his opponent. Some scouts see him as a raw prospect who would need time to develop—a view that tends to overlook the serious potential he brings to the table.

He's seen as a defensive tackle first and an offensive guard second, but that's exactly the type of player that could see the field on both sides if injuries to key personnel started to add up. 

8. Damian Swann, S

Commitment: Uncommitted 

Swann is a very athletic prospect with the potential to play either cornerback or safety in college. But his skill-set at receiver is also intriguing.

He'll be the starting quarterback of his high school team for his senior season, after lining up at receiver and free safety as a junior, but most experts see him as a corner on the next level due to his unique combination of size and speed.

At 6'0" and 175 lbs, he presents an ideal candidate to match up against bigger receivers. 

He's got a great set of hands and has a knack for making big plays, but his man-to-man coverage skills are still a little raw.

Swann plays off of his instincts and athleticism right now, but when he gets to the next level, he'll need to rework his technique and learn to play more disciplined. The tools are all there, though, for both sides of the ball. 

It looks like Swann is going to make his final choice between Alabama and Georgia.

7. Colt Lyerla, ATH

Commitment: Uncommitted

Lyerla plays both tight end and outside linebacker in high school, as well as some quarterback, running back, defensive end, and safety.

But his future looks like it'll be at outside linebacker. He's very athletic and displays some of the most fluid movements of any defender his size in the country. 

At 6'5" and 225 lbs, he moves like a wide receiver, with the hitting ability and aggressive tendencies of a linebacker. 

Its a near-perfect combination of attributes for an outside linebacker who can either rush the passer or drop back in to cover, depending on the down. 

It wouldn't be surprising to see him lineup as a tight end on occasion as well, and even drop back to safety. With Lyerla, he can really do it all at the next level.

His top choices appear to be USC, MIami, Oregon, Oregon State, Oklahoma, and UCLA.

6. Brent Calloway, OLB, Alabama

Commitment: Alabama

Calloway is a player that won't wow you in drills or in the weight room.

But the game film speaks for itself. Some guys are just gamers. He's one of those guys.

He plays defensive end in high school, but he's better suited as a linebacker in college.

Calloway is a versatile athlete, though, a high energy guy who led his team to a state championship last season by dominating quarterbacks and bulldozing defenses to the tune of over 1,400 yards rushing last season.

If you get past the scouting numbers, such as his slightly slow 40-time and lack of strength lifting, Calloway is a special player. 

The last thing you'd think Alabama would need help at is running back, but Mark Ingram's latest injury tells us you can never say never.

5. Travis Hughes, LB

Commitment: Uncommitted

Hughes is ranked as the fifth best middle linebacker by Scout and seventh by Rivals. That's where most schools are recruiting him to play, but there's still a distinct possibility that he could play on the offensive side of the ball. 

He's one of the rare prospects that has legit ability on both sides of the ball and very well may end up as a running back in college. 

Hughes initial burst off the line of scrimmage and breakaway speed will help him excel regardless of where he plays. He's aggressive, hits hard, and craves contact. 

There aren't many recruits who have the potential to be a star on both sides of the field, but he's one of them.

It's difficult to judge where Hughes is at, considering he recently said that he would love an offer from Miami, but lists North Carolina as a slight favorite at the moment. The other schools in the mix are Clemson, Maryland, Virginia Tech, and of course, LSU. 

4. Sammy Watkins, WR

Commitment: Uncommitted

Sammy Watkins is one of the best prospects from the state of Florida and a game-breaker at the receiver position.

But he also displays great skills as a defensive back and plays with the type of aggressive style you like to see from the safety position.

He's the complete package in terms of size and speed, and a dangerous weapon in the return game as well. He's a threat to take it the distance on any play and has that sixth gear you look for in elite prospects.

The only knock on Watkins is that for someone of his size and catching ability, he hasn't been much of a redzone threat to this point in his career, and that's a bit troubling.

Consider him a distinct possibility to see playing time at receiver and defensive back until his coaches figure out where he really belongs.

He's got a ton of offers on the table at the moment, but the favorites are Miami and Clemson at the moment.

3. Doran Grant, CB

Commitment: Uncommitted 

Grant is the best cornerback prospect in the country, rated No. 1 by Rivals and No. 2 by Scout. Considering his smallish frame, the rankings say a whole lot about the talent this kid brings to the table.

Grant is better than advertised and definitely fits the bill as an elite prospect at a generous 5'10" and 175 lbs.

He's lighting-fast, tests are off the charts athletically, tackles with a lot of power, and has a great nose for the ball. His change of direction ability and knack for plays could turn Grant into one of the best two-way players in a very long time. 

The Ohio native has been heavily recruited by schools from all over the country and plans to narrow his list down to about five schools before his season starts. 

Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan State, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, and USC are all in the mix.

2. De'Anthony Thomas, ATH, USC

Commitment: USC

Thomas has the potential to play any number of positions, from running back to cornerback, safety, and even linebacker.

Most experts agree he'd be a five star prospect regardless the tag put on him.

If he wasn't listed at 5'9" and 160 lbs, Thomas would most likely be the top prospect in the country.

Plenty of prospects have overcome their physical limitations, though, so that isn't really cause for concern. Growing up in Crenshaw, Thomas has dealt with adversity his whole life.

He can become a dominating rusher and would do just as well on the other side of the ball playing corner.

Thomas' ultimate goal at the college level is to win the Heisman trophy, and he hopes to do that playing on both sides of the field. 

1. James Wilder, ATH, FSU

Commitment: FSU

James Wilder has off the charts strength and, pound for pound, is probably the strongest prospect in the country.

He's a two-way player who projects as a running back, linebacker, or defensive end.

He's a leader on and off the field and plays hard every down.

Wilder seems best suited to play defense. He's a ball hawk with great instincts and could do a lot of damage as a pass rushing outside linebacker/defensive end hybrid—but he insists he wants to play running back.

The coaches at FSU appear willing to let him have a go at it. He's got the talent to be a special player as a big power back, but if things don't work out, he's a prime candidate to move back to defense. 

But when you're as talented as Wilder, why not give it a go at both?