College Football Recruiting: The No. 1 Target of Every Top 25 Ranked Team

There are still a ton of very talented blue-chip prospects on the market and most of the top teams in the nation have targeted these players.

Let's breakdown the top target of every team in the AP Top 25 and see who all the best programs are looking at. 

Obviously there will be some overlap, but when possible we've tried to diversify the list. 

1. Alabama: Jadeveon Clowney, DE

At 6'5", 225 pounds, Clowney is an athletic freak and a playmaker in every sense of the word.

He gets into the backfield in a hurry, has great natural pass-rushing instincts, and can chase down ball-carriers with his tremendous speed.

No matter where the ball goes, or where Clowney lines up, he can make something happen. There's game film of him chasing down wide receivers 20 yards down the field.

He's one of those players who just always ends up in the thick of things, jarring balls loose, knocking quarterbacks on their backs, scooping up a fumble, and generally causing about as much trouble as you can ask from a defender.

His top two choices are Alabama and South Carolina, but Clowney doesn't expect to make his choice until he's had all of his official visits.

South Carolina might have the home state bonus, but Alabama's 3-4 defense is perfect for him.

2. Ohio State: Doran Grant, CB

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 probably better than advertised and definitely fits the bill at a generous 5'10" and 175 lbs.

He's lightning-fast, tests off the charts athletically, tackles with a lot of power, and has a great nose for the ball.

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, but Grant plans on waiting until after the season or the Under Armour All-American Game in January.

3. Boise State: Kelvin Fisher, S

Kelvin Fisher is a very versatile athlete that could play any number of positions on the next level. He plays running back and safety in high school, but has projected as a cornerback and wide receiver as well. 

He ranks out as the No. 16 safety on Scout and the No. 38 athlete on Rivals. 

Fisher is a difficult matchup on offense as he's displayed great balance and body control, but his shiftiness is just as useful on the other side of the field. 

He can roam the middle of the field and is a classic ball hawk. Fisher has decent ball skills and is a very instinctive player that isn't afraid to take gambles, or come up and take on bigger players in run support. 

In no particular order his top five are Boise State, Arkansas, Pitt, Washington, and Oregon. 

4. TCU: Greg Townsend, DE

Townsend has the athleticism and size to play anywhere from linebacker to defensive tackle on the next level.

He's got great instincts and strength, but his body control and balance are what stand out the most when you watch him play.

Not many prospects his size are able to maneuver around blockers and contort their body without losing footing or balance. Townsend just squeezes past his opponent and sets himself up to make a play.

At this point, his technique is raw and more polished collegiate tackles won't have much trouble handling him. But the potential is there and the ceiling is sky-high for him.

Of all the schools that have offered Townsend, his focus is on USC, Washington, Oregon, TCU, Miami, and Alabama.

5. Texas: Jermauria Rasco, DE

Rasco has improved tremendously every year, and that's something to take note of when looking at a prospect. He's an elite defensive end with a very high ceiling, and he's only getting better as he ages.

He's got great instincts and discipline, but his technique and movements are still on the raw side.

If he can learn to add some weapons to his arsenal and get off the ball quicker, he could end up being the best defensive end in the class.

For someone with so much to work on, seeing how fast he's able to disengage from his blockers and engage ball-carriers is eyebrow raising.

The schools recruiting him the hardest are Texas, LSU, Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, and UCLA.

6. Nebraska: Aaron Green, RB

Aaron Green is the complete package when it comes to running backs. He runs with purpose, can make the first man miss, gets downfield in a hurry, and breaks tackles with surprising speed.

He's undersized at 5'11", 185 lbs, so he needs to bulk up or he just won't stay in one piece at the next level, but that's about all there is not to like about this kid.

There might not be anyone in the country who can change direction quite as fast as he can. Defenders are regularly left staring at the dust.

Green has narrowed down his choices to Texas, Nebraska, FSU, and Cal. With Texas receiving a commitment from Malcolm Brown and FSU bringing James Wilder aboard, it seems like the only options left are Nebraska and Cal. 

7. Oregon: Colt Lyerla, ATH

Lyerla plays both tight end and outside linebacker in high school, but his future looks like it'll be on the defensive side of the ball.

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. 

It's 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. 

The news on Lyerla has been quiet the last couple months beyond refuting that his final three choices were USC, Miami, and Oregon.

He's previously listed Oregon State, Oklahoma, and UCLA as other options in the mix.

8. Florida: Tim Jernigan, DT

At 6'2", 275 lbs, Jernigan is an athletic big man who moves extremely well for his size and can get into the backfield in a hurry.

He's a disruptive force who recorded 131 tackles, including 27 for loss as a junior and commands a constant double-team.

He has all the tools to become an elite college defensive lineman. He's strong, stays low to the ground, drives with his legs, and has a relentless motor.

On top of that, he has a solid array of power and finesse moves to shed blocks and penetrate the line of scrimmage.

Jernigan is a monster in pursuit and never gives up on a play, even if it means chasing a ball carrier 20-30 yards downfield.

His favorites are Florida, Florida State, LSU, Alabama, and Michigan, but he's "in no rush" to make a decision.

9. Iowa: Cyrus Kouandjio, OT

At 6'6", 322 pounds, Kouandjio is one of the most athletic big men in the country.

He has a huge wingspan and at times appears to move as swiftly as someone half his size.

When it comes to natural ability as a blocker, Kouandjio has top-end balance and moves his feet as swiftly as any high school player I've ever seen.

He does a great job staying low to the ground and using his tree trunk-like arms to manhandle defenders.

Kouandijo is polished and as ready to compete at the college level as anyone in the 2011 class.

He's not rushing into his decision to pick a school, but recently cut his list down to 11 top choices: Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Miami, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pitt, Tennessee, Virginia, and USC.

10. Oklahoma: Anthony Wallace, LB

Wallace is a perfect fit at middle linebacker. He's got the prototypical size that's ideal for the position and a great natural frame. 

He's a very smart player who can cover both the run and the pass extremely well, but his coverage skills are really what stand out.

Right now, his technique is raw, but when he drops back, the instincts are incredible. 

Watching him get free in pursuit is like watching a predator hunt. He zones in on the ball-carrier and just attacks him.

Wallace is one of those players that is always around the ball. Once he gets bigger, he might end up being the best linebacker from the class.

After previously listing Miami as a serous possibility, it seems the favorites are now Ohio State, Penn State, and Oklahoma, with outside shots going to Arkansas and Oregon. 

11. Wisconsin: Curt Maggitt, LB

Curt Maggitt plays both linebacker and defensive end in high school and is projected at both positions on the next level. 

He's ranked as the No. 18 outside linebacker on Scout and the No. 14 weakside defensive end on Rivals, but regardless of where he lines up, Maggitt's primary responsibilities will be as a pass-rusher. 

He recorded 11 sacks his junior season displaying a great knack for getting to the quarterback with relentless motor and solid body control. 

Maggitt plans to break the normal mold of commitment announcements and will make his decision at the end of a half-hour special on the Sportsman Channel's nationally televised show "Respect Outdoors."

He'll be chosing from Alabama, Florida, Iowa, Iowa State, LSU, Miami, North Carolina, Rutgers, South Florida, Tennessee, Texas Tech, and Wisconsin. 

12. Miami: Nick O'Leary, TE

O'Leary might be the best tight end in the 2011 class. He's a receiver and lineman mixed into one body.

He has the all-around skills to be an immediate force on the football field. O'Leary is an elite blocker, has a great set of hands, moves downfield well, and runs crisp routes.

There really aren't any issues you can find with his game besides his height. Listed at a generous 6'4", O'Leary doesn't have prototypical size for the position.

If he were three inches taller he might have been a unanimous choice for No. 1 at his position.

The Florida native has Miami and FSU at the top of his list and while it isn't quite down to those two schools just yet, it appears close to it. 

13. Virginia Tech: Stephone Anthony

Stephone Anthony is a natural pass-rusher with a knack for causing turnovers.

There aren't many players who can make the ball come loose more often than this kid. 

When he gets his hands on someone, there's a chance he'll make something happen any given play.

He plays with great instincts and is very athletic, attacking the ball with purpose and precision, and shedding blockers with impressive strength.

Anthony has the smarts and the skill to get on the field right away and will likely do that wherever he ends up. If he isn't starting as a freshman, expect him to be a special teams demon.

He plans on making his commitment at the Under-Armour All-American Game and favors, in order, Florida, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Clemson, NC State, and Georgia. 

14. Arkansas: Anthony Wallace, LB

Arkansas joins Oklahoma as a top 25 team chasing after Anthony Wallace. While he's leaning toward Ohio State, Penn State, and Oklahoma, there's still hope of the Razorbacks to land the coveted linebacker. 

Wallace is exactly the type of player this team needs right now; a tough versatile, intelligent, and athletic playmaker that can make his presence felt all over the field. 

Arkansas and Oregon are outside shots right now, but Wallace doesn't plan on committing any time soon and has already changed his mind several times when it comes to ranking his options. 

15. Georgia Tech: Doran Grant, CB

Georgia Tech joins Ohio State in their pursuit of Doran Grant. Both schools have other options out there, but Grant is the best among them and has shown genuine interest for all parties. 

Anyone could use a cornerback of Grant's caliber so it's no wonder he's drawn the type of interest he has from around the country. 

It would appear that Georgia Tech is one of the outside chances in this sweepstakes as Grant is believed to favor the Big Ten schools, particularly the possibility of staying in-state and joining the Buckeyes. 

16. USC: George Farmer, WR

He has the speed to get past pretty much anyone and the size to ward off stronger defenders without much effort.

Farmer has an ideal combination of skills and natural ability, but needs to fine tune his game some.

He'll make the spectacular catch, but then drop an easy one. Some scouts question his level of concentration and desire to go all out on every play; that's troubling. If he can improve on his consistency though, Farmer has the goods to be a special talent.

Farmer's top five choices are USC, Oregon, Alabama, Miami, and Florida, but he's about as close to a Trojans lock as they come. 

17. Florida State: Tony Steward, LB

At 6'2" and 225 pounds, Steward is one of the most physically imposing prospects in the country.

The kid is built like a body builder, with hardly an ounce of fat. He's incredibly strong and is one of the most athletic prospects in the country at any position, let alone linebacker.

Based on the way he's built, and his natural ability to sniff out the football, Steward is likely to make a big impact as a freshman.

What's most impressive about his game is his ability to get out in open space and cover a ton of ground in pass protection.

His top two choices are FSU and Clemson and it seems like the two flip-flop every time he does an interview. His recent visit to Clemson really got his juices flowing, though.

18. Penn State: Doran Grant, CB

The third top 25 team in the mix for Doran Grant, Penn State is probably his number two school behind the Buckeyes, though Grant hasn't officially ordered his choices. 

This one likely won't play out until close to National Signing Day, so expect there to be a shift in power before this one is said and done. 

Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan State, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, and USC are all in the mix, with a couple other schools drawing small consideration as well. 

19. LSU: Tim Jernigan, DT

Florida isn't the only top 25 team with Tim Jernigan at the top of it's recruiting wish list. LSU is also very high on the top-rated defensive tackle in the class.

While it would appear the Tigers are right up against the wall when it comes to scholarships, they've been over-offering for the last couple years and it hasn't caught up with them yet. 

So expect a couple extra names to be brought into the mix this year with the expectation that some commitments will be lost for various reasons. 

 Florida, Florida State, LSU, Alabama, and Michigan are Jernigan's top options. 

20. Utah: Harvey Langi, RB

Harvey Langi is one of the running backs you don't hear to much about nationally, but you certainly should. He's one of the hardest backs to bring down in the 2011 class. 

He's a powerful rusher with elite balance, body control and a low center of gravity that makes him a defender's nightmare in one-on-one situations. Arm tackles aren't going to do anything to slow him down.

Langi is rated as the No. 11 running back on Scout and the No. 23 athlete on Rivals. Earlier this month he said that Stanford was his first option over BYU, UCLA, Washington, and Utah. 

The Utes will need to convince the in-state prospect he belongs at home rather than heading to programs that feature much higher competition for playing time. 

21. Auburn: Gregory Robinson, OT

Robinson was one of the top performers at the U.S. Army All-American Combine. At 6'5" and 296 pounds, he's a big and physical player with a lot of upside.

He's a workout warrior that really impresses with his strength and agility, though his technique as a blocker is still a bit raw. He often struggles to stay low and doesn't adjust his feet very well.

Robinson relies on his natural ability right now, but that won't cut it in college. If he can learn to balance himself better and slide his feet against speed rushers, there won't be much stopping him from being an elite tackle.

It's coming down to Auburn and LSU, but of the two SEC rivals Robinson seems to be favoring Auburn. This is a tight race though, so take the prediction with a grain of salt. 

22. Georgia: Isaiah Crowell, RB

There's nothing to dislike about Crowell's game.

He has great breakaway speed, is very elusive, has top-of-the-line instincts, makes lightning-fast cuts, doesn't hesitate, and can break tackles with the best of them.

Seems too good to be true, right?

Crowell has played with a talented stable of rushers his entire high school career behind a very good offensive line. He's never carried the load himself and there are serious questions about his ability to do so.

So why not a pairing with Trent Richardson in Alabama's backfield? 

Crowell's top two choices are Alabama and Georgia, and it looks like his personal relationship with Richardson is pulling him toward the Tide.

23. West Virginia: Kelvin Benjamin, WR

Kelvin Benjamin is rated as the No. 11 receiver on both Scout and Rivals.

At 6'6" and 210 lbs, he's a huge target that some have projected as a tight end, but he's shown the speed and athleticism to be a force at wide receiver.  

He makes the tough catches, the acrobatic, circus catches. Add in his size, speed, and toughness and he's one of the toughest covers in the country. 

Benjamin needs to work on his route running, concentration, and separation skills, but the tools are there for him to be a truly special talent. 

He's looking at Oregon, Florida, FSU, Miami, Michigan, West Virginia, Georgia, and Tennessee. 

24. South Carolina, Jadeveon Clowney, DE

South Carolina joins Alabama in the hunt of Jadeveon Clowney and the Gamecocks must be crossing their fingers hoping this one plays out. 

Clowney is the top prospect in the nation and has the potential to quickly develop into one of the top college players. 

But Steve Spurrier and his staff will try to convince him that he'd struggle to find playing time at Alabama and is better suited for the 4-3 defense anyway.

Clowney is in no hurry to make his decision and while South Carolina and Alabama are his top choices, don't count out the likes of North Carolina just yet. 

25. Stanford: Amir Carlisle, RB

The best of Stanford's three-headed haul at running back, Amir Carlisle has drawn comparisons to former Cal star Jahvid Best. 

He's got a great pair of hands, is elusive, fast, cuts well, and changes direction on a dime. He'll get the ball downfield in a number of different ways and just seems to make things happen regardless of the situation.

So why is Stanford's top target someone who's already committed to the program?

Because Carlisle is a soft verbal and still plans to visit other schools. With the possibility he can be swayed, you can bet the Cardinal will focus their attention his way all the way up to NSD.