College Football Recruiting 2011: Power Ranking the Top 25 Defensive Ends

As we go through the 2010 high school football season it's time to re-evaluate the talent of the 2011 recruiting class and hand out some new positional rankings. 

Based on performances throughout the summer in various camps around the country there's been some noticeable shifts in opinion from every recruiting outlet you'll come across. 

That's the nature of the business; sports are a show me now game, and when it comes to recruiting, there's no difference. 

We'll take a look at the top 25 of every position and keep you up to date with the biggest names to watch out for this year.

Here's the updated rankings for the top 25 defensive ends of the 2011 class.

25. Dylan Wynn, Oregon State

Commitment: Oregon State

One of the best aspects about Wynn's game is his motor. He's a never-quite type of player who will relentless chase down the ball-carrier. 

A disciplined player, Wynn is a bit limited athletically but that doesn't stop him from getting things done and playing smarter than his opponents. 

 

24. Anthony Zettel

Commitment: Uncommitted 

Zettel plays both defensive end and offensive tackle in high school, but scouts have projected him at defensive tackle and offensive guard as well as his natural positions.

We like him as an end though based on his great burst off the ball an quickness; he's a born pass-rusher who can abuse offensive lineman.

23. Brennan Scarlett

Commitment: Uncommitted

Scarlett is one of the top prospects from the state of Oregon and while he'd been somewhat under the radar until this summer he's gotten a lot of interest over the last few months.

At 6'4" and 245 lbs he has ideal size for the position and has good speed as well. Scarlett runs both the 200-meter and 400-meter and reports an SAT score of 1700. 

22. Charlie Hopkins, Stanford

Commitment: Stanford

Hopkins plays both defensive end and tight end in high school and while he doesn't have the athletic ability of the elite at the position, he's a gamer and makes a ton of big plays. 

As a junior, Hopkins had 10 sacks, an interception and returned a block punt for a touchdown. He's also a success in the classroom and a high-energy, high-effort prospect. 

 

21. D.J. Pettway, Alabama

Commitment: Alabama

A defensive end and defensive tackle on the high school level, Pettway has the skill-set and frame to develop well at either position, but considering he's committed to Alabama his future looks to be at the end spot. 

He's strong and does a good job of penetrating the backfield, but needs to get quicker and play with more disciplined to be effective at the next level. 

20. Shawn Oakman, Penn State

Commitment: Penn State

At 6'8" and 250 lbs, Oakman is just huge, with a wing span that's really impressive. His reach, whether it be in run support, pass-rush, or batting down balls is unmatched. 

For his size he moves well, but will have issues at the next level if he doesn't work on his footwork and change of direction skills. 

19. Terrance Smith, Florida State

Commitment: Florida State

Smith has the size to play both defensive end and outside linebacker in college and scouts have graded him out well at both positions. 

He's a menace in the backfield and a better than advertised tackler but is rail-thin and might not have the size to be successful at the next level. 

18. Anthony Chickillo, Miami

Commitment: Miami

Chickillo missed most of the 2009 season with a broken collarbone and fell under the radar after that, but his numbers though six games were really impressive; including averaging two sacks a game. 

He's been described as film-junkie and reports a 4.2 GPA. That's the type of maturity and level of commitment that coaches love to see. 

 

17. LaMichael Fanning, Alabama

Commitment: Alabama

Fanning is a defensive tackle in high school, but Alabama is recruiting him as a defensive end. At 6'7" and 270 lbs, he's one of the most physically-imposing prospects in the 2011 class.

He just overpowers his opponents, but scarily enough it's his athleticism that's most impressive. For someone his size to move the way he does, it's puzzling how he's rated as the 10th defensive end at best.

 

16. Sterling Bailey, Georgia

Commitment: Georgia

Bailey is a defensive end in high school, but based on his size and speed it wouldn't be surprising to see Georgia move him over to outside linebacker; he's got the talent to make an impact at either position. 

There aren't many prospects in the class who are better in pursuit. Bailey sets the edge well and doesn't get beat to the outside often. He needs to spend some long hours bulking up in the gym though. 

15. Deion Barnes

Commitment: Uncommitted

Barnes is a rangy and raw end at 6'4" and 225 lbs and at the high school level relies too heavily on his superior natural ability to get things done.

But he's also got about as high a ceiling as any defensive end in the class. He moves so well and is so fast off the ball you have to take notice; with proper coaching he could be a beast. 

14. Stephon Tuitt, Notre Dame

Commitment: Note Dame

Tuitt is one of the newest commitments for the Fighting Irish and will join Aaron Lynch to form a solid duo at the position. 

He's on the raw side and needs to spend some time polishing his technique, but there's no denying his play-making ability and propensity for getting into the backfield. 

13. Xzavier Dickson

Commitment: Uncommitted 

Dickson is the type of prospect that just explodes into his opponent with a ton of power and quickness. Once he makes contact, Dickson uses his superior speed and athletic ability to get around his man. 

He needs to get stronger and play more disciplined, but the talent is very intriguing. Dickson's body control and change of direction ability are as good as it gets. 

12. Ken Hayes, Ohio State

Commitment: Ohio State

Hayes has the size to play defensive end and tackle on the next level depending on how Ohio State plans to use him. 

He's got the power to take on the double team or can simply overpower blockers on the outside. Hayes has a ton of potential, but he's not too shifty and doesn't have the athleticism and speed of the top-end prospects. 

 

11. Brennen Beyer, Michigan

Commitment: Michigan

Beyer has a devastating initial burst off the line and hits his blockers with so much force that they're usually blown back immediately.

It's his hand movement and technique that are most impressive about his game though. The combination of his skills make him a nightmare for offensive tackles on passing downs. 

 

10. Cedric Reed, Texas

Commitment: Texas

Reed is one of many blue-chip recruits on the books for the Texas Longhorns mammoth 2011 recruiting class and could potentially be the best among them.

He's got incredible strength and power, with a knack for getting into the backfield with eye-pooping quickness and disrupting the offense before a play can even develop. 

 

9. Aaron Lynch, Florida State

Commitment: Florida State

Lynch has the talent to play on either side of the ball. He plays both tight end and defensive end at the high school level and could potentially succeed at either in college. 

At 6'5" and 255 lbs, he's got ideal size for defensive end and has great burst off the line of scrimmage. With his level of athleticism and versatility, Lynch is a very intriguing prospect. 

 

8. Ishaq Williams

Commitment: Uncommitted 

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.

 

7. Steve Miller, Ohio State

Commitment: Ohio State

Miller's best asset is his technique, which is arguably the best of any defensive end in the class. His positioning, hand movement, and ability to shed blockers really stands out. 

He's got the size to play strong side or weak side end and has a solid all-around skill-set for run support and pass rush. 

6. Jalen Grimble, USC

Commitment: USC

He's got the size, strength and athleticism to be a defensive tackle in a 4-3 or a defensive end in 3-4, but it remains to be seen how the coaches at USC plan to use him. 

There aren't many big men better in pursuit, especially on the backside, and even fewer with the kind of motor he possesses.

 

5. Ray Drew

Commitment: Uncommitted

Drew isn't the type of player you need to worry about causing problems off the field. He's a hard-worker, a vocal player and a natural leader.

He'll step in from day one and grind it out at 100 percent from the the minute the whistle is blown until the end of the day.

 

4. Greg Townsend

Commitment: Uncommitted

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.

 

3. Jermauria Rasco

Commitment: Uncommitted

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.

 

2. Jeoffrey Pagan, Florida

Commitment: Florida

Pagan didn't even start playing the position until this past season, and immediately he looked like a natural out there who'd been doing it his whole life.

He's strong and athletic and gets into the backfield in a hurry. He's still very raw and needs to be polished, which means a redshirt year might be in his best interest, but the potential is there.

 

 

 

1. JaDeveon Clowney

Commitment: Uncommitted

At 6'5", 225 lbs, 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.