College Football Recruiting 2011: Comparing The Top 25 Prospects To NFL Stars

We're getting pretty close to the home stretch of the college football recruiting season as things will really kick into overdrive after the holidays. 

But in the meantime, lets have a little fun scouting the nation's top talent. We've told you all about the 2011 class' top talent countless times but here's a visual to give you a better idea exactly what kind of style, ability and characteristics these 5-star recruits have. 

Compare them to NFL stars. 

Here's our NFL comparisons for the 2011 recruiting class' top 25 prospects. 

25. Brandon Williams, RB: Peyton Hillis, RB (Cleveland)

Commitment: Oklahoma 

Williams is a great all-around running back who contributes not only in the running game, but also as a legitimate weapon in the passing game.

He doesn't have elite size or speed, but makes up with it with a gamer's mentality and playing style.He reads the field so well and reacts to the defense as quick as any running back in the 2011 class. 

We can't think of anyone better to compare Williams to than Cleveland breakout star Peyton Hillis. Hillis is simply a hard-nosed, underrated runner who can do it all despite lacking elite skill in any particular area. 

24. Sammy Watkins, WR: DeSean Jackson, WR (Philadelphia)

Commitment: Uncommitted

Sammy Watkins is one of the best prospects from the state of Florida and a gamebreaker at the receiver 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.

There might not be a better long-ball playmaker than DeSean Jackson in the NFL right now. If he gets the ball with space, he's gone. 

23. Doran Grant, CB: Darrelle Revis, CB (NY Jets)

Commitment: Uncommitted

Grant is the best cornerback prospect in the country, rated No. 1 by Rivals and No. 2 by Scout, but personally we think he's even better than advertised.

He's lighting-fast, tests off the charts athletically, tackles with a lot of power, and has a great nose for the ball. Grant might have the chance to be the type of player that locks down a third of the field. 

Naturally, when you're talking about the best cornerback a comparison has to be made to Darrelle Revis. The Jets' shutdown corner makes most of the best receivers in the NFL simply disappear. 

22. Anthony Johnson, DT: Haloti Ngata, DT (Baltimore)

Commitment: Louisiana State

Johnson is a big, physical, bull-rushing defensive tackle who prefers to plow straight through his opponent rather than try to get around them.

He's definitely on the raw side and doesn't have a wide array of moves, which is why he relies so much on his strength. The tools are there for him to become a devastating anchor for LSU's line in a couple years.

We compare Johnson to Baltimore's Haloti Ngata. He might not have Ngata's size just yet, but they both share the same fiery passion in the trenches. When Ngata is hot, he's a bulldozer in the middle. 

21. Jay Rome, TE: Antonio Gates, TE (San Diego)

Commitment: Uncommitted

Jay Rome is the No. 1-ranked tight end recruit in the country and has been linked to over a dozen programs to date. An extremely athletic tight end with NFL potential, Rome has all the intangibles to be very successful wherever he ends up playing.

He has tremendous blocking skills and can line up at receiver or tight end. If Rome can improve his strength, he'll have the potential to be one of the biggest impact freshman in the country in 2011.

Rome has the look of the next Antonio Gates. Gates is the staple of the tight end position in the NFL right now. Big, athletic, fast and incredible playmaking ability. 

20. Brent Calloway, LB: James Harrison, LB (Pittsburgh)

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. Calloway plays defensive end in high school, but he's better suited as a linebacker in college and is the type of talent you really don't want to underestimate.

Up until a couple of years ago, James Harrison was a name most NFL fans weren't familiar with. He's as dedicated as they come, though, and has trasnformed himself from an undrafted rookie cut four different times to an All-Pro who's just a monster from whistle to whistle. 

19. Steve Edmond, LB: Patrick Willis, LB (San Francisco)

Commitment: Texas

Edmond dominates all over the field.

At his size, 6'3", 225 pounds, he can play inside or outside linebacker and potentially could bulk up a bit to play end. There are very few prospects as physically-ready as Edmond and probably no one in the nation who can tackle with as much consistency.

He's a good pass-rusher, but Edmond is at his best when you stick him right behind the line and let him clean up anything that comes his direction. 

The premier middle linebacker in the NFL has to be considered Patrick Willis. A do-it-all tackling machine that rarely lets anyone get by him, that's the type of player we see Edmond having a chance to become. 

18. Christian Westerman, OT: Alan Faneca, OG (Arizona)

Commitment: Texas

At 6'5", 285 pounds, Westerman is projected as either a guard or right tackle at the next level.

But the fact that he never played left tackle in high school probably means it just doesn't suit his skill-set.

He overpowers defenders with quick hits and a very low stance. But the way he's able to move suggests he'd be very successful as a pulling guard.

Up until recently, Faneca was the definition of what an offensive guard should be and few offensive lineman could rip open holes through the line of scrimmage quite like he could. 

17. Trey Metoyer, WR: Andre Johnson, WR (Houston)

Commitment: Oklahoma

Trey Metoyer is one of the highest-rated receivers of the 2011 class.

He's rated top five at his position by both Scout and Rivals and presents a great combination of size and speed.

He doesn't have the turbo jets that some receivers do, but he's a big-bodied guy who can get downfield in a hurry nonetheless, get up in the air and make a play draped in coverage. 

Metoyer doesn't quite have the speed of Andre Johnson, but he's got that same physical mentality and red zone skill-set that makes Johnson one of the most dangerous weapons in the NFL. 

16. George Farmer, WR: Calvin Johnson, WR (Detroit)

Commitment: USC

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.

Farmer is one of the easier prospects to peg as he immediately reminds us of Calvin Johnson, from his size and speed to incredible circus-catch ability, to even his on and off lapses of concentration. But Farmer has a long way to go to reach Johnson's level of ability. 

15. Braxton Miller, QB: Donovan McNabb, QB (Washington)

Commitment: Ohio State

Miller is an idea dual-threat quarterback who possesses great quickness, elusive ability, and a powerful arm that really puts a lot of pressure on defenses.

He runs a 4.47-second 40-yard dash and can change direction on a dime.

There are very few prospects capable of dominating a defense the way he does. Miller doesn't force plays, but rather lets his opponent choose how they're going to play him and then take advantage of whatever they offer.

While Donovan McNabb is on the downside of his career, there's no denying the similarities between the former All-Pro quarterback's game and Miller's. McNabb was the master of taking anything the defense gives you through the air or on the ground and meticulously dissecting his opponent.  

14. Mike Bellamy, RB: Chris Johnson, RB (Tennessee)

Commitment: Clemson

Bellamy is considered to be one of the top prospects of the 2011 class.

He's a top five running back on pretty much every list that matters, and he is one of the fastest prospects in the state of Florida, clocking in at 4.3 seconds on his 40 time.

He's a playmaker who will light up scoreboards and burns defenders regularly. Bellamy is incredibly elusive and has tremendous balance and body control.

For Bellamy, the speedster will immediately draw comparisons to Tennessee's bolt of lightning, Chris Johnson. One of the fastest players in the game, Johnson is the premier home-run hitting running back in the NFL. Period.  

13. Lawrence Thomas, LB: Brian Dawkins, S (Denver)

Commitment: Michigan State

At 6'3" and 236 pounds, Thomas presents a unique prospect with the size and speed to play a variety of positions.

He can play defensive end, linebacker, safety and even receiver.

He's projected as a defender on the next level mostly because it would be a shame to let his ball-hawking and punishing tackling go to waste.

Thomas might be listed as a linebacker, but he could just as easily line up at safety and that's where the comparison to Brian Dawkins comes in. Like a few others on this list, Dawkins is on the tail-end of his career, but in his prime, Dawkins was a do-it-all safety who could dish out hits with the best of them. 

12. Curtis Grant, LB: Brian Urlacher, LB (Chicago)

Commitment: Uncommitted

Grant can play both inside and outside, reads plays and reacts very fast and can cover a whole bunch of ground as quickly as any linebacker prospect out there.

At 6'2", 234 pounds, he has the size to play a number of positions. There are very few prospects who can cover the field from sideline to sideline as well as he can.

But because of his ability to get in the backfield as well as cover, he's best suited to be an outside linebacker.

While Grant will probably line up on the outside, we compare his style of play to that of Chicago star middle linebacker Brian Urlacher. One of the best in the game and a playmaker who can drop back, cover the run and blitz with ease.  

11. Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix, S: Ed Reed, S (Baltimore)

Commitment: Alabama

Clinton-Dix is an elite prospect who really has an ideal skill set for a safety.

There's almost nothing about his game not to like, except for some minor footwork issues.

He's very physical and has great natural instincts, which lead to a lot of big hits and turnovers. His coverage skills are about as good as any defensive prospect in the class, but he's also very good in run support as well.

Clinton-Dix reminds us so much of Ed Reed it's scary. They both play with such intensity and fire and are as athletic as they come at the position. Now whether or not Clinton-Dix can ever be as good as Reed is a different story. 

10. Isaiah Crowell, RB: Darren McFadden, RB (Oakland)

Commitment: Uncommitted

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.

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 ever be able to.

Crowell isn't as strong as McFadden, but he plays bigger than he is and both have such a great combination of power, speed and elusiveness. 

9. Aaron Green, RB: Ahmad Bradshaw, RB (NY Giants)

Commitment: Nebraksa

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 pounds, 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.

One of the breakout stars of the 2010 NFL season, Bradshaw is undersized but powerful. Dodgy and ankle breaking, yet can run right through you at the same time. That's the type of player Green is. 

8. James Wilder, ATH: DeMarcus Ware, LB (Dallas)

Commitment: Florida State

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.

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.

Wilder might insist on playing running back in college, but he's of the same mold as DeMarcus Ware, Dallas' star outside linebacker with off the charts athletic ability and plain nastiness when it comes to taking down ballcarriers. 

7. Tony Steward, LB: Ray Lewis, LB (Baltimore)

Commitment: Uncommitted

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.

Watch Steward's film for a couple of minutes and the similarities between he and Ray Lewis are startling. Nobody drives fear into the hearts of opponents quite like Lewis does and Steward has that same mentality and willingness to do whatever it takes to make the play. 

6. La'El Collins, OT: Jake Long, OT (Miami)

Commitment: Louisiana State

At 6'5", 285 pounds, Collins is 15-to-20 pounds away from being an off-the-charts prospect at left tackle.

His strength, athleticism and blocking skill is about as good as anyone's in the class.

From a physical standpoint, he's an imposing specimen who can knock back a defender a full yard with a single push.

Collins might be a high schooler, but he has the maturity and work ethic of a veteran pro. He's a coach's dream and a mauler with nearly unmatched skill. That's exactly what Jake Long has been through his first three years in the NFL. He's the type of All-Pro you never need to worry about. 

5. De'Anthony Thomas, ATH: Charles Woodson, CB (Green Bay)

Commitment: USC

This one might be a little bit of a cheat, because Thomas' future is at cornerback first and running back second.

At 5'9" and 170 pounds, he might not have the size to hold up as a running back on the college level. But he definitely has the skill-set to be a force. 

He's a legitimate 5-star prospect on either side of the field. Thomas' vision, speed, elusiveness, balance and surprising power make him one of the most dangerous rushers in the country.

Thomas envisions himself playing on both sides of the ball in college and becoming the second primary defensive player to win the Heisman. Remind you of anyone?

4. Malcolm Brown, RB: Adrian Peterson, RB (Minnesota)

Commitment: Texas

Brown is the premier rusher of the class and a near-ideal prospect for the position.

He's a powerful rusher that will put his shoulder down and punish defenders, wearing them down as the game goes on. As a downhill rusher, he's about as impressive as they come.

Brown explodes into defenders, has great vision, subtle but quick movements and breaks tackles at an eye-popping rate.

He actually reminds us of Ricky Williams as well as Adrian Peterson. But with Williams fading and Peterson in his prime, that's the one fans should keep an eye on. 

3. Tim Jernigan, DT: Vince Wilfork, DT (New England)

Commitment: Uncommitted

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

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.

Jernigan's playing style and ability to not only take on double teams, but to consistently beat them, is right out of Vince Wilfork's book. Just a couple of minutes of video and you can't miss it. Can he ever get as big as Wilfork though? 

2. Cyrus Kouandjio, OT: Ryan Clady, OT (Denver)

Commitment: Uncommitted

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.

Kouandjio's size and athleticism is scarily reminiscent of Ryan Clady. Clady is arguably the most athletic left tackle in the NFL and an All-Pro who ranks right up there with the best of them. 

1. Jadeveon Clowney, DE: Julius Peppers, DE (Chicago)

Commitment: Uncommitted

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 ballcarriers 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.

Clowney hasn't just drawn comparisons to Julius Peppers. He's already being called the next Julius Peppers. That's setting some lofty expectations, but Clowney is the type of talent that warrants them.