College Football Recruiting 2011: Where Are the Top 10 Defensive Ends Headed?

As we wrap up the 2011 college football recruiting season, we'll be breaking down the top talent at every position on the field and telling you where all of the nation's most prized recruits are headed. We'll start with one of the most high-profile positions of them all.

Check out where this year's top 10 defensive ends will be playing college football in 2011.

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. 

Reed committed to Texas in April. 

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 a great burst off the line of scrimmage. With his level of athleticism and versatility, Lynch is a very intriguing prospect. 

Lynch originally committed to Notre Dame, but he decommitted and committed to Florida State in November. 

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.

Williams has narrowed his choices down to Penn State, Notre Dame and Syracuse, with the Nittany Lions believed to be his favorite at the moment. 

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. 

Miller was one of Ohio State's first 2011 recruits, committing to the Buckeyes in October of 2009. 

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 a 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.

Grimble committed to USC in May. 

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.

Drew isn't expected to commit until National Signing Day, but his top four choices are believed to be Auburn, LSU, Georgia and Florida. 

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.

Townsend will be committing at the U.S. Army All-American game and is down to a decision between TCU, USC and Washington. 

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.

Rasco is leaning toward LSU, but Florida State, Texas and Alabama are all in the mix as well. 

2. Jeoffrey Pagan

Commitment: Uncommitted

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.

Pagan originally committed to Florida, but opened things up again earlier this month to Georgia, Clemson, Alabama, LSU, North Carolina, North Carolina State and Tennessee as well as the Gators. 

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.

Clowney will wait until National Signing Day to make his decision, and at this point, it's pretty much a two-horse race between South Carolina and Alabama.