College Football Recruiting 2011: Ranking The Top 50 Defensive Ends

Whether they are great pass rushers or have the ability to play the run off the edge, defensive ends are crucial to a defense's success. Teams know that a great pass rusher or an end who plays like a tackle are the future of defensive line play.

This year has some very bright prospects from all over the country who can play weakside end and the strong side. We ranked the top 25 defensive ends earlier last season, yet we're going to update our rankings and top out at 50.

Let's begin!

50. Charles Burks

Commit: USC

Burks is a bit undersized, though really get's after it aoff the edge. He uses his quickness and first step explosion to jump on top of offensive tackles.

Only 6'1" and 230 pounds, he may be in line for a position change at USC, perhaps to outside linebacker. If he moves to linebacker, he could still play defensive end and rush on sub packages.

49. Gerald Dixon

Commit: South Carolina

Talk about being overshadowed, Gerald Dixon had to prove each Friday night in high school that he was a great player, and not reaping benefits from the double teams Jadeveon Clowney commanded. Dixon is a great weakside end prospect who should continue to develop.

He's a bit undersized and can get mauled by massive lineman. He lacks the strength to shed blocks consistently.

47. Kameron Wood

Commit: Ole Miss

6'4" and 220 pounds, Wood has the perfect frame of a high school defensive end. He's tall and long with a great wing span to keep blockers cleanly off him and has the stride, quickness, and speed to make plays within the pocket.

He needs to get stronger, so he can play the run and can thrown off his rush by chipping running backs.

46. Brandon Alexander

Commit: Uncommitted

What you notice instantly about Alexander is his frame and length. He's listed t 6'6" and could be bigger than that. Then you see his not light in the pants at about 230-235 pounds. Alexander plays with great athletic ability, solid strength and quickness.

He will need to learn how to use his hands better to shed and escape blocks, but he already has the strength to be able to do well in that department.

45. Bryant Dubose

Commit: Uncommitted

Dubose plays the run very well. He's quick to key off an offensive tackle's stance and gets a good jump on snaps. His 240 pound body allows him to take on, shed, and make plays on ball carriers. He's also a very athletic pass rusher with good quickness.

He'll need to refine his technique and make sure he doesn't become a one trick pony. A better pass rush plan must be learned in college.

44. Corey Marshall

Commit: Virginia Tech

Marshall doesn''t have the fastest 40 time, yet his short area speed and range allows him to play faster than his measurables. He's an underrated athlete who gets after it vs. the run and pass.

He won't wow you with blazing speed type sacks like Dwight Freeny, an he can not be counted on to drop off in short zone coverage.

43. Matt Roth

Commit: Virginia Tech

Roth is an underrated end who has the numbers of a complete player at his position. 6'4" and nearly 230 pounds, Roth had 14 sacks and nearly 90 stops in his junior campaign. He can play the run like a tackle and on the next down terrorize off the edge as a rusher.

Roth's ceiling may be limited as he there is not much he can really significantly improve upon. But put the pads on and his motor and hustle will have you drooling over him.

42. Cooper Washington

Commit: Oklahoma

Washington defines the term "relentless motor". He revs up on thir down and could be a sleeper in his true freshman season to become a situational pass rusher. He's 6'4" and 225 pounds and ha a deceptive first step.

He'll need to eventually add more stregth to become a full time end as he college right tackles could be a problem for him. Also, he needs to continue working on his pass rush arsenal.

41. Anthony Rabasa

Commit: Notre Dame

Rabasa is headed to South Bend and played defensive end in high school. Yet his 6'3" and 220 pound frame will likely have him kick out to stand up outside linebacker in the Irish's 3-4 defensive scheme. He plays with good toughness, quickness, strength, and a solid first step at the snap.

He'll need to adjust from having his hand in the dirt full time to standing up as a rusher. Rabasa also needs to start working on his zone buzzes and pass drops to be an effective outside 'backer.

40. Giorgio Newberry

Commit: Florida State

Newberry has supreme first step explosion and quickness at the sap. He easily jumps on top of offensive lineman and has great athletic ability. Newberry also plays very well using his hands to shed blocks.

He plays high, which is hard not to do being 6'6" and 260 pounds, and this cause him to lose leverage at the point of attack. He also lacks strength to anchor vs. the run.

39. Chase Farris

Commit: Ohio State

Chase Farris may be the next Cameron Heyward. Not because he's going t Ohio State, but more so because of his size and athleticism that compares favorably to Heyward. Farris has strong side end written all over him at 6'6" and almost 270 pounds. He even has the strength to kick inside and rush from the interior on sub packages.

He's not going run around blockers and my lack the range to pursue ball carriers from the backside.

38. Brennen Beyer

Commit: Michigan

Beyer is a 6'4", 220 pound strongside prospect who really plays with toughness. He will not back down against the run and takes on linemen and oncoming full backs at the point of attack.

He's been timed at 4.5 in the 40, yet some question his backside pursuit speed to run down ball carriers.

37. Nathan Hughes

Commit: Oklahoma

Hughes is a load on the perimeter and is not easily moved off of his mark by blockers. At 6'6" and almost 270 pounds, he looks like a tackle. He's big strong, stout against the run, and physical at the point of attack.

He's a solid pass rusher now, but won't be spectacular in college due his lack of consistent quickness off the ball. He may grow into becoming a tackle.

36. Curt Maggitt

Commit: Undecided

Maggitt is bantered about at playing defensive end and linebacker. He reminds me of former USC linebacker Michael Morgan coming out of high school. He's extremely quick as a blitzer an is still growing and filling out his frame, which is why some think he could eventually end up at defensive end.

He'll need to learn the nuances of hand fighting and placement, jumping snaps and anchoring against the run if he is to become an end.  

35. Norkeithus Otis

Commit: North Carolina

Otis is the type of end who projects as a problem for offenses. He's light, quick, and come from anywhere to menace. You could see him with his hand down, then stand up, rush, drop off in coverage, cover running backs, a delay blitz.

He's only 200 pounds and will need to get stronger if he's to do anything consistently. He relies too much on quickness, peed, and athleticism at this point.

34. Austin Traylor

Commit: Wisconsin

Traylor is a similar player Ois, yet he will be doing his thing t Camp Randall. He's versatile enough to play receiver, safety, linebacker, and defensive end in college at 6'4" and 210 pounds. He's got solid seed and athletic ability to aid his development as a pass rusher.

He'll likely need to redshirt and add weight, bulk, an strength to his frame if he's looking to play en. We all know how big, strong, and tough Big 10 offensive linemen are and he's likely not ready to face them just yet.

33. DeVante Wilson

Commit: USC

Wilson is a heck of athletic prospect and has the versatility t play receiver and tight end, along with defensive end. Hes very talented and has only been a full time end since his junior season. Right now he's 6'4" and 225 pounds, yet could be 6'6" and 260 pounds when he tops out.

He's very raw right now and needs much seasoning to learn more intricacies of being a end. He hasn't had the chance to fully pull the pin and play free yet.

32. Jordan Robles

Commit: Utah

Robles has good size at 6'5" and 240 pound yet gets after it as a rusher with a great motor. He really looks to work on his technique and hand placement and works not to get held up by lazy tackles.

He doesn't have the speed to and range to chase backside and his frame has him play high wit no leverage v. the run. He may need t move to strongside end.

31. Todd Barr

Commit: California

Barr is part o a ery strong incoming Bears defensive line class along with Mustafa Jalil and Viliami Moala. As the latter two players are interior talents, Barr is a pure perimeter pass rusher at 6'3 and 265 pouds. He's has a quick first step and a full pass rushing plan.

He may be a bit of a tweener according to some since he's 265, but I think he can be left cleanly at end. He loses leverage in his take on times.

30. Davon Mooreland

Commit: SMU

Mooreland is headed to SMU to and will become a star as a pass rusher. He has all the tools to develop into all conference type end, with a 6'3, 230 pound frame that will easily gain another 20 pounds.

He's a bit under the radar, yet his athletic ability, range, speed, and quickness will get him some attention in North Texas.

29. Kyle George

Commit: Rutgers

George is 6'4" and 240 pounds with 4.6 speed to run down ball carriers from the backside on trying to turn on his corner. He's very stout against the run and plays freely to make plays off the edge.

He's a bit light right now and needs to add strength for big tackles in the run game. He will stall out i his pass rush at times.

28. Shane Ray

Commit: Missouri

Ray is a weakside end who also has deceptive athleticism which will allow his college coaches to use him in zone blitz type schemes as an underneathshort area defender. He's 6'4 and 220 pounds with long arm to tip passes and his stride allows him quickly jump on top of offensive linemen.

He can be ran at right now and struggles to anchor vs. the rn. He's not explosivein his take on at the point of attack.

27. James Adeyanju

Commit: Wisconsin

Adeyanju his the size of a strongside end and the speed and playmaking ability of a weakside end. He's 6'2" and 250 pounds and plays with great passion and high motor. He has the size and strength to anchor against the run and is effective as a pass rusher.

He likely could be more of string side end in college than a pure speedy, one trick pass rusher. He needs to continue adding to his pass rush plan.

26. Jesse Hayes

Commit: Wisconsin

It seems the Badgers have collected defensive end commit after another in our rankings as Hayes is also headed to Camp Randall. He's a tough ed who welcomes the challenge of playing the run, which is rare on the prep level. He comes off the edge relentlessly as a rusher and his 6'4", 230 pound frame has deceptive speed, agility, and quickness to it.

He'll need to continue working on his burst ad closing ability around the pocket.

25. Anthony Zettel

Commitment: Penn State

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.

24. Dylan Wynn

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. 

23. Brennan Scarlett

Commitment: California

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. Charle Hopkins

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. DJ Pettway

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

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

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

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

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

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. Ken Hayes

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. 

14. 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. 

13. Cedric Reed

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.

12. Jason Gibson

Commit: California

Gibson is an outside linebacker and defensive end hybrid type who at 6'2" and 215 pounds will fit in nicely as a stand  up rusher in Cal's unique 3-4 complex scheme. He can be used in a variety of ways and is at his best when he can pin his ears back and wreak havoc on the quarterback.

He'll have to adjust to being a linebacker in college, meaning scraping, lateral pursuing and dropping in coverage.

11. Xzavier Dickson

Commitment: Alabama

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. 

10. Stephen Tuitt

Commitment: Georgia Tech

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. 

9. Steve Miller

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. 

8. Aaron Lynch

Commitment: Notre Dame

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

7. Jalen Grimble

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.

6. Ishaq Williams

Commitment: Notre Dame

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.

5. Greg Townsend

Commitment: USC

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.

4. 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.

3. 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.

2. Jeoffrey Pagan

Commitment: Clemson

Pagan didn't even start playing the position until his junior 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 6'6", 240 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.