National Signing Day: Comparing All the Expert's Picks for the Top 25 Recruits

In recruiting, besides our coverage here at B/R, there seems to be much debated about who has the best coverage between Rivals, Scout and ESPN. ESPN is relatively new to the recruiting scene but seems to do a great job at evaluating prospects and making their rankings based upon tape and not hype or offers.

As with everything in the history of mankind, the top 25 lists of each of the three sites have differences and spark much debate. We'll compare and contrast each three's pick of their top 25 recruits and take a look at where the differences are greatest and least among the three.

Can't we all just get along? 

No. 25

Rivals: Mike Bellamy, RB

Bellamy is dynamite with a football in his hands and headed to Clemson.

ESPN: Bobby Hart, OL

Hart was a star in the trenches at powerful St. Thomas Aquinas and is headed to Florida State.

Scout: Ben Koyack, TE

Koyack is a tall, 6'5" tight end who can stretch the seams and use his length during jump balls.

No. 24

Rivals: Stephone Anthony, LB

Anthony is an athletic linebacker who can also cover well. Clemson, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, South Carolina and North Carolina State are in the hunt.

ESPN: Anthony Chickillo, DE

Chickillo had a coming out party during the Under Armour game and held his own against the nation's best. He's back committed to Miami.

Scout: Bobby Hart, OL

6'5" and nearly 300 pounds, Hart can play guard or center and is headed to FSU.

No. 23

Rivals: Isaiah Crowell, RB

Crowell is down to Alabama and Georgia as his final two. Many consider him just as good as Malcolm Brown.

ESPN: Devon Blackmon, WR

Blackmon played QB in high school but erased any doubt he's receiver by blowing past defensive backs routinely during the Under Armour game. Oregon is his destination.

Scout: Savon Huggins, RB

Huggins is an every down running back with speed, agility, vision and quickness. He's down to Rutgers, North Carolina, Michigan State and Notre Dame.

No. 22

Rivals: Stephen Tuitt, DE

Tuitt flip flopped between Notre Dame and Georgia Tech, eventually sticking with the Irish. He's a 6'5", 260 pound nightmare for offenses.

ESPN: Xzavier Dickson, TE/DE

Headed to Alabama, Dickson could see time at either defensive end, outside linebacker or tight end.

Scout: Kasen Williams, WR

Williams may be the biggest UW receiver recruit since Reggie Williams spurned national programs and decided to become a Dawg.

No. 21

Rivals: CJ Johnson, LB

Johnson learned that not everyone on Facebook is your friend as when he bolted for Ole Miss, the 6'3", 225 pound elite linebacker heard the ires of many Mississippi Bulldog fans.

ESPN: Qaundre Diggs, CB

Diggs is a 5'10, 190 pound cover corner with a smooth backpedal, athleticism, short area quickness and recovery speed bound for Texas.

Scout: Trey Metoyer, WR

Metoyer will head to Oklahoma and bring his 6'2", 185 frame and 4.4 speed to catch touchdowns for Bob Stoops for four years.

No. 20

Rivals: Kris Frost, ATH

Frost is headed to Auburn and will be given a chance to play receiver early on, but many expect him to end up at outside linebacker eventually.

ESPN: Nick O'Leary, TE

O'Leary is the grandson of Jack Nicklaus, and the 6'4", 230 pound tight end is a bull in a china store with the football in his hands. Florida State won his services.

Scout: Ishaq Williams, DE

Williams will move over to stand up outside linebacker in South Bend, and at 6'5" and 230 pounds, if he doesn't get to QB, then he surely will use his length to bat down passes and fill throwing lanes.

No. 19

Rivals: Dee Hart, RB

Hart is an Eric Metcalf like running back who can factor as a runner, receiver and returner all in one game. Could we see him in the Wildcat at Alabama?

ESPN: Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix, S

Dix is a 6'2, 195 pound safety with great range, instincts and ball skills. He could become the next Mark Barron at Alabama.

Scout: Curtis Grant, LB

Scout has Grant at this spot while many others has him higher. The elite linebacker is down to Florida, Ohio State, North Carolina and in-state Virginia.

No. 18

Rivals: Jarvis Landry, WR

Landry is a 5'11, 180 pound receiver headed to LSU. He'll give the Tigers a deep threat who can make plays in space on the perimeter.

ESPN: Jay Rome, TE

Rome finally chose Georgia after being a virtual lock for some time. At 6'5" and over 255 pounds, his hands, length and speed make him the top tight end in the country.

Scout: Kiaro Holts, OT

Holts is a 6'5, 265 pound offensive tackle with length, athleticism and balance. He'll need to bulk up at North Carolina.

No. 17

Rivals: Anthony Johnson, DT

6'4 and 300 pounds, Johnson is considered arguably the top interior defensive linemen in the country. LSU could have the next Glen Dorsey on their hands.

ESPN: Tim Jernigan, DT/DE

Jernigan is a swing defensive lineman prospect, as he is versatile to play inside and outside. 6'2" and 275 pounds, his best trait is his initial quickness and athleticism. Florida State, Florida, LSU, Alabama and Tennessee are all in it.

Scout: Christian Westerman, OL

Westerman has the talent to play right tackle or guard and is the best run blocker in the country. 6'5" and 290 pounds, he opted to spurn Texas in favor of Auburn.

No. 16

Rivals: Ishaq Williams, DE

Williams is at No. 16 on the rivals list after being lower on Scout's. He's headed to Notre Dame and chose the Irish over Penn State and Syracuse.

ESPN: DeAnthony Thomas, ATH

Thomas is at this spot on ESPN while the others have him higher. Headed to USC, the 5'9", 160 pounder has been seen on tape playing running back, quarterback, cornerback, safety and returning punts and kicks.

Scout: Brandon Williams, RB

Williams is bound for Oklahoma and has the potential to develop into a complete runner. He has 4.47 speed on a 6'0" 190 pound frame.

No. 15

Rivals: Sammy Watkins, WR

Watkins will give the Clemson Tiger program its biggest playmaker at receiver since Jacoby Ford left to make plays for the Oakland Raiders.

ESPN: Aaron Lynch, DE

Lynch, like future teammate Stephen Tuitt, played with Notre Dame's emotions, as the 6'5", 260 pound defensive end committed, then de-committed for Florida State, then re-committed back to the Irish.

Scout: Delvin Simmons, DT

Simmons is a 6'5", 265 pound defensive tackle with length to keep clean and strength to power through the pocket. He lists Oregon, Pittsburgh, USC, Rutgers, Texas Tech, Florida and Iowa as schools of note.

No. 14

Rivals: Brandon Williams, RB

Williams is at this notch on the Rivals list. The 6'0", 190 pound runner could follow in DeMarco Murray's footsteps at Oklahoma.

ESPN: Charone Peake, WR

Peake will form a formidable duo week in and week out with Sammy Watkins at Clemson against ACC secondaries.

Scout. Viliami Moala, DT

Moala will eat up space, blockers and clog the A-gaps from day one at Cal. 6'2" and 330 pounds, Moala chose the Bears over USC and Oregon.

No. 13

Rivals: Tony Steward, LB

I feel Steward is a top 10 caliber talent at linebacker, and many agree. 6'2" and 225 pounds, Steward may be the most complete linebacker in the country, which is why Florida State and Clemson are hot after him.

ESPN: Ray Drew, DE

Drew has been unpredictable in his recruitment, but this mornng, he finally settled and chose Georgia. The 6'5, 245 pound ordained minister will definitely need to ask for forgiveness as he crushes SEC quarterbacks.

Scout: Anthony Chickillo, DE

Chickillo's big UA Game vaulted him up to this spot in Scout's national rankings. He's "200 percent" committed to Miami now.

No. 12

Rivals: Trey Metoyer, WR

Metoyer is one of the very elite receiver prospects in the country this year and has release quickness, deep speed and playmaking ability. He's bound for Oklahoma.

ESPN: George Farmer, WR

Farmer is lower on ESPN's list than he is via Rivals and Scout, yet all three agree he is the best receiver in the country. So does USC.

Scout: Steve Edmond, LB

Edmond will get his first crack at the MIKE linebacker position at Texas, though could also put his hand down and rush off the edge on sub packages.

No. 11

Rivals: James Wilder, ATH

Wilder is a 6'2", 220 pound running back/linebacker who is among the strongest players in the country pound for pound. He is bound for Florida State.

ESPN: Aaron Green, RB

Green spurned Texas in the recruiting process to join former Big-12 rival Nebraska as the Cornhuskers move into the Big-10. He's a shifty back with speed, quickness and quick cut ability.

Scout: La'El Collins, OT

Collins is one of the top two left tackle prospects in the country and has the tools to be a stalwart at left tackle for LSU and new offensive coordinator Steve Kragthorpe.

No. 10

Rivals: Malcolm Brown, RB

Brown is Rivals' top running back this year and a complete runner. 6'0", 220 pounds, Brown is comparable to Ricky Williams and Cedric Benson. Like those two, he's headed for Texas.

ESPN: Jeff Driskel, QB

Driskel really came on and impressed at UA game. Showing his mobility, athleticism and cannon arm on a 6'4", 225 pound frame that has already enrolled at Florida.

Scout: La'El Collins, OT

Collins, is bound for LSU and could see time right away. The 6'5", 280 pounder has great feet, athleticism and mirror ability on the edge.

No. 9

Rivals: Ray Drew, DE

Drew chose UGA over Auburn, Clemson, Alabama, LSU and Miami. The 6'5", 245 pounder will likely move to stand up outside linebacker in Athens.

ESPN: Tony Steward, LB

Steward's combination size, speed, athleticism and instincts should get him on the field early and keep him on the field. He's down to Clemson and Florida State.

Scout: Malcolm Brown, RB

Brown committed to Texas early in the process and could see time early in the backfield for Major Applewhite and Bryan Harsin in Austin.

No. 8

Rivals and Scout: Karlos Williams, S

There are some who think Williams will be moved to outside linebacker, while he could, we think he should be left at strong safety. Williams was that good showing off in the UA game, and is headed to FSU.

ESPN: La'El Collins, OT

Here is the spot where Collins lands in the ESPN ranking and deservedly so. He's a top 10 type talent at OT and will prove so at LSU.

No. 7

Rivals & Scout: Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix

Another agreement between Rivals and Scout has safety Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix at No. 7 overall. Dix is headed to Alabama and will let Nick Saban use him all over the field.

ESPN: Malcolm Brown, RB

Brown is here on ESPN's list, and there is nothing wrong with that. He should have a wonderful career at Texas.

No. 6

Rivals: La'El Collins, OT

Rivals has Collins at No. 6 on their rankings list, and he proved his worth during the UA game workouts, battling Jadeveon Clowney well. He also showed great toughness by working through an ankle injury all week.

ESPN: Christian Westerman, OT

ESPN likes Westerman a bit higher than Rivals and Scout, as the right tackle prospect's run blocking and finish ability does merit this ranking.

Scout: Trey DePriest, LB

DePriest comes in this high with Scout, as they must love his instincts, athleticism and range. He's bound for Tuscaloosa to play at Alabama.

No. 5

Rivals: DeAnthony Thomas, ATH

Rivals has Thomas higher on their list compared to this others. Thomas is a bit undersized at only 5'9" and 160 pounds, but makes up for it with elite athleticism and toughness.

ESPN: Karlos Williams, S

As good as Williams is, and Rivals and Scout had him at No. 8, we think he fits just about here, if not higher. 6'2" and 210 pounds at safety with tremendous athleticism, instincts and ball skills. Williams has a chance to be better than Myron Rolle was at FSU.

Scout: Isaiah Crowell, RB

Scout likes Crowell more than Rivals does and almost as much as ESPN does. Crowell has sparked debate all year long about if he is actually better than Malcolm Brown.

No. 4

Rivals: Cyrus Kouandjio, OT

Kouandjio finds himself fourth on Rivals list and a consensus top five player among all three sites. 6'7" and 325 pounds, Kouandjio is a franchise left tackle in the making. He's down to Alabama, Auburn, New Mexico and Iowa.

ESPN: Isaiah Crowell, RB

Crowell is a 5'11, 210 pound running back from Carver (GA) high school and may be the top player in the Peach State. He's a game breaker with big man size, who will wind up at either Georgia or Alabama.

Scout: Anthony Johnson, DT

Scout likes the 6'4", 300 pound Johnson more than Rivals does as he's fourth with Scout and in the twenties with Rivals. Nonetheless, Johnson is a great talent headed for LSU.

No. 3

Rivals: George Farmer, WR

Farmer is at highest here with Rivals and has the biggest difference when compared with Scout, who has him all the way down at 27th overall. We think No. 3 is just fine and 27th is too low for a 6'2", 200 pound receiver with 4.38 speed, hands, route running ability and a dominant play maker on the field.

ESPN: Cyrus Kouandjio, OT

Kouandjio lands at No. 3 in ESPN's top five rankings and rightfully so. Anywhere from No. 2-5 are perfect spots for the top offensive tackle in the country.

Scout: DeAnthony Thomas, ATH

Thomas is all the way to No. 3 with Scout as he is lower in ESPN's rankings. Rivals has him in its top five as the USC bound ATH is an elite level player.

No. 2

Rivals: Curtis Grant, LB

Like Farmer, here is another big difference in rankings. Grant is the second best player in the country when you ask Rivals but only 46th via ESPN, he's 19th via Scout. No matter where he is ranked, there is no denying Grant's a top tier talent.

ESPN: Anthony Johnson, DT

Johnson graded out to be second overall on ESPN's rankings. LSU fans will surely use this boast to rival SEC schools.

Scout:  Cyrus Kouandjio, OT

Here is the highest we've seen Kouandjio, who averages out to anywhere in the top five rankings from all three sites. 

No.1

Consensus: Jadeveon Clowney, DE

Aside from Rivals saying he's 6'6", 247 pounds; ESPN listing him at 6'6", 240 pounds, and Scout having him at 6'5", 235 pounds; Jadeveon Clowney is the consensus national No.1 overall recruit. A terror at defensive end, Clowney is down to South Carolina, Alabama, North Carolina, LSU, Clemson and Florida State. He'll let his intentions be known around his birthday, which is Valentine's Day.