National Signing Day 2011: Where Are the Top 25 Defensive Players Going?

The future is now in college football. It is National Signing Day. This is the day where the hopes of colleges and fans  are either filled with hope or beaten down with disappointment

Projecting the future performance of an 18-year-old kid is far from an exact science, and having a number one ranked recruiting class doesn't mean that class is going to outperform a class ranked 30th. Still, I'll take my chances with a higher rated class.

If it's true that defense wins championships, then these next 25 guys just gave their prospective colleges a leg up on the competition.

See where all the Top 100 recruits are headed.

No. 25: Jeoffrey Pagan, DE (Alabama)

Pagan is a raw prosprect, but he has all the tools to be a dominant defensive player.

He is 6'3" and 260 pounds. He projects as an end, but has the room to bulk up enough to be a defensive tackle. He has the off-the-ball quickness to excel anywhere on the d-line.

No. 24: Erique Florence, S (Auburn)

Florence is a physical strong safety. He is a fierce tackler and is very solid against the run. He could stand to add a little bulk to his 185 pounds.

If Florence improves his ball skills, along with adding some bulk, he will be an elite safety.

No. 23: Gerod Holliman, S (Louisville)

Holliman is a little on the light side, at 6'1" and 185 pounds, to be a strong safety, but he has room to add some bulk.

He also has great quickness and ball skills. He will make an impact at one of the safety positions.

No. 22: Todd Barr, DT (California)

Barr is a high-motor, play-making force on the interior defensive line. At 6'1" and 265 pounds, he is a little light to be an elite defensive tackle, but he has the frame that will allow him to add some bulk.

Barr chose to stay close to home and continue the recent tradition of dominant interior line play at the University of California.

No. 21: Curtis Grant, LB (Ohio State)

Grant is a good athlete that can cover a lot of ground at the linebacker position. He has spent his time as an inside linebacker, but he has the size and speed to be an outside linebacker.

Grant will have to improve his ability to shed blockers to be a dominant college player.

No. 20: James Vaughters, LB (Stanford)

Vaughters is an exceptional athlete. At 6'2" and 230 pounds he has the size to play inside or outside linebacker and he has even shown the ability to put his hand in the dirt and be an edge rusher.

Vaughters is making a cross country trip as he leaves his Georgia roots for Northern California.

No. 19: Ishaq Williams, DE (Notre Dame)

At 6'5" and 225 pounds, Williams is a little light for a defensive end at the college level. He has plenty of room to add some bulk to his frame.

He is a remarkable athlete and could end up being an elite pass rusher. Ishaq chose Notre Dame over several schools closer to his New York roots.

No. 18: Trey DePriest, OLB (Alabama)

DePriest was an outstanding running back and linebacker in high school. His upright running style and natural hard hitting ability will undoubtedly make him a better linebacker in college.

DePriest has good quickness and instincts. He has the speed to be a great edge pass rusher and the strength to be stout against the run.

No. 17: Antwaun Woods, DT (Southern California)

Woods lacks the prototypical height of a defensive lineman, but at 6'1" and 315 pounds, he does not lack the bulk. 

Woods is tough to block and a disruptive force on the interior line.  

No. 16: Stephone Anthony, OLB (Clemson)

Anthony was a standout running back and outside linebacker in high school. His will be better suited as a linebacker in college.

He has great instincts. He uses his hands well to shed blockers and he is very explosive.

No. 15: Desmond Jackson, DT (Texas)

Jackson has been a dominant nose tackle in his high school's 3-4 scheme. At 6'1" and 275 pounds he does not appear to have the frame to add enough weight to be a nose tackle at the higher levels.

He still projects to be a very good 3-technique defensive tackle. He has good strength and decent quickness. Jackson chose to stay in-state and selected Texas.

No. 14: Steve Miller, DE (Ohio State)

He's a joker. He's a smoker. He's a midnight quarterback toker. And Steve Miller is going to do it all at Ohio State. At 6'3" and 226 pounds Miller is currently a perfect fit at end.

He has the room to add some needed bulk. His quickness and ability to use his hands will make him to tough to block.

No. 13: Giorgio Newberry, DE (Florida State)

Right now, Newberry probably projects as a defensive end. He is 6'5" and 250 pounds. If he bulks up, he may end up on the offensive line.

While which side of the ball he ends up on is not yet determined, his size, quickness and athleticism will make him a force wherever he plays.

No. 12: Gabe Wright, DT (Auburn)

At 6'3" and 285 pounds, Wright already has the size to be a great run stuffing DT. If he adds some more size and strength he may even become a dominant nose tackle.

Either way, this guy should be a fixture on the interior of Auburn's line for the foreseeable future.

No. 11: Anthony Chickillo, DE (Miami)

Chickillo needs to add some strength to become a truly dominant defensive end, and at 6'3", 240 pounds he has the frame to do it. He has the technique and quickness to contribute immediately.

He has good instincts and quickness and he will be keeping it all close to home at the University of Miami.

No. 10: Xzavier Dickson, DE (Alabama)

Dickson is an explosive player on the edge of the line. He has good size at 6'4" and 240 pounds and he has the frame to add even more bulk.

Dickson is a little raw, but he brings a high revving motor and great athleticism. He was also an outstanding tight end in high school.

No. 9: Quandre Diggs, CB (Texas)

Diggs is going to help Texas continue their run of amazing corner play. Diggs also played running back in high school, but his future is likely on the defensive side of the ball.

Diggs has excellent feet and his hands allow him to be an elite bump and run corner. He also has the potential to be a dynamic return man.

No. 8: Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix, S (Alabama)

Clinton-Dix is an excellent athlete. He is the perfect size for a safety, but if he adds some bulk could transition to linebacker. He has great ball skill and big hitting ability.

Clinton-Dix chose to ditch his hometown Florida schools to head to Alabama.

No. 7: Tim Jernigan, DT (Florida State)

Jernigan looks like a dominant defensive tackle who just had a baby. At 6'2" and 275 pounds he lacks the massive bulk to be a big time run stuffer.

He does have solid quickness and strength and of course he still has time to add to that midsection. Even if he doesn't bulk up, his athleticism will lead to him being an effective defensive lineman.

No. 6: Aaron Lynch, DE (Notre Dame)

Lynch is a beast on the edge. He is 6'5" and 250 pounds. He still has room to bulk up. Not that he needs to. Lynch has the strength and size to contribute on day one.

Lynch is leaving behind his in-state Florida schools to become a Golden Domer.

No. 5: Ray Drew, DE (Georgia)

The second rated defensive end, Ray Drew, decided to stay in Georgia. He is a disruptive force on the defensive line. He is still a little raw, but his sheer athleticism left colleges drooling over his potential.

At 6'5" and 250 pounds, Drew has some room to add some bulk and strength. If he can do that while maintaining his quickness, he will be a force not just in college, but on the next level, too.

No. 4: Tony Steward, LB (Clemson)

Steward has a combination of size, speed and strength that will allow him to excel as an inside or outside linebacker.

He is the highest rated linebacker and had his choice of schools. In the end, he turned down his home state school, Florida State, for Clemson.

No. 3: Karlos Williams, S (Florida State)

At 6'2" and 210 pounds, it is easy to see why Williams is the highest rated high school safety. If he adds bulk, he may end up being a linebacker, but whatever happens, he looks like a playmaker.

He has great footwork, speed, explosiveness and ball-skills. Williams kept his talent in-state by selecting FSU.

No. 2: Anthony Johnson, DT (LSU)

Johnson will be staying in-state as he takes all of his 6'3", 300 pound frame to LSU.

Johnson is going to do a lot more than plug a hole for LSU. He is quick off the ball and he should be a disruptive force from the middle of the defensive line.

No. 1: Jadeveon Clowney, DE (?)

That's right—the number one prospect on most boards will be attending the University of ?. Well, actually he is going to name a school, but it won't be until his birthday—Valentine's Day.

I wonder if he will announce his school by picking a little candy heart with their name on it? Whatever happens, whoever he selects is going to to have a great day.

The 6'6", 240 pound end is rumored to favor South Carolina. He has drawn lofty comparisons to Julius Peppers.