College Football 2011: Which Incoming Recruit Will Be Best at Every Position?

As we continue our reflection phase on the 2011 recruiting class, we now get back to what matters the most: their on-field talents. With recruiting, we sometimes get lost with stars, rankings and hype to where we forget about the player's true performance level on the field.

Heading into the 2011 college football season, we have some very talented incoming players. We're going to project a little bit and tell you who we think will be the best at each position when it is said and done.

Here we go.

CB: Malcolm Mitchell

Signed with: Georgia

I really like Mitchell's potential as a top notch island defender on the perimeter. He's a 6'1', 190-pound corner with excellent athletic ability. He has length in his arms to press at the line, hips to adjust at the stem and speed to carry receivers deep.

Mitchell's also dangerous with the ball in his hands and could be a return man. Look for some pick sixes to occur in Athens.

CB: Marcus Roberson

Signed with: Florida

I have Roberson here as a corner since he is convinced to stay on the perimeter and not wind up at safety. With his ball skills and range potential, many say Roberson would make an excellent free safety.

He's 6'1", 175 pounds, and I think he will be able to hold his own in Gainesville as a boundary corner if he stays there. He has Charles Woodson-like potential due to his ability to play corner, safety and the nickel spot.

SS: Karlos Williams

Signed with: Florida State

Williams has sparked some debate on whether he will play strong safety or move down to outside linebacker. I think he he can stay at strong safety if he keeps his weight down, as he is already 210 pounds on a 6'2" frame.

He moves around very well, plugs the run in the box and has the speed to get off the hashes. He flashes ball skills, zone coverage instincts and big hit ability.

FS: Erique Florence

Signed with: Auburn

Florence is a 6'2", 180-pound free safety prospect. I really think he's going to be a good one for Auburn once he learns the backend calls to line everyone up. Florence has great ball skills and straight-line speed. 

He needs to improve the transition out of his backpedal as he can a bit straight-linish at times, but his range and high point ability are excellent. 

SLB: Lamar Dawson

Signed with: USC

Dawson has a great chance to see early playing time in Troy at the strong side linebacker spot. He can plug the run on the line of scrimmage over tight ends, anchor down, shed and make plays. At 6'2", 230 pounds, he's already a big linebacker.

SAM linebackers are also charged with covering tight ends in most schemes in coverages and Dawson has the speed and athletic ability to do so.

MLB: Tony Steward

Signed with: Clemson

There is debate of what linebacker spot Steward will play for the Tigers as he can actually fit well in all three positions, but for this list will put him smack dab in the middle.

Steward's instincts are off the charts, he has speed to jump running backs in all alleys, and he can play sideline to sideline. He can factor in coverage due to great athletic ability on a 6'2", 220-pound frame.

WLB: Stephone Anthony

Signed with: Clemson

Anthony fits the WILL bill in my list because of his range. Although I wouldn't label him as just a chase player, he can chase well from the backside. He's 6'3", 225 pounds, which is big for a WILL, but Anthony moves around effectively.

He rarely gets caught in traffic in pursuit, has great play speed and is physical enough in straight ahead runs.

SDE: Jadeveon Clowney

Considering: Clemson, South Carolina and Alabama

Clowney is the top overall recruit and is a 6'6", 250-pound defensive end that I believe will be the next Michael Strahan, Julius Peppers or Mario Williams. I expect him to be in the 270 range by the time he becomes a first-round pick.

He can play the strongside because he's extremely strong, explodes at the point of attack and can anchor against tight ends. On passing downs is when Clowney can pin his ears back and go. He can convert speed to power with ease, has a good pass rush plan and a burst to finish.

NT: Viliami Moala

Signed with: Cal

If I were to change my front to a 30 look, Moala still would play the NT spot. In this 4-3 alignment type list, he'd play the one technique and clog the middle. Despite standing 6'2", 330 pounds, he has great quickness and a motor that doesn't stop.

I really think he's an underrated player could develop into a Haloti Ngata type of player in Berkley. He's that good.

DT: Anthony Johnson

Signed with: LSU

Johnson is another player who could fit in a 3-4 defense. At 6'4", 300 pounds, he has strength to hold up at the point. He has tremendous snap quickness, quick hands and can push the pocket from the inside. He's another player down the road I expect to be in the NFL.

Besides, you don't get a nickname like "Freak" for anything.

WDE: Greg Townsend

Signed with: USC

I have Townsend on the weakside, because I think he will become a great pass rusher in Hollywood. He has the potential to be better than Omar Nazel, a former USC defensive end who was the fourth man in the 'Wild Bunch II" a few years back. At 6'4", 240 pounds, it's clear that Townsend's father has shown him how to rush the passer.

He has a great pass-rush plan and arsenal and really knows how to set keep tackles off balance. He has an array of moves and tricks to combine with athleticism, speed and a solid first step to jump on top of blockers.

LT: Cyrus Koaundjio

Signed with: Alabama

I like Kouandjio a bit more than La'El Collins, the LSU OT signee. Kouandjio is a 6'7", 325-pound specimen. He could end up in the 340-pound range by the time he bolts from Tuscaloosa and has great athleticism for a left tackle.

He held his own against Jadeveon Clowney in UA workouts and his potential is off the charts. He finishes nasty as a drive blocker and once he develops his pass protection skills full circle, wow.

LG: Greg Robinson

Signed with: Auburn

I have Robinson as a left guard due to his projected move inside but athleticism to play on the left side of the line. He plays with a good deal of bend at the knees, moves well in short areas and can get up field on the second level while keeping his balance to hit moving targets.

He adjusts well on the move, explodes at the point of attack and will move SEC defenders off their marks at Auburn for years. 

OC: Reese Dismukes

Signed with: Auburn

Dismukes fits the nasty, lunch-pail type of player needed in the pivot. He's 6'4", 290 pounds, has a great football IQ, can call and set protections and looks for work when he's uncovered.

Once he learns all the line calls, protections and adjustments at Auburn, I expect him to develop into a solid center. It could take a bit of time, but he's a worker who loves the game, plays with fire and holds his own against stronger defensive linemen.

RG: Alex Mitchell

Signed with: Washington State

Mitchell is under the radar but I think he will end as one of the best offensive linemen in this year's class. He's a 6'2", 310 pound phone booth mauler who erases targets in a short area, which right guards are supposed to do. He can hold his own in the pass protection, but his play strength is vastly superior to most.

He may be the best drive blocker in this year's class, and I think he will end up as an All Pac-12 right guard.

RT: Antonio Richardson

Signed with: Tennessee

Although Richardson has the ability to play left tackle and guard, I think he will end up at right tackle in Knoxville. A great prospect for the offensive front at 6'6"and 310 pounds, Richardson has the athletic ability for his size to stay on the front edges.

He's a better run blocker than pass protector which is why I foresee a move to right tackle and not left. But he moves defenders off their marks, can block in space and will be a pass pro guy on the right side.

TE: Jay Rome

Signed with: Georgia

Once Rome hits the weight room and becomes stronger in his upper body, he should take off. He has an incredibly large strike zone due to his extremely long arms, soft hands and speed to get up the seams.

Rome runs solid routes, but has learn how to release vs. traffic and set up defenders underneath. I think he has a very bright future.

WR: George Farmer

Signed with: USC

If the 6'2", 200-pound Farmer can overcome his occasional concentration lapses, then he should become a standout at receiver USC, and that's saying something with all the talent at the position already in Los Angeles.

He has 4.3 speed, dazzled at the Army Game workouts, and has the strength and athleticism to make play after play.

WR: Sammy Watkins

Signed with: Clemson

I have Watkins down as a quicker-than-fast athlete. Rather than knocking his speed, that just speaks volumes about his quickness. He builds up fast in his release off the line and can beat defenders deep once he gets his tires moving at the top of his route. He can turn a bubble or smoke screen into a touchdown with a 6'1", 190 pound frame.

I expect him to develop int a Jacoby Ford-like playmaker at Clemson.

RB: Malcolm Brown

Signed with: Texas

Brown is a 6'0" 220-pound running back, a beast with the ball. He has been favorably compared to Ricky Williams and Cedric Benson en route to Austin. He has great run strength to push piles, vision, instincts and is dangerous in the red zone as he revs up his motor to score.

Down the road, I don't think we'll be talking about him as a player who flamed out.

RB: Savon Huggins

Signed with: Rutgers

I have Huggins here because I expect him t have an immediate impact at Rutgers, and his production will be higher than some of he other running backs due to increased opportunities for touches. He's a 6'0", 190 pounder who should weigh in the 210 range in the future.

He has good speed, some wiggle in the open field and is strong enough to break tackles after contact.

QB: Jeff Driskel

Signed with: Florida

Driskel is QB that I really expect big hings from down he road. He has it all: size, arm strength, accuracy, vision, mobility. He also will be coached by Charlie Weis, who's resume speaks for itself. I expect him to sit and watch John Brantley play in his freshman year and then take over in 2012.

6'4", 225 pounds, Diskel is also a baseball prospect but looks at football as his top priority.