College Football Recruiting 2012: Ranking The Top 10 Offensive Linemen

We move up front to the big "uglies" on the offensive side of the ball. My father used to always tell me that offensive linemen were nice guys with a mean streak, but nowadays some of these guys are just mean guys with a meaner streak.

Programs are looking for the athletic left tackle, drive blocking guard and smart center to make all the calls. This 2012 crop has all of those types and more. Many of the top linemen already boast offers and I can't wait to see how they hold up in one-on-one segments of camps against some top defensive linemen.

Here are the top 10 offensive line prospects for 2012.

10. Ron Scroggins

Scroggins hails from Las Vegas, but make no mistake about the caliber of play he faces as he is from a powerhouse program at Bishop Gorman which produces a ton of prospects every year.

Standing 6'4", 320 pounds, Scroggins currently plays tackle but has the makings of a dominant guard. He's very athletic for a big man and moves easy to pull and trap. He adjusts well to targets and explodes out of his stance head up.

He's hearing from Oklahoma, Washington and Iowa among a group of other schools.

9. Kyle Kalis

At 6'6", 305 pounds, Kalis has the ability to factor as left or right tackle. He's a solid technician and plays with good hand placement in his sets. His feet are nimble enough to get him a look at left tackle.

He has a great grab to lock onto targets, stays on his feet with good balance and agility, and is strong at the point of attack. He is doing a solid job of improving his adjust ad recover ability to inside moves which will only help his pass protection skill set.

Kalis already has committed to Ohio State.

8. Jordan Simmons

Simmons transferred into Crespi (CA) from Dorsey (CA) and when I went and saw him play during his junior season, he was hurt, which was disappointing. But when I was on the field and spoke with him, he certainly passed the eyeball test.

At 6'5", and over 315 pounds, his tape shows a player who could play tackle or guard. Simmons has great athleticism, can slide and mirror well, and uses his feet to beat defenders with angles. He's strong in the run game and moves targets off their marks easily.

He has offers from: UCLA, USC, Miami, Florida, Colorado, New Mexico, New Mexico State, San Diego State, Washington and SMU.

7. Ty Darlington

Darlington will fight for top offensive guard in Florida honors this 2012 recruiting year. He's 6''3", 270 pounds and gets after it up front.

He plays with dominant strength as a drive blocker, explodes at the point and drives his feet to finish, usually with his target on their back. He is the son of a coach and plays with great awareness, looks for work in pass protection when uncovered and understands the importance of technique.

He has over 25 offers from every top program in the country.

6. Zach Banner

Banner is a massive 6'9", 310 pound tackle that makes you bring an overnight bag to run around him due to his ridiculous wingspan. Many times you see players this big and that's just it, they're big. Not Banner.

He moves very well and almost like a power forward on the basketball court. He has a great balance and athleticism for his size and does a solid job of knee bending for such a tall player. He works hard at his craft and technique, while also excelling as a basketball player.

Banner has offers from almost everyone including: USC, Washington, LSU, Alabama, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Miami, Oregon and Tennessee.

5. Brock Stadnik

Stadnik, a 6'5", 290 pound offensive tackle, will be among the top players from the Carolina region this 2012 cycle. He also has a twin brother, Clay, who is a solid player in his own right.

Brock plays with outstanding intensity, focus, desire and a great motor. He's nasty, finishes, explodes out of his stance and looks to pancake targets every snap. He gets good angles on targets and can mirror well as a pass protector.

Florida, Clemson, South Carolina, Penn State, North Carolina and Stanford are just a few offers to name.

4. DJ Humphries

Humphries will battle Stadnik for top offensive lineman honors in North Carolina, as the 6'5", 270 pounder can hold his own against anyone in the country.

He reminds a lot of USC right tackle Tyron Smith, as he has a light frame but his arms are extremely long and he is such an elite athlete. Humphries can be left on an island on the edges, require no running back chip help and handle rushers all game.

He's very high on LSU and I expect him to pledge in the not too distant future.

3. Arik Armstead

There is a debate on Armstead regarding whether he will be an offensive tackle or defensive tackle. He'll open the gates at offensive tackle on my board but I could move him to defense later.

At 6'8", 280 pounds, Armstead combines a long frame with good athleticism to develop into a great edge blocker. He flashes the feet to mirror anyone off the edge, agility to adjust and recover, and strength to dominate as a run blocker. He should be a top level recruit on either side of the ball at the collegiate level.

He'll follow in his brother Armond's footsteps and head to USC.

2. Andrus Peat

At 6'7", 280 pounds Peat has the makings of a solid collegiate tackle. He is light on his feet and can be left on an island to slide, mirror and recover vs. speed rushers.

Peat can also get out on the edge and seal in defenders inside to spring open tosses, sweeps and stretch runs. He plays with good knee bend and brings his feet when he locks on and engages a defender as a blocker.

USC, Alabama, Miami, Texas, Notre Dame, Michigan, LSU, Florida State and Clemson are just the tip of the iceberg of offers for him.

1. John Theus

Theus stands 6'6", 295 pounds and has the makings to be the top offensive tackle in the country this year. He is extremely talented and comes to each down with his lunch pail and hard hat to just work. He reminds of a cross between Sam Young and Nick Alajanian.

He's tough, athletic and has great footwork. Theus knows how to bend his knees, adjust, slide and mirror to stop pass rushers. He has the hands to counter moves and recovery ability to slide inside on interior moves. Theus brings his hips and feet in the run game, can get up to the second level on linebackers and adjusts well in space.

He has offers from anybody who's anybody in college football, including: Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Auburn, Florida State, LSU, Miami, South Carolina, Rutgers, Arkansas, Maryland and UCF.