College Football Recruiting 2012: 13 Players To Watch For No. 1 Recruit Honors

The No. 1 overall recruit title: Who wants it? Who deserves it? Who'll get it?

While we're still gathering information, evaluating and researching various recruits from all over the country, we have 13, count 'em, 13 players we think are in the hunt for top recruit billings.

There are three running backs, a safety, a couple edge rushers and a receiver, among others battling it out. There's even some offensive linemen involved in the mix.

While the No. 1 recruit title is just that, a title, it's always fun to debate who's actually the top player in the class.

Let's take a look at the players who will be battling for the big belt.

13. Caleb Jones, WR

Jones is a receiver who I think will be a 5-star recruit once the spring hits full swing. 6'3", 200 pounds, he has long arms and great hands to aid his catch radius, athleticism to avoid defenders in route running underneath and speed to get deep.

Jones prides himself as a smart player who really looks to be aware of the coverage schemes and techniques a defender employs when covering him. He could be the top player in Texas this year.

He has offers from all the top schools such as Texas, Auburn, Florida State, Oklahoma, Notre Dame and Alabama.

12. Arik Armstead, OT/DE

Armstead is a 6'8", 280-pound trench player from Northern California. He plays defensive end and left tackle right now, but could grow into a defensive tackle in college.

He has excellent quickness at the snap, length to stay clean and athleticism to menace the pocket. He's a great pass rusher and also a threat to bat passes down at the line. Armstead is so athletic that he even has offers to play college basketball.

He committed to USC where his brother Armond is a Trojan defensive end.

11. Eddie Goldman, DT

6'3", 290 pounds, Goldman is a defensive tackle that has a great play strength. He can anchor vs. double teams and make a mess inside. He fires out at the snap and has extremely quick hands to counter vs. blockers during his rush.

There are some knocks on his range and ability to chase laterally, but Goldman is a force in the middle without question.

Both Florida Schools, Iron Bowl Schools, USC, LSU, Miami, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Georgia and Clemson have made offers.

10. Rushel Shel, RB

Shel has certainly lived up the hype of being the among the best rock toters ever from Pennsylvania.

5'11", 215 pounds, he has been timed at 4.4 and 4.5 in the 40. He's big enough to attack a defense inside and fast enough to get outside.

Shel has solid vision, run-strength and instincts. Once he learns how to hold up as a blitz protector, then he can be an every-down back in college.

He has offers from Ohio State, Pitt, Penn State, Notre Dame, Virginia and West Virginia, among others. It could be a race between Pitt, Penn State and Ohio State.

9. Shaquille Thompson, DB

Thomson hails from powerhouse Grant (CA) high school, which was home to Viliami Moala. His brother is Syd'Quan Thompson, a star cornerback at Cal. Shaq is a safety prospect at 6'1", 180 pounds but can also move out to corner.

He has great range, ball skills and instincts. Plus, he is a bone-jarring hitter in the back end middle. He also is an accomplished running back, yet safety is where many feel his best spot is.

He has offers from Cal, USC, UCLA, UNLV and is also hearing from national powers like Tennessee and Ohio State.

8. Noah Spence, DE

Spence and Shel are the top two prospects from Pennsylvania this year, and Spence is a 6'4", 240-pound defensive end prospect. He has an excellent first step, length to stay clean, and a burst to finish and close.

Spence has a solid pass rush plan, hand quickness to counter offensive lineman and plays the run pretty well.

He has offers from Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Virginia, Ohio State, Alabama, Florida and Georgia, among a plethora of others.

7. Keith Marshall, RB

Marshall may be the fastest running back in the country, having been timed as low as 4.32 in the 40.

At 5'11", 190 pounds, he has lit up North Carolina HS Football for years. He's been getting offers since his sophomore season in Raleigh.

Marshall has elite acceleration and burst to skate to and through holes, elusiveness to juke defenders, and instincts to feel out blocks. He sees the front seven well and if he sniffs pay dirt is near, he revs up his motor en route.

He has offers from just about the entire SEC and ACC, along with some Big Ten and Big 12 schools.

6. John Theus, OT

Theus is among the top two offensive tackle prospects in the 2012 class and could be a right or left tackle in college. 6'6", 295 pounds, he has a great work ethic and is likely the top run blocker in the country. He's a mauler who fires out, snaps his hips and rives his feet through his target at every chance.

Theus is also athletic enough to hit moving targets in space and hold his own as a pass protector with solid knee bend, slide, adjust and recover ability.

He has offers from both Florida schools, both Georgia schools, Iron Bowlers, North Carolina, North Carolina State and many others. 

5. Andrus Peat, OT

At 6'7", 280 pounds, Peat is likely the best pure left tackle prospect in the country. A solid technician, he bends his knees, has patience in his sets, never over extends, and rarely panics vs. speed rushers.

Peat has over 25 offers and it is likely because he can slide and mirror against any rusher in the country while also moving defenders off their marks in the run game. He will gain weight in college and become a 6'7", 310-pound elite left tackle.

He has offers from just about everyone: USC, Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Florida State, Miami, Texas and Tennessee to toss a few out there.

4. Mario Edwards, DE

Edwards is the son of Mario Edwards, Sr., the former Florida State and NFL player. He is the top pass rusher in Texas and likely the country.

6'4", 240 pounds, Edwards has the ability to rush the passer with quickness and speed, yet is strong enough to get under a lineman's pads and walk them back into the passer. Edwards also can factor as an underneath zone defender, being used to drop off in short zone coverage.

He has offers from Texas, Florida State, Texas A&M, Florida, LSU and Texas Tech.

3. John Gray, RB

Gray is a complete runner at 5'11", 195 pounds with extreme quickness and agility. He has the numbers and stats to prove his production trend is going up and his vision is supreme.

He can burst to and through holes, jump linebackers in run alleys and push piles with leg strength. Gray has the speed to be a home-run threat at all times and score from anywhere on the field. He's equally dangerous in space and tight quarters.

He has interest from USC, Miami and everyone in the Big 12 and SEC.

2. Kwon Alexander, OLB

Alexander is a linebacker who I think could play on the weak-side or the strong-side in a 4-3, and as an edge rusher in a 3-4. He's a sheer playmaker with excellent range, speed in pursuit and athleticism.

6'2", 210 pounds, Alexander has the skill set to cover tight ends down the field and get upfield off the line to attack the pocket and passer. He has a great burst and closes on tackles in hurry. He's likely the most versatile defender in the 2012 crop.

He has offers from both everyone in the SEC, most of the ACC, the Big Ten, Big 12, Miami, Notre Dame and USC. 

1. Dorial Green Beckham, WR

Green-Beckham is a big receiver who can do smaller receiver things.

He takes a smoke screen or bubble out and goes the distance. He can take a reverse, make a defender miss and get upfield, and he can work in the slot.

Combine that with a 6'6", 220-pound frame and the big receiver skill set he has, and you have Green-Beckham, an elite national player. He has great deep speed, a large strike zone and leaping ability to make plays.

Offers include all the national powers like Ohio State, Florida, USC, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Alabama and Florida State, among many, many others.