College Football Recruiting 2011: The Top 10 Prep School Recruits

Prep school can sometimes be a great thing for a recruit. The best example that comes to mind recent time is LeSean McCoy. Shady signed with Miami out of high school, but his grades led him to a prep school.

He matured and learned how to handle academics and football in a balanced way and signed with Pittsburgh out of prep school. He used what he learned in prep school to become a second-round pick by the Eagles.

Jacoby Ford, Jared Gaither, Shonn Greene and Brandon Albert are all other great examples of how prep school can help a player on and off the field. Prep school players are mostly there because of academic or off-the-field issues, and the competition is usually at a high JC level, which helps prepare players for college ball.

As we look back into the 2011 recruiting cycle, here are the top 10 prep school prospects.

10. Justin Taylor, DE: Virginia Tech

Taylor fits the VaTech player mold because he's tough and hardworking. At 6'3", 230 pounds, he can play defensive end or outside linebacker. He hails from Hargrave Military Academy, which is a popular prep school that ushers out elite football talent.

Taylor has the tools to succeed as a SAM linebacker, then put his hand down and rush the passer with effort, competitiveness and quickness from the edges. He'll bring great versatility to Frank Beamer and Bud Foster's defenses.

He's qualified and ready to play for the Hokies on those world-famous Thursday night ESPN games. Cue "Enter Sandman" right about now.

9. Nate Clark, OT: Maryland

The last time the Terps got a prep school offensive tackle, he turned out to be a top-flight NFL left tackle named Jared Gaither. Randy Edsall is hoping he gets the same profit that Ralph Friedgen got by taking in Nathaniel Clark.

Clark is 6'5", 310 pounds and has a great balance to re-direct, adjust, slide and mirror on the edges. He gets after it as a run blocker and looks to finish. Clark plays with a chip on his shoulder in the trenches and will be looking for a starting spot at Maryland as soon as he arrives on campus.

He showed great maturity and leadership in staying pledged to Maryland throughout the Friedgen firing, Mike Leach rumors and eventual hiring of UConn coach Randy Edsall. 

8. Khaynin Mosley-Smith, DT: Pitt

Mosley-Smith is the type of defensive tackle that is annoying to an offensive line. He compares to Mike Patterson, formerly of USC and now with the Eagles. He's 6'0", 290 pounds and has the makings a great one-gap penetrating defensive tackle.

I really think Mosley-Smith's best spot is in a 4-3 scheme at the three technique. He can shoot gaps by using his quickness and leverage to stay skinny and make plays in the backfield.

Pitt will move to a 3-3-5 scheme under first-year head coach Todd Graham, but look for the Panthers to use Mosley-Smith to shoot gaps in the defensive trenches. He has been loyal to Pitt, committing to them in high school, staying committed when he left the program and even sticking with them during the Wannstedt-Graham coaching change.

7. Djwany Mera, DE: Rutgers

Mera is another great player out of the Hargrave Academy program. Headed to Rutgers, the 6'4", 225 pound defensive end has a great frame to pack on some extra weight and potential to develop into a solid pass rusher.

Mera does a solid job at using his length to stay clean and keep blockers off his body. He comes off the ball well and has a solid burst to close and finish. He's capable of playing the strong side as Mera flashes anchor strength against the run.

He surely will help add depth, athleticism and length to the Scarlet Knights' defensive line corps.

6. Rodman Noel, DB: North Carolina State

Noel is a big defensive back who stands 6'3", 210 pounds and can play both free and strong safety. He's athletic enough to get off the hashes on the back end and can be given a deep third to roam. Noel also has great read/react skills to the run.

He fills run alleys well and likes to mix it up and be physical. I'm not sure if Noel is the type of safety where he can be left man on man against slot receivers, but his awareness in zone coverage, willingness to attack the line of scrimmage vs. the run and overall instincts should get him on the field.

He looked bound for Maryland, but has committed to North Carolina State.

5. Brison Williams, CB: South Carolina

Williams is a versatile defensive back who can play corner and safety. He has good size and bulk for a corner at 5'10", 200 pounds and can really do a solid job of re-routing at the line.

Better at the boundary than he is at the field corner spot, Williams does a solid job supporting the run. He can hold his own in off man, displaying solid hips and transition quickness, can turn and run and makes a play on the ball when he can.

He will have a great corner to watch up close and learn from in Stephen Gilmore at South Carolina, where Williams can adjust to D-I college life, Ellis Johnson's defensive scheme and SEC receivers.

4. Kelcy Quarles, DT: South Carolina

The Gamecocks strike again here as they get another top-10 prep schooler in Quarles. At 6'4", 265 pounds, Quarles has the versatility and potential to grow into a defensive tackle or become a big strong-side end.

He has the strength to anchor and hold up on the outside and the quickness to shoot gaps in the interior along the trenches. Wherever he ends up, he's expected form a great tandem with Jadeveon Clowney. Quarles is a solid athlete for a big man and flashes some short area range to chase down in the run game.

He's heavy handed and has a solid grab and throw move as a rusher. He should develop into a great starter for South Carolina, and has been committed there since 2008.

3. Marquel Wade, WR: Arkansas

Arkansas has upgraded its pass catching talent under Bobby Petrino and now features guys like Greg Childs, Joe Adams and elite tight end DJ Williams.

Marquel Wade wants in and will get in. The 5'11", 180 pound Wade has great release quickness, doesn't need to build up off the line and cuts in and out of his breaks very quickly and sharply. He's a great athlete and has good ball skills for the receiving position.

What also has Razorback fans giddy is the fact that Wade can impact their special teams units as a dynamic returner. He's a playmaker and Petrino will definitely find creative ways to get him the ball in space in Arkansas.

2. Corey Crawford, DL: Clemson

Crawford is listed at defensive end, but already weighs 275 pounds, and I think he may grow into a defensive tackle. At 6'5", he has a great size to play the strong-side spot on the edge if he's left out there.

Crawford also possesses the strength to anchor at the point of attack, which is why I also think he can end in a 3-4 scheme as well. He has solid athletic ability, snap quickness and range. He plays on the other side of the ball and can react quickly to read and diagnose run plays.

Crawford pushes the pocket from the edges and can also move inside to rush in sub-packages if he is asked to. He keeps coming and coming and loves to use his strength to walk blockers back with bull rush moves.

He's headed to Clemson and could see time immediately with the Tigers.

1. Martavis Bryant, WR: Clemson

At 6'4", 200 pounds, Bryant is the forgotten man in the receiver trio Clemson signed. Sammy Watkins and Charone Peake get most of the hype, but Bryant will quickly show fans that he is on their level.

Bryant is a terror in the red zone and has tremendous natural ball skills. His size and athletic ability remind me of Dwayne Jarrett coming out of high school. Bryant knows how to shield defenders away from the ball, has the leaping ability to catch in crowds and has solid speed to get behind a secondary.

He and Charone Peak will pose red zone problems for ACC defenses, and along with Sammy Watkins, they will give the Tigers a receiving trio for the future.