College Football Recruiting 2012: Bold Predictions for the Top 50 Recruits

Last week we unveiled our first, full Hot 100 board in regards to the top 100 recruits for the 2012 class. The 2012 recruiting cycle is in full swing. The Spring evaluation period is just about here, the camps and combines circuit is running on all cylinders and players are starting to chop down their lists and make pledges.

Today we are going to focus on the top 50 recruits for the 2012 class. We're going to make some pretty bold predictions, not with their school selection, but about their overall futures.

You think we're crazy, dumb, brilliant or wacky, but this should be fun.

Let's go!

50. Aziz Shittu, DT

Shittu burst on the scene a few weeks ago, as he was basically unblockable at the Nike Camp in Los Angeles. He dominated one on ones and made evaluators go back and watch more tape of his junior season.

At 6'3" and 275 pounds, Shittu had 6.5 sacks and over 75 stops from his defensive tackle spots as a junior. He does it with a combination of snap quickness, strength and athleticism on every snap.

Look for Shittu to become a first team All-Pac-12 player at Stanford.

49. Matt Jones, RB

Jones is a big back prospect who stands a large 6'3", 210 pounds. Most big backs are stiff, straight-line bruising types, but Jones is the contrary.

He has very good athleticism and has good wiggle for a big back. He is decisive with his reads, hits holes hard and can also be used as a receiver.

Jones will rush for 1,000 yards in a season before he leaves Florida.

48. LaDarrell McNeil, DS

McNeil is a safety prospect who can play both the free and strong spots in the back end. At 6'2", 190 pounds, he shows a very good knack to read and react versus the run and he is dynamic in the box. Yet he also has good enough athletic ability to roam around.

If I had to choose what specific spot I like him at, it would be strong safety. I like him more there just because he's a bit better playing the run than he is playing the pass.

McNeil will be a freshman All-American at the school he signs with.

47. Dante Fowler, DE

Fowler is a tweener prospect that can be listed as a defensive end or an outside linebacker. Wherever he's listed at, just know he is a dynamic defender and pass rusher.

At 6'3", 240 pounds, he can play the run well and chase ball carriers all over the field. On third downs, Fowler revs up his motor and gets after the passer with speed, quickness and explosion.

Fowler will end his career at FSU with more sacks than Kamerion Wimbley.

46. Kennedy Estelle, OT

At 6'7", 305 pounds, Estelle looks like a college tackle right now. He has excellent length throughout his frame and, most importantly, his arms. He can keep the rush out of his body and watch them pass the QB down after down.

Yet he really excels in the run game, showing mauler ability and he finishes well. He can be used on an array of blocks and can play left tackle in college.

Estelle will be an all-conference left tackle before his junior season.

45. Brian Poole, CB

When looking at a corner, I always really look to see if he is sticky coming out of transition and his breaks. This is one of the most important traits for a cover corner, and Poole has it big time.

At 5'11", 180 pounds, he is a sticky cover man who can carry receivers all around the field. He has great jamming ability when pressing and doesn't back down from anyone.

Poole will lead the country in interceptions at least once in college.

44. Wes Brown, RB

Brown is a very solid running back prospect from the Mid-Atlantic region and has the tools be a complete runner on the collegiate level. He's solid in all areas of his game and stands 6'0" and 190 pounds.

He shows good patience and understanding when to attack downhill out of his stance, and when to let things develop. He can pick and slide to holes and he has the juice to skate through. Look for Brown to develop into a very solid back down the line.

I think Brown will catch 35 balls in a season twice in college.

43. Jordan Diamond, OT

Diamond's skill set upon watching him on film projects well to a zone-blocking scheme offense. He shows a great ability to get up on linebackers on the second level and he can hit moving targets efficiently.

At 6'6", 290 pounds, he has solid athletic ability and knee bend, which helps him in pass protection. He does a good job of sliding when engaged and recovers well.

Diamond will be a two or three time finalist for the Outland trophy in college.

42. Jordan Jinkens, DE

At 6'3", 245 pounds, Jinkens may be able to come in as a true freshman and make an impact as a sub rusher from day one, he's that athletically gifted. You watch him on tape and you see a burst and ability to beat blockers at the snap.

He can bend well off the edge and close on the QB in a flash. He plays the run well and just needs to get seasoned. Keep an eye on him.

Jinkens will be a first-round NFL draft pick to a 3-4 style defensive team as an OLB.

41. Zach Banner, OT

Banner is the longest offensive tackle in the country, and I mean that about his overall reach and wingspan. He stands 6'9", yes 6'9", and weighs 300 pounds. 

Banner is not just a stick figure, as he shows great athleticism on the edges to set up quickly, bend his knees, slide, mirror and anchor versus all rushers. He can use his long arms to wash, but also can get up in targets's chests as drive blocker.

Banner will become a better right tackle than left tackle in college.

40 Matt Davis, QB

Davis missed most of his junior season with a torn ACL, but the Houston-area prep football scene knows about him and so do evaluators and college coaches. At 6'1", 200 pounds, he's a play-making QB who can beat you two-fold.

Davis has a solid arm that can attack levels of the defense all over the field. He's accurate in and out of the pocket and can make plays as a runner with his legs.

He will pass Reggie McNeal on the Aggies' total offense list.

39. Eddie Williams, DS

Williams is an elite free safety prospect that is 6'4" and 205 pounds. Some list him as an ATH because he is that versatile, showing an ability to factor at a plethora of positions.

DS, WR and OLB are all spots that you could see Williams play in college, but free safety is his best spot. He's instinctive in coverage, quick to recognize routes and he can pluck interceptions out of the air with ease.

Look for Williams to become the best free safety Nick Saban has ever coached.

38. Nelson Agholor, ATH

There is talk that Agholor may be the most athletic player in Florida this year, and his tape does nothing to dispel that notion. At 6'2", 180 pounds, he makes play after play all night long.

He can factor as a safety, receiver, running back or corner. Talk is that his best spot may be safety, but you can't count him out as a receiver. He's dynamic with the ball in his hands, but then again he could be an All-American safety. Decisions, decisions.

My bold prediction for Agholor is he actually spurns safety, spurns receiver and becomes an elite corner.

37. Kyle Murphy, OT

Another player, another offensive lineman. I mentioned at the jump, it's an outstanding year for offensive linemen and corners. Murphy is another great one and stands at 6'7", 270 pounds and he has solid athleticism for an offensive trench man.

He excels in pass protection and gets by through being simply more athletic than his opponents. Once he gets coached up in college, look out, because he will combine athleticism with technique and that could equal no sacks for opposing rushers.

Murphy will develop into the best right tackle in his future school's history.

36. Channing Ward, DE

Ward is a 6'4", 240 pound pass-rush specialist who could play OLB in a 3-4 scheme. He has good athleticism, shows a pass-rushing plan and plays well with his hands.

He shows a burst at the snap and bend ability, yet what really makes Ward special is knowing that his hands can be a weapon. Most rushers just try to out-run blockers and get stuck when engaged. Ward can get free.

Ward will become his school's all-time sack leader.

35. Leonte Carroo, WR

Carroo is one of the best players, not only in New Jersey, but on the East Coast. A 6'2", 200 pound receiver, he has very good strength to release off the line to fight press coverage, and he can break free and scoot upfield with speed.

Once he breaks out of his cuts with suddenness and sharpness to gain separation, he becomes QB friendly, as Carroo catches almost everything in sight. He's also a deep threat with solid RAC ability as well.

Carroo will catch over 65 passes twice before he leaves college.

34. Jessamen Dunker, OT

Dunker may possess the highest ceiling of any offensive line prospect in the nation for 2012. At 6'6", 310 pounds, he is a former hoops player who has only played football for a limited amount of time.

His film shows a super-athletic future left tackle who can mirror quick rushers and match power in the run game. With coaching, Dunker could become an All-American player and perhaps a high-round draft pick.

Dunker will become an All-American and first-round left tackle...while playing right takcle in college like Tyron Smith.

33. Reggie Ragland, LB

Watching and evaluating Ragland on tape was fun and a treat to do, as seeing a big player move around so fast was a sight to see. At 6'4", 245 pounds, he actually plays receiver for his high school team. Yes, receiver.

But many project Ragland to linebacker in college, as he shows tremendous instincts, run-plug ability and plays to his size at the point of attack. But he also has the speed and range to make tackles outside the box and work in coverage as well.

Ragland will be better than Dont'A Hightower and Rolando McClain as an ILB at Alabama.

32. Trey Williams, RB

Williams is not very big, but he's very fast, slippery, explosively quick and elusive. At 5'8", 175 pounds, Williams is a stick of dynamite in the backfield and can score anytime he touches the rock.

He uses his lack of height to his advantage, sliding and hiding behind his line, then darting when he sees a crease. He may not be an every-down back in college, but I still expect him to be very productive.

Look for Williams to become the best third down back in the country before his junior season in College Station.

31. Jordan Simmons, OL

Simmons has the talent and ability to play tackle and guard, but I like him as a guard more. At 6'5", 335 pounds, he shows very, very good athletic ability, strength and balance as a blocker.

He can even play some center in a pinch, too. He does have some baby fat around his body, but a college strength program will shed that and he is one of the very elite line prospects in the country.

I think Simmons becomes an All-American pick...as a guard.

30. Landon Collins, DS

Collins is a 5-star recruit and one of the top players in the country, as he can play safety and outside linebacker. At 6'0", 205 pounds, Collins shows to be uber-instinctive in the box, physical versus the run and rangy to chase and pursue.

He's productive in space and in coverage, showing an ability to factor in the zone due to his awareness. He always finds a way to the ball and hates getting caught in traffic. Look for him to be one of the best strong safeties to come out of this class.

Collins will be the best strong safety prospect since Roy Williams.

29. Brionte Dunn, RB

Dunn is your classic big-back prospect. He's a bruiser who does the dirty work in between the tackles and loves to mix it up in run alleys. At 6'1", 215 pounds, he's a chugger that relishes contact.

I like the way Dunn finishes runs and plays to his size upon contact. He's physical and has excellent run instincts. He's not a blazer, but has just enough wiggle to get some extra yards.

Look for Dunn to become the best "big back" since Beanie Wells at Ohio State.

28. Ellis McCarthy, DT

McCarthy is a defensive tackle who I think will see himself rise up the board higher before the final board comes out around NSD 2012. He's a dynamic force in the middle at 6'5" and nearly 310 pounds, but he has very, very little body fat.

That speaks to his frame, as he has college size and strength right now. He can overpower blockers and walk them back at the snap, or he can use his quickness and athletic ability to blow by them. McCarthy is quick to read and react versus the run, but he also can rush the passer from the interior like an end.

I think McCarthy winds up at USC and becomes the best DT for the Trojans since Darrell Russell.

27. Kyle Kalis, OT

Kalis is a 6'5", 305 pound lineman's type of lineman. He's a lunch-pail type that works on the fronts each snap, whether at right or left tackle. He's best in the run game, showing an ability to play with good leverage at the point of attack and finish ability.

He can pull and trap well due to his easy movement. As a pass protector, Kalis displays solid foot quickness to slide and mirror well. I like him most at right tackle.

Look for Kalis to be a starter at right tackle by his sophomore season.

26. Josh Garnett, OG

Garnett may be the best offensive guard prospect from the Washington area since Steve Schilling. At 6'5", 275 pounds, he has a high ceiling and plays with great athletic ability, knee bend and strength. He also may be able to kick out to tackle in a pinch in college.

Garnett has good snap quickness, gets into his opponent's chest, walks them back and he can finish. He holds his own in pass protection, as he can work well in the short area confines at guard.

Before he leaves college, a debate between Garnett and Simmons for who the best guard in college football will be a running story in their careers.

25. Malcolm Brown, DT

I really liked Desmond Jackson last year, a defensive tackle Texas signed in 2011 and I also really like Brown for their 2012 defensive line class. At 6'2", 280 pounds, Brown looks like a great future 3-technique, as his quickness at the snap is formidable.

He flies off the ball, blows by guards, disrupts offensive fronts and plays in the backfield.

Brown will team with Jackson at Texas and be a part of the best defensive tackle tandem in America two years from now.

24. Adolphus Washington, DE

Washington is another pass rusher and among the elite in the country this year. At 6'6", 240 pounds, Washington has the size to play the strong side in college, but also the athleticism, play speed and quickness to man the weak side as well.

He has a long frame to stay clean, he can convert speed into power quickly and forcefully, and he bends solidly. Washington is also a noted hoops prospect, which is why you hear the Julius Peppers comparison.

Washington will be all-conference pass rusher and hoops player in college.

23. Shaq Roland, WR

Roland is a receiver that is here because his ceiling is so high. At 6'1", 180 pounds, he has played multiple spots, but receiver is his definite future home position in college. He just needs to spend more time and coaching there.

Dynamic with the ball in his hands, Roland shows very good play seed and explosiveness. He isn't very strong, but can beat press with change of direction and quickness in his release. He flashes great separation quickness and solid hands.

Roland ends up at South Carolina and passes Alshon Jeffrey and Sidney Rice in consideration for best Gamecock pass catcher in the 21st century. 

22. Avery Johnson, OT

When you watch Young move around on tape, you wonder if he could even play tight end, as he is that athletic. He has not even scratched the surface as to how good he can be, as the 6'5", 275 pounder looks like a potential left tackle.

He can set up quickly, slide, mirror, bend, recover and anchor versus rushers down after down. He has the ability in the run game to say hello to linebackers, reach out on sweeps, pitches and pull and trap well.

Young will be two-time All-American before he leaves for the draft.

21. Jarron Jones, DT

At 6'7", 290 pounds, Jones finished his junior year with 68 stops and 10 sacks. He can be a dynamic force in the middle due to his size and overwhelming length. I also think he can play end in a 30-front scheme as well.

Jones does a solid job of bursting at the snap, using his size to lean on blockers, wearing them down and shedding to make a stop. He understands when he needs to summon his quickness, which is usually on third downs to rush the passer.

Jones will lead all college defensive tackles in tackles twice in his career.

20. Steforn Diggs, WR

Diggs is a player that can factor as a receiver or safety. In my opinion, I could move him onto the ATH board or DS board, but in the end he is simply too good with the ball in his hands not to play on offense.

At 6'1", 190 pounds, he is a quicker than fast athlete, but he does have tremendous speed. His RAC ability is amazing, and he is likely tops in this category in the country for 2012. Diggs can shake, bake and clean the dishes routinely.

Diggs will be in top five in major receiving categories while becoming the nation's leading kickoff returner in the same season. 

19. Eddie Goldman, DT

Goldman is a 6'5", 305-plus pound defensive tackle that has "special" written all over him. He has the quickness to jump blockers at the snap, strength to toss, shed and anchor ability to stop double teams in their tracks and make a mess in the middle.

He wants to play 4-3 tackle, but some teams like him at 3-4 nose. He can play both well in my opinion, and could even play 3-4 end. He isn't a wow-you type of athlete that will chase in pursuit, but Goldman does have a bit of range.

Look for Goldman to develop into a better 30 front defensive lineman than a 40 fronter and get drafted as a combo nose/end by a 3-4 defense NFL team.

18. Darius Hamilton, DE

Hamilton is a 6'4", 245 pound defensive prospect that can do it all.

Most ends at the high school level only focus on their pass-rushing prowess, yet Hamilton shows the strength to anchor and shed against the end.

Toss that in with his elite pass-rushing ability, and you see a 5-star prospect on the defensive edge.

The latest with Hamilton is that he is lining up visits for the spring. He has no leader at the moment and is really looking at who is after him the hardest.

Look for Hamilton to have a Shaun Cody-like college career, as he comes in as a DE recruit but grows into an athletic defensive tackle.

17. Jameis Winston, QB

At 6'4", 200 pounds, Winston combines a rifle for an arm along with great play speed and running ability.

The most recent tip on Winston is that he wants to make an early decision. He is narrowing in on a decision, and this summer we will know where the signal-caller is headed.

Wherever he goes look for Winston's career numbers to rival Colin Kapepernick's. 

16. Cayleb Jones, WR

Cayleb Jones is a 5-star prospect at receiver, like I said he would be. At 6'3", 190 pounds, Jones is among the top receivers in Texas and the country.

There really isn't much going on him, as he gave Texas and Mack Brown a pledge in late February and seems solid to honor that commitment.

Look for Jones to finish his career in Austin with better career numbers than Limas Swead.

15. DJ Humphries, OT

The natural comparison for Humphries' game seems to be Jets left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, and rightfully so.

At 6'6", 270 pounds, Humphries is a left tackle through and through and is likely the best athlete in the trenches in the country.

Florida seems to be the leader by a wide margin at the moment, and I think he goes there and becomes the top Gator left island blocker in history.

14. Shaq Thompson, DS

Thompson is a 6'1", 185 pound safety prospect who can also play running back and a little bit of cornerback as well.

His brother Syd plays for the Denver Broncos, and Shaq was the top player for Nor-Cal powerhouse Grant HS (Calif.) as a junior.

Recently Thompson pledged to California, but a few days later, he opened his recruitment. I still think he ends up at Cal in the end, where he becomes the best Bear safety in school history.

13. Zeke Pike, QB

There is talk that Pike may be the top QB in the country, and you can easily make a compelling argument for that to be true.

At 6'6", 225 pounds, Pike possesses a cannon for an arm to go along with elite size and very good athletic ability.

Pike has drawn some whispers about his attitude, and getting ejected from a recent seven-on-seven game will not help his case to defend against character concerns.

Pike goes to Auburn where he never beats out Kiehl Frazier.

12. Quay Evans, DT

At 6'2", 320 pounds, Evans is an immovable object in the trenches. He has great strength and I like him as a 1-technique or a nose tackle.

Once Evans gets his hands on a blocker and inside the body, it's over, as he can use brute and sheer strength to toss them around or power over them to get into the backfield.

He has the girth to be a space eater, but also the athleticism to make plays along the line. Evans ends up with a better career than Marcell Dareus had.

11. Rushel Shell, RB

At 5'11", 215 pounds, Shell is among the best running backs in the country. He has elite vision, awareness and run instincts to go along with great speed and run strength.

Not much has been let out in regards to Shell, but I do notice that it seems he glows when he speaks about Pitt, Ohio State and Florida.

Shell rushes for over 1,100 yards twice in his career.

10. John Theus, OT

At 6'6", 295 pounds, Theus excels at drive blocking and has the ability to finish.

Solid in pass protection, I think Theus' best spot is right tackle.

Theus' brother, Nate, is a long snapper at Georgia, and the Bulldogs have been talked about as the early favorite for John.

John and his father took an unofficial visit to Athens to meet with new offensive line coach Will Friend, who replaced Stacy Searles.

Theus will become a better guard than tackle in college.

9. Kwon Alexander

At 6'2", 210 pounds, Alexander is a fantastic linebacker prospect. He has tremendous play speed and range and will be a three-down defender in college.

He projects well at WILL, but I think he can also play SAM in a 4-3 scheme due to his ability to carry tight ends around the field in coverage.

One of the top prospects in Alabama bar none, Alexander claims no favorite at the moment. He will win the Butkus trophy as a junior.

8. Keith Marshall, RB

Perhaps the fastest running back in the country, Marshall is a touchdown machine.

I liken him to a Marshall Faulk, as he can impact the game as a runner, receiver and even as a returner.

At 5'11", 185 pounds, Marshall has been timed in the 4.3 range in the 40. Marshall will rush for 1,000 yards while receiving for over 700 yards twice in his career.

7. Noah Spence, DE

Spence is the top pure pass rusher in the country and easily has the quickest first two steps in America. He flies off the ball and gets after the QB with tenacity, passion and sheer speed.

At 6'4", 245 pounds, he has been compared to Dwight Freeney, although he is a bit longer and taller than the 6'1" Freeney. 

Spence will lead the nation in sacks twice in his career.

6. Gunner Kiel, QB

At 6'4" and over 200 pounds, Kiel will have to fend off some top gunslingers through the cycle for top QB honors.

Yet he is one of the top prospects at the moment and has a great arm, mobility, accuracy and solid vision. He reminds me a bit of Blaine Gabbert.

Kiel's uncle Blair was a QB at Notre Dame in the 1980s, and the Irish are hot after Gunner, along with Oklahoma and a host of other schools.

Kiel ends up at Notre Dame and leads the country in yards and touchdown passes as a junior.

5. Mario Edwards, DE

The most complete edge defender in the country, Edwards is a 6'4", 275 pound monster of a defensive end.

He has the strength to play the run, anchor, stop and stack at the point and shed blocks. Then he has the speed to chase and pressure passers all night long.

Look for Edwards to actually grow into an athletic 3-technique defensive tackle.

4. Arik Armstead, DE/OL

At 6'8", 280 pounds, Armstead has been talked as the top prospect in the country. He can play defensive end, defensive tackle and also shows the feet and balance to play left tackle.

The brother of current USC defensive end Armond Armstead, Arik is a mammoth who isn't just a big man; he's an excellent athlete as well.

Armstead wants to play defensive end where he will start out at, but don't be surprised if he becomes an All-American left tackle.

3. Andrus Peat, OT

At 6'7", 280 pounds, Peat is the top line prospect in the country and will be a franchise left tackle.

He reminds me a lot of USC left tackle Matt Kalil coming out of high school. Sound in his technique, smart, patient and savvy in pass protection, Peat is an elite offensive lineman.

He is still wide open, but he did take a trip to Florida State recently, along with visiting USC as well.

Peat becomes a first-round pick as a left tackle.

2. John Gray, RB

Gray is the top running back in the country on my board, as the 5'11", 195 pounder's production is that of three backs.

He has over 6,000 yards and 109 touchdowns over the past two seasons alone. Gray has elite vision, feel, instincts, elusiveness, speed and quickness.

The latest on Gray is that he will not be a participant in any combines in the near future due to a shoulder injury. He and Malcolm Brown will become the best one-two running back tandem in the country at Texas.

1. Dorial Green-Beckham, WR

I have Green-Beckham as the top player in the country on my board, as do many other talent evaluators.

At 6'6", 220 pounds, the only knock I have on him right now is his release quickness off the line.

Other than that, Green-Beckham has the hands, separation quickness, catch-in-crowd ability and playmaking talent to become a dominant receiver in college.

He becomes the most complete receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson.