College Football Recruiting 2012: Ranking the Top 25 Defensive End Prospects

They say the most important  positions in football are QB, LT, CB and DE, and one can make a case after QB, DE is the next most important. Pass rushers are becoming more and more in demand, really with teams throwing so much, you need more than one.

For the 2012 class, we have some flat out fantastic DE prospects that combine athleticism with size, speed, first step quickness and even strength to play the run.

Here are the top 25 DE prospects in the country.

25. Tom Strobel

Strobel is a giant DE at 6'6", 250 pounds and looks even bigger on the field. He really projects well as a LDE due to his size and strength to play the run.

I also think Strobel would be able to bulk up and play DE in a 30 front. He can stop and stack at the point, shed OLs and make plays vs. the run.

Strobel is headed to Michigan.

24. Mario Ojemudia

6'2", 220 pounds, Ojemudia is a bit light in the pants for a DE but makes up for it with speed and athletic ability.

He could even kick back and play some OLB in college. Ojemudia is excellent at the snap, and in pursuit. He plays with a great passion and aggression level that has him never backing down from blockers.

Ojemudia is committed to Michigan.

23. Leonard Williams

Williams is a player that has a very high ceiling due to his versatility. He can play left end or 3-4 DE in various fronts.

6'5", 250 pounds, he's strong the point of attack, can stop and stack with ease and has great strength to shed and toss blockers. He anchors well against the run and is a super athletic pass rusher. He should likely be moved up on this list.

22. Tyriq McCord

You'll hear me frequently use the term "snap quickness" with pass rushers. Well, McCord has it and then some.

He's not the biggest DE out there at 6'3", 225 pounds, but he simply just jumps on top of OLs with ease. He can fly off the ball, get into a blocker's body, get out of there and get around them to the QB. He plays with a high and revved up motor as well.

21. Greg McMullen

McMullen is a hot name on the trail because of his frame and skill set. If you're a DL coach that prides himself on teaching and developing players with a blank canvas, McMullen is your man.

He's a 6'5", 260-pounder that has this long and imposing frame that could get even bigger. Combine that with great athletic ability and a want to learn more and improve, you may be getting a steal in this guy.

Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame and Ohio State have all offered.

20. Ken Ekanem

Ekanem is a 6'3", 240-pounder with excellent pursuit speed and quickness. Even though he is a stout 240 pounds, he is more of a finesse guy, but in a good way.

He does it by being a better athlete than his opponent while also being aware of the down and distance. He seems to be able to read run and pass very quickly and plays both effectively.

19. Trent Taylor

Oh what a player Taylor. He's a great talent that I expect much out of in college. 6'3", 250 pounds, he had a great junior season finishing with 96 tackles, 13 TFLs and 15 sacks.

He's a solid athlete that can fly off the ball, shows great bend ability and doesn't allow himself to get washed upfield pass the passer. He also can play the run with strength and makes plays in his range.

He's going to Miami.

18. Jordan Watkins

Watkins is a mammoth DE that plans to get bigger. Already approaching 270 pounds, he wants to get to 280 pounds for his senior high school season.

He stands 6'5", and plays with good strength, length and athleticism. He won't wow you too much in a speed category, but he has enough of everything to really factor down after down. Don't be shocked if he grows into a DT.

17. Hassan Ridgeway

Ridgeway is not a true attacking style player per se, as his game is more of a read and react style. He loves to get into the point of attack with a blocker, see if its run or pass and go from there.

He's 6'4", 220 pounds and also spends time on offense in various roles. Ridgeway also shows an ability to bend and get around blocks.

He's headed for Texas.

16. Devonte Fields

Fields is going to be one of those defensive ends that a coordinator uses in all kinds of crazy ways. He can rush the passer, he drop off in zone blitzes, he can cover RBs underneath, there's a lot he can do.

Fields is a 6'4", 225-pounder that excellent size, length and athleticism to factor even as a stand up rusher. Look for him to make plays in college.

He's bound for TCU.

15. Chris Wormley

Wormley is one of the strongest DEs in the country. 6'5", 250 pounds he can really overwhelm a blocker and really shows an ability to convert speed into power during his rush.

I think he can easily, easily play in a 30 front as a DE due to his length, strength and shedding ability. He really uses his power well, tossing blockers aside and stopping the run. Fantastic player.

It's Michigan vs. Ohio State for him.

14. Leonard Floyd

Floyd is a 6'5", 220-pounder that has a lot of natural ability and athleticism. He can really track ball carries, run like a deer and just ball out.

He'll need to learn some nuances of pass rushing, get bigger and stronger and maybe get bit of a nasty streak, but he'll be a good one.

He's committed to Georgia where I think he'll play OLB in the Bulldog's 3-4 scheme.

13. Jonathan Bullard

Bullard is an extremely physical DE at 6'4", 250 pounds and tough. He loves, and even dares offenses to run at him as he excels at anchoring, stacking, shedding and destroying ball carriers.

He's a great player that is only going to get better. He has a junior year that saw him nab 107 tackles, 25 TFLs and 16 sacks.

Watch out for Florida and South Carolina.

12. Martin Aiken

6'4", 240 pounds, Aiken is an intriguing player. He's explosive off the ball, powerful at the point of attack, converts speed to power, and can close on the passer well.

He had a junor season with numbers like 106 tackles, 36 TFLs and 13 sacks. He shows a great fight to pressure and is a menace for an offensive line night after night.

He has offers from pretty much the entire SEC, ACC and Big East among more.

11. Troy Hinds

Hinds has been such a problem on the Utah high school football scene that many teams just shy away from him. At 6'5" 225 pounds, he is an excellent pass rusher.

He has a great burst off the edge, can close to finish and he has great pursuit ability. He can play the run with strength, but also has the range to chase.

BYU, Notre Dame, Utah, Stanford and Nebraska are his top five.

10. Se'Von Pittman

Pittman is a 6'4", 225-pound defensive end who does what an end is supposed to do: rush the passer. He flies off the ball and just crashes down hard off the edges all night.

Athletic and agile, Pittman does a solid job staying clean and has a burst to close and finish. He can be a bit of a one-trick pony at times, as he lacks strength, but a college strength program will improve that.

He's committed to Michigan State.

9. Jelani Hamilton

Hamilton first caught my eye by having a solid Under Armour combine showing in January. From a solid St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) program, he is a solid defensive end prospect.

He shows the ability to become a good end, as he can play the pass and run. He has adequate snap quickness, solid use of hands, strength and a burst. He also flashes good range to chase ball carriers around in stopping the run.

He's headed to Miami.

8. Dante Fowler

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.

He's solid to Florida State.

7. Jordan Jinkens

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 1; 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.

Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Georgia Tech, Tennessee and Auburn are his top six.

6. Channing Ward

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.

LSU, Ole Miss and Mississippi State seem to be the major players.

5. Adolphus Washington

Washington is another pass rusher and among the elite in the country this year. At 6'5", 250 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 comparisons.

Ohio State, Michigan, Kentucky, Miami and Alabama are his top five.

4. Chris Casher

Casher is a 6'4", 240-pounder that is among the finest pure athletes in the country regardless of position. He's so athletic that he even doubles a WR at times for his high school team.

Casher is also known as one of the smartest, most instinctive and aware players in the nation. He plays with excellent speed, strength, balance and quickness and can just lay people out as well.

He's headed to Florida State

3. Darius Hamilton

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.

Rutgers is his leader.

2. Noah Spence

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, at the moment, still seems to be taking the process all in, as he gets a new offer almost every day.

1. Mario Edwards

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.

He is solid to Florida State, in whom he pledged to over Texas.