College Football Recruiting 2012: Comparing the Top 10 Recruits to NFL Stars

When I worked in the NFL, one of the very crucial things I learned is scouts must compare players all the time.

As a scout at heart, naturally when I look at players on film or live, I try to find another more known player to compare them to in order to give the reader a clear picture of the player's skill set.

So I'm going to give you a quick rundown of a NFL scouting exercise and take 40 elite high school players and give you a comparison of a NFL player they are similar to in overall skill set. 

Honorable Mention No. 1: John Theus, OT

A 6'6", 295-pound mauler in the run game, Theus will get physical and nasty in the run game with anybody on any field. 

Eric Winston is the same way, and what's interesting about both players, is each of them are solid athletes too. They can mirror well on the edges and solidly protect the passer.

Honorable Mention No. 2: Jameis Winston, QB

Winston is a 6'4", 190-pound QB prospect with dual-threat abilities. He has just about every tool you need to succeed in any situation as a QB—arm strength, accuracy, vision, instincts, quick feet and leadership.

From a physical standpoint, Jason Campbell and Winston are very similar. Tall and lanky QBs with great athleticism and everything else, I think both can play with anybody.

10. Stefon Diggs, WR/DB

Diggs may be the most versatile and special all-around offensive weapon in the country. At 6'0" and 190 pounds, he is a quicker than fast athlete who can play WR, RB, DS and CB, while also returning punts and kicks.

As a WR, his skill set, type of speed/quickness and playmaking ability remind me of Hakeem Nicks of the Giants. 

9. D.J. Humphries, OT

At 6'6", 270 pounds and easily the most naturally gifted athlete among offensive linemen in the country, Humphries is a future All-American LT. He is a shadow to pass-rushers and gives them fits.

Immediately when I saw him on tape, the Jets' D'Brickashaw Ferguson came to mind. Look up Humphries and see for yourself.

8. Arik Armstead, DE

Armstead is a huge DE at 6'8" and 280 pounds. He's also a great athlete, strong at the point of attack, has good feet, can close and can set the edge against run.

I also think Armstead can play DE in a 30-front for a 3-4 team and do it the way Chris Canty did in Dallas before he bolted for New York.

7. Kwon Alexander, LB

A 6'2", 210-pound OLB with perhaps the best athleticism and most range of any defensive player in the country, Alexander is a prime-time player. He defines the term "sideline to sideline," as he can beat RBs to holes and OLs with angles.

Alexander also can factor as a blitzer and can stay on the field in passing situations with ease due to his easy change of direction to cover RBs and TEs.

Michael Boley of the Giants is the same way.

6. Noah Spence, DE

A 6'4", 240-pound speed rusher—and just a natural at getting after the passer—Spence is viewed as the best pass-rushing DE in America. He has a sharp first step and burst to close on the passer to finish.

He stays clean, is strong enough to convert speed to power and can do this standing up. DeMarcus Ware is my comparison for him, as Ware is the prototypical pass-rusher in football.

5. Eddie Goldman, DT

Goldman is a DT who can pretty much play almost all of the DL positions in football. From 4-3 DT to 3-4 DE, I can put Goldman everywhere except 4-3 weak-side DE.

His 6'4", 305-pound frame, along with his play strength, snap quickness and anchor ability, take me to Marcus Stroud during his days with the Bills. Stroud allowed the Bills to routinely flip from 30 to 40 fronts—series to series.

4. Andrus Peat, OT

Peat is the most complete LT prospect in the country on my board, and now that he has added weight to his 6'7" frame to jump up to the 300-pound range, you have to love this guy.

He's very heady and cerebral and seems to set his opponents up two, three snaps ahead. He looks like Joe Thomas of the Browns as a LT and should be a great one in college.

3. Johnathan Gray, RB

Gray is an uber-productive RB prospect with a 5'11", 195-pound frame. He has silenced skeptics on his hands, as he caught everything in his zip code at The Opening last week.

From his lateral quickness, long speed, run strength, vision, patience, foot quickness, tackle-breaking ability and natural run instincts, Gray is the high school version of how LaDainian Tomlinson looked in his Chargers' heyday.

2. Mario Edwards, DE

A 6'4" DE prospect who weighs in between 260 and 270 pounds, not to mention looks like a DE and moves like a receiver, Edwards is an elite player who should only get better in college at Florida State.

He reminds me of Justin Tuck, in part because of his ability to kick inside and rush from the middle on third downs, set the edge on the flanks versus the run, shed and also rush the passer with speed and quickness.

1. Dorial Green-Beckham, WR

6'6". 220 pounds. 4.3 speed.

Explosiveness. Leaping ability. A huge catch radius. Quick cut ability. Strength to beat press coverage. 

Yeah, Dorial Green-Beckham is a physical beast of WR prospect. That's why he's the clone of Calvin Johnson, AKA Megatron...or Vincent Jackson of the Chargers as well.