College Football Recruits: Eddie Goldman or Ellis McCarthy, Who's the No. 1 DT?

Ellis McCarthy and Eddie Goldman are two of the best DT prospects in the nation. Other talents such as Quay Evans, Malcolm Brown, Justin Shanks, Tommy Schutt and Sheldon Day are also in the mix as well.

But for today, I'm going to zero in on Goldman and McCarthy. Both of these big DTs have a high upside and should develop into studs on the collegiate level.

Let's break 'em down.

Who Is Ellis McCarthy?

McCarthy is a DT prospect out of the Monrovia-Pasadena area in Los Angeles. He burst on the scene last year by performing well at the Army game junior combines.

He posted 70 tackles and 12 sacks as a junior, which really caught many college coaches' eye. He traveled down to the Army game combines and was a force in the one-on-one drills.

He's one of the top overall players in the country and has a list that has been whittled down to USC, Oregon and Cal.

Who Is Eddie Goldman?

Goldman is a trench defender from the Washington, DC area that is a hot name on the trail. He's been mammoth since he was a baby and has always loved football.

Some even say Goldman could be an elite OL prospect, but DT is where his future lies in my eyes. He has close to 40 offers and also is very good academically.

Goldman lists a top seven of Alabama, Auburn, Cal, Miami, Maryland, Florida State and Clemson.

Ellis McCarthy Scouting Report

McCarthy may be the best DL and defensive player on the West Coast. He's a 6'5", 310 lb. DT with an amazing looking frame.

McCarthy shows great snap quickness off the ball, can skinny through doubles and play on the opposite side of the line of scrimmage. He wreaks havoc in the middle and has awesome play strength.

McCarthy can drop, sit and anchor in the middle and plug gaps with his size and power.

Whenever McCarthy plays with leverage and a low pad level, he's virtually un-blockable. His snap quickness is the key to his pass rush, as he's a menace to QBs from the middle.

I feel he needs to play with better hand movement and a pass-rush plan, but that can be coached up in college.

Eddie Goldman Scouting Report

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, you can put Goldman everywhere except 4-3 weak-side DE.

His 6'4", 305 lb. frame, along with his play strength, snap quickness and anchor ability, make him a fantastic prospect for various fronts. Goldman wants to play the three-technique in college and has no interest in the NT position.

He doesn't have the athleticism McCarthy has, but Goldman can chase in a short area and has extremely quick hands. He's strong at the point of attack and has shock value in his punch.

Goldman won't run anyone down and will take a play off from time to time, but he'll learn quickly that won't cut it in college.

Comparing, Contrasting the Two Big Fellas

McCarthy and Goldman have a lot in common and a couple aspects to their games that differ. Goldman is not as athletic as McCarthy, and McCarthy is better in pursuit.

Both have excellent snap quickness and first steps. Both play with great strength, but Goldman plays with more in addition to a lower pad level, which gives him more leverage.

Goldman is also a bit more versatile, and I think the prime position for McCarthy is in a three-technique spot in a 40-front. I have my doubts about Goldman as a three-technique due to his questionable range, but as a 3-4 end, one-technique or NT, he could be money.

Who's Better?

Remember a few years ago, N'Damukong Suh and Gerald McCoy were both graded the same, and Detroit took Suh because he fit their system better? Same case here.

It really depends on your system, as both are big-bodied players with great quickness and strength.

McCarthy is the better fit for the 4-3 under tackle/three-technique spot since you want a guy there that's pretty athletic. Goldman can play other positions due to his strength, size, quickness and anchor ability.

So again, it really depends on what your looking for in your DT.