Texas still on top in 2011

The first wave of June camps has come and gone with many programs taking big steps in building their 2011 classes. One thing that hasn’t changed since the June 2 national rankings is the team on top. The Texas Longhorns added another big time prospect on Saturday continue to build their lead in the race for the nations top class.

1.Texas (21 commitments)

The Longhorns hit another recruiting home run with their most recent commitment. For the second year in a row, Mack Brown and staff reeled in the top prospect from the state of Oklahoma. Cornerback Josh Turner (Oklahoma City/Millwood) made the call on Saturday. In Turner, Texas is getting a top national cornerback prospect. At 6-feet, 175-pounds with very quick feet, 4.45-straight line speed, hip flexibility, the ability to play the ball in the air and elite level closing speed, Turner has emerged as one of the top defensive back prospects in the country with offers from many of the top programs in the country.

The 2011 class is headlined by an outstanding group of offensive linemen. Guard Sedrick Flowers (Houston, Texas/North Shore), 6-foot-3, 285-pounds, may be the top interior line prospect in the country, while tackles Christian Westerman (Chandler, Az./Hamilton) and Garrett Greenlea (Houston, Texas/Klein Collins) are two of the nations best with Westerman a probable five-star prospect. Tackle Josh Cochran (Hallsville, Texas) has a lot of upside at 6-foot-6, 270-pounds featuring quick, reactive feet and guard Marcus Hutchins comes from talent rich program DeSoto located south of Dallas.

Athlete Quandre Diggs (Angleton, Texas) and defensive tackle Desmond Jackson (Spring, Texas/Westfield) are top 50 type prospects nationally. Jackson, 6-foot-1, 273-pounds, will play his high school position at the next level, but the future position of the 5-foot-9, 194-pound Diggs is up in the air. The brother of San Diego Chargers cornerback Quentin Jammer could line up at running back, slot receiver, nickel back or safety at the next level. Both will play in the Under Armour All-American game in January 2011.

Turner is just one of several impressive defensive back recruits in the class. Safety Sheroid Evans (Sugar Land, Texas/Dulles), 6-foot, 180-pounds, could be the fastest player in the country with a season best 10.39 100-meter time and 20.76 200-meters. Evans will get looks at safety and corner. Joining Evans in the secondary is likely nickel back Leroy Scott (Houston, Texas/South Houston) and safety Mykkele Thompson (San Antonio, Texas/Stevens).

Running back/full back Joe Bergeron (Mesquite, Texas/North Mesquite) may be the most underrated player in the class. The 6-foot, 228-pounder has terrific hands, power and quick feet for a big back. If not Bergeron, outside linebacker Kendall Thompson (Carthage, Texas) will take that honor. The 6-foot-3, 234-pound Thompson can play in space, takes instinctive angles and has terrific hands.

With prospects such as running back Malcolm Brown (Cibolo, Texas/Steele), tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (Gig Harbour, WA), running back Aaron Green (San Antonio, Texas/Madison) and others still considering the defending Big 12 champs, expect the Longhorns to finish with another top three class.

2.LSU (11 commitments)

The Tigers are cleaning up in state and it’s a great year to dominate in Louisiana. The 2011 class in state is a special one drawing comparisons to a couple of past classes that produced several NFL players. Defensive tackle Anthony Johnson (New Orleans, La./O. Perry Walker) could be the top interior lineman in the country with a blend of power, quickness, speed and hand strength. Left tackle La’El Collins (Baton Rouge, La./Redemptorist) is among the top three offensive tackles in the class, while receiver Jarvis Landry (Lutcher, La.) and running back Kenny Hilliard (Patterson, La.) are among the best in the country at their position. Hilliard is on pace to shatter the state rushing record entering his senior season.

The immense talent in the Tigers class doesn’t stop with the headliners. Running back Jeremy Hill (Baton Rouge, La./Redemptorist), WR/CB Alonzo Lewis (St. James, La.) and offensive guards Trai Turner (New Orleans, La./St. Augustine) and Corey White (Baton Rouge, La./Capitol) are four more members of the special class in state.

As is usually the case, Les Miles and staff dipped into the Lone Start state for a top prospect. Linebacker Trevon Randle (League City, Texas/Clear Springs), 6-foot-1, 205-pounds with 4.6-speed, is one of the most athletic, hardest hitting defenders in Texas.

3.Alabama (14 commitments)

Alabama continues to build on the momentum of the national title with June bringing two more commitments. Offensive guard/center Isaac Luatua (La Mirada, Ca.) is a perfect fit for the power running game of the Crimson Tide. The 6-foot-2, 300-pounder picked Alabama over offers from UCLA, Tennessee and Arkansas among others. Joining Luatua as an early summer commitment is inside linebacker Vinnie Sunseri (Tuscaloosa, Ala./Northridge), the son of assistant coach Sal Sunseri.

Receiver is the strength of the class so far with commits from speedy playmaker Bradley Sylve (Port Sulphur, La./South Plaquemines), 6-foot-3 Marvin Shinn (Prichard, Ala./Vigor), physical and very athletic Danny Woodson (Mobile, Ala./LeFlore) and Daryl Collins (Gadsden, Ala.). Sylve, Shinn and Woodson will be three of the top ranked pass catchers in the country.

Sylve and Shinn will play in the 2011 Under Armour All-American game.

Throw in the vastly underrated tight end Malcolm Faciane (Picayune, Ms.), 6-foot-6, 260-pounds, and the Crimson Tide have an abundance of weapons to incorporate in the future.

Safety Hasean Clinton-Dix (Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips), an Under Armour All-American, and outside linebacker Brent Calloway (Russelville, Ala.) are among the best at their positions in the country, while defensive tackle LaMichael Fanning (Auburn, Ala.), 6-foot-6, 275-pounds, oozes high-ceiling potential. Defensive end D.J. Pettway (Pensacola, Fla./Catholic) is one of the top defensive linemen in Florida featuring elite level foot quickness for his size, 6-foot-3, 255-pounds.

Alabama has a very good chance to finish with the nations top ranked class when the ink dries in February. The Crimson Tide remains major players for a number of the top prospects from coast-to-coast.

4.Oklahoma (16 commitments)

The Sooners have enjoyed a June run of commitments led by three very talented line prospects. Oklahoma stayed in state gobbling up tackle Dylan Dismuke (Duncan, OK), 6-foot-6, 290-pounds, and headed north gaining a commitment from massive tackle Derek Farniok (Sioux Falls, SD/Washington). The 6-foot-9, 320-pound Farniok had offers from Wisconsin and UCLA among others. Rounding out the line prospects is 6-foot-5, 280-pound defensive tackle Jordan Phillips. Phillips is fluid, quick and chases the ball very well for his size.

Cornerback Brandon Carter (Euless, Texas/Trinity) rounds out the foursome of June commitments. The 5-foot-10, 163-pounder picked the Sooners over offers from Duke, Wake Forest and Minnesota.

Oklahoma got their quarterback from in state in smooth lefty Kendal Thompson (Moore, Okl./Southmoore), who is the son of former Sooner signal caller Charles Thompson. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Under Armour All-American is joined in the class by a number of the top prospects in the Lone Star state headlined by defensive end and Under Armour All-American Nathan Hughes (Spring, Texas/Klein Oak), U.S. Army All-American and receiver Trey Metoyer (Whitehouse, Texas), bursting and darting running back Brandon Williams (Brookshire, Texas/Royal) and a host of others. Williams will also play in the Under Armour All-American game in January.

Defensive tackles Marquis Anderson (Cibolo, Texas/Steele) and Jordan Wade (Round Rock, Texas/Stony Point) provide the Sooners with a pair of talented interior prospects. Wade, 6-foot-3, 290-pounds, has athleticism in spades. Defensive end Cooper Washington (Muleshoe, Texas) is another athletic small school lineman the Sooners have snagged out of Panhandle.

Athlete Danzel Williams (Arlington, Texas/Martin) could line up at safety, corner or running back for Bob Stoops and staff. The 5-foot-8, 185-pound Williams was an all-state pick in the secondary as a junior and will play in the 2011 Under Armour All-American game.

While Oklahoma won’t have the big numbers of some others, another top 10 class is a sound bet.

5.Ohio State (15 commitments)

The Buckeyes already had a very impressive start to the 2011 class with 11 talented commitments headed into the summer, but a pledge from one of the nations top quarterbacks and three others have pushed Ohio State into the top five. Simply put, signal caller Braxton Miller (Huber Heights, OH/Wayne) is one of the top prospects in the entire 2011 class. A true dual threat quarterback, the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Miller is a huge get for Jim Tressel and staff.

Miller is joined by receivers Devin Smith (Massillon, OH/Washington) and Evan Spencer (Vernon Hills, IL/Vernon Hills High) as well as defensive tackle Joel Hale (Greenwood, In./Center Grove) as June commitments.

The Buckeyes began their impressive haul by building a class full of big time defensive line prospects. Defensive tackle Michael Bennett (Centerville, Ohio), end Kenny Hayes (Toledo, Ohio/Whitmer), end Steve Miller (Canton, Ohio/McKinley) and end Chase Ferris (Elyria, Ohio) make up the best group of defensive line prospects in any class to this point.

Add in three offensive linemen, led by guard Brian Bobek (Palatine, Ill./Fremd), and the Buckeyes are stockpiling talent on both lines and filling needs very well in a program that is built on physical play.

Ohio State has also dipped into the Sunshine State for a pair of prospects as they look to do yearly. Safety Jeremy Cash (Plantation, Fla.) is one of the states top defensive backs as well as one of the states most physical players. Tight end Jeff Heuerman (Naples, Fla./Barron Collier) is a blocking specialist.

Ohio State is likely to remain in the top 10 throughout the 2011 recruiting cycle.

6.Florida State (13 commitments)

The Seminoles continue to put together an impressive class. College football’s dominant program of the 1990’s picked up a big commitment last week in receiver Rashad Greene (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas). The 6-foot-, 175-pounder is one of the most explosive athletes in the Southeast Region having run low 4.4-forty times on a consistent basis along with ultra quick shuttle times and a 37-inch vertical.

Along with Greene, the Seminoles picked up a quarterback commitment in recent days. Jacob Coker (Mobile, Ala./St. Paul’s) isn’t on the radar like others in the class, but is a 6-foot-5, 210-pound strong-armed thrower.

Secondary is the strength of the class. Safety/corner Keelin Smith (Port St. Lucie, Fla./Treasure Coast), safety Cortez Davis (Daytona Beach, Fla./Mainland), safety Lamarcus Brutus (Port St. Lucie, Fla./Treasure Coast) and Tyler Hunter (Valdosta, Ga./Lowndes) will provide Florida State a boost in the secondary.

Defensive tackle prospects Nile Lawrence-Stample (Davie, Fla./Nova) and Derrick Mitchell (Jacksonville, Fla./First Coast) are athletic, imposing prospects. Lawrence-Stample was a hit at the Davie Under Armour combine in March with combination of agility, strength and speed. Mitchell’s father played basketball at Florida State.

Trey Pettis is one of the top center prospects in the country, while athlete Karlos Williams (Davenport, Fla./Ridge) brings versatility to the class.

Florida State is positioned nicely to hit a couple of home runs and finish with a class that could remain in the top 10.

7.Florida (8 commitments)

Florida entered the summer with four terrific prospects and has quickly doubled that number, most recently adding uber athletic outside linebacker prospect Ryan Shazier (Plantation, Fla.). The 6-foot-1, 202-pounder with a non-stop motor and very quick first step has legit 4.5-speed and a 38-inch vertical.

Prior to Shazier, Florida picked up even more speed and playmaking ability in receiver Javares McRoy (Lakeland, Fla./Lakeland High). The explosive 5-foot-9, 168-pound McRoy had been committed to Texas Tech, where his brother inked in February of 2010. McRoy can score from anywhere on the field whether by catch, run or in the return game featuring 10.6 100-meter speed and quickness is spades.

Joining the impressive duo as June commitments for Urban Meyer and staff are offensive lineman Tommy Jordan (Ridgefield, CT) and fullback Hunter Joyer (Tampa, Fla./Catholic).

The Gators class is led by super quarterback prospect Jeff Driskel (Oviedo, Fla.). The 6-foot-3, 224-pound Driskel has dominated at combines and Elite 11 this spring both athletically and as a thrower of the football. The ball jumps out of his hand with effortless velocity with each impressive throw proceeded by quick, athletic drops and reactions.

Tight end A.C. Leonard (Jacksonville, Fla./University Christian) was dominant at Badger 7-on-7 in Tampa. At 6-foot-2 ½, 232-pounds, the long armed prospect made tough catches in traffic for touchdowns seem effortless. Leonard is one of several top tight notch tight end prospects in a loaded Southeast Region.

Defensive end Jeoffrey Pagan (Ashville, NC), 6-foot-3, 260-pounds, brings versatility with the ability to play end or tackle at the next level as one of the top line prospects in the country. Athlete De’Ante Saunders (Deland, Fla.) is one of the regions best.

Expect the Gators to finish with another top 10 class, if not top five.

8.USC (8 commitments)

Many wondered if prospects would immediately jump ship with the crushing NCAA sanctions that were handed down earlier this month. So far, so good for the Trojans, who have picked up a pair of commitments this month. Quarterback Cody Kessler (Bakersfield, Ca./Centennial) is one of the nations best signal callers, while offensive guard Marcus Martin (Los Angeles, Ca./Crenshaw) is a high school teammate of commitment De’Anthony Thomas (Los Angeles, Ca./Crenshaw).

Thomas, 5-foot-9, 160-pounds, is one of the nations best. While he is a solid prospect as an all-purpose running back with big play ability, he has the ability to be a special player on the defensive side of the ball and in the return game. Pound for pound, Thomas may be the most physical player in the country.

Defensive tackle Antwaun Woods (Woodland Hills, Ca./Taft) will require a double team and defensive end Jalen Grimble (Las Vegas, Nevada/Bishop Gorman) is of the best on the West Coast.

QB Max Wittek (Santa Ana, Ca./Mater Dei) will continue to throw to high school teammate Victor Blackwell at the next level. Blackwell, 6-foot-1, 185-pounds, has big time ability.

The Trojans ability to build on their class will be interesting to watch. Will the eight current commitments stick long term and just how much will Lane Kiffin and staff be able to build on their impressive start minus the numbers others will enjoy.

9. Stanford (17 commitments)

The Cardinal has dipped into 10 states to build their 2011 class, including most recent commits from inside linebacker James Vaughters (Tucker, Ga.) and running back Remound Wright (Fort Wayne, In./Bishop Dwehger). Vaughters, a 2011 Under Armour All-American, is one of the top linebackers in the country.

Offensive guard Brendon Austin (Parker, Co./Chaparral), defensive end Charlie Hopkins (Spokane, Wa./Gonzaga Prep) and linebacker Anthony Sarao (Absecon, NJ/Holy Spirit) are all among the top prospects in their states.

A pair of running backs from Stanford’s home state are also headliners. Amir Carlisle (Sunnyvale, Ca./Kings Academy) and Kelsey Young (Norco, Ca.) will be speed to the Stanford program.

Left-hander Evan Crower (San Diego, Ca./St. Augustine) is one of the more underrated quarterback prospects in the country.

10. Nebraska (11 commitments)

Nebraska continues to build an impressive class coming off an impressive season. A June 19 commit from athletic quarterback Bubba Starling (Gardner, Ks./Edgerton) and June 17 pledge from defensive back Daniel Davie (Beatrice, NE) keep the Cornhuskers in the top barely holding off a hard charging Clemson program who picked up big time commitments in recent days.

Starling, 6-foot-5, 195-pounds, is not only one of the top signal callers in the Midwest Region, but also one of the top pure athletes with 4.5-speed and quickness.

Offensive line is the strength of the class led by two of the nations best in Tyler Moore (Clearwater, Fla./Countryside) and Ryan Klachko (Springfield, Il./Sacred Heart). The jewel of the class to date, however, is athlete Jamal Tuner (Arlington, Texas/Sam Houston). The 6-foot, 175-pound Turner is a big play waiting to happen with the ball in his hands. He has quickness, straight-line speed and the ability to make defenders miss in small spaces. He could play receiver or corner on the next level along with being a factor in the return game.

Fast rising corner Tevin Mitchel (Mansfield, Texas/Legacy) emerged in the spring as one of the Lone Star states best. The 6-foot, 172-pound Mitchel has the ability to develop into a lock down corner.