Over the past week, I reviewed more film on this year's top senior High School football players while also analyzing the tapes of the ESPN Under Armour and U.S. Army All-Star games. Below is a list of 10 potential 2012 Impact Freshmen who "flashed" on film and in one of the All-Star games:
WR Marvin Bracy, Florida State commit: Bracy may be the fastest players in the nation with legitimate 4.35 speed and will also run track at FSU. On film, he will remind you a little of Packers Rookie WR and Returner Randall Cobb, as he is explosive in space and can be a weapon in the slot and on special teams. Expect Bracy to make an immediate impact for the Noles next fall, giving QB EJ Manuel another weapon while also jumpstarting the Noles' return game.
DE Dante Fowler, Florida State commit: While fellow FSU commit DE Mario Edwards Jr. will receive more hype, Fowler has great power and edge explosion and will form an amazing bookend duo with Edwards over the next 3-4 seasons. He reminds me a little of former Noles' star Reinard Wilson, and Folwer and Edwards could end up reminding many of WIlson and his former star teammate Peter Boulware before the two leave Tallahassee.
DE Noah Spence, Ohio State commit: Spence was electric off the edge on film and during the Under Armour All-Star Game, as he had 3 sacks, 4 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and numerous pressures during the contest. Spence may have been the best player in the game, as he demonstrated a lighting quick first step, a high motor, hip explosion and great bend off the edge. He will step right into the Buckeyes' two-deep and will make an immediate impact off the edge in passing situations. He and Army All-Star DE Adolphus Washington will also form quite a duo in Columbus.
RB T.J. Yeldon, Alabama commit: Yeldon has great size at 6'2' and 210-pounds, incredible power and athleticism, which was demonstrated during the Army All-Star game when he twice went airborne to allude would-be tacklers. He and Texas commit Jonathan Gray are the two best RB's that I've seen on film this year, and Yeldon will be able to immediately step into the void left by RB Trent Richardson, who is expected to announce that he will be turning pro.
RB Jonathan Gray, Texas commit: Gray lacks great size, but he is physical, finishes his runs and has tremendous quickness and acceleration. Moreover, he may have the best hands of any RB in the 2012 Class and is capable of being an immediate three-down back in Austin. Gray will split time with Freshman starter Malcolm Brown and will give the Longhorns the nation's best blend of power and speed with their 2012 backfield. Also, watch for Texas to have offensive sets where both Brown and Gray are on the field together to take advantage of Gray's quickness in space and his unique receiving skills.
S Shaq Thompson, Cal commit (see above): Most experts regard Thompson as one of the top two Safety prospects in the Class of 2012, as he possesses great size -- 6'2" and 210 lbs -- speed, instinct and tremendous explosion through a ball carrier. Thompson has an aggressive, intimidating style that you would expect from a LB, while also having the ability to excel in coverage. Thompson leads what could be Cal's finest recruiting class in the last 25 years.
DE/OLB Ifeadi Odenigo, Northwestern commit: Odenigo, who only started playing football as a sophomore in high school, is one of the top 3 recruits in the Pat Fitzgerald era. While raw and still needing to add some bulk strength to his upper body and trunk, Odenigo has tremendous edge speed (4.5 forty) and first-step quickness and should improve immensely with reps, coaching and Northwestern's solid strength and conditioning program. He will be able to see the field next fall as at least a situational edge rush rusher, or to replace outgoing four-year starter Vincent Browne at DE.
DT Ondre Pipkins, Michigan commit: The 6'3 and 325-pound Pipkins will be able to help immediately fill the void of Michigan losing both starting senior DT's to graduation, including All-Big Ten selection Mike Martin. Pipkins has great quickness, tremendous strength and a non-stop motor. While he can improve his technique and tighten up his build, you can't teach the quickness and athleticism that he possesses. If he can push underachieving but ultra-talented DT William Campbell to play with intensity on every down, the Wolverines should have two outstanding two-gap standouts next fall.
CB Brian Poole, Florida commit: Poole has NFL size -- 5'11 and 195-pounds -- and an NFL build and plays with great instinct and explosion. He is very physical in run support, has loose hips and can really break on the ball. In fact, he seems to move at a different speed than other players and even demonstrated this in the Under Armour Game. He should be a future All-SEC player who will finally fill the void left when CB Janoris Jenkins was dismissed from Florida last year.
S Landon Collins, Alabama commit: Collins will be able to step right into the shoes of departing Safety Mark Barron, who will likely be the first safety selected in the 2012 NFL Draft. Collins, like Thompson, has great size, explosion and toughness and can also fill a hole like a LB. He possesses 4.43 speed, fluid hips and tremendous instincts as well as some nastiness, which will remind you a little of a young Steve Atwater. In fact, I would not be surprised if Collins and Thompson both end up as first day NFL picks in three or four years.
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