ESPN College Football Recruiting

Originally Published: August 14, 2009

Athlete position features elite talent

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By Bill Conley
Scouts Inc.
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The versatile group of athletes in the 2010 class is an impressive one.

Last year, 14 athletes (i.e., prospects with no clear-cut position) were featured in the ESPNU 150. Although the number is slightly lower in 2010 (13), there are far more elite athletes at the top of our player rankings. Six 2010 athletes rank in the top 50 players nationally -- compared to just one (LSU signee Russell Shepard) in 2009.

One of the most impressive statistics regarding the athletes of this year's class is their physical size. Only three of the athletes in the top 150 are under 6 feet tall, and five are at least 200 pounds.

Players in the athlete category have shown the versatility throughout their high school careers to play multiple positions. They often are among the most agile, quick and skilled group of football players. They are especially appealing to college coaches who see the opportunity to bring in a player with exceptional athletic ability who can fill an offensive or defensive need and also be a major contributor on special teams. Athletes also give college staffs some position flexibility in case of an injury.

Top prospects

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Tom Hauck for ESPN.comTony Jefferson will be staying close to play his college ball at UCLA.

Tony Jefferson | Highlights
(Chula Vista, Calif./Eastlake)
College: UCLA
Jefferson begins his senior year as the No. 1 man in the athlete category for the 2010 recruiting class. He is currently ranked as the ninth best overall player in the country. He displays speed and quickness and plays on both sides of the football, but he most likely will play linebacker at the collegiate level. Jefferson is a real hitter on the defensive side of the ball; he closes fast and explodes through the ball carrier on contact.

Demarco Cobbs | Highlights
(Tulsa, Okla./Central)
College: Undecided
This physically imposing athlete has definite big-play potential. Even though he could end up in the secondary, his offensive skills are what stand out the most. Cobbs is especially impressive with the football under his arm. He can cut on a dime and then accelerate by defenders, who often can't lay a hand on him.

Antonio Goodwin
(Atlanta, Ga./Booker T. Washington)
College: Auburn
Goodwin is the third athlete to break into the top 25 in the ESPNU 150, checking in at 23. He has the chance to be an outstanding wide receiver for the Tigers. He gets high in the air to grab the football and has the speed to be a vertical threat. Goodwin has the soft hands that receivers coaches look for as exemplified by his knack to catch the ball away from his body.

Matt Elam | Highlights
(Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./Dwyer)
College: Florida
Elam is one of the toughest and most physical athletes in the class. Although he is a strong and powerful runner, his best spot could be at linebacker, where he shows his aggressive nature. He is an excellent reactor who keeps leverage on the football and snaps his hips while driving his legs when making the hit.

D.J. Morgan
(Woodland Hills, Calif./Taft)
College: USC
Morgan could very easily line up in the backfield for the Trojans; his versatility and athletic skills can best be used there. He is an elusive runner who displays great vision and can cut back against the grain or kick it into a second gear north and south. Morgan also has the hands to be a receiving threat out of the backfield.

The next tier

Christian Green | Highlights
(Tampa, Fla./Tampa Catholic)
College: Undecided

Green is the sixth athlete and No. 50 overall in the 2010 recruiting class. Although it is a bit of a mystery where he will line up at the next level, there is little doubt about Green's athleticism. It will be interesting to see if this running high school quarterback can transition into a wideout or defensive back at the next level.

Travon Van
(New Berlin, N.Y./Milford Academy) College: Florida
Van may line up on the defensive side of the football in Gainesville, but it's more likely that he will end up carrying the football for the Gators. Van is a tough and stout back who consistently runs through arm tackles. He also has the speed and change-of-direction to take the ball the distance.

Anthony Barr | Highlights
(Los Angeles/Loyola)
College: Undecided
Barr looks like a runaway train when he is carrying the football. He has a great blend of size and speed and dares defensive backs to take him on one-on-one. He could end up as a tight end, be flexed out to be a threat up the seam, or get isolated on less-skilled linebackers.

Keenan Allen
(Greensboro, N.C./Northern Guilford)
College: Undecided
This tall, lanky and fluid athlete has all the makings of a big-time receiver. He is smooth in space with soft hands who can snatch the ball out of the air and then make defenders miss as he gains yards after the reception. Allen can also excel as a return specialist.

Shaun Kitchens | Highlights
(College Park, Ga./Banneker)
College: Auburn
Kitchens shows some of the same receiving skills as his future Auburn teammate, athlete Antonio Goodwin, but there is a much greater chance he will end up on the opposite side of the ball. Kitchens is an explosive linebacker who attacks the ball carrier downhill but is equally impressive in pass defense.

Watch these guys

Garry Peters | Highlights
(Conyers, Ga./Heritage)
College: Clemson
If this tall, lean athlete proves he can be a sound run defender, he could end up as an exceptional corner at the collegiate level. For a tall defensive back, Peters is not only smooth and fluid but also drops his hips well and changes direction. He can be especially productive in man-to-man coverage with the ability to go up and make a play on the deep ball.

Adrian Phillips | Highlights
(Garland, Texas)
College: Texas
Phillips demonstrates the ability to play either wide receiver or running back. As a spread-formation quarterback, he has proved to be a fast, quick and slippery athlete who is tough to be harnessed. As a receiver, he can turn a short reception into a big play.

Dillon Baxter | Highlights
(San Diego/ Mission Bay)
College: USC
Baxter shows good lateral quickness and burst for such a compact and stout running back. It is hard to get a solid hit on this slashing downhill runner with deceptive speed. Baxter simply needs to prove he can get the tough yards on a consistent basis.

Justin McCay | Highlights
(Shawnee Mission, Kan./Bishop Miege)
College: Oklahoma
McCay looks like an outside linebacker, but he has excellent ball skills as a wideout. A tall drink of water who will fight the defender for the football, McCay is a little raw as a route runner but very competitive and sure-handed.

Notes

USC is really loading up with players who fall in the athlete category. The Trojans have verbals from Morgan, Baxter and Anthony Brown (Fontana, Calif./Kaiser). All three players are capable of playing running back.

Mississippi State has locked up two of the top 20 athletes by obtaining commitments from Brandon Hill (Columbus, Miss./West Lowndes) and Michael Carr (West Point, Miss./South).

Two of the Midwest sleepers in the class could be Anthony Gonzales (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) and A.J. Derby (Iowa City, Iowa), both of whom are athletic quarterbacks.

Bill Conley is a recruiting coordinator for ESPN Scouts Inc. He previously worked at Ohio State for 17 years as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.