Commentary

Too close to call

Even talent split in UA Game makes it tough to say which team has an advantage

Updated: January 3, 2010, 1:40 PM ET
By Jc Shurburtt and Gerry Hamilton | Scouts Inc.

UNDER ARMOUR ALL-AMERICA GAME TALE OF THE TAPE

The teams are finally set for the 2010 Under Armour All-America Game (Jan. 2, ESPN). Who has the advantage? Here's a position-by-position comparison of the two rosters.

White Team Quarterbacks Black Team Quarterbacks
Oklahoma commit Blake Bell (Wichita, Kan./Bishop Carroll) has been compared to former Arkansas quarterback Matt Jones for his ability to both throw (2,800 passing yards, 70 percent passing completion this season) and run (22 rushing touchdowns). Jesse Scroggins (Lakewood, Calif./Lakewood), who is committed to USC, threw four TDs for his team in a recent playoff game and has 33 on the season. Another Californian, 6-foot-3, 201-pound Boston College commit Chase Rettig (Sierra Madre, Calif./San Clemente), is your typical pro-style California signal-caller: athletic with a good arm. The Black roster of quarterbacks consists of a pure pocket passer with active feet in Nick Montana (Concord, Calif./Oaks Christian), a David Garrard clone in Phillip Sims (Chesapeake, Va./Oscar Frommel) and an athletic prospect in Devin Gardner (Inkster, Mich./Inkster). Sims, 6-1, 215 pounds, is the No. 1 QB, ranked 37th in the ESPNU 150 and committed to Alabama. Montana will take his impressive feel and timing to Washington, while the versatile and athletic Gardner found a near perfect fit at Michigan. Watch out for Montana in the skills challenge, and Sims in the game because of his ability to keep plays alive with his feet.
White Team Running Backs Black Team Running Backs
The nation's best prospect at this position, plus one of the top players from a loaded Southern California class, highlight this position on the White squad. Auburn commit Michael Dyer (Little Rock, Ark./Little Rock Christian) has the vision, speed, balance and acceleration to be a big-time back in the Southeastern Conference. Dyer became the leading rusher in Arkansas history this year. Our scouts felt that although he played only five games as a junior because of injury, there still may not be a better back in the class with quicker feet and more suddenness through the hole than UCLA commit Jordon James (Corona, Calif./Corona). The state of Georgia is well represented at running back with Mack Brown (Lithonia, Ga./Martin Luther King) and Storm Johnson (Loganville, Ga./Loganville). Brown, a Florida commit, is ranked 17th in the ESPNU 150. He may be the most complete back in the country, featuring a one-cut, downhill style with his shoulders square to the line of scrimmage along with the ability to jump cut laterally. Johnson features a very powerful lower body on a 210-pound frame, the ability to cut laterally and a bullish attitude. Johnson is headed to Coral Gables to play for the Miami Hurricanes.
White Team Wide Receivers Black Team Wide Receivers
This is a very diverse group of athletes. Chris Dunkley (Pahokee, Fla./Pahokee) and Texas commit Demarco Cobbs (Tulsa, Okla./Central) are electric players with excellent speed, while Notre Dame commit Tai-ler Jones (Gainesville, Ga./Gainesville) and Auburn commit Antonio Goodwin (Atlanta, Ga./Booker T. Washington) are both crafty route runners and highly skilled. Texas Tech pledge Kadron Boone (Ocala, Fla./Trinity Catholic) and Georgia commit Da'Rick Rogers (Calhoun, Ga./Calhoun) are bigger-bodied physical players who are nightmares for smaller defensive backs, while 6-6, 200-pound Brandon Coleman (Forestville, Md./Bishop McNamara) is a mammoth prospect who can go up and get it. The Black team features a pair of Texans, LSU's top recruit, a future Florida playmaker and two Ohio State commits. Five-star wideout Darius White (Fort Worth, Texas/Dunbar), the nation's No. 1 WR and ranked No. 9 in the ESPNU 150, has a combination of size, quickness and high-point ball skills. Mike Davis (Dallas/Skyline) put together a huge season at receiver and part-time corner. Justin Hunter (Virginia Beach, Va./Ocean Lakes) is the highest-rated prospect in the LSU class. Solomon Patton (Mobile, Ala./Murphy) is a darting playmaker, while James Louis (Delray Beach, Fla./Atlantic Community) and Corey Brown (Springfield, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) will bring their playmaking skills to Columbus, Ohio, in the fall.
White Team Tight Ends Black Team Tight Ends
The White team has three skilled tight ends, led by the nation's top TE Xavier Grimble (Las Vegas, Nev./Bishop Gorman). The 6-5, 250-pound USC commit has played unselfishly this season, drawing double-teams in the passing game and blocking to help his team advance deep in the state playoffs. Auburn commit Dakota Mosley (Little Rock, Ark./Little Rock Christian) is a jumbo athlete who will get the chance to put his diverse talents on display as the White team's long-snapper. Blake Barker (Wellesley, Mass./Buckingham Browne & Nichols), 6-6, 238 pounds, originally committed to Stanford before switching to Harvard. Travis Dickson (Ocean Springs, Miss./Ocean Springs) and Brian Vogler (Columbus, Ga./Brookstone) will line up at tight end for the Black team. Dickson, the nation's fourth-ranked TE, is taking his versatility and high motor to LSU. At 6-3, 230 pounds, he could play a number of positions from tight end to H-back to defensive end, but a role as a tight end/H-back fits his skill set best. But no matter where he lines up, he'll be productive. Vogler, an Alabama commit, is a big prospect at 6-6, 245 pounds with the frame to carry upwards of 270 pounds. Not just a blocker, he has soft hands.
White Team Offensive Line Black Team Offensive Line
Three of the top tackle prospects in the country -- Tennessee commit Ja'Wuan James (Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett), North Carolina commit James Hurst (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield) and Chaz Green (Tampa, Fla./Catholic) -- are all athletic and polished enough to make a statement during the game. Arkansas commit Cam Feldt (Pilot Point, Texas/Pilot Point) is also quite skilled. On the interior, James Stone (Nashville, Tenn./Maplewood) is a multitalented lineman and one of the most coveted prospects in the South. Torrian Wilson (Miami/ Northwestern) and Georgia commit Kolton Houston (Buford, Ga./Buford), along with Miami center commit Shane McDermott (Palm Beach, Fla./Central), round out a talented group. The offensive line group features quick-footed tackles, flat-back guards in the run game and a true center prospect in Miles Dieffenbach (Pittsburgh/Fox Chapel). Texas A&M commit Luke Joeckel (Arlington, Texas/Arlington High) and future LSU Tiger Evan Washington (DeSoto, Texas/DeSoto) are impressive tackle prospects from the Lone Star State. Chad Lindsay (The Woodlands, Texas/Woodlands) is a third Texan in the group with road grading ability. Ian Silberman (Orange Park, Fla./Fleming Island) is the most gifted of the group and features exceptional feet. Eric Mack (Saint Matthews, S.C./Calhoun County) and A.J. Cann (Bambeg, S.C./Bamberg-Ernhardt) are solid guard prospects committed to South Carolina.
White Team Defensive Tackles Black Team Defensive Tackles
George Uko (Chino, Calif./Don Antonio Lugo) has had a huge senior year with a double-digit sack total and has seen his stock rise. The 6-4, 299 pounder is the nation's No. 3 prospect at his position. Two Floridians, recent Notre Dame commit Louis Nix (Jacksonville, Fla./Raines) and South Florida commit Todd Chandler (Miami/Northwestern), add depth to the position. Both are athletic. James Kittredge (Ramsey, N.J./Don Bosco Prep) is a tough, physical player from one of the top talent-producing programs in Jersey and has a good frame. The 6-4, 250-pounder is committed to Vanderbilt. It will be a five-man rotation at defensive tackle. A pair of Texas Longhorn commits, Taylor Bible (Denton, Texas/John H. Guyer) and Ashton Dorsey (Tyler, Texas/John Tyler), lead the way. Bible is explosive with the agility to turn and chase the ball down the line of scrimmage, while Dorsey has put together a monster season for the state-ranked Lions. Bible is the top-ranked tackle in the ESPNU 150. Evan Hailes (Chesapeake, Va./Oscar Frommel) is a space eater in the middle. Leon Orr (New Port Richey, Fla./Gulf High) will take his immense potential and athletic ability to Florida.
White Team Defensive Ends Black Team Defensive Ends
William Gholston (Detroit/Southeast) has bought in to playing defensive line more this year and has had an excellent senior season, totaling 82 tackles and a staggering 31 sacks. The 6-7, 240-pounder is committed to Michigan State. Likewise, Tennessee commit Corey Miller (Duncan, S.C./James F. Byrnes) has shined this year, becoming one of the most dominant players for one of the nation's most dominant programs. Four-star Texas Tech commit Jackson Richards (Southlake, Texas/Carroll) isn't flashy, but gets the job done, and four-star Corey Lemonier (Hialeah, Fla./Hialeah) reminds the scouts of 2009 prospect and current LSU Tiger Sam Montgomery. Dominique Easley (Staten Island, N.Y./Curtis) headlines a group of impressive pass-rushers. Easley, No. 41 in the ESPNU 150, features an ultra-quick first step and will play for the Gators. Dakota Royer (Manheim, Pa./Central) will play for Penn State. Alabama got a gem in Alfy Hill (Shallotte, N.C./West Brunswick). The 6-4, 240-pounder has the versatility to play end or outside linebacker. LaDarius Owens (Bessemer, Ala./Jess Lanier) will bring explosive ability off the ball and long arms to the Auburn program despite being undersized. Adrian Hubbard (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) is one of the fastest-rising prospects in the country and features unlimited potential.
White Team Linebackers Black Team Linebackers
The top inside linebacker prospect in the country, five-star Jeff Luc (Port Saint Lucie, Fla./Treasure Coast), could be the most physically superior prospect at his position in this class. The 6-1, 241-pounder will anchor the middle of the White defense. Wisconsin commit Konrad Zagzebski (Schofield, Wis./Everest) will join Luc on the inside. On the outside, Tennessee commit Michael Taylor (Atlanta, Ga./Westlake) is a headhunter and Christian Jones (Winter Park, Fla./Lake Howell) is one of the elite athletes at this spot in the country. Oklahoma State commit Shaun Lewis (Missouri City, Texas/Hightower) reminds our scouts of Jelani Jenkins from the 2009 class. The Black team features the top linebacker in the country in five-star OLB Jordan Hicks (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West). Florida, Texas or Ohio State will ink the No. 2 prospect in the ESPNU 150. Joining the explosive Hicks are Corey Nelson (Dallas/Skyline), Aaron Benson (Cedar Hill, Texas/Cedar Hill), V.J. Fehoko (Honolulu, Hawaii/Farrington) and Jake Holland (Pelham, Ala./Pelham). Nelson is the top playmaker of the group, while Benson has sideline-to-sideline ability. Fehoko plays the game with a relentless attitude and motor, while Holland is the definition of technically sound.
White Team Cornerbacks Black Team Cornerbacks
There is great athleticism in this group. Lamarcus Joyner (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Saint Thomas Aquinas) could be the most explosive player in the country and recently jumped into the top five in the ESPNU 150. Joyner's high school teammate, ESPNU 150 cornerback Cody Riggs, will also play for the White and is the nation's No. 72 overall prospect. Recent Florida commit Joshua Shaw (Palmdale, Calif./Palmdale) is a bigger corner (6-1, 180 pounds) and has a 36-inch vertical, and Georgia Tech commit Ryan Ayers (Douglasville, Ga./South Paulding) has been timed as fast as 4.43 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Plenty of size at corner on the Black squad. DeMarcus Milliner (Millbrook, Ala./Stanhope Elmore) is the nation's No. 2 corner and features a silky-smooth pedal, fluid hips and explosive change of direction on a 6-foot, 185-pound frame. John Fulton (Manning, S.C./Manning) features ideal height at 6-1 with the ability to play in man and zone equally well. It's a fierce battle for Fulton among South Carolina, Alabama and Florida with a decision coming Dec. 17 on ESPNU. Adrian White (DeSoto, Texas/DeSoto) rounds out the corners. The future Longhorn has impressive feet and a fluid speed turn. Texas A&M commit Toney Hurd Jr. (Missouri City, Texas/Thurgood Marshall) joins the trio. Hurd, 5-9, 175 pounds, is a heady player who projects to nickel.
White Team Safeties Black Team Safeties
This group possesses excellent size, starting with Georgia commit Alec Ogletree (Newnan, Ga./Newnan). The 6-3, 214-pounder has size, speed and is good in coverage. One of the most versatile prospects in the country, Dietrich Riley (La Canada, Calif./Saint Francis) is a 6-1, 196-pounder who is also a talented running back. Our scouts feel that in addition to his size and raw athleticism, he possesses the football instincts and ball skills to be a difference-maker. Virginia Tech commit Nick Dew (Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial) is a 6-2, 190-pounder and the type of sleeper that the Hokies have built a championship-level program on. The most talented position on the Black team may very well be safety. The trio features two of the top players in the country in Florida commits Jonathan Dowling (Bradenton, Fla./Southeast) and Demar Dorsey (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Boyd Anderson). Dowling has terrific range and plays the ball in the air as well as any defensive back in the class. Dorsey is a big-time athlete who plays the game with a physicality that is rare in the secondary. Meanwhile, Luke Muncie (Spring, Texas/Klein Oak) features powerful hips that seemingly explode through ball carriers.
White Team Kicker Black Team Kicker
Kip Smith (Bloomfield, Colo./Legacy) will do both the kicking and punting. Smith, who originally committed to Minnesota before switching to UCLA in November, could do both in college as well. Smith gets good hang time on his punts and has a powerful leg. On field goals and kickoffs, the ball just jumps off his foot and has good trajectory. Smith may be the best combo kicker/punter in this class. Cody Parkey (Jupiter, Fla./Jupiter Community) will handle the kicking and punting duties. The Auburn commit has been a top kicking prospect for more than two years in the South. The 6-0, 190-pounder consistently kicks the ball out of the end zone from the 40. The ball elevates quickly on field goals. It's a rarity when he doesn't hit the ball perfectly. Features terrific rhythm and will be an instant impact player at Auburn.

Jc Shurburtt

Gerry Hamilton

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