Commentary

ESPN RecruitingNation grading scale

Updated: May 8, 2012, 4:25 PM ET
By RecruitingNation | ESPN.com

A look at the grading scale and what the scouts look for by position

Rare prospects: 100-90

These players demonstrate rare abilities and can create mismatches that have an obvious impact on the game. These players have all the skills to take over a game and could make a possible impact as true freshmen. They should also push for All-America honors with the potential to have a three-and-out college career with early entry into the NFL draft.

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Outstanding prospects: 89-80

These players have the ability to create mismatches versus most opponents and have dominant performances. These players could contribute as a true freshmen and could end up as all-conference or All-America candidates during their college careers and develop into difference-makers over time.

Good prospects: 79-70

These players show flashes of dominance, but not on a consistent basis -- especially when matched up against the top players in the country. Players closer to a 79 rating possess BCS-caliber ability and the potential to be a quality starter or all-conference player. Players closer to a 70 rating are likely non-BCS conference caliber prospects.

Solid prospects: 69-60

These players are overmatched versus the better players in the nation. Their weaknesses will be exposed against top competition, but have the ability to develop into solid contributors at the non-BCS FBS level and could be a quality fit for the FCS level of play.

Prospects: 59-50

Players have some redeeming qualities but are not projected to contribute at the FBS or FCS levels.

Prospects: Not ranked or NR

Evaluations are pending film evaluation. These players will have a grade of "NR" and that means we have not had a chance to fully evaluate the prospect.

Rankings prior to the 2013 class

Players in the classes before 2013 were ranked on a different scale with five-star prospects falling within 85-100, four stars between 79.5-84.99, three stars between 75-79.49, two stars between 68-74.99 and one stars between 55-67.99.

How each position is evaluated

Quartebacks

Category What we look for
Arm strength Velocity, tight spirals, zip on deep out passes
Set up Quick feet, quiet drops, body positioning
Accuracy Can throw long or short, throws catchable balls, doesn't force it
Field vision Can locate second receiver, see the whole field
Running ability Threat to run, can avoid the rush, quick feet
Delivery Quick release, can throw high or low, mechanics
Ballhandling Good ball fakes, can freeze LBs
Leadership Poise under pressure, can motivate a team

Running backs

Category What we look for
Inside running Can pick and slide, quick to hole, vision, cuts
Outside running Has speed to the corner, can make cuts, threat to score
Elusiveness Can avoid tackles, changes directions, vision
Power Breaks tackles, balance, produces in short yardage, falls forward
Blocking Is willing in pass protection and as a run blocker
Hands Catches out of backfield, prone to fumbling
Durability Toughness, can take a hit and stay in game
Style Is he a slasher, darter, power, second gear?

Wide receivers and tight ends

Category What we look for
Hands Concentration, snatches, soft hands, body catches
Patterns Sharp and crisp routes, body control, fakes, cuts
Long and short Can be a possession receiver, acceleration, go deep
Run after the catch Is a threat, catches in stride, elusiveness
Blocking Is willing, good results, can sustain, open field
Release Can avoid jams, doesn't get held up, physicality
Ball in a crowd Comes over middle, toughness
Initial quicks Accelerates, gets off the ball, has extra gear

Offensive linemen

Category What we look for
Initial quicks Can come off the ball, quick feet, can beat DLs
Run blocking Leverage, control, balance
Pass blocking Feet, setup, ability to mirror, can adjust in space
Pull and trap Can hit a moving target, adjust in space
Hands Gets separation, good leverage keeps DLs off
Strength Leverage, can move the pile, can anchor
Explosion Finishes blocks, plays low, has pop
Long snapping Does he have the ability to?

Defensive linemen

Category What we look for
Versus the run Strength at point of attach, 1- or 2-gap defender?, can ward off OL
Pass rush Power or finesse?, moves, penetration
Pursuit Gets over trash, gets to the outside, effort
Tackling Does he wrap up?, low or high, drag down, power
Initial quicks Take off, feet, anticipation
Recognition Sees block coming, instincts, finds the ball
Neutraliztion skills Can handle one-on-ones, double-teams, traps, can anchor
Key and diagnose Reads blocks, good feet, sees ball

Linebackers

Category What we look for
Versus inside run Steps up and fills hole, physicality, takes on
Versus outside run Wards off block, gets to sideline, good pursuit
Blitz and pass rush Power or finesse?, hand use, feet
Key and diagnose Can reads and react, gets jump on ball
Lateral pursuit Gets over trash, good hips, sideline chase
Tackling Can wrap up, physicality, drags down
Pass drops Hips and turns, gets good depth, zone coverage
Pass coverage Man-to-man coverage skills, good hips and turns

Defensive backs

Category What we look for
Man-to-man coverage Hips and turns, pedal and acceleration
Zone coverage Has range, covers ground, deep half, awareness
Closing speed Can plant and drive, gets to the ball in the air
Key and diagnose Reads the QB, anticipates well, in the right spot
Lateral pursuit Gets over trash, good hips, sideline chase
Tackling Can wrap up, physicality, drags down
Pass drops Hips and turns, gets good depth, zone coverage
Pass coverage Man-to-man coverage skills, good hips and turns

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