Tom Lemming's Class of 2014 Top 100 football recruits: 51 through 75

By Staff Report May 21, 2013, 1:36am

There are running backs all over the list today.

Recruiting expert Tom Lemming gave MaxPreps a look at his latest rankings for the Class of 2014. See the list below and read Lemming's comments about each player. Today it's the second quarter of the Top 100, so check back on each of the next two days to see the rest.

My first Top 100 team was announced in October. Here we are, a half-year later, and I’ve had sit-down interviews with just about every one of the Top 100 players, and watched all of them on film. I will adjust this list one more time in June and it will stay that way until the season starts. I believe in ranking the players more on film and what they accomplish during the season than how they do at combines.

51. Marshon Lattimore, ATH, 6-0, 190
Glenville (Cleveland), Uncommitted

Lattimore ranks as the No. 1 defensive back prospect in the state of Ohio and could wind up playing running back, wide receiver or defensive back in college. He was listed last year at running back.



52. Shai McKenzie, RB, 6-0, 210
Washington (Pa.), Uncommitted

The No. 1 prospect in the state, he averaged 10 yards per carry against excellent competition in 2012. Explosive and tough with excellent size, he's an all-around back who can run, catch and block.



53. Nick Harvey, DB, 5-11, 180
Fort Bend Travis (Richmond, Texas), Committed to Texas A&M

The No. 1 prospect in the Houston area is an exceptional cover corner with confidence, speed, instincts and leaping ability. He makes it all seem easy. He played his junior year at Lancaster High in the Dallas area.



John Smith, Long Beach Poly
John Smith, Long Beach Poly
Photo by Nicholas Koza
54. John Smith, WR, 6-2, 200
Long Beach Poly (Calif.), Uncommitted

He earned rave reviews at both the wide receiver and free safety positions. He's a standout in both football and track and could wind up playing on either side of the ball in college.

55. Marcelys Jones, OL, 6-4, 320
Glenville (Cleveland), Committed to Ohio State

Ranks as the No. 1 offensive line prospect in the state of Ohio, he recorded 64 pancake blocks as a junior on his way to earning first team All-State honors. He plays left tackle in high school and could wind up playing guard in college. He's also a reliable tackle on defense.

56. Craig Evans, DL, 6-3, 315
Sun Prairie (Wis.), Committed to Wisconsin

Many times the Wisconsin players are overlooked by the national press. I made it a point to drive up to Sun Prairie, through a snowstorm no less, and was impressed with Craig in person and even more impressed after watching him on film. He has great size, explosive moves, aggressively takes on the double-team and is sort of a high school version of Warren Sapp.

57. Jalen Tabor, DB, 6-0, 180
Friendship Collegiate Academy (Washington, D.C.), Uncommitted

The No. 1 prospect in the D.C. area has earned All-Area honors each of the past two years for his play on the defensive side of the ball. He's physical, aggressive and has good instincts. He could wind up playing cornerback or free safety in college.



58. Todd Kelly, ATH, 6-1, 190
Webb (Knoxville, Tenn.), Committed to Tennessee

An All-State player at both wide receiver and free safety, he's the No. 1 prospect in eastern Tennessee. A natural athlete, he plays big in big games. Caught 57 passes for 1,017 yds at receiver.



59. Kyle Allen, QB, 6-3, 195
Desert Mountain (Scottsdale, Ariz.), Uncommitted

The state's No. 1 quarterback prospect and one of the country's finest threw for more than 3,200 yds and 36 touchdowns. He fits nicely in a pro-style or spread offense.

60. Jamal Adams, DB, 6-1, 195
Hebron (Carrollton, Texas), Uncommitted

A ball-hawk who can come down and really deliver a blow. One of the hardest hitting defenders in the state of Texas, he shows great range, instincts and attitude.

61. Dillon Bates, LB, 6-3, 220
Ponte Vedra (Fla.), Uncommitted

He's coming on strong to become one of the nation's more heavily sought-after backers. He totaled 105 tackles in 2012 from his outside linebacker position. He could wind up playing inside. The scouts love his instincts, speed to the ball and attitude.

62. Elisha Shaw, DL, 6-5, 305
Tucker (Ga.), Uncommitted

A brick wall against the run, Shaw also shows good initial quickness, dominates the point of attack and shows the ability to apply pressure on the quarterback. The scouts love his size, attitude and flexibility. He could also wind up playing tackle on offense.

63. David Cornwell, QB, 6-5, 220
Jones (Okla.), Uncommitted

He threw for more than 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2012, proving to be an excellent pocket passer with a big arm who reads defenses well. Best suited to play in a pro-style offense, he shows some running ability but is more comfortable in the pocket.





64. Caleb Henderson, QB, 6-4, 215
Lake Braddock (Burke, Va.), Committed to North Carolina

He was listed as a future All-American in last year's magazine when playing at West Potomac High. Another quarterback with a big-time arm, he's very accurate in short to intermediate passes, has a nice touch on the ball and is a team leader.



65. Joe Mixon, RB, 6-2, 210
Freedom (Oakley, Calif.), Uncommitted

The No. 1 running back prospect in California, the scouts love his size, speed, instincts, hands and the ability to create in the open field. He can run, catch and block and is a very well-balanced back.

66. Trevion Thompson, WR, 6-3, 181
Hillside (Durham, N.C.), Uncommitted

Physically he already looks like he belongs in college. He's a sure-handed receiver with deceptive speed, good body control and has the strength to run through arm tackles. One of the more underrated wide receiver prospects in the country.

67. Christian Miller, LB, 6-3, 215
Spring Valley (Columbia, S.C.), Committed to Florida

What's not to like about a 215-pounder who can run a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash, and shows the length, speed, range and pass-rushing ability to become an outstanding outside linebacker or defensive end in college?

68. Montae Nicholson, DB, 6-3, 200
Gateway (Monroeville, Pa.), Uncommitted

He's being recruited at both the wide receiver and defensive back positions. As a junior, Nicholson earned All-Area honors for his play at wide receiver. A big, physical receiver, he has deceptive speed and also shows great range on defense.





69. Jonathan Hilliman, RB, 6-1, 210
St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City, N.J.), Uncommitted

He appeared on our show last winter and impressed with his attitude, work ethic, size and speed. A downhill runner, he ran for 1,127 yards, averaging 11.5 yards per carry. He's been timed in a 10.9 in the 100 meters in track.



70. Jeb Blazevich, TE, 6-5, 230
Charlotte Christian (N.C.), Committed to Georgia

Another one of the new breed of tight end prospects, he's been split out most of his high school career, showing great hands, runs good routes and at times he has proven to be a good in-line blocker. He earned first team All-State honors for his play at wide receiver/tight end.



71. Malachi Dupre, WR, 6-3, 190
Curtis (River Ridge, La.), Uncommitted

Dupre played on the national championship Curtis team last season and averaged 22 yards per catch. He has the speed, size, jumping ability and instincts to become a go-to receiver in college. He has also high jumped 6 feet, 8 inches and triple jumped 47 feet.

72. Cameron Denson, WR, 6-1, 175
Salpointe Catholic (Tucson, Ariz.), Committed to Arizona

Here's a player with elite ball skills on both sides of the ball. Has remarkably strong hands and an innate sense of timing when it comes to catching the jump ball downfield. He earned first team All-State honors at wide receiver each of the past two seasons and also All-Area at cornerback.



73. Racean Thomas, RB, 5-11, 200
Oxford (Ala.), Uncommitted

The No. 1 running back prospect in the state of Alabama has been listed in our magazine each of the past three seasons. He plays in a very explosive Oxford offense and runs with power, speed and vision.



74. Damon Webb, ATH, 6-0, 170
Cass Tech (Detroit), Committed to Ohio State

One of the top three prospects in the state of Michigan has what it takes to become an impact player at either the wide receiver or cornerback position. A two-time first team All-Detroit area selection, first as a cornerback, then as a wide receiver. He has averaged 18 yards per catch in his prep career and is also an outstanding kickoff returner.

75. Nyles Morgan, LB, 6-2, 225
Crete-Monee (Crete, Ill.), Uncommitted

The third All-American in a row to come out of Crete-Monee following Anthony Standifer and Laquon Treadwell. A very instinctive, smart backer, he is fast, strong and agile. Has a great burst and is excellent in pursuit. He recorded more than 100 tackles for the second year in a row on his way to earning All-Chicago area honors.