Anyone who knows anything about football will tell you it's all about the line.
Martez Ivey, Apopka
Photo by Marc Estrada
The glamor boys playing quarterback, running back and receiver — the skill boys — are the ones are fun to watch.
But it's the boys down in the trenches who largely decide most football games at every level.
The Class of 2015 will likely be known for its linemen, as six of the nation's top 10 recruits excel there, including the top three: defensive tackle
Trenton Thompson (6-foot-2, 313-pounds) from
Westover (Albany, Ga.), offensive tackle
Martez Ivey (6-5, 275) from
Apopka (Fla.) and defensive tackle
Kahlil Mckenzie (6-3, 354) from
Clayton Valley Charter (Concord, Calif.).
Thompson has committed to Georgia and McKenzie is headed to Tennessee. Ivey has yet to commit, but is largely leaning to the Florida Gators.
Go to the MaxPreps National Signing Day PageAfter studying, shuffling and reshuffling over the past 18 months, this is
247Sports final composite rankings.
As far as the top players at each position, 247Sports ranks the top dogs this way (see below the video):
Pro-style quarterback: Josh Rosen of
St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) — UCLA
Jarrett Stidham, Stephenville
Photo by Jim Ricketts
of
Stephenville (Texas) — Baylor
All-Purpose back: Taj Griffin of
McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) — Oregon
Running back: Ronald Jones of
McKinney North (Texas) — USC
Fullback: David Ducre of
Lakeshore (Mandeville, La.) — LSU
Wide receiver: Deon Cain of
Tampa Bay Tech (Tampa, Fla.) — Clemson
Tight end: Alize Jones of
Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) — Notre Dame
Offensive Tackle: Ivey — Undecided
Offensive guard: Javon Patterson of
Petal (Miss.) — Ole Miss
Center: Tristen Hoge of
Highland (Pocatello, Idaho) — Notre Dame
Weakside DE: Josh Sweat of
Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, Va.) — Florida State
Strongside DE: Byron Cowart of
Armwood (Seffner, Fla.) — Undecided
Defensive tackle: Thompson
Inside linebacker: Leo Lewis of
Brookhaven (Miss.) — Ole Miss
Outside linebacker: Malik Jefferson of
Poteet (Mesquite, Texas) — Texas
Cornerback: Iman Marshall of
Long Beach Poly (Calif.) — undecided
Safety: Derwin James of
Haines City (Fla.) — Florida State
Athlete: Terry Godwin of
Callaway (Hogansville, Ga.) — Georgia
Kicker: Charlie Beall of
St. Margaret's (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) — Undecided
