Northeast home to blue-chip defensive linemen

Talent runs deep in the Northeast for the class of 2012. The defensive line is especially impressive, with blue-chip recruits at both the tackle and end positions.

There may not be a more physically impressive defensive tackle in the country than the 6-foot-3, 300-pound Eddie Goldman from Friendship Collegiate Academy (Washington, D.C.).

On film, it's hard not to be impressed by Goldman's ability to wreak havoc on the run game, plugging holes and disrupting plays by finding his way into the backfield. However, off the field, Goldman is much less aggressive.

"If you met him in person, apart from his size, you wouldn't know he's a football player," said his father, Eddie Muhammad. "He's extremely humble."

Goldman's humility is impressive given the deluge of offers that he's received; over 50 offers in total, spanning every region of the country.

Muhammad does not expect geography to be a factor in his son's recruitment. Although he does not anticipate making extensive unofficial visits, Muhammad said that Goldman would be open to schools across the country and hopes to see schools on the West Coast and Midwest.

Defensive scheme could play a bigger role in Goldman's recruitment than location according to Muhammad. The 4-3 defensive front is where Goldman is more comfortable and where he will prefer to play in college.

In Pennsylvania, one of the nation's best defensive ends is taking his time in the recruiting process.

Bishop McDevitt's (Harrisburg, Pa.) Noah Spence, a three-year starter, is one of the Keystone State's most dominant players. According to head coach Jeff Weachter, Spence recorded a whopping 23 sacks as a junior, despite constant double- and triple-teams.

Weachter said that Spence, who was offered by Pitt as a freshman, is not rushing through the recruiting process.

"His dad played at NC State," he said. "They're taking their time, listening to what everyone has to say. They're really going to find someone who will develop him."

Spence has been dedicated to the weight room this offseason, and is nearly up to 240 pounds to go along with his athletic, 6-4 frame. He will narrow down his list this summer and likely make his announcement at the U.S. Army All-American game.

Another top defensive lineman from the Northeast getting inundated with college interest is Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) defensive end Darius Hamilton.

Hamilton, like Spence, was a U.S. Air Force Junior All-American after recording 63 tackles and 13 1/ 2 sacks. As a senior, he'll anchor one of the nation's top defenses.

The son of former Giants great Keith Hamilton, the younger Hamilton is a complete package, boasting size, athleticism, and technique. Sources tell MaxPreps that Hamilton's recruitment is like that of Goldman and Spence: wide open.

While he's a wanted man by many schools, Rutgers may have a connection to Hamilton, as the Scarlet Knights landed quarterback Gary Nova from the class of 2011.

Rutgers is also recruiting teammates Yuri Wright, Elijah Shumate, and Leonte Carroo. Greg Schiano and staff are hoping the appeal of playing close to home, with several familiar faces, will be enough to land Hamilton and teammates.

Wright, a 6-2 cornerback, is probably the least heralded of the quartet but has the highest ceiling.

Further north resides one of the country's fastest rising players, defensive end Jarron Jones. Jones has seen his stock shoot up immensely in recent months after helping to lead Aquinas Institute (Rochester, N.Y.) to a Class A title. Shortly after the season Boston College offered him a scholarship, triggering a flurry of others.

With the blitz of offers, Jones says he is still taking it all in and hasn't begun to narrow the process.

The 6-7, 300-pound Jones will likely rank as a top 15 prospect early on for the class 2012.