Tom Lemming's Class of 2014 Top 100 football recruits: 1 through 25

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 last quarter of the Top 100 — the Top 25.

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.

1. RB Leonard Fournette 6-1, 230
St. Augustine (New Orleans) , Uncommitted
The nation's No. 1 prospect has it all. I sat down with Leonard and his coach back in October to watch his first six games of the 2012 season and was impressed not only with his power and speed, but also his vision, balance and determination. He also shows a great pair of hands, can catch the ball in stride, and has proven to be a load to bring down. An impact, five-star prospect who has over 50 offers. Averaged over 11 yards per carry in 2012. My guess is LSU and Alabama lead.



2. DB Quin Blanding 6-2, 200
Bayside (Virginia Beach, Va.), Committed to Virginia
What's not to like about a 6-2, 200 pound DB who can run a 4.5 40 and totaled 115 tackles? Instinctive, aggressive, athletic and smart, he shows play-making ability with great range.



3. QB DeShaun Watson 6-4, 205
Gainesville (Ga.), Committed to Clemson
The nation's No. 1 combo passer and No. 1 overall QB prospect. He was voted the state's Player of the Year in 2012 after throwing for over 4,300 yds, rushing for 1,444 yds, and totaling 74 TDs. An impact ball player, he was the 2012 MaxPreps National Junior of the Year. He is the Georgia career passing yards leader and career passing touchdown leader.



4. RB Sony Michel 5-11, 205
American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.), Committed to Georgia
I've been hearing about Sony for years, since he was in my 2010 magazine as a freshman. Despite some nagging injuries, he put together one heck of a junior campaign averaging 11.5 yds per carry. He's been timed in a 10.6 in the 100 meters, has overcome a torn left ACL and, in a very good year for running back prospects, he ranks at the very top of that list.



5. DB Jabrill Peppers 6-0, 205
Paramus Catholic (N.J.), Uncommitted
Jabrill appeared on my junior All-American show on CBS Sports Network in late November. In
fact, we filmed the show at Paramus Catholic, and Jabrill is an interesting person both on and off
the field. He has overcome a lot to become the No. 1 prospect in the east, and as a junior he played
QB, WR, RB, CB, LB, and SS. An impact player, he could wind up playing RB or SS in college.
Earned first team All-State honors in 2012.



6. DB Tony Brown 6-1, 185
Ozen (Beaumont, Texas), Uncommitted
The nation's No. 1 CB prospect has been timed in a 4.32 in the 40. He has the length and quick hands and feet that the college scouts like. He's been timed in a 10.7 in the 100 meters and is one of the nation's top 110 meter hurdlers.



7. RB Elijah Hood 6-0, 214
Charlotte Catholic (N.C.), Committed to Notre Dame
I have mentioned that it's a good year for RB prospects and one of the very best is Elijah Hood. He rushed for 3,309 yds and 48 TDs, averaging 12 yds per carry and he did not fumble all season. Blessed with great size, power, explosiveness, vision and toughness.

8. DL Andrew Brown 6-4, 303
Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, Va.), Uncommitted
The nation's No. 1 DT prospect has what it takes to play either NG or DT at the next level. He recorded 12 QB sacks as a junior despite constant double and triple-teaming. Super strong at the point of attack, he shows unusual quickness for a 303 pounder.

9. OL Braden Smith 6-6, 290
South (Olathe, Kan.), Uncommitted
I caught up with Braden in Mid-April and in person, he already looks like an NFL player. The strongest blue chipper in the country, he benches 505 pounds and in 2012 he dominated at both the RG and LB positions. He will play LT in 2013 but impresses everyone with his versatility, strength, and unusual flexibility for someone so big and strong. The nation's No. 1 OL prospect, he might be leaning to TCU where his sister is a track and field star.



10. RB Nathan Starks 6-0, 208
Uncommitted
Still another top 10 RB prospect who put it all together during the 2012 season for Bishop Gorman, rushing for 1,821 yds and 27 TDs and averaging 12 yds per carry. He's been timed at 10.7 seconds in the 100 meters. Believe it or not, he totaled 7 QB sacks on just 28 snaps at DE.



11. DB Marlon Humphrey 6-0, 175
Hoover (Ala.), Uncommitted
He may not have had great stats during the 2012 season but that's because almost every opponent kept the ball away from his side of the field. He shows great cover instincts, is a physical tackler and has the length and quick hands the college scouts are looking for. Also the bloodlines — his father, Bobby Humphrey, was a standout RB at Alabama.

12. OL Cameron Robinson 6-6, 330
West Monroe (La.), Uncommitted
I felt that last October it was well worth the extra 300 miles to drive to West Monroe and see Cam Robinson play in person. I did, and came away with the impression that he has what it takes to become the No. 1 tackle in the country. Not as consistent as you would like, but certainly as athletic and big — with more upside — than any tackle in the nation. A good kid, he works hard at improving his game and right now he ranks as the nation's No. 1 LT prospect. His father, Steve Foley, played in the NFL with the Bengals and Chargers.



13. WR Drake Harris 6-4, 180
Christian (Grand Rapids, Mich.), Committed to Michigan
If you're looking for the reason why I ranked Drake as the No. 1 WR prospect in the country, just check out the state championship game and you'll understand. A remarkably smooth and athletic WR, he has the height, speed, hands and production to dominate at the college level. A superior basketball player, he averaged 26 points a game as a shooting guard. Just a few months ago Drake decided to get out of his Michigan State basketball commitment and concentrate on football, and the Michigan Wolverines are sure glad he did. He had an eye popping 91 catches for 2,016 yds and 25 TDs as a junior.



14. DL Da'Shawn Hand 6-4, 245
Woodbridge (Va.), Uncommitted
One of the more engaging and personable ball players you will meet. On film No. 54 shows good pass rushing technique, quickness, a high motor and does a great job of reading the QB's eyes. He plays both DE and DT in high school, and could wind up playing DT in college. Totaled 16 QB sacks as a junior.



15. DE Kentavius Street 6-3, 260
Rose (Greenville, N.C.), Uncommitted
I must admit, before I got to North Carolina in February I knew very little about Mr. Street. But I made it my business to know more about him and I'm glad I did. His junior film shows a relentless pursuer of the QB who dominates as both a pass rusher and a run stopper. He looks thin at 260 and played both DE and OLB as a junior.

16. DE Lorenzo Carter 6-6, 235
Norcross (Ga.), Uncommitted
During my travels through the city of Atlanta in January, more than a couple of prospects mentioned the athletes at Norcross, and in particular Mr. Carter. On film Carter shows explosive speed off the edge, is relentless in pursuit, and is one of the better all-around athletes at any position. He certainly has the length and the quick feet the college scouts are looking for.

17. ATH Tyler Luatua 6-4, 240
La Mirada (Calif.), Uncommitted
I've actually met with Tyler three times in the past four months and he gained five pounds after each visit. His brother, Isaac Luatua, plays guard at Alabama, and Tyler would prefer to play TE in college. The best athlete and the No. 1 prospect on the west coast, he caught 48 passes for 560 yds at TE but also totaled over 50 tackles and five sacks at DE.



18. RB Dalvin Cook 5-11, 198
Central (Miami), Committed to Florida
There's no doubt that Miami Central plays one of the toughest schedules in the country, and there's also no doubt that Dalvin is one of the toughest backs in the nation. Averages nine yards per carry and rushed for close to 1,500 yards as a junior showing speed, vision, and unusual power.

19. LB Raekwon McMillan 6-1, 247
Liberty County (Hinesville, Ga.), Uncommitted
When I met Raekwon in January I was, once again, impressed by his film. But he was a couple of inches shorter than I expected. At 6-1, he's better suited to play ILB, where he dominated in in 2012 totaling 153 tackles and 10 QB sacks.



20. DL Gerald Willis 6-4, 270
Karr (New Orleans, La.), Uncommitted
Mr. Consistent, Gerald has dominated as a sack master for the past three years. He totaled 20 sacks on his way to earning first team All-State honors in 2012. Plays DE in high school and could wind up playing DT in college.

21. LB Kain Daub 6-3, 250
Sandalwood (Jacksonville, Fla.), Committed to Florida State
The No. 1 prospect in the Jacksonville area played in only six games due to injuries in 2012, but still recorded 75 tackles and 10 sacks. He's big, tough, physical and relentless.



22. RB Jalen Hurd 6-3, 210
Beech (Hendersonville, Tenn.), Committed to Tennessee
I interviewed Jalen at the Grand Ole Opry in January, which allowed me some time to sit down and get into his head. Once I did that I realized how important football is to him. This super all-around athlete could play major college ball in a few sports, but football is what gets him motivated. He prefers to play RB, and some college coaches believe he has what it takes to become an All-American LB or FS in college. He runs straight up and down with great vision, balance, and surprising speed.



23. DL Deondre Clark 6-5, 235
Douglass (Oklahoma City), Uncommitted
This season he broke the school record of 20 sacks and is well on his way to breaking the state career sack record. He just seems to have a nose for the ball, he's at least 6' 4½" in height, and has been blessed with long arms and quick hands.

24. DL Solomon Thomas 6-3, 265
Coppell (Texas), Uncommitted
In person Solomon already looks like a college player and on film, he dominates one-on-one but can also split the double-team and consistently apply pressure on the QB. A big, physical DE, he benches 355.



25. QB Will Grier 6-3, 190
Davidson Day (Davidson, N.C.), Committed to Florida
You would be hard pressed to find a more prolific passer than Mr. Grier. On film he shows a big-time arm, nice touch, and terrific instincts, be it at passing or running. He threw for 5,785 yds and 69 TDs and was picked off just six times as a junior, and also ran for over 800 yds.