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, so check back on each of the next three 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.
76. Devon Thomas, RB, 5-11, 210
Broken Arrow (Okla.), Committed to Oklahoma StateThis
young man's mind is set on football and he will become one of the top
freshman running backs in the country next fall. Nicknamed "The Freak"
and for good reason, he shows balance, speed and power. He was timed at
10.5 seconds in the 100 meters as a sophomore. He will go as far as his work
ethic takes him.
77. Khairi Clark, DL, 6-3, 310
Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.), UncommittedA powerhouse at nose tackle, when I met Khairi this past January, he looked every bit of at least 6-2. His film shows exceptional quickness, strong hands and the
ability to split the double-team. He's one of the nation's premier defensive tackle
prospects.
78. Shaq Davidson, WR, 6-1, 170
Gaffney (S.C.), UncommittedHe has it all, with the
exception of great strength. He possesses terrific leaping ability,
hands, hand/eye coordination, shows creative moves after the catch and
makes great cuts. Although thin, he's stronger then he looks. He tore
his ACL as a 10th grader but has come on strong to become one of the top
five prospects in South Carolina.
79. Dylan Thompson, DL, 6-5, 275
Montini (Lombard, Ill.), Committed to Ohio StateI first
watched Dylan play last season and came away very impressed. He's big,
strong and quick. His junior film is as good as any defensive lineman
in the Midwest. He has the potential to dominate.
80. Derrick Nnadi, DL, 6-3, 300
Ocean Lakes (Virginia Beach, Va.), UncommittedWe took our
summer magazine front cover picture at this high school in March, but I
had already known about Mr. Nnadi. On film he dominates the point of
attack and is super strong with exceptionally quick feet, balance and
drive. He recorded 14 sacks as a junior on his way to earning
All-Tidewater honors.
Quenton Nelson, Red Bank Catholic
File photo by Bill Normile
81. Quenton Nelson, OL, 6-5, 290
Red Bank Catholic (N.J.), Notre DameThe top offensive line prospect in the east, he comes off the ball with strength, quickness,
desire and aggressiveness. He's very difficult to handle one-on-one, he can
split the double-team and can play either tackle or guard. He seems
effortless moving back into pass protection and really knows how to use
his hands.
82. Trey Quinn, WR, 6-1, 196
Barbe (Lake Charles, La.), UncommittedLet's face it,
although Trey has decent height at 6-1 and blazing speed at 4.39, it's
his stats that can't be denied. He caught passes good for 2,094 yards and 22 touchdowns, averaging 18 yards per catch as a junior. A go-to guy, he catches
everything within reach and has the work ethic to exceed big-time at the
next level. The scouts are also impressed with his 35-inch vertical jump
and his 21.9 200-meter time. He should become an instant impact player
as a true freshman.
83. Mason Cole, OL, 6-5, 280
East Lake (Tarpon Springs, Fla.), Committed to MichiganI
sat down with Mason, his teammates and his coach at East Lake High
School back in January. After watching him on film and talking to him in
person, I believe he has what it takes to become the next big thing, as
far as offensive linemen are concerned, at the University of Michigan.
He's athletic, nasty, smart and technically superior to just about any
other offensive lineman in the south.
84. Korie Rogers, LB, 6-2, 213
Buford (Ga.), UncommittedThe thing that separates Rogers from the rest of the top linebacker prospects in the state of Georgia is his
blazing speed. As quick as a cat, he can get to the ball in a hurry,
does a great job of discarding blockers and hammering ballcarriers. He
has totaled more than 100 tackles, picked off seven passes and was credited
with 12 sacks as a junior on his way to earning first team All-State
honors.
85. Andrew Williams, DL, 6-4, 245
Eagle's Landing (McDonough, Ga.), UncommittedHere's another
Peach State standout whose stats cannot be denied. He recorded 65
tackles, 18 sacks and three forced fumbles as a junior on his way to
earning All-State mention. He helped lead his team to a state
championship. He has the frame to weigh 270 and the burst to become a
successful pass rusher.
86. Demarcus Christmas, DL, 6-4, 290
Manatee (Bradenton, Fla.), Committed to Florida StateIt
looks to be a very good year for NG/DT prospects and one of the very
best is Mr. Christmas. It's not Christmas for the opposition when
Demarcus is on his game. A bull rusher, he recorded 75 tackles and nine
sacks as a junior. He loves to mix it up in the trenches and shows good
change of direction. He plays the game on his feet and dominates the
point of attack.
87. Demetrius Knox, DT, 6-5, 285
All Saints (Fort Worth, Texas), Committed to TexasThe
No. 1 defensive tackle prospect in the state of Texas has proven to be very difficult
to move out of the way. I watched his junior film after meeting
Demetrius last December and came away with the thought that he might be
better served at the tackle position, but he prefers DT. What I've seen on
the offensive side of the ball is an All-American in waiting with the
agility, flexibility and motor the college scouts love to see. He could
wind up playing either tackle or guard in
college.
88. Dwight Williams, LB, 6-2, 230
Serra (Gardena, Calif.), UncommittedI had seen Dwight's
film last season but did not meet him in person until this past April
and came away very impressed. He already has the build of a college linebacker to go with the tenacity, aggressiveness, instincts and speed to the
ball needed to become an impact backer in
college.
89. Josh Frazier, DT, 6-4, 330
Har-Ber (Springdale, Ark.), UncommittedHere's another ballplayer that I believe could be better served on the offensive line,
although he has played defensive tackle in high school. He's a Buddha-like DT with good
initial burst, terrific balance and superior strength. He's not much of a
pass rusher but he stuffs the run as well as any DT in the country. He's
also a standout in track and in
basketball.
90. Qualen Cunningham, DL, 6-3, 235
Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.), UncommittedI went to this school
to check out Casey Tucker, but head coach Steve Belles brought out five
other top prospects, including Mr. Cunningham. His film shows a super-quick 235-pounder who comes off the edge like no one's business, uses
his hands well and shows good closing speed. He could weigh 270 in
college.
91. Demarre Kitt, WR, 6-1, 200
Sandy Creek (Tyrone, Ga.), UncommittedThe state's most
prolific pass catcher in 2012, he caught 74 passes for 1,231 yds and 11 touchdowns on his way to earning first team All-State honors. He's not super big,
but has excellent quickness, runs precise routes and can catch
everything within reach.
92. Jamarco Jones, OL, 6-5, 285
De La Salle (Chicago), UncommittedNot yet the
dominating player he should become in college, but Jones did improve by leaps
and bounds between his sophomore and junior years. He plays in the
heralded Chicago Catholic League and impressed everyone with his run
blocking ability. He's blessed with long arms and quick
feet.
93. Derick Roberson, OL, 6-4, 230
Brennan (San Antonio), Committed to TexasSpeed, quickness
and strength are three attributes you can use to describe Roberson's style. He's another good
edge rusher who totaled 12 sacks and 25 hurries as a junior to go
with 33 tackles for losses.
94. Andrew Trumbetti, DL, 6-5, 251
Northern Valley Regional (Demarest, N.J.), Committed to Notre
DameA big, muscular pass-rushing defensive end who is as physical as they
come. He loves to mix it up, shows a quick burst and is excellent in
pursuit.
95. DB Ronnie Clark 6-3, 212
Calera (Ala.), UncommittedHe could wind up playing FS, SS,
or OLB in college. He has played SS most of his prep career. The scouts
are impressed with his hardhitting style of play. He loves to mix it up
showing great range, football instincts, and is a sure tackler. He's
also a standout in basketball and comes from a very athletic family. His
brother, Laguerhin Allen, played at Grambling; he had a cousin in the
Canadian League; and also another cousin who played at
Alabama.
96. LB Vincent Jackson 6-3, 237
Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.), UncommittedAnother good-sized, quick
to the ball, and very productive LB, he can play either inside or
outside at the next level. Shows great overall strength, awareness, and
instincts to the ball. Recorded 70 tackles and 13 sacks in
2012.
97. WR Noah Brown 6-2, 220
Pope John XXIII (Sparta, N.J.), UncommittedListed as a
future All-American in last summer’s magazine and has done nothing to
disprove that. He’s a big, physical receiver with deceptive speed and
super strong hands. He has what it takes to become a dominating receiver
in college.
98. OL Alex Bars 6-6, 275
Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville, Tenn.), UncommittedI
interviewed Alex's dad, Joe Bars, back in 1984 before Joe signed with
Notre Dame. He has had two other sons, one signed with Michigan and one
signed with Penn State. And now, along come Alex, the most heavily
recruited of the family and for good reason. I saw Alex play last
October in Nashville and was impressed with his quickness off the ball,
ability to slide outside to cut off edge rushers, he moves effortlessly,
and is quick enough to effectively block out on the second level. Runs
very well for a 275-pounder.
99. RB Adam Choice 5-9, 195
Thomas County Central (Thomasville, Ga.), UncommittedI
spent several hours with Adam and his coach down in south Georgia this
past January and was impressed with Adam at the QB position. He threw
for over 600 yds and rushed for 1,658 yds and 23 TDs showing great
running instincts. Will play RB in college. Despite a lack of height,
he's a load to bring down and very strong in the leg showing good
balance and burst. He's the cousin of Tashard Choice and Joe
Burns.
100. ATH Kalen Ballage 6-2, 221, 4.37
Falcon (Falcon, Colo.), UncommittedThe No. 1 prospect in the state
of Colorado already looks like he's ready for the pros. A big, muscular
two-way player, he averaged over 10 yds per carry on offense catching
17 passes for 520 yds. He totaled 55 tackles at OLB. A rising star and a
potential All-American.