Scout
100 - 2011 Version 1.0
The Scouts of Scout.com tirelessly scour the country for the best players in the
country, and our efforts aren't limited to any one single class. While the
reporting of the Class of 2010 is in full swing, we've been building our
database full of elite juniors who will make up the Class of 2011.
While players report offers earlier than their junior seasons, schools couldn't
officially offer a scholarship to a player until Tuesday September 1st. The
recruiting process begins earlier and earlier as players are attending camps and
combines and making a big impact for their high schools as sophomores and
sometimes even freshman.
The first edition of the Scout 100 for 2011 introduces you to 100 elite
prospects from around the country. They are currently listed in alphabetical
order, and this list will change over the course of the next 18 months. What
won't change though, is if a player is on this list, he will be heavily
recruited.
With 2500 high school players that sign scholarships with Division 1 schools,
there are always extremely talented players in every class. Where it sometimes
varies is the depth at each position. For instance, the Class of 2009 was loaded
with quarterbacks, the Class of 2010 with defensive linemen, and the Class of
2011 looks to be the year of the running back.
While initial recruiting rankings usually skew heavily towards offensive skill
player, there are still a whopping 18 running backs on the list.
Several of the Scout regional managers call out the running back position when
discussing the top players in their regions.
"Aaron Green (5-9/175) from San Antonio Madison (Texas) is the Top player
in my region," said Midland Manager Baron Flenory. "Green is not only
the top player in Texas, he is the top player in the entire region, and I think
you would hard pressed to find many players in the country better than him.
He has amazing vision and cutting ability. He accelerates like a Porsche;
0-60 in no time. He has powerful legs and an upper body to match. He is an elite
prospect with elite talent. From his foot quickness, to his change of direction
skills, to his pad level, etc... he is elite."
Another speedster reminiscent of West Virginia's Noel Devine tops the list in
the West.
DeAnthony Thomas
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"The top prospect in the West is DeAnthony Thomas (5-11/185/4.4) from Los
Angeles (Calif.) Crenshaw," said West Manager Brandon Huffman. "Given
the nickname 'The Black Mamba' in his middle school days, he's easily the best
back in the West. Thomas may be the most explosive player in the region on
either side of the ball, and is a big reason why Crenshaw is favored to win the
City this year."
South Manager Chad Simmons agrees that running back is the deepest position in
his region as well.
"The South looks good across the board when talking high level recruits,
but if I had to name one position that really looks strong early it would be
running back," said Simmons. "I compiled 55 players for this list and
ended up with two backs from Florida (Mike Bellamy and Marlin Lane), two from
Georgia (Isaiah Crowell and Quan Bray), two from Louisiana (Kenny Hilliard and
Jeremy Hill) and one from South Carolina (Shon Carson) on this list. You have
power backs, speed backs, and balanced backs in the 2011 class."
The top prospect in the East this year is from a position in that region that
has been good to the college ranks through recent history.
"Tight End Ben Koyack (6-5/230 Oil City, Penn.) is looking like the top
player in the East Region for the class of 2011 right now," said East
Manager Bob Lichtenfels. "We have been privileged to see some great tight
ends the past few years like Aaron Hernandez, Nate Byham and Andrew Quarless,
but Koyack has the ability to be better than all of them."
Athletic quarterbacks dominate the position on the Scout 100 including Teddy Bridgewater of Miami, Fla. and Christian LeMay of Matthews, N.C., and it's a
dual threat performer that holds the top spot in the Midwest Region.
Braxton Miller
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"Braxton Miller (6-1/174/4.47) of Huber Heights, Ohio is the top prospect
in the Midwest," said Midwest Manager Allen Trieu. "He's a special
talent who can pass and run with equal efficiency and also has that knack for
making it happen when plays break down."
Ohio Scout Dave Berk agrees. "Miller can do it all, beat you with his arm
(throw 70-yards) or his legs (40- 4.45) on the field. But it's his presence in
the huddle and as a leader that makes him one of the top quarterback prospects
to come out of Ohio in many years."
The Scout 100 for 2011 is a first look at the elite prospects from around the
country. The list will change as new players are discovered and players mature
and develop through their junior and senior seasons of high school. Scout will
continue its way to ranking over 2,000 prospects as it has for the last two
seasons. Scholarship offers are already going out to players, and here is a
first look at the Scout 100 for the Class of 2011.
Scout
100 - 2011 Version 1.0
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