2012 Five Star Top5 By Position - The Defense

Now that the Five-Star Showcases are complete it's time to look at the top performers at each defensive position regardless of academic grade. NUC National Analyst Barry Every breaks down his Top5 performers at each position based on accomplishments and potential. Highlight video, game film, and current offers were not taken into consideration for this article. Only in person evaluation at the Five-Star showcases were used for these rankings. Below each player's high school, actual size, grad year, and camp location are indicated along with a quick quote on their performance.

1.     Andre Brown, Indian River, VA, 6-3-1/2, 285 (2014) - East

He is that rare hybrid defensive end/defensive tackle.

2.     Terrence Summers, Springfield, TN, 6-1, 268 (2013) - South

Summers' was the strongest lineman at the point of attack I saw this year.

3.     Stacey Thomas, Gulliver Prep, FL, 6-1, 233 (2013) - Florida

Thomas comes off the ball like his hair is on fire.

4.     Mike Taylor, Brecksville-Broadview Heights, OH, 6-5, 214 (2014) - Midwest

Taylor may have had the quickest get off that I saw this year.

5.     Demetrius Cooper, Julian, IN, 6-5-1/2 (2013) - Central

Cooper has the ideal length and speed to be a pure pass rusher at the next level.

Just Missed: Nathaniel Obinwa, Olympia, FL (2013) - Florida; Thomas Plonski, Brooklyn Tech, NY (2013) - East; Gelen Robinson, Lake Central, IN (2014) - Central; John Stepec, Lake Catholic, OH (2013) - Midwest.

1.     Khairi Clark, Chaminade, FL, 6-1-1/2, 305 (2014) - Florida

Clark has the ideal girth and hand placement to play nose guard at the highest level.

2.     Courtel Jenkins, St. Anthony's, NJ, 6-1-1/2, 319 (2014) - East

Jenkins proved powerful at the point of attack and played with great pad level.

3.     Jacob Hyde, Clay County, KY, 6-2, 339 (2013) - Midwest

You can't move this behemoth nose guard off the ball.

4.     Devyn Salmon, Plant City, FL, 6-0-1/2, 277 (2013) - Florida

Salmon is powerful and very quick at the point of attack.

5.     Dalton Fields, Pine Creek, CO, 6-2, 260 (2013) - West

He is strong, strong, strong, and tough as an ox.

Just Missed: Logan Dziak, Buckeye Valley, OH (2014) - Midwest; Donovan McCray, McKinley, LA (2013) - Southeast.

1.     Anthony Walker, Jr., Monsignor Pace, FL, 6-1, 204 (2013) - Florida

He covered backs like a corner with hips on a swivel and a balanced backpedal.

2.     Tre' Williams, St. Paul's, AL, 6-2, 224 (2014) - South

Williams proved physical at the line of scrimmage with excellent lateral movement.

3.     Gyasi Akem, Broken Arrow, OK, 6-2, 211 (2014) - Southwest

When this linebacker rides out he is moving like a gazelle.

4.     Aaaqil Sheppard, Iona Prep, NY, 6-1, 202 (2013) - East

Sheppard has excellent cover skills and a frame that can add serious muscle mass.

5.     Nick Newman, Battlefield, VA, 6-3, 192 (2013) - East

His length allows him to make plays on the ball.

Just Missed: Justin Bridges-Thompson, Spartanburg, SC (2013) - South; Christian Cole, McDonough, MD (2013) - East; Derek Ibekwe, Lamar Consolidated, TX (2014) - Southwest; Gus Madden, Ross, OH (2013) - Midwest.

1.     Quin Blanding, Bayside, VA, 6-2, 192 (2014) - East

His size and physicality are second to none.

2.     Holland Fisher, Manchester, VA, 6-0-1/2, 198 (2013) - East

Fisher has the build of an outside linebacker with cover skills.

3.     Isaiah Gourdine, Farmington, MI, 6-2, 192 (2013) - Midwest

He continues to get bigger and faster making him one of the hottest prospects in the Midwest.

4.     Kris Weatherspoon, Natchez, MS, 6-1-1/2, 186 (2013) - Southeast

Weatherspoon knows how to take receiver off their intended routes and he has soft hands.

5.     Trevor Derouen, Gueydan, LA, 5-11-1/2, 178 (2013) - Southeast

He is athletic enough to play corner.

Just Missed: Barry Higdon, Northeast, FL (2013) - South

1.     Cinwon Whitehead, BT Washington, GA, 5-9, 170 (2013) - South

He proved a great technician and physical at the line of scrimmage.

2.     Blake McClain, Winter Park, FL, 5-10-1/2, 180 (2013) - Florida

He has the ideal size and strength to combat larger receivers

3.     Chidobe Awuzie, Oak Grove, CA, 5-11, 175 (2013) - West

Awuzie has the coveted size and ball skills college coaches are looking for.

4.     Christopher Thompson, Voise Academy, IL, 5-9, 179 (2014) - Central

This guy is a go getter that has hips on a swivel.

5.     Darin Peart, Erasmus Hall, NY, 5-9, 162 (2014) - East

Peart has hips on a swivel and great recovery speed.

Just Missed: Evrett Edwards, Woodbridge, NJ (2013) - East; Sanchez Lofton, Vanguard, FL (2013) - Florida; Cre Moore, Broken Arrow, OK (2013) - Southwest; Jaylen Myrick, Savannah Christian, GA (2013) - South; Justin Strong, Summit, CA (2013) - West