Sunshine State Stocked With Recruits

The Scout.com class of 2006 state rankings are here, and today's list includes appearances from Colorado, Florida, Michigan, South Carolina, and Washington.

State Rankings

Colorado 10

Florida 100

Michigan 25

South Carolina 30

Washington 30

Tomorrow: Ohio, Nebraska, New York, Tennessee

In keeping with the trend of the top players in the south, offensive tackle Sam Young holds the top spot for the Sunshine State. He and teammates Marcus Gilbert and Daniel Wenger of St. Thomas Acquinas form the top offensive line in the country. They are not alone as top prospects on the offensive line in a deep year in the south, according to South recruiting editor Scott Kennedy.

"That includes the likes of Daron Rose and players that could move to the offensive line like Charles Deas, Corey Hobbs, and Kenrick Ellis. Jamar Hornsby of Sandalwood is another player that can go both ways, but he's a little farther away from the ball at wide receiver and safety. C.J. Spiller is the fastest big time back in the south and maybe the entire country. Tim Tebow is a record setting quarterback for Nease that helps round out the very cream of the crop in Florida."

Clifton Geathers

South Carolina also has an offensive lineman at the top of the list as well with rangy Clifton Geathers taking the number one spot, followed closely by Clemson commitment Ricky Sapp.

"Either of those two players could end up at the top of the rankings at their position in a very top-heavy year in South Carolina this year," adds East recruiting editor Miller Safrit. "Prince Miller is a player that has a lot of athletic ability and will make noise as soon as he steps on the field at Georgia, and I am really impressed with Adam Patterson. He is a guy that could move up this fall."

Steve Schilling

The state of Washington is also ruled at the top by two five star players with offensive lineman Steve Schilling and safety Taylor Mays.

"It's an interesting year for the state of Washington in the sense that there probably isn't a huge difference in the number of prospects that will go to division one schools than in years past, but there most definitely is a marked difference in the quality of recruit when talking about the top 5-6 players in-state," says West recruiting analyst Chris Fetters. "Steve Schilling and Taylor Mays are number-two nationally at offensive lineman and safety respectively, and Jake Locker certainly warrants mention when it come to being the top quarterback prospect on the entire west coast. You add in a top-ten national DT prospect in Cameron Elisara and you have arguably the top-four prep prospects to ever come out of a Washington-based class in any one year."

Brandon Graham

As for Michigan, the number one prospect was an easy selection with linebacker Brandon Graham. The biggest question is, will they all stay in-state?

"It’s a down year in the state of Michigan but there are still some talented prospects to be had and Michigan and Michigan State seem to be cleaning up on all the talent," says Midwest recruiting analyst Chris Pool." Michigan has a commitment from Scout.com five-star linebacker Brandon Graham as well as Scout.com All-American Combine standout Quintin Patilla. Michigan State grabbed linebacker Traverse City linebacker Eric Gordon. Gordon put on quite a show at the Scout.com All-American Combine in Champaign, Ill. The Spartans also have commitments from Traverse City (St. Francis) defensive end Patrick Rigan and Bloomfield (Brother Rice) tight end Charlie Gantt."

The state of Colorado seemingly always has a lineman taking the state's number one spot. Butch Lewis, a national top 100 prospect per Scout.com, gives the Rocky Mountain state yet another worthy number one.

"Having the athleticism to pull, get out and run, leading the way for running backs," is what Midlands recruiting analyst Stacey Dean believes Lewis brings to the table. "The Regis Jesuit senior-to-be (Denver, Colorado) has schools across the country chasing hard, and for good reason."