East Loads Up

The Scout.com Regional rankings begin today with an East region that includes three of the top five players in the nation, the nation's top prospect in Marvin Austin, steady offensive lineman Anthony Davis, and the top wide receiver in the nation Arrelious Benn.

Of the four players from Washington, D.C. making the list, two are the top prospects in the East region with Marvin Austin and Arrelious Benn, but the two were easy picks to sit atop the East Hot 100.

"When we saw Marvin as a sophomore, we all knew he was going to be special and that has come to fruition," said Bob Lichtenfels, the East Regional editor for Scout.com. "He is an elite player because he has God-given talent and he works as hard as anyone you will find. He has that rare combination of speed, power, agility, toughness and desire that sets all the great ones apart from the rest. He could have a Warren Sapp-type of impact at the college level."

At much more of a prototype size measuring 6-2 in Akron last May and growing even more since then, the 300 pound Austin is not letting the recruiting process get to him while trying to have fun like a rising senior should.

"Maybe I can bring some glitter and glitz to the (defensive) tackle position," Austin said jokingly. "The quarterbacks, running backs or skilled people always get all the glory. Well, this season it is a little different."

The other part of the D.C. Dynamic Duo, Arrelious Benn, looked the part of a college football player, not just a prospect, as a freshman at Dunbar High School.

"Benn is not your typical long and lanky wide receiver and he is not the short and elusive type prospect," Lichtenfels said. "What he is, is a combination of the two. He plays bigger than his size, he has break-away speed and he is tremendously strong. Benn has outstanding concentration and ball skills and he is truly a treat to watch in the open field after the catch."

Offensive linemen have a strong hold on the region with 22 of the big men making the East Hot 100 led by the nation's top offensive lineman Anthony Davis.

"The one position that is the hardest to fill at any level is a quality offensive tackle to protect the quarterbacks back side," Lichtenfels said of Davis, adding that not only can he do that but he does it easily. "He is very light on his feet for a prospect of his size. He has an oustanding frame and a long wing-span. He can get to the second level and seal linebackers. He can handle speed or power rushers at the point of attack. Linemen who are equally adept at run and pass blocking are a rarity."

Virginia and West Virginia lead the way in commitments with five apiece including J'Courtney Williams, Peter Lalich, Max Milien, Aaron Taliaferro, and Jared Detrick pledged to the Cavaliers and Charlie Russell, Junius Lewis, Terence Kerns, Donny Barclay, and Bradley Starks committed to the Mountaineers.

• East Regional Hot 100
• Tuesday: Midwest 100
• Wednesday: West 100
• Thursday: Southwest 100
• Friday: Southeast 100