Forest Park Bruins

Gameday's Elite 10 Prospects Named

RANKING THE 2008 PROSPECTS: THE ELITE 10

It's honestly been quite a long time since we've seen such depth in one recruiting class from the Northern Virginia area. We still believe the 2002 recruiting class had more big-name players, with Ahmad Brooks, Thomas Clayton, Mike Imoh, and Marcus Hamilton highlighting that group. Yet if you want to talk in terms of pure depth, you have to go back a ways to find this many quality prospects.

So what better way to kick off our recruiting coverage than with a ranking of the 2009 top Northern Virginia prospects? Listed below, we measured up how the area's prospects stack up with one another. Don't expect this ranking to be final either. As the recruiting season goes on, we'll adjust the list as we see fit once new combine scores come in and new offers are extended.

For now though, here's how we currently rate the Elite 10 prospects.

1. DE'ANTWAN "ROCKET" WILLIAMS
Running Back, Woodbridge
Height: 5-foot-7
Weight: 207 lbs.
Forty: 4.5 secs.

How could we not go with the "Rocket" for our #1 spot? Ever since the start of his sophomore year in which he ran for 1690 yards, Williams has been on every coach's wish list. Last year, Williams ran for 2,247 yards and 27 touchdowns in getting his team to the state finals, and this offseason he's on the brink of being one of the top 100 prospects in the nation. Despite being a bit undersized at 5-foot-7, Williams is one of the toughest players to bring down, thanks in part to his tremendous center of gravity and agility. Not even last year's highly touted Ryan Williams (Stonewall Jackson/Virginia Tech), who was listed as one of the top 5 running backs in the nation, has a better burst of speed than the Rocket. After all, he isn't called the Rocket for nothing. In a year where a lot of the area's top prospects have surprisingly committed early, Williams remains uncommitted at this point, making him a person of great interest over the summer.

2. DAVID WANG (VIRGINIA TECH)
Defensive tackle, Stone Bridge
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 301 lbs.
Forty: 4.8 secs.

Unfortunately for fans, they'll never be able to see Wang play his natural position at the high school level which is a shame. Why? Well, simply put, Wang is an athletic freak of nature. He would dominate the line in a way few players have ever done in this area. Not in a long time have we seen a player of Wang's stature move so well. Weighing in at 300 pounds, Wang happens to have the athletic ability of a linebacker. Running a 4.8 forty, we can't wait to see Wang at the next level when at Virginia Tech. That type of athletic ability for players his size is reserved for players in the NFL. That's right, those are numbers NFL defensive lineman put up. Unfortunately for Wang is that he likely won't see the same amount of press as some of his peers because of his extremely early commitment. Way back on the 1st of September, Wang decided to commit to Virginia Tech, a school him and his family know very well. Wang's older brother, Ed, starts at tackle for the Hokies and it's our guess that it won't be long before David becomes a regular starter as well. The way he measures up now, we'd even go as far as to predict a NFL future. Remember though, you heard it here first.

3. BRYN RENNER (NORTH CAROLINA)
Dual-Threat Quarterback, West Springfield
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 192 lbs.
Forty: 4.8 secs.

Renner this past fall became quite the household name. Accumulating a whopping 3,347 total yards and 42 touchdowns, Renner was able to establish himself as one of the premier players in the entire state. It wasn't too long before coaches started to recognize the offensive output Renner was producing and then came calling. Soon, the floodgates would open for Renner. First, it was first Virginia Tech to offer then within the next month, six more schools came calling with an offer in hand. But what's not to like about Renner? At 6-foot-3, he's got the size to succeed at the next level and has some of the best great dual-threat capabilities. Not only can he move real well, but he's one of the more accurate dual-threat quarterbacks the Commonwealth has to offer. Committing to North Carolina in late March, Renner put an early end to what looked to be a fierce battle for his services.

4. DAMIEN THIGPEN (TENNESSEE)
Athlete, Stonewall Jackson
Height: 5-foot-8
Weight: 170 lbs.
Forty: 4.34 sec.

We mentioned earlier David Wang was an athletic freak, well, Thigpen is a speed freak. In fact, Thigpen is one of the top-ranked sprinters in the country, so it's no wonder why Thigpen became such a coveted recruit. His overall speed is simply unmatched in the area and is downright deadly in the open field. Recruited as an athlete, Thigpen spent his junior year in the backfield where he accounted for 682 yards on 79 carries. Yet don't let the numbers fool you. He split carries with highly prized recruit Ryan Williams (Virginia Tech) and was plagued with injury last year, only playing in a limited amount of games. It seemed recruiters weren't fooled either, as most every school on the East Coast was after the Stonewall Jackson athlete. In the end, Thigpen decided to make Tennessee his future home where he'll also compete in track.

5. COREY LILLARD (VIRGINIA)
Safety, Liberty
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 205 lbs.
Forty: 4.55 sec.

Welcome to 2009's next great Liberty product. Every year head coach Tommy Buzzo is able to churn out a blue-chip or two, and he's got a great one in the class of 2009. Lillard is one of the more natural football players on this list, and how can we put it, is just flat-out fun to watch. His play resembles that of a Sean Taylor or Ronnie Lott in that he'll knock the tar out of people but has the speed to be a highly effective defensive back. His 37-inch vertical is also very impressive, making him quite the ideal player for coaches--and fans--to want. The way Lillard looks on film and measures up at combines, we expect him to be quite the impact player at the next level, and could easily move up two or three spots on this list. The talented safety's recruitment blew up this past winter where he was sitting on a total of 9 offers. He decided to end the Lillard Sweepstakes in April when he decided he would play for the University of Virginia.

6. ZACH THOMPSON (WAKE FOREST)
Defensive End, Stone Bridge
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 250 lbs.
Forty: 4.9 sec.

Here's a player whose stock absolutely skyrocketed this past spring. Already on the radar screen for a lot of coaches due to his size and athleticism, it wasn't too long before they all pulled the trigger on the 6-foot-5 defensive end out of Stone Bridge. What stands out about Thompson is his physical dominance and instincts. On tape, he resembles more of a Chris Long-type and we believe he's college ready right now. His height and current size are prototypical for a player at the next level, plus he carries with him great athletic instincts. Able to fly to the ball fairly well, a lot of that has to do with Thompson reading the play. Being the son of Stone Bridge head coach Mickey Thompson may have something do with that, but his size, instincts, and athleticism should translate over very nicely to the college level. After eventually getting to seven offers in a month and a half's time, Thompson put an end to his recruitment after announcing in April he would play for Wake Forest.

7. ROSS METHENY (VIRGINIA)
Quarterback, Sherando
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 185 lbs.
Forty: 4.64 sec.

Ever since Metheny's freshmen year, he's been thought of as a great future college prospect. Fast-forward to his senior year, and Metheny is just that--a great prospect. We can't say enough great things about Metheny and what he adds to the table. First, his 6-foot-3 size makes him perfectly suited for the next level, but maybe just as valuable is his 4.64 forty time. Classified as a pro-style quarterback, adding that element of escape-ability really adds to his stock value. He may lack in the overall athleticism of Renner, but his arm is arguably better. Not only does the Stephens City native have a rocket of an arm, but his accuracy is exceptional. Really has a great touch and also can zip the ball in tight quarters, which is why we like Metheny so much as a prospect. Metheny, like a lot of his area counterparts committed over the spring, and announced he will play for Virginia next year.

8. TORRIAN PACE
Running back, Chantilly
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 225 lbs.
Forty: 4.47 sec.

Maybe about a month, or even a week ago, Pace would not have made the Top 10. Then came in Pace's combine numbers, and college coaches everywhere were taking a more serious look at the running back out of Chantilly. Already putting up huge numbers in both his sophomore and junior seasons, Pace had his name out on the market. What coaches didn't know was Pace's speed. Running a solid 4.47 in the forty and also being a well-built 225-pounds, Pace makes for quite an attractive prospect. We particularly like him for his frame, but his speed and athletic talents top it all off. Boston College recently offered and we expect a lot more to do the same in the coming months. Of the prospects in the Top 10, Pace has the most potential to shoot up the charts.

9. BRIAN SLAY (N.C. STATE)
Defensive Tackle, Stone Bridge
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 240 lbs.
Forty: 4.9 sec.

The third Stone Bridge prospect to make our top 10 is Slay. He's a player that could certainly have been put in the top five, but the way the other prospects' stock have risen diminish to an extent Slay's true value. What really stands out about Slay is his smash-mouth style of play. Projected to play at the defensive tackle position at the next level, we could see Slay bulking up to 260 in college and packing an even bigger punch. Much like his teammate Wang, he has tremendous athleticism for his size, which makes him a hot commodity for coaches. After receiving his first offer from N.C. State, Slay soon committed to play for the Wolfpack back in early March.

10. LUKE BOWANKO (VIRGINIA)
Offensive Line, Centreville
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 260 lbs.
Forty: 4.7

Putting Bowanko in the tenth spot was a tough decision, because he's one player who could've moved up a lot. This is a player whose recent stock has been absolutely skyrocketing and for good reason. His athleticism is tremendous, but better yet is his height. At 6-foot-6, he has the potential to dominate once in the college ranks, much in the same way he dominates now at the high school level. He may need to fill out his frame a bit more, but he's already a solid 260 pounds. Bowanko just committed to play for Virginia in late April, ending what appeared to be an evolving battle for his services. After UVa offered the Centreville lineman, it was Boston College then Florida State pulling the trigger within days of Virginia offering. Like a lot of the committed players on our Top 10, Bowanko's list of offers could have grown considerably longer if not committing right away.

NOTABLES:

11. Jay Weatherington
Offensive Lineman, Woodbridge
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 280 lbs.
Forty: 4.9 sec.

Weatherington in early April received his first offer from Boston College, but since then, things have slowed for the massive lineman out of Woodbridge. Has great speed for a player of his build, and could certainly land more offers in the months to come after hitting the combine and camp circuit over the summer.

12. Brandon Scott
Wide Receiver, Forest Park
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 210 lbs.
Forty: 4.59 sec.

Scott is certainly the type of player who passes the eyeball test in that he looks like the prototypical wide receiver. We like his frame and his build, we feel it's only a matter of time before this prospect lands his first offer.

13. Stephon Robertson
Linebacker, Edison
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 200 lbs.
Forty: 4.53

About three months ago, Robertson would have easily been in our top five, but it appears his height has scared off a few teams. At 5-foot-10, he's a bit short in terms of a linebacker, but his talent level is through the roof. He led the state in tackles in just his sophomore year and followed that performance up with another 142 tackles this past fall. He's feared around the Northern Virginia area, and his stock could certainly skyrocket at any moment.

14. Kenny Smith
Defensive Line, Park View
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 245 lbs.
Forty: 5.3

Smith certainly has the physical tools needed to succeed at the next level, and at 6-foot-5, a lot of coaches are really giving him a hard look. He's another prospect that's on the verge of getting his first offer, but a lot of coaches may be trigger shy because of Smith's knee injury suffered last fall. Give him possibly a few more months in the recruiting process, and Smith's value could really shoot up.

15. Jack Tyler
Linebacker, Oakton
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 215 lbs.
Forty: 4.69 sec.

Tyler is a prospect who is more of a sleeper than anything else. We've recently seen his interest rise, however, so it looks like the secret is out on Tyler. The Oakton linebacker's athleticism is what's most impressive, but once he bulks up, he could be quite capable at the next level. We feel this is one prospect that will really help his cause the more combines and camps he visits.

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