re: Class of 2015 Recruiting MEGATHREAD - Twilight Edition

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2014 comparison: Travonte Valentine

At 6'4" and 292 pounds, 5-star defensive tackle Trent Thompson is a playmaker in the trenches. He's equally impressive versus running plays and passing plays.

Thompson explodes upfield at the snap, plus he has good power and strength. Although 4-star 2014 defensive tackle Travonte Valentine weighs more than Thompson at 338 pounds, the LSU signee and the 2015 prospect are similar players.

When he plays at full tilt, Valentine can work well as a gap-penetrator like Thompson, plus he has no issues anchoring versus the run. Thompson plays with a bigger motor and more consistent effort, but Valentine is capable of doing a lot of the same things.

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Talent Overview: Two 5-stars; 11 4-stars

Top of the Class

This group is led by a duo of dynamic defensive linemen who are still uncommitted. Tackle Tim Settle and edge-rusher Josh Sweat earned 5-star ratings with outstanding junior seasons.

Versatile athlete Jaason Lewis verbally committed to UCLA in February, while Ocean Lakes High School teammate Jahvoni Simmons is one of America's most impressive uncommitted inside linebackers. Richmond residents Clelin Ferrell and Rick DeBerry are both impact perimeter players along the defensive front, while fellow area star Garrett Taylor is a shutdown cornerback.

Offensive tackles Matthew Burrell and Austin Clark rank among the nation's best bookends.

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Talent Overview: Four 5-stars; 25 4-stars

Top of the Class

Last year, Georgia featured a ridiculously loaded class that commanded the constant attention of college coaches from Baton Rouge to Los Angeles. The state features a perfect storm of prospect talent that could threaten perennial powers California, Texas and Florida in 2015.

Georgia is home to the nation's top-ranked linemen on both sides of the ball. Defensive tackle Trent Thompson is rated America's No. 1 overall prospect in 247Sports' composite rankings, while Clemson commit Mitch Hyatt is the No. 1 offensive tackle prospect.

Thompson is at the top of a dynamic crop of defensive linemen including Natrez Patrick, D'Andre Walker and Mekhi Brown, an Alabama pledge.

Preston Williams is one of the county's most dominant wide receivers. The Tennessee commit headlines a crop of offensive playmakers that features 4-star running back Taj Griffin and Auburn-bound quarterback Tyler Queen.

Mark Richt and the Georgia Bulldogs are in prime position to reap the benefits of a strong in-state class. The program has already picked up pledges from 5-star athlete Terry Godwin, defensive end Chauncey Rivers and receiver Christian Owens.

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Deionte Thompson has a chance to become an All-SEC safety at Alabama. He's a smart player who defends the seams with good range and athleticism.

Thompson, who is 6'2" and 181 pounds, fits best as a free safety. The 4-star defensive back can sit on top of a defense by himself due to his ability to quickly get out of transition when attacking passing lanes. Thompson has good ball skills, plus he'll support the run when he can.

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Asked what offer Langley has yet to get that he is hoping to land, Alabama was Langley’s immediate answer.

“It would just establish my talents,” he said of Alabama. “Everybody knows that the big dog has finally offered. It’d feel good to get that offer but at the same time, I have Florida State. That’s a huge offer too. They won the national championship and I do consider them too.”

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T.J. Yeldon burst onto the scene as a freshman and continued his rise last year as a sophomore. Could a Heisman Trophy campaign be in his future?

After rushing for 1,235 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2013, Yeldon comes in to the 2014 season as one of the top 10 rushers to return in the country. Playing at a power like Alabama doesn't hurt, and neither does the fact that the last running back to win the Heisman also happens to be from the Crimson Tide (Mark Ingram).

What makes Yeldon different than most running backs is his deceptive speed for his size. At 6'2" and 218 pounds, Yeldon is a taller and leaner back than most, yet he isn't afraid of contact and is equally capable of breaking ankles at the same time.

Perhaps the only thing that could keep him from the Heisman is the fact that the Alabama backfield is pretty loaded and he doesn't get enough attempts. Last season, Yeldon averaged just 17.3 carries per game, and if that doesn't increase much this season, he'll need to be more of a home run hitter once again.

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