Top 50 Junior College Prospects
by Caleb Johnson
Recruiting the right high school athletes is important, but a program looking for a quick fix will often look to Junior College’s. Caleb Johnson breaks down New Era Scouting’s top 50 JUCO players.
Many successful college football programs complement their high school recruits with a few junior college prospects at immediate areas of need. Other schools, mostly falling under tough times, feel the need to build their programs with JUCOs. Whatever the case may be, like with high schoolers, picking the right JUCO prospect can make a coach look like a genius, while picking the wrong ones can and have cost coaches their jobs.
As far as high school prospects go in the class of 2008, a major storyline was the debate of who was better between star receivers and SEC signees Julio Jones (Alabama) and A.J. Green (Georgia). In junior college, there are two equally talented receiver prospects in Corey Surrency (Florida State) and Carl Moore (Florida). Both prospects’ highlight reels can be found on YouTube.
El Camino (CA) Community College has an impressive 10 members in the 2008 NES JUCO Top 50. It’s no wonder why the Warriors - who had 19 players sign to Division-I colleges - won the Mission Conference in 2007. The top two players in the Top 50 are both El Camino products. Butler County (KS) C.C., another prestigious football school, came in second with five prospects.
Defensive end prospects were a dime a dozen this season in the JUCO ranks, with 13 of the Top 50 being edge rushers, by far the most of any position.
Without further ado, here is the 2008 NES JUCO Top 50.
1. WR Corey Surrency / 6′5, 210 / El Camino C.C. (CA)
Signed with: Florida State
Other offers: Arizona, California, Colorado, LSU, Louisville, Oregon, Oregon State, West Virginia
If Randy Moss played in junior college, his highlight tape would look a lot like that of Surrency, who will bring his incredible mix of speed and athletic ability to Tallahassee next fall.
2. DE Simi Kuli / 6′4, 270 / El Camino C.C. (CA)
Signed with: Oregon State
Other offers: Arizona, Kansas State, LSU, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas A&M
Kuli is a terror coming off of the edge and is a perfect fit for a pass-heavy conference such as the Pac-10.
3. WR Carl Moore / 6′4, 220 / Sierra C.C. (CA)
Signed with: Florida
Other offers: Arizona, Arizona State, California, Nebraska, Southern Cal, Tennessee, Washington
Moore is essentially the JUCO version of Julio Jones: A big-bodied, ultra-athletic receiver who can make big things happen after the catch.
4. DE Emmanuel Stephens / 6′3, 225 / Blinn C.C. (TX)
Signed with: Ole Miss
Other offers: Arkansas, California, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Washington State
Stephens is your prototypical SEC defensive end and a sack machine waiting to emerge.
5. RB Jocques Crawford / 6′1, 220 / Cisco C.C. (TX)
Signed with: Kansas
Other offers: Arizona, New Mexico State, Ole Miss, TCU, Tulsa
The NJCAA Player of the Year has great agility and footwork and is a big-time get for Mark Mangino and the emerging Jayhawks.
6. DT Justin Thompson / 6′5, 280 / El Camino C.C. (CA)
Signed with: Oregon
Other offers: California, LSU, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon State, Tennessee
The athletic Thompson is the complete package at defensive tackle, being able to both overpower his opponents and fight off blockers with his hands.
7. OLB Shaun Mohler / 6′3, 225 / Orange Coast C.C. (CA)
Signed with: Colorado
Other offers: California, Iowa, Kentucky, Nebraska, San Diego State
One of the Buffaloes’ many great linebacker signees, Mohler is a big play waiting to happen.
8. DE Jarrett Crittenton / 6′6, 275 / North Dakota State College of Sciences (ND)
Signed with: Clemson
Other offers: Arkansas, Kansas State, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Wisconsin
The Clemson-bound Crittenton is everything you want in a defensive end and gives the Tigers yet another impressive pass rusher.
9. OLB Patrick Trahan / 6′2, 230 / Northwest Mississippi C.C. (MS)
Signed with: Ole Miss
Other offers: Arkansas, Auburn, Southern Miss
Elite speed and physicality are what Trahan brings to Mississippi.
10. DE Tevita Finau / 6′5, 275 / Phoenix C.C. (AZ)
Signed with: West Virginia
Other offers: Auburn, California, Colorado, Florida, Oklahoma, Southern Cal, Tennessee
With a motor that never stops, Finau will have the opportunity to wreak havoc in the Big East like he did at Phoenix Community College.
11. DT Swanson Miller / 6′4, 330 / Butler County C.C. (KS)
Signed with: Oklahoma State
Other offers: Kansas State, South Florida, Troy, West Virginia
Miller has a variety of moves in his arsenal that he uses to disrupt the opponent’s offensive backfield.
12. OT J’Marcus Webb / 6′8, 300 / Navarro J.C. (TX)
Signed with: Arizona
Other offers: Florida State, Miami
The prototypical offensive tackle, Webb is very strong, possesses very good footwork and uses his hands very well.
13. OLB J.R. Bryant / 6′3, 228 / Garden City C.C. (KS)
Signed with: Oklahoma
Other offers: Arkansas, Kansas State, Nebraska, N.C. State, Oklahoma State, South Florida, Texas Tech
Bryant has great size and athleticism and is quick to react to what’s happening on the field.
14. S David Sims / 5′11, 200 / Butte C.C. (CA)
Signed with: Oklahoma
Other offers: San Diego State, Washington State
Sims runs like a cornerback, covers like a safety and hits like a linebacker.
15. C Ricky Henry / 6′4, 300 / North Dakota State College of Science (ND)
Signed with: Nebraska
Other offers: Colorado, Houston
Henry’s mean streak and sheer tenacity remind NU fans of former Husker and current St. Louis Rams’ center Richie Incognito.
16. DE Markus White / 6′4, 245 / Butler County C.C. (KS)
Signed with: Florida State
Other offers: Arkansas, Kansas State, Miami, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, West Virginia
A pass rushing specialist, White will not only get the sacks, but also has the awareness to break up passes.
17. RB LaGarrette Blount / 6′2, 235 / East Mississippi C.C. (MS)
Signed with: Oregon
Other offers: Florida State, Memphis
Blount is a tough, physical runner who could draw comparisons to former Duck and 2008 NFL Draft prospect Jonathan Stewart.
18. DE David Bedford / 6′5, 240 / Independence C.C. (KS)
Signed with: South Florida
Other offers: Arkansas, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, West Virginia
Bedford was a big catch for the Bulls and should push for immediate playing time in Tampa.
19. DT Daniel Calvin / 6′3, 322 / Bakersfield C.C. (CA)
Signed with: Kansas
Other offers: California, Nebraska, Nevada, Texas Tech, Utah, UTEP
Calvin is a monster at defensive tackle and will give opposing guards and centers fits in the Big 12 North.
20. DE Raven Gray / 6′4, 260 / Copiah-Lincoln C.C. (MS)
Signed with: Auburn
Other offers: None
Gray is a quick, do-it-all defensive end who will be tough to handle for offensive tackles in the SEC.
21. S Melvin Williams / 6′0, 205 / Coffeyville C.C. (KS)
Signed with: North Carolina
Other offers: Clemson, Oklahoma State
A ball hawking safety, Williams isn’t afraid to come up and make the big hit.
22. DE Matt Moss / 6′4, 270 / Grossmont C.C. (CA)
Signed with: Texas A&M
Other offers: Arizona State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oregon, San Diego State
A versatile lineman, Moss could line up at either defensive tackle or defensive end in College Station and still have success.
23. CB Lamar Chapman / 5′9, 175 / El Camino C.C. (CA)
Signed with: Utah
Other offers: Arizona State, Kansas State, San Diego State
Despite his small stature, Chapman can make tons of plays using his elite speed.
24. DE Larry Ford / 6′3, 245 / Coffeyville C.C. (KS)
Signed with: West Virginia
Other offers: Arkansas, Kansas State, North Carolina, Ole Miss, Texas A&M
Ford is relentless in his pursuit of the ball carrier and plays through the whistle on every down.
25. WR Verran Tucker / 6′2, 180 / El Camino C.C. (CA)
Signed with: California
Other offers: Arizona, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Oregon State, Washington
The speed receiver from El Camino could make an immediate impact in the vertical passing game with DeSean Jackson’s departure.
26. DE McKinner Dixon / 6′3, 275 / Cisco C.C. (TX)
Signed with: Texas Tech
Other offers: Louisville, TCU
Dixon carries his weight well, is quick for his size and can get after it rushing the passer.
27. WR Rod Harris / 6′2, 190 / Blinn C.C. (TX)
Signed with: Kansas
Other offers: San Diego State, Utah
The athletic Harris boasts an impressive 40-inch vertical leap and is prone to making highlight-reel catches.
28. S Donsay Hardeman / 6′2, 220 / Georgia Military College (GA)
Signed with: Illinois
Other offers: Miami
Hardeman, who could also line up at linebacker in college, will bring a tenacious style of play to Champagne.
29. DT Troy Epps / 6′1, 280 / Coffeyville C.C. (KS)
Signed with: Florida
Other offers: Arizona, Louisiana Tech, Tennessee, UAB, West Virginia
The relatively diminutive Epps uses his quickness and squatty stature to his advantage when taking on offensive linemen.
30. CB Traye Simmons / 5′11, 175 / College of the Sequoias (CA)
Signed with: Minnesota
Other offers: California, Florida, Hawaii, Middle Tennessee, Purdue
A possible kick return specialist as well, Simmons has great ball skills and can make things happen after an interception.
31. DE Brandon SeSay / 6′6, 273 / College of the Sequoias (CA)
Signed with: Texas Tech
Other offers: California, Florida, Michigan, Nebraska, Oregon, Tennessee
A giant by defensive end standards, SeSay and has a nose for the football in run support.
32. ILB Hansen Sekona / 6′0, 230 / College of San Mateo (CA)
Signed with: Kansas State
Other offers: Marshall, Nevada, New Mexico, Washington State
Doesn’t have blazing speed but will almost always take the ball carrier down upon contact.
33. QB Greg Cross / 6′2, 204 / Fort Scott C.C. (KS)
Signed with: Pittsburgh
Other offers: Kansas State, Louisville
Cross is very mobile, puts good touch on his passes and can throw well on the run. He should give Dave Wannestedt some quality depth at the quarterback position.
34. DE Broderick Marshall / 6′5, 280 / Tyler J.C. (TX)
Signed with: Texas Tech
Other offers: None
Marshall might be better off playing on the interior defensive line, especially with the influx of JUCO defensive ends in Lubbock.
35. RB Tavares Pressley / 6′1, 215 / El Camino C.C. (CA)
Signed with: Florida State
Other offers: Arizona, Colorado, Kansas State, Nebraska, Washington State
This life-long Seminoles fan has the chance to realize his dreams and get the carries around the goal line in Jimbo Fisher’s offense.
36. QB Arkelon Hall / 6′2, 215 / College of the Sequoias (CA)
Signed with: Memphis
Other offers: None
A former Elite 11 quarterback camp participant, Hall transferred from Washington State after an injury and is now headed to Conference USA to try to resurrect his career.
37. RB Jeremy Francis / 6′1, 210 / El Camino C.C. (CA)
Signed with: Oregon State
Other offers: Florida International
Francis won’t wow people with his speed, but he is a tough runner with extremely impressive hands coming out of the backfield.
38. OG Wade Weibert / 6′5, 300 / Butler County C.C. (KS)
Signed with: Kansas State
Other offers: N.C. State
Could be a real force opening up running lanes for Leon Patton and the Wildcats.
39. CB Maurice Gray / 5′10, 180 / Butler County C.C. (KS)
Signed with: Oklahoma State
Other offers: Arizona State, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Middle Tennessee, Ole Miss, Troy
Gray has good closing speed and is at his best in zone coverage.
40. S Lucien Antoine / 6′2, 210 / Fort Scott C.C. (KS)
Signed with: Oklahoma State
Other offers: None
Antoine might be better suited to play linebacker in Stillwater, but regardless of where he plays he can fill up the tackle sheet.
41. OLB Josh Berard / 6′2, 220 / El Camino C.C. (CA)
Signed with: Kansas State
Other offers: Colorado
His experience at defensive end should help his ability to fend off defenders with his hands.
42. WR O.J. Murdock / 6′0, 185 / Pearl River C.C. (MS)
Signed with: Marshall
Other offers: Florida State, Louisville, Tennessee
The former highly recruited high school receiver is getting another shot at college football after being dismissed from South Carlina two years ago for shoplifting.
43. DT Leroy Burgess / 6′1, 298 / Georgia Military College (GA)
Signed with: N.C. State
Other offers: Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss
Somewhat of an oversized defensive end, Burgess thrives in pass rushing situations.
44. OG Brent McNeil / 6′3, 295 / El Camino C.C. (CA)
Signed with: Oregon State
Other offers: None
McNeil probably projects better as a tackle than as a guard for the Beavers.
45. DE Alonzo Horton / 6′4, 260 / Northwest Mississippi C.C. (MS)
Signed with: Ole Miss
Other offers: Kansas State, Southern Miss
The former Auburn linebacker, Horton is looking to start anew in the SEC West, this time with the Rebels.
46. QB Jacob Bower / 6′4, 240 / Bakersfield C.C. (CA)
Signed with: Tulsa
Other offers: Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Hawaii, Kansas State, San Diego State, Troy
Bower, who put up some impressive stats at Bakersfield, could be the next Golden Hurricane quarterback lighting up the stat sheets.
47. OT Cedric Mack / 6′4, 335 / El Camino C.C. (CA)
Signed with: Florida International
Other offers: Arizona, Kansas State, Kentucky, Oregon State, South Florida, Southern Miss, Washington State
Mack isn’t the most physical offensive lineman you’ll find, but he’s a wall in pass protection.
48. CB Blair Irvin / 5′11, 185 / Coffeyville C.C. (KS)
Signed with: Kansas State
Other offers: Auburn, Louisiana Tech, West Virginia
Irvin might be at his best using his speed to return kicks in Manhattan.
49. QB Codi Boek / 6′3, 215 / American River C.C. (CA)
Signed with: Boston College
Other offers: Grambling
Perhaps Matt Ryan’s successor for the Eagles, Boek is a solid pocket passer who won’t get rattled by pressure.
50. RB Beau Johnson / 5′11, 210 / Butler County C.C. (KS)
Signed with: Oklahoma State
Other offers: Kansas
This Butler County speedster should be a good fit in Mike Gundy’s spread-option offense.