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Cream of the crop: Top 10 players
BY TOM GROESCHEN | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER
<!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT--> In an area rich with football talent, these players stand out above the rest.
(Ranked by composite of Rivals.com, Scout.com, Ohio High magazine, Max Emfinger Recruiting ratings):
1. EUGENE CLIFFORD III, COLERAIN
Position: Safety, wide receiver
Height: 6-2
Weight: 190
2005 stats: Six interceptions, 147 tackles
2005 honors: Second team all-state, first team All-Southwest District and All-GMC.
reater Miami Conference.
2. BEN MARTIN, LA SALLE
Position: Defensive end, linebacker
Height: 6-5
Weight: 230
2005 stats: 13 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, 70 tackles overall
2005 honors: Second-team all-state, first-team All-Southwest District and All-Greater Catholic League South
Weight:
3. SOLOMON THOMAS, LAKOTA WEST
Position: DE
Height: 6-4
Weight: 215
The buzz: He lists North Carolina State, Boston College, Ohio State, Arizona State, Illinois and Louisville among his choices. Lakota West coach Larry Cox puts Thomas in the elite DE/LB class with La Salle's Ben Martin. Thomas is a physical player who plays the run well, and shows an unusual ability to get his hands on passes. He had nine sacks and 16 tackles for loss last season. Rated among the top dozen players in Ohio by most scouting services.
4. SKYLAR JONES, MIDDLETOWN
Position: QB
Height: 6-0
Weight: 180
The buzz: Purdue, which is recruiting him as a QB, leads his recent list. Ohio State, Cincinnati, Wake Forest and West Virginia also are contenders. Threw for 1,974 yards and 21 touchdowns as junior, rushed for 630 yards and eight TDs. Has run 4.4 in the 40 dash, an elite athlete who was Enquirer 2006 track athlete of the year (DI state champion in 300 hurdles, fourth in 100 hurdles). Rated among the top 25 players in the state by most scouts.
5. DARYLE BALLEW, WITHROW
Position: DT
Height: 6-3
Weight: 301
The buzz: Committed to Illinois. A wide body with big, quick hands. At the high school level, he's nearly impossible to block without a double-team. Outstanding against the run. Coaches like him because he hustles, including one play last season when he chased a QB from one side of the field to the other - three times. A late bloomer whose stock continues to soar. Rated among top 25 players in state by most scouts.
6. DEWEY ELLIOTT, FAIRFIELD
Position: LB
Height: 6-0
Weight: 239
The buzz: Has offers from Cincinnati, Indiana and Iowa and interest from several other schools including Ohio State. As a junior he had over 100 tackles, 12 sacks and two interceptions as the Indians reached the Division I playoffs. Very physical player, can shed blockers easily but usually has the speed to avoid most blocks. Also a hard hitter and sure tackler. His stock has risen dramatically in the past year. Rated the No. 6 player in Ohio by national recruiting analyst Max Emfinger.
7. MARK WETTERER, ANDERSON
Position: OT
Height: 6-5
Weight: 295
The buzz: Nicknamed "The Wall" by Ohio High magazine's Duane Long, he is a big man and projects to get bigger. Has offers from Maryland, Connecticut, Cincinnati, West Virginia, Toledo and Akron. Great pass blocker, has long arms ideal for a left tackle, and uses his big hands to stop rushers in their tracks. Great technique helps set him apart from most prep linemen, as he knows how bend at the knee (not the waist) and use his leverage. Has bench pressed over 400 pounds. Rated among the top 30 prospects in Ohio by most scouting services.
8. DERRICK SHERMAN, WITHROW
Position: WR
Height: 6-0
Weight: 170
The buzz: Committed to Purdue. Has clocked 4.55 in the 40 dash and is especially elusive after the catch. Caugh 36 passes for 498 yards and six touchdowns last season. He catches anything thrown his way, and has knack for getting open that can't be taught. Coach Doc Gamble says that, along with his football tools and smarts, there is no more competitive player than Sherman. He made an oral commitment to Purdue after getting many offers including Maryland, Michigan State and Cincinnati.
9. CHARLIE HATCHER, HAMILTON
Position: DL
Height: 6-2
Weight: 266
The buzz: An elite student (3.9 GPA), his top choices are Ohio State, Stanford, Miami (Ohio) and Michigan State.Indiana and Miami reportedly have chased him hardest, with Hatcher saying he wants to pick a school with a good engineering program. He has not been much publicized with Hamilton in a losing rut, but that could change with high-profile new coach Jim Place. Hatcher gets off blocks quickly, has a nose for the ball and has that extra "hustle" gear that defensive coaches love.
10. HOSEA SIMPSON, WINTON WOODS
Position: RB
Height: 5-9
Weight: 187
The buzz: He led the Cincinnati area with 1,674 yards rushing and scored 25 TDs last season and was Enquirer Division II player of the year. Strong and powerfully built, he has breakaway speed at 4.52 seconds in the 40 dash. Might be ranked higher if he were taller, but his sheer talent and productivity make him a Division I college prospect. As a sophomore in fall 2004, he rushed for 402 yards in one game. He is the rare player who can hit full speed on his first step, and once he gets through the line he simply outruns people.
