This is the third installment of PrepStar’s sneak preview of players who are likely to be PrepStar 100 (top 100 prospects in the nation), when PrepStar releases its rankings in late August.

Our first preview featured three defensive linemen and one offensive lineman, and last week’s preview featured some of the more skilled players such as wide receiver Arrelious Benn, cornerback Eric Berry, quarterback John Brantley, athlete John Chiles, and quarterback Jimmy Clausen.  This week we will take a look at defensive tackle Torrey Davis, running back Noel Devine, outside linebacker Chris Galippo, cornerback Gary Gray, and defensive end Everson Griffen.

Name: Torrey Davis
Position: Defensive Tackle
High School:  Seffner (FL) Armwood
Height:  6-5
Weight:  290
Looking at:  Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Southern Cal, West Virginia
PrepStar Says:  Davis is a very special athlete with unlimited potential as a college defensive lineman.  At 6-5 and 290-pounds, he is very versatile and lines up in many different positions for Armwood High School.  He played defensive end, tackle, and even some at outside linebacker.  He runs the 40-yard dash in 4.68 seconds, which makes him even more lethal.  Davis uses his long arms to disrupt passing lanes and reach for opposing ball carriers.  He is also very good at shifting gears and changing direction.  Torrey Davis will be one of the top overall prospects in Florida this year, which is an accomplishment because Florida is loaded with talent this year.  As a junior last season, Davis made 60 tackles and nine sacks.  If everything falls into place, he’s a kid who will be a star in college, and eventually be playing on Sundays.

Name: Noel Devine
Position: Running Back
High School:  North Fort Myers (FL) North Fort Myers
Height:  5-8
Weight:  175
Looking at: Auburn, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Miami, Nebraska, Southern Cal
PrepStar Says:  Noel Devine is challenging Chris Rainey to see who will be the top running back in Florida this year.  Some people claim that Noel Devine may be the most electrifying player to come out of high school since Reggie Bush.  Devine isn’t really big, but he is strong, durable, and elusive, which is very similar to Reggie Bush.  One thing that sets Devine apart from the rest is his acceleration and how he is able to hit the smallest of holes, and break away for huge yardage.  Devine has excellent field vision, and has the ability to cut, and change directions without slowing down.  He has improved year after year.  As a freshman he ran for 1,092 yards, then 1,668 yards with 23 scores as a sophomore, and he ran for 1,986 yards and 24 touchdowns as a junior.  This kid is the real deal, and some school out there may be getting the next Reggie Bush of college football.

Name: Chris Galippo
Position: Outside Linebacker
High School:  Anaheim (CA) Servite
Height:  6-3
Weight:  235
Commitment:  Southern California
PrepStar Says:  Chris Galippo is a very talented athlete who plays tight end and linebacker for Servite, but he will play linebacker for Southern Cal.  The Trojans are slowly building a tenacious defense with their recruiting classes.  Last year they loaded up with defensive stars such as LB Allen Bradford and S Stafon Johnson, and this year they received a very early commitment from one of the nation’s top linebacker prospects in Galippo.  If it weren’t for Jimmy Clausen, Galippo might have been the top player in California in the Class of 2007.  Last season as a junior, he racked up 161 tackles and three sacks on defense, and caught 22 passes for 380 yards and five scores on offense.  A great start for the Trojans!

Name: Gary Gray
Position: Cornerback
High School:  Columbia (SC) Richland Northeast
Height:  5-10
Weight:  170
Commitment:  South Carolina
PrepStar Says:  Gary Gray will most likely be the top overall prospect in South Carolina in the Class of 2007.  He is a versatile player who has started some at quarterback, but projects as a cornerback in college.  As a sophomore he made 65 tackles, 19 pass break-ups, and three interceptions in eight games at cornerback.  He also started three games at quarterback and threw for 320 yards and rushed for 350 yards and scored six total touchdowns.  As a junior he made 60 tackles, 14 pass break-ups, and four interceptions playing cornerback.  Gray is a lockdown corner who has a great speed and can turn and run with just about anyone in the country.  Gray is also a corner who can offer some solid run support, as he is a great tackler.  Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks have landed a stud in Gray.

Name: Everson Griffen
Position: Defensive End
High School:  Avondale (AZ) Agua Fria
Height:  6-4
Weight:  270
Looking at:  Arizona, Southern Cal, UCLA, Arizona State, Colorado, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Oregon State
PrepStar Says:  Griffen is undoubtedly the top overall prospect in Arizona in the Class of 2007.  Griffen may be one of the best players to come out of the Grand Canyon state in several years.  At 6-4 and 270-pounds, he is a huge defensive end who is also a physical freak.  A man his size you would expect maybe a 4.8 second 40-yard dash, but Griffen runs a 4.46 40-yard dash.  Everson is big, strong, and very fast.  This kid will be an impact player at whatever school lands his services.  He may be the high school version of Javon Kearse, when he was in his prime.  Griffen also plays a little fullback for Agua Fria High School.  Last year as a junior he ran the ball 132 times for close to 800 yards and 10 touchdowns.  On defense he made 70 tackles and six sacks.  He says UCLA, Southern Cal, and Arizona are his top three schools right now, but he probably won’t make his final decision until after his senior season.

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