By Chris Dokish

The ink on the Class of 2009 is barely dry, but in recruiting, you have to recruit many classes at once. Therefore, the Class of 2010 are months away from finishing their junior years of high school, but as of September 1, 2008, they have been eligible to receive official scholarship offers. Therefore, the race for their signatures, which can't happen for another year yet, is well underway.

So with that in mind, here is a very early look at the Class of 2010. Comparing this class to the 2009 class, it is apparent that the ’10 group is significantly better at the top end. The question of depth will be determined over the next year. 

Please note that these rankings are where the prospects are at this moment. The order will change when our first official Top 50 is revealed in the spring, and it will change once again as the season plays out. Young men of this age develop rapidly, both physically and in their knowledge of the game, so some will progress faster and further than others. That includes young men not even on this list who will no doubt come “out of nowhere” over the next year to prove that they also are future college players. But barring anything drastic, those on this list will be ranked highly all season and all will play at major programs.

1. Corey Brown, Cardinal O'Hara HS (Springfield) RB- The early favorite to be the top prospect in the state next season thanks mainly to his game-breaking speed. Needs to add weight to his 6'0" 170 pound frame if he wants to be an every down back in college, but he will get that with a college weight training program. Also has great hands and is an elite return man. Tore his MCL early in his junior season, but it didn't require surgery and is expected to be 100 percent healthy by the summer. Early offers have come from Pitt, Penn State, West Virginia, Florida, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Rutgers, UCLA and many others. 

2. Mike Hull, Canon-McMillan HS (Canonsburg) LB- Not big yet at 6'1" and 215 pounds, but he will get big enough. On the slight chance that he doesn't, he has the skill set to also be a safety. Excellent straight line speed and very strong. Great natural instincts and just an excellent football player. Born to play linebacker at PENN STATE, and that's exactly what he's going to do. He verbally committed to the Nittany Lions over offers from Pittsburgh, Michigan, and West Virginia.

3. Paul Jones, Sto-Rox HS (McKees Rocks) QB- The best quarterback prospect in the state. A little raw still, but he has the 6'3" 215 pound size and a cannon for an arm. A pocket passer, but very mobile inside the pocket and can take off and run if need be. High character kid. Committed early to PENN STATE over Pitt, West Virginia, Stanford, Duke, N.C. State and Iowa.

4. Sharrif Floyd, George Washington HS (Philadelphia) DT/OG- Kids from inside Philadelphia are generally under-recruited, but that should change for this 6'4" 300 pound behemoth after he destroyed the competition at a major national underclassmen combine in Texas last month. Played mostly offensive guard in high school so far, and he could project extremely well there also, but a kid this strong and athletic is hard to pass up on the interior defensive line. Dedicated player who raised his own funds in order to attend the combine in Texas. Maryland and Temple have offered early, but there will be many more.

5. Dakota Royer, Manheim Central HS (Manheim) LB- Has starred since he was a freshman and he just keeps getting better. On defense, he has primarily played end, but his lean 6'3 1/2" 225-pound frame is better suited at linebacker, and that's where the position he is being recruited for. Great pass rusher, but he will need to learn to play the other aspects of the position. That shouldn't be a problem for this extremely hard worker. Also an excellent tight end. Has early offers from Pitt, Penn State, Maryland, Illinois, Stanford and Rutgers. 

6. Seth Betancourt, St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia) OT- At 6'6" and 285 pounds, he already has great size with the frame to add more weight. Teammate of blue-chipper Mark Arcidiacono, who committed to Penn State this season. Blessed with great coaching.  good feet and excellent technique. The early favorite to be the No.1 offensive lineman in the state next season. Early offers include Penn State, Rutgers, Duke and Temple.

7. Kyle Baublitz, Central York HS (York) DE/TE- Was a major force as a junior, both as a tight end and as a huge 6'4" 255 pound middle linebacker. Has good speed and athletic ability, which could make him a nice pass rusher at the next level. High energy, very productive player and an excellent student. Early offers include Pitt, West Virginia, Boston College, Clemson and Stanford.

8. Alex Kenney, State College HS (State College) WR- A track star and the fastest football player in the state, but he has football instincts, too. Great after the catch, using quick moves instead of just straight line speed. Unlike most speed demons, he isn't small at 6'0" and 185 pounds. Also a great return man. Early offers have come from Penn State, Pitt, Boston College, Illinois, Stanford and Virginia.

9. Brandon Ifill, Penn Hills HS (Pittsburgh) CB- Smooth athlete with excellent speed and football skills. Has started since he was a sophomore, no small feat in the highly competitive WPIAL Quad A. Good cornerback size at 6'0" and 180 pounds, but will need to add more muscle. Can also project at wide receiver. Early offers include Pitt, Penn State, Michigan and Maryland.

10. Cullen Christian, Penn Hills HS (Pittsburgh) CB- Needs to add weight to his 160-pound frame, but he has very good corner height at 6'0”. In addition to his nice height, he also has very long arms. Excellent speed. Raw player before his junior season as he was mostly a star track performer, but he currently has colleges drooling with is combination of speed, length and height. Early offers have come from Pitt, Michigan and Maryland.

11. Andrew Carswell, Sto-Rox HS (McKees Rocks) WR- Big 6'4" 200 pound receiver with great hands. Not a blazer, but he has good speed and athletic ability. Great instincts and knowledge of the position. Early offers from Pitt, N.C. State, and Duke but could really impress over the spring and summer camp circuit.

12. Anthony Gonzalez, Liberty HS (Bethlehem) S/QB- Came on like gangbusters as a junior, leading his team to the Quad A state championship over Bethel Park. Excels at both quarterback and safety, but at the next level he may project better in the defensive backfield. However, in certain offenses, he could perhaps play quarterback. More of a runner than a passer, and would need to work on his passing skills if he wants to be a quarterback. Excellent athlete and superb football instincts. High character kid and a winner. Has early offers from Penn State and Pittsburgh.