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Breaking down Ellis McCarthy

The Monrovia, Calif., defensive tackle already has the necessary size and strength

Updated: December 7, 2011, 10:31 AM ET
By Kyle Williams | We Are SC
LOS ANGELES  When I saw Ellis McCarthy for the first time at the Nike Football Training Camp at USC last summer, the first thing I noticed was the sheer size of the kid. Having just finished his junior year in high school, McCarthy looked like some of the guys I played with and against in the NFL. With McCarthy's massive size, it's easy to see why he's one of the top recruits in the country.

Strengths

Sometimes young, big defensive lineman tend to be disproportionate, but this is not the case with McCarthy. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 305 pounds, the senior from Monrovia (Calif.) High School has a solid build and a frame that easily could support another 15 pounds.

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Kyle Williams | email

Analyst, WeAreSC.com