Ray Drew (DE/2011, Thomasville, GA) is not only a well rounded football player and one of the top recruits in the nation (ESPNU #3, Rivals.com #15), but he is a leader off the field as well. Drew's motor is relentless and he compares his playing style most to that of NFL defensive end Jared Allen (Minnesota Vikings). At 6'5" 253, Drew runs a 4.65 forty and is being recruited both as a defensive end and outside linebacker, depending on the particular scheme.

Drew's demeanor off the field has contributed significantly to his success on the gridiron. As a licensed minister, Drew speaks to his local youth on a regular basis, and he even left an unofficial visit to Florida State to attend a previous engagement to preach. Drew, a product of Thomas County Central High School, also recently won the Strongest Man Award at the Badger Elite Lineman Camp. Drew's performance on the field and in his community has resulted in a tremendous amount of attention from universities nationwide, and the offers continue to pile up.

Drew has received scholarship offers from almost every top BCS program in the country, including Florida, Florida State, LSU, USC, UCLA, Cal, Tennessee, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State and several others. However, the Thomasville prep star is in no hurry to make a decision. "I haven't put together a top yet," Drew said. When asked about his time table for deciding on a school, Drew said he plans to announce his commitment on "National signing day, or sometime after." In regards to the Pac-10, Drew lists UCLA and Cal at the top of the list. Drew has spoken several times with the UCLA coaching staff who are actively recruiting the young defensive end. The Pac-10 may have a chance at landing Drew, and in regards to Cal, he says that his "position coach… is young, energetic, and just fun to be around."

Drew is a player that knows his strengths and weaknesses alike. Everyone knows that you can't teach speed, while Drew points out that one of his main assets is his "explosiveness." Drew would also like to become more aggressive with his pass rush and establish a more consistent pad level at the point of attack. It's not easy for one of the nation's top student-athletes to be openly critical about their performance.

With excellent mental focus and maturity on and off the field, look for one of Georgia's top high school football recruits to solidify his stock even more in the upcoming season. Look for more recruiting news, stories, and exclusive interviews from CollegeLevelAthletes.com & CLA Sports. Complete interview transcript below.