The class of 2012 is coming into focus.

Arik Armstead carries on the tradition of freakish tackle prospects.

As with any recruiting class, its early identity is formed by the best that group has to offer. In fact, most classes are defined by those best prospects – five-star prospects.

Exactly two weeks after National Signing Day, 247Sports is ready to lay the foundation for the class of 2012 with the first release of five-star prospects.

After contentious debate that included numerous prospects that just missed this early five-star list, seven prospects emerged as unanimous five-star prospects at this early stage.

This list will definitely grow - and it should be noted there is no guarantee that any of these prospects will keep their five-star rating throughout the process. However, the bar has been set for the class of 2012 with the following names.

(Listed alphabetically)

Arik Armstead, OT/SDE, Elk Grove (Calif.) Pleasant Grove High School
Watch Armstead highlights here and here

In the class of 2011, it was Cyrus Kouandjio. In the class of 2010 it was Seantrel Henderson. The 2009 class featured DJ Fluker, and the list goes on. Every year, there seems to be one prospect that has that NFL offensive tackle look about him as far as frame, athleticism, talent and upside.

This year, that player is Arik Armstead.

Eddie Goldman has offers from all over the country.

The towering athlete stands 6 feet 7 and weighs 280 pounds. He is far from maxed out physically, and he has incredible athleticism and explosiveness at that size. In fact, the one problem with comparing Armstead to those dominant tackles of classes past is that he could very well end up on the defensive side of the ball. He has that kind of rare versatility and athleticism.

An early commitment to USC, Armstead's brother Armond is also a Trojan.

Eddie Goldman, DT, Washington (D.C.) Friendship Collegiate Academy
Watch Goldman highlights here

If scholarship offers were the most effective barometer to measure ability, then Goldman would likely have the highest rating in the country. It is probably easier to name the schools that haven’t offered the 6-foot-4, 305-pounder than the schools that have.

Goldman has emerged as one of the premiere defenders in the 2012 class. With good size on the defensive interior, he has a unique blend of power and quick, active feet that allow him to be a disruptive force.

While playing both ways on the high school level, Goldman picked up 40 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and interception and a fumble recovery. His presence is felt on every play. On the college level, Goldman is undoubtedly a defensive lineman. While he prefers a 4-3 defense, he is one of the rare defenders that would be a good fit in any system.

Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Springfield (Mo.) Hillcrest
Watch Green-Beckham highlights here

Forget about his 6-6, 220-pound NFL-esque frame. Forget about the 23 points-per-game ability that has him among the top basketball prospects in the country for his class. Forget about the state champion 100 meter, triple jump and long jump titles that he claimed as a sophomore.

Jarron Jones should draw hordes of recruiters to upstate New York.

When you focus just on what Green-Beckham can do on a play-by-play basis, you see a five-star prospect.

Green-Beckham is undoubtedly one of the top athletes in the country in any sport in the class of 2012. He is one of the nation’s top football players, too. He has tremendous strength as a receiver because of his advanced size and frame. He has the ability to run away from defenders with elite speed. He even has soft hands and route-running ability. He has accumulated more than 2,300 receiving yards in the last two seasons.

He is ready for the college game now from an ability standpoint.

Jarron Jones, DT/OT, Rochester (N.Y.) Aquinas Institute
Watch Jones highlights here

There’s a simple explanation why the name Jarron Jones doesn’t ring a bell quite yet. It's the fact that he's from Rochester, N.Y.

Jones has an easier commute to Toronto than New York City. But make no mistake, there will be a lot of college coaches that will brave the cold weather to see this giant of an athlete.

At 6 feet 6 and 305 pounds, Jones has a body that you can’t teach and athleticism that is hard to find. A relative late-bloomer as a recruit, Jones has seen interest pick up steadily since November. He recently received scholarship offers from Tennessee and Florida State. One look at Jones’ highlight tape, and it’s hard to miss the potential on the screen.

Those unfamiliar with the SEC were introduced to Alabama’s Marcel Dareus with his amazing interception return for a touchdown against Texas on national television. Jones will have a similar first impression with the distribution of his highlight film.

Gunner Kiel leads a strong crop of 2012 quarterbacks.

Whether he’s an offensive tackle or a big interior defender, Jones will be a great catch for one lucky coach.

Gunner Kiel, Pro, Columbus (Ind.) East
Watch Kiel highlights here

"Where have all the quarterbacks gone?"

That has been a common question over the past two years. The 2010 and 2009 recruiting classes were strikingly short on elite depth at the position.

Well, the quarterbacks are back in this recruiting cycle.

In what is shaping up to be a fantastic year for QBs - and after plenty of debate - Kiel gets the first nod as the best of the bunch for 2012. With good size, a strong arm, a quick release and good accuracy, Kiel has all of the tools.

But he also has the intangibles.

Kiel is a competitive, physical kid that can take a hit, deliver a hit and make plays with his feet if necessary. He exhibits the same kind of play-making ability that has been Andrew Luck’s signature over the past two seasons at Stanford.

Andrus Peat is arguably the most athletic tackle in America.

With elite quarterbacks like Zeke Pike, Jameis Winston, Connor Brewer and more in the class of 2012, Kiel will need all of those competitive juices to maintain that top spot.

Andrus Peat, OT, Tempe (Ariz.) Centennial
Watch Peat highlights here

For an offensive lineman, size is only the first part of the equation. Andrus Peat has that (6-6, 280), but what makes Peat special is the athleticism that accompanies his size.

For a big kid, Peat is extremely athletic getting downfield and on the run. He has great feet in pass protection, and is light-footed at his size. He is also explosive at the point of attack, showing the strength to issue a punch and the mindset to finish a block.

Peat has plenty of pedigree to his credit, as well. His father Todd Peat Sr. is a seven-year NFL veteran and his brother, Todd Peat Jr., was one of the top prospects in the class of 2011 and signed with Nebraska.

As strong of a statement as it might be, Andrus may be the best of the Peat bunch.

John Theus, OT, Jacksonville (Fla.) Bolles
Watch Theus highlights here

A lineman can put up great numbers in the weight room and look like an All-American in unpadded drill work, but when it’s all boiled down, football – and particularly football in the trenches – is about attitude.

John Theus has the kind of nasty streak you want when the ball is snapped. He’s a throw-back kind of offensive lineman that is all-business on the field and mean - in the best possible use of the word.

All that is not to say that he’s not a complete lineman. Theus has great size, is polished and athletic as a blocker and he is just as effective in pass protection as in the run game.

His competitive fire separates Theus, and there is a strong competition igniting in his recruitment. Just about every major program in the country is after his signature.