5-4-3-2-un: Recapping standouts in each Rivals star category

In this weekly feature on Rivals.com, we take a look at the weekend’s standout performances from both college and pro football, and pick one player from each star rankings group to spotlight.

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As a recruit: Scarbrough committed to Alabama in Sept. 2012, more than a year before Signing Day for the 2014 class. But all wasn’t smooth sailing as Scarborough transferred to IMG Academy for his senior year and took official visits to Ole Miss, Notre Dame and UCLA before ultimately signing with the Tide.

What he did this weekend: Scarbrough’s career got off to a rocky start after academics caused him to attend prep school and injuries derailed his freshman season. But this year, the sophomore has blossomed and in Saturday’s Iron Bowl he had one of the best games of his young career. He led the Tide in rushing with 90 yards on just 17 carries. It was his second-best game of the season and had to mean more considering he’s a native of Alabama and no stranger to the Iron Bowl rivalry.

As a recruit: Baker had a very interesting commitment, first using a live alligator to announce his commitment to Florida, only to later back off that decision and end up at Ohio State. He officially visited both schools before picking the Buckeyes in the fall of 2014.

What he did this weekend: While former five-star Raekwon McMillian gets a lot of headlines in Columbus, Baker has been a huge part of the Buckeyes defense this year. In Saturday’s pulsating win over No. 3 Michigan, he recorded 15 tackles as well as a key sack and also intercepted a pass and returned it for 22 yards. With McMillian likely headed to the NFL Draft, Baker is in position to be the leader of the Buckeyes' defense in 2017.

As a recruit: Ferguson was actually ranked as a three-star two different times, first as a high school prospect in the 2013 class and then again in 2016 as a JUCO player at Coffeyville Community College. After signing with Tennessee in 2013, Ferguson suffered an injury and was redshirting before ultimately transferring to Coffeyville.

What he did this weekend: It took quite a while for Ferguson to ever see the field as an FBS quarterback, but in his first year at Memphis he hasn’t disappointed. In the Tigers' 48-44 upset victory over Houston and then-coach Tom Herman, Ferguson threw for 409 yards and four touchdowns. The excellent day put Ferguson over the 3,000-yard mark for the season and three-plus years after graduating from high school he’s finally starting to live up to his ranking.

As a recruit: Bell didn’t see much in terms of interest as a high school prospect and for most of his recruitment appeared to be headed to the MAC. But a late offer from Michigan State – his lone Big Ten offer – led to a quick commitment in December 2009.

What he did this weekend: Bell went from two-star to second-round NFL Draft pick and he continues to impress when he’s on the field for the Pittsburgh Steelers. On Thanksgiving night, he rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown in Pittsburgh’s 28-7 victory over Indianapolis. While he’s run into some problems off the field, Bell’s talent has shown through and he appears poised to go over the 1,000-yard mark for the second time in his four-year career despite a three-game suspension to start the season.

As a recruit: McCarron was an undersized, under-the-radar prospect in the 2012 class and never even had a profile on Rivals.com, let alone a ranking. McCarron played mostly quarterback at Dubuqe (Iowa) Wahlert High School, where he set records for most touchdowns in a game and passing touchdowns in a season.

What he did this weekend: After serving as a bit player for most of his career at Iowa, McCarron saved the best for his last career game for the Hawkeyes. In the school’s 40-10 victory over Nebraska, McCarron hauled in five passes for a career-high 108 yards. The game was McCarron’s first 100-yard game of his career and couldn’t have come at a bigger time as he helped his team finish the season in winning fashion.