Army Bowl: Five players who could make the jump to five-star status
Players arrive in San Antonio today for the start of six days of preparation for the annual U.S. Army All-American Bowl. With an impressive collection of talent, there will be plenty of current five-stars on display. But which players can join the five-star club with a strong showing this week? We take a look at five candidates and have Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell weigh in on what he’s hoping to see from each prospect.
MORE: Five teams that should watch the Army Bowl with interest | 2018 Rivals250
The Situation: The longtime Oklahoma pledge and now signee has been flirting with five-star status during most of the 2018 cycle. He comes into the Army Bowl just four spots away from the lowest-ranked five-star and will be competing alongside fellow five-star tackles Cade Mays and Jackson Carman.
Farrell’s Take: “Walker has the frame and length to be a five-star offensive tackle and he's a name we've been discussing for over a year. If he can show the arm extension, footwork and aggressiveness needed and dominate the week, he can earn that fifth star.”
The Situation: The Ohio State signee is the latest highly ranked running back set to take his talents to Columbus. Ranked as an all-purpose back, he’s the type of player who can make plays in both the running game and the passing game. He enters Army week just two spots away from five-star status.
Farrell’s take: “Gill can do so much with the football, from running to catching and even returning, that he'll be one to watch. Size is an issue, but if he's as dynamic as he can be and leads the way for the running backs, watch out.”
The Situation: The Clemson signee spent most of his high school career playing quarterback, even though he projects to the next level as a wide receiver. He already has a strong showing at the Shrine Bowl of the Carolina’s and a state championship victory under his belt in this evaluation window.
Farrell’s take: “Keep in mind that Kendrick's playoff performance counts here, as well, so he's already got a leg up on a fifth star. He's dynamic with the ball in his hands and if he shows that against the best in the country he could be a lock.”
The Situation: Peterson has kept a relatively low profile despite being ranked in the Rivals100 for nearly the entire 2018 rankings cycle. One of the highest-ranked uncommitted players in the country, plenty of fan bases will have their eyes on Peterson this week.
Farrell’s take: “Peterson isn't the biggest linebacker, but he has good length, covers a lot of ground and is good in his drops. If he can showcase his coverage skills during the week and then hit everything that moves in the game, he has a shot”
The Situation: The Texas signee is another prospect who has been flirting with five-star status for the better part of the 2018 cycle. This week in San Antonio he will have a chance to show side-by-side against some the country’s best wide receivers and defensive backs that he belongs in the five-star category.
Farrell’s take: They don't come any better looking than Eagles on the hoof, but can he improve his ability to turn and run routes? He has big hands and great size and the long strider can run, so let's see how fluid he looks.”