Bills vs. Jags: When they were recruits
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The Skinny: No. 68 overall, the No. 2 cornerback and the No. 2 recruit from Maryland in the Class of 2012, Darby took his time with his recruiting process. After taking official visits to Florida State, Clemson, Auburn, Maryland and Notre Dame, Darby committed to the Seminoles on National Signing Day after a previous commitment to the Fighting Irish.
Selected by Buffalo with the 50th overall pick in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft, Darby has become one of the top NFL rookies in the league. Named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month in September, Darby already has 29 tackles, two interceptions and 11 passes defended.
Farrell's Take: Darby was a fast and dynamic running back in high school who was learning the cornerback position on the fly. But he was also very smart as he saw future riches on the defensive side of the ball a la fellow Maryland native Joe Haden (Cleveland Browns), who did the same thing in 2007. Darby was a track star and one of the fastest players in the country out of high school but despite being raw at defensive back, he was still clearly one of the best.
CB
Stephon Gilmore - Buffalo Bills
Rock Hill (SC) South Pointe | Four-star, Class of 2009
The Skinny: No. 84 overall, the No. 6 cornerback and the No. 2 recruit from South Carolina in the Class of 2009, Gilmore took official visits to South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee before trimming his list down to the Gamecocks and Crimson Tide. Deciding to stay closer to home, Gilmore committed to South Carolina in October and never wavered on his decision.
Selected by Buffalo with the 10th overall pick in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, Gilmore immediately became a starter for the Bills. Despite dealing with some injuries over the last three seasons, Gilmore has solidified himself as a top-end NFL cornerback. This season Gilmore has 20 tackles, two interceptions and 12 passes defended.
Farrell's Take: Gilmore was a standout athlete in high school playing quarterback and many other positions and projected more as a pure safety, where he played in high school, than a corner at the next level. However, he turned out to be the rare big defensive back with loose hips and the length and instincts to play on an island. His ball hawking skills were evident back in high school and he and Darby form one of the best cornerback duos in the NFL.
RB
LeSean McCoy - Buffalo Bills
New Berlin (NY) Milford Academy | Four-star, Class of 2007
The Skinny: McCoy was originally a four-star recruit coming out of Bishop McDevitt in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania before heading to Milford Academy for a prep school year because of academics. After originally signing with Miami he then flipped to Pittsburgh at prep school and maintained his pledge to the Panthers despite a heavy push from Penn State.
Selected by Philadelphia with the 53rd overall pick in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft, McCoy enjoyed six successful season with the Eagles before being traded to the Bills after the 2014 season. In Buffalo, McCoy has dealt with injuries in the early part of this season but is healthy again after rushing for 90 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries during last week's loss to Cincinnati.
Farrell's Take: McCoy was a dynamic running back in high school and on our radar from a young age. In fact, he started off at Rivals.com as a five-star but a gruesome ankle injury that ended his senior season led to questions about his long-term recovery and led to the drop to four stars. His year in prep school wasn't as impressive as we hoped but it was clear he was still somewhat in recover mode. He emerged as a star immediately in college and showed that cutting ability that made him a dominant star in Eastern Pennsylvania before the injury.
DL
Jared Odrick - Jacksonville Jaguars
Lebanon, Pa. | Four-star, Class of 2006
The Skinny: No. 31 overall, the No. 3 defensive tackle and the No. 1 recruit from Pennsylvania in the Class of 2006, Odrick took all five of his official visits before making a final decision. After visiting Penn State, Florida, Georgia, Virginia Tech and Virginia, Odrick committed to the Nittany Lions over the Bulldogs in December.
Selected by Miami with the No. 28 overall pick in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft, Odrick spent five productive season with the Dolphins before making the move to Jacksonville earlier this year. With the Jaguars, Odrick has totaled 11 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble so far this fall
Farrell's Take: Odrick was a physical specimen and the rare tall defensive lineman who could play defensive tackle on the interior effectively. His level of competition wasn't great and it was one of our big questions as he dominated smaller players in high school, but his athleticism combined with that size and knee bend was unmistakable. He had great potential as a high school player but was still very raw.
RB
Karlos Williams - Buffalo Bills
Davenport (Fla.) Ridge | Five-star, Class of 2011
The Skinny: No. 8 overall, the No. 2 safety and the No. 2 recruit from Florida in the Class of 2011, Williams was an early commitment to Florida State but then took an official visit to USC in the weeks leading up to National Signing Day. A week later he took an official visit to Tallahassee and re-confirmed his commitment to the Seminoles.
Selected by Buffalo with the 155th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft, Williams has had a very productive rookie season. Seeing more playing time than expected due to LeSean McCoy's injuries this season, Williams has rushed for 226 yards and three touchdowns, plus has added 46 receiving yards and one touchdown.
Farrell's Take: Williams was going to be a safety at the next level; we were sure of it. He was big, physical and had great ball skills and a knack for closing on the ball carrier. However, Jimbo Fisher also noticed his offensive ability and his power running style and FSU's power back was created. It was a surprise he wasn't a dominant player on defense just as it's a surprise, despite his five-star ranking, that he's been as productive as he's been so far in the NFL. A great athlete is a great athlete, 'nuff said.
RB
T.J. Yeldon - Jacksonville Jaguars
Daphne, Ala. | Five-star, Class of 2012
The Skinny: No. 12 overall, the No. 2 running back and the No. 2 recruit from Alabama in the class of 2012, Yeldon's recruitment always seemed destined to come down to either Alabama or Auburn. After originally committed to Auburn, Yeldon took a surprise official visit to Alabama in November and flipped to the Crimson Tide in the days leading up to Christmas. Selected by Jacksonville with the 36th overall pick in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft, Yeldon was set to become Jacksonville's lead running back from day one. Proving his versatility this fall, Yeldon has rushed for 291 yards, plus hauled in 15 receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown.
Farrell's Take: Yeldon was an upright runner and he and Todd Gurley were almost mirror images of each other in the 2012 class although Yeldon was a bit more elusive and Gurley had more speed. Yeldon didn't get the attention Gurley got in college and shared carries while battling a few injuries, but his top-end potential was never in question coming out of high school. He could run through you, around you or jump over you and had soft hands, all attributes that carried over to the next level.
Mike Farrell
National Recruiting Director
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