Mark Pszonak contributed to this report.
It’s that time of year again, time for the Farrell 50, the ranking of the top 50 players in college football by Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell. We continue today with Nos. 30-26 led by another great defensive end product from the state of South Carolina.
MORE FARRELL 50: Nos. 31-35 | 36-40 | 41-45 | 46-50
MORE: 10 best recruiting programs in the past five cycles
The skinny: Henderson took official visits to Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Auburn before committing to the Gators the day before National Signing Day. The Gators have produced several NFL caliber cornerbacks in recent years, and Henderson looks to be the next in line. After a 2018 season with 38 tackles, five tackles for a loss, three sacks, two interceptions and five pass breakups, he will be looking to raise his game to an even higher level while further establishing himself as one of the top cover corners in the country.
Farrell’s take: Henderson was a Rivals250 prospect coming out of high school and highly touted. We liked his length and his frame and he had excellent closing speed and could turn and run with anyone. He has emerged as one of the best cornerbacks in the country and a big season could propel him to the first round of the NFL Draft if he decides to leave early.
The skinny: Benjamin initially committed to Iowa, but re-opened his recruitment during his senior season. After trimming his new list down to Arizona State, Utah and Michigan, he committed to the Sun Devils at the Army All-American Bowl. Benjamin burst onto the national scene last fall with 1,642 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground, plus 35 receptions and two touchdowns through the air. With the Sun Devils starting true freshman Jayden Daniels at quarterback this fall, look for even more to be placed on his shoulders this season.
Farrell’s take: Benjamin was a Rivals100 running back coming out of high school and No. 5 at his position so we thought very highly of him. He had good size and ran with decisiveness and power and he was an underrated pass catcher as well. I originally liked his fit at Iowa better but he has had a great career at Arizona State and shown he can run in a wide open offense. The NFL is waiting.
The skinny: Sterns initially committed to LSU during his junior season, but then flipped to Texas during the spring. The flip came only a few days after Sterns had taken a visit to Austin to take a closer look at the Longhorns’ program. Plenty was expected from Sterns during his true freshman season in 2018, and he did not disappoint with 62 tackles, three tackles for a loss and four interceptions. The Longhorns secondary is young and abundant with talent, but Sterns continues to be the best of the bunch.
Farrell’s take: Sterns was a five-star prospect and a can’t-miss kid. He had adequate size but was very physical and great at closing on the football. He’s also that kind of player who is always around the football. So far in his college career, he has shown that ability and he has played beyond his years and is one of the best in the Big 12 already.
The skinny: Fulton took January official visits to LSU, Florida and Arkansas before committing to the Tigers on National Signing Day. LSU has firmly established itself as a program that annually churns out NFL caliber defensive backs. One of the best for the Tigers right now is Fulton, who is coming off a season that saw him finish with 25 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and nine pass breakups. Being named preseason first-team All-SEC and All-American by several publications, the pressure will be on Fulton to back-up all of the current buzz.
Farrell’s take: Fulton was a Rivals100 prospect for good reason as he was a very athletic defensive back with good length and a frame to fill out. He wasn’t the biggest corner but he played with a physical edge and he was always good in run support. Now at LSU he’s taken the next step and should be playing like a five star very soon.
The skinny: A native of South Carolina, despite playing his senior season at IMG Academy in Florida, Thomas seemed destined to play his college ball at either Clemson or South Carolina. Both schools believed they led at different times, but when it was time to make a commitment, he chose the Tigers in early April. With the much-publicized Tigers’ defensive line in front of him, Thomas still managed to earn enough playing time as a true freshman to finish the season with 33 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks. Now with the entire front four moving onto the NFL, it will be Thomas’ turn to take the spotlight
Farrell’s take: Thomas was our No. 5 player overall in 2018 so obviously we liked him a lot. He was explosive, powerful and had a great first step. He still had a very good year despite the depth at Clemson on the defensive line and now he’s ready to take over. He’s one of the most physically dominant defensive ends in recent years out of high school.
