Mark Pszonak contributed to this report.
The college football season is over save for one kind of big game between LSU and Clemson. So it’s time to continue the Farrell 50, the top 50 college football players in the country. Here’s Nos. 36-40.
FARRELL 50: Nos. 41-45 | 46-50
FARRELL FRESHMAN 15: Nos. 1-3 | 4-6 | 7-9 | 10-12 | 13-15
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The skinny: Gross-Matos trimmed his list of top schools to Penn State, Virginia Tech and North Carolina before he gave his commitment to the Nittany Lions almost year before his National Signing Day.
After a breakout 2018 season with 54 tackles, 20 tackles for a loss, eight sacks and two forced fumbles, all eyes were on Gross-Matos this fall to see how he would perform. He responded with 40 tackles, 14.5 tackles for a loss and nine sacks, while facing plenty of double teams throughout the season.
Farrell’s take: Gross-Matos was a Rivals250 four-star who got better each time we saw him, and he finished the rankings cycle on an upswing after a great week at Under Armour. He had good length and a frame he continued to fill out, but it was his agility and balance that impressed us the most. He was very hard to knock off balance. Another key get for Penn State from Virginia, a state the Nittany Lions have done well in.
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The skinny: Fromm initially committed to Alabama, but then flipped to Georgia during the spring after his junior season.
In Athens, Fromm established quite a legacy over the course of the last three seasons. While his performance this fall may not have met everyone’s expectations, he still passed for 2,860 yards, 24 touchdowns and five interceptions and led the Bulldogs to a Sugar Bowl victory over Baylor.
Farrell’s take: Fromm became a five-star late in the process, earning that fifth star after a great week at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, and was a huge flip for Kirby Smart from Alabama.
He was a kid we felt was a “gamer” who might not have as many natural skills as some other five-star quarterbacks but had more of the intangibles. His efficiency and maturity were off the charts as a freshman and he led his team to the title game, so bigger things were expected last year and he delivered. However this year he regressed.
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The skinny: Rashed’s recruiting process was slow to take off, with his first offer coming from Nebraska during his senior season. He also earned an offer from San Diego State, but it was when Oregon State offered in late October that he quickly made his decision. With his brother being committed to play for the Beavers in basketball, the opportunity was too great to pass up.
Coming off a promising 2018 season, Rashed jumped onto the national landscape this fall with 60 tackles, 22.5 tackles for a loss, 14 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He also recently announced that he will be returning for his senior season.
Farrell’s take: Rashed was a high three-star with good length but lacked strength and power. He was an excellent speed rusher and he’s played well above his ranking as he has added weight.
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The skinny: With plenty of buzz surrounding the young in-state offensive lineman, Iowa and Iowa State were the first two offers for Wirfs. While it was still early in his process, and after a few visits to Iowa City, he ended his process with a commitment to the Hawkeyes during his junior season.
In Iowa City, Wirfs became the next in a long line of dominant offensive linemen. Being named the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year after the 2019 season, now Wirfs will focus on the 2020 NFL Draft, where he projected to be selected in the first round.
Farrell’s take: Wirfs was a highly regarded four-star in the state of Iowa and a must-get for the Hawkeyes. He had an excellent frame, room to add weight and he was technically sound and very smart. He’s become even more physical at the next level and has a bright NFL future ahead of him.
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The skinny: While Wallace was considered a package deal with his brother, Tracin, he was the one who became the recruit who reeled in the bigger offers. In Stillwater they found the family atmosphere the brothers were looking for, so a commitment came during the spring after their junior season.
Wallace was following up a huge 2018 season with another impressive performance this fall when a knee injury abruptly ended his campaign after only eight games. During these eight games he dominated, finishing with 53 receptions for 903 yards and eight touchdowns. Now he will have the opportunity to showcase his talents in Stillwater in 2020 after recently announcing that he will be returning for one more season.
Farrell’s take: Wallace was ranked as a Rivals250 prospect who had average size and wasn’t a kid with a big frame but he was dynamic with the ball in his hands and he caught everything thrown his way. The Big 12 was a great fit for him and he’s become one of the elite receivers in the conference and in the country. The battle between CeeDee Lamb and Wallace this season would have been awesome had Wallace not been hurt. He’s coming back next year and should dominate.
