Farrell Postseason 50: Nos. 36-40
RELATED: Farrell Midseason 50 | Nos. 46-50 | Nos. 41-45
With the college football season in the books, Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell releases his post-season Farrell 50, the top 50 college football players in the country. This list is based on this year's performance balanced with the level of competition each player has faced and how they've fared when the pressure is on.
Today in the countdown: Nos. 36-40
40. DE Deforest Buckner, Oregon | Honolulu (Hawaii) Punahou (4-star, 2012)
The skinny: Buckner was a four-star who was not ranked nationally, but was the No. 17 strongside defensive end and the No. 2 recruit from Hawaii in 2012. While California and UCLA were also in the chase for Buckner, Oregon was long seen as the favorite. He finalized his decision in early January at the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl with a commitment to the Ducks. Buckner played as a true freshman for the Ducks and has seen his game improve each ensuing season. As a senior this fall he finished with 76 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, 9.5 sacks and one fumble recovery and was voted second-team AP All-American.
Farrell’s take: Buckner was a four-star out of high school as a tall, skinny kid with a great frame and long arms, but the level of competition in Hawaii made us wary. We felt he would come along slowly and be a boom-or-bust kid and this year he became that boom guy we wanted to see. Now he’s a tall, filled out monster who should have scouts drooling over his athleticism and ceiling at the next level.
39. WR Aaron Burbridge, Michigan State | Farmington Hills (Mich.) Harrison (4-star, 2012)
The skinny: No. 103 overall, the No. 16 wide receiver and the No. 1 recruit from Michigan in 2012, Burbridge’s recruiting process came down to an in-state battle between Michigan State and Michigan. After trimming it down to the Spartans and Wolverines, Burbridge committed to Michigan State during the summer leading up to this senior season. Burbridge, who became Michigan State’s most explosive offensive weapon this season, led the Big Ten with 85 receptions for 1,258 yards and also had seven touchdowns.
Farrell’s take: Burbridge always had good size and a high ceiling, which is why he was so highly ranked, but he had been slow to develop at Michigan State until this year. He has finally put it all together and his combo of size, body control and strength are tough to handle. He's a chain-mover and red zone threat who can out-muscle opponents, but will NFL scouts fear he’s a one-year wonder? His lack of touchdown production keeps him lower on this list despite his great production.
38. DT Kenneth Clark, UCLA | Rialto (Calif.) Wilmer Carter (4-star, 2013)
The skinny: Clark was a four-star who was the No. 24 defensive tackle and the No. 39 recruit from California in 2013. Having trimmed his list down to UCLA and Washington, Clark realized that playing closer to home was important to him and his family. This led to his commitment to the Bruins in the summer leading up to his senior season. Clark has been very productive for the Bruins during all three of his seasons, but really put everything together this fall. Totaling 73 tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss and 5.5 sacks, Clark was voted first-team All-Pac-12 and third-team All-American by AP.
Farrell’s take: Clark was a four-star out of high school but wasn't in the Rivals250 mainly because of concerns against the run. He was a very agile and athletic kid and has added good bulk in college and now he can clog the middle and flush the passer, making himself a potential first-rounder at the next level. He's very active inside and outside the tackles and has actually become better against the run than he is rushing the passer, the opposite of his high school scouting report.
37. WR Gabe Marks, Washington State | Los Angeles (Calif.) Venice (4-star, 2012)
The skinny: No. 87 overall, the No. 13 wide receiver and the No. 15 recruit from California in 2012, Marks originally committed to SMU before re-opening his recruiting process, de-committing from the Mustangs and then flipping to Washington State after an official visit to Pullman. In Mike Leach’s pass-happy offense, Marks has prospered despite dealing with some off-the-field issues and injuries that caused him to redshirt the 2014 season. He exploded in 2015, finishing fourth in the nation in receptions (104) and touchdowns (15) and second in the Pac-12 in receiving yards (1,192).
Farrell’s take: Marks was a skinny slot receiver with average speed coming out of high school but he was a Rivals100 kid because he caught everything thrown his way and had a knack for getting open all the time. He’s a quarterback’s best friend and perfect for a passing offense and this year he was a big reason the Cougs did well.
36. QB Dak Prescott, Mississippi State | Haughton, La. (3-star, 2011)
The skinny: Prescott was a three-star and the No. 33 recruit from Louisiana, but he was not ranked nationally or at his position in 2011. An impressive performance at the Mississippi State summer camp earned Prescott an offer and resulted in a quick commitment. However, a late offer from LSU led Prescott to take an official visit to Baton Rouge. Despite this push from the Tigers, Prescott stuck with his commitment to the Bulldogs. After a big 2014 season, Prescott followed that up this fall with 3,793 yards passing and 29 touchdowns, plus 588 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns and was named first-team All-SEC for the second straight year.
Farrell’s take: People forget about Prescott because his team never hit that hot streak it had a year ago, but he's been very efficient and is a smart quarterback. He wasn't a major target of many programs and didn't even get the time of day from in-state power LSU until the very end of the process and Bulldogs fans are happy he stuck to his word as he’s clearly one of the program’s all-time best. He was a big dual-threat quarterback who wasn't overly fast but made good decisions on the field and had a good arm and that's exactly what he shows today.