Five-Star Checkup: Class of 2015 RBs
Every Monday during the college football season we will check in on five five-star prospects to see how they’re performing and if they are living up to the lofty billing that led them to be ranked at the top of the Rivals100. This week we focus on five-star running backs from the Class of 2015 to see how they fared in Week 4.
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As a recruit: Harris initially committed to Michigan but backed off that pledge once things started to go south for then-coach Brady Hoke. After re-exploring his recruiting options, he focused on Kentucky, the hometown favorite, and Alabama and the two teams waged quite the battle for his services. In the end the Tide won out and Harris committed to the school in January 2015.
What he did this week: After fellow former five-star Bo Scarbrough became the talk of college football late last season, Harris became a bit of an afterthought for some but on Saturday he reminded the college football world of his immense talent. In Alabama’s 59-0 victory over Vanderbilt, Harris rushed 12 times for 151 yards and a touchdown. The game was Harris’ first 100-yard game of the season but with the way he looked against the Commodores defense, it likely won’t be his last of the year.
As a recruit: Guice emerged later in the process than most of the high-profile prospects in the 2015 class but it didn’t stop him from rising up the boards of several schools. He committed to LSU following his junior season and despite late efforts from several programs to steal him away, including Alabama, he stayed committed to his hometown school.
What he did this week: With Leonard Fournette off to the NFL, 2017 was supposed to be Guice’s year to make a run at the Heisman Trophy, but so far his season has had its share of ups and downs. After opening the season with 122 yards rushing against BYU, Guice has seen his rushing total drop every week and this week he finished with just 14 yards on eight carries in LSU’s victory over Syracuse. Injuries combined with LSU saving Guice for the meat of the SEC schedule have been a big part of his dip in production, so it will be worth watching to see if he returns to his 2016 form as the year moves along.
As a recruit: Patrick burst onto the recruiting scene early in his high school career and entertained offers from many of nation’s top programs. He officially visited Ohio State and Texas A&M but in the end Florida State always seemed to be his top choice and the Seminoles nabbed his commitment in October 2014.
What he did this week: Much like Guice, Patrick had been waiting behind an elite running back in Dalvin Cook and this year was supposed to be his opportunity to seize the spotlight. But just two games into his junior season, Patrick has struggled to break out. In Saturday’s loss to NC State he had just eight carries for 38 yards and has just 55 yards rushing on the season. Patrick is also splitting carries alongside another five-star, freshman Cam Akers, so he will have to pick up the pace to keep his role as the ‘Noles top option.
As a recruit: Jamabo explored many options during his high school career and took official visits to Notre Dame, Texas, Texas A&M and UCLA during his senior season. Most expected that it would be tough to pull him out of the Lone Star State but the Bruins did exactly that, landing his commitment on Signing Day.
What he did this week: After missing the last two games, including the Bruins' loss at Memphis last week, Jamabo returned to the field and had his first 100-yard game at the collegiate level in UCLA's loss to Stanford. Despite only playing in two games this year Jamabo is well on pace to have the best season of his career. In a year where the Bruins have tried several different players at the running back position, UCLA fans and coaches alike are hoping that Jamabo continues to tap into the potential that made him one of the nation’s top recruits.
