Five-Star Checkup: Longest tenured five-stars
COMMIT BREAKDOWN: Texas lands Rivals250 OL Logan Parr
Mondays during the college football season, we will check in on former five-stars to see how they are panning at out the next level and beyond. This week, we look at some of the longest-tenured five-stars – guys who are still in college football even though many of their classmates have moved onto the NFL.
As a recruit: Bigelow committed to USC more than a year before Signing Day in 2013 and despite some flirtations with other programs elected to stick with the Trojans. After a career filled with injuries at USC, Bigelow briefly retired from the sport before electing to transfer to West Virginia after being granted a sixth-year of eligibility.
What he did this week: Bigelow is the oldest player on this list, having originally been in the class of 2013. What’s remarkable about the fact that Bigelow is still in college is that some of the members of his class, like Jalen Ramsey and Kendall Fuller, are in their third NFL season this fall. West Virginia fans are happy that Bigelow is still around, though, as he’s having a breakout season. In Thursday night’s victory over Baylor, Bigelow had three tackles adding to his already career-high season. Because of his past health issues, it remains to be seen if Bigelow will be drafted, but he’s enjoying his bonus time playing high-level college football after such a star-crossed career.
As a recruit: Prince had a national level recruitment that came down to Signing Day when he elected to stay close to home and sign with Maryland over Florida, Florida State, South Carolina and others.
What he did this week: Prince has been a mainstay on the Maryland offensive line since arriving on campus and he elected to return for his senior year rather than try his luck in the draft. Prince is graded as one of the ACC’s best pass blocking offensive lineman according to Pro Football Focus and hasn’t allowed a quarterback sack or pressure in the six games he’s played this season. One of the last five-stars from the 2014 class still in college, Prince will likely get a crack at the NFL next year.
As a recruit: One of the best cornerback prospects to come out of California in recent years, Marshall was sought after by programs from coast-to-coast. He officially visited Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Oregon and Notre Dame but none of those programs could keep him from committing to his hometown school, USC, on Signing Day in 2015.
What he did this week: USC came up short against Arizona State, but Marshall continues to be a mainstay in the Trojans defensive backfield. According to Pro Football Focus, Marshall is having his best overall season as a Trojan. For his career, Marshall is approaching 200 career tackles and he recently hit the 30 pass breakups milestone. Marshall likely won’t live up to his No. 3 overall ranking, but he should be an NFL Draft pick next spring.
As a recruit: Early in his high school career Godwin was targeted by several schools as a cornerback, and he played quarterback for his high school team, so he was labeled as a five-star athlete as opposed to a wide receiver. Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and USC all received official visits from Godwin, and he announced his commitment to the Dawgs on National Signing Day.
What he did this week: Godwin has been a consistent pass-catcher since arriving in Athens and he came up big in the Bulldogs' win over Florida on Saturday when he hauled in a 24-yard touchdown pass. After a breakout year in 2017, Godwin missed some action early in 2018 due to injuries so his overall numbers are down, bug his 22 yards per reception is a career-high mark. Godwin was ranked as a five-star athlete and he’s been a good, but not great, college wide receiver.
As a recruit: Like most elite players from Louisiana, Johnson dreamed of playing for LSU, but he still entertained schools from all over the country, eventually committing to the Tigers about a month before Signing Day in 2015. His first year on campus with the Tigers he saw the field quite a bit for a freshman, catching two touchdowns during the 2015 season. But his time in Baton Rouge would be short lived, as Johnson decided he wanted to play in a more pass-friendly offense and elected to transfer to Oklahoma State, where he sat out 2016 season.
What he did this week: Johnson has been productive since arriving in Stillwater and he’s having his best college season in 2018. In Saturday’s win over Texas he had just one catch for six yards, but on the season he already has career highs in receptions (21), yards (405), total touchdowns (four) and yards per catch (19.3). Johnson is likely to return for his senior season and will have a chance to continue to put up big numbers in the Cowboys' pass-heavy offense.
