Five-Star Checkup: The top five from the 2018 class
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Every Monday during the college football season we will check in on former five-stars to see how they are panning at out the next level. We kick the season off with a look at the top five players in last year’s class.
As a recruit: Lawrence made an early commitment to Clemson over Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and others and never wavered from his pledge.
What he did this week: Lawrence didn’t win the starting job for the Tigers coming out of camp but it took him just a quarter to get on the field for the Tigers. After showing some butterflies early, Lawrence settled down and ended up completing 9-of-15 passes for 137 yards and three touchdowns. Obviously, the opponent, FCS program Furman, has to be taken into account, but the countdown is now on until when Lawrence makes his first start for the Tigers.
As a recruit: Fields initially committed to Penn State, only to back off the pledge and later commit to Georgia over Florida, Tennessee and others.
What he did this week: It’s clear the Dawgs have a plan to use Fields alongside Jake Fromm in special situations and they deployed him in the first half in the team’s game against Austin Peay. Fields had three carries for 33 yards and also completed 7-of-8 passes for 63 yards and a touchdown. The one-two punch of Fromm and Fields should be fun for Georgia fans to watch this season.
As a recruit: St. Brown committed to USC a month before Signing Day, choosing the Trojans over Alabama, Oregon and several others.
What he did this week: St. Brown stepped right into the lineup for USC and made a major impact, leading the Trojans in receiving with seven catches for 98 yards and a touchdown. He also had one carry for 12 yards. The performance shouldn’t come as a surprise to recruiting fans, as St. Brown seemed as likely as any position player to have an immediate impact.
As a recruit: Initially a class of 2019 recruit, Daniels committed to USC as an underclassman and reclassified to the class of 2018 and signed with the Trojans in February.
What he did this week: Daniels had his share of freshman butterflies as well but he settled in nicely and with St. Brown serving as his prime weapon, had a big game in the Trojans win over UNLV. He finished with 282 yards passing and one touchdown while going 22-of-35 passing. Stiffer tests are on the horizon for the Trojans, but fans have to be thrilled with what they saw from their pair five-stars on Saturday.
As a recruit: Thomas committed to Clemson over South Carolina during the spring of his junior year.
What he did this week: Thomas is waiting his turn behind the much talked about Clemson defensive line stars, but managed to get into the game against Furman and record one tackle. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him get more time as the season moves along, although his time is likely limited barring injury.