Five-Star Geography: Breaking down five trends at OL
There have been plenty of five-star wide receivers in Rivals history dating back to 2002. Today, we ask Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell five questions about the position after analyzing some surprising numbers and breaking down the states:
MORE: Where are the five-star QBs from? | RB | WR
1. The state of Wisconsin has produced only one five-star OL in the Rivals era. Has any program developed players at the position better than the Badgers?
Overview: The only five-star offensive lineman from Wisconsin has been Milwaukee (Wisc.) St. Frances standout Josh Oglesby in 2007, and since that time many elite Wisconsin players along the line have gone to the NFL and more could be on the way. As of this past season, the Badgers had 10 offensive linemen in the pros and it’s almost a certainty that the coaching staff with produce others in the coming years.
Farrell’s take: Wisconsin does the best in developing offensive linemen in college football and the NFL numbers show that. Remember, they have a weak recruiting geography, so they need to go out and find guys or develop raw players closer to home. That’s hard to do. I’m surprised more five-star linemen don’t gravitate to Wisconsin as a program but the geography issue plays a big role.
2. Could USC have been much more successful in recent years if Wyatt Davis and Jonah Williams stayed home?
Overview: When it comes to USC’s issues in recent years, it’s not that the Trojans haven’t had the skill players to be a national contender. It’s been that USC has struggled to protect its quarterbacks and that remains an issue to this day. It could be recruiting-related. Five-star Wyatt Davis from nearby Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco chose Ohio State over USC and others. And Folsom, Calif., five-star Jonah Williams picked Alabama over the Trojans, although that is more understandable since he is originally from the Southeast. One wonders, though, if USC would be in a different situation if those two players - and maybe others - on the offensive line played for the Trojans.
Farrell’s take: It sure would have helped, especially Williams. The jury is still out on Davis. Williams is a franchise left tackle and would have been a huge addition to the USC offense. Davis will be a very good one at Ohio State. USC can’t allow five-star linemen to leave the state like this.
3. Are you surprised Louisiana has not produced more five-star OL?
Overview: LSU has built an identity around having a massive offensive line and running the ball with precision and it’s made the Tigers one of the most-dominant programs in the country. Eight offensive linemen who played at LSU are currently in the NFL, but the state has not exactly produced elite talent across the offensive line in Rivals history. Only Cameron Robinson, La’el Collins and Kardell Thomas have earned five-star status, which might be a little surprising because there have been some big names who have played for the Tigers and others who have come out of the state.
Farrell’s take: Louisiana produces a ton of talent and is underrated in that respect, so it’s surprising that there haven’t been more five-star offensive linemen. LSU does a very good job at developing linemen and they’ve had their share of four-stars who have done very well, so maybe they don’t need the five stars. All I know is that LSU produces tough, physical linemen and five-stars always seem to take a look at them.
4. Will the state of Ohio's reputation for five-star OL be dependent on the success of Jackson Carman and Paris Johnson Jr.?
Overview: Another state that has a perception of delivering elite, tough offensive linemen is Ohio and plenty have played for Ohio State and other programs, but the case is only recently has there been an uptick in five-star talent from that state. Alex Boone was the one and only five-star up until recently and he went undrafted out of Ohio State although he’s carved out a nice NFL career. Jackson Carman in the 2018 class is just starting to emerge at Clemson and Paris Johnson Jr. is entering his senior season and is committed to the Buckeyes.
Farrell’s take: I don’t think so. Remember that five-star OL are very rare and Ohio has produced a ton of very talented four stars who have gone on to the NFL and had success. Guys like Boone and Mike Adams were amazing talents out of high school but ran into different issues. I think Ohio will remains a top producer of OL even if Carman and Johnson don’t pan out.
5. Will Savion Byrd be one of the many five-star OL from Texas to leave the state?
Overview: Texas has had marginal success landing five-star in-state prospects in Rivals history, getting three out of 11 with 2021 standout Savion Byrd, the top-rated offensive tackle in the class still pending. But it’s been a decade since the Longhorns have landed a five-star offensive lineman from the state. Mason Walters was the latest in 2009, they got Tray Allen in 2007 and Justin Blalock in 2002. Walker Little, Gregory Little and many others went elsewhere. Texas seems to be in great shape with Byrd, from Duncanville, but everybody and their brother is after him as well.
Farrell’s take: Texas is in good shape for Byrd, but it’s still early and with teams like Alabama, Georgia and others coming into the state, it will always be a battle. Throw in Texas A&M and Oklahoma, who both do very good jobs with OL, and you have a ton of competition. Texas needs to keep players like Byrd home, but we will see.