Each week during the college football season we’ll use Tuesday as a chance to look back at four four-star prospects that shined during the previous week’s college football action. Today we will focus on a quartet of defensive players that made key plays in their team’s victories.

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As a recruit: Dodson was a late-emerging prospect from the Nashville area, with many schools deciding to pass on offering him, including both Tennessee and Vanderbilt. But Texas A&M defensive coordinator John Chavis liked what he saw in Dodson and his early work paid off in Dodson’s commitment in the summer prior to his senior season.

What he did this week: Despite being a four-star, Dodson came into the Aggies program as a relative unknown. But so far his career has been filled with big plays, including on Saturday when he helped turn the tide in the Aggies' victory over Louisiana-Lafayette with a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown. Dodson also had seven tackles in the game and has set himself up as one of the best young middle linebackers in the SEC.

As a recruit: As a high school prospect, most coaches thought Smith would be better suited to play linebacker, but he insisted he was a safety and elected to stay home with Vanderbilt after the Commodores promised him to play defensive back in college. After playing a hybrid role of the two positions during his first three years on campus, he moved to linebacker full-time in 2017.

What he did this week: Smith has quickly become one of the leaders of the Vanderbilt defense during his senior campaign and he was all over the field in a dominant defensive performance by the Commodores in Saturday’s 14-7 victory over Kansas State. He finished the game with 12 total tackles, one of which was for loss, and currently sits third overall in the conference in tackles. If he continues his exceptional play, he could be the next Vanderbilt linebacker headed to the NFL.

As a recruit: Dawson committed to Florida more than a year before Signing Day in 2014 and never really wavered on his commitment, only officially visiting the Gators before enrolling early in Gainesville.

What he did this week: Dawson was part of a swarming Gators defense that continues to shine despite replacing several of last year’s key contributors now playing in the NFL. He finished the game with six total tackles, but also had two pass break-ups, a tackle for loss and an interception as part of an excellent all-around performance. Florida’s offensive woes continue but it’s hard to deny that with players like Dawson, the Gators are loaded on defense.

As a recruit: O’Daniel quietly committed to Clemson in April 2012, nearly 10 months before Signing Day. Despite overtures from several of the country’s best programs, he never wavered from his commitment to the Tigers.

What he did this week: As a fifth-year senior on one of the nation’s best defenses, O’Daniel is clearly one of Clemson’s leaders, both on and off the field. This weekend he was impressive once again, recording six total tackles and returning an interception of reigning Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson for a touchdown. O’Daniel has already played in more than 40 games for the Tigers, what used to be a college career for some, and still has plenty more to add to his already impressive resume.