Four-Star Checkup: Defensive players that made key plays
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
MORE CHECKUPS: Five-star RBs from the 2015 class
As a recruit: Mullen was a high priority target for several major programs during the recruiting process and he had extended flirtations with several programs, including Florida State, Florida and Georgia. He ended up taking official visits to Louisville, LSU, TCU and Clemson before announcing for the Tigers on National Signing Day.
What he did this week: Mullen saw his share of snaps behind a talented group of defensive backs in 2016 and has quickly moved into position to contribute heavily in 2017. In Saturday’s closer-than-expected win over Boston College, Mullen notched seven total tackles, one quarterback hurry and had one interception before leaving the game with an injury. Mullen’s rare combination of size and speed made him an elite prospect as a recruit and when he’s healthy, he’s shown an ability to make plays when the Tigers need him.
As a recruit: A Florida State legacy, most expected that Bush would be playing his college ball in Tallahassee. But Michigan made him a priority and he ended up committing to the Wolverines in Dec. 2014 after taking official visits to Florida State, Auburn and Ann Arbor.
What he did this week: Bush is just the latest example of a player from the Southeast to find success in the Big Ten and on Saturday he was all over the field during the Wolverines' victory over Purdue. He finished the game with six tackles, one sack and one pass deflection and looks like a burgeoning star for Jim Harbaugh and company.
As a recruit: As one of the top players in the state of Ohio, Crawford was a prime target for many of the Big Ten’s best programs. But Notre Dame made an impression early in his recruitment and grabbed his commitment during the summer prior to his senior season and he never looked back.
What he did this week: Crawford has become a vital part of the Notre Dame defense and in Saturday’s impressive win over Michigan State he did his part as the Irish shut down the Spartans' offense. He finished the game with four tackles but also had a key fumble recovery. After suffering injures that caused him to miss most of his first two seasons in South Bend, Crawford is finally healthy and looks poised to live up to his potential.
As a recruit: Hughes got his share of recruiting attention as a high school prospect and took multiple official visits, including one to Florida and NC State. However, the persistence of North Carolina won out and Hughes committed to the Tar Heels just before Christmas in 2014. After spending one year on the team and appearing in 11 games he was dismissed by the Heels and landed at Garden City Community College. He played one year there, earning All-American Honors and appeared to be headed to South Carolina before a delayed graduation from Garden City led to him landing at UCF in August.
What he did this week: Hughes didn’t need much time to find his footing in Orlando and is quickly becoming one of the Knights' stars on defense. In Saturday’s blowout victory over Maryland, he had three tackles but also intercepted a pass and returned it 57 yards for a touchdown. Hughes also returns kicks and punts for the Knights and looks like he’s in line for a huge season.