Four-Star Checkup: Players that are having success far from home
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 players that left their home states to attend college and are now having success far away from home.
As a recruit: Amadi’s recruitment took plenty of twists and turns, as it looked like he was initially bound for Tennessee, only to end up committing to Ole Miss prior to the start of his senior season. He would later flip to LSU in December with a plan to enroll early, but ended up committing to Oregon less than two weeks later and enrolling at the school despite never taking an official visit.
What he did this week: Amadi spent his first two seasons in Eugene as a starter at cornerback but was recently moved to safety and is thriving in the Ducks' rapidly improving defense. In Saturday’s win over Utah, Amadi made one of the games biggest plays, hitting Utah receiver Darren Carrington for a loss, knocking the ball loose and scooping it up and returning it for a 49-yard touchdown. Amadi finished the game with three tackles, one pass deflection and one quarterback hurry. On the season, Amadi is tied for the Oregon team lead in interceptions and fumble recoveries.
As a recruit: An Arkansas native, Hill initially made his commitment to the Razorbacks and seemed destined to stay close to home and play for the Hawgs. But a late push from Alabama opened his eyes and Hill backed off his commitment a month before Signing Day in 2015. After visiting both Ohio State and Alabama, Hill made a Signing Day pledge to the Buckeyes, a move that caught many by surprise.
What he did this week: After redshirting in 2015, Hill has seen his share of playing time over the past two seasons but he saved his best for Saturday’s come-from-behind victory over Penn State. Hill recorded his first career 100-yard game, hauling in 12 passes for 102 total yards. Hill is already having his best season as a Buckeye and his breakout game could be a sign of even bigger things to come from the former blue-chip recruit.
As a recruit: A standout prospect out of South Florida, many expected Coney to end up staying in the Sunshine State, specifically at Florida, which seemed to be his leader for most of his recruitment. But after taking official visits to Gainesville and South Bend, Coney announced his commitment to the Irish in Oct. 2014. The Gators continued to chase Coney and he even made a late official visit to Miami, but ended up sticking with Notre Dame.
What he did this week: Coney has been a contributor since Day 1 for the Irish but he is having by far his best season in 2017. In Saturday’s victory over NC State, Coney led the Irish in tackles with nine, including one for a loss, and also had one quarterback hurry. On the season, Coney leads the team in tackles with 62 and appears to be well on his way to a career at the next level as well.
As a recruit: Anderson had a small but mighty offer list as a prospect in the class of 2015, collecting interest from Auburn, Texas and Texas A&M before ultimately committing to Oklahoma in the summer of 2014. His decision to go out of state wasn’t exactly a shocker, but it was a notable recruiting victory for the Sooners nonetheless.
What he did this week: Anderson’s career at Oklahoma hasn’t exactly gone as planned during his first three years on campus, but this Saturday, he had the best game of his young career. Anderson rushed for 181 yards and a touchdown in Saturday’s victory over Texas Tech, setting new career-highs in carries and yards just a week after he set the same marks against Kansas State. After playing in just two games in his first two years due to injuries, Anderson is now part of a three-headed rushing attack for the Sooners that is among the country’s best.
