Grading the active five-star LBs in college football
Five-star prospects are rare in each recruiting class and, as we know, some pan out and some don’t. For the last two weeks, we have been looking at five-stars still playing in college football and grade how they’ve been doing. Today, we continue with the linebackers.
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MORE FIVE-STAR GRADES: QB | RB | WR/TE/ATH | DT | DE
CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
COVERAGE: Rivals Transfer Tracker | Rivals Camp Series
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CLASS OF 2016
BEN DAVIS - Alabama
This has been a puzzling disaster and I can’t figure out why, but Davis never emerged despite staying at Alabama and waiting for his chance.
Grade: F
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RAHSHAUN SMITH - Maryland (transfer from Clemson)
Another one I can’t figure out, as Smith could play outside or inside linebacker and appeared to be a can’t-miss player. He’s had a few moments, but not much else.
Grade: F
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MIQUE JUAREZ - UCLA (portal)
So, 2016 was a bad year for linebackers, huh? Juarez has done nothing at the college level.
Grade: F
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CALEB KELLY - Oklahoma
Finally a 2016 linebacker who did something. Kelly hasn’t had an amazing career, but he’s been solid.
Grade: B-
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CURTIS ROBINSON - Stanford
Robinson started to emerge last season, but he still hasn’t come close to expectations.
Grade: D
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DAELIN HAYES - Notre Dame
Hayes has grown into a defensive lineman and has become a solid pass rusher, but he's not the dynamic talent we expected.
Grade: B-
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CLASS OF 2017
BARON BROWNING - Ohio State
Browning is starting to emerge as a solid player, but we expected a lot more out of his career.
Grade: C+
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JORDAN ANTHONY - Michigan (portal)
This is another miss as Anthony was supposed to be the next Jabrill Peppers at Michigan.
Grade: F
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DYLAN MOSES - Alabama
Moses was injured last season, but he has been one of the best linebackers in college football and could be a first-round NFL Draft pick.
Grade: A
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CLASS OF 2018
MICAH PARSONS - Penn State (opted out)
I’m including him because we need a few more hits here. He’s been amazing.
Grade: A+
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TERADJA MITCHELL - Ohio State
Mitchell hasn’t done much, and he needs to turn things around quickly to live up to the hype.
Grade: D
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PALAIE GAOTEOTE - USC
Gaoteote has been solid and was getting better, but injuries have derailed him this year.
Grade: B-
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CLASS OF 2019
NOLAN SMITH - Georgia
Smith has been solid, but he was expected to take the next step this year and hasn’t quite yet.
Grade: B-
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MARCEL BROOKS - TCU (transfer from LSU)
Brooks hasn’t done much at TCU after the transfer, but he still has plenty of time to right the ship.
Grade: C
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CLASS OF 2020
JUSTIN FLOWE - Oregon
It's still too early to grade Flowe and his injury this season will be a setback.
Grade: Incomplete
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NOAH SEWELL - Oregon
Sewell was destroying people before he got injured, but his body of work is too small.
Grade: Incomplete
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TRENTON SIMPSON - Clemson
Simpson has been awesome as a true freshman and already has three sacks.
Grade: A
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CHRIS BRASWELL - Alabama
Braswell has yet to make an impact, but true freshmen at Alabama have to wait their turn.
Grade: Incomplete
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DEREK WINGO - Florida
Wingo hasn’t played enough to be graded.
Grade: Incomplete
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DEMOUY KENNEDY - Alabama
Kennedy hasn’t made an impact yet.
Grade: Incomplete