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Published Dec 31, 2018
How five-star DEs from past four recruiting cycles are performing
Mike Farrell and Adam Gorney
Rivals.com

CLASS OF 2019 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | State | Position | Team

CLASS OF 2020 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | State | Position

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Rivals.com is taking a look at the five-stars from the previous four recruiting cycles to see how they’ve performed so far. Today, we examine the defensive ends.

MORE: How five-star QBs are performing | RBs | WRs/TEs | OLs




*****

Recruiting: The No. 1 player in the 2015 class committed to Auburn over Florida on signing day, but then the drama continued when the Tigers did not receive his letter of intent throughout the day. It finally landed in the Auburn football offices. He also took officials to Maryland and Alabama and canceled a trip to Florida State.

Performance: Cowart struggled early in his career at Auburn, and then defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, who had heavily recruited Cowart to The Plains, left for South Carolina. He ended his career with the Tigers at 15 tackles. The five-star decided to transfer to Maryland, where he had 38 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions this season.

Farrell’s take: Cowart hasn’t lived up to expectations, not even close, but he did show some life this past season and flashed some of that potential. I can’t explain how he wasn’t successful at Auburn because out of high school he had everything – speed, power, technique and a great motor – so he’s a bit of a puzzle.

*****

Recruiting: Shortly before the UCLA-USC rivalry game, Lucier-South committed to the Bruins, his longtime leader, over the Trojans and many others. He had received numerous comparisons to former UCLA star Anthony Barr.

Performance: Lucier-South finished this season with 46 tackles along with a team-high in tackles for loss (11.5) and four sacks. He added two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception. In 2017, Lucier-South was fifth on the team with 53 tackles.

Farrell’s take: Lucier-South had a strong year, especially getting into the backfield, but still hasn’t lived up to that five-star ranking. Out of high school he had length, covered a ton of ground and was excellent in space. He’s shown flashes of that more recently.


*****

Recruiting: Jefferson grew up about an hour from Florida and the Gators landed his commitment but he did not immediately send in his letter-of-intent. Alabama, LSU, Arkansas and Ole Miss were also involved, but Florida finally got the paperwork.

Performance: In 10 games this season, Jefferson has 17 tackles, including five for loss. He has added four quarterback hurries, a fumble recovery and a safety. He was suspended for a couple of games due to academic issues.

Farrell’s take: Jefferson was overshadowed a bit by Cowart in the state of Florida coming out, but could play defensive end or defensive tackle. His stats aren’t great, but he does a lot for the Florida defense and can make plays in the backfield. Out of high school he was a defensive tackle who learned how to play defensive end at camps.

*****

Recruiting: LSU and Ole Miss received official visits from Phillips and those two SEC programs seemed to have an edge in his recruitment, but the five-star also visited Knoxville late in the process and Tennessee won out in his recruitment.

Performance: Third on the team in tackles, Phillips finished the season with 56 stops, including eight for loss and five sacks. He added an interception, five quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Farrell’s take: I was the guy who led the charge for Phillips to be a five-star and he’s had an up-and-down career. A lot of that is due to being moved from defensive end to defensive tackle and back again. This past season he was very solid, but he hasn’t lived up to his five-star status. In high school he was an elite outside pass rusher who used his hands very well.

*****

Recruiting: On National Signing Day, Green committed to USC, which was fully expected late in his recruitment. Arizona State, Miami and Oregon were the other top contenders.

Performance: In three seasons at USC, Green finished with 115 tackles and 16.5 sacks. He decided to leave school early and he was a third-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks.

Farrell’s take: Green was an exceptional talent out of high school and had a solid career at USC overall. He was so big and dominant out of high school it was fun to watch, and he could play defensive end or defensive tackle despite his great size. He was that athletic.

*****

Recruiting: In December of his senior season, Sweat committed to Florida State over Virginia Tech, with Oregon and Ohio State also considered.

Performance: In three seasons at Florida State, Sweat finished with 138 tackles and 17.5 sacks, and then he decided to leave for the NFL before his senior season. The former five-star was a fourth-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Farrell’s take: Sweat would have been ranked even higher had it not been for a nasty knee injury his senior year. He was a ridiculous athlete out of high school who could play tight end or wideout, as well as defensive end. His career was solid but, like Green, his draft status didn’t live up to his ranking.

*****

Recruiting: Simmons surprised many by picking Mississippi State over Ole Miss, which was thought to have a slight edge in his recruitment. Alabama was involved as well. He was allowed to enroll in Starkville even after a video of him striking a woman surfaced.

Performance: On a defense that has allowed just 12 points per game, Simmons is fourth on the Bulldogs with 59 tackles along with a team-high 14.5 stops for loss, but only one sack. He’s also had six quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.

Farrell’s take: Simmons is an elite defensive tackle prospect who was athletic enough to play end in high school. He was physical, had a great motor and used his hands very well as a recruit and could steamroll most linemen. I think he’ll be a high pick in the NFL Draft despite his off-field issue when he hit a woman on video.

*****

Recruiting: A former Ohio State commit, Hall committed to Alabama on National Signing Day. Maryland, Ole Miss and Florida State were also heavily involved.

Performance: The five-star has changed his last name to Lewis. He tore his ACL in the summer and missed the entire season, but started to practice leading up to the SEC Championship Game.

Farrell’s take: Hall was a freak athlete coming out of high school and is still looking to show that in college. The injury hasn’t helped, and it will be interesting to see how he recovers.

*****

Recruiting: The younger brother of Joey Bosa, the five-star defensive end predictably picked Ohio State over Florida, Florida State and others in the summer before his senior season.

Performance: Bosa suffered a core muscle injury in Ohio State’s third game against TCU, had surgery and then later decided to withdraw from school so he could focus on his recovery and NFL preparation. He had 13.5 sacks in his first two years with the Buckeyes and four sacks this season before his injury.

Farrell’s take: Bosa had an elite career at Ohio State and took up so much attention that he allowed others to shine. He could be the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Out of high school Bosa was dominant, arguably more so than his older brother, and was an easy five-star pick.

Recruiting: Considered the favorite for a while, Auburn beat Alabama for Davidson, who played his junior season at Montgomery (Ala.) G.W. Carver before transferring back to Greenville, Ala., after the death of his mother. His brother, Kenneth Carter, played for the Tigers.

Performance: Davidson has totaled 44 tackles this season including 4.5 for loss and 3.5 sacks. He has also added a team-high 10 quarterback hurries, a fumble recovery and he’s blocked three kicks.

Farrell’s take: Davidson is an awesome talent and has been playing like a five-star. He takes up a lot of attention and works through double teams and chipping blockers well. He had great size out of high school but also the athleticism to track down the quarterback, and that has translated well to college.

*****

Recruiting: In October of his senior season, Clayton committed to Florida over Alabama, Auburn and Florida State.

Performance: Clayton played in only three games this season with one tackle. In 2017, Clayton was a backup defensive lineman and he had seven total tackles.

Farrell’s take: Clayton was very raw out of high school, but he was an athletic freak so we took a chance on him as a five-star. It hasn’t worked out so far, and that’s a bit surprising. Based on his athleticism and speed off the edge, you’d at least think he’d be a situational pass rusher by now. Time will tell if he pans out.

*****

Recruiting: Originally from Maryland, Kaindoh committed to the Terrapins earlier in his recruitment, but after transferring to Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy and then taking an official visit to Penn State, Kaindoh backed off his pledge. The next month he committed to Florida State over the Nittany Lions, Maryland, Alabama and Georgia.

Performance: In 12 games this season, Kaindoh has totaled 19 tackles for 4.5 stops for loss and three sacks. He also had four quarterback hurries.

Farrell’s take: Kaindoh is showing signs of living up to that five-star status with his ability to rush the passer and his great first step. He developed as a high school prospect from a pure outside speed rusher to a guy who could work inside as well and play the run. His ceiling is still very high.

*****

Recruiting: Phillips committed to UCLA in April of his junior season over Stanford, Notre Dame, Washington and USC, among others.

Performance: Playing in only four games this season, Phillips had 20 tackles and one sack this season. In December, Phillips announced that he planned to medically retire from football after a rash of injuries, including a concussion.

Farrell’s take: This is a shame, because Phillips is one of the best big athletes I’ve seen in my career coming out of high school. He played as a standup linebacker for the most part in high school, but showed off his ability as a rush end as well at camps and all-star events. If he didn’t have the injuries, he would have had a great career and been an easy first-rounder.

*****

Recruiting: In the summer before his senior season and shortly after attending the Buckeyes’ Friday Night Lights camp, Young committed to Ohio State. Maryland was also considered, but the Buckeyes were always thought to be the favorite.

Performance: Entering the Rose Bowl, Young had 32 tackles including 14.5 for loss and 9.5 sacks, both team highs. He also has nine quarterback hurries, five pass breakups and forced two fumbles.

Farrell’s take: Young was an elite athlete coming out of high school and a kid who could rush the passer and play the run. He stepped in so well for Bosa this season that Ohio State didn’t miss a beat. He has a great future ahead of him, and could be an easy first-rounder when it’s his time.

*****

Recruiting: The son of former Iowa lineman Eppy Epenesa, the five-star prospect committed to the Hawkeyes in January of his junior year. He ended up with more than 20 offers, but never wavered off his Iowa pledge.

Performance: Epenesa has totaled 35 tackles so far this season with a team-high 15.5 stops for loss and tied for the team lead with 9.5 sacks. He’s added eight quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Farrell’s take: Quietly, Epenesa has lived up to his five-star status and has been very good for Iowa. He’s a power rusher who can handle the run as well. Out of high school he worked well off of contact and his second move was often his best. If he played someplace else he’d get a lot more attention.

*****

Recruiting: South Carolina was Thomas’ childhood favorite, but the five-star defensive end picked Clemson over the Gamecocks and many others in April of his junior season.

Performance: Heading into the College Football Playoff, Thomas has 38 tackles (9.5 for loss) with three sacks and four quarterback pressures.

Farrell’s take: Thomas was a freak off the edge out of high school and often compared to Jadeveon Clowney, even though they are very different players. Thomas has an amazing first step and will be a star and first-rounder out of Clemson. He’s been very effective despite playing behind first-rounders at his position.

*****

Recruiting: In December of his senior season, Anoma committed to Alabama over Michigan, Maryland and others.

Performance: In 11 games so far this season, Anoma has nine tackles (two for loss) and one quarterback hurry.

Farrell’s take: Anoma was raw out of high school, and he was just starting to hit his peak when we made him a five-star. It will take some time, but before long he will show his pass-rushing skills at Alabama.

*****

Recruiting: In the summer of 2016, Anderson committed to Georgia but then backed off that pledge and picked LSU. The five-star then reopened his recruitment, considered both SEC powerhouses and in October of his senior season, Anderson made his final commitment to the Bulldogs.

Performance: Anderson has totaled 14 tackles (2.5 for loss) with 0.5 sacks in 13 games this season. He has also added four quarterback pressures and a pass breakup.

Farrell’s take: Anderson is just starting his career at Georgia, and he could be that next great hybrid for the Dawgs - or simply turn into an elite defensive end. He’s been compared to Arden Key, who starred at LSU. Anderson could have a similar career.

*****

Recruiting: During the Early Signing Period last recruiting cycle, Henry committed to Clemson over South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia and Virginia Tech.

Performance: In four games this season, playing a total of 39 snaps, Henry has nine tackles with two for loss and a fumble recovery. He will be counted as a redshirt this season.

Farrell’s take: Henry showed flashed of his five-star ability this year, but he was not expected to crack the lineup much with the depth that Clemson has. He will take over next season and pair with Thomas to form another great bookend combo for Clemson.

*****

Recruiting: In an Early Signing Period victory, Georgia beat out Alabama for Cox, who had originally committed to Ohio State. He then reopened his recruitment and mainly focused on only Georgia and Alabama.

Performance: So far this season, Cox has totaled 14 tackles along with a sack and three pass breakups.

Farrell’s take: Cox should be an impact guy as early as next season, and he has shown flashes of his five-star talent this year. He’ll be a huge part of the Georgia defense down the line.

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