How five-star DTs from past four recruiting cycles are performing
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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 tackles.
Recruiting: McKenzie committed to Tennessee over Arizona in the summer before his senior season. The Volunteers were considered his long-time favorite. Playing in Wisconsin for his first two years of high school, McKenzie finished in Northern California when his father accepted the general manager job with the Oakland Raiders.
Performance: McKenzie had 36 tackles in his first two seasons at Tennessee but was also plagued by injuries. In 2017, McKenzie finished with 35 tackles and two sacks. He opted to enter the NFL Draft where he was a sixth-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs, who have since moved him to offensive guard.
Farrell’s take: McKenzie was a freak of nature coming out of high school, a 350-pound kid who could move like a cat. Injuries slowed his progress in college for sure and he came out too early, but he was able to show flashes of his ability when healthy. I thought he’d slim down to 320 in college and just dominate.
Recruiting: In the summer before his senior season, Thompson committed to Georgia and then-coach Mark Richt over Ohio State, Florida State, Alabama, USC and others.
Performance: In three seasons at Georgia, Thompson totaled 127 tackles (15.5 for loss) and 5.5 sacks. However, in February 2017, a police report detailed an encounter with Thompson where he was found to be "wandering on the roadway" and "unsteady on his feet" after what the university described as an adverse reaction to medications. It was also reported he had several shoulder surgeries on one shoulder and needed surgery on the other. Thompson went undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft, signed a free agent deal with the Cleveland Browns but was waived in late July.
Farrell’s take: Thompson had a great high school career and was No. 1 overall for us at one point in the rankings cycle. He had his off-field issues and injuries, which certainly set him back and it’s a surprise that he likely won’t have an NFL career because he was the kind of defensive tackle who could get after the passer.
Recruiting: Payne trimmed his list to Alabama, Auburn and Mississippi State before committing to the Crimson Tide at the Under Armour All-American Game.
Performance: In three seasons at Alabama, Payne totaled 102 tackles and three sacks. He left the Crimson Tide early and he was the No. 13 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins.
Farrell’s take: Payne was a powerful tackle out of high school who was great off of contact. He couldn’t be stopped when he bull rushed and he had great athleticism. He was a bit inconsistent at times but had too much upside to keep from five stars. His career at Alabama was a very good one and he lived up to his five-star status by landing in the first round.
Recruiting: Wilkins took official visits to Clemson, Stanford, Penn State, Ohio State and Boston College prior to committing to the Tigers at the Under Armour All-America Game.
Performance: Wilkins decided to return to Clemson for his senior season instead of entering the NFL Draft. He’s fifth on the Tigers with 52 tackles (13.5 for loss) and five sacks. Wilkins has added 11 quarterback hurries. The former five-star has a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
Farrell’s take: Wilkins was a star from the first moment I saw him on film after his freshman year. There was zero doubt in my mind that he was going to be great and he’s certainly lived up to the billing. He was a freaky athlete out of high school who could play many positions.
Recruiting: On National Signing Day, Gary picked Michigan over Clemson. The Wolverines were considered the front-runner for some time. Alabama and Auburn were also in the running late in the recruiting cycle.
Performance: Gary had 119 tackles and 9.5 sacks in three seasons at Michigan and did not play in the Peach Bowl against Florida in order to prepare for the NFL Draft. This season, Gary finished with 44 tackles (seven for loss) including 3.5 sacks along with five quarterback hurries.
Farrell’s take: Gary was our No. 1 player in the country and the first defensive tackle to finish the rankings cycle No. 1. He played end and tackle in high school and dominated as a defensive end at Under Armour week. His athleticism was off the charts and he always had a great motor. His improvement from an upright and stiff freshman to what he became as a senior was astonishing.
Recruiting: In December of his senior season, Lawrence committed to Clemson over Alabama, Ohio State, Florida, NC State, North Carolina and others. The Gators were considered his favorite team growing up but the Tigers landed his commitment.
Performance: Along with a team-high 15 quarterback hurries, Lawrence has totaled 44 tackles (7.5 for loss) and 1.5 sacks this season. He missed Clemson’s game against Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff because of a failed NCAA drug test.
Farrell’s take: Lawrence was a tall, explosive defensive tackle out of high school who was excellent off of contact and had great balance. He was at one point our No. 1 player in the country and it was a tough call between Gary and Lawrence in the end. Lawrence will be a surefire first-rounder before all is said and done.
Recruiting: During a signing ceremony at his high school, Brown committed to Auburn over Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and Mississippi State.
Performance: This season Brown has totaled 45 tackles including 9.5 for loss and 3.5 sacks. He’s added a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and five quarterback hurries.
Farrell’s take: Brown was a beast out of high school and had great size and power. He’s added to his athleticism and has become one of the best defensive tackles in the country. He couldn’t be solo blocked in high school and was an easy choice as a five-star for us despite some inconsistent play here and there.
Recruiting: In May before his senior season, Oliver committed to Houston and then-coach Tom Herman. He named the Cougars the front-runner in April. LSU, Alabama, Texas and many others were involved with the five-star prospect.
Performance: In eight games this season, Oliver totaled 54 tackles, including a team-high 14.5 for loss and three sacks. The former five-star also forced a fumble and had nine quarterback hurries. Prior to this season, Oliver announced he planned to skip his senior season to enter the 2019 NFL Draft.
Farrell’s take: Oliver was a kid that grew on me after a while and earned his fifth star after a great performance at Under Armour. At first I thought he was a bit blocky and stiff but after further evaluation I saw how explosive and athletic he was. His first step was very impressive and he had a great motor. He’s a surefire first-rounder.
Recruiting: On National Signing Day, then-Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher landed Wilson as the five-star picked the Seminoles over LSU, Ohio State, Oklahoma and South Florida.
Performance: This season Wilson finished with 42 tackles including 4.5 for loss and 3.5 sacks. He also had four quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.
Farrell’s take: Wilson was a kid who wouldn’t stop taking reps either in camps or all-star settings and always had a non-stop motor. He played with great leverage, had great balance and was hard to knock off his path. He’s off to a solid start to his college career and should have a breakout season next year.
Recruiting: On National Signing Day, Solomon committed to Michigan over Alabama, Georgia and USC. The five-star had been committed to the Wolverines once before but backed off that pledge in the summer before his senior season.
Performance: In his freshman season, Solomon finished with 18 tackles but in his sophomore campaign he played in only five games and had six total tackles, missing significant time because of a leg injury and illness. In December, Solomon decided to transfer to Tennessee.
Farrell’s take: Solomon, like most on this list, was very athletic and could get after the passer as a defensive tackle out of high school. He was always around the football and had very good instincts. It will be interesting to see how he does at Tennessee after transferring from Michigan.
Recruiting: Shelvin committed to LSU early in the recruiting process and called coach Ed Orgeron a “second dad” to him. Nebraska tried to flip him late and others were involved throughout his recruitment but Shelvin stuck with the Tigers.
Performance: Shelvin has played in five games this season and had eight tackles with one sack. He redshirted in his freshman season because of academic issues and there have been reports Shelvin has struggled with his weight.
Farrell’s take: Shelvin was a kid we discussed often when it came to being a five-star. We worried about his weight a bit but he could move well and he took up a lot of blockers. He was also extremely powerful. Time will tell if he pans out.