LSU-Clemson: Five players that have out-played their ranking
There are a bunch of elite five- and four-star prospects playing in tonight’s national title game between LSU and Clemson, but there were also some rankings misses. Here are five players who have definitely outplayed their ranking:
RELATED: Future Tigers predict title game | Farrell's prediction | Fact or Fiction
Edwards-Helaire has taken college football by storm, emerged as a dangerous weapon in LSU’s offense this season with 1,304 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. As impressive, Edwards-Helaire also has 50 receptions. But Edwards-Helaire was ranked as a high three-star coming out of Baton Rouge (La.) Catholic in the 2017 class and he only had eight offers, no others from the SEC. He was ranked as No. 23 at running back in a class led by Alabama’s Najee Harris, Florida State’s Cam Akers and Georgia’s D’Andre Swift. He was, however, the top-ranked running back in the Louisiana state rankings that cycle.
Farrell’s take: It’s no mystery as to why we doubted Edwards-Helaire — it’s because of his height. Running backs needs to block and need to be passing targets and the shorter and smaller they are, the harder than can be. Yes, Edwards-Helaire is hard to tackle, and we knew that, but he’s been better at all aspects of the game than we expected.
Etienne is arguably the top running back in college football - and he definitely has the stats to back it up. The former high three-star prospect has rushed for 1,536 yards and 18 touchdowns this season, averaging an incredible eight yards per carry. He rushed for 1,658 yards and 24 scores last year, helping lead Clemson to another national title.
In his three-year career, Etienne has totaled 3,960 yards and 49 rushing TDs. But in the 2017 class, he was three spots even further down than Edwards-Helaire at No. 26 among running backs. The Jennings, La., prospect was one spot behind Edwards-Helaire in the 2017 Louisiana state rankings.
Farrell’s take: I saw this one coming and even wrote about it in my column just after Signing Day. I was worried we had rated an elite speed running back that LSU coveted at the end of the process too low and we did. He’s turned into one of the top players in the country and is playing like a five-star.
Jefferson is undoubtedly the biggest miss ranking in the national championship game as he was a low two-star prospect coming out of Destrehan, La., in the 2017 class. But college programs missed on him, too, as Jefferson only lists offers from LSU and Nicholls State. To see how his college career has turned out is simply amazing as he has 102 catches for 1,434 yards and 18 touchdowns this season. He totaled 54 receptions for 875 yards and six TDs a year ago. His ranking was so low, Jefferson was not included in any state rankings.
Farrell’s take: Jefferson was a big miss for sure and it was mainly due to academic issue, but that’s no excuse. He had talent and we missed it. The reason he signed with LSU so late is because of those academic issues, but he was at least a three-star talent. We blew it on this one.
Simmons grew up with Arkansas being his dream school, but the Razorbacks never offered as that staff and others seemed confused on which position Simmons would project to at the college level. Michigan and Nebraska emerged, but when Clemson offered and the high three-star visited there, the Tigers jumped to the top and landed his commitment.
He’s been one of the best defensive players in college football, especially this season with 97 tackles (14 for loss) along with seven sacks, three interceptions, 14 quarterback pressures, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Simmons was ranked as the No. 32 safety nationally and third in the Kansas state rankings behind strongside defensive ends Amani Bledsoe and Xavier Kelly.
Farrell’s take: Simmons was almost too athletic, if that makes sense. Was he going to be a big safety or an undersized linebacker? Would he lose his ability in coverage as he added size and could he add enough size to be physical if he played linebacker? Obviously we were over-thinking things and he’s turned out to be a five-star talent.
Not many would argue with a mid-level three-star ranking for Skalski before this season as he was a valuable member of the defense but certainly not a massive contributor. After this season, though, Skalski is really making a statement leading an outstanding defense in tackles with 99 tackles (6.5 for loss) and 3.5 sacks. He also has eight QB pressures, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. There is a very likely chance only Skalski and Simmons will finish this season with more than 100 tackles on Clemson’s defense.
Other than Clemson, only Louisville, Marshall, Ole Miss, North Carolina, South Carolina, UCF and Wake Forest offered. Skalski was ranked as the No. 30 inside linebacker in the 2016 class and No. 54 in the Georgia state rankings.
Farrell’s take: Skalski was a big hitter in high school but he lacked length and great athleticism. He’s made up for that with good anticipation and the ability to always take the right angle. He’s not a four-star talent, but he’s so important to the Clemson defense he feels like it.