Mark Pszonak contributed to this report.
With the college football season just beyond the halfway point, it’s time for another installment of the Farrell 50, the top 50 college football players in the country. We take a quick look at how each ranked out of high school and if they are exceeding or simply living up to expectations. Today we look at Nos. 36-40, led by a couple of big-time linebackers.
MORE FARRELL 50: Nos. 41-45 | 46-50
The skinny: Hurst collected offers from elite programs such as Ohio State, Nebraska and Michigan State, but when Michigan offered in May it changed everything. An ensuing visit to Ann Arbor sealed the deal and he committed to the Wolverines in early June. Hurst first showed his potential in 2015, but really raised his game last fall with 33 tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss and five sacks. This fall he is enjoying another big season with 30 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, 1 ½ sacks and one forced fumble through seven games.
Farrell’s take: I would have never seen this one coming. While I liked Hurst enough to have him as a high three-star, I thought he was overplaying his skill level in choosing Michigan and would have been better at a middling program. He was a tad sawed off, but even with that he had a tendency to play high. He did have a great motor and light feet. But the player you see now is not close to what we saw in high school. He’s improved so much when it comes to explosion and pursuit.
The skinny: White, who was recruited as a running back by most schools, committed to LSU in early January over Arkansas, Alabama and Ole Miss. After enrolling for the spring semester, White had a productive true freshman season last fall. However, not many people envisioned his quick progression in 2017. Already with 80 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks, White has already become one of the leaders on the LSU defense as a sophomore.
Farrell’s take: We knew White was a four-star talent, we just couldn’t figure out what position to rank him at. I remember when he first came onto the radar he was considered the next Leonard Fournette in the state, a massive and fast running back prodigy. However, he kept getting bigger and bigger and lost speed, so he was projected either as a linebacker or a fullback/H-back or even a kid who could grow into a defensive tackle. He wasn’t very good covering in space at all so we ranked him as a fullback and now he’s showing us we should have kept him at linebacker. He’s a big hitter, always has been.
The skinny: Brown took official visits to Alabama and Cal in late January, but he decided to stay in-state and committed to Ole Miss over Mississippi State on National Signing Day. As a true freshman last fall, Brown finished with 29 receptions for 412 yards and two touchdowns. His sophomore season started off with a bang after a 233-yard performance in the opener against South Alabama and has continued to be impressive. Currently with 39 receptions for 717 yards and six touchdowns, he has formed a lethal duo with quarterback Shea Patterson.
Farrell’s take: Brown was a big and thick receiver with great physical skills coming out of high school as our No. 9 wide receiver and No. 53 player overall in our 2016 Rivals100. And there were some internal arguments that he should be ranked higher. At Under Armour week, he was one of our top performers all week, showing excellent hands and especially the ability to make big catches in traffic. He may be the most complete receiver in the country when you consider his size and power.
The skinny: Kiser had long held Virginia in high standing, so it did not come as a surprise when he committed to the Cavaliers in late April. He picked Virginia over Maryland, who continued to push Kiser till Signing Day, but he held firm with his word. While Virginia struggled in recent years, Kiser quietly had two highly productive seasons in 2015 and 2016. He has continued that high level of player in 2017 with 70 tackles, six tackles for a loss, five sacks and one fumble recovery for the surprisingly resurgent Cavaliers.
Farrell’s take: Kiser was a high three-star for us after starting off as a four-star because at times his production was underwhelming in high school, and he looked out of position. He also wasn’t that long. That being said, a high three-star ranking is nothing to sneeze at, but he’s overcome a lot and has emerged as a terrific inside linebacker. The angles and false step issues he had in high school are gone from his game.
The skinny: Watts seemed determined to take his time with his recruiting process, but an offer from Texas A&M during a visit changed everything as he quickly committed to the Aggies. His time in College Station has been highly productive as he has become one of the top playmaking safeties in the country. This fall he has continued his impressive play with 50 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, four interceptions and two forced fumbles for the Aggies.
Farrell’s take: Watts was an undersized safety prospect who was in the Rivals250 because he was simply fearless in the run game and was solid in coverage and had excellent hips. This could be a bit of a reach because of his lack of size, but he’s a tackling machine who is always around the ball and is very active. Some bigger safeties will be on other lists and his size could knock him down in the minds of scouts at the next level, but there’s something about this kid I really like and his production is always excellent.
