NFL Combine: Five top players Rivals had ranked properly
The NFL Scouting Combine wrapped up over the weekend, so there is no better time to review high school rankings of some first-round projections. Here are five rankings hits that make us proud.
MORE NFL COMBINE: Five players who were underranked | Five players that disappointed | Ten players who helped their stock in Indianapolis
CLASS OF 2020 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
*****
DERRICK BROWN, AUBURN
Recruiting: On National Signing Day, Brown committed to Auburn over Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama and others. He also took an official visit to Mississippi State.
Ranking: A five-star prospect who was ranked No. 17 overall in the 2016 class, Brown was the third-best defensive tackle behind only Rashan Gary and Dexter Lawrence, who are both now in the NFL.
The latest: Brown is known as a powerful, determined defensive tackle and coming out of the combine that is not necessarily questioned, although most of his testing was unimpressive in Indianapolis, especially his three-cone drill.
Farrell’s take: Brown moved inside full time at Auburn after starting at end, and he developed into a dominant defensive tackle for two seasons and became the best in the country by far. In high school evaluations, he was always a bit up and down. He was inconsistent, but his ceiling was too high to keep him from that fifth star. Now we look smart.
*****
JEFFREY OKUDAH, OHIO STATE
Recruiting: At the Army All-American Bowl, Okudah committed to Ohio State over Florida State, Oklahoma, Georgia and others.
Ranking: In the 2017 class, Okudah was the No. 16 prospect overall, the top-rated safety ahead of JaCoby Stevens, Xavier McKinney and others, and he was fourth in the Texas state rankings.
The latest: Okudah did everything possible at the combine to remain a potential top-five pick. He tested well, looked great and even bounced back after a nasty fall during on-field drills. He should be the first defensive back drafted, for sure.
Farrell’s take: Okudah was a five-star safety who could have also projected as a cornerback coming out of high school because he was great in solo coverage. There was never a concern about him being a five-star, it was just a matter of what position he'd end up playing. Similar to Minkah Fitzpatrick, we got the stars right but the position wrong.
*****
TUA TAGOVAILOA, ALABAMA
Recruiting: It felt like Oregon was the leader in his recruitment, especially after Marcus Mariota shined for the Ducks. USC became a major contender as well, along with Alabama, LSU, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and others. He picked Alabama in the spring before his senior season, about two months after Jake Fromm flipped from the Crimson Tide to Georgia.
Ranking: A high four-star prospect on the cusp of five-star status, Tagovailoa was rated No. 53 overall, the third-best dual-threat quarterback in his class and the No. 1 player in the Hawaii state rankings.
The latest: Everything surrounding Tagovailoa at the combine was about his medical condition, and he seemed to pass with flying colors. How much Tagovailoa will do at Alabama’s pro day is uncertain but he is also planning to hold a personal pro day to throw for NFL decision-makers in April before the draft.
Farrell’s take: Tagovailoa was highly ranked, but fell short of five-star status by about 20 spots or so. But that doesn’t mean we missed. We liked his arm strength and accuracy, but he didn’t have great size and struggled a few times in evaluations. However, his ranking is indicative of a first-round pick.
*****
JEDRICK WILLS, ALABAMA
Recruiting: In November of his senior season, Wills committed to Alabama over Kentucky, Michigan, Notre Dame and Tennessee.
Ranking: Rated as the No. 25 overall prospect in the 2017 class and tops in the Kentucky state rankings, Wills was fifth at offensive tackle that cycle behind Alex Leatherwood, Walker Little, Foster Sarell and Isaiah Wilson.
The latest: Wills did well during all testing and especially with the on-field drills, where he showed his footwork. There’s no question he will be one of the top offensive tackles drafted in a loaded class at the top.
Farrell’s take: When you first looked at Wills in high school you thought he was built like a guard. But when you watched him it was clear he was an elite tackle, especially with his feet and reset. This was a no-brainer to us.
*****
Recruiting: Young had a lengthy list of favorites through the summer before his senior season, but many felt it was Ohio State, Alabama and Maryland competing for his services. In July, Young committed to the Buckeyes.
Ranking: In the 2017 class, Young was ranked eighth overall, the third-best weak-side defensive end and the top-rated player in the Maryland state rankings.
The latest: Young opted not to test or do on-field drills at the combine. The former five-star said during media interviews that he wants to be the best player he can be when he steps on the field and that he’s not focused on being a “combine athlete.”
Farrell’s take: Young was a five-star out of high school and a physical freak, and he took that to the next level in college. Now he’s the best player in the draft and some are calling him a generational talent. We nailed this one.