When we rank prospects as five-stars here at Rivals.com, we not only expect them to go on to college success, but move onto the NFL and thrive as well. Of course, ranking prospects as teenagers and projecting them years into the future is an inexact science. The same can be said for the NFL Draft.
Every year, we keep a close eye on the draft to see how our evaluations pan out. And while 18 of the draft eligible 30 former five-stars were drafted, 12 former elite high school recruits for one reason or another didn’t end up getting selected by any NFL teams.
Here’s a breakdown of the six draft-eligible former defensive five-stars that didn’t hear their names called.
RELATED: Six offensive five-stars that didn't get drafted | First-round grades | Possible 2020 first-round picks
*****
As a recruit: Bigelow committed to USC more than a year before signing day in 2013, and despite some flirtations with other programs he elected to stick with the Trojans. After a career filled with injuries at USC, Bigelow briefly retired from the sport before electing to transfer to West Virginia after being granted a sixth-year of eligibility.
In college: After redshirting in 2013 and missing all of 2014 with a knee injury, Bigelow flashed his potential for the Trojans in 2015 before once again missing all of 2016 with another knee injury. He appeared to be healthy again to start 2017, but that didn’t last long, as another injury caused him to leave the team in the middle of the season. Bigelow finally showed some of the promise we expected from him after arriving at West Virginia, stating all 12 games and recording 15 solo tackles, two sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss. Bigelow was also an All-Big 12 second team selection.
Now: Bigelow signed a free agent contract with the New Orleans Saints.
Farrell’s take: Bigelow missed because of injuries and nothing else. He had great talent and was a big, dominant inside guy who could also play outside. His career at USC wasn’t great because of those injuries and he didn’t get drafted despite a sold year at West Virginia because of health concerns. I doubt he’s able to stick in the NFL because of injury issues.
*****
As a recruit: Jefferson grew up a little more than an hour away from Florida’s campus, but he made Gators fans sweat all the way through National Signing Day when he announced his commitment but didn’t immediately send in his letter-of-intent. In the end it all worked out for the Gators and they landed his commitment over Alabama, LSU, Arkansas and Ole Miss, all schools he officially visited.
In college: Jefferson stepped right into the lineup for the Gators as a true freshman and started 26 career games over his four years. Unfortunately, he was limited by nagging injuries, including a shoulder issue that lingered from his high school career. Nevertheless, he finished his Gators career with 124 total tackles, 34.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks.
Now: Jefferson is attending rookie mini-camp with the Seattle Seahawks.
Farrell’s take: Jefferson was interesting, a kid who played in the middle in high school but was learning to be a defensive end when we rated him a five-star. He was athletic and aggressive despite being raw and we took a chance on him but it didn’t pan out. He didn’t have a five-star career and was passed over in the draft and that’s not a surprise. He was a boom-or-bust prospect out of high school.
*****
As a recruit: Gustin took a little longer than some to burst onto the national scene, but by the time his senior season rolled around he had options from all over the country. He officially visited Utah, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Arizona State and USC. The Trojans pulled quite the upset, landing Gustin’s commitment on National Signing Day in 2015.
In college: Gustin’s first two seasons at USC couldn’t have gone much better, as he was a force for the Trojans defense and one of the best young players in the Pac-12. But a number of injuries sidetracked this 2017 season and he appeared in only four games. Things followed a similar path in 2018 as he appeared in just six games before suffering a season-ending injury. Gustin finished his USC career with 137 total tackles, 33 of which were for loss, and 21.5 career sacks.
Now: Gustin signed a free agent contract with the New Orleans Saints.
Farrell’s take: I’m surprised Gustin wasn’t drafted despite the injury issues. He was a massive linebacker coming out of high school who could easily translate into a defensive end. He reminded me of Brian Cushing a bit and I thought he would have a similar career. I still think he sticks on an NFL roster if he can stay healthy because he’s so big and talented.
*****
As a recruit: Phillips had quite a lot of intrigue in his recruitment, with several high-profile programs taking the lead at different points. Eventually, he settled on Tennessee, Ole Miss and LSU. After nearly committing to both the Rebels and the Tigers, a late visit and a strong push helped Tennessee nab his commitment.
In college: Phillips had his share of struggles while at Tennessee, mainly because of a recurring shoulder injury that has hampered him at various times. The injury limited him to just six games his true freshman year, and while he was mostly healthy in 2016, he was moved between defensive end and defensive tackle, limiting his effectiveness. Phillips moved back to defensive end for the back half of his career and began to show the promise many expected of him coming out of high school. In 2018, he had 56 tackles and five sacks and was honored as Tennessee’s defensive player of the year.
Now: Philips signed a free agent contract with the New York Jets.
Farrell’s take: I was the one who pushed Phillips to five-star because I fell in love with his ability to rush the passer and his get-off. He was moved from end to tackle and back to end at Tennessee, and also had a ton of injuries. Can he be a pro? I think he can and he can be a good one.
*****
As a recruit: A native of the Congo who later moved to Canada, Kongbo actually signed with Wyoming as a member of the class of 2014. After redshirting his first season with the Cowboys, Kongbo transferred to Arizona Western Community College, where he saw his recruitment take off. After initially committing to Tennessee, Kongbo later backed off that decision less than a month before signing day, while entertaining Alabama and Florida State. But by the time signing day came back around, then-coach Butch Jones and his staffed reeled Kongbo back in and landed his signature.
In college: Kongbo arrived on campus with quite a bit of hype, but he clashed with the coaching staff over whether he would be a defensive end or a defensive tackle in the Vols' scheme. Regardless, he saw more than his fair share of action, appearing in 13 games and recording 11 total tackles. A full-time starter in 2017, Kongbo had a better season, notching 29 total tackles on the season, including 2.5 for loss. Many Vols fans hoped Kongbo would break out under new coach Jeremy Pruitt in 2018, and he started off well after moving to linebacker, but his season was cut short after he suffered a knee injury in October.
Now: Kongbo has yet to sign with an NFL team but as a native Canadian, he will likely be a high selection in the Canadian Football League's draft.
Farrell’s take: This was a case of taking a raw, freaky athlete at defensive end and making him a five-star based on potential. But, as has been the case often, Tennessee couldn't develop him at all. He’s still freaky, but is still as raw as ever, so I don’t expect him to stick in the NFL.
*****
As a recruit: After picking up a number of major offers, Lamar’s recruitment came down to three schools: Clemson, Auburn and Alabama. After visiting all three programs during the spring of his junior year, it was the Tigers who landed his commitment prior to the start of his senior season.
In college: Lamar spent his first season at Clemson as a reserve, but did appear in 15 games for the Tigers as they went on to win the national championship. His production and playing time increased as a sophomore in 2017, and by the time his junior year rolled around Lamar was one of the Tigers' most important defensive players. He was a Second Team All-American and a Butkus Award finalist as he helped Clemson to another national championship while recording 85 tackles and three sacks. Rather than return for his senior season, Lamar left early for the draft.
Now: Lamar signed a free agent contract with the Detroit Lions.
Farrell’s take: This is a stunner, because Lamar is a big linebacker who can move and played for a big-time team. How everyone can pass on him is inexplicable. I think he has a solid NFL career despite the snub. Out of high school we loved his size and speed combination and he covered a lot of space.
