Pac-12's best: USC, UCLA lead pack for league's top 5-star signees
Mark Pszonak contributed to this report.
A conference’s ability to lure top five-star prospects can often correlate not only to recruiting momentum, but also a rise in the level of recruitment for the conference as a whole. In our weeklong series, we take a look at the top five-stars signed by each Power Five conference since 2013.
Today, we look at the Pac-12.
The skinny: UCLA and Stanford were always considered the front-runners for Rosen, but with the Cardinal deciding not to offer, and then Michigan not being able to pull him away from California, he committed to the Bruins. Rosen burst onto the national scene as a true freshman with 3,669 yards and 23 touchdowns, but then saw his sophomore season cut short due to a shoulder injury. Now healthy, all eyes will be on the Bruins to see if Rosen can regain his form from 2015.
Farrell’s take: In all my years of scouting, Rosen was the best high school quarterback I’ve seen on film or in person. There’s something about his attitude and cockiness that leads you to believe the game will never be too big for him and he will excel regardless of the circumstances. Yes, there have been some bumps along the way, but he’s shown all the skills we saw in high school and he already has first-round hype for the 2018 NFL Draft. I’m kicking myself that he wasn’t No. 1 in the 2015 Rivals100. That’s on me.
The skinny: While Marshall took official visits to USC, Oregon, Florida State, Michigan and LSU, it was always the Trojans that led the pack. He finally did give his pledge to USC on National Signing Day. With the Trojans, Marshall has totaled 119 tackles and six interceptions through his first two seasons and now will be asked to do even more in the secondary with the departure of Adoree Jackson to the NFL
Farrell’s take: I had that feeling about Marshall that I was seeing something special and looking at a kid who will be an NFL star someday. Marshall has the size, hips, strength and quickness, but it's more about his instincts and ability to see the field than anything else. He's a defensive quarterback at cornerback and by that I mean he's one of the few corners I've seen who could make the defensive calls from out on an island. He just knows where everyone is and where they are going and you simply can't teach his coverage instincts. He’s had two very solid years at USC and this will be his breakout season.
The skinny: USC was always considered the leader for Bigelow, so it did not really come as a surprise when he committed to the Trojans in late November. While expectations were very high, injuries consistently derailed his progress in Los Angeles. He tore knee ligaments prior to the 2014 season and then again during the spring of 2016. Now a redshirt senior, Bigelow hopes to make an impression for the Trojans this fall at defensive tackle.
Farrell’s take: Bigelow was built out of granite with no bad weight, plenty of power and the ability to get around the edge or beat you on a crossover move. He was an advanced technician as a defensive tackle thanks to excellent coaching in high school and could play end as well because of his first step. His career hasn’t gone as expected yet, but he still has a very high ceiling. I remember seeing him as a freshman in high school and was astonished at his age. He looked like a college sophomore at the time.
The skinny: Jackson picked USC on National Signing Day with UCLA, Florida and LSU being his other finalists. Tennessee was also a major player late in his recruitment while Oklahoma and others were considered. Jackson did a little bit of everything for the Trojans during his time in Los Angeles, but he will focus on his cornerback skills in the NFL, where he was selected with the 18th overall pick by Tennessee in the spring.
Farrell’s take: Jackson was a dynamic athlete in high school who could play either side of the ball and impact special teams and we’ve seen that in college as well. His ability as a punt and kick returner was especially intriguing. He was one of the most dynamic players in college football and simply fun to watch. This past season he showed better ability to cover bigger receivers and tackle in run support. We obviously loved him as our No. 1 athlete, a five-star and the No. 6 player overall in the 2014 Rivals100, and he’s living up to that all the way into the NFL.
The skinny: Phillips trimmed his list of top schools down to UCLA, Stanford, USC, Washington and Notre Dame before committing to the Bruins over the Cardinal in April. After enrolling early with the Bruins, Phillips is likely to receive extended playing time as a true freshman this fall.
Farrell’s take: Phillips is a freak of nature, plain and simple. In fact he’s one of the freakiest defensive ends I’ve scouted when it comes to sheer, raw talent. He played standing up for the most part in high school and could do things no linebacker his size should be able to do. He could be the next great NFL hybrid if he continues to develop and his ceiling is as high as anyone’s in the 2017 class.
The skinny: Little took official visits to Florida State and Georgia during his senior season, but then committed to Stanford over Texas in mid-December. While Stanford successfully recruits top level offensive linemen annually, both tackle positions are actually up for grabs this summer. Little will be battling with players like fellow five-star freshman Foster Sarell and 2014 four-star Casey Tucker for playing time.
Farrell’s take: Little is a big kid who re-sets very well and always has his feet moving. When you first look at him you expect him to be slow out of his stance or perhaps off balance, but he’s neither and his arm extension and ability to steer opponents away from the pocket is uncanny. He has a chance to be a special tackle at Stanford and a three-and-out talent if he continues to develop.
The skinny: After taking several visits during the winter and spring, Browne committed to USC in late April. At USC, Browne redshirted during his freshman season and then served as the back-up to Cody Kessler in 2014 and 2015. He earned the starting job in 2016 but was ultimately replaced by Sam Darnold after several inconsistent performances. As a graduate transfer, Browne made the move to Pittsburgh during the off-season, where he is slated to start for the Panthers this fall.
Farrell’s take: Browne was an interesting kid to scout. On film he was amazing, working from a spread offense and dishing the ball everywhere with perfect precision. In 7-on-7 play, however, he looked a bit awkward at times and tended to push the ball. But again in live situations like at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, we loved what we saw in pads and his character, calm demeanor and the way he saw the field led us to feel he could be great. That hasn’t happened yet and might not, as he’s already on the bust side of being a No. 1 quarterback barring a complete resurrection at Pitt.
The skinny: Robertson took a different approach with his process, which saw him make his decision nearly three months after National Signing Day. Finally trimming his list to California, Georgia and Notre Dame, he committed to the Golden Bears during a public announcement at the College Football Hall of Fame. Teaming with transfer quarterback Davis Webb, Robertson performed like a veteran last fall. With 50 receptions for 767 yards and seven touchdowns, he finished in the top 10 in the Pac-12 in all three categories.
Farrell’s take: The first time I saw Robertson truly dominate was as a junior at our Rivals Camp Series and he simply destroyed a strong secondary group in Atlanta. I was taken with his speed and skills immediately and knew I was looking at a five-star wide receiver. He continued to hone his skills and was simply impossible to cover outside or in the slot. It’s zero surprise that he made an immediate impact in the Pac-12 and he should set records before all is said and done.
The skinny: Originally committed to USC, Juarez de-committed and then took official visits to Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Alabama and BYU. On Signing Day, after several twists and turns, it came down to UCLA, Alabama, Ole Miss and BYU with the Bruins gaining the signature. Juarez redshirted during the 2016, citing a “mental breakdown” he had during training camp in August. Plenty of eyes will be on him this summer to see if he can re-establish himself with the Bruins.
Farrell’s take: I'll be frank: I never agreed with this ranking. While Juarez was a standout on film, after seeing him at the U.S. Army All American Bowl, I was left with unmet expectations. He was good, don’t get me wrong, but when I look back at this ranking I kick myself a bit for allowing it to happen. That doesn’t mean he won’t have a great career at UCLA or even play in the NFL, but I never truly saw national top 10 talent here and I am still skeptical.
The skinny: Mills earned his offer from Stanford during an impressive summer camp performance following his sophomore season, which eventually led to his commitment the following spring. While Mills did not arrive in Palo Alto until June, he will likely battle for the back-up spot to Ryan Burns with K.J. Costello and Keller Chryst, who will be coming off of an injury.
Farrell’s take: Mills was always special but it was at our Five-Star Challenge where he really stood out and earned that fifth star. He had great size, a strong and accurate arm and nothing seemed to faze him. Despite what looked like a bad injury early in his senior season, he fought back and had a stellar season with 34 touchdowns and only one pick. The sky is the limit on his potential at Stanford.