Mark Pszonak contributed to this report…
With the college football season here, it’s time for another installment of the Farrell 50, the top 50 college football players in the country. However, as usual here at Rivals.com, 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 end the series with the top five, led by two of the best defensive linemen around.
MORE FARRELL 50: Nos. 6 - 10 | 11-15 | Nos. 16-20 | 21 - 25 | 26-30 | 31-35 | 36-40 | 41 - 45 | 46-50
The skinny: Taylor initially committed to Rutgers in early May, but then flipped to Wisconsin after an official visit to Madison in October. While the Badgers have a long history of developing impressive college-level running backs, Taylor’s true freshman season was a surprise to everyone as he finished with 1,977 yards and 13 touchdowns. Can Taylor actually improve on his performance behind a deep and talented offensive line?
Farrell’s take: I liked Taylor's fit at Wisconsin because of his combination of size, power and quick feet, but I never expected him to reach this level so fast. The Badgers have done so well with New Jersey/New York-area running backs over the years, and this kid is clearly next. He broke former Badgers star running back Corey Clement’s South Jersey rushing record his senior season and has been compared with Clement often, although he’s a bit more physical. Taylor’s balance, especially, stood out when scouting him. I expect a huge year out of him.
The skinny: Wilkins took official visits to Clemson, Stanford, Penn State, Ohio State and Boston College prior to committing to the Tigers at the Under Armour All-American Game. In Death Valley, he has continually improved his level of play during his three seasons with the Tigers. Coming off a season when he finished with 60 tackles, nine tackles for a loss and five sacks, expectations are through the roof for Wilkins, who is also projected as one of the top prospects available for the 2019 NFL Draft.
Farrell’s take: I remember the first time I saw Wilkins on film. It was after his freshman season and his athletic ability was off the charts. As a Connecticut prospect, he didn’t get the national attention of many until later in his career, but I knew how good he was from day one. Wilkins has already turned into one of the elite defensive tackles in the country and could emerge as one of the top five picks in the NFL Draft. His dominance doesn’t show in the stat sheet as much as expected, but he’s one of the top two or three defenders in the country.
The skinny: Love took a fall official visit to Virginia and then January visits to Stanford and North Carolina before committing to the Cardinal a few days before National Signing Day. After the loss of Christian McCaffrey to the NFL, Love stepped into the limelight and rushed for 2,118 yards and 19 touchdowns last season. He surprised some by returning for his senior season with the Cardinal, so is an even bigger season possible in 2018?
Farrell’s take: Love showed serious flashes of talent a season ago filling in for McCaffrey at times, but he clearly took it to the next level this past year. Love was a four-star out of high school known for his ability in space as well as his receiving ability, so he fits in greatly as a replacement for McCaffrey. He didn’t match the overall numbers, no one could, but he had an amazing season and is living up to his ranking and then some. Will he be able to match his numbers this year? That’s an aggressive goal.
The skinny: Oliver surprised many by committing early to Houston. While he did take a closer look at Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Ole Miss during the fall, he stuck with his word and signed with the Cougars. The former five-star has not disappointed during his two seasons in Houston. Having totaled 138 tackles, 38.5 tackles for a loss, 10.5 sacks and four forced fumbles, he has NFL scouts and college football fans eager to see him in action this fall.
Farrell’s take: Oliver was a blocky but athletic defensive tackle when I first saw him. He grew into a stout, solid and super-quick gap shooter by the end of the rankings cycle. Oliver had such great instincts and followed the football so naturally that he was effective blowing up plays in the run game and getting after the passer. And his snap anticipation was off the charts, as well. Oliver was given his fifth star in our final 2016 rankings cycle and that was one of our better decisions, as he’s already a dominant college player and has an amazing future.
The skinny: Joey Bosa was a star at Ohio State and many expected Nick to follow him to Columbus. And while Notre Dame, Florida and Florida State applied pressure, he did not pull any surprises with a commitment to the Buckeyes in July. Following his brother to Ohio State was not easy, but Bosa has performed at an equally impressive level. Coming off of a season when he finished with 34 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss and 8.5 sacks, Bosa is capable of dominating a game on his own, while also playing on one of the top defensive lines in the country.
Farrell’s take: Bosa was drawing comparisons to his brother, Joey, before his ACL injury in November of his senior season. Some said he would be even better. We had him ranked higher than Joey out of high school, but we whiffed on Joey being a five-star, so there’s that. Nick was as athletic and physical as his brother and loved to hit. We knew he’d be special, and he’s emerged as one of the best defensive ends in the country. He is my No. 1 overall for the draft right now and the best player in the nation.
