Published Jun 21, 2017
Rare air: States that have produced multiple 5-star WRs in same year
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Mike Farrell  •  Rivals.com
Rivals National Columnist

Mark Pszonak contributed to this report.

With the updated Rivals.com rankings earlier this month, there are now two pairs of five-star wide receivers from the same state. California's Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jalen Hall, and Louisiana's Terrace Marshall Jr. and Devonta Jason. Only eight other times have there been multiple five-star wide receivers from the same state and only once has it happened twice in the same year. Rivals.com takes a closer look at each of the previous eight occurrences to see how these receivers panned out.

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FLORIDA - 2017

The skinny: The Jeudy/Grimes combination was the fourth time that multiple Florida wide receivers finished as five-stars. Jeudy, who enrolled early at Alabama, is already turning heads as he had an extremely impressive spring in Tuscaloosa. His performance has people assuming that he will be the next big Florida receiver for the Tide, following Amari Cooper and Calvin Ridley. Grimes did not have the early start that Jeudy had, as he only recently arrived in Columbus, but with the Buckeyes looking for receiver help, early playing time will definitely be on the table if he has a strong summer camp.

Farrell’s take: It’s obviously too early to tell how this duo will pan out, although Juedy is already off to a great start. Both players have immense talent and are following a recent tradition of sorts – Florida receivers having success at Alabama and Ohio State.

FLORIDA - 2015

The skinny: This trio is important as it is the only time in Rivals.com history that three receivers from the same state were five-stars. The headliner of this group continues to be Ridley, who was the No. 1 receiver in the country and has excelled at Alabama during his first two seasons. Cain has totaled 72 receptions, 1,306 yards and 14 touchdowns at Clemson, where more will be expected out of him this season, especially after the departure of Mike Williams to the NFL. For Campbell, he has yet to hit his potential. After only grabbing three receptions in 2015 and then missing 2016 due to an injury, all eyes will be on him to see if he can produce this fall.

Farrell’s take: Ridley is considered a star in college football, Cain is considered a future star and Campbell has been considered a flop. We knew Ridley would be great, there was little question about that and we projected Cain’s greatness after he played quarterback in high school, but Campbell was a serious debate among the analysts. Inconsistent hands and some questions about his speed had a few guys thinking he should be ranked much lower.

FLORIDA - 2014

The skinny: Rudolph finished off a productive three-year career at Florida State with 153 receptions, 2,311 yards and 18 touchdowns. He decided to forego his senior season, but went undrafted this spring. He signed with the New York Giants as a free agent and will be battling for a roster spot this summer. For Lane, after totaling 19 receptions in his first two seasons, he made the move to defensive back in 2016 and finished with 37 tackles and one interception. Lane seems revitalized with the position change, so 2017 could be a big season for him in Tallahassee.

Farrell’s take: I loved Rudolph out of high school, especially his route running and reliable hands and if he stayed an extra year he would have been a breakout star. As for Lane, he was like Campbell when it came to the debate about his ranking, although he was even more polarizing. Hats off to him for making the switch to defense, but as an offensive player he showed more of the doubts we had than any of the ceiling and potential.

LOUISIANA - 2014

The skinny: The second 2014 five-star receiver duo, in addition to Florida, comes from Louisiana. Dupre enjoyed a productive yet unspectacular three seasons in Baton Rouge, finishing with 98 receptions, 1,609 yards and 14 touchdowns. After deciding to forego his final collegiate season, he was drafted in the seventh-round by Green Bay, where he will be fighting for a roster spot this summer after impressing in early workouts. Playing next to Christian Kirk, Noil’s production failed to meet the same levels. Totaling 88 receptions for 1,134 yards and nine touchdowns, Noil decided to forego his senior season, enjoyed an impressive NFL Combine, but still went undrafted and was recently released by Seattle after signing as a free agent.

Farrell’s take: I thought Dupre would be a star because of his ability to leap, high point the ball and contort his body to make tough catches but horrible offensive gameplanning and quarterback play really hurt him. Noil was a high risk five-star, having played a lot of quarterback in high school and with some off-field concerns and he never lived up to his potential. Both players likely should have returned for their final college season.

GEORGIA - 2010

The skinny: Georgia’s only appearance on this list turned out to be a disappointment. After flipping from Georgia to Tennessee on National Signing Day, Rogers enjoyed a fantastic sophomore season in 2011. However, multiple failed drug tests led to his suspension and subsequent move to Tennessee Tech. After going undrafted, he showed flashes in Indianapolis, but a DUI arrest and a failed attempt in Kansas City led him to the CFL, which is his current home. Ambles followed Lane Kiffin from Tennessee to USC, but left Los Angeles after several off-field incidents. After a season at Arizona Western J.C., he re-emerged at Houston, where he totaled 49 receptions and five touchdowns in two seasons. He went undrafted in 2015, bounced around the NFL and CFL, but has yet to make an impact at the professional level.

Farrell’s take: Two major talents and two players who derailed their careers with off field issues. Rogers was a big, physical and dynamic receiver who should have been a can’t-miss prospect and first-rounder while Ambles was one of the best pure route runners I’ve seen and had a great football work ethic. Both players left the state, much to the dismay of Georgia fans at the time, and perhaps would have done better staying home.

NORTH CAROLINA - 2007

The skinny: Culliver was moved from receiver to defensive back pretty quickly at South Carolina, but it was a move that proved to be extremely positive for him. He excelled at his new position and eventually was selected in the third-round of the 2011 Draft by San Francisco. After four productive seasons with the 49ers he signed as a free agent with Washington in 2015. Since then knee injuries have derailed his career as he remains a free agent after unsuccessful attempts with both the Redskins and Dolphins. After a rough start at North Carolina, Jones excelled during his final two seasons in Chapel Hill. However, he still went undrafted and has since had failed attempts in both the NFL and Arena Leagues.

Farrell’s take: I was against the move of Culliver to five-star wide receiver because I saw him as a defensive back and I was pretty much spot on. Culliver fancied himself a wide out and schools told him what he wanted to hear, but he was never a natural at catching the ball. However, he had a very good career as a defensive back. As for Jones, I remember his long touchdown in the Shrine Game that flashed his amazing long-striding speed and he had the talent to be a star and first-rounder but lacked the desire to be great.

VIRGINIA - 2006

The skinny: Harvin, the top-ranked prospect in the 2006 Rivals100, excelled in Urban Meyer’s Florida offense. He was selected with the 22nd overall pick by Minnesota, where he spent four seasons. However, his time with the Vikings, then Seattle, the New York Jets and Buffalo was marred by multiple injuries. Despite being productive while on the field, his injuries eventually led to his retirement in 2016. Starting at USC, Hazelton had one productive season before transferring to Cincinnati, where injuries severely limited his playing time. After going undrafted and having several failed attempts in the NFL, Hazelton has found a home in the CFL where he is currently playing for Edmonton.

Farrell’s take: Harvin remains the fastest player around the corner I’ve seen in high school football and his state title championship game performance is a thing of legend. He was a surefire star as our No. 1 player and lived up to that billing. Hazelton reminded me of a young Terrell Owens, but never developed that way, which was stunning. His recruitment was filled with drama with his dad refusing to sign his NLI to USC and the internal family battle between Penn State and USC. Perhaps that started things off poorly for him. He was a Virginia transplant as a New York kid who played up to older competition on the post graduate team at Hargrave Military, a big deal back then.

FLORIDA - 2002

The skinny: Moore arrived at Miami with fans comparing him to Randy Moss, but his career never came close to reaching that magnitude. He finished his collegiate career with 94 receptions for 1,466 yards and 11 touchdowns. He went undrafted by the NFL and spent a couple of seasons in the Arena Football League before seeing his professional career come to an end. Platt signed with Florida State, but never made it to campus due to academics. In fact, Platt never played a down of college football anywhere and quickly fell off the radar.

Farrell’s take: I thought Moore was going to be a star. He was so talented. He had that amazing combination of size, speed and body control and he’s one of the biggest disappointments at the position I can remember in my career. Platt was a burner who was a blur on the field but obviously derailed his own career. His film was fun to watch though. The kid was as explosive as they come.