Mark Pszonak contributed to this report.
We all know not every five-star prospect pans out. But in recent years, the five-star flop has become less common compared to the old days of relying on VHS tape and few in-person evaluations. That being said, here are 10 guys who need huge years to begin to live up to their lofty rankings or, in some cases, salvage their careers.
The skinny: Fans of both Auburn and Florida were left in limbo for most of National Signing Day after Cowart chose Auburn on national TV but then didn’t send in his letter until hours later. Being the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2015, expectations were obviously exceedingly high for Cowart, but his play on the field during his first two seasons has been far from memorable. Totaling only 12 tackles to this point, the time is now for Cowart to prove to everyone that he deserved his lofty ranking.
Farrell’s take: Maybe the move inside will help him. Maybe yet another statement of refocus will catch this time. Who knows? But this is a puzzling one to me as Cowart had the work ethic and drive to go along with his size, speed and skill. My assumption is that this is more mental than physical, but it doesn’t matter. He needs a breakout season.
The skinny: Michigan was considered the leader for a good portion of Hand’s recruiting process, while Alabama and Florida continued to play catch-up. The Crimson Tide finally surpassed the Wolverines after his official visit to Tuscaloosa in late October, which resulted in his commitment in November. Battling his way through a constant flow of NFL talent on the defensive line, Hand has only managed to total 44 tackles and six sacks in his first three seasons. Now the full spotlight will be on him this fall, so will he answer the call?
Farrell’s take: The depth at Alabama helped contribute to the pedestrian career for Hand so far, but there are no more excuses now. Playing behind Jonathan Allen isn’t easy and Hand has done a solid job moving inside, which doesn’t play to his strengths, but this year he needs to step up and fill the void left by Allen and have a stellar season. The DUI arrest doesn’t help, but he won’t miss any time so the FSU game could be a big start to finally reaching his potential. Hand was an amazing talent coming out with excellent balance, good technique and off-the-charts athleticism.
The skinny: With his father, Reggie McKenzie, having played for the Vols in the early 1980s, Tennessee was always considered the favorite for Kahlil. Not pulling any surprises, McKenzie committed to the Vols over Arizona during the summer leading up to his senior season. After a promising true freshman season in 2015, an upper body injury in October derailed McKenzie’s progress in 2016. Now fully healthy, big things are expected from McKenzie, who has totaled 36 tackles and one sack in two seasons.
Farrell’s take: McKenzie carried too much weight in high school but was still so amazingly quick and fluid for his size he had to be ranked where he was. He had that Vince Wilfork potential, except he was a taller and longer version. He has shed some weight, has shown flashes of potential, but injuries have hurt. This season could be a breakout one for him. Defensive tackles don’t get the national attention of others, but the NFL scouts will be watching and a huge year could put him much higher on the radar.
The skinny: Lucier-South took official visits to Michigan, Oregon and Oklahoma before committing to UCLA in late November. While he claimed the Wolverines as his “dream school” he ultimately decided to play closer to home. After redshirting in 2015, Lucier-South only totaled six tackles last season. Now with a good amount of turnover on the defensive line, Lucier-South has all the opportunity in the world to make a statement in 2017.
Farrell’s take: I was never truly sold on this ranking as he was too hit or miss for me. He would make a great play and then become invisible for a few after that. It’s been a slow start for him at UCLA and there is a ton of talent coming in on the edge, so he needs to step it up or be passed by. It wouldn’t stun me if he slides backwards a bit as others emerge. I always worried about his physicality and work ethic.
The skinny: Richmond committed to Ole Miss at the start of his senior season after visiting Tennessee, Ohio State, Alabama and others during the summer. However, when Signing Day came around he flipped to the Vols in a huge recruiting grab for Butch Jones and company. After redshirting in 2015 he started at left tackle last year and greatly improved from a rough performance in the opener against Virginia Tech to a solid finish.
Farrell’s take: We might have been the only one who had Richmond as a five-star in the industry and he was a bit of a risk but talented enough to take a chance on. Now with uber-recruit Trey Smith the focus of the fan base, Richmond needs to have a great year at left tackle to live up to his standing out of high school. We saw the improvement last season and it will be interesting to see if he takes the next step and plays up to his potential.
The skinny: Campbell initially committed to Michigan, but after a rough 2014 season and coaching change looming, he de-committed and quickly made a pledge to Florida State. However, in Tallahassee he has yet to hit his potential. After only grabbing three receptions in 2015 and then missing the 2016 season and then the spring of 2017 due to a core injury, it may be now or never for Campbell. The Seminoles receiving corps has a few holes so Campbell should have an opportunity to earn playing time.
Farrell’s take: This one is on me as I made the final decision to make Campbell a five-star after Under Armour week. He had a very good week, showed reliable hands for the first time and stretched the field. But I was fooled. I thought it was a turning point for him when it came to ball skills and fighting the football. It clearly wasn’t. Injuries haven’t helped, but he’s still erratic catching the ball. He’s a heckuva talent, but can he put it together?
The skinny: Phillips took official visits to Tennessee, Ole Miss and LSU, and while the Rebels and Tigers looked to be the leaders for a good portion of his process, his last visit to Knoxville was enough for him to commit to the Vols in early January. Phillips’ true freshman season was cut short by a shoulder injury and then he moved to defensive tackle last season. Now healthy, after another shoulder surgery caused him to miss spring practice this year, he will be back at defensive end this fall and eager to prove to everyone that he can be the next great Vols’ pass rushing threat.
Farrell’s take: Phillips, like many on this list, has battled injuries and he’s played defensive end and defensive tackle. Now, with Derek Barnett off to the NFL, Phillips is needed on the edge and needed badly. He has the potential and skill to be dominant – not Barnett dominant, that’s a lot to ask, but dominant nonetheless – and many expect this to be a breakout year. I expect that as well. We loved his ability to flatten around the edge but also play off contact with ease.
The skinny: Irwin was torn between Stanford and Arizona State for the majority of his process, but at the end committed to the Cardinal in early January. His time at Stanford to this point has been unremarkable, as he has totaled 49 receptions for 592 yards and only one touchdown. His somewhat pedestrian production can be partially attributed to shaky quarterback play in Palo Alto, but now is the time for him to raise his level of play.
Farrell’s take: Irwin dominated the 7-on-7 scene and couldn’t be covered. He also never dropped anything and was an astonishing route runner. We took a chance on him as a five-star talent, but he hasn’t shown it in Palo Alto. QB play can be accounted for here, but it’s not the only reason. He just hasn’t taken that next step needed in the speed department and this needs to be a big year for him.
The skinny: Houston took official visits to USC, Oregon, Miami, Arizona State and Oklahoma before staying close to home and committing to the Trojans on Signing Day. Arizona State and Oregon both made serious pushes for Houston before his commitment. After redshirting in 2015, Houston totaled 16 tackles last fall in limited playing time. Now he looks primed to take the next step, as he teams up with Cameron Smith, Porter Gustin and Uchenna Nwosu to form what could be one of the top young linebacker units in the country.
Farrell’s take: Houston has the talent to break out but there is a lot of talent at the linebacker position at USC so he will need to continue to develop. His athleticism is off the charts, but can he be physical enough? In the USC defensive scheme, there will be plenty of chances for him to make plays but can he outplay guys like Smith and Gustin to become the leader of the defense? We loved his range and quickness to the ball out of high school.
The skinny: After trimming his list down to Florida State, Florida, Alabama, Ohio State and Texas A&M, and taking official visits to both Tuscaloosa and College Station, Patrick committed to the Seminoles during his senior season. While Dalvin Cook has received the majority of the carries during the last two seasons, Patrick did manage to rush for 664 yards and nine touchdowns. Now with Cook in the NFL, Patrick’s new challenge will be holding off promising true freshman Cam Akers.
Farrell’s take: Can Patrick be the guy in the backfield with Cook gone or will Akers take his job before too long? He’s done nicely as the No. 2 guy and fill-in back, but he needs a huge season to live up to his lofty ranking and the competition at running back is fierce. Patrick was a big, tall, upright runner with excellent receiving skills, so we saw big things from him as backs began to trend this way in recent years. Now is the time to step it up.
