Ten potential busts in 2021 class
In every recruiting class, there are players that do not live up to their ranking for whatever reason or whatever purpose. That will be true again in the 2021 class and we take a look at some elite prospects where some questions remain.
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MORE: Ten can't-miss 2021 prospects
CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
COVERAGE: Rivals Transfer Tracker | Rivals Camp Series
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1. J.T. TUIMOLOAU
Overview: Tuimoloau is one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2021 class because he especially has the size and athleticism to be special as a defensive end, could move inside to defensive tackle and he’s been outstanding as a tight end as well. But Washington has not had a football season yet and the five-star does not really attend many national events to compare against other elite prospects. USC, Alabama, Oregon, Washington and Ohio State make up his top five.
Farrell’s take: Tuimoloau is a great athlete but we’ve seen a lot more of him in person on offense than we have on defense. He could be great, but there is a high bust factor here. There's just so much we don't know about Tuimoloau.
2. CAMAR WHEATON
Overview: Wheaton largely stays out of the limelight, doesn’t talk much about his recruitment and has not been seen at many national events other than the Future 50, so it’s difficult to gauge his ability against other top running backs in this class. The Alabama signee looks great on film, has speed and escapability, but as the No. 1 running back in this class can he go to Tuscaloosa, be patient and wait his turn like Najee Harris and then excel in Alabama’s offense?
Farrell’s take: Wheaton is a track guy with good size and speed so it’s hard to see him busting at Alabama, but some don’t see him as someone who works well enough off of contact.
T-3. FIVE-STAR QUARTERBACKS
Overview: There are four five-star quarterbacks in the 2021 class in Georgia’s Brock Vandagriff, Washington’s Sam Huard, Oklahoma’s Caleb Williams and Oregon’s Ty Thompson. To think all four will be future first-round picks and that all four will finish their careers at the first school of their choice would be bucking recent five-star quarterback trends. The real challenging question is, though, which ones won’t live up to their potential?
Farrell’s take: Quarterbacks always have a big busy factor so for every Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields there is a Hunter Johnson. Any one of these guys could bust out and it’s likely that half of them will.
4. JACK SAWYER
Overview: There are some who believe Sawyer is one of the best prospects in this class and that he’s going to be a dominant force on Ohio State’s defensive line. That could very well be true because he’s an athletic, physical specimen who has dominated when he plays. But the five-star defensive end also tore knee ligaments in the last game of his junior season and has not played football since 2019. He’s probably great, but there are some lingering questions.
Farrell’s take: The only reason Sawyer is on here is because he ended his junior season with an injury and missed his senior season by opting out. There are some questions I’m sure we will see answered right away.
5. MARIO WILLIAMS
Overview: In Oklahoma’s 2019 recruiting class, the Sooners signed four five-stars in quarterback Spencer Rattler and receivers Jadon Haselwood, Theo Wease and Trejan Bridges. So far, it’s fair to say only Rattler has lived up to expectations. Williams won’t be judged against the others because he will have his own career, but the five-star never visited Oklahoma and his size could be a tad concerning. Williams seems like a perfect fit for what coach Lincoln Riley wants to do on offense and there’s a chance he could be a star there.
Farrell’s take: Speed is the question for Williams. He is fast but not an elite burner like some of his peers. Will that hurt him in a great offense? Not likely, but he will need to add a little more burst.
6. COREY COLLIER
Overview: Collier is a little bit of a tweener, someone who might be a tad too big to play cornerback but doesn’t have the physical skills to pack a punch when playing safety. The five-star defensive back has some excellent highlights and has done some special things through his high school career, but there are some concerns. Florida has done a phenomenal job developing defensive backs over the years and Collier could be next, but there are some question marks as well.
Farrell’s take: There are questions among some observers about his ability to cover. But I love his ball skills and how good he is in run support.
7. TUNMISE ADELEYE
Overview: The five-star defensive end has been dominant at numerous events, but he’s going to Texas A&M, which is absolutely loaded at his position so he might have to be patient early on and wait his turn, which could be difficult for some prospects. After transferring back to Katy (Texas) Tompkins from Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy, Adeleye, who also had Florida and Alabama high on his list, did not play in his senior season, so there could be some rust.
Farrell’s take: Adeleye has all the physical skills to be great and Texas A&M does a great job of developing defensive linemen, but he hasn’t played in a year so that may hurt him.
8. TERRENCE LEWIS
Overview: Lewis is a phenomenal linebacker, a playmaker all over the field, someone who sees the football and attacks and gets players on the ground. He’s also someone who was first committed to Florida, then Tennessee and then finally he picked Maryland on Jan. 2. There are some off-the-field concerns, but if Lewis can stay focused on school and football, he’s a major steal for the Terrapins.
Farrell’s take: Lewis isn’t the biggest linebacker and has some off-field issues in his past, so he’s certainly a question mark as many programs backed off.
9. PAYTON PAGE
Overview: Page is a massive defensive tackle up the middle who should do a great job plugging holes and blocking the run at Clemson, but is he nimble enough to really cause lots of pressure in the backfield and track quarterbacks down? That’s yet to be seen on the college level. Page needs to stay in shape to really have an impact and ranked as the fourth-best defensive tackle in the 2021 class might be a little aggressive.
Farrell’s take: Page has elite talent and Clemson does well with interior linemen, but conditioning has been a question mark here and there. He's also missed a year of development.
10. BEAUX COLLINS
Overview: Maybe no receiver in the 2021 class looks better than Collins on the hoof as he’s long, lean, a smooth route runner and he has deceptive speed deep. He could be one of the next big-time receivers at Clemson. But Collins, who had more than 30 offers, will need to step up even more in those big moments to make plays and there is a concern of how he handles physical corners at the line of scrimmage.
Farrell’s take: Collins has size and adequate speed but he’s not a guy who strikes you as a hungry receiver at times. Clemson produces receivers very well, but how will the year off affect him?