Texas Breakdown: Former five-stars shining on biggest stages
With Texas’ long-standing reputation of producing top football talent, it’s no surprise to see the number of five-star prospects coming from the Lone Star State this season. Over the past few recruiting classes, eight other players from the state finished their high school careers with the same distinction, and are continuing their careers with some of the country’s top college programs. Interestingly, only two signed with the Longhorns, while half left the state.
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By the time Garrett was finished with high school, he was in the conversation for the top spot in the Rivals100. Now, after a couple of seasons worth of building on his already elite athleticism and explosiveness, he’s in the conversation to be the top pick in the NFL Draft. In his first two seasons for the Aggies he’s reached double-digit sack totals with 11 in 2014 and 11.5 last season. Garrett has three in as many games played this season.
Where Garrett used the 2014 Under Armour All-America Game to further his status as one of the nation's top prospects in the country, Brown’s All-America experience ended in disappointment when he suffered a pretty significant shoulder injury in practice that week. Since then, Brown has struggled to find his footing at Alabama. He played in 11 games in 2015, but has started this season suspended for an unspecified violation of team rules. Brown said at the end of last season that he is hoping to find ‘emotional consistency.’
Jefferson has become the face of the Texas defense and a valuable personality in assisting with the Longhorns’ current recruiting efforts. He’s an athletic linebacker that can cover as well as he rushes the passer and delivers big hits. Jefferson finished his high school career ranked as the top outside linebacker in the country, and opened the season with six solo tackles - including one for a loss - and a sack against Notre Dame. For the season, he has 16 total tackles.
Jamabo was thought to be in line for a 1,000-yard season this year for UCLA, but he didn’t play in the Bruins’ last game against BYU and Jim Mora hasn’t been forthcoming as to why. Coming out of high school, Jamabo was a more non-traditional sort of running back prospect, but was part of a Bruins recruiting class that finished ranked 13th in the country. In his freshman season, he had 66 carries for 404 yards and a 6.1 yards-per-carry average. In two games this season, he’s carried the ball 34 times for 181 yards.
Teuhema played in all 12 games last season for LSU and started the last 11 of those at left guard. The plan was to move him into the starting left tackle role this season, but early on, it seems as though he hasn’t progressed quite as much as was hoped and Teuhema has started the season in a backup role. He picked up a start in the Tigers’ win against Jacksonville State following Josh Boutte’s suspension for his late hit to close out LSU’s season-opening loss to Wisconsin.
Oliver was showered with praise by television broadcasters during his performance in Houston’s season-opening win over Oklahoma - not to mention lauded for his decision to commit early to the Cougars and stick with them despite his five-star ranking. He finished his high school career by wowing at the Under Armour All-America Game with his quickness and savvy as a pass-rusher. His stats have leveled off a bit over the last two weeks, but early indications are that he’ll be a major part of Houston’s defense for the next few seasons.
Little is still projected to be the anchor of Ole Miss’ offensive line for years to come, but has hit a speed bump in the short-term with a shoulder injury to start this season. He was consistently impressive throughout his high school career. Following an initial commitment to Texas A&M and a flirtation with Alabama and some others, Little decided on a future with the Rebels as Laremy Tunsil’s successor. He started the preseason as an All-SEC fourth-team selection.
It was a little dicey as to whether or not Fowler was going to be academically cleared to join the Longhorns this season, but things got figured out, and he’s with the team. He has yet to see time on the field, however, and missed valuable time to get acclimated while sorting out his eligibility. Fowler finished his high school career as the 13th-ranked player in the Rivals100, and Texas’ only five-star signee in 2016 following his flip from LSU on National Signing Day.
