Three-Point Stance: Crossing state borders, surprising 2018 classes

MORE THREE-POINT STANCE: Oklahoma's recruiting surge

Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell’s thought-provoking Three-Point Stance is here with thoughts on the biggest out-of-state gets for 2018, his top five biggest surprise starts this recruiting cycle and his top five way-too-early Heisman candidates in order…

I’m starting to focus more on huge out-of-state gets, especially after Ohio State’s historic feat last year in landing a five-star from Florida, Texas and California – the first school to complete the trifecta in Rivals.com history. With some huge recent out-of-state grabs in the last week, here are my 10 most impressive so far for 2018. These are based on my impression and not simply by ranking:

1) Devonta Jason, Kansas – Going from Louisiana to Kansas is a big deal. In fact, for a national top 50 prospect, it never happens. Whether this commitment sticks or not, this is clearly the biggest and most surprising out-of-state get so far.

2) Derrik Allen, Notre Dame – Headed out of SEC country to commit to a Notre Dame team coming off a horrible season is more impressive to me than some of the out-of-state quarterback or running back grabs.

3) Brian Snead, Ohio State – Just outside the five-star range, Snead leaving Florida for Ohio State can’t be considered a stunner because Urban Meyer recruits on a different level than most, but it’s still quite impressive.

4) Trevor Lawrence, Clemson – Quarterbacks leave their home state quite often so this isn’t at the top of the list even though Lawrence is the No. 1 player in the country. But stealing another five-star out of state, Clemson deserves props.

5) Taron Vincent, Ohio State – Vincent hails from Maryland and plays in Florida, so this is a massive get for Meyer and his staff. Larry Johnson’s ties to Maryland and relationship with Vincent were key. Had it not been for Johnson’s previous work in the DMV area, this would be higher.

6) Emory Jones, Ohio State – No stunner that Ohio State has another on this list. As I said before, quarterbacks leave the state often but pulling a five-star from Georgia has to be up here just a notch behind Lawrence to Clemson.

7) TJ Pledger, Oklahoma – Hailing from California, it’s not a stunner that the Sooners landed Pledger, who plays now at IMG in Florida. But it’s still impressive as OU continues to recruit very well outside Big 12 country.

8) Justin Watkins, Texas – It’s very rare for Texas to land a star from Florida (aside from the few Charlie Strong landed but he had big-time ties to those kids). This is commit No. 3 for Watkins so we’ll keep an eye on this one, but right now it’s an impressive grab.

9) Corione Harris, Kansas – Kansas getting love again here as a Rivals100 defensive back leaving New Orleans to play for the Jayhawks is stunning. Again, whether it sticks or not doesn’t matter right now for this list.

10) Ricky Slade, Penn State – Penn State has recruited Virginia fairly well in recent years, but landing a top 75 player with a ton of offers is impressive.

It’s early, I know, but there are some recruiting classes being put together that are surprising for one reason or another. Whether it’s that the team stunk a year ago or hasn’t recruited on this level in quite some time (or ever), it doesn’t really matter does it? Here are five that are surprising me the most:

1. Notre Dame – Ahead of Kansas, which is No. 12? Yes, because the key players in this class stick it out even if ND has a bad season and changes coaches. The 3.67 average star ranking is beyond impressive and the national recruiting is great.

2. Kansas – I’m sure Jayhawks fans are tired of hearing me question whether Devonta Jason and Corione Harris are going to stick, but aside from the big names the Jayhawks have some talented commits from Missouri and Texas as well. The early buzz can only help recruiting efforts.

3. Miami – I expect The U to recruit well but this is a different level, a level not seen since the Larry Coker days (inherited from the Butch Davis era). Miami had the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class recently under Al Golden but that was with a weak average star ranking and certainly not with the high level of talent accumulated for the 2018 class. This is a turning point class so far.

4. Penn State – The nation’s No. 2 class with an amazing average star ranking, this is potentially next level stuff for Penn State as well. Two of the top four recruiting classes for Penn State in Rivals history are under James Franklin so perhaps this shouldn’t be surprising, but to me it is.

5. Minnesota – Tough call here between Minnesota and Northwestern as both are off to very good and surprising starts, but I’ll go with PJ Fleck, who is selling the Gophers program unlike anyone in years.

Who cares about the Heisman Trophy in April, right? Well, perhaps I’m a loser but I love to look at this stuff. Here are my big five as we begin to exit spring football:

Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma QB – Ahead of Lamar Jackson? Yep. Mayfield has lost some weapons but OU will reload and the defenses in the Big 12 stink enough for him to put up insane numbers. He also won’t have DeDe Westbrook taking away potential votes. The Ohio State game will be crucial.

Lamar Jackson, Louisville QB – The reigning Heisman winner has to be near the top despite some criticism on how his season ended. He’s the game’s most dynamic player.

Sam Darnold, USC QB – He’s losing a lot of weapons but if he plays like the Cyborg we saw last year that couldn’t be fazed, his numbers will take a jump into Heisman land.

Saquon Barkley, Penn State RB – He could lose some votes if Trace McSorley takes the next step and they split the ballot, but he’s the best running back in college football and that always draws interest.

Derwin James, Florida State DB – James is back and has the talent to have a year that makes everyone take notice. He’s also working in on special teams which always helps a defender. Should he be ahead of JT Barrett, Jake Browning or even teammate Deondre Francois? Based on the dumb way the Heisman works, no he shouldn’t be. But if Jabrill Peppers can finish fifth, James can be in that mix.