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Three-Point Stance: Farrell 25, top linemen recruits, instant impact

National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell’s Three-Point Stance is here with some players who just missed the Farrell 25, the five most important linemen recruits left on the board for 2021 and the 10 instant impact prospects in the 2021 class.

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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. PLAYERS THAT JUST MISSED THE CUT FOR THE FARRELL 25

Spencer Sanders
Spencer Sanders (AP Images)

I usually do a Farrell 50 each year when all conferences are playing and things are normal. This season is anything but normal, so instead I did a Farrell 25. I found it hard to leave some guys out, so here are a few players who just missed the cut.

LB Rayshard Ashby, Virginia Tech — Ashby is a guided missile who can also drop in coverage and uses his length to make a ton of plays.

LB Nick Bolton, Missouri — Bolton is a tackling machine and won’t get a ton of notice as the Tigers navigate a nasty schedule.

LB K.J. Britt, Auburn — Britt is undersized but don’t tell him that and it clearly doesn’t affect his ability to make plays even in the passing game.

RB Javian Hawkins, Louisville — I love Hawkins' decisiveness and sneaky power. He‘s part of a great offense at Louisville.

RB Kylin Hill, Mississippi State — Hill is a power runner who should be mentioned along with Travis Etienne, Chuba Hubbard and Najee Harris but how will he fit in the new offense?

WR Terrace Marshall, LSU — With Ja’Marr Chase opting out, it was tempting to put Marshall in the top 25 because his production should increase and he’s an animal in the red zone.

DE Quincy Roche, Miami — Roche should have a field day in the ACC even without Greg Rousseau.

QB Spencer Sanders, Oklahoma State — Sanders is part of one of the best triplet groups in college football and often gets overlooked.

CB Eric Stokes, Georgia — Stokes is awesome and makes few mistakes and it was a coin flip between him and Richard LeCounte.

LB Chazz Surratt, North Carolina — Surratt is the leader of the Tar Heel defense and will emerge as one of the best linebackers in the country this year.

2. THE FIVE MOST IMPORTANT UNCOMMITTED LINEMEN

Tristan Leigh
Tristan Leigh (Nick Lucero/Rivals.com)

Here are the five most important uncommitted linemen in the 2021 class and where I think each of their recruitment stands.

DE Korey Foreman — Foreman has been compared to Chase Young and has the ability to be a franchise player at the next level. I still have Georgia over LSU right now but it changes often and the Tigers have the recent momentum.

OG Bryce Foster — Foster is an absolute wrecking ball and will be a guard akin to Trey Smith or Wyatt Davis at the next level. I have the Sooners with a sizable lead here.

OT Tristan Leigh — I’ve changed my FutureCast to Oklahoma here after he’s visited both the Sooners and LSU. He will be the perfect combo with Foster.

OT Amarius Mims — Mims is an elite offensive tackle and while I like JC Latham’s upside a little more, Mims is a pure franchise left tackle. Georgia and Tennessee are in a tight battle and I still have the Bulldogs with a slight edge.

DT Maason Smith — The best defensive tackle in this class by far will be hard to get out of Louisiana so I have him to LSU for now. The question is, will he be a factor for his friend Foreman?

3. TEN INSTANT IMPACT 2021 COMMITMENTS

Mario Williams
Mario Williams (Rivals.com)

Finally I’m listing the instant impact prospects in the 2021 class as of right now. This could change, but I like these 10 and how they are positioned with their future programs.

1. Mario Williams, Oklahoma — We like Williams a lot more than many do and he’s going to play early and often out of the slot at Oklahoma. He could be Hollywood Brown.

2. Troy Franklin, Oregon — Franklin is dynamic and can stretch the field immediately for a Ducks team that is loaded everywhere. He’s too good to sit.

3. James Williams, Miami — Speaking of athletic talent, Williams is physically ready to impact right away at Miami as a thumper from the strong safety position.

4. Corey Collier, Florida — This is a controversial one because Collier is a bit raw in coverage and the Gators are always deep in the secondary, but he’s so instinctual he will impact early.

5. Billy Bowman, Texas — Bowman can play offense or defense and he’s an elite return man, so he will be all over the field early for Texas.

6. Thomas Fidone, Nebraska — Fidone has the athleticism of a big receiver and great hands and the Nebraska offense needs weapons. There’s no way he sits.

7. Christian Leary, Alabama — With Jaylen Waddle likely to leave, Leary will be that speed receiver who can return the ball as well.

8. Jack Sawyer, Ohio State — The Buckeyes are always loaded on the defensive line but this kid is the next great edge rusher for the Buckeyes and can also play standing up if needed.

9. Terrence Lewis, Tennessee — Lewis is a quick twitch kid who will add weight the minute he is introduced to a training table and he’ll help the Vols defense immediately.

10. Keeshawn Silver, North Carolina — The North Carolina defense is still lacking in spots and a huge and athletic pass rusher like Silver will be welcome and utilized.

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