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Published Aug 16, 2017
Three-Point Stance: Major commitments; QBs who could regress; Rosen
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Mike Farrell  •  Rivals.com
Rivals National Columnist

Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell’s thought-provoking Three-Point Stance is here with a look at the top commitments of the last week, a few quarterbacks who could take a step back this season and why he loves Josh Rosen so much.

MORE: Twitter Tuesday mailbag | Highest-ranked SEC QBs | Full Rivals QB Week coverage

1. KEY COMMITMENTS OF THE WEEK

It's been another busy week of commitments, including some significant ones, so let’s take a look at the most important since my last column eight days ago.

1. OT Darrell Simpson, Oklahoma: A great pickup and now part of a great 1-2-3 punch at offensive tackle for the Sooners. This kid could be better than Brey Walker before his career is over, his ceiling is that high.

2. WR Kevin Austin, Notre Dame: A big, fast receiver with a great catch radius and the ability to make tough catches, Austin could be a home run if he just gets more physical and uses his size better.

3. WR Elijah Moore, Georgia: Speed, speed and more speed. Moore can show flashes of dominance but needs to be more consistent. However, he will make UGA much faster on offense.

4. DT Keondre Coburn, Texas: An athletic defensive tackle, he’s not only going to stuff the run, but he will push the pocket even though he’s not overly long. His quickness will be key for the Longhorns in the middle soon enough.

5. DT Aeneas Hawkins, Penn State: PJ Mustipher made my list last week, and now Hawkins follows suit. The interior defensive line is getting a big boost in State College with these two. Hawkins is more of a natural pass rusher than Mustipher.

6). OG Jarrett Bell, Alabama: Bell reminds me of Braden Smith at Auburn at the same stage. He's an athletic, muscled up lineman who is a bit raw but has an amazing ceiling.

7. TE Malcolm Epps, Texas: I’m not as high on Epps as some others, but he’s a great addition. Fellow Texas tight end pledge Dominick Anderson can be immediate help while Epps comes along.

8. WR Cameron Brown, Nebraska: Brown's second commitment to Nebraska should stick, and he is yet another prospect who brings speed to the table, something key for the Huskers to take the next step.

9. RB Ta’Zhawn Henry, TCU: He’s not big, so let’s get past that, but he’s great in space, he can catch the ball and he’s perfect for a spread offense.

10. RB Craig Williams, Baylor: Another small back who plays bigger than his size and can do things in the passing game as well.

2. BIG-NAME QUARTERBACKS WHO COULD REGRESS IN 2017

There has been a lot of talk about how deep this college football season is at the quarterback position, and it’s hard to argue. With established stars like Sam Darnold, Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield and guys like Josh Rosen, Will Grier and Kyle Allen looking to bounce back from injury or transfer, you have a ton of experience returning.

Throw in newcomers like Brandon Wimbush, Jarrett Stidham and whoever wins the job at Clemson, and you also have a nice infusion of fresh blood to the ranks. But which quarterbacks could take a step back despite the hype? You’ll be surprised at these five names.

1. Trace McSorley, Penn State: McSorley was one of the surprises of the 2016 season and had an amazing year with his arm and feet. Can he do it again with the same effectiveness? I’m not sold.

2. Lamar Jackson, Louisville: The reigning Heisman Trophy winner did some things down the stretch that have me a bit concerned that he can be slowed by better defenses and coaches.

3. Jalen Hurts, Alabama: After an amazing freshman season, he should only get better, right? If he doesn’t improve his downfield passing, teams will scheme for him more effectively this year.

4. Jake Browning, Washington: He tailed off at the end of last season, and that could be a sign of things to come, particularly since he's surrounded by fewer weapons this season. Time will tell if his poor games against Colorado and Alabama were a trend.

5. Sam Darnold, USC: What? His Rose Bowl performance was amazing, and everyone thinks he can be the No. 1 pick in the draft and possibly win the Heisman. Something tells me there’s a chance he throws more picks this year, not sure why.

3. IN APPRECIATION OF JOSH ROSEN

Josh Rosen, you’ll notice, is not on my list of guys who will take a step back. There are two reasons for this. First, Rosen took a step back last year with his injury, so I expect him to bounce back this season. And secondly, the guy is just too much of a competitor to have another off season.

Competitor? Josh Rosen? There have been some who have questioned Rosen’s love for the game of football, but they are simply misunderstanding the talented signal caller.

Rosen loves football. He just hates all of the crap that goes with it. Remember, this is the kid who led some amazing comebacks in high school and was feared by opponents in the fourth quarterback because of his tenacity and competitive nature, but also passed up a scholarship opportunity at Stanford by pushing David Shaw’s buttons at summer camp and simply skipped the Under Armour All-American week because he didn’t care about any of that stuff.

In college, he transitioned to hot tub installation, political statements regarding Donald Trump while golfing and trolling UCLA’s Under Armour deal with comments on how none of that money goes to the players. His most recent remarks regarding how football and school don’t go together were simply honest and true, but will be another question he’ll be asked by every NFL team looking to draft him.

But my point is this: Rosen doesn’t care what you or anyone thinks of him, and it’s what could make him great. I remember at our Five-Star Challenge in Chicago a few years back we brought in a few young quarterbacks to throw on day one, but to be used as reserves the next day in case of injury. Rosen was one of those guys and proceeded to state, without caring who heard, how much better he was than DeShaun Watson and Kyle Allen and every other quarterback at the event and that it was bush league that he wasn’t able to throw the next day. This was after we informed him numerous times of what his role would be at the event.

Rosen wasn’t being petty, he wasn’t even complaining, and he didn’t forget that he was going to throw for only one day -- he was simply stating his truth without giving a crap what anyone thought. And to me, that not only makes him fun to follow, but it also could make him the best quarterback in the country this season.

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