Three-Star Checkup: Former three-stars that shined in Week 1
Each week during the college football season we’ll use Wednesday as a chance to look back at former three-star prospects that shined during the previous week’s college football action.
MORE CHECK UPS: Five-stars | Four-stars
As a recruit: Georgia Tech was one of the first programs to recognize Marshall’s ability. While he took a long look at Duke and North Carolina, he eventually committed to the Yellow Jackets in the summer prior to his senior season and never wavered on his pledge.
What he did this week: Georgia Tech often takes players recruited as athletes by other programs and turns them into quality quarterbacks but even Marshall’s emergence for the Jackets is a surprise. He came to the school with the potential to play several positions, but in Monday night’s double-overtime loss to Tennessee, Marshall impressed. He finished the game with 249 yards rushing and five touchdowns while also throwing for 120 yards. His performance wasn’t enough to get the Jackets the win but it did help him make a name for himself on the national stage.
As a recruit: Kelly initially looked as if he was bound for Michigan State or Minnesota but offers from Tennessee and Michigan during the fall of his senior season reset his recruitment. In the end the strong push from the Vols to get him on campus before the other contenders in January 2015 helped seal the deal and Tennessee nabbed his commitment 10 days before National Signing Day.
What he did this week: Marshall may have helped Georgia Tech build a big lead over the Vols but it was Kelly who got the last laugh as he helped lead Tennessee to a come-from-behind victory. After two years in Knoxville waiting behind former five-stars Alvin Kamara and Jalen Hurd, Kelly made the most of his starring role, rushing for 128 yards and four TDs.
As a recruit: Bryant initially committed to Kansas State early in his recruitment but continued attention from Minnesota and Nebraska led to him taking official visits to the Gophers and Huskers. After visiting all three programs within a month, the Huskers got the last shot and did enough to earn his commitment following the trip. He remained solid to the Huskers from that point forward.
What he did this week: After seeing sporadic playing time as a true freshman in 2016 Bryant earned the starting job this year and didn’t disappoint in the Huskers' 43-36 victory over Arkansas State. Bryant carried 31 times for 192 yards and a touchdown in a game that was a little too close for comfort. Bryant will need another big effort this weekend when Nebraska heads west to take on Oregon.