Two-Star Check Up: Prospects that stood out in Week 1
Each week during the college football season, we’ll use Thursday as a chance to look back at some two-star and/or unranked prospects that shined during the previous week’s college football action. Today we will focus on four prospects that were under the radar as recruits but helped lead their team to impressive showings in college football’s opening weekend.
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As a recruit: Jumper was a regular on the camp circuit, often drawing praise for his performances. However, only a handful of FCS programs and service academies stepped up to the plate with offers, with Jumper eventually committing to the Naval Academy. However Jumper failed to qualify for military services due to a non-football medical issue and he spent a post-grad year at The Hun School in New Jersey. Following an injury-plagued year in prep school, Jumper returned to Tennessee, where he walked on with the Vols in Jan. 2014.
What he did this weekend: Jumper worked his way from walk-on to regular contributor and on Monday night in Atlanta, he played a huge role in Tennessee's come-from-behind victory over Georgia Tech. Filling in for the injured Darrin Kirkland, Jumper had 18 tackles, besting his previous career high by more than 50 percent. With Kirkland expected to miss extended time, Jumper will be relied on to continue to fill the void.
As a recruit: A high school quarterback, Wilson received several lower level scholarship offers, eventually committing to FBS program Old Dominion. However, the chance to walk on at USC and play tight end came about and Wilson ended up paying his own way to enroll with the Trojans, where his father Chris worked as a defensive line coach. Once his father left the Trojans staff, Wilson elected to transfer across town to UCLA, where he played in all 12 games in 2016.
What he did this weekend: Wilson has emerged as UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen’s favorite weapon in the passing game and he played a huge part in the Bruins' shocking come-from-behind victory over Texas A&M. He finished the game with 15 catches for 208 yards and seemed to be open every time the ball came his way in the second half. Wilson should be a big part of the UCLA offense going forward.
As a recruit: Peters picked up his share of major offers as a high school prospect with FBS programs Kent State, Marshall and MTSU extending scholarships at various times during his recruitment. However, Peters ended up landing at FCS program Liberty, where he played in all 11 games as a true freshman.
What he did this weekend: Peters played a big role in the Flames' stunning upset of Baylor over the weekend, recording seven tackles and two pass deflections against the pass-happy Bears. Peters has shown during his time at Liberty that he has a nose for the ball and that was again the case on Saturday in the biggest win in school history.
As a recruit: Wallace received little to no recruiting interest as a defensive back in the class of 2012, despite being a standout player in the backyard of the Arizona Wildcats. Wallace grew up a fan of Alabama and chased his dream in Tuscaloosa, enrolling at Alabama in the summer of 2013 and joining the football team in the spring of 2014. He eventually was awarded a scholarship in 2016 and was a regular contributor that season.
What he did this weekend: It’s hard to believe that with the way Alabama recruits a former walk-on could crack the playing rotation, but that’s exactly what Wallace did over the weekend. In the second half of the Tide’s 24-7 victory over then No. 3 Florida State Wallace made several key plays, highlighted by an interception of ‘Noles quarterback Deondre Francois. He also finished the game with two tackles and appears to be in line for even more playing time going forward.