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Two-Star Checkup: Lone Star State standouts making big plays

Every Thursday during the college football season, we look back on some two-star prospects who are outplaying their high school ranking and helping their teams win games. This week we look at a trio of Texas natives who flew under the radar as recruits but made plenty of plays on the big stage over the weekend.

MORE CHECKUPS: Five-stars | Four-stars | Three-stars

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Chris Orr
Chris Orr (AP Images)

As a recruit: A Texas native, Orr didn’t receive much interest during his recruitment, with only a trio of programs, Wisconsin, Nevada and North Texas, extending offers. Orr jumped on his chance to join the fold with Wisconsin, committing on an unofficial visit following his junior year. Despite a coaching change in Madison, Orr stuck with his commitment.

What he did this week: Orr stepped into the starting lineup by the midway point of his freshman season and looked like a major recruiting steal for the Badgers. But injuries kept him from all but one play in the 2016 season. Finally healthy, Orr has stepped back into the starting lineup for the Badgers and in Saturday’s victory over Illinois he led the team in tackles with seven total stops while also recording a quarterback hurry. On the season, Orr is Wisconsin’s fourth leading tackler and continues to look like a recruiting steal.

J.D. Waggoner
J.D. Waggoner (AP Images)

As a recruit: Waggoner saw limited interest as a recruit, with just a pair of programs, Iowa State and New Mexico State, extending scholarship offers. Waggoner picked up the offer from the Cyclones and visited during the summer prior to his senior year and committed shortly thereafter.

What he did this week: Waggoner has spent most of his career at Iowa State as a rotation player, starting seven combined games during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. But much like the rest of the Iowa State team, Waggoner is having a breakout year in 2017. In Saturday’s win over TCU, Waggoner had three tackles, including 1.5 for loss. The performance is part of a career year for Waggoner, who has already set career-highs in total tackles and tackles-for-loss this season.

Ramon Richards
Ramon Richards (AP Images)

As a recruit: An accomplished student as well as a standout athlete, Richards had to weigh an Ivy League education against the possibility of playing big-time football. After picking up offers from Harvard, Yale and others, Richards chose to commit to Oklahoma State during the summer prior to his senior season.

What he did this week: Injuries pressed Richards into action early in his Oklahoma State career and he has been a part of the rotation ever since. In Saturday’s victory over West Virginia, Richards tied for the team lead in tackles with six stops while also recording two pass deflections. Richards has blossomed into one of the Cowboys' best defensive backs and is tied for the team lead in interceptions and pass deflections while ranking fourth on the team in total tackles. A diamond in the rough, Richards has been a major steal for Oklahoma State.

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