2009 Recruiting
What Happened To the 5-Star Prospects? ... The Busts
The 5-Star Prospects From 2005 That Weren't Worth All The Attention
By
Richard Cirminiello
CFN Top Prospects
1-75
| 76-150
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Quarterbacks
| Running Backs
| Receivers
|
O Linemen
-
D Linemen
| Linebackers
|
Defensive Backs
-
Re-Ranking the 2004 Recruiting Classes
-
Re-Ranking the 2003 Recruiting Classes
- Recruiting Booms & Busts
... the 2002 Class
- Recruiting Booms & Busts
... the 2003 Class
- Recruiting Booms ... the
2005 Class
The
five-star recruit. The Holy Grail for any coaching staff, university,
and fan base. There are talented high school players, and then there are
the five-star athletes, the top 1% of available candidates, and the
caliber of players that programs and recruiting classes are built
around. However, the glow of landing one of these rare gems can
sometimes fade before the following February’s signing day.
The stark reality each year is that even the highest-rated
recruits can be hit-or-miss, an inexact science that’s part exhilarating
and part unbelievably maddening. To illustrate this point, all you’ve
got to do is take a revisionist look at the 51 blue-chippers from four
years ago to see who lived up to expectations and who was living a lie.
Only a fraction, about 40%, went on to perform like the best of the
best, which ought to somewhat temper your enthusiasm for next week’s
signing day. Below are the players who went boom ... they weren't
worth the hype.
*Historical rankings from 2005 are courtesy of Scout.com. The number
next to each player was where Scout.com had the player ranked overall in
2005.
50. RB Jason Gwaltney, West Virginia – The curious case of
Jason Gwaltney might still have a final chapter that’s yet to be told.
Hailed as the most heralded recruit in Mountaineer history, he played
sparingly as a freshman before getting derailed by academic issues,
off-field problems, and the emergence of Steve Slaton. Although much of
the last two years have been spent at Nassau (NY) Community College,
he’s back in Morgantown, attempting to earn his way back on the field as
a walk-on with a year of eligibility left.
Worth
the Hype? Nope
47. RB LaMarcus Coker, Tennessee – Coker’s stay in Knoxville was
a short one. That’s bound to happen when you get suspended three times
in less than a year. He showed flashes of stardom in 2006 and 2007,
which are now popping up at Hampton, his new school. In his first season
with the Pirates, he rushed for 622 yards and a score on 144 carries.
Worth
the Hype? Nope
46. DT
Melvin Alaeze, Maryland – Arguably the biggest bust from this class,
Alaeze was the classic million-dollar athlete with the ten-cent head. A
year after signing with Maryland, the university withdrew his
scholarship for drug-related charges. He then transferred to Illinois,
but never played a down, and is serving an eight-year prison sentence
for his role in a shooting and robbery.
Worth
the Hype? Nope
45. OG
Dan Doering, Iowa – While Doering has been a valuable and versatile
backup for the last three seasons, that’s not what you expect from one
of the nation’s top-ranked offensive line prospects. Unable to crack the
Hawkeye starting lineup, in part because of injuries, he has one more
year to get noticed, possibly as the replacement for Seth Olsen at right
guard.
Worth
the Hype? Nope
41. LB Darius Dewberry, Georgia – In three seasons, Dewberry has
started only six games for the Dawgs, doing most of his hitting on
special teams. He had just six tackles in 10 games last fall, and will
continue having trouble getting reps in 2008 surrounded by a very young
and very talented corps of Georgia linebackers.
Worth
the Hype? Nope
40. DT Marques Slocum, Michigan – Slocum played just one
forgettable season with the Wolverines, never approaching his potential
as an interior lineman. His three-year soap opera in Ann Arbor had a
fitting end last summer when new coach Rich Rodriguez gave him the boot,
citing academic and football-related issues. He’s trying revive his
career, going the JUCO route last year while seeking a home in the FCS.
Worth
the Hype? Nope
38. WR Selwyn Lymon, Purdue – Lymon made plenty of headlines
while at Purdue, but rarely for what he did on the field. During his
three years in West Lafayette, he was stabbed, arrested, and eventually
shown the door by Joe Tiller. While he caught some passes for the
Boilermakers, it wasn’t enough to compensate for all of the headaches he
created away from Ross-Ade.
Worth
the Hype? Not quite
37. RB
Kevin Grady, Michigan – Grady’s Wolverine may have started well, but
it ended in disaster. After rushing for 483 yards as a true freshman, he
rarely played as a sophomore, tore his ACL as a junior, and was arrested
and suspended last July for a DUI. He appeared in 10 games, rushing for
33 yards and a score on 14 carries.
Worth
the Hype? Nope
36. CB Avery Atkins, Florida – A tragedy far beyond the football
field, Atkins got in hot water early on for reasons that ranged from
domestic violence on the mother of his child to possession of drugs and
firearms. The summer after transferring to Bethune-Cookman, he was found
dead in his car in what was labeled by police as a suspicious death.
Worth
the Hype? Nope
35. LB Luthur Brown, USC – While there’s still one more year for
Brown to make his mark on the Trojans, he’s quickly running out of time.
A career reserve with the program, he was unable to suit up in 2008
because of a recurring back problem. All three of this year’s starters
graduate, however, so there’s still an opportunity to make a mark in
2009.
Worth
the Hype? Nope
34. DT Jerrell Powe, Ole Miss – A study in academic
perseverance, Powe took more than three years before being able to
qualify and suit up for the Rebels. While he failed to have a major
impact on the 2008 squad, there’s an opening at defensive tackle, and an
opportunity for him to rekindle his high school form next season. If he
can get himself in better shape, there’s hope he can still perform like
a five-star recruit.
Worth
the Hype? Nope
33. OT Dace Richardson, Iowa – For Richardson, the talent has
always been there, but the health has not. After laying the groundwork
in 2005 and 2006 for a terrific career, he was felled by a series of
knee injuries that required surgery. The problems interrupted much of
his 2007 season and shelved him for 2008. He remains cautiously
optimistic that he’ll resume his career in the spring.
Worth the Hype? Nope
31. RB Toney Baker, NC State – Baker appeared headed for a
breakthrough second half of his career before a serious knee fouled
things up. A powerful runner, who ran for 1,234 yards in his first two
years, he tore his ACL in early 2007, and has yet to get back on the
field. After having extra cartilage removed in August, he’s eyeing a
return to the Pack in the spring.
Worth the Hype? Not quite
30. DB
Jamario O’Neal, Ohio State – O’Neal earned four letters in Columbus
and was a valuable reserve, but ultimately fell victim to the depth in
the secondary at Ohio State. The odd man out each season, he lacked the
consistency and the confidence of the coaches to leapfrog one of the
starters at either at safety or cornerback. He leaves the Buckeyes as a
disappointment, falling way short of expectations.
Worth the Hype? Nope
29. S C.J. Byrd, Georgia – Byrd had a good career with the
Bulldogs. Dawg fans, however, were banking on greatness. He lettered all
four seasons and started the last two years, yet never blossomed into an
elite player at this level. Any thoughts of a pro career will likely
require taking the free agent route to the NFL.
Worth the Hype? Not quite
27. DT Doug Worthington, Ohio State – Worthington has been a good
player on the inside for the Buckeyes. The team is hoping that greatness
bubbles to the surface in 2009. A starter in each of the last two
seasons, he’s got end quickness in a tackle’s body. This past year, he
had 34 tackles and five stops behind the line.
Worth
the Hype? Not quite
26. DT Kade Weston, Georgia – After appearing to be building
toward something big in his first two years, Weston regressed as a
junior, making 10 appearances and 18 tackles in a reserve role. Nagging
injuries throughout the year were certainly a key factor in the decline.
With the lure of an NFL contract hanging out there, don’t be surprised
if he delivers the best season of his college career in 2009.
Worth
the Hype? Not quite
25. OT Reggie Youngblood, Miami – While an important part of the
Miami offense and a valued teammate, Youngblood never rose to the level
expected of a five-star recruit. Bruised and battered throughout his
Hurricane career, he logged starts in each of the last three seasons,
yet wasn’t ever considered an All-ACC-type performer.
Worth the Hype? Not quite
24. TE
DajLeon Farr, Miami – Farr was recruited to be the next big thing at
Tight End U., but after just nine catches in three seasons, he decided
to transfer to Memphis for one final shot at glory. After sitting out
the mandatory year in 2008, he’ll use 2009 as a shot to resuscitate his
career and catch the attention of NFL scouts.
Worth the Hype? Nope
21. QB Jonathan Crompton, Tennessee – After waiting his turn for
two years behind Erik Ainge, Crompton failed to distinguish himself as
the starter in 2008. In fact, midway through the year, he got nudged to
the second team behind sophomore Nick Stephens. In eight games, Crompton
was only able to produce four touchdown passes and 889 yards. He has one
final year with a new staff to turn things around.
Worth
the Hype? Nope
17. DT Averell Spicer, USC – Four years into his Trojan career,
Spicer has yet to carve out a regular role on the defensive line. That’s
about a season too long for such a coveted high school recruit. He
opened 2008 as the starter at the nose, but lost his job after the
Oregon State debacle, giving way to Christian Tupou for the rest of the
year.
Worth
the Hype? Nope
16. DT Callahan Bright, Florida State – The most frustrating
thing about Bright’s plight is that he was such an exciting talent
coming out of high school. However, he never qualified academically or
played a down for the Seminoles, bounced around at a lower level, got
arrested for marijuana possession, and did a humbling stretch as a trash
collector. Today, he’s trying to get his act together at tiny Shaw
University in North Carolina.
Worth
the Hype? Nope
13. WR Fred Rouse, Florida State – A dynamite all-around athlete,
Rouse has been his own worst enemy. He wore out his welcome with the
Seminoles, getting dumped from the team following the 2005 season, and
voluntarily leaving El Paso after one season with UTEP. Last season was
spent at Texas Southern without making a grab. Bad news has had a habit
of following this guy wherever he goes.
Worth
the Hype? Nope
12. RB Marlon Lucky, Nebraska – Lucky’s shifty running style
wasn’t always appreciated by the fans and his expectations were in
another galaxy, but he did have some shining moments in Lincoln. There
was the 1,000-yard season and All-Big 12 recognition in 2007, and the
135 receptions that made him such a weapon in the passing game. Still,
if you recall the hype surrounding his arrival four years ago, he has to
be considered a mild disappointment.
Worth
the Hype? Sort of
11. QB Ryan Perrilloux, LSU – So much talent. So little common
sense. For Perrilloux, it was a frustrating combination that kept him
from ever flourishing in Baton Rouge. He was always in trouble and never
content as the backup, eventually getting run out of LSU last spring,
and transferring to Jacksonville State. He accounted for 26 touchdowns
in his first season with the Gamecocks, and is still considered an NFL
prospect.
Worth
the Hype? Nope
10. DB Demetrice Morley, Tennessee – It’s been a rollercoaster
ride for Morley, who’s been in and out of hot water with the program. A
starter as a sophomore, he was dismissed from the program two years ago
for academic reasons, and forced to get a job to pay for tuition at
Pellissippi State Technical Community College. Morley has made his way
back to UT, starting at free safety in 2008, and has another year to
improve his college brag sheet.
Worth
the Hype? Not Quite
8. LB Tray Blackmon, Auburn – All sizzle, no steak. A perennial
fan-favorite because of his potential and playing style, Blackmon wound
up being better known for the injuries and suspensions that kept him
from getting on the field. His star-crossed Auburn career officially
ended in January, when he failed to enroll in classes and turn his
attention to the CFL draft.
Worth
the Hype? Nope
6. DT DeMarcus Granger, Oklahoma – While every bit as talented as
his 2005 ranking, Granger has been detoured lately by injuries. An
All-Big 12 pick in 2007 and a next-level run stopper, he missed time
last fall with a foot injury and back problems. The Sooners are holding
out hope that the back surgery performed at the end of last year could
have lingering effects in 2009.
Worth
the Hype? Sort of
4. TE Tony Moeaki, Iowa – Persistent injuries over the last two
seasons have prevented Moeaki from maxing out his full potential. He’s
made 46 career grabs, peaking at the beginning of 2007 with an
eight-catch, three-touchdown effort against Syracuse. He’s hoping to put
it all together next fall, provided the NCAA grants him a medical
hardship for the eight games he missed two years ago.
Worth
the Hype? Not quite
3. WR Patrick Turner, USC – Admit it. When you first saw Turner,
you swore he’d be the next Mike Williams or Dwayne Jarrett. Although he
looked the part at 6-5 and 220 pounds, he never emerged into an
All-American as expected, peaking as a senior with 49 catches and a spot
on the All-Pac-10 second team. He was a nice player, but nowhere near
the best receiver in the class.
Worth
the Hype? Sort of
2. RB Antone Smith, Florida State – While there were some
productive moments along the way, Smith never even approached being the
best running back from this class. That honor belongs to Darren
McFadden. Smith muddled through inconsistent support from the passing
game and offensive line to finish with his career with 2,065 yards and
24 total touchdowns.
Worth the Hype?
Not quite
- Recruiting Booms ... the
2005 Class