Texas, USC, and Florida Have Whiffed On A Lot of Five-Star Recruits
By Ty Duffy
Yesterday, we ran a piece on Top 20 recruits from 2007 to 2011. We noticed a pattern. Florida, Texas, and USC–the perceived top programs in the three largest football talent states–fell off as national powers as the 2000s became the 2010s. The “difference-making” recruits not making much of a difference was a critical factor.
Thirty-two of the 100 Top 20 recruits ended up at those three schools. Only four – Matt Elam, Carlos Dunlap, Jackson Jeffcoat, and Robert Woods – made first-team all conference, lower than the number who had “colorful” off the field incidents.
The tally makes for some ugly reading. So, for those unaffiliated with those three schools, here you go.
Florida Gators
Urban’s second generation of “ballers” had some issues. Matt Elam and Carlos Dunlap lived up to their potential. The other nine Top 20 overall recruits, for various reasons, did not. Two All-SEC seasons from 11 players was not a great return rate.
Jeff Driskel [QB – 2011] Showed decent potential his sophomore year, then got injured, lost his starting job, and transferred.
Dominique Easley [DT – 2010] Very good and productive when healthy, ended up being a first round pick.
Matt Elam [S – 2010] First-team All-American. First-team All-SEC. 1st Round Draft Pick.
Jelani Jenkins [LB – 2009] Talented. Never quite hit his potential, injured during junior year and left for the draft.
Andre DeBose [WR – 2009] Decent return man. Complete non-entity as a WR over five years.
Will Hill [S – 2008] Moderate disappointment on the field. Colorful social media presence. Myriad of off-the-field issues.
Omar Hunter [DT – 2008] Starter, never quite panned out. Noted Urban Meyer critic.
Carlos Dunlap [DE – 2007] Great game against Oklahoma. 1st-team All-SEC. Second round draft pick.
James Wilson [OT – 2007] Multiple knee injuries over six seasons.
Texas Longhorns
The Longhorns brought in eight Top 20 Overall recruits from 2007 to 2011. Not all were busts. Some were quite good, but just managed one All-Big 12 season.
Malcolm Brown [RB – 2011] – Showed flashes, but was limited by injuries. Never had a 1,000-yard season. He made one Second Team All-Big 12 team.
Jackson Jeffcoat [DE – 2010] Consensus All-American and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.
Jordan Hicks [LB – 2010] Missed most of two seasons due to injuries. Had one second-team All-Big 12 season.
Mike Davis [WR – 2010] Solid but unspectacular receiver with 2,753 yards and 18 touchdowns over four years.
Garrett Gilbert [QB – 2009] Flamed out replacing Colt McCoy. Transferred to SMU.
Mason Walters [OT – 2009] Started 51 games. Made one second-team All-Big 12.
Tray Allen [G – 2007] Missed a season due to injury. Made six starts, all as a redshirt senior.
John Chiles [WR – 2007] Shuttled between QB and WR. Peaked as a senior as Texas’ third-best receiver.
USC Trojans
The Trojans signed some monster recruiting classes toward the end of the Carroll era. Not much came from the Top 20 overall recruits. 13 were signed between 2007 and 2011. One, Robert Woods, became a first-team all-conference selection.
George Farmer [WR – 2011] Career ruined by injuries. Pete Carroll tried to make him a DB in the NFL.
Robert Woods [WR – 2010] All-American. All-Pac 12. Second round pick.
Kyle Prater [WR – 2010] Transferred to Northwestern. Topped out as an okay B1G receiver his senior year.
Xavier Grimble [TE – 2010] Became a decent starting tight end. Injured.
Matt Barkley [QB – 2009] Very good four-year starter. Senior year was a disappointment after Heisman hype.
Devon Kennard [DE – 2009] Shuffled positions early. Settled at OLB. Second-team All Pac 12 season as a junior. 5th round pick.
Blake Ayles [TE – 2008] Non-factor. Transferred to Miami. Retired after a concussion.
Joe McKnight [RB – 2007] No. 1 overall recruit. Hammered by injuries. Ended up being good, not great. 4th round pick. Hardly the “next Reggie Bush” he was anticipated to be.
Chris Galippo [LB – 2007] Good starter when healthy. Went undrafted.
Marc Tyler [RB – 2007] Moderate success. Led the team in rushing in 2010.
Everson Griffen [DE – 2007] Second-team All Pac 10 as a junior. Fourth round pick. Notable beach partier.
Ronald Johnson [WR – 2007] Decent return man. Good, but not great receiver.
Aaron Corp [QB – 2007] Was presumptive starter in 2009 before breaking his leg. Transferred to Richmond.