Commentary

Plenty of stars in Nos. 1-25

Originally Published: December 8, 2011

By Dave Hooker | ESPN Recruiting Nation

Here is a look at how Nos. 1-25 from the 2011 ESPNU 150 fared this season.

More rankings: 1-25 | 26-50 | 51-75 | 76-100 | 101-125 | 126-150

2011 ESPNU 150: Nos. 1-25

1. Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina Despite some November hurdles, Clowney lived up to his billing as the top prospect in the 2011 class. The five-star defensive end suffered a mild concussion in November and was cleared to play one week later versus Clemson, but missed the first quarter due to a violation of team rules. Clowney was second on South Carolina in two categories: tackles for loss (10) and sacks (6). He also had a team-leading five forced fumbles, showcasing the explosive playmaking ability that made him an elite prospect. Clowney registered 32 tackles on the season despite starting only one game.
2. Anthony Johnson, DT, LSU Adjusting to playing defensive tackle in the SEC is no easy feat, yet Johnson did a more than commendable job. It's also not easy for a freshman to work himself into LSU's deep rotation, yet Johnson did that too. He played in all 12 games, registering 10 tackles, including three for loss and a sack.
3. Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama Kouandjio was playing well in reserve duty until he suffered a knee injury against Tennessee in October. He was forced to undergo surgery the next week. Alabama coaches have high expectations for Kouandjio, who is expected to be the left tackle of the future in Tuscaloosa.
4. Isaiah Crowell, RB, Georgia Crowell lived up to the billing on the field, giving Georgia an explosive back when he was in the lineup. Crowell started seven games, leading the Bulldogs in rushing with 894 yards and a 4.7-yard average on 182 carries. While there have been flashes of greatness, Crowell has had two suspensions for violations of team rules, fumbling issues and some injury concerns.
5. Karlos Williams, S, Florida State Williams played in all 12 of the Seminoles' games and registered eight tackles in a limited role. Playing time was hard to come by with older, more experienced safeties above him on the depth chart.
6. Christian Westerman, OT, Auburn Westerman redshirted, but Auburn coaches are said to be high on the offensive lineman and his ability to contribute in the future.
7. Malcolm Brown, RB, Texas Brown led the Longhorns in rushing with 707 yards despite playing in just nine games because of various injuries. Brown averaged 4.4 yards per carry and scored five touchdowns. Clearly, Brown showed he can be a go-to tailback at Texas, but he'll need to get bigger and stronger to withstand a full season in the Big 12. Knee and toe injuries affected his productivity late in the season.
8. La'El Collins, OT, LSU Collins saw limited action at offensive guard in 2011. That experience should help him next season, in which coaches expect him to be a starter.
9. Tony Steward, ILB, Clemson The nation's highest-rated inside linebacker in 2011 played just 36 snaps in five games, registering five tackles and a pass breakup.
10. Jeff Driskel, QB, Florida With senior John Brantley firmly entrenched at the quarterback position, it was tough for Driskel to get snaps. Still, when Brantley was injured, Driskel completed 16 of 34 passes for 148 yards with two interceptions. Driskel was Brantley's backup before the freshman suffered an ankle injury that opened the door for fellow freshman Jacoby Brissett, who held on to the second spot even after Driskel was healthy again. That led to speculation that Driskel might transfer -- perhaps to Ohio State, where the coach who recruited him, Urban Meyer, was hired. The Driskel family has strongly denied that he has any intention of transferring, which sets up an intriguing battle between Driskel and Brissett this spring.
11. Aaron Green, RB, Nebraska With an experienced group of tailbacks above him on the depth chart, Green was the fifth-leading rusher for the Cornhuskers. He rushed 24 times in 2011 for a 4.4-yard per carry average and two touchdowns. He'll have to continue fighting for playing time because carries in Lincoln should be hard to come by in the foreseeable future.
12. George Farmer, WR, USC With one of the best receiving corps in the nation, catches can be hard to come by in USC's offense. Farmer played in four games, catching four passes for 42 yards, and next season might not be much more productive. USC's much-ballyhooed pair of 1,000-yard receivers, Robert Woods and Marqise Lee, are also underclassmen. Woods is a sophomore and Lee is a freshman.
13. Ray Drew, DE, Georgia Considering his lack of playing time, Drew showed signs he can be a solid -- if not standout -- defensive end in the SEC. Playing in just six games, Drew registered 2½ tackles for loss, including a half-sack, three quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery. Drew will likely continue to have to scrap for snaps in 2012 since most of the defensive ends above him on the depth chart, including Georgia's two starters, are scheduled to return.
14. Charone Peake, WR, Clemson Peake played in all 12 games but caught only three passes for 54 yards. Snaps will again be hard to come by in 2012 as the Tigers are slated to return their entire corps of receivers. Still, if Peake continues to develop, Clemson will have an exciting pair of receivers in Sammy Watkins and Peake.
15. Aaron Lynch, DE, Notre Dame Aaron Lynch has exploded onto the scene in South Bend, drawing more personal fouls than coach Brian Kelly would approve of and dropping enough incendiary comments that he was sequestered from the media for November. But don't let those freshman mishaps belie the flashes of greatness he has shown. Lynch started five games for the Fighting Irish. Of his 28 tackles, 5½ were behind the line of scrimmage, including four sacks. He hurried the quarterback 13 times, forced a fumble and broke up two passes. The explosiveness is there. Now, Lynch must learn to be more disciplined, especially by staying in his gap, so he doesn't give up as many big plays as he makes.
16. DeAnthony Thomas, ATH, Oregon He turned into a freshman phenom at Oregon, playing in every game and starting four of the last six, including the last three. Thomas averaged 8.3 yards per carry this season, rushing for 440 yards on 53 carries with five touchdowns. Thomas also led the Ducks in catches and receiving with 40 receptions and 558 yards and nine touchdowns.
17. Tim Jernigan, DE, Florida State Jernigan showed great explosiveness for the Seminoles with six tackles for loss, including 2½ sacks. He also registered three quarterback hurries and recovered a fumble. Jernigan's play was noticed by sports media who cover the conference, as he finished second in the voting for the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year Award.
18. Jay Rome, TE, Georgia Rome redshirted and will play basketball this season. His football playing time in 2012 will depend largely on whether junior tight end Orson Charles decides to return for his senior season. Otherwise, Rome will likely be on the back burner again until 2013.
19. Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama Clinton-Dix played in all 12 games and registered 11 tackles, mostly on special teams, where he certainly caught his coaches' attention. Safety Mark Barron will be gone after this season, but there are more upperclassmen above Clinton-Dix on the depth chart. It would take quite a leap for Clinton-Dix to become a starter, but playing in the nickel or dime package is a possibility. If not, Clinton-Dix can continue to stand out on special teams and shoot for more playing time in the secondary in 2013.
20. Nick O'Leary, TE, Florida State O'Leary caught 12 passes for 164 yards in 2011. The tight end is the heir apparent to senior Beau Reliford and could have a breakout season in 2012. O'Leary's most memorable play from 2011 may be a finger-tip catch of an onside kick that helped secure a win over rival Miami. "He's a really tough kid. He'll do whatever it takes for the team," Florida State receivers coach Bert Reid told the Palm Beach Post after the game. "That was the play of the game."
21. Quandre Diggs, CB, Texas Diggs led the Longhorns in interceptions with three and tied for the team lead in passes defended with 16. He also had 43 tackles, including four for loss, and two forced fumbles. Diggs was the Longhorns' kick returner, with 17 returns for 324 yards, and returned 8 punts for 181 yards and a 22.6-yard average "You just keep adding more and more [to Diggs' responsibilities], and he seems to be handling it all," secondary coach Duane Akina told the Austin Statesman. "All of this is on top of him being a very productive defensive player in a very explosive offensive conference."
22. Xzavier Dickson, DE, Alabama Dickson is one of only seven true freshman to play this season for Alabama. He played in six games and registered two tackles (1½ for loss). His brightest moment of the season came when he shared a sack against Ole Miss. At 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, Dickson has the perfect frame to play linebacker for the Crimson Tide, and his opportunity may come next season. Alabama has three senior linebackers on its two-deep depth chart, and Dont'a Hightower may forego his senior season to enter the NFL draft.
23. Devon Blackmon, ATH, Oregon The Ducks placed Blackmon at receiver. He redshirted this season and underwent shoulder surgery.
24. Anthony Chickillo, DE, Miami Chickillo started nine games and played in all 12 for the Hurricanes this season. Of his 38 tackles, 6½ were behind the line of scrimmage, including five sacks. Chickillo also forced and recovered a fumble and registered a quarterback hurry. Chickillo finished third in the media's vote for ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year.
25. Bobby Hart, OT, Florida State Hart looks like a fixture on Florida State's future offensive lines after starting the final eight games for the Seminoles in 2011. Preseason injuries on the offensive line pushed some Seminoles offensive linemen into action this season. It was surely a struggle at times, but the experience should only help players like Hart in the future.