Do 5-stars win championships? Let’s break down the 4 Playoff teams
By Chris Wright
Published:
Recruiting has grown so enormous college football officials added extra signing days to accommodate it.
But do the recruiting titles in February (and now December) translate into national titles in January?
They certainly help, but last year, a former walk-on scored the championship-winning touchdown in the final seconds of the 2016 season.
This year, a former walk-on walked away with the Heisman Trophy and now has his sights on the College Football Playoff.
Keep that in mind as we break down the recruiting backgrounds of the starters on the four Playoff teams.
No. 1 Clemson
[table “” not found /]No. 2 Oklahoma
[table “” not found /]No. 3 Georgia
[table “” not found /]No. 4 Alabama
[table “” not found /]A closer look at the QBs
[table “” not found /]Takeaway
If you believe national titles are won on signing days, you’re probably wondering how Oklahoma got here.
Mayfield and his center, Erick Wren, were both walk-ons. Six defensive starters were 3-star prospects. Last year was the first time since 2010 that the Sooners signed a top-10 recruiting class. Even that class, ranked No. 8, trailed Alabama and Georgia.
Heck, Lincoln Riley, their first-year, first-time head coach, was East Carolina’s offensive coordinator just four seasons ago.
Overachievers, all of them. Clearly, they aren’t the most decorated team in the Playoff, but they might be the most dangerous.
Managing Editor
A 30-time APSE award-winning editor with previous stints at the Miami Herald, The Indianapolis Star and News & Observer, Executive Editor Chris Wright oversees editorial operations for Saturday Down South.
