10 SEC players from 2015 class who vastly outperformed their recruiting ranking
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It’s still a little early to make a final analysis, but there have already been a number of those recruited from the topsy-turvy 2015 class who have exceeded their respective recruiting rankings.
With still plenty of time to develop into a star player regardless of how many were bestowed on them during their time as recruits, here are 10 who have gotten a head start on outperforming the expectations of those who rank them, like 247sports.com.
Keep this in mind if your favorite team doesn’t bring in as many 4-star prospects as you’d like next week.
1. QB Chad Kelly, Ole Miss, 3-star: No player better exemplifies what can be achieved with continued belief and strong work ethic. After two forgettable years with Clemson, Kelly transferred to Ole Miss and in two seasons threw for 6,800 yards and 50 touchdowns and transformed into an NFL prospect.
2. S Justin Evans, Texas A&M, 3-star: The JUCO transfer made an immediate impact on the Aggies’ defense and additionally became a weapon as a kick returner. In two seasons, Evans recorded 165 tackles. He led the Aggies with four pass interceptions this past season.
3. RB Rawleigh Williams III, Arkansas, 3-star: The 5-10, 223-pounder stepped into the spotlight in 2016, leading the Razorbacks’ ground game with 1,360 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. The sophomore finished fourth in the SEC in rushing, a huge rise from being the No. 540 player in the country in the 2015 class.
4. WR Antonio Callaway, Florida, 3-star: Callaway was ranked No. 363 overall in his class, a distant No. 47 among receivers. At an undersized 5-11, 198 pounds, the sophomore has been an integral part of the Gators’ offense since stepping onto the campus. In two seasons he has 89 catches for 1,399 yards and seven touchdowns.
5. ILB Jordan Jones, Kentucky, 3-star: Talk about your diamonds in the rough! This sophomore has made the most of his opportunity, finishing third in the SEC in tackles with 109, including an SEC-leading 74 solo stops. Including in those stats were four sacks. He has come out of nowhere to become a leader on a Wildcats defense full of recruiting overachievers that also includes No. 953 prospect Chris Westry.
6. P Corey Fatony, Missouri, 2-star: Not expected to do much, Fatony has far exceeded that notion already. Just a sophomore, Fatony was fifth in the SEC this season averaging 43.85 yards on 66 punts this past season. That’s slightly better than the 42.93 average he turned in as a freshman.
7. QB Jake Hubenak, Texas A&M, 2-star: This junior transfer rose up the depth chart and in two seasons has played in 11 games, starting three. He’s thrown for 1,283 yards and nine touchdowns. A valuable commodity, Hubenak will battle for the starting job in 2017, his senior season.
8. OLB Josh Allen, Kentucky, 2-star: A rising star in the Kentucky defense, Allen made his presence felt in 2016, his sophomore season. He was among the SEC sack leaders with 7.0 and totaled 62 tackles. He was so lightly regarded he didn’t crack the national top 1,000 list.
9. C Erik McCoy, Texas A&M, 3-star: The redshirt freshman has already overachieved. The 6-4, 305-pounder worked his way into the starting lineup and played in all 13 games for the Aggies this season. He will be the anchor of the Texas A&M offensive line for years to come. He wasn’t among the nation’s top 1,000 recruits, either, and No. 134 in Texas.
10. RB John Kelly, Tennessee, 3-star: Undersized at 5-10, 208, Kelly was just the No. 538 prospect in the class. He was No. 39 among running backs, but he showed his value in during Tennessee’s turbulent 2016 season, when he finished second on the team with 630 rushing yards.
Glenn Sattell is an award-winning freelance writer for Saturday Down South.
