4-Star Recruits Who Are Incredibly Close to Becoming 5-Star Prospects

Being named a 5-star prospect is a huge honor and means that you're a supreme prospect who is at an elite level. It's the status in recruiting that is the most coveted by high school football players around the country.

It doesn't always mean that you're going to be a superstar, but it's a desired honor nonetheless. 4-star prospects are also highly touted and excellent football players. They just may be a notch below where a 5-star prospect is at right now.

Like I frequently say, recruiting and rankings are very fluid. This includes star ratings, and looking across the landscape now, I see several 4-star prospects who are getting close to becoming 5-star prospects.

Let's take a look at who they are.

5. Thomas Tyner, RB

Tyner came into this recruiting cycle as a 5-star prospect but saw his status get downgraded to 4-stars because of his injury history.

This season Tyner went off, including posting a 643 yard and 10 TD game. He's a 6'0" RB that is committed to Oregon and has grown to be close to 220 pounds.

Look for Tyner to start to regain his 5-star status soon. 

4. Jonathan Allen, DE

Allen's stock continues to rise, as he is now No. 40 in the ESPNU 150. Rivals.com lists his weight at 255 pounds, which is a 30-pound-of-beef increase compared to his commonly given 225-pound listing.

The Alabama commit is a 6'3", DE from Virginia who has a high ceiling. Allen displays solid snap quickness and the ability to set edges vs. the run. He can pin his ears back and attack the passer with a speed rush or stack blocks and hold up runs. 

3. Mike Mitchell, LB

Mitchell is another prospect who is rising up many boards, including mine. He is a 6'4", 'backer who is in the 220-pound range with great physical tools.

On tape, Mitchell shows a long frame that has good straight-line speed, toughness, instincts and hitting ability. I think he could opt for Ohio State, Florida State or Texas A&M. 

Whoever lands him could be signing a 5-star prospect.

2. Max Redfield, S/ATH

There's a good reason why USC and Trojan fans were feeling the sting when Redfield de-committed: because he's very good.

Redfield is 6'2", 195 pounds and has excellent speed, range, ball skills and athleticism. He is so gifted athletically that he could easily be among the nation's top WR prospects if he weren't perceived as a FS.

Before this cycle ends, Redfield could earn the coveted 5th star. 

1. Alvin Kamara, RB

From Georgia, Kamara is 5'10" and 192 pounds. He's among the best overall players in the country and deserves to be a 5-star recruit.

Kamara is a nightmare for defenses and has just about everything needed to be not only a successful college back, but also to be considered one of the best in the country.

Speed, quickness, instincts, strength, balance, agility, receiving ability and blocking skills are just the tip of the iceberg that this should-be 5-star prospect possesses.

Edwin Weathersby is the College Football Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. He has worked in scouting/player personnel departments for three professional football teams, including the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and the Las Vegas Gladiators of the Arena League. He spent a year evaluating prep prospects and writing specific recruiting and scouting content articles for Student Sports Football (formerly ESPN Rise-HS). A syndicated scout and writer, he's also contributed to WeAreSC.com, GatorBait.net and Diamonds in the Rough Inc., a College Football and NFL Draft magazine.