8 Pairs of College Football Recruits Who Could Dominate Together in College
College football brings together elite athletes from across the country, creating lifelong friendships and prolific teammates. The 2015 recruiting class features plenty of potential dynamic duos who could partner up for years to come and alter the fortunes of their team.
Whether it's a quarterback and receiver routinely torching opposing backfields or bookend defensive linemen wreaking havoc, there are several intriguing possible pairings in this cycle. Some of them already appear to be in place with both players committed, while others remain a work in progress and require crucial decisions before national signing day.
We explored possible prospect matchups that could excel at the next level. Program fanbases should be tantalized by the realistic chances of these future tandems coming to fruition.
QB Kyler Murray (Texas) and WR Christian Kirk (Arizona)
1 of 8We got an early glimpse of this possible connection in July at The Opening, an invite-only showcase hosted by Nike. Texas A&M quarterback commit Kyler Murray and undecided receiver Christian Kirk caught fire during seven-on-seven tournament action and displayed strong chemistry, routinely connecting on well-timed downfield passes.
"Kyler is one of my friends, and he's the best quarterback out here I think," Kirk said following a tournament that featured nearly 20 of the country's top passers. "We've taken pretty much every rep together and we have a good relationship."
The standouts have a lot in common, sharing winning pedigrees and gaudy statistics.
Murray, unbeaten as a starter at Allen High School, is a two-time defending state champion and racked up 107 total touchdowns during his sophomore and junior campaigns combined. His senior season started in standard fashion, as he accounted for 499 yards and six touchdowns, per Matt Wixon of The Dallas Morning News.
Kirk, who compiled his second consecutive 1,000-yard receiving effort as a junior, spearheaded Saguaro High School throughout a run to the 2013 state title. He also kicked off the fall in spectacular fashion, tallying 366 all-purpose yards.
The Aggies already hold a commitment from 4-star receiver DaMarkus Lodge and landed top-ranked 2014 pass-catcher Speedy Noil, but Kevin Sumlin's offensive attack has room for more playmakers. Kirk lists Texas A&M among his top six and is expected to take a visit to College Station this season.
Murray has made sure Kirk understands what the two could accomplish together in maroon and white.
"He's my boy and he knows the deal," Murray said this summer. "I don't think I even need to say anything to Christian about that."
DT Trent Thompson (Georgia) and DE Josh Sweat (Virginia)
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Georgia fans would jump for joy if No. 1 overall prospect Josh Sweat joins top-ranked defensive tackle Trent Thompson, who previously held the top spot in 247Sports' composite rankings. The tandem would give Mark Richt's team a fearsome tandem for opponents to deal with as early as next season.
Thompson's long-awaited commitment to the Bulldogs came in August and was soon followed by a flip from former 4-star Alabama defensive lineman pledge Jonathan Ledbetter. Sweat spent time in Athens this summer and will return to campus during the season for a stop on his nationwide official visit tour.
The 6'5", 240-pound prospect is also slated to look at Oregon, Ohio State, Florida State and Virginia Tech.
Both players are freakishly athletic for their respective positions. Thompson moves more like a middle linebacker than lineman in space, while Sweat ran a 4.46 in the 40-yard dash this summer.
The Bulldogs have assembled an impressive stockpile of talent along the defensive front in recent years and would arguably boast the nation's most promising line if Sweat decides to come aboard. He tallied 22 sacks and 94 tackles in 2013 and started his senior season with a pair of sacks.
Thompson established career highs across the board as a junior. The 6'4", 292-pound defensive tackle compiled 83 tackles and 12 sacks.
Both players would benefit from lining up alongside each other.
QB Blake Barnett (California) and WR Calvin Ridley (Florida)
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Southern California quarterback Blake Barnett and Sunshine State playmaker Calvin Ridley starred during seven-on-seven competition at The Opening. In fact, it's fair to say these Alabama pledges stole the show.
Barnett, a 6'4.5", 200-pound passer from Santiago High School, earned Elite 11 MVP honors. Ridley, America's top-ranked receiver, was named the overall MVP at the star-studded event.
They teamed up to claim the tournament title, hooking up for several touchdown passes along the way. It quickly became apparent this duo could thrive together in Tuscaloosa if their commitments remain intact.
"We really found a rhythm together," Barnett said after wrapping up the championship effort. "He's such a talented receiver, and it's big that we have a chance to build some chemistry before we both arrive at Alabama."
This is a tandem that could take the college football scene by storm as early as 2016. Barnett is a dual-threat prospect with rushing abilities that could redefine the Crimson Tide quarterback position, while Ridley's big-play potential was on full display in 2013 when he averaged nearly 28 yards per reception at Monarch High School.
"Get used to 'Barnett to Ridley,' because it will be a dominating theme in the SEC for years to come," Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee wrote this summer.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
CB Kevin Toliver (Florida) and CB Iman Marshall (California)
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Offensive coordinators throughout college football should shudder at the thought of these two teaming up in the same secondary. Iman Marshall and Kevin Toliver are widely considered the top cornerbacks in this class, and recent developments suggest they could join forces.
Marshall plans to use an official visit at LSU, where Toliver committed as a sophomore. The Long Beach Poly High School standout has plenty of respect for his fellow 5-star and is compelled by a possible partnership.
"Toliver is a great athlete, and he's very competitive like me," Marshall said while breaking down his official visit schedule. "We could make some serious noise down there."
Both defenders are listed among the top 10 overall prospects in 247Sports' composite rankings. Though it still seems somewhat far-fetched, it's difficult to put anything past LSU head coach Les Miles and his staff these days when it comes to recruiting.
Marshall didn't surrender a single reception against league opponents last season, while Toliver effectively shut down his half of the field during a state title run at Trinity Christian Academy.
Defensive coordinator John Chavis would have endless options in press-man coverage schemes with two physical, rangy cornerbacks. It's a duo that could realistically duplicate the success enjoyed by former Tigers stars Tyrann Mathieu and Patrick Peterson.
WR K.J. Hill (Arkansas) and TE Will Gragg (Arkansas)
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Arkansas identified K.J. Hill and Will Gragg as pivotal in-state prospects early in this recruiting cycle. Now five months shy of national signing day, it's one down and one to go for the Razorbacks.
Hill, a prolific wide receiver from North Little Rock High School, committed in late August. The 6'0", 190-pound pass-catcher was expected to take five official visits before reaching a decision but opted to announce at the start of his senior season.
Arkansas joined Notre Dame, Alabama, Ohio State and Florida on his narrowed-down list of favorites before landing the highly anticipated pledge. Hill caught 63 passes for 1,143 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2013.
Gragg, a versatile 6'4", 245-pound Dumas High School standout, knows the spotlight is now squarely on him as Arkansas aims to improve its offensive attack. Hill is a friend and has already begun petitioning the tight end to join him in Fayetteville.
"There's definitely a chance I could end up playing with him," Gragg told KTHV, Little Rock's CBS affiliate. "Right now I'm still weighing my options."
The younger brother of former Arkansas standout and current Buffalo Bills tight end Chris Gragg obviously has family ties to the program. He is expected to visit campus this weekend after postponing his previously scheduled trip to Texas.
Gragg, who impressed as a downfield receiver at The Opening, would provide another dynamic threat in head coach Bret Bielema's retooled offense. His commitment announcement is set for Sept. 23, per Richard Davenport of WholeHogSports.com, with Alabama, Ole Miss, Texas, LSU and Mississippi State serving as the Razorbacks' primary competition.
LB Justin Hilliard (Ohio) and DE Jashon Cornell (Minnesota)
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Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer has been persistent in his efforts to upgrade the Buckeyes' defense. That diligence continues to attract top-tier recruits to Columbus and helped the team secure clutch commitments from 5-star outside linebacker Justin Hilliard and disruptive pass-rusher Jashon Cornell.
Their July 2 announcement ceremonies practically coincided, occurring minutes apart. By the time both coveted defenders declared their intentions to attend Ohio State, it was apparent how meaningful the moment was for a program on the cusp of contending for national championships.
Hilliard, a product of St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, is the consensus No. 1 senior in Ohio. Cornell, a 6'4", 260-pound defensive end from Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul, picked up 29 sacks during the past two seasons.
The two understand they're capable of making a major impact early in their collegiate careers. Cornell explained that potential during a conversation with Ari Wasserman of Cleveland.com.
"We have had the idea of having two great athletes – two elite players on defense – playing on the same team, and it'll be like the Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs combo. We have been thinking about that since my sophomore year. I think we'd have a big impact on a defense. If we're playing on the same side, it would be a lock down – nobody would run to our side. There's no offense that would be able to play against us because we think we're beasts.
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RB Derrius Guice (Louisiana) and RB Nick Brossette (Louisiana)
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The hype in Baton Rouge currently swirls around freshman running back Leonard Fournette, who is viewed as the position's best prospect since perhaps Adrian Peterson. The rich will get richer next season when LSU welcomes in 4-star rushers Derrius Guice and Nick Brossette.
The in-state standouts are each considered top-15 running back recruits and combined to gain nearly 3,300 yards on the ground last season, scoring 50 rushing touchdowns in the process. Fournette may be the headliner in coming years, but he certainly won't be alone as a backfield threat.
Brossette broke Louisiana's all-time scoring record before the end of his junior campaign and will spend this autumn setting the bar even higher. Guice, a speedster who can also contribute in the passing game, hasn't posted prolific numbers but actually received a higher rating in 247Sports' composite rankings (No. 8 compared to No. 14).
“He’s a freak,” Catholic High School assistant coach Anthony Camp told Lawrence Barreca of The Daily Reveille. “Kids like that don’t come around very often. I’m glad he’s on our team because I’d hate to defend against him. That kid runs his heart out, and it’s fun to watch.”
Opposing defenses can expect a fully stocked Tigers run game to wreak havoc and create matchup nightmares with Guice and Brossette joining the mix. Count on them to compete hard for carries on a talent-laden depth chart.
QB Brady White (California) and WR Trent Irwin (California)
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We don't see heralded high school quarterback-receiver duos remain intact heading into college on a regular basis, but Brady White and Trent Irwin could buck that trend. The Hart High School stars emerged as prime Pac-12 targets during an explosive junior season and rank among the most accomplished teammates in America.
White committed to Arizona State over Cal, Oregon and Penn State this spring, while Irwin remains uncommitted. The 6'2", 190-pound receiver is predominately focused on Stanford and Arizona State, where he could continue a special bond with his quarterback.
"Of course I'd love for Trent to join me at Arizona State," White said this summer. "It's ultimately his decision, but I think we could do some big things if that happens."
They've already done plenty of big things together since White took over as starting quarterback in 2012. Their timing is impeccable and never looked better than in the team's season opener last week, when White set a single-game school passing record (537 yards) and found Irwin 10 times for 283 yards and a score.
Dating back to the beginning of last season, White and Irwin have connected for 86 completions, 1,694 yards and 20 touchdowns. They also teamed up in seven-on-seven action at The Opening, owning elite defensive backs with pre-established chemistry other competitors lacked.
Sun Devils fans hope to see their relationship last for years to come.
All quotes obtained firsthand by B/R national recruiting analyst Tyler Donohue unless otherwise noted.
Recruit ratings and statistics courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.
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