Re-Ranking the Top 25 Players from the Class of 2015
College football fans love to obsess about recruiting. Commitments, decommitments, five-star signees and under-the-radar sleepers; they all matter.
For some fans, national signing day—the first day that prospects are allowed to sign national letters of intent—is a national holiday. They live and die with signing day decisions and discuss how they'll impact their program of choice.
The truth, of course, is that the real work starts once players arrive on campus. While some live up to the hype, others fade due to injuries, transfer or discipline issues.
It's instructive to take a look at those rankings a couple years down the road to see how players have developed and how accurate those evaluations really were. That's exactly what we're doing here.
Here's a re-ranking of the top 25 players from the class of 2015. Factors like accomplishments in the game, statistics and talent were considered, while Scout.com's rankings were used in this list.
25. Florida OT Martez Ivey
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2015 Class Ranking: No. 3 overall
What He's Done: Martez Ivey was recruited to Florida as a tackle, but the Gators' needs pushed him to left guard for the first two years of his career. He was solid there, making 20 starts and earning second-team All-SEC honors last fall.
Why He's Here: This fall should be even better for Ivey, who stands 6'5", 302 pounds and has a great body and size for the tackle spot. He's ready to take the next step in his development and should do so in 2017 in a more natural position.
24. Washington OT Trey Adams
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2015 Class Ranking: NR overall, No. 34 OT
What He's Done: Washington broke through in Chris Petersen's third season, making the College Football Playoff before falling to Alabama in the Peach Bowl. Quarterback Jake Browning and tailback Myles Gaskin fueled a potent offense, and they stood out with left tackle Trey Adams clearing the way for them.
In his first full season as a starter, Adams was a first-team All-Pac 12 pick and second-team FWAA All-American. He will be one of the game's top linemen this fall.
Why He's Here: Adams has prototypical size for an offensive lineman at 6'8", 309 pounds. He is strong and an imposing force on the line, and he does an excellent job keeping Browning upright and able to do his job. He will lead the Huskies' push for another Pac-12 title in 2017.
23. Florida State QB Deondre Francois
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2015 Class Ranking: No. 118 overall
What He's Done: Florida State must replace home-run hitting tailback Dalvin Cook this fall, but the Seminoles offense is in a good place with Deondre Francois under center.
Francois grabbed the starting quarterback role following a redshirt season and ran with it, throwing for 3,350 yards and 20 touchdowns against seven interceptions and adding 198 yards and five rushing scores on the ground. He is maturing into one of the nation's top quarterbacks.
Why He's Here: Francois has an excellent throwing arm with five 300-yard passing games in his first season as a starter. He also has solid mobility and can scramble and throw on the run. He is an excellent leader for FSU's offense and should improve his numbers across the board as a redshirt sophomore.
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22. Alabama RB Damien Harris
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2015 Class Ranking: No. 55 overall
What He's Done: Offensive coordinators come and go, but Nick Saban and Alabama keep churning out talented, productive running backs. Damien Harris is the latest in that line.
He stepped into the starting tailback role and filled Derrick Henry's shoes capably, rushing for 1,040 yards and two touchdowns while serving in a tandem alongside Bo Scarbrough.
Why He's Here: Harris is powerfully built at 5'11", 214 pounds, fitting the mold favored by Saban. He is a physical runner capable of running between the tackles or breaking off long runs outside them. It will be interesting to see how he shares time with Scarbrough under new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.
21. Ohio State RB Mike Weber
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2015 Class Ranking: No. 69 overall
What He's Done: Ohio State made the College Football Playoff last fall, and despite a 31-0 Fiesta Bowl loss at Clemson's hands, it was a season to remember in Columbus. Redshirt freshman Mike Weber played a big role.
After a season sitting behind star Ezekiel Elliott, Weber claimed the starting role and produced, rushing for 1,096 yards and nine scores. He will be one of the nation's top returning backs this fall.
Why He’s Here: At 5'10", 212 pounds, Weber has a sturdy frame for an every-down back. He mixes power and speed capably and is more than capable of breaking off a big scoring run, which takes some pressure off of the offense and quarterback J.T. Barrett.
20. Georgia DT Trenton Thompson
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2015 Class Ranking: No. 1 overall
What He's Done: Trenton Thompson arrived at Georgia with huge hype as the nation's top overall recruit. Last fall, he started to live up to the promise, making 56 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks while being named the MVP of the Liberty Bowl.
He is currently away from the Bulldogs and has withdrawn from classes after being found disoriented and suffering what UGA called an adverse reaction to prescription drugs, per Chip Towers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. But assuming he returns, Thompson will be one of the SEC's top defensive linemen.
Why He's Here: Thompson is a disruptive force who can make life difficult for opposing offensive linemen and is a constant presence in offensive backfields. He has excellent size and speed and projects as an NFL defensive tackle.
19. Southern California CB Iman Marshall
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2015 Class Ranking: No. 7 overall
What He's Done: Iman Marshall was regarded as one of the nation's top recruits two years ago in 2015 and has backed up the hype. He started every game for Southern California at cornerback last fall and picked up 51 tackles, three interceptions and eight pass breakups. He is an excellent cover corner.
Why He's Here: Marshall stands 6'1", 200 pounds and is a strong, physical corner capable of jamming receivers off the line of scrimmage and keeping up with them downfield. He could play either corner or safety but will stay at safety. With Adoree' Jackson off to the NFL, he will be the Trojans' top corner and a key defensive leader.
18. Arkansas RB Rawleigh Williams
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2015 Class Ranking: NR overall, No. 44 RB
What He's Done: After a frightening neck injury ended his freshman season, Rawleigh Williams bounced back in a big way in 2016. He rushed for 1,360 yards and 12 touchdowns and earned first-team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press, rushing for 100 yards seven times and ripping Mississippi State for 205 yards and four touchdowns.
Why He's Here: He's the latest in a long line of talented Arkansas tailbacks. At 5'10", 223 pounds, Williams mixes power and speed and is tough to bring down—if you can catch him, that is.
17. Texas LB Malik Jefferson
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2015 Class Ranking: No. 4 overall
What He's Done: One of the top players in the Class of 2015 has been a solid part of Texas' defense. Last fall, Malik Jefferson had 62 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks, earning second-team All-Big 12 honors. He will be a crucial piece of what head coach Tom Herman hopes is a quick turnaround in Austin.
Why He's Here: Jefferson is a powerful tackler who is a very athletic linebacker. He also has excellent pass-rush skills and can make plays in offensive backfields across the Big 12. He's a natural fit as an outside linebacker.
16. Southern California LB Cameron Smith
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2015 Class Ranking: No. 130 overall
What He's Done: Southern California's defense steadily improved over the course of 2016, and Cameron Smith played a huge role in that. He earned Freshman All-America honors in 2015 and was even better last fall, making 83 tackles and seven tackles for loss. He will be one of the nation's top linebackers as a junior.
Why He's Here: Smith seems to have a nose for the football, instinctively tracking ball-carriers all over the field and bringing them down quickly. He isn't afraid to make plays from sideline to sideline.
15. UCLA QB Josh Rosen
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2015 Class Rank: No. 12 overall
What He's Done: A shoulder injury ended his sophomore season after six games, but Josh Rosen has already made a significant impact at UCLA.
He threw for 3,670 yards with 23 touchdowns against 11 interceptions as a true freshman, earning Freshman of the Year honors from the Sporting News and Pac-12 Newcomer of the Year honors. If healthy, he is a Heisman Trophy candidate.
Why He's Here: Rosen is a poised pocket passer and has a strong arm. He's one of the nation's top pro-style quarterbacks and has the tools to be a successful NFL quarterback as well.
14. Washington RB Myles Gaskin
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2015 Class Ranking: No. 266 overall
What He's Done: Washington's rise to prominence in 2016 had a big boost from a potent offense. While quarterback Jake Browning got plenty of attention, the Huskies got balance from a powerful run game led by tailback Myles Gaskin.
Gaskin put together his second consecutive 1,300-yard rushing season, rushing for 1,373 yards and 10 scores to earn first-team All-Pac-12 honors.
Why He's Here: Gaskin is a consistent runner who is always ready to take the rock and do good things with it when he does. He's a shade below six feet at 5'10" but has great speed and breakaway ability and is one of the nation's top tailbacks entering 2017.
13. Clemson OT Mitch Hyatt
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2015 Class Ranking: No. 20 overall
What He's Done: Mitch Hyatt stepped right into Clemson's starting left tackle role as a freshman, becoming the first CU true freshman to start his first game since 1980, and he hasn't looked back.
Hyatt has piled up 69.5 knockdown blocks in two seasons, earning first-team All-ACC honors last fall, and was a foundational piece for a high-powered offense that won the program's first national title since 1981.
Why He's Here: Hyatt is a powerful blocker with a well-built frame (6'5", 295 pounds) and did an excellent job protecting Deshaun Watson over his first two seasons. He has good footwork and athleticism and will be an important blocker for the Tigers' new starting QB this fall.
12. Florida State CB Tarvarus McFadden
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2015 Class Ranking: No. 17 overall
What He's Done: Tarvarus McFadden enjoyed a breakout season in 2016 for Florida State. After stepping into the starting role vacated by Jalen Ramsey's NFL draft departure, McFadden piled up eight interceptions, tying for the most in the FBS.
He also won the Jack Tatum Award, given to the nation's top cornerback. He is firmly in position to follow Ramsey to the professional ranks following this season.
Why He's Here: At 6'2", 198 pounds, McFadden has excellent size, speed and ball skills. As his 2016 season showed, he has a nose for the ball and is a confident player. He will be a key cog for FSU's defense and one of the nation's top corners as a junior.
11. Alabama WR Calvin Ridley
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2015 Class Rank: No. 27 overall
What He's Done: Calvin Ridley immediately stepped into a talented Alabama offense and made an impact, earning Freshman All-America honors after piling up 1,045 receiving yards and seven scores.
With true freshman Jalen Hurts at QB last fall, his numbers were down (72 catches, 769 yards, four scores), but Ridley remains one of the nation's best receivers.
Why He's Here: Ridley has breakaway speed and is an excellent big-play threat. He makes Alabama's deep passing game a legit concern for opposing secondaries. As Hurts matures in 2017, Ridley's stats should improve as well.
10. Texas OT Connor Williams
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2015 Class Ranking: NR overall, No. 38 OT
What He's Done: Tom Herman inherits a Texas team that had three consecutive losing seasons under Charlie Strong, but it has some really impressive pieces, including junior left tackle Connor Williams.
Williams is one of the nation's top offensive linemen; he has started 23 games in his UT career and was named as a first-team All-American by CBS Sports, the FWAA, Phil Steele, the Walter Camp Football Foundation and USA Today. He's the fourth sophomore in UT history to be named a first-team all-American.
Why He's Here: Williams has excellent foot speed and a great frame at 6'6", 288 pounds. He is a talented blocker in the run game and also excels in the pass game, rarely allowing pressure from opposing defensive ends and keeping talented quarterback Shane Buechele's jersey clean in the process.
9. LSU DE Arden Key
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2015 Class Rank: No. 105 overall
What He's Done: LSU has sent a long line of talented defensive linemen to the NFL, and Arden Key appears to be next in line.
Key built on a Freshman All-America campaign in 2016, making 56 tackles with 14.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks while leading a nasty LSU defense.
Why He's Here: Key is one of the nation's most productive pass rushers, and at 6'6", 238 pounds, he is a freaky athlete with great length and size. He is a talented defensive end who could also fit in as a pass-rushing outside linebacker and wreak havoc off the edge.
8. Florida State S Derwin James
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2015 Class Rank: No. 6 overall
What He's Done: A torn meniscus ended his 2016 season after two games, but Derwin James showed in 2015 why he was one of the nation's top recruits. He had 91 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and five pass breakups, earning a spot on three Freshman All-America teams. If healthy, he will be one of the nation's top safeties in 2017.
Why He's Here: James is one of the hardest hitters in college football. He helps serve as FSU's last line of defense in the secondary and is good at it, and he also makes big plays off safety blitzes in opposing backfields. He's a strong, physical player and a key part of FSU's defense.
7. Washington QB Jake Browning
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2015 Class Ranking: No. 97 overall
What He's Done: Last fall, Jake Browning emerged as one of the nation's most prolific quarterbacks. He threw for 3,430 yards and his 43 touchdowns tied a Pac-12 single-season record. He was named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year and finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting. He will be a strong Heisman candidate again this fall.
Why He's Here: Browning is a polished passer and the leader of the Washington offense. He is a precise thrower and has a quick release. He faded down the stretch last fall but had offseason surgery on his throwing shoulder, which explains his struggles. He will be healthy and ready to help the Huskies defend their Pac-12 title in 2017.
6. Alabama CB Minkah Fitzpatrick
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2015 Class Ranking: No. 36 overall
What He's Done: Minkah Fitzpatrick has excelled on a talented Alabama defense. He has shown big-play flair with four career interception returns for touchdowns.
Last fall, he made six interceptions, 62 tackles and seven pass breakups while earning first-team All-American honors from the Associated Press, American Football Coaches’ Association and Pro Football Focus.
Why He's Here: Fitzpatrick is an intelligent player who is also versatile, moving to safety last fall after starter Eddie Jackson suffered a season-ending broken leg. He has good eyes, good discipline and can anticipate plays before they happen, all crucial qualities for a good defensive back to have.
5. LSU RB Derrius Guice
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2015 Class Ranking: No. 45 overall
What He's Done: LSU lost Leonard Fournette to the NFL draft, but the Tigers won't miss him that much.
Derrius Guice emerged from Fournette's shadow and carried LSU's run game as a sophomore, filling in while the star nursed leg injuries and rushing for 1,387 yards with 15 touchdowns, including a 252-yard, two-score day vs. Arkansas and a 285-yard, four-score effort vs. Texas A&M. He was a first-team All-SEC selection in 2016 and will be a Heisman Trophy candidate this fall.
Why He's Here: Guice runs with power and speed and is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. At 5'11", 212 pounds, he has an NFL-ready body that will haunt opposing linebackers' dreams, but he will be fun to watch on head coach Ed Orgeron's first LSU team.
4. Texas A&M WR Christian Kirk
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2015 Class Rank: No. 26 overall
What He's Done: Following Johnny Manziel's departure to the NFL, Texas A&M has had consistency issues at quarterback. But whoever emerges as its starter this fall will have a key weapon in wide receiver Christian Kirk.
Last fall, Kirk made 83 catches for 928 yards and nine scores. He was the 2015 SEC Freshman of the Year and has a bright future ahead.
Why He's Here: Kirk is a talented slot receiver with athleticism, speed and burst off the line as well as great hands. He will be one of the nation's top wideouts this fall as a threat on both short and deep routes.
3. Penn State RB Saquon Barkley
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2015 Class Ranking: No. 107 overall
What He's Done: Penn State was one of the nation's most improved teams last fall, going from seven wins to a Big Ten title.
The Nittany Lions flashed a productive, fast-paced offense, and Barkley made it go with 1,496 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. He was named as the Big Ten's Offensive Player of the Year and a third-team Associated Press All-American.
Why He's Here: Barkley is one of the nation's top backs and a Heisman Trophy candidate thanks to his speed and big-play ability. He and quarterback Trace McSorley make an excellent tandem in the Nittany Lions' offensive backfield. He can go the distance every time he gets the ball and is a dangerous runner.
2. Southern California QB Sam Darnold
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2015 Class Rank: No. 292 overall
What He's Done: Southern California was one of the nation's most improved teams last fall, finishing the season on a nine-game win streak after an ugly 1-3 start. It's no coincidence that surge dovetailed with the elevation of Sam Darnold as starting quarterback.
He threw for 3,086 yards with 31 touchdowns against nine interceptions and added 250 rushing yards with two scores on the ground. He was the Pac-12's Freshman of the Year and will be a strong Heisman Trophy candidate for the Trojans in 2017.
Why He's Here: Darnold has a lightning-fast release, is accurate with a strong arm and can move in the pocket and also move the chains with his feet. He is becoming a polished pocket passer and should be even better this fall for one of the nation's best teams.
1. Louisville QB Lamar Jackson
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2015 Class Rank: NR overall
What He's Done: Lamar Jackson broke out in a massive way in 2016. He showed flashes in his first season at Louisville and had one of the most impressive statistical seasons ever by a college quarterback.
He passed for 3,543 yards with 35 touchdowns and nine interceptions and also rushed for 1,571 yards and 21 touchdowns, keeping Louisville in contention for the College Football Playoff until November and winning the Heisman Trophy.
Why He's Here: Jackson is one of the most electrifying players in college football. He has great speed and elusiveness, making big plays with his feet and his arms and leaving defenders flat-footed in his wake. He is an excellent big-play college quarterback.
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