College Football Recruiting 2011: Which 5-Star Recruits Could Be Busts?

Every recruiting cycle, we see players that look like world beaters and can't miss prospects. Their film looks phenomenal and their skill set looks complete...on highlight films.

Many people do not actually sit and watch tape on these prospects and go off of hype and here say. With every player, there is equal chance he becomes great as he can flame out. We've identified some players who are billed as elite talents that could be busts in the college ranks.

Bust that clicker and hit begin to start!

Mike Bellamy, RB

Signed with: Clemson

Bellamy is 5'10", 175 pound running back who is among the fastest players in the country. He has great elusiveness, quickness and has been compared to former Tiger running back and current Buffalo Bills star CJ Spiller.

While their skills sets are comparable, Bellamy is 25 pounds lighter than Spiller was and Spiller was a stronger player. I know you're saying that Bellamy's game doesn't rely on strength, which is true. But here is where his lack of strength and muscle mass could make him a bust: breaking tackles.

If he's not strong enough to escape collegiate tackles, then Bellamy will not be able to get out in the open. While he's fast, college defenders have speed as well and if they can get him in their grasp, there may not be as many of the expected highlights from Bellamy at Clemson.

Tim Jernigan, DT

Signed with: Florida State

I hate to do this, I really do, as Jernigan is one of my favorite players in the 2011 crop. But I have to add him this list as a possible bust.

Jernigan is an explosive at the snap, 6'2", 295 pound DT prospect. The key here is the 295, as he was in the 280 range most of his high school career. Jernigan has heard the banter of him being a DT/DE tweener and chose to beef up to stay inside. Could the extra weight hinder Jernigan's biggest asset, his quickness off the ball?

There is also talk that Jernigan has already peaked physically and may not be able to add much more weight. So while I still believe he will be a productive player in Tallahassee, now you have to wonder if he will be as good as advertised.

DeAnthony Thomas, ATH

Signed with: Oregon

Thomas chose to sign with the Ducks over USC on National Signing Day and the talk was that he was sold on playing in the fast break offense Oregon uses. He's listed as an athlete and has played running back, cornerback, safety and receiver for Crenshaw (CA).

The 5'9", 160 pound player has told those around him that he may desire to play running back in college first, then corner. USC wanted him as a corner and knew Thomas needed seasoning at the spot.

Thomas lacks the size and strength to be an every down runner in college and needs technique work at the corner spot. Plus, he lacks the strength to hold his own against bigger receivers.

Brett Hundley, QB

Signed with: UCLA

I look at Hundley as a potential bust in the sense of the hype that Bruins fans are heaping onto him. He's being asked to be the savior of UCLA football. It's starting to get to the Ron Powlus-Notre Dame, Kyle Boller-Cal, Jimmy Clausen-Notre Dame level.

Hundley certainly has the talent to be a great player in Westwood, but to save a program that has a dominant rival right across town, lacks a good amount of talent and is known as a basketball school is a tough task to put onto a 17-year-old's shoulders.

But with the Bruins sticking with the pistol offense and bringing in Jim Mastro from Nevada to help should make things easier. Hundley has a similar skills set to former Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick, so envisioning him doing similar things as Kaepernick is not out of the question.

But asking him to "save" a program is tough.

Jarvis Landry, WR

Signed with: LSU

Landry is a quick and fast athlete and a playmaker at receiver. He stands 5'11" and is dynamic with the ball in his hands. Yet there are questions about Landry's strength and ability to gain separation against bigger defensive backs.

He only weighs 178 pounds and corners are getting taller and bigger every year. Marcus Roberson and Malcolm Mitchell, two of the top corner back prospects in the 2011 class, both stand at 6'1" and are strong to press in man coverage.

Landry's lack of strength to get off the line of scrimmage in his release against press coverage could hinder his ability to gain separation and get downfield. This has to be a concern.

Kris Frost, LB/WR/ATH

Signed with: Auburn

Frost is on this list of potential busts only because of the ongoing talk about him playing receiver. If he sticks to linebacker, then case closed.

But as long as the receiver questions persist, then you have to wonder.

He's 6'3", 210 pounds and is an excellent athlete. He has a chance to be an All-SEC linebacker, but he lacks the hands, strike zone and pluck-ability to be a receiver in college. He struggles with throws outside his frame and lacks the ball skills to high point balls.

He must stick to playing outside linebacker at Auburn.

George Farmer, WR

Signed with: USC

Farmer is another player that, like Tim Jernigan, I hate to put on this list. He's just a special player with special talents to succeed.

Yet the knock on Farmer is he is not as natural a pass catcher as Robert Woods is and has concentration lapses that lead to drops. 6'2", 200 pounds and 4.3 speed is great, but the key to playing receiver always has and always will be catching the football.

If Farmer doesn't improve his consistent focus and work on attacking the ball with his hands every time, he could find himself in the Trojan dog house and be considered a bust before he leaves Heritage Hall. Small chance of happening, but watching him play does make you raise the questions.