re: Class of 2015 Recruiting MEGATHREAD - Twilight Edition

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Speaking of a tendency to reach, this year was better overall than last year when it came to five-stars who simply had no business earning such a lofty ranking. Essentially, I don't see too many Matt Elam's this year in the industry. Our biggest reach by far was Bluffton (S.C.) defensive end Shameik Blackshear, who started off as a five-star in our initial Rivals250 and ended up as a four-star outside the Rivals250 due to constant and numerous injuries and missed time. Columbus (Ga.) Carver defensive end Mekhi Brown is another who started off as a five-star and ended up far from it at No. 210 nationally as he simply never got bigger, stronger or faster as we projected. Settle is a head-scratcher to me as a five-star elsewhere, as are Stephenville, Texas, quarterback Jarrett Stidham (No. 97 for us), Stockbridge (Ga.) Faith Baptist Christian North offensive tackle Chidi Valentine-Okeke (three-star for us), Allen, Texas, quarterback Kyler Murray (No. 71 for us), Cedar Hill, Texas, wide receiver Damarkus Lodge (No. 61), Avon (Conn.) Avon Old Farms tight end Chris Clark (No. 79), Honolulu (Hawaii) Farrington defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko (No. 122), Mechanicsville (Va.) Atlee linebacker Ricky DeBerry (No. 143), Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman tight end Alize Jones (No. 133), Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage quarterback Torrance Gibson (four-star outside the Rivals250), Cincinnati (Ohio) St. Xavier linebacker Justin Hilliard (No. 55), Jefferson (La.) Riverdale cornerback Donte Jackson (No. 58) and Petal (Miss.) offensive guard Javon Patterson (No. 74). These are all terrific players, but just not five-stars to us for many different reasons.

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