Low & No Star HS kids that blossomed in college

[stb]

Small-School All-Stars Worth Watching as Top 2018 NFL Draft Prospects | Bleacher Report

 

[TheMatador]

Small-School All-Stars Worth Watching as Top 2018 NFL Draft Prospects | Bleacher Report

Actually, your title is a bit broader than the article you've linked--there are some low and no star HS players who came to Miami, blossomed, and became high draft choices (the subject of the article is really small college guys with high draft potential).

Some of the low or non-rated HS players who came to UM and became outstanding players include the following: Russ Maryland, Greg Mark, Leon Searcy, Darren Smith and Jon Vilma (I don't think tney were highly-rated in HS), Albert Bentley, Cortez Kennedy, maybe Darrell Williams and Bubba Franks, among many others. Back in the '80's, there wasn't so much of a star system. There were a variety of publications published by guys with a variety of experience and expertise in football. So, while there were not always stars as such, some kids didn't even show up on any recruiting lists. This was also true of Geno Torretta who was totally unknown coming out of HS but ended up winning the Heisman.

Back in the late '70's, one of the networks would pick a sleeper from among the college ranks, a player who nobody knew of, played in complete obscurity in college, yet stood to be picked high in the draft. One year, that was O.J. Anderson. That's obscure Miami was on the college scene in '77. He was like the small school kid that came out of nowhere to be picked high. After he exploded onto the scene with one of the greatest rookie opening games ever in '78, against the Cowboys no less, there were articles in the national press on the great new RB in the league. One GM said he was the greatest to come into the league since the other O.J.--Simpson.

 

[nbrewer22]

Small-School All-Stars Worth Watching as Top 2018 NFL Draft Prospects | Bleacher Report

Actually, your title is a bit broader than the article you've linked--there are some low and no star HS players who came to Miami, blossomed, and became high draft choices (the subject of the article is really small college guys with high draft potential).

Some of the low or non-rated HS players who came to UM and became outstanding players include the following: Russ Maryland, Greg Mark, Leon Searcy, Darren Smith and Jon Vilma (I don't think tney were highly-rated in HS), Albert Bentley, Cortez Kennedy, maybe Darrell Williams and Bubba Franks, among many others. Back in the '80's, there wasn't so much of a star system. There were a variety of publications published by guys with a variety of experience and expertise in football. So, while there were not always stars as such, some kids didn't even show up on any recruiting lists. This was also true of Geno Torretta who was totally unknown coming out of HS but ended up winning the Heisman.

Back in the late '70's, one of the networks would pick a sleeper from among the college ranks, a player who nobody knew of, played in complete obscurity in college, yet stood to be picked high in the draft. One year, that was O.J. Anderson. That's obscure Miami was on the college scene in '77. He was like the small school kid that came out of nowhere to be picked high. After he exploded onto the scene with one of the greatest rookie opening games ever in '78, against the Cowboys no less, there were articles in the national press on the great new RB in the league. One GM said he was the greatest to come into the league since the other O.J.--Simpson.

Comparing guys who flew under the radar back before the internet was booming and guys who fly under the radar now are totally different. You really can't make a comparison for anyone until the recruiting services started, outside of that it's really hard to say who was highly ranked and who wasn't.

 

[ThomasM]

Small-School All-Stars Worth Watching as Top 2018 NFL Draft Prospects | Bleacher Report

Actually, your title is a bit broader than the article you've linked--there are some low and no star HS players who came to Miami, blossomed, and became high draft choices (the subject of the article is really small college guys with high draft potential).

Some of the low or non-rated HS players who came to UM and became outstanding players include the following: Russ Maryland, Greg Mark, Leon Searcy, Darren Smith and Jon Vilma (I don't think tney were highly-rated in HS), Albert Bentley, Cortez Kennedy, maybe Darrell Williams and Bubba Franks, among many others. Back in the '80's, there wasn't so much of a star system. There were a variety of publications published by guys with a variety of experience and expertise in football. So, while there were not always stars as such, some kids didn't even show up on any recruiting lists. This was also true of Geno Torretta who was totally unknown coming out of HS but ended up winning the Heisman.

Back in the late '70's, one of the networks would pick a sleeper from among the college ranks, a player who nobody knew of, played in complete obscurity in college, yet stood to be picked high in the draft. One year, that was O.J. Anderson. That's obscure Miami was on the college scene in '77. He was like the small school kid that came out of nowhere to be picked high. After he exploded onto the scene with one of the greatest rookie opening games ever in '78, against the Cowboys no less, there were articles in the national press on the great new RB in the league. One GM said he was the greatest to come into the league since the other O.J.--Simpson.

Bubba Franks only other offer was Rice. I believe he was a one star kid.

 

[stb]

Small-School All-Stars Worth Watching as Top 2018 NFL Draft Prospects | Bleacher Report

Actually, your title is a bit broader than the article you've linked--there are some low and no star HS players who came to Miami, blossomed, and became high draft choices (the subject of the article is really small college guys with high draft potential).

Some of the low or non-rated HS players who came to UM and became outstanding players include the following: Russ Maryland, Greg Mark, Leon Searcy, Darren Smith and Jon Vilma (I don't think tney were highly-rated in HS), Albert Bentley, Cortez Kennedy, maybe Darrell Williams and Bubba Franks, among many others. Back in the '80's, there wasn't so much of a star system. There were a variety of publications published by guys with a variety of experience and expertise in football. So, while there were not always stars as such, some kids didn't even show up on any recruiting lists. This was also true of Geno Torretta who was totally unknown coming out of HS but ended up winning the Heisman.

Back in the late '70's, one of the networks would pick a sleeper from among the college ranks, a player who nobody knew of, played in complete obscurity in college, yet stood to be picked high in the draft. One year, that was O.J. Anderson. That's obscure Miami was on the college scene in '77. He was like the small school kid that came out of nowhere to be picked high. After he exploded onto the scene with one of the greatest rookie opening games ever in '78, against the Cowboys no less, there were articles in the national press on the great new RB in the league. One GM said he was the greatest to come into the league since the other O.J.--Simpson.

Comparing guys who flew under the radar back before the internet was booming and guys who fly under the radar now are totally different. You really can't make a comparison for anyone until the recruiting services started, outside of that it's really hard to say who was highly ranked and who wasn't.

That is why I used this years NFL draft.........not something back from the 80s and most if not all of the 90s

 

[Gatorhater]

Small-School All-Stars Worth Watching as Top 2018 NFL Draft Prospects | Bleacher Report

Actually, your title is a bit broader than the article you've linked--there are some low and no star HS players who came to Miami, blossomed, and became high draft choices (the subject of the article is really small college guys with high draft potential).

Some of the low or non-rated HS players who came to UM and became outstanding players include the following: Russ Maryland, Greg Mark, Leon Searcy, Darren Smith and Jon Vilma (I don't think tney were highly-rated in HS), Albert Bentley, Cortez Kennedy, maybe Darrell Williams and Bubba Franks, among many others. Back in the '80's, there wasn't so much of a star system. There were a variety of publications published by guys with a variety of experience and expertise in football. So, while there were not always stars as such, some kids didn't even show up on any recruiting lists. This was also true of Geno Torretta who was totally unknown coming out of HS but ended up winning the Heisman.

Back in the late '70's, one of the networks would pick a sleeper from among the college ranks, a player who nobody knew of, played in complete obscurity in college, yet stood to be picked high in the draft. One year, that was O.J. Anderson. That's obscure Miami was on the college scene in '77. He was like the small school kid that came out of nowhere to be picked high. After he exploded onto the scene with one of the greatest rookie opening games ever in '78, against the Cowboys no less, there were articles in the national press on the great new RB in the league. One GM said he was the greatest to come into the league since the other O.J.--Simpson.

Comparing guys who flew under the radar back before the internet was booming and guys who fly under the radar now are totally different. You really can't make a comparison for anyone until the recruiting services started, outside of that it's really hard to say who was highly ranked and who wasn't.

There was actually life and information flow before the all powerful internet. Maybe little geeks in their mom’s basement didn’t know about things but people who needed to know did. The networks might not have known about him, those guys were hired for thier hair back then, but nfl did. The guy out of Miami just before him was named Chuck Foremen, also 1st round pick. NFL was not surprise by OJ, the media was. Oh, see we had them stacked back then too, just no frigging coaching. I love Fran but my God, he could have done more with the talent he had.

 

[Gatorhater]

Small-School All-Stars Worth Watching as Top 2018 NFL Draft Prospects | Bleacher Report

Actually, your title is a bit broader than the article you've linked--there are some low and no star HS players who came to Miami, blossomed, and became high draft choices (the subject of the article is really small college guys with high draft potential).

Some of the low or non-rated HS players who came to UM and became outstanding players include the following: Russ Maryland, Greg Mark, Leon Searcy, Darren Smith and Jon Vilma (I don't think tney were highly-rated in HS), Albert Bentley, Cortez Kennedy, maybe Darrell Williams and Bubba Franks, among many others. Back in the '80's, there wasn't so much of a star system. There were a variety of publications published by guys with a variety of experience and expertise in football. So, while there were not always stars as such, some kids didn't even show up on any recruiting lists. This was also true of Geno Torretta who was totally unknown coming out of HS but ended up winning the Heisman.

Back in the late '70's, one of the networks would pick a sleeper from among the college ranks, a player who nobody knew of, played in complete obscurity in college, yet stood to be picked high in the draft. One year, that was O.J. Anderson. That's obscure Miami was on the college scene in '77. He was like the small school kid that came out of nowhere to be picked high. After he exploded onto the scene with one of the greatest rookie opening games ever in '78, against the Cowboys no less, there were articles in the national press on the great new RB in the league. One GM said he was the greatest to come into the league since the other O.J.--Simpson.

Don’t forget Rusty. I think he had to send his out tape to Miami. Then they offered him. I do think he had another.

 

[nbrewer22]

Small-School All-Stars Worth Watching as Top 2018 NFL Draft Prospects | Bleacher Report

Actually, your title is a bit broader than the article you've linked--there are some low and no star HS players who came to Miami, blossomed, and became high draft choices (the subject of the article is really small college guys with high draft potential).

Some of the low or non-rated HS players who came to UM and became outstanding players include the following: Russ Maryland, Greg Mark, Leon Searcy, Darren Smith and Jon Vilma (I don't think tney were highly-rated in HS), Albert Bentley, Cortez Kennedy, maybe Darrell Williams and Bubba Franks, among many others. Back in the '80's, there wasn't so much of a star system. There were a variety of publications published by guys with a variety of experience and expertise in football. So, while there were not always stars as such, some kids didn't even show up on any recruiting lists. This was also true of Geno Torretta who was totally unknown coming out of HS but ended up winning the Heisman.

Back in the late '70's, one of the networks would pick a sleeper from among the college ranks, a player who nobody knew of, played in complete obscurity in college, yet stood to be picked high in the draft. One year, that was O.J. Anderson. That's obscure Miami was on the college scene in '77. He was like the small school kid that came out of nowhere to be picked high. After he exploded onto the scene with one of the greatest rookie opening games ever in '78, against the Cowboys no less, there were articles in the national press on the great new RB in the league. One GM said he was the greatest to come into the league since the other O.J.--Simpson.

Comparing guys who flew under the radar back before the internet was booming and guys who fly under the radar now are totally different. You really can't make a comparison for anyone until the recruiting services started, outside of that it's really hard to say who was highly ranked and who wasn't.

There was actually life and information flow before the all powerful internet. Maybe little geeks in their mom’s basement didn’t know about things but people who needed to know did. The networks might not have known about him, those guys were hired for thier hair back then, but nfl did. The guy out of Miami just before him was named Chuck Foremen, also 1st round pick. NFL was not surprise by OJ, the media was. Oh, see we had them stacked back then too, just no frigging coaching. I love Fran but my God, he could have done more with the talent he had.

I'm talking recruiting rankings not nfl draft rankings. You have no way of saying how many stars someone was before there were star ranking systems, the internet has allowed that type of information to be widely produced.

 

[Gatorhater]

Small-School All-Stars Worth Watching as Top 2018 NFL Draft Prospects | Bleacher Report

Actually, your title is a bit broader than the article you've linked--there are some low and no star HS players who came to Miami, blossomed, and became high draft choices (the subject of the article is really small college guys with high draft potential).

Some of the low or non-rated HS players who came to UM and became outstanding players include the following: Russ Maryland, Greg Mark, Leon Searcy, Darren Smith and Jon Vilma (I don't think tney were highly-rated in HS), Albert Bentley, Cortez Kennedy, maybe Darrell Williams and Bubba Franks, among many others. Back in the '80's, there wasn't so much of a star system. There were a variety of publications published by guys with a variety of experience and expertise in football. So, while there were not always stars as such, some kids didn't even show up on any recruiting lists. This was also true of Geno Torretta who was totally unknown coming out of HS but ended up winning the Heisman.

Back in the late '70's, one of the networks would pick a sleeper from among the college ranks, a player who nobody knew of, played in complete obscurity in college, yet stood to be picked high in the draft. One year, that was O.J. Anderson. That's obscure Miami was on the college scene in '77. He was like the small school kid that came out of nowhere to be picked high. After he exploded onto the scene with one of the greatest rookie opening games ever in '78, against the Cowboys no less, there were articles in the national press on the great new RB in the league. One GM said he was the greatest to come into the league since the other O.J.--Simpson.

Comparing guys who flew under the radar back before the internet was booming and guys who fly under the radar now are totally different. You really can't make a comparison for anyone until the recruiting services started, outside of that it's really hard to say who was highly ranked and who wasn't.

There was actually life and information flow before the all powerful internet. Maybe little geeks in their mom’s basement didn’t know about things but people who needed to know did. The networks might not have known about him, those guys were hired for thier hair back then, but nfl did. The guy out of Miami just before him was named Chuck Foremen, also 1st round pick. NFL was not surprise by OJ, the media was. Oh, see we had them stacked back then too, just no frigging coaching. I love Fran but my God, he could have done more with the talent he had.

I'm talking recruiting rankings not nfl draft rankings. You have no way of saying how many stars someone was before there were star ranking systems, the internet has allowed that type of information to be widely produced.

Like I said, there is no question the internet spread the information to people like us who never really had access to every playground in America before, but the college people had sources. There were services that provided information, connections with network of HS coaches, and there were publications, we called the magazines, that covering college recruiting. Schools like USC, OU and even our beloved Miami recruited far beyond their local area or state. Kelly, Bernie, and Vinny were not walkons and they were not for BTW or NW. OU got a number of kids from our inner city long before Howard made them famous. In fact, Howard and The U probably had more to do with the massive increase in information flow than anything besides massive amounts of money college football now represents.

Bear knew about speed and knew where to find it but had to make his fans see the light so he schedule a game with USC(the school most like the modern Miami). They crushed Bama with speed. Next thing you know. Bear was allowed to start recruiting blacks. What USC taught Bama, Howard and Miami drove into all of college football like a spike though its heart. We had massive impact on recruiting. If you did not find the talent we tapped you died. The internet is just a newer form of data delivery that is available to common people. The data was always there and the people with the need to know found it. Miami expanded that need to know and coaches were finding it before Al Gore invented the internet. Having stood at magazine ranks flipping though pages and now using the internet, I will say this is heck of a lot easier and more fun. Although, back then grocery stores had a lot of hot women in them.

 

[Insanecane]

Kids continue to develop and grow throughout their late teen and early 20's. It is entirely possible that some kids will develop into studs in college as opposed to High School. That said, most 4-5 star blue clippers tend to end up good college players and they are good now, not when they develop. I like camps and Under Armor, US Army games that Pitt the blue clippers against each other. Those tend to show me whose legit and whose not. Jobe for example looked stiff at corner. He'll be a safety at Bama.

 

[cowboycane]

Small-School All-Stars Worth Watching as Top 2018 NFL Draft Prospects | Bleacher Report

Actually, your title is a bit broader than the article you've linked--there are some low and no star HS players who came to Miami, blossomed, and became high draft choices (the subject of the article is really small college guys with high draft potential).

Some of the low or non-rated HS players who came to UM and became outstanding players include the following: Russ Maryland, Greg Mark, Leon Searcy, Darren Smith and Jon Vilma (I don't think tney were highly-rated in HS), Albert Bentley, Cortez Kennedy, maybe Darrell Williams and Bubba Franks, among many others. Back in the '80's, there wasn't so much of a star system. There were a variety of publications published by guys with a variety of experience and expertise in football. So, while there were not always stars as such, some kids didn't even show up on any recruiting lists. This was also true of Geno Torretta who was totally unknown coming out of HS but ended up winning the Heisman.

Back in the late '70's, one of the networks would pick a sleeper from among the college ranks, a player who nobody knew of, played in complete obscurity in college, yet stood to be picked high in the draft. One year, that was O.J. Anderson. That's obscure Miami was on the college scene in '77. He was like the small school kid that came out of nowhere to be picked high. After he exploded onto the scene with one of the greatest rookie opening games ever in '78, against the Cowboys no less, there were articles in the national press on the great new RB in the league. One GM said he was the greatest to come into the league since the other O.J.--Simpson.

Bubba Franks only other offer was Rice. I believe he was a one star kid.

Pretty sure he was a Parade All american, no?

 

[NJshoreCane]

Small-School All-Stars Worth Watching as Top 2018 NFL Draft Prospects | Bleacher Report

Actually, your title is a bit broader than the article you've linked--there are some low and no star HS players who came to Miami, blossomed, and became high draft choices (the subject of the article is really small college guys with high draft potential).

Some of the low or non-rated HS players who came to UM and became outstanding players include the following: Russ Maryland, Greg Mark, Leon Searcy, Darren Smith and Jon Vilma (I don't think tney were highly-rated in HS), Albert Bentley, Cortez Kennedy, maybe Darrell Williams and Bubba Franks, among many others. Back in the '80's, there wasn't so much of a star system. There were a variety of publications published by guys with a variety of experience and expertise in football. So, while there were not always stars as such, some kids didn't even show up on any recruiting lists. This was also true of Geno Torretta who was totally unknown coming out of HS but ended up winning the Heisman.

Back in the late '70's, one of the networks would pick a sleeper from among the college ranks, a player who nobody knew of, played in complete obscurity in college, yet stood to be picked high in the draft. One year, that was O.J. Anderson. That's obscure Miami was on the college scene in '77. He was like the small school kid that came out of nowhere to be picked high. After he exploded onto the scene with one of the greatest rookie opening games ever in '78, against the Cowboys no less, there were articles in the national press on the great new RB in the league. One GM said he was the greatest to come into the league since the other O.J.--Simpson.

Comparing guys who flew under the radar back before the internet was booming and guys who fly under the radar now are totally different. You really can't make a comparison for anyone until the recruiting services started, outside of that it's really hard to say who was highly ranked and who wasn't.

There was actually life and information flow before the all powerful internet. Maybe little geeks in their mom’s basement didn’t know about things but people who needed to know did. The networks might not have known about him, those guys were hired for thier hair back then, but nfl did. The guy out of Miami just before him was named Chuck Foremen, also 1st round pick. NFL was not surprise by OJ, the media was. Oh, see we had them stacked back then too, just no frigging coaching. I love Fran but my God, he could have done more with the talent he had.

8th pick overall.
He actually thought he was going to Dallas.
I told him he must be a Dallas fan because there was no way he was going to drop to the end of the first round.

Most remember him as the lumbering RB with the Giants.
He had two 100 yard kickoff returns for the Canes in '78 .

 

[TheMatador]

Small-School All-Stars Worth Watching as Top 2018 NFL Draft Prospects | Bleacher Report

Actually, your title is a bit broader than the article you've linked--there are some low and no star HS players who came to Miami, blossomed, and became high draft choices (the subject of the article is really small college guys with high draft potential).

Some of the low or non-rated HS players who came to UM and became outstanding players include the following: Russ Maryland, Greg Mark, Leon Searcy, Darren Smith and Jon Vilma (I don't think tney were highly-rated in HS), Albert Bentley, Cortez Kennedy, maybe Darrell Williams and Bubba Franks, among many others. Back in the '80's, there wasn't so much of a star system. There were a variety of publications published by guys with a variety of experience and expertise in football. So, while there were not always stars as such, some kids didn't even show up on any recruiting lists. This was also true of Geno Torretta who was totally unknown coming out of HS but ended up winning the Heisman.

Back in the late '70's, one of the networks would pick a sleeper from among the college ranks, a player who nobody knew of, played in complete obscurity in college, yet stood to be picked high in the draft. One year, that was O.J. Anderson. That's obscure Miami was on the college scene in '77. He was like the small school kid that came out of nowhere to be picked high. After he exploded onto the scene with one of the greatest rookie opening games ever in '78, against the Cowboys no less, there were articles in the national press on the great new RB in the league. One GM said he was the greatest to come into the league since the other O.J.--Simpson.

Don’t forget Rusty. I think he had to send his out tape to Miami. Then they offered him. I do think he had another.

No. Rusty was a very well-known national recruit. For those who assert there were no recruiting services before the internet, you're dead wrong. I still have many of the print newsletters and magazines in my files.

Here are some of the newsletters to which I subscribed:

Tom Lemming
Max Emfinget
SuperPrep (Allen Wallace)
Joe Terranova
Bill Buchalter (Orlando Sentinel Sports Editor and Fla. talent specialist -- picked Florida roster for GA-FLA all star game when it was the talent-laden game in the he country, before Army and Underwear games)
G&W -- Grosz and Weber (Penn-based with PSU orientation )

I devoured all of these publications. Lemming had a ND bias and Wallace was a USC law grad. Supposedly knew Cali talent, but totally clueless about future Heisman-winner Gino Torretta. I used to speak to these guys. Wallace and Emfinger hated each other. One time, one of those guys created a fictional prospect, wrote up a fake evaluation and put in picture of somebody and wouldn't you know the fake prospect ended up rated in another guy's newsletter.

So, there were recruiting services so don't tell me it was much easier to be overlooked back then. Yes, it was easier, but not for reasons you state.

I recall Rusty being recruited by ND but I might be wrong. He was definitely not a sleeper. A guy the same year (I think) who was more of a sleeper was Kevin Patrick who was just a local south Florida star. He turned out to he in the same level as Rusty and Darren Krein (who emerged as a top national recruit. I remember walking behind two BC players back to the main campus at BC after we beat them in early '90's. I heard one comment on how quick Patrick was.

 

[Gatorhater]

Small-School All-Stars Worth Watching as Top 2018 NFL Draft Prospects | Bleacher Report

Actually, your title is a bit broader than the article you've linked--there are some low and no star HS players who came to Miami, blossomed, and became high draft choices (the subject of the article is really small college guys with high draft potential).

Some of the low or non-rated HS players who came to UM and became outstanding players include the following: Russ Maryland, Greg Mark, Leon Searcy, Darren Smith and Jon Vilma (I don't think tney were highly-rated in HS), Albert Bentley, Cortez Kennedy, maybe Darrell Williams and Bubba Franks, among many others. Back in the '80's, there wasn't so much of a star system. There were a variety of publications published by guys with a variety of experience and expertise in football. So, while there were not always stars as such, some kids didn't even show up on any recruiting lists. This was also true of Geno Torretta who was totally unknown coming out of HS but ended up winning the Heisman.

Back in the late '70's, one of the networks would pick a sleeper from among the college ranks, a player who nobody knew of, played in complete obscurity in college, yet stood to be picked high in the draft. One year, that was O.J. Anderson. That's obscure Miami was on the college scene in '77. He was like the small school kid that came out of nowhere to be picked high. After he exploded onto the scene with one of the greatest rookie opening games ever in '78, against the Cowboys no less, there were articles in the national press on the great new RB in the league. One GM said he was the greatest to come into the league since the other O.J.--Simpson.

Don’t forget Rusty. I think he had to send his out tape to Miami. Then they offered him. I do think he had another.

No. Rusty was a very well-known national recruit. For those who assert there were no recruiting services before the internet, you're dead wrong. I still have many of the print newsletters and magazines in my files.

Here are some of the newsletters to which I subscribed:

Tom Lemming
Max Emfinget
SuperPrep (Allen Wallace)
Joe Terranova
Bill Buchalter (Orlando Sentinel Sports Editor and Fla. talent specialist -- picked Florida roster for GA-FLA all star game when it was the talent-laden game in the he country, before Army and Underwear games)
G&W -- Grosz and Weber (Penn-based with PSU orientation )

I devoured all of these publications. Lemming had a ND bias and Wallace was a USC law grad. Supposedly knew Cali talent, but totally clueless about future Heisman-winner Gino Torretta. I used to speak to these guys. Wallace and Emfinger hated each other. One time, one of those guys created a fictional prospect, wrote up a fake evaluation and put in picture of somebody and wouldn't you know the fake prospect ended up rated in another guy's newsletter.

So, there were recruiting services so don't tell me it was much easier to be overlooked back then. Yes, it was easier, but not for reasons you state.

I recall Rusty being recruited by ND but I might be wrong. He was definitely not a sleeper. A guy the same year (I think) who was more of a sleeper was Kevin Patrick who was just a local south Florida star. He turned out to he in the same level as Rusty and Darren Krein (who emerged as a top national recruit. I remember walking behind two BC players back to the main campus at BC after we beat them in early '90's. I heard one comment on how quick Patrick was.

Just going on raw old memory for Rusty so I could easily be wrong. Thanks for the confirmation of the old phony express recruiting services. I think I’ve seen you mention Lemming before.

 

[Gatorhater]

Small-School All-Stars Worth Watching as Top 2018 NFL Draft Prospects | Bleacher Report

Actually, your title is a bit broader than the article you've linked--there are some low and no star HS players who came to Miami, blossomed, and became high draft choices (the subject of the article is really small college guys with high draft potential).

Some of the low or non-rated HS players who came to UM and became outstanding players include the following: Russ Maryland, Greg Mark, Leon Searcy, Darren Smith and Jon Vilma (I don't think tney were highly-rated in HS), Albert Bentley, Cortez Kennedy, maybe Darrell Williams and Bubba Franks, among many others. Back in the '80's, there wasn't so much of a star system. There were a variety of publications published by guys with a variety of experience and expertise in football. So, while there were not always stars as such, some kids didn't even show up on any recruiting lists. This was also true of Geno Torretta who was totally unknown coming out of HS but ended up winning the Heisman.

Back in the late '70's, one of the networks would pick a sleeper from among the college ranks, a player who nobody knew of, played in complete obscurity in college, yet stood to be picked high in the draft. One year, that was O.J. Anderson. That's obscure Miami was on the college scene in '77. He was like the small school kid that came out of nowhere to be picked high. After he exploded onto the scene with one of the greatest rookie opening games ever in '78, against the Cowboys no less, there were articles in the national press on the great new RB in the league. One GM said he was the greatest to come into the league since the other O.J.--Simpson.

Comparing guys who flew under the radar back before the internet was booming and guys who fly under the radar now are totally different. You really can't make a comparison for anyone until the recruiting services started, outside of that it's really hard to say who was highly ranked and who wasn't.

There was actually life and information flow before the all powerful internet. Maybe little geeks in their mom’s basement didn’t know about things but people who needed to know did. The networks might not have known about him, those guys were hired for thier hair back then, but nfl did. The guy out of Miami just before him was named Chuck Foremen, also 1st round pick. NFL was not surprise by OJ, the media was. Oh, see we had them stacked back then too, just no frigging coaching. I love Fran but my God, he could have done more with the talent he had.

8th pick overall.
He actually thought he was going to Dallas.
I told him he must be a Dallas fan because there was no way he was going to drop to the end of the first round.

Most remember him as the lumbering RB with the Giants.
He had two 100 yard kickoff returns for the Canes in '78 .

Those later years lumbering with the Giants to super bowl ring were testament to his greatness. He started as more a shake and bake with great speed and as he slowed down turned himself into a power back. Guy was exciting to watch at Miami and our first example of “next guy is bigger and fast” thing we became famous for. He came after Chuck Foreman who was outstanding and also 1st round if I recall.