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Underrated Louisiana Players

Posted on 8/17/22 at 8:21 am
Posted by hsgeoboy
Panamá (but originally AR)
Member since Aug 2017
905 posts
Posted on 8/17/22 at 8:21 am
Someone mentioned how Odell and Chase were 4 stars that scouts underrated, and I also remember Devonta Smith being only a 4 star who then went on to be the first receiver to win the Heisman in ages (even if for the bad guys). Got me thinking about how many Louisiana guys get looked over…

Jamarr Chase- 2018 4*, 5th pick overall, destroying the league

Damone Clark- 2018 lowest possible 4* borderline 3*, lead SEC in tackles and 5th round pick

Devonta Smith- 2017 4*, won heisman, top 10 pick

Travis Ettiene - 2017 low 4*, consensus All-American multiple years, 1st round pick

Patrick Queen- 2017 low 4* borderline 3*, 1st round pick, NFL success

Clyde Edwards-Helaire- 2017 3*, 1st round pick, NFL success

Amik Robertson- 2017 3*, 4th round pick

Justin Jefferson- 2017 low 3* (2164th overall player), 1st round pick, All-Pro NFL receiver

Devin White - 2016 low 4*, Butkus award winner, All-Pro NFL LB

Greedy William- 2016 low 4*, consensus All-American, 2nd round pick

Jerry Tillery- 2015 low 4*, 1st round pick

DJ Chark- 2014 3*, 2nd round pick, Pro Bowl NFL receiver

Russell Gage- 2014 3* 898th overall, 6th round pick (194th overall), NFL success

Tyrann Matthieu- 2010 low 4* (not even top 200), Honey Badger, GOAT, nuff said

That’s as far back as I care to go this morning, but any other Louisiana gems people can think of who were looked over by scouts?

Edit: added TM
This post was edited on 8/17/22 at 8:26 am
Posted by geauxcoco
Greenville, SC
Member since Apr 2007
11024 posts
Posted on 8/17/22 at 8:22 am to
The honeybadger
Posted by GumboPot
Member since Mar 2009
118819 posts
Posted on 8/17/22 at 8:33 am to
This was a COMPLETE swing and miss by the recruiting services:

Posted by Captain Crown
Member since Jun 2011
50777 posts
Posted on 8/17/22 at 8:35 am to
Funny just watching LSU Gold and Polian was saying that he knows the fan base is huge on rankings but LA players are different and shouldn't read into it as much.
Posted by GMoney2600
Baton Rouge
Member since Oct 2005
14108 posts
Posted on 8/17/22 at 8:37 am to
Justin Jefferson is the definition of underrated. Even Jacob Hester doesn't come close to him.
Posted by GMoney2600
Baton Rouge
Member since Oct 2005
14108 posts
Posted on 8/17/22 at 8:38 am to
Tyson Jackson & Bennie Logan were 3stars. Morris Claiborne as well.
This post was edited on 8/17/22 at 8:39 am
Posted by hall59tiger
Member since Oct 2013
2438 posts
Posted on 8/17/22 at 8:40 am to
Love this list and great job of putting it together.
I’d like to see a list of all of LSU’s 1st round picks who weren’t 5 stars. I’d imagine there would be quite a few. Louisiana football players are just built different.
Posted by rmnldr
Member since Oct 2013
38231 posts
Posted on 8/17/22 at 8:40 am to
I still don’t understand the arbitrary 32 five star thing that 247 and others do.
Posted by Lester Earl
Member since Nov 2003
278418 posts
Posted on 8/17/22 at 8:44 am to
Most of those are rated correctly. Why are people so insulted by 4 stars?

Most 4 stars come into college a few tweaks away from being nfl players. Things that usually keep them from 5 stars: production, physical maturity/athleticism , or upside projection
Posted by Willietd
Member since Apr 2017
1767 posts
Posted on 8/17/22 at 8:47 am to
I'm pretty certain Damone gets drafted higher than the 5th round too without the injury.
Posted by GumboPot
Member since Mar 2009
118819 posts
Posted on 8/17/22 at 8:53 am to
Recruiters should be more open about their evaluations. Each position should have a list of criteria and each recruiter can score each criteria from 1-10 and even weight each criteria for each position. For example 40 time is not that important for an OL position but is pretty damn important for WR or corner. Then publish each recruiters evaluation for each player. The first recruiting service to do this would spark a lot of buzz (i.e., clicks and that's what they are in the business for) IMO.
Posted by hsgeoboy
Panamá (but originally AR)
Member since Aug 2017
905 posts
Posted on 8/17/22 at 5:22 pm to
I only included low 4 stars who aren’t usually seen as 1st round potential by scouts

(Chase and Smith being the exceptions because their talent display in college screamed 5 star talent and it’s kinda crazy they weren’t over some of the receivers in that class!)
Posted by logansrun
Amite
Member since Dec 2015
1794 posts
Posted on 8/17/22 at 5:25 pm to
If you want to go back in history, 3 star Dalton Hilliard. During fall camp the word was, our defense won't be very good because we can't even get this little runt down. I think 10 of that defense played or at least tried out for the NFL. And no one in the SEC could get the runt down either. Huge thighs and lower body strength with CEH type of moving left to right then gone. Second round pick of the Saints.
This post was edited on 8/17/22 at 5:26 pm
Posted by LSUFanMizeWay
Picayune MS
Member since Sep 2014
5688 posts
Posted on 8/17/22 at 5:43 pm to
Dalton Hilliard
Posted by TigerNSac
Sacramento
Member since Oct 2008
592 posts
Posted on 8/18/22 at 2:05 am to
He can thank Saban for the scholarship, and Miles for making him NFL relevant.

Miles used his talent as a first string running back, not as a third down back by Fisher and Saban.
Posted by Dubus
Member since Aug 2022
3 posts
Posted on 8/18/22 at 8:26 am to
Elijah Mitchell 2*
Posted by Mulkey Man
Member since Apr 2021
19403 posts
Posted on 8/18/22 at 8:47 am to
Dak Prescott was a 3 star.
Posted by RightWingTiger
Louisiana
Member since Oct 2003
5303 posts
Posted on 8/18/22 at 9:00 am to
quote:

I still don’t understand the arbitrary 32 five star thing that 247 and others do.

Im gonna assume ur being serious & don’t know why 32 (it seems fishy to me tho)

32 represents each of the 32 Draft Positions (1 per team) in each Round of the NFL Draft
Posted by deuce985
Member since Feb 2008
27660 posts
Posted on 8/18/22 at 9:03 am to
That's because most people don't know how to understand ratings.

It typically goes like if you're a 4* even a low one - you're projected as a potential All-American player with NFL ceiling

5* is thought to be All-American ceiling with high NFL pick potential

3* is raw players that could develop into an All-American/NFL ceiling or players who don't have a high enough ceiling to develop into a high NFL pick.

That being said, there's major holes all around the country they do not scout well. I think they scout well the guys they evaluate overall but still tons fall through the cracks.
This post was edited on 8/18/22 at 9:08 am
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