Looking Back at the Class of 2021 – Part 2: No.21 through No.40
The second part of our multiple-part series looking back at the recruiting class of 2021 and how they’ve performed through their first collegiate season is over. Our first part saw an intriguing mix of players who made instant impacts at…
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Continue ReadingThe second part of our multiple-part series looking back at the recruiting class of 2021 and how they’ve performed through their first collegiate season is over. Our first part saw an intriguing mix of players who made instant impacts at their programs, those who saw some occasional playing time, and some who didn’t see the field as true freshmen.
Overall, it was what you expect out of a freshman class, some players despite being ranked lower may be in a better place fundamentally and in their overall skill development than those ranked higher, it’s also very much dependent on the position as well. You’re unlikely to see freshmen play on the offensive line or at quarterback as an example as true freshmen, however, positions like running back, wide receiver, or in the secondary, give a bit more opportunities for true freshmen to make bigger impacts.
Today, we take a look at players ranked No.21 through No.40 in our 2021 recruiting rankings.
No.21 WR Rashim Lee Jr. – California (PA) (William Penn)
We could not find any stats for Lee during his freshman season at California (PA). VERDICT: It will be a wait-and-see process for Lee and his overall ranking.
No.22 WR Sahmir Hagans – Duke (St Joes Prep)
The Philadelphia native recorded one reception for five yards per ESPN this season while appearing in four games for the Blue Devils, saving his redshirt eligibility. While Hagans only had one reception, the fact the Blue Devils felt confident enough in throwing him out there in at least four games speaks to their feelings about him and his potential in the future. VERDICT: Too early to tell but probably just about right.
No.23 DB Shafeek Smith – Towson (Imhotep Charter)
Smith played in one game for Towson this season, recording his first career tackle against James Madison. The former All-State corner is likely to see the field more in 2022. VERDICT: It’s a wait-and-see game with Smith.
No.24 DB Stephon Hall – Pittsburgh (Central Valley)
The former Central Valley standout didn’t see any playing time in 2021 per Pitt’s official stats on his bio. VERDICT: Hall was a corner we had high expectations for at the next level and still do. But like most players here, we’ll have to wait at least another season before delivering a verdict.
No.25 DL Cam’Ron Stewart – Rutgers (Governor Mifflin)
Stewart played in three games for the Scarlet Knights in 2021 and recorded four tackles including half-a-tackle for a loss. A well-built defensive lineman as a true freshman, Stewart should become a bigger piece for the Scarlet Knights next season. VERDICT: It’s probably to early to give a verdict but I personally have a really good feeling that Stewart will develop into a nice player for the Scarlet Knights.
No.26 OL Nate Bruce – Penn State (Harrisburg)
Bruce was an early enrollee at Penn State but left the program last summer after having a hard time adjusting to the life of college football. Since, he has enrolled at Lackawanna College, a JUCO and will be looking to establish himself as a legitimate FBS process. You can read more on his story, here. VERDICT: We simply cannot give a verdict for Bruce given his circumstances.
No.27 OL Aaron Gunn – Louisville (Union)
Gunn did not take the field for the Cardinals in 2021 but still projects to be a potential high-quality offensive lineman for Louisville in the future. VERDICT: Still too early to tell for Gunn but we still love his potential
No.28 TE CJ Dippre – Maryland (Lakeland)
Dippre played in all 13 games for the Terrapins in 2021 including making his first career start against Virginia Tech in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. On the season, Dippre recorded three receptions for 25-yards. VERDICT: Dippre playing in all 13 games as a true freshman is impressive, to say the least, if this continues, Dippre will have an argument for being higher ranked coming out of Lakeland.
No.29 OL Tyler Needham – Rutgers (William Penn Charter)
Needham made his collegiate debut for the Scarlet Knights in their TaxSlayer Gator Bowl game appearance against Wake Forest. VERDICT: Too soon to tell with Needham but getting some snaps against Wake Forest is a solid start to his collegiate career.
No.30 DL Eric Gentry – Arizona State (Neumann – Goretti)
Grentry played in all 12 games for the Sundevils at linebacker and put together a really nice season overall. The Philadelphia native totaled 45 tackles including five tackles for a loss and one sack while also breaking up two passes. VERDICT: The early results say we had Gentry underrated. At 6-foot-6, he’s a huge linebacker which we didn’t project him as either but either way, his first year with Arizona State was impressive. He also graded out as one of the Pac-12’s top linebackers by Pro Football Focus.
No.31 LB/TE Caleb Schmitz – Cincinnati (Warwick)
The Lancaster native did not see playing time for the Bearcats in his freshman season but without a doubt, the practice reps with one of the nation’s elite programs this past season could go a long way in his development. VERDICT: We’ll check back in a year from now.
No.32 DB Malcolm Folk – Syracuse (Episcopal Academy)
Folk redshirted for the Orange this past season after being an early enrollee last winter. He did end up dressing in several games for Syracuse but did not end up seeing the field. VERDICT: The jury is out on the verdict for now.
No.33 OL Matthew Pajuste – Buffalo (Martin Luther King)
The massive offensive lineman redshirt for Buffalo in 2021 but still has the size and skill set that could allow him to succeed at a high level for the Buffalos. VERDICT: Wait and see..
No.34 DB Matt Marshall – West Chester (William Penn Charter)
Marshall was originally slated to play football at Lousiana-Monroe before unforeseen circumstances caused him to decommit from the program. Marshall is now with West Chester where did not appear in any games this past season. VERDICT: Marshall clearly had the tools to play at the FBS level, so we’re excited to see how he performs at the Division II level with West Chester.
No.35 LB Cade Hoke – BYU (North Allegheny)
A BYU legacy it was no surprise Hoke found his way out to Utah to play for the Cougars. He didn’t appear in any games for the Cougars in 2021. VERDICT: Another waiting game here..
No.36 LB Corban Hondru – Miami (OH) (Peters Township)
Hondru made his collegiate debut against Kent State at the end of the regular season for Miami (OH). VERDICT: Early playing time no matter if it’s a single game or a full season is a good sign for any freshman but a single game isn’t enough of a sample size to make any decisions.
No.37 WR Myles Walker – Akron (Central Valley)
The former Central Valley star played in two games for the Zips in 2021 but did not record any stats. Under new head coach Joe Moorhead, Walker’s potential could be off the charts. VERDICT: Too early to tell.
No.38 TE Trevor Faulkner – Air Force (Avonworth)
Faulkner entered the transfer portal in October but per his Twitter bio, it looks like he has potentially transferred to the University of Pittsburgh. VERDICT: With being our first transfer portal entry, it will make it a while until we can evaluate Faulkner and supply a verdict.
No.39 ATH Ameer Dudley – Harvard (Central Valley)
Dudley did not appear in any game for Harvard as a true freshman. Notably, the former Central Valley star is playing quarterback for the Crimson. VERDICT: We continue to wait and see
No.40 DL Shawn Williams – (Imhotep Charter)
As of right now, it appears Williams did not end up with a college football program after previously being committed to Arizona State. VERDICT: No verdict is able to be given for Williams as he appears to no longer be playing football, at least through our research.