(Live Feed – College Football Recruiting Re-Evaluation)
live with a look back at the 2022 college football recruiting class. As with every class, there have been some big hits and some notable misses. Evaluating high school talent is always tough, but the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021 made it even more challenging for college programs.
High-Profile Recruits: Some big names from the class are living up to the hype. Walter Nolen, the nation’s No. 1 prospect in 2022, is projected to be a first-round NFL draft pick, even if his time at Texas A&M and Ole Miss didn’t completely match his sky-high ranking. Travis Hunter, ranked No. 2, has somehow exceeded expectations as a two-way star.
Not All Pan Out: Of course, not every highly-rated recruit reaches their full potential. Some, like five-star defensive tackle and No. 3 prospect Gabe Brownlow-Dindy, haven’t quite panned out as expected. But on the flip side, many undervalued recruits have developed into highly productive college players and are now top NFL draft prospects.
Re-Ranking the Top 25: With three seasons of college play to analyze, we’re re-evaluating the top 25 players from the 2022 class. This re-ranking considers how their scouting profiles have changed, their college production, and their potential NFL impact.
Spotlight on Kelvin Banks Jr.: Let’s take a closer look at one player who has significantly risen in our rankings:
- Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
- Original 2022 ESPN 300 Ranking: No. 33 (No. 4 OT)
Banks’ Development: Banks, a four-star offensive tackle from Houston, originally committed to both Oregon and Oklahoma State before landing with the Texas Longhorns. He was known for his physicality, mobility, and “nastiness,” and had a frame that could add more bulk.
College Success Story: At Texas, Banks added 30 pounds without losing his lateral quickness. He developed into an elite pass blocker, winning both the 2024 Lombardi and Outland Trophy awards. While he’s not the tallest offensive tackle, his impressive 83-inch wingspan was evident even in high school.
Key Takeaways on Banks: He has significantly outperformed his initial ranking, becoming a top prospect thanks to his development at Texas.
We’ll continue to roll out more of the re-ranked top 25, so stay tuned for more analysis of the 2022 recruiting class. Back to you in the studio.
