Gmtm Logo
SIGN UP
Gmtm Logo
ACTIVITIES
Download Our App
Sign in
Sign up

2010-15: Seven Top Football Recruits Who Didn't Pan Out

ByBryan Armetta

5 min read

2010-15: Seven Top Football Recruits Who Didn't Pan Out

Every year, powerhouse college football programs compete not only on the field, but across the country, scrambling to acquire high-end high school talent. Over time, the ability to recruit has become just as important as in-game strategy for head coaches, since a steady stream of talent builds depth, reputation and, ultimately, revenue.

However, for every major five-star to make waves on campus, there are just as many who don't pan out. Here are seven of the top recruits who failed to make a major impact in college football, and what you can learn from each of their stories.


2010: Seantrel Henderson - Offensive Tackle

This Minnesota native was touted as a once in a generation prospect, with USA Today naming him as their offensive player of the year, the first time an offensive lineman had won the award. After committing to USC as the No. 2 prospect in the nation, Henderson ultimately chose to play for the Miami Hurricanes.

Despite the hype, Henderson's time in South Beach was marked by numerous drug-related suspensions, causing a car crash by running a red light, and starting just 26 of his 43 games for Miami. After claiming that his partying days were in the past, Henderson's draft stock plummeted to the seventh round in 2014, and he is currently a free agent.


2011: George Farmer - Wide Receiver

George Farmer was the next big thing to hit USC, a school that has had their fair share of high-profile busts in recent years. However, in Farmer's case, he had unfortunate injury luck that ultimately derailed a once-promising career. Concussion problems held him out of action during the majority of his freshman year, accompanied by an ill-fated switch to running back that was ultimately ditched next season.

The Trojan wideout then suffered a tough string of injuries during his next two seasons, which included a poisonous spider bite and a torn ACL during preseason that cost him his entire junior year. After just one healthy season, he still had just 363 total receiving yards during his time at USC. He went undrafted in 2015 and bounced around NFL practice squads for the next two years.

Still, no one can deny that if injuries hadn't derailed him, Farmer's athletic ability could have shined at USC.


2012: Noah Spence - Defensive End

On the field, Noah Spence was a force to be reckoned with for Urban Meyer's Ohio State team. In his sophomore year, he racked up eight sacks and fifty tackles from the edge spot, showcasing a set of pass rushing skills that had many in Columbus feeling jubilant about a potential junior year.

Those hopes were dashed after Spence was banned for the 2013 team's Orange Bowl game after testing positive for MDMA. After another failed drug test in September of 2014, Spence was banned from Big Ten play the following month. After transferring to Eastern Kentucky the next season, Spence declared for the draft, where he was taken in the second round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.


2012: Dorial Green-Beckham - Wide Receiver

Similar to Noah Spence, Missouri commit Dorial Green-Beckham was a terrific talent, catching twelve touchdowns during his sophomore year with the Tigers.

However, his off-field troubles were quite simply out of control.

After getting arrested twice for marijuana issues, he was then charged with attempted burglary and had an altercation with a woman, despite no charges being pressed. Additionally, he was also investigated for domestic abuse of his then-girlfriend following a troubling text message, an incident that got him kicked out of Missouri.

Despite being picked in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft, Green-Beckham was out of the league just two years later.


2013: Max Browne - Quarterback

When USC landed quarterback Max Browne, he was seen as the centerpiece of a talented 2013 class. Ultimately, he was doomed by a combination of poor performance and a lack of opportunity. Cody Kessler's solid play prevented Browne from getting a shot until his senior year.

However, after drubbings at the hands of Alabama and Stanford to start the 2016 season, head coach Clay Helton promoted freshman phenom Sam Darnold to start at QB, pushing Browne to the bench. After transferring to Pittsburgh for his final season of NCAA eligibility, Browne only managed to throw for 997 yards and five touchdowns, ending his football career.


2013: Derrick Green - Running Back

Derrick Green entered his first season with the Michigan Wolverines as a powerful downhill runner rated as the best high school running back in the nation. Hailed as a major signing for Brady Hoke's program, Green's tenure got off to a rocky start when he showed up to training camp at twenty pounds overweight.

After a promising start to his sophomore season, Green broke his clavicle, causing him to miss the remainder of Hoke's final season of coaching in Ann Arbor. New head coach Jim Harbaugh relegated Green to the bench for most of his junior year, and he eventually filed a request to transfer from Michigan, never playing college football again.


2015: Byron Cowart - Defensive End

Expectations for Cowart were sky-high when he decided to commit to Auburn. Sadly, he never came close to reaching his potential while playing for the Tigers. Coming into his junior year, the edge rusher had just seventeen career tackles, but fans still had high hopes.

These dreams never panned out; after just three tackles in two games during the 2017 season, Cowart decided to transfer, never starting a game for Auburn.

After an improved but still slightly underwhelming season at Maryland, Cowart still managed to get drafted by the New England Patriots in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He recently recorded his first career sack in the team's loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 14 of the 2020 season.

Are you an Athlete?

Create a free profile to access the largest network specifically designed to connect athletes to opportunities. Get started.

RELATED ARTICLES
Recruitment Roadmap: Essential Tips & Resources for Athletes

Recruitment Roadmap: Essential Tips & Resources for Athletes

Are you an aspiring athlete looking to take your sports career to the next level? Whether you dream...

ByTiffany Allen | Mon Jan 29 2024
The Recruiting Process Simplified: Tips for Athletes

The Recruiting Process Simplified: Tips for Athletes

Growing up, many athletes dream of hitting the game-winning shot. A stadium roaring with fans,...

ByTiffany Allen | Tue Jan 02 2024
GMTM Launches New Recruiting Education Course

GMTM Launches New Recruiting Education Course

“How do I get recruited?" This is a question we hear from athletes all the time at GMTM. We know...

ByTiffany Allen | Tue Dec 12 2023
Athlete Scholarships: Your Pathway to Success

Athlete Scholarships: Your Pathway to Success

Are you an athlete looking to unlock the path to your dreams with a college scholarship? Beyond...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Dec 07 2023
Beyond NCSA Athletic Recruiting: Get Ahead in Your Journey

Beyond NCSA Athletic Recruiting: Get Ahead in Your Journey

Navigating the recruiting landscape in sports can be difficult and complex. If you're an athlete,...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Nov 30 2023
What Do Coaches Want? Unlocking the Secrets of Athletic Recruitment for New Talent

What Do Coaches Want? Unlocking the Secrets of Athletic Recruitment for New Talent

Picture this: You're out on the field, giving your all, with the wind in your hair and the crowd's...

ByTiffany Allen | Mon Nov 20 2023
Recruiting in Sports: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

Recruiting in Sports: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

Are you an athlete looking to uncover the keys to success in sports recruiting? Unlock your...

ByTiffany Allen | Mon Nov 13 2023
How to Train for Football Combines & Camps

How to Train for Football Combines & Camps

The NFL combine is the ultimate opportunity for athletes to showcase themselves in front of NFL...

ByMathias Torp | Wed Nov 08 2023
5 Stages of College Recruiting Process

5 Stages of College Recruiting Process

The recruiting process can be compared to a funnel containing five specific stages. College coaches...

ByMathias Torp | Fri Nov 03 2023
Flag Football: Unlocking Your Path to Pro Sports

Flag Football: Unlocking Your Path to Pro Sports

Are you passionate about sports and dreaming of excelling in a new sport? Look no further than flag...

ByTiffany Allen | Fri Oct 13 2023
Recruiting for Football: The Ultimate Guide

Recruiting for Football: The Ultimate Guide

Are you a football coach or recruiter looking to build a winning team? Crucial for success on the...

ByTiffany Allen | Mon Sep 11 2023
AFFL Opens Talent ID Event For Upcoming Pro Tryouts In Dallas & Three Other Cities

AFFL Opens Talent ID Event For Upcoming Pro Tryouts In Dallas & Three Other Cities

The American Flag Football League is hosting an in-person tryout for male athletes interested in...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Jun 29 2023
Sports Career Success: Tips for College and Pro Athletes

Sports Career Success: Tips for College and Pro Athletes

Sports come with a unique set of challenges and opportunities. As an athlete, pursuing a career in...

ByTiffany Allen | Wed Jun 21 2023
Volleyball Recruits: 10 Tips For Acing The College Recruiting Process

Volleyball Recruits: 10 Tips For Acing The College Recruiting Process

The college volleyball recruiting process can be intimidating for high school athletes, but with...

ByOVA Team Ontario | Fri Jun 02 2023
Learn How USA Football Selects The Flag Football National Team

Learn How USA Football Selects The Flag Football National Team

The sport of Flag Football has continued to grow in popularity in recent years. The introduction to...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Jun 01 2023
How Many Scholarships Does Each Collegiate Sport Offer?

How Many Scholarships Does Each Collegiate Sport Offer?

It's time to start applying for schools and begin your recruiting process. You have been working...

ByJohnathan Wright | Tue Feb 21 2023
Sports Injuries and Insurance: Four Facts Parents & Recruits Should Know

Sports Injuries and Insurance: Four Facts Parents & Recruits Should Know

Injuries are a major part of athletics, and a high percentage of student-athletes competing in NCAA...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Feb 07 2023
American Football: How To Play Professional Football In Another Country?

American Football: How To Play Professional Football In Another Country?

Yes, it is definitely possible to play American football overseas. However, this is not common...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Jan 26 2023
New XFL Draft Picks use GMTM to be seen by coaches and fans

New XFL Draft Picks use GMTM to be seen by coaches and fans

In just under a month, the XFL will be taking yet another crack at creating a competing...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Jan 20 2023
Recruiting Rankings: Should I Be Worried If I’m Not A Ranked Basketball Player?

Recruiting Rankings: Should I Be Worried If I’m Not A Ranked Basketball Player?

Getting ranked - it’s the ultimate goal and source of motivation for many basketball players across...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sun Dec 04 2022
"What Is A 5-Star Recruit?": Explaining how high school basketball prospect rankings work

"What Is A 5-Star Recruit?": Explaining how high school basketball prospect rankings work

High School basketball players like Bronny James are all over TV and social media nowadays, with...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Dec 01 2022
College Soccer: What is the difference between NCAA Division-I & NAIA?

College Soccer: What is the difference between NCAA Division-I & NAIA?

Many soccer athletes across the United States aspire to play their sport at the college level, and...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sat Nov 26 2022
College Volleyball: What Is The Timeline For A High School Recruit

College Volleyball: What Is The Timeline For A High School Recruit

Playing volleyball at the collegiate level is almost every single player's dream as a young...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Nov 24 2022
Baseball Recruiting: Tips For How To Find A Showcase Team

Baseball Recruiting: Tips For How To Find A Showcase Team

It isn’t always easy to find a team that’s the right fit for you. It wasn’t easy for me. Some guys...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Nov 23 2022
How To Improve Your Golf Game With A New Workout Routine

How To Improve Your Golf Game With A New Workout Routine

The potency of preparedness in winning all battles, from the most ferocious to the most trivial of...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Nov 22 2022
Five Ways To Boost Your Basketball Recruiting with Social Media

Five Ways To Boost Your Basketball Recruiting with Social Media

Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn, GMTM, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook... Social media is a...

ByKeiwaine Hicks | Sat Nov 19 2022
Which High Schools In America Produce The Most Female College Athletes?

Which High Schools In America Produce The Most Female College Athletes?

It may come as no surprise to hear parents want what is best for their children. If parents have...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Nov 15 2022
How To Play Division-I College Football: Four Requirements For Every Athlete

How To Play Division-I College Football: Four Requirements For Every Athlete

It is no secret that it is often a young football athlete's dream to play their favorite sport at...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Nov 14 2022
Is playing Division-II college sports worth it?

Is playing Division-II college sports worth it?

Being a Division II collegiate athlete was one of the best experiences of my entire life. Having...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Nov 08 2022
Bucket List: Five More College Football Traditions You Need To See

Bucket List: Five More College Football Traditions You Need To See

Part two of some of the best division 1 college football game day traditions throughout the United...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sat Nov 05 2022
Five major benefits of playing at a large high school for hopeful recruits

Five major benefits of playing at a large high school for hopeful recruits

Quality of Competition Large high schools tend to have bigger athletic departments and budgets....

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Nov 02 2022
Eight Football Athletes Using GMTM To Find Opportunities To Play

Eight Football Athletes Using GMTM To Find Opportunities To Play

There doesn't seem to be a clear start and finish to the football season anymore. In today’s day...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Oct 28 2022
College Volleyball Recruiting: How Athletes Can Get Ahead Before High School

College Volleyball Recruiting: How Athletes Can Get Ahead Before High School

The first step in getting recruited by a college volleyball team is to take advantage of the...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sun Oct 23 2022
The Four Best Quarterbacks Turned Wide Receivers in NFL History

The Four Best Quarterbacks Turned Wide Receivers in NFL History

Playing quarterback may be the toughest job in professional sports, with just thirty-two jobs in...

ByBryan Armetta | Sun Oct 16 2022
Three Tell-Tale Signs You Are Ready For College Sports

Three Tell-Tale Signs You Are Ready For College Sports

Plenty of high school athletes think they have what it takes to play sports in college. However,...

ByBryan Armetta | Thu Oct 13 2022
How Athletic Scholarships Work: A Quick Guide To Paying For College

How Athletic Scholarships Work: A Quick Guide To Paying For College

It is no secret that college is expensive, and as time goes on, the price continues to increase....

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Oct 11 2022
Think you can play college football? Here’s what to expect in the recruiting process

Think you can play college football? Here’s what to expect in the recruiting process

Playing college football is a dream for many high schoolers but the recruiting process can be...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Oct 06 2022
College Football's "Dead Money": Why Fired Coaches Keep Getting Paid

College Football's "Dead Money": Why Fired Coaches Keep Getting Paid

We’re at the point in the college football calendar where teams are assessing whether they’d like...

ByAndrew Pistone | Wed Sep 28 2022
Soccer Recruiting: What College Coaches Look For In High School Recruits

Soccer Recruiting: What College Coaches Look For In High School Recruits

Realistically, soccer coaches and managers look out for different things in soccer players during...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Sep 28 2022
Volleyball Recruiting: Nine Questions For Recruits To Ask Volleyball Coaches

Volleyball Recruiting: Nine Questions For Recruits To Ask Volleyball Coaches

Finding a good college, team, coach, and place to spend four years of your life is important and...

ByRebekah Morris | Mon Sep 26 2022
College Football: Five Stars Who Could Have Benefitted Most from NIL Ruling

College Football: Five Stars Who Could Have Benefitted Most from NIL Ruling

The NCAA's Division I Board of Directors announced a new...

ByBryan Armetta | Sat Sep 24 2022
College Sports: How To Pick The Right School To Attend

College Sports: How To Pick The Right School To Attend

Picking the right college can be a tough task for any high school senior, but it can be a unique...

ByAlexis Peltzer-Harding | Fri Sep 23 2022
Where Is The Sport Of Lacrosse Most Popular?

Where Is The Sport Of Lacrosse Most Popular?

Lacrosse has long been known as an east coast sport in the United States, but has seen growth...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Sep 22 2022
What Does Redshirt Mean? And The Reasons Why Players Do It?

What Does Redshirt Mean? And The Reasons Why Players Do It?

Any athlete with a love for competition hates sitting on the sideline, but once he or she gets to...

ByCorey Roepken | Mon Sep 19 2022
What Every College Athlete Should Know Before Freshman Year Starts

What Every College Athlete Should Know Before Freshman Year Starts

The shift from high school to college is a big one. Throw playing a collegiate sport in and it can...

ByLily Ford | Sun Sep 18 2022
Trending Up: High School Football Athletes on GMTM - Week 2

Trending Up: High School Football Athletes on GMTM - Week 2

Football is back and tens of thousands of high school football players are on the field making...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Sep 15 2022
The Positives of Playing Club Volleyball For College Recruits

The Positives of Playing Club Volleyball For College Recruits

Do you aspire to step into your next level as a collegiate volleyball player? Are you unsure if...

ByGrace White | Thu Sep 08 2022
Top Five Skills Every Defensive Back Prospect Needs to Develop

Top Five Skills Every Defensive Back Prospect Needs to Develop

Quarterbacks and offensive player command a lot of attention on recruiting websites, and rightfully...

ByJordan Rinard | Tue Sep 06 2022
How High School Recruits Can Use Twitter To Engage With College Coaches

How High School Recruits Can Use Twitter To Engage With College Coaches

National Signing Day is right around the corner (February 3, for the uninitiated), and now is good...

ByJordan Rinard | Mon Sep 05 2022
How Parents Can Help You Get Recruited To Play College Football

How Parents Can Help You Get Recruited To Play College Football

While performance and execution are a fundamental necessity for the child when it comes to getting...

ByDJ Cadden | Tue Aug 30 2022