At the beginning of the season, I identified 10 former five-star prospects who were entering a make-or-break season to avoid busting out. How did they end up doing? Here’s a rundown. MORE: Who's still left to sign among Rivals100 prospects?

Recruiting: Fans of both Auburn and Florida were left in limbo for most of National Signing Day after Cowart chose Auburn on national TV but then didn’t send in his letter until hours later. What he needed to do: After totaling only 12 tackles coming into the 2017 season, the hope was that a move to the inside of the defensive line would revitalize he career at Auburn. What actually happened: After only two games, and a total of three tackles, Cowart asked for his release and has since transferred out of Auburn. He will continue his career at Maryland. Farrell’s take: This was a major fail and Cowart is a bust, plain and simple. Even if he lands on his feet at Maryland, he will never live up to being the No. 1 recruit overall in his class. I should have never flipped Cowart and Josh Rosen at the end of the cycle. Hindsight is 20/20 but there were a few red flags there with Cowart that Rosen didn’t have.

Recruiting: Michigan was considered the leader for a good portion of Hand’s recruiting process, while Alabama and Florida continued to play catch-up. The Crimson Tide finally surpassed the Wolverines after Hand's official visit to Tuscaloosa in late October, which resulted in his commitment in November. What he needed to do: As with many Alabama players, Hand has had to wait his turn in Tuscaloosa. With the spotlight on him this fall, he needed to run with the opportunity and finally showcase his true potential and have a Jonathan Allen kind of year. What actually happened: Hand did have 21 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss and two sacks, but injuries limited him to only eight games. Farrell’s take: This just never got the traction it needed and he joins Cowart, in a much smaller capacity, as a bust as the No. 1 guy. And like Cowart, the player ranked right behind him went on to stardom (Myles Garrett) so I’m kicking myself a bit. There were zero red flags with Hand, none at all, so this is puzzling. He had the athleticism, drive and overall skill to be a star but it just never happened.

Recruiting: With his father, Reggie McKenzie, having played for the Vols in the early 1980s, Tennessee was always considered the favorite for Kahlil. Not pulling any surprises, McKenzie committed to the Vols over Arizona during the summer leading up to his senior season. What he needed to do: McKenzie showed a great deal of potential as a true freshman in 2015, but an upper body injury in 2016 derailed his sophomore season. He needed to show everyone that he was healthy and able to dominate the interior defensive line. What actually happened: While the Tennessee defense had its fair share of difficulties, McKenzie did finish with 35 tackles, three tackles for a loss and two sacks. More known as a run stopper, he was able to show off his athleticism throughout the season. Farrell’s take: The jury is still out a bit on McKenzie although he hasn’t played up to his ranking. He has the athleticism, size and power to be dominant and put it all together. Maybe that will still happen, as I hope he doesn’t declare early which would be a big mistake. In Jeremy Pruitt’s system, he could break out next season if he returns.

Recruiting: Lucier-South took official visits to Michigan, Oregon and Oklahoma before committing to UCLA in late November. While he claimed the Wolverines as his “dream school” he ultimately decided to play closer to home. What he needed to do: There was a great deal of turnover on the defensive line coming into the 2017, so the opportunity was there for Lucier-South to make a statement this fall after totaling only six tackles during his redshirt freshman season. What actually happened: The UCLA defense as a whole had issues throughout the season, but Lucier-Smith did become one of the bright spots with 50 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, one sack and one forced fumble. He gives new head coach Chip Kelly a building block to work with on the defensive line next season. Farrell’s take: Lucier-South had a solid season and could take the next step forward. This was needed from him. It was a bit early to call him a bust or even talk about a potential bust label, but with Jaelean Phillips coming on board Lucier-South would be compared to him quickly as a pass rusher and a guy who could get into the backfield. This was a nice step forward.

Recruiting: Richmond committed to Ole Miss at the start of his senior season after visiting Tennessee, Ohio State, Alabama and others during the summer. However, when National Signing Day came around he flipped to the Vols in a huge recruiting grab for former coach Butch Jones. What he needed to do: Richmond showed great potential in 2016 after a rough start, so all eyes were on him to see if he could take his game to the next step. What actually happened: Richmond was suspended for the season opener against Georgia Tech and only played a total of seven games due to injuries. He showed potential while on the field, but lacked consistency. Farrell’s take: It’s clear we overshot on Richmond, at least so far. He hasn’t taken that next step and has been bypassed by freshman Trey Smith easily despite the two playing different positions. Right now it looks like we should have rated Richmond lower and Smith higher.

Recruiting: Campbell initially committed to Michigan, but after the Wolverines' rough 2014 season and coaching change looming, he decommitted and quickly made a pledge to Florida State. What he needed to do: After grabbing only three receptions in his first two seasons, while also dealing with an injury, it was now or never for Campbell to show everyone his five-star potential. What actually happened: The core muscle injury that sidelined Campbell during the 2016 season once again resurfaced and limited him to only four games. During his time on the field he finished with six receptions for 122 yards. Farrell’s take: I’ll take the blame on this one as I made the final decision to push him to five-stars after the Under Armour week. That was clearly a poor decision. He just never emerged whether you want to blame injuries, his hands or his desire. Whatever the reason, Campbell has bust written all over him.

Recruiting: Phillips took official visits to Tennessee, Ole Miss and LSU, and while the Rebels and Tigers looked to be the leaders for a good portion of his process, his last visit to Knoxville was enough for him to commit to the Vols in early January. What he needed to do: After dealing with an injury and then a position change during his first two seasons, Phillips moved back to his natural defensive end position this fall in hopes of sparking the Tennessee pass rush. What actually happened: Finishing with 33 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss and two sacks, Phillips did show signs of what made him a five-star, but he also lacked the consistency to help the Vols' defense throughout the season. Farrell’s take: This was supposed to be a breakout year as he’s been bounced around the line a bit and now could focus on defensive end completely. It was a solid year overall but certainly not a five-star caliber season. He’s been vastly overrated.

Recruiting: Irwin was torn between Stanford and Arizona State for the majority of his recruitment, but at the end committed to the Cardinal in early January. What he needed to do: While Irwin did total 49 receptions for 592 yards and one touchdown during his first two seasons at Stanford, more was expected out of him this fall. What actually happened: Irwin has put together his best collegiate season to date with 40 receptions for 444 yards and two touchdowns, but his play has yet to reach the level that many expected when he committed to the Cardinal. Farrell’s take: Irwin dominated the 7-on-7 scene and couldn’t be covered, and I guess we fell for that. His ball skills and route running were so good but he hasn’t emerged as a star target for Stanford. Blame the system, poor quarterback play or whatever you want but this wasn’t the big step forward needed.

Recruiting: Houston took official visits to USC, Oregon, Miami, Arizona State and Oklahoma before staying close to home and committing to the Trojans on National Signing Day. Arizona State and Oregon both made serious pushes for Houston before his commitment. What he needed to do: Despite a loaded linebacking corps at USC, the opportunity was still there for Houston to make a name for himself this fall after totaling only 16 tackles in 2016 What actually happened: Houston did manage to make a name for himself and positioned himself nicely to be one of USC’s top returning defensive players in 2018 (if he decides to return) after he finished the pre-bowl season with 76 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery. Farrell’s take: Houston broke out and broke out nicely, and is now starting to play like a five-star linebacker. He always had the athleticism, quick-twitch ability and length, and he’s starting to put all of it together now. Let’s hope he comes back and has an even better year next season to solidify living up to his ranking.