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Biggest Recruiting “What-Ifs” from the Past Few Seasons

Which players could have completely changed CFB history if they chose a different school?

Mike Farrell| January 29, 2023 (Updated: July 9, 2025)
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1. Ohio State and RB Bijan Robinson

The unquestioned best tailback in the country over the past two seasons, Robinson was long considered an Ohio State lean during his recruitment. But the five-star from Tucson, AZ, was ultimately swayed to Austin and has been the focal point of the Longhorns’ offense since. TreVeyon Henderson has been great but missed most of the year. What if the Buckeyes had Bijan?

Nov 25, 2022; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson (5) runs during the second half against the Baylor Bears at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

2. TE Brock Bowers and UCLA

The Bruins made the final eight for Bowers and made a late push for the four-star tight end out of Napa. As great as he’s been at Georgia (and he’s been as good as anyone), Bowers playing for Chip Kelly as the complete focal point of the passing game could have resulted in receiving records for the position and perhaps been the missing key to the playoff. And UGA wouldn’t have won it all without him.

Sep 24, 2022; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers (19) runs for a touchdown against the Kent State Golden Flashes during the first quarter at Sanford Stadium.

3. Xavier Worthy and Michigan

Worthy committed, decommitted, and recommitted to the Maize and Blue, even signing with them and saying he was going to enroll early. But issues with admissions forced him to sign elsewhere, and after choosing Texas he’s been one of the best receivers in the Big XII. The Wolverines could have used a true game-breaking receiver in the CFP the past two years and this year against TCU it could have made the difference.

Oct 8, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns wide receiver Xavier Worthy (8) celebrates with fans while wearing the Golden Hat trophy after the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl.

4. WR Jalin Hyatt and Clemson

Tigers never offered the four-star in-state product from Irmo, which was very puzzling at the time. They’re certainly regretting their decision now as Hyatt turned into a Biletnikoff winner under Josh Heupel and might have made things easier on the Clemson QB situation.

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Oct 15, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) runs for a touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second half at Neyland Stadium.

5. CB Kelee Ringo and Oregon

The Ducks were widely known to be Ringo’s favorite team growing up and he was considered an Oregon lean for a long while. But Kirby Smart closed strong on the five-star Arizona product and has reaped the rewards since – most notably in last year’s title game when Ringo’s pick-six sealed the championship for the Dawgs. Without Ringo do the Dawgs win two? And does Oregon get to the playoff with him?

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 10: Kelee Ringo #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs intercepts the ball in the fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide held at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
Category: College Football, RecruitingTag: Bijan Robinson, Brock Bowers, Jalin Hyatt, Kaleb Morris, Kelee Ringo, Mike Farrell
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