Reranking Kayvon Thibodeaux, Sam Howell and college football's 2019 recruiting class

College football's 2019 recruiting class started up front, with the top five prospects all dominating from the trenches. Those players are also proving to be the most productive in the transition to college, with three living up to those lofty rankings and five-star expectations.

DE Kayvon Thibodeaux, OT Evan Neal and OG Kenyon Green are all producing at a high level for their respective teams and are projected to be first-round NFL draft selections.

While DE Nolan Smith took a few years of development, we are now seeing what made the former five-star so highly touted.

Showing once again that recruiting is not an exact science, landing at the No. 9 spot is Iowa State RB Breece Hall, a former three-star prospect turned All-American.

Below, we examine how different the class would look if we re-ranked players based on their college production. Here is our final version of the top 25 in the 2019 ESPN 300 knowing what we know now.

1. DE Kayvon Thibodeaux
Oregon
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 1

Thibodeaux, a lengthy and explosive edge rusher with excellent range, has proven he still belongs at the top of the rankings. He met all expectations with nine sacks as freshman and has continued to be a disruptive force for the Ducks and one of college football's top pass rushers.

2. OL Evan Neal
Alabama
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 4

Neal was the second-rated offensive lineman in 2019, but the massive yet explosive and flexible big man has shown he's the premier offensive tackle from that class. He faced rich talent at IMG Academy, which aided his development and ability to start as a freshman. Neal has actually started at multiple spots on the offensive line for the Crimson Tide and was an anchor on the national title team as a sophomore.

3. S Kyle Hamilton
Notre Dame
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 165

A top-10 safety in the 2019 class, Hamilton has developed into one of the premier defenders in college football. With elite length and range, the Irish safety has been a defensive playmaker for the Irish, not only being among their leaders in tackles but also the team leader in interceptions.

4. WR Garrett Wilson
Ohio State
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 17

A big get out of Texas, Wilson displayed impressive ability and ranked as our No. 2 receiver. Since arriving at Ohio State, he has lived up to expectations as an immediate difference maker. The speedy receiver has recorded at least 30 receptions in each of his first three seasons and is a nightmare matchup for opposing defenses.

5. CB Derek Stingley Jr.
LSU
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 18

Stingley was the No. 1-rated cornerback in the class, but his top-20 overall ranking has proven to be too low. An immediate shutdown corner, he played a key role in the Tigers' championship season. Stingley led the SEC in interceptions and racked up multiple awards, including All-America honors. He followed that up with a strong sophomore campaign, gaining All-America honors again. He has missed time this season, but when healthy, he is one of the premier corners in college football.

6. OL Kenyon Green
Texas A&M
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 3

The top-ranked offensive lineman in the 2019 class, Green has taken a slight bump down to the No. 2 spot in this re-rank, but he is still clearly a five-star caliber performer. He immediately worked his way into the Aggies' starting lineup, earning freshman All-SEC honors, and followed that up garnering consensus All-American honors last season. He has worked at tackle and guard this season and remains the anchor of a young but improving O-line.

7. DL DeMarvin Leal
Texas A&M
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 60

As a prospect, he demonstrated valuable versatility and possessed great length and explosiveness. Leal has used those attributes to be a disruptive force for the Aggies, contributing since year one. Leal already has 5.5 sacks this year and is key cog to their defense.

8. LB Nakobe Dean
Georgia
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 24

The Butkus Award winner coming out high school has not disappointed. Dean contributed as a freshman and as a sophomore became a starter. He led the team in tackles was nominated for the Butkus Award for the nation's top linebacker. Dean remains a key contributor for the nation's No. 1 team, again among its leaders in tackles, as well as QB hurries.

9. RB Breece Hall
Iowa State
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: unranked (three stars)

Every year, prospects exceed expectations, and former three-star Hall is an example of that. In fact, Hall wasted little time proving he was under graded with a big freshman year, rushing for nearly 900 yards. He continued to build on that early success with an even more impactful performance in 2020, garnering Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year recognition and becoming the first unanimous All-American in Cyclones history. He leads the team in rushing and rushing TDs this season.

10. QB Sam Howell
North Carolina
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 120

A one-time Florida State commit during the recruiting process, Howell ultimately ended up with North Carolina and has posted big numbers leading the Tar Heels offensive attack. Utilizing his big arm, he set the FBS and school record for TD passes (38) by a true freshman and followed that up by leading the ACC in TD passes (30) as a sophomore.

11. CB Andrew Booth Jr.
Clemson
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 34

The player on this list with arguably the least amount of starts and snaps, Booth is still among the most talented from the 2019 class. A corner with coveted length and excellent ball skills, despite limited starts, he was still named second-team All-ACC. Booth has been a more active presence as a starter this season, and because of his flashes and outstanding physical tools, he remains a prospect with first-round potential.

12. LB Owen Pappoe
Auburn
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 8

A name that generated buzz early in his high school career, Pappoe was lacking a bit in ideal size (6-foot-1, 209 pounds), but demonstrated elite potential with a 40-inch vertical and a four-second short shuttle. He assumed a starting role once arriving at Auburn, and as a sophomore he was second on the team in tackles and among its leaders in tackles for loss. Injuries have hampered him some this season, but Pappoe, now 6-1, 226 pounds, is a highly productive presence when he is on the field.

13. WR Drake London
USC
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 277

USC has two players on this list, landing two key contributors from the 2019 class, including London. A 6-5, 210-pound target, London grew as a contributor over the course of his freshman season and built on that with a strong 2020. This season, he has been a vital part of the Trojans' passing attack, comfortably leading the team in receptions (64) and touchdown receptions (five).

14. WR Treylon Burks
Arkansas
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 82

The No. 2-rated player in the state of Arkansas, Burks was a big in-state pick-up at the time and has gone on to show why. He was utilized in multiple ways as a freshman and leads the team in receptions as a junior. This season, he is not only the Razorbacks' top target in the passing game, but one of the most productive receivers in the SEC: 38 catches for 628 yards and five TDs.

15. RB Isaiah Spiller
Texas A&M
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 123

A quick, well-rounded back, Spiller became a productive contributor right out the gate, leading the Aggies in rushing as a freshman. Last season, he helped propel one of the SEC's top rushing offenses with over 1,000 yards on the ground. A top-10 running back in the 2019 class, he continues to be among the most productive from that group and again leads Texas A&M in rushing while also being a factor as a receiver with over 60 career receptions.

16. WR John Metchie III
Alabama
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: unranked (four stars)

Metchie was not among the most touted signees in Alabama's 2019 class, but he still ranked as a four-star prospect and has since become its most dangerous offensive weapon from that No. 1-ranked class. He worked his way into the receiver rotation as a freshman and elevated his game last season when Jaylen Waddle was injured, averaging over 16 yards per catch. This season he developed into the Crimson Tide's top target and one of top receivers in college football.

17. LB Henry To'o To'o
Tennessee/Alabama
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 47

Fast and physical with a nose for the ball, To'oTo'o established himself as one of the top linebacker prospects in the 2019 class and has confirmed that with his play in college. He originally signed with Tennessee and made an immediate impact, notching over 70 tackles each of his first two seasons. Since transferring to Alabama, he has been a starter who leads the Crimson Tide in tackles.

18. LB Brandon Smith
Penn State
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 22

A prospect with impressive physical tools coming out of high school, Smith displayed a high ceiling for development with a nice long frame, good mobility and versatility. At Penn State, he has continued to develop and realize that promise. He's one of the Nittany Lions' most productive defenders and one of top linebackers in the Big Ten.

19. LB Christian Harris
Alabama
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 79

A nice recruiting win out of Louisiana, Harris was a versatile weapon in high school and ended up ranked as one of the top athletes in the 2019 class. He quickly found his fit at linebacker once arriving in Tuscaloosa, earning a starting role and freshman All-SEC honors. Last season, he finished second on the team in tackles and again among the team leaders in total tackles and tackles for loss.

20. RB Kenneth Walker III
Wake Forest/Michigan State
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: unranked (three stars)

Walker was productive in two seasons at Wake Forest but has exploded since transferring to Michigan State. A sudden and smooth runner, he has helped elevate the Spartans' rushing attack and is a key contributor to an undefeated team. He currently leads the FBS in rushing yards (997 yards) and is among the nation's leaders in rushing touchdowns (nine).

21. OT Ikem Ekwonu
NC State
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: unranked (three stars)

Many highly touted big men made this list, but Ekwonu was a sleeper and is deserving of a big leap forward. A high three-star prospect when signing with NC State, he has developed into one of the most punishing blockers in the nation. He worked his way into the starting lineup as a freshman and led the team in pancake blocks his first two seasons. He continues to establish himself as a top lineman in college football and potential Day 1 draft pick.

22. CB Kaiir Elam
Florida
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 59

Lengthy with excellent ball skills, Elam was one of the top-ranked athletes in the class and has, not surprisingly, developed into one of the top corners in college football. He worked his way into the mix in year one with five starts and three interceptions. He added two more last season while becoming a full-time starter in Gainesville.

23. LB Drake Jackson
USC
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 142

An edge defender with good initial quickness, Jackson was an early enrollee and first-year starter. He made his presence known quickly, leading the Trojans in tackles for loss and sacks as a freshman. A key in-state ESPN 300 signee at the time, he has continued to be disruptive and one of the top performers for a USC team trying to reestablish itself as an elite program.

24. WR George Pickens
Georgia
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 54

An offseason ACL injury has sidelined Pickens thus far this season, but when healthy, the 6-3 wide receiver has shown to be one of the top playmakers in college football. A target with outstanding length and body control, he is a tough matchup on the perimeter. Last season, he tied for team lead in receptions (36) and led the Bulldogs in receiving touchdowns (six).

25. S Jordan Battle
Alabama
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 92

It feels Battle has been a bit overlooked in Alabama's defense, but he has been a productive contributor from early on. He is among the fastest safeties in college football, and he has consistently been an instinctive player with a high ability to react and close. He's a two-year starter and now among the Crimson Tide's top tacklers and a team leader in interceptions, recording one pick-six last week against Mississippi State.