We all know that recruiting is an inexact science, and Arizona linebacker Scooby Wright proves the point, as Wright's Twitter handle -- TwoStarScoob -- testified while the true sophomore unanimous All-American became the nation's most decorated defensive player, winning the Lombardi, Nagurski and Bednarik awards.
Back when he was known as "Philip" Wright as a high school senior, he was rated just two stars by Rivals.com and Scout.com. ESPN.com -- cough, cough -- gave him three stars.
Funny thing is, for every player who is celebrated at every level all the way to NFL super-stardom, there are more cases of guys coming from nowhere to become stars. Or at least key contributors.
That is the purpose of this series. We'll run through each Pac-12 team and highlight a player who was low on star rating when he arrived on campus but became a critical guy.
We start with Wright's own team: Arizona.
Two-Star Scoob: OT Fabbians Ebbele
Recruiting ratings: ESPN.com: Not rated; Rivals.com: Three stars; Scout.com: No. 5 OT in Illinois.
Recruiting analysis: He made the Chicago Sun-Times first-team all-public league and the Sun-Times area top 100. His first scholarship offer came from Illinois in December of his senior year. While his size -- 6-foot-8, 315 pounds -- is ideal for a tackle, there was some concern about Ebbele's lack of speed as his recruiting 40 time was listed as 5.74.
On campus? After redshirting his freshman year, Ebbele went on to start 50 games as a four-year starter. During those four years, the Wildcats averaged at least 458 yards per game, despite using four different quarterbacks, two different head coaches and three different O-line coaches. In 2011, as a pass-first offense with Nick Foles behind center, Ebbele's line yielded just 23 sacks. Over the next two years, the Wildcats rushed for 228 and 265 yards per game and gave up 18 and 17 sacks. While the sack numbers went up this season to 40 with redshirt freshman Anu Solomon at QB, the Wildcats averaged nearly 35 points and 463 yards per game. While Ebbele never became an All-Pac-12 performer, his steadiness and durability were key reasons the Wildcats have surged in three years under Rich Rodriguez.