Former top recruits who could use an expanded role

Watching Boston College upset Clemson last week got me thinking. Sometimes, all some players need to take off is simply an expanded role. On the one hand, Clemson’s best player is senior Hunter Tyson. Coming into this season, Tyson averaged 15.4 minutes per game over his four years; this year, he is averaging 35.1 minutes and pushing for first-team All-ACC honors.

On the other hand, Boston College’s best player is Quinten Post. The 7-foot-0 senior is averaging 16.5 points in 26.2 minutes played this season. Post is a transfer from Mississippi State, where he played 7.4 minutes per game through two seasons and 39 games.

Understanding that not all circumstances are built the same, both of these players, under different circumstances, found themselves with expanded roles, and they have thrived.

At this point in the season, most college programs have their rotations and lineups set. Teams are settled into making a run or simply finishing strong and building for next year.

I wanted to look through the college landscape at some former top recruits, guys who were ranked among the top 100 of their high school graduating classes, to see who might benefit from an expanded role.

So. F Dontrez Styles (UNC)

Dontrez Styles is a 6-foot-6 sophomore at North Carolina. The combo forward chose the Tar Heels over NC State, Clemson, and others. Styles is averaging 1.1 points in 5.0 minutes per game this season. The Kinston, NC native graduated from Kinston (NC) High. He was the No. 62 player in the 2021 On3 Consensus.

So. PF Samson Johnson (UConn)

Samson Johnson is a 6-foot-10 sophomore at Connecticut. The power forward chose the Huskies over Syracuse, Xavier, Miami, Providence, and others. Johnson is averaging 2.8 points in 7.8 minutes through four games prior to a foot injury this season. The native of Togo graduated from Elizabeth (NJ) The Patrick School. He was the No. 59 player in the 2021 On3 Consensus.

So. C Enoch Boakye (Arizona State)

Enoch Boakye is a 6-foot-10 sophomore at Arizona State. The center chose the Sun Devils after de-committing from Michigan State; Texas Tech, Illinois, Maryland, and others were also involved. Boakye is averaging 0.6 points in 3.1 minutes per game this season. Originally from Canada, he graduated from Mississauga (ON) George Harris Prep. He was the No. 26 player in the 2021 On3 Consensus.

Fr. SF Tyrell Ward (LSU)

Tyrell Ward is a 6-foot-6 freshman at LSU. The small forward chose the Tigers after de-committing from Xavier following a coaching change. Ward is averaging 1.9 points in 9.0 minutes per game this season. The Washington DC native graduated from Hyattsville (MD) DeMatha Catholic. He was the No. 29 player in the 2022 On3 Consensus.

Fr. SG Brendan Hausen (Villanova)

Brendan Hausen is a 6-foot-4 freshman at Villanova. The shooting guard chose the Wildcats of programs like Oregon, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and others. Hausen is averaging 3.5 points in 9.5 minutes per game this season. The Amarillo, Texas native graduated from Amarillo (TX) High. He was the No. 73 player in the 2022 On3 Consensus.

So. SF Jahmai Mashack (Tennessee)

Jahmai Mashack is a 6-foot-4 sophomore at Tennessee. The wing chose the Volunteers over the likes of Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, and others. He is averaging 3.5 points in 14.5 minutes per game this season. The Fontana, California native graduated from Rancho Cucamonga (CA) Etiwanda High. He was the No. 61 player in the 2021 On3 Consensus.