Four years after the 2013 National Signing Day in college football, which 5-stars recruits were beasts? And who were the forgettable busts?

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The 5-star recruit is the ultimate target for every major college football coaching staff and fan base. Yeah, there are hundreds of talented prep players across the country. And then there are the 5-star thoroughbreds on which classes are built. However, the excitement of signing one of these limited gems can sometimes dissipate even before the next recruiting class arrives on campus.

The inconvenient Signing Day truth is that even the most ballyhooed recruits occasionally disappoint. Such is the nature of an imprecise science that’s equal parts intoxicating and exasperating. For proof, a retrospective peek at the 42 can’t-miss recruits from 2013 illustrates almost as many busts as beasts.

Listed below, in descending order, are all the 5-star recruits from the 2013 class with a look at just how well each player’s college career panned out.

Historical rankings from 2013 are courtesy of Scout.com

42. TE Adam Breneman, Penn State

It’s been an interesting four-year journey for Breneman. He was terrific out of the gate in Happy Valley, but recurring knee problems forced him to retire in 2015. However, his hiatus was short-lived. Breneman earned his Penn State degree, transferred to UMass and caught 70 balls for 808 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior last fall.

Worth the Hype?

… Nope (Penn State), Yes (Massachusetts)

41. CB Priest Willis, UCLA

Willis is on his second major program, transferring to Texas A&M prior to the 2015 season. But he’s still searching for the production of a former can’t-miss recruit. While inconsistent in his Aggie debut, Willis did break up eight passes in eight games and has the measurables to be a key defensive contributor in his senior season.

Worth the Hype?

… Not yet

40. QB Shane Morris, Michigan

Morris is best known for being the woozy kid Brady Hoke allowed to remain on the field after having his bell rung against Minnesota in 2014. Otherwise, to date there’s nothing memorable about Morris, who failed to throw a touchdown pass as a Wolverine. He’ll finish his college career trying to succeed Cooper Rush at Central Michigan in 2017.

Worth the Hype?

… Nope

39. S Dymonte Thomas, Michigan

Thomas is the classic 5-star recruit who authored a three-star career in Ann Arbor. He earned four letters as a Wolverine, but he didn’t become a full-timer until this past season. To his credit, though, Thomas did have his best year as a senior, making 70 tackles and 10 pass breakups to earn honorable mention All-Big Ten.

Worth the Hype?

… Not quite

38. DE Joey Bosa, Ohio State

Bosa was dominant from jump street, a trend that continues to this day. The Freshman All-American and two-time All-American collected 51 tackles for loss in three seasons as a Buckeye. Chosen No. 3 overall by the San Diego Chargers in the 2016 draft, Bosa went on to be named last year’s NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Worth the Hype?

… Yes

37. RB Ty Isaac, USC

Isaac always looked the part, a big and bruising back with acceleration. In his case, though, looks were deceiving. Isaac has never been more than a role player, first with the Trojans and the past two seasons at Michigan. He rushed for a career-high 417 yards in 2016, and has the option to return for a final year this fall.

Worth the Hype?

… Nope

36. OL Kent Perkins, Texas

It could be argued Perkins was the steadiest performer of Mack Brown’s final class in Austin. The versatile 6-foot-5, 320-pounder started 34 games as a Longhorn, 22 at right guard and 12 at right tackle. And after earning a spot on the 2016 All-Big 12 Second Team, he’ll have a chance to keep playing on Sundays.

Worth the Hype?

… Yes

35. DT Greg Gilmore, LSU

Gilmore is getting closer to reaching his potential in Baton Rouge. And he might get there now that he’s elected to return for his senior season. Gilmore is coming off his best season as a Tiger, notching 34 tackles as the full-timer at the nose. He wants to raise his game for NFL scouts in 2017.

Worth the Hype?

… Not yet

34. DE Jonathan Allen, Alabama

Allen capped a distinguished career in Tuscaloosa by outplaying every other FBS defensive player in 2016. His warchest of individual honors included the Bednarik Award, the Hendricks Award and the Nagurski Trophy, the byproducts of collecting 69 tackles, 16 stops for loss, 10.5 sacks and a pair of touchdowns. Next up is the NFL Draft, where Allen should be chosen high in the opening round.

Worth the Hype?

… Yes

33. QB Christian Hackenberg, Penn State

The quintessence of a 5-star bust, Hackenberg looked the part and sounded the part, but never came close to fulfilling expectations. Oh, he played plenty for the Lions, starting 37 games. And his O-line was terrible. But his accuracy and overall development were nearly as bad, though that didn’t dissuade the New York Jets from using a second-round pick on him last spring.

Worth the Hype?

… Nope

32. WR Jalin Marshall, Ohio State

Marshall redshirted in 2013 and was an undrafted free agent member of the New York Jets in 2016. The Buckeyes only had him for two years, in which he produced 74 catches for 976 yards and 11 touchdowns. Not bad, but also not commensurate with a player rated among the top prep receivers in America four years ago.

Worth the Hype?

… Not quite

31. S Tony Conner, Ole Miss

From the moment he arrived, Conner was every bit as good as advertised with the Rebels. The only derailment at Ole Miss wasn’t his fault, a meniscus tear suffered midway through his junior season. Conner, who was a Freshman All-American in 2013 and All-SEC in 2014, ended his Rebel career with 42 starts and nearly 200 tackles.

Worth the Hype?

… Yes

30. WR Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss

In three years as a Rebel, Treadwell caught a school-record 202 balls for 2,393 yards and 21 touchdowns, despite suffering a gruesome tibia injury toward the end of his sophomore year. He rebounded to finish strong as a junior, prompting the Minnesota Vikings to select him No. 23 overall in last year’s NFL Draft.

Worth the Hype?

… Yes

29. RB Justin Davis, USC

Davis was more solid than spectacular during his four-year Trojan career, scoring 21 total touchdowns but never rushing for 1,000 yards in a season. He rushed for 100 yards in five games, including twice last fall before an ankle injury set him back. Davis has a chance to be a productive back at the next level.

Worth the Hype?

… Sort of

28. LB Mike Mitchell, Ohio State

Mitchell had the measurables, which initially attracted the interest of Urban Meyer. But he never panned out, first transferring to Texas Tech in 2014 to get closer to home and then leaving Lubbock for NAIA Southeastern University, where he appeared in a couple of games last November. Mitchell has a season of eligibility remaining.

Worth the Hype?

… Nope

27. OG Patrick Kugler, Michigan

Kugler has never risen above being a role player for the Wolverines, starting just a single game in four seasons. He’s a journeyman blocker, though his versatility and experience within the program could potentially benefit the Wolverines in 2017, as they look to revamp the O-line rotation.

Worth the Hype?

… Nope

26. CB Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech

Fuller was brilliant in the first half of his Hokie career, picking off eight passes and breaking up 26 others. But a knee injury limited him to just three games in 2015, and he opted to enter the 2016 NFL Draft following his junior season. Fuller was selected in Round 3 by the Washington Redskins and played well as a rookie.

Worth the Hype?

… Yes

25. S Vonn Bell, Ohio State

Bell was symbolic of Urban Meyer’s ability to attract top-flight talent to Columbus from regions outside the Midwest. Bell, a Chattanooga native who finished his high school career in Georgia, started his final two years as a Buckeye, earning an All-American nod in 2015. He started 14 games and made 87 tackles as a rookie with the New Orleans Saints.

Worth the Hype?

… Yes

24. DT Chris Jones, Mississippi State

Jones was an elite talent coming out of Houston (Miss.) High School. And there’s a reason why he was a second-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs, where he played well in 2016. But Jones started just one season in Starkville, 2015, before declaring for the draft, and failed to be named All-SEC in that finale.

Worth the Hype?

… Sort of

23. WR Robert Foster, Alabama

After just 21 receptions for 215 yards and a pair of touchdowns in three seasons, it’s fair to label Foster a bust. He’s never been able to put it all together, remaining buried behind the likes of Calvin Ridley and ArDarius Stewart. And now Foster is contemplating spending his final year of eligibility somewhere other than Tuscaloosa.

Worth the Hype?

… Nope

22. RB Keith Ford, Oklahoma

In all likelihood, Ford will never be the feature back many envisioned four seasons ago. Norman didn’t go as planned, from a broken leg and a suspension to the emergence of Samaje Perine. Ford is trying to reinvent himself at Texas A&M, where he was second on the 2016 team with 669 yards and six touchdowns on 126 carries.

Worth the Hype?

… Not yet

21. WR James Quick, Louisville

Quick enjoyed a nice, solid career in Louisville, rising to the occasion once the Cards made the move to the Atlantic Coast Conference. He was the team’s big-play option in the passing game, turning 120 receptions into 1,959 yards and 14 touchdowns over the past three seasons. This past year, Quick was named to the all-league third team.

Worth the Hype?

… Sort of