STANFORD -- After losing three of the offensive linemen who helped Heisman Trophy runner-up Christian McCaffrey to a record season, Stanford restocked by signing five high school seniors and adding a walk-on who turned down offers from elsewhere.
The Cardinal added top-50 recruits Clark Yarbrough, Devery Hamilton, Henry Hattis, Nate Herbig and Dylan Powell after losing Outland Trophy winner Joshua Garnett, Kyle Murphy and Graham Schuler, who left football to pursue other opportunities.
Matthew Gutwald, who attended high school in the Bay Area, turned down multiple offers to walk on at Stanford.
Other things to know
Top 25 Class: Yes
Best in class: Curtis Robinson, OLB, Irvine, Calif.
Best of the rest: K.J. Costello, QB, Coto de Caza, California; Clark Yarbrough, OT, Rumson, New Jersey; Kaden Smith, TE, Flower Mound, Texas; Scooter Harrington, TE, Riverside, Connecticut.; Andrew Pryts, S, Hermitage, Pennsylvania.; Treyjohn Butler, CB/S, Rancho Cucamonga, California; Obi Eboh, CB, Southlake, Texas; Richard McNitzky, LS, San Antonio, Texas.
Late addition: Jet Toner, P/K, Honolulu
One that got away: OLB Jeffrey McCulloch.
How they'll fit in: The offensive linemen have termed themselves the 'Phat Five,' and several of them will have a chance to help remake the line in their first years. Garnett was the last true freshman to start at Stanford. Cardinal coach David Shaw also stressed the importance of signing four defensive linemen. That was Stanford's most worrisome position after losing Harrison Phillips to a season-ending injury in the first game of the season and having to convert offensive players to fill in. Shaw also expects Costello to have an impact. Stanford will carry three scholarship quarterbacks next year, none of whom have ever started a game.
