I'm not sure how Clarett's star ratings were going into his senior year. However, the final rankings were as follows:
Rivals: 5*, No. 1 FB, No. 37 overall
Insiders [Scout]: 5*, No. 5 RB (one of 56 5* players)
USAToday: National offensive player of the year
Clarett and [Maurice] Wells are totally different backs. MoC outweighed MoW by 50 pounds, and obviously had much more power; MoW is probably a bit faster, although MoC had excellent speed, especially given his size; MoC had extraordianry vision and timing, and IMO that quality made him a special player, and maybe the most gifted tailback who has ever played at Ohio State (and that is saying something given the history of TB's at OSU). What a shame that he couldn't keep it together off of the field! He will probably end up in the "where are they now?" file, right next to Marcus Dupree.