This is a post in our series of Hello posts, where we breakdown each newcomer in the 2024-2025 high school recruiting class. For our previous Hello! post, learn about 4-star offensive tackle Carde Smith at:
Position:
Wide receiver.
The Details:
| 247 | On3 | ESPN | Rivals | |
| Ranking | 90/100; 4 stars; #47 WR; #49 player in TX | 89.65/100; 4 stars; #380 player nationally; #58 WR; #51 player in TX | 80/100; 4 stars; #56 WR; #53 player in TX | 5.8; 4 stars; #52 WR; #50 player in TX |
| Height/Weight | 5’11.5; 185 pounds | 5’11.5; 175 pounds | 6’0; 175 pounds | 6’0: 177 pounds |
| Composite | #372 player nationally; #52 WR; #50 player in TX | N/A | N/A | N/A |
High School (and younger):
Texas football is just different, man.
As an 11-year-old growing up in Colorado, I watched He-Man and Fraggle Rock and played with football cards.
As an 11-year old growing up in Texas, Quanell “X” Farrakhan Jr. was breaking kids’ ankles.
I have never before seen a highlight film for an 11-year old, but….Texas football, man.
Farrakhan started his high school career at The Woodlands High School, a Texas high school with nearly 4,500 students that is outside of Houston. While at The Woodlands, Farrakhan had 38 receptions for 530 yards and 7 touchdowns as a sophomore, and 1,424 all-purpose yards and 24 touchdowns as a junior.
After his junior year, Farrakhan transferred to North Shore High School after North Shore named Willie Gaston its head coach. Gaston was a mentor figure in Farrakhan’s life and coached Farrkhan in youth football. Famous North Shore alums include CU football great and current CU assistant offensive line coach Andre Gurode, as well as John Bundrick, the keyboardist for The Who.
Farrkhan lead North Shore to a 14-1 record and an appearance in the Texas 6A (big school) semifinals. He finished his senior year with 51 receptions for 958 yards and 13 touchdowns, along with 409 punt return yards and 65 kick return yards. Most shockingly, Farrakhan returned 4 kicks for a touchdown in a single game against Channelview High School. This begs a rhetorical question that CU fans might relate to when remembering the 1991 Orange Bowl — at what point does the coach decide to punt the ball out of bounds instead of giving the returner the chance to make a play?
The scooooooop:
Farrakhan had 26 offers including offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, the Corndogs, Ole Miss, Penn State, and Tenneessee.
Farrakhan originally named Alabama, the Corndogs, and Texas A&M as his early leaders, but Colorado jumped into consideration by making a relatively late offer in May 2024. Farrakhan said that the opportunity to be developed by Deion Sanders was a unique opportunity in college football. He took a visit to Colorado shortly thereafter, and came away extremely impressed. He’s also a budding Youtuber, and made a fun video detailing his official visit. It’s fun to watch the video to see how CU pulls out all the stops for players when they are on an official visit:
Farrakhan explained that he formed an immediate bond with true freshman wide receivers Drelon Miller and Kam Mikell. While neither Miller nor Mikell had yet played a down for the Buffs, Farrakhan was extremely impressed with their skillset watching workouts and became excited about the opportunity to play with them. Farrakhan said:
“It was big just learning from those guys on the next level. I was just soaking it all in and you know it would be a great thing to play under those guys and develop.”
These three players — Miller, Mikell and Farrakhan — could all have big roles this season for the Buffs.
Farrakhan played on both sides of the ball for North Shore and believes he has the ability to do the same at the collegiate level. He said:
“When you see players like Travis Hunter going both ways and getting recognized for that was very big because I feel like I can replicate what he does.”
It’s clear, however, that Farrakhan is first and foremost a wide receiver. Whether he ever gets the chance to play defensive back probably depends on his abiilty. to be able to dominate at wide receiver in the first instance.
Farrakhan committed to Colorado in July of 2024 by noting that “being able to be coached by one of the greatest players of all time is big.” His commitment video can be viewed at:
Run the tape!
CU has 3 WRs in this class, and each of them is a bit different.
Quentin Gibson is a receiver that excels in the slot, a 5’8” jitterbug that slips past defenders using jump cuts and elite quickness. Adrian Wilson is a high jumper, an outside receiver that excels at high pointing the football. Farrakhan is unique in that he can play both in the slot and outside, giving CU flexibility offensively.
He has soft hands and 4.5 speed, which will enable him to create separation. 247 provided the following scouting report:
“A polished receiver with quite a bit of experience and production, Farrakhan shined as a route runner able to create separation with his feet, and his hands are soft and reliable. He can play both inside and out, though he may be best used as an inside receiver who can move the chains and provide a safety blanket for his quarterback at the next level. The Buffaloes showed the ability to throw the ball around in Sanders’ first year, and a high volume passing attack should continue in Boulder. Adding reliable receivers like Farrakhan will help diversify options for whoever follows Sheduer Sanders as the Colorado quarterback.”
In spring practice videos, Farrakhan is regulary seen making big plays. He’s often a lead receiver when playing with the “2s,” which is impressive given the depth of the receiver room. It’s clear that he’s very technical and has been trainig for a long time — he’ll play this fall.
But how does he fit into the CU multi-verse?
The kid has been a star since 11 years old and makes YouTube videos. He’s going to be A-ok.
Excitement level (out of 5 stars):
3.5 stars. Farrakhan is a polished WR that will give CU positional flexibity given his ability to play both in the slot and as an outside WR. While he isn’t a burner, he shows good speed and elusiveness. He will play meaningful snaps this fall. In fact, it wouldn’t shock me if all 3 of the freshman wide receivers played this season.
He’s looked good in the Well Off videos thus far. Excited to see how he develops. Thanks for the story.