All-SEC Football Players and Their Ratings out of High School

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will be looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and counting down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

Alex Collins, No. 57 in 2013 class

Collins recruitment played out like a Lifetime movie or that of a future "30 for 30."

Collins made an immediate impact at Arkansas. As a freshman in 2013, he rushed for 1,026 yards and four touchdowns on 190 carries, including four games of 100-yards or more. Collins was the first freshman in SEC history to begin his career with three straight games of 100-yards or more rushing. Following the season, he was named SEC Freshman of the Year by the Associated Press, as well as SEC All-Freshman Team by the leagues coaches.

This season, Collins again went over 1,000 yards, finishing with 1,024 yards and 12 scores on 187 carries, which included a career-high 212 yards in a blowout win at Texas Tech in September.

Collins will likely be a candidate to enter the NFL draft after the 2015 season.

Honorable mention: Cyrus Gray, No. 57 in 2008 class. Gray attended DeSoto High South of Dallas, where he was high school teammates with current NFL players Von Miller and Tony Jerod-Eddie, all three of whom attended Texas A&M. Gray topped 1,000 yards as a junior for the Aggies. Following his career in College Station, he was selected in the sixth round, No. 182-overall in the 2012 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, where he remains.

[jbcarol]

Some SEC players on USA TODAY Sports All-America college football team

FIRST TEAM

Offense

WR – Amari Cooper, Alabama

OL – Arie Kouandjio, Alabama

Defense

DL – Shane Ray, Missouri

CB – Senquez Golson, Mississippi

Specialists

P – JK Scott, Alabama

SECOND TEAM

Offense

OL – La'El Collins, LSU

Defense

DL – Robert Nkemdiche, Mississippi

S – Landon Collins, Alabama

[jbcarol]

SEC All-Freshman team

QB - Treon Harris, Florida

RB - Nick Chubb, Georgia

RB - Leonard Fournette, LSU

WR - Malachi Dupre, LSU

WR - Speedy Noil, Texas A&M

TE - Jeb Blazevich, Georgia

OL - Cam Robinson, Alabama

OL - Jashon Robertson, Tennessee

OL - Braden Smith, Auburn

OL - Ramsey Meyers, Kentucky

C - Frank Ragnow, Arkansas

AP - Leonard Fournette, LSU

DL - Myles Garrett, Texas A&M

DL - Derek Barnett, Tennessee

DL - Da'Shawn Hand, Alabama

DL - Marquis Haynes, Ole Miss

LB - Nigel Bowden, Vanderbilt

LB - Lorenzo Carter, Georgia

LB - J.T. Gray, Mississippi State

DB - Jalen Tabor, Florida

DB - Jamal Adams, LSU

DB - Todd Kelly Jr., Tennessee

DB - Al Harris Jr., South Carolina

PK - Austin MacGinnis, Kentucky

P - JK Scott, Alabama

RS - Speedy Noil, Texas A&M

[tigerinhogtown]

ALL SEC vs recruiting stars: (it's not just a Mizzou article)

https://missouri.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1714487

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will be looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and count down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

Joey Bosa, No. 56 in 2013 class

Honorable mention: Reese Dismukes, No. 56 in 2011 class.

Dismukes picked Auburn over early favorite Alabama out of Spanish Fort High in April 2010. Dismukes is finishing up his fourth year as the starting center for Auburn and this week took home the Rimington Trophy...

[jbcarol]

kbohls @kbohls  ·  20 hours ago
Mariota, three-star recruit, was offered scholarships by Oregon, Washington and Memphis. That's it.

[jseinfeld50]

kbohls @kbohls  ·  20 hours ago
Mariota, three-star recruit, was offered scholarships by Oregon, Washington and Memphis. That's it.

Oregon must have some good QB evaluators. They offered both Manzel and Mariota.

[jbcarol]

SEC Players on the 2014 AP All-America Team

FIRST TEAM

OFFENSE

Center — Reese Dismukes, senior, 6-3, 296, Auburn.

Wide receivers — Amari Cooper, junior, 6-1, 210, Alabama

DEFENSE

Cornerbacks — Senquez Golson, senior, 5-9, 176, Mississippi

Safeties — Landon Collins, junior, 6-0, 222, Alabama

SECOND TEAM

OFFENSE

Tackles — La'el Collins, senior, LSU

Guards — Arie Kouandjio, senior, Alabama; A.J. Cann, senior, South Carolina.

DEFENSE

Ends — Shane Ray, junior, Missouri

Tackles — Robert Nkemdiche, sophomore, Mississippi.

Linebackers — Benardrick McKinney, junior, Mississippi State

Cornerbacks — Vernon Hargreaves III, sophomore, Florida

Safeties — Cody Prewitt, senior, Mississippi.

THIRD TEAM

OFFENSE

Tackles — Cedric Ogbuehi, senior, Texas A&M

Guards — Ben Beckwith, senior, Mississippi State.

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will be looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and counting down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

T.J. Yeldon, No. 55 in 2012 class

Yeldon was a heated recruitment between Auburn and Alabama coming out of Daphne High. Yeldon originally committed to Auburn in June of 2011, but had a change of heart in December flipping to hated-rival Alabama...

Yeldon is expected to forgo his final season of eligibility in Tuscaloosa and enter the 2015 NFL draft, and be selected in the first three rounds.

[jbcarol]

The 2014 College Football All-America Team is composed of the following College Football All-American first teams chosen by the following selector organizations: Associated Press (AP), Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Walter Camp Foundation (WCFF), The Sporting News (TSN), Sports Illustrated (SI), USA Today (USAT) ESPN, CBS Sports (CBS), College Football News (CFN), Scout.com, and Yahoo! Sports (Yahoo!)

Currently, the NCAA compiles consensus all-America teams in the sports of Division I-FBS football and Division I men's basketball using a point system computed from All-America teams named by coaches associations or media sources. The system consists of three points for a first-team honor, two points for second-team honor, and one point for third-team honor. Honorable mention and fourth team or lower recognitions are not accorded any points. Football consensus teams are compiled by position and the player accumulating the most points at each position is named first team consensus all-American. Currently, the NCAA recognizes All-Americans selected by the AP, AFCA, FWAA, TSN, and the WCFF to determine Consensus and Unanimous All-Americans.

SEC Players earning First Team All-American honors from at least one service:

Wide receiver
Amari Cooper, Alabama -- UNANIMOUS -- (AP, WCFF, TSN, AFCA, FWAA, USAT, CBS, ESPN, Scout, SI)

Offensive line
A. J. Cann, South Carolina (TSN, CBS, ESPN)
Reese Dismukes, Auburn -- CONSENSUS -- (AP, WCFF, AFCA, FWAA, CBS, ESPN, Scout)
Arie Kouandjio, Alabama (AFCA, USAT, SI)
Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M (WCFF, Scout)

Defensive line
Shane Ray, Missouri -- CONSENSUS -- (WCFF, TSN, AFCA, FWAA, USAT, CBS, Scout, SI)

Linebacker
Trey DePriest, Alabama (AFCA)
Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State (FWAA, ESPN, SI)

Defensive back
Landon Collins, Alabama -- UNANIMOUS -- (AP, WCFF, TSN, AFCA, FWAA, CBS, ESPN, Scout, SI)
Senquez Golson, Ole Miss -- UNANIMOUS -- (AP, WCFF, TSN, AFCA, FWAA, USAT, CBS, ESPN, Scout, SI)
Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida (TSN, CBS, ESPN)

Punter
JK Scott, Alabama (TSN, USAT, ESPN, SI)

All-purpose / return specialist
Marcus Murphy, Missouri (Scout)

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will be looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and count down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

Adrian Hubbard, No. 54 in 2010 class

Hubbard was one of the most interesting prospects in the 2010 class out of Norcross High in Georiga. The 6-foot-7, 227-pound defensive end was basketball focused until his senior season, but once the word got out, the colleges evaluated the senior riser and began offering. Alabama would eventually win out in early December of 2009 over South Carolina and Florida State. Hubbard was a member of the Crimson Tide's No. 1-ranked 2010 class that included C.J. Mosley, DeMarcus Milliner and Blake Sims.

After a so-so 2013 season that featured three sacks in the last three games to go with 33 tackles, Hubbard decided to forgo his final season in Tuscaloosa and enter the draft after playing on back-to-back BCS national championship teams of 2012 and 2013.

Hubbard went undrafted in the 2014 NFL draft, but signed a free-agent contract with the Green Bay Packers where he is on the active roster.

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will be looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and counting down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

Jake Locker, No. 53 in 2006 class

Honorable mention: Jeoffrey Pagan, No. 53 in 2011 class, and Demarcus Robinson, No. 53 in 2013 class. Pagan signed with Alabama out of Asheville High (N.C.) and went on to appear in 32 games in three seasons with 12 starts. After 61 career tackles and 3.5 sacks for the Crimson Tide, Pagan chose to forgo his final year of eligibility in Tuscaloosa. Pagan was selected in the sixth round, No. 177 overall, in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. Robinson was a back-and-forth recruitment between Clemson and Florida before deciding on the Gators. After an underwhelming freshman season in 2013, the Peach State native became one of the top receivers in the SEC in 2014 hauling in 47 passes for 774 yards earning All-SEC honors.

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will be looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and count down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

Chaz Green, No. 52 in 2010 class

Green came out of Tampa Catholic High as a nationally coveted offensive tackle prospect. It looked like Green would end up at Tennessee until head coach Lane Kiffin left Knoxville for USC. Green ultimately chose Florida over USC capping a terrific class for the Gators that included Matt Elam, Sharrif Floyd, Ronald Powell and Dominique Easley.

Green enjoyed a fully healthy season as a redshirt senior in 2014, making 11 starts while playing both right and left tackle, setting himself up to possibly being selected in the 2015 NFL draft.

Honorable mention: Gunner Kiel, No. 52 in the 2012 class. Kiel signed with Notre Dame (after flipping from LSU) out of high school, but transferred to Cincinnati after redshirting in 2012. Kiel started 12 games for the Bearcats this season, throwing for 3,010 yards and 30 touchdowns.

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day, RecruitingNation is looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and counting down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

Amari Cooper, No. 49 in 2012 class

Cooper came out of Miami Northwestern as a relatively unheralded prospect until his senior season after being limited because of a junior-season injury. He committed to Alabama in September 2011 over Miami and Florida State in a decision that would prove to be a huge loss for the hometown Hurricanes. Cooper was part of the Crimson Tide's No. 1-ranked class that included Landon Collins, T.J. Yeldon, Cyrus Jones, Denzel Devall, Reggie Ragland and many others.

Cooper has been arguably the best player in college football in 2014. Headed into the inaugural College Football Playoff, Cooper has 115 receptions for 1,656 yards and 14 touchdowns... Cooper is expected to forgo his final season of eligibility and would almost certainly be a top-10 selection in the NFL draft this spring.

Honorable mention: Gerod Holliman, No. 49 in 2011 class; and Aaron Hernandez, No. 49 in 2007 class.

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will be looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and counting down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

Morgan Moses, No. 48 in 2009 class

Honorable mention: Channing Ward, No. 48 in 2012. Ward selected Ole Miss over Auburn and LSU out of Aberdeen High in Miss. It was a huge in-state win for the Rebels over SEC foes. Ward has been a solid player in the Ole Miss defensive line rotation for three seasons, recording 74 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

Konrad Reuland, No. 46 in 2006 class

Honorable mention: Curtis Grant, No. 46 in 2011 class, and Chris Jones, No. 46 in 2013 class.

Jones is a promising player for Mississippi State with high NFL draft potential after the 2015 or 2016 season.

Michael Goodson, No. 45 in 2006 class

Honorable mention: DeAngelo Tyson, No. 45 in 2008 class, Malcolm Mitchell, No. 45 in 2011 class and O.J. Howard, No. 45 in 2013 class. Tyson played at Georgia and is now in the NFL, while Mitchell is currently at Georgia and has a chance to be drafted following the 2015 season. Howard, a sophomore tight end at Alabama, has the opportunity to be selected high in the NFL draft in the next two seasons.

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and count down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

Joe Adams, No. 41 in 2008 class

Adams was long considered a smart pick to sign with home state Arkansas coming out of Central Arkansas Christian in Little Rock, but the USC Trojans made quite the push before the playmaker announced for the Razorbacks on signing day in 2008...

...Adams chose to return for his senior season. He delivered on the field in 2011 to the tune of 54 receptions for 652 yards and three scores. It was his all-around play that impressed the most. Adams totaled 1,112 all-purpose yards including four punt return touchdowns earning All-American and All-SEC first-team honors.

Adams finished his career at Arkansas with 3,352 all-purpose yards, 2,410 receiving, and 24 touchdowns.

Adams was selected in the fourth round, No. 104-overall, by the Carolina Panthers in the 2012 NFL draft...

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and count down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

Blaine Gabbert, No. 38 in 2008 class

Gabbert was nationally recruited coming out of Parkway West High drawing many of the nation's top head coaches to Ballwin, Missouri -- including Alabama's Nick Saban. Gabbert initially committed to Nebraska, but ended up flipping to home-state Missouri after the Cornhuskers fired Bill Callahan.

Gabbert would again top the 3,000-yard mark as a junior, which would be his last in Columbia. He threw for 3,186 yards and 16 scores in 2010 to finish his three year career at Missouri with 6,822 yards and 40 touchdowns.

Gabbert was selected No. 10 overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2011 NFL Draft. He has thrown for 4,395 yards and 23 touchdowns in what has been an up and down start to his pro career. He is currently with the San Francisco 49ers.

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and count down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

Jarvis Landry, No. 37 in 2011 class

There wasn't much suspense with Landry's recruitment coming out of Lutcher High (La.). He picked LSU in January of 2010, and while he flirted with the idea of visits to Auburn and a couple of other schools, took his only official visit to Baton Rouge in January of 2011. He was a member of an LSU 2011 class that included Odell Beckham Jr., La'el Collins, Anthony Johnson, Jermauria Rasco, Trai Turner and Zach Mettenberger.

Landry appeared in all 14 games as a true freshman with one start. He finished the season with four receptions for 43 yards, as well as being a top tackler on special teams.

As a sophomore, the 6-foot, 195-pound Under Armour All-America Game alumni played in 13 games with one start. Despite coming off the bench, the sure-handed Landry led the team in receptions with 56 and touchdown catches with five.

Landry's junior season would prove to be his best, by far. In 13 games, he hauled in 77 passes for 1,193 yards and 10 touchdowns earning All-SEC second team honors by the league coaches. His standout season was good for No. 4 all-time at LSU in single-season receptions and the No. 3 all-time single-season in receiving yards. He teamed with Beckham Jr. to give the Tigers a pair of 1,000-yard receivers.

Landry chose to forgo his final season in Baton Rouge to enter the 2014 NFL draft, where he was selected in the second round, No. 63 overall, by the Miami Dolphins. He has made 79 receptions for 703 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie.

Honorable mention: Jonathan Bullard, No. 37 in 2012 class. Bullard signed with Florida over Clemson out of Shelby (N.C.) Crest High, and has been a part time starter for the Gators in his three seasons in Gainesville...

[jbcarol]

2011 Rivals #1 RB (Malcolm Brown)
7 rushes, 25 yards

2012 Rivals #1 RB (Jonathan Gray)
6 rushes, 9 yards

2014 Rivasl #1 RB (Leonard Fournette)
5 rushes, 9 yards

That's 18 rushes for 43 yards from the top RB from three different years. Wow.

Numbers courtesy of Andrew Hutchinson (Dem-Gaz and WHS writer)

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and count down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

A.J. McCarron, No. 36 in 2009 class

While McCarron seemingly flirted with Miami (FL) in January of 2009, there was not much suspense with his recruitment. The standout quarterback at Mobile (Ala.) St. Paul's committed to Alabama in May of 2009 over the Hurricanes, Oklahoma, Auburn, Florida State and a number of others where he would join former St. Paul's teammate Mark Barron in Tuscaloosa. McCarron was the only quarterback in the Alabama 2009 class that included Chance Warmack, D.J. Fluker, Trent Richardson, Eddie Lacy, Dre Kirkpatrick, James Carpenter, Anthony Steen, Nico Johnson and Quinton Dial.

McCarron redshirted his first year in Tuscaloosa, but picked up a national championship ring.

McCarron was named the starter in 2011 after beating out Phillip Sims.

McCarron was selected in fifth round, No. 164 overall, by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2014 NFL draft where he is currently the third-string quarterback.

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and count down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

Randy "Duke" Johnson, No. 35 in 2012 class

Honorable mention: Christine Michael, No. 35 in 2009 class.

Michael signed with Texas A&M coming out of West Brook High in Beaumont, Texas. He made an immediate impact for the Aggies, earning Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2009. After he finished his career in College Station, Michael was selected in the second round, No. 62 overall, by the Seattle Seahawks in the 2013 NFL draft and was a member of last season's Super Bowl champion Seahawks team.

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will be looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and counting down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

Xavier Su'a-Filo, No. 34 in 2009 class

(Dis)Honorable mention: Chris Rainey, No. 34 in 2007 class.

Rainey was a member of great Lakeland High teams that included Mike and Maurkice Pouncey. Rainey attended Florida along with the Pouncey's and was regarded as one of the fastest players in the college football from 2008-11. He was selected in the fifth round, No. 159 overall, by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2012 NFL draft.

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and count down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

Brandon Graham, No. 31 in 2006 class

Honorable mention: Janoris Jenkins, No. 31 in 2008 class.

The most talented player of the prospects ranked No. 31 since 2006, Jenkins was an All-SEC award winner at Florida before being dismissed by then-coach Urban Meyer, and subsequently finishing his career at North Alabama. The Pahokee, Florida, native was selected in the second round (No. 39 overall) by the St. Louis Rams.

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will be looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and count down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

Chris "Beanie" Wells, No. 30 in 2006 class

Honorable mention: Courtney Upshaw, No. 30 in 2008 class.

Honorable mention: Courtney Upshaw, No. 30 in 2008 class. Upshaw picked Alabama out of Eufaula High in Alabama in what was another huge in-state recruiting win for Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide. Upshaw was a member of two BCS National Championship teams, as well as a numerous All-SEC and All-America teams in his last two years in Tuscaloosa. In 53 games, including 27 starts, he racked up 140 tackles, 35.5 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks for Alabama. Following his time at Alabama, Upshaw was selected in the second round (No. 35 overall) of the draft by the Baltimore Ravens...

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation is looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and counting down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

Michael Floyd, No. 29 in 2008 class

Honorable mention: Jermaine Cunningham, No. 29 in 2006 class. Cunningham played at Florida and was drafted in the second round, No. 53 overall, by the New England Patriots in the 2010 NFL draft. Dez Bryant, No. 29 in 2007 class. Bryant starred at Oklahoma State for three seasons before being selected by the Dallas Cowboys at No. 24 overall in the 2010 draft. Alec Ogletree, No. 29 in 2010 class. Ogletree played at Georgia and was selected No. 30 overall in the 2013 draft by the St. Louis Rams.

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and count down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

Justin Hunter, No. 26 in 2010 class

Hunter was a two-sport star coming out of Ocean Lakes High in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He had offers from nearly all of the nation's best programs before selecting Tennessee over Florida after de-committing from LSU in January of 2010 due to closeness to home. The chances for the Volunteers went way up when then-LSU receivers coach D.J. McCarthy left Baton Rouge.

Hunter returned healthy in 2012 and did become one of the most feared wide receivers in the country, catching 73 passes for 1,083 yards and nine TDs and earning All-SEC second-team honors from the leagues coaches.

Hunter decided following the 2012 season to forgo his final season of eligibility at Tennessee and enter the 2013 NFL draft. He left Knoxville having caught 106 passes for 1,812 yards and 18 TDs in his college career.

Hunter was selected in the second round, No. 34 overall, in the 2013 NFL draft by the Tennessee Titans. He has 46 receptions for 852 yards and seven TDs in two NFL seasons.


Honorable mention: Ryan Williams, No. 26 in 2008 class; and Sam Montgomery, No. 26 in 2009 class.

Montgomery was an All-American at LSU out of Greenwood, South Carolina. He was selected in the third round (No. 95 overall) in 2013 NFL draft and has bounced around for two seasons.

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and count down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

Jonathan Baldwin, No. 25 in 2008 class

Honorable mention: Sharrif Floyd, No. 25 in 2010 class.

Floyd picked Florida in 2010 out of Washington High in Philadelphia. In three years in Gainesville, the quick and powerful defensive tackle earned All-SEC and All-American honors making 100 tackles, including 21.5 tackles for loss in three seasons. He was selected No. 23 overall by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2013 NFL draft.

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and count down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

Ja'Wuan James, No. 24 in 2010 class

James came out of North Gwinnett High in Suwanee, Georgia, as a nationally coveted offensive tackle prospect. After considering offers from many of college football's best, he selected Tennessee over Georgia and UCLA after making official visits to all three schools after backing out of a summer commitment to Alabama.

The 2013 season would prove to be James' best for the Volunteers. He started all 12 games, earning All-SEC second team honors by various media outlets.

He ended his career at Tennessee with 49 career and consecutive starts, with all of them being at right tackle. His 49 career starts set a record at Tennessee for an offensive lineman.

James was selected No. 19 overall in the 2014 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins. He started every game as a rookie in 2014.

Honorable mention: Marlon Brown, No. 24 in 2009 class. Brown never reached All-SEC or All-American status at Georgia as many expected, but he's gone from undrafted free agent in 2013 to in the receiver rotation for the Baltimore Ravens. Antonio Conner, No. 24 in 2013 class, and JuJu Smith, No. 24 in 2014 class. Conner is currently an All-SEC level performer with Ole Miss with an NFL future...

[jbcarol]

ESPN SEC @ESPN_SEC  ·  56 minutes ago

2015 Class rankings: Jan. 15 update http://es.pn/14F76Qu

1. Bama
3. UGa
5. Vols
9. A&M
10. AU
13. LS
14. MS
16. SC
17. OM
21. Ark

[jbcarol]

ESPN SEC @ESPN_SEC  ·  57 minutes ago

All-SEC bowl team http://es.pn/1u9mhOe

DL: Trey Flowers, Arkansas: During the Razorbacks' impressive defensive performance in their win against Texas. He had five tackles with a sack and two tackles for loss.

LB: Martrell Spaight, Arkansas: He was all over the field for the Hogs, registering five tackles, including two for loss.

JK Scott was put ahead of Irwin-Hill at punter

[jbcarol]

Joel A. Erickson @JoelAEricksonAU  ·  2 hours ago

Recruiting Rewind: How Auburn's departing stars ranked as recruits http://s.al.com/yfhclvg

All recruiting ranking data comes from the 247Composite rankings

Quan Bray
Signing Class: 2011
Rating, Ranking: 4-star, No. 6 athlete, No. 70 overall
Draft Projection: UFA; None available.

Jonathon Mincy
Signing Class: 2010
Rating, Ranking: 3-star, No. 38 cornerback by Rivals
Draft Projection: 7th-UFA; Rated the No. 31 cornerback by NFL Draft Scout

LaDarius Owens
Signing Class: 2010
Rating, Ranking: 4-star, No. 6 weak-side defensive end, No. 145 overall
Draft Projection: UFA; Rated the No. 49 defensive end by ESPN; No. 48 by NFL Draft Scout

Brandon Fulse
Signing Class: 2011
Rating, Ranking: 4-star, No. 7 tight end, No. 131 overall
Draft Projection: UFA; Rated the No. 45 tight end by NFL Draft Scout

Nick Marshall
Signing Class: 2013
Rating, Ranking: 3-star, No. 1 athlete, No. 27 junior college transfer
Draft Projection: 4th-5th round pick as an athlete by ESPN's Mel Kiper; Rated the No. 18 quarterback by NFL Draft Scout

Sammie Coates
Signing Class: 2011
Rating, Ranking: 3-star, No. 51 wide receiver, No. 353 overall
Draft Projection: 1st-2nd round pick; rated No. 8 wide receiver by NFL Draft Scout; No. 8 by ESPN

Corey Grant
Signing Class: 2010
Rating, Ranking: 4-star, No. 5 all-purpose back, No. 180 overall by Rivals
Draft Projection: 7th-FA; Rated the No. 23 running back by NFL Draft Scout; No. 22 by ESPN

Trovon Reed
Signing Class: 2010
Rating, Ranking: 5-star, No. 3 athlete, No. 23 player overall
Draft Projection: UFA; Rated the No. 94 cornerback by NFL Draft Scout

Robenson Therezie
Signing Class: 2011
Rating, Ranking: 4-star, No. 11 safety, No. 199 overall
Draft Projection: UFA; Rated the No. 30 cornerback by ESPN, No. 14 strong safety by NFL Draft Scout

Brandon King
Signing Class: 2013
Rating, Ranking: 3-star, No. 13 outside linebacker, No. 176 junior college transfer overall
Draft Projection: None available

Jermaine Whitehead
Signing Class: 2011
Rating, Ranking: 4-star, No. 20 cornerback, No. 248 overall
Draft Projection: 7th-UFA; Rated the No. 18 safety by ESPN; No. 13 free safety by NFL Draft Scout

Cameron Artis-Payne
Signing Class: 2013
Rating, Ranking: 3-star, No. 3 running back, No. 59 junior college transfer overall
Draft Projection: 3rd-4th round pick; Rated the No. 10 running back by NFL Draft Scout; No. 11 by ESPN

Reese Dismukes
Signing Class: 2011
Rating, Ranking: 4-star, No. 1 center, No. 78 overall
Draft Projection: 2nd-3rd round; Rated No. 2 by NFL Draft Scout; Rated No. 3 by ESPN

Ben Bradley
Signing Class: 2013
Rating, Ranking: 4-star, No. 6 defensive tackle, No. 16 overall in junior college
Draft Projection: UFA; None available

Patrick Miller
Signing Class: 2012
Rating, Ranking: 4-star, No. 24 offensive tackle, No. 186 overall
Draft Projection: 7th-UFA; None available

Jeff Whitaker
Signing Class: 2010
Rating, Ranking: 4-star, No. 9 defensive tackle, No. 104 overall
Draft Projection: UFA; Rated the No. 36 defensive tackle by NFL Draft Scout; No. 24 by ESPN

Chad Slade
Signing Class: 2010
Rating, Ranking: 3-star, No. 55 offensive guard, No. 1,021 overall
Draft Projection: UFA; Rated the No. 23 guard by ESPN; No. 34 by NFL Draft Scout

C.J. Uzomah
Signing Class: 2011
Rating, Ranking: 4-star, No. 15 athlete, No. 252 overall
Draft Projection: 6th round-UFA; Rated the No. 15 tight end by NFL Draft Scout

Gabe Wright
Signing Class: 2011
Rating, Ranking: 4-star, No. 5 defensive tackle, No. 79 overall
Draft Projection: 2nd-3rd round; Rated the No. 7 defensive tackle by ESPN; No. 10 tackle by NFL Draft Scout

Angelo Blackson
Signing Class: 2011
Rating, Ranking: 3-star, No. 27 defensive tackle, No. 377 overall
Draft Projection: 7th-UFA; Rated the No. 47 tackle by NFL Draft Scout

[jbcarol]

SMU head coach Chad Morris called him possibly the best quarterback he's ever coached, yet he went undrafted in the 2010 NFL Draft.
That QB's name: Jevan Snead.

Morris coached Snead in high school in Texas. The former Clemson OC recently sat down with FOX Sports' Bruce Feldman for a special episode of the Audible. What does Morris think went wrong with Snead's career?

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will be looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and counting down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

Allen Bailey, No. 20 in 2007 class

Honorable mention: Nico Johnson, No. 20 in 2009 class, and Nick O'Leary, No. 20 in 2011 class.

Johnson was a part-time starter at Alabama on three BCS National Championship teams. He was selected in the fourth round, No. 99 overall, in the 2013 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and count down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

Marcus Lattimore, No. 19 in 2010 class

Lattimore was a hard-fought recruiting victory for South Carolina over Auburn coming out of Byrnes High in Duncan.  Lattimore was off to a solid start in 2012 with 662 yards and 11 TDs in eight games, but again would suffer a serious knee injury against Tennessee that ended his career at South Carolina. Lattimore retired from the NFL this past November having never had the opportunity to carry the ball in an NFL game.

Honorable mention: Hasean Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, No. 19 in 2011 class. Clinton-Dix picked Alabama coming out of Dr. Phillips High in Orlando, Florida. He was a member of two Crimson Tide BCS National Championship teams, as well as being tabbed All-SEC and All-America following the 2013 season. He was selected No. 21 overall in the 2014 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers, where he is currently a starting safety. Laquon Treadwell, No. 19 in 2013 class. Treadwell is a standout at Ole Miss and is considered a top-notch NFL prospect in 2016 should he successfully return from a serious lower leg injury suffered against Auburn this past season.

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and count down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

Stephon Gilmore, No. 18 in 2009 class

Gilmore came out of South Pointe High in Rock Hill, South Carolina, as one of the nation's premiere cornerback prospects. He committed to South Carolina in October of 2008 after making official visits to Alabama and Tennessee in addition to the Gamecocks... Gilmore was part of a 2009 class for the Gamecocks that included teammate DeVonte Holloman, Alshon Jeffery, Chaz Sutton, Jimmy Legree, Damario Jeffery and D.J. Swearinger among others.

As a sophomore in 2010, Gilmore started all 14 games and took home All-SEC first-team and All-America third-team honors after posting 79 tackles, three sacks and three interceptions. Gilmore was also a member of the Fall Academic Honor Roll.

The 2011 season was more of the same for Gilmore. He was again selected All-SEC first-team after making 46 tackles and picking off four passes in 13 starts. He helped lead the Gamecocks to an 11-win season and a top-10 finish in the AP poll.

Following the season, Gilmore decided to forgo his final season of eligibility in Columbia after starting all 40 games of his college career.

Gilmore was selected No. 10 overall in the 2012 NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills. He has started 39 of 41 games he has played in in three seasons.

[jbcarol]

AL.com sports @aldotcomSports  ·  40 minutes ago

Where are they now? How Alabama's top-ranked 2011 signing class lived up to expectations http://ow.ly/HD00B

Bama was coming off its relatively disappointing 2010 season that included three losses, but ended with a 49-7 pounding of Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl. By early February, it wrapped up another No. 1 recruiting class, according to both Rivals and 247Sports.

For Alabama, there were 21 high school seniors who signed in the 2011 class and seven already have degrees from Alabama. Of that group of 21, eight played all four years in Tuscaloosa or remain for a fifth after a redshirt. There were also eight who transferred and one (Brent Calloway) who was dismissed from the program. Four others ― Cyrus Kouandjio, HaHa Clinton Dix, Jeoffrey Pagan and Vinnie Sunseri ― left for the NFL after three seasons.

The class also included four junior college transfers. Quinton Dial and Jesse Williams became starters on the defensive line before both were drafted in 2013. Receiver Duron (son of Cris) Carter never gained his eligibility and eventually landed in the Canadian Football League. Offensive lineman Aaron Douglas passed away in May 2011 from an accidental drug overdose after participating in spring practice in Tuscaloosa.

Here's a player-by-player look at the 2011 Alabama signing class with star-ratings and positional rankings according to 247Sports' composite of recruiting services. Players who graduated from Alabama are marked with *... (via link above)

5-stars
Ha Ha and Cyrus were 1st and 2nd round NFL draft choices after their junior seasons. DePreist was the defensive playcaller.

[jbcarol]

AL.com sports @aldotcomSports  ·  30 minutes ago

Where are they now? How Auburn's 2011 recruiting class lived up to its billing http://s.al.com/q5cS21Z

Auburn's 2011 class finished No. 5 in the nation according to the 247 Composite Rankings, 17 of the 24 signees finished their careers with the Tigers, and the class has already produced two NFL draft picks, and 11 regular starters.

5-star
Christian Westerman, offensive line, Hamilton High, Chandler, Arizona

Westerman, originally rated higher than Greg Robinson as the No. 10 player in the entire nation, redshirted his first season, played in two games in 2012 and then transferred to Arizona State, where he started at left guard this year.

4-star (more detail in link above)
Quan Bray, athlete,

Reese Dismukes, center, Spanish Fort

Erique Florence, safety, Valley

Kiehl Frazier, quarterback, Shiloh Christian, Springdale, Arkansas

Kris Frost, athlete, Butler High, Matthews, North Carolina

Brandon Fulse, tight end, Fort Meade, Florida

Tre Mason, running back, Park Vista High, Lake Worth, Fla.

Thomas O'Reilly, offensive line, Pope High, Marietta, Ga.

Greg Robinson, offensive tackle, Thibodaux, Louisiana

Jonathan Rose, cornerback, Leeds

Robenson Therezie, defensive back, Miami Jackson, Florida

C.J. Uzomah, athlete, North Gwinnett, Suwanee, Georgia

Jermaine Whitehead, defensive back, Amanda Elzy, Greenwood, Mississippi

Gabe Wright

[jbcarol]

ESPN SEC @ESPN_SEC  ·  4 hours ago

Former SEC players in Pro Bowl http://es.pn/1Cx1yCU

Here are the 24 SEC Pro Bowl representatives:

Quarterback

Peyton Manning, Tennessee (Denver Broncos)

Running back

Arian Foster, Tennessee (Houston Texans)
Mark Ingram, Alabama (New Orleans Saints)

Wide receiver

Julio Jones, Alabama (Atlanta Falcons)
A.J. Green, Georgia (Cincinnati Bengals)
Odell Beckham Jr., LSU (New York Giants)
Jeremy Maclin, Missouri (Philadelphia Eagles)
Randall "Tenn" Cobb, Kentucky (Green Bay Packers)

Tight end

Jason Witten, Tennessee (Dallas Cowboys)
Martellus Bennett, Texas A&M (Chicago Bears)

Offensive tackle

Jason Peters, Arkansas (Philadelphia Eagles)

Center

Maurkice Pouncey, Florida (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Offensive guard

Evan Mathis, Alabama (Philadelphia Eagles)
Mike Pouncey, Florida (Miami Dolphins)

Defensive tackle

Marcell Dareus, Alabama (Buffalo Bills)
Kyle Williams, LSU (Buffalo Bills)
Sheldon Richardson, Missouri (New York Jets)
Geno Atkins, Georgia (Cincinnati Bengals)

Outside linebacker

Von Miller, Texas A&M (Denver Broncos)
Justin Houston, Georgia (Kansas City Chiefs)

Inside linebacker

C.J. Mosley, Alabama (Baltimore Ravens)

Cornerback

Joe Haden, Florida (Cleveland Browns)
Patrick Peterson, LSU (Arizona Cardinals)

Kicker

Cody Parkey, Auburn (Philadelphia Eagles)

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will be looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and counting down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

Arrelious Benn, No. 17 in 2007 class

Honorable mention: Timmy Jernigan, No. 17 in 2011, and Malachi Dupre, No. 17 in 2014.

Dupre was named to the All-SEC Freshman team in 2014 after catching 14 passes for 318 yards and five TDs.

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will be looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and counting down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

Vontaze Burfict, No. 16 in 2009 class

Honorable mention: The No. 16 ranking has been a winner through the years. Several players ranked No. 16 have gone on to play in the NFL including 2013 first round pick Dee Milliner, 2014 fourth-round pick De'Anthony Thomas and 2011 sixth-round pick Tyrod Taylor...

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will be looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and count down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

Tim Tebow, No. 15 in 2006 class

Tebow made official visits coming out of Nease High in Ponte Vedra, Florida, but was considered a near-lock for the Florida Gators -- who won out...

Tebow closed out his Florida career with a 35-6 record as the starting quarterback, including 2-0 in BCS bowl games. He threw for 9,286 yards and 88 TDs to go with 2,947 rushing yards and 57 scores in four seasons. He was inducted into the University of Florida Hall of Fame in April 2009.

Tebow was selected No. 25 overall in the 2010 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos, where he started 14 games in two seasons before being traded to the New York Jets.

Honorable mention: A number of prospects ranked No. 15 have gone on to terrific college and/or NFL careers. Carlos Dunlap, No. 15 in 2007 class, played at Florida and was drafted in the second round (No. 54 overall) in 2010...

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will be looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and count down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

Aaron Murray, No. 13 in 2009 class

Murray was an accomplished quarterback coming out of Tampa Plant. In April 2008, Murray picked Georgia over childhood favorite Florida due in large part to his comfort level and relationship with Mark Richt and Bobo. Murray was part of a Top 10 Georgia class that included Orson Charles, Marlon Brown, Abry Jones, Zach Mettenberger and Branden Smith.

After redshirting in 2009, Murray started 13 games in 2010, passing for 3,049 yards and 24 touchdowns, earning All-SEC Freshman Team honors from the league's coaches.

The 2013 season was another record-setting one for Murray. He became the first quarterback in SEC history to throw for 3,000 yards or more in four straight seasons. He made 11 starts as a fifth-year senior before tearing his ACL in the second-to-last regular-season game. He passed for 3,075 yards and 26 scores prior to the injury.

Murray finished his career at Georgia with 13,166 yards passing and 121 TDs against 41 INTs, along with 16 rushing scores. He left Athens as the SEC's career passing touchdown leader and SEC career passing yards leader. He finished his career with a 35-17 record as a starting quarterback.

Murray was selected in the fifth round with the No. 163 overall pick by the Kansas City Chiefs.

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will be looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and count down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

D.J. Fluker, No. 12 in 2009 class

Fluker was born in New Orleans, but graduated from Foley High in Alabama. He committed to Alabama in November of 2007, but did give LSU and Florida long looks ... Fluker was a member of the Crimson Tide's top-ranked 2009 class that included Chance Warmack, James Carpenter, Dre Kirkpatrick, Eddie Lacy, A.J. McCarron, Trent Richardson, Quinton Dial, Nico Johnson, Kevin Norwood, Anthony Steen and others.

The 2012 season would be Fluker's best in Tuscaloosa. He started 14 games helping lead the Crimson Tide to back-to-back BCS National Championships. Following the season, he was named All-SEC first team and first-team All-America by numerous media outlets.

Fluker decided to forgo his final year of eligibility... Fluker was selected No. 11 overall by the San Diego Chargers in the 2013 NFL draft, and has started every game he has appeared in.

Honorable mention: Ryan Mallett, No. 12 in 2007 class. Mallett signed with Michigan, but transferred to Arkansas where he earned all-conference honors as a quarterback with superior arm talent. He was selected in the third round, No. 74 overall, by the New England Patriots in 2011. He is currently a member of the Houston Texans. ... Malc Brown, No. 12 in 2012 class. Brown earned All-American honors this season for the Texas Longhorns, and has entered the 2015 NFL draft where he is expected to be selected in the first round. ...

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will be looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and counting down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

Golden Tate, No. 11 in 2007 class

Honorable mention: Jeff Luc, No. 11 in 2010 class...

Eli Apple, No. 11 in 2013 class, and Jalen Tabor No. 11 in 2014 class. Both cornerbacks have the look of future NFL draft prospects at Ohio State and Florida, respectively.

[jbcarol]

AL.com sports @aldotcomSports  ·  8 minutes ago

Where are they now? How Auburn's 2012 signing class, Gene Chizik's last, has fared so far http://s.al.com/O36HXdD

The 2012 group enters its senior year on campus with seven players who had to leave the program for one reason or another out of the 21 who originally signed, although one has now returned as part of the 2015 class in the person of Jovon Robinson.

Unlike the 2011 signing class, which was dotted with big-name players, Auburn's 2012 class has produced only seven regular starters so far, although a few stars have emerged. A few of the three-star prospects, namely Alex Kozan and Jonathan Jones, have developed into stars, and several -- led by Avery Young and Cassanova McKinzy, in addition to Kozan and Jones -- have a chance to be NFL Draft picks in the future.

Zeke Pike, quarterback (12), Dixie Heights High, [Edgewood], Kentucky

The supposed centerpiece of the class, Pike was arrested in the summer of 2012 after enrolling early and dismissed before ever taking the field for Auburn. Pike transferred to Louisville as a tight end, but he left after one season and was recently arrested again in Kentucky.

Pike enrolled at Murray State for the 2015 spring semester.

[jbcarol]

AL.com sports @aldotcomSports  ·  1 hour ago

Where are they now? How Alabama's No. 1 recruiting class from 2012 performed so far. http://ow.ly/HWMJo

Looking back at the 2012 football recruiting rankings, a few things are obvious.

First, Texas' second-ranked class didn't quite meet expectations. Florida State made a real move with the group ranked as high as No. 3. But Alabama, owner of the No. 1 class according to two of the three major rankings, likely made the biggest scores.

Of the 23 who signed out of high school, 16 are still with the program. Three ― Landon Collins, Amari Cooper and T.J. Yeldon ― entered the NFL draft. Eddie Williams and Tyler Hayes were kicked off the team for their involvement in a 2013 campus robbery. Offensive linemen Caleb Gulledge was medically disqualified and tight end Kurt Freitag no longer appears on the roster.

But unlike the 2011 signing class, there haven't been any transfers so far. Eight players left from the 2011 class... Five starters return for 2015 with several more in line to compete for top jobs this spring and fall.

4-stars

-- WR Amari Cooper (6): The Miami product was easily the top producer from this crop. Cooper turned pro after the 2014 season in which he rewrote the Alabama record book. It started with 1,000 receiving yards as a freshman including the game-winning catch in the SEC title game against Georgia. Injuries limited him to 736 yards on 45 catches in 2013, but Cooper exploded under Lane Kiffin's leadership last fall. His 124 receptions broke an SEC record while the 1,727 yards were second in league history. The Biletnikoff Award winner finished third in the Heisman voting and was a unanimous All-American...

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will be looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and counting down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

Quin Blanding, No. 10 in 2014 class

Honorable mention: Rueben Randle, No. 10 in the 2009 class. Randle played at LSU and was a second-round (No. 63 overall) NFL draft pick by the New York Giants.

[jbcarol]

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will be looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and count down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

Andrus Peat, No. 9 in 2012 class

Honorable mention: Jimmy Clausen, No. 9 in 2007 class. Clausen played at Notre Dame and was drafted in the second round (No. 48 overall) in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. Jelani Jenkins, No. 9 in 2009 class. Jenkins starred at Florida and was drafted in the fourth round (No. 104 overall) by the Miami Dolphins in the 2013 NFL Draft. Matt Elam, No. 9 in 2010 class. Elam played a Florida and was drafted No. 32 overall in the 2013 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. Derrick Henry, No. 9 in 2013 class, and Adoree' Jackson, No. 9 in 2014 class are both starring in college and expected to be drafted in the next two years.

[jbcarol]

 ESPN SEC @ESPN_SEC  ·  2 hours ago

100 days, 100 players: No. 8 Patrick Peterson http://es.pn/18yrrcL

Patrick Peterson, No. 8 in 2008 class

Coming out of Blanche Ely High in South Florida, the nation's top cornerback prospect went by the name Patrick Johnson. Originally a Miami (Fla.) commit, he opened up his recruitment during his senior year and ended up coming down to Florida, Florida State and LSU with the Tigers winning out. Johnson was a member of a 2008 LSU class that included Deangelo Benton, Jordan Jefferson and others.

Peterson's junior season would be his best. Not only did Peterson tally 33 tackles and four INTs in 11 games, but he also totaled 1,106 yards and two punt return touchdowns. He took home a number of awards following the season, including the Thorpe Award, Bednarik Award, first-team All-American, All-SEC first-team and SEC special teams player of the year.

Peterson entered the 2011 NFL draft following his junior season. He was selected No. 5 overall by the Arizona Cardinals, and has been selected to the Pro Bowl each of his four seasons in the league.

Honorable mention: Taylor Mays, No. 8 in 2006 class. Mays chose USC...

[jbcarol]

Bruce Feldman @BruceFeldmanCFB  ·  2 hours ago

83% of the starters in this year's Super Bowl of the star-system era were ranked as 3-star recruits or lower: http://www.sbnation.com/college-football-recruiting/2015/1/21/7861989/super-bowl-2015-patriots-seahawks-high-school-recruiting-ratings ...