Top High School Football Recruits of All Time

These hometown heroes are in a special class of high school football recruits.

We like to think we can see talent when it’s right in front of our face. We like to think we know something great when we see it. But do we? Sometimes our hearts get involved. Sometimes our own personal bias gets involved. Evaluating high school football talent is no different.

For as long as high school football has been around, we’ve tried to sniff out the “next big thing” under those Friday Night Lights. Sometimes we get it right. And sometimes we get it really, really wrong.

Here’s a look at the greatest high school football recruits of all time and what happened to them after we anointed them.

30. Bryce Brown, Running Back

Wichita East High School running back Bryce Brown wasn’t the only five-star recruit in his family. CatchItKansas / Twitter

Born: May 14, 1991 (Wichita, Kansas)

High school: East High School (Wichita, Kansas)

High school graduation year: 2009

High school highlights: U.S. Army National Player of the Year (2008), two-time USA Today All-American (2007, 2008), Wichita City League record 7,209 career rushing yards

What Happened Next: Bryce Brown

Rick Scuteri / AP Photo

College: Tennessee/Kansas State

College highlights: None

NFL career: Philadelphia Eagles (2012-13), Buffalo Bills (2014-15), Seattle Seahawks (2015)

Bottom Line: Bryce Brown

Bryce Brown went to Tennessee. Wade Payne / AP Photo

Bryce Brown’s older brother, Arthur, also was a five-star recruit at linebacker at East High School in Wichita, Kansas.

Bryce was a can’t-miss running back when he signed with Tennessee but left the school after one season. He transferred to Kansas State to play alongside his older brother and lasted just one game before he left the team.

The younger Brown persevered, turned heads at pro day and played in the NFL for four seasons.

29. Joe Mauer, Quarterback

Joe Mauer committed to play football and baseball at Florida State. PioneerPress / Twitter

Born: April 19. 1983 (Saint Paul, Minnesota)

High school: Cretin-Derham Hall High School (St. Paul, Minnesota)

High school graduation year: 2001

High school highlights: USA Today High School Football Player of the Year (2000), USA Today High School Baseball Player of the Year (2001), Class 4A state champion (1999)

What Happened Next: Joe Mauer

Tony Gutierrez / AP Photo

College: None

College highlights: None

MLB career: Minnesota Twins (2004-18)

Bottom Line: Joe Mauer

Joe Mauer chose baseball. Jim Mone / AP Photo

Joe Mauer would be much higher on this list if not for the fact that his football recruitment came to a screeching halt when it became clear he would be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 MLB draft by his hometown Minnesota Twins.

Mauer, who was committed to play football and baseball at Florida State, was a six-time All-Star in the major leagues and played 14 seasons for the Twins.

He also racked up $223.7 million in career earnings.

28. Haloti Ngata, Defensive Tackle

Haloti Ngata was a game-changer for Oregon at defensive tackle. Facebook

Born: Jan. 21, 1984 (Inglewood, California)

High school: Highland High School (Salt Lake City, Utah)

High school graduation year: 2002

High school highlights: USA Today All-American (2001), Utah Gatorade Player of the Year (2001), rugby national champion (2002)

What Happened Next: Haloti Ngata

Jeff Roberson / AP Photo

College: Oregon

College highlights: Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year (2005), AP All-American (2005), two-time All-Pac-10 (2004, 2005),

NFL career: Baltimore Ravens (2006-14), Detroit Lions (2015-17), Philadelphia Eagles (2018)

Bottom Line: Haloti Ngata

Haloti Ngata was an All-American at Oregon. Twitter / EANCAAFootball

Haloti Ngata is the highest-rated recruit in Utah history and was rated as the No. 2 overall prospect in the country by Rivals in 2002.

He was Oregon’s first consensus All-American in 43 years and left school one year early for the NFL draft. Ngata, a five-time All-Pro, has $88.3 million in career earnings and retired in March 2019.

He also helped the Ravens win a Super Bowl in 2012 with Hall of Famers Ed Reed and Ray Lewis.

27. Tate Martell, Quarterback

Tate Martell became nationally known at Bishop Gorman High in Las Vegas. Isaac Brekken / AP Photo

Born: Jan. 26, 1998 (San Diego, California)

High school: Bishop Gorman High School (Las Vegas, Nevada)

High school graduation year: 2017

High school highlights: Gatorade National Player of the Year (2016), USA Today Offensive Player of the Year (2016)

Colleges: Ohio State and Miami

College highlights: None

NFL career: Two years of college eligibility left after 2020

What Happened Next: Tate Martell

John Locher / AP Photo

Colleges: Ohio State/Miami/UNLV

College highlights: None

NFL career: N/A

Bottom Line: Tate Martell

Tate Martell has gone to three colleges — Ohio State, Miami and UNLV. Wilfredo Lee / AP Photo

Tate Martell, a five-star recruit, committed to the University of Washington at 14 years old, switched his commitment to Texas A&M and ultimately signed with Ohio State.

He announced a transfer to Miami in January 2019 after five-star recruit Justin Fields announced a transfer from Georgia to Ohio State and became eligible immediately.

Martell was switched to wide receiver, then switched back to quarterback before he decided to opt out of the 2020 season, leaving him two years of college eligibility remaining and he transferred back to his hometown, to play for UNLV, before retiring from football completely.

26. Manti Te’o, Linebacker

Manti Te’o was the first five-star recruit from Hawaii. DaveCMcKinney / Twitter

Born: Jan. 26, 1991 (Laie, Hawaii)

High school: Punahou School (Honolulu, Hawaii)

High school graduation year: 2009

High school highlights: USA Today Defensive Player of the Year (2008), HHSAA state champion (2008), Hawaii Gatorade Player of the Year (2008)

What Happened Next: Manti Te’o

Jeff Haynes / AP Photo

College: Notre Dame

College highlights: Maxwell Award (2012), Butkus Award (2012), three-time AP All-American (2010-12), Heisman Trophy finalist (2012)

NFL career: San Diego Chargers (2013-16), New Orleans Saints (2017-19)

Bottom Line: Manti Te’o

Manti Te’o starred at Notre Dame. Joe Raymond / AP Photo

Manti Te’o was the first five-star recruit out of Hawaii since 2002 and picked Notre Dame over BYU and USC.

Recruiting analysts described him as the best linebacker to arrive at Notre Dame in decades, and he lived up to the hype. A three-time All-American, he led Irish to the BCS championship game as a senior.

Injuries, including a torn Achilles tendon in 2016, have hampered his pro career.

25. Justin Fields, Quarterback

Justin Fields, No. 1, was the star of Season 2 of “QB1: Beyond the Lights” on Netflix. SouthernSwagg4 / Twitter

Born: March 5, 1999 (Atlanta, Georgia)

High school: Harrison High School (Kennesaw, Georgia)

High school graduation year: 2018

High school highlights: Elite 11 QB Camp MVP (2017), 247Sports No. 2 overall recruit (2018), Mr. Georgia Football (2017), AJC All-State (2017)

What Happened Next: Justin Fields

Kamil Krzaczynski / AP Photo

Colleges: Georgia and Ohio State

College highlights: AP All-American (2019), All-Big Ten (2019), Heisman Trophy finalist (2019), Big Ten Championship MVP (2019)

NFL career: Chicago Bears (2021-present)

Bottom Line: Justin Fields

Justin Fields was the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year twice at Ohio State. Jay LaPrete / AP Photo

The nation got a chance to meet Justin Fields during the second season of the hit Netflix show “QB1: Beyond the Lights” and saw a player who looked as NFL ready as anyone in the last decade.

Fields’ college career took an unexpected turn when he left home-state Georgia for Ohio State after one season and became a star in 2019, leading the Buckeyes into the College Football Playoff and becoming a Heisman Trophy finalist.

24. Jim Brown, Running Back

Jim Brown was a football, basketball, baseball and lacrosse star in high school. Manhasset Secondary School

Born: Feb. 17, 1936 (St. Simons, Georgia)

High school: Manhasset Secondary School (Manhasset, New York)

High school graduation year: 1953

High school highlights: Nassau County Football Player of the Year (1952)

What Happened Next: Jim Brown

AP Photo

College: Syracuse

College highlights: Two-time AP All-American (1955, 1956), Heisman Trophy finalist (1956), two-time NCAA lacrosse All-American (1955, 1956)

NFL career: Cleveland Browns (1957-65)

Bottom Line: Jim Brown

Jim Brown was a gifted athlete. AP Photo

Jim Brown was the Paul Bunyan of high school athletics at Manhasset Secondary Academy as a star in lacrosse, basketball, baseball and football.

Brown picked Syracuse, where he established himself as one of the country’s greatest athletes as an All-American in both lacrosse and football. Brown retired after nine seasons as the NFL’s career rushing leader and became Hollywood’s first Black action movie star.

He also may be the only athlete who is in serious contention as the greatest in two sports — football and lacrosse.

23. Charles Woodson, Defensive Back

Charles Woodson played high school football in Ohio but was a college star at Michigan. Fremont Ross High School

Born: Oct. 7. 1976 (Fremont, Ohio)

High school: Ross High School (Fremont, Ohio)

High school graduation year: 1995

High school highlights: USA Today All-American (1994), Parade All-American (1994), Ohio Mr. Football (1994)

What Happened Next: Charles Woodson

Jim Prisching / AP Photo

College: Michigan

College highlights: National champion (1997), Heisman Trophy winner (1997), two-time AP All-American (1996, 1997)

NFL career: Oakland Raiders (1998-2005, 2013-15), Green Bay Packers (2006-12)

Bottom Line: Charles Woodson

Charles Woodson made big plays at every level. Duane Burleson / AP Photo

Charles Woodson was a legendary high school athlete in Ohio, and in addition to being all-state in football on offense, defense and special teams, he played point guard on the basketball team and ran track.

His college choice boiled down to one fact: He and his older brother were Michigan fans. He’s the only primarily defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy and won it the same year he led the Wolverines to a national title.

Woodson then played 18 NFL seasons and was an eight-time All-Pro.

22. Ronald Curry, Quarterback

Ronald Curry, middle, led Hampton High to back-to-back national titles in football. jackclue1 / Twitter

Born: May 28, 1979 (Hampton, Virginia)

High school: Hampton High School (Hampton, Virginia)

High school graduation year: 1998

High school highlights: Two-time USA Today national champion (1996, 1997), three-time state champion (1995-97), two-time USA Today All-American (1996, 1997)

What Happened Next: Ronald Curry

Paul Sakuma / AP Photo

College: North Carolina

College highlights: Las Vegas Bowl MVP (1998), Peach Bowl MVP (2001)

NFL career: Oakland Raiders (2002-08)

Bottom Line: Ronald Curry

Ronald Curry played quarterback at North Carolina. Twitter / VersaceCaesar

Ronald Curry was one of the top recruits in the country starting his junior year and a high school All-American in both football and basketball, and was the McDonald’s All-American game slam dunk champion and MVP.

He flipped on a commitment to in-state Virginia to go play both sports for North Carolina, where he continued to play quarterback but switched to wide receiver for a seven-year NFL career.

People in Virginia still haven’t forgiven him for jilting his first college choice.

21. Gerald McCoy, Defensive Tackle

Gerald McCoy might be the greatest interior defensive line recruit of all time. OUSportsExtra / Twitter

Born: Feb. 25, 1988 (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)

High school: Southeast High School (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)

High school graduation year: 2006

High school highlights: USA Today Defensive Player of the Year (2005), Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year (2005), U.S. Army All-American (2006)

What Happened Next: Gerald McCoy

Margaret Bowles / AP Photo

College: Oklahoma

College highlights: Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year (2008), two-time AP All-American (2008, 2009)

NFL career: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2010-18), Carolina Panthers (2019)

Bottom Line: Gerald McCoy

Gerald McCoy was a beast at Oklahoma. J. Pat Carter / AP Photo

Possibly the most heralded interior defensive line recruit of all time, Gerald McCoy had 40 sacks over his final two high school seasons and decided to stay in-state and play for Bob Stoops and the University of Oklahoma.

McCoy was a wunderkind in college and left school with one year of eligibility remaining. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft, McCoy signed a whopping, seven-year, $98 million contract extension in 2014.

20. Eric Dickerson, Running Back

Eric Dickerson was a high school phenom at tiny Sealy High. The Sealy News

Born: Sept. 2. 1960 (Sealy, Texas)

High school: Sealy High School (Sealy, Texas)

High school graduation year: 1979

High school highlights: Class 2A state champion (1978), Class 2A championship game MVP (1978)

What Happened Next: Eric Dickerson

Lennox McLendon / AP Photo

College: SMU

College highlights: Two-time AP All-American (1981, 1982), Heisman Trophy finalist (1982), two-time SWC Offensive Player of the Year (1981, 1982)

NFL career: Los Angeles Rams (1983-87), Indianapolis Colts (1987-91), Los Angeles Raiders (1992), Atlanta Falcons (1993)

Bottom Line: Eric Dickerson

Eric Dickerson was tough to bring down. David Breslauer / AP Photo

Eric Dickerson entered Texas high school football lore at tiny Sealy High, where he racked up 2,667 rushing yards on the way to a state title in 1978.

Dickerson’s recruitment can still spark a heated debate in parts of Texas. He committed to Texas A&M, which allegedly gave him a brand-new Trans Am, then flipped his commitment to scandal-ridden SMU.

Dickerson still holds the NFL single-season rushing record with 2,105 yards in 1984.

19. D.J. Williams, Linebacker

D.J. Williams, one of the nation’s top linebacker recruits, played fullback his first season at Miami. CalHiSports / Twitter

Born: July 20, 1982 (Sacramento, California)

High school: De La Salle High School (Concord, California)

High school graduation year: 2000

High school highlights: USA Today Defensive Player of the Year (1999), USA Today All-American (1999)

What Happened Next: D.J. Williams

Jack Dempsey / AP Photo

College: Miami

College highlights: BCS national champion (2001), two-time All-Big East (2002, 2003)

NFL career: Denver Broncos (2004-12), Chicago Bears (2013-14)

Bottom Line: D.J. Williams

D.J. Williams went to Miami. Twitter / 83_87_89_91_01

D.J. Williams was one of the most coveted linebacker recruits of the last 20 years coming out of powerhouse De La Salle High, but we still can’t figure out why Miami tried to play him at fullback during his freshman season before moving him back to linebacker.

Williams helped the Hurricanes win a national title in 2001 and was a two-time All-Big East pick before the Denver Broncos made him a first-round draft pick in 2004.

18. Mitch Mustain, Quarterback

Mitch Mustain never played a game in the NFL. Danny Johnston / AP Photo

Born: Feb. 27. 1988 (Fayetteville, Arkansas)

High school: Springdale High School (Springdale, Arkansas)

High school graduation year: 2006

High school highlights: USA Today National Player of the Year (2005), Gatorade National Player of the Year (2005)

What Happened Next: Mitch Mustain

Jae C. Hong / AP Photo

College: Arkansas/USC

College highlights: None

NFL career: None

Bottom Line: Mitch Mustain

Mitch Mustain didn’t quite live up to the hype. Reinhold Matay / AP Photo

The most heralded recruit in Arkansas state history, Mitch Mustain swept the 2006 national player of the year awards and followed his high school coach, Gus Malzahn, to Arkansas.

Mustain was the starter at Arkansas as a true freshman, then transferred to USC after the season, despite going 8-0 as a starter for the Razorbacks.

After an unheralded career with the Trojans, he played Single-A baseball for one season, followed by two seasons in the Arena Football League.

17. Julius Peppers, Defensive End

Julius Peppers was a star at Southern Nash High in rural North Carolina. JacobTurnerTH / Twitter

Born: Jan. 18, 1980 (Wilson, North Carolina)

High school: Southern Nash High School (Bailey, North Carolina)

High school graduation year: 1998

High school highlights: Parade All-American (1997)

What Happened Next: Julius Peppers

Mike McCarn / AP Photo

College: North Carolina

College highlights: Bednarik Award (2001), Lombardi Award (2001)

NFL career: Carolina Panthers (2002-09, 2017-18), Chicago Bears (2010-13), Green Bay Packers (2014-16)

Bottom Line: Julius Peppers

North Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers

Julius Peppers sometimes looked like a man among boys on the field. Twitter / JacobTurnerTHI

Julius Peppers’ unique athleticism was on display in high school. At 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, he played defensive end and running back, was all-state in basketball and won a state championship as a sprinter in track.

He chose a North Carolina football scholarship over a Duke basketball scholarship, then played both sports for the Tar Heels. His 15 sacks in 2000 were one shy of tying Lawrence Taylor’s single-season UNC record.

Peppers, a nine-time Pro Bowler, tallied $164.7 million in career earnings and was hired as a special assistant for business operations for the Carolina Panthers for the 2019 season.

16. Dorial Green-Beckham, Wide Receiver

Dorial Green-Beckham is one of the biggest recruiting fails in modern history. MaxPreps

Born: April 25, 1993 (St. Louis, Missouri)

High school: Hillcrest High School (Springfield, Missouri)

High school graduation year: 2012

High school highlights: USA Today Offensive Player of the Year (2011), two-time USA Today All-American (2010, 2011), U.S. Army All-American (2012)

What Happened Next: Dorial Green-Beckham

Roger Steinman / AP Photo

College: Missouri

College highlights: Sporting News Freshman All-American (2012), All-SEC (2013)

NFL career: Tennessee Titans (2015), Philadelphia Eagles (2016)

Bottom Line: Dorial Green-Beckham

Missouri wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham

Dorial Green-Beckham played wide receiver at Missouri. L.G. Patterson / AP Photo

Dorial Green-Beckham set the national high school career receiving record with 6,356 yards and was the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit in 2012.

Probably the most coveted wide receiver recruit of the last decade, he picked in-state Missouri over Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas but was dismissed from the team at Missouri after two seasons and two drug arrests.

He was out of the NFL after two seasons and arrested again on drug charges in December 2018.

15. Derrick Brooks, Linebacker

Baby-faced Derrick Brooks in the library at Booker T. Washington High in Pensacola, Florida. NFLLegends / Twitter

Born: April 8, 1973 (Pensacola, Florida)

High school: Booker T. Washington High School (Pensacola, Florida)

High school graduation year: 1992

High school highlights: FHSAA All-Century Team (2007), Class 6A All-State (1991)

What Happened Next: Derrick Brooks

Jack Dempsey / AP Photo

College: Florida State

College highlights: ACC Defensive Player of the Year (1993), NCAA national champion (1993), two-time AP All-American (1993, 1994)

NFL career: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1995-2008)

Bottom Line: Derrick Brooks

Derrick Brooks became a Florida State legend. Twitter / Stephen49090103

Derrick Brooks was named one of the 33 greatest players in Florida high school football history in 2007 after a career at Booker T. Washington High where he led his school to the Class 6A semifinals.

At Florida State, Brooks carved out a career as one of the greatest linebackers in college football history and led FSU to its first national title in 1993.

He played 14 seasons in the NFL, all for Tampa Bay, and was named to the NFL’s 100th Anniversary Team.

14. Adrian Peterson, Running Back

Adrian Peterson is one of the few players who probably could have played in the NFL straight out of high school. RetroSports411 / Twitter

Born: March 21, 1985 (Palestine, Texas)

High school: Palestine High School (Palestine, Texas)

High school graduation year: 2004

High school highlights: U.S. Army National Player of the Year (2004), Class 4A state champion 100-meter dash (2004), U.S. Army All-American (2004), Rivals.com No. 1 overall (2004)

What Happened Next: Adrian Peterson

Rick Scuteri / AP Photo

College: Oklahoma

College highlights: Three-time All-Big 12 (2004-06), Heisman Trophy finalist (2004), AP All-American (2004), Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year (2004)

NFL career: Minnesota Vikings (2007-16), New Orleans Saints (2017), Arizona Cardinals (2017), Washington Redskins (2018-19), Detroit Lions (2020), Tennessee Titans (2021), Seattle Seahawks (2021)

Bottom Line: Adrian Peterson

Adrian Peterson was an All-American at Oklahoma. Donna McWilliam / AP Photo

There aren’t many players mentioned when we look at the list of who might have been good enough to go straight from high school football to the NFL, but Adrian Peterson usually tops the list.

He only played two seasons of high school football at tiny Palestine High, but he was the Heisman Trophy runner-up as a true freshman at Oklahoma as he helped lead them to the BCS championship game.

Peterson was named NFL MVP in 2012.

13. Dick Butkus, Linebacker

Dick Butkus was the first junior to be named Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year. seabeehf / Twitter

High school: Vocational High School (Chicago, Illinois)

High school graduation year: 1961

High school highlights: Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year (1959)

What Happened Next: Dick Butkus

AP Photo

College: Illinois

College highlights: Big Ten MVP (1963), UPI Lineman of the Year (1964), The Sporting News Player of the Year (1964), two-time AP All-American (1963, 1964)

NFL career: Chicago Bears (1965-73)

Bottom Line: Dick Butkus

Dick Butkus was the Big Ten MVP in 1963. Twitter / HelmetAddict

In an age way, way, way before recruiting services, Dick Butkus was a midwestern phenomenon at linebacker when he was in high school.

Playing for Chicago’s Vocational High, Butkus was the first junior to be named Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year and stayed local to play for the University of Illinois.

Butkus played both ways for the Illini, at center and linebacker, and played all nine seasons of his NFL career with the Chicago Bears.

12. Emmitt Smith, Running Back

Emmitt Smith led Escambia High in Pensacola to two state titles. Escambia High School

Born: May 15, 1969 (Pensacola, Florida)

High school: Escambia High School (Pensacola, Florida)

High school graduation year: 1987

High school highlights: USA Today Player of the Year (1986), Parade Magazine Player of the Year (1986), FHSAA All-Century Team (2007), FHSAA Player of the Century (2007)

What Happened Next: Emmitt Smith

Eric Gay / AP Photo

College: Florida

College highlights: Heisman Trophy finalist (1989), AP All-American (1989), three-time All-SEC (1987-89), SEC MVP (1989)

NFL career: Dallas Cowboys (1990-2002), Arizona Cardinals (2003-04)

Bottom Line: Emmitt Smith

Emmitt Smith was a three-time All-SEC running back at Florida. AP Photo

Emmitt Smith led Pensacola’s Escambia High School to two state championships and finished his career No. 2 in the nation with 8,804 rushing yards and 106 touchdowns.

Smith was still an underrated recruit (somehow) headed to the University of Florida and became the best running back in all of college football. Smith dropped like a rock in the 1990 NFL draft because some teams thought the 5-foot-9, 216-pounder was too small and slow (even though he ran a 4.52 40) to play at the next level.

They were wrong. Smith won three Super Bowls and became the NFL’s career leading rusher.

11. Robert Nkemdiche, Defensive End

Robert Nkemdiche was the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit for the Class of 2013. TheFischTank / Twitter

Born: Sept. 19. 1994 (Atlanta, Georgia)

High school: Grayson High School (Loganville, Georgia)

High school graduation year: 2013

High school highlights: Gwinnett Daily News Defensive Player of the Year (2012), two-time MaxPreps All-American (2011, 2012), two-time USA Today All-American (2011, 2012)

What Happened Next: Robert Nkemdiche

Ted S. Warren / AP Photo

College: Ole Miss

College highlights: AP All-American (2015), All-SEC (2015)

NFL career: Arizona Cardinals (2016-18), Miami Dolphins (2019), Seattle Seahawks (2021-present)

Bottom Line: Robert Nkemdiche

Robert Nkemdiche went to the NFL after playing at Ole Miss. Rogelio V. Solis / AP Photo

One of the few players to be a consensus No. 1 national recruit, Robert Nkemdiche went wire-to-wire as the top recruit in the Class of 2013 for all of the major recruiting services.

Nkemdiche’s career since then, aside from one good season at Ole Miss, has been a study in coming up short of expectations.

One can only wonder how his career would have gone had he stayed with his original college commitment at Clemson instead of following his older brother to Ole Miss.

10. John Elway, Quarterback

John Elway was a two-sport star in baseball and football at Granada Hills High. ghctk12 / Twitter

Born: June 28, 1960 (Port Angeles, Washington)

High school: Granada Hills High School (Granada Hills, California)

High school graduation year: 1979

High school highlights: Parade All-American (1978)

What Happened Next: John Elway

Elaine Thompson / AP Photo

College: Stanford

College highlights: AP All-American (1982), two-time Pac-10 Player of the Year (1981, 1982)

NFL career: Denver Broncos (1983-98)

Bottom Line: John Elway

John Elway was a two-sport star at Stanford. Paul Sakuma / AP Photo

One of the most coveted high school quarterbacks of all time, John Elway was the No. 1 player in the nation as a senior.

The son of San Jose State head coach Jack Elway, John decided to play baseball and football at Stanford.

The Yankees drafted him in the second round of the 1981 MLB draft, but he decided to stick with football and forced the Colts to trade him to the Broncos after he was picked No. 1 in 1983.

9. Vince Young, Quarterback

Vince Young became a star at Houston’s Madison High in the early 2000s. CrumBummin / Twitter

Born: May 18, 1983 (Houston, Texas)

High school: Madison High School (Houston, Texas)

High school graduation year: 2002

High school highlights: Parade Magazine Player of the Year (2001), Class 5A Offensive Player of the Year (2001), Sporting News High School Player of the Year (2001), U.S. Army All-American Bowl MVP (2002)

What Happened Next: Vince Young

John Russell / AP Photo

College: Texas

College highlights: BCS national champion (2006), Heisman Trophy finalist (2005), Maxwell Award (2005), Davey O’Brien Award (2005), AP All-American (2005), Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year (2005), Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year (2003)

NFL career: Tennessee Titans (2006-10), Philadelphia Eagles (2011)

Bottom Line: Vince Young

Vince Young was one of the best college quarterbacks in history. Harry Cabluck / AP Photo

Kyler Murray gets the slight edge over Vince Young as the greatest quarterback in Texas high school football history, but Murray can’t hold a candle to what Young did on the college level.

Young put together the single greatest performance in college football history, if not all of college sports, in the 2006 Rose Bowl against USC to win the national title for Texas.

Young’s NFL career was not as notable, and he flamed out after six seasons.

8. Ernie Sims, Linebacker

Ernie Sims is the only linebacker to be named a No. 1 overall recruit across the board. North Florida Christian School

Born: Dec. 23, 1984 (Tallahassee, Florida)

High school: North Florida Christian School (Tallahassee, Florida)

High school graduation year: 2002

High school highlights: USA Today All-American (2001), four-time Class 1A state champion (1998-2001)

What Happened Next: Ernie Smis

Paul Sancya / AP Photo

College: Florida State

College highlights: ESPN All-American (2004), All-ACC (2004)

NFL career: Detroit Lions (2006-09), Philadelphia Eagles (2010), Indianapolis Colts (2011), Dallas Cowboys (2012-13)

Bottom Line: Ernie Sims

Ernie Sims was a first-round NFL draft pick in 2006 after playing at Florida State. Twitter / JakeElman97

Ernie Sims is still the only linebacker to be a consensus No. 1 overall prospect by all of the major recruiting services and picked his hometown team, Florida State, over offers from almost every other major college football program.

Although Sims never really set the world on fire at Florida State, he was still a first-round NFL draft pick in 2006 by the Detroit Lions.

He led the Lions in tackles as a rookie but never made a Pro Bowl in eight NFL seasons.

7. Peyton Manning, Quarterback

Peyton Manning wasn’t the only one in his family to star at Isidore Newman. SINow / Twitter

Born: March 24, 1976 (New Orleans, Louisiana)

High school: Isidore Newman School (New Orleans, Louisiana)

High school graduation year: 1994

High school highlights: Gatorade National Player of the Year (1993)

What Happened Next: Peyton Manning

Nam Y. Huh / AP Photo

College: Tennessee

College highlights: Maxwell Award (1997), AP All-American (1997), Heisman Trophy finalist (1997)

NFL career: Indianapolis Colts (1998-2011), Denver Broncos (2012-15)

Bottom Line: Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 1997. Ed Reinke / AP Photo

Peyton Manning and his younger brother, Eli Manning, were both prep football sensations at Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, where their father, Archie Manning, starred at quarterback for the New Orleans Saints.

What you need to know now is that there’s another Manning at Newman who could be just as good, if not better. That would be Class of 2023 quarterback Arch Manning, the top-ranked quarterback in his class and the son of the Mannings’ eldest son, former Ole Miss wide receiver Cooper Manning.

6. Rashan Gary, Defensive Tackle

Rashan Gary, left, struggled to stay in shape in college. Coast2CoastSMG / Twitter

Born: Dec. 3, 1997 (Plainfield, New Jersey)

High school: Paramus Catholic High School (Paramus, New Jersey)

High school graduation year: 2016

High school highlights: USA Today Defensive Player of the Year (2015), Under Armour All-American Game MVP (2016), USA Today All-American (2015)

What Happened Next: Rashan Gary

Aaron Gash / AP Photo

College: Michigan

College highlights: Two-time All-Big Ten (2017, 2018)

NFL career: Green Bay Packers (2019-present)

Bottom Line: Rashan Gary

Rahsan Gary played defensive end at Michigan. Tony Ding / AP Photo

Rashan Gary is one of just three players to be a unanimous No. 1 player for all four major recruiting services and picked Michigan over Auburn, Clemson, Ole Miss and USC.

He had three sometimes lackluster seasons for the Wolverines as he struggled to consistently stay in playing shape.

Gary was still the No. 12 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft and had two sacks and 21 tackles as a rookie with the Packers.

5. Randy Moss, Wide Receiver

Randy Moss is the greatest high school athlete in West Virginia history. Fayette_Cheryl / Twitter

Born: Feb. 13, 1977 (Charleston, West Virginia)

High school: Dupont High School (Belle, West Virginia)

High school graduation year: 1995

High school highlights: Parade All-American (1995), West Virginia Football Player of the Year (1994), two-time West Virginia Basketball Player of the Year (1994, 1995)

What Happened Next: Randy Moss

David Duprey / AP Photo

College: Marshall

College highlights: Division I-AA national champion (1997), AP All-American (1997)

NFL career: Minnesota Vikings (1998-2004, 2010), Oakland Raiders (2005-06), New England Patriots (2007-10), Tennessee Titans (2010), San Francisco 49ers (2012)

Bottom Line: Randy Moss

Randy Moss starred at Marshall. Twitter / Footballism

Randy Moss was on Parade Magazine’s list of the 50 greatest high school football players of all time in 2009, and former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz called him “the best high school football player” he’d ever seen when he signed with the Irish out of high school.

Moss never played for Notre Dame because of a high school fight but landed at Florida State, where he was dismissed from the team over a failed drug test.

At Marshall, Moss set eight NCAA records in two seasons.

4. Ron Powlus, Quarterback

There were 40,000 people at Ron Powlus’ first high school game. Berwick High / YouTube

Born: July 16, 1974 (Berwick, Pennsylvania)

High school: Berwick High School (Berwick, Pennsylvania)

High school graduation year: 1993

High school highlights: Parade Magazine National Player of the Year (1992), USA Today Offensive Player of the Year (1992), PIAA state champion (1992)

What Happened Next: Ron Powlus

Chris Gardner / AP Photo

College: Notre Dame

College highlights: None

NFL career: Philadelphia Eagles (2000)

Bottom Line: Ron Powlus

Ron Powlus was one of the most hyped football players of all time. Chris Pizzello / AP Photo

Ron Powlus, one of the most heavily recruited high school football players of all time, played in front of 40,000 in his first varsity start.

After Powlus chose Notre Dame in 1993, former ESPN college football analyst Beano Cook predicted he would win the Heisman Trophy twice, but injuries derailed Powlus’ career.

He still started all four years for the Irish and finished his career with 20 school records, but went 0-2 in bowl games and was never an All-American.

3. Marcus Dupree, Running Back

“The Best That Never Was” was the name of the ESPN documentary about Marcus Dupree. MSPreps / Twitter

Born: May 22, 1964 (Philadelphia, Mississippi)

High school: Philadelphia High School (Philadelphia, Mississippi)

High school graduation year: 1982

High school highlights: Parade All-American (1982), national high school career touchdown rushing record with 87 (since broken), rushed for 7,355 yards and scored 98 total touchdowns

What Happened Next: Marcus Dupree

Scott Robinson / AP Photo

College: Oklahoma

College highlights: Big Eight Newcomer of the Year (1982), AP All-American (1982)

NFL career: Los Angeles Rams (1990-91)

Bottom Line: Marcus Dupree

Marcus Dupree averaged 7.2 yards per carry at Oklahoma. Bill Janscha / AP Photo

Marcus Dupree was an athletic freak of nature at 6-foot-3 and 229 pounds. He ran a 4.29 40 and is perhaps the most sought-after high school running back of all time.

He captured the imagination of college football fans across the country as a true freshman at Oklahoma when he ran for 1,144 yards and 13 touchdowns despite not starting until the seventh game.

Alas, he only played one full college season, two seasons in the USFL and two seasons in the NFL before his career came to an end.

2. Jadeveon Clowney, Defensive End

Jadeveon Clowney was a consensus No. 1 overall recruit. bdig89 / Twitter

Born: Feb. 14, 1993 (Rock Hill, South Carolina)

High school: South Pointe High School (South Pointe, South Carolina)

High school graduation year: 2011

High school highlights: SCHSL state champion (2008), South Carolina Mr. Football (2010)

What Happened Next: Jadeveon Clowney

Kirk Irwin / AP Photo

College: South Carolina

College highlights: SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2012), two-time AP All-American (2012, 2013)

NFL career: Houston Texans (2014-18), Seattle Seahawks (2019), Tennessee Titans (2020), Cleveland Browns (2021-present)

Bottom Line: Jadeveon Clowney

South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney

Jadeveon Clowney was a big man on campus at South Carolina. Richard Shiro / AP Photo

Jadeveon Clowney was the first modern player to be a consensus No. 1 overall recruit across the major recruiting services, and with good reason.

As a senior, the 6-foot-6, 240-pound defensive end had 29.5 sacks, 162 tackles and a stunning five defensive touchdowns. He was just as good in college at the University of South Carolina and left school one year early to enter the NFL draft, where he was the No. 1 overall pick by the Houston Texans in 2014.

He’s now on his third NFL team with the Titans and is a three-time Pro Bowler.

1. Trevor Lawrence, Quarterback

Trevor Lawrence won two state titles at Cartersville High. coachradarNorth / Twitter

Born: Oct. 6, 1999 (Knoxville, Tennessee)

High school: Cartersville High School (Cartersville, Georgia)

High school graduation year: 2018

High school highlights: USA Today Offensive Player of the Year (2017), USA Today All-American (2017), U.S. Army All-American National Player of the Year (2018), two-time GHSA state champion (2016, 2017)

What Happened Next: Trevor Lawrence

Phelan M. Ebenhack / AP Photo

College: Clemson

College highlights: CFP champion (2019), CFP Championship Game MVP (2019), Cotton Bowl MVP (2018), National Freshman of the Year (2018)

NFL career: Jacksonville Jaguars (2021-present)

Bottom Line: Trevor Lawrence

Trevor Lawrence led Clemson to a national title as a true freshman. Richard Shiro / AP Photo

If there’s such a thing as a perfect quarterback, it’s Trevor Lawrence. Another consensus No. 1 overall recruit across all of the major recruiting services, he led Cartersville to two state titles and won 41 straight games at one point.

At Clemson, he led the Tigers to a national championship as a true freshman and back to the national title game as a sophomore. Lawrence left college with one year of eligibility remaining and was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.