Former 5-Star Recruits With 1st-Round Potential in 2024 NFL Draft

For every player selected, the NFL draft is a landmark moment in a football career. But for those who carried a 5-star billing into college, it's also a long-expected step forward.

And a clear reminder that stars matter.

Recruiting rankings are not perfect, but 5-stars have a lengthy history of developing into top-tier draft prospects. The 2024 draft cycle will include the signing class of 2021, and no less than 11 of the 15 highest-rated players in the 247Sports' composite rankings are potential first-round talents.

Technically speaking, every draft-eligible former 5-star prospect has first-round potential. Realistically, though, a sizable portion of that group isn't really in consideration due to minimal college production.

Quarterbacks

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Quinn Ewers

Given the importance of the position, it's only reasonable to start the draft conversation with the quarterbacks.

One year out, the battle for QB1 in the 2024 NFL draft is seemingly between North Carolina's Drake Maye and USC's Caleb Williams, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. Williams was the No. 7 overall prospect in the 2021 recruiting class, per 247Sports' composite rankings.

Also in that cycle, Quinn Ewers (Texas) held the No. 1 billing, while J.J. McCarthy (Michigan) ranked 25th. Ewers remains a bet on talent, while McCarthy is an intriguing dual-threat prospect.

The final quarterback to know is Bo Nix, who landed at No. 33 overall in the 2019 class. He struggled at Auburn after a solid freshman year but excelled last season after transferring to Oregon, amassing 4,103 yards of total offense and accounting for 44 touchdowns.

Alabama Prospects

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Dallas Turner

One of two schools with at least four prospects on the Day 1 radar, Alabama has three players firmly in first-round contention.

JC Latham is a standout offensive lineman who started at right tackle last season. Even if he doesn't shift to the left side in 2023, NFL teams may view the 6'6", 335-pounder as a cornerstone blocker.

On the defensive side, edge-rusher Dallas Turner is set to embrace a bright spotlight. He's expected to replace Will Anderson Jr. as the Crimson Tide's top disruptor. Turner has collected 18.0 tackles for loss with 12.5 sacks in two seasons at Alabama.

Kool-Aid McKinstry has excellent size (6'1", 195 pounds) for a cornerback and offers a special teams bonus. He racked up 15 pass defenses in 2022 while ranking second nationally with 15.9 yards per punt return.

Wide receiver Ja'Corey Brooks is also worth monitoring after he averaged 17.3 yards per reception in 2022.

Ohio State Prospects

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Emeka Egbuka

Star wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. came to Ohio State as a 4-star prospect, so he isn't eligible for inclusion here. Nevertheless, the Buckeyes a handful of 5-star signees who have remained elite talents.

Running back TreVeyon Henderson needs to bounce back from an injury-shortened 2022 season. But as a freshman in 2021, he totaled 1,586 scrimmage yards—including 27 catches for 312 yards—and 19 touchdowns.

Emeka Egbuka put together his breakout year in 2022, nabbing 74 passes for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also tallied two rushing scores and returned punts for the Buckeyes, who could have the first two receivers picked in the 2024 draft with Harrison and Egbuka.

Offensive guard Donovan Jackson and edge-rushers Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau all signed in the 2021 class alongside Henderson and Egbuka. They have a strong chance of heading to the NFL together as first-rounders, too.

Offensive Prospects

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Will Shipley

Compared to the list of defenders, this may appear to be a thin group. It's worth noting that we separated quarterbacks and that Alabama (two) and Ohio State (three) account for a handful of offensive players.

Still, the 2021 recruiting class has three more top talents.

Will Shipley, the lone 5-star running back other than Henderson, has showed off his versatility at Clemson. He racked up 1,748 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns last year.

Texas tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders turned in a strong sophomore season, making 54 receptions for 613 yards and five touchdowns.

Amarius Mims is aiming for his breakout year at Georgia as he enters the starting lineup. Mims excelled in his playing time at right tackle last season and started both of UGA's College Football Playoff games. Mims is a prototypical blindside protector with a 6'7", 330-pound frame.

Defensive Prospects

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Leonard Taylor

Need a first-round defender in 2024? Look to the ACC and SEC.

LSU's Maason Smith and Miami's Leonard Taylor III are high-upside interior players. Smith is returning from a knee injury, but he notched four sacks in 2021. Taylor collected 10.5 stops for loss in 2022.

The most likely 5-star linebacker to demand first-round attention is Clemson's Barrett Carter. He registered 73 tackles with 10.5 for loss and 5.5 sacks last year, adding eight pass breakups, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.

In the secondary, Florida cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. and Miami safety James Williams headline the group. Marshall broke up eight passes in 2022, and Williams is a 6'5" presence who led Miami with 59 tackles.

Three transfers—defensive lineman Jordan Burch (Oregon), linebacker Justin Flowe (Arizona) and cornerback Tony Grimes (Texas A&M)—from the 2020 class should also be monitored in their new locations.

All recruiting information via 247Sports.