College Football Recruiting Hindsight: 5 Guys Who Got Robbed of a 5th Star

You ever watch a game and see a player that is dominating and wonder how he was rated as a high school recruit? I do that all the time.

But I go even further, as I'll then go to the computer and look up how the player was as a recruit. It's shocking and, at times, downright appalling that some of these players get robbed of being five-star prospects in high school.

For this read, I'm going to focus on four-star recruits from past recruiting cycles, who were robbed of that elusive fifth star. 

5. LaRon Landry, DB

Landry was a prospect in the 2003 class, which was the class I was in as a senior. He was given four-stars by Rivals, as a 6'3", 185-pound athlete from Louisiana.

Landry went on to become a dominating safety at LSU, known for his instincts, big-hitting ability and speed. He was a first round pick by the Redskins in 2007, and now he's been penciled in as the starting strong safety for the Jets this year.

The way Landry played at LSU speaks for itself, that's why he makes this list.

4. Calvin Johnson, WR

I have no idea how a 6'4", 210 pound wide receiver from Georgia with excellent speed, ball skills, leaping ability and consistency in his game was not given more respect.

"Megatron" was just a four-star recruit in 2004 and only the sixth best receiver in the country. 

All he did was become the best receiver in college football, and then, the best in the NFL. He's a freak athlete and is an All-Pro caliber wide receiver these days for the Lions. 

3. Davin Joseph, OG

Joseph is not as well-known as others on this list, primarily because he plays guard. However, in 2002, he was the 98th best player in the country but was still given four stars by Rivals.com.

He was a 6'4", 290 pound guard prospect from Florida headed to Oklahoma, where he went on to become a first-team All-Big 12 guard and started 40 games for the Sooners.

Today he's a two-time Pro Bowler for the Buccaneers, after being their first round pick in 2006. 

2. Ndamukong Suh, DT

Suh was just the sixth best defensive tackle in country in 2005, as a 6'4", 278-pounder from Oregon. Boy, did he prove how flawed the recruiting star is.

He nearly won a Heisman, as a tackle in college, and amazing as that is, Suh went to Nebraska and became one of the most decorated and hyped players to ever play college football.

The Detroit Lions took him with the No. 2 overall pick in 2010, and Suh is viewed as an All-Pro caliber defensive tackle by the NFL brass these days. 

1. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB

I put Jones-Drew in the No. 1 spot, because even I thought he wasn't a five-star player. I thought he was too little. He's listed at 5'9", but "MoJo" is really around the 5'7".

Yet, he went on at UCLA to be the Bruins primary offensive weapon during his tenure in Westwood. The Jaguars took him in the second round in 2006, and he has not looked back.

"MoJo" is is a three-time All-Pro running back in the NFL and won a rushing title in 2011. Not bad for what many, including myself, considered a smallish running back prospect who would have a short career.