College Football Recruiting: Underrated and Key Recruits of the Top 25 Classes

As college football recruiting followers, we all get caught up in the "star" system of rankings as a means of determining the top-rated players that our favorite teams secured. As much as many 5-star players live up to their hype in college, there are many that don't.

In each recruiting class that a school signs, there is always a recruit who develops into a key player for the team, who was not rated or talked about much in the signing day coverages, write-ups and during his recruiting process.

We'll give you a player out of the top 25 classes who looks poised to fit that bill.

25. Washington

Underrated: Kameron Jackson, DB, Long Beach Poly (CA).

Jackson has played in a deep league for a legendary high school program that has produced not only college studs, but a plethora of NFL stars. He has the potential to be a factor at defensive back in the pass-happy Pac-12.

Key Recruit: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Gig Harbor (WA)

Seferian-Jenkins is a big tight end with great size and length at 6'7". He can run and attack seams and presents a future problem for Pac-12 safeties.

24. Oklahoma State

Underrated Recruit: Lyndell Johnson, DB, Plano (TX)

At 6'3", Johnson is a big safety prospect with great ball skills. He has a chance to patrol the Cowboys secondary early.

Key Recruit: J.W. Walsh, QB, Guyer (TX)

Walsh reminds many of people of Zac Robinson. He's a dual-threat style quarterback with 4.4 speed and a great arm.

23. Iowa

Underrated recruit: Marcus Grant, WR, Lawrence Academy (MA)

Grant is a 6'2" receiver with 4.5 speed. He has the athletic ability to develop into a solid perimeter offensive threat for Kirk Ferentz.

Key recruit: Ray Hamilton, TE, Strongsville (Ohio)

It seems Iowa routinely has good offensive linemen and tight ends year in and year out. The 6'5", 230 pound Hamilton looks to be next.

22. South Carolina

Underrated recruit: Brandon Golson, LB, Fork Union Military Academy (VA)

Golson is a 6'2", 200 pound linebacker that has been overlooked due to his lack of bulk. Once he hits the college weight room program hard, he should be able to add weight to become a solid OLB.

Key recruit: Brandon Shell, OL, Goose Creek (SC)

The Gamecocks' resurgence was predicated to their improved offensive line play. At 6'7" and 290 pounds, if he quickly adjust as a pass protector, Shell already has the size and bulk to step in for early time.

21. Tennessee

Underrated recruit: Brian Randolph, DB, Kell (GA)

Randoplh has not gotten the ink that Eric Berry received upon his arrival in Knoxville, but he's a solid player in his own right. Randolph should become a should a solid safety at Rocky Top.

Key recruit: DeAnthony Arnett, WR, Saginaw (MI)

Arnett has the hands, strike zone and body control to factor early in his career in the Vols passing game. His RAC ability will allow him to make plays.

20. Arkansas

Underrated recruit: Keante Minor, WR, East St. Louis (IL)

Minor reminds us a lot of current Razorback receiver Joe Adams. With 4.4 speed on a 6'0" frame, Minor has the potential develop into a great deep threat for Arkansas. 

Key recruit: Brey Cook, OL, Har-Ber (AR)

Cook is a tough, nasty run blocker who looks for work at each snap. He has the frame to project either at guard or tackle in college.

19. Georgia

Underrated recruit: Watts Dantzler, OL, Dalton (GA)

Dantzler is strong at the point of attack and has the size and length to block out the sun as a pass protector at 6'7", 320 pounds.

Key recruit: Christian LeMay, QB, Butler (NC)

LeMay has a noted quick release in his throwing motion, solid arm strength, accuracy and leadership. Oh yeah, he also runs a 4.5 40 and can take off when things get blurry in the pocket.

18. Notre Dame

Underrated recruit: Brad Carrico, DE, Coffman (OH)

Coffman played defensive end in high school, and at 6'6", 270 pounds, he could play the left end or slide inside to defensive tackle at ND.

Key recruit: Stephon Tuitt, DE, Monroe Area (GA)

Tuitt can play defensive end or tackle. He's a super athlete and could be used to drop off underneath in zone coverage in special schemes.

17. Cal

Underrated recruit: Jalen Jefferson, ATH, St. Bonaventure (CA)

Do you know what position Jefferson will settle at? Neither does Jeff Tedford yet. At 6'3", 200 pounds, with the versatility Jefferson brigns to the field, he could see time at several spots before he leaves Berkeley.

Key recruit: Brendon Bigelow, RB, Central East (CA)

Cal will be looking to replace Shane Vereen this coming season and Bigelow has a similar build and game-breaking ability.

16. Auburn

Underrated recruit: Angelo Blackson, DL, Red Lion Christian (DE)

A cog in the success of Auburn football for many years has been defensive line play. Auburn gets big, physical and quick defensive linemen to terrorize the trenches. Blackson fits the bill perfectly.

Key recruit: Kiehl Frazier, QB, Shiloh Christian (AR)

Frazier wins. Everywhere he goes, he wins. That shouldn't stop at Auburn.

15. Ole Miss

Underrated: Floyd Raven, DB, East St. John (LA)

Big corners are a premium in today's recruting circuit. Raven stands 6'2" and runs a 4.4, which will allow him to match up with the talented receivers in the SEC.

Key: Donte Moncrief, WR, Raleigh (MS)

Moncrief likely will be a future star. He has the size, speed, hands and quickness to develop into a go-to player for the Rebels.

14. Florida

Underrated: Hunter Joyer, RB, Tampa Catholic (FL)

Joyer is a 6'0", 245-pound running back who could grow into a fullback in Charlie Weis' offense. Think running back trapped in a fullback's body. Think Mike Alstott.

Key: Jeff Driskel, QB, Hagerty (FL)

While it looks like John Brantley will remain at UF, Driskel may hold the keys to the future of the program. As Charlie Weis will look to install a pro-style scheme, Driskel's talents should allow him to develop into another great Gator QB.

13. Texas Tech

Underrated: Michael Brewer, QB, Lake Travis (TX)

You look at Brewer and see he's only 6'1", only around 175 pounds, and you overlook him. Then you see his toughness, grit, and realize he's headed to Texas Tech, where every QB who basically steps on campus throws up gaudy numbers.

Key: Jace Amaro, TE, Macarthur (TX)

Amaro has the hands and speed to be used as a flex tight end while also factoring in the running game as a blocker.

12. Stanford

Underrated: Lance Callihan, DT, Catholic (LA)

Callihan is a big and quick interior-destined defensive lineman who could also line up at guard for Stanford.

Key: Brendon Austin, OL, Chaparral, (CO)

Austin has the frame and foot quickness to play left tackle and the strength to play right tackle. He plays with great knee bend and adjust-ability.

11. Nebraska

Underrated: Taariq Allen, WR, Rivers School (MA)

In old times, the receiver position was an afterthought in the Nebraska program, as they were an option team. Now their offense has changed and the receiver position has seen athletes like the 6'3" Allen wanting to be a Cornhusker.

Key: Aaron Green, RB, James Madison (TX)

We rate Nebraska's class this high in large part because of Green. He will be a star for Big Red and may be the best running back prospect to come to Nebraska since Lawrence Philips.

10. Clemson

Underrated: Cortez Davis, DB, Mainland (FL)

Davis is a 6'3", 200-pound free safety prospect with size, speed, and range to cover the deep middle with ease.

Key: Sammy Watkins, WR, South Fort Myers (FL)

While Punta Gorda running back Mike Bellamy gets a lot of ink for Clemson's class, Watkins is just as dynamic. He's a threat to score anytime he touches the ball and can blaze defensive backs deep.

9. North Carolina

Underrated: Christian Russell, LB, Hoke (NC)

Russell has a chance to develop into a solid outside linebacker, playing the Will or Sam position at UNC.

Key: Marquise Williams, QB, Mallard Creek (NC)

An adage in recruiting is that your class should sign a quarterback every year. Butch Davis stuck to that notion and will sign a very talented signal caller in Williams.

8. LSU

Underrated: Jalen Collins, DB, Olive Branch (MS)

At 6'2", Collins looks like a free safety at first glace. Then you see him move, run and change direction and realize he could also play corner. Wherever he ends up, he has solid potential.

Key: La'El Collins, OT, Redemptorist (LA)

You don't get a chance to sign an elite left tackle-type prospect every year, and when you can, you hop on him. Collins has the feet, athleticism, and mirror ability to become an All-SEC performer early.

7. Oregon

Underrated: Rodney Hardrick, LB, Colton (CA)

Oregon prides itself on speed, not only on offense but defense as well. Hardrick is undersized at only 205 pounds, but he can run, stop running backs versus the run and he is athletic enough to drop into coverage.

Key: Devon Blackmon, ATH, Summit (CA)

Blackmon is a dynamic athlete and special with the ball in his hands. He buzzed all week at the Under Armour game practices, and Chip Kelly will get him the ball in a variety of ways in Eugene.

6. Ohio State

Underrated: Brian Bobek, OL, Palestine (IL)

We really like Bobek as an interior line prospect. He likely will be a center and will bring toughness and technique to the Buckeyes offensive line.

Key: Michael Bennett, DT, Centerville (OH)

After seeing how the Ohio State defensive line dominated the Sugar Bowl, Bennett has to be licking his chops. He's big enough to play inside and athletic enough to play end.

5. Oklahoma

Underrated: Franklin Shannon, LB, Skyline (TX)

Don't sleep on Shannon, a linebacker who quietly will be a productive player in Norman.

Key: Trey Metoyer, Whitehouse (TX)

Metoyer is among the elite overall prospects in the country, let alone receivers. Being big, strong, fast and having a large strike zone will make him a go-to target early for Landry Jones.

4. USC

Underrated: Marcus Martin, OL, Crenshaw (CA)

I remember a raw, slightly-overweight linemen that signed with USC, got coached up, shed the weight and became a first-round NFL draft pick by the name of Kenechi Udeze. Martin has the frame and strength to develop into a solid guard with coaching.

Key: George Farmer, WR, Serra (CA)

Farmer may be the best receiver prospect to come to Troy since Steve Smith, and USC signed Kyle Prater and Robert Woods last year. While he will have an occasional lapse in concenration, Farmer has all the tools to be an all-time great at USC.

3. Florida State

Underrated: Eric Beverly, RB, First Coast (FL)

Beverly is an all-purpose back who has a chance to remind Seminole fans of Leon Washington.

Key: Karlos Williams, DB, Ridge (FL)

Williams is a stud. Just go watch the UA game highlights and you'll agree.

2. Alabama

Underrated: Malcolm Faciane, TE, Picayune (MS)

Everyone always looks at and evaluates tight end prospects on their receiving ability. Faciane, at 6'6" and nearly 270 pounds, has the frame to potentially move to tackle, similar to Eric Winston.

Key: Brent Calloway, LB, Russellville (AL)

Calloway is a versatile defender who even sees time at strong safety. He moves well within the box and has the athletic ability to mirror running backs out of the backfield and tight ends up the seam.

1. Texas

Underrated: Desmond Jackson, DT, Westfield (TX)

We know Jackson is a 4-star recruit, so how can he really be underrated? After watching Jackson during the UA game and seeing how well he penetrated gaps using his quickness and explosion, we're campaigning for Jackson to get another star.

Key: Malcolm Brown, RB, Cibolo (TX)

Brown is a beast. He's big, fast, strong and can explode through holes. He's likely the most college-ready runner in the country.