The Top College Football Recruit for Every FBS Team in the Last 10 Years

Recruiting is a huge part of a program's operation, and it's also a huge industry in itself. With that comes hype, the star system, media coverage and huge expectations. Chances are, if you're reading this, you're a huge recruiting fan.

Today, we're going to ask and answer who's the highest rated recruit your favorite program has signed in the last 10 years? Please note that college career has absolutely nothing to do with this; this is about how "big" a recruit each player was coming out of high school.

So if a certain recruit went on to have a great career, yet was not as highly rated or touted as another prospect, he was left off the list.

But without further wait, let's get this show on the road!

Boston College

Biggest Recruit: Brian Toal, LB

Tier: Solid

Toal was a 5-star recruit via Scout.com in 2004 and was a big-time LB recruit out of New Jerseys. When I worked for the Giants, people in the area would debate about who was better: Toal or Brian Cushing.

Clemson

Biggest Recruit: Da'Quan Bowers, DE

Tier: Supertar 

Bowers was a stud in 2008. A flat out stud. He was labled the best DE in the nation, and many people had him ranked as the top player in the country that year. Huge get for Clemson.

Florida State

Biggest Recruit: Ernie Sims, LB

Tier: Superstar

I could have went with a slew of other recruits, so FSU fans, calm down. Lorenzo Booker was also seriously considered, but Sims was the No.1 overall recruit in 2003. As good an LB as he was, he was also a great prep RB, too. 

Maryland

Biggest Recruit: Jered Gaither, OT

Tier: Star

Gaither was a 6'8", 315 pound 5-star prep school recruit in 2005. He went to have a good career for the Terps, was a supplemental pick by the Ravens and has been a good NFL player when healthy.  

NC State

Biggest Recruit: Mike Glennon, QB

Tier: TBD

I'm going with Glennon here. Anytime you land an Elite-11 QB, that's a big deal. The 6'6" Glennon was an elite QB and a 5-star recruit coming out of high school. 

Duke

Biggest Recruit: Ben Patrick, TE

Tier:  Transferred

Patrick was a big time TE that signed with Duke in 2002. He had great size, soft hands and great athleticism. He transferred to Delaware after three seasons.

Georgia Tech

Biggest Recruit: Calvin Johnson, WR

Tier: Superstar

What more can you say about Johnson? He was a huge recruit and a huge pick up for GT. Johnson was a 5-star WR from the Atlanta area and is the biggest recruit ever to sign with GT. 

Miami (FL)

Biggest Recruit: Kenny Phillips, DS

Tier: Superstar

Some had Phillips as the No.1 overall player in 2005. He was a 5-star recruit that had a ton of hype, as he was considered to be a bigger and more athletic version of Ed Reed. Phillips was a pretty good 'Cane. 

Wake Forest

Biggest Recruit: Chance Raines, OL

Tier: Solid

Raines was one of the better center prospects in 2007 and is the highest rated recruit WF has signed in the last 10 years. 

North Carolina

Biggest Recruit: Marvin Austin, DT

Tier: Star

Austin was the top DT in the country in 2007 and had offers from everybody. He was close to going to USC, but it was too far from home. Many of the elite BCS programs were tripping over their feet to get Austin. 

Virginia

Biggest Recruit: Ahmad Brooks, LB

Tier: Star

I could have given Brooks a superstar tier grade for his college career, but off the field issues dropped him down to star status. Brooks was arguably the best player in the country in 2003, and the Wahoos viewed him as a savior of sorts. 

Virginia Tech

Biggest Recruit: Kevin Jones, RB

Tier: Star

Jones was the clear No.1 overall player in 2001. He chose Va. Tech over Penn State and was uber-coveted because he had 4.3 speed on a 6'0", 200 -pound frame. He had a solid career in Blacksburg. 

Conference USA

1. ECU: Dwayne Harris, WR: 2006
2. Memphis: Justin Thompson, DE: 2009
3. Southern Miss: DeAndre Brown, WR: 2008
4. UAB: Jered White, WR: 2006
5. UCF: Jonathan Davis, LB: 2009
6. Houston: Jon Clark, TE: 2002
7. Rice: Gary Andersen, CB: 2003
8. SMU: Ben Hughes, OL: 2009
9. Tulane: Barrett Pepper, PK: 2003
10. Tulsa: Shavodrick Beaver, QB: 2009
11. UTEP: Brandis Dew, QB: 2005
12. Marshall: Justin Johnson, LB: 2006

California

Biggest Recruit: DeSean Jackson, WR

Tier: Superstar

Jackson was thought to be a USC lock in 2005, but shocked the world and headed to Cal. He was also an elite baseball prospect at Long Beach Poly.

Oregon

Biggest Recruit: Johnathan Stewart, RB

Tier: Superstar

Even though Stewart was from Washington, he made an early commitment to Oregon in 2005. He was a dominant prep RB and viewed as the best in the nation that year.

Oregon State

Biggest Recruit: Ruben Jackson, WR

Tier: Solid

No, not Steven Jackson. Ruben. Steven signed in 2000, which is just outside of the 10-year realm we're trying to stick to. Jackson was a solid JC recruit for the Beavers in 2005.

Stanford

Biggest Recruit: Andrew Luck, QB

Tier: Superstar

I could have went with Julian Jenkins, but I think a 5-star QB is a bigger recruit than a 5-star DE. Luck was a highly touted field general in 2008 and gave Alabama a look, but chose Stanford.

Washington

Biggest Recruit: Jake Locker, QB

Tier: Superstar

Kavario Middleton was give great consideration, but I went with Locker because during the 2006 cycle, U-Dub coaches were recruiting players and selling them with this line: "Come play with Jake." Enough said.

Washington State

Biggest Recruit: Michael Bumpus, WR

Tier: Solid

Bumpus was part of a terrific WR group that came out of California in the 2004 cycle and in the mid 2000s. He was a solid 4-star recruit that headed to Pullman and played well for Wazzu.

Arizona

Biggest Recruit: Rob Gronkowski, TE

Tier: Star

Grankowski was a big 6'6", 250-pound TE prospect that was rated 5-stars, depending on where you looked. He was a big TE that could factor as a receiver and as an in-blocker. Injuries hampered him a bit.

Arizona State

Biggest Recruit: Vontaze Burfict, LB

Tier: Superstar

Burfict originally pledged to USC, but right before NSD 2009, he switched to ASU. He was a 5-star LB prospect that dominated the 2008 NIKE Camp in LA before his senior year.

Colorado

Biggest Recruit: Darrell Scott, RB

Tier: Transferred

Scott was the No.1 ranked RB in 2008, as I remember hearing about him before his junior season. He was a bit overrated in my opinion, as I didn't see the overwhelmingly "wow" that others saw. Yet his hype and merit give him the nod for the Buffs.

UCLA

Biggest Recruit: Brett Hundley, QB

Tier: TBD

I had to go with Hundley. I mean, come on, when you're viewed as a "savior" and "the future of UCLA football," then that's a big deal. Hundley has a skill set that fits the new Bruin pistol offense very well.

USC

Biggest Recruit: Joe McKnight, RB

Tier: Star

I could have went with several other recruits, but I think McKnight may be the most hyped recruit USC had in the 2000s. He was supposed to be the next Reggie Bush, was the No.1 overall recruit in 2007 and the tug of war between USC and LSU for him was incredibly fierce.

Utah

Biggest Recruit: Aiona Key, WR

Tier: Solid

Key was a 5-star WR recruit for the Utes in 2008. He had good size and speed and was pretty solid for Utah during his tenure.

Baylor

Biggest Recruit: Robert Griffin, QB

Tier: Star

Griffith has been a great dual threat QB for Baylor since he signed with the Bears in 2008. He's back for his senior season and is a darkhorse for the Heisman.

Iowa State

Biggest Recruit: Walter Nickel, TE

Tier: Solid

Nickel gets the nod for the Cyclones. He was one of the top JC recruits in the country in 2005 and was recruited heavily by several other solid programs.

Kansas

Biggest Recruit: Tanner Hawkinson, OL

Tier: Star

Hawkinson was a bit underrated in hindsight in 2008. He was a 6'6", 280-pound lineman and has blossomed well thus far for KU. However, he is the highest rated player the Jayhawks have signed in the last 10 years.

Kansas State

Biggest Recruit: Daniel Davis, RB

Tier: Bust

Davis was a transfer from the JC ranks in 2002. He was a big back that had solid speed and production, yet he never really got going at KSU due to legal troubles.

Missouri

Biggest Recruit: Blaine Gabbert, QB

Tier: Superstar

Originally, Gabbert was slated to head to Nebraska, but when Bill Callahan got fired, he switched to Missouri. He was a big, strong armed passer rated 5-stars by many publications in 2008.

Oklahoma

Biggest Recruit: Gerald McCoy, DT

Tier: Superstar

McCoy was the No.1 ranked DT in 2006 and a consensus 5-star recruit. He had a ton of hype surrounding him and was regarded to be "unblockable" by many on the camps and combine circuit. Easy pick here.

Oklahoma State

Biggest Recruit: Herschel Sims, RB

Tier: TBD

Sims is the top rated player the Pokes have brought in. Sure, he just signed a few months ago, but he's a 5-star RB per many observers and could see time as a true freshman in Stillwater.

Texas

Biggest Recruit: Vince Young, QB

Tier: Superstar

Young signed with Texas in 2002 and easily takes the cake here. He was a huge celebrity...in high school. Young had all kinds of super-duper hype and was the No.1 ranked player in his class. Too easy.

Texas A&M

Biggest Recruit: Jake Matthews, OL

Tier: TBD

Matthews has a great chance to be one of the best OL the Aggies have ever had, but before that, he was the No.1 ranked OL recruit per Scout.com in 2010. He's a big time recruit with a bright future.

Texas Tech

Biggest Recruit: Delvin Simmons, DT

Tier: TBD

Simmons initially chose North Carolina, but got released from his scholarship and eventually chose Texas Tech over USC. He was a 5-star recruit and the No. 3 DT in the nation per Scout.com.

Sun Belt

Arkansas State: Artez Brown, DB: 2011

Florida Atlantic: Xavier Stinson, FB: 2007

FIU: Dudley LaPorte, TE: 2008

LL: Alonzo Harris, RB: 2011

LM: Alex Ford, DL: 2008

MTSU: Jarrett Crittenton, DL: 2008

UNT: Jamrio Thomas, RB: 2004

Troy: Antono Harper, LB: 2009

WKU: Ed Hazellett, OL: 2009 

Army and Navy

Army: A.J. McGovern, OL/DL, 2010

Navy: Vinnie Mauro, LB, 2010

BYU

Biggest Recruit: Jake Heaps, QB

Tier: TBD

Heaps was the No.1 ranked QB in 2010 and an expected superstar in Provo. He had a ton of hype coming out of high school in Washington and is the biggest recruit to land at BYU, maybe ever.

Notre Dame

Biggest Recruit: Jimmy Clausen, QB

Tier: Star

When you are called "The LeBron James of high school football," that's sharp praise. Clausen was considered a prodigy, and his commitment was such a big deal that it was announced at the College Football Hall of Fame. He's one of the most hyped recruits ever, in any sport, of all time.

Cincinnati

Biggest Recruit: Rueben Johnson, DB

Tier: TBD

Johnson was a 4-star CB recruit a few years back that is highest rated player I've seen sign with Cincinnati. So he gets the nod for the Bearcats.

UConn

Biggest Recruit: Kitt Pommells, DB

Tier: Transferred

Pommells was a 4-star safety from New Jersey that signed with the Huskies in 2005. He left Stoors after a year.

Louisville

Biggest Recruit: Michael Bush, QB/RB/ATH

Tier: Superstar

I list Bush as a QB because that's what he was in high school and what he wanted to play at Louisville. He was a USA Today All-American and viewed as maybe the best all around athlete in the country in his class.

Pittsbirgh

Biggest Recruit: Nate Byham, TE

Tier: Solid

Byham was the No.1 ranked TE in 2006 and chose to play at Pitt. I could have gone with Jonathan Baldwin, but Byham was ranked higher as a TE than Baldwin was a WR per Scout.com.

Rutgers

Biggest Recruit: Anthony Davis, OT

Tier: Star

Davis was a 5-star recruit that had offers from many of the nation's top schools fighting for him. Before Savon Huggins and Kenny Britt, Davis was a huge deal in New Jersey prep football. The 5-star recruit chose to stay home play for RU and is their biggest get over the past 10 years.

South Florida

Biggest Recruit: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE

Tier: Superstar

"J.P.P." was a 5-star JUCO prospect in 2008 that had a ton of schools after him for his raw talent and jaw dropping athleticism. He chose South Florida and was hailed as the Bulldogs most prized recruit of all time.

Syracuse

Biggest Recruit: Averin Collier, RB 

Tier: Bust

Collier was a high profile RB recruit in 2008 that signed with 'Cuse, yet he has had problems staying on the team.

West Virginia

Biggest Recruit: Jason Gwaltney, RB

Tier: Bust

Gwaltney was a dynamic high school football prospect. He was a big and physical runner that also had long speed. Think a little bigger Rushel Shell. Noel Devine was also considered; so was Bruce Irvin.

MAC

Akron: David Harvey, WR: 2005

Bowling Green: Anthony Turner, RB: 2004

Buffalo: Rudy Johnson, QB: 2010

Kent State: Vontaze Miles, DB: 2007

Miami (OH): Steve Marck, TE: 09

Ohio: Boo Jackson, QB: 2008

Temple: Brandon Chudnoff, LB: 2011

Central Michigan: Bobby James, TE: 2009

Eastern Michigan: Darius Moffett, LB: 2009

Toledo: D.J. Lenehan, QB: 2007

Western Michigan: Ben Samson, OL: 2011

Ball State: Nate Davis, QB: 2006

Northern Illinois: Darnell Boldng, LB: 2006

Hawaii

Biggest Recruit: Samson Satele, OC

Tier: Star

Satele gets the nod for the Warriors, as he was a pretty well regarded recruit during the 2002 cycle. He was a solid center prospect and has been a good starting NFL center since.

WAC

Fresno State: Donnie Pritchett, DE: 2009

Idaho: Jordan Johnson, OG: 2009

Louisiana Tech: LaDarius Love, DT: 2002

Nevada: Joey Barnes, LB: 2002

New Mexico: Dwayne Barton, OT: 2009

San Jose State: Lamon Muldrow, RB: 2009

Utah State: Magnum Mauga, DT: 2009

Colorado State

Biggest Recruit: Pete Thomas, QB

Tier: Star

Thomas signed with the Rams in 2010 and is their top recruit the last 10 years. He's a QB that has the potential to be one of the better QBs in college football going forward.

Boise State

Biggest Recruit: Jeremy Childs, WR

Tier: Star

Childs left BSU as the second all time leader in receptions, yet before 2005, he was a highly regarded recruit to the Broncos. Solid choice.

TCU

Biggest Recruit: LaDarius Brown, ATH

Tier: TBD

Bowman is the biggest recruit the Horned Frogs have signed as he is viewed, as one of the best overall 100 players in the 2011 class. He's 6'2", 190 pounds and could play WR or DB in Ft. Worth.

Rest of the MWC

Air Force: Corbin Brown, DB: 2009

New Mexico: Calvin Smith, DT: 2010

SDSU: Frederick Collins, RB: 2002

UNLV: Alvin Marshall, RB: 2003

Wyoming: Jon Hawk, OL: 2002

Illinois

Biggest Recruit: Arrelious Benn, WR

Tier: Star

Benn was generally considered to be the No.1 WR in the nation in 2007. He was a big and strong WR that bullied DBs as a prep star. He's the top recruit for Illinois during an era where the Illini enjoyed some solid classes.

Indiana

Biggest Recruit: Gunner Kiel, QB

Tier: TBD

Kiel easily takes the nod for the Hoosiers, and I'm almost certain he's the top recruit in school history. Many have Kiel as the top QB in the country for 2012, and he picked Indiana over Alabama, Oklahoma, Michigan and Notre Dame.

Ohio State

Biggest Recruit: Brazton Miller, QB

Tier: TBD

Miller is the Buckeyes' biggest recruit in the last 10 years. He's the future of OSU football and has a ton of hype. Many experts had Miller among the top overall players in the 2011 class.

Penn State

Biggest Recruit: Derrick Williams, WR

Tier: Star

Williams was the No.1 player in 2005, according to many people. He was a super speedy athlete that could factor at WR, QB, RB and even DB plus as a returner. Williams came to PSU with super high expectations.

Purdue

Biggest Recruit: Ken Plue, OT

Tier: Star

Plue came to Purdue as a prep school recruit, yet he was a 4-star OT that stood 6'8" and weighed 310 pounds. He's the top recruit Purdue has signed in the last 10 years.

Wisconsin

Biggest Recruit: Josh Oglesby, OT

Tier: Star

6'7" and 315-pounds, Oglesby was a 5-star recruit in 2007. Not many 5-star players sign up for Camp Randall, but the Badgers convinced the Milwaukee native to stay close to home.

Iowa

Biggest Recruit: Bryan Bulaga, OT

Tier: Star

Bulaga signed with Iowa in 2007 as a highly touted OL prospect. He was viewed by many around the Midwest to be just as good as Oglesby. Easy choice for the Hawkeyes.

Michigan

Biggest Recruit: LaMarr Woodley, LB/DE

Tier: Superstar

Woodley came down to USC, Michigan and Michigan State in 2003 and chose to play in Ann Arbor. He was the top LB in the nation that year and also played DE. Woodley is one of the best defensive players in football.

Michigan State

Biggest Recruit: William Gholston, DE

Tier: TBD

6'7" and 280-pounds, Gholston was rated the No. 9 DE prospect in the country by ESPNU. He was generally viewed to be well within the top 40 overall recruits in 2010 and is the highest rated recruit to head to Sparta on this list.

Minnestoa

Biggest Recruit: MarQueis Gray, ATH/QB

Tier: Solid

Gray should get his shine on this year under Jerry Kill. In 2008, he was a 4-star dual threat QB/ATH recruit that selected Minnesota as the school of his choice.

Nebraska

Biggest Recruit: Marlon Lucky, RB

Tier: Solid

Lucky was a 5-star RB in 2005 that elected to head to Nebraska. He gave the Cornhuskers an early commitment and had many of the nation's best coming after him, but stuck to his Big Red pledge.

Northwestern

Biggest Recruit: Patrick Ward, OT

Tier: Solid

Ward is the top recruit on the last 10 years for Northwestern, as he was a 4-star OT recruit in 2009. He's still developing but is viewed as an NFL prospect for the 2013 Draft.

Florida

Biggest Recruit: Percy Harvin, WR/ATH

Tier: Superstar

Harvin was the No.1 overall recruit in the country in 2006. Yes, he was a higher rated prospect than Tim Tebow Gator fans. Harvin's speed, quickness and RAC ability put him atop many lists and gained him a ton of hype.

Georgia

Biggest Recruit: Matt Stafford, QB

Tier: Superstar

I could have went with A.J. Green, or even perhaps Ray Drew or Isaiah Crowell. But the QB wins out, as like I said, a 5-star QB is generally a bigger deal than a 5-star player at another position. Plus, Mel Kiper said Stafford would be the first pick in the draft during his senior year...in high school. Hype.

Kentucky

Biggest Recruit: Micah Johnson, LB

Tier: Star

Johnson was a 4-star LB prospect in 2006 that decided on UK as his school of choice. He had great size, instincts and productivity as a high school defender, and that translated to an All-SEC caliber career.

South Carolina

Biggest Recruit: Jadeveon Clowney, DE

Tier: TBD

I could have went with Marcus Lattimore or Alshon Jefferey, but Clowney was the dominant and consensus No.1 overall player and prospect in the nation in 2011. He's expected to be a first round pick in three years, and college coaches say he has had NFL athleticism since the ninth grade.

Clowney's one of the most hyped recruits of all time to enter college football.

Tennessee

Biggest Recruit: Eric Berry, DB

Tier: Superstar

Berry was a super-recruit in 2007 that had 5-stars attached to his name by everyone. He was viewed as a super athletic, tough and uber-instinctive DB that could play safety or corner. He became a top 10 pick to the Chiefs.

Vanderbilt

Biggest Recruit: Brian Kimbrow, RB/ATH

Tier: TBD

Yep, I'm going with Kimbrow here. For the record, Jay Cutler was not a big time recruit. Even though Kimbrow won't be there until 2012, he's the highest rated recruit Vandy has gotten, as he's a top 100 player.

Alabama

Biggest Recruit: Julio Jones, WR

Tier: Superstar

I had Jones ahead of A.J. Green in 2008, and there were others who saw it the same way. Jones was big, physical and had great speed. Trent Richardson and a slew of others were also considered 'Bama fans, as there have been some big names over the past few years.

Arkansas

Biggest Recruit: Mitch Mustain, QB

Tier: Transferred

Some had Mustain ahead of Matt Stafford in 2006, as he had his more than fair share of hype. Mustain's recruitment was a saga, and things ended pretty badly. Yet, he's the top recruit for the Hogs in the past 10 years.

Auburn

Biggest Recruit: Michael Dyer, RB

Tier: Star/TBD

I could have went with Cam Newton, as he was a 5-star JUCO QB, but Dyer had a good amount of hype in 2010. He had offers from all over the place and was a 5-star recruit, according to many publications. He's on his way to becoming a superstar.

LSU

Biggest Recruit: Patrick Peterson, CB

Tier: Superstar

LSU is another school where many players were considered, but Peterson (then known as Patrick Johnson) was just so darn good. He was a 5-star CB recruit with excellent size, strength, speed and athleticism and had a ton offers to go along with mega hype.

Ole Miss

Biggest Recruit: Michael Oher, OT

Tier: Star

We all know the story of Oher's life and career. And you saw on "The Blind Side" that he was a super wanted man as a senior in high school. His agility, balance and athleticism made him a highly touted LT prospect in 2005.

Mississippi State

Biggest Recruit: Jerious Norwood, RB

Tier: Star

Rivals had Norwood as a 5-star RB recruit in 2002 and, he's their top rated recruit over the past 10 years. He was a shifty and speedy back that was a homerun hitter and went on to have a pretty good career for the Bulldogs.