College Football Recruiting 2012: 5 Recruits Most Likely to Become Legends

Becoming a "legend" so to speak is extremely tough. I honestly believe that there are a ton of really good players, many great players, but only then a few legends.

Yet, each recruiting class we see a player or two rise up and approach "legend" status in their college careers. Doesn't that make you wonder who in the 2012 class could be that guy?

Here's five I think that might be... 

5. Noah Spence, DE

I have Spence on this list because everyone loves a pass rusher, but we go nuts for dominant ones. Wherever Spence lands, he has a chance to become one of the best defenders in the country.

Yet, with his size, quickness, agility and burst to close, Spence may be able to notch up some serious stats and see his rep grow. We all know if your rep grows, so does your mystique.

Mystique plus production equals legend status.

4. Johnathan Gray, RB

The only reason I have Gray this low on this list is the fact that he's going to be sharing the load with Malcolm Brown at Texas.

Gray is already a legend around the Texas high school football scene as he has been shredding defenses in the Lone Star state since he was in the ninth grade. Over the past two years alone, Gray has rushed for over 6000 yards and 109 TDs.

Geez.

He's super talented and is one of the most complete RB prospects to come out in the past few years. Plus it seems Bryan Harsin is really committed to running the football in Austin.

3. Mario Edwards, DE

Another DE prospect on this list, Edwards is a big man that moves like he's a LB. I just feel the 6'4", 270-pounder has a chance to become a complete edge defender.

He flashes the strength to set the edge, shed with strength and make stops vs. run, while the burst and explosiveness at the snap to blow by OTs and bend for the passer.

Plus, he's headed to Florida State, which always seems to groom and produce elite pass rushers. Edwards may blow up to legend status years from now.

2. Dorail Green-Beckha, WR

Green-Beckham is so physically imposing that many people say when you see him in person you think he's an NFL player. DGB stands 6'6", 220 pounds and has been clocked as low as 4.3 in the 40.

With his size, speed, strength, athleticism, hands and natural receiving instincts, I think as long he stays healthy, Green-Beckham should dominante.

Some compare him to A.J. Green and Andre Johnson, while I say he's a cross between Calvin Johnson and Plaxico Burress.

Any way you slice it, look for him to become a legend wherever he goes. 

1. Gunner Kiel, QB

Kiel is the biggest recruit to ever commit to Indiana in their football history. So just on that alone he comes to IU as a potential legend.

Toss in the fact that he's a QB and from the Hoosier state, then you know fans are going to love him just for that, too.

But also add in his 6'4", 200-pound frame, solid right arm, field vision, good decision making, accuracy and play instincts along with the fact that Kevin Wilson has a track record of developing great QBs from his days at Oklahoma and you see legend status may not be far away for Kiel.