5 Players Who Were Absolute Studs in High School, College Football and the NFL

Many players in the NFL come from all walks of development. Some were good prep players and solid college players, then went on to become great pros. Others were late bloomers that were not highly recruited then had great college careers and same in the pros.

Then there are some who were unknown in college and not highly drafted, but have become studs in the NFL.

But the rare few have been dominant players at all three levels. I'm talking about big time high school recruits, then dominant college careers and are known superstars in the NFL.

Here are five players that fit this mold.

5. Andre Johnson

Johnson was a Parade All-American in his senior year of high school and was one of the very elite overall recruits in his class. You just knew he was destined for stardom.

He went on to Miami to get even bigger and faster. His work ethic became legendary at The U, but so did his play and production.

The Texans took Johnson with the No. 3 overall pick in the middle of last decade, and the 6'3", 230-pound WR is pretty much the best WR in football sans or no sans Calvin Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald.

4. Darren McFadden

McFadden was a 5-star, super skinny but super speedy RB prospect in high school that chose to stick around and play at Arkansas.

He went on to finish second in the Heisman voting twice and became almost the poster child for the Wildcat formation. Even though he shared the load with Fleix Jones, it was McFadden that achieved superstar status.

The Raiders made him the No. 4 overall pick a few years back, and today, McFadden is viewed as one of the very best runners in the league.

3. Matthew Stafford

Mel Kiper said during Stafford's senior year in high school that in three years, he'd be the No. 1 overall pick.

Three years later, Matthew Stafford was the No. 1 overall pick. He was very, very good at Georgia, and the ball always exploded out of his hand. He displayed very good athleticism in the pocket, along with some moxie.

Today, Stafford is one of the very best young QBs in the game, has shown toughness to battle injuries and has heard some John Elway whispers around him in comparison.

2. Adrian Peterson

What more can you say about A.D.? In my opinion, he's the second coming of Jim Brown. He was dominant in high school in Texas and was considered by many to be the No. 1 overall recruit.

He quickly proved that to be true as a true freshman by becoming a Heisman finalist and quickly establishing himself as the top RB in college football.

Now, all Peterson is is basically the best RB in the NFL and just signed a mega-money contract extension with the Vikings.

1. Peyton Manning

Manning was an All-American QB prospect from the New Orleans, La. area as a high schooler. He did shock some by choosing Tennessee and not Ole Miss.

He's almost of mythical status in Knoxville, Tenn. these days after a stellar college career for the Vols. What also was shocking was by the time he was a junior, like Andrew Luck, Manning was considered the consensus No. 1 pick should he leave school.

He stayed for his senior year and finished second in the Heisman voting to Charles Woodson.

No worries, as Manning is now a four-time NFL MVP, annual All-Pro, Pro Bowler and has a Super Bowl ring. Should he come back from this neck injury in 2012 and win one more Super Bowl before he retires, he'll position himself right in the thick of "Greatest QB of All-Time" conversations—if he hasn't done so already.