Recruiting Rewind: Scouting Profiles of the Top Heisman Contenders

You see them every Saturday, lighting up the field with exciting play and highlight reel displays as they lead their teams to wins.

Also, they're in contention for the Heisman trophy, which may be the single-most prestigious award in sports.

But, don't you ever wonder what they were like in high school? How they've developed? Well, I'm going to give you a quick run down of some scouting information for the top Heisman contenders.

Here we go.

7. Landry Jones, QB

I used to be the Scouting Coordinator at ESPN RISE when it was known as Student Sports. During my initial year there, I had a co-worker tell me about a somewhat chunky QB from New Mexico.

My buddy campaigned for the kid to get invited to the prestigious Elite-11 QB camp, and after some resistance he was invited. All that semi-fat QB did was win the "Accuracy competition" and display elite skills in the midst of a collection of top talent scouts.

The kid's name was Landry Jones. It was obvious on tape the Jones flashed a strong arm, great accuracy, solid decision making and confidence in himself. Now, he may be a first-round pick.

6. Tajh Boyd, QB

Also when I was at RISE/Student Sports, we'd always get a call or a tape from a dad back East who wanted to know how we liked his son. When I popped in this certain tape, I was reminded of a young Donovan McNabb.

The son's name was Tajh, you could see, even on those grainy tapes, that he had solid mechanics, a thick frame, some foot quickness in his drops, a solid arm and good accuracy. I just wondered about his height.

Turns out the Tajh was 6'1" and 205 pounds. Now, he has taken that skill set, grown into his body, and developed into one of the best QBs in the country for Clemson, who have been one of the most surprisingly spectacular teams in 2011.

5. Kellen Moore, QB

Interestingly enough, Moore was a 4-star prospect in high school out of Prosser, Wash. He was a short, skinny, left handed QB that failed every hoof test you gave him. He had only a handful of Division I offers, and none from classic powers.

But Boise State coach Chris Peterson saw enough in the kid to take a flier.

When you either watched him live at a game, or on tape, you easily got struck by what you got: a consistent, dependable, heady, instinctive, smart, decisive and super accurate QB that can flat out ball.

Well, all Moore has done is taken those skills, enhanced them, added a few pounds to his frame and has lit up secondaries and clipped some NCAA efficiency records. Moore won't be a starter in the NFL, but I think his smarts, accuracy and instincts could make him a solid back up.

4. Robert Griffin III, QB

You could tell in high school Griffin was an athletic specimen. He was 6'3", 200 pounds and was a consistent 4.4-4.5 range 40 guy. You just wondered about his refinement as a signal caller and passer.

He showed a live arm, flashed some accuracy elogance, touch and dual threat ability. In fact, you were prone to underrating his passing prowess some because he was such a good all-around athlete.

I figured he'd develop and improve in college once he got a full time QB coach working with him, but I had no clue he'd be putting up the sick numbers he has this season. He's a walking example of how important coaching and player development is.

3. Russell Wilson, QB

In high school, Wilson was one of those prospects that you appreciated more when seeing him play live than hearing about him. I mean, the dude was just a 5'11", 185-pound 2-star QB, which is a yawner upon first glance.

But remember that Patrick Willis was once an unheralded recruit for Ole Miss.

He went to a combine and came in as an unknown QB from Virginia and left out as a solid QB prospect that just seemed to have "it". Wilson had a pretty strong arm, good accuracy and has an on-field awareness that helps make up for his lack of size.

He went on to NC State and has since ended up at Wisconsin where he quickly learned the offense this Summer and has played very, very well for the Badgers in his one-and-done season in Madison.

2. Trent Richardson, RB

Our first RB of the day comes in here and he was a stellar rock toter on the prep level as he is now. Richardson was a 5'11", 225-pound big back with power, but he also had elite long/breakaway speed.

Scout.com had Bryce Brown over Richardson as the No.1 back in 2009, which in hindsight was a huge mistake. However, Richardson and was a 5-star prospect that ran with great toughness, determination, balance and flashed great tackle breaking ability.

He was decisive to holes, had a burst through them and could rip off a long run with ease along with showing good finish ability. What do you know? That's what he shows every Saturday in Tuscaloosa, and I also will note, from a Scouting perspective, I notice Richardson doesn't tire easily and always seems fresh.

1. Andrew Luck, QB

As good as Luck is, he was just the fourth-best QB in his class in 2008 behind Terrelle Pryor, E.J. Manuel and Dayne Crist. Luck was still rated higher than Blaine Gabbert, Landry Jones, Darron Thomas, Robert Griffin III and Jacory Harris.

He stood 6'3" and 215 pounds, with a semi-quirky release. But the ball still came out with excellent force, was very accurate and the correct decision. Luck also flashed good athleticism, play strength, quick feet, field vision and touch.

Luck has now become quite possibly the most complete QB prospect to come along since Peyton Manning or Carson Palmer. He also has grown into a 6'4", 235-pound specimen that has everything you want in QB.