Yesterday, I was just messing around looking at old high school prospect rankings on Yahoo’s Rivals.com, and something stood out to me: There are a boatload of current/former Giants and Eagles that appear on these lists.
It could be that the Giants and Eagles put more stock than other teams in what players accomplished as far back as high school, or it could just be a complete and total coincidence. Anyway, I found it interesting enough to at least list the former top high school recruits I found that entered the NFL in the last 5 years:
| Giants | Position | Year on Rivals Top 100 | Overall Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reuben Randle | WR | 2009 | 2 |
| Janzen Jackson | S | 2009 | 17 |
| David Wilson | RB | 2009 | 40 |
| Will Hill | S | 2008 | 10 |
| Marvin Austin | DT | 2007 | 7 |
| Chad Jones | S | 2007 | 14 |
| Charles Scott | RB | 2006 | 50 |
| Martellus Bennett | TE | 2005 | 8 |
| Kenny Phillips | S | 2005 | 12 |
| Ryan Perrilloux | QB | 2005 | 16 |
| Mario Manningham | WR | 2005 | 45 |
| Travis Beckum | TE | 2005 | 56 |
| Phillip Dillard | LB | 2005 | 76 |
| Rhett Bomar | QB | 2004 | 4 |
| Keith Rivers | LB | 2004 | 5 |
Eagles after the jump…
| Eagles | Position | Year on Rivals Top 100 | Overall Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bryce Brown | RB | 2009 | 1 |
| Cliff Harris | CB | 2009 | 41 |
| Fletcher Cox | DT | 2009 | 94 |
| DeAndre Brown | WR | 2008 | 22 |
| Ronald Johnson | WR | 2007 | 8 |
| Noel Devine | RB | 2007 | 15 |
| Brandon Graham | DE | 2006 | 15 |
| Ricky Sapp | DE | 2006 | 21 |
| LeSean McCoy | RB | 2006 | 33 |
| Charles Scott | RB | 2006 | 50 |
| Riley Cooper | WR | 2006 | 99 |
| DeSean Jackson | WR | 2005 | 18 |
| Macho Harris | DB | 2005 | 28 |
| Keenan Clayton | LB | 2005 | 74 |
| Cornelius Ingram | TE | 2004 | 62 |
| Marlon Favorite | DT | 2004 | 72 |
Also, for Eagles fans, he didn’t make the cut because he didn’t enter the NFL in the last 5 years, but check out who the #1 high school recruit was back in 2003.
[...] Jimmy Bama was looking at a list of some high school guys (I don’t ask questions) when he came across some interesting info. He found out where some Eagles players were ranked in the Rivals Top 100 as HS prospects. Interesting post by Mr. Bama. [...]
Not a coincidence, atleast not for the Gaints. These HS pedigree players can be sorted “roughly” into two groups; some of them are just studs. They were studs in high school, in college, and drafted high expected to contribute (kenny phillips, Mcoy, Djax, Wilson, Randle etc). The other group had a great HS career but failed to transfer it over in college. The giants seem to like these guys too– either in later rounds or as UDFA. In video interviews you can find on Giants.com Marc ross discusses the high school pedigree of players in post draft pressers. Basically he says something to the effect like these type of guys have the talent and skill to be productive in the NFL but for whatever reason (attitude, dedication, injuries, family) didn’t get it together in College. They interview them thoroughly and talk to their coaches to see if they show signs of changing. I guess they feel like its little risk to bring them on, and if they pan out the reward is worth it.
However, I would love to see what changed JR or Marc Ross’s mind on Will Hill.
http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/2011/1/19/1943956/the-happy-football-life-of-will-hill
Not that surprising for the Giants. They look for height-weight-speed guys. And that is really what you are measuring in high school players. No one is looking at the RBs for pass protection or the WRs for route running.
Abiamiri was pretty high on that 2003 list. Our Steve Smith as well. A lot of busts at the college level, but that is hardly a surprise because the talent differential at the high school level hides a lot.
Take a look at the #1 and #3 prospects in 2002, for that matter.
And #20.
And #66. Tommy will be happy.
#55 that year was jarrad page….i vote we nix that number forever
Vince Young AND Lorenzo Booker. We had to go get those guys but pass on #2.
Its amazing how many of those high ranking guys coming out of high school never even sniff the pros.