Highest-Rated HS Football Recruits of All-Time, Three are from Texas
If you’re an avid football fan, as I am, you will want to read an article written by Rick Suter of USA Today High School Sports, naming the highest-rated HS football recruits of all-time. It lists some familiar names and three are from Texas.
3 of The Highest-Rated HS Football Recruits of All-Time are from Texas
DT Mario Edwards, Denton, TX (Ryan H.S.):
Edwards was ranked #3 overall, regardless of position, in the Class of 2012. He was a beast. His high school stats and accolades were impressive. According to www.seminoles.com:
- Named Texas 4A Defensive Player of the Year his junior season
- 127 tackles
- 50 tackles for loss
- 18 sacks
- Senior year: 72 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks
- USA Today Player of the Year, 2012
- 247 Sports Defensive Player of the Year, 2012
- ESPNU 150
- SI.com 2nd Team All-American
- Parade All-American, 2012
Edwards chose Florida State over Texas, LSU, Alabama, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, among others.
College Stats:
- 95 tackles
- 23 TFLs
- 8 sacks
- 1 INT
- 3 Forced Fumbles
He was selected in the 2nd round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. He played with the New Orleans Saints in 2019.
NFL Career Stats:
- 93 tackles
- 12 TFLs
- 10.5 sacks
RB Adrian Peterson, Palestine, TX (Palestine H.S.):
Peterson was the #1 overall recruit in 2004, according to 247 Sports.com. He accounted for 5011 rushing yards and 54 TDs in 2 years of high school ball. He had a ton of scholarship offers, signing with Oklahoma. As a starter his freshman season with the Sooners, Peterson did not disappoint, according to Sports-reference.com/cfb.
- 1925 rushing yards (Led Big-12).
- 15 TDs
- Big-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, 2004.
- 339 rushing attempts (Led NCAA).
- 3 games of 200+ yards rushing.
- 4 games scoring 2 or more rushing TDs.
- Led Oklahoma to 12-1 record, losing to USC 55-19 in Orange Bowl.
His career numbers at Oklahoma:
- 4041 yards
- 41 TDs
- 3-time 1st-Team All-Big 12
Peterson was selected in the 1st round, 7th overall, by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2007 NFL Draft.
According to Pro-Football-Reference.com, his NFL stats over a 14-year career are Hall of Fame worthy:
- NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, 2007
- Led the NFL in rushing in 2012 with 2097 yards.
- NFL rushing leader 3 times.
- NFL MVP, 2012
- 7-time Pro Bowl selection
- 4-time All-Pro
- 14,216 career rushing yards
- 111 career TDs
Peterson played with Washington in 2019.
QB Vince Young, Houston, TX (Madison H.S.):
Vince Young was the #1 high school recruit in 2002, according to 247 Sports. As a senior at Houston Madison, Young accounted for:
- 3819 total yards and 54 TDs.
- He had scholarship offers from Texas, LSU, Florida State, Miami, Arkansas, Kansas State, and Southern Miss.
- Signed with Texas
As the starter for the Longhorns, 2005 was Young’s best year in Austin. His numbers were Heisman-worthy:
- 3036 yards passing.
- 26 TDs.
- 10 INTs.
- 1050 yards rushing.
- 12 TDs.
- 4086 total yards.
- 38 TDs accounted for.
- 3 games with 3 TD passes.
- 1 game with 4 TD passes.
- 8 games of 200+ yards passing.
- 1 game of 300+ yards passing.
- 239 yards passing, 2 TDs, 1 INT and 267 yards rushing, 2 TDs vs Oklahoma State.
- 336 yards passing 2 TDs, 58 yards rushing, 3 TDs vs Colorado.
- 10th in NCAA in completion pct at 65.2%.
As a result, his post-season accolades were numerous:
- Big-12 Offensive Player of the Year, 2005.
- Consensus All-American, 2005
- Davey O’Brien Award, 2005.
- Manning Passing Award, 2005.
- Maxwell Award, 2005.
- His 38 total TDs led the NCAA.
- Led the NCAA in Yards Per Play (8.5).
- Placed 2nd in Heisman voting, behind Reggie Bush of USC (later vacated).
In the 2006 BCS National Championship Game at the Rose Bowl, Young led a 4th-quarter drive and scored the winning touchdown on a 17-yard run to win the game 41-38 and the national title for the Longhorns. He took over that game:
- 267 yards passing
- 200 yards rushing, 3 TDs
- 467 total yards
- 30 of 40 passing
- 75% completion pct.
His career numbers at Texas:
- 6040 yards passing
- 44 TDs
- 28 INTs
Young was drafted in the 1st round, 3rd overall, by the Tennessee Titans in the 2006 NFL Draft. These are his NFL career stats over a 6-year career, according to Pro-Football-Reference.com:
- 8964 yards passing
- 46 TDs
- 51 INTs
- 57.9 completion pct.
As a perennial hotbed for recruiting, the State of Texas certainly will continue to add to this list of highest-rated HS football recruits of all-time.
Thank you for reading thegridironnews.com.
Source: “The Top 20 Highest-Rated High School Football Recruits of All- Time,” by Rick Suter of USA Today High School Sports, July 15, 2020.
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