Yesterday was National Signing Day in College Football. A day where young gridironers the nation-over sit at a table of their choosing with various people and cameras in attendance and usually say some variation of the LeBron “...taking my talents” line to <insert school name> and put on a hat. It’s quite riveting stuff.
Players are assigned a star ranking for their high school play ranging from 2 - 5, where 5 is top-tier and 2-star grades are guys who may need more development. This year, the Alabama Crimson Tide took first place, receiving commitments from six 5-star and 18 4-star prospects.
I’ve had a run through of the New Orleans Saints current roster and tabulated every player who received a star ranking from Rivals.com (the preeminent scouting site for high school prospects).
Some players (like Drew Brees and Luke McCown) didn’t receive star grades, I’m guessing owing to their age. Others weren’t given stars simply because they weren’t as highly touted coming out of high school (Terron Armstead). The Saints currently have four former 5-star prospects on the roster, to include: Andrus Peat (Stanford), Tony Hills (Texas), Stephone Anthony (Clemson), and Vonn Bell (Ohio State University).
We have sixteen former 4-star guys, twenty two 3-stars, and nine 2-stars.
You’ll notice some of the positions seem wonky - that’s because guys like Travaris Cadet, an RB today, played QB in high school. I also added where they’re from and the year when they committed (aka when they were graded). Without further ado...
5 Stars
Andrus Peat, OT (Tempe, AZ, 2012)
Tony Hills, TE (Alief, TX, 2003)
Stephone Anthony, OLB (Wadesboro, NC, 2011)
Vonn Bell, S (Rossville, GA, 2013)
4 Stars
Mark Ingram, RB (Flint, MI, 2008)
Brandin Cooks, WR (Stockton, CA, 2010)
Michael Thomas, WR (Fork Union, VA, 2011)
Brandon Coleman, WR (Forestville, MD, 2010)
Jake Stoneburner, TE (Dublin, OH, 2007)
Landon Turner, G (Harrisonburg, VA, 2010)
Avery Young, OT (Palm Beach Gardens, FL, 2012)
D.J. Pettway, DE (Pensacola, FL, 2010)
Dannell Ellerbe, OLB (Rockingham, NC, 2004)
Nathan Stupar, OLB (State College, PA, 2007)
Michael Mauti, ILB (Mandeville, LA, 2007)
Kenny Vaccaro, S (Brownwood, TX, 2008)
P.J. Williams, S (Ocala, FL, 2010)
Ken Crawley, CB (Washington DC, 2012)
DeVante Harris, CB (Mesquite, TX, 2012)
Robenson Therezie, S (Miami, FL, 2011)
3 Stars
Garrett Grayson, QB (Vancouver, WA, 2010)
Travaris Cadet, QB (Miami, FL, 2007)
Daniel Lasco, RB (The Woodlands, TX, 2010)
Marcus Murphy, RB (DeSoto, TX, 2009)
Willie Snead , WR (Muskegon, MI, 2010)
Corey Fuller, WR (LaVernia, TX, 2007)
Rashad Lawrence, WR (Orlando, FL, 2009)
Coby Fleener, TE (Joliet, IL, 2007)
Michael Hoomanawanui, TE (Bloomington, IL, 2005)
Senio Kelemete, OT (Seattle, WA, 2007)
Jack Allen, C (Hinsdale, IL, 2010)
Cameron Jordan, DE (Chandler, AZ, 2007)
Nick Fairley, G (Mobile, AL, 2007)
Sheldon Rankins, DE (Covington, GA, 2012)
Ashaad Mabry, DT (San Antonio, TX, 2010)
Royce LaFrance, OLB (Harvey, LA, 2012)
Hau’oli (Kikaha) Jamora, DE (Kahuku, HI, 2010)7
Sam Barrington, ILB (Jacksonville, FL, 2009)
Delvin Breaux, CB (New Orleans, LA, 2006)
Taveze Calhoun, WR (Morton, MS, 2011)
Forrest Hightower, RB (Concord, CA, 2010)
Chris Banjo, S (Sugar Land, TX, 2008)
2 Stars
Tommylee Lewis, WR (West Palm Beach, FL, 2011)
John Phillips, TE (Hot Springs, VA, 2004)
Paul Kruger, DE (Orem, UT, 2003)
Kasim Edebali, DE (Meriden, NH, 2008)
Obum Gwacham, WR (Chino Hills, CA, 2009)
Jairus Byrd, CB (Clayton, MO, 2005)
Sterling Moore, CB (Oakland, CA, 2009)
Kyle Wilson, CB (Piscataway, NJ, 2005)
Jamarca Sanford, OLB (Batesville, MS)