Inside look at top recruit ever for each ACC school

National Signing Day is just the start. When a player puts his name on a letter of intent, his ranking matters not. What he does on the college field is ultimately how he’s judged.

All week, Rivals.com is examining the post-high school careers of highest-ranked prospect to sign with every major conference school during the Rivals Era. We’ll look at the career path of each player, check in on where each is now and get a memory or two from Rivals.com National recruiting director Mike Farrell. Only high school prospects have been included. Transfers from junior colleges or other four-year institutions were not considered.

Today, we examine the ACC.

RELATED: SEC | Big Ten

Career: Toal played in all 12 games as a freshman and played multiple positions throughout his college career. He suffered a rash of injuries, including one to his neck, during his first few years in college, however, and saw his once-positive career trajectory change sharply. Toal went undrafted in the 2009. He was, however, selected in the UFL draft. He later had a short stint with the NFL’s New York Jets but never made the active roster.

These days: Toal married the daughter of NFL great Phil Simms in 2014. According to Nj.com, Toal is a trader Knight Capital Group in New Jersey.

Farrell recalls: “Toal is a New Jersey high school legend and could have played running back at some schools but excelled as a quick-twitch linebacker. He read plays well. With his brother at Boston College, they were always the favorite.”

Career: An early enrollee at Clemson, Bowers found playing time as a true freshman. He battled injury as a sophomore. As a junior, he earned All-American honors and the Nagurski Trophy, given to the country’s best defensive player. Medical issues caused him to fall into the early second round of the 2011 NFL draft, where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected him.

These days: Bowers has played 53 games in five NFL seasons, all with the Buccaneers. He played in just three games a year ago.

Farrell recalls: “Bowers was always highly coveted as a guy who could beat you with speed or power and play the run, but it was his Under Armour All-American Game performance that propelled him near the top of the rankings. Clemson was always thought to be one of his clear favorites."

Career: Lawrence enrolled early at Clemson and is expected to battle for playing time as a true freshman this season.

These days: Lawrence is shining in spring practice at Clemson and seems to have an inside track when it comes to early playing time. Coaches spent the spring raving about his play.

Farrell recalls: “Lawrence was a physically dominant inside force who also has the ability to shoot that gap and work off initial contact as a 350-pound pass rusher. N.C. State was a thought early, but Clemson and its talent, recruiting ability and close-enough proximity to home won out.”

Career: Bracey is yet to begin his post-high school career. Bracey is still a high school student and won’t arrive at Duke until after the current academic year.

Farrell recalls: “Bracey is a big, fast and physical wideout who jumped on the radar early despite playing average competition. He was originally in the five-star discussion but took a step back playing out of position at times. He committed to Duke early but many expected him to look around and possibly flip but he always stayed true.”

Career: Sims saw the field immediately at Florida State and played in all 13 games as a true freshman. Sims started all 13 games as a junior despite a preseason arrest for battery. The Detroit Lions made him the ninth overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft. Sims has been on the roster of five different NFL teams.

These days: Sims last played for the Dallas Cowboys in 2013. He was signed and released by the Arizona Cardinals in 2014 before playing a game. Sims currently lives in Tallahassee, Fla.

Farrell recalls: “The big debate in 2003 was Sims or Reggie Bush. I was in the Bush camp but was outvoted. That doesn't take away from what a physically dominant high school player Sims was at linebacker and running back. This one came down to the wire but FSU was his expected home for a long time and he didn't shock anyone.”

Career: Johnson’s football accomplishments are too many to name in this space. He was a two-time All-American at Georgia Tech and the second overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. Johnson is considered by many to be the best player in Georgia Tech history. He was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and set nearly every Detroit Lions franchise receiving record. He also holds the NFL record for receiving yards in a single season with 1,964 in 2012.

These days: Johnson announced his retirement in March. He is currently funding a film entitled “Real Love.”

Farrell recalls: “Prior to becoming Megatron, Johnson was a super talented, big wide receiver out of Georgia who was raw in many ways but too freaky to pass on or rank outside the top 50. The in-state choice of Georgia Tech was surprising to some, but the relationship he had with the coaches there was crucial.”

Career: Whitehead, who went by the nickname Peanut, played in all 13 games as a true freshman but saw his career end abruptly when he was discovered to have Spinal stenosis, defined by a narrowing of the spine column around the spinal chord.

Farrell recalls: “Whitehead was a long, angular athletic freak off the edge and was pulled out of Alabama pre-Nick Saban. This kid could hold the edge and get after the passer.”

Career: Henderson made nine starts as a true freshman but battled a handful of injuries during his time at Miami. He was also suspended for the use of marijuana, a violation to team policy of which he later admitted. Henderson was selected in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL draft. As a rookie in 2015, he started all 16 games for the Bills.

These days: Henderson’s first season in the NFL was a stellar one. He was one of the Bills' top linemen as a rookie and seems headed for another good year in 2016.

Farrell recalls: “One of the bigger offensive tackles I've scouted, Henderson was also a very good hoops player and that helped him with his outstanding footwork. He committed to USC but flipped to Miami due to NCAA trouble for the Trojans.”

Career: Pressley found playing time as a true freshman at N.C. State He was an Honorable Mention All-ACC selection in 2005 but saw his college career slowed by injuries shortly thereafter. New Orleans selected him in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Pressley floated around the NFL, landing on six different rosters (active and otherwise) over the course of four years.

These days: Pressley has not been on an NFL roster since 2012.

Farrell recalls: “Presley was big, athletic and he could move while still holding down the line of scrimmage against the run. Many schools were involved but we expected him to stay close to home and he did.”

Career: Austin started a few games as a true freshman and saw significant playing time in all 12. He was a freshman all-American and later an All-ACC selection. Following his junior year, Austin was one of multiple players suspended and dissociated from the North Carolina team for receiving improper benefits. He was selected in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

These days: Austin has kicked around the NFL but yet to make a notable impact at the professional level. He has recorded just 22 career tackles.

Farrell recalls: “One of the flashier defensive tackles in our history, Austin was a physical freak who ran a sub-4.7 as a junior and jumped onto the map as a Washington D.C. star with a motor and athleticism. Many expected him to pick FSU but he ended up at UNC largely due to the efforts of super recruiter Tommy Thigpen.

Career: A one-time All-Big East selection, Baldwin played early in his Pitt career and was selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft after his junior season. He played three NFL seasons for three different teams with 44 career catches.

These days: Baldwin’s last NFL game was played for the San Francisco 49ers in 2013. He is yet to officially retire from football but remains an unsigned free agent.

Farrell recalls: “Baldwin was part of the best receiving group in Rivals history and had great size, long-strider speed and big, powerful hands. Dave Wannstedt was locking down Western Pennsylvania at the time and Baldwin was key for Pitt.”

Career: Pierce spent a year at prep school after signing with Syracuse, but his college career ended before it ever started. Blood-clotting issues were discovered during his first fall camp in 2007. Pierce participated in just one week of practice but managed to turn heads in that time.

These Days: Pierce walked away from football after the blood clots were discovered.

Farrell recalls: "Pierce was an overlooked two-star linebacker out of high school who blossomed into a four-star hitting machine in prep school."

Career: Monroe played in every game as a true freshman. He was a unanimous all-conference selection in 2008. The Jacksonville Jaguars selected him with the eighth pick of the 2009 NFL Draft. He was traded to the Baltimore Ravens in 2013.

These days: Monroe signed a $37.5 million contract with the Ravens in 2014. He was placed on the team’s injured reserve list in December.

Farrell recalls: “One of the best offensive linemen I have scouted, Monroe put people on their back and played to the whistle despite carrying some extra weight. His feet were great and his punch was awesome. UVA was his choice as much for academics as it was for football.”

Career: The younger brother of Virginia Tech-turned-NFL star Michael Vick, Marcus Vick redshirted his first year at Virginia Tech. His redshirt freshman season saw him play in seven games, but trouble with the law soon followed. He was accused of multiple crimes prior to the 2004 season. Vick returned to Virginia Tech for the 2005 season and led the team to an 11-2 record. He was dismissed from the team in 2006 due to off-field incidents and what the program deemed unsportsmanlike play. Vick signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent. He played in just one NFL game before being released.

These days: Marcus Vick’s troubles with the law have continued to this day. Vick was charged with multiple offenses, including assaulting a Newport News, Va., police officer on April 4 of this year. He was released on bond and will appear in court for a preliminary hearing on July 11.

Farrell recalls: “Vick was a dynamic athlete in his own right. He was not an accomplished thrower similar to his brother, but he was impossible to stop as a runner and could throw well enough to keep defenses off balance. Miami was arguably his favorite for a long time and the ‘Canes wanted him as a receiver. A late change of heart led him to follow in his brother's footsteps in Blacksburg.”

Career: Kearns redshirted his freshman season at Wake Forest in 2015.

These days: Now a redshirt freshman, Kearns completed three of his seven pass attempts in a recent spring scrimmage at Wake Forest. He is expected to serve as the team’s backup quarterback this season.

Farrell recalls: “Kearns was a guy we liked better than many others because of his field vision and accuracy, which overcame a lack of great arm strength and size. He was originally committed to June Jones at SMU but after a shakeup there he landed with the Deacons.”