Lynch was ranked as the No. 2 running back in 2004 and No. 28 overall, just three slots away from five-star status. He formed the best 1-2 punch at running back in Rivals.com history following Adrian Peterson in the rankings. Despite his ranking and ability, Lynch was mainly a Pac-10 recruit back in the days when nationally recruiting was a bit more rare. He chose Cal over Oregon and had a great career for the Bears.

Not every NFL player is known by a nickname, but Lynch and "Beast Mode" are one in the same with fans. Lynch came into the league in 2007 as the 12th overall pick. Selected by the Buffalo Bills, Lynch immediately was a starter for the Bills and finished his rookie season with 1,115 yards and seven touchdowns despite missing three games due to an injury.

After another successful season in 2008, an off-field issue caused him to miss three games in 2009 and then lose his starting job to Fred Jackson, which led to his trade to Seattle during the 2010 season. It was in Seattle where "Beast Mode" came into existence and has resulted in four consecutive 1,200-plus-yard and 11-plus-rushing TD seasons.

Bryant was ranked as the No. 9 wide receiver in the country in 2007 and No. 54 overall, but he had five-star talent. It was academics and off-field worries that led to a lesser ranking and for many schools, LSU especially, to begrudgingly back off. In the end, Bryant chose Oklahoma State over Texas A&M and Texas Tech.

After an amazing two years at Oklahoma State, Bryant missed his junior year after being suspended by the NCAA for his interaction with Deion Sanders. While he was considered by many to be the top wide receiver heading into the 2010 NFL Draft, character issues dropped Bryant to the 24th overall pick, where he was selected by the Dallas Cowboys.

His play has not caused the Cowboys to regret their decision. Bryant has developed his game to become one of the more dynamic receivers in the league, especially over the last three seasons when he has averaged 91 receptions, 1,311 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Thomas was ranked as the No. 18 offensive tackle in the 2003 class and was No. 3 in his own state, so he never sniffed five-star consideration. Some considered him as solid a defensive player as he was an offensive force.

He chose his home-state school over Kansas and Nebraska and also had offers from Notre Dame and Stanford, to name a few. Thomas was selected with the third overall pick of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns after a storied college career at Wisconsin that saw him win the Outland Trophy in 2006 and be named unanimous first-team All-American. During his eight seasons in Cleveland, Thomas has earned a Pro Bowl invite each year, to go along with five first-team and two second-team all-pro selections. While the offensive line is not considered a glamour position, Thomas has earned his way to elite status among fans and players.

Houston was ranked as the No. 11 weakside defensive end in the country in 2007 and was No. 13 in the state behind guys such as Eric Berry, Cam Newton and Jonathan Dwyer. He committed early to Georgia over Florida, and many others, and grew up a fan of the Dawgs.

After a very good career in Athens, Houston was selected with the 70th overall pick in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. Over his first four seasons in the NFL, Houston has quickly developed into one of the more feared pass rushers in the league. After making a name for himself in 2012 and 2013 with 10 and 11 sacks, respectively, Houston took his game to an entirely different level in 2014 with 22 sacks. That came just half a sack short of Michael Strahan's single-season record.

As a massive high school tight end, some felt Gronkowski would be better served growing into an offensive tackle, but the nation's No. 4 tight end in 2007 knew better. Gronkowski, who moved to Pennsylvania from New York to play his senior year at Woodland Hills, chose Arizona over Clemson, Ohio State and Syracuse. Amazingly he wasn't targeted much at Woodland Hills during his senior year, catching only eight passes for 152 yards and four scores, although he was declared ineligible for a time due to transfer rules. However, he still ranked just behind future NFL teammate Aaron Hernandez nationally at tight end.

After being selected with the 42nd overall pick in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft by New England, Gronkowski did not come into the league with much fanfare because he missed his 2009 season due to back surgery. But he quickly made a name for himself developing a chemistry with Tom Brady. Gronkowski finished his rookie season with 42 receptions for 546 yards and 10 touchdowns. However, despite the impressive rookie season, nobody expected his accomplishments in 2011. Hauling in 90 receptions for 1,327 yards and 17 touchdowns, Gronkowski set tight end single-season records for both receiving yards and touchdowns.

The following two seasons were marred with injuries, but he returned at full strength in 2014 and totaled 82 receptions for 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns, showing everyone that he is still one of the top offensive threats in the game.

Luck was the No. 4 pro-style quarterback in the country in 2008 and No. 68 nationally, with both Blaine Gabbert and Mike Glennon, also in the NFL, ahead of him back then. Luck chose Stanford and Jim Harbaugh over Northwestern, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Virginia and Rice. He wasn't a national level recruit despite putting up big-time numbers in high school.

After an amazing career at Stanford, Luck was selected with the first overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft by Indianapolis, Luck obviously came into the league with plenty of pressure. Unlike many other rookies, Luck did not fold, and has quickly made the Colts one of the top teams in the AFC once again. Luck has been named to the Pro Bowl during all three of his seasons, and he set personal highs in 2014 with 3,517 yards passing and 37 touchdowns, which led the league.

Suh was ranked as the No. 6 defensive tackle in the country in 2005 and No. 51 overall. He chose Nebraska over Oregon State, Cal, Miami and Mississippi State late in the process with Cal ending up as the bridesmaid. After a remarkable career at Nebraska, Suh has definitely developed a reputation during his time in the NFL that may cause some people to question his on-field character. When it comes to his playing ability and production there can be no debate.

Selected with the second overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, Suh started all 16 games during his rookie season and finished with 66 tackles and 10 sacks. He continued to control the middle of the defensive line for the Lions over the next four seasons, being named to the Pro Bowl four times and first-team all-pro four times. He recently signed with the Miami Dolphins.

Thomas was ranked as the No. 12 athlete in the country in 2007 and No. 19 in the state of Texas. Like most in-state targets of Mack Brown, Thomas committed very early and had only a Texas A&M offer at the time he became a Longhorn. Thomas was regarded as an athlete because he could have played cornerback, safety, running back or wide receiver in college.

After a great career at Texas, Thomas was selected with the 14th overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft by Seattle. Thomas quickly became a starter for the Seahawks. In fact, during his five seasons in Seattle, he has started every game. As a rookie he finished with 76 tackles, five interceptions and one forced fumble, followed by 98 tackles, two interceptions and one forced fumble in 2012. Thomas' most productive season came in 2013, when he finished with 105 tackles, five interceptions and two forced fumbles, while leading the Seahawks to the Super Bowl.

In 2003, Williams was ranked as the No. 11 strongside defensive end in the country and No. 3 in his home state behind Chris Leak, who was No. 1 in the state that year. Williams played defensive end and running back his senior season showing off his amazing athleticism that would lead to great things down the road.

He chose NC State over South Carolina, Clemson, Ohio State and Tennessee. After a great career at NC State, Williams was selected with the first overall pick of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. After a rather disappointing rookie season, Williams finished with 14 sacks in 2007 and then 12 in 2008, which resulted in him being named to the All-Pro team in both years. After another productive season in 2009, Williams missed the end of the 2010 season because of a hernia and the end of the 2011 season due to a torn pectoral muscle. After the 2011 season, Williams became a free agent and signed with Buffalo, where he has truly flourished. In his three seasons with the Bills, Williams has totaled 38 sacks and has made the Pro Bowl twice.

Miller was ranked No. 15 at weakside defensive end in 2007 and No. 29 in the state of Texas. He committed to the Aggies on Halloween of 2006 over Florida, but took an official visit to Ole Miss late in the process. After a great junior year at A&M when he led the nation in sacks, he was projected as a second-round pick heading into the pre-draft workouts. However, after a dominant performance at the 2011 NFL Combine, Miller was selected second overall by the Denver Broncos in the ensuing draft.

Miller did not disappoint during his rookie season, when he finished with 64 tackles, 11.5 sacks and two forced fumbles, which earned him a trip to the Pro Bowl and the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. The 2012 season turned out to be Miller's best season to date, as he totaled 68 tackles, 18.5 sacks and six forced fumbles. His season led to a second-place finish in the defensive player of the year voting. The 2013 season did not start off or finish as well. After sitting out the first six games of the season for violating the NFL's drug policy, Miller then tore his ACL in late December and missed the remainder of the season. He returned in 2014 at full strength and finished with 48 tackles and 14 sacks.

Martin was ranked as the No. 22 offensive tackle in the country in 2009 and No. 2 in his home state. He chose Notre Dame over Michigan and Kentucky (his father's alma mater) during the summer prior to his senior year.

After a great career in South Bend where he set the record for starts by an offensive lineman and was a two-time captain, Martin was projected as a first-rounder by many. With quarterback Johnny Manziel still on the draft board when the Cowboys' turn came up at No. 16 in the first round, many fans wanted Dallas to pull the trigger on the Texas A&M signal-caller, including owner Jerry Jones. Smartly, the Cowboys went with Martin, which has already turned out to be a pick that Dallas fans may remember for years to come.

As a rookie, Martin helped anchor a dominant offensive line and was named first-team All-Pro, the only rookie to do so in 2014. The biggest reason DeMarco Murray is counting his millions in Philly and is near the top of this list could very well be the addition of Martin to the Cowboys. He appears to have a Hall of Fame career ahead of him if he stays healthy.

Ah, the Pouncey twins, Michael and Maurkice, both former Florida State commitments that flipped to Florida in the end. Maurkice was ranked as the nation's No. 15 offensive guard and was No. 33 in the state, but he had all the big boy offers, choosing the Gators over FSU, Clemson, Miami, Michigan, Nebraska, Ole Miss and others.

After a stellar career at Florida under Urban Meyer, Pouncey left a year before his brother and entered the 2010 NFL Draft as the No. 1-ranked center. Pittsburgh selected Pouncey with the 18th overall pick, a bit higher than many expected.

As a rookie, Pouncey immediately became a vital part of the team and started all 16 games during Pittsburgh's run to the Super Bowl. After two more All-Pro and Pro Bowl seasons in 2011 and 2012, Pouncey tore his ACL and MCL during the first game of the 2013 season. Returning in 2014 at full strength, Pouncey quickly regained his elite form and again was named to the Pro Bowl and to the All-Pro team.

Cox was ranked as the No. 5 weakside defensive end in 2009 and No. 94 nationally. He committed to Mississippi State early in the process over Ole Miss, Alabama, Auburn and LSU, but almost flipped to the Crimson Tide late in the process after an official visit.

After a dominant career with the Bulldogs, he was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 12th overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft. Cox saw part-time duty as a rookie, but has started every regular-season game the last two years. As a first-time starter in 2013, Cox finished with 41 tackles and three sacks, and then last season he took his game to another level with 61 tackles and four sacks. His performance last season also earned him second-team all-pro honors and he is emerging as one of the top players in the NFL.