Super Bowl LI by the star rankings

The Super Bowl is here with the New England Patriots, as usual, representing the AFC, and the Atlanta Falcons hoping to win their first title from the NFC. Not all Super Bowl players are created equal, however, so we look at some of the higher-ranked players as well as those who came from nowhere.

Mark Pszonak contributed to this report.

MORE: Comparing top talent in Super Bowl LI

The skinny: Alabama was seen as the favorite throughout Jones’ process, but he also took official visits to Florida, Florida State, Oklahoma and Texas Tech, which created some doubt. On National Signing Day Jones finally committed to the Tide. After a memorable collegiate career in Tuscaloosa, Jones has continued to dominate at the NFL level. Now considered one of the top receivers in the league, he totaled 83 receptions for 1,409 yards and six touchdowns in 2016 while dealing with some nagging injuries.

Farrell’s Take: His accomplishments speak for themselves. However, that doesn't mean there wasn't a heated, very heated, debate between Jones and A.J. Green that year for No. 1 wide receiver honors. The class of 2008 featured the best wide receiver class in Rivals.com history, at least at the top, but Jones was simply too big and strong to keep from the top spot. Five stars, great college career, first-round NFL pick, NFL superstar – right on target.

The skinny: The process was chaotic for Bennett, as he was a major recruit in both football and basketball. He took official visits to Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Texas, Miami and LSU and eventually committed to the Aggies on Signing Day, over the Longhorns and Tigers. Bennett played both sports at Texas A&M before focusing on football in 2007. A second round pick in the 2008 draft by Dallas, Bennett bounced from the Cowboys to the Giants, Bears and now the Patriots. In his first season in New England, he has 55 receptions for 701 yards and seven touchdowns.

Farrell’s Take: Bennett was one of our rare five-star tight ends in Rivals history, an athletic kid who could have been a hoops star as well. He was long, fast, stretched the field and had great hands coming out of high school. He also flipped a coin between LSU and Texas according to lore and still chose the Aggies.

The skinny: Brown took multiple visits to Texas and Texas A&M, plus stops at Oklahoma and TCU, before committing to the Longhorns before their spring game. He had a somewhat unspectacular career in Austin, but was still drafted with the last pick of the first round by New England in 2015. He has quickly entrenched himself into the Patriots’ defensive line rotation and finished his second season with 50 tackles and three sacks.

Farrell’s Take: Brown was a top-five player at his position coming out of high school and a destructive force at defensive tackle. He was one of those early big-time Texas commitments that don’t seem to happen nowadays and had a terrific college career and ended up being a first rounder. His defensive tackle class included two other NFLers ahead of him in Mario Edwards and Eddie Goldman - not bad.

The skinny: Hightower trimmed his list of schools down to Alabama, Vanderbilt, Auburn, Tennessee and South Carolina before further cutting it down to the Crimson Tide and Commodores. Finally, an official visit in November put Bama over the top and a commitment quickly followed. After a successful career with the Tide, Hightower was selected in the first round by New England in 2012. He has become one of the more consistent linebackers on the Patriots' roster, totaling 65 tackles and 2.5 sacks this season.

Farrell’s Take: A big, physical linebacker out of high school, he was part of Nick Saban’s 2008 class that turned Alabama into a national title regular. While there was some concern about his ability to work in space, he was still a four-star and outperformed many other higher-ranked players in that ‘Bama class.

The skinny: While he also had offers from schools like Auburn and Florida, Freeman’s process ended quickly after Florida State offered. Freeman earned his offer at a Seminoles’ summer camp and committed to the Noles only a few days later. After helping Florida State to the 2013 National Championship, Freeman declared for 2014 NFL Draft, where he was selected in the fourth round by Atlanta. Over the last two seasons, Freeman has become one of the more dynamic backs in the league, totaling 1,079 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground this season.

Farrell’s Take: A dynamic back out of the Miami area, he was a big pull for the ‘Noles in 2011 from South Florida. Just outside the Rivals100, he ended up ranked No. 10 at his position behind a ton of players that flopped. In fact, by my count at least, the only other running back ahead of him still in the NFL is Isaiah Crowell. Freeman was a stud and should have been ahead of fellow Florida backs James Wilder Jr., Mike Bellamy and Mike Blakely if hindsight is factored in.

The skinny: There was little drama in Neal’s recruitment as he committed to Florida nearly a year prior to National Signing Day over offers from Auburn, Clemson and South Carolina. Drafted with the 17th overall selection by Atlanta, Neal quickly established himself in the secondary with the Falcons as a rookie. With 106 tackles and five forced fumbles this season, Neal steadily improved as the season progressed.

Farrell’s Take: Neal was always a very physical kid in the defensive backfield, but his coverage skills were average, which is why he wasn’t ranked higher out of high school. That being said, we still liked him enough to be a top-seven safety and top-75 player nationally. Neal could have played linebacker if needed as well because he was so good in run support. His play in the NFL has been as physical as expected.

The skinny: Oddly, Ryan ran an option offense in high school, which definitely stunted his recruiting process until a few impressive camp performances after his junior season. This led to a few offers and ultimately a top two of Boston College and Iowa. A few weeks before the start of his senior season, Ryan committed to the Eagles. At Chestnut Hill, Ryan had a memorable career, which led him to be selected with the third overall pick by Atlanta in 2008. he has passed for 37,701 yards and 240 touchdowns in nine seasons with the Falcons, establishing himself as one of the top pure passers in the league.

Farrell’s Take: Ryan ran a triple option offense in high school and was never really able to show his field vision or smarts to be ranked much higher. However, his character, leadership and toughness were never questions,and the moment he stepped on BC’s campus people knew there was something special about him. It’s taken a while, but now Ryan is playing like the No. 3 pick in the draft.

The skinny: Beasley committed to Clemson to August, but then contemplated a late visit to Auburn, which is where his father played. However, that visit never happened, which was solidified after a home visit with Dabo Swinney. Beasley was a two-time All-American at Clemson, which led him to be selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2015 Draft by Atlanta. After experiencing some growing pains as a rookie, Beasley led the NFL in sacks this season with 15.5, to go along with 62 tackles and six forced fumbles.

Farrell’s Take: Beasley was a running back/wide receiver more than anything else as far as talent projection in my book, so he was a tough one to rank. He settled in nicely as a pass-rushing linebacker and developed into a top-10 NFL pick, so that athleticism we saw in high school was certainly utilized very well by the Clemson staff. He was three spots away from being a four-star athlete in the Rivals rankings, so we liked him, but we didn't know he'd develop into the monster in college and now the NFL he has become.

The skinny: Iowa State seemed to be the leader for Cannon heading into his official visit, but everything quickly changed when TCU offered. Cannon cancelled his visit to Ames and committed to the Horned Frogs a few days later, as he decided that he wanted to play closer to home. A tackle at TCU, Cannon earned numerous honors before being drafted in the fifth round by New England in 2011. He slipped in the draft due to a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which he dealt with during the summer of 2011. Cannon has enjoyed his most successful season in the NFL in 2016, earning second-team All-Pro honors.

Farrell’s Take: Lightly recruited and with good athleticism but not a lot of power coming out of high school, he was projected as a guard who ended up playing tackle in college and overcoming cancer. He’s a great story of a player who came from little attention and fanfare and worked hard to make himself into an NFL standout.

The skinny: Edelman, who played quarterback in the JUCO ranks, never saw his process take off. Playing his college ball at Kent State, he became a three-year starter at quarterback for the Golden Flashes. With no NFL future at quarterback, Edelman worked out at wide receiver for scouts and was selected in the seventh round by New England in 2009. With the Patriots he has become one of Tom Brady’s most reliable targets, totaling 98 receptions for 1,106 yards and three touchdowns this season.

Farrell’s Take: A dual-threat quarterback out of high school, and a small one at that, who had to go the JUCO route for anyone to take a shot, he has turned himself into one of the top slot receivers in the NFL. He's another example of the Patriots seeing something in a player that no one else did.

The skinny: McCourty never saw his process take off, as it as his twin brother, Jason McCourty, who received more attention. So when Rutgers offered both twins, the decision was made easier, with the duo committing to the Scarlet Knights in December. At Rutgers, McCourty actually out-performed his brother and was selected late in the first round of the 2010 Draft by New England. With the Patriots, McCourty has become the leader of the secondary while being name two Pro Bowls and earning three Second-Team All-Pro honors.

Farrell’s Take: McCourty, believe it or not, was the unwanted twin along with his more highly-touted brother Jason. Devin was headed to D-1AA football before Rutgers came in and offered both over Boston College, which only wanted Jason. Now both are successful in the NFL and McCourty has turned into a star. It’s always interesting to see how these things can play out.

The skinny: Mack always favored Cal, so when the Golden Bears offered he quickly committed. While many schools were recruiting him, Cal was actually also the first offer for Mack. After being named First-Team All-Pac-10 three times, Mack was selected with the 21st overall pick of the 2009 Draft by Cleveland. Seven successful seasons with the Browns led to his move to Atlanta before the 2016 season as a free agent. His first season in Atlanta has been extremely successful, as he has helped solidify an offensive line that has steadily improved throughout the season.

Farrell’s Take: From a one-offer center prospect who weighed 255 pounds out of high school to a first rounder and Super Bowl starter, Mack took to the college game quickly. His smarts and technical superiority make him a key in the Super Bowl now as he tries to play through a broken fibula for the Falcons.