With National Signing Day upon us, all eyes are on the nation's top recruits again.
This year's NSD is a little less exciting because most of the top recruits have already committed. No. 1 prospect Najee Harris is headed to Alabama, and just eight of the top 50 prospects are uncommitted.
But does it really matter whether your school lands the No. 1 overall recruit? If recent history tells us anything, it sure does. Take a look at what the past decade of No. 1 recruits has accomplished. You'll see plenty of familiar names on this list:
MORE: Ranking the top recruiting classes since 2000
2017: Najee Harris (Alabama)
History: RB out of Antioch HS (Antioch, Calif.), signed with Alabama on Jan. 8, 2017
Harris has been committed to Alabama since 2015, but a late push by Michigan threw his commitment into question. Though as of Jan. 8, Harris is enrolled at Alabama and a part of the Crimson Tide's No. 1 recruiting class. He'll join a crowded backfield with Bo Scarbrough, Damien Harris, Josh Jacobs and B.J. Emmons, as well as incoming freshman Brian Robinson.
2016: Rashan Gary (Michigan)
History: DE out of Paramus Catholic HS (Paramus, N.J.), signed with Michigan Feb. 3, 2016
Gary just completed a productive freshman year at Michigan, recording 27 tackles (five for a loss) and a sack in a reserve role. The 6-5 defensive end might not have been as productive as you'd expect from a No. 1 recruit, but he was playing behind a defensive line full of seniors. Look for him to be a starter in 2017 and make an immediate impact on the defensive line.
2015: Trent Thompson (Georgia)
History: DT out of Westover HS (Albany, Ga.), signed with Georgia Aug. 12, 2014
Thompson had an impressive Liberty Bowl, recording three sacks and eight tackles and was named MVP of the game. Until that game, the sophomore defensive tackle had just 2.5 sacks total in his career. He's poised to be the next great defensive player in the SEC.
2014: Leonard Fournette (LSU)
History: RB out of St. Augustine HS (New Orleans), signed with LSU Jan. 2, 2014, declared for NFL Draft Dec. 5, 2016
Fournette is poised to be one of the top running backs in this year's NFL Draft. The junior's size (6-1, 236 pounds) and impressive stats at LSU (3,830 yards, 40 TDs in three years) in addition to the hype he had during his collegiate years — he was the 2013 High School Football Player of the Year and set LSU records for rushing yards (1,953) and touchdowns (22) his sophomore season — have set him up for success in the NFL.
2013: Robert Nkemdiche (Ole Miss)
History: DT out of Grayson HS (Loganville, Ga.), signed with Ole Miss Feb. 6, 2013, drafted No. 29 overall by the Arizona Cardinals in 2016
Nkemdiche struggled his rookie season, starting with his arrest for marijuana possession before the NFL Draft. In his first year, he saw the field in just five games and recorded one tackle, though he matured toward the end of the year, head coach Bruce Arians said. His struggles came a highly productive stint at Ole Miss, where he was an All-American and a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award in 2015 after recording 29 tackles and three sacks as a junior.
2012: Dorial Green-Beckham (Missouri)
History: WR out of Hillcrest HS (Springfield, Mo.), signed with Missouri Feb. 1, 2012, transferred to Oklahoma July 3, 2014, drafted No. 40 overall by the Tennessee Titans in 2015, traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016
Green-Beckham's college career was full of drama, but he's found a little success in the NFL. After a tumultuous freshman year with the Tigers, including two arrests, a suspension and alleged domestic violence, the wide receiver transferred to Oklahoma and declared for the NFL Draft after sitting out the 2014 season. In his two years in the NFL, Green-Beckham has totaled 941 yards and six touchdowns.
2011: Jadeveon Clowney (South Carolina)
History: DE out of South Pointe HS (Rock Hill, S.C.), signed with South Carolina Feb. 14, 2011, drafted No. 1 overall by the Houston Texans in 2014
Clowney is the most successful former No. 1 recruit on this list by far, having an oustanding career with the Gamecocks — SEC Freshman of the Year in 2011, a unanimous All-American and the Ted Hendricks Award winner (best defensive end) as a sophomore — finishing with 129 total tackles, 24 sacks and nine forced fumbles in his three-year career. Clowney has bounced back from a torn meniscus his rookie year in 2014, totaling 40 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 2015, and 52 tackles and 6 sacks en route to his first Pro Bowl in 2016.
2010: Ronald Powell (Florida)
History: LB out of Rancho Verde HS (Moreno Valley, Calif.), signed with Florida Feb. 3, 2010, drafted No. 169 overall by the New Orleans Saints in 2014, signed by the Tampa Bay Buccanneers in 2015, signed by the Chicago Bears in 2016, signed by the Seattle Seahawks in 2016
Powell's had an underwhelming career after signing with the Gators in 2010. He was a solid contributor for his first two years at Florida (57 tackles, 6 sacks in 2010 and 2011), but tore his ACL twice before his junior year. He bounced back in 2013 before declaring for the NFL Draft. After playing 14 games his rookie year in 2014 with the Saints, he bounced around on the practice squads of the Bucs, Bears and Seahawks.
2009: Matt Barkley (USC)
History: QB out of Mater Dei HS (Santa Ana, Calif.), signed with USC Jan. 23, 2008, drafted No. 98 overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2012, traded to the Arizona Cardinals in 2015, signed by the Chicago Bears in 2016
Barkley played a full four seasons for the Trojans, one of the few former No. 1 picks to finish his eligibility. His junior year in 2011 was his best, when he set USC single-game records for completions (34), passing yards (468) and passing touchdowns (6). A shoulder injury his senior year affected his NFL Draft stock, as he didn't participate in the combine. Barkley started his NFL career as a backup to Nick Foles and Michael Vick in Philadelphia, didn't play for his six games with the Cardinals, and made his first NFL start with the Bears in 2016. He played in seven games in 2016, totaling 1,611 yards, 8 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
2008: Da'Quan Bowers (Clemson)
History: DE out of Bamberg-Ehrhardt HS (Bamberg, S.C.), signed with Clemson January 2008, drafted No. 51 overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, free agent as of 2016
Bowers' junior season with Clemson was outstanding — he led the nation in sacks (15.5) and tackles for loss (26), and was named a unanimous first-team All-American, ACC Defensive Player of the Year and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner — after solid freshman and sophomore years. Injuries to his knee and Achilles dropped his stock in the NFL Draft and his injuried plagued him throughout his five seasons with the Bucs.
