The best high school football recruits over the past decade

As 2020 approaches and we're set to start a new decade, we thought it would be fun to look back at the best high school football prospects of the past 10 years.

This isn't meant to analyze which recruits went on to have great college careers, but rather identify some of the most impressive high school football players since 2010, regardless of what happened at the next level.

There were a ton of big names to go through, but Tom Luginbill and Tom VanHaaren narrowed it down to their all-decade team for each position.

Offense

Quarterback

Kyler Murray
Allen, Texas/Allen High
ESPN 300 rank (2015): 13

Murray left Allen High as a five-star prospect in the 2015 class after never losing a game as a high school starter, leading the Eagles to three straight state championships at the highest classification in the Lone Star State. The undersized gunslinger threw for more than 10,000 yards and eclipsed 4,000 on the ground. Murray signed with Texas A&M, but transferred after his freshman season to Oklahoma, where he would play football and baseball. Murray sat behind Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield for two seasons before getting his opportunity to start for the Sooners. After being selected No. 9 overall by the Oakland A's in the MLB draft following his junior year, Murray decided to play his final season at Oklahoma. Murray won the Heisman Trophy and led the Sooners to the College Football Playoff, where they would fall to Alabama. Murray was selected No. 1 overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2019 NFL draft, and decided to bypass MLB for a career in the NFL. -- Luginbill

Trevor Lawrence
Cartersville, Georgia/Cartersville High
ESPN 300 rank (2018): 2

Murray is probably the right answer considering he didn't lose a high school game. But I'll go with Lawrence for argument's sake -- and because he's right up there in this conversation. He had an outstanding 52-2 record in high school and won two state championships. He was a five-star, listed at 6-foot-6, 209 pounds, and had every attribute college coaches want. That talent has obviously transferred over to college. -- VanHaaren

Running back

Leonard Fournette
New Orleans, Louisiana/Saint Augustine High
ESPN 300 rank (2014): 1

Fournette was the top-ranked prospect in the Class of 2014 after tallying more than 7,600 rushing yards and 88 touchdowns, and opted to stay in state by picking LSU over Alabama. The 6-1, 226-pound downhill runner with 10.7 100-meter speed starred as a freshman for the Tigers, going over 1,000 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns, but it was his sophomore campaign when the Under Armour All-America Game alum became one of college football's top players, rushing for 1,953 yards and 22 TDs, and totaling 2,206 yards from scrimmage in 12 games. Fournette finished his three-year career at LSU with 3,830 yards rushing, over 4,300 yards from scrimmage and 41 TDs. Fournette was selected No. 4 overall in the 2017 NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. -- Luginbill

I stood next to Fournette at the Under Armour All-America game his senior year of high school and remember noticing that his legs were bigger than my entire torso. I couldn't imagine what it felt like for an average-sized high school player trying to tackle him. -- VanHaaren

Derrick Henry
Yulee, Florida/Yulee High
ESPN 300 rank (2013): 9

Henry not only left the high school ranks in the Sunshine State as a five-star prospect, but also as the all-time leading rusher in high school football with 12,124 yards and 153 TDs, breaking Ken Hall's long-standing career rushing record. Henry signed with Alabama over Tennessee, Florida and Georgia and became an all-time great Crimson Tide running back. Henry's otherworldly junior season ended with 2,219 rushing yards and 28 TDs, the Heisman Trophy over Deshaun Watson and Christian McCaffrey, and numerous other awards -- Doak Walker Award, Walter Camp Trophy and Maxwell Award. -- Luginbill

Najee Harris
Antioch, California/Antioch High
ESPN 300 rank (2017): 11

Cam Akers was ranked ahead of Harris in this class, but watching film of Harris from high school made you think he was going to be a star in college. He was listed at 6-3, 226, and had some speed and shiftiness to go along with his size. He ran for 2,776 yards and 36 touchdowns his senior season, finishing his high school career with 7,948 yards and 95 touchdowns in his senior, junior and sophomore seasons combined. -- VanHaaren

Wide receiver

Christian Kirk
Scottsdale, Arizona/Saguaro High
ESPN 300 rank (2015): 35

Kirk signed with Texas A&M out of high school and instantly became one of college football's most dangerous receivers and return men. The Under Armour All-America Game alum was named SEC Freshman of the Year in 2015 and first-team All-SEC in 2016 and 2017, totaling 234 receptions for 2,856 yards and 26 TDs in three seasons in College Station. Kirk was selected 47th overall in the 2018 NFL draft by his hometown Arizona Cardinals. -- Luginbill

Dorial Green-Beckham
Springfield, Missouri/Hillcrest High
ESPN 300 rank (2012): 3

Green-Beckham was 6-6, 220 in high school, which is ridiculous in itself. Between his sophomore, junior and senior seasons, he had 55 touchdowns and a little over 5,000 yards receiving. He was targeted by nearly every major school in the country and had everyone amazed with his size and ability on the field. He was from Missouri and ended up signing with Mizzou as one of the top commits for the Tigers. -- VanHaaren

Robert Woods
Gardena, California/Junipero Serra
ESPN 300 rank (2010): 7

Woods came out of Southern California as a five-star prospect and No. 7 overall in the 2010 class. After deciding to stay home for college and signing with USC, Woods was a star from Day 1 for the Trojans, earning Pac-10 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2010, consensus All-American in 2011 and All-Pac-12 honors in each of his three seasons. Woods finished his USC career with 253 receptions for 2,930 yards, 32 touchdowns and was drafted No. 41 overall in 2013 by the Buffalo Bills. -- Luginbill

De'Anthony Thomas
Los Angeles, California/Crenshaw High
ESPN 300 rank (2011): 16

Thomas was listed as an athlete in high school because he could do anything. We don't have an all-purpose back, or return specialist, or athlete category, so I'm sneaking him in here because I felt as though he should be somewhere. I probably have four or five more names that could be listed at receiver, because there were a lot of good ones. Thomas could have played cornerback in college, but wound up as a running back, receiver and returner at Oregon. He was a human highlight reel and was so much fun to watch. -- VanHaaren

Tight end

Hunter Henry
Little Rock, Arkansas/Pulaski Academy
ESPN 300 rank (2013): 69

Henry was ranked No. 69 overall in the 2013 class and starred in the 2013 Under Armour All-America Game. An Arkansas legacy, Henry signed with the Razorbacks and put together a stellar career, catching 116 passes for 1,661 yards and nine TDs in three seasons. He earned All-SEC honors each season and took home the Mackey Award following the 2015 season. Henry was drafted No. 35 overall by the San Diego Chargers in 2016. -- Luginbill

Nick O'Leary
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida/Dwyer High
ESPN 300 rank (2011): 20

O'Leary was 6-4, 230 coming out of Dwyer High School in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Watching his high school film, it just seemed as though he would translate well to college and could be an asset in the passing game. He was big, tough and had a ton of talent. He signed with Florida State and eventually made his way to the NFL. -- VanHaaren

Offensive line

Cam Robinson
West Monroe, Louisiana/West Monroe High
ESPN 300 rank (2014): 3

Robinson came out of North Louisiana as a five-star prospect and the No. 1-ranked offensive tackle in the country. After signing with Alabama over LSU and every other top national program, Robinson started all 14 games as a true freshman, becoming the first offensive lineman since Andre Smith to do that for the Crimson Tide. Robinson played three seasons in Tuscaloosa, picking up various awards and honors along the way, including the Outland Trophy in 2016. Robinson was picked No. 35 overall in the 2017 draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. -- Luginbill

Watching him in the Under Armour All-America Game practices before the actual game, Robinson had everyone talking about how he would be an eventual first-round draft pick. He was a gigantic 6-5, 330-pound prospect in high school and had some awesome battles at the Under Armour practices with defensive end Myles Garrett, giving everyone a glimpse of an NFL practice. -- VanHaaren

Laremy Tunsil
Lake City, Florida/Columbia High
ESPN 300 rank (2013): 5

Tunsil was one of the most coveted recruits in the past decade, picking Ole Miss over Georgia, Alabama, Florida and Florida State in a very heated recruitment. Tunsil played in every game as a freshman, starting all but four, and then ascended to a first team All-SEC tackle as a sophomore and junior. Tunsil was selected No. 13 overall in the 2015 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins. -- Luginbill

Seantrel Henderson
Saint Paul, Minnesota/Cretin-Derham Hall High
ESPN 300 rank (2010): 8

Henderson was a giant coming out of Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, Minnesota. He stood a massive 6-7, 295 and looked like a prototypical left tackle who would be able to fill a need for any team. Henderson ended up signing with Miami and eventually made it to the NFL, but watching him in high school made you think he would eventually be a No. 1 pick. -- VanHaaren

Trey Smith
Jackson, Tennessee/University School of Jackson
ESPN 300 rank (2017): 1

Smith was one of the most coveted prospects ever out of the state of Tennessee. The No. 1 prospect overall in the 2017 ESPN 300 decided to stay in his home state and play for Tennessee over offers from Alabama, Ohio State, Ole Miss and many others. Smith was an instant impact player for the Volunteers, starting 12 games in 2017 and earning All-SEC second team and freshman All-American honors. After starting seven games in 2018, Smith's sophomore campaign was cut short after the Tennessee medical staff discovered blood clots in his lungs. Smith returned to the field in 2019 and has started every game at left guard. -- Luginbill

Walker Little
Houston, Texas/Episcopal High
ESPN 300 rank (2017): 48

Walker was a 6-8, 305-pound tackle out of Houston, Texas, in high school. Repeat: a 6-8 tackle from Texas. What more could you ask for? He was built so well as a recruit that it just seemed like a foregone conclusion his talent would translate to college. He signed with Stanford, showing he also has smarts to go with his skills. -- VanHaaren

Gregory Little
Allen, Texas/Allen High
ESPN 300 rank (2016): 2

Little blocked for Kyler Murray at Allen High for two seasons and came out of the Lone Star State powerhouse program as a five-star prospect ranked No. 2 overall in the 2016 class. Little picked Ole Miss over Georgia, LSU, Auburn and more than 50 offers after initially committing to Texas A&M early in the recruiting process. In Oxford, Little started five games as a true freshman at left tackle and went on to be named All-SEC second team in 2018 and All-SEC first team in 2018. Little was selected No. 37 overall in the 2019 NFL draft by the Carolina Panthers. -- Luginbill

Clay Webb
Oxford, Alabama/Oxford High
ESPN 300 rank (2019): 14

I agree with all of Luginbill's picks, but we need a center, and Webb was incredible at camps. At 6-4, 307, he was basically a tree trunk and was impossible for most defensive tackles to move. He was the top center in the class and ended up signing with Georgia despite being one of the top prospects in the state of Alabama. -- VanHaaren

Evan Neal
Bradenton, Florida/IMG Academy
ESPN 300 rank (2019): 4

Neal became a national prospect after his freshman season and committed to Alabama while playing at Okeechobee High. He transferred to IMG Academy following his freshman year and signed with Alabama over Georgia, Miami, Florida State and Florida. He immediately took over at left guard, starting the Crimson Tide's first 11 games. Neal was tabbed midseason freshman All-American by various media outlets. -- Luginbill

VanHaaren's pick: Neal

Defense

Defensive line

Jadeveon Clowney
Rock Hill, South Carolina/South Pointe High
ESPN 300 rank (2011): 1

To this day, Clowney remains as physically gifted as any defensive end ESPN has ever evaluated. Clowney was the No. 1-ranked prospect overall in the 2011 class and was the biggest recruiting win in South Carolina history over Clemson and Alabama. Clowney starred from Day 1 for the Gamecocks, racking up 12 tackles for loss, eight sacks and five forced fumbles and earning second team All-SEC honors. Clowney was dominant as a sophomore, tallying 23.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks and three forced fumbles, capping off his season with SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors and the Ted Hendricks Award. Clowney left South Carolina after his junior season as a two-time All-American, three-time All-SEC award winner and was drafted first overall in 2014 by the Houston Texans. -- Luginbill

VanHaaren's pick: Clowney

Myles Garrett
Arlington, Texas/James Martin High
ESPN 300 rank (2014): 4

Garrett was the No. 4 overall prospect in the Class of 2014 and is the highest-ranked prospect to ever sign with Texas A&M. The Under Armour All-America Game alum was a difference-maker from jump street for the Aggies, breaking the Texas A&M freshman year sack record, as well as Jadeveon Clowney's SEC freshman sack record in just nine games. Garrett recorded 11 sacks as a freshman, 11.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss as a sophomore and 8.5 sacks in 10 games as a junior. Garrett left Texas A&M after three seasons with 47 tackles for loss, 31 sacks and seven forced fumbles in 34 career games. Garrett was a three-time All-SEC selection and two-time first-team All-American in 2015 and 2016. He was drafted No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Browns in 2017. -- Luginbill

Robert Nkemdiche
Loganville, Georgia/Grayson High
ESPN 300 rank (2013): 1

Nkemdiche was a 6-5, 265-pound defensive end in high school who had opposing coaches describing him as the best high school prospect they've faced. He was also a basketball player and ran track, and although he was mainly a defensive end, he was so athletic, he dabbled at running back for Grayson High School. He had all the potential in the world before he headed to Ole Miss. -- VanHaaren

Rashan Gary
Paramus, New Jersey/Paramus Catholic High
ESPN 300 rank (2016): 1

Gary was the No. 1-ranked prospect in the 2016 class and chose Michigan over Clemson, Ole Miss, USC and Auburn in a recruiting battle that came down to the wire between the Wolverines and Tigers of Clemson. Gary didn't enjoy the dominant college career of Clowney and Garrett, but did garner All-Big Ten first-team honors in 2017 and 2018, ending his three-year Michigan career with 119 tackles, 23 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. Gary was selected No. 12 overall by the Green Bay Packers in the 2019 draft. -- Luginbill

I remember seeing Gary as a junior in high school at The Opening, which is an invite-only camp style event typically reserved for upperclassmen. He stayed quiet the first few days, then once he got his footing, he took over and you never would have known he was in a class below most of the offensive linemen he was facing. He had a rare blend of size (6-4, 287) and speed that made him fun to watch in high school. -- VanHaaren

Ed Oliver
Houston, Texas/Westfield High
ESPN 300 rank (2016): 4

Oliver is the lone Group of 5 signee on the list. The ultra-quick tackle with a relentless motor was the No. 4 prospect overall in the 2016 class and signed with the University of Houston, becoming the first five-star prospect to ink with a non-Power 5 school in the ESPN rankings era. After starring in the Under Armour All-America Game, Oliver was a Day 1 star for the Cougars and became the first freshman to ever win Tyler Bill Willis Trophy. Oliver also took home the Outland Trophy following his sophomore season and finished his three seasons at Houston with a jaw-dropping 192 tackles, 53 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks. The Buffalo Bills drafted Oliver ninth overall in 2019. -- Luginbill

VanHaaren's pick: Oliver

Linebacker

Roquan Smith
Montezuma, Georgia/Macon County High
ESPN 300 rank (2015): 29

Smith came out of South Georgia as the No. 29-ranked prospect in the class of 2015 and enrolled at Georgia after initially picking UCLA over Georgia, Michigan, USC and Texas A&M on national signing day. Smith recorded 20 tackles as a freshman in 2015 before developing into one of college football's top defenders as a sophomore and junior. Smith won the Butkus Award, was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and Unanimous All-American following the 2017 season. The Chicago Bears selected Smith No. 8 overall in the 2018 draft. -- Luginbill

Micah Parsons
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania/Harrisburg High
ESPN 300 rank (2018): 7

Parsons played a lot of defensive end in high school, but he was so athletic for his size at 6-3, 241, he even played running back for his team. He was also a wrestler and at one point said he wanted to wrestle at Penn State. His versatility led him to linebacker in college, and his combination of size, athleticism and burst made him a special prospect. -- VanHaaren

Jaylon Smith
Fort Wayne, Indiana/Bishop Luers High
ESPN 300 rank (2013): 7

The five-star linebacker in the 2013 class was recruited by every top program in college football, but he chose to stay close to home and play for Notre Dame. After recording 67 tackles as a freshman in 2013, Smith became a dominant defender in college football, recording 226 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries in his final two seasons. He took home the Butkus Award in 2015 and was selected No. 34 overall in the 2016 draft by the Dallas Cowboys after a serious knee injury in the Fiesta Bowl dropped him out of the top 10, where he was projected. -- Luginbill

Smith attended a camp near Detroit in high school and had one of the most athletic plays I've seen to this date. Jourdan Lewis, now a cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys, was playing receiver with Smith covering him one-on-one. Lewis beat him off the line and got a few yards ahead of Smith, but Smith somehow made up ground and broke up the pass with one hand. Describing it doesn't do it justice, but he was so athletic and so good in high school. -- VanHaaren

Dylan Moses
Bradenton, Florida/IMG Academy
ESPN 300 rank (2017): 5

Moses burst onto the recruiting scene as an eighth-grader, receiving offers from Nick Saban and Les Miles before becoming a five-star prospect in the Class of 2017 and one of the most coveted prospects in recent memory. Ultimately, the Pelican State native signed with Alabama over LSU and was named SEC All-Freshman team following the 2017 season. In 2018, Moses broke out on the field, leading the Crimson Tide in tackles with 86 and earning second-team All-SEC honors. Moses was the leading candidate to take home the 2019 Butkus Award this season before he suffered a season-ending knee injury prior to his junior year. -- Luginbill

Reuben Foster
Auburn, Alabama/Auburn High
ESPN 300 rank (2013): 16

Foster was a big linebacker for a high school prospect at 6-2, 242. He originally committed to Auburn and actually got a tattoo with Auburn's logo on his arm before flipping to Alabama. I remember seeing him in person and thinking he was an adult for how big he was at such a young age. -- VanHaaren

Cornerback

Adoree' Jackson
Gardena, California/Junipero Serra High
ESPN 300 rank (2014): 9

The Under Armour All-America Game alum and five-star prospect in the Class of 2014 is one of the best pound-for-pound athletes in the ESPN rankings era. The two-sport star who recorded a long jump of nearly 26 feet decided to stay home for college and play for USC. Jackson played in 39 games in three seasons for the Trojans, recording 135 tackles, 34 passes defended, 29 pass breakups and six interceptions, taking home numerous postseason awards, including the Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2014, Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2016 and the Jim Thorpe Award in 2016. Jackson was selected No. 18 overall by the Tennessee Titans in 2017. -- Luginbill

Jeffrey Okudah
Grand Prairie, Texas/South Grand Prairie High
ESPN 300 rank (2017): 7

I agree with the above Jackson pick, but I also thought Okudah should get a nod here as well. Okudah was listed at 6-1, 197 in high school, had great size but didn't lose anything in speed and covering receivers. It was a huge win for Ohio State when the coaches were able to pull him out of the state of Texas, and he's on his way to being a first-round draft pick in the NFL. -- VanHaaren

Minkah Fitzpatrick
Jersey City, New Jersey/Saint Peter's Prep
ESPN 300 rank (2015): 27

Fitzpatrick played on a very talented high school team that also featured quarterback Brandon Wimbush. The No. 27-ranked prospect in the Class of 2015 signed with Alabama over every blue blood program and was instantly a star in Tuscaloosa. Fitzpatrick played in 42 games in three seasons, recording 171 tackles, 24 passes defended and nine interceptions. The No. 11 selection in the 2018 draft was a two-time consensus All-American at Alabama and took home the Jim Thorpe Award and Chuck Bednarik Award following his junior season. -- Luginbill

Derek Stingley Jr.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana/The Dunham School
ESPN 300 rank (2019): 18

I'm not going to use recency as an excuse not to include Stingley. He had everything coaches want in a cornerback in high school. He was listed at 6-1, 193, and there was a reason the LSU coaches were excited about bringing him in and getting him involved early. That talent and skill has already been on display this season. -- VanHaaren

Safety

Derwin James
Haines City, Florida/Haines City High
ESPN 300 rank (2015): 8

James committed to Florida State after his freshman season and became one of the Sunshine State's most feared hitters before leaving high school as a five-star prospect in the 2015 class. James was named first-team All-ACC following the 2016 and 2017 seasons, and left Tallahassee with over 180 tackles less than two and half seasons after preseason knee surgery in September 2016 derailed his true sophomore season. The Los Angeles Chargers selected James No. 17 overall in the 2018 draft. -- Luginbill

VanHaaren's pick: James

Jabrill Peppers
Paramus, New Jersey/Paramus Catholic High
ESPN 300 rank (2014): 2

Peppers was one of the top prospects in the country for three years, playing at Don Bosco Prep and Paramus Catholic. The second-ranked prospect in the Class of 2014 signed with Michigan over every top national program. After missing the majority of his freshman season in Ann Arbor due to injury, the versatile defensive back and dynamic return man recorded 117 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, 11 passes defended and 987 return yards in 24 games as a sophomore and junior. Peppers was a Heisman Trophy finalist, unanimous All-American, Lott Trophy winner, Paul Hornung Award winner and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2016. He was selected 25th overall in the 2017 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns. -- Luginbill

VanHaaren's pick: Peppers