Every year, it’s the same thing: Fans salivate over the four- and five-star prospects their favorite schools sign and do a collective shoulder shrug about the three-star recruits.
One reason is sheer numbers: FBS schools sign about 3,000 football players each season and only about 15 percent are four- and five-star guys, so it’s only natural to get excited about those players. At the same time, with that many three-star guys, it’s an absolute given that a handful each season become key starters — and a few actually become bona-fide stars.
Don’t believe the “stars” part? Well, here’s a look at 12 former three-star recruits who became bona-fide stars in the SEC this decade.