JaMarcus Russell, Class of 2003.
Photo by USATSI
The Class of 2003 is set to have its 10-year reunion this year. It’s a chance to see what everyone has been up to since they graduated. This gives us an opportunity to reflect back on the Top 100 football recruits from that class.
Our research is based off national recruiting expert
Tom Lemming’s Top 100, who at the time was working with ESPN. We also used
Rivals.com’s Top 100. A total of 132 players either landed on Lemming’s list, Rivals or both.
Lemming said his Top 100 is not based on what an athlete will do in the pros, but how they will play in college. For example, Chris Leak was his No. 1 overall player that year. Leak guided Florida to a national championship in 2007 and played all four years at quarterback for the Gators. But he later went undrafted in 2007.
Video: Vernon Davis in high schoolRivals’ No. 1 overall recruit that year, Ernie Sims, went on to have a solid three-year career at Florida State. He would forgo his senior year and was drafted No. 9 overall in the 2006 NFL Draft and is still active in the NFL.
The athlete with the most individual success in the NFL from the Class of 2003 is Maurice Jones-Drew. The
De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) graduate has made several Pro-Bowl and All-Pro teams in the NFL. He was also the 2011 NFL rushing leader. Rivals had Drew (he didn't have the Jones back then) ranked No. 54 overall and No. 1 at his position. Lemming did not have Drew in his Top 100.
Video: Maurice Jones-Drew way back whenHere are some more facts and numbers about the Top 100 from the Class of 2003.
