Manti Te'o (right) was a Hawaii legend before surprising many by signing with Notre Dame.
Photo by Mark McCollum
Te'o is a Hawaii legend after starring at Punahou for four seasons. His career culminated with 129 tackles, 11 sacks, three forced fumbles and three interceptions during a state title-winning season. He stunned college football fans by signing with Notre Dame instead of USC on National Signing Day. He was the nation's No. 7 recruit.
7. Ricky Wagner, OL, Hale (West Allis, Wis.), WisconsinTruly a diamond in the rough in high school, Wagner actually was a walk-on at Wisconsin after a career at Hale in which he played tight end. His team finished 5-5 as a senior, and never won more than seven games during Wagner's tenure. Needless to say, he was absent from lists of top recruits.
8. Alex Okafor, DL, Pflugerville (Texas), TexasAs a 6-5, 230-pound defensive end, Okafor was ranked as the nation's No. 71 recruit behind the likes of Donte Moss, Ryne Giddins, Sam Montgomery and Justin Chaisson. However, he was a first team all-state selection in Class 5A after registering 12 sacks and 17 tackles for loss.
9. David Amerson, DB, Dudley (Greensboro, N.C.), North Carolina StateAmerson is being looked at as a cornerback, but in high school, he was a ball-hawking safety. Tom Lemming noted that Amerson is "a fierce hitter, backs down from no one, and is known for his ability to get to the ball and then separate it from the ball carrier."
10. Sam Montgomery, DE, Greenwood (S.C.), LSUOne year after Daquan Bowers starred in the Palmetto State, Montgomery emerged as another national recruit at defensive end. He made 85 tackles and 11 sacks as a senior and was the nation's No. 33 recruit, selecting LSU over a host of other offers.
