Top 30 Most Overlooked High School Recruits to Go Pro Since 2000
By Zach Bigalke
A product of Westwood Regional High School in New Jersey, B.J. Raji featured as a two-way starter on both the offensive and defensive lines from 2001 to 2003. As a senior, he earned All-State honors as he recorded 7.5 sacks and four forced fumbles along with 75 total tackles. Yet despite getting selected to play in the Governor’s Bowl between the top senior recruits of 2004 from New York and New Jersey, Raji was largely overlooked. After receiving interest from Rutgers and Wisconsin, the two-star lineman decided to play for Tom O’Brien at Boston College. Raji played a backup role as a true freshman, but it wasn’t until his sophomore year that he began to take over as a starter at nose tackle.
As a junior Raji began to open eyes with 3.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss. Academic issues sidelined him for the 2007 season, but Raji returned for his senior year stronger than ever. The defensive lineman notched nine sacks and 99 total tackles on his way to All-ACC honors. The Eagles went 9-5 that year and won the ACC Atlantic for the second straight season. It was enough for the Green Bay Packers to select Raji ninth overall in the 2009 NFL Draft, and in his second season his interception TD against Chicago in the NFC Championship Game put the Packers into Super Bowl XLV, which they won against Pittsburgh.