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Top 30 Most Overlooked High School Recruits to Go Pro Since 2000

By Zach Bigalke

Sep 11, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) in action during the game against the Chicago Bears at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) in action during the game against the Chicago Bears at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 18, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a touchdown pass to tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) (not pictured) as guard Logan Mankins (70) blocks and Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short (99) defends in the third quarter. The Panthers defeated the Patriots 24-20 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a touchdown pass to tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) (not pictured) as guard Logan Mankins (70) blocks and Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short (99) defends in the third quarter. The Panthers defeated the Patriots 24-20 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Largely unheralded after earning all-league honors at Mariposa High School in California, Logan Mankins was glossed over by most every I-A team in the country. After failing to get much attention among offensive line recruits, he ended up making the 72-mile drive south to play for Pat Hill at Fresno State. There he redshirted during the 2000 season before starting all 14 games guarding David Carr’s blindside as the Bulldogs beat Colorado, Oregon State, and Wisconsin to start an 11-win campaign. He was a stalwart at left tackle, but was forced to sit out 2003 after tearing his ACL in preseason practice.

Over the stretch between 2001 and 2004, Fresno State won at least nine games every season and went 29-11 when Mankins was protecting the blind side for either Carr and then Paul Pinegar. After returning from the injury, Mankins earned first team all-WAC in 2004 after not giving up a single sack or quarterback pressure and recording a school-record 82 knockdown blocks. As a result, Mankins was given a longer look by NFL scouts than he had been by college recruiters. New England snagged him with the 32nd pick of the 2005 NFL Draft, and he played nine years under Bill Belichick before a 2014 trade to Tampa Bay.

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