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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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Dec 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) takes the snap during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Los Angeles Rams guard Rodger Saffold (76) is in the foreground. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) takes the snap during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Los Angeles Rams guard Rodger Saffold (76) is in the foreground. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

At Bedford High School in Ohio, Rodger Saffold was a mainstay on both the offensive and defensive lines. As a senior he was an All-District player and an honorable mention at the state level, but that translated to only two stars from the major recruiting services. Rated 270th among offensive line recruits in the 247Sports composite rankings at the position for 2006, Saffold was ultimately offered scholarships to several other Big Ten schools as well as Kansas. He decided to stay closer to home to play for Terry Hoeppner.

Saffold only got one season with Hoeppner before the coach passed away from brain cancer, but by that time he had already taken over the left tackle spot as a true freshman. As a sophomore he helped lead the Hoosiers to their first bowl game in 14 years, and he eventually started 41 games in total while in Bloomington. An All-Big Ten selection during his junior and senior years, Saffold entered the 2010 NFL Draft as one of the more highly touted line prospects on the board. He eventually went to St. Louis with the first pick of the second round, and he continues to play for the Rams after their relocation to Los Angeles.

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