Top 30 Most Overlooked High School Recruits to Go Pro Since 2000
By Zach Bigalke
A two-sport star at La Salle High School in Cincinnati, Brent Celek was an All-District player as both a junior and a senior. Celek was especially adept on passing plays, breaking the school record with an 89-yard touchdown reception in his senior season as he hauled in19 passes for 384 yards He also participating in throwing events as a track and field letterman, showcasing his athleticism in several guises. But he was low on the list among two-star tight end recruits, ranked 97th in the 247Sports composite rankings at the position from 2003.
Only one school was willing to give Celek a chance to play on scholarship in college. Rick Minter, at the time the head coach of Celek’s hometown Cincinnati Bearcats, offered the local star a shot. As a freshman in Minter’s last season, the youngster caught just two passes. He broke out as a sophomore under new coach Mark Dantonio, hauling in eight of his 22 receptions for touchdowns. After finishing his four years at Nippert with 91 catches for 1135 yards and 14 touchdowns, the Philadelphia took a flyer on Celek with a fifth-round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. He has been a consistent target for the Eagles ever since, with 33 career touchdowns in the pros.