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          On The Trail

          All-SEC: Where they stood as recruits

          • Chris Low, ESPN Senior WriterFeb 4, 2014, 09:45 PM
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            • College football reporter
            • Joined ESPN.com in 2007
            • Graduate of the University of Tennessee
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          On the eve of national signing day, it's always fun to go back and examine where the top players in the SEC from this past season were ranked coming out of high school.

          Of the 23 position players who made the 2013 ESPN.com All-SEC team, seven were three-star prospects, according to the ESPN Recruiting Nation rankings. The only five-star prospects were Alabama offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandjio and South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.

          Even more telling, only eight of the 23 players were ranked among the top 10 players at their respective positions.

          Of note, Vanderbilt's record-setting Jordan Matthews was ranked as the No. 153 receiver, Mississippi State's Gabe Jackson was the No. 125 offensive tackle, Arkansas' Travis Swanson was the No. 91 offensive guard, Missouri's Michael Sam was the No. 75 defensive end and LSU's Lamin Barrow was the No. 82 outside linebacker.

          Here's a closer look:

          OFFENSE

          • QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M: Three stars, No. 39 QB, Class of 2011. Grade: 78.

          • RB Tre Mason, Auburn: Four stars, No. 21 RB, Class of 2011. Grade: 79.

          • RB T.J. Yeldon, Alabama: Four stars, No. 55 overall prospect, No. 4 RB, Class of 2012. Grade: 81.

          • WR Mike Evans, Texas A&M: Three stars, No. 52 WR, Class of 2011. Grade: 79.

          • WR Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt: Three stars, No. 153 WR, Class of 2010. Grade: 74.

          • AP Odell Beckham Jr., LSU: Three stars, No. 62 athlete, Class of 2011. Grade: 78.

          • TE Arthur Lynch, Georgia: No. 7 TE, Class of 2009. Grade: 79.

          • OL Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State: No. 125 OT, Class of 2009. Grade: 74.

          • OL Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama: Five stars, No. 3 overall prospect, No. 1 OT, Class of 2011. Grade: 87.

          • OL Jake Matthews, Texas A&M: Four stars, No. 90 overall prospect. No. 7 OT, Class of 2010. Grade: 81.

          • OL Greg Robinson, Auburn: Four stars, No. 10 OG, Class of 2011. Grade: 80.

          • C Travis Swanson, Arkansas: No. 91 OG, Class of 2009. Grade: 76.

          DEFENSE

          • DL Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina: Five stars, No. 1 overall prospect, No. 1 DE, Class of 2011. Grade: 95.

          • DL Dee Ford, Auburn: No. 35 DE, Class of 2009. Grade: 79.

          • DL Kelcy Quarles, South Carolina: Four stars, No. 124 overall prospect, No. 11 DT, Class of 2010. Grade: 81.

          • DL Michael Sam, Missouri: No. 75 DE, Class of 2009. Grade: 76.

          • LB Ramik Wilson, Georgia: Four stars, No. 11 ILB, Class of 2011. Grade: 79.

          • LB C.J. Mosley, Alabama: Four stars, No. 99 overall prospect, No. 7 OLB, Class of 2010. Grade: 81.

          • LB Lamin Barrow, LSU: No. 82 OLB, Class of 2009. Grade: 76.

          • DB Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama: Four stars, No. 19 overall prospect, No. 2 S, Class of 2011. Grade: 84.

          • DB E.J. Gaines, Missouri: Three stars, No. 57 CB, Class of 2010. Grade: 76.

          • DB: Kenny Ladler, Vanderbilt: Three stars, No. 43 S, Class of 2010. Grade: 78.

          • DB: Cody Prewitt, Ole Miss: Three stars, No. 78 athlete, Class of 2011. Grade: 77.