Let's get this out of the way early: Stars matter. Study after study has proven that recruits are orders-of-magnitude more likely to be drafted as 5-stars than 4- or 3-stars. If you're arguing otherwise, you're wrong.
With that out of the way, the NFL draft is a uniquely American institution, so beloved it's basically become a sport unto itself. It brings America's two most popular sports (professional and college football) together. It pits competing franchises against each other, yet all 32 teams end draft weekend better than they started. And it appeals beyond the hard-core tape grinders: anyone can appreciate the tears, the hugs, the backslaps and the jubilation of families seeing their sons get drafted. The NFL draft is a lot of things, and one of them is a realization of the American dream in real time.
And so while a 5-star designation as a high school player is the surest path to the NFL draft, the beauty is that close to 250 players will hear their names called this weekend, and they followed close to 250 paths to get there.
Some players were anointed elite-of-the-elite at their position in middle school, and others are gems so hidden that even they don't realize their potential until their sophomore or junior year of college. Everyone else falls somewhere in between.
Based off NFL Network's latest mock draft, below is the path to the draft for every projected first-round pick, along with some shine for the coaches who discovered and developed them.
1. Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young (QB, Alabama)
As a recruit: No. 2 overall player and No. 1 QB in the class of 2020. Recruited by Steve Sarkisian out of Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif. Chose Alabama over USC.
As a player: Backed up Mac Jones on Alabama's 2020 national title team, then won the Heisman Trophy as a true sophomore in 2021. Left school as Alabama's No. 2 all-time passer. Coached by Sarkisian and Bill O'Brien.
Note: Craig Young anointed his son a quarterback prodigy when he was five years old, and Bryce proved him right. If and when the Panthers take him in this spot, Young will join Vince Young, Matthew Stafford, Jameis Winston, Kyler Murray and Trevor Lawrence as the only QBs in the modern era of recruiting to be No. 1 in their class coming out of high school and college.
2. Houston Texans: Tyree Wilson (Edge, Texas Tech)
As a recruit: No. 471 overall player and No. 23 weak-side defensive end in the class of 2018. Recruited by Terry Price to Texas A&M out of West Rusk High School in Texas. Also visited Arkansas.
As a player: Redshirted in 2018, then transferred to Texas Tech in 2020. His first start came at defensive tackle, then anchored the defensive end spot for the final 28 games in which he was healthy. Coached by Price, Paul Randolph, and Zarnell Fitch, and coordinated by Mike Elko, Keith Patterson and Tim DeRuyter. Began 2022 season as a fringe first-rounder.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson, Jr. (Edge, Alabama)
As a recruit: No. 17 overall player, No. 1 weak-side defensive end in class of 2020. Recruited by Charles Kelly and Sal Sunseri out of Dutchtown High School in Hampton, Ga. Also visited Georgia Tech.
As a player: Finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2021, but probably should have won it. Led FBS with 17.5 sacks and 34.5 TFLs en route to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and unanimous First Team All-America status. Left school as Alabama's No. 2 TFL and sack artist, despite playing three seasons. Coached by Sunseri, Coleman Hutzler and coordinated by Pete Golding.
Note: Grew up a Georgia fan but was not offered by the Bulldogs. “Yeah, I did grow up a Georgia fan,” Anderson said ahead of the 2021 SEC championship game. “I got recruited by them a little bit. I didn’t get too much attention from them, but it worked out well.”
4. Indianapolis Colts: CJ Stroud (QB, Ohio State)
As a recruit: No. 42 overall player and No. 2 recruit in class of 2020. Recruited by Mike Yurcich, Brian Hartline and Ryan Day out of Rancho Cucamonga High School in California. Recruiting decision came down to Ohio State and Michigan.
As a player: Ohio State's only two-time Heisman Trophy finalist and a two-time Big Ten offensive player of the year. Threw for 8,123 yards and 85 touchdowns in two seasons as a starter. Coach by Day and Corey Dennis.
Note: Ohio State once fined Ryan Day for skipping a contractually-mandated appearance at the ESPN college football awards show in order to make an in-home visit with Stroud. He was worth the money.
5. Seattle Seahawks: Christian Gonzalez (CB, Oregon)
As a recruit: No. 326 overall player and No. 31 safety in the class of 2020. Recruited by Darrin Chiaverini and Travares Tillman to Colorado out of The Colony High School in Texas. Also officially visited Arizona State and Notre Dame.
As a player: A Day 1 starter as a true freshman at CU. Transferred to Oregon in 2022, where he was a Day 1 starter. Named a Second Team All-Pac-12 corner in '22.. Coached by Demetrice Martin and Brett Maxie at CU, and again by Martin at Oregon.
6. Detroit Lions: Jalen Carter (DT, Georgia)
As a recruit: No. 9 overall player and No. 3 defensive tackle in the class of 2020. Recruited by Scott Fountain and Tray Scott out of Apopka High School in Florida.
As a player: Georgia was so stacked along the defensive line that Carter, a blue-chip stud at every stage of development, was not a full-time starter until 2022. Ranked second on the team with 33 QB pressures in 2021. Consensus All-American in '22. Coached by Scott.
7. Las Vegas Raiders: Devon Witherspoon (CB, Illinois)
As a recruit: Unrated recruit in 2019 out of Pine Forest High School in Pensacola, Fla. Did not commit to Illinois until July 29, 2019, was slated to attend Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College prior to that. Also listed offers from South Alabama, Appalachian State, Georgia State, Temple, and UMass. Recruited by Keynodo Hudson.
As a player: Joined starting lineup as a true freshman and never left. Honorable Mention All-Big Ten as a junior, and developed into a consensus All-Ameircan and Thorpe Award finalist as a senior in 2022. Coached by Hudson, Aaron Henry, and Antonio Fenelus.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Lukas Van Ness (Edge, Iowa)
As a recruit: No. 1,063 overall player and No. 52 strong-side defensive end in class of 2020. Recruited by Seth Wallace out of Barrington High School in Illinois. Also unofficially visited Illinois but committed immediately after Iowa official.
As a player: Redshirted in 2020, was a Freshman All-American in 2021. Was not a First Team All-Big Ten player, but was an Academic All-Big Ten honoree in both seasons on active roster and won Team Hustle award from Iowa coaches. Moved from tackle to end in spring 2022. Coached by Kelvin Bell, coordinated by Phil Parker.
Note: Played basketball and hockey in high school.
9. Chicago Bears: Peter Skoronski (OT, Northwestern)
As a recruit: No. 113 overall player and No. 3 center in class of 2020. Recruited by Kurt Anderson out of Maine South High School in Park Ridge, Ill. Also officially visited Notre Dame.
As a player: Day 1 starter at left tackle. Second Team All-Big Ten as a freshman, First Team as sophomore, Northwestern's first ever unanimous First Team All-American in 2022. Coached by Kurt Anderson.
10. Philadelphia Eagles: Myles Murphy (Edge, Clemson)
As a recruit: No. 7 overall player and No. 1 strong-side defensive end out of Hillgrove High School in Powder Springs, Ga. Recruited by Lemanski Hall and Brandon Streeter. A signing day decision over Alabama, Auburn and Georgia.
As a player: Posted a team-high seven tackles and two sacks in his first game as a collegian. A Freshman All-American in 2020, a Second Team All-ACC honoree in 2021 and a First Team All-ACC selection in 2022. Coached by Lemanski Hall.
11. Tennessee Titans: Paris Johnson, Jr. (OT, Ohio State)
As a recruit: No. 9 overall player and No. 1 offensive tackle in class of 2020. Recruited by Kerry Coombs and Greg Studrawa out of Cincinnati's Princeton High School. Committed to Ohio State more than a year before signing. Also officially visited LSU and Georgia.
As a player: Played at guard as a true freshman in 2020, then started at left tackle as a sophomore and a junior. A unanimous First Team All-American in 2022. Coached by Greg Studrawa and Justin Frye.
Note: Earned journalism degree in three years, also wrote for school newspaper.
12. Houston Texans: Will Levis (QB, Kentucky)
As a recruit: No. 652 player and No. 28 quarterback in class of 2018. Recruited to Penn State by Joe Moorhead and Sean Spencer out of Xavier High School in Middletown, Conn. Syracuse ran a distant second to Penn State in recruitment.
As a player: Redshirted in 2018, started two games in 2019-20 before transferring to Kentucky in 2021. Threw for 5,233 yards across two seasons. Coached by Ricky Rahne, Kirk Ciarrocca, Liam Coen, and Rich Scangarello.
13. Green Bay Packers: Dalton Kincaid (TE, Utah)
As a recruit: Unrated recruit out of Las Vegas's Faith Lutheran High School who signed with the University of San Diego in 2018.
As a player: Earned FCS AP All-America honors as a sophomore in 2019 before transferring to Utah. Junior season shortened to five games due to covid. Joined starting lineup as a senior in 2021, then returned for super senior season in '22. A rare player to earn AP All-America honors at FCS and FBS levels. Caught 16 balls (on 16 targets) for 234 yards in 43-42 win over USC, setting an FBS tight end single-game record. Coached by Cory White and Dorian Keller at San Diego, and by Freddie Whittingham at Utah.
14. New England Patriots: Bijan Robinson (RB, Texas)
As a recruit: No. 15 player and No. 1 running back in class of 2020. Recruited by Tim Beck and Stan Drayton out of Salpointe Catholic in Tucson. Was once a silent commitment to Ohio State.
As a player: Despite playing only three seasons, ranks fourth in school history with 3,410 rushing yards and 41 total touchdowns. Received 15 carriers or more only 19 times in his career. Won Doak Walker Award as nation's top running back in 2022. Coached by Stan Drayton and Tashard Choice, coordinated by Mike Yurcich and Steve Sarkisian.
15. New York Jets: Broderick Jones (OT, Georgia)
As a recruit: No. 11 overall player and No. 2 offensive tackle in class of 2020. Recruited by Dell McGee and Matt Luke out of Lithonia High School in Georgia. Also officially visited Arkansas, Illinois(??) and Auburn. Originally committed to Georgia in 2018, but re-opened recruitment when Sam Pittman landed Arkansas head coaching position.
As a player: Redshirted in 2020, did not join starting lineup until final four games of redshirt freshman season in 2021. An AP First Team All-SEC honoree in 2022. Coached by Matt Luke and Stacey Searels.
16. Washington Commanders: Joey Porter, Jr. (CB, Penn State)
As a recruit: No. 345 overall player and No. 34 cornerback in class of 2019. Recruited by Terry Smith and Tim Banks out of North Allegheny High School in Wexford, Pa. Also visited Pitt, Ohio State, West Virginia and LSU.
As a player: Redshirted but appeared in four games in 2019. A Third Team All-Big Ten honoree in 2020 and '21, then became a First Team All-Big Ten and Second Team All-American in 2022. Set a Penn State and tied a Big Ten single-game record with six pass breakups vs. Purdue in '22. Coached by Terry Smith.
Note: As you may have guessed, son of former NFL linebacker and linebackers coach Joey Porter. Three cousins also played FBS football.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Darnell Wright (OT, Tennessee)
As a recruit: No. 10 overall player and No. 2 offensive tackle in class of 2019. Recruited by Brian Niedermeyer and Will Friend out of Huntington High School in West Virginia. Also officially visited WVU, unofficially visited Alabama, North Carolina and Penn State.
As a player: Joined starting lineup as a true freshman, played both tackle spots at points in his career. A First Team All-SEC right tackle in 2022. Coached by Will Friend and Glen Elarbee.
18. Detroit Lions: Deonte Banks (CB, Maryland)
As a recruit: No. 854 player and No. 76 cornerback in the class of 2019. Recruited by Azaar Abdul-Rahim out of Edgewood High School in Maryland. Was not seriously pursued by any other FBS programs.
As a player: Joined starting lineup as a true freshman. Missed most of junior season due to injury. Tallied one interception and an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection as a senior. Coached by Cory Robinson and Henry Baker.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: O'Cyrus Torrance (OT, Florida)
As a recruit: No. 1,617 player and No. 140 offensive tackle in class of 2019. Recruited by the late DJ Looney to Louisiana out of St. Helena College and Career Academy in Greensburg, La. Also offered by Southern Miss, South Alabama, Louisiana Tech and Middle Tennessee.
As a player: Joined starting lineup in second game as a true freshman and never left, in the process becoming the first Cajun freshman to start along the O-line in 15 years. A First Team All-Sun Belt honoree in 2021 before transferring to Florida in 2022, where he became the first Gators offensive guard to earn consensus All-America honors. Coached by the late DJ Looney, Rob Sale, Jeff Norrid and Darnell Stapleton.
20. Seattle Seahawks: Nolan Smith (Edge, Georgia)
As a recruit: No. 1 overall player in class of 2019. Recruited by Glenn Schumann and Dan Lanning out of IMG Academy. Originally from Savannah, Ga. Recorded 12 sacks and 12 rushing touchdowns as a senior. Committed to Georgia in 2017 but visited Alabama, Tennessee and Penn State before signing.
As a player: Did not become full-time starter until 2021. Missed final seven games of senior season. Recorded eight tackles and seven QB pressures in 2021 Orange Bowl semifinal win over Michigan. Coached by Dan Lanning, Will Muschamp, and Chidera Uzo-Diribe.
21. Los Angeles Chargers: Michael Mayer (TE, Notre Dame)
As a recruit: No. 32 overall player and No. 2 tight end in class of 2020. Recruited by Chip Long and Brian Polian out of Covington Catholic in Lexington, Ky. Fighting Irish defeated Ohio State for commitment.
As a player: Tied for team lead in catches as a freshman, then lead the team in grabs as a sophomore and junior. Hauled in 138 grabs in 2021-22, no other player had more than 54. An AP Third Team All-American and Mackey Award semifinalist in 2022. Coached by John McNulty and Gerad Parker.
22. Baltimore Ravens: Anthony Richardson (QB, Florida)
As a recruit: No. 204 overall player and No. 9 dual-threat quarterback in class of 2020. Recruited by Brian Johnson and John Hevesy out of Gainesville's Eastside High School. Re-opened recruitment after Florida staff began recruiting Carson Beck (who signed with Georgia) but re-committed two months later.
As a player: Redshirted in 2020. Started for first time vs. Georgia in 2021, but threw only seven passes after that game. Became full-time starter in 2022. At 6-foot-4 and 232 pounds, Richardson's 4.43 40-yard dash was the fourth fastest by a QB since 2000. Coached by Brian Johnson, Garrick McGee, and Billy Napier.
Note: Richardson's 13 career starts are the fewest by any first round QB in the past 16 drafts.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR, Ohio State)
As a recruit: No. 29 overall player and No. 5 wide receiver in class of 2020. Recruited by Brian Hartline out of Rockwall High School in Texas. Was ranked No. 288 in the country when upon commitment to Ohio State in November 2018. "I can’t control any of the media, the rankings – I just feel like I’m the top receiver and I don’t get much respect, but I’m out here earning people’s respect now," he told Eleven Warriors. Caught five touchdowns in playoff win vs. Allen as a senior.
As a player: Caught 95 passes for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore in 2021, the most yards by any Big Ten receiver in 20 years. Missed almost all of 2022 campaign. Set Rose Bowl records with 15 grabs for 347 yards and three TDs in 48-45 defeat of Utah. Coached by Brian Hartline.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Branch (DB, Alabama)
As a recruit: No. 61 overall player and No. 3 safety in class of 2020. Recruited by Charles Kelly and Karl Scott out of Sandy Creek High School in Tyrone, Ga. Also recruited heavily by Oklahoma.
As a player: Played in 12 games and made three starts as a true freshman. Joined starting lineup full-time in 2021. A First Team All-American in 2022. Coached by Charles Kelly.
25. New York Giants: Zay Flowers (WR, Boston College)
As a recruit: No. 1,188 overall player and No. 135 receiver in class of 2019. Recruited by Brian White out of University School in Fort Lauderdale. Also officially visited Kansas State.
As a player: Played in all 13 games as a freshman, then earned All-ACC honors in final three years. A Third Team All-American in 2022. Caught 200 career passes for 3,056 yards and 29 touchdowns. Coached by Rich Gunnell, Joe Dailey, and Darrell Wyatt.
26. Dallas Cowboys: Steve Avila (OG, TCU)
As a recruit: No. 1,065 overall player and No. 44 offensive guard in class of 2018. Recruited by Zarnell Fitch and Chris Thomsen out of South Grand Prairie High School in Texas. Also offered by North Texas, UTSA, Kansas State and Utah.
As a player: Redshirted, then joined starting lineup as a third-year sophomore. Started games at center, guard and tackle. Became TCU's first consensus All-American since 2015 as a fifth-year senior. Coached by Chris Thomsen, Jarrett Anderson, and AJ Ricker.
27. Buffalo Bills: Jordan Addison (WR, USC)
As a recruit: No. 275 overall player and No. 10 athlete in class of 2020. Recruited to Pitt by Chris Beatty out of Tuscarora High School in Frederick, Md. Officially visited Maryland after committing to Pitt.
As a player: A Freshman All-American in 2020, and the Biletnikoff Award winner in 2021. Caught 160 passes for 2,259 yards and 21 touchdowns in two seasons as a Panther, helping Pitt to 2021 ACC title. Hauled in 59 passes for 875 yards and eight scores as a Trojan in 2022. Coached by Chris Beatty, Brennan Marion and Dennis Simmons.
28. Cincinnati Bengals: Anton Harrison (OT, Oklahoma)
As a recruit: No. 178 overall player and No. 17 offensive tackle in class of 2020. Recruited by Shane Beamer and Bill Bedenbaugh out of Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, DC. Also visited Penn State, West Virginia and Maryland.
As a player: A Day 1 starter at left tackle. A First Team All-Big 12 player in 2022. Coached by Bill Bedenbaugh.
29. New Orleans Saints: Calijah Kancey (DT, Pittsburgh)
As a recruit: No. 837 overall player and No. 64 defensive tackle in class of 2019. Recruited by Charlie Partridge out of Miami's Northwestern High School. Also visited South Carolina, Georgia Tech and Louisville.
As a player: Redshirted in 2019, joined starting lineup in 2021. A unanimous All-American in 2022, the first Panther at his position to earn such a distinction since Aaron Donald. He was also the only finalist for the Outland Trophy and the Nagurski Trophy, given to the nation's top interior player and the nation's top defender. Also joined Donald as the only Panther to win ACC defensive player of the year accolades. Coached by Charlie Partridge.
30. Philadelphia Eagles: Keion White (DT, Georgia Tech)
As a recruit: No. 3,141 overall player and No. 141 tight end in class of 2017. Signed with Old Dominion out of Garner High School in North Carolina.
As a player: Switched to defensive end in 2019, earning All-Conference USA honors in his first year at the position, tying ODU's single-season record with 19 TFLs. Transferred to Georgia Tech in 2021, but missed most of season after an offseason injury. Posted 54 tackles with 14 TFLs and 7.5 sacks in 12 games in 2022. Only ACC player in 2022 to post seven tackles, four TFLs and three sacks in a single game. Coached at Old Dominion by Jeff Comissiong and at Georgia Tech by David Turner.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Will McDonald IV (Edge, Iowa State)
As a recruit: No. 787 overall player and No. 47 weak-side defensive end in class of 2018. Recruited by Jim Hofher and Eli Rasheed out of North Waukesha in Wisconsin. Not seriously recruited by any other FBS program.
As a player: Redshirted in 2018, switched from linebacker to defensive end midway through 2019 season. A First Team All-Big 12 performer each season thereafter, and a First Team All-American in 2021. Set, then broke his own single-season sacks record (11.5), and tied for Big 12 lead in two straight seasons. Coached by Eli Rasheed.