They were the best players coming out of high school, but there is a huge difference between preps and colleges. Here's a look at Tom Lemming's Top 10 players over the pas five years and how they fared on the field.

Class of 1997
LaVar Arrington, Penn State -- A two-time All-American, he is one of the best linebacker in the rich history of "Linebacker U." Arrington won the Butkus Award presented to the best linebacker, the Chuck Bednarik Award as the nation's best defensive player and finished 9th in the Heisman voting in 1999. His "LaVar Leap" - Arrington leaping across the line to stop a ball carrier - was highlight reel material every time and he was the No. 3 pick in the 2000 NFL Draft.

Travis Minor, Florida State -- Not the flashiest of backs, but one of the most consistent in FSU history. He's the only player to lead the 'Noles in rushing four straight seasons. He rushed for 3,218 yards (4.8 yards per carry), scored 31 TDs in his career and totaled 14 100-yard games, including nine against Top 25 teams. He was also a dangerous receiver (106 catches in his career) and helped lead FSU to a national championship in 1999.

David Warren, Florida State -- A second team All-ACC selection in 2000, Warren recorded at least 30 tackles in his final three seasons, including 19 tackles for loss in 2000. He started five games in 1999, including the national championship game win over Virginia Tech.

Leonard Davis, Texas -- While Davis may have started his career as a defensive lineman, it was on the offensive line where he became one of the best players in the country. Davis, 6-foot-5 and 367 pounds, started 21 of 24 games and did not allow a QB sack in 33 games. He finished his career with 181 pancake blocks and 23 TD-resulting blocks and was the No. 2 pick in the 2001 NFL Draft.

Derrick Gibson, Florida State -- A staple in the Seminoles' secondary, Gibson earned first-team All-ACC honor as a senior and was second-team as a junior. As a senior, he made 72 tackles with two interceptions, seven pass breakups and three fumble recoveries. For his career, he notched 213 tackles in 47 games, including 137 solo tackles, and was part of the 1999 national championship team.

Tony Driver, Notre Dame -- Driver flip-flopped from running back to safety to running back to safety throughout his career, but was a solid contributor for the Irish. Driver became only the second player in college football history to return two for touchdowns in the same game. In his career, he started 18 of 22 games on defense, finishing with 130 tackles (78 solos) and four interceptions. In 19 games on offense, he gained 304 yards with seven touchdowns on 85 carries (3.6 avg.) and returned 46 kickoffs for 1,059 yards (23.0 avg.).

Kenny Kelly, Miami -- This one didn't quite work out as well as the 'Canes had hoped. Or maybe it did. Kelly, a dangerous runner and passer, started at QB for Miami, but left to play baseball for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays opening the door for an untested, skinny kid named Ken Dorsey.

Andre Carter, Cal -- A great athlete who made his presence felt immediately, playing on the DL as a true freshman for Cal. By his senior season, he showed he was one of the best DL in the country as he notched 60 tackles, including 20 for loss, and 13.5 sacks en route to his second straight first-team All-Pac-10 honors. He also set the Cal record for sacks with 31.

Jamal Reynolds, Florida State -- Another blue-chip recruit who helped the Seminoles play in three straight national title games. Reynolds won the Lombardi Award in 2000 by recording 12 sacks and 15 hurries as well as 57 tackles, including 15 for loss. As a sophomore, Reynolds posted 57 tackle, including 11 for loss, with seven sacks as a part-time starter. He completed the season with a huge National Championship game vs. Virginia Tech when he registered 6 tackles and 3 sacks.

Rohan Davey, LSU -- A gutsy player who played big in big-time games for LSU. Davey led the Tigers to an SEC Championship this season and a Sugar Bowl victory over Illinois. He threw for over 3,300 yards and had 18 TDs as he led LSU to a Top-10 ranking.

Eric Crouch, Nebraska -- Well, he won the Heisman Trophy. Is that any good? Crouch threw for over 1,500 yards and rushed for over 1,100 as he led Nebraska to the national championship game against Miami this year. He scored 18 TDs rushing and passed for another seven. As a junior, he passed for 11 TDs and rushed for 20 more. Many believe he is the best option QB ever to play college football.

Class of 1998

Ronald Curry, North Carolina -- A two-sport star for the Tar Heels, but injuries never allowed him to fulfill his potential in either sport. Curry split time as a starter this season, passing for eight TDs and rushing for three more. As a junior, he passed for 2,325 yards and 11 TDs and rushed for 7 TDs.

Dennis Johnson, Kentucky -- Johnson was one of the best defensive players in the SEC. He led the SEC in QB sacks -- a school-record 12 - as well as tackles for loss (19), and fumbles caused (five). He had 61 total tackles for the season and added 12 quarterback hurries, four pass breakups, and one fumble recovery. He started as a freshman and helped lead the 'Cats to back-to-back bowl bids in 1998-99.

Drew Henson, Michigan -- One of the best QBs in college football two years ago, but, unfortunately, he was also one of the best baseball players in the country. And when George Steinbrenner and the Yankees open up the checkbook, well, it's hard to say no. Henson left Michigan before the 2001 season and will be the 3rd baseman of the future for the Yanks.

David Terrell, Michigan -- Speaking of great Michigan players, Terrell is one of the best WRs in Wolverine history. In only three seasons at Michigan (two as a starter), he managed to haul in 152 passes for 2317 yards (15.2 avg) and 23 touchdowns and only Anthony Carter (161) had more receptions in a career for Michigan. Only Carter and Armani Toomer top his 2,317 yards and his 23 TDs are just behind Desmond Howard (32) and Carter (37) on the Wolverines' all-time record list. He was the first player in Michigan history to gain over 1,000 yards receiving in more than one season.

Mike Pearson, Florida -- One of the nation's best offensive line and a big reason why Florida QB Rex Grossman had time to pass for over 3,000 yards this season. A starter for two seasons and played 10 of 12 when he wasn't a starter as a freshman.

Jason Thomas, UNLV -- He was supposed to be a Heisman contender this season, but the UNLV junior QB didn't quite have the monster season everyone expected. Still, Thomas is a dangerous runner and passer. He threw for over 1,300 yards and rushed for nearly 500. He had 13 TDs rushing and passing.

Julius Peppers, North Carolina -- Another two-sport star for the Tar Heels, but this one may be the No. 1 pick in the 2002 NFL Draft. Peppers dominated the ACC on the defensive line. A finalist for the Lombardi Award, Peppers notched 52 tackles, including 17 for loss and a team-high 8½ sacks. He also led the team with three interceptions, which is somewhat amazing considering he's a defensive lineman. Peppers, a two-time All-American, has 29½ career sacks.

R.J. Luke, Penn State -- Luke, who has played some fullback for the Nittany Lions, is back at tight end. Luke played six games and caught 12 passes for 207 yards (17.2 yards per catch).

Justin Fargas, USC -- One of the most sought-after players coming out of high school, Fargas went to Michigan and appeared in 10 games before suffering a season-ending broken leg. He redshirted in 1999 while recovering from three surgeries to repair the leg (he had two titanium rods and 12 screws implanted in the first surgery, then 4 months later -- when the leg wasn't healing properly -- doctors were forced to re-break the leg and insert two metal plates. A third surgery was required to fix tendons in his right big toe). Finally, he returned in 2000 as a backup running back and gained 85 yards on 18 carries (4.7 avg.), but later moved to safety (making 10 tackles and forcing a fumble). He transferred to USC and sat out the 2001 season.

John Henderson, Tennessee -- The 2000 Outland Trophy winner and finalist for the award in 2001, Henderson is one of the best lineman in the country. Despite nagging injuries this year, he notched 48 tackles this year, including 4 ½ sacks and four tackles for loss. Henderson, a two-time All-American, has 71 tackles, including 12 sacks and nine tackles for loss as a junior.

Class of 1999
T.J. Duckett, Michigan State -- The Spartans leading rusher in back-to-back season, Duckett was a bruising RB who could run over or run by would be tacklers. He gained 1,353 yards and scored 7 TDs as a sophomore and 1,236 yards as a junior with 10 TDs before entering the NFL Draft this year.

Chris Simms, Texas -- One of the most sought after recruits in the country, the Southpaw QB initially committed to Tennessee for deciding to sign with Tennessee. After splitting time with Major Applewhite as a sophomore, he passed for over 2,600 yards and 22 TDs as the starter this season.

Cory Redding, Texas -- A big part of the Longhorns' defense, Redding recorded 52 tackles, including 11 for loss and 4 ½ sacks and one interception as a junior. As a sophomore, the defensive end appeared in 12 games - including the Holiday Bowl - and started 11 of them. He notched 52 tackles and had 6 ½ sacks.

Chris Lewis, Stanford -- While Lewis wasn't the starter, he played a lot subbing for the often-injured Randy Fasani. As a freshman, he threw for nearly 1,200 yards and 8 TDs and as a sophomore last year, he completed over 55 percent of his passes (up from 45 percent as a freshman) for 1,277 yards and 12 TDs.

Anquan Boldin, Florida State -- Boldin, who came to FSU as a QB, moved to receiver and made a huge impact in his first game -- catching two TDs against Louisiana Tech in the season opener. As a freshman, he played in 10 games and had 12 catches. He caught 41 passes as a sophomore. He battled for the QB job as a junior, but switched back to receiver after Chris Rix won the job only to suffer a season-ending ACL injury in his left knee shortly before the season was to start.

Nick Maddox, Florida State -- Perhaps the best prep played in North Carolina history, Maddox has struggled to become the dominating player in college. He bounced between RB and WR before earning the starting role as junior this year. He played every game, rushing for 438 yards (4.5 yards per carry) with 3 TDs and caught 26 passes for 262 yards and a TD.

William Green, Boston College -- While he's had his share of off-the-field problems, Green has been dominating on the field. He was been the Eagles' leading rusher the past two years, rushing for 1.164 yards (6.2 ypc) and 14 TDs and a sophomore and 1,559 yards (5.9 ypc) and 15 TDs and a junior before entering the NFL Draft this year.

Vernon Carey, Miami -- A redshirt sophomore lineman, Carey has played extensively in only a couple of games. Carey spent much of his first two years in Miami coaches' doghouse, as he ballooned to 370 pounds while redshirting and his conditioning was awful. He turned it around this season, dropping 25 pounds, working hard with the strength coaches and completing Miami's annual endurance test -- 16 consecutive sprints of 110 yards -- for the first time in his career.

Albert Haynesworth, Tennessee -- The defensive tackle, who started 10 games as a junior and played in every game since his freshman year, made 36 tackles last season, including 11 for loss. He left early for the 2002 NFL Draft, where his stock continues to climb.

Jeff Faine, Notre Dame -- The All-American center has emerged as one of the best lineman in the country. He started 12 games as a sophomore and was one of the bright spots in a tough year for the Irish as a junior.

Lito Sheppard, Florida -- A two-time All-American, Sheppard was one of the best cornerbacks in the country. For his career, he had nearly 100 tackles, eight interceptions and was a dangerous return man as well, returning two punts for TDs. He entered the 2002 NFL Draft.

Class of 2000
Charlie Rogers, Michigan State -- Rogers has a breakout year at receiver this season with 57 catches for 1,200 yards (21.1 yards per catch) with 12 TDs and even had a TD rushing.

Travis Johnson, Florida State -- Johnson likely would have seen plenty of playing time as a true freshman, but an injury cut his season short. Johnson has bounced around the line, playing DT and nose tackle.

Brock Berlin, Florida -- Berlin was the crown jewel of Florida's recruiting class, but after eventually lose the starting QB job to Rex Grossman, he's transferred to Miami.

Kwame Harris, Stanford -- A gifted offensive lineman who saw significant playing time as a freshman and started this season.

Marcus Houston, Colorado -- Injuries have limited Houston's promising career. He rushed for just 132 yards on 39 carries and scored one TD last season.

D.J. Williams, Miami -- After spending some time at fullback, Williams looks like a star at linebacker. He finished 7th on the team in tackles with 43 and started all but one game for the national champion Hurricanes.

Amon Gordon, Stanford -- The sophomore played in 11 games this season, notching 11 tackles, including five for loss and one sack.

Teyo Johnson, Stanford -- Johnson played in every game this season, catching 38 passes for 565 yards (14.9 ypc) and 7 TDs.

Michael Munoz, Tennessee -- A dominating offense lineman coming out of high school, he played as a freshman and had his ups and downs, but suffered a season ending knee injury and he missed all of last season.

B.J. Johnson, Texas -- Part of a dangerous tandem with Roy Williams, Johnson caught 41 passes in back-to-back seasons and has seven TDs in his career.

Class of 2001
Joe Mauer, Florida State -- Possibly the next Chris Weinke, Mauer spurned Florida State to play baseball for the Minnesota Twins. But coach Bobby Bowden already told Mauer if he wanted to come back, the 'Noles would always have a spot for him.

Kevin Jones, Virginia Tech -- The top RB in the country coming out of high school and he showed why when he stepped in for the injured Lee Suggs. Jones rushed for 886 yards (5.2 ypc) and scored 5 TDs.

Reggie Williams, Washington -- A dominating receiver as a true freshman, he caught 55 passes for 973 yards (17.7 ypc) and three TDs.

Shaun Cody, USC -- A defensive lineman, Cody emerged as a potential star. He played in 12 games, recording 39 tackles, including 7 for loss and 5 sacks.

Tommie Harris, Syracuse -- Did not play as a freshman.

Ben Wilkerson, LSU -- Wilkerson was named to the Freshman All-SEC team after starting seven games at center for the Sugar Bowl champion Tigers.

Brodie Croyle, Alabama -- One of the top QB recruits out of the high school, he didn't play as a freshman.

Roscoe Crosby, Clemson -- A top baseball prospect as well as a dangerous receiver, Crosby played in eight games and caught 27 passes for 465 yards and 4 TDs.

Marquise Hill, LSU -- Hill, a defensive lineman, played in 10 games and recorded 10 tackles, including two for loss and one sack.

Matt Ware, UCLA -- The DB played 11 games with five interceptions and six pass breakups. He also notched 32 tackles and recovered two fumbles.