Not only is earning a 5-star rating in high school a huge accomplishment, that status historically has led to an NFL future.

Yes, some top-rated prospects never pan out. Every spring, however, the NFL draft is loaded with players who entered the college ranks as a massive talent and (at least mostly) followed through on that potential.

Looking ahead to the NFL 2025 draft, let's put it this way: The recruiting media continues to get better and better.

The upcoming cycle is absolute stacked with 5-stars from the 2021 and 2022 classes—based on the 247Sports Composite Rankings—who could be first-rounders next spring.

Oh, and a bonus player: Clay Webb, a Georgia signee now at Jacksonville State, was a 5-star offensive lineman in 2019.

Quarterbacks

Colorado's Shedeur Sanders and Georgia's Carson Beck are among the others in the discussion for best quarterback in the 2025 cycle. Three of the best contenders, meanwhile, were 5-stars.

The first name to know is Quinn Ewers, who initially signed with Ohio State but transferred to Texas. After guiding the Longhorns to a conference title and an appearance in the College Football Playoff last season, he'll be leading Texas during its debut in the SEC.

Penn State's Drew Allar has plenty to prove—especially against top competition—but his 25:2 touchdown-interception ratio in 2023 is reflective of a careful passer.

The highest-upside prospect may be Conner Weigman, considering he's only played in nine games at Texas A&M. However, he's tossed 16 scores with two interceptions in that limited action.

Ohio State's Crowd

Same story as last year, huh? Well, almost.

Entering the 2024 cycle, running back TreVeyon Henderson, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, offensive guard Donovan Jackson and edge-rushers Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau all looked like first-round possibilities for the Buckeyes. Instead, they all decided to return.

Henderson will be sharing the backfield with Quinshon Judkins, an Ole Miss transfer with Day 1 upside as well.

Additionally, safety Sonny Styles is joining the group. He'll be eligible for the draft in 2025 and just finished fifth on the OSU defense with 53 tackles in his first year as a starter.

Players from 2021 Cycle

Unsurprisingly, most top prospects from 2021 declared for the 2024 NFL draft. That group features quarterbacks Caleb Williams and J.J. McCarthy, offensive linemen JC Latham and Amarius Mims, edge-rusher Dallas Turner and cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry.

There are a few remaining options, though.

In addition to Ohio State's prospects, the players to watch are Texas A&M edge-rusher Shemar Turner, Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter and Georgia 'backer Smael Mondon Jr. and Florida corner Jason Marshall.

Kentucky quarterback Brock Vandagriff, who transferred from Georgia, is worth mentioning. He'll be a first-time starter in 2024.

Offensive Players from 2022

For clarity, quarterbacks Allar and Weigman signed in 2022. The following group is the rest of the cycle's top offensive talent.

Missouri's Luther Burden III and Oregon's Evan Stewart—a transfer from Texas A&M—are among the best receivers in the nation. Burden has a stronger profile today, but Stewart is poised to join a prolific offense and could see his stock soar in 2024.

Texas, meanwhile, boasts a pair of promising blockers in left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. and right guard DJ Campbell.

Short of a dramatic ascent from Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik in his second year as a starter, Josh Conerly Jr. is the last prospect to know. He landed honorable mention All-Pac-12 as Oregon's left tackle in 2023.

Defensive Players from 2022

What a cycle for defenders.

Travis Hunter, a two-way standout at Colorado, is expected to play corner in the NFL. He'll garner a whole lot of attention because of Deion Sanders' presence but deserves the attention nonetheless.

Up front, NFL scouts will be keyed on Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen—who just transferred out of Texas A&M—and edges Mykel Williams and Dani Dennis-Sutton from Georgia and Penn State, respectively. Several more edge-rushers—A&M's Shemar Stewart, for example—could rise, but they'll need a breakout year.

LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. is very much the early favorite to finish the cycle as the best prospect at his position.

In the secondary, UGA safety Malaki Starks was a third-team AP All-American last season. Michigan corner Will Johnson has similar upside in 2024, while UGA corner Daylen Everette is worth watching. USC transfer Domani Jackson may start for Alabama, too.