Alabama’s #1 Recruiting Class in 2008 — How Each Player Turned Out

As signing day is upon us and Alabama is ready to lock up yet another #1 rated recruiting class, we look back at Nick Saban's first top-rated class in 2008. That group of players became the cornerstone for the Crimson Tide's return to prominence in college football.

The class contained seven eventual All-Americans, 10 players selected in the NFL Draft, and a few players even claimed three national championships before leaving Tuscaloosa.

Mark Barron (DB) - Barron was a three-year starter at Alabama, earning all-SEC honors after his junior year. After his senior year, Barron was named a unanimous All-American before being drafted 7th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Undra Billingsley (DL) - Billingsley redshirted his freshman season before spending most of his career as a reserve on the defensive line. He declared for the NFL Draft after his redshirt junior season and went undrafted.

Devonta Bolton (ATH) - Bolton had incredible athletic talent, but failed to qualify academically. After enrolling at Alabama, he transferred to junior college and never qualified to play Division 1 football.

John Michael Boswell (OL) - Boswell played well his first season, earning freshman All-SEC honors. However, he never solidified a starting spot of the offensive line, spending the rest of his career as a reserve.

Terrance Cody (DL) - After transferring from junior college, Cody walked on campus and immediately made an impact, earning the nickname 'Mount Cody'. Cody earned All-SEC and All-American honors during both of his two seasons at Alabama before eventually being selected in the second round of the NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens.

Marcell Dareus (DL) - Starting in all three of his seasons at Alabama, Dareus earned All-SEC honors after his sophomore season. He was also named the MVP of the 2010 BCS National Championship game when Alabama defeated Texas. Dareus declared for the NFL Draft after his junior season and was selected 3rd overall by the Buffalo Bills.

Robby Green (DB) - Green saw the field on special teams during his freshman season before becoming a co-starter at safety during his sophomore season. He was suspended for his junior year by the NCAA and never played for the Tide again.

Glenn Harbin (DL) - Harbin redshirted his freshman season and didn't see the field the following year. After not playing a role in the 2010 season, Harbin quit football to play baseball.

Jerell Harris (LB) - Harris spent most of his career as a role-player on Alabama's defense, seeing considerable playing time for most of his career. Although he earned several starts, Harris never developed into a star. He went unselected in the 2012 NFL Draft before signing as a rookie free agent with the Atlanta Falcons.

Dont'a Hightower (LB) - Hightower came to Alabama and immediately had an impact, starting 12 games his freshman season and playing in all 14. Hightower became a four-year starter and the anchor of the defense before graduating, while also earning All-SEC and All-American honors. In the 2012 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots selected Hightower with the 25th overall pick.

Destin Hood (WR) - Hood decided to go the baseball route, signing with the Washington Nationals after being selected in the second round. Hood signed a contract worth 1.1 million over five years. He hit .298 in the minors during the 2014 season.

Mark Ingram (RB) - Ingram spent his freshman season backing up starter Glen Coffee, earning freshman All-SEC honors while rushing for a freshman school record 12 touchdowns. He took over the starting job his sophomore year and became the first player in Alabama history to win the Heisman Trophy after rushing for 1,658 yards and 17 touchdowns and leading the Tide to an undefeated season and a national championship. Ingram also earned All-SEC and All-American honors. He declared for the NFL Draft after his junior year and was selected by the New Orleans Saints with the 28th overall pick.

Chris Jackson (WR) - During his freshman year, Jackson saw a good bit of playing time, seeing action in all 12 games both at receiver and on special teams. Though having promise, Jackson quit the team and transferred to Georgia Tech. He was later dismissed from the program for academic reasons.

Star Jackson (QB) - The only QB in the signing class, Jackson spent his redshirt freshman season as the second string quarterback before fellow backup AJ McCarron beat him out for the job. After McCarron won the job for good the following spring, Jackson transferred to Georgia State. A year later, he transferred out of the Panthers' program.

Barrett Jones (OL) - After redshirting his freshman year, Jones moved into the starting lineup his redshirt freshman year and started all 14 games at right guard, earning freshman All-American honors during the Tide's 2010 championship season. His junior year, he switched back to left tackle and won the Outland trophy for the best lineman in the country. His senior season, he switched to center and won the Rimington trophy for best interior lineman. Jones became the only player to win the two awards in two different years and at two different positions. Jones also won three BCS national championships while starting at different positions on the offensive line, and was given both All-SEC and All-American honors at all three positions. After graduating with a 4.0 GPA in finance, Jones was selected in the fourth round of the NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams.

Julio Jones (WR) - Jones wasted no time getting involved in the offense, becoming the first true freshman wide receiver to ever start a season opener at Alabama. He was named the SEC Freshman of the Year as well as second team All-SEC his freshman year. During his junior year, Jones set the single game receiving yards record at Alabama with 221 yards against Tennessee. He was named All-SEC and declared for the NFL Draft, where he was selected sixth overall by the Atlanta Falcons.

Chris Jordan (ATH) - Jordan was put at linebacker after committing as an athlete, and spent his freshman year backing up fellow freshman Dont'a Hightower while playing sparingly. He spent his career as a role player on Alabama's defense while playing in almost every game until he graduated.

Alonzo Lawrence (DB) - Lawrence came into Alabama with a lot of promise, but redshirted his freshman season. Though the coaching staff once looked for big things from him, Lawrence's scholarship was not renewed and he transferred to Southern Mississippi. After failing to play a game for the Golden Eagles, he left for Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, where he was an NJCAA All-American in 2011. Lawrence started the 2013 season for the CFL's Toronto Argonauts before being cut.

Robert Lester (DB) - Lester redshirted his freshman season and was a special teams contributor his redshirt freshman season. He then moved into the starting lineup for the rest of his career, earning honorable mention All-American honors his junior year, and honorable mention All-SEC honors after his senior year. He went undrafted in the 2013 NFL draft before being signed by the Carolina Panthers.

Brandon Lewis (DE) - After committing on signing day, Lewis failed to qualify and started his career at East Mississippi Community College before transferring back to Alabama. He spent his first year as a reserve defensive lineman, then moved to tight end/H back. After sill being a reserve, Lewis left the program with a year of eligibility left, already having his degree.

Tyler Love (OL) - One of the most highly touted signees of the class, Love came to fall camp his freshman year injured, and was forced to have a medical redshirt. However he was never able to get into the groove and spent the rest of his career as a backup.

Ivan Matchett (RB) - Matchett was injured and went on medical scholarship after his freshman year, removing him from the team. He eventually gave up football due to the injuries.

Kerry Murphy (DL) - After signing with the Tide, Murphy failed to qualify and transferred to Margrave Military Academy. After raising his GPA over the course of two years, Murphy enrolled at Alabama and was a reserve on the 2010 team. Murphy later suffered career ending injuries and was placed on medical hardship for the 2011 season.

Wesley Neighbors (DB) - Neighbors redshirted his freshman season, and spent the next season on the scout team with no game action. He spent the rest of his career as a reserve.

Jermaine Preyear (RB) - Preyear spent his first year as a reserve before getting dismissed from the program in 2009. He transferred to Alabama State.

Melvin Ray (WR) - Ray never reported to Alabama, deciding instead to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers after being drafted in the 33rd round. He eventually returned to college football, joining the Auburn Tigers in 2012. He finished 2014 with eight receptions and a touchdown.

Burton Scott (ATH) - Scott was immensely athletic, moving him around from receiver to safety. After getting some starting corner reps his freshman year, he began to move down the depth chart. He eventually transferred to South Alabama and had a solid career. He spent a brief amount of time in the CFL.

Brad Smelley (QB) - After committing as a QB, Smelley was moved to tight end/h back. He was originally redshirted, but came out of it his freshman year against Ole Miss and played a role in the rest of the season. He remained a role player for the rest of his career at Alabama and started his senior year. He was selected in the 7th round of the 2012 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns.

Corey Smith (K) - Smith came in as a reserve for a year, then transferred to his home state school West Virginia. He remained in a reserve role with the Mountaineers.

Damion Square (DL) - Square was set to have an impact his freshman year but tore his ACL in the second game. He then became a staple of the defensive line during the rest of his career and the vocal leader of the defensive line. Square went undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft but was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Courtney Upshaw (DL) - Upshaw had an impact immediately when coming to Alabama, playing in all 13 games as a freshman. He was a role player in his sophomore and junior seasons before becoming a star his senior year, where he earned All-SEC and All-American honors. He was also named the defensive MVP of the 2011 BCS national championship. Upshaw was drafted in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens.

Michael Williams (DE) - Williams committed to the Tide as a defensive end but was moved to tight end when arriving at Alabama. He redshirted his freshman season and spent the following season as a reserve, but played in all 14 games. He was moved into the starting lineup as a sophomore and never looked back, starting every game until he graduated. He was selected in the 7th round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.