Looking back at the class of 2008

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - It's that time of year, where instead of talking about touchdowns and sacks, we're analyzing four-star and five-star recruits, team rankings, and discussing players most of us have never even seen in person.

And you look up and down at these team recruiting rankings for the 2010 class, as if anyone has any idea how these classes will turn out. Nobody knows. Not even the coaches. Players don't qualify, they transfer, get injured, never get off the bench.

Both Alabama Coach Nick Saban and Auburn Coach Gene Chizik said on Wednesday, National Signing Day, they won't know how good their classes are for a couple of years. They're right on.

So with that in mind, why not look back at the class of 2008? Granted, Chizik was the head coach at Iowa State back then, but we’ll look at Tommy Tuberville’s class.

ALABAMA'S 2008 CLASS

Scout.com rated it the top class in the nation.

You have to start with Foley's Julio Jones. He was the top wide receiver in the country and although he hasn't put up huge numbers, he's been a go-to receiver. Since Alabama is primarily a running team, his true talents may not emerge until he goes pro, where they pass first.

The biggest get in that class wasn't even a four-star recruit. It was three-star running back Mark Ingram out of Michigan. He was the 58th-best running back in the nation according to Scout.com. Oops.

Barrett Jones was a four-star tackle a couple years ago and has developed into the Tide's starter at right guard. But, five-star offensive lineman Tyler Love has been a backup.

On defense, St. Paul's product Mark Barron was a five-star guy. He led last year's team in interceptions. Dont'a Hightower was a four-star defensive end that Saban converted into a starter at linebacker before he went down with an injury. Terrence Cody and Marcel Dareus were both four-star recruits and were dominant players on the line for Kirby Smart’s defense.

A handful of four-star guys have had mixed results. Courtney Upshaw made 14 tackles in 13 games, Jerrell Harris played in five games and made 3 tackles, B.J. Scott from Vigor redshirted after making the switch to DB, Melvin Ray opted to play baseball (as did three-star commit Destin Hood), Michael Williams had three catches for 29 yards last season, Alonzo Lawrence transferred and Kerry Murphy has played in five games and made three tackles.

So overall, it was a pretty solid class that even two years later still has the potential to be great.

AUBURN'S 2008 CLASS

Scout.com rated it the 18th-best class that year.

The Tigers have not gotten nearly as much out of their class a couple years ago. The one name that stands out is Chris Todd, who was a JC transfer. Obviously after a rocky first season, he helped guide the Tigers to an 8-5 season in 2009, including a New Year's Day bowl win over Northwestern.

According to Scout, Auburn signed one five-star guy in that class, JC transfer defensive end Raven Gray. He is one of 15 players on that list of 28 who isn’t even at the school anymore.

Darvin Adams was rated as the 116th best wide receiver in that class and the three-star recruit turned out to be the Tigers go-to receiver last year.

And running back Onterrio McCalebb was a 4-star running back – 38th in the nation according to Scout. He was a solid contributor early in the 2009 season but faded off a bit.

So, as for these 2010 classes for Alabama and Auburn, that according to most experts are top-five classes - let's just wait and see.

Like two years.