Pac-12 Football Recruiting: Revisiting the top Pac-12 recruits in the Class of 2004

College football recruiting is a funny thing. Come each signing day fans turn 17 and 18 year old kids into idols, but then when September rolls around, most are forgotten about for a few years, but not the big time elite prospects, they are expected to contribute right away and a lot of the top players who signed with Pac-12 schools in 2004 did, but some didn't.

1. Jeff Byers - C - Loveland, CO - USC

A burly interior lineman that was one of the top lineman recruits to ever come from the Western Region, some considered Byers as the top overall prospect in the Class of 2004. Byers considered Iowa, Ohio State and Texas before signing with USC. Byers had a good career at USC before heading to the NFL.Keith Rivers - LB - Lake Mary, FL - USC

2. Keith Rivers - LB - Lake Mary, FL - USC

A physically intimidating figure that had an NFL physique in high school, Rivers was one of the best pure athletes in the class and an elite linebacker prospect. The Trojans scored huge by getting him in one of their best recruiting coups from outside of their region when they pulled him away from the Southeast. Rivers would end up being an absolute stud at USC and go on to be a Top 10 draft pick.

3. Fred Davis - WR - Toledo, OH (Rogers) - USC

Davis was signed as a receiver all the way from Ohio but transitioned into a tight end and had his career immediately took off. Davis has his career year in 2007, winning the Mackey Award as he blew up with 62 receptions for 881 yards and 8 touchdowns while being the Rose Bowl winning Trojans' leading receiver and top target.

4. Alex Fletcher - G - Melville, NY (St. Anthony's) - Stanford

Probably the top guard in his class, Fletcher looked like a beast in high school and was just a big, stout guy that was great at blowing open holes. Even thought the Cardinal were terrible at the time, Fletcher ended up committing to Stanford very early. Fletcher ended up being a very good starter for the Cardinal before going to the NFL where he would eventually retire early due to kidney problems.

5. Zach Miller - TE - Phoenix (Desert Vista) - Arizona State

A perfect tight end prospect with good size, athleticism and polish, Miller was the top tight end in the nation in the class. The Sun Devils made a huge score when they fought off Miami, Oklahoma, Tennessee and UCLA to keep him home. He became an All-American at Arizona State before becoming a second-round draft pick and a standout in the NFL.

6. Jeff Schweiger - DE - San Jose (Valley Christian) - USC

Schweiger was seen as a can't miss prospect as a defensive end with a perfect body, athleticism and productivity as a pass-rushing defensive end. He considered a hit list of major programs and ultimately picked Pete Carroll and USC over Oklahoma, Notre Dame and Michigan. He looked like he might develop into a star early on with the Trojans but never really took off and ended up transferring to San Jose State.

7. Cameron Colvin - WR - Concord, CA (De La Salle) - Oregon

Colvin wasn't prolific at De La Salle but was a speed freak that ran a 4.3 40 at 6'1 195, making him a deadly deep threat and five-star recruit. He was another milestone recruit for the Ducks as he picked Oregon over schools like USC, Florida State, Miami and Michigan. Unfortunately, he was plagued with injuries for almost all of his career and just when he was starting to break out as a senior, he went down with a career ending injury.

8. Matt Tuiasosopo - QB - Woodinville, WA - Washington

One of the top rated quarterbacks in the Class of 2004 and the younger brother of Marques, Tuiasosopo was seen as a possible savior when he signed in 2004 and the Huskies were coming off of a disappointing 6-6 season. He was big, athletic and a great leader and was described as being potentially even better than his older brother. He signed with Washington over a number of powers, including UCLA and USC but would end up never even enrolling in school as the Seattle Mariners poached him in the MLB Draft, offered him a big contract and he has played professional baseball ever since.

9. Dwayne Jarrett - WR - New Brunswick, NJ - USC

Jarrett was one of the top big receiver prospects in the nation when big receivers were the hottest thing in college football and Mike Williams was starring for the Trojans and they pulled him away from a number of big time schools. He would have a stellar career at USC as an All-American before going onto the NFL.

10. Phillip Mbakogu - DE - Hayward, CA - Cal

A sack machine, Mbakogu looked like a college defensive end playing high school and was one of the best defensive linemen in the country in the Class of 2004. He had an intense recruitment and became one of the biggest recruits ever signed by Cal when he signed with the Bears over LSU, Notre Dame and Oregon. He looked like he was going to be a star early in his career but then had a string of knee injuries that eventually ended his career.

11. Willie Glasper - CB - Concord, CA (De La Salle) - Oregon

A coveted cornerback prospect with great speed and ball skills, Glasper was one of the best overall prospects on the West Coast at powerhouse De La Salle and joined his teammate Colvin in becoming a Duck. He would end up being a solid depth player for the Ducks, but never a star.

12. Thomas Herring - T - Los Angeles (Fremont) - USC

It wasn't a great year for offensive linemen nationally and on the West Coast, but Herring was probably the best prospect out West and was a bit of a late bloomer in his recruitment. Herring chose USC over Washington and did not have a remarkable career.