NCAAF teams
Gerry Hamilton, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

100 days, 100 players: No. 12 D.J. Fluker

In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will be looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and count down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.

D.J. Fluker, No. 12 in 2009 class

Fluker was born in New Orleans, but graduated from Foley High in Alabama. He committed to Alabama in November of 2007, but did give LSU and Florida long looks throughout the process even into his senior season. Fluker was a member of the Crimson Tide’s top-ranked 2009 class that included Chance Warmack, James Carpenter, Dre Kirkpatrick, Eddie Lacy, A.J. McCarron, Trent Richardson, Quinton Dial, Nico Johnson, Kevin Norwood, Anthony Steen and others.

After redshirting in 2009, Fluker started at right tackle in 2010. He made nine starts, missing three games due to injury.

It was as a third-year sophomore in 2011 that Fluker began to show that he would be a high NFL draft choice. He started 13 games for the Crimson Tide at right tackle as part of a dominant offensive line that was key in leading Alabama to the BCS National Championship.

The 2012 season would be Fluker’s best in Tuscaloosa. He started 14 games helping lead the Crimson Tide to back-to-back BCS National Championships. Following the season, he was named All-SEC first team and first-team All-America by numerous media outlets.

Fluker decided to forgo his final year of eligibility following the 2012 season. He left Alabama with three national championship rings, as well as starting all 36 games he appeared in.

Fluker was selected No. 11 overall by the San Diego Chargers in the 2013 NFL draft, and has started every game he has appeared in.

Honorable mention: Ryan Mallett, No. 12 in 2007 class. Mallett signed with Michigan, but transferred to Arkansas where he earned all-conference honors as a quarterback with superior arm talent. He was selected in the third round, No. 74 overall, by the New England Patriots in 2011. He is currently a member of the Houston Texans. ... Malcom Brown, No. 12 in 2012 class. Brown earned All-American honors this season for the Texas Longhorns, and has entered the 2015 NFL draft where he is expected to be selected in the first round. ... Su’a Cravens, No. 12 in 2013. The USC star has quickly become one of college football’s top defensive players as a playmaking safety with linebacker physicality. He is expected to be a first-round NFL draft selection in either 2016 or 2017.

^ Back to Top ^