Former North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples was a 4-star prospect entering college. Fourteen other ACC players who were selected in the NFL draft were also 4-star recruits. PHOTO: Associated Press

Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly, at the ninth overall pick, was the first ACC player to be selected in the NFL draft over last weekend. Florida State offensive tackle Andrew Datko, who went 241st overall, was the last. By the time the draft ended, NFL teams selected 31 players who spent the 2011 season in the ACC.

For those 31 players, being drafted represented the culmination of a dream. It wasn’t all that long ago, though, that they began their college careers as incoming recruits hoping to find a role with their college teams. With the draft over, it's as good of a time as any to look back and examine what kind of recruits these draftees once were. 

Newark (Del.) High receiver David Grinnage picks N.C. State.

Eddie Gordon, a 6-foot-2, 315-pound offensive guard, announced Tuesday that he will accept a football scholarship to N.C. State.

Gordon, who will be a senior at Boiling Springs (S.C.) High next year, made his commitment on his 17th birthday.

Wake Forest-Rolesville offensive tackle plans to study architecture.

Durham Jordan junior T. J. Thorpe ended his recruitment process by committing to the University of North Carolina last weekend.

Updated (Feb. 5) list of area athletes who signed national letters, accepting scholarships.

Despite success, Harnett Central players aren't getting scholarship offers.

South Columbus lineman expected to pick either Clemson or UNC

Trea Jones commits to the Buffaloes after official visit to Boulder

Don't expect ECU football recruits to switch.