Alabama wide receiver Darius Hanks (15) makes a catch over LSU defender Tyrann Mathieu (7) in the second quarter during the BCS Championship Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, La. (Press-Register/Bill Starling)

Matt Zenitz

Breaking down Alabama's top recent former under-the-radar recruits

Nick Saban has signed numerous four- and five-star recruits since arriving at Alabama in 2007. But there have also been several non-prized recruits that have made big impacts for the Tide in recent years.

Here is a look at the top players of the Saban era that were ranked as a three-star recruit or worse by at least two of the four major recruiting sites (listed alphabetically):

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Alabama defensive back Deion Belue (13) tackles Auburn wide receiver Sammie Coates (18) after a pass completion Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013, during the first quarter of the Iron Bowl at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)

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Cornerback Deion Belue (Class of 2012)

Belue was a starting cornerback each of his two years at Alabama after two seasons at Northeast Mississippi Community College.

He had 40 tackles, 6.5 stops for a loss, two interceptions and a fumble recovery he returned for a touchdown as a junior in 2012.

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Alabama defensive lineman Josh Chapman (99) celebrates the 42-14 victory over Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011. (The Birmingham News/Mark Almond)

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Defensive lineman Josh Chapman (Class of 2007)

Chapman was second-team All-SEC as a redshirt senior in 2011.

A fifth round pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 2012, Chapman was Alabama’s starting nose tackle in 2010 and 2011 after contributing as a backup the previous two seasons.

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Terrence Cody (62) and Mark Barron (4) celebrate Cody's blocking of Tennessee's field goal attempt at end of game at Alabama's Bryant Denny Stadium, in Tuscaloosa, AL, Saturday, Oct 24, 2009. (The Huntsville Times/ Glenn Baeske)

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Defensive lineman Terrence Cody (Class of 2008)

A second round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2010, Cody was a first-team All-American each of his two seasons at Alabama after two years at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

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Alabama defensive lineman Quinton Dial (90) pressures Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray (11) on UGA's final drive during the second half of the Alabama vs Georgia SEC Championship NCAA football game, Saturday, December 01, 2012, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga. Alabama won 32-28, propelling themselves into a date with Notre Dame in the BCS National Championship Game Jan. 7. Vasha Hunt/ vhunt@al.com

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Defensive lineman Quinton Dial (Class of 2009)

Dial was a part of Alabama’s defensive line rotation during his two seasons with the Tide after two years at East Mississippi Community College.

He had 22 tackles and 1.5 sacks as a senior in 2012.

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Alabama wide receiver Darius Hanks (15) catches a third-quarter pas over LSU linebacker Kevin Minter (46) in the BCS Championship Game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 9, 2012. (The Birmingham News/Mark Almond)

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Wide receiver Darius Hanks (Class of 2007)

A three-year starter, Hanks made 58 catches for 784 yards and four touchdowns during his final two seasons with the Tide, including 32 catches for 456 yards and three scores as a redshirt junior in 2010.

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Alabama defensive lineman Brandon Ivory (99) shows his Alabama emblem after Alabama's 52-12 win over Southern Miss, Saturday, September 13, 2014, at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com

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Defensive lineman Brandon Ivory (Class of 2010)

A two-year starter at nose tackle, Ivory was an honorable mention All-SEC selection as a redshirt junior in 2013.

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Alabama defensive back Eddie Jackson (4) hydrates as he works through drills during Alabama's third fall preseason football practice, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015, at the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com

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Defensive back Eddie Jackson (Class of 2013)

Jackson was first-team All-SEC and an Associated Press third-team All-American as a junior last season after moving from cornerback to safety last spring.

He had six interceptions, including two he returned for touchdowns.

Jackson was a starting cornerback as a sophomore in 2014 after making four starts as a freshman.

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Alabama defensive back Kareem Jackson (3) levels Texas wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (84) during the BCS National Championship Game at The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010. (Birmingham News/ Mark Almond)

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Cornerback Kareem Jackson (Class of 2007)

Jackson was a starter all three years he was at Alabama.

He left for the NFL following his junior season in 2009.

The Houston Texans took Jackson in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft (No. 20 overall).

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Alabama wide receiver Christion Jones (22) catches the ball against Missouri Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, in the fourth quarter of the SEC Championship at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga. (Julie Bennett/ jbennett@al.com)

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Wide receiver/returner Christion Jones (Class of 2011)

Jones was a three-year starter at wide receiver and a weapon on special teams.

He was the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year as a junior in 2013 after returning two punts and a kickoff for touchdowns.

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Alabama offensive lineman Ryan Kelly (70) arrives before Alabama football practice, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, at the Arizona State Verde Dicky Dome in Tempe, Ariz. Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com

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Offensive lineman Ryan Kelly (Class of 2011)

A three-year starter at center, Kelly was a consensus first-team All-American as a redshirt senior last season and won the Rimington Trophy.

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Georgia wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell (26) is stopped by Alabama defensive back Robert Lester (37) during the first half of the Alabama vs Georgia SEC Championship NCAA football game, Saturday, December 01, 2012, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga. Vasha Hunt/ vhunt@al.com

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Safety Robert Lester (Class of 2008)

A three-year starter, Lester was second-team All-SEC as both a redshirt sophomore in 2010 and as a redshirt senior.

He had 14 interceptions his final three years with the Tide, including eight as a redshirt sophomore.

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LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu (7) grabs Alabama wide receiver Marquis Maze (4) in the 2012 BCS National Championship game in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome Monday, January 9, 2012 in New Orleans, La. (Birmingham News, Hal Yeager)

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Wide receiver Marquis Maze (Class of 2007)

Maze was a factor on both offense and special teams.

A four-year starter at wide receiver, Maze was second-team All-SEC as a receiver as a redshirt senior in 2011.

Maze had 125 catches for 1,707 yards and six touchdowns during his final three years at Alabama, including a team-high 56 catches for a team-best 627 yards and a touchdown as a redshirt senior.

He also returned both punts and kicks his last two seasons with the Tide.

He returned a punt for a touchdown as a redshirt senior.

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Alfred McCullough (left) and William Vlachos work out during pro day at the University of Alabama Wed., Mar. 07, 2012 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (The Birmingham News/Bernard Troncale)

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Offensive lineman Alfred McCullough (Class of 2007)

McCullough made 10 starts during his final two seasons at Alabama (four at right tackle, two at left tackle and four at right guard).

He was the starting right guard for the Tide’s win over LSU in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game.

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Kevin Norwood talks with the media during Alabama football's Pro Day, Wednesday, March 12, 2014, at the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com

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Wide receiver Kevin Norwood (Class of 2009)

A fourth round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in 2014, Norwood had 67 catches for 1,029 yards and 11 touchdowns his last two years at Alabama, including 38 catches for 568 yards and seven scores as a redshirt senior in 2013.

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Alabama defensive lineman Jarran Reed (90) jaws it up after a stop during during the first half of Alabama's Cotton Bowl college football semifinal playoff football game with Michigan State, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com

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Defensive lineman Jarran Reed (Class of 2014)

Reed was one of Alabama’s top players the last two years after two seasons at East Mississippi Community College.

A second-team All-SEC selection as a senior last season, Reed was an honorable mention All-SEC pick in 2014.

Reed’s 55 tackles as a junior were the most by a Tide defensive lineman since 2007.

He then posted 57 last season.

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Alabama head coach Nick Saban, right, meets with South team fullback Jalston Fowler (45) of Alabama and South team offensive tackle Austin Shepherd (79) of Alabama at practice for the Reese's Senior Bowl on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015, in Fairhope, Ala. The collegiate all-star game is Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. (Mike Kittrell/mkittrell@al.com)

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Offensive lineman Austin Shepherd (Class of 2010)

A two-year starter at right tackle, Shepherd was second-team All-SEC as a redshirt senior in 2014.

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Alabama tight end Brad Smelley (17) is hit by LSU linebacker Ryan Baker (22) the BCS Championship Game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 9, 2012. (The Birmingham News/Mark Almond)

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Tight end Brad Smelley (Class of 2008)

A four-year contributor, Smelley started as a senior in 2011 and caught 34 passes for 356 yards and four touchdowns.

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Alabama offensive lineman Anthony Steen (61) enjoys some time off during the third quarter of the No. 1 Alabama vs. Chattanooga NCAA football game, Saturday, November 23, 2013, at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com

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Offensive lineman Anthony Steen (Class of 2009)

A three-year starter at right guard, Steen was first-team All-SEC as a redshirt senior in 2013.

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Alabama defensive lineman Ed Stinson (49) celebrates during the fourth quarter of the No. 1 Alabama vs. Chattanooga NCAA football game, Saturday, November 23, 2013, at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com

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Defensive lineman Ed Stinson (Class of 2009)

A two-year starter, Stinson was second-team All-SEC as a redshirt senior in 2013.

He had 68 tackles, 10.5 stops for a loss and 4.5 sacks during his final two seasons with the Tide, including 8.5 tackles for a loss and three sacks as a redshirt junior.

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Alabama defensive back Vinnie Sunseri (3) interviews with CSS after the #1 Alabama vs Colorado State NCAA football game, Saturday, September 21, 2013, at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com

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Defensive back Vinnie Sunseri (Class of 2011)

Sunseri was a starting safety as a junior in 2013 before suffering a season-ending knee injury, making 20 tackles and two interceptions in seven games.

He returned both interceptions for touchdowns.

Sunseri started eight games as a dime back as a sophomore.

He left for the NFL following his junior season.

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Alabama offensive linemen Anthony Steen (61), William Vlachos (73) and quarterback AJ McCarron (10) eye the Florida defense at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011. (The Birmingham News/Mark Almond)

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Offensive lineman William Vlachos (Class of 2007)

A three-year starter at center, Vlachos was second-team All-SEC as a redshirt junior in 2010 and a finalist for the Rimington Trophy in 2011. The Rimington goes to the nation’s top center.

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Alabama offensive lineman Chance Warmack (65) and Alabama offensive lineman Cyrus Kouandjio (71) celebrate after the Alabama at LSU SEC football game, Saturday, November 03, 2012, in Baton Rouge, LA. The game pitted the #1 Tide against the #5 Tigers, a rematch of Alabama's last regular season loss and last season's BCS National Championship game. Alabama won in comeback style, 21-17. Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com

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Offensive lineman Chance Warmack (Class of 2009)

A three-year starter at left guard, Warmack was arguably the best and most dominant offensive lineman in the country as a senior in 2012.

Warmack was a first-team All-American in 2012 and second-team All-SEC in 2011.

The Tennessee Titans selected Warmack in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft (No. 10 overall).

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Alabama linebacker Alex Watkins (91) celebrates during the BCS Championship Monday, Jan. 9, 2012 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, La. (Press-Register, Bill Starling)

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Linebacker Alex Watkins (Class of 2007)

Watkins was valuable as a backup and on special teams.

He was one of Alabama’s special teams players of the week three times during his final two years with the Tide.

He had 33 tackles those last two seasons and 2.5 sacks as a redshirt junior in 2010.

Watkins posted four tackles and a sack during Alabama’s 49-7 win over Michigan State in the 2011 Capital One Bowl.

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Alabama linebacker Chavis Williams (55) and defensive lineman Damion Square (92) during a second-quarter time out against San Jose State at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Sat., Sept. 4, 2010. (The Birmingham News / Mark Almond)

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Linebacker Chavis Williams (Class of 2007)

Williams was a starting outside linebacker as a senior in 2010.

He finished that season with 12 tackles.

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