"Lebron James could not play in the NFL!" -Shockey

[Prodigal Son]

It is a very good point by celtsxpats, Gates was a basketball player and so was Tony Gonzalez. Also LeBron was one of the best football players in the country when he played in High School, so it's not like the dude never played football at a high level and is now claiming he would dominate.

Lebron was not one of the top players in the nation. He made All-Ohio once, and that was as a Sophomore.

[NAHSTE]

Lebron was not one of the top players in the nation. He made All-Ohio once, and that was as a Sophomore.

Considering that Ohio is a strong recruiting state, I'd say making All-State is an accomplishment. Making it as a sophomore takes a lot. And this was before LeBron was LeBron so it wouldn't be just a token honor based on name alone. A world class athlete is a world class athlete. If he grew up in France or Sweden, he'd be the next Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The guy is just amazing and was bound to succeed in some kind of sport. 6'8, 260 with elite agility and speed, plus the work ethic and drive needed to be great.

Given his size/speed combo, hard to say he'd be anything other than a 4-5* as a high school senior, meaning he would have been one of the top in the nation.