Alabama Football: 30 Tide Greats who exceeded their 3-Star high school rankings

Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 5. Javier Arenas

• Tampa, FL
• Defensive Back – Kick Returner (2006-2009)
• 2006 Recruit Ranking: No. 523 in the Nation
• 2009 All-SEC First Team
• 2009 Consensus All-American First Team
• No. 1 in SEC for Career Punt Returns for Touchdowns
• No. 1 Alabama Football: Career Kickoff Return Yards; Career Punt Return Yards; Career Average Punt Return Yards

Making his college choice was not difficult for Javier Arenas. He had two offers when he decided to join Mike Shula’s 2006 recruiting class. Despite being a high school track star, Javier’s 5-foot-9 height did not match the standard profile for a defensive back.

Arenas is another example that the value of player measurables is limited by having no measurement for toughness and character.

Javier Arenas became an outstanding defensive back at Alabama, playing mostly Star in Nick Saban’s defense. He also became the greatest punt and kick returner in Alabama football history.

Words cannot describe the electricity generated in a stadium when Javier Arenas fielded a kick. Take a look at this video to get a sense of the feel inside Bryant-Denny when Javi touched the ball.

And this combination of defensive and returning highlights.

Javier Arenas was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs as the No. 50 overall pick in the Second Round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Arenas played five NFL seasons, three with Kansas City and one each with Arizona and Atlanta. He played in 69 NFL games.

In 2015 and 2016, Javier signed contracts with the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills but did not make either team’s active roster. In 2017 he signed with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League.

He is now on the Alabama football staff.