Recruiting is a hit and miss process for many college football programs. However, the Tennessee Volunteers have seen solid production from recent blue chip prospects, with several former five-star players reaching their full potential.

But the Vols have had limited success on the recruiting trail prior to Butch Jones’ first full season, with just three players from the past five years coming before the coach’s tenure. One of the few things Derek Dooley did well was recruit wide receivers, which explains why he was rewarded with the job of coaching Dez Bryant in Dallas shortly after his firing.

Here’s a look at Tennessee’s five-star recruits from the last five years and how they turned out:

2014

WR Josh Malone: As the first Division-1 prospect from my alma matter and well one of the best high school athletes I’ve had the privilege of covering, Josh Malone was a can’t miss wide receiver for Station Camp. He had natural size and speed early in his prep career and improved his route running and pass catching ability. But, as a true freshman, Malone has seen limited time in Tennessee’s offense and has been misused by screen-happy coordinator Mike Bajakian. Instead of using the 6-foot-3, 204-pound receiver on deep plays, Bajakian would rather have Malone block on a screen passed to Pig Howard or a short throws to a tight end. Until the Vols start throwing downfield, we may never see the true potential of Malone as a playmaker.

RB Jalen Hurd: Travel down Long Hollow Pike from Station Camp and you would have found one of the best high school football players to ever come out of the Volunteer State. Beech’s Jalen Hurd was a Mr. Football winner and set several state-records with 3,357 yards, 43 touchdowns and 294 points scored, all during his junior season. When Malone’s Bison faced Hurd’s Buccaneers in the opening game of their senior seasons, the two-way player ran for 177 yards and three touchdowns on offense and had eight tackles and an interception on defense before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. Hurd enrolled at Tennessee in January and competed for the starting running back position. In Week 1, he and senior Marlin Lane split carries at 11 a piece. From Week 2 on, Hurd saw the majority of attempts in all but two injury-plagued games and led the Vols with 777 rushing yards. It’s fair to say that Hurd was Tennessee’s best offensive player and should improve with gained experience.

2013

None

2012

WR Cordarrelle Patterson: The Hutchinson C.C. (Kan.) transfer became a legend after just one season in Knoxville. Patterson was the bright spot on one of the worst teams in Tennessee history, but he sure shined bright. The Rock Hill, S.C., native was a wide receiver by trade, but also excelled as a kick returner, punt returner and all-purpose back. Patterson scored at least one touchdown by reception, rush, kick return or punt return in 10 of the Vols 12 games and set a school single-season record with 1,858 all-purpose yards. The former JUCO standout declared for the 2013 NFL draft and was selected No. 29 overall by the Minnesota Vikings. Patterson earned Pro Bowl as a kick returner during his rookie season. However, like Malone, the Vikings are oblivious as to how to use Patterson as a wide receiver properly.

2011

None

2010

WR Da’Rick Rogers: Da’Rick Rogers is the ultimate “what if” story in college — and perhaps professional —  football. Rivals.com compared the five-star Calhoun, Ga., native to Calvin Johnson entering his freshman season. In his first year, Rogers played in all 13 games for Tennessee and recorded 11 receptions for 167 yards and two touchdowns, rushed for 117 yards on 16 attempts and returned 12 kickoffs for 298 yards. As a sophomore, he led Tennessee in both receptions (67) and receiving yards (1,040) and also scored nine touchdowns. Rogers was named a first team All-SEC selection and looked to have a promising junior season. But Rogers was suspended indefinitely by the Vols for what he would later admit was three failed drug tests. The junior transferred to Tennessee Tech and finished with 61 receptions, 893 yards and 10 touchdowns.

OT Ja’Wuan James: Ja’Wuan James’ collegiate career can be best described as “durable.” Seeing playing time as a freshman, James started in 49 consecutive games at right tackle for the Vols from 2010 to 2013. His 49 career starts surpassed Jeff Smith’s 48 set from 1992-95 for the school record. James was drafted No. 19 overall by the Miami Dolphins in 2014.