National Signing Day is an influential day in which the top high school players in the country officially commit to the colleges that have recruited them to play football for their program.
It can be monumental, as the top-rated players can change the trajectory of a program, turning a pretender into a National Championship contender.
[MAIOCCO: Brother of 49ers' Eric Reid signs with Stanford]
However, the ratings are not always indicative of the caliber player the recruits will become at the college, or even NFL level.
Below is a list of key players for the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders, along with their ratings, according to Yahoo! Rivals:
FIVE STARS:
49ers: Alex Boone (Ohio State), Ahmad Brooks (Virginia), Chris Culliver (South Carolina)
Raiders: Ray Ray Armstrong (Miami), Darren McFadden (Arkansas)
FOUR STARS:
49ers: Tank Carradine (Florida State), Frank Gore (Miami), Vernon Davis (Maryland), Eric Reid (LSU), NaVorro Bowman (Penn State), Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech), Tramaine Brock (Belhaven), Perrish Cox (Oklahoma State), Carlos Hyde (Ohio State), Aaron Lynch (South Florida), Glenn Dorsey (LSU)
Raiders: Brice Butler (USC), Marcel Reece (Washington), George Atkinson III (Notre Dame), Nick Kasa (Colorado), Keith McGill (Utah), Stefen Wisniewski (Penn State)
THREE STARS:
49ers: Marcus Martin (USC), Chris Borland (Wisonsin), Colin Kaepernick (Nevada), Aldon Smith (Missouri), Quinton Patton (Louisiana Tech), Patrick Willis (Ole Miss), Ian Williams (Notre Dame), Kendall Hunter (Oklahoma State), Joe Looney (Wake Forest)
Raiders: Miles Burris (San Diego State), Derek Carr (Fresno State), D.J. Hayden (Houston), Gabe Jackson (Mississippi State), Latavius Murray (Central Florida), Antonio Smith (Oklahoma State), Mychal Rivera (Tennessee), Menelik Watson (Florida State), Denarius Moore (Tennessee)
TWO STARS:
49ers: Mike Iupati (Idaho), Phil Dawson (Texas), Daniel Kilgore (Appalachian State), Joe Staley (Central Michigan), Stevie Johnson (Kentucky), Bruce Miller (Central Florida), Jimmie Ward (Northern Illinois)
Raiders: Rod Streater (Temple), Sio Moore (UConn), Justin Ellis (Louisiana Tech), Austin Howard (Northern Iowa), Khalil Mack (Buffalo), Nick Roach (Northwestern)
NO STARS:
49ers: Vance McDonald (Rice), Derek Carrier (Beloit)
Raiders: Matt McGloin (Penn State)
Other role players for the 49ers like linebacker Corey Lemonier, linebacker Nick Moody, defensive tackle Tony Jerod-Eddie and wide receiver Kassim Osgood were four-star recruits, while guys like three-time Pro Bowl safety Antoine Bethea were given no stars.
For the Raiders, it could be considered a surprise to see Moore, a two-star recruit, starting in the pros over five-star prospect Armstrong, whom the Raiders claimed off waivers this past season.
As far as their high school recruiting rankings go, among the biggest surprises was Staley, who grew from a two-star tight end prospect into an All-Pro NFL left tackle for the 49ers. Whereas quarterback Blaine Gabbert was a five-star recruit and former top-10 draft pick that is now a backup quarterback.
Good luck to all making their college decision today. Stars don't matter, make the most out of your opportunity!
— Eric Reid (@E_Reid35) February 4, 2015