NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah recently put together a list of the top 10 NFL players under the age of 25, and Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford made the cut.

Stafford, just 24 years old, played in just his first full season last year and threw for more than 5,000 yards as a result. A healthy Stafford means a dominate Stafford. Here’s what Jeremiah had to say about him:

Surprised? It’s hard to believe that Stafford is still only 24 years old. After two injury-plagued years, he was able to stay healthy and post some incredible numbers in 2011. He passed for more than 5,000 yards and 41 TDs while leading the Lions back to the playoffs for the first time since 1999. He has a tremendous skillset for the position. He has good size, arm-strength, touch and poise. He should be one of the league’s elite signal callers for the next decade.

I don’t know about you, but a Lions QB being named one of the best young players in the league is not only exciting, it’s very telling. It means the Lions are relevant again — and that’s awesome. When was the last time Detroit could say they had one of the best QBs in the league. Yeah, I can’ remember either.

The other names on the list were: LB NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco 49ers (Age: 23); WR A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals (Age: 23); TE Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots (Age: 23) ; RB LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles (Age: 23);  LB Von Miller, Denver Broncos (Age: 23);  QB Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers (Age: 23);  DE Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants (Age: 23);  C Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh Steelers (Age: 22); and DE Aldon Smith, San Francisco 49ers (Age: 22).

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