DYNASTY: 2012 Top college prospects (1 Viewer)

[Faust]

Big- and small-name college defenders make waves in Week 6

Tony Pauline

In a week that saw college football's top teams affirm their national rankings, including LSU's win over Florida and Oklahoma's defeat of Texas, several defensive prospects took center stage. The eclectic mix ranged from potential first-round prospects to less known names. But some skill position players got in the mix, too, and a big-name quarterback is mulling whether to enter the draft this year.

Devon Still, DT, Penn State -- Highly thought of by NFL scouts entering the season, Still has done nothing to disappoint so far. A force in the middle of the Penn State defensive line, the tackle's play on Saturday helped keep the Iowa Hawkeyes out of the end zone (Still's 6 tackles were the second-most of any Nittany Lion defender during the victory). When he wasn't making tackles, Still's ability to occupy Iowa blockers allowed teammates an unimpeded path to the ball-handler. Still has moved into the draft's initial 40 selections and several within the scouting community grade the senior as a top 25 selection.

Brandon Taylor, S, LSU -- In a secondary loaded with dynamic NFL prospects, Taylor is a reliable defender who plays assignment football and does the little things well. During the Tigers' lopsided victory over Florida, the senior safety led LSU with 7 tackles, intercepted one pass and broke up 2 more. Taylor stands at, or near, the top of every statistical category in the Tigers secondary. He lacks classic size/speed and was rated a free agent prospect entering the season, but Taylor has moved into the mid to late frames with his performance this season.



Bernard Pierce, RB, Temple* -- The freshman sensation in 2009 has continued to improve his game and impress NFL scouts. Carrying the ball 30 times against Ball State, the junior totaled 120 yards and three scores. Pierce is averaging 23 carries per game this season, 4.9 yards per carry and has totaled 15 touchdowns. He is a big-time NFL talent and a first-round prospect with the ability to be a feature runner at the next level.

Rueben Randall, WR, LSU* -- The door was open for Randall to be the Tigers' No. 1 target after consensus favorite Russell Shepard was sidelined and he has not let the opportunity slip by. Randall has been dominant in every aspect of the game, as the Gators found out this weekend. He posted a team-leading 4 receptions for 127 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown grab to give LSU an early lead they never relinquished. Randall is tall, smooth and sure-handed. He's displayed surprising speed this season and has put himself on the map as an underclassman receiver who could impact the 2012 draft.

Andre Branch, DE-OLB, Clemson -- The Tigers have sent a number of highly-skilled pass rushers into the NFL draft, and Branch is set to keep the tradition moving forward. He leads the undefeated Clemson squad in tackles (34), tackles for loss (8) and sacks (5). Scouts questioned his intensity and attitude coming into the season, but Branch has displayed complete game as a senior. His arrow is pointing north.

Frank Alexander, DE-OLB, Oklahoma -- Lowly rated by NFL scouts entering the season, Alexander is another senior putting the pieces together this year. The athletic defender leads the Sooners in sacks (5.5), tackles for loss (7.5) and quarterback hurries (5), and has also broken up four passes. The versatility to produce in so many areas has endeared Alexander to NFL decision-makers, and he has secured a place in the later rounds of the draft.

Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor -- Wright, in the midst of a career season, is the favorite target of Heisman hopeful Robert Griffin and one of the steadiest pass-catchers in the nation. He's terrific running underneath routes, shows the ability to stretch the defense and always finds a way to make himself an available target. His had 8 receptions for 69 yards with one touchdown against Iowa State, the only time this season Wright did not break the century mark in receiving yards. Wright offers the skills necessary to be a productive third receiver at the next level and has jumped into the draft's first 90 choices.

Joe Looney, G, Wake Forest -- The Demon Deacons have started the season 4-1 and are coming off a statement victory against Florida State. The offense is rolling over opponents in large part due to the offensive line, which is led by Looney. The athletic blocker is a powerful force with the strength necessary to open running lanes as well as the footwork required to protect the passer and stop oncoming blitzers dead in their tracks. Looney is a hard-working lineman who can play in a variety of offensive systems in the NFL. His play this season has moved the senior into the middle rounds of next April's draft.

Tavon Wilson, DB, Illinois -- Wilson leads one of the top defensive units in the Big Ten and comes off a career game as the Fighting Illini defeated Indiana. He posted a team-leading 11 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss, added a sack and recovered a fumble which he returned 66 yards for a touchdown. He's the overall leader in tackles on the Illinois defense this season with 41 in six games. Wilson was graded as a free agent prospect entering the season primarily due to average size/speed and no true defined position in the secondary. But all the senior has done is make play after play the past three seasons, attributes that will help him get selected somewhere in the draft's seven rounds.

Tyler Urban, TE, West Virginia -- Urban, who was not on the scouting radar after struggling through his 2010 junior campaign with a knee injury, is starting to build a buzz. The athletic tight end is built like a basketball player and proficient as a blocker and pass-catcher. Urban is still developing his game but could fit into the late rounds of the draft for a team needing a third tight end who can be productive in a variety of schemes.

Notes: Robert Griffin of Baylor continues to impress NFL scouts this season and is proving to be a complete quarterback. His physical skills are impressive, yet those in the scouting community have confided to me that Griffin's football intellect is what's setting him apart. A book-smart student, Griffin brings his classroom intelligence onto the field and consistently makes the right choice behind center. His 18-to-1 TD-to-INT ratio is one of the best in the nation, as is Griffin's 82 percent completion rate. Will he enter the draft? Sources have said those close to Griffin are researching his options, but the chances he opts for the NFL after the season are 50-50 at present time.

Pauline also wrote the following:

Under-the-radar prospects step into the light in Week 4

Bernard Pierce, RB, South Carolina* -- A sensational player since his freshman year at Temple, Pierce continues to impress NFL scouts. He shredded a talented Maryland defense for 149 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns on 32 carries. Pierce was responsible for 30 of the 38 points scored by Temple. He's got a great combination of size and power, as well as running instinct, and is often compared to former All Pro Curtis Martin.

 

[Faust]

College Stock Watch: Luck continues to prove he's best QB

By Bucky Brooks NFL.com

Analyst

Andrew Luck* is the best quarterback in college football. After there was speculation he could have been the No.1 pick in last year's draft, his play during the first half of this season has solidified his stature as the nation's top passer. He's completed 73 percent of his passes with 14 touchdowns and two picks. That efficiency has resulted in few negative plays -- two turnovers and two sacks -- and has 5-0 Stanford steamrolling Pac-12 competition.

Against Colorado, Luck displayed the traits that have scouts tabbing him as the best quarterback prospect since Peyton Manning. Luck can make all of the requisite pro throws with accuracy and touch. Although he doesn't have exceptional arm strength, he throws the ball with enough zip to squeeze it into tight windows. His timing, anticipation and ball placement are all extraordinary. He's also shown the patience to string together completions of all varieties to exploit open areas in coverage.

Luck isn't just a drop-back passer, though. He has the athleticism to maneuver outside of the pocket on bootlegs and rollouts. His ability to move is underrated and defenders have to account for him making plays with his feet.

Luck's physical tools are only surpassed by his football intelligence. He's comfortable running the game from the line of scrimmage, which has led Stanford to utilize the no-huddle. He calls plays with little assistance from the sideline and the fact that he usually makes the right call indicates his mastery of their system. With few college quarterbacks able to handle the responsibility of directing the offense at that level, Luck continues to separate from the competition.

While Oregon's LaMichael James* has special skills, there are concerns. Scouts will have questions about his size, durability and schematic fit. At 5-foot-9, 185 pounds, he is much lighter than most feature backs and his frail frame could lead to numerous injuries moving forward. He simply lacks the size to handle the punishment of being given a heavy workload.

In looking at his spectacular performance against Cal, James' speed and explosiveness stood out every time he touched the ball. He gets up to top speed within a few steps and his burst allows him to get through holes prior to defenders filling the gap. That makes him dangerous in the open field and part of the reason why he has surpassed 200 yards rushing in three straight games.

That kind of production obviously opens eyes, but there are questions about his numbers being a byproduct of playing in a spread offense. The lateral nature of the zone-read makes it difficult to forecast how James would assimilate to a downhill running game. Reading blocks and anticipating holes from the I-formation demands better vision and agility, skills it might take James time to develop.

Lamar Miller* is the next great Miami running back. The program has produced the likes of Edgerrin James, Clinton Portis, Willis McGahee and Frank Gore, and Miller is proving he belongs with that group. The redshirt sophomore has five straight 100-yard rushing games, averages nearly seven yards a carry and has five rushing touchdowns. Those numbers are great, but Miller's display of skill is what really caught my eye as an evaluator.

Miller is a smooth runner with speed, quickness and burst. He accelerates through traffic and his vision allows him to find creases against over-aggressive defenses. At 5-10, 212 pounds, Miller also shows the strength to run through tackles. His ability to bang and slither through holes is reminiscent of Portis in his prime.



Word on the street

The lack of cornerbacks with prototypical size and speed has sent the stock of Montana's Trumaine Johnson soaring. At 6-2, 210 pounds, he has the length scouts want in cover corners and his ability to excel in press or shadow coverage makes him a good fit in most systems. According to an NFC scout who recently paid a visit to Missoula, Johnson has "rare physical tools" and he should be one of the first corners drafted based on his size, speed and potential.

Stock up

» Tony Jefferson* and Jamell Fleming, Oklahoma, DBs: Jefferson is quietly developing a reputation as a ball hawk. The sophomore had a pick in the blowout win over Texas, giving him four over the past two games, and provided a glimpse of his potential. Fleming also put on a show with 13 tackles, two stops for loss and a forced fumble that he returned for a score. His all-around performance set the tone for an Oklahoma defense that finished with three defensive touchdowns.

» Sammy Watkins*, Clemson, WR: Watkins might be the most explosive freshman pass-catcher in the country. He has topped the 100-yard receiving mark in three of his past four games, including his seven-catch, 152-yard output against Boston College. His speed, athleticism and ball skills make him nearly indefensible in one-on-one matchups. He's quickly becoming the Tigers' No. 1 weapon.

» Michael Dyer*, Auburn, RB: He didn't spark his team to a win over SEC rival Arkansas, but he went over 100 yards rushing for the fourth time this season. His 21-carry, 112-yard effort showcased the speed, quickness and power that makes him one of the most dangerous runners in the conference.

Stock down

» Jeff Demps, Florida, RB: He didn't gain a single yard on two carries against LSU. This is the second straight week he has failed to get going against a highly touted defense, which raises serious concerns about whether he can develop into a key contributor as a pro.

» Kheeston Randall, Texas, DT: A major factor in Oklahoma's drubbing of Texas was its inability to generate pressure on the opposing quarterback. Randall, who finished with just one tackle, failed to dominate at the line of scrimmage and continued to provide little as a pass rusher. For a player held in high regard prior to the season, his disappointing numbers will make evaluators re-check their notes before submitting a high grade.

 

[Faust]

Week 6 Rewind: Jones shreds Texas, solidifies status

By Rob Rang

The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com

Oct. 10, 2011

Each week, we rewind the game film to highlight the star-worthy performances that could impact the 2012 draft rankings:

• Oklahoma junior quarterback Landry Jones proved once again Saturday against Texas that he can be downright surgical when he feels comfortable in the pocket.

Against Texas, Jones stretched the defense vertically with deep fades and horizontally with screens and crossing routes to the tune of 367 yards and three touchdowns. Jones did not throw an interception. The fact that Jones didn't throw an interception in such a big game and hostile environment is significant -- it has been a problem for him in the past.

Jones worked to exorcise another demon with his very first pass attempt -- it came from center and not out of shotgun, which is the norm for the Sooners and most spread-based offenses.

Just four seconds into the game, Jones dropped back from center, extended the ball in a play-fake to tailback Dominique Whaley, collected himself and fired a deep out to star receiver Ryan Broyles. Broyles turned on the jets to turn Jones' 20-yard pass into a 40-yard reception that would set the tone early for the Sooners, who won 55-17 in one of the most lopsided outcomes in the long, storied history of the Red River Rivalry.

Jones showed a strong, accurate arm, which has endeared him to scouts. He also showed better poise than in past big games, calmly attacking a talented Texas secondary.

Jones threw for three touchdowns, but perhaps his most impressive play of the game came when facing a third-and-25 early in the second quarter. Ahead 13-3, Jones saw Texas threatening a blitz and trusted his offensive line to pick up the extra defenders. They held strong, though a Longhorn defensive lineman did sneak through to give Jones a pop just after he released a strike to sophomore receiver Jaz Reynolds streaking down the right sideline for a 30-yard gain that gave the Sooners first-and-goal.

It was the little things -- delivering an accurate pass while taking the hit -- that made Jones' performance Saturday especially strong. Jones was similarly impressive on his first touchdown pass of the game moments earlier.

In giving a quick pump fake to sell the screen pass, Jones manipulated the Texas defense, opening up Kenny Stills for an easy 19-yard touchdown in the left corner of the end zone.

As Brent Musberger noted during the telecast, this was the same route Jones threw to perfection for the game-winning touchdown against Florida State.

As impressive as Jones was, there remain elements of his game that make scouts nervous.

For example, like quarterbacks for many offenses throughout the country, Jones is often asked to check back to the sideline before starting the play. His coaches, reading the pre-snap defense, relay an audible when necessary.

Stanford's Andrew Luck and Southern Cal's Matt Barkley are not in systems that require a pre-snap decision-making handoff. Whatever audibles their teams make at the line of scrimmage come from their minds, not their coaches. This gives scouts the easy opportunity to gauge each player's football intelligence and readiness to lead an NFL offense.

The fact that the Oklahoma coaches relay in their adjustments certainly does not mean that Jones lacks in this department. The same was largely true of 2010 No. 1 overall pick Sam Bradford in this very OU system, and 2011 top pick Cam Newton.

Even so, the fact remains Luck and Barkley have proven the ability to handle what will be a requirement in the NFL. Jones has not.

It is one reason why Jones is viewed as a potential top 10 pick in the 2012 draft, but not necessarily as high as either Luck or Barkley.

• Some believe Landry Jones has been hampered by constant comparisons to former Sooner and 2010 No. 1 overall pick Sam Bradford. If expectations and comparisons were a problem for Iowa junior left tackle Riley Reiff, he probably shouldn't have signed with Kirk Ferentz's Hawkeyes, which boasts as stellar a reputation for churning out NFL offensive linemen as any program in the country.

Matching up against a quality Penn State defensive line, Reiff proved that Iowa's reputation is in good hands. Despite his 6-6, 300-pound build, Reiff (pronounced Reef) is quick off the snap and shows good core flexibility to handle bull rushes. Reiff is sometimes pushed back initially, but stiffens and consistently turned Penn State defensive ends outside to create running lanes for Iowa's backs.

Reiff efficiently gets to the second level when run blocking. He's a reliable enough run blocker that some believe he'll ultimately be asked to move to the right side.

Reiff's quickness, flexibility and balance are evident when in pass protection. He eases out of his stance and catches the defensive end. Reiff shows strong hands with good inside placement to control the defender. Though effective against Penn State, Reiff did show a tendency to ease onto his heels and stop moving laterally upon contact.

Speedier ends will give him trouble if he doesn't play lighter, more active feet. When Iowa quarterback James Vandenberg took longer than he should to get rid of the football, Reiff's opponent was able to get late pressure. This correction in technique could allow Reiff to remain at left tackle in the NFL, as he has the athleticism to handle the jump in competition. Reiff showed that he also has the toughness to play in the NFL by coming back from a injury scare in the fourth quarter. Play was delayed as Reiff lay near the Iowa sideline on his back with medical personnel peeking at his right leg. Reiff flexed his knee and apparently comforted, popped up. Ferentz, who doubles as Iowa's line coach, gave his star left tackle an appropriate slap on the rear as he walked past.

Reiff returned to the field on the next series, demonstrating that he has the toughness, as well as the size, athleticism and technique to rank among the elite prospects at his position.

• Largely due to the brilliant passing of junior quarterback Robert Griffin III, the Baylor Bears have become a national story. Against Iowa State Saturday, running back Terrance Ganaway exploited huge rushing lanes for 200 yards and three touchdowns to steal the show.

Quietly, it is senior wideout Kendall Wright's stellar play that is making things easier on each.

Considering that he's caught at least one touchdown in every game this season - and has nine through five games - Wright's production should be getting more national attention. In fact, only his relative lack of name recognition is keeping Wright from getting the same hype as two of his fellow senior receivers from the Big 12, Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles and Texas A&M's Jeff Fuller.

Iowa State played a lot of deep quarters coverage forcing Griffin III to go away from what he does best - throwing deep - and instead be patient in completing underneath throws.

Luckily for "RGIII" and Baylor, his senior wideout is just as effective in shaking free of coverage on short and intermediate routes as he is in slipping past the defense on verticals.

He demonstrated as much on his touchdown catch, turning a quick dig route into a score by slipping through two defenders into the end zone. Later, he showed off his acceleration in another second quarter scoring drive, taking an end around for 11 yards.

For a 5-10, 190-pound receiver, Wright shows surprising toughness and aggression. Wright was upended on the end-around and got into the face of Iowa State cornerback Leonard Johnson, a potential top 100 pick in the 2012 draft himself. On the next series, Wright demonstrated his willingness to go over the middle, taking a big hit (and hanging on to the ball) on a crossing route.

Wright's night seemed likely to end early when he suffered an injury to his right leg in the third quarter when getting cut by a defender.

Again, he proved his toughness, shaking off the injury to return to the field, catching two of his eight passes following the injury.

NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst Chad Reuter compares Wright to Green Bay Packers' rookie Randall Cobb. The comparison has merit. While Wright won't approach the success Cobb had at Kentucky as a returner, his toughness, reliability and versatility could result in a similar pro grade as the defending champs' 2011 second round pick.

• Upon Further Review highlights a player whose performance over the weekend significantly altered my earlier assessment.

Entering this week, Ohio State center Mike Brewster was NFLDraftScout.com's second-rated senior center prospect behind Georgia's Ben Jones.

Based on Brewster's performance against a proud Nebraska defense still smarting from a whipping from Wisconsin a week earlier, the two should be switched.

Brewster isn't flashy but the four-year starter knows how to play the game. Equally comfortable snapping with the quarterback near him or in shotgun, Brewster quickly gets his hands into his opponent. Brewster has good upper body strength to jolt the defender and keeps his legs driving on contact to knock him out of the hole. He can't be characterized as explosive getting to the second level, but is efficient in switching off from double-teams and effectively sealing off the linebacker from the action. In pass protection, Brewster plays with a wide base, showing good strength and flexibility to handle the bull rush. He has good balance and quickness sliding laterally and looks to help his teammates when not covered up, even peeling back to stone rushers pursuing Buckeye quarterback Braxton Miller from behind.

Brewster's steady individual effort serves as an effective microcosm of the dominating effort put forth by the entire Ohio State offensive line. Despite suffering a bitterly disappointing loss, the Buckeyes can take some solace in the improvement shown by their offensive line. Ohio State gave up only one sack and rushed for 253 yards against a talented and well-coached Nebraska defense playing at home - this after surrendering five sacks and officially rushing for just 35 yards last week in a 10-7 loss to Michigan State.

 

[Faust]

Draft features wealth of slot machines

By Nolan Nawrocki

NFL offenses have been airing out the ball at a record pace this season, with the short passing game replacing the running game in some offenses. The shift to more spread offenses at the college level and more favorable rules for the passing game in the pros have created an increased premium on the slot position.

With how often teams are employing three-, four- and five-receiver sets, the nickel cornerback position is regarded as a starter in many defenses. NFL defenses might not have an answer for matching up with the size, physicality and speed of Calvin Johnson or Andre Johnson, but many covermen will contend that it is the quick-footed, crafty slot receiver who is most difficult to blanket.

This year's draft looks like it will feature a greater number of slot machines than usual, headlined by Oklahoma's superquick Ryan Broyles and Baylor's playmaking Kendall Wright.

The knock on Broyles in recent years was that he could not shake Texas CB Aaron Williams, but after struggling in the Red River Rivalry the past two years, Broyles showed very well in his final performance, notching a Red River-best 9-122-1) performance in Oklahoma's 55-17 win.

Wright limped off the field last week against Iowa State after having his ankle twisted and also had his shoulder examined on the sideline, but he could not be kept off the field. Despite consistently rolling extra coverage Wright's way, defenses have not been able to contain his speed, body control and and short-area explosion. He is a big reason for the great start of junior QB Robert Griffin.

Arkansas features a pair of diminutive senior speedsters with big-play ability — WR Jarius Wright and Joe Adams, who ripped off a 92-yard run last week against Auburn out of the backfield.

Others of note include Florida International senior T.Y.Hilton, who set a career high in catches against Akron (12-144-0), Alabama's Marquis Maze, who also has provided a big spark in the return game, and Houston's Patrick Edwards, whom scouts have compared to DeSean Jackson.

All seven seniors, plus Fresno State's Devon Wylie and Florida's dynamic duo (Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey), have the ability to outathlete defensive backs in the slot and potentially spark a return game. They all could warrant interest in the first 3-4 rounds, durability issues notwithstanding.

• Alabama SS Mark Barron showed up in a big way filling the alley against an option run by Vanderbilt backup QB Jordan Rodgers, the younger brother of Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers, leveling the redshirt junior. Barron's physicality is his greatest strength. He is the top safety in the country and is solidifying his status as a sure-fire first-rounder.

• Oregon fourth-year junior RB LaMichael James dislocated his right elbow when landing hard on the turf at the beginning of the fourth quarter against California after being stripped of the ball. He carried 30-239-0 to rack up his third consecutive 200-plus rushing effort of the season in a convincing 43-15 win. He was carted off the field in agony with an air-cast stabilizing his elbow while fans chanted his name, but X-rays revealed no break, and it's possible he could return much sooner than anticipated.

• October hit the Hurricanes' defense hard. Miami (Fla.) lost senior WLB Ramon Buchanan to a non-contact, season-ending knee injury against Bethune Cookman on Oct. 1, and during practice the following week, lost junior DT Marcus Forston the same way. Forston, a fourth-year junior who was one of the eight players suspended for the season opener, was expected to declare for the draft. He already received a medical hardship season in 2009 after surgery on his shoulder and again had surgery this past spring after he tore the MCL in his right knee. His injury history will have to be weighed closely and might push him into the draft.

• Ohio State senior RB Boom Herron and WR DeVier Posey had to serve a pair of five-game suspensions for receiving impermissible benefits and were expected to return vs. Nebraska last week. Instead, it was ruled that Herron had to sit out another week and Posey was hit with another five-game suspension for new preferential treatment that was discovered. He now will be limited to the final 2-3 games this season.

• A key in Illinois' 6-0 start has been the connection of redshirt sophomore QB Nathan Scheelhaase and senior WR A.J. Jenkins, who has shown improved maturity as a senior and has consistently shown separation speed and big-play ability outside the hashes. Jenkins, who set a school record with 268 receiving yards the previous week, nabbed 6-182-2 in a 41-20 win over Indiana, with the majority coming on 77- and 67-yard TD receptions when he separated deep and pulled away from the pack.

• Despite clocking what equates to a 4.81 40-yard time on a very fast, rubber surface, Virginia Tech senior WR Jarrett Boykin was able to get behind coverage against Miami (Fla.) and outrun junior S Ray-Ray Armstrong, returning for the first time following suspension, for a 60-yard TD. Boykin can make a living as a possession receiver in the pros.

 

[J-Dawg]

Great posts Faust, thanks for sharing some awesome reading material.

 

[Faust]

Great posts Faust, thanks for sharing some awesome reading material.

I appreciate the feedback!

Here are a few more articles from earlier this year by Bucky Brooks:

College stock watch: Arizona State's Burfict building reputation

Arizona State's Vontaze Burfict* is a young Ray Lewis. That's lofty praise, but the third-year junior is a talent with a penchant for delivering teeth-rattling shots. His intimidating presence puts fear in the hearts of opponents and sets the tone for an emerging defense.

While his knockout shots have made him an Internet sensation, it has been his skills that have put him on scouts' radar. At 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, Burfict is a throwback linebacker with strength and power. He excels at controlling the tackle-to-tackle box and is a dominating force against the run. He violently attacks lead blockers in the hole and has a knack for relocating the ball when runners squirt free. Even though his technique isn't always textbook, his desire for getting to the ball results in impact plays.

Burfict is equally impressive as a pass defender. He shows natural instincts and awareness for identifying receivers in his area. He also has a keen understanding of route recognition and quickly plasters to his assigned receiver in zone. His vision and anticipation often lead to collisions with receivers, which result in drops or deflections.

Against USC, Burfict demonstrated how those traits could also produce turnovers. On second-and-8 with the Trojans inside the red zone, Burfict picked off Matt Barkley's floater on a wide receiver screen. What made the play so remarkable was the fact that he initially started to rush the quarterback, but sensed the screen developing behind him and had the wherewithal to get into the passing lane.

In an earlier outing, Burfict used those same instincts to produce three sacks against UC-Davis. His timing and effort overwhelmed the point of attack and showcased his versatility.

With scouts and coaches on the hunt for difference-makers, Burfict's all-around game has started to create buzz.

Baylor's Robert Griffin III* might be the best player in the Big 12. The conference features Oklahoma's Landry Jones, Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden and Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill, but Griffin has been absolutely sensational so far.

The junior has completed 85.4 percent of his passes for 962 yards for 13 touchdowns and no picks. He has topped the 300-yard mark in two of three games, including a 338-yard performance against Rice that included six total touchdowns.

He has picked apart defenses with precise throws. From quick-rhythm screens to high-arcing deep balls, Griffin has shown the full repertoire. He also has excellent poise, patience and awareness. His timely delivery and ball placement has forced opponents to defend more than an extraordinary athlete in a devastating spread offense.

With future dates against the likes of Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State looming, Griffin will get the opportunity to showcase his diverse game on the big stage. If he can continue to direct Baylor's offense with the same efficiency, he will not only make a strong case as the best player in the conference but in college football.

Word on the street

» Oklahoma's Landry Jones* might not be a lock to remain the top signal-caller in the 2013 draft class according to an NFC scout. Although the scout raved about Jones' arm strength, he still has reservations about the quarterback's anticipation, awareness and decision-making. He questioned Jones' poise under pressure and wondered about his game translating well to the pros. The scout went on to dismiss the comparison between Jones and his predecessor, Sam Bradford, saying Jones is not nearly as polished.

» A cornerback might not be selected in the first round of the 2012 draft, according to a high-ranking NFC official. He cited the small stature and questionable measurables of some of the top-rated corners in this year's class. North Alabama's Janoris Jenkins (5-10, 182) and Nebraska's Alfonso Dennard (5-10, 205) fall below the ideal height-weight standard, while prototypical corners like Texas A&M's Coryell Judie and Virginia's Chase Minnifield lack the overall skill to clearly carry first-round grades.

Stock up

» Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State, QB: Weeden put on an amazing show against Texas A&M. He completed 47 of 60 passes for 438 yards with two touchdowns. He distributed the ball to 11 different receivers while rallying his team back from a 17-point halftime deficit. He displayed patience by stringing together completions, showing his poise is vastly improved from earlier in the season.

» Isaiah Pead, Cincinnati, RB: His all-around showing against North Carolina State should cement his status as one of the top running backs in the 2012 class. With 191 total yards from scrimmage and two scores, he displayed outstanding speed, quickness and vision. His ability to make nifty cuts at the line of scrimmage resulted in several big runs when holes appeared clogged initially. Pead also has good hands out of the backfield, which is another thing scouts like about his game.

» T.J. Graham, North Carolina State, WR: Graham looked spectacular against Cincinnati, demonstrating his speed and burst. He finished with seven receptions for 176 yards and two scores, including an 87-yard catch-and-run that left defenders in the dust. As a track standout with return skills, Graham was certainly on scouts' radar as a developmental prospect. However, his rapid development as a receiver could vault him up draft boards.

» Marquis Maze, Alabama, WR/KR: The diminutive playmaker (5-10, 180) continues to make big plays as a receiver and returner. Against Arkansas, he caught five passes for 40 yards and added an 83-yard punt return for a touchdown. Although he lacks the speed and explosiveness of some of his peers, Maze's return skills and refined game makes him a potential No.3 receiver at the next level.



Stock down

Ryan Tannehill and Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M, QB/RB: The dynamic duo didn't perform well in a critical tilt against Oklahoma State. Tannehill passed for 309 yards, but had three costly interceptions that allowed the Cowboys to rally. Gray's 100-yard rushing streak was snapped at nine games, and his ineffectiveness limited the Aggies' choices on offense.

Vick Ballard, Mississippi State, RB: Ballard generated buzz as one of the top senior runners based on strong outings vs. Memphis and Auburn, but his disappointing performance against Louisiana Tech was his second consecutive game with fewer than 70 rushing yards. Although his rugged running style is conducive to the pro game, his inability to produce against inferior competition will certainly raise some eyebrows in scouting circles.

and:College stock watch: Pair of LSU corners building buzz with play

LSU has the top cornerback tandem in college football. That might comes as a surprise to some, but you will be hard pressed to find an SEC quarterback who disagrees.

The Tigers' dynamic duo of Tyrann Mathieu* and Morris Claiborne* are fundamentally sound in all aspects of the game, but it is their ability to create turnovers that separates them from the competition. Mathieu and Claiborne have done it every which way with picks, forced fumbles and even a fumble return for a score against Kentucky. Their penchant for getting their hands on the ball has been one of the reasons LSU's defense ranks among the nation's best.

Mathieu, in particular, has shown extraordinary ball skills despite being a sophomore. He has one interception, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 2011. He also has 1.5 sacks and three tackles for loss. His ability to create negative plays has encouraged coaches to use him as a playmaker from his nickel position.

Claiborne is not as physical or aggressive as his counterpart, but is a more polished cover man. He excels at reading routes and trusting his instincts to make plays on the ball. He has seven picks over the past two seasons.

LSU has a long history of sending secondary prospects to the pros -- Corey Webster, Ryan Clark, LaRon Landry and Patrick Peterson -- and their young cornerback tandem could carry on that tradition.

Clemson's underrated defensive line features studs in DT Brandon Thompson and DE Andre Branch. Both players were magnificent in the Tigers' win over Virginia Tech, and scouts are certainly paying attention to their dominating presence.

Thompson, rated as one of the top defensive tackles in the 2012 class, is an athletic run stuffer with exceptional strength and power. At 6-foot-2, 304 pounds, he overwhelms blockers with his explosive first-step quickness and force. His talent was on display against Virginia Tech, with six stops, a tackle for loss and a half sack. While most observers focus on sacks when measuring a defensive lineman's effectiveness, it was Thompson's ability to disrupt the offensive flow up the middle that stood out.

Branch, on the other hand, delivered a handful of plays that showcased his promise as a pass rusher. He finished with three sacks, repeatedly blowing past blockers on an assortment of speed rushes. He also showed an inside counter to get to the quarterback. Although he still needs to be more consistent, his breakout performance will intrigue evaluators looking for a versatile defender with rush skills.

If you're looking for a sleeper with a chance to make an NFL impact, Houston's Case Keenum could be the guy. The sixth-year senior has been sensational directing the spread offense and has put himself firmly on the radar of scouts. Keenum has connected on 69.7 percent of his passes for 2,005 yards, 14 touchdowns and just two interceptions in sparking Houston to a 5-0 start.

While some of that production might be inflated due to the Cougars' pass-heavy nature, it is hard to deny Keenum's physical attributes. He displays zip, touch and ball placement on short-to-intermediate routes, and also shows anticipation while leading receivers into open windows. He is a nimble athlete and can escape trouble in the pocket.

Against UTEP, Keenum completed 30 of 46 passes for 471 yards with two touchdowns and did not throw a pick. He quickly delivered accurate strikes following one- and three-step drops from the shotgun. His rhythm, timing and execution were superb.

Now, Keenum's game is far from flawless. He has been inconsistent with his reads and decisions throughout his career. His durability is also an issue with his extensive injury history as a sixth-year player.

While those concerns will certainly be a factor for evaluators, it shouldn't overshadow his potential as a developmental prospect.

Word on the street

» Hampton's Micah Pellerin is generating a strong buzz in scouting circles as one of the top small-school prospects. The 6-foot, 187-pound corner is big and physical with excellent cover skills. According to an AFC scout who recently paid Hampton a visit, Pellerin is "legitimate" with all of the tools to play corner or possibly safety at the next level. The scout raved about Pellerin's toughness, aggressiveness and hard-hitting approach.

Stock up

» Russell Wilson, Wisconsin, QB: I heard Brent Musburger make a comparison between Wilson and Drew Brees, and it took me back to an early season conversation I had with an AFC scout. According to the scout, the parallels between the two are dead-on based on their big arms, athleticism and leadership skills. Wilson was impressive during his time at North Carolina State and has continued to showcase his skills at Wisconsin. With more stellar performances, he could dramatically boost his draft stock.

» Tyler Wilson* and Jarius Wright, Arkansas, QB/WR: Coach Bobby Petrino unleashed his explosive passing combination on Texas A&M en route to 581 yards of total offense in a 42-38 win. Wilson connected on 30 of 51 passes for 510 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. He directed the Razorbacks' pro-style attack with pinpoint passes at varying distances and showcased his arm strength and touch.

Wright, who finished with 13 receptions for 281 yards and a touchdown, displayed his speed, quickness and burst while running past defenders on deep balls. He also proved his toughness by catching several passes over the middle. Those traits are a big reason why Wright is starting to generate a buzz as an intriguing slot receiver prospect.

» Courtney Upshaw, Alabama, OLB: Upshaw did a little bit of everything against the Florida Gators with three tackles for loss, a sack and an interception return for a touchdown. His performance certainly illustrated his versatility as a 3-4 outside linebacker and provided scouts with a glimpse of his potential.

» Ray Graham*, Pittsburgh, RB: He was the best player on the field against South Florida. Graham rushed for 226 yards on 26 carries with two touchdowns and added four receptions for 42 yards. His vision, speed and quickness led to big plays on the perimeter thanks to a series of cutback runs that took advantage of an overaggressive defense. Given the success of LeSean McCoy and Dion Lewis, Graham continues to help his stock.

Stock down

» Marcus Lattimore*, South Carolina, RB: It's not entirely fair to include Lattimore here because of his production to date, but he failed to deliver against a struggling Auburn defense. He posted just 66 rushing yards on 17 attempts (3.9 per carry) and didn't provide explosive plays. While he didn't receive much help from his supporting cast, Lattimore's second straight game under the century mark was a critical factor in the Gamecocks' first loss.

» Chris Rainey, Florida, RB: Only a few weeks after shining as a multipurpose threat, Rainey found the going tough against Alabama. He was held to four yards on 11 attempts and never found an open crease in the defense. Without the size or strength to effectively grind it out between the tackles, Rainey was a non-factor in the Gators' biggest game to date.

and:

Best running back prospects

Draft guru Gil Brandt is keeping his eye on the next crop of young talent trying to make the transition to the NFL. Here's his list of the top senior running back prospects.

Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M

Doug Martin, Boise State

Isaiah Pead, Cincinnati

Dan Herron, Ohio State

Brandon Bolden, Mississippi

Vick Ballard, Mississippi State

 

[Faust]

Rang's Big Board: Left tackles emerging as season matures

By Rob Rang

The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com

Oct. 11, 2011

With one third of the college football season in the books, it's becoming easier to separate the prospects from the projects.

Thanks in large part to Andrew Luck, the 2012 draft should be strong at the game's most important position. The talent at left tackle is also a relative strength, though the three blindside pass protectors listed among my Top 32 are all underclassmen, and therefore no guarantee to leave school early for the NFL.

Even with the likelihood of underclassmen filling gaps, 2012 appears to be a rather weak year in terms of pass rushers. This shouldn't come as a surprise considering that seven defensive linemen and rush linebackers with eligibility remaining were drafted in the first round in April. As such, the talent in the cupboard for these positions is bare.

Creating a "Big Board" at this point in the year isn't necessarily designed to predict the first 32 picks of the 2012 NFL Draft. With much of the college football season, all-star games, workouts and interviews each playing a critical role in determining a player's final grade, much will change between now and April.

(* denotes underclassman)

1. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford *: In 12 years of scouting, Luck is my highest-graded player. Second on the list? Ndamukong Suh. Third? Calvin Johnson. Getting the idea how good I think this guy will be?

2. Matt Kalil, OT, Southern Cal*: Matt, the younger brother of Panthers' center Ryan Kalil, is still prone to the occasional lapse in technique, but the game comes so easy to him it is plausible to envision him joining his brother as a Pro Bowler soon into his pro career.

3. Matt Barkley, QB, Southern Cal*: Barkley doesn't have Luck's size, athleticism or arm strength. No one does. Barkley is, however, a top notch prospect in his own right who in a normal draft would be generating No. 1 overall buzz.

4. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State*: Blackmon won't be drafted this high due to concerns about his straight-line speed, but he's virtually unstoppable at this level and will prove to be No. 1 option in the NFL.

5. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama*: Bigger, stronger and faster than his former teammate and 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, Richardson won't have to wait until the end of the first round to get his name called.

6. Quenton Coples, DE, North Carolina: As physically imposing as they get, Coples' lack of burst off the edge might mean he'll never be a star pass rusher in the NFL, but his strength and size (6-6, 285) could make him a matchup nightmare.

7. Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa*: Possessing NFL size (6-6, 300 pounds) and impressive athleticism, Reiff has the look of a top ten pick.

8. 'Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama*: Physical, fast and athletic, Kirkpatrick has the athletic traits scouts look for in a top ten prospect. To be selected this high he'll need to play with greater consistency.

9. Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson: Overshadowed in his career by exterior pass rushers DaQuan Bowers and Andre Branch, Thompson is quietly viewed by some scouts as the top senior prospect in the country.

10. Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama: As anyone who watched Jenkins play well for Florida might have expected, Jenkins has been a star at the D-II level for No. 1 ranked North Alabama. He won the Gulf South Conference Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this season with another fantastic punt return for a touchdown.

11. Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford*: An athletic left tackle who has capably protected Andrew Luck's blindside. Looks smaller than his listed 6-6, 304 pounds and may lack the physicality for some schemes.

12. Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame: Floyd's talent has never been the question. At times, he's been unstoppable. To earn a first round selection, however, he'll need to prove to scouts he's matured, especially off the field.

13. Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma*: Demonstrating greater poise and accuracy against Texas than he had in previous big games, Jones may be on the verge of legitimizing his hype as a top-10 prospect.

14. Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina*: With two touchdowns against Vanderbilt, Jeffery moved into a tie for second place in USC history with 19 career touchdowns. Seattle Seahawk Sidney Rice's record of 24 is well within reach.

15. Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska: Ohio State wisely stayed away from Dennard throughout much of Saturday's game, but that respect, in itself, confirms the sense that the senior is finally playing with confidence after missing the first three games with a leg injury.

16. Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU*: I'll be the first to admit that I chalked up some of Claiborne's big plays last season to playing opposite Patrick Peterson. He's been even better this season, however, and possesses the quick feet and sticky hands usually reserved for wideouts.

17. Billy Winn, DT, Boise State: Kellen Moore gets all of the hype, but Winn is clearly Boise State's best pro prospect. Winn has been impressive against top competition and only needs to play with more consistency to warrant a first round selection.

18. Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College*: Averaging nearly four more tackles a game this season than any other defender in the country, it is hard not to envision Kuechly continuing his success manning the middle for an NFL team soon.

19. Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia: Glenn struggled in the opener against Boise State, but has rewarded my faith in him since with much improved play at left tackle. He may not be able to remain here in the NFL, but looks like a possible future Pro Bowl candidate on the inside.

20. Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame*: Another strong performance from Te'o has him overtaking Vontaze Burfict and nearing Kuechly as the top linebacker in the country.

21. Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin*: Rarely does an underclassmen center deserve mentioning this early on a Big Board, but Konz is special. His size and strength inside and fluidity when blocking at the second level could allow him to join the Pouncey twins, Alex Mack (Cleveland Browns) and Eric Wood (Buffalo Bills) as the fifth center drafted in the first round over the past four drafts.

22. David DeCastro, OG, Stanford*: One veteran scout traveling from Stanford characterized DeCastro as "the best guard I've seen in a long time." Like everyone else on that offense, he's aided by Andrew Luck, but there is no doubt DeCastro has top NFL talent.

23. Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech*: At 5-10, 170 pounds, Hosley certainly lacks the frame scouts prefer, but his instincts, quick feet and ball skills make him arguably the top cover corner in the country.

24. Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina*: Not the caliber of ball-hawk that some of the other top corners on this list are, Gilmore is one of the more sound tacklers and aggressive run defenders of the group. Some view him as a potential candidate to move to safety.

25. Cliff Harris, CB, Oregon*: Harris' coverage and return skills are obvious. So too is the fact that Harris still hasn't earned Chip Kelly's complete trust, as the talented junior continues to ride the bench.

26. Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State*: Burfict is an enigma. His intensity, penchant for the big play and timing as a pass rusher make him a legitimate first round prospect, but he's not the stats-monster his hype would lead you to believe. The junior could leave early, but scouts warn he's a classic boom or bust prospect.

27. Orson Charles, TE, Georgia*: Charles lacks the size at 6-3, 242 pounds of the traditional tight end, but his athleticism, reliable hands and surprising physicality as a blocker makes him my top-rated prospect at the position.

28. Mark Barron, SS, Alabama: Athletic and instinctive, Barron's steady play stands out in a relatively weak crop of pure safeties.



29. Donta Hightower, ILB, Alabama: Among the more physical and versatile front seven defenders in the country, Hightower is earning high grades from 4-3 teams as a potential convert to defensive end, as well as sticking at inside linebacker for teams running a 30 front.

30. Alameda Ta'Amu, DT/NG, Washington: Despite limited skills as a pass rusher, this 6-3, 330 pounder's ability to disrupt interior rushing lanes could make him a first round pick.

31. Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina: An extraordinary athlete still learning the nuances of the position, Brown demonstrated improved instincts and physicality Saturday alternating between inside and outside linebacker in a surprisingly tough win over Louisville.

32. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M: Scouts can't help but be disappointed in the lack of big plays turned in by Tannehill and the entire Aggie offense in two colossal second half letdowns against Oklahoma State and Arkansas. With only 10 career starts, it is easy to look past his recent struggles and instead imagine his bright future.

 

[Faust]

Another good article from Rob Rang:

Rewind: Richardson joins elite, Lobbestael gets noticed

By Rob Rang

The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com

Oct. 3, 2011

Each week, we rewind the game film to highlight the star-worthy performances that could impact the 2012 draft rankings:

• Heading into the Alabama-Florida showdown, I highlighted Tide inside linebacker Dont'a Hightower as one to watch. It was obvious the Gators needed to be able to run the football to stick around in this game. Hightower, Courtney Upshaw and the rest of the talented Alabama defense provided a resounding answer to the challenge, limiting Florida to only 15 combined rushing yards and cruising to a 38-10 win.

As impressive as Alabama's team defense was Saturday night, however, it was the sterling performance from junior running back Trent Richardson that had scouts leaving Gainesville excited.

"Clearly he's the elite back," one scout told me on the condition of anonymity, "but I don't know if that says enough. It's like with Andrew Luck at quarterback. (Matt) Barkley and (Landry) Jones are good, but Luck is a whole other level ahead of them. That's how it goes with Richardson. He's at a whole other level than the other guys (potentially available in the 2012 draft) at that position."

The 5-11, 224-pound Richardson bulldozed, side-stepped and accelerated past Florida defenders for a career-high 181 yards and two touchdowns. Though his offensive line blocked well, much of Richardson's success was self-created. On seemingly every carry the Alabama running back dragged a Florida defender for yardage after initial contact. Even when there appeared to be no hole, Richardson often generated at least a few yards simply due to his leg drive, balance and pure determination.

Richardson is a man amongst boys at the collegiate level -- and that doesn't occur often in the SEC. The Alabama runner evokes memories of current St. Louis Rams' star Steven Jackson's days playing for Oregon State as the only collegiate back in recent memory with a similar combination of pure power, lateral agility, speed and soft hands out of the backfield.

• Any chance of a senior quarterback earning a selection in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft may be ending as certainly as a Texas A&M halftime lead. The Aggies feature NFLDraftScout.com's top-rated senior passer in Ryan Tannehill, but for the second time in two weeks, Tannehill and the rest of Mike Sherman's team was unable to turn a dominating first half performance into a victory, getting outscored 25-3 in the second half and losing to Arkansas 42-38 in the Southwest Classic held at Cowboys Stadium.

At 6-4, 222 pounds, Tannehill possesses the size scouts are looking for in a franchise quarterback. A former all-conference receiver, he also has the athleticism. Playing in a pro-style offense under Sherman -- formerly the head coach of the Green Bay Packers -- Tannehill has also demonstrated the football intelligence to handle the multiple formations and complicated game plans that typically are the bugaboo of collegiate quarterbacks ascending to the pro game.

Against Oklahoma State a week earlier, one could point to Tannehill's three second-half interceptions as a reason why the Aggies lost. Two of the three interceptions were the result of shoddy route-running from senior receiver Jeff Fuller, but the turnovers nevertheless came from Tannehill's hand. Tannehill threw one interception against Arkansas Saturday, a deep ball left too far inside in the first quarter that defender Greg Gatson capitalized on. He did not, however, make the mistakes down the stretch that caused A&M to lose this game.

Tannehill also -- for the second consecutive week -- was unable to make the big play with the game on the line. It is a trait Tannehill must develop if he is to become a consistent winning quarterback at the collegiate level and earn first-round notice from the NFL.

Against Arkansas, Tannehill was equally effective dropping back from center out of the I-formation as he was collecting the snap in the shotgun spread. He showed poise in the pocket, the maneuverability to escape as it collapsed and the wherewithal to check down when his primary read was covered. He read the defense prior to the snap and audibled effectively. He showed impressive anticipation firing passes before his receivers turned. On multiple occasions, Tannehill fired deep outs and dig routes to the sideline from the opposite hash, demonstrating more than enough arm strength.

The shorter and longer routes gave him trouble. Too often Tannehill forced running backs and receivers to reach high or behind adjusting to short throws, limiting their opportunities to create after the catch. When throwing deep (as in the case of his first-quarter interception), Tannehill also must do a better job of throwing his receiver open rather than leading him towards the defense.

As mentioned previously, Tannehill is a former receiver for Texas A&M. He only became the Aggies' starting quarterback halfway through last season. Arkansas was only his 10th career start at quarterback.

With his rare skill set, it is easy to see why scouts are excited about Tannehill's future. Even the improvement shown from the Oklahoma State loss to the Arkansas letdown was impressive. As such, Tannehill is the type of quarterback who could see a huge leap up rankings as he gains experience this season and in any postseason all-star games. At this point, however, he remains a raw prospect clearly a tier below the likes of juniors Luck, Barkley and Jones.

• Virginia Tech was humbled at home by Clemson, but one Hokie who boosted his pro stock Saturday was junior cornerback Jayron Hosley.

Scouts certainly know Hosley, who earned All-American honors last season in leading the nation with nine interceptions. Though he had two more in his first four games this year, some were concerned that he'd snuck up on offenses in 2010 and hadn't really been challenged by a top passing attack in 2011.

Against Clemson, however, Hosley was asked to shadow big-play receiver Sammy Watkins. Watkins had teamed with quarterback Tajh Boyd to the tune of 17 catches for 296 yards and four touchdowns in Clemson's victories over Auburn and Florida State the past two weeks. Though only a freshman, Watkins had been one of the country's most impressive receivers the first quarter of the season.

Largely due to Hosley's ability to blanket the 6-1, 200-pound Watson, however, Clemson struggled to pass the ball consistently. Watson was limited to only three catches for 38 yards. When not covering Watson one on one, Hosley proved just as effective in zone, snaring his third interception of the year. Hosley, playing back in zone coverage, read the eyes of Boyd and broke 5 yards to slip in front of Tigers receiver DeAndre Hopkins to steal the pass for his 12th interception in Virginia Tech's last 16 games. Hosley certainly lacks the bulk scouts would prefer, but his quick feet, loose hips and burst to the ball all but erased his opponent throughout this game. His coverage skills, in fact, made Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster comfortable in allowing the 5-10, 172 pound Hosley to even cover Clemson's 6-4, 255-pound tight end, Dwayne Allen, on occasion.

• Upon Further Review highlights a player whose performance over the weekend significantly altered my earlier assessment.

Washington State QB Marshall Lobbestael is a perfect example of a player taking advantage of an opportunity.

The backup quarterback for a team that had a total of five wins over the past three seasons, Lobbestael entered his senior season about as unlikely a candidate to move into potential NFL consideration as any across the country.

A broken collarbone sent starter Jeff Tuel to the sideline and thrust Lobbestael onto the field, where he's helped lead a vastly improved team to 3-1 start, including beating Colorado on the road in the Pac-12 conference opener for both teams.

Lobbestael completed 32 of 49 passes against the Buffaloes for 376 yards and three touchdowns. Colorado had successfully slowed a Washington State attack that entered the game ranked sixth in the country in total offense, but Lobbestael and the Cougars came alive to score twice in the final 2:35 to steal the victory.

At 6-3, 220 pounds, Lobbestael has NFL size. While not owning a howitzer, he demonstrated enough arm strength to drive the ball to the sideline and the touch to attack deep. It was a deep ball down the left sideline, in fact, that gave Washington State the dramatic win. Facing a Colorado blitz, Lobbestael stood poised in the pocket, gave a pump fake to get the free safety to bite and hit a streaking Marquess Wilson perfectly in stride for a 63-yard touchdown with just 1:10 left.

When Tuel returns to health, Lobbestael may wind up back on the sideline. Even if that is the case, the senior quarterback may have already shown scouts enough in his limited duty to get a tryout as an undrafted free agent.

That's only if the former backup isn't drafted outright.

 

[J-Dawg]

Did anybody else see that TD that Alshon Jeffery just scored? Wow!! Two defenders draped all over him and he just skies above them to catch the ball in the air. He looked like Calvin Johnson coming down with that one. Pretty quiet the rest of the day but that was incredible. The Oklahoma State game is just about to start so the Blackmon vs. Jeffery analysis can continue.

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

Rang's Big Board: Left tackles emerging as season matures

By Rob Rang

The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com

Oct. 11, 2011

With one third of the college football season in the books, it's becoming easier to separate the prospects from the projects.

Thanks in large part to Andrew Luck, the 2012 draft should be strong at the game's most important position. The talent at left tackle is also a relative strength, though the three blindside pass protectors listed among my Top 32 are all underclassmen, and therefore no guarantee to leave school early for the NFL.

Even with the likelihood of underclassmen filling gaps, 2012 appears to be a rather weak year in terms of pass rushers. This shouldn't come as a surprise considering that seven defensive linemen and rush linebackers with eligibility remaining were drafted in the first round in April. As such, the talent in the cupboard for these positions is bare.

Creating a "Big Board" at this point in the year isn't necessarily designed to predict the first 32 picks of the 2012 NFL Draft. With much of the college football season, all-star games, workouts and interviews each playing a critical role in determining a player's final grade, much will change between now and April.

(* denotes underclassman)

1. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford *: In 12 years of scouting, Luck is my highest-graded player. Second on the list? Ndamukong Suh. Third? Calvin Johnson. Getting the idea how good I think this guy will be?

2. Matt Kalil, OT, Southern Cal*: Matt, the younger brother of Panthers' center Ryan Kalil, is still prone to the occasional lapse in technique, but the game comes so easy to him it is plausible to envision him joining his brother as a Pro Bowler soon into his pro career.

3. Matt Barkley, QB, Southern Cal*: Barkley doesn't have Luck's size, athleticism or arm strength. No one does. Barkley is, however, a top notch prospect in his own right who in a normal draft would be generating No. 1 overall buzz.

4. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State*: Blackmon won't be drafted this high due to concerns about his straight-line speed, but he's virtually unstoppable at this level and will prove to be No. 1 option in the NFL.

5. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama*: Bigger, stronger and faster than his former teammate and 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, Richardson won't have to wait until the end of the first round to get his name called.

6. Quenton Coples, DE, North Carolina: As physically imposing as they get, Coples' lack of burst off the edge might mean he'll never be a star pass rusher in the NFL, but his strength and size (6-6, 285) could make him a matchup nightmare.

7. Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa*: Possessing NFL size (6-6, 300 pounds) and impressive athleticism, Reiff has the look of a top ten pick.

8. 'Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama*: Physical, fast and athletic, Kirkpatrick has the athletic traits scouts look for in a top ten prospect. To be selected this high he'll need to play with greater consistency.

9. Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson: Overshadowed in his career by exterior pass rushers DaQuan Bowers and Andre Branch, Thompson is quietly viewed by some scouts as the top senior prospect in the country.

10. Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama: As anyone who watched Jenkins play well for Florida might have expected, Jenkins has been a star at the D-II level for No. 1 ranked North Alabama. He won the Gulf South Conference Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this season with another fantastic punt return for a touchdown.

11. Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford*: An athletic left tackle who has capably protected Andrew Luck's blindside. Looks smaller than his listed 6-6, 304 pounds and may lack the physicality for some schemes.

12. Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame: Floyd's talent has never been the question. At times, he's been unstoppable. To earn a first round selection, however, he'll need to prove to scouts he's matured, especially off the field.

13. Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma*: Demonstrating greater poise and accuracy against Texas than he had in previous big games, Jones may be on the verge of legitimizing his hype as a top-10 prospect.

14. Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina*: With two touchdowns against Vanderbilt, Jeffery moved into a tie for second place in USC history with 19 career touchdowns. Seattle Seahawk Sidney Rice's record of 24 is well within reach.

15. Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska: Ohio State wisely stayed away from Dennard throughout much of Saturday's game, but that respect, in itself, confirms the sense that the senior is finally playing with confidence after missing the first three games with a leg injury.

16. Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU*: I'll be the first to admit that I chalked up some of Claiborne's big plays last season to playing opposite Patrick Peterson. He's been even better this season, however, and possesses the quick feet and sticky hands usually reserved for wideouts.

17. Billy Winn, DT, Boise State: Kellen Moore gets all of the hype, but Winn is clearly Boise State's best pro prospect. Winn has been impressive against top competition and only needs to play with more consistency to warrant a first round selection.

18. Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College*: Averaging nearly four more tackles a game this season than any other defender in the country, it is hard not to envision Kuechly continuing his success manning the middle for an NFL team soon.

19. Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia: Glenn struggled in the opener against Boise State, but has rewarded my faith in him since with much improved play at left tackle. He may not be able to remain here in the NFL, but looks like a possible future Pro Bowl candidate on the inside.

20. Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame*: Another strong performance from Te'o has him overtaking Vontaze Burfict and nearing Kuechly as the top linebacker in the country.

21. Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin*: Rarely does an underclassmen center deserve mentioning this early on a Big Board, but Konz is special. His size and strength inside and fluidity when blocking at the second level could allow him to join the Pouncey twins, Alex Mack (Cleveland Browns) and Eric Wood (Buffalo Bills) as the fifth center drafted in the first round over the past four drafts.

22. David DeCastro, OG, Stanford*: One veteran scout traveling from Stanford characterized DeCastro as "the best guard I've seen in a long time." Like everyone else on that offense, he's aided by Andrew Luck, but there is no doubt DeCastro has top NFL talent.

23. Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech*: At 5-10, 170 pounds, Hosley certainly lacks the frame scouts prefer, but his instincts, quick feet and ball skills make him arguably the top cover corner in the country.

24. Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina*: Not the caliber of ball-hawk that some of the other top corners on this list are, Gilmore is one of the more sound tacklers and aggressive run defenders of the group. Some view him as a potential candidate to move to safety.

25. Cliff Harris, CB, Oregon*: Harris' coverage and return skills are obvious. So too is the fact that Harris still hasn't earned Chip Kelly's complete trust, as the talented junior continues to ride the bench.

26. Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State*: Burfict is an enigma. His intensity, penchant for the big play and timing as a pass rusher make him a legitimate first round prospect, but he's not the stats-monster his hype would lead you to believe. The junior could leave early, but scouts warn he's a classic boom or bust prospect.

27. Orson Charles, TE, Georgia*: Charles lacks the size at 6-3, 242 pounds of the traditional tight end, but his athleticism, reliable hands and surprising physicality as a blocker makes him my top-rated prospect at the position.

28. Mark Barron, SS, Alabama: Athletic and instinctive, Barron's steady play stands out in a relatively weak crop of pure safeties.



29. Donta Hightower, ILB, Alabama: Among the more physical and versatile front seven defenders in the country, Hightower is earning high grades from 4-3 teams as a potential convert to defensive end, as well as sticking at inside linebacker for teams running a 30 front.

30. Alameda Ta'Amu, DT/NG, Washington: Despite limited skills as a pass rusher, this 6-3, 330 pounder's ability to disrupt interior rushing lanes could make him a first round pick.

31. Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina: An extraordinary athlete still learning the nuances of the position, Brown demonstrated improved instincts and physicality Saturday alternating between inside and outside linebacker in a surprisingly tough win over Louisville.

32. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M: Scouts can't help but be disappointed in the lack of big plays turned in by Tannehill and the entire Aggie offense in two colossal second half letdowns against Oklahoma State and Arkansas. With only 10 career starts, it is easy to look past his recent struggles and instead imagine his bright future.

Very nice list, but I have one problem with it. Referencing South Carolina as USC is just wrong. Everyone associates USC with the University of Southern California.

 

[EBF]

Found some good game clips on YouTube.

Doug Martin from Boise State is one of the more well-rounded backs in this draft class:

 

[Multiple Scores]

Trent Richardson, 17-183-4 rushing + 2-30 receiving with 7 minutes remaining 3rd quarter.

 

[DoubleG]

Great posts Faust, thanks for sharing some awesome reading material.

Jiminy Christmas!

 

[DoubleG]

Trent Richardson, 17-183-4 rushing + 2-30 receiving with 7 minutes remaining 3rd quarter.

The question might be, "If you had the #1 overall rookie pick in a dynatsy league in 2012, do you take Richardson or Luck?" (presuming off course, you aren't absolutely stacked at 1 of the 2 positions).

 

[J-Dawg]

Trent Richardson, 17-183-4 rushing + 2-30 receiving with 7 minutes remaining 3rd quarter.

The question might be, "If you had the #1 overall rookie pick in a dynatsy league in 2012, do you take Richardson or Luck?" (presuming off course, you aren't absolutely stacked at 1 of the 2 positions).

Great question. I've been debating about that myself. I think if you held a gun to my head I would say to take Richardson. As good as Luck is I think there's still QBs in this draft that can help people's fantasy teams, perhaps not to the extent that Luck could but still be quality players. Richardson is in a class by himself this year and RB's are pretty scarce without any real guarantees behind him in this year's group. It obviously will depend on where they're taken this April.

 

[Faust]

NFL Mock Draft - 10/13/2011

By Rob Rang

Senior Analyst - NFLDraftScout.com

The surprising success of rookie quarterbacks Cam Newton and Andy Dalton will only encourage NFL teams to eschew other needs and make quarterback the ultimate draft priority.

This fact could pay off for teams "lucky" enough to be in competition for the right to select Stanford's Andrew Luck, Southern Cal's Matt Barkley or Oklahoma's Landry Jones.

Other than the top quarterbacks, the 2012 draft does not appear to be an especially elite. The elite defensive linemen that have characterized each of the past few drafts are gone. On the other hand, assuming a few noteworthy underclassmen leave early as expected, this could wind up being a strong draft for offensive tackles, wide receivers and cornerbacks.

No mock draft written this far in advance is going to be 100% accurate. After all, the easy part-- the draft order -- is even far from being finalized. So, take this mock draft for what it is -- a preview of what may happen in April so that you can focus on the players your favorite pro team may already be scouting.

Round 1

1. Miami Dolphins

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford: The injury to Chad Henne puts both Henne's future and that of head coach Tony Sparano on the line. Without significant improvement - and fast - both could be working elsewhere next season. If selecting No. 1 overall, the decision will be easy regardless of who is leading this franchise. Luck is the real deal.

2. Indianapolis Colts

Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma: I am not as high on Jones as some, but there is no doubt that he possesses the arm and experience to achieve success in a primarily shotgun attack in the NFL. For the Colts, he might be the perfect candidate to pair with a healing (hopefully) Peyton Manning.

3. St. Louis Rams

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State: The Rams invested heavily this past season in wide receivers who hopefully will develop some chemistry with young star quarterback, Sam Bradford. If Billy Delaney is once again picking in the top five, however, that plan hasn't worked. As such, it would be tough to pass on the playmaking Blackmon.

4. Minnesota Vikings

Matt Kalil, OT, Southern California: With their quarterback of the future already on the roster in Christian Ponder, the Vikings are in perfect position here to fill an area of need by nabbing the sliding Kalil -- a player some believe could wind up the safest in the 2012 draft class behind Luck.

5. Denver Broncos

Matt Barkley, QB, Southern California: Tim Tebow is being given his opportunity to impress John Elway and John Fox. Neither Denver decision-maker, however, appears optimistic the former Heisman winner will impress. If drafting this high again, the Broncos won't hesitate to revisit the quarterback position.



6. Jacksonville Jaguars

Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina: The Jaguars appear confident that mighty-mite Mike Thomas is going to emerge as a legitimate No. 1 receiver. While he's certainly a starting-caliber wideout, the team would be wise to add a physical possession type to complement Thomas' big-play talents. They don't get much bigger or better than Jeffery.

7. Arizona Cardinals

Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama: The Cardinals' selection of Patrick Peterson will pay off in the long run, but he has struggled under the expectations of his high draft slot and taking over for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. To slow down the improving offenses in the NFC West, the Cardinals might go back to the SEC to again nab another lanky press corner.

8. Carolina Panthers

Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson: Allowing nearly 144 rushing yards per game (31st in the NFL), the Panthers could use an infusion of talent inside at defensive tackle. Thompson is viewed as the elite defensive tackle prospect in the country and would fill a huge area of need.

9. Philadelphia Eagles

Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford: A significant part of the Eagles' struggles this season has come from inconsistent play from their offensive line. Now, whether that stems from a lack of talent or a lack of coaching is up for debate. What isn't debatable is that the Eagles will likely address this area in the offseason. Martin is overshadowed at Stanford by his quarterback, but some view him as a top 10 prospect, in his own right.

10. Kansas City Chiefs

Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina: When a team ranks dead last in the league in scoring defense and 30th in the league in scoring offense, there are plenty of holes to fill. General manager Scott Pioli helped build the New England Patriots by focusing on the defensive line and adhering to a best-player-available philosophy. That could result in Coples, whose frame makes him an intriguing candidate for defensive end in Kansas City's 3-4 scheme.

11. Seattle Seahawks

Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska: The Seahawks would obviously love for a talented young quarterback to still be on the board here, but that isn't likely. Left to fill other areas of concern, the Seahawks might look to cornerback where their starters, Marcus Trufant and Brandon Browner, are inconsistent. Dennard lacks ideal height, but is physical and well-versed in the press scheme Pete Carroll prefers.



12. Chicago Bears

Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama: The Bears are getting a spectacular season out of their current running back, Matt Forte, but don't appear eager to open the wallet and sign him to a long-term contract. That could lead to the team looking for a new starter in 2011 - and they don't come rated any higher than Richardson.

13. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta)

Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU: The Browns boast one of the league's top left tackles in Joe Thomas, but have struggled with consistent play out of the tandem of veterans Tony Pashos and Oniel Cousins on the right side. Reiff, a left tackle for Iowa, has the size, technique and physicality to contribute early.

14. Cleveland Browns

Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa: The Browns boast one of the league's top left tackles in Joe Thomas, but have struggled with consistent play out of the tandem of veterans Tony Pashos and Oniel Cousins on the right side. Reiff, a left tackle for Iowa, has the size, technique and physicality to contribute early.

15. NY Jets

David DeCastro, OG, Stanford: The Jets have been one of the league's better running teams since Rex Ryan took over, but they are struggling so far this season. DeCastro doesn't have much name recognition yet, but is viewed by some as the elite interior offensive lineman in the country.

16. Dallas Cowboys

Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina: Each year the Cowboys hope their play in the secondary improves. There have been flashes of improvement this season under new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. Gilmore isn't as flashy as some of the other cornerbacks still on the board, but is a reliable open field tackler whose physicality could fit in nicely in the NFC East.



17. Cincinnati Bengals

Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama: You might be surprised to learn that the Bengals have the league's top-rated defense through the first four games. Much of that credit lies with a solid cornerback combination of veterans Leon Hall and Nate Clements. Depth behind these two is slim, however, making the playmaking Jenkins a possibility, especially as more and more teams use multiple-receiver sets.

18. Tennessee Titans

Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame: The loss of Kenny Britt for the 2011 season will only further highlight Tennessee's lack of depth at wide receiver. Floyd's off-field behavior is scary, but so too is his ability on the field.

19. Oakland Raiders

Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State: The 3-2 Raiders have quietly been among the league's most impressive teams, playing well despite the fact that they've faced a gauntlet of playoff contenders. The Raiders rarely made the defensive tackle position a priority under the late Al Davis, but may want to add to the youth and talent at the position considering the running games prevalent throughout the AFC West. Worthy is talented, but has struggled with consistency, making him a potential ideal fit for a team featuring one of the league's more established defensive linemen in Richard Seymour.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina: Sandwiched between two teams needing youth and talent on the defensive line, the Bucs might be tempted to add to their defensive front seven. They've got good early returns on 2011 early picks Adrian Clayborn and Mason Foster, but could use more speed on the perimeter. Brown certainly has that. His speed and playmaking ability has led some to compare his upside to Buccaneer great, Derrick Brooks.

21. Houston Texans

Alameda Ta'amu, DT, Washington: For the Texans' transition to the 3-4 defense to work effectively, the team needs to add size and strength inside at nose guard. Ta'amu lacks the foot quickness to track down ball-carriers from behind, but he holds up well to double-teams.

22. NY Giants

Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College: The Giants once boasted the league's most fearsome linebacker corps, but this group has fallen on hard times. Giants' head coach Tom Coughlin, who served as the head coach at Boston College from 1991-1993, has hit big with former Eagles Mathias Kiwanuka, Chris Snee and Mark Herzlich. It isn't difficult to imagine Kuechly continuing the BC pipeline.

23. Buffalo Bills

Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame: The surprising play of Buffalo's offense has helped hide what remains one of the league's leakiest run defenses. Last season Buffalo finished dead last. After five weeks, they ranked 29th. The physical and instinctive Te'o could help remedy that.

24. Washington Redskins

Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M: Rex Grossman has played well enough so far to keep most critics off his back, but not so well as to quiet the feeling among insiders that if the Shanahans see a mobile, strong-armed quarterback that fits their offense come available they won't pounce. Play well, Rex.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers

Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia: No team values size and versatility in offensive linemen more than the Pittsburgh Steelers. Glenn may lack the footwork to remain outside at left tackle as he's playing for Georgia, but certainly would be able to help at right tackle or inside at guard.

26. San Francisco 49ers

Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin: Like the Jets, the 49ers pride themselves on their ability to run the football and control the clock. Marginal play on the interior could force the team to seek reinforcements, especially if an elite pivot like Konz elects to leave school early.

27. San Diego Chargers

Orson Charles, TE, Georgia: Newsflash - the Chargers feature arguably the league's elite tight end in Antonio Gates. Gates' inability to remain healthy, however, too often puts San Diego in a precarious position. While smaller than most teams prefer, the 6-3, 245-pound Charles is a matchup nightmare with surprising prowess as a blocker.

28. Detroit Lions

Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech: With their terrific front four attacking quarterbacks, the Detroit secondary has held up much better than most expected. Still, adding a ball-hawking cover corner is always a good strategy when you have to face Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler twice a year. Hosley led the nation with nine interceptions as a sophomore and already has three more this season.

29. Baltimore Ravens

Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State: Inside linebackers tend to drop on draft day. That is even more likely to be the case with hotheads like Burfict. While undeniably a first-round talent, Burfict's temper has gotten the better of him in the past, leading to critical penalties that cost Arizona State. If anyone can coax the talent out of Burfict it might be the Ravens, who should soon be looking for a potential replacement for future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis.

30. New England Patriots (from New Orleans)

Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska: The Patriots' lack of a pass rush is likely to force the team to select an outside linebacker early in the draft, but Bill Belichick has never been one to ignore the defensive line. The fact that Crick will miss the rest of the season due to a torn pectoral muscle certainly doesn't help his stock, but the All-Big 12 performer has plenty of good tape to boost his resume.



31. New England Patriots

Cam Johnson, DE, Virginia: The Patriots are desperate for a pass rush and may be forced to gamble on the upside potential of Johnson -- a pass rusher experienced at linebacker and defensive end due to Virginia's switch from Al Groh's 3-4 to Mike London's preferred 4-3 alignment.



32. Green Bay Packers

Billy Winn, DE, Boise State: General manager Ted Thompson loves to use high-round picks to fortify his lines. Winn doesn't get a great deal of recognition due to the fact that he plays for Boise State, but the versatile defensive lineman certainly would make sense for a Packers' team on the lookout for size, strength and youth up front.

 

[Multiple Scores]

I know he's not eligible this year but any word on Lattimore injury? Looked very bad to me.

 

[J-Dawg]

I know he's not eligible this year but any word on Lattimore injury? Looked very bad to me.

Done for the year unfortunately. Somebody posted a thread early yesterday morning, it's probably been bumped down a few pages though.

 

[SayWhat?]

Anyone care to post what their projected 2012 rookie draft (top 12 or so) currently looks like?

 

[J-Dawg]

Anyone care to post what their projected 2012 rookie draft (top 12 or so) currently looks like?

This is the list I've got right now but it'll likely change depending on what happens with the rest of the college season and during the pre-draft stuff like combine and pro-days. 1. RB Trent Richardson2. WR Justin Blackmon3. QB Andrew Luck (my main league values QB scoring highly, he might not be this high in another format)4. RB Lamar Miller5. WR Michael Floyd6. WR Alshon Jeffery7. WR Dwight Jones8. RB Chris Polk9. QB Matt Barkley10. RB LaMichael James11. WR Ryan Broyles12. QB Robert Griffin III

 

[Multiple Scores]

Do you think kniles Davis stays in school? If so, assume he doesn't where would you slot him on this list at all?

Anyone care to post what their projected 2012 rookie draft (top 12 or so) currently looks like?

This is the list I've got right now but it'll likely change depending on what happens with the rest of the college season and during the pre-draft stuff like combine and pro-days. 1. RB Trent Richardson2. WR Justin Blackmon3. QB Andrew Luck (my main league values QB scoring highly, he might not be this high in another format)4. RB Lamar Miller5. WR Michael Floyd6. WR Alshon Jeffery7. WR Dwight Jones8. RB Chris Polk9. QB Matt Barkley10. RB LaMichael James11. WR Ryan Broyles12. QB Robert Griffin III

 

[J-Dawg]

Do you think kniles Davis stays in school? If so, assume he doesn't where would you slot him on this list at all?

Anyone care to post what their projected 2012 rookie draft (top 12 or so) currently looks like?

This is the list I've got right now but it'll likely change depending on what happens with the rest of the college season and during the pre-draft stuff like combine and pro-days. 1. RB Trent Richardson2. WR Justin Blackmon3. QB Andrew Luck (my main league values QB scoring highly, he might not be this high in another format)4. RB Lamar Miller5. WR Michael Floyd6. WR Alshon Jeffery7. WR Dwight Jones8. RB Chris Polk9. QB Matt Barkley10. RB LaMichael James11. WR Ryan Broyles12. QB Robert Griffin III

Knile Davis broke his leg back in August and is out for the year. I was really disappionted by that because I loved him before the injury and he was in my early top 5 before it happened. It's going to be an uphill battle for him to return to that kind of status next year when he's going up against the likes of Lattimore (same concerns now too, sadly) and Dyer who I think is now a lock to be the #1 RB for 2013.

 

[Max Power]

NFL Mock Draft - 10/13/2011

By Rob Rang

Senior Analyst - NFLDraftScout.com

The surprising success of rookie quarterbacks Cam Newton and Andy Dalton will only encourage NFL teams to eschew other needs and make quarterback the ultimate draft priority.

This fact could pay off for teams "lucky" enough to be in competition for the right to select Stanford's Andrew Luck, Southern Cal's Matt Barkley or Oklahoma's Landry Jones.

Other than the top quarterbacks, the 2012 draft does not appear to be an especially elite. The elite defensive linemen that have characterized each of the past few drafts are gone. On the other hand, assuming a few noteworthy underclassmen leave early as expected, this could wind up being a strong draft for offensive tackles, wide receivers and cornerbacks.

No mock draft written this far in advance is going to be 100% accurate. After all, the easy part-- the draft order -- is even far from being finalized. So, take this mock draft for what it is -- a preview of what may happen in April so that you can focus on the players your favorite pro team may already be scouting.

Round 1

1. Miami Dolphins

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford: The injury to Chad Henne puts both Henne's future and that of head coach Tony Sparano on the line. Without significant improvement - and fast - both could be working elsewhere next season. If selecting No. 1 overall, the decision will be easy regardless of who is leading this franchise. Luck is the real deal.

2. Indianapolis Colts

Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma: I am not as high on Jones as some, but there is no doubt that he possesses the arm and experience to achieve success in a primarily shotgun attack in the NFL. For the Colts, he might be the perfect candidate to pair with a healing (hopefully) Peyton Manning.

3. St. Louis Rams

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State: The Rams invested heavily this past season in wide receivers who hopefully will develop some chemistry with young star quarterback, Sam Bradford. If Billy Delaney is once again picking in the top five, however, that plan hasn't worked. As such, it would be tough to pass on the playmaking Blackmon.

4. Minnesota Vikings

Matt Kalil, OT, Southern California: With their quarterback of the future already on the roster in Christian Ponder, the Vikings are in perfect position here to fill an area of need by nabbing the sliding Kalil -- a player some believe could wind up the safest in the 2012 draft class behind Luck.

5. Denver Broncos

Matt Barkley, QB, Southern California: Tim Tebow is being given his opportunity to impress John Elway and John Fox. Neither Denver decision-maker, however, appears optimistic the former Heisman winner will impress. If drafting this high again, the Broncos won't hesitate to revisit the quarterback position.



6. Jacksonville Jaguars

Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina: The Jaguars appear confident that mighty-mite Mike Thomas is going to emerge as a legitimate No. 1 receiver. While he's certainly a starting-caliber wideout, the team would be wise to add a physical possession type to complement Thomas' big-play talents. They don't get much bigger or better than Jeffery.

7. Arizona Cardinals

Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama: The Cardinals' selection of Patrick Peterson will pay off in the long run, but he has struggled under the expectations of his high draft slot and taking over for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. To slow down the improving offenses in the NFC West, the Cardinals might go back to the SEC to again nab another lanky press corner.

8. Carolina Panthers

Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson: Allowing nearly 144 rushing yards per game (31st in the NFL), the Panthers could use an infusion of talent inside at defensive tackle. Thompson is viewed as the elite defensive tackle prospect in the country and would fill a huge area of need.

9. Philadelphia Eagles

Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford: A significant part of the Eagles' struggles this season has come from inconsistent play from their offensive line. Now, whether that stems from a lack of talent or a lack of coaching is up for debate. What isn't debatable is that the Eagles will likely address this area in the offseason. Martin is overshadowed at Stanford by his quarterback, but some view him as a top 10 prospect, in his own right.

10. Kansas City Chiefs

Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina: When a team ranks dead last in the league in scoring defense and 30th in the league in scoring offense, there are plenty of holes to fill. General manager Scott Pioli helped build the New England Patriots by focusing on the defensive line and adhering to a best-player-available philosophy. That could result in Coples, whose frame makes him an intriguing candidate for defensive end in Kansas City's 3-4 scheme.

11. Seattle Seahawks

Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska: The Seahawks would obviously love for a talented young quarterback to still be on the board here, but that isn't likely. Left to fill other areas of concern, the Seahawks might look to cornerback where their starters, Marcus Trufant and Brandon Browner, are inconsistent. Dennard lacks ideal height, but is physical and well-versed in the press scheme Pete Carroll prefers.



12. Chicago Bears

Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama: The Bears are getting a spectacular season out of their current running back, Matt Forte, but don't appear eager to open the wallet and sign him to a long-term contract. That could lead to the team looking for a new starter in 2011 - and they don't come rated any higher than Richardson.

13. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta)

Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU: The Browns boast one of the league's top left tackles in Joe Thomas, but have struggled with consistent play out of the tandem of veterans Tony Pashos and Oniel Cousins on the right side. Reiff, a left tackle for Iowa, has the size, technique and physicality to contribute early.

14. Cleveland Browns

Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa: The Browns boast one of the league's top left tackles in Joe Thomas, but have struggled with consistent play out of the tandem of veterans Tony Pashos and Oniel Cousins on the right side. Reiff, a left tackle for Iowa, has the size, technique and physicality to contribute early.

15. NY Jets

David DeCastro, OG, Stanford: The Jets have been one of the league's better running teams since Rex Ryan took over, but they are struggling so far this season. DeCastro doesn't have much name recognition yet, but is viewed by some as the elite interior offensive lineman in the country.

16. Dallas Cowboys

Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina: Each year the Cowboys hope their play in the secondary improves. There have been flashes of improvement this season under new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. Gilmore isn't as flashy as some of the other cornerbacks still on the board, but is a reliable open field tackler whose physicality could fit in nicely in the NFC East.



17. Cincinnati Bengals

Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama: You might be surprised to learn that the Bengals have the league's top-rated defense through the first four games. Much of that credit lies with a solid cornerback combination of veterans Leon Hall and Nate Clements. Depth behind these two is slim, however, making the playmaking Jenkins a possibility, especially as more and more teams use multiple-receiver sets.

18. Tennessee Titans

Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame: The loss of Kenny Britt for the 2011 season will only further highlight Tennessee's lack of depth at wide receiver. Floyd's off-field behavior is scary, but so too is his ability on the field.

19. Oakland Raiders

Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State: The 3-2 Raiders have quietly been among the league's most impressive teams, playing well despite the fact that they've faced a gauntlet of playoff contenders. The Raiders rarely made the defensive tackle position a priority under the late Al Davis, but may want to add to the youth and talent at the position considering the running games prevalent throughout the AFC West. Worthy is talented, but has struggled with consistency, making him a potential ideal fit for a team featuring one of the league's more established defensive linemen in Richard Seymour.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina: Sandwiched between two teams needing youth and talent on the defensive line, the Bucs might be tempted to add to their defensive front seven. They've got good early returns on 2011 early picks Adrian Clayborn and Mason Foster, but could use more speed on the perimeter. Brown certainly has that. His speed and playmaking ability has led some to compare his upside to Buccaneer great, Derrick Brooks.

21. Houston Texans

Alameda Ta'amu, DT, Washington: For the Texans' transition to the 3-4 defense to work effectively, the team needs to add size and strength inside at nose guard. Ta'amu lacks the foot quickness to track down ball-carriers from behind, but he holds up well to double-teams.

22. NY Giants

Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College: The Giants once boasted the league's most fearsome linebacker corps, but this group has fallen on hard times. Giants' head coach Tom Coughlin, who served as the head coach at Boston College from 1991-1993, has hit big with former Eagles Mathias Kiwanuka, Chris Snee and Mark Herzlich. It isn't difficult to imagine Kuechly continuing the BC pipeline.

23. Buffalo Bills

Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame: The surprising play of Buffalo's offense has helped hide what remains one of the league's leakiest run defenses. Last season Buffalo finished dead last. After five weeks, they ranked 29th. The physical and instinctive Te'o could help remedy that.

24. Washington Redskins

Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M: Rex Grossman has played well enough so far to keep most critics off his back, but not so well as to quiet the feeling among insiders that if the Shanahans see a mobile, strong-armed quarterback that fits their offense come available they won't pounce. Play well, Rex.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers

Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia: No team values size and versatility in offensive linemen more than the Pittsburgh Steelers. Glenn may lack the footwork to remain outside at left tackle as he's playing for Georgia, but certainly would be able to help at right tackle or inside at guard.

26. San Francisco 49ers

Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin: Like the Jets, the 49ers pride themselves on their ability to run the football and control the clock. Marginal play on the interior could force the team to seek reinforcements, especially if an elite pivot like Konz elects to leave school early.

27. San Diego Chargers

Orson Charles, TE, Georgia: Newsflash - the Chargers feature arguably the league's elite tight end in Antonio Gates. Gates' inability to remain healthy, however, too often puts San Diego in a precarious position. While smaller than most teams prefer, the 6-3, 245-pound Charles is a matchup nightmare with surprising prowess as a blocker.

28. Detroit Lions

Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech: With their terrific front four attacking quarterbacks, the Detroit secondary has held up much better than most expected. Still, adding a ball-hawking cover corner is always a good strategy when you have to face Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler twice a year. Hosley led the nation with nine interceptions as a sophomore and already has three more this season.

29. Baltimore Ravens

Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State: Inside linebackers tend to drop on draft day. That is even more likely to be the case with hotheads like Burfict. While undeniably a first-round talent, Burfict's temper has gotten the better of him in the past, leading to critical penalties that cost Arizona State. If anyone can coax the talent out of Burfict it might be the Ravens, who should soon be looking for a potential replacement for future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis.

30. New England Patriots (from New Orleans)

Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska: The Patriots' lack of a pass rush is likely to force the team to select an outside linebacker early in the draft, but Bill Belichick has never been one to ignore the defensive line. The fact that Crick will miss the rest of the season due to a torn pectoral muscle certainly doesn't help his stock, but the All-Big 12 performer has plenty of good tape to boost his resume.



31. New England Patriots

Cam Johnson, DE, Virginia: The Patriots are desperate for a pass rush and may be forced to gamble on the upside potential of Johnson -- a pass rusher experienced at linebacker and defensive end due to Virginia's switch from Al Groh's 3-4 to Mike London's preferred 4-3 alignment.



32. Green Bay Packers

Billy Winn, DE, Boise State: General manager Ted Thompson loves to use high-round picks to fortify his lines. Winn doesn't get a great deal of recognition due to the fact that he plays for Boise State, but the versatile defensive lineman certainly would make sense for a Packers' team on the lookout for size, strength and youth up front.

I know its early and these are mostly for fun, but if the Bears draft a RB, I will lose my freaking mind. There isn't a person in Chicago who doesn't have their eye on the top OL prospects.

 

[jdswan922]

NFL Mock Draft - 10/13/2011

By Rob Rang

Senior Analyst - NFLDraftScout.com

The surprising success of rookie quarterbacks Cam Newton and Andy Dalton will only encourage NFL teams to eschew other needs and make quarterback the ultimate draft priority.

This fact could pay off for teams "lucky" enough to be in competition for the right to select Stanford's Andrew Luck, Southern Cal's Matt Barkley or Oklahoma's Landry Jones.

Other than the top quarterbacks, the 2012 draft does not appear to be an especially elite. The elite defensive linemen that have characterized each of the past few drafts are gone. On the other hand, assuming a few noteworthy underclassmen leave early as expected, this could wind up being a strong draft for offensive tackles, wide receivers and cornerbacks.

No mock draft written this far in advance is going to be 100% accurate. After all, the easy part-- the draft order -- is even far from being finalized. So, take this mock draft for what it is -- a preview of what may happen in April so that you can focus on the players your favorite pro team may already be scouting.

Round 1

1. Miami Dolphins

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford: The injury to Chad Henne puts both Henne's future and that of head coach Tony Sparano on the line. Without significant improvement - and fast - both could be working elsewhere next season. If selecting No. 1 overall, the decision will be easy regardless of who is leading this franchise. Luck is the real deal.

2. Indianapolis Colts

Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma: I am not as high on Jones as some, but there is no doubt that he possesses the arm and experience to achieve success in a primarily shotgun attack in the NFL. For the Colts, he might be the perfect candidate to pair with a healing (hopefully) Peyton Manning.

3. St. Louis Rams

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State: The Rams invested heavily this past season in wide receivers who hopefully will develop some chemistry with young star quarterback, Sam Bradford. If Billy Delaney is once again picking in the top five, however, that plan hasn't worked. As such, it would be tough to pass on the playmaking Blackmon.

4. Minnesota Vikings

Matt Kalil, OT, Southern California: With their quarterback of the future already on the roster in Christian Ponder, the Vikings are in perfect position here to fill an area of need by nabbing the sliding Kalil -- a player some believe could wind up the safest in the 2012 draft class behind Luck.

5. Denver Broncos

Matt Barkley, QB, Southern California: Tim Tebow is being given his opportunity to impress John Elway and John Fox. Neither Denver decision-maker, however, appears optimistic the former Heisman winner will impress. If drafting this high again, the Broncos won't hesitate to revisit the quarterback position.



6. Jacksonville Jaguars

Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina: The Jaguars appear confident that mighty-mite Mike Thomas is going to emerge as a legitimate No. 1 receiver. While he's certainly a starting-caliber wideout, the team would be wise to add a physical possession type to complement Thomas' big-play talents. They don't get much bigger or better than Jeffery.

7. Arizona Cardinals

Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama: The Cardinals' selection of Patrick Peterson will pay off in the long run, but he has struggled under the expectations of his high draft slot and taking over for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. To slow down the improving offenses in the NFC West, the Cardinals might go back to the SEC to again nab another lanky press corner.

8. Carolina Panthers

Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson: Allowing nearly 144 rushing yards per game (31st in the NFL), the Panthers could use an infusion of talent inside at defensive tackle. Thompson is viewed as the elite defensive tackle prospect in the country and would fill a huge area of need.

9. Philadelphia Eagles

Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford: A significant part of the Eagles' struggles this season has come from inconsistent play from their offensive line. Now, whether that stems from a lack of talent or a lack of coaching is up for debate. What isn't debatable is that the Eagles will likely address this area in the offseason. Martin is overshadowed at Stanford by his quarterback, but some view him as a top 10 prospect, in his own right.

10. Kansas City Chiefs

Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina: When a team ranks dead last in the league in scoring defense and 30th in the league in scoring offense, there are plenty of holes to fill. General manager Scott Pioli helped build the New England Patriots by focusing on the defensive line and adhering to a best-player-available philosophy. That could result in Coples, whose frame makes him an intriguing candidate for defensive end in Kansas City's 3-4 scheme.

11. Seattle Seahawks

Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska: The Seahawks would obviously love for a talented young quarterback to still be on the board here, but that isn't likely. Left to fill other areas of concern, the Seahawks might look to cornerback where their starters, Marcus Trufant and Brandon Browner, are inconsistent. Dennard lacks ideal height, but is physical and well-versed in the press scheme Pete Carroll prefers.



12. Chicago Bears

Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama: The Bears are getting a spectacular season out of their current running back, Matt Forte, but don't appear eager to open the wallet and sign him to a long-term contract. That could lead to the team looking for a new starter in 2011 - and they don't come rated any higher than Richardson.

13. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta)

Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU: The Browns boast one of the league's top left tackles in Joe Thomas, but have struggled with consistent play out of the tandem of veterans Tony Pashos and Oniel Cousins on the right side. Reiff, a left tackle for Iowa, has the size, technique and physicality to contribute early.

14. Cleveland Browns

Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa: The Browns boast one of the league's top left tackles in Joe Thomas, but have struggled with consistent play out of the tandem of veterans Tony Pashos and Oniel Cousins on the right side. Reiff, a left tackle for Iowa, has the size, technique and physicality to contribute early.

15. NY Jets

David DeCastro, OG, Stanford: The Jets have been one of the league's better running teams since Rex Ryan took over, but they are struggling so far this season. DeCastro doesn't have much name recognition yet, but is viewed by some as the elite interior offensive lineman in the country.

16. Dallas Cowboys

Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina: Each year the Cowboys hope their play in the secondary improves. There have been flashes of improvement this season under new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. Gilmore isn't as flashy as some of the other cornerbacks still on the board, but is a reliable open field tackler whose physicality could fit in nicely in the NFC East.



17. Cincinnati Bengals

Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama: You might be surprised to learn that the Bengals have the league's top-rated defense through the first four games. Much of that credit lies with a solid cornerback combination of veterans Leon Hall and Nate Clements. Depth behind these two is slim, however, making the playmaking Jenkins a possibility, especially as more and more teams use multiple-receiver sets.

18. Tennessee Titans

Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame: The loss of Kenny Britt for the 2011 season will only further highlight Tennessee's lack of depth at wide receiver. Floyd's off-field behavior is scary, but so too is his ability on the field.

19. Oakland Raiders

Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State: The 3-2 Raiders have quietly been among the league's most impressive teams, playing well despite the fact that they've faced a gauntlet of playoff contenders. The Raiders rarely made the defensive tackle position a priority under the late Al Davis, but may want to add to the youth and talent at the position considering the running games prevalent throughout the AFC West. Worthy is talented, but has struggled with consistency, making him a potential ideal fit for a team featuring one of the league's more established defensive linemen in Richard Seymour.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina: Sandwiched between two teams needing youth and talent on the defensive line, the Bucs might be tempted to add to their defensive front seven. They've got good early returns on 2011 early picks Adrian Clayborn and Mason Foster, but could use more speed on the perimeter. Brown certainly has that. His speed and playmaking ability has led some to compare his upside to Buccaneer great, Derrick Brooks.

21. Houston Texans

Alameda Ta'amu, DT, Washington: For the Texans' transition to the 3-4 defense to work effectively, the team needs to add size and strength inside at nose guard. Ta'amu lacks the foot quickness to track down ball-carriers from behind, but he holds up well to double-teams.

22. NY Giants

Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College: The Giants once boasted the league's most fearsome linebacker corps, but this group has fallen on hard times. Giants' head coach Tom Coughlin, who served as the head coach at Boston College from 1991-1993, has hit big with former Eagles Mathias Kiwanuka, Chris Snee and Mark Herzlich. It isn't difficult to imagine Kuechly continuing the BC pipeline.

23. Buffalo Bills

Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame: The surprising play of Buffalo's offense has helped hide what remains one of the league's leakiest run defenses. Last season Buffalo finished dead last. After five weeks, they ranked 29th. The physical and instinctive Te'o could help remedy that.

24. Washington Redskins

Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M: Rex Grossman has played well enough so far to keep most critics off his back, but not so well as to quiet the feeling among insiders that if the Shanahans see a mobile, strong-armed quarterback that fits their offense come available they won't pounce. Play well, Rex.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers

Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia: No team values size and versatility in offensive linemen more than the Pittsburgh Steelers. Glenn may lack the footwork to remain outside at left tackle as he's playing for Georgia, but certainly would be able to help at right tackle or inside at guard.

26. San Francisco 49ers

Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin: Like the Jets, the 49ers pride themselves on their ability to run the football and control the clock. Marginal play on the interior could force the team to seek reinforcements, especially if an elite pivot like Konz elects to leave school early.

27. San Diego Chargers

Orson Charles, TE, Georgia: Newsflash - the Chargers feature arguably the league's elite tight end in Antonio Gates. Gates' inability to remain healthy, however, too often puts San Diego in a precarious position. While smaller than most teams prefer, the 6-3, 245-pound Charles is a matchup nightmare with surprising prowess as a blocker.

28. Detroit Lions

Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech: With their terrific front four attacking quarterbacks, the Detroit secondary has held up much better than most expected. Still, adding a ball-hawking cover corner is always a good strategy when you have to face Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler twice a year. Hosley led the nation with nine interceptions as a sophomore and already has three more this season.

29. Baltimore Ravens

Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State: Inside linebackers tend to drop on draft day. That is even more likely to be the case with hotheads like Burfict. While undeniably a first-round talent, Burfict's temper has gotten the better of him in the past, leading to critical penalties that cost Arizona State. If anyone can coax the talent out of Burfict it might be the Ravens, who should soon be looking for a potential replacement for future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis.

30. New England Patriots (from New Orleans)

Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska: The Patriots' lack of a pass rush is likely to force the team to select an outside linebacker early in the draft, but Bill Belichick has never been one to ignore the defensive line. The fact that Crick will miss the rest of the season due to a torn pectoral muscle certainly doesn't help his stock, but the All-Big 12 performer has plenty of good tape to boost his resume.



31. New England Patriots

Cam Johnson, DE, Virginia: The Patriots are desperate for a pass rush and may be forced to gamble on the upside potential of Johnson -- a pass rusher experienced at linebacker and defensive end due to Virginia's switch from Al Groh's 3-4 to Mike London's preferred 4-3 alignment.



32. Green Bay Packers

Billy Winn, DE, Boise State: General manager Ted Thompson loves to use high-round picks to fortify his lines. Winn doesn't get a great deal of recognition due to the fact that he plays for Boise State, but the versatile defensive lineman certainly would make sense for a Packers' team on the lookout for size, strength and youth up front.

I know its early and these are mostly for fun, but if the Bears draft a RB, I will lose my freaking mind. There isn't a person in Chicago who doesn't have their eye on the top OL prospects.

Or even youth on defense

 

[Rodeojones]

Do you think kniles Davis stays in school? If so, assume he doesn't where would you slot him on this list at all?

Anyone care to post what their projected 2012 rookie draft (top 12 or so) currently looks like?

This is the list I've got right now but it'll likely change depending on what happens with the rest of the college season and during the pre-draft stuff like combine and pro-days. 1. RB Trent Richardson2. WR Justin Blackmon3. QB Andrew Luck (my main league values QB scoring highly, he might not be this high in another format)4. RB Lamar Miller5. WR Michael Floyd6. WR Alshon Jeffery7. WR Dwight Jones8. RB Chris Polk9. QB Matt Barkley10. RB LaMichael James11. WR Ryan Broyles12. QB Robert Griffin III

Knile Davis broke his leg back in August and is out for the year. I was really disappionted by that because I loved him before the injury and he was in my early top 5 before it happened. It's going to be an uphill battle for him to return to that kind of status next year when he's going up against the likes of Lattimore (same concerns now too, sadly) and Dyer who I think is now a lock to be the #1 RB for 2013.

I would put David Wilson RB (V Tech) on that list...

 

[Faust]

Marshall's Curry making waves out of the spotlight; Week 7 risers

Week 7 in the college season saw a number of teams fall from the ranks of the unbeaten. It was also a weekend where several highly regarded NFL prospects turned in breakout performances and helped lead their teams to victory. Here are the nine top performers from Saturday's games and notes on a prospect previously mentioned as a riser.

Vinny Curry, DE-OLB, Marshall: One of the best kept secrets of the 2012 NFL Draft plays for the Thundering Herd and is impressing league decision-makers every weekend. In seven games this season Curry has totaled 9.5 sacks, 17.5 tackles for loss and 42 tackles. He also has a safety and two blocked kicks to his credit this year. On Saturday, Curry posted 3.5 sacks against Rice, 3.0 of which came on third down. He has the skills to be used out of a three-point stance as a one-gap defensive end and Curry is also getting a lot of consideration as a 3-4 outside linebacker. He looks like the next first round pick from Marshall.

Jonathan Martin, T, Stanford*: Andrew Luck gets the lion's share of the attention at Stanford, but most NFL scouts agree Martin is an important piece of the Cardinal offense, which is tearing through opponents. The junior tackle protects the blind side for Luck and is an outstanding combination of size, athleticism and football skill. While he needs to polish his game, Martin offers a great amount of upside as well as NFL starting potential. The junior is expected to enter the 2012 draft and will be graded as one of the top offensive tackles in the event.

Doug Martin, RB, Boise State: Martin put up pedestrian numbers during the first half of the season, but came through with a breakout performance against Colorado State. His ground totals during the Broncos' decisive victory included 200 yards on 20 carries, with three touchdowns. Two of the scores came on runs of 26 and 65 yards. The versatile skill player has also accumulated 17 receptions for 173 yards thus far in 2011. Martin entered the season graded as the top senior running back from a number of west coast scouts and has solidified his position.

Isaiah Pead, RB, Cincinnati: Another running back from the senior class who hasn't disappointed scouts this season, Pead almost singlehandedly carried the lethargic Bearcat offense on his shoulders to victory over Louisville. He posted 151 yards on the ground against the Cardinals, 110 which came during the second half when Cincinnati was down by nine points. His 50-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter put the Bearcats up for good. The swift ball carrier offers outstanding speed and is a solid middle-round choice who will be a good situational ball carrier in the NFL.

Matt Conrath, DE, Virginia: The Cavaliers knocked conference foe Georgia Tech from the ranks of the unbeaten, thanks in large part to the defensive effort led by Conrath. The senior finished with 9 tackles, including one for loss. He also blocked a field goal, which turned out to be the margin of victory. Conrath is a tall, angular defender who moves well about the field. His size and skill is reminiscent of Chris Canty, the former Cavalier star who is presently in his seventh NFL season.

Robert Lester, S, Alabama*: Lester is one of several terrific NFL prospects in the Alabama secondary. He is also a player some feel is the most complete from the unit. Lester possesses a developed game and displays toughness against the run while also showing terrific skill in coverage. His interception in the second quarter of the Alabama win over Mississippi helped break open what had been a close contest. His game is NFL-ready and the junior could be tough to pass up at the start of the second round if he enters the draft.

Tysyn Hartman, S, Kansas State: Well-received by scouts entering the year, Hartman's play against Texas Tech helped solidify that opinion. Against the Red Raiders he posted 8 tackles and added a fourth-quarter interception, which helped clinch the game for the Wildcats. Hartman is a zone safety prospect with a special teams mentality and someone who could squeeze into the draft's middle rounds.

Mike Brewster, C, Ohio State: Several NFL scouts feel Brewster is the third-rated center in the Big Ten behind Peter Konz of Wisconsin and Michigan's David Molk. Yet since stepping into the starting line-up as a freshman, Brewster has been nothing less than stellar on the field. Against Illinois he led an offensive line that helped propel the Buckeyes' running game to 211 yards, more than twice the average the Fighting Illini had been giving up this season (97 yards per game). Brewster is a smart, tough blocker who gets the most from his ability. He's an underrated prospect who could be a surprise pick during the draft's second day next April.

Sleeper -- Jamie Blatnick, DE-OLB, Oklahoma State: Blatnick was not on the scouting radar prior to the season, but his performance this year will make scouts rethink their original opinion. During Oklahoma State's drubbing of Texas the senior totaled 9 tackles, 4 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. Blatnick presently leads the OSU defense in tackles for loss (7.5) and sacks (5). He's a versatile defender who can line up in a three-point stance or play in space and cover backs and tight ends in the short field. Blatnick's intensity is infectious, which leads many to believe he will excel on special teams at the next level. The combination of competitiveness and playmaking skills will surely help Blatnick secure a spot in the later rounds.

Notes: Welcome back Dan Herron. The Ohio State senior, who NFL scouts ranked as one of the top running backs from the senior class, returned to the field after a six-game suspension for his role in Tattoo-Gate. Herron looked to be in midseason form, rolling up 114 yards on 23 carries with one score and showing little rust. If Herron builds on this performance, he will be graded as one of the top handful of running backs available in April's draft.

SMU signal caller J.J. McDermott, a Week 5 riser, continues to impress NFL scouts. On Saturday, he completed 66 percent of his throws for 358 yards against Central Florida during the Mustangs' victory. Several senior quarterbacks who were highly rated have been underperforming this season, and as a result McDermott continues to move up draft boards.

 

[Faust]

Clemson continues to climb

Posted Oct. 17, 2011 @ 10:01 a.m. ET

By Nolan Nawrocki

Ten prominent college programs remain undefeated nearing the midseason mark, but three — Georgia Tech, Michigan and Illinois — saw their unblemished records tarnished last week as one of the season's surprise contenders, Clemson, was able to fend off an 18-point deficit to overcome Maryland on the road.

Few college football players walk into college and show they can compete at an NFL level, but sensational true freshman WR Sammy Watkins quickly has shown the type of explosion and playmaking ability to dominate college football. He has been one of the key spark plugs for an underrated, fast-ascending program under the direction of Dabo Swinney.

Watkins recorded a school-record 345 all-purpose yards in the Tigers' 56-45 win over Maryland, breaking C.J. Spiller's mark (335 yards) while creating one highlight-reel catch after another as he victimized Maryland sophomore CB Dexter McDougle for two TD grabs. He also put the Tigers ahead for good when he returned a kickoff 89 yards to make it 49-45 with 7:24 left to play. He had a 70-yard kickoff return earlier in the game.

Watkins received a huge assist from the explosive running of junior RB Andre Ellington (212 yards on 24 carries) as first-year offensive coordinator Chad Morris used his fast-paced, turbo-tempo, vertical-strike offense to light up the scoreboard in the second half, when Clemson outscored Maryland 39-17.

• The ability to contain athletic, dual-threat quarterbacks spurred Michigan State, Virginia and Ohio State to victories over higher-ranked opponents.

Michigan State's Kirk Cousins has not progressed the way NFL evaluators would like as a senior, but his superb leadership has carried the Spartans to four consecutive wins over their in-state rivals and gave underrated Spartans skipper Mark Dantonio a 4-1 mark vs. Michigan.

The timing and rhythm of Paul Johnson's triple-option offense at Georgia Tech has proven to be nearly unstoppable, but the way Virginia head coach Mike London was able to suffocate it, holding the Yellow Jackets to a season-low 296 yards, was a huge accomplishment.

An opportunistic defense limiting big plays put the Buckeyes back on track, with the return of RB Boom Herron from suspension activating the ground game.

• Ohio State OLT Mike Adams had a difficult time handling the quickness of Illinois junior DE Whitney Mercilus. The nation's leading sack artist (10 sacks in seven games) beat Adams clean to the inside early in the game to strip-sack the quarterback. Adams was penalized for a foolish personal foul late in the fourth quarter as well. Inconsistency and off-field issues could diminish Adams' draft stock significantly.

• LSU junior CB Morris Claiborne showed outstanding body control adjusting to the ball in the air downfield and plucking it out of the air. He returned it 89 yards before being caught at the Tennessee 5-yard line.

• South Carolina true sophomore RB Marcus Lattimore, one of the most instinctive bellcow backs in college football, sustained a season-ending left knee injury when split wide blocking against Mississippi State. Reports say he suffered a torn ligament and cartilage damage. He ranked second in the SEC in rushing at 116.9 yards per game.

• Oklahoma WR Ryan Broyles broke the NCAA's career receptions record held by Purdue's Taylor Stubblefield (316) with a school-record 13-217-2 performance against Kansas.

• Maryland senior CB Cameron Chism recorded his second pick-six of the season against Clemson, returning it for 46 yards for a TD, but it was an ill-advised throw directly at him from Clemson QB Tajh Boyd.

• Alabama junior RB Trent Richardson established a new personal high for the second time in three weeks when he churned out 183 yards and four TDs on 17 carries against Mississippi. On a 76-yard, highlight-reel TD run, he ran through three arm tackles and made several sharp cuts, including an impressive juke near the goal line that left a young Rebels defender grasping for air. The value of the RB position has diminished in the NFL as most teams have gone to committee approaches, but Richardson is proving he can do it all and could become a top-10 pick.

• Utah senior DE Derrick Shelby intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter to seal a 26-14 win over Pittsburgh, rumbling 21 yards for a score. With long, 34-inch arms and a 37-inch vertical jump, Shelby possesses very intriguing upside. He consistently made his presence felt behind the line of scrimmage and is proving he deserves more attention from evaluators

• South Carolina junior WR Alshon Jeffery sealed the win against Mississippi State by elevating high against double coverage and taking the ball out of the crowd, having his helmet stripped while he came down but still holding on to the ball to secure a 14-12 win.

 

[Faust]

Tuesday Top 10: MVPs of the season's first half

Over the weekend South Carolina got some devastating news: Star RB Marcus Lattimore was lost for the season with a knee injury. I brought up the point on Twitter that Lattimore, one of the real workhorses in the sport, might be the most valuable non-quarterback in college football. Where would he rank overall? This week's Top 10 list: most valuable players of the first half of the 2011 season:

1-Robert Griffin III, Baylor QB: Yeah, his numbers have tailed off a bit since his incredible first month, but RG3 has still been phenomenal for what used to be such a dismal Bears program. Griffin has a 22-2 TD-INT ratio and is connecting on over 78 percent of his passes while accounting for, on average, 374 of Baylor's 550 total yards per game. Look at it this way: Griffin has been a franchise talent for this program that has been embroiled in the rough side of the conference realignment stuff. The Bears have spent several weeks in the Top 25 this season, have a shot at making a New Year's Day bowl and have been nationally relevant for more than a month despite having the 100th ranked scoring D in the country.

2-Andrew Luck, Stanford, QB: As advertised, Luck has been brilliant leading this top 10 team as it moves on without Jim Harbaugh. The Cardinal are unbeaten and no one has gotten closer than 26 points from them while they coasted past a bunch of teams that are mediocre at best. As impressive as Luck's passing numbers are: 71 percent completion percentage, 18 TDs, 3 INTs, something else is even more of a head-turner: Stanford lost three of its five starters up front from last year and they still only have surrendered two sacks all season. A lot of that is due to the big QB's guile and grasp of the offense. Luck makes it all look so easy.

3-Trent Richardson, Alabama, RB: The current top guy on my Heisman list, Richardson has a better supporting cast than anyone out there. With as devastating as the Tide's defense is this season, Bama could be a top 25 team just with average talent on offense. But it's Richardson who makes the Tide such a force on this side of the ball too. He is a bruising back with outstanding speed and now everyone knows about how slick his moves are after the number he did on Ole Miss last week. Richardson is the engine of the Tide offense, which had to replace, Mark Ingram, Julio Jones and QB Greg McElroy. Despite all of that turnover, Bama is actually still leading the SEC in scoring (39 ppg) and averaging almost six points more than it was at this point last year.

4-Denard Robinson, Michigan, QB: Last year at this time Robinson's act felt like a phenomenon. We've almost gotten used to it, but he is still arguably the most exciting player in college football. Robinson's performance in an amazing comeback win over Notre Dame in September was one for the ages. The Wolverines are much better on D this year, but actually not quite as prolific on offense. Robinson's passing game has regressed a bit from last year, but the load he carries is still remarkable. He is accounting for 312 of Michigan's 451 total yards of offense (69 percent).

5-Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina, RB: The SEC has a couple of great tailbacks. Whether Lattimore is actually better than Trent Richardson is debatable, but the loss of the star back on Steve Spurrier's team figures to be huge. Lattimore wasn't just a great physical runner, he also was a very capable receiver and the guy who kept the Gamecocks offense going.

6-Russell Wilson, Wisconsin, QB: The NC State transfer has fit into Badger football beautifully, taking this program to a new level. Wilson leads the country in passing efficiency and has thrown 14 TDs against just one INT. As the schedule picks up, Wilson's worth figures to continue to increase.

7-Kellen Moore, Boise State, QB: His yards per attempt and passing efficiency rating are slightly down from last year. Then again, he did have to replace two superb receivers, but Moore has still been his usual outstanding self, completing 76 percent of his passes for the Boise State powerhouse that looks like the safest bet in college football to run the table this fall.

8-Tyrann Mathieu, LSU, CB/SLB/PR: The Honey Badger is the star of the dominating LSU D, lining up all over the field, blitzing, dropping, playing man, flying in for tackles while trying to rip the ball free. He just has a real knack for making big, momentum-swinging plays. The 5-9, 180-pound Mathieu leads the Tigers in solo tackles (29); forced fumbles (four), fumble recoveries (three) and is tied for second in INTs (two) and for third in TFLs (five).

9-Devon Still, Penn State, DT: A few years back Nittany Lion D-lineman Jared Odrick was such a handful for rival offenses that he won Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors. Still is playing at that level and might be in line for similar honors if he can keep this up. The Nittany Lions are No. 6 in the country in scoring defense with Still anchoring their front and barreling his way into the other team's backfields consistently. Stats often can't truly measure a lineman's merits, but Still makes more than his share of plays besides the ones he creates for teammates. His 10 TFLs are among the nation's leaders and his play on a good defense has enabled PSU to go 6-1 in spite of a dreadful offense, ranked 96th in the nation.

10 (tie)- Sammy Watkins, Clemson, WR-KR: The most spectacular freshman in football, Watkins' worth was evident last weekend when he turned in big play after big play to bail the Tigers out of a tight situation as they rallied to overtake Maryland. In that game he set a school-record with 345 all-purpose yards. On the season, he already has five plays of 60 yards or longer.



10 (tie) Robert Woods, USC, WR-KR: The Trojan offense has sputtered quite a bit this fall, but Woods is the one USC player who consistently looks like the kind of stud that this program had when it was competing for BCS titles. Woods is on pace for 120 catches and almost 1600 yards receiving for a team that is 5-1, but might only be .500 if it weren't for the sophomore wideout.

 

[Faust]

Week 7 Rewind: Blackmon rises to occasion when needed

By Rob Rang

The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com

Oct. 17, 2011

Each week, we rewind the game film to highlight the star-worthy performances that could impact the 2012 draft rankings:

• Oklahoma State handed Texas a second straight loss largely due to its overpowering running game. Cowboys running backs Jeremy Smith and Joseph Randle combined for 208 yards and three touchdowns in the big win.

The Cowboys were so effective running the ball because Texas' primary concern heading into this contest was slowing Oklahoma State's dynamic passing attack -- specifically wide receiver Justin Blackmon.

Blackmon, who entered the game with 46 grabs for 534 yards and six touchdowns in just five games, disappeared for stretches against the Longhorns as the Cowboys got out to an early lead. What a comfort it must be for OSU head coach Mike Gundy, however, to know that the reigning Biletnikoff winner was there when the Cowboys needed a big play.

Blackmon, a 6-foot-1, 215-pound junior rated NFLDraftScout.com's top wide receiver prospect for the 2012 draft, does not have the elite speed normally associated with highly drafted receivers. Blackmon has been estimated by some scouts to run in the 4.55 range. Like Anquan Boldin and Hakeem Nicks -- physical receivers who come to mind as comparisons -- Blackmon doesn't need top-end speed to be a big-play threat.

There is no denying that his statistics are largely a byproduct of Oklahoma State's aggressive offensive system. However, because he accelerates quickly out of his breaks and has such great strength and body control, he's able to gain separation from cornerbacks, even those who clearly possess equal or even better speed. Just as importantly, he has large, strong hands and impressive leaping ability. As such, even when he appears to be covered, he does a nice job of timing his leap and snatching passes out of the air.

Blackmon's talent was perfectly encapsulated by his second-quarter touchdown reception.

Blackmon was covered closely on the play, but challenged vertically while waiting for his opponent to turn his hips. Blackmon planted his right foot into the ground to explode left, executing a perfect post pattern. The defender was close enough to grab onto Blackmon, but he was just too strong, dragging the Texas defender and stretching the ball to cross the goal line for a 15-yard score.

• As it should be, much is made of the fact that some quarterbacks are more prepared for the NFL because they were groomed in a pro-style offense.

In a similar way, when an offensive tackle is asked to block against a talented 3-4 defense, talent evaluators are given a unique scouting opportunity. NFLDraftScout.com's top-rated tackle for the 2012 draft, Southern California junior Matt Kalil, faced off against California and the Bears' 3-4 defense led by former NFL defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast.

Kalil, 6-7 and 295 pounds, is quick off the snap, getting a strong initial push on his opponent. Kalil could stand to improve his technique. He'll need to finish his blocks with greater consistency when blocking in the NFL.

While Kalil's primary target did fight to get back into the play on occasion, the big tackle was mostly dominant, especially when asked to drive block at the first level. Despite his natural leverage disadvantage, Kalil plays with good pad level and has the upper-body explosiveness and leg drive to knock even stout defenders off the ball. Kalil wasn't often asked to release to the second level, but on the few occasions when he was given this opportunity, he demonstrated good foot speed, balance and agility.

Kalil eases back out of his stance when in pass protection, demonstrating plenty of mobility to remain on the blind side in the NFL. He was challenged by Cal, which sent a variety of defenders at him, including defensive ends Trevor Guyton, Ernest Owusu, Deandre Coleman and an occasional outside linebacker on the blitz. Kalil was never beaten by outside speed, something that NFL scouts will note. He was, however, beaten on multiple occasions by inside moves by Cal's bigger defensive linemen, especially Coleman.

Kalil's size, athleticism and bloodlines (his brother, Ryan, is a Pro Bowl center for the Carolina Panthers) will more than make up for some lapses in technique.

In fact, his upside is so significant that Kalil could wind up a higher pick than former teammate Tyron Smith, who was selected ninth overall by Dallas in April.

• Just as the Oklahoma State rushing attack will get much of the credit for the Cowboys' win over Texas, most will give the Virginia ground game a pat on the back for its role in the Cavaliers' upset of No. 12 Georgia Tech.

With 272 yards on the ground, the Cavs' run game certainly deserves credit. So too does cornerback Chase Minnifield, who provided strong tackling on the perimeter, helping limit the vaunted Georgia Tech offense to only 296 total yards and just two pass completions.

The 6-foot, 185-pound Minnifield is the son of former Cleveland Browns standout cornerback Frank Minnifield. His play no doubt made his father proud Saturday, as Chase recorded five tackles and his first interception of the season in the second quarter to help his Cavaliers escape the first half with a 24-14 lead.

Scouts have concerns about Minnifield's straight-line speed, but his instinctive, physical play on the edge intrigues scouts who work for teams operating out of either a primarily press or zone coverage scheme. Others view him as a potential free-safety convert.

Regardless of his future NFL position, Minnifield's size, experience and versatility should make him a contender for a top-64 selection in April's draft.

• Upon Further Review highlights a player whose performance over the weekend significantly altered my earlier assessment.

Tennessee running back Tauren Poole entered his senior season as an ascending NFL prospect. Midway through, the Volunteers' inability to run the ball had Poole's stock slipping. In the first two SEC games, Tennessee struggled to run. With the NCAA inexplicably counting yardage lost on sacks against a team's rushing total, Tennessee hasn't been quite as bad as its national ranking -- 114th at 89 yards per game -- but their "star" senior running back had rushed for just 25 yards on 16 carries against Florida and Georgia; hardly the stuff to excite pro scouts.

With quarterback Tyler Bray out for six weeks with a broken thumb, the pressure was on Poole and the Volunteers' offensive line to help backup quarterback Matt Simms at home against top-ranked LSU.

Poole proved up to the task, attacking the line of scrimmage and getting everything he could from the slight openings his offensive line provided in the first half. Poole isn't a dancer, but has enough lateral agility to elude and shows good leg drive and competitive fire for short-yardage situations. Tennessee leaned on Poole heavily on its late second-quarter scoring drive capped by Poole's 2-yard TD.

Poole could hardly be characterized as dynamic against LSU's sixth-ranked rushing defense and the talent disparity between the two teams was clear. However, the senior runner steadied his draft stock with a solid performance, providing scouts a glimpse of what he could do against NFL-caliber speed and size.

 

[Faust]

College Stock Watch: Tannehill's ability second only to Luck's

By Bucky Brooks NFL.com

Analyst

Published: Oct. 17, 2011 at 03:58 p.m.

Updated: Oct. 19, 2011

There are several great college quarterback prospects. While Andrew Luck* is the nation's top signal-caller, the second spot isn't as clear.

Supporters of Oklahoma's Landry Jones* and USC's Matt Barkley* will make the case for each of those quarterbacks, but Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill has the athleticism, arm strength and intangibles to be a star.

With Aaron Rodgers the NFL's most dominant quarterback, more teams are seeking athletic passers who can play inside or outside of the pocket. Tannehill, a 6-foot-4, 222-pound receiver-turned-quarterback, has shown he can do damage with his feet or arm. He nimbly avoids rushers and has the mobility to pass once protection breaks down. While some athletic quarterbacks look to run first when leaving the pocket, Tannehill keeps his eyes up the field hoping to find an available receiver. His awareness and improvisational skills are impressive considering his lack of experience as a quarterback.

As a drop back passer, Tannehill is not quite as polished, but has the tools to make all of the throws. His arm strength is above average and he has excellent range on deep throws. From an accuracy standpoint, he is outstanding on short-to-intermediate passes. He excels on in-breaking routes between the hashes, but is also capable of delivering the ball with zip on deep outs and comebacks.

In looking at Tannehill's flaws, his inconsistency and touch on deep balls stands out. He routinely fails to connect with open receivers on vertical routes despite a strong arm. Some of his problems stem from his lack of timing and anticipation, which can be corrected with more experience.

Tannehill's limited résumé (13 games as a starter) is also a potential issue for evaluators. His learning curve likely will be steeper than more seasoned prospects.

However, the recent successes of Cam Newton and Mark Sanchez despite their limited playing history could alleviate those concerns and prompt a team to focus on Tannehill's immense potential as a franchise quarterback.

Pac-12 has premier offensive tackles

USC's Matt Kalil* and Stanford's Jonathan Martin* are the best offensive tackles in the country, and it's not even close.

Kalil, a 6-6, 295-pound redshirt junior, is a polished left tackle. He's up to the task of sliding and mirroring elite rushers, yet has the body control to anchor against power players. Kalil has played well against top competition, which has earned him high marks from scouts. Beyond sound fundamentals, his football intelligence, instincts and awareness are all strengths. Kalil was held in such high regard at USC that former Trojan Tyron Smith was unable to start at left tackle despite being a top 10 pick in the 2011 draft.

Martin, a 6-6, 305-pound also a redshirt junior, has all the physical tools to develop into a franchise left tackle. Although he's most effective as a run blocker due to his strength and power, he also has the athleticism to shadow pass rushers. He effortlessly slides to stay in front of players and maintains proper position. Martin still needs to tighten up some of his technique, but his natural talent should allow him to easily pick up the nuances of the position.

Word on the street

» Oklahoma receiver Ryan Broyles might not earn a first-round grade on most boards, but a prominent NFC West evaluator believes he will make an immediate contributor as a pro. The scout tabbed Broyles as the best route runner in college football and compared him to the Patriots' Deion Branch and Wes Welker as a potential slot receiver. The scout added that he could see Broyles make his mark as a No. 3 receiver on a team that utilizes a lot of spread formations.

» South Carolina wideout Alshon Jeffrey* has generated some buzz because of his size (6-4, 229), athleticism and ball skills, but some scouts question his overall speed and burst. They wonder about his ability to separate from elite corners at the next level and that could prevent Jeffrey from emerging as an impact player.

Stock up



» Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma, WR: He hauled in 13 receptions for 217 yards and two touchdowns scores in a blowout of Kansas. This marks the third time this season Broyles has finished with 13-plus catches and is his fourth straight game with 100-plus yards receiving. As the NCAA career leader in receptions (326) and the Big 12 leader in receiving touchdowns (44), Broyles has cemented his status as one of the top playmakers in college football.



» Trent Richardson*, Alabama, RB: He topped the 100-yard mark for the sixth straight game with his 17-carry, 183-yard performance against Ole Miss. He added four rushing touchdowns, including a remarkable 76-yard score that showcased his quickness and body control while eluding multiple defenders on the way to the end zone.

» Morris Claiborne*, LSU, CB: He continues to prove he's one of the top cover corners in college football. He picked off his third pass of the season and added two deflections in LSU's win over Tennessee.

» Kenjon Barner*, Oregon, RB: He capably filled in for an injured LaMichael James* by rushing for 171 yards on 31 carries against Arizona State. Barner flashed speed and quickness getting to the perimeter, but had enough power to break arm tackles. Although Barner isn't a playmaker of James' caliber, he's capable of carrying the Ducks' offense in the interim.



» Dion Bailey*, USC, LB: The redshirt freshman made quite a statement with his all-around game against Cal. Bailey finished with eight tackles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery. Although both picks could be called gifts, he should be credited with being in the right place at the right time.

Stock down



» Denard Robinson*, Michigan, QB: He's been the primary offensive weapon for most of the season, but struggled against Michigan State. He completed 9 of 24 attempts and had a critical interception in the fourth quarter. As a runner, Robinson had 42 yards on 18 attempts and failed to deliver the big play the offense desperately needed.

» B.J. Daniels*, South Florida, QB: He was expected to emerge as a top quarterback this season, but is mired in a two-game slump that has seen him complete 50 percent of his passes with two interceptions. Daniels has struggled to string together completions and failed to keep South Florida's explosive offense going.



» Ray Graham*, Pittsburgh, RB: After rushing for 100-plus yards in four of his first six games, Graham was held to 46 yards on 12 carries vs. Utah. While he didn't get many opportunities, he found little daylight when given the ball and didn't resemble the player that created buzz earlier in the season.

 

[Native]

Aaron Rodgers' younger brother Jordan Rodgers started his first game this week for Vanderbilt. He looks a lot like his brother - good arm, athletic, extremely mobile, etc. He has ways to go but hes definitely one to watch. He looked great last week vs Georgia in relief of the starting Vandy QB and led the team to a win vs Army today in his first college start.

 

[Faust]

Midseason Top 50 draft board

Tony Pauline

As the college football season reaches the midway point, it's time to look at the players expected to impact the first two rounds of April's NFL Draft. It'll be an offense-heavy class at the top of the first round, with a majority of the players selected coming from the junior class. (* denotes underclassman)

1. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford*: In an SI.com piece in August 2010 I referred to Luck as the most NFL-ready quarterback on the college level. More than 12 months later Luck has improved his game and exceeded all expectations. He is expected to enter the draft, will be the first pick of the event and is legitimately the best quarterback prospect since Peyton Manning.

2. Matt Kalil, T, USC*: The Trojans have a storied history of sending premier offensive tackles to the NFL, and Kalil is the next in line. He's a dominant blocker with the skills necessary to be an elite left tackle.

3. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama*: His game offers an outstanding combination of quickness, power and speed. He's a better NFL prospect than former Alabama running back and 2009 Heisman winner Mark Ingram. Richardson will be one of the few feature backs available in the draft.

4. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State*: The junior receiver has been dominant in every aspect the past two seasons. The game-controlling wideout shows the speed necessary to break plays deep and has the physical and mental make-up to be a No. 1 receiver at the NFL level.

5. Matt Barkley, QB, USC*: He has steadily progressed the past three seasons and is developing into a terrific signal caller. He beats defenders with deadly accurate passes on underneath routes, but also throws a solid deep pass. The junior offers starting potential and would be a good fit for a west coast offense.

6. Quinton Coples, DL, North Carolina: After entering the season with some of the highest grades of any senior prospect, Coples no longer ranks as a top-five selection in the draft due to a down tick in production this season and the continued emergence of the underclassmen ahead of him.

7. Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama*: Kirkpatrick offers outstanding size and ball skills. The shutdown corner can quickly become an NFL starter. His 40 times before the draft will ultimately dictate where he lands in the first round.

8. Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina: The most complete senior linebacker and a true three-down defender, Brown is a terrific prospect. He projects as a starting weakside linebacker.

9. Mark Barron, S, Alabama: Barron has rebounded from a junior campaign in which he struggled with questionable play. He possesses outstanding size and speed and has developed a complete game this season.

10. Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina*: Built in the mold of Calvin Johnson despite not having Megatron's speed, Jeffery has all the tools to be a legitimate No. 1 receiver.

11. Jonathan Martin, T, Stanford*: A terrific athlete, Martin has the skills to be a starting left tackle. His game is still rough around the edges, but Martin comes with great potential.

12. Robert Griffin, QB, Baylor*: Since breaking into the starting lineup as a freshman, Griffin has displayed consistent improvement. He possesses elite physical skills and has developed the mental and leadership abilities to eventually be a franchise quarterback.

13. Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU*: Claiborne answered many of the questions scouts had about his game this year after playing alongside Patrick Peterson in 2010. Though not the athlete his former teammate is, Claiborne possesses better ball skills and offers a more polished game.

14. Riley Reiff, T, Iowa*: An outstanding pass protector, Reiff grades as high as former Hawkeye Bryan Bulaga, the first-round pick of the Green Bay Packers in 2010. He has starting potential as a left tackle.

15. Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson: Thompson has been a force on the Clemson defense for three years running. He's an explosive one-gap lineman who projects well on a four-man line.

16. Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame: Floyd made the wise choice of not entering last April's draft after scouts projected him as a second-round choice. He's been a dominant, game-controlling receiver every Saturday, and has improved his draft stock a full round this season.

17. David DeCastro, G, Stanford*: DeCastro looks like a man amongst boys most days and is dominant in every aspect of the game. He's been compared to Olin Kreutz, but will be selected much earlier in the draft than the former All Pro.

18. T.J. McDonald, S, USC*: The next top safety from USC, McDonald is a complete player who defends the run and covers the pass. He lacks classic safety size, but his top-notch ball skills intrigue NFL decision-makers.

19. Devon Still, DT, Penn State: The big defensive lineman can play in a variety of systems and is well thought-of in the scouting community.

20. Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State*: When on his game, Burfict is a dominant linebacker who outclasses the opposition in all areas. Unfortunately, the junior is also known as a loose cannon on and off the field, which has raised red flags.

21. Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma*: Cool, calm and collected, Landry is a terrific college passer who almost always makes the right decisions on the field. But though the junior is a solid NFL prospect, he's not the can't-miss franchise QB some make him out to be.

22. Devin Taylor, DE-OLB, South Carolina*: Taylor is a gifted prospect who can be a game-changer in the defensive front seven. He's mired in a very mediocre campaign, but can make a big move up boards should he turn it around.

23. Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College*: Kuechly is tough, instinctive and football smart. He's a terrific run defender, but possesses ordinary size and speed, which will undoubtedly hurt his draft stock.

24. Vinny Curry, DE-OLB, Marshall*: Curry thought long and hard about entering the 2010 draft, but ultimately made the proper call and returned for his senior season. He's a dynamic pass rusher who can line up at defensive end in a conventional scheme or play outside linebacker in a 3-4 alignment.

25. Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska: Dennard is one of the better bump-and-run corners in the nation and a defender opponents purposely avoid. He lacks elite defensive back speed, but in the right system he will be a starter in the NFL.

26. Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame*: A fierce, run-defending linebacker with a great head for the game, Te'o has the ability to line up at middle linebacker in a 4-3 scheme or on the inside of a 3-4.

27. Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State*: The Michigan State junior beats opponents off the snap with a great first step while also possessing the strength to over-power blockers. He needs to improve his techniques and play hard on every down, but Worthy comes with great upside.

28. Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama: Scouts spoke well of the former Florida Gator, but a shoulder injury curtailed his plans to enter last April's draft before off-field issues forced him to transfer to North Alabama. Jenkins is a shutdown corner when healthy and at the top of his game, but teams have a lot of issues to sift through.

29. Alameda Ta'amu, DL, Washington: The 335-pound Ta'amu is a load in the middle of the line and impossible to move from the action. He's also a fine athlete who moves well on his feet. Ta'amu could shoot up draft boards if he starts to make more plays on the field.

30. Nick Perry, DE-OLB, USC*: In the midst of a career season, Perry is among the Pac-12 leaders in sacks and tackles for loss. He's a tremendous athlete who, at 250 pounds, can run the 50 in 4.6 seconds. Perry is still developing his game, but has shown improvement on a weekly basis.

31. Jonathan Cooper, G, North Carolina*: Ranked as one of the best zone blocking prospects in the nation, Cooper is a terrific athlete with a good amount of upside to his game.

32. Robert Lester, S, Alabama*: Lester is the third member of the Alabama secondary to make this list. His game is complete, and many scouts think his coverage skills exceed those of teammate Mark Barron.

33. Courtney Upshaw, DE-OLB, Alabama: The Tide's top pass rusher is a playmaking machine, with a combined 14 sacks/tackles for loss this season. Upshaw lines up at defensive end for Alabama, but projects to outside linebacker in the NFL. Solid pre-draft workouts will only enhance his stock.

34. Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers*: Sanu has been the go-to receiver at Rutgers since his freshman season. He's a big target who defeats opponents to come away with the reception, and will serve as a terrific red-zone target in the NFL.

35. Jared Crick, DL, Nebraska: Crick is an intense competitor who plays hard until the whistle blows. He's getting looks as both a three-technique lineman and two-gap end for the next level. A torn pectoral muscle abruptly cut short his 2011 campaign and will aversely impact Crick's draft stock.

36. Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin*: Konz is the next great lineman from the Wisconsin program and the best center from the Big Ten since Nick Mangold. He's a dominant run blocker who also stands out in pass protection besides possessing the skills needed to block in motion.

37. Bernard Pierce, RB, Temple*: The record-setting ball carrier is a well built back with great instincts and skill. He has the power to run over opponents and the vision to squeeze through open lanes.

38. Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama*: Hightower is a dominant middle linebacker with a style reminiscent of former Tide star Rolando McClain. He lacks the pure instincts of his former teammate and does not play with the same motor, but all the pieces are available to Hightower if he wants to put them together.

39. Melvin Ingram, DE-OLB, South Carolina: Ingram is in the midst of an All American campaign and ready to claim numerous postseason awards. His play on the field is eye-catching, but his measurables (6-2, 270 lbs., 4.8 40) leave scouts wondering where he'll line up at the next level.

40. Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis*: The 350-pound junior is an imposing defender in the middle of the Memphis line who eats blockers alive. He has the power to drive opponents off the ball but also moves well in the box. Poe is expected to enter the draft and could end up the highest-rated nose tackle.

41. Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia: Glenn's move to left tackle this year has been unsuccessful, but he still has a future at guard in the NFL. He's been a dominant small-area blocker, offering both size and power.

42. Andre Branch, DE, Clemson: Branch is in the midst of a tremendous senior season, and his draft stock is soaring. The athletic defensive end has been a disruptive force all year long. He'll be a good fit on a four-man line.

43. Michael Egnew, TE, Missouri: Egnew is a classic Missouri tight end; a pass-catching deep threat who creates mismatches in the secondary. He's more athletic than many of his predecessors and has a good deal of upside.

44. Trumaine Johnson, CB, Montana: Johnson ranks as the top small school prospect available in the 2011 draft. He offers outstanding measurables and is rarely challenged by opponents. A postseason invitation to the Senior Bowl looks in the offing for Johnson, and his performance at the event will be critical.

45. Josh Chapman, NT, Alabama: Chapman is yet another prospect from the talented Alabama defense to make this list. He's a tough, slug-it-out defensive lineman who plays with a competitive style.

46. Billy Winn, DL, Boise State: Winn is an athletic lineman who can line up at a variety of positions at the next level. He has the movement skills to be used as a three-technique tackle and the size to play defensive end in a 3-4.

47. Jeff Fuller, WR, Texas A&M: The big-bodied possession receiver has had a developing game the past two years. He has the size and strength to beat down opponents and has improved the consistency of his hands.

48. Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin: Toon is having a terrific senior campaign and, like his dad, former All Pro Al Toon, he's a dependable wideout with reliable hands.

49. Doug Martin, RB, Boise State: The versatile Martin is well thought-of in scouting circles. He's a talented ball carrier who also produces as a pass catcher out of the backfield.

50. Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia: Minnifield has been slightly disappointing this season, but the senior remains a quality cornerback who can produce as a return specialist if called upon.

Notes: Even though it's only October, word is starting to leak out about invitations for January's Senior Bowl. So which quarterbacks will be traveling to Mobile, Alabama for this important pre-draft event? Word is that invitations are on their way to Russell Wilson of Wisconsin, Nick Foles of Arizona and Kellen Moore of Boise State. A pair of Big 12 quarterbacks, Ryan Tannehill of Texas A&M and Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden, will also be invitees. John Brantley of Florida will be this years representative from the SEC.

Speculation has Michigan State's Kirk Cousins and Ryan Lindley of San Diego State receiving invitations to the Shrine Game, which takes place the week prior to the Senior Bowl. Expected to join them are Jordan Jefferson of LSU, Houston's Case Keenum, Chandler Harnish from Northern Illinois and Bryon Coleman of Tennessee-Chattanooga.

 

[jurb26]

6 Bama players in the top 50. 5 of them on D, 3 in the secondary. Ridiculous.

 

[J-Dawg]

No Lamar Miller in the top 50?

6 WRs better than Dwight Jones?

I'm very concerned about Jeffery's weight issues and his ability to gain separation and his lack of speed. He's a great prospect, but too many question marks for me to view him as a top 10 prospect. I would take Michael Floyd over Jeffery everytime. Floyd is a better blocker, has better speed and is still quite capable of making plays with the ball in the air and IMO is doing it with a less impressive supporting cast than the one Jeffery has at South Carolina.

 

[J-Dawg]

6 Bama players in the top 50. 5 of them on D, 3 in the secondary. Ridiculous.

I said it before and I'll say it again, Bama is winning the national championship this year. There's isn't a team out there that can beat them, and that includes LSU. Can't wait for Nov. 5th. Oklahoma just lost to Texas Tech, Oklahoma State is a tier below Bama, Clemson is surprising people but I don't think they've got enough quite yet. The winner on Nov. 5th is in the driver's seat.

 

[jurb26]

No Lamar Miller in the top 50?

6 WRs better than Dwight Jones?

I'm very concerned about Jeffery's weight issues and his ability to gain separation and his lack of speed. He's a great prospect, but too many question marks for me to view him as a top 10 prospect. I would take Michael Floyd over Jeffery everytime. Floyd is a better blocker, has better speed and is still quite capable of making plays with the ball in the air and IMO is doing it with a less impressive supporting cast than the one Jeffery has at South Carolina.

Not at all true. Jeffery has had awful QB play all year. No other position matters as much as that to a WR. Floyd has had very good QB play.

 

[FavreCo]

Aaron Rodgers' younger brother Jordan Rodgers started his first game this week for Vanderbilt. He looks a lot like his brother - good arm, athletic, extremely mobile, etc. He has ways to go but hes definitely one to watch. He looked great last week vs Georgia in relief of the starting Vandy QB and led the team to a win vs Army today in his first college start.

Interesting although younger brothers are rarely (and I do mean rarely) better than the older brother.

 

[J-Dawg]

No Lamar Miller in the top 50?

6 WRs better than Dwight Jones?

I'm very concerned about Jeffery's weight issues and his ability to gain separation and his lack of speed. He's a great prospect, but too many question marks for me to view him as a top 10 prospect. I would take Michael Floyd over Jeffery everytime. Floyd is a better blocker, has better speed and is still quite capable of making plays with the ball in the air and IMO is doing it with a less impressive supporting cast than the one Jeffery has at South Carolina.

Not at all true. Jeffery has had awful QB play all year. No other position matters as much as that to a WR. Floyd has had very good QB play.

Good point, he hasn't had good QB play at all. Mind you I'm not much of a Tommy Rees fan either.

 

[T with T]

Richardson, Blackmon, Jeffrey, M. Floyd are 4 of the top prospects coming out in 2012. Mark it

 

[Faust]

College Stock Watch: Stanford's success not limited to Luck

By Bucky Brooks NFL.com

Analyst

Each Monday throughout the college football season, NFL.com draft expert Bucky Brooks will share his notes and evaluations on potential NFL prospects for the 2012 draft and beyond. An asterisk (*) denotes players who aren't seniors.

Everybody knows Stanford has the best quarterback in college football. But it's another position group that is the driving force of the success of Andrew Luck and the Cardinal's offense this season.

Led by Jonathan Martin* and David DeCastro*, Stanford has been mauling defenders at the point of attack and their dominance has allowed the offense to use a balanced approach to carve up its opponents. On most nights, that results in Luck picking apart defenses with pinpoint throws from a clean pocket. He has only been sacked twice in 204 pass attempts, which is a major reason he has been able to connect on over 71 percent of his throws.

While the Cardinal's explosive aerial attack rightfully has garnered headlines, it has been a rugged ground game that drew my eyes to its frontline. Stanford is ranked 17th in rush offense with an average of 219.4 rush yards per game. Their 5.93 yards per carry average ranks fourth in the nation.

Those numbers are remarkable when considering the fact that Stanford is utilizing a pro-style offensive approach that doesn't rely on gimmicks or trickery in the backfield. The Cardinal feature a zone-based scheme that pits blockers on defenders within their assigned area, and the synchronization of the frontline makes the scheme work. The offense's ability to work to and through defenders in an aggressive manner creates huge seams for runners, which leads to explosive plays for the offense.

In watching Stanford's performance against Washington, it was the combination of aggressiveness and execution that allowed the Cardinal to rack up 446 rushing yards while scoring on its first eight possessions. Stanford completely dominated a talented defensive front that entered the game ranked among the top rush defenses in the country.

Martin and DeCastro particularly were effective blowing their defenders off the ball. Both junior blockers are regarded as the blue chip prospects at their respective positions, and their performance against the Huskies did little to sway that perception. Martin, who was discussed extensively in my column last week, is an athletic blocker with the size, strength and athleticism to maul on the edges. He excels at the sealing the corner on reach blocks and also is adept at working to the second level on the backside of zone runs in the opposite direction.

DeCastro is a rugged blocker with the power to forcefully move defenders off the ball. He is masterful working within tight confines and has enough athleticism to be used on movement blocks. His combination of skills has endeared him to scouts around the league looking for dominant interior blockers.

Next big USC star

USC has another star in the making in WR Robert Woods*. The sophomore receiver quietly has emerged as the top receiver in the Pac-12 and his performance against Notre Dame showcased his remarkable talent as a playmaker.

Woods finished the night with 12 receptions for 119 yards with two touchdowns. It was his third game with 10-plus receptions and the fifth time he has totaled 100-plus receiving yards this season. Those numbers not only speak to his dominance as the Trojans' top receiving option, but also suggest he is worthy of being considered one of the premier pass catchers in the country.

In studying Woods' overall game, the first thing that stands out is his remarkable polish as a route runner. He has a tremendous grasp of the route tree that is advanced well beyond his years of experience. He already understands the subtleties of stemming and utilizing clever head-and-shoulder fakes to set up defenders, which is rare for a second-year player.

Woods also is an exceptional pass catcher with great ball skills. He tracks and adjusts well to errant throws and shows focus while making difficult grabs in traffic. He routinely snags balls with defenders in close proximity over the middle of the field, which also speaks to his courage and toughness.

At 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, he isn't the prototypical big, physical receiver in the mold of Calvin Johnson, but he plays bigger than his physical dimensions and is one of the most dangerous playmakers with the ball in his hands. He specializes in making tacklers miss in space and possesses the balance to run through contact. This allows the Trojans to get him the ball on an assortment of screens and quick routes designed to get him loose on the perimeter.

USC has a distinguished history of producing some of the top receivers in college football, and Robert Woods is well on his way to being the next great receiver to represent the program.

Word on the street

A prominent quarterback coach who has tutored several of the top quarterbacks in the past few drafts believes Florida State's E.J. Manuel* has the potential to blossom into an all-star at the next level. He stated that Manuel is further along in his development than Cam Newton was at this stage of his career. While he gave Newton the edge in athleticism, he graded Manuel's arm talent as comparable and cited his experience directing the Seminoles' pro-style offense as a significant advantage. With another year to develop his game under the watchful eye of Jimbo Fisher, Manuel could emerge as the top quarterback in college football by the end of the 2012 season.

Stock up

Seth Doege*, Texas Tech, QB: Doege was sensational leading the Red Raiders to an upset win over Oklahoma. He connected on 33 of 52 passes for 441 yards with four touchdowns. He distributed the ball to 11 different receivers and picked apart the Sooners' defense with an assortment of pinpoint throws of all varieties. More importantly, he made big plays when his team needed it the most and that was ultimately the difference in the game.

Silas Redd*, Penn State, RB: The Nittany Lions' offense has finally found its stride behind the strong running of Redd. He rushed for 100-plus yards in four straight games, including his 18-carry, 164-yard output against Northwestern. Redd primarily did most of the damage between the tackles, but also flashed the speed and quickness to get to the edges. With a versatile feature back capable of picking up big yards against any eight-man fronts, Penn State has found an answer to their offensive woes.

Chandler Jones, Syracuse, DE: After missing the Orange's previous five games nursing an injury, Jones celebrated his return with a breakout performance against West Virginia. He recorded two sacks and added six solo stops in helping Syracuse pull off a stunning upset over their Big East rival.

Kawann Short*, Purdue, DT: Short was the most dominant defender on the field in Boilermakers' win over Illinois. The junior defensive tackle recorded two of their five sacks and spent most of the night harassing Illini quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase in the pocket.

Tyler Lockett*, Kansas State, WR/KR: It is not often that I get the opportunity to tout one of my former teammate's kids as an up-and-comer, but Lockett put on a spectacular showing against Kansas that is worthy of recognition. He tallied five receptions for 110 yards with a touchdown, and returned a kickoff for a score for the second straight week. Given the fact that his father Kevin spent seven seasons in the NFL, Lockett will certainly remain on the radar of scouts for the next few years.

Stock down

Tevin Washington*, Georgia Tech, QB: Washington has been off the mark during the Yellow Jackets' two-game losing streak. He has thrown three interceptions during that span and completed only 40 percent of his passes. More importantly, he was held to only 36 rush yards on 20 carries, which is the first time he has failed to rush for 100-plus yards in three weeks.

Michael Floyd, Notre Dame, WR: Floyd was limited to only four receptions for 28 yards against USC. He was suffocated by the Trojans' athletic defenders and was a non-factor in the Irish game plan.

 

[DexterDew]

i really appreciate all your effort in this thread, Faust!

i have a vested interest in the 2012 draft and need to start compiling my Top 24 list. my biggest concern is RB talent after Richardson. Hopefully Miller rebounds (and enters the draft), and a couple other RBs separate themselves from the crowd the 2nd half, Senior Bowl and combine.

 

[Faust]

Week 8 Rewind: Spartans' Worthy worth a closer look

By Rob Rang

The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com

Oct. 24, 2011

Each week, we rewind the game film to highlight the star-worthy performances that could impact the 2012 draft rankings:

• The improbable Hail Mary pass caught by Michigan State wide receiver Keith Nichol will forever distract from a glorious battle in the trenches for the first 59 minutes, 56 seconds of the Spartans' win over Wisconsin.

For the first time this season the Wisconsin offensive line was being asked to face a unit every bit as talented. Michigan State came into the game ranked in the top 10 in a variety of defensive categories -- pass defense (No. 1), run defense (No. 3) and total defense (No. 2). Much of the credit has gone to junior defensive tackle Jerel Worthy. Considering his unique combination of size (listed at 6-3, 310 but appearing much stouter) and quickness, it is easy to see why.

Worthy lined up inside and out, seeing a variety of single- and double-team blocks against virtually everyone up front for the Badgers, including junior center Peter Konz, considered by many to be the nation's best at his position. Remarkably quick off the snap, Worthy was occasionally able to slice through gaps to wreak havoc in the backfield.

He was officially credited with only one tackle for a loss (and three tackles total), but was a consistent threat -- a noteworthy point considering he was the clear focus of the Wisconsin blocking scheme.

With a similar build as former St. Louis Rams' first-round pick (and current Green Bay Packers starter) Ryan Pickett, Worthy would appear likely to be equally effective as the former Ohio State standout in either a three- or four-man front in the NFL.

But Worthy doesn't play with the same strength and leverage as Pickett. Too often against Wisconsin on Saturday, Worthy was knocked to the ground or found trapped behind the action as he split the gap upfield.

With greater consistency in his technique, Worthy could prove to be an NFL standout. As such, he likely will be a first-round pick whenever he elects to make himself draft-eligible.

• Scouts on hand to watch Stanford entertain Washington may have had a hard time taking their eyes off the variety of skill-position players each team will soon send to the NFL. Between Andrew Luck and Husky junior running back Chris Polk alone, one could be enthralled for 60 minutes.

But reviewing the game tape, it's also worth highlighting the play of Stanford right guard David DeCastro. He might have been as critical to the Cardinal's 65-21 thrashing of the Huskies as is possible for an interior lineman.

Luck was typically efficient, completing 16 of 21 passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns against zero interceptions. However, the Cardinal dominated UW because of their physical downhill running attack, gashing the Huskies for 446 yards and five touchdowns.

It is easy to highlight a guard's run-blocking when his team is that successful. It is even easier when all five of Stanford's rushing touchdowns came on the right side -- four of them (covering 2, 70, 4 and 38 yards, respectively) coming directly through holes cleared by DeCastro.

DeCastro is quick off the snap and generates an explosive pop on contact with the defender. On multiple occasions, after double-teaming a Washington defensive tackle, DeCastro would peel off to block a Husky linebacker, executing perfect combination blocks to release his back into the second level.

When in pass protection, DeCastro has good knee bend and plays on the balls of his feet, demonstrating rare balance for an interior offensive lineman. He's aggressive with his hands and looks for opponents to hit. He also shows good competitiveness, actively searching for defenders to hit rather than take the play off when not covered up by a defender.

Whenever I am asked about potential red flags with Luck, I point to the fact that he's protected by a first-round left tackle in junior Jonathan Martin. Martin played well against the Huskies.

DeCastro proved that Martin isn't the only future first-round pick blocking up front for the presumptive No. 1 overall pick of the 2012 draft.

• The proliferation of the spread offense in college football today has made projecting quarterbacks and wide receivers to the NFL's pro-style schemes undeniably more difficult. Much has been written about this fact.

But not enough has been written about how the spread's wide splits and finesse blocking have made projecting offensive linemen to the NFL every bit as arduous for scouts.

A perfect example is Iowa State left tackle Kelechi Osemele.

Osemele, at 6-5 and 347 pounds, lacks the elite athleticism and balance to remain at left tackle in the NFL. He was slowed by a nagging ankle injury originally suffered in fall camp, missing a few snaps in the second quarter against Texas A&M. In pass protection, Osemele plays with proper knee bend and good upper-body strength, often able to control and even dominate his opponent.

The Cyclones' spread offense and mobile quarterbacks Jared Barnett and Steele Jantz do help his cause. Rarely last week was Osemele (or any of the other Cyclone offensive linemen for that matter) asked to block longer than a few seconds.

Considering his size, Osemele is surprisingly light on his feet when run-blocking at the second level. As you might expect, he's an effective drive blocker, showing power and determination to knock the defender off the ball on the few occasions when the Cyclones elected to scrap their spread attack and run downhill.

There are plenty of physical attributes to like about Osemele, not the least of which is that he's shown a great deal of toughness in starting his 38th consecutive game for the Cyclones. He projects best as a right tackle or guard in the NFL. A strong effort in a senior all-star game would reassure scouts that Osemele hasn't been protected by Iowa State's scheme.

Osemele could enjoy a similar late rise up the board as former Alabama left tackle James Carpenter, who the Seattle Seahawks selected at No. 25 overall in April.

• Upon Further Review highlights a player whose performance over the weekend significantly altered my earlier assessment.

North Carolina defensive lineman Quenton Coples entered the 2011 season rated by many, including NFLDraftScout.com, as the No. 1 senior prospect at any position.

This was based on his junior season, when the 6-6, 285-pound Coples primarily lined up inside at defensive tackle, recording 59 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in earning first-team All-ACC honors. This year, he was moved outside to defensive end, considered his more natural position by former North Carolina head coach Butch Davis, a highly respected talent evaluator.

The result hasn't been more big plays. Coples, heading into Saturday's tilt against No. 7 Clemson, had posted just 28 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.

Coples' height and build are precisely what pro scouts are looking for in the prototypical defensive end. However, the senior lacks the burst upfield to consistently beat NFL-caliber left tackles. Furthermore, he's a bit stiff, making him susceptible to cut-blocks. Even worse, the lack of big plays this season seems to be taking its toll on Coples. Last season he seemed to play with a chip on his shoulder. This season, Coples appears to be playing safe rather than unrelenting. He hasn't shown the same intensity in his pursuit laterally or downfield.

Coples is supremely talented. He demonstrated his impressive skill set with a third quarter sack and forced fumble of Tigers' quarterback Tahj Boyd. For a player most believe could wind up a top 10 pick in the 2012 draft, however, too often he was as invisible in this high profile contest as he has been in for much of the season.

Not surprisingly, scouts from teams utilizing a primarily four-man front in the NFL are increasingly projecting Coples back to defensive tackle. The problem with this is Coples' height. Playing inside, shorter guards and centers will have a natural leverage advantage over the Tar Heel defender and unlike collegiate offensive linemen, they won't be so overwhelmed with Coples' obvious strength and burst. As such, Coples is earning the dreaded 'tweener label from some scouts.

 

[BigTex]

No Lamar Miller in the top 50?6 WRs better than Dwight Jones? I'm very concerned about Jeffery's weight issues and his ability to gain separation and his lack of speed. He's a great prospect, but too many question marks for me to view him as a top 10 prospect. I would take Michael Floyd over Jeffery everytime. Floyd is a better blocker, has better speed and is still quite capable of making plays with the ball in the air and IMO is doing it with a less impressive supporting cast than the one Jeffery has at South Carolina.

Miller is a Sophmore.ETA: When I see Jeffery play, he looks like a TE he's gotten so big.

 

[J-Dawg]

No Lamar Miller in the top 50?6 WRs better than Dwight Jones? I'm very concerned about Jeffery's weight issues and his ability to gain separation and his lack of speed. He's a great prospect, but too many question marks for me to view him as a top 10 prospect. I would take Michael Floyd over Jeffery everytime. Floyd is a better blocker, has better speed and is still quite capable of making plays with the ball in the air and IMO is doing it with a less impressive supporting cast than the one Jeffery has at South Carolina.

Miller is a Sophmore.ETA: When I see Jeffery play, he looks like a TE he's gotten so big.

He's a redshirt sophomore so he's eligible.

 

[Faust]

College all-star circuit has new look

Posted Oct. 24, 2011 @ 11:27 a.m. ET

By Nolan Nawrocki

The college all-star circuit will have a different look this year, featuring two new games in 2012 - the Battle of Florida and the Players All-Star Classic - both sandwiched around the all-star circuit's marquee attraction, the Senior Bowl.

Billed as the most exciting collegiate football all-star game event ever to be conceived, the Battle of Florida will pit former state of Florida football players who wandered across the state line to attend college against natives who stayed in state. Former Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden will coach against legendary rival Howard Schnellenberger in a game scheduled for Jan. 21 in Boca Raton, Florida at Florida Atlantic University's stadium.

Four hours away in St. Petersburg, college football's longest-running postseason tradition, the East-West Shrine Game, which traditionally ranks as a close second to the Senior Bowl in terms of fielding draft-caliber NFL prospects, will be played.

The first Players All-Star Classic is scheduled to take place in Little Rock, Ark., on Feb. 4, with many details still being ironed out.

The annual Cactus Bowl, featuring the nation's top Division II talent, will not be played in 2012 because of a lack of sponsorship. Also suspended will be the Texas vs. the Nation Game, which awaits the renovation of the Allen High School indoor practice fields and game stadium.

The third annual HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Bowl featuring players from the MEAC, SWAC, SIAC and CIAA, will kick off the all-star circuit on Dec. 18 in Atlanta's Georgia Dome.

The Eastham Energy College All-Star Game will be played in Tucson, Ariz., a week after the BCS national championship game. The game featured a handful of late-round draft picks last season.

The Senior Bowl, now in its 63rd year, is slated for Jan. 28 in Mobile, Ala.

Every player at the 2011 Senior Bowl found a way into an NFL training camp this August. Eighty-three players were drafted, including 12 first-rounders, headlined by two top-10 picks — Texas A&M OLB Von Miller, selected second overall by Denver, and Washington QB Jake Locker, selected eighth overall by Tennessee.

• Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins directed his second consecutive win over a highly ranked, undefeated opponent, following up a victory over Michigan with a 37-31 win over Wisconsin, concluding with a 44-yard TD pass as time expired. Officials initially ruled that Spartans WR Keith Nichol was tackled short of the goal line but overturned the call after it showed the nose of the ball did break the plane. Cousins' poise in big games and overall leadership ability could push him into the second round.

• Boston College junior MLB Luke Kuechly leads the nation in tackles through seven games, but his lack of elite athletic ability and perimeter speed could keep him from entering the first round. He had trouble reaching the perimeter last week against Virginia Tech's explosive junior RB David Wilson.

• Oklahoma WR Ryan Broyles was stripped from behind along the sideline by Texas Tech junior CB D.J. Johnson in the second quarter for a momentum-changing turnover in Oklahoma's 41-38 loss to Texas Tech — the biggest shock of the weekend — which snapped OU's 39-game home winning streak. Broyles also was called for a personal foul penalty that added 15 yards on the Sooners' final, last-hope, onside kickoff attempt after retaliating on a linebacker that chucked him as he crossed the middle.

• Clemson senior DE Andre Branch and junior DE Malliciah Goodman have received the most attention on the scouting trails, but fifth-year senior Kourtnei Brown, a career backup, made the greatest impact against North Carolina last week, when he recorded two defensive scores, picking off a passin the flat that he keenly tipped to himself and scooping and scoring on a fumble after junior FS Rashard Hall blind-sided the quarterback. The performance could help Brown warrant late draft consideration. Branch, who leads the Tigers with seven sacks, shows enough burst and bend standing up to fit as a 3-4 rush 'backer and has matured a lot as a senior.

• Clemson junior RB Andre Ellington left the North Carolina game with a left ankle injury that needed to be evaluated in the locker room and had to be heavily spatted several times. He is expected to return next week for a pivotal ACC matchup against Georgia Tech.

• Houston sixth-year senior QB Case Keenum set a FBS record for total offense by passing for 376 yards and a career-high-tying six TD passes in a 63-28 win over Marshall. He showed great timing and rhythm with his receivers and has a very quick release. His production will get him into an NFL camp, but his small, underdeveloped frame, lack of height (6-05⁄8) and marginal arm strength could leave him undrafted.

 

[BigTex]

No Lamar Miller in the top 50?6 WRs better than Dwight Jones? I'm very concerned about Jeffery's weight issues and his ability to gain separation and his lack of speed. He's a great prospect, but too many question marks for me to view him as a top 10 prospect. I would take Michael Floyd over Jeffery everytime. Floyd is a better blocker, has better speed and is still quite capable of making plays with the ball in the air and IMO is doing it with a less impressive supporting cast than the one Jeffery has at South Carolina.

Miller is a Sophmore.ETA: When I see Jeffery play, he looks like a TE he's gotten so big.

He's a redshirt sophomore so he's eligible.

Really???? I didn't know that or maybe I did read that somewhere........anyhow. Agreed, he should be in the top 50 for sure. Between Hillman, Graham and Miller, I can't decide which I like more and prefer to draft when that time arises but we have plenty of football left.

 

[coolnerd]

Pittsburgh's Ray Graham left with a right leg in jury early in the game tonight. On crutches.

 

[ty247]

Graham just went down, few people speculating it's an ACL

 

[J-Dawg]

Do you think kniles Davis stays in school? If so, assume he doesn't where would you slot him on this list at all?

Anyone care to post what their projected 2012 rookie draft (top 12 or so) currently looks like?

This is the list I've got right now but it'll likely change depending on what happens with the rest of the college season and during the pre-draft stuff like combine and pro-days. 1. RB Trent Richardson2. WR Justin Blackmon3. QB Andrew Luck (my main league values QB scoring highly, he might not be this high in another format)4. RB Lamar Miller5. WR Michael Floyd6. WR Alshon Jeffery7. WR Dwight Jones8. RB Chris Polk9. QB Matt Barkley10. RB LaMichael James11. WR Ryan Broyles12. QB Robert Griffin III

Knile Davis broke his leg back in August and is out for the year. I was really disappionted by that because I loved him before the injury and he was in my early top 5 before it happened. It's going to be an uphill battle for him to return to that kind of status next year when he's going up against the likes of Lattimore (same concerns now too, sadly) and Dyer who I think is now a lock to be the #1 RB for 2013.

I would put David Wilson RB (V Tech) on that list...

He's on the list now after an impressive game today. Got to watch him play for the first time this season and came away impressed. Also, Andrew Luck cemented himself (as if he hadn't already) as the top prospect this year. He showed so much leadership tonight to make anybody who doubts him think twice. Yeah that pick six hurt but to his credit he helped lead his team back time and time again with big plays when they needed it. Dude's an NFL starter already in my mind, the only question is who will be fortunate enough to select him. I'm tempted to place him as the #2 player in rookie drafts, QBs almost always have longer careers than most positions and there's just so few question marks when it comes to Luck. Guys like Jeffery have weight issues and questions about commitment, Blackmon has a bit of a speed issues (not from me but I've heard it from others) but Luck just seems to be a top to bottom solid prospect. In leagues that award 6 points for passing TDs, Luck is going to be tremendously valuable, especially if he ends up playing 10+ years as a starter. The leagues I play in that award 6 points for passing TDs have the top player rankings littered with QBs and the usual suspects are in the top 5 year after year. Conventional wisdom says that QBs don't go that high in rookie drafts but I can see this year being the one to buck the trend.

 

[Faust]

College Stock Watch: Can't-miss label sticks to two Tar Heels

By Bucky Brooks NFL.com

Analyst

Published: Oct. 31, 2011

Each Monday throughout the college football season, NFL.com draft expert Bucky Brooks will share his notes and evaluations on potential NFL prospects for the 2012 draft and beyond. An asterisk (*) denotes players who aren't seniors.

Scouts searching for blue chip defenders with disruptive rush skills should pitch a tent in Chapel Hill, N.C., to take a long look at Quinton Coples and Zach Brown. The two Tar Heels have emerged as the top prospects at their respective positions, and their combination of size, speed and athleticism makes them potential difference makers on the next level.

Coples, a 6-foot-6, 285-pound defensive end with 14.5 career sacks, is regarded as the top pass rusher in the country due to his freakish athleticism and relentless motor. He wins isolated matchups with speed or power, and routinely uses those skills in unison to harass quarterbacks in the pocket. As a run defender, Coples displays the arm length and strength to set the edge against outside runs. He works through the blocker's outside shoulder while maintaining square position, which allows him to quickly shed and disengage when runners bounce or attempt to cut inside blocks.

Coples' ability to excel against the run or pass sets him apart from others at his position. In addition, he has the kind of versatility that makes him an enticing option for any defense. He spent part of 2010 playing inside as a three-technique (defensive tackle aligned on the outside shade of the offensive guard) due to the suspension of Marvin Austin. Although he isn't ideally suited to play the position as a pro, Coples' ability to move inside makes him a possible option for teams utilizing a three-man front or provides defensive coordinators with an option of using him as an interior rusher in passing situations.

Brown, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound outside linebacker, also possesses the versatility defensive coordinators covet in strong-side linebackers. An explosive athlete with 4.4 speed, he has the burst to run with running backs and tight ends in space, while also possessing the strength to maul tight ends at the line of scrimmage. His combination of hand strength and agility makes him difficult to elude, and he also utilizes those skills to set the edge against the run. He routinely creates penetration against reach blocks, which forces runners to bounce or cut back into pursuing defenders for minimal gains.

As a pass defender, Brown can drop into coverage or wreak havoc by rushing off the edge. His first-step quickness and closing burst overwhelms blockers, and the coaching staff has taken advantage of his athleticism by using him as an edge player in their sub-package. Given more opportunities to get after the passer, Brown has responded with 5.5 sacks in nine games and developed into one of the most dynamic defenders in college football.

Against Wake Forest, Brown put on an impressive performance that showcased his exceptional all-around skill set. He finished with nine tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack and an interception. He also forced a fumble and scooped up a loose ball that changed the momentum of the game. With an impressive signature game that will certainly prompt evaluators to view him as a three-down linebacker, Brown has the potential to experience a meteoric rise up the charts.

The next Nnamdi?

N.C. State's David Amerson* could be the next Nnamdi Asomugha. After watching Amerson pick off eight passes in eight games, I'm convinced the sophomore cornerback has the potential to emerge as a premier cover corner by the end of his collegiate career.

At 6-foot-3, 194 pounds, Amerson possesses the length and athleticism to match up with big, physical receivers. His impeccable timing, awareness and length are also apparent in press coverage. He quickly stabs receivers with strong jams, which disrupts the timing of their routes and leads to tighter coverage down the field. Even though he isn't a blazer by pro standards (mid-4.5 40), his ability to aggressively maul receivers at the line and cut off their angles lessens the importance of pure speed.

Amerson is at his best, however, in zone coverage. He displays excellent instincts, awareness and ball skills. He has a knack for reading routes and anticipating throws and shows surprisingly polished footwork for a corner of his size. With a gambler's instinct to match his fundamentally sound game, he has tallied two picks in three separate games, including a two-interception performance against Virginia that included a pick-six.

Although it is still too early to dub Amerson as college football's top corner, he has a skill set that makes him look like an Asomugha clone at this stage of his development.

Word on the street

West Virginia's Bruce Irvin is garnering comparisons to the New York Giants' Jason Pierre-Paul in scouting circles. According to an AFC South executive, Irvin possesses similar athletic traits and is the kind of speed rusher who can blossom as a pro despite limited moves. While the executive pointed out that Pierre-Paul has a bigger frame, which allowed him to grow into being an every-down edge rusher, he believes Irvin could spend the early part of his career making solid contributions as a 250-pound situational pass rusher.

Stock up

Justin Blackmon*, Oklahoma State, WR: Blackmon is already regarded as one of the top receivers in college football, but his 13-catch, 172-yard performance against Baylor certainly made a compelling argument for his spot at the top of the list. He is indefensible in isolated matchups and is a threat to score whenever he touches the ball in the open field. Although his numbers are slightly off his remarkable pace of 2010 (111 catches for 1,782 yards with 20 touchdowns), he remains the No. 1 option in the Cowboys' high-octane offense.

Jarvis Jones*, Georgia, OLB: He keyed the Bulldogs' win over Florida by tallying four sacks, including three in the first half. Jones' ability to wreak havoc off the edges with his speed and quickness altered the Gators' offensive approach and forced their quarterback (John Brantley) into a dismal performance. With eight sacks and 14 tackles for loss on the season, Jones is starting to generate some buzz as one of the top edge players in college football.

Jemea Thomas*, Georgia Tech, CB: The Yellow Jackets' surprising upset of Clemson was keyed by Thomas' stellar defensive performance. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound cover man picked off two passes, forced a fumble and recorded two pass breakups, while displaying excellent ball skills, awareness and instincts against the Tigers' talented receiving corps.

E.J. Manuel*, Florida State, QB: Manuel continues to create a buzz about his future with his outstanding play the past few weeks. Against N.C. State, he connected on 24 of 34 passes for 321 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. It was his second 300-yard game of the season and marked the sixth time in seven starts that he has completed over 64 percent of his passes.

Stock down

Kirk Cousins, Michigan State, QB: Only one week after putting on a show against Wisconsin, Cousins delivered a dud against Nebraska. He only connected on 11 of 27 passes for 86 yards with one interception. He was woefully off target and never appeared to find a rhythm against the Cornhuskers' zone-heavy tactics.

A.J. Jenkins, Illinois, WR: After exploding onto the scene with four 100-yard games in the first six weeks, Jenkins was held to fewer than 100 yards receiving for the third straight game. He tallied six catches for 43 yards against Penn State and displayed none of the big-play ability that keyed Illinois' offense during an impressive start.