These players might be underrated to some following college football but as we get closer to next year’s NFL draft these are some of the players you will be hearing more from.
WR Brian Quick, Appalachian State – Quick is a physical gifted wide receiver standing at 6-4 210 pounds. He has great ball skills and can just go over the cornerback and pluck the football out of the air. The question is going to be his long speed as he needs to improve on his route running, but is someone to watch for sure.
DE Tyrone Crawford, Boise State – Crawford wasn’t a starter for Boise State last year but he had 32 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss which was second on the team and was second on the team with 7 sacks. Crawford has all the physical abilities to be a big time player in the NFL he is 6-4 280 and ran in the 4.7’s in the 40.
WR Marcus Rivers, Buffalo – Rivers is a big, physical wide receiver who is 6-3 215 pounds and has run in the 4.5’s and last season led Buffalo in receiving with 50 catches for 690 yards and 5 touchdowns.
CB Asa Jackson, Cal-Poly – Jackson last season had 55 total tackles, 1 sack, 2 interceptions, 9 pass break-ups and 11 passes defended. He also was their punt return guys returning 17 punts for 214 yards, averaging 12.6. In the spring he was 5-10 185 and ran 4.40 in the 40. He has the ball skills and the hips to be a very good cornerback in the NFL.
CB Ryan Steed, Furman – Steed is a tough, physical, smart cornerback who has the ability to play man to man coverage as well as zone both as effective. Last season he had 65 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, 2 that he returned for touchdowns, 9 passes broken up and 13 passes defended.
CB Micah Pellerin, Hampton – Pellerin is a solid built cornerback standing at 6-0 190 pounds who last season had 41 total tackles, 2 interceptions, 14 passes broken up and 16 passes defended. Because he is such a good athlete and has good size sometime he gets to high in his back petal and will need to improve on that at the next level which is totally correctable.
QB B.J. Coleman, Tennessee- Chattanooga – Coleman transferred from the University of Tennessee to Tennessee- Chattanooga and is a wild card when it comes to this year’s senior class of quarterbacks. He has the NFL size and arm strength and last year threw for 2,996 yards and 26 touchdowns, but he also threw 13 interceptions and only completed 56 percent of his passes. If he can get his completion percentage up and cut down on his interceptions he could move up his draft stock for sure.
WR Jordan White, Western Michigan – White has gotten a 6th year of eligibility and is coming off a very good season last year in which he caught 94 passes for 1,378 yards and 10 touchdowns. Talking with the coaches at Western Michigan they expect him to catch more balls this season. He has good size at 6-0 215 and reportedly has run in the high 4.3 in the 40.
1. Kenny Tate, Maryland – Some people have Tate as an outside linebacker prospect and he will play there some this season, but I still think he can play safety in the NFL. Whatever position he plays he is a productive player just like he was last season when he had 100 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 4 pass break-ups. He is a good overall athlete
2. Mark Barron, Alabama – Barron is a big time hitter who has good size and speed with the range to cover tight end, running backs. He is a ready made NFL safety who should come right in and be a playmaker in the NFL. Last season he had 75 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 6 pass break-ups.
3. Delano Howell, Stanford – Howell has average size for a safety but is a good overall athlete who was a big time running back coming out of high school. He has good ball skills and last season had 5 interceptions to go along with 60 total tackles, 1 sack and 5 pass break-ups.
4. Lance Mitchell, Oregon State – Mitchell has good size for a safety at close to 6-2 210 pounds and is a big time athlete in the secondary. What you like about Mitchell is that he can play the run as well as the pass and shows the ability to play both man to man and also is good in zone coverage. Last season he had 74 total tackles 2 interceptions and 3 pass break-ups.
5. Tony Dye, UCLA – Dye is a tough guy who not only ran track in high school but also played hockey as a youth and almost gave up football to play hockey in high school in Minnesota. Last season he led the team with 96 total tackles and also had 3.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception and 9 pass break-ups.
6. Eddie Whitley, Virginia Tech – Whitley has good coverage skills for a safety and early in his career at Virginia Tech played some at cornerback. Because of his coverage skills and good size he is a player who could rise up on teams draft boards as the season goes along. Last season he had 80 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions and 6 pass break-ups.
7. Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State – Martin is a overall good athlete who has been timed in the 40, in the 4.4 range and has 37 inch vertical jump. Last season he had 55 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions and 10 pass break-ups. He needs to support the run a little better and react a little bit quicker and turn those pass break up into interceptions if he is able to do that could be a very nice prospect for next year’s draft.
8. Aaron Henry, Wisconsin – Henry played his first two seasons at cornerback before last year making the move to safety, so is a little raw but makes up for with his good coverage skills from his cornerback background. He needs in improve in the run game, but that should come with time. Last season he had 58 total tackles, 2 interceptions and 7 pass break-ups.
9. George Iloka, Boise State – Iloka is a big, physical safety at close to 6-3, 220 pounds. He is very good come down and supporting the run and in zone coverage but struggles sometimes when he is asked to cover man-to-man. Last season he had 63 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions and 5 pass break-ups.
10. Sean Cattouse, California – Cattouse is a good size safety who is a good athlete who does a good job against the run and pass but needs to be more consistent in this play if he is able to do this then he can move up team draft boards. Last season he had 59 total tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception and 7 pass break-ups.
11. Winston Guy, Kentucky
12. Sean Baker, Ball State
13. Karnell Hatcher, LSU
14. Brandon Taylor, LSU
15. Blake Gideon, Texas
16. Jerrell Young, South Florida
17. Trenton Robinson, Michigan State
18. Christian Scott, Texas
19. Harrison Smith, Notre Dame
20. Charles Mitchell, Mississippi State
1. Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska – Dennard is a good cover corner who was over shadowed last season by Prince Amukamara. He doesn’t have the size that Amukamara has but has good hips and good ball skills. He needs to more of a force in the running game and last season he had 30 total tackles, 4 interception, and 7 pass break-ups.
2. Chase Minnifield, Virginia – Minnifield father Frank was a Pro Bowl cornerback for the Cleveland Browns, playing from 1984 to 1992. He had good size and good balls skills could end up being the number one senior cornerback and last season he had 48 total tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and 6 interceptions. In the past he has return kick off and punts and that could add to his value in the NFL.
3. Donnie Fletcher, Boston College – Fletcher has good size for a cornerback at close to 6-1 200 pounds, even with the size he has good hips and is able to make plays on the ball. Last season he had 58 total tackles and 5 interceptions.
4. Casey Hayward, Vanderbilt – Hayward has everything you are looking for in a cornerback size, speed and athleticism. He does a good job in bump and run coverage as well as in zone. Last season he had 70 total tackles, 5 interceptions, 11 pass break-up and 17 passes defended.
5. Brandon Boykin, Georgia – Boykin is smaller than you would like at the cornerback position, but makes up for his lack of size with good hips and athleticism. He shows good man to man coverage skills, but needs to improve his zone coverage skills which he should be able to do with more experience. Last season he had 44 total tackles, 6.5 tackles, for loss and 3 interceptions.
6. Coryell Judie, Texas A&M – Judie has good size and athleticism, and showed good ball skills after being a junior college transfer and being his first year starting last season. Last season he had 57 total tackles, 2 tackles, for loss and 4 interceptions. He is a player to watch as you watch him more on film you like him even more.
7. Shaun Prater, Iowa – Prater is a smart, instinctive cornerback with good ball skills who is willing to support the run. After last season in which he had 68 total tackles and 4 interceptions he applied for his draft status from the NFL Draft Advisory Committee and they told him he could go as high as the fourth round, so decided to come back for his senior season.
8. Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama/Florida – Jenkins has all the talent in the world to be a top notch cornerback, but his off the field issue which they has been many and because of these decisions many have question his maturity has hurt his draft stock. He is most likely going to play at North Alabama this season and hopes to rebound his stock back to the top.
9. Keith Tandy, West Virginia – Tandy is an overall good athlete who was a high school quarterback and shows good ball skills. The question that he will need to answer is his long speed and what that will be. Last season he had 57 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 6 interceptions, and 11 pass break-ups.
10. Omar Bolden, Arizona State – Bolden tore his ACL in spring practice and that is going to be his big question mark. Right now it looks like he is done for the season, he could try to get a 6th year of eligibility but might just try to show that he is healthy in an All-Star game or at the NFL combine. He is someone that we will just have to wait and see on. Last season he had 52 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, and 7 pass break-ups.
11. Jamell Fleming, Oklahoma
12. Trumaine Johnson, Montana
13. D'Anton Lynn, Penn State
14. Emanuel Davis, East Carolina
15. T.J. Bryant, USC
16. Neiko Thorpe, Auburn
17. Cameron Chism, Maryland
18. Greg McCoy, TCU
19. Tashaun Gipson, Wyoming
20. Leonard Johnson, Iowa State
1. Tank Carder, Texas Christian – Some people think he will be an outside linebacker in the NFL, but I think he would fit best at inside or middle linebacker which would allow to use his skills the best. He is a playmaker and is a good overall athlete who can make plays sideline to sideline. Last season he had 60 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks and 1 interception.
2. Courtney Upshaw, Alabama – Upshaw is a big physical linebacker who is a good tackler and has good pass rush ability. Last season he had 52 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and 7 sacks. He needs to get better is pass coverage but is a playmaker when he is going downhill.
3. Jerry Franklin, Arkansas – Franklin last season had 100 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks. He led the team in tackles, tackles for loss and was second on the team in sacks. He had led the team in tackles the past three seasons and does have the skills to be effective in pass coverage.
4. Chris Galippo, USC – Galippo played both middle linebacker as well as weak outside linebacker last season but in better at the middle linebacker spot. Last season he had 29 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack and 2 interceptions. Expect more then 29 total tackles out of him this season as he far more talented of a player to only have 29 total tackles.
5. Korey Williams, Southern Mississippi – There were some rumors that Williams was going to come out early last season but decided to come back for his senior season and that should prove to be a good more as he could really help his draft stock with a big season this year. He has all the physical talents to be a very good player at the next level and should be able to show his skills off this season. Last year he had 80 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 3 sacks.
6. Chris Marve, Vanderbilt – Marve is a run stuffing two down linebacker who likes to come down hill. He is a smart instinctive linebacker who can make plays in the backfield and chase down ball carriers, but doesn’t have great pass coverage skills. Last season he had 80 total tackles, 8 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
7. James Michael-Johnson, Nevada – Johnson moved to middle linebacker last season after playing before on the outside and fits better for the next level inside which allows him to make plays sideline to sideline. Last season he had
88 total tackles, 8 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He could be a player to watch this season as he could move up team’s draft boards.
8. Audie Cole, North Carolina State – Cole has great size at close to 6-5, 240 pounds he is a physical player who played both middle and outside linebacker at North Carolina State. Last season he had 86 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss 5 sacks and 1 interception. He is a hard worker and a team leader and with his size and athleticism could move up draft boards.
9. Will Ebner, Missouri – Ebner is a smart tough football player who last season played the entire season less than 100 percent due to a neck strain and a foot injury that he waited until after the season to have surgery on it. Despite the injuries he ended up playing in 10 games and had 47 total tackles. If he can stay healthy should be one of the better defensive players in the Big 12.
10. D.J. Holt, California – Holt has shown the ability to be a very effective player over his career and get a guy who gets to the ball carrier. Last season he had 85 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. He has some ability in pass coverage but is much more effective against the run and playing downhill.
11. Carmen Messina, New Mexico
12. Adrien Cole, Louisiana Tech
13. Ronnie Sneed, Kentucky
14. Garrick Williams, Texas A&M
15. Steve Sloan, UCLA
16. J.K. Schaffer, Cincinnati
17. Brian Hendricks, Wyoming
18. Gary Tinsley, Minnesota
19. Byron Hout, Boise State
20. Cort Dennison, Washington
1. Travis Lewis, Oklahoma – Lewis surprised many by coming back for his senior season but wanted a chance to win a National Title and should have a good shot to do that. He is a great fit as a 4-3 outside linebacker with all the skills to be a very good player in the NFL. Last season he had 109 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and 3 interceptions.
2. Zach Brown, North Carolina – Not many linebacker compete on the school track team, but that is something that Brown does and some say he can run a 4.28, 40, saying that shows what a great athlete he is. Last season he had 72 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and 3 interceptions. I think you can expect bigger stats this season and him to push for a 1st round selection in April.
3. Nigel Bradham, Florida State – Bradham can run side line to side line and make plays, he fit best in a 4-3 defense and can drop in cover and make plays in the passing game coving backs and tight ends. Last season he had 98 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks.
4. Bruce Irvin, West Virginia – Irvin plays defensive end in college, but projects to be a 3-4 outside linebacker because is only around 235 pounds. He is a good edge pass rusher, the question is going to be can he drop in coverage when asked to at the next level, but should be able to. Last season he had 21 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 14 sacks.
5. Sean Spence, Miami (FL) – Spence doesn’t have the size you want in an outside linebacker, but he can run and make plays all over the field. Last season he had 111 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. He does a good job in coverage and fits as a weak side outside linebacker in a 4-3 defense.
6. Lavonte David, Nebraska - David had 152 tackles in his first season to set a Cornhusker single-season record for tackles. He also had 15 tackles for loss, 6 sacks and 10 pass break-ups. He has good speed and instincts to make plays all over the field, both in the passing game and against the run.
7. Adrian Robinson, Temple – Robinson plays defensive end at Temple, but projects as a 3-4 outside linebacker at the next level. He has good size and decent speed. As a sophomore had 13 sacks but his stats weren’t that great last year with 38 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks.
8. Keenan Robinson, Texas – Robinson is a good overall athlete who can run and make plays all over the field who has the prototypical body type for an outside linebacker in the NFL. Last season he had 113 total tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and 2 interceptions.
9. Emmanuel Acho, Texas – Acho started at both middle linebacker as well as strong side outside linebacker and was effect at both positions. Last season he had 87 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 3 sacks and 1 interception. He is a big physical, smart linebacker who is a good leader.
10. Bobby Wagner, Utah State – Wagner is very good against the run but needs to improve in his pass coverage and might be better as an middle linebacker then and outside linebacker in the NFL. Last season he had 133 total tackles and 8 tackles for loss.
11. Kyle Wilber, Wake Forest
12. Danny Trevathan, Kentucky
13. Tyler Nielsen, Iowa
14. Mychal Kendricks, California
15. Jerrell Harris, Alabama
16. Darius Fleming, Notre Dame
17. Dexter Heyman, Louisville
18. Nathan Stupar, Penn State
19. Nathan Williams, Ohio State
20. Andrew Sweat, Ohio State
1. Jared Crick, Nebraska – Crick has great size, strength and quickness which allows to make plays in the run game as well rushing the passer. He is not Ndamukong Suh, but is a very good player, who last season had 70 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks.
2. Kheeston Randall, Texas – Randall is very good against the run but needs to improve his pass rush ability. He has good strength to take on double teams and can be a force at the point of attack. Last season he had 39 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 1 sack.
3. Billy Winn, Boise State – Winn was a high school wrestler which is usually a good sign when looking at defensive linemen because of wrestler skills being able to translate on to the football field. He is a very stronger and physical player who shows up at the point of attack. Last season he had 28 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks.
4. Tydreke Powell, North Carolina – Powell is a powerful player with good size for a defensive tackle. He is a good athlete who you would like to see make more impact plays on defense. Last season he had 47 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks.
5. Kendall Reyes, Connecticut – Reyes is a good overall athlete and in high school played wide receiver. He has the ability to have an outstanding senior season because of his ability to penetrate and get in the backfield and make plays. Last season he had 39 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks.
6. Josh Chapman, Alabama – Chapman plays nose tackle in Alabama’s 3-4 defense and is has the ability to eat up blocker and allow his linebackers behind him to make plays. He does have some quickness and is very good against the run as well. Last season he had 31 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 1 sack.
7. Brandon Thompson, Clemson – Thompson is a big, thick player who does a good job being an anchor against the run. He does a good job against the run and taking up space allowing other to make plays around him, needs to get better at rushing the passer. Last season he had 56 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 1 sack.
8. Jaye Howard, Florida – Howard is a big, physical player who is a good athlete and has some pass rush ability but better against the run. He does a good job take on double teams at the point of attack. Last season he had 29 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks.
9. Alameda Ta'amu, Washington - Ta'amu is a space eater at close to 330 pounds and has the ability to take on the double team. He doesn’t have great pass rush skills but is very powerful and keeps offensive linemen from getting to the second level to be able to block the linebackers. Last season he had 39 total tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks.
10. Renard Williams, Eastern Washington – Williams is a little undersized but makes up for the lack of great size with good quickness and does a good job penetrating to get into the backfield. He will fit best in a Tampa-Two type defense at the next level. Last season he had 54 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks.
11. Mike Daniels, Iowa
12. Mike Martin, Michigan
13. Logan Harrell, Fresno State
14. Armond Armstead, USC
15. Devon Still, Penn State
16. Tony Jerod-Eddie, Texas A&M
17. Derek Wolfe, Cincinnati
18. Travian Robertson, South Carolina
19. Micanor Regis, Miami (FL)
20. DeAngelo Tyson, Georgia
1. Quinton Coples, North Carolina – Coples is the next in line of dominate North Carolina defensive ends. Last season he had 59 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks. He is long and athletic and shows good bend to get around the corner and get to the quarterback. He needs to improve his overall strength to be able to be more a force in the run game but should be a top ten pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
2. Andre Branch, Clemson – Branch is a player who this season will get out of the shadows of Da’Quan Bowers and show the country that he is one of the most talented defensive ends. Last season he had 55 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks. He does a good job against the run and could improve some of his secondary pass rush moves and if he is able to do that he will be a complete defensive end.
3. Vinny Curry, Marshall – Curry really thought hard about coming out early for this past year’s draft but end up going back to Marshall to work on his game which could prove to be a very good move. Last season he had 94 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks. With another good season could insure himself a first round pick come next April.
4. Vince Browne, Northwestern – Browne is a hard working defense end that has improved each season at Northwestern. He could be this year’s JJ Watts in the Big Ten. Last season he had 58 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, and 7 sacks. He has the size and strength to be either a 4-3 defensive end or a 3-4 defensive end.
5. Brandon Lindsey, Pittsburgh – Lindsey last season had 51 total tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks, which he lead the team in both tackles for loss and sacks. He does loss his running mate from last year Jabaal Sheard who was the Big East defensive player of the year so all the focus will be on Lindsey and how he responds will go a long way in determining his final draft grade.
6. Jacquies Smith, Missouri – Smith has shown good pass rush ability and should have a very good season this year. Last year he had 35 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. He is a good athlete but needs to get stronger against the run which will help his overall game.
7. Jake Bequette, Arkansas – Bequette is an all around defense who is as effect against the run as he is rushing the passer. He is a stronger, physical player who has a good motor. Last season he had 32 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 7 sacks. He has the size and strength to be either a 4-3 defensive end or a 3-4 defensive end.
8. Frank Alexander, Oklahoma – Alexander is a good overall athlete who is effective coming off the edge after the quarterback, but needs to improve his skills against the run. Last season he had 39 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 7 sacks.
9. Armond Armstead, USC – Last season Armstead played defense end, but this season will be moved to defensive tackle because of his size being around 6-5, 295 pounds. At the next level will fit in as a 3-4 defensive end or if plays well this season as a 4-3 defensive tackle could play there at the next level. Last season he had 43 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks.
10. Cam Johnson, Virginia – Johnson has played both 3-4 outside linebacker and 4-3 defensive end, so he has the skills to do both at the next level. Last season he had 53 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks. Look for him to improve this season playing his second season at defensive end and being able to use his athletic ability to get the quarterback.
11. Julian Miller, West Virginia
12. James Brooks, Arizona State
13. Malik Jackson, Tennessee
14. Broderick Binns, Iowa
15. Trevor Guyton, California
16. Ryan Van Bergen, Michigan
17. Jack Crawford, Penn State
18. Kentrell Lockett, Mississippi
19. Darius Nall, Central Florida
20. Eric Latimore, Penn State
