Under the Radar: Offensive Prospects for 2012 NFL Draft

Here are some guys to watch for the 2012 NFL Draft that right now are sleepers.


QB Dominique Davis, East Carolina – Davis started his career at Boston College and played some as a red-shirt freshman there even starting the 2008 ACC Championship Game against Virginia Tech where he threw for 263 yards. Last season Davis threw for 3,967 yards and 37 touchdowns, he completed 64 percent of his passes and rushed for 141 yards and 9 touchdowns.


RB Michael Shaw, Michigan - With Michigan going back to a pro style offensive look for Shaw to have the best season of his career and to help his draft stock. He is a good size back at around 6 feet 200 pounds has good speed and has the ability to catch the football out of the back field.


WR Chris Summers, Liberty - Summers last season caught 76 passes for 1,081 yards and scored 15 touchdowns. He is around 6-3 200 pounds, has the ability to jump and go get the football when it is in the air. Summers should have another big season this upcoming year.


TE Josh Chichester, Louisville - Chichester came to Louisville as a wide receiver but has added weight and become a tight end. He still needs to work on his blocking but has great size at close to 6-8, 240 pounds. Last season he caught 22 passes for 317 yards and 5 touchdowns despite playing behind senior tight end Cameron Graham. Look for a bigger season this year out of Chichester.

2012 NFL Draft: Top 10 Senior DT's

Here are my top ten defensive tackles for the 2012 NFL Draft.


1. Jared Crick, Nebraska
2. Kheeston Randall, Texas
3. Billy Winn, Boise State
4. Tydreke Powell, North Carolina
5. Mike Martin, Michigan
6. Jaye Howard, Florida
7. Mike Daniels, Iowa
8. Alameda Ta'amu, Washington
9. Josh Chapman, Alabama
10. Brandon Thompson, Clemson

VanFulpen's College Football Poll

1. Ohio State (6-0) – Huge game this week and the first road test as Ohio State travels to Wisconsin.

2. Oregon (6-0) – Oregon is looking like it might be the best team in the nation.

3. Boise State (5-0) – Boise State is rolling along with another win against Toledo.

4. TCU (6-0) – TCU wins again, they are waiting for their only test left for the season November 6th against Utah.

5. Nebraska (5-0) – Nebraska went on the road and beat Kansas State and take on Texas this Saturday.

6. Oklahoma (5-0) – They take on Iowa State this Saturday.

7. Auburn (6-0) – Auburn Cam Newton is looking like a dark horse for the Heisman and has Auburn rolling.

8. LSU (6-0) – A big time win against Florida, and in two week they take on Auburn.

9. Utah (5-0) – Utah should be undefeated when the go in their game against TCU, November 6th.

10. Alabama (5-1) – Huge loss against South Carolina, but Alabama is still a very good team.

11. Michigan State (6-0) – Michigan State went into Michigan and got a huge win, only really big game left is Iowa.

12. South Carolina (4-1) – A huge win against Alabama this Saturday, but need to keep things going against Kentucky this weekend.

13. Arkansas (3-1) – A huge game against Auburn this Saturday.

14. Stanford (4-1) – A nice win against USC this past Saturday to get back to winning after the lost to Oregon.

15. Arizona (4-1) – Oregon State was able to take Arizona down and now they need to bounce back against Washington State this weekend.

16. Iowa (4-1) – They travel to Michigan this Saturday and need to be able to stop quarterback Denard Robinson.

17. Florida State (5-1) – A huge win for Florida State at Miami and this week they take on Boston College at home.

18. Wisconsin (5-1) – A huge game this Saturday as Ohio State comes to visit.

19. Nevada (6-0) – The Wolf Pack are waiting for their November 26 match-up against Boise State.

20. Oklahoma State (5-0) – A huge game on October 23 against Nebraska.

21. Missouri (5-0) – They shut out Colorado and in two weeks they take on Oklahoma.

22. Michigan (5-1) – After the lost to Michigan State they get a chance to bonus back against Iowa this Saturday.

23. West Virginia (4-1) – They are now going to get into the Big East schedule.

24. Florida (4-2) – They have a chance to bounce back over the next few weeks in the SEC.

25. Miami (FL) (3-2) – They can get rolling in the next few weeks in the ACC.

VanFulpen's College Football Poll

1. Alabama (5-0) – No rest in the SEC as Alabama takes on South Carolina this week.


2. Ohio State (5-0) – Ohio State takes on Indiana this week as the wait to for a real Big Ten test in two weeks against Wisconsin.


3. Oregon (5-0) – Oregon beat a very good team in Stanford and should roll this week against Washington State.


4. Boise State (4-0) – Boise State is rolling along with another win in the WAC


5. TCU (5-0) – TCU wins again, they are waiting for their only test left for the season November 6th against Utah.


6. Nebraska (4-0) – Nebraska plays Thursday against Kansas State a good test for them as well as Kansas State running back Daniel Thomas.


7. Oklahoma (5-0) – Beat Texas this past Saturday and might have a shot of going 12-0 going into the Big 12 Championship game.


8. Auburn (5-0) – Auburn rolled this week and now the next big SEC game isn’t until October 16th against Arkansas.


9. Arizona (4-0) – Big game this week against a very good Oregon State team.


10. LSU (5-0) – A wild finish against Tennessee where they were able to get the win, now a huge game against Florida.


11. Utah (4-0) – Utah should be undefeated when the go in their game against TCU, November 6th.


12. Arkansas (3-1) – Can Ryan Mallett and Arkansas bounce back this week against Texas A & M.


13. Iowa (4-1) – A big win against Penn State at home, and take on Michigan in two weeks.


14. Michigan State (5-0) – Huge win against Wisconsin now they take on Michigan in Ann Arbor.


15. Michigan (5-0) –Denard Robinson showed his magic against Indiana now he and Michigan take on Michigan State at home.


16. Stanford (4-1) – Stanford lost at Oregon and now are at home this week against USC.


17. Miami (FL) (3-1) – A huge game this week against Florida State.


18. Florida (4-1) – The Gators just got beat down against Alabama and hope to bounce back against LSU this week.


19. South Carolina (3-1) – At least they had the week off before they have to play the best team in college football in Alabama.
20 Wisconsin (4-1) – The lost to Michigan State this past week but in two week can make that up as they take on Ohio State.


21. Florida State (4-1) – Florida State has to travel to Miami to take on the Hurricanes at night.


22. Nevada (5-0) – The Wolf Pack are waiting for their November 26 match-up against Boise State.


23. Kansas State (4-0) – Kansas State takes on Nebraska this week and they need running back Daniel Thomas to have a big game.


24. Oklahoma State (4-0) – Big win on this past Thursday Night against Texas A&M and their next big game is October 23 against Nebraska.


25. Missouri (4-0) – Missouri hasn’t played anyone really so far this season but will as they start to get into the Big 12 schedule this week against Colorado.

VanFulpen's College Football Poll

1. Alabama (4-0) – A huge late come back win on the road against Arkansas and now they face Florida.


2. Ohio State (4-0) – Ohio State played Eastern Michigan, not a powerhouse team but should get some test later in the Big Ten season.


3. Boise State (3-0) – Boise State beat Oregon State at home only real test left is possible Nevada.


4. TCU (4-0) – TCU wins again, they are waiting for their only test left for the season November 6th against Utah.


5. Nebraska (4-0) – Nebraska plays Thursday against Kansas State a good test for them as well as Kansas State running back Daniel Thomas.


6. Oregon (4-0) – Great game coming this Saturday in the Pac-10 when Oregon takes on Stanford.


7. Oklahoma (4-0) – Just because Texas lost this past Saturday to UCLA, Oklahoma can’t over look them this Saturday.


8. Florida (4-0) – Huge game this Saturday against Alabama.


9 Wisconsin (4-0) – Huge game this Saturday for Wisconsin as they travel to Michigan State.


10. Stanford (4-0) – Stanford travel to Notre Dame and won and now have to go to Oregon and play the Ducks in a huge game in the Pac-10.


11. Auburn (4-0) – Huge win for Auburn against South Carolina at home and now the next big SEC game isn’t until October 16th against Arkansas.


12. LSU (4-0) – LSU beat West Virginia and in two weeks have a big game against Florida.


13. Utah (4-0) – Utah should be undefeated when the go in their game against TCU, November 6th.


14. Arizona (4-0) – A late touchdown gives them a one point win over Cal, now this week they take on Oregon State.


15. Arkansas (3-1) – Loss against Alabama at home in a game they could have won, now take on Texas A & M this week.


16. Iowa (3-1) – Open up Big Ten play this week at home against Penn State.


17. Miami (FL) (2-1) – Was able to go on the road at beat Pittsburgh on the road now open ACC play against Clemson this Saturday.


18. Texas (3-1) – Texas had a horrible game against UCLA, but have a chance to make up for it this Saturday against Oklahoma.


19. USC (4-0) – Even without the ability to go to a bowl game this season, still a very good football team.


20. Michigan (4-0) – Michigan was able to beat Bowling Green without quarterback Denard Robinson for most of the game, but need him to be healthy now that they are getting into Big Ten games.


21. Michigan State (4-0) – They get Wisconsin at home this Saturday and need to keep running the ball like they have all season.


22. South Carolina (3-1) – Lost a hard fought game against Auburn, are off this week and the next game they play is against Alabama.


23. Penn State (3-1) – Penn State travels to Iowa to kick off the Big Ten season.


24. Florida State (3-1) – Florida State has played well since their beat down at the hands of Oklahoma.


25. Kansas State (4-0) – Kansas State takes on Nebraska this week and they need running back Daniel Thomas to have a big game.

VanFulpen's Heisman Watch

1. QB Ryan Mallett, Arkansas – Mallett won on the road against Georgia with a game winning touchdown passes and threw for 380 yards and 3 touchdowns. Has a huge game this week against Alabama and if he has a great game and pull off the upset should be in the driver seat for the Heisman.

2. QB Denard Robinson, Michigan – Robinson played UMass and did win the game and put up good number, but it was UMass and for a while it looked like Michigan could have been on upset alert.

3. QB Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State – Pryor and Ohio State did beat Ohio, but Pryor threw 2 interceptions and it was never a game where Pryor needed to make any Heisman type moments.

4. QB Kellen Moore, Boise State – Moore threw for 370 yards and 2 touchdowns and crushed Wyoming, but a huge test for Boise State as well as Moore awaits this week against Oregon State.

5. QB Landry Jones, Oklahoma – Jones threw for 254 yards and 1 touchdown against Air Force but didn’t look all that impressive as he did the week before, his Hesiman hopes are fading but has a huge game in two weeks against Texas in which his Hesiman stock could rise fast depending on how he plays.

VanFulpen’s College Football Top 25

1. Alabama (3-0) – Running back Mark Ingram is back and the Tide is ready to roll.

2. Ohio State (3-0) – Ohio State played Ohio and just over powered them.

3. Boise State (2-0) – Boise State roll again but has big test this week against Oregon State.

4. TCU (3-0) – TCU rolled against a Big 12 team in Baylor.

5. Nebraska (3-0) – Nebraska defense is one of the best and proved that against Washington and quarterback Jake Locker.

6. Oregon (3-0) – We will get to see how good Oregon is in two weeks when they take on Stanford.

7. Texas (3-0) – Had to take on a good Texas Tech team on the road and didn’t look great but won the game.

8. Oklahoma (3-0) – Oklahoma won again and we all are looking forward to the game in two weeks against Texas.

9. Arkansas (3-0) – Quarterback Ryan Mallett is right up there in the early Heisman voting and they take on #1 Alabama this week at home.

10. Florida (3-0) – In two weeks they are at Alabama and that will be a great test for this young team.

11. Wisconsin (3-0) – A close game against Arizona State at home and in two weeks they travel to Michigan State.

12. LSU (3-0) – A very good under the radar SEC team that this week take on West Virginia.

13. Utah (3-0) – Utah should be undefeated when the go in their game against TCU, November 6th.

14. South Carolina (3-0) – Huge match up this week when they take on Auburn.

15. Auburn (3-0) – Huge match up this week when they take on South Carolina.

16. Stanford (3-0) – Stanford is at Notre Dame this week and will need to put some points so that they can come out of South Bend with a victory.

17. Arizona (3-0) – A huge win this week against Iowa, now we will see what they can do in the Pac-10.

18. USC (3-0) – Even without the ability to go to a bowl game this season, still a very good football team.

19. Iowa (2-1) – Tough loss on the road against Arizona, but need to rebound and get ready for Big Ten play.

20. Miami (FL) (1-1) – Big game this week against Pittsburgh on the road on Thursday night.

21. West Virginia (3-0) – Huge game this week at LSU.

22. Michigan (3-0) – Was able to beat UMass this week and have Bowling Green this week before they get into Big 10 play.

23. Michigan State (3-0) – Huge win this past week against Notre Dame on the road, but the healthy of head coach Mark Dantonio is a big concern after he suffered a heart attack.

24. Penn State (2-1) – They can’t take Temple this week lightly as they are a good football team.
25. Oregon State (1-1) – If they can beat Boise State this week, the open week lost against TCU won’t hurt as bad.

VanFulpen’s Heisman Watch

1. QB Denard Robinson, Michigan – If the Heisman Trophy was given out after two weeks Robinson would win the award hands down. What he has been able to two in the first two weeks of the season has been amazing. In two weeks he has put up 885 yards in total offense, and leads the country with 455 yards rushing and has 3 rushing touchdowns and also has thrown for 430 yards and 2 touchdowns. In last week against Notre Dame he racked up 502 yards in total offense and help Michigan win the game down in South Bend. In the next three week he should do well with winnable game for Michigan.

2. QB Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State – Pryor is coming off a huge win against Miami in which he rushed for 113 yards and a touchdown and lead Ohio State to the win. This season Pryor has thrown for 480 yards and 4 touchdowns and rushed for 130 yards and 1 touchdown. Ohio State isn’t tested for a while until they play at Wisconsin, October 16th.

3. QB Ryan Mallett, Arkansas – Mallett has throw for 701 yards and 6 touchdowns in two weeks and has the ability to put those type number game in and game out this season. He plays Georgia this Saturday and then in two weeks plays Alabama in which if he can pull that win off and put up good numbers who could job to the top of the Heisman list.

4. QB Kellen Moore, Boise State – Moore and Boise State didn’t play this past week and only has played one game against Virginia Tech in which he lead Boise State back to a win late in the game and threw for 215 yards and 3 touchdowns. In two weeks they play Oregon State which will be another big test for him and Boise State.

5. QB Landry Jones, Oklahoma – Jones is coming off a huge win against Florida State in which he threw for 380 yards and 4 touchdowns. In the first two weeks of the season he has thrown for 597 yards and 6 touchdowns with 2 interceptions, and Oklahoma will be in the National Title hunt all season long and they have a huge game against Texas in 3 weeks.

Injuries start to hit NFL Draft Prospects

The College Football season hasn’t even started and some of the teams have already lost players for the season that were prospects for the 2011 NFL Draft.

DB Troy Woolfolk, Michigan - Wooolfolk dislocated his ankle and broke a bone in his leg at this past Tuesday’s practice and is most likely lost of the season, he could possible take this year as a redshirt season and come back for the 2011 season. He had a 5th to 7th round grade from the NFL going into the season and most people thought he would move to free safety at the NFL level despite playing cornerback at Michigan.

DE Ben Martin, Tennessee - Martin went down with an Achilles injury on the first day of summer practice and will miss the season. He will be taking this year as a redshirt season and plans to come back 100 percent for next year. He had a 5th to 7th round grade from the NFL going into the season and he would have been looked at as a 3-4 outside linebacker at the next level because of his size and athleticism.

DE Danny Richard, Grand Valley State - Richard has been lost for the season after suffering a torn ligament in his left knee, it is the same knee he hurt in last years D-II national championship game. Richard plans to pursue a medical redshirt exemption from the NCAA so that he can play next season. He has a free agent grade going into the season, but Grand Valley has shown over the years to be a powerhouse on the field and also has had players either get drafted late or sign as free-agents.

DE Christian Anthony, Grambling – Anthony suffered an apparent heart attack last week Thursday afternoon. He was released from the hospital this past Wednesday after being in stable condition while in the hospital. There has been no official word if he will play football this season or ever again. Football is secondary to Anthony having a long a healthy life, if he can get cleared to play football again that would be great. Before the season he had a 5th round grade from the NFL.

College Athletics will never be the same

With Nebraska head to the Big Ten, and a number of other teams in the Big 12 being rumored to head to the Pac-10, now what is going to happen with the Big 12 and the rest of the teams in that conference. The Big Ten announced late last year it is considering adding at least one school, and possibly more, to add a league championship game in football and broaden the reach of its cable television network. Because of its decision is looks like it is going to reshape major college sports. With the Big Ten making its move it has caused the Pac-10 to mull its own expansion and now has threatening the survival of the Big 12.

Rumors and reports is that Baylor is locked in a battle with Colorado for what is presumed to be the sixth spot along with Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State that would create a 16-team super-conference with the Pac-10 schools. Most think that the Pac-10 would take Colorado over Baylor because of Colorado’s presence in the Denver TV market.

Because of these moves it would leave Baylor, Iowa State, Missouri, Kansas and Kansas State without a conference unless the Big 12 would want to try obtain schools from other conferences like, the Mountain West Conference, Western Athletic Conference and Conference-USA.

We all know that this is all because in college sports football is king and bring in the money for the other sports, but because of this one of the premier men college basketball programs in Kansas could possible be forced to move to much lower level conference in competition.

If I was the Big 12 I would take the teams I have left and try to add the following ten teams to make a super conference of my own. I would add Boise State, Nevada, TCU, Utah, New Mexico, UNLV, BYU, Memphis, Houston, and Tulsa. With the combination of the following schools you get the two best programs in football that aren’t in a BCS conference in Boise State, and TCU. You also bring some good basketball programs in Memphis, UNLV, and New Mexico. Utah, Nevada, and BYU have shown that they had solid programs in both football and basketball in recent years. With being in a BCS conference these teams would be help with more revenue that could be generated.

We will have to wait and see how it all shakes out for the landscape of college athletics will never be the same.

Top 10 DE’s for 2010 NFL Draft

Here are my top ten defensive ends and some sleepers to watch.

1. Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech
2. Jason Pierre-Paul, South Florida
3. Brandon Graham, Michigan
4. Everson Griffen, USC
5. Carlos Dunlap, Florida
6. Tyson Alualu, California
7. Alex Carrington, Arkansas State
8. Corey Wootton, Northwestern
9. Brandon Lang, Troy
10. Daniel Te'o-Nesheim, Washington

Sleepers:
C.J. Wilson, East Carolina
George Johnson, Rutgers
Rahim Alem, LSU

Senior Bowl: Tuesday Notes

OL Vladimir Ducasse, UMass: Ducasse looked slow and his foot work was inconsistent, he got beat in pass pro and seemed not to be able to control guys at the line of scrimmage with his punch.

OL Mike Iupati, Idaho: Iupati showed at guard why people love him because he can be dominate inside, he struggled a little bit when he was asked to play left tackle, and it just didn’t look natural for him.

TE Ed Dickson, Oregon: Dickson so far this week has shown the ability to be a top notch tight end, he has hands and is ability to run routes like a wide receiver and has been better as a blocker then what people have thought.

DE Brandon Graham, Michigan: People are question Graham’s ability to play defensive end in a 4-3 defense because he lack height and has somewhat short arms but one-on-ones today he look outstanding.

DE Alex Carrington, Arkansas State: Carrington a late add who was going to play in the Texas vs. the Nation game next week, look big, physical and has some pass rushing ability, he is someone to watch this week.

DT Geno Atkins, Georgia : There was a lot of buzz today about Atkins and he performance, he is a little bit light for a defensive tackle at only 286 pounds but is extremely quick, firing off the snap, and showed the ability to get into the backfield. He has help his draft grade so far this week.

DT D'Anthony Smith, Louisiana Tech: Smith is quick and strong and does a good job changing directions, he has been one of the more impressive defensive tackles.

LB Donald Butler, Washington: Butler has shown ever good athleticism is both his pass rushing skills as well as his pass coverage skills.

LB Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri: Weatherspoon has been all over the filed and making plays, most likely fits as a 4-3 outside linebacker on the weakside in a Tampa Two type defense, but if he is allowed to chase can be a play maker like he has shown so far in practice.

CB Chris Cook, Virginia: Cook has been a lit up and down this week so far, he has very good at times and been beating, he has good size and there is some thoughts that he might be better as a free-safety, because he looks a little tight in the hips.

S Nate Allen, South Florida: Allen has been the best safety on either team and has shown good coverage ability.