As I'm watching countless hours of game film to compose my 2008 Mock Draft, I caught a glimpse of the future.
Here are my top ten draft eligible college football players for the 2009 Draft.
1. Alex Boone, OT, Ohio State
Boone probably would have gone late in the first round in this year's draft. Another year in Columbus pushes him to the top of my list.
This 6'8", 330-lb behemoth has the bulk to dominate games in the NFL and on film he seems to display rare athleticism for a man his size. If Jake Long is a top-five selection, Boone goes number one in 2009.
2. Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, Ohio State
I am going to catch a lot of heat for being a Buckeye fan and projecting two Ohio State players to go this high in the 2009 Draft. But the tape doesn't lie.
Beanie has breakaway speed, power, and most impressively, quick feet that makes him elusive with the ability to cut on a dime. Wells should provide some lucky NFL team with 30 carries a game and average 4.5 ypc. My only concern will be how he holds up health-wise his junior year, because the Buckeyes are going to once again ride him all the way to the Big Ten Championship.
3. Myron Rolle, S, Florida State
I usually don't project safeties to go this high in the draft—although in 2005, I had Sean Taylor as the No. 1 player on my board, but Taylor was the best defensive player I have ever seen play college football. (Too young to have seen LT.)
Anyway, Rolle is the closest thing I have seen to Taylor. Physical, aggressive and a heavy hitter. Some will argue that USC's Safety Taylor Mays is a better pro prospect, but right now Rolle holds the higher grade.
4. Rey Maualuga, LB, USC
Maualuga is explosive and brings the wood every Saturday. He needs to play with more control at the next level and improve in coverage, but he should hear his name called early on Draft Day 2009.
He is probably best suited at MLB in a 4-3 scheme in the pros. His athleticism and instincts should allow Maualuga to have a successful NFL career.
5. Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
There are two receivers I am excited to watch play at the next level—Harvin and Penn State's Derrick Williams. Both of them are prototypes of a new generation of NFL wideouts.
No matter where Harvin lines up in the NFL, offensive coordinators will need to find ways to get the ball in his hands. I would love to see him play for the 49ers and see what Mike Martz could do with his rare athletic ability.
6. Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
I know what you're thinking, another Buckeye, but Jenkins would of been a mid first round pick in this year's draft, had he not returned for his senior season.
Jenkins has the size and speed to take on receivers the likes of Randy Moss and Terrell Owens in the NFL. Another year in Columbus, can only improve his draft status.
7. Phil Loadholt, OT, Oklahoma
Loadholt, well he is a load at 6'8" 350 lbs. This is a projection clearly based on upside. If he is able to improve his footwork and show his ability to pass block he could end up as a top ten pick.
Right now Loadholt is a project, but a solid senior season for the Sooners should garner him some attention from the NFL Scouts.
8. Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
Smith was a prep legend coming out of Huffman High School in Alabama. Most people consider him the best pro prospect in college right now. Some scouts have said that Smith is the best college offensive lineman to suit up since Orlando Pace. Lofty praise, I know.
While there is no denying Smith's talent and measureables, I still feel that Smith is still a bit raw and needs a solid junior year for the Crimson Tide before he ascends to the top of this list.
9. James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State
Yes, more Buckeyes. "Little Animal" would have been a top 10 selection in 2008, but I am glad he came back for his senior season.
Laurinaitis has some work to do in coverage and probably needs to bulk up some more to be able to withstand the pounding of a 16 game NFL season.
10. Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
The 2007 Heisman trophy winner will probably end up being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 Draft. I am still trying to determine whether Tebow is a great QB or simply a system quarterback.
The spread offense is very effective in the college ranks, but nobody runs the spread in the NFL. Another Urban Meyer protege—Alex Smith—ran the spread at Utah and was No. 1 overall in 2005. Smith is now one more poor season away from being labeled a bust by many NFL insiders.
If Tebow is No. 1 overall, then Chase Daniel should go No. 2.
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7 months ago
as a buckeye fan i am glad to see those four in there and especially see beanie get some respect. i think this season he has a shot at heisman. Anybody else?
7 months ago
Have you ever seen Percy Harvin run past Myron Rolle? He has done it quite a few times. I think Rolle is one of the most overrated players.
from 3 months ago
What game or when did Harvin run past Rolle? Check your facts. At FSU when Harvin scored his TD Rolle was not covering him. At UF, Rolle tackled Harvin each time he came down field in Rolle's area. Maybe you should get a copy of the games and review them again.
It is so unfortunate that you think anyone who does not select UF is a lesser athlete. Time will establish Rolle's credentials.
from 3 months ago
Um, Harvin ran by him the first time 2 years ago. 4 carries for 86 yards. The safety is the last line of defense and on Percy's touchdown run (you are right that Myron wasn't covering him because it was a run), Percy turns the corner and Rolle runs into the endzone about a second after Percy.
In 2007, Percy had 157 rushing yards and 67 receiving yards and 1 rushing td. Of course Rolle is going to have a couple tackles. Percy is still human, he gets tired running all over the mighty FSU defense.
7 months ago
I'm not sure if a more overrated player has ever put on pads than Rolle. This kid is still living off of the fact that ESPN selected him as their No. 1 high school player when every other publication had Harvin in that spot. And the great hype machine will always prove itself right. Watch any FSU game and when he makes a tackle, listen for the announcers to bust out the Pre-Med story and show the picture of him sitting on a camel in Egypt. We get it. He's smarter than most other football players, but still dumb enough to list academics as his reason for choosing Florida State over Florida.
6 months ago
You need to change the title of your article to the OSU top ten. I agree with some of the players selected but I didn't see Seniors:
LT Michael Oher
DE Michael Johnson
LB Brian Cushing
TE Brandon Pettigrew
DE Tyson Jackson
MLB Darry Beckwith
or Juniors:
QB Matt Stafford
CB Vontae Davis
DE Everettte Brown
S Taylor Mays
WR Darrius Heyward-Bey
DE Maurice Evans
DE Auston English
I was surprised that you had LT Alex Boone on top of your OSU top ten but here is what scouts had to say after the 2nd BCS game loss for the OSU:Ohio State LOT Alex Boone* vs. LSU DE Kirston Pittman
Boone did a sound job of getting into position and sealing the edge against Pittman, and he also showed good awareness and the ability to pick up the blitz. Boone never really dominated the point of attack, though, and he didn't do a great job of sustaining his blocks. He uncharacteristically lost his balance at times and continued to have problems delivering a powerful initial punch. None of this bodes well for Boone as the biggest knock on him is that he doesn't play with enough of a mean streak. That doesn't mean his stock has plummeted, though, because Boone still has the size and agility to develop into one the kind of franchise tackle NFL teams covet. What it means is that Boone could go from a second- or third-round pick this year to a first-round pick after next season if he stays in school and hits the weights for one more year.
6 months ago
Taylor Mays could have possibly cracked my OSU top 10.
18 days ago
Alex Boone is not even the best tackle in college football.. Michael Oher will be a top 5 pick and i can see Alex Boone dropping out of the top 15 in next years draft.. Myron Rolle is as overrated as a player can get. I would rather have Taylor Mays in that safety position rather than him. I feel that Vontae Davis from Illinois will give Malcolm Jenkins a run for his money on which corner gets drafted first.. Michael Johnson is very overrated but eventhough he might get drafted in the top 10..
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