Feeling a Draft: Toby Gerhart, One of the 2010 Draft's Biggest Mysteries

Rule No. 1 when evaluating offensive players is to not put too much stock into how they perform against the horrific Notre Dame defense. That said, many people's first notice of Gerhart came in Stanford's prime time victory of Notre Dame in which he rushed for 205 yards and three touchdowns while throwing for a score as well. 

From an NFL Draft standpoint Gerhart will be a tough guy to peg. He has carried Stanford on his back through much of the season while arguably putting up the most complete performance in college football this year. He is as tough as nails and his intangibles are off the charts.  

On the negative side, he lacks speed, is not a factor in the passing game and has a knee in need of medical attention. Like Tim Tebow, he is a guy coaches will fall in love with but scouts will be wary of the upside. In other words a 4th round grade who could slide into round two.

Other Thoughts from the Weekend:

1. In the Texas A&M—Texas shootout on Thanksgiving Colt McCoy was the star of the game throwing for 304 yards and four TDs to go along with 175 yards rushing. Yet the player who stood out most to me was Aggie QB Jerrod Johnson.   

Don't get me wrong: Colt McCoy was fantastic in picking apart a porous A&M defense.  Johnson on the other hand threw for 342 yards and four touchdowns against the best defense in the country while showing off tremendous arm strength, touch and poise. 

He was also the most improved player I have watched all season. Early in the year he was an athlete with good size and a howitzer. Against Texas he was a quarterback. He needs to work on his consistency, footwork and mechanics but given another season in Mike Sherman's system he could soon be one of the top quarterbacks in the country.

2. In the Texas—Texas A&M's best one-on-one match up, DE/OLB Von Miller demonstrated why he is an exciting 3-4 rush linebacker prospect while exposing OT Adam Ulatoski's limitations. Like many of this year's tackle prospects Ulatoski looks like a right rather than left tackle.

3. Alabama CB/PR Javier Arenas is a tough undersized nickel corner whose punt returning skills could vault him into the 2nd round of a wide open cornerback class behind top rated Joe Haden.

4. Another guy who shined in the Stanford-Notre Dame game was WR Golden Tate whom some are saying is the top wide receiver prospect. Tate may be the best college wide receiver but is he a first round pick talent? 

On the plus side is the strength, run after catch ability and the way he catches the ball at the highest point. On the negative is the 5'11" height and speed that is more quick than fast. I doubt he is a sub 4.4 guy making him a bit of risk should he run a 4.5 40. Of course, it is hard to imagine his stock getting any higher next year. He reminds me a lot of Hines Ward or Anquan Boldin. Elite receivers, yes, but neither of them was a first round pick.

5. OT Selvish Capers of West Virginia did a solid job against Pitt's fabulous front line in the Mountaineers upset win.

Who and What to Watch this Week:

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh—Tony Pike and Mardy Gilyard go up against one of the top pass rushes in the country led by Panther DE Greg Romeus.

Alabama vs. Florida—No. 1 vs. No. 2 in the National Title play-in game. There are prospects galore on the defensive side of the ball for both teams.

Houston vs. East Carolina—A prime time showcase for QB Case Keenum.

Georgia Tech vs. Clemson—Dwyer vs. Spiller II in a sequel to the early season thriller.

Texas vs. Nebraska—I might be the only guy in the country crazy enough to pick the Cornhuskers over the Longhorns. It may not be likely but it is much more possible than the experts will make you think. The Nebraska defense, especially the front four, is that good.

Chris Maier is Senior Editor for NFLDraft101.com .  He can be reached at [e-mail]