2012 NFL Draft: Andrew Luck and 10 Players Who Could Make a Splash

The 2011 NFL draft is finally in the books, so it's now time to begin looking ahead to next year's draft.

Is it far too early to start speculating? Of course it is.

Do we care? Not at all.

Not a down of football has been played in 2012, and there are already more 2012 mock drafts than you would care to read.

I won't torture you with yet another mock, but here are 10 players who you will want to keep an eye on this season. They will likely make a big splash in the 2012 NFL draft.

10. CB Alfonzo Dennard (Nebraska)

Eric Francis/Getty Images

LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 13: Alfonzo Dennard #15 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers takes the ball away from D.J. Beshears #20 of the Kansas Jayhawks during second half action of their game at Memorial Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska De

The Nebraska Cornhuskers may have just lost Prince Amukamara, but they still have Alfonzo Dennard.

Dennard is considered by many to already be a first-round talent, and a few have speculated that he could be the top cornerback taken in the 2012 NFL draft.

It should be interesting to see how he plays now that Amukamara is no longer with the team.

Dennard played big last year, coming up with four interceptions.

9. DT Jerel Worthy (Michigan State)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: Jerel Worthy #99 of the Michigan State Spartans moves past a block attempt by Brian Mulroe #72 of the Northwestern Wildcats with his sights set on Dan Persa #7 at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan St

You know those millions of 2012 mock drafts that I mentioned.

One had Jerel Worthy as a top five selection, and it belonged to Todd McShay.

Entering his junior season, Worthy has 77 tackles and eight sacks in his collegiate career.

He is becoming a force to be reckoned with in the Big Ten.

8. LB Zach Brown (North Carolina)

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHAPEL HILL, NC - OCTOBER 10: Zach Brown #47 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts to making an interception against the Georgia Southern Eagles at Kenan Stadium on October 10, 2009 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

With all of the suspensions on North Carolina last year, younger players were asked to step up and play a big role in the team's success.

Many did, one of which was Zach Brown.

Brown quickly established himself as one of the top linebackers in the country.

He is a physically gifted specimen who is going to get some attention come time for the NFL Combine.

7. QB Matt Barkley (Southern Cal)

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - DECEMBER 04: Quarterback Matt Barkley #7 of the USC Trojans drops back to pass against the UCLA Bruins during the first half at the Rose Bowl on December 4, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Come time for the draft, Matt Barkley could be considered the second best quarterback in the class or the fifth best quarterback in the class.

His stock could really fluctuate this season.

Thanks to the NCAA sanctions, Barkley, along with the rest of the members of the USC program, have not received very much media attention.

That doesn't change the fact that there are very talented players on the roster.

6. WR Alshon Jeffery (South Carolina)

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: Alshon Jeffery #1 of the South Carolina Gamecocks against the Florida State Seminoles during the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl at Georgia Dome on December 31, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Alshon Jeffery burst into the national spotlight last season for the Gamecocks as a sophomore.

He has quickly become regarded as one of the top three wide receivers in the nation, finishing the 2010 season with 1,517 yards and nine touchdowns.

If he can follow up that showing with a similar performance in 2011, he will likely be a top 10 pick in next year's draft.

5. HB Knile Davis (Arkansas)

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Knile Davis #7 of the Arkansas Razorbacks runs the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty

Many people didn't know who Knile Davis was until late in the 2010 season.

Now, he is considered to be one of the top five running backs in college football.

He had just 294 yards and one touchdown in the span of the first six games. By the end of the year he had 1,322 yards and 13 touchdowns.

If he continues in 2012 the way he ended 2011, he could very likely be the top running back in the class.

4. OT Matt Kalil (Southern Cal)

The 2011 NFL draft didn't feature any of the big name offensive line talents like we have become accustomed to.

In 2012, we should be back to the old ways.

Matt Kalil from USC could be the top offensive tackle taken off the board, and it could happen any time in the first five picks.

3. DE Quinton Coples (North Carolina)

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHAPEL HILL, NC - SEPTEMBER 18: Quinton Coples #90 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Kenan Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Quinton Coples was just another player on the Tar Heel's roster asked to step up after the suspensions to many players.

He did so, finishing the 2010 season with 10 sacks and 15 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

He is currently ranked as the second overall prospect on Mel Kiper's 2012 Big Board.

2. DE Donte Paige-Moss (North Carolina)

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 13: Donte Paige-Moss #98 of the North Carolina Tar Heels against the Virginia Tech Hokies during their game at Kenan Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

I'm starting to look like a homer. I promise, I have no affiliation with the University of North Carolina.

Their defense really is this talented.

Donte Paige-Moss was the player who filled the role for suspended Robert Quinn last season.

The sophomore finished the year with seven sacks, six-and-a-half of which came during the final six games of the season.

If he continues on that streak, he could pass teammate Quinton Coples on that draft board.

1. QB Andrew Luck (Stanford)

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal throws pass against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida. Stanford won 40-12. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty

Andrew Luck is one of the most talented players who college football has seen since Reggie Bush.

He could sit out the entire season and still likely be selected as the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

All the buzz will be surrounding Luck as the draft gets closer.

He has the potential to be one of the future star quarterbacks in the NFL.