Michigan Football: The Top 5 Eligible NFL Prospects

Talk about leaving the cupboard bare. 

When Rich Rodriguez arrived on the scene three years ago, many of his supporters complained about the makeup of the Michigan football roster, especially the senior class.

In fact, only two players were drafted from that squad, DL Terrence Taylor and CB Morgan Trent. It was the fewest players drafted from any Michigan team since 1994, when WR Derrick Alexander was the only Wolverine selected.  

Rodriguez didn't exactly do Brady Hoke any favors, either.

Let's take a look at Michigan's NFL prospects for the 2012 draft, as few as they may be.  

NT Mike Martin, 6'2", 299 Lbs, SR

There's no doubt Mike Martin is Michigan's best defensive player.

An All-Big 10 nose tackle in 2010, Martin has parlayed an outstanding prep career into a possible first-round NFL draft choice.

He's already been mentioned for the Bronco Nagurski Award (nation's best defensive player), the Outland Trophy (interior lineman), the Bednarik (top defensive player), and Rotary Lombardi (lineman, linebacker) Awards.

On paper, Martin will start next to defensive tackle Will Campbell, but defensive coordinator Greg Mattison has other ideas. If all goes well, you'll see Martin in various positions along the defensive line, including out on the edge as an extra pass rusher. Occasionally he might even drop into pass coverage.      

Martin, who played his prep football at Novi Catholic Central, already has 108 tackles and 6.5 sacks as a Wolverine. 

C David Molk, 6'2", 288, RS SR

Unfortunately, there's quite a falloff between Molk and the backup centers. Molk has the experience, the ability to manage his linemates, and the physical tools to play his position at a high level.

It no secret the offense suffered when Molk was out with foot and knee injuries during the 2009 season.

Molk, who started every game in 2008, came back to start all 13 games in 2010. In addition to being named to the 2010 All-Big 10 squad, he was also named to Sports Illustrated's  All-America honorable mention team.

For 2011, Molk is in the running for Rimington (top center) and Rotary Lombardi Awards. 

WR Roy Roundtree, 6'0", 176 Lbs, RS JR

If Roy Roundtree comes anywhere close to the 72 catches he recorded in 2010, there's a good chance he'll forgo his senior season.

If you recall, both Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington left early in 2007. Manningham had already caught 137 passes and Arrington 109.

In only 19 games, Roundtree has 104 receptions. There's no doubt he'll surpass both of them.

Roundtree is also a candidate for the Biletnikoff Award (top wide receiver).   

TE Kevin Koger, 6'4", 255 Lbs, SR

Another superb athlete who hasn't realized his potential is tight end Kevin Koger. The 6'4", 255-pound senior was rarely a target in Rich Rodriguez' read-option offense.

From Toledo Whitmer High School, Koger was rated the sixth-best tight end nationally by scout.com.

“Kevin, he’s a guy who’s a very talented,” head coach Brady Hoke said. “He’s a great leader. (And) he comes to work every day.”

Koger, who's on the John Mackey Award watch list (top tight end), has caught 36 passes including five touchdowns. 

WR Junior Hemingway 6'1", 225 Lbs, RS SR

Junior Hemingway has all the tools to be an excellent slot receiver in the National Football league. At 6'1", 225 lbs, he's slightly larger than the Philadelphia Eagle's Jason Avant (6'0", 212 lbs).

But he's been somewhat injury prone and was never really the go-to receiver. He has caught a career total of 54 passes, however, including seven touchdowns while playing second fiddle in 2010 to Roy Roundtree and sometimes Darryl Stonum.

New offensive coordinator Al Borges  liked what he saw in Hemingway during spring practice. "Junior's moving good, goes up and gets (it)," Borges said. "(He has) good range to the ball.”

If Stonum returns from his suspension, watch for Hemingway as a slot receiver, catching balls on third down in the middle of the field.

Longshots: Troy Woolfolk, Mark Huyge, Ryan Van Bergen

Doubtful: Denard Robinson (could forgo senior season)