College Football 2011: Andrew Luck and NFL-Ready Prospects at Each Position

One of the most exciting parts of the college football season is watching bright young players develop into future NFL stars.

With the season just around the corner, here is a look at the top prospects for each position in 2011. I have also included where each player would best fit to begin his professional career.

Quarterback: Andrew Luck, Stanford

Andrew Luck would have been the No. 1 overall pick had he entered the draft last year, but he chose to stay at Stanford and finish his degree. With a combination of great mechanics and intangibles, Luck is undoubtedly the top NFL prospect for 2012.

Good Fits: Buffalo, Miami, Seattle, Washington

Running Back: Trent Richardson, Alabama

Richardson will have a great opportunity to show off his skills this year as he becomes Alabama’s featured back. What he lacks in size Richardson makes up for in speed and strength, and he is a threat to take it the distance every time he touches the ball. 

Playing in a pro-style offense will also be appealing to NFL teams, and Richardson should be gone in the first round.

Good Fits: Cincinnati, Dallas, Green Bay, Indianapolis, Giants, St. Louis

Wide Receiver: Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina

It’s hard not to put Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon at the top of the list, but Alshon Jeffery has managed to put up comparable numbers against much better defenses. 

At 6'4" and 233 pounds, Jeffery is a big receiver with the ability to beat any defensive back for a jump ball. It will be a close race, but he should be the first wideout off the board in 2012.

Good Fits: Jacksonville, Minnesota, Jets, Tennessee

Tight End: Michael Egnew, Missouri

Teams looking to create mismatches against opposing defenses will love what Egnew brings to the table. He is athletic enough to be effective both in pass-catching and run-blocking situations. 

Egnew should be able to bolster his draft status as a senior and should improve upon his statistics from 2010.

Good Fits: Buffalo, Carolina, Oakland

Offensive Guard: Ryan Miller, Colorado

Like Nate Solder last year, Ryan Miller is a project on the offensive line. He towers at 6'8" and weighs in at 310 pounds.

Because of his size, Miller could make a move to tackle for an NFL team, but it will take a coaching staff willing to take a chance and have patience with him.

Good Fits: Detroit, Green Bay, Tennessee

Offensive Tackle: Matt Kalil, USC

Matt Kalil may have been the best offensive tackle in the nation as a sophomore a year ago, and should be even more polished entering 2011. Kalil excels at blocking both the run and the pass, and will be the first offensive lineman off the board should he enter the draft in 2012.

Good Fits: Buffalo, Dallas, New Orleans, Tampa Bay

Center: Mike Brewster, Ohio State

Senior center Mike Brewster will lead the Buckeyes into a season full of uncertainty this year. Brewster was a first-team All-American in 2010 and is the front-runner to win the Rimington Trophy this year.  He should be a first-round pick and will likely not drop any further than the early second round.

Good Fits: Detroit, Oakland, Tennessee

Defensive End: Quinton Coples, North Carolina

Coples is another elite defensive line prospect coming from the Tar Heels. 

At 6'6" and 285 pounds, Coples has great size and explosion off the ball, making him a possible outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. He makes plays all over the field and should be a Top 10 pick in next year’s draft.

Good Fits: Atlanta, Cleveland, Green Bay, New England

Defensive Tackle: Jerel Worthy, Michigan State

Worthy has been the anchor for the Michigan State defense the last two years. He has shown the ability to both disrupt the middle of the line and get to the quarterback, and should be one of the top defensive players off the board next April.

Good Fits: Carolina, Denver, Kansas City, San Francisco

Outside Linebacker: Travis Lewis, Oklahoma

Lewis is a playmaker and was the leading tackler for the Sooners last year. He has the speed and tackling ability that will make him a perfect fit for either a 4-3 or 3-4 defense. 

Lewis will likely be selected late in the first round, but could improve his draft position with another impressive campaign in his senior season.

Good Fits: Detroit, New England, New Orleans, San Diego

Middle Linebacker: Luke Kuechly, Boston College

Kuechly is the top linebacking prospect in the country this year. He recorded an eye-popping 183 tackles as a sophomore and should only see improvement as a junior. 

Any team in the league would love to have Kuechly lining up in the middle of its defense, and he will be a hot commodity if he decides to enter the draft.

Good Fits: Detroit, Jacksonville, Tennessee

Cornerback: Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama

The only real knock on Jenkins is his character, after being dismissed from Florida for repeated marijuana offenses. He had planned on returning to Florida for his senior year, but will play instead at North Alabama following the dismissal. 

Jenkins shows the ability to be a top-level cover corner as long as he can keep his nose clean and answer his off-the-field questions.

Good Fits: Cincinnati, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Seattle

Free Safety: Robert Lester, Alabama

Robert Lester picked off eight balls for the Crimson Tide last year, showing great playmaking ability all over the field. He will pair with Mark Barron this year to complete what should be the most talented defensive backfield in the country. 

Another solid season for Alabama should land Lester in the back-end of the first round of the 2012 draft.

Good Fits: Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, San Diego

Strong Safety: Ray-Ray Armstrong, Miami

Ray-Ray is a versatile safety prospect and could line up at either position for an NFL team. He shows a good ability to tackle and loves to hit. 

Miami has produced some of the best safeties to play in the NFL, and Armstrong has the potential to be next in that line of players.

Good Fits: Cincinnati, Miami, Minnesota

Kicker: Blair Walsh, Georgia

Blair Walsh should be the front-runner to win the Lou Groza award this year. He has a powerful leg and good accuracy, and will be the first kicker taken in the draft next year.

Good Fits: Denver, Detroit, Indianapolis

Punter: Jeff Locke, UCLA

Jeff Locke has a booming leg and averaged more than 40 yards per punt in 2010. Teams looking to shore up their punt units will find good value in this junior from UCLA if he decides to make the move into the draft.

Good Fits: Jacksonville, Pittsburgh