NFL Draft 2012: 10 Players We're Most Excited to See in the Pros

The exciting college football bowl season is coming to a close, so the next time you will see some of the nation's best players will be in the NFL.

It might be an entire offseason away, but as soon as the commissioner calls his name, that player becomes part of the team, and the waiting game begins.

This year in college football included some of the most exciting players in recent memory. Most of them can change a game with one play and cause a lot of frustration for opposing coaches.

We simply cannot wait to see these men in the NFL.

Robert Griffin III, QB Baylor

Since Robert Griffin III was the most exciting player in college football this season, it would be only natural that he would be one of the most exciting rookies in the NFL next year.

The 2011 Heisman Trophy winner took a Baylor team with the No. 113 scoring defense in the nation to a 10-3 record.

Griffin will be an exciting player at the next level as he can really do everything to help his team win.

As a quarterback he is accurate and a good decision maker, and as a runner, he is fast and elusive. Whichever team selects him in the draft will be lucky.

Vontaze Burfict, LB Arizona State

Vontaze Burfict is one of the scariest players in college football, and that tenacity will make him a great linebacker. 

He still has room to improve his game, but Burfict is already one of the most athletic players in the country and is a solid tackler.

With his raw talent he can be the next Ray Lewis. That is if he ever learns to control himself.

Trent Richardson, RB Alabama

Trent Richardson will not only make an immediate impact in the NFL, but he has the ability to instantly become one of the top running backs in the league.

He has the strength to overpower linebackers and the agility to beat defensive backs. His 76-yard touchdown run against Ole Miss showed the entire package.

While other running backs were able to build up statistics against weaker opponents, Richardson had a great year in the toughest defensive conference in football, the SEC. 

This will better prepare him for the next level.

Alshon Jeffery, WR South Carolina

It sure makes things easy on a quarterback when you can simply lob up a pass toward the end zone and hope that this happens. 

The 51-yard touchdown catch by Alshon Jeffery to end the half of the Capitol One Bowl showed the peak of his skill.

Jeffery has the ability to go up and get a high pass, a skill that only the elite in the NFL are able to do.

Look for the receiver to become a go-to target when he reaches the next level.

LaMichael James, RB Oregon

LaMichael James is not expected to be a first-round pick, but that does not mean he will not be an impact player in the NFL.

The Oregon running back has rushed for over 1,500 yards in each of his three years in college, and this season improved his yards per carry to 7.3.

James has a small stature, but he is the type of running back that can get a few touches and change a game. He has the speed to take it all the way to the end zone, regardless of where he is on the field.

He will be a steal in the upcoming NFL draft.

Justin Blackmon, WR Oklahoma State

If you watched the Fiesta Bowl, you know that Justin Blackmon is simply too good to remain in college football.

The junior caught eight passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns in a victory over Stanford.

Blackmon has already won the Fred Biletnikoff Award twice, an honor given to the best receiver in the nation.

It will only be a matter of time until he is one of the best receivers at the professional level.

Morris Claiborne, CB LSU

While everyone has focused on teammate Tyrann Mathieu this season, Morris Claiborne will actually be the better pro between the two.

Claiborne has the size and speed to match up with most receivers and become a shut-down cornerback. He also has great hands, as evident by his 11 interceptions in the last two years.

If that is not enough, he also returned kickoffs for an average of 26 yards plus a 99-yard touchdown.

Just like former teammate Patrick Peterson, Claiborne will adjust quickly to the NFL and become a top player.

Michael Floyd, WR Notre Dame

It did not matter who was throwing to Michael Floyd this season, the receiver just kept scoring.

Floyd was one of the most consistent receivers in the nation this season, topping 90 receiving yards on seven different occasions.

He is smaller than some of the other top receivers in this class, but he has great hands, rare agility and a knack for finding the end zone.

The 37 touchdown receptions he had at Notre Dame will be tough to replace.

Lamar Miller, RB Miami

There was a long gap, but it seems the running back pipeline from Miami to the NFL is back with Lamar Miller.

Edgerrin James, Clinton Portis, Frank Gore and Willis McGahee were all former Hurricanes that reached the Pro Bowl, and Miller might join them sometime soon.

The redshirt sophomore has good size and strength, but his best attribute is his speed.

In Miami workouts he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds, which would make him one of the fastest players in the NFL at any position.

This is a player who can truly make some big plays next season. 

Andrew Luck, QB Stanford

Andrew Luck has received more hype than any player in recent memory, and only time will tell if its deserved.

He will almost definitely be the first-overall pick in the NFL draft, and if the Indianapolis Colts decide to trade the pick, it could be worth up to four first-round picks. 

Mel Kiper and Todd McShay agree that he is among the best ever in everything from accuracy to mobility to intelligence. 

Whether you believe the experts or not, fans will not be able to find out the truth until he plays a snap in the NFL.

His first season behind center will be one of the most anticipated stories of next season.