NFL Draft 2012: 5 Players Who Hurt Their Draft Stock in BCS Championship

With over 20 quality prospects roaming the field, Monday’s BCS National Championship between Alabama and LSU was an NFL scout’s dream.

While Alabama’s Trent Richardson (RB) and LSU’s Morris Claiborne (CB) continued to make cases for top five selections in April’s draft, a handful of prospects also saw their stocks fall, either by struggling or simply failing to shine on the big stage.

Here’s a look at five players whose stock dropped the most:

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Jordan Jefferson, Quarterback: LSU, Sr.

After a couple breakout performances down the stretch as LSU’s starting quarterback, senior Jordan Jefferson was considered a potential third-day selection heading into Monday night’s matchup.

He certainly wasn’t afterwards.

Monday was a nightmare for the 6'5", 230-pound senior who finished with 53 passing yards and just 15 more on the ground despite 14 carries.

Dropping back, Jefferson definitely received his fair share of pressure, but his poor performance should not be solely blamed on that. He look uncomfortable in the pocket, made numerous bad decisions with the ball in his hands and was inaccurate on passes that have to be completed by an NFL-caliber quarterback.

As a rusher, he may have been even worse, poorly executing a predictable option that had no chance to succeed all game.

Like Terrelle Pryor last season, Jefferson could still get drafted solely due to his size and athletic ability, but if he ever hopes to see the field, a position change will be necessary.

2012 Draft Projection: Undrafted

Marquis Maze, Wide Receiver: Alabama, Sr.

Alabama’s 5'8", 190-pound wide receiver, Marquis Maze, was someone who would have benefited greatly from a big game on the national stage, but failed to do so, instead getting knocked out of the game with an injury just six minutes into play.

Entering the game, Maze was projected as a third or fourth rounder in April’s upcoming draft. While he may still land in that range when all is said and done, it’s going to take a terrific Pro Day to get him there, as the injury is likely to keep him out of another big showcase, this month’s Senior Bowl.

For much of the season, Maze has been the Tide’s top receiver, finishing with team highs in receptions (56) and yards (627). He has shown to be a dynamic playmaker and quality return man, but in my opinion, tops out as a situational, third-down slot receiver at the NFL level.

Facing off against a tough LSU secondary loaded with future first rounders, a good game by Maze would have almost certainly helped him climb a few draft boards. Instead, senior wideout Darius Hanks, who finished with five catches for 58 yards in place of Maze, got the big-game stock bump.

2012 Draft Projection: Fifth Round

DeQuan Menzie, Cornerback, Alabama, Sr.

Praised for his ability in run support, Alabama senior cornerback DeQuan Menzie had yet another terrific game defensively, fighting through blocks and finishing with four tackles.

While he certainly solidified a job at the NFL level, a few red flags popped up during the game that may drop him down boards heading into spring.

While Menzie has never been known for terrific speed, the senior was yet again burned on a couple routes late in the game. While size and strength are great for his position, his recovery speed simply doesn’t match up with some of the quicker wide receivers. In addition, Menzie gave up inside leverage a few instances during the game, allowing a couple easy receptions.

If it were me, I’d draft Menzie with the goal of trying him out at safety. His instincts and ability to stop the run are second to none, but he struggles matching up as a cornerback.

He has the potential to be a steal in the middle rounds.

2012 Draft Projection: Sixth Round

Rueben Randle, Wide Receiver, LSU, Jr.

After a breakout junior campaign where he showed flashes of NFL No. 1 receiver potential, LSU wideout Rueben Randle could have thrown an exclamation mark on the year and solidified himself for a first or second round pick in April’s draft with a good game Monday night.

Instead, he vanished into oblivion for the second straight game.

Listed at 6'4"/210 and possessing tremendous speed, Randle’s makeup is that of a prototypical wide receiver. Sometimes the eye test doesn’t translate to the field, though. It certainly hasn’t recently for the junior, who finished with under 25 receiving yards for the fourth time in six games.

Even with Jefferson throwing him passes, Randle should never disappear, especially with his frame and athleticism.

With Monday’s egg, Randle’s decision has become tougher decision on whether to return to school for his senior season or declare for the draft. Should he go, Randle could very easily launch up draft boards this spring as he trains with quality quarterback prospects for the first time in years.

For now, however, scouts have to question whether he is a boom or bust prospect or has simply been inconsistent due to LSU’s offense.

2012 Draft Projection: Fourth Round

Tyrann Mathieu, Cornerback, LSU, Soph.

While he won’t be draft eligible for one more season, LSU cornerback and Heisman Trophy finalist Tyrann Mathieu may have been the biggest faller after Monday’s contest.

All season, Mathieu has been a highlight-reel mainstay, and for good reason. From the forced fumbles to electric punt returns, Mathieu has made some incredible plays and has been one of the most exciting players to watch in years.

The honeymoon had to end, though, and Monday showed the real player that Mathieu is.

Listed at 5'9"/175, the “Honey Badger” is not a big guy and has excelled this season solely on athleticism and willingness to make gambles.

On Monday, Alabama’s offense took him out of the game by forcing him to play his position and not this hybrid ballhawking blitzer that we’ve seen. Numerous times throughout the game, Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron put Mathieu out on an island in one-to-one coverage and had no problem passing all over him. When matched up against bigger wideouts, Mathieu struggled to bring them down and looked nothing like the playmaker we saw all season.

Without question, Mathieu is still a tremendously gifted athlete and will be one of the NFL’s most dynamic playmakers the second he joins the league. After Monday, though, I really question whether he can be a fraction of the player LSU alum Patrick Peterson was this season for the Arizona Cardinals.

2013 Draft Projection: Late First Round