College Football Recruiting 2013: 10 Future NFL Draft Picks

With the NFL draft starting up this Thursday, I figured we'd have a little fun and try to see which Class of 2013 recruiting stars are going to be on the platform in the coming years.

Now, I don't like to project any high school players for the NFL, because so many factors work into a player's college career and how it pans out. From coaching to development to injury to grades to off-the-field problems, there are a ton of variables that can arise between now and the end of a highly touted prospect's college career.

So, please note that this piece is more based on sheer and pure talent as I see fit right now, with only minimal projecting.

10. Antonio Conner, DB

Conner is a 6'2", 200-pound safety from Mississippi with a high ceiling. He's very athletic, plays fast and loves to mix it up at the point of attack.

In fact, I grade Conner as the best open-field tackler of any defensive prospect in this year's class. Once Conner really hones his route recognition on the back-end, his athleticism, physicality, speed and range all point to a career that will last past college. 

9. Ricky Seals-Jones, WR

A big Texan at 6'5" and 215 pounds, RS-J has a chance to be a great WR at Texas and beyond. His size is awesome on the hoof, but he also shows the athletic ability to do work on the perimeter.

I'll also add that it's not out of the question for Seals-Jones to have a Fred Davis-type of college career, where he comes in as a big WR prospect and leaves as a great TE.

With his size and athleticism, plus his speed and playmaking ability, Seals-Jones has next-level talent.

8. Eddie Vanderdoes, DL

Vanderdoes should find himself in the league somewhere one day because he's strong on his feet and has a chance to fit in as a 3-4 DE, which is a rare trait in a high school player.

He comes in at 6'4" and 285, pounds and he is a man in the trenches. Vanderdoes can sit and anchor, shed to toss blockers aside and stall an offense's run game with ease.

Vanderdoes also has a great motor and can play strong-side DE in a 4-3 or the 3-technique.

7. Adam Breneman, TE

With Breneman being a TE headed to Penn State to play in Bill O'Brien's offense, he has several NFL signs pointing at him. 

First, Breneman is going to exposed within a pro-style offense, so he'll show NFL scouts every route they need to see ran by a TE on film. Plus, coming from the Patriots, O'Brien knows how to utilize a 6'5", 225-pound pass-catching TE.

6. Robert Foster, WR

Foster is just too naturally athletic and explosive to not have a chance. He's 6'3", weighs around 180-190 pounds and has a world of talent.

Foster's very fluid in his routes, can get in and out of his breaks quickly and has the speed to get noticed. Wherever he goes, he has a chance to be a similar WR to Robert Woods.

And last time I checked, Woods is a likely first-round pick in 2013, should he leave USC early. 

5. Matthew Thomas, OLB

I think Thomas could fit best as a JACK LB in a 3-4 scheme. He's a 6'4", 210-pounder from Florida with excellent length, athleticism, speed and great pass-rushing ability.

Thomas looks more like a pass-rusher than just a blitzer, and he also has the range to make plays in space.

With the 3-4 now en vogue, teams searching for proper personnel to fit this scheme could see a guy they like in Thomas while he's in college. 

4. Kenny Bigelow, DL

Even though the 3-4 is in right now, the 4-3 still appears to be held in high regard. A key player in the 4-3 is the under tackle, also known as the 3-technique.

Kenny Bigelow has every trait imaginable to fit that role in an NFL defense. He's already 6'3" and 285 pounds, plus he has uber explosion at the snap, 1-gaps well, plays in the backfield and has amazing athleticism and speed for a big man.

Remember when Tommie Harris was really good with the Bears? Bigelow looks like that. 

3. Vernon Hargreaves III, CB

Hargreaves is the nation's best corner, and he has pro skills. He's 5'10" and 180 pounds, with excellent smarts, instincts, awareness and technique.

Hargreaves can be a patient perimeter defender, as he'll slowly play a route if he can. He can do that because he has the hips, quick feet, transition quickness and speed to stick to any WR in the country.

His athleticism, plus technique and instincts, scream NFL potential to me.

2. Reuben Foster, LB

If he stays healthy, there's no doubt in my mind that not only can Foster make it to the NFL but he also could be a first-round pick—he's that good.

At 6'2" and almost 245 pounds, Foster is ready to play college ball right now. He has everything you look for in a linebacker prospect and can play any LB position from MIKE, SAM and WILL in a 4-3, to ILB and OLB in a 3-4.

Look for Foster to be in the NFL in 3-4 years after dominating at Alabama. 

1. Robert Nkemdiche, DL

The nation's No. 1 prospect may be the best prospect we've ever seen.

Nkemdiche is a 6'5", 270-pound beast off the edge who has excellent athleticism, power, strength, quickness and plays like a 4.5 guy.

Whether you see Julius Peppers or Lawrence Taylor in Nkemdiche, you just know you're looking at an NFL talent.

Nkemdiche has the talent, competitiveness and drive of a three-and-out player.