Tracking Texas A&M Football Players in the 2012 NFL Draft

Texas A&M may have the biggest surprise of the 2012 NFL draft when quarterback Ryan Tannehill likely lands in the first round.

Texas A&M is no stranger to the NFL Draft as they have had a host of players drafted in past years. Most recently, the Aggies had Von Miller go in the first round to Denver, becoming the 27th first-round selection for the Aggies in NFL Draft history. 

As the draft begins to unfold and the selections fall, this will be your guide to all things Aggies. As the selections happen, updates will follow. 

Texas A&M has a host of players that look to be selected in the next few days, with Tannehill, Cyrus Gray, Jeff Fuller, Coryell Judie, Terrance Frederick and Lionel Smith all hoping to hear their names called. 

Projecting the Aggies Draft

Ryan Tannehill has quickly become one of the hottest topics of discussion of this year’s draft. Tannehill is viewed as a forced pick for a number of teams in the first round that are looking for a quarterback, but won’t have Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III left on the board to choose from.

Tannehill has all the physical tools to be a prolific passer at the next level, but he has a lack of experience that can’t and has not been denied. Tannehill has only started 19 games as a quarterback for the Aggies. 

Looking at the lack of starts may be a concern, but the bigger issue is that Tannehill began his collegiate career as a receiver, not as a quarterback.

Tannehill has worked his way into a formidable quarterback in college, finishing his senior season with a 61.6 CMP%. His 15 interceptions and inconsistencies at times has teams concerned however.

The B/R mock draft has Tannehill landing at pick No. 8 with the Miami Dolphins. It looks to be a stretch for the Dolphins, but Ryan Leaf was a sure thing many years ago as well. He may be better than most expect. 

Another big name for the Aggies in the draft is Cyrus Gray. Gray has had two consecutive seasons with over 1,000 rushing yards, and has proven to be a dangerous pass-catching threat from the backfield.

Gray lists at 5’10”, 206 pounds, running a 4.47 40 and producing 21 reps in the 225-pound bench press at the combine. 

Gray is likely to fall in the middle rounds, but he will be a great value pickup for whichever team grabs his services. 

Coryell Judie is another Aggies player that is expected to land in the draft. 

Judie was out for much of his senior season with a hamstring injury, but he showed out for the scouts at the combine. Judie has great skills at the cornerback position and will likely grow into a very good defender in the pros. 

Ryan Tannehill, QB, Drafted by Miami Dolphins 1st Round (No. 8 Overall)

Even though Andrew Luck and RGIII are clearly the two most talented signal-callers in the 2012 draft, Ryan Tannehill is the player that has sparked the most debate. 

Tannehill was actually listed as a wide receiver until he moved to quarterback halfway through his junior season, which is the position he was originally recruited as. Because of this, Tannehill has special athleticism to complement his throwing ability.

In his only year as full-time quarterback, Tannehill threw for 28 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. 

Here is the take on Tannehill from CBS Sports:

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He is still raw and needs to continue to improve at reading defenses and completing passes to keep the chains moving. But Tannehill possesses a tantalizing combination of size, intelligence, arm strength and mobile. 

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Because of his relative inexperience at the position, Tannehill would greatly benefit from a year holding a clipboard and adjusting to the pro game. At Texas A&M, he did not "throw players open" and forced too many passes, which is to be expected from a player with only a year-and-a-half of experience. 

Nonetheless, Tannehill will probably have to play right away, and growing pains are inevitable. But the former Aggie has enough talent and athleticism to turn into an exceptional starter at the NFL level. 

Randy Bullock, K, Drafted by Houston Texans 5th Round (No. 161 Overall)

Texas A&M Aggies kicker Randy Bullock has the ability to be a solid special teams player in the NFL, so he's a very good pickup in the 2012 NFL draft.

Bullock won the 2011 Lou Groza award as the nation's top kicker, as he finished the season making 29-of-33 field goal attempts and 55-of-57 extra points, for 142 points.

He leaves the Aggies having scored a grand total of 365 points in four years of kicking.
 
What Bullock Brings to the Team

Simply put, he's a reliable place kicker with the potential to only improve in the NFL. He has four years of collegiate kicking experience under his belt, and he consistently put up points, which is huge.

He went 1-of-2 from 50-plus, with his long being a 52 yard kick in 2011, so that is one area where he'll need to improve.

Bullock doesn't have a huge leg, but he has the intangibles of a good kicker. With proper coaching and work, he will get better.

Thoughts On Drafting A Kicker...Good Value If ProductiveWaste Of A PickSubmit Vote vote to see results 

What Experts Are Saying

Here's the take on Bullock from ProFootballWeekly.com:

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Accurate, productive, dependable Lou Groza Award winner is capable of challenging for a job.

Dependable has to be the best word used to describe Bullock, and I also agree that he has the potential to be "the guy."

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Rookie Impact

Expect Bullock to put himself in position to win the kicker job in Houston in training camp and hold that spot during the season.

Cyrus Gray, RB, Drafted by Kansas City Chiefs 6th Round (No. 182 Overall)

Cyrus Gray is one of the running backs in this year's draft who will end up as more of a pounder than anything else. He's more of a one-cut back and would do best in a zone-blocking style scheme.

Gray had a very productive career at Texas A&M and also had a very solid showing at the combine and should be one of the few backs who contributes in the NFL long-term.
 
Select Combine Stats

Height: 5'10-1/4” Weight: 206 pounds

40 yard dash: 4.47 sec. 20 yard split: 2.64 sec.  Bench Reps: 21 reps

Cyrus Gray Highlights2011 game stats—11 games, 198 carries, 1045 yards, 12 touchdowns, 31 catches, 239 yards, 3 touchdowns
 
National Football Post's Wes Bunting breaks down his strengths here:

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A compact back who carries a lot of girth/natural muscle tone through his frame. Does not look thin by any measure and possess the kind of frame that can handle a pounding. Runs with good forward lean, presses the line of scrimmage quickly and is quick to decipher information. Possesses good balance and body control in tight areas with the quickness to change directions, break a tackle and accelerate through contact.

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Bunting breaks down his weaknesses here:

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Will get a (bit) "weavey" off his left foot at times, especially on perimeter runs and will chop his feet in order to catch his balance… Has a tendency to leave some yards on the field though, will try to bounce plays outside prematurely and not consistently take what the defense gives him… Possesses good straight-line speed, not elite.

Gray is a good back but isn't a true three-down player. His best fit is in a scheme that will use him mainly as a pounder between the tackles and in screens every now and again.

Gray compares well to a Fred Taylor in that he won't ever lead the league in rushing but will have a reliable long career as someone you can use as a workhorse.

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Potential Impact

Gray always had impact as a kick returner and could have an impact there early. Gray should come right in and compete for a role at running back in primarily run situations as well.

Pick Analysis

Late selection aide, Gray could see the field if Peyton Hillis can't deliver. 

Terrence Frederick, CB, Drafted by Pittsburgh Steelers, 7th Round (No. 246)

Former Texas A&M cornerback Terrence Frederick stands 5'10", 187 pounds—an average size and frame for the NFL.

The senior from Katy, Texas was a three-and-a-half-year starter at College Station and one of the team's most dependable players.

He finished the 2011 season with 54 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, four sacks, one interception, 13 pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.
 
What Terrence Frederick Brings to Team X

The two things you notice about Frederick are his willingness to hit and his ability to make plays in the backfield. At his size, he has no qualms about throwing his body around, and he excels as a blitzer.

These types of qualities are what every team needs in a special teamer at the next level. 

He also tested very well at the combine in terms quickness and agility. He posted a 4.54 40-yard dash, jumped 35" in the vertical leap, 10'1" in the broad jump, 4.03 in the 20-yard shuttle, 11.13 in the 60-yard shuttle and 6.59 in the 3-cone drill.

He also has some strength, recording 16 reps on the bench press.
 
What Experts Are Saying

Unfortunately, the one thing Frederick lacks is elite cover skills. He's still progressing in this area and struggles to limit better players, but does have skills that interest teams. 

ESPN's Todd McShay and Scouts Inc. write:

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Will struggle to limit separation if consistently asked to align in man coverage on an island ... Ball skills are adequate ... Overall instincts and diagnostic skills are solid ... Elected as a team captain as a senior. Hard worker that leads by example. Has some experience playing both outside and in the slot as a nickelback.

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Everything he possesses screams of a potential star on special teams.
 
Rookie Impact

Bob Levey/Getty ImagesIf Frederick makes an NFL roster, it will undoubtedly be for special teams purposes.

He could one day be a solid nickelback in the right system, but he'll never line up outside on an island as an NFL starter.

That said, every roster needs players like Frederick—players that will push, work in practice and play every snap like it's the last.
 
Pick Analysis

Frederick's best bet to make the Pittsburgh Steelers' roster is as a special teams contributor. He's got NFL size and likes to hit, but he'll only be a role player on defense until he firms up his coverage skills. Luckily, his current tools make him a good fit for punt and kick coverage.