2013 NFL Draft: 5 Players Who Will Earn 1st-Round Grades with Epic Seasons

With senior quarterbacks Matt Barkley, Tyler Wilson and Landry Jones all returning this season, the 2013 NFL draft will be stacked full of talented quarterbacks.

None of these candidates are the caliber of an Andrew Luck, but if they put together an epic season like Robert Griffin III, watch them rise up the draft board. 

The college football landscape is wide open especially with USC now eligible for postseason play and Ohio State with its new coach, Urban Meyer.

Here are five players who will be drafted in the first round after spectacular 2012 seasons. 

Marcus Lattimore: Running Back, South Carolina

Marcus Lattimore could have been a Heisman finalist if not for his ACL tear against Mississippi State. The sophomore sensation was that good last year through six-and-a-half games.

Lattimore rushed for 818 yards and 10 TDs. He also caught 19 passes for 182 yards and a score. Think what he could have done in a full season?

He will get the opportunity to carry the offensive as a junior and should put up big time numbers.

If Lattimore stays healthy there is no reason why he won't be a Heisman trophy candidate and top 10 pick in next year's draft.  

Robert Woods: Wide Receiver, USC

Robert Woods is probably the best underclassmen wide receiver in college football, and after a stellar 2011, he still has something to prove.

That's hard to believe after Woods caught 111 passes for 1,292 yards and 15 TD, on his way to Pac-12 first-team honors.

Yet because of their two-year postseason ban, the USC Trojans were not able to play for a Pac-12 Championship or even a bowl game.

With Matt Barkley returning for his senior season, Woods will be better than ever. No question there will another 100-plus Barkley to Woods connections this year. 

If Woods can continue to dominate,  he could rise to be a top-five pick next year.  

Tyler Wilson: Quarterback, Arkansas

After replacing Ryan Mallett, Tyler Wilson had a spectacular year leading the Arkansas Razorbacks to their highest ranking since 1977.

Wilson completed 63 percent of his passes for 3,638 yards and 24 TDs while only throwing six interceptions.

In January the junior decided to forego the draft and return to Fayetteville to finish his athletic and collegiate career.

Wilson did lose his two top receivers Joe Adams and Jarius Wright to the NFL, but fortunately seniors Cobi Hamilton and Chris Gregg will be back.

The receiver and tight end combined for 1,062 yards and six touchdowns, so there is room for improvement.

Although Wilson also lost his head coach Bobby Petrino, don't look for him to have a poor season with all the talent he has.  

Landry Jones: Quarterback, Oklahoma

Last year Landry Jones threw for almost 4,500 yards (4,463) and 29 TDs, but some could see it as a disappointment. In his last four games (including the Insight Bowl against Iowa), he threw just one touchdown against six interceptions. 

Jones returns for his season season at Oklahoma with his eye on a Big 12 title and a possible BCS bowl.

He will have to get there without two of his top three receivers from last year.  Receiver Ryan Broyles is now in the NFL and this Wednesday, Oklahoma suspended Jaz Reynolds for violating team rules.

Despite these setbacks, Jones still has talented receiver Kenny Stills to throw to, so look for big numbers from them both.

If Jones can improve on last year, he could be one of the top quarterbacks drafted next April. 

Matt Barkley: Quarterback, USC

Don't give Matt Barkley the Heisman trophy just yet; he still has to go out there and play the games. That being said after declaring that he would return to USC for his senior season, Barkley is definitely the early favorite.

Last year Barkley torched the Pac-12 competition, throwing for 3,528 yards and 39 TDs. In 2011 he completed almost 70 percent of his passes (69.1) and threw just seven interceptions.

If Barkley would have made the jump to the NFL, he would have been a top 10 pick, but now since he has a chance to win the Heisman and maybe a BCS Bowl Game, he could go as high as No. 1.

Just like his teammate Woods, Barkley is ready to play for the conference championship and hopefully a national championship. Although he had a great season in 2011, he should be even better in 2012.

Get ready for the season USC fans because it's going to be epic.