10 College Football Stars Likely to Start in the NFL in 2016
The 2015 college football season is winding to a close. With the New Year’s Day group of bowls complete, there’s only one game left in the season, and it’s a big one: Jan. 11’s national title clash between Alabama and Clemson.
But for 126 of the 128 FBS programs, the season is over, and it’s time for players to contemplate jumping early to the National Football League. We’ve already seen a flurry of draft declarations, and we’ll see more before the official deadline to declare on Jan. 18. Professional teams are looking for players who can make an immediate impact, especially in the first round.
A number of players from the 2015 draft are already making names for themselves in the NFL, and this year’s class will have its share. Here are 10 college football players who are likely to start in the NFL next fall. Players were selected for their college accomplishments and readiness to play immediately. Not all players have officially declared for the draft, but it would be surprising if any had anything left to prove at the collegiate level.
Ohio State DE Joey Bosa
1 of 10
Joey Bosa’s Ohio State career didn’t end the way he wanted it to (he was ejected in the first quarter of a Fiesta Bowl win for targeting), but his three years in Columbus were spectacular, and Bosa announced afterward that he was headed to the NFL. It’s a smart decision on his part. Bosa could wind up as the top overall selection and has the makeup to be an immediate impact player.
In three seasons, he racked up 50.5 tackles for loss and 22 sacks. He is physically imposing, standing 6’5”, 275 pounds, and has excellent pass-rush skills. Bosa will be tough for NFL tackles to stop, and they’ll get the chance to try slowing him down immediately.
Ohio State RB Ezekiel Elliott
2 of 10
While Ohio State fell short of winning another national title this season, the Buckeyes still won 12 games, capped off by a 44-28 Fiesta Bowl win over Notre Dame. The offense had its ups and downs, but it was best when it got the ball to junior tailback Ezekiel Elliott consistently. Elliott established himself as one of college football’s top tailbacks last season and did nothing to change that perception this year.
He rushed for 1,821 yards and 23 touchdowns in 13 games this season, comparing very favorably with last season’s 15-game production (1,878 yards and 18 scores). Elliott is a powerful, quick runner who is capable of scoring every time he touches the ball (as he showed with a four-touchdown effort in the Fiesta Bowl).
Urban Meyer sang his praises following the game, per Cleveland.com's Ari Wasserman:
"I think Zeke, all due respect to all the great running backs in Ohio State history, my first-round draft pick, I'd pick Zeke Elliott. What he does without the ball, his work ethic in practice, just his attitude every day, the way he shows up, bounces around with us. I love him. He's as good a running back as I've ever been around.
"
Elliott has already declared for the draft, announcing his intentions following a 17-14 loss to Michigan State, and should be the top tailback available. He’ll be a big upgrade for a lot of NFL backfields that need fresh legs.
Cal QB Jared Goff
3 of 10
Jared Goff certainly left Cal better than he found it. In three seasons, the Bears improved from 1-11 to 8-5, capping 2015 with an Armed Forces Bowl win over Air Force. The junior announced afterward that he was declaring for the draft, and it was not surprising.
Goff threw for 4,719 yards with 43 touchdowns against 13 interceptions this season, completing 64.5 percent of his passes. He threw for at least 300 yards in 10 of 13 games, putting up 542 on Arizona State and 467 on Air Force.
He has an NFL-ready frame at 6’4”, 215 pounds, and while his numbers are partially a product of Cal’s Air Raid offense, Goff has the arm to play early in the NFL. Dan Kadar of SB Nation says Goff is the top quarterback in the draft. He has an excellent shot to be the first quarterback picked and improve a quarterback-needy team’s offense in his rookie season.
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Florida CB Vernon Hargreaves
4 of 10
Jim McElwain’s first season at Florida didn’t end the way the Gators had hoped. Florida piled up 10 wins and won the SEC East but finished with a three-game losing streak capped by a Citrus Bowl rout at Michigan’s hands. The Gators did have a very good defense, however, led by junior cornerback Vernon Hargreaves.
Hargreaves cemented his status as one of the nation’s top cornerbacks, making 33 tackles with four interceptions. He said before the 2015 season began that he was already considering leaving for the pros, per NFL.com's Chase Goodbread, so it would be no shock if he followed through on that instinct.
Hargreaves has excellent speed, athleticism and tenacity, as well as confidence. He’d be an excellent fit in an NFL secondary needing an immediate impact player.
Alabama RB Derrick Henry
5 of 10
Alabama has a strong lineage of talented, punishing tailbacks, and Derrick Henry is the latest (and one of the greatest) link in the chain. Henry waited for his turn to claim the Crimson Tide’s starting role and did plenty with it. He carried an eye-popping 359 times for 2,061 yards and scored 25 touchdowns for Alabama, winning the Heisman Trophy and leading the Tide to the national title game against Clemson.
He surpassed 200 yards four times in the final seven games of the regular season and carried a combined 90 times in wins over Auburn and Florida. With a 6’3”, 242-pound frame, Henry is a durable back who will be ready to play an early role in an NFL backfield. Alabama players won’t deal with draft details until after the season, but it’d be a surprise to see Henry back in college in the fall. He’s ready to take the next step in his journey.
Clemson DE Shaq Lawson
6 of 10
Patience finally paid off for Shaq Lawson. The Clemson defensive end was a freshman All-American but spent two years playing behind eventual NFL first-round pick Vic Beasley on the Tigers’ stacked defensive line. Lawson got the chance to start with Beasley gone and made the most of it.
He was a stalwart for a strong Tigers defense, making 56 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. Lawson stands 6’3”, 270 pounds and has very good pass-rush skills, making him a challenge for every offensive line he faces. He has already declared for the NFL draft, announcing while in Houston for the Lombardi Award, but will get one more opportunity to showcase his skills in the national title game against Alabama.
Lawson would be an upgrade for any rush-needy line in the professional ranks, capable of stepping into a starting end role immediately. He was an All-American and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, and should begin living up to those accolades quickly.
Florida State CB Jalen Ramsey
7 of 10
Florida State took a step back this season, finishing 10-3 and seeing its three-year run of ACC titles snapped. That was somewhat expected given the talent that left Tallahassee following the 2014 season, but no blame should be placed at Jalen Ramsey’s feet.
Ramsey, a versatile member of the secondary, finished with 43 tackles and 10 pass breakups this season. The 6’1”, 202-pound prospect has excellent athleticism and versatility. He played as both a safety and cornerback in his three seasons in Tallahassee. Ramsey has not declared for the draft, but it would be surprising if he didn’t.
Ramsey also stars as a long jumper and sprinter on Florida State’s track team. His ability to fit in at multiple positions will make it easier for him to break through in his first professional season.
Alabama DT A'Shawn Robinson
8 of 10
Alabama has rolled into the national title game with excellent defense, paced by a strong defensive line. And the best piece of that line is junior defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson.
Robinson is a menacing prospect in the trenches who stands 6’4”, 312 pounds but also has surprising athleticism. He hurdled an LSU offensive lineman to block an extra point during the Tide’s win over the Tigers—a feat that will surely make his NFL draft highlight reel.
Robinson is still occupied with preparations for the national title game against Clemson, so he and other Tide players aren’t dealing with the draft yet. But it’d be rather eye-opening if he didn’t leave Tuscaloosa. He has 43 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 10 quarterback hurries as an integral part of the Tide defense. He’ll be a great fit in the middle of a lucky NFL team’s defensive line next fall.
Ole Miss OT Laremy Tunsil
9 of 10
Ole Miss junior left tackle Laremy Tunsil made it official Monday, declaring for the NFL draft, per College Football Talk's Kevin McGuire. The move was less than surprising.
Tunsil broke his leg in the Peach Bowl following the 2014 season and then served a seven-game NCAA suspension for receiving improper benefits from an agent. The Rebels offense was much better with him in the game; he gave up only two sacks in his entire collegiate career.
Tunsil stands 6’5”, 305 pounds and is a prototypical left tackle prospect, the top offensive lineman available in the draft. He has great balance, technique and foot speed, and could contend for the draft’s top overall selection. He’d be an excellent pick to protect Marcus Mariota’s blind side in Tennessee; the Titans own the first overall pick in the draft.
Arizona LB Scooby Wright
10 of 10
2015 didn’t unfold the way Scooby Wright had hoped. A year ago, the Arizona linebacker burst onto the national scene with one of the best individual efforts in college history, making 163 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 14 sacks and six forced fumbles, and winning the Chuck Bednarik Award, Lombardi Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
However, a pair of leg injuries that forced him to miss significant time derailed his junior year, allowing him to play in only three games. But he was healthy by season’s end, putting up 15 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks in a New Mexico Bowl win over New Mexico.
He declared for the draft immediately after the game and will be one of the top linebackers available. His prolific numbers and tenacious, physical style should make Wright attractive to any defense that needs an upgrade in its linebacker corps. Assuming he’s healthy, he’ll make an early professional impact.
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