2016 NFL Draft: Which Schools Put out the Most Talent?
Every year, the top college football programs jockey for positioning as the most prolific football factories in the business, churning out top talent for the NFL draft.
It's not surprising to find some of this year's best prospects coming out of the programs that have enjoyed plenty of success over the last few years at the college level. There are plenty of national titles, playoff and bowl games appearances among this year's top talent farms, with a laundry list of names who should be among this year's top picks and make an instant impact at the NFL level.
From a group of Buckeyes hoping to challenge the legendary Miami Hurricanes classes of the mid-2000s to a Crimson Tide class heavy on trench talent, here are this year's best sets of teammates heading into the draft.
Ohio State Buckeyes
1 of 6
Top Prospects
DL Joey Bosa
RB Ezekiel Elliott
LB Darron Lee
OT Taylor Decker
WR Michael Thomas
CB Eli Apple
S Vonn Bell
WR Braxton Miller
LB Joshua Perry
DL Adolphus Washington
TE Nick Vannett
QB Cardale Jones
Breakdown
...and those are just the names that could come off the board before Day 3.
This class of Buckeyes could easily send six players into the NFL via the first round, three each on either side of the ball. Bosa is a top-10 lock as the most complete defensive end in the class, while Elliott is by far the top back in this year's class and could sneak into the top 10.
Lee's head-turning combine performance could vault him into the top 15, while Thomas and Decker are among the best at their respective positions and will be plug-and-play starters at the next level. Apple is fairly raw, but his combination of size—6'1", 199 pounds—and athleticism could easily get a corner-needy team to bite in the first round.
Miller is one of this year's most intriguing prospects, and both he and Vannett are explosive weapons in the passing game who have barely scratched the surface of their potential. Bell, Perry and Washington could end up giving the Buckeyes a second-round pick at every level on defense.
Jones is the big wild card in this group. Projected by many as a late-round project, his combination of size—6'5", 249 pounds—athleticism and arm strength could get a playoff team with a veteran starter—the Arizona Cardinals would be the best fit—to take a chance on him earlier and stash him away to develop.
Alabama Crimson Tide
2 of 6
Top Prospects
DL A'Shawn Robinson
LB Reggie Ragland
DL Jarran Reed
RB Derrick Henry
C Ryan Kelly
CB Cyrus Jones
RB Kenyan Drake
Breakdown
The Crimson Tide continue to churn out top NFL talent as frequently as any college program, and this year's crop is lead by dominant trench players and a two-headed monster in the offensive backfield.
The deepest position in this year's draft is by far the interior defensive line, and Alabama has two of the best in Robinson and Reed. Neither is much of a pass-rushing threat, but they are arguably the best run-stuffers in the entire class and should both come off the board in the first round.
Another physical playmaker on defense, Ragland should also be a first-round lock as an old-school thumper who can cover tons of ground from sideline to sideline and back a punch when he gets to the ball. Kelly is the best of a deep center class this year, and his combination of smarts and athleticism could get him into the first round, too.
Henry won the Heisman Trophy last year with his freak athletic ability, which he put on display at the combine. He could end up sneaking into the first round to a playoff team looking for a powerful runner. Drake was the "lightning" to Henry's "thunder," and will be a valuable third-down back and return specialist at the next level.
Jones is undersized at just 5'10", 197 pounds, but he's a versatile defender who would be a perfect fit as a slot corner in the NFL, with the ability to make an immediate impact in the return game, as well.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
3 of 6
Top Prospects
OT Ronnie Stanley
LB Jaylon Smith
WR Will Fuller
OL Nick Martin
RB C.J. Prosise
DL Sheldon Day
Breakdown
Whether you like athletic, versatile linemen or dynamic playmakers on either side of the ball, there's something for everyone in this year's draft class coming out of South Bend.
One of the draft's biggest wild cards will be Smith, who is a top-five talent when healthy, but a severe knee injury suffered in their bowl game could force him to miss his entire rookie season in the pros. How early will a team be willing to take a chance on him?
On the other side of the coin is one of the biggest sure things in this year's draft, offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley. He could have been one of the top tackles drafted last year, but returned for another season and refined his skill set even further. He should be a lock to come off the board in the top 10.
Fuller is an explosive deep threat who ran the fastest 40-yard dash of any receiver at the combine, but his inconsistent hands are a big question mark. Prosise is one of many underrated backs projected to go in the middle rounds, but could have an immediate impact in the right situation.
Martin can be an immediate starter at either guard or center, while Day can line up just about anywhere along the defensive line in any scheme and be successful with his quickness and relentless motor.
.png?w=256)
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Clemson Tigers
4 of 6
Top Prospects
DE Shaq Lawson
CB Mackensie Alexander
DE Kevin Dodd
S T.J. Green
DT D.J. Reader
S Jayron Kearse
Breakdown
If you watched Clemson at all in 2015, it shouldn't be surprising that its draft class is dominated by defensive players.
From a pair of disruptive bookends in Lawson and Dodd to one of the draft's top corners in Alexander, the Tigers' defense could easily put three players in this year's first round.
Another positional tandem who could make noise at the next level is at safety, where Green and Kearse should come off the boards in the middle rounds. Green's impressive combine performance has his stock on the rise, and could sneak him into the Day 2 conversation.
Reader could give a team solid value at nose tackle in the middle rounds, while late-round sleepers like receiver Charone Peake and guard Eric Mac Lain should be on the radar as well.
Ole Miss Rebels
5 of 6
Top Prospects
OT Laremy Tunsil
WR Laquon Treadwell
DL Robert Nkemdiche
Breakdown
It's quality over quantity for the Rebels this year as they lack a terribly deep class, but they make up for it with some of the draft's top prospects at their respective positions.
Tunsil is a rare athlete at the tackle spot, and is the current favorite to go No. 1 overall to the Tennessee Titans. His strong performance at the combine showed off his impressive athleticism, which would come in handy against the NFL's explosive pass-rushers.
Treadwell's lack of timed speed is a bit of a concern, but he's still the most complete receiver in the draft, even if he doesn't end up being the first one off the board. He's got all the physical tools to be a No. 1 target in the NFL.
Nkemdiche's off-field issues are holding back his draft stock, but there's no denying he's one of the most talented athletes in the entire draft. He may drop to the second round because of the character concerns, but he's still a top-five talent who could end up being the steal of the draft if he stays out of trouble.
Honorable Mention
6 of 6
Michigan State Spartans
The Spartans' recent resurgence has come under the watch of Connor Cook, who led the program to more wins than any quarterback in school history and is arguably the most pro-ready signal-caller in this year's draft. They also boast one of the draft's top tackles in Jack Conklin, and one of the best edge defenders in Shilique Calhoun. Sleeper candidates like center Jack Allen and receiver Aaron Burbridge round out a strong class.
Arkansas Razorbacks
This year's group of Hogs isn't top-heavy, but it includes the consensus top tight end in the class—Hunter Henry—and a dynamic duo at running back—Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams. Throw in powerful blockers like Sebastian Tretola and Denver Kirkland, and the Razorbacks could end up with five players off the board in the top half of the draft.
Baylor Bears
There's no shortage of explosive athletes in this group, led by one of the most dynamic playmakers at receiver in the entire draft, Corey Coleman. A raw but disruptive force in the middle of the defense, Andrew Billings could easily end up in the first round, while cornerback Xavien Howard has the size—6'0", 201 pounds—and athleticism to entice NFL teams early. Versatile offensive lineman Spencer Drango has promise, but can Shawn Oakman ever become more than just an Internet meme?
LSU Tigers
The Tigers don't have a blue-chip star in this year's draft, but they have a handful of players who could come off the board on Day 2 and make an instant impact. Offensive linemen Vadal Alexander and Jerald Hawkins lead the way, while versatile defensive back Jalen Mills and speedy linebacker Deion Jones can make plays in many different ways. Big, athletic cornerback Rashard Robinson is a wild card with tons of talent but plenty of off-field concerns.
Oklahoma Sooners
If undersized but athletic sleepers are your thing, you'll love the class coming out of Norman this year. Receiver Sterling Shepard has plenty of Steve Smith to his game, and "tweener" defensive lineman Charles Tapper can be disruptive no matter where he lines up. Defenders Eric Striker, Dominique Alexander and Zack Sanchez also prove that big plays can come in small packages.
UCLA Bruins
The Bruins claim one of this year's few rare talents in do-it-all linebacker Myles Jack, who is special enough to likely go in the top five despite missing much of the 2015 season with a knee injury. Kenny Clark is one of the better members of a deep defensive tackle class, while running back Paul Perkins and receiver Jordan Payton are underrated playmakers on offense.
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
