NCAA's Power Conference: SEC Loaded with 2011 NFL Draft Prospects

As we all know, some of the best talent in college football comes out of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Since 2006, the SEC has won four straight BCS National Championships.

With highly talented players such as Tim Tebow, Eric Berry, and Joe Haden all leaving for the NFL Draft, you may think the SEC will have a down year. You may want to rethink that, though, because the SEC has a bunch of new playmakers to show off to the NFL.

I will rank the top 10 NFL prospects from the SEC in order from 10-1. There are many elite prospects from the SEC, so it’s going to be pretty hard to narrow them down, but I’ll try my best. Every new season brings fresh new talent to college football.

10.      Jeff Demps: Jr. Running Back, Florida

Demps has had two good seasons as Florida’s No. 1 option at running back. He may be small (5'8", 185-lbs.) but he has world class speed. Even if Demps has a huge junior year, I don’t think he will be drafted in the first round. It’s going to be interesting to see how well Demps does without Tebow.

9.      Terrance Toliver: Sr. Wide Receiver, LSU

After a breakout junior season, Toliver enters the 2010 season as LSU’s No. 1 WR. If he has a productive senior season he might slip his way into the late first round.

8.      Will Hill: Jr. Safety, Florida

Hill is a great safety prospect. Hill has decent size for a safety (6'1", 202) and great speed (4.4). If he has a breakout junior year he might bolt for the 2011 NFL Draft.

7.      Janoris Jenkins:  Jr. Cornerback, Florida

Jenkins and Haden may have been the best CB duo in college football. With Haden now gone to the NFL, the 2010 season will be Jenkins' coming out party.

6.      AJ Green: Jr. Wide Receiver, Georgia

AJ Green has been the SEC’s best WR over the past two years. He has a long, lanky frame and could benefit by adding some muscle this offseason. AJ Green is a sure lock first-rounder if he decides to come out in 2011.

5.      Ryan Mallett: Jr. Quarterback, Arkansas

Mallett is the best pro prospect QB in the SEC. He has a rocket for an arm and if he puts up the same numbers he did in his sophomore season he’s a sure lock first-rounder.

4.      Clint Boling: Sr. Left Tackle, Georgia

Clint Boling is an elite LT prospect. Clint has all the intangibles to be a franchise LT. If he has a great senior season he might be the first player taken overall (depending on the team).

3.      Julio Jones: Jr. Wide Receiver, Alabama

The first Alabama player to make my list, but he’s not the last. Julio Jones had a great freshman season, but a forgettable sophomore campaign. Jones will go pro no matter what after his junior season (barring injury). He is a sure lock first-round pick.

2.      Mark Ingram: Jr. Running Back, Alabama

Do I even need to say anything about Ingram? He is the most exciting player to watch in the conference. The 2009 Heisman Trophy winner will most likely be the first RB taken in the 2011 Draft.

1.    Patrick Peterson: Jr. Cornerback, LSU

Peterson is my favorite player in the SEC. I think he has all the tools to be just as good as Darelle Revis. Peterson will be the Eric Berry of the 2011 NFL draft. Peterson is college football’s best “shutdown” corner.