NFL Draft 2010: BYU Football Prospects

BYU QB Max Hall and TE Dennis Pitta were two of the greatest BYU football players of all time at their respective positions.

They were part of the winningest BYU senior class in history, having won 43 games in four years. They are also brother-in-laws, and both are projected to be selected in the 2010 NFL draft.

A year ago, Austin Collie left early for the NFL and just completed an unprecedented rookie season, helping the Colts reach the Super Bowl, and had an incredible performance in the AFC championship game.

BYU Draft Prospects

Dennis Pitta

TE, 6'4" 245. 4.7 40.

Profile:

Pitta has excellent hands, adequate speed, great awareness and spectacular route running ability. He hasn't had the chance to prove himself as much of a blocker though—a must for tight ends at the next level.

But he is so effective as a pass catcher that he projects very well to the next level. I've seen him as high as the third round in some mock drafts and as low as the sixth round.

If he is put in the right situation right away, he could have Austin Collie type success at the next level. Odds are he wont have that same type of luck. But if the Colts wanted to run some more two TE sets, Pitta would be a valuable asset in Peyton Manning's game, although that's (pretty much) a pipe dream.

My Prediction:

Middle of the Fourth Round

Max Hall

QB, 6'0", 200. 4.8 40.

Profile:

Hall had a spectacular career at BYU, but he does not project to be a starter at the next level. His size, lack of elite arm strength, and age (turns 25 in October) are all concerns for NFL teams. But his accuracy, mobility, and awareness could lead to an extensive NFL career as a backup.

He's been projected to be drafted as high as the early sixth round and as low as an undrafted free agent.

Hall's ideal situation would probably be in Arizona as the third stringer/future backup to Matt Leinart.

My prediction:

Middle of the Seventh Round

Manase Tonga

FB, 5'11", 238, 4.7 40.

Profile:

Tonga had a rocky career at BYU due to academic issues and an unpaid traffic violation ticket. But he projects well to the next level as a punishing lead blocker and pass catcher out of the backfield as full back. Nafahu Tahi, and Fui Vakapuna, both former BYU RBs, are two current starting fullbacks in the NFL. If Tonga follows suit, one might call BYU a pipeline for NFL fullback talent.

He has been projected as high as the early seventh round and as low as undrafted free agent.

My Prediction:

Late Seventh Round

Jan Jorgensen

DE, 6'2", 260, 4.8 40.

Profile:

Jorgensen had a spectacular career at BYU. He has been consistently great as a pass rusher and effective in run support. He has been projected as high as the Sixth round, and as low as undrafted free agent.

My Prediction:

Late Seventh Round

Matt Bauman

LB, 6'1", 230, 4.7 40.

Profile:

Matt Bauman had a great career at BYU, and he has a good chance to get picked up as undrafted free agent somewhere.

My Prediction:

Undrafted Free Agent