NFL Draft Preview: Da'Quan Bowers and Top Defensive Players Entering the Fray
With the 2010-11 NFL season winding down, and the College Football Bowl games beginning, Draft talk is starting to become a major topic among sports fans.
While high-profile college players like Cameron Newton and Andrew Luck receive all the hype, you must familiarize yourself with some of the nations most talented defensive NFL prospects.
Don't be surprised if the majority of players selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft are from the defensive side of the ball.
The pure-athletes such as CB Patrick Peterson, DE Da'Quan Bowers, and CB Prince Amukamara should immediately make a serious impact to the team they are drafted by in 2011.
* Stats compiled from ESPN.com
CB Patrick Peterson, LSU Tigers
1 of 11
Height
6-1
Weight
222 pounds
Class
Junior
As one of the best cornerbacks in the 2011 NFL draft, Patrick Peterson is likely to be selected within the top ten picks. Heading into the 2010 season, ESPN listed Peterson as the best defender and fourth-best overall player in college football.
Stats while at LSU
129 tackles, seven interceptions, one forced fumble, and one defensive touchdown
Stats for 2010 Season
36 tackles(24 solo, 12 assisted), and four interceptions
Bowl Game
Cotton Bowl at Arlington, Texas(Cowboys Stadium) on Friday, January 7th Vs. #18 Texas A&M
LB Akeem Ayers, UCLA Bruins
2 of 11
Height
6-4
Weight
255 pounds
Class/Age
Junior/21
Akeem Ayers was on the watch list for the Nagurski Trophy, awarded to the nation's top defensive player, as well as the Rotary Lombardi Award, which is presented to the nation's top lineman. Akeem Ayers has proven he can be consistent, recording very similar numbers over the past two seasons.
Stats while at UCLA
215 tackles, six interceptions, two fumbles forced, two defensive touchdowns and 15 sacks
Stats for 2010 Season
68 tackles(45 solo, 23 assisted), four sacks, and two interceptions
CB Prince Amukamara, Nebraska Cornhuskers
3 of 11
Height
6-1
Weight
205 pounds
Class/Age
Senior/21
After a tremendous Junior season, opposing quarterbacks began to limit their throws to receivers being covered by Amukamara, white led to having zero interceptions this year. He has the potential to be a highly effective shutdown corner in the NFL.
Stats while at Nebraska
154 tackles, five interceptions, three fumbles forced, and four sacks
Stats for 2010 Season
58 tackles(36 solo, 22 assisted), and one sack
Bowl Game
Holiday Bowl in San Diego, California on Thursday, December 30th vs. Washington
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DE/OLB Robert Quinn, North Carolina Tar Heels
4 of 11
Height
6-5
Weight
270 pounds
Class/Age
Junior/20
Robert Quinn was unable to play this season for violating NCAA policies by accepting thousands of dollars in jewelry from an agent, but his 2010 season should speak for itself. In one season Robert Quinn recorded 11 sacks and two forced fumbles. He's a talented athlete who has been awarded the 2008 Brian Piccolo Award, named to the 2009 Second-Team All-America(CBSsports.com), and the 2009 First-Team All-ACC. Quinn was also named the Naagurski, Lombardi, Hendricks and Lott trophy award candidates, along with being selected for the 2010 Preseason First-Team All-America, before becoming permanently ineligible in the NCAA.
Stats while at UNC
86 tackles, four fumbles forced, and 13 sacks
Stats for 2010 Season
52 tackles(35 solo, 17 assisted), 11 sacks, and two forced fumbles
Bowl Game
Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tennessee on December 30th vs. Tennessee
DE Da'Quan Bowers, Clemson Tigers
5 of 11
Height
6-4
Weight
280 pounds
Class/Age
Junior/20
Da'Quan Bowers was a finalist for the Lombardi Award, Bednarik Award and the Nagurski Award in 2010. While at Clemson, Bowers recorded the most sacks in a season by any lineman in the school's history. Bowers is one of the most NFL-ready defensive lineman in the entire draft.
Stats while at Clemson
144 tackles, one interception, one fumble forced, and 20 sacks
Stats for 2010 Season
61 tackles(38 solo, 23 assisted), 16 sacks, one forced fumble and one interception
Bowl Game
Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte, North Carolina on December 31st vs. USF
Honorable Mentions: Fairley, Paea, Jordan, Miller, and ______?______
6 of 11
DT Nick Fairley- Auburn Tigers
DT Stephen Paea- Oregon State Beavers
DE Cameron Jorden- California Golden Bears
DE Von Miller- Texas A&M Aggies
CB Aaron Williams, Texas Longhorns
CB Janoris Jenkins, Florida Gators
#90 DT Nick Fairley, Auburn Tigers
7 of 11
Height
6-5
Weight
298 pounds
Class
Junior
Stats while at Auburn(two seasons of play)
83 tackles, 12 sacks, one interception
Stats for 2010 Season
55 tackles(31 solo, 24 assisted), 11 sacks, and one interception
#54 DT Stephen Paea, Oregon State Beavers
8 of 11
Height
6-1
Weight
311 pounds
Class
Senior
Stats while at Oregon State
127 tackles, 19 sacks, 2 fumbles forced
Stats for 2010 Season
45 tackles(20 solo, 25 assisted), 6 sacks
#97 DT Cameron Jordan, California Golden Bears
9 of 11
Height
6-4
Weight
283 pounds
Class/Age
Senior/21
Stats while at California
161 tackles, 17 sacks, 1 fumble forced, and one interception
Stats for 2010 Season
51 tackles(26 solo, 25 assisted), six sacks, one fumble forced
#4 CB Aaron Williams, Texas Longhorns
10 of 11
Height
6-1
Weight
195 pounds
Class
Junior
Stats while at Texas
89 tackles, five fumbles forced, four interceptions, and three sacks
Stats for 2010 Season
45 tackles(30 solo, 15 assisted), one sack, and two fumbles forced
#1 CB Janoris Jenkins, Florida Gators
11 of 11
Height
5-11
Weight
184 pounds
Class/Age
Junior/22
Stats while at Florida
106 tackles, eight interceptions, two fumbles forced, and two sacks
Stats for 2010 Season
43 tackles(33 solo, 10 assisted), one sack, three interceptions and one defensive touchdown
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.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
