BCS National Championship: Does Oregon or Auburn Have More NFL Prospects?
On Jan. 10, the two best teams in the nation will be going head-to-head in Glendale Ariz. for the National Championship. When two teams of this skill level come together, you are sure to not only see the stars of Saturday's but you will also catch a glimpse of the guys who are ready to play on Sundays.
Recruits around the nation will not only be tuned in to see who wins this game, but will also have an eye on what schools are advancing players on to the pros. While it will take a team effort to win the title this year, lets take a look at the individual talent between these two teams.
Auburn: Nick Fairley
1 of 12
Nick Fairley would be a lock in any top ten you look at. The perfect tackle in a 4-3 defense, Fairley has been creating havoc all year.
Not only has Fairley proved he can play at an elite level, he has also proved that he can play through injuries and still be a handful. Fairley is set to make some noise in the NFL.
Oregon: LaMichael James
2 of 12
After the national title game is over, the big question on all Oregon fans minds will be if LaMichael James will stay for his redshirt junior year. After jumping into the starting lineup last year, James has not looked back. James is a smaller back, who has amazing speed and has proved he can carry the load if needed.
Right now, James is projected to be a late first round or early second round pick.
Auburn: Cam Newton
3 of 12
Move over Vince Young, the next best dual threat coming to the NFL is Auburn's Cam Newton. Newton is a rare blend of speed, strength and vision. This year, Newton has taken the NFL by storm and carried Auburn to the national championship.
Newton is a Junior but after the year he had, he may cash in his ticket to the NFL. After winning the Heisman Trophy and being on the biggest bowl stage, there may be no better time to turn pro.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Oregon: Kenny Rowe
4 of 12
One of the leaders of Oregon's defense this year was defensive end Kenny Rowe. Rowe had an outstanding junior season, which has led to a lot of double teams this year.
Rowe, like many of the Oregon players, has great speed and will be able to have success in the NFL. Rowe would be great in third-and-long passing situations and has a nose for the football.
Auburn: Lee Ziemba
5 of 12
Lee Ziemba has developed well at Auburn and now that he is a senior, it will be time for him to take his game to the next level. Ziemba would be a quality right tackle on a NFL team and his size and agility will certainly help. Look for him to be drafted on the second day.
Oregon: Jeff Maehl
6 of 12
If put into the right situation on the right team, Jeff Maehl could be a great pro. Maehl could fill the role of a Wes Welker-type player. He is a quick receiver who has continued to show the ability to find ways to get open. Maehl would be a good in the slot and would not be afraid to make a catch over the middle.
Auburn: Wes Byrum
7 of 12
Wes Byrum had a solid year for the Tigers and looks to grade out well when looking at his pro potential. In the NFL, the shelf life of a kicker is very short and this could create an opportunity for Byrum to stick with a team. After four good years with Auburn, Byrum may not be drafted but will find himself on an NFL roster.
Oregon: Casey Matthews
8 of 12
In his final year at Oregon, Casey Matthews played his best football and could join his brother, Clay Matthews, in the NFL. Matthews, while undersized, has speed and great play recognition. When looking at his NFL status, Matthews could be a great cover linebacker and can also use his speed to get to the quarterback on the blitz. While he may not be as good as his brother, Casey could end up having a good pro career.
Auburn: Darvin Adams
9 of 12
Darvin Adams has had back-to-back strong years as a sophomore and junior. His speed and hands have developed extremely well and he looks at times like a receiver that can take over a game. If Adams does decide to pass on his final year at Auburn, he could look at being drafted in the middle of the second day of the draft.
Oregon: Brandon Bair
10 of 12
Another player off of the Oregon defense that should land on a NFL roster is Brandon Bair. Bair is a big player and has not only disrupted the passing game by getting to the quarterback but also does so by knocking down passes. Bair has continued to develop and improve while at Oregon and could be a steal in the later rounds.
Auburn: Mario Fannin
11 of 12
A trend that has continued in the NFL is the development of the two-back system. While Fannin's role became smaller this year with the success of Cam Newton, he still has the skills to take his game to the next level. Look for a team to draft Fannin and use him on third downs, goalline and a player that can help wear down defenses.
Review
12 of 12
While many of the players on Jan. 10 will not end up in the NFL, these eleven players are ones that should find a home on a NFL roster. Overall, Auburn has six quality NFL prospects that are ready to make the jump. On the other hand, Oregon has five players that are ready to advance to the next level.
While Auburn has more players that are NFL ready, on Jan. 10 we will find out who is the best team in the nation.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
