2011 NFL Mock Draft: Carolina Panthers Select Stanford QB Andrew Luck No. 1

Andrew Luck's terrific performance against Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl tonight got me a little bit jazzed up and into the mock drafting type of mood.

The sophomore Stanford quarterback showed exactly why he deserves to be rated as the No. 1 prospect for the 2011 NFL Draft. Now all he has to do is make his decision on leaving school early.

If Luck enters the draft he'll be the most coveted player in the pool of prospects, but if he decides to stay, he'll have a chance to win a national championship and the Heisman Trophy at Stanford next year.

At this point, the group of 11 eligible underclassmen who have officially declared is a bit of an odd and mixed bunch. We still haven't gotten word concerning most of the draft's top prospects yet.

Those declarations should start pouting in the over next few days as we approach the Jan. 15 entrance deadline.With the CBA concerns and the threat of a lockout, there's a lot that could affect the decisions of college's top future pros.

Most intriguing enough, it should be interesting to see if Andrew Luck wants to play in Carolina. That one decision alone will serve as a catalyst and shape the rest of this year's draft.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers: DE Adrian Clayborn

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 05: Adrian Clayborn #94 of the Iowa Hawkeyes looks on as the Hawkeyes celebrate their 24-14 win against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the FedEx Orange Bowl at Land Shark Stadium on January 5, 2010 in Miami Gardens, Fl

School: Iowa

Class: Senior

Height: 6‘4"

Weight: 285

31. Atlanta Falcons: RB Kendall Hunter

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

LAWRENCE, KS - NOVEMBER 20: Running back Kendall Hunter #24 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys carries the ball during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks on November 20, 2010 at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

School: Oklahoma State

Class: Senior

Height: 5'8''

Weight: 195

30. New England Patriots: OLB Robert Quinn

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - SEPTEMBER 19: Robert Quinn #42 of the North Carolina Tar Heels celebrates after a sack with teammate Marvin Austin #9 against the East Carolina Pirates at Kenan Stadium on September 19, 2009 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by St

School: North Carolina

Class: Junior

Height: 6‘5"

Weight: 270

29. Green Bay Packers: CB Jimmy Smith

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

AUSTIN, TX - OCTOBER 10: Cornerback Jimmy Smith #3 of the Colorado Buffaloes picks up the loose ball which was knocked out of the hand of quarterback Colt McCoy of the Texas Longhorns as he rolled out in the second quarter on October 10, 2009 at Darrell K

School: Colorado

Class: Senior

Height: 6'2''

Weight: 205

28. Chicago Bears: WR Justin Blackmon

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 05: Wide receiver Justin Blackmon #81 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys warms up before the college football game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Boone Pickens Stadium on September 5, 2009 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Cowboys defe

School: Oklahoma State

Class: Redshirt Sophomore

Height: 6‘1"
 
Weight: 205

27. New York Jets: NT Phil Taylor

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 07: Defensive tackle Phil Taylor #11 of the Baylor Bears watches from the bench during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Get

School: Baylor

Class: Senior

Height: 6'4''

Weight: 340

26. New Orleans Saints: OLB Akeem Ayers

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Linebacker Akeem Ayers #10 of the UCLA Bruins in the game with the Houston Cougars at the Rose Bowl on September 18, 2010 in Pasadena, California. UCLA won 31-13. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

School: UCLA

Class: Junior

Height: 6‘4"

Weight: 255

25. Kansas City Chiefs: DT Muhammad Wilkerson

Temple DT Muhammad Wilkerson

School: Temple

Class: Junior

Height: 6'5''

Weight: 300

24. Baltimore Ravens: OLB Aldon Smith

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 23: Aldon Smith #85 of the Missouri Tigers in action against the Oklahoma Sooners at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbia, Missouri. The Tigers beat the Sooners 36-27. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Image

School: Missouri

Class: Redshirt Sophomore

Height: 6‘5"

Weight: 260

23. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Brandon Burton

George Frey/Getty Images

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - NOVEMBER 6: Waymon James #32 of the TCU Horned Frogs is hit by Brandon Burton #27 the Utah Utes during the second half of an NCAA Football game November 6, 2010 at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. TCU Beat Utah 47-7. (Pho

School: Utah

Class: Junior

Height: 6'0''

Weight: 185

22. Indianapolis Colts: OT Gabe Carimi

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Lineman Gabe Carimi #68 of the Wisconsin Badgers sets to block against the Tennessee Volunteers in the 2008 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. The Volunteers won 21 - 17. (Photo by Al Mess

School: Wisconsin

Class: Senior

Height: 6'7''

Weight: 325

21. Seattle Seahawks: RB Shane Vereen

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

BERKELEY, CA - OCTOBER 09: Shane Vereen #34 of the California Golden Bears runs for a touchdown against Aaron Hester #21 of the UCLA Bruins in the first half at California Memorial Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsoh

School: California

Class: Junior

Height: 5'11''

Weight: 205

20. Tampa Bay Bucs: DE Cameron Jordan

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

BERKELEY, CA - OCTOBER 09: Kevin Price #4 of the UCLA Bruins is tackled by Cameron Jordan #97 of the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

School: California

Class: Senior

Height: 6'4''

Weight: 285

19. New York Giants: RB Mark Ingram

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 16: Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide against the Ole Miss Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

School: Alabama

Class: Junior

Height: 5‘10"

Weight: 215

18. San Diego Chargers: WR Michael Floyd

Nick Laham/Getty Images

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 20: Michael Floyd #3 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish loses his footing against the Army Black Knights at Yankee Stadium on November 20, 2010 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

School: Notre Dame

Class: Junior

Height: 6‘3"

Weight: 225

17. New England Patriots: RB Jordan Todman

Elsa/Getty Images

EAST HARTFORD, CT - NOVEMBER 27: Jordan Todman #23 of the Connecticut Huskies carries the ball as Camerron Cheatham #21 of the Cincinnati Bearcats defends on November 27, 2010 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. The Huskies defeated the Be

School: UCONN

Class: Junior

Height: 5'9''

Weight: 195

16. Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Janoris Jenkins

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 13: Janoris Jenkins #1 of the Florida Gators gets the crowd up during a game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

School: Florida

Class: Junior

Height: 5'11''

WeightL 190

15. Miami Dolphins: RB Bilal Powell

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

LOUISVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 15: Bilal Powell #15 of the Louisville Cardinals runs for a touchdown during the Big East Conference game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on October 15, 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by An

School: Louisville

Class: Senior

Height: 6'1''

Weight: 215

14. St. Louis Rams: WR Julio Jones

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 01: Julio Jones #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide rushes for a touchdown during the Capitol One Bowl against the Michigan State Spartans at the Florida Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty I

School: Alabama

Class: Junior

Height: 6‘4"

Weight: 220

13. Detroit Lions: OT Derek Sherrod

Mississippi State OT Derek Sherrod

School: Mississippi State

Class: Senior

Height: 6‘6"

Weight: 305

12. Minnesota Vikings: CB Prince Amukamara

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 04: Wide receiver Cameron Kenney #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs the ball against Prince Amukamara #21 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the Big 12 Championship at Cowboys Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo

School: Nebraska

Class: Senior

Height: 6‘1"

Weight: 205

11. Houston Texans: DT Nick Fairley

Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 16: Defensive lineman Nick Fairley #90 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates a play during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

School: Auburn

Class: Junior

Height: 6‘5"

Weight: 300

10. Washington Redskins: QB Jake Locker

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 02: Quarterback Jake Locker #10 of the Washington Huskies carries the ball against the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 2, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Washington won 32-31. (Photo by Stephen Dun

School: Washington

Class: Senior

Height: 6'3''

Weight: 230

9. Dallas Cowboys: QB Ryan Mallett

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, SC - NOVEMBER 06: Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks during warm ups before the start of their game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lec

School: Arkansas

Class: Junior

Height: 6‘7"

Weight: 240

8. Tennessee Titans: QB Blaine Gabbert

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 08: Quarterback Blaine Gabbert #11 of the Missouri Tigers passes the ball during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on October 8, 2009 at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Imag

School: Missouri

Class: Junior

Height: 6'5

Weight: 240

7. San Francisco 49ers: DE Marcell Dareus

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 16: Marcell Dareus #57 of the Alabama Crimson Tide against the Ole Miss Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

School: Alabama

Class: Junior

Height: 6‘4"

Weight: 305

6. Cleveland Browns: OLB Von MIller

Texas A&M LB Von Miller

School: Texas A&M

Class: Senior

Height: 6'3''

Weight: 245

5. Arizona Cardinals: CB Patrick Peterson

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 25: Patrick Peterson #7 of the Louisiana State Univeristy Tigers celebrates after scoring a touchdown by posing as the Heisman Trophy against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Tiger Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Baton Rouge

School: LSU

Class: Junior

Height: 6‘1"

Weight: 220

4. Cincinnati Bengals: QB Cam Newton

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 04: Quarterback Cam Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers passes the ball against Byron McKnight #92 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during the 2010 SEC Championship at Georgia Dome on December 4, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevi

School: Auburn

Class: Junior

Height: 6‘6"

Weight: 250

3. Buffalo Bills: WR A.J. Green

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 13: A.J. Green #8 of the Georgia Bulldogs pulls in this reception against Craig Stevens #46 of the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

School: Georgia

Class: Junior

Height: 6‘4"

Weight: 210

2. Denver Broncos: DE Da'Quan Bowers

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 18: Da'Quan Bowers #93 of the Clemson Tigers against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

School: Clemson

Class: Junior

Height: 6‘4"

Weight: 280

1. Carolina Panthers: QB Andrew Luck

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal drops back to pass against the Virginai Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

School: Stanford

Class: Redshirt Sophomore

Height: 6‘4"

Weight: 235