2011 NFL Draft: 10 Best Draft Eligible Players from Each BCS Conference
2011 NFL Draft is becoming clearer and clearer each day.
Bowl season has helped us formulate a better picture and although TCU, Boise State and a few other non-AQ schools are loaded with talent and have plenty of NFL talent, the "Big Six" conferences are still where most of the early rounders will come from.
Rather than give you a traditional Top 50 or Top 60, we'll divvy up the pot by conference. Top 10 players for each of the major conferences: SEC, Big Ten, Big XII, ACC, Big East, Pac-10.
Check it out!
Big East: Top 10 Through 6
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No. 10: Brandon Hogan, CB, West Virginia
Being just a second-team All Big East selection will make him a second day pick, but the Mountaineers defense was fantastic in 2010 and his coverage was a big reason why.
No. 9: Joe Lefegend, S, Rutgers
The Scarlett Knights suffered through a pretty miserable 2010, but Lefegend is supremely talented and can provide a team both special teams and defensive contributions right away.
No. 8: Noel Devine, RB, West Virginia
Devine's senior year wasn't nearly as efficient as his previous two seasons in which he rushed for over 1,250 yards and more than six yards per carry. Still, he has a shot at becoming a third rounder.
No. 7: Greg Romeus, DE, Pitt
A perennial All Big East player until back surgery caused him to miss most of 2010, last year's conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year will get attention.
No. 6: Bilal Powell, RB, Louisville
One of the leading rushers in the nation, Powell turned in a nice finale in the Beef O'Brady's Bowl, scoring a game-tying touchdown in the win over Southern Miss.
Big East: Top 5 Through 1
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No. 5: Jason Pinkston, OT, Pitt
Not quite as big as the higher tackle prospects, he has shown improvement each year and earned a second straight All Big East selection.
No. 4: Zach Hurd, OG, UCONN
Flying under the radar a bit, Hurd has tremendous size (6'7") for a guard, and should help any team's running game improve tremendously.
No. 3: Johnny Patrick, CB, Louisville
This year's draft is loaded with talent at corner, but Patrick spent almost four years as a starter in the Big East. That's worth something to scouts.
No. 2: Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pitt
Sheard stepped up in a big way for Greg Romeus, earning Big East Defensive Player of the Year honors and had four multi-sack games in 2010.
No. 1: Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pitt
Without much quarterback talent, Baldwin's stats suffered in 2010, but he is huge (6'5"), has great hands and has a 4.4 40-yard dash speed. Leaving Pitt early should be a no-brainer.
ACC: Top 10 Through 6
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No. 10: Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State
His college career wasn't nearly as promising as he'd hoped for, but he has tremendous physical skills: size, arm and speed. A team needing a quarterback of the future should take him in the third round or higher.
No. 9: Brandon Harris, CB, Miami (FL)
Lacking in size won't matter. He runs a 4.4 and can contribute in the kicking game.
No. 8: Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami (FL)
A few of the other wide outs in the area will receive much more attention from the media and NFL teams, but Hankerson has size, turned out some big time games in his senior season and is a tremendous red zone threat.
No. 7: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
A good shot at becoming a late first round choice, this four-year starter is seasoned and will make a smooth transition to the NFL.
No. 6: Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia
Tremendous size (6'2") will be a major selling point to the scouts interested in a big, physical corner who can jam big, physical receivers at the line of scrimmage.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
ACC: Top 5 Through 1
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No. 5: Rodney Thomas, OG, Florida State
Many consider him the greatest offensive lineman in school history. If he were a tackle, he'd be a top five player. As it stands, he'll probably slip to the late first, early second round.
No. 4: Deunta Williams, S, North Carolina
There are plenty of corners available in the draft, but top notch safeties are a bit lacking. Williams is a dual threat, who can cover and play the run.
No. 3: Robert Quinn/Marvin Austin DE/DT, North Carolina
Both star Tar Heel defensive lineman could be first round talents, but missing the 2010 season could hurt their draft statuses. Still, teams not concerned with NCAA violations will take them in the first round.
No. 2: Allen Bailey, DE, Miami (FL)
Bailey's pass rushing skills will easily translate to the NFL. Even with the plethora of defensive end talents he stands out.
No. 1: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
Depending on who falls where, Bowers could fit inside the top three of the draft. Most likely the NCAA's leader in sacks will be the top defender taken.
Big Ten: Top 10 Through 6
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No. 10: Chimdi Chekwa, CB, Ohio State
Assuming that ugly wrist injury he suffered in last night's Sugar Bowl doesn't slow him down, this First Team All Big Ten corner could be another in the long line of first round corners from Columbus.
No. 9: Stephen Schilling, OG, Michigan
A Michigan offensive lineman is just as appealing to scouts as an Ohio State corner. And since Schilling is a co-captain his leadership skills should impress.
No. 8: Stefen Wisniewski, C, Penn State
The nephew of the former Raiders pro bowl center, Wisniewski could slip into the first round: depending on the needs of NFL teams, he could become this year's Maurkice Pouncey.
No. 7: Mikel Leshoure, RB, Illinois
During the entire 2010 season thus far, only Denard Robinson had more yards than fellow Big Ten star Leshoure. He was overshadowed by the stars in other conferences whose team were more competitive, but his tremendous size (6'1", 230 pounds) makes him difficult to bring down.
No. 6: Greg Jones, LB, Michigan State
Jones' speed (4.64) isn't quite where he and the pro scouts would like it to be, but he is a sure tackler, something that will help him overcome that slow 40 time.
Big Ten: Top 5 Through 1
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No. 5: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
There are a handful of more physically skilled defensive lineman who posted better numbers. But Watt routinely made big plays and his famed work ethic is a big factor in where he lands.
No. 4: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
Kerrigan finished fifth in the nation in sacks. For a team that did not have much defensive depth and routinely faced excellent offensive lines that is remarkable.
No. 3: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
The consensus is that he is the top tackle in the draft is still up for grabs, but Carimi is a great candidate. Wisconsin may have lost the Rose Bowl, but they still opened up huge holes against a fantastic TCU defense.
No. 2: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
Prognosticators are fond of saying how Clayborn was better in 2009 than 2010, but that shouldn't matter come draft day. He is as physically talented as they come and has a knack for making big plays at the right time.
No. 1: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
The pressure he manufactured during the Sugar Bowl win over Ryan Mallett and Arkansas helped his stock a great deal. He was the main focus of the Razorbacks game plan and Heyward still routinely disrupted plays.
Big XII: Top 10 Through 6
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No. 10: Demarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma
Murray had a great senior season, rushing for 1,214 yards and 15 touchdowns. But his abilities in the passing game (71 catches in 2010) will help him climb up the draft board.
No. 9: Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma
131 catches in 14 games is tremendous. So is 14 touchdowns. In the Oklahoma offense those numbers aren't quite as impressive since they routinely churn out ridiculous totals, but Broyles should still be a second round choice.
No. 8: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
Texas had a real down season, especially on defense (remember the UCLA game?). But Williams was pretty consistent in 2010. And with Will Muschamp leaving for Florida, Williams should leave early.
No. 7: Jeremy Beal, LB, Oklahoma
Equally proficient at coverage, run stuffing and rushing the passers (10 sacks) the huge senior could find his way into a first-day selection.
No. 6: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
Gabbert declared early and that might have been the right decision. But there are at least four quarterbacks (Luck, Newton, Mallett, Locker) who will contend for the first round. Five teams choosing to take quarterbacks in the opening round is not likely.
Big XII: Top 5 Through 1
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No. 5: Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
The 2010 Butkus Award winner, Miller will be the major concern of LSU in the Cotton Bowl this week. It will be up to an NFL defensive coordinator to decide where exactly is best to use him and his 9.5 sacks.
No. 4: Daniel Thomas, RB, Kansas State
At 6'2" 228 pounds, Thomas has the ideal size for an NFL back. And as the Big XII's leading rusher (1,585 yards, 19 touchdowns) he was the focus of a Wildcats offense that faced several excellent front sevens.
No. 3: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
The DUI in the middle of the season is a red flag to pro suitors, but his athleticism, excellent hands and the production that Dez Bryant showed in 2010 with the Dallas Cowboys will guarantee Blackmon a spot on day one.
No. 2: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
Arguably the top offensive tackle in this year's draft, Solder has all the tools: size, quickness, good footwork and could go to third overall if the Broncos want to tab the Denver native.
No. 1: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
It's probably a toss up with that other corner in the SEC (Patrick Peterson), but Amukamara played in a conference that is replete with high-powered passing games.
Pac-10: Top 10 Through 6
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No. 10: Brooks Reed, DE, Arizona
At 6'3" he is an intriguing figure to pro scouts, and playing in a Mike Stoops system will make him even more appealing. As a three-year starter in the Pac-10, he is as experienced as they come.
No. 9: Mason Foster, LB, Washington
The Huskies senior had a great regular season (150 tackles), but he will soar up the draft boards with his performance against Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl: 12 tackles, two sacks, one pass break-up.
No. 8: Tyron Smith, OT, USC
He's undersized, under-aged, and didn't even get to add to his profile with a bowl game this year. But Smith is gifted enough to come out early and plenty of teams will draft him on potential alone.
No. 7: Shane Vereen, RB, California
The Bears had an ugly 2010, but Vereen stood out this year. Against a good Nevada team he rushed for three touchdowns and just under 200 yards on 19 carries. And it was his running that nearly led the Bears to that upset win over Oregon late in the season.
No. 6: Cameron Jordan, DE, California
Jordan is only 21, and the son of a former NFL tight end, so he has loads of promise. The collection of defensive end talent in other conferences will drop him out of the first round but he's a steal after that.
Pac-10: Top 5 Through 1
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No. 5: Jake Locker, QB, Washington
The debate will continue as to whether or not Locker first round worthy, but he is a fine prospect. Just because he had a down season in 2010 doesn't mean that, with NFL talent around him, he will be unable to produce.
No. 4: Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
He has yet to declare, but he'd definitely be a first rounder if he does. He is a fine pass rusher and even better in the passing game, picking off six passes the last two years.
No. 3: Rahim Moore, S, UCLA
The fact that Moore only picked off one pass in 2010 is pretty meaningless. When a player has a whopping 10 interceptions as a sophomore, the following season teams will stay away from him like the plague.
No. 2: Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
The native New Zealander is a bit undersized at 6'1" but for a defensive tackle that shouldn't matter. He is ridiculously strong and worthy Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year.
No. 1: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
The Heisman runner up ran away with the conference's Player of the Year award and put on a great show in the Orange Bowl. Even if the Carolina Panthers are in line for him, he is ready for the NFL.
SEC: Top 10 Through 6
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No. 10: Mark Ingram Jr., RB, Alabama
The injuries that cost him part of 2010 will bother some teams, but in the right offense he can be a superstar.
No. 9: Janoris Jenkins, CB, Florida
A three-year SEC corner has tons of experience against great wide receivers and outstanding quarterbacks. Teams will flock to him if he falls to the second round.
No. 8: Derrek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
The Bulldogs offense blossomed in 2010, especially in the crushing win over Michigan. Dan Mullen is the main reason why, but Sherrod was one of the best offensive lineman in the SEC.
No. 7: Drake Nevis, DT, LSU
It's cliche, but Nevis has a "great motor" and that is something NFL teams love. He'll have a chance to bolster his pass rushing profile when the Tigers take on Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl.
No. 6: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
Mallett was outstanding in the Sugar Bowl loss to Ohio State, squeezing passes into very tight windows. The combine and/or personal workouts will be a major factor in him climbing inside the Top 10, but it certainly could happen.
SEC: Top 5 Through 1
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No. 5: Nick Fairly, DT, Auburn
It is certainly a possibility that Fairly is selected in the top three choices. For an interior defensive lineman he has uncanny size and owns pass rushing skills at that position that few teams in the NFL have.
No. 4: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
Arguably the most talented receiver in the nation, he didn't post the numbers of those Big XII receivers, but anytime the Tide needed a big play on third down, he always seemed to make the grab.
No. 3: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
The suspension earlier this year and the subsequent missing of four games is not going to keep teams from taking him inside the Top 10. He was fantastic in the second half of the season.
No. 2: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
At this point, teams would be splitting hairs when it comes to the top corner: Peterson or Nebraska's Prince Amukamara. But Peterson does have the edge when it comes to return abilities. Teams looking for a special teams spark would take him in a heartbeat.
No. 1: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
Is there any question? In 2010, Newton was the best player in college football by far. He will probably climb into the Top 10 of the draft by late April and someone will come up with a creative way to use all his talents.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
