NFL Draft Rumors 2011: Whose Stock Rose During the BCS National Championship?

On Monday night if you were a college football fan there were only two places to be.

At the BCS National Championship, or watching it from your couch.

I opted for the latter of the two and was treated to a great game. Prior to the game numerous articles were written on what players to watch to see how the game could affect their draft stock.

Well now is time to recap and see what players helped themselves, who hurt themselves and who is likely to declare or not declare after last night's game.

Nick Fairley

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Nick Fairley #90 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates the Tigers 22-19 victory against the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (

Nick Fairley accomplished two things on Monday night.

First, he cemented his reputation as a dirty player when ESPN cameras showed Fairley shoving LaMichael James' face into the ground.

Second, he cemented his position as a top five draft pick in next year's NFL draft.

Fairley was in Oregon's backfield all night long, disrupting play after play. 

One of the announcers last night went as far as to ask whether Fairley would look good in "Carolina blue".

Fariley has yet to declare, but all presumptions are that he will.

Jeff Maehl

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Jeff Maehl #23 of the Oregon Ducks catches a two-point conversion to tie the game late in the fourth quarter against Zac Etheridge #4 of the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoe

Going into last night's game Maehl was considered a late round draft pick.

Maehl may have moved himself up the board with his performance.

He added to his 1000 receiving yard season by grabbing nine passes for 133 yards, and came up big with a two-point conversation reception.

His sure hands will make him appealing to many NFL squads. 

Cam Newton

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Quarterback Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers walks through the tunnel towards the locker room after the Tigers 22-19 victory against the Oregon Ducks in the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix

Cam Newton didn't have an incredible game, but he didn't play poorly either.

His final numbers were 265 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also ran 22 times for 64 yards.

Newton will likely be one of the first three quarterbacks taken in the NFL Draft, which he is expected to declare for, but I doubt any team will consider him worth a top 10 pick. 

LaMichael James

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks smiles in the third quarter while taking on the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona.

LaMichael James has said he will be returning to Oregon for his junior year.

The National Championship Game gave him another reason to.

The explosive James was held to 49 yards on 13 carries and was humbled by a decent Auburn defense. Getting tackled for a safety didn't help either.

If he did have interest in going to the draft, this game would have hurt his stock. Now he has an entire senior year to climb the board.

Casey Matthews

Steve Dykes/Getty Images

CORVALLIS, OR - DECEMBER 4: Quarterback Ryan Katz #12 of the Oregon State Beavers lays on the turf after being hit by Casey Matthews #55 of the Oregon Ducks in the first quarter of the game at Reser Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Corvallis, Oregon. The Du

Casey Matthews played extremely well in the National Championship Game.

The fumble he forced from Cam Newton conjured up images of his brother doing the same thing for the Green Bay Packers. 

I was surprised to hear he was projected as a third round pick. After seeing that he has the same hustle and grit as his brother Clay, some NFL team will surely consider him a steal as a second round pick. 

Terrell Zachary

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Terrell Zachery #81 of the Auburn Tigers runs against Cliff Harris #13 of the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by

Zachery was consider a late round prospect going into last night's game.

However, his six receptions for 48 yards didn't exactly help him. 

I wouldn't be surprised to see Zachery go undrafted.

Kenny Rowe

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Michael Dyer #5 of the Auburn Tigers is tackled by Kenny Rowe #58 of the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Chri

Rowe has been steadily climbing draft boards all year and that continued in the National Championship.

He played well all night and recorded a sack of Newton as seen above. 

He is a bit under sized but extremely athletic, and could be a surprise second or third round pick.