CFB Recruiting 2011: 10 Prospects Who May Be Destined for the NFL

There are many times when a top recruit comes into college football and doesn't pan out like expected. Then there are times when you see a player a the high school level and just know they are special.

You saw it with Adrian Peterson, you saw it with Reggie Bush and you saw it with Matthew Stafford.

Predicting what happens between now and when a player leaves college is way too tough to do, but yet I think there are 10 players that I think definitely have NFL talent and potential in the 2011 recruiting class. Some are obvious, and some are not so obvious.

Read on to find out!

10. Viliami Moala, DT: Cal

Moala is a load in the middle and stands a mammoth 6'2", 330 pounds. He is not just big guy, as Moala has cat-like quickness at the snap and can really push the pocket as a rusher.

With many NFL teams playing the en vogue 3-4 defense, Moala is a perfect fit as a 30 front, zero/one technique nose tackle. Think Vince Wilfork, Jamal Williams and BJ Raji (minus the dance).

Moala is also athletic enough to play end in a 3-4 to use his strength to hold up at the point. With so much power and quickness, at his size, Moala has the makings of a future NFL player. He's drawn comparisons to Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Haloti Ngata.

9. Jay Rome, TE: Georgia

I really will be mildly surprised if Rome does not develop into a NFL prospect. He's 6'5", 250 pounds with soft hands, solid speed and very long arms.

He needs to develop upper body strength and work on his blocking, but with sound coaching and a college strength program, he should develop into a complete tight end. Rome has the size and hands to factor big-time as a pass catcher, is a great athlete to work on linebackers and safeties in the middle of the field, and has great leaping ability to catch in crowds.

Many NFL teams value the pass \[catching tight end like Antonio Gates, Kellen Winslow, Jermichael Finley, Dallas Clark, Owen Daniels, Tony Moeaki and Tony Gonzalez.

Rome has the tools fit that mold and I expect him to develop into a top tight end prospect in Athens.

8. Anthony Johnson, DT: LSU

They call him "Freak" and once you see him on tape, you see why.

Johnson does some things that players at his size should not be doing. He's 6'4", 300 pounds, is able to skinny through double teams or jump on top of linemen at the snap, and has short-area speed and range to chase down ball carriers.

He can play in any front, 30 or 40, at defensive tackle, 3-4 end, nose tackle and even strong-side end in an 4-3 scheme. He has too much versatility, size, strength, quickness and talent to not become a NFL player over time.

It would be a disappointment to see him not be developed right or not play up to his capabilities, because Johnson has a very high ceiling. I can see him playing in a variety of defenses and excelling.

7. Tony Steward, LB: Clemson

Steward stunned most by choosing the Tigers over Florida State, but the 6'2", 225-pounder will be a star at Clemson.

Steward is among the very most instinctive and elite defensive players in the 2011 class and has very good athletic ability. He can play linebacker at any of the spots in the Tigers' 4-3 scheme, including MIKE, SAM or WILL.

Instincts and speed can make up for deficiencies at any position in football, and Steward has both plus size and toughness. Aside from not being healthy, I just do not see why he cannot become an NFL player in three to four years.

6. George Farmer, WR: USC

Farmer has a 6'2", 200-pound frame that has been timed in the high 4.3, low 4.4 range in the 40.

Combine that with solid route running, athleticism, leaping ability and a knack to make big plays, and you have a prime receiver prospect. He'll have to prove he can catch in crowds and decrease his concentration lapses, but Farmer has the tools to develop into a No. 1 receiver.

He can beat a secondary deep, settle in voids, work across the middle and also return kickoffs. He's a playmaker that is headed to a school that attracts NFL scouts and attention in USC, and has a chance to be one of the better receivers in Trojan history.

5. Cyrus Kouandjio, OT: Alabama

Kouandjio stands 325 pounds on a 6'7" frame and doesn't even look like he weighs that much. That only means that he will get even bigger at Alabama, where I think he could grow into the 345 pound range.

He's an excellent athlete as a left tackle that really works as a run blocker. Kouandjio fires out of his stance, looks to finish in his drive blocks and plays with great balance. He is still developing as a pass protector, but I think as time moves forward, this will be the strength to his game.

Koaundjio has already shown nimble feet, adjust-ability to recover, and flashes very good set quickness. With the good coaching he's bound to receive in Tuscaloosa, there should be nothing that prevents him from reaching the NFL.

4. Karlos Williams, SS: Florida State

This really depends on if Williams is left at strong safety or if he's moved down to outside linebacker. He's in the 6'2", 210-pound range already as a high schooler, and will surely get bigger in college.

Williams is very instinctive to plug the run around the box but can also patrol the back end, get off hashes and use his ball skills to make plays with the ball in the air. He's a crushing hitter that explodes upon contact on ball carriers and closes in a hurry in coverage.

With safeties being more interchangeable than ever in the NFL, between free and strong, Williams has the ability to play both in a pinch while also factoring a linebacker in "big nickel" packages as well.

3. Jeff Driskel, QB: Florida

Driskel was the top QB on my board in 2011 and the same on many others. He's 6'4", 225 pounds and has a cannon for an arm with great athletic ability.

Having Charlie Weis charged with molding him will surely help as Driskel will learn the nuances of a pro-style passing attack. I think he has Andrew Luck-type ability and may be the most talented passer on the Gator roster already.

In a few years as he and Weis really refine his mechanics and tighten up his throwing motion, and he's shown how to operate a pro offense, NFL teams will be drooling over him like Luck, Sanchez, Stafford and Barkley.

2. Malcolm Brown, RB: Texas

Boy, do I like Malcolm Brown. He is 6'0", 220 pounds with solid vision, run strength, tackle-breaking ability, quickness and vision.

Not just because he's headed to Austin, but think Ricky Williams and Cedric Benson. Brown has great instincts with the ball and always looks to finish runs. He's physical and has some wiggle and elusiveness to get out of traffic.

He needs to work on his pass catching ability, but now with teams employing two-back systems and various committees in the backfield, his hands can be masked. 

Brown has a chance to be special, and the NFL mantra is that you can find a running back in every round but you don't pass up a special runner in the first. Brown could be a first-round pick down the road.

1. Jadeveon Clowney, DE: South Carolina

College coaches have already said that Clowney has an NFL skill set and body. He stands 6'6", 250 pounds, and his frame has the potential to add another 25 or 30 pounds.

He has a chance to be a Mario Williams, Michael Strahan, Julius Peppers type in the sense of a big, strong, yet uber-athletic defensive end. Clowney has a special burst upfield and can close in the pocket extremely well. He uses his arms to stay clean from blockers and has the range to chase down anyone all over the field.

He flashes strength to anchor and shed versus the run, and once he adds more strength in South Carolina's weight room and strength program, he will be a complete player.

I fully expect Clowney to be a first-round NFL draft pick in four, even perhaps three years.