College Football 2011: 25 Players Who Can Make or Break Their Draft Stock

If you are going to throw up the next time you hear something about the 2011 NFL Draft, this is the place for you.

No the 2011 draft is old news here.

We are looking ahead to 2012.

Most of these guys will almost certainly get drafted, but many of them have the potential to shoot up the draft board with solid seasons.

Others may be projected as solid picks in the first few rounds right now, but need repeat performances of good 2010 seasons to maintain.

Most have the potential to play Sundays and what they need to do to move up, or avoid to not drop like a rock, is detailed here.

Note: All of the players in this list will be Seniors next season.

25. Cyrus Gray RB: Texas A&M

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COLLEGE STATION, TX - NOVEMBER 26: Tailback Cyrus Gray #32 of the Texas A&M Aggies is tripped up by a Texas Longhorns defender in the second half at Kyle Field on November 26, 2009 in College Station, Texas. The Longhorns defeated the Aggies 49-39. (Photo

Gray could be the best back in the country next season, and the first one to go in the draft.

Gray had no fumbles last season, and his sure handedness and explosiveness are big positives.

As long as he remains consistent, he will be a top ten pick next season.

24. Brandon Weeden QB: Oklahoma State

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LAWRENCE, KS - NOVEMBER 20: Quarterback Brandon Weeden #3 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys in action during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks on November 20, 2010 at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Weeden led the high scoring Cowboys offense last season, then surprised many by announcing he was coming back for another year.

Weeden's height and field vision are good, and there is no questioning his reliability, both on and off the field.

Weeden played minor league baseball for five years before going to Okie Lite, and displayed toughness last season by playing through a thumb injury.

Should Weeden duplicate his numbers of last season, show improved footwork and some arm strength, he will move up in the draft.

For right now, he will get some looks from teams running the West Coast.

23. Nate Potter OT: Boise State

Potter knows how to do his primary job, keep the QB on his feet.

He needs to maintain that consistency this season against a little bit stiffer competition, and he will find himself going in round one in 2012.

Should the BSU line struggle against better competition this season, and Potter display some sort of before unseen weakness, he will plummet in the draft order.

22. DeVier Posey WR: OSU

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: DeVier Posey #8 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on before taking on the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty

Set aside the five game suspension, and Posey shines on the field.

He is one of the best route runners in FBS football, and has good speed, height and weight.

If he had a quarterback that threw more often, Posey would have huge numbers, and should be one of the top five to seven WR drafted next year, if he can stay out of more trouble.

He lacks open field vision after the catch, but is great finding a cushion in the zone and finding ways to get open on his routes.

Where will he go in the draft?

If he has a solid year, he could move up to early second round.

If he regresses from last season, he should still be a pretty solid third rounder.

21. Kirk Cousins QB: Michigan State

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ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 01: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Michigan State Spartans passes the ball during the Capitol One Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Florida Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Andrew Luck pretty much has best quarterback sewn up for 2011, barring injury.

Kirk Cousins could be number two.

After Luck, the race will be wide open, and Cousins could step up and take that spot.

If he can improve his footwork, Cousins will have all the tools to be a great NFl quarterback, and be drafted in round one.

20. Aaron Henry FS: Wisconsin

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MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 18: Aaron Pflugrad #4 of the Arizona State Sun Devils catches a pass on the ground under pressure from Aaron Henry #7 of the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeated

Henry is a hard-hitting, physical player, with speed to return kicks and good coverage ability.

In the Badger's spring practice, he has stepped up as a leader, both vocally and in the intensity of his play.

Should that translate into the season, Henry will move up draft boards due to his athletic ability and speed.

He is a little on the short side, but seems comfortable playing FS after spending some time at CB.

19. Kenny Tate FS: Maryland

Tate is a freak of nature athletically.

This 6'4 " safety is a  force in ther run game and does not get sucked into play action often.

Should he improve his speed just a little bit, and become a little better in zero coverage, he will shoot up draft boards.

His ability to shed blockers and his nose for the ball are major positives, whiel the speed thing holds him back just a bit at times.

18. Travis Lewis OLB: Oklahoma

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 04: Linebacker Travis Lewis #28 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates with the Big 12 Championship Trophy after the Sooners beat the Nebraska Cornhuskers 23-20 at Cowboys Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by T

Lewis is a deceptively good pass rusher, and a source of boundless energy on the field.

His ability to run sideline-to-sideline have led to 253 tackles over the past two seasons, and he should be even better this season.

17. Chris Galippo ILB: USC

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PALO ALTO, CA - OCTOBER 09: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal is tackled by Chris Galippo #54 of the USC Trojans at Stanford Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Galippo is a solid 'backer against the run game.

Not so good in coverage.

With an improved awareness of what is going on in the passing game, he will move up the board, but without it, he remains a 3-4 prospect only.

16. Brandon Lindsey DE: Pitt

Lindsey, a converted linebacker, stepped up after an injury to all star Greg Romeus, adn quickly showed his ability to find the opponents backfield.

He led the conference in TFLs with 18 and had ten scks on the season.

At times last season, it was still obvious he had a linebacker's mindset, but that's not all bad, and if he sustains his level of play next season, he will be getting a big contract.

15. Mark Barron SS: 'Bama

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 02: Mark Barron #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide against the Florida Gators at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The biggest knock on Barron is that his eagerness to make big hits too often leads to big mistakes.

Another year under the tutelage of Nick Saban in 2011, and he could have mastered the control needed to shoot up the boards next spring.

14. Michael Egnew TE: Missouri

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LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 30: Tight end Michael Egnew #82 of the Missouri Tigers attempts to haul in a pass against the Nebraska Cornhuskers defense during second half action of their game at Memorial Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska

Egnew's pure athleticism is what makes him so intriguing.

After leading the Tiger's receivers last season, Egnew will look to improve his scoring(4 TDs last season)

and blocking.

He has a great vertical, and could really climb the boards with a stellar 2011.

13. Broderick Green FB: Arkansas

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AUBURN - OCTOBER 16: Running back Broderick Green #29 of the Arkansas Razorbacks (top right) scores a touchdown over the top during the game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli

Being a fullback in today's NFL is not an easy task.

because of the success of guys like Peyton Hillis in recent years, some team may give him a shot if he is productive this season.

If not, he goes undrafted.

12. Tydreke Powell DT: UNC

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - OCTOBER 11: Quinton Coples #90 and Tydreke Powell #91 of the North Carolina Tar Heels celebrates after sacking Jimmy Clauson #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Kenan Stadium October 11, 2008 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo b

Powell is a force against the run, and has the mobility and strength to be an effective pass rusher as well.

He is already on most  NFL Scouts' radar, and with an effective season in 2011, will be hearing his name early in 2012.

11. G.J. Kinne QB: Tulsa

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SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 30: G.J. Kinne #4 of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane throws a pass against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish rushes at Notre Dame Stadium on October 30, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Tulsa defeated Notre Dame 28-27. (Photo by Jonathan Danie

Kinne's leadership abilities and growth in the spread offense last year are big positives for him.

He is semi-mobile and has the ability to shred a defense.

Can he play on Sundays?

If he is as efficient this season as he was last (31 TDs 10 Ints and 60 percent completion) he will be getting a good hard look from pro scouts heading into the 2012 draft.

10. Doug Martin RB: Boise State

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LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 22: Doug Martin #22 of the Boise State Broncos runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the Utah Utes during the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas at Sam Boyd Stadium December 22, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty

Martin is a physical specimen with the ability and determination to bowl over everything in his path on the way to the endzone.

Has a great truck move, and good open field vision.

At times Martin prefers running over guys rather than trying to go around, but if he is as successful this season as he has been recently at BSU, he will vault himself into the top part of next season's draft.

9. Matt Reynolds OT: BYU

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 6: (L-R) Matt Reynolds #70, Ray Feinga #76 and Dallas Reynolds #65 of the BYU Cougars look on during a break in game action against the Washington Huskies on September 6, 2008 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. The Cougars defea

Reynolds is great at getting and maintaining leverage, but has some footwork issues that need to be resolved for him to move up in the draft.

While he has the athletic ability to remain on the left side, it may be advantageous to move him to the right side where his weakness will not be so blatantly obvious.

If he can resolve some fo those issues, however, he should rise significantly.

8. Lance Mitchell FS: Oregon State

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CORVALLIS, OR - DECEMBER 04: Jeff Maehl #23 of the Oregon Ducks is tackled by Lance Mitchell #10 of the Oregon State Beavers during the 114th Civil War on December 4, 2010 at the Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

Mitchell was great on special teams for the Beavers, and a dynamic playmaker in the defensive backfield.

His leaping ability is great and he has good hands.

He is solid against the run, and good in coverage, but needs to improve his reads and his ability to shed blockers.

7. Ladarius Green TE: ULL

Green has been explosive out of the tight end position, averaging 18 yards per catch to go with seven TDs last season.

The problem, however, is his size.

At 6'6", 230, he is not your prototypical TE or WR.

So the question remains where to play him?

6. Chandler Harnish QB: Northern Illinois

Harnish projects to be the second most efficient QB in the nation after Andrew Luck, but how will the departure of Rb Chad Spann affect his level of play?

While he has the accuracy and field vision to make great decisions, at times his arm strength seems to be an issue.

Harnish could very well make a run at best QB in the nation next season, and if he does, everybody will know his name all of a sudden.

5. Ryan Lindley QB: San Diego State

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SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 20: Quarterback Ryan Lindley #14 of the San Deigo State Aztecs throws a pass against the Utah Utes at Qualcomm Stadium on November 20, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Keep your eye on this fella.

Lindley may be the most overlooked QB in next year's class, or he could have been just a fluke at SDSU.

His arm strength is off the charts and he makes great decisions for the most part.

His one weakness seems to be his timing, and if he wants to move up, he will have to improve on 56 percent, as most NFL teams like to see a higher completion rate in college.

4. Tank Carder OLB: TCU

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Linebacker Tank Carder #43 of the TCU Horned Frogs celebrates after a sack of quarterback Scott Tolzien #16 of the Wisconsin Badgers during the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen

Carder is a dynamo from the linebacker position and his exuberant style of play and abundant energy seem to be infectious.

His intangibles are ridiculous.

He projects as a weak side linebacker in a 4-3.

While his energy and nose for the ball make him attractive to pro scouts, his size and how that will translate to the NFL leaves some cause for concern.

Should Carder be consistently as good as he was in the Rose Bowl next season, he wil have no trouble playing on Sundays.

3. Quinton Coples DE: North Carolina

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHAPEL HILL, NC - SEPTEMBER 18: Quinton Coples #90 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Kenan Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Coples could be this year's Da'Quan Bowers, or he could be a flop.

After bouncing around the defensive line last season, Coples has improved physically and should be draft ready next spring.

If he follows up his solid performance of last season with a repeat, he will end up as the first D-Lineman drafted.

2. Vick Ballard RB: Mississippi State

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 13: Running back Vick Ballard #28 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs rushes upfield against the Alabama Crimson Tide November 13, 2010 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Ballard is a powerful runner between the tackles, and showed tremendous ability to put the ball into the endzone last season.

While he did not hit the 1,000 yard mark last season, a solid year this year will vault him up the draft boards.

It will be hard to improve on his 19 TDs scored, but he can definitely improve between the endzones.

1. Terrelle Pryor QB: Ohio State

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes calls out from under center against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (P

Now that the supplemental draft rumors have been debunked, we can move on to greener pastures for discussion.

Like the mess at Ohio State.

Pryor has shown improvement each of his years there, but is still a diamond in the rough.

There is no denying his tremendous athletic ability, but his quarterback play is still raw, and swings from pristine decision making to head scratching mistakes in an instant.

Throw in the fact he will miss the first five games of the season, and there may be a controversy upon his return.

If he comes back and polishes up his reads and decisions, he could be the number two quarterback behind Stanford's Andrew Luck.

If he shows no improvement or fails to retain his starting job, Pryor will tumble to the fourth round or later.