NFL Draft 2011: Ranking the 32 Best Names in the Draft
A few years ago a friend and I were talking about whether or not Oklahoma State running back Jeremy Smith would be a great running back. His reason against Smith was that no great player has ever had a generic name.
Now there are some obvious exceptions to this rule (Jim Brown comes to mind), but when you look through the history books, it holds up fairly well. I've decided to rank the best names in this year's draft class based on how they sound to me.
Keep in mind that this isn't going to be saying which ones I think will be good, but just listing the best names. Also, there are thousands of names in the prospects list so I'm sure to have missed some. If there's a glaring exception, tell me about it in the comments.
32) Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky
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We start the list with a somewhat weak entry originality-wise. I mean, I'm sure there are tons of people named Randall Cobb in the world, but the name seems to fit together perfectly for me.
To me, that's a big deal. You have to have a name that fits together for your name to be considered great. If it doesn't pass the rolling off the tongue test, then it's not going to make my list no matter how crazy or original it might be.
31) Shane Vereen, RB, Cal
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Now we take a step up from Cobb and get a name that rolls off the tongue and isn't one you see a lot. Shane is a fairly common first name, but the surname Vereen isn't seen too often.
Seeing Vereen on the back of a jersey just looks good—I don't care who you are. It's one that you're going to remember, much like Forte or Hart. It's not quite up there with something like Tomlinson, but it's reaching that level.
30) Ricky Elmore, DE, Arizona
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First of all, he owns the best first name to ever be invented. Personal bias aside, though, I think Elmore is a good name for a hard-working defensive player. It's not as memorable as some other names on the list, but it has things going for it.
The biggest thing is the pre-made nickname that comes along with the surname. This guy needs to play for the Cardinals or Bucs so he can be called some version of Elmo. I'm sure someone clever can come up with a play on Tickle-me-Elmo—possibly Tackle-him-Elmo? Something similar is begging to be given to this young defensive end.
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29) Jeron Johnson, SS, Boise State
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This is the first of many names on my list that contain a bit of alliteration in them. I love when both names of a person start with the same letter. It takes the sound of the name to another level for me.
Some people might disagree with this one because it's purely on here for personal reasons of how I like names, but it's my list, and I love names with alliteration. Plus, Jeron's a great first name.
28) Chimdi Chekwa, CB, Ohio State
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Here's another example of alliteration that's taken to another level because it's a name you're not likely to hear anywhere else. Chekwa is one of the few that might be a little more difficult to pronounce but is great once you get it down.
He might be a little higher on the list if I knew what his name meant, but I can't find it anywhere, so he stays in the lower portion of this list.
27) Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State
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Not many people possess a better first name than Jacquizz, but the problem is that most NFL players are known by their last names. Rodgers is fine in its own right (I think there might be a Super Bowl winner with a similar name), but it's not one many are going to immediately remember.
He also loses a few points for a reason I mentioned above: There's already a great Rodgers in the NFL, so it's unlikely that when you mention Rodgers, many are going to think Jacquizz. That uphill battle he faces brings him down some on this list.
26) Loyce Means, CB, Houston
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I really like when someone's name makes you think of something that has to do with their sport. Loyce Means is the first of those names on this list. As a defensive player he has to be mean, so his name is almost perfect.
That said, he loses a few points because of that extra "s." It's not a huge deal, but it drops him a few places. Plus, we've seen the name Mean before, so it's not quite as cool as some others on the list.
25) Henry Hynoski, FB, Pitt
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Is there a better name for a huge fullback? You need a name like this to be a great one. I mean, go all the way back to Larry Csonka. It needs to be a requirement that you have something like this.
Hynoski just sounds like a hard worker. This is something you'd expect from a grizzled construction worker in the Northeast—someone who is tough and works hard for his entire life. Also known as someone I want to block for my prize tailback.
24) Jah Reid, OT, UCF
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Jah Reid is such a great name...for a wide receiver. Being an offensive tackle is pretty much the only reason this name is so low. Jah just sounds like a flashy receiver or back, not a tough lineman.
That said, it's still a great name, so it has to make this list. If you disagree, you just don't understand what makes a great name.
23) Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn
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Cam Newton is a great SEC name. It reminds me of Brodie Croyle, who has the best name I've ever heard for a quarterback ever. Newton's isn't as good as his, but it does make you think of a great quarterback.
That said, I put Newton closer to the back because I couldn't decide if it was the name or the fame that makes it sound like a good one. Sure, Cam isn't heard very often in the NFL, but would I think as highly of his name if he hadn't won the Heisman? It's hard to say, so I ranked him a little lower than I wanted to.
22) Dino Cox, DT, Florida Atlantic
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Dino Cox is such a beautiful name because it stands out from the crowd. It's not one you're liable to hear many times throughout your life, and that puts it on this list.
However, he's also the least likely to actually make it in the NFL, so I have to downgrade him a bit here. That said, Dino is an amazing name that screams toughness and is perfect for someone in the NFL.
21) Bryson Littlejohn, ILB, Oregon
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I tried not to put any names on the list purely based on innuendo, but I couldn't resist adding Bryson. If you have to ask why, you'll never understand, but as a purely comical choice, he's the best this draft pool had to offer.
20) Sabbath Joseph, OLB, South Florida
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I've never heard anyone have the first name Sabbath, and I'm betting you haven't either. He gets in on pure uniqueness because this is a first name that will probably never show up in the NFL again; it's that rare.
His last name is pretty common though, and it's unlikely he gets drafted, so he has to drop some on this list.
19) Marcus Cannon, OT, TCU
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Cannon falls into the same trap that Jah Reid does: His name is meant for a skill position player. Think about the ready-made nickname for a fast running back with the last name Cannon. It's almost too perfect.
Sadly, Marcus plays offensive tackle, and for that he has to lose a few points. Fortunately, Cannon is a little more common than others on this list, so hopefully we get that running back someday soon.
18) Cheta Ozougwu, DE, Rice
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Cheta is so close to Cheetah you can smell it. If Cheta was a super fast skill player, this would be picture perfect, much like Marcus Cannon.
That said, Cheta did post a 4.84 40 at the Combine this year, so he's not too slow. Had he been closer to the lead at his position I would've placed him higher on the list, but this is where he stands for now.
17) Tyrod Taylor, QB, Virginia Tech
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Tyrod has three big things going for him. First, his first name is very unique and is one that will stick in a person's mind. He has a chance to be one of those guys you refer to just by his first name.
Secondly, he has alliteration, which is always a good thing in my book.
Finally, and most importantly, the surname Taylor has produced some excellent players. From Lawrence to Sean, the Taylor name seems to bring greatness. Time will only tell if Tyrod can live up to such lofty standards.
16) Noel Devine, RB, West Virginia
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What a great name this kid got when he was born. It's not going to strike fear into opponents, which brings him down a little, but it is one people are going to remember. I mean, his name basically means divine Christmas; dude's momma was pretty clever and made her son an instant ladies' man.
Time will only tell if his play on the field can make people remember him as much as his name will.
15) Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
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Mark Ingram's name sounds like it came straight from the days of smash-mouth, workhorse running backs. His name makes you think of big, hard runners who would sooner bowl you over than run around you.
In college he showed that he has the skills to become that workhorse back that teams need, but after injuries some are doubting him. Hopefully he lives up to his great name and the image it brings with it.
14) Ugo Chinasa, DE, Oklahoma State
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Chinasa is a bit of a homer pick, but you can't deny that his name is fun to say. A name that people like to say is a great thing, especially when it's as unique as Ugo Chinasa.
For added impact, the name Chinasa also means "God," so if that's what he's going to be on the field, then I think he probably deserves a spot on this list.
13) Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia
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I have to level with you: I honestly don't know why I like this name so much. For some reason it jumps off the page to me, and I had to include it.
It doesn't really have anything I usually look for outside of passing the eye test. There's just something here I love, and I don't know what it is. Maybe that's a good thing.
12) Sam Acho, OLB, Texas
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It's too bad Texas was so terrible this year and Acho didn't get as much TV play as he should've. The kid is a great human being who just happens to own one of my all-time favorite surnames.
Acho is obviously the sound one makes when they sneeze, and having it for a last name immediately makes your name something people are going to remember. That's what puts him so high on my list.
11) Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
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Like I said earlier, you can't beat a tough-sounding, Northeastern name for a guy who plays the less glorified positions. Castonzo has that kind of name, and the fact that he's good is just icing on the cake.
Seriously, this guy has an all-time great offensive lineman name. If you told me there was a Hall of Famer with the same name, I wouldn't be surprised.
10) Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
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Von Miller might be the most athletically gifted prospect in this year's draft. Thank goodness he has a top-10 name to back up his top-10 talent.
Von is a great name in itself, but when combined with the always solid Miller, it's magic that's perfect for a fierce defensive player.
9) Boo Jackson, QB, Ohio
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Athletic quarterbacks always seem to have great names. Just in this list we have Cam Newton and Tyrod Taylor. Then there are guys like Michael Vick and Randall Cunningham.
However, from a name standpoint, I think Boo Jackson beats them all. Is he going to be a star in the NFL? Probably not, but he's a star on this list. It's not as unique as some on this list, but it just sounds great. I hope he makes it just so we can hear his name come up on SportsCenter.
8) Orie Lemon, LB, Oklahoma State
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Chinasa might've been a homer stretch, but Lemon belongs on this list, and there's no doubting it. His first name is fairly unique and might garner him an honorable mention on the list alone.
However, it's his surname that takes him over the top. Lemon is a great name for a linebacker. It has that remembrance factor that is key, just like Woodley or Butkus. It's a solid name for most positions, but at linebacker it makes it into the top 10.
7) Ricky Stanzi, QB, Iowa
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In general, I think quarterbacks usually have the best football names. The game just wouldn't be the same without Brady, Manning, Marino, Elway, etc.
Is Stanzi the next one to add to that list of great quarterbacks? Probably not, but just like Brodie Croyle, his name gives him the potential to be a great quarterback. His talent just needs to catch up.
6) Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
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Mallett and Stanzi are back to back on this list because they're on here for basically the same reason. Both have great names for a starting quarterback and could be first-ballot name Hall of Famers.
Mallett is only ahead of Stanzi because he has the better chance to actually become a great quarterback to me. Time will tell if I'm right, but both guys have standout names.
5) Adam Smotherman, DT, Vanderbilt
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Sorry I couldn't find a good picture of The Smotherman. Let's be honest—this guy is so high because his name is perfect for a defensive lineman who's trying to smother running backs and quarterbacks.
He's probably not going to get drafted, but he claims a world-class name. This is one of the rare cases where the name fits the position, and for that he makes my top five.
4) Mark Herzlich, OLB, Boston College
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I think it's a requirement to have a tough-sounding name to play for Boston College. I mean, first we had Castonzo, and now he's one-upped by Herzlich. Has there ever been a better name for a linebacker? Probably not.
This guy must get drafted. I don't even need to look at his stats to know that he's going to try his hardest on every single play. I can just see an opposing team's return man peeing himself a little when he sees Herzlich coming at him on the opening kickoff.
3) Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
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If there was ever a guy to replace Champ Bailey as the best corner in the NFL, I hope it's this guy. His name rivals Bailey's, and he has the talent to maybe match him some day.
He joins an exclusive group of guys whose parents put some high standards on them at birth. I mean, Champ and Boss are one thing, but to be called a Prince from birth? No kid should go through that, but Amukamara has, and I think he's lived up to his name so far.
2) Dwight Dasher, RB, Middle Tennessee State
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To me this is the best combination of name and position. Smotherman gives him a run for his money, but I think Dasher is the better name, mostly because it also has alliteration.
Like many of the names on this list, this guy won't get drafted, but I couldn't leave him on the list. Personally, I just think his name is too perfect for a running back, and it was impossible to pass him up.
1) Lester Jean, WR, Florida Atlantic
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I have to be honest here: There's no real reason I can name for why I have Jean at the top of this list. I just love his name the most. Maybe it's because Lester automatically makes me laugh every time I hear it. Maybe it's because it flows together just right. Whatever the reason, he tops the list for me.
Well, that's my list, but I'm sure there's some I've missed. Tell me your personal favorites in the comments.
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