2012 NFL Draft Preview: The Top 50 Offensive Prospects in College Football

To be honest, I’m not sure if there’s anything left to say about Stanford QB Andrew Luck.

We already know that Luck is the guy, he’s the poster boy, he’s the unquestioned star of college football this year.

Andrew Luck will without a doubt be the most hyped up pro prospect in years, but let’s not forget that there are plenty of talented rising college stars to pay attention to this season.

Luck may be the most talked about pro prospect in college football, but he’s not the only one who deserves preseason glory.

Here’s a look at the Top 50 eligible offensive prospects for the 2012 NFL draft.

1. QB Andrew Luck, Stanford

There’s no debating who the best quarterback in college football is.

Stanford’s Andrew Luck is the clear-cut favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NFL draft, and he's one of the best quarterback prospects we’ve seen in nearly a decade.

Luck, the son of former NFL QB Oliver Luck, has seemingly been groomed to be the face of an NFL franchise someday, and there’s very little not to like about his game.

Size, arm strength, instincts, athleticism, intangibles—Luck's got all the traits you’re looking for.

The 6’4’’, 235-pound junior threw for over 3,300 yards and 32 TDs in 2010 on his way to a runner-up finish in the Heisman voting.

It wouldn’t be surprising if he improves on those numbers and actually takes home the trophy this year.

 

2. WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State

If it weren’t for Cam Newton, WR Justin Blackmon would have been the biggest breakout star of the 2010 season.

Blackmon came out of nowhere to become the nation’s top impact receiver, leading the country with 20 receiving TDs.

The 6’1’’, 205-pound junior is a playmaker in every sense of the word.

If he puts up a season comparable to 2010, Blackmon will almost certainly be a top 10 pick if he decides to come out.

 

3. OT Jonathan Martin, Stanford

When you have a quarterback as valuable as Andrew Luck to protect, you can’t just have any scrub-off-the-street blocking for him.

Luckily, Stanford has enlisted Jonathan Martin, one of the most talented tackles in the country, to make sure Luck stays safe.

Martin, a 6’6’’, 305-pound junior, has all the traits you look for in a top-notch tackle prospect.
 

4. QB Landry Jones, Oklahoma

Oklahoma is likely to enter the 2011 season as the No. 1-ranked team in the country, which means QB Landry Jones will have the spotlight squarely on his shoulders.

As a sophomore, Jones led the nation with 405 completions, throwing for over 4,700 yards and 38 TDs. And he has a chance to put up even bigger numbers this season.

The 6’4’’, 220-pound junior has really improved since initially being thrown into the fire following Sam Bradford’s season-ending injury in 2009.

Jones, a former 4-star recruit, may not be a No. 1 overall pick-caliber prospect like Bradford, but he’s got what it takes to develop into a top flight talent.

If Jones can lead the Sooners to the national title game, he should finish near the top of the Heisman voting and he should solidify himself as a high draft pick.
 

Landry Jones is one of the few players capable of stealing Andrew Luck's thunder.

5. WR Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina

With A.J. Green and Julio Jones off to the NFL, it's now time for a new it receiver to emerge in the SEC.

That player is South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery.

Jeffery, who statically bested every other receiver in the conference last season, is finally eligible for the NFL draft, meaning it's time he snags the same type of fanfare that Jones and Green received in 2010.

The 6'4'', 230-pound junior, who hauled in 88 passes for over 1,500 yards last season, was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award in 2010

It wouldn't be surprising to see him take home the trophy this year.
 

6. RB Knile Davis, Arkansas

When I say that Knile Davis is the total package, I mean it.

Speed, power, balance, agility, durability–Davis has got it all.

It’s not easy for a running back to stand out in Bobby Petrino’s pass-heavy offensive system, but that didn’t stop Davis from finishing second in the SEC with over 1,300 rushing yards last season.

The 6’0’’, 220-pound junior has the look of the next Ronnie Brown.

It’s become much more difficult for a running back to crack the top 10 in the draft, but Davis could be the type of rare prospect who is worth such a high pick.
 

7. WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame

Any time a first-year head coach brings in a new offensive system, there's always an adjustment period to be expected. However, it didn't seem like Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd needed all that much time to adjust to Brian Kelly's spread attack.

Floyd, a 6'3'' senior, flourished in Kelly's offense, finishing with his first 1,000-yard receiving season of his career.

Floyd has every trait you would want in a go-to receiver: size, speed, hands, concentration, playmaking ability.

If he can put an offseason suspension behind him and post another big season in his final year in South Bend, Floyd could crack the top 10 in the 2012 NFL draft. 
 

8. WR Jeff Fuller, Texas A&M

Texas A&M’s Jeff Fuller was one of the few receivers who gave star CB Patrick Peterson trouble last season.

Fuller finished with seven catches for 83 yards in a Cotton Bowl loss to LSU.

It’s performances such as that one which give us a better understanding of what Fuller is actually capable of.

If the 6’4’’, 215-pound senior can put together a full season’s worth of consistent production, he'll be a top 20 pick in 2012.
 

9. RB Trent Richardson, Alabama

Trent Richardson has been waiting two long years for this, and now, the spotlight is finally his.

Richardson, who many people considered to be a better all-around talent than 2011 first-round pick Mark Ingram, won’t have to split carries with the Heisman winner any more.

Even though he was the second option, the powerfully built 5’11’’, 220-pound junior was still able to rush for at least 700 yards in each of his first two seasons, so it should definitely be interesting to see what he’s capable of as the No. 1 guy.

The former 5-star recruit has one of the best offensive lines in college football to run behind this season, so he’s got a great opportunity to really impress NFL scouts.
 

10. OT Mike Adams, Ohio State

After two years of waiting for the light to come on, former top recruit Mike Adams finally made the most of his potential as a junior in 2010.

The 6’8’’, 305-pound offensive tackle finally performed like the player Buckeyes fans had been expecting when Adams first came to Columbus.

Adams has a terrific combination of size, strength and athleticism. 

11. OT Kelechi Osemele, Iowa State

Iowa State isn't necessarily known for their rich history of producing pro prospects, but that won't stop the NFL scouts from making their way down to Ames during the 2011 season.

The player they'll want to see is offensive tackle Kelechi Osemele.

Osemele, a 6'5'', 298-pound senior, certainly looks the part physically, and his intriguing athleticism should have the scouts taking notice.

The big tackle has made the All-Big 12 second team the past two seasons, and it now looks like he's ready to take the next step and become one of the elite linemen in the conference. 
 

12. WR Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma

Ryan Broyles proved to be one of college football’s most dangerous offensive weapons last season, leading all receivers with 131 catches.

Oklahoma will likely be on the short list for national championship contenders going into the 2011 season, and it will be Broyles, a likely future first-round draft pick, who could be the difference maker in the team's quest for a title.

The Landry Jones to Ryan Broyles connection will be one of the deadliest in the country, and if the two can continue to produce at their 2010 pace, a run to the big game is a definite possibility.
 

13. WR Joe Adams, Arkansas

Greg Childs will be the Arkansas receiver who gets the most preseason attention this summer, but if Childs isn’t 100 percent after his season-ending injury in 2010, it could leave the door open for teammate Joe Adams to really make a name for himself around the country.

Adams stepped up when Childs went down last season, finishing the year with 50 receptions for over 800 yards.

The 5’11’’, 190-pound senior definitely has the speed to be a No. 2 receiver in the NFL.

If Adams catches the ball more consistently than he did in the Sugar Bowl and refines some of the nuances of the position, he should really develop into a coveted receiver prospect.

14. QB/WR Robert Griffin III, Baylor

It remains to be seen if Robert Griffin’s NFL future is at quarterback or wide receiver, but it's apparent that scouts will fall in love with Griffin’s athleticism.

The Baylor quarterback is one of the best pure athletes at the college level, and he’s a game changer when he has the ball in his hands.

Griffin totaled over 4,000 yards of offense in 2010, and the junior signal-caller displayed the same type of breathtaking ability that he showed before a season-ending knee injury cut his sophomore season short. 

15. RB Doug Martin, Boise State

There was one play last year that defined who Doug Martin is as a ball carrier.

If you watched the Boise State-Nevada game, you know which one I’m talking about.

Knotted up at 24 with five minutes remaining, Martin took a Kellen Moore screen pass 79 yards to give the Broncos the lead.

It's too bad Kyle Brotzman had to ruin the fun.

To put it simply, the 5’9’’, 200-pound Martin runs like a bull in shoulder pads.

As a junior, he totaled over 1,500 yards of offense.

Expect Martin to be an even bigger offensive factor in 2011.
 

16. QB Matt Barkley, USC

USC has had a nice run of producing first-round quarterbacks in recent years with Mark Sanchez, Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart.

The quarterback who looks to be the next in that line is the Trojans’ current offensive sheriff, Matt Barkley.

Barkley, who came in as a freshman and snatched the starting job from Aaron Corp, is a battle-tested field general who is every bit as talented as his highly touted predecessors.

The 6’2’’, 220-pound junior has already thrown for over 5,500 yards and 41 TDs in his first two seasons on the job, and the scary thing is, Barkley could be ready to have his best year yet in 2011.
 

17. QB Ryan Lindley, San Diego State

Savvy seems like a sufficient word to describe San Diego State QB Ryan Lindley.

Lindley may not be the greatest athlete, and he may not have the kind of arm strength that makes your jaw drop, but he’s the type of quarterback who comes in and gets the job done when it’s needed.

Lindley has improved his game each of the past three years, and it all paid off last season when the 6’4’’, 215-pound senior led the Aztecs to just their second bowl win ever. 

Lindley is the type of non-BCS quarterback prospect who will raise more than a few eyebrows.
 

18. TE Dwayne Allen, Clemson

Clemson’s Dwayne Allen certainly passes the eyeball test.

The 6’4’’, 255-pound junior is oozing with strength and athleticism, and his speed makes him a tough receiver to contain in the passing game.

Allen caught 33 balls for 373 yards and a touchdown last season ,and he should now be one of new QB Tajh Boyd’s main targets.
 

19. WR Juron Criner, Arizona

We saw glimpses of how good Juron Criner could be back in 2009, when Criner caught 45 passes and scored nine touchdowns as just a sophomore.

Even though Arizona fans were expecting Criner to be a big contributor in 2010, no one could have foreseen the type of smash season he put together.

The 6’4’’, 210-pound senior hauled in 82 passes for over 1,200 yards and 11 TDs.

Criner could have left for the NFL, but he chose to come back and make some more magic with QB Nick Foles.

20. QB Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State

The Oklahoma State passing tandem of QB Brandon Weeden and WR Justin Blackmon obviously didn’t pay much attention to the many analysts who pegged the Cowboys to finish near the basement of the Big 12 South in 2010.

Weeden and Blackmon emerged from relative obscurity to become the two key pieces of an Oklahoma State offensive attack that ranked second in the country in passing last season.

Weeden ended the year with over 4,200 passing yards and 34 scoring strikes.

The 6’4’’, 225-pound senior will miss the playcalling of Dana Holgorsen, but if Weeden keeps slinging the ball around like he did last year, he’s sure to catch the attention of talent evaluators.

21. RB Johnathan Franklin, UCLA

Folks, Johnathan Franklin is the running back name to remember this season.

Franklin hasn’t received his due appreciation, playing for a forgotten about UCLA team these past two years, but that all could change in 2011.

Even though he didn’t have the benefit of quality offensive line play last season, Franklin still managed to rush for over 1,100 yards and eight TDs.

The 5’10’’, 195 lb. junior is a big-play threat who just makes things happen when the ball is in his hands.

If the offense around him can improve, Franklin could be in store for a dominating 2011 campaign.
 

22. OT Ricky Wagner, Wisconsin

Wisconsin, a program known for its emphasis on molding great offensive linemen, has produced two of the last five Outland Trophy winners, Joe Thomas and Gabe Carimi, and the Badgers might have another contender this year.

Ricky Wagner will fill in for the departed Carimi at left tackle in 2011, and he should pick up right where his predecessor left off.

The 6’6’’, 320-pound senior is a former walk-on who has turned into a true find.

Wagner's expected to be the Badgers' next great offensive line export.
 

23. RB Ed Wesley, TCU

Now that longtime QB Andy Dalton has graduated, you’d have to expect the Horned Frogs to make the running game a focal point in 2011.

TCU returns three quality running backs in Ed Wesley, Matthew Tucker and Waymon James, but it should be Wesley, a 5'9", 200-pound junior, who will once again be the star of the show.

The powerful Wesley rushed for over 1,000 yards last season, and he should top that number once again.
 

Wesley won't intimidate tacklers just by his looks, but he does pack a surprisingly powerful punch.

24. OG Brandon Washington, Miami

Would it be an overstatement if I said I would draft Miami’s Brandon Washington over any of the interior offensive linemen from this past NFL Draft?

Probably not, considering Washington has pretty much everything you would look for in an offensive linemen.

The 6’4’’, 320-pound senior is equally skilled at pass blocking as he is run blocking, and he should pave the way for Miami’s eclectic backfield to produce at a high rate in 2011.
 

25. TE Orson Charles, Georgia

Georgia sophomore QB Aaron Murray has a great chance to carve out a name for himself in the SEC this season, but Murray will have to do it without star receiver A.J. Green, who left early for the NFL.

Murray’s top target this season is expected to be TE Orson Charles.

Charles hauled in 26 passes for 422 yards and two TDs in 2010, and his numbers should improve dramatically this year.

The 6’3’’, 240-pound junior has the speed to make plays in the passing game, and he poses one of the toughest matchup problems in all of college football.
 

26. OT Andrew Datko, Florida State

If the Seminoles want to actually be national title contenders, they’re going to need strong play out of their front five on offense.

The leader of that group is seasoned veteran Andrew Datko.

The 6’6’’, 310-pound senior will assume the role of top tackle in the ACC now that Anthony Castonzo is in the NFL.

Datko has gotten better every season, and he’s now one of the most complete offensive linemen prospects in the country.
 

27. WR Chris Owusu, Stanford

Introducing QB Andrew Luck’s new No. 1 target, WR Chris Owusu.

Owusu suffered through an injury-plagued junior season in 2010, but now that he’s healthy, he should be a versatile weapon for Stanford on both offense and special teams.

The speedy 6'2", 185-pound senior will make an impact as both a receiver and a returner, and he'll be one of those players that opponents will despise dealing with.
 

28. RB Chris Polk, Washington

Now that Jake Locker is gone, it’s time for Washington to break in new QB Keith Price, which means that the Huskies will lean on RB Chris Polk early and often this season.

Last year, Polk finished second in the conference with 1,415 rushing yards, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him surpass that total this season.

Polk, a former 4-star recruit, is one of the best overall athletes in the country, and he’s got all the traits it takes to be a go-to back in the NFL.

The 5’11’’, 215-pound redshirt junior flirted with the idea of entering the 2011 draft, but another season’s worth of solid production should only enhance his value in the eyes of scouts.
 

29. OT Matt Kalil, USC

USC took a hit when offensive tackle Tyron Smith opted to forgo his senior season to enter the 2011 NFL draft. But don’t expect Coach Kiffin and his staff to be shedding too many tears.

Sure, Smith will be missed, but his departure opens the door for emerging tackle Matt Kalil to shine and soak up the spotlight.
 
Kalil, the younger brother of Ryan Kalil of the Carolina Panthers, was good enough to start every game at left tackle last season, forcing Smith to stay on the right side.

The former All-American recruit excelled in his first season as a starter.

Don’t be surprised if you see the 6’7’’, 295-pound junior in the NFL with his brother sooner rather than later.
 

30. QB Nick Foles, Arizona

Every time it looks like Nick Foles is finally ready to reach his enormous potential, it seems like he’ll have a string of bad games that brings him all the way back to square one.

After starting the 2010 season off strong, Foles faded down the stretch after returning from a knee injury, and Arizona ended up finishing the season on a dreadful five-game losing streak.

Although the 6’5’’, 245-pound senior finished the year with over 3,100 passing yards, it couldn’t hide the fact that the team had ended another season on a sour note.

It’s obvious that Foles has the talent to be an upper-echelon quarterback prospect, and he's probably a more refined player than this year’s No. 10 pick, Blaine Gabbert.

If Foles wants to be considered among the elite at his position, he’s going to have to figure out a way to be consistent for a full season.
 

31. OG Larry Warford, Kentucky

The Kentucky offense may have to find a whole slew of new faces at the skill positions, but thankfully, they will have four returning starters up front to help ease the transition.

The leader of the group is offensive guard Larry Warford.

Warford, a 6’3’’, 330-pound junior, is a tremendously strong run blocker who has a knack for opening up gigantic running lanes.

32. RB LaMichael James, Oregon

There’s just no getting around the fact that LaMichael James is too small to be a featured back in the NFL, however, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the 5’9’’, 185-pound junior won’t be an impact player in the pros. 

James has the type of game-changing speed that’s an equalizer to his lack of size, and when you watch the way he eludes defenders on almost every run, it helps convince you that he’s a special talent.

Sure, there will be those who say he’s aided by playing in Oregon’s spread offense, and that’s true to an extent, but regardless of the system, James is the type of running back who has to be accounted for on every snap. 

Only time will tell if James is ultimately worth a first-round pick, but there’s no doubt that he’s going to be a valuable threat in the NFL.
 

33. QB Kirk Cousins, Michigan State

Last season, it felt like Michigan State was one of those teams that just never quite got the respect they fully deserved.

Even though the Spartans finished the year with 11 wins and a share of the Big Ten title, you rarely ever heard too much about them.

It might be hard, however, to keep Michigan State out of the spotlight this season if QB Kirk Cousins plays up to his potential.

Cousins has continued to refine his game over the past two years, finishing the 2010 season with over 2,800 passing yards and 20 TDs.

The 6’3’’, 205-pound senior may not be the flashiest prospect on the block, but when it comes to efficiency, Cousins is right up there with the best of them.
 

34. OG Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina

This year, North Carolina has two of the best offensive linemen in the ACC in OG Jonathan Cooper and OT James Hurst.

Both have NFL futures ahead of them, but Cooper is the one you should pay the most attention to.

The 6’3’’, 295-pound junior has been a consistent force for the Tar Heels since he broke into the starting lineup early on in his redshirt freshman season.

Cooper will battle Miami’s Brandon Washington and Georgia Tech’s Omoregie Uzzi for the title of best guard in the ACC. 

35. TE David Paulson, Oregon

When you think of the Oregon offense, the first two players that likely come to mind are QB Darron Thomas and RB LaMichael James, the notable backfield duo for the Ducks.

Thomas and James are the offense’s two most valuable weapons, but it looks like there could be a third player that’s ready to jump into the mix.

TE David Paulson is an NFL-caliber offensive threat who should add a valued dynamic to the already explosive attack.

Paulson caught 24 passes for over 400 yards and four TDs in 2010.

The 6’4’’, 240-pound senior is Oregon’s top returning receiver, and the team is going to count on him to play a bigger role this season.
 

36. OT Al Netter, Northwestern

If you were asked to draw a sketch of the perfect Big Ten offensive lineman, chances are, your final draft would closely resemble Northwestern’s Al Netter.

If you think that Netter is just your typical overpowering Big Ten road grader, however, you’d be wrong.

The 6’6’’, 310-pound senior has surprising athleticism and quickness for his size, and he can more than hold his own in the passing game.

Netter is one of the many intriguing offensive line prospects in the Big Ten this year. 

37. OT Nate Potter, Boise State

The Boise State coaching staff usually has to look outside the state of Idaho to find their diamond in the rough recruits, but Bronco coaches got lucky when they snagged Boise native Nate Potter, a former 2-star lineman from Timberline High School.

Potter has turned out to be the offensive line's most steady player since he first stepped foot on the blue turf.

The 6'6", 300-pound tackle isn’t the athlete that former Bronco Ryan Clady was, but he does have evident NFL potential.
 

38. TE Michael Egnew, Missouri

Michael Egnew is a member of the new breed of tight ends, which basically means he’s a wide receiver in a tight end’s body.

Last season, Egnew, a 6'6'', 235-pound senior, led all tight ends with 90 receptions, and he has a chance to repeat that feat this season as the top threat in Missouri's pass-based offensive attack.
 

39. RB Tauren Poole, Tennessee

The SEC is absolutely loaded with top shelf-caliber running backs this season, so you have to be a real special back if you want people to take notice of your skills.

Tennessee’s Tauren Poole won’t receive the same type of preseason recognition as many of his conference counterparts such as Marcus Lattimore, Trent Richardson and Knile Davis, but that won’t matter all that much.

Poole, who rushed for over 1,000 yards and 11 TDs in 2010, is sure to have SEC defenses shaking their heads this year.

The 5’11’’, 210-pound senior has emerged as a much-needed playmaker for the Vols offense, and he appears to have the type of skill set that NFL teams are searching for.
 

40. QB Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State

Terrelle Pryor is one of those players who you either love or hate.

There’s no in between.

Pryor, a former all-world recruit, has acquired his fair share of critics during his three years at Ohio State, but it doesn’t matter whether you think he’s overrated or not; you simply can’t deny what he’s been able to accomplish in Columbus.

There are not many quarterbacks in college football that have Pryor’s resume. You can’t just neglect back-to-back BCS bowl game MVPs and a 23-3 overall record over the last two seasons.

Sure, the 6’6’’, 235-pound senior doesn’t have the type of arm strength you look for in an NFL quarterback, but when you’re dealing with the kind of elite athlete that Pryor is, it changes how you have to view him as a prospect.

We'll have to wait and see how the NCAA investigation play out, but even if Pryor isn't allowed to suit up at all this season, it shouldn't take away from what he's already accomplished.

He may not be perfect, but Pryor is going to be one of the most intriguing and debated about prospects in next year’s class.
 

41. WR Kendall Wright, Baylor

Speed: It's what Kendall Wright does best.

The lightning-fast Wright has led Baylor in receiving the past three seasons, totaling 194 catches for his career.

Wright is a threat to go the distance any time he gets the ball in his hands, and he adds another dangerous element to a Baylor offense that already has one of the scariest quarterbacks in the country in Robert Griffin III.

The Griffin-to-Wright combination could cause headaches for a lot of Big 12 fans in 2011
 

42. OG Barrett Jones, Alabama

It doesn't take a genius to figure out why Alabama wasn't able to finish undefeated again this past season.

The Tide experienced some tough injuries to key offensive linemen during the course of the season, none more devastating than Barrett Jones' troubles.

Jones, one of the best linemen in the SEC, was hampered by an ankle injury late in the season and it was felt throughout the entire offense, which demonstrated just what an integral part of the team he is.

With Jones healthy, the Tide line should again be one of the best in all of college football
 

43. OT Riley Reiff, Iowa

One thing that Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz knows how to do is mold solid offensive linemen and his latest creation, tackle Riley Reiff, could be one of his best works yet.

Reiff, who has started all but two games since his redshirt freshman season, is an impressive looking specimen and he fits the mold of what you would expect from top notch Iowa offensive linemen.

The 6’6’’, 300-pound left tackle will be the leader of the Iowa offensive line this season and one of the vital pieces to the Hawkeyes' success.

Reiff will likely be a high NFL draft pick if he chooses to leave school early after this season.
 

44. WR Roy Roundtree, Michigan

Now that the Michigan offense is moving away from Rich Rodriguez’s spread-option attack, it should be interesting to see if star dual-threat QB Denard Robinson can handle a more prominent role as a passer this season.

Robinson luckily has the benefit of one of the Big Ten’s best weapons in WR Roy Roundtree.

Roundtree caught 72 passes for over 900 yards and seven TDs in 2010.

The 6’0’’, 175-pound junior isn’t on the same level of classmates, Justin Blackmon and Alshon Jeffery, but he’s not very far below them in the junior receiver hierarchy. 

45. TE Ladarius Green, Louisiana

It’s hard to find many elite tight ends in the college game these days because, let's be honest, it’s a dying position. But one player who has the chance to keep the pulse pumping is Louisiana’s Ladarius Green.

Because he plays out of the national spotlight in the Sun Belt Conference, the 6’6’’, 23-pound athletic freak doesn’t receive the attention his talent warrants, though that could change this year.

Green, who finished with 44 catches for 794 yards last season, led all tight ends in receiving yards per game in 2010 and has a good chance to repeat that accomplishment as a senior.
 

46. RB Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M

During the latter part of last season, Cyrus Gray capitalized on the unfortunate injury to fellow RB Christine Michael and used the opportunity to really set himself apart as one of the best backs in the Big 12.

Gray ended up running for over 1,100 yards and 12 TDs, with most of the production coming in the final seven games.

He'll enter this season as the conference’s leading returning rusher.

The 5’10’’, 195-pound senior will have to defer some carries to Michael, but the two should really gain some attention as one of the best backfield duos in college football this year.
 

47. OT Matt McCants, UAB

UAB has only had two players, Joe Webb and Roddy White, selected in the NFL draft since 2002, but that will change next year.

OT Matt McCants is one of the most naturally-gifted offensive linemen in all of college football, and the pro scouts will definitely be keeping an eye on his development down in Birmingham.

The 6’7’’, 295-pound senior not only has the look of an NFL offensive linemen, he also has the skills.

McCants hasn’t had the oppurtunity to dominate against elite competition, but he’s still been able to prove he’s got what it takes to be a starting tackle at the NFL level. 

48. QB Geno Smith, West Virginia

Dana Holgorsen’s arrival in Morgantown is great news for the Mountaineers, especially QB Geno Smith.

Smith, who threw for over 2,700 yards and 24 TDs in his first year as a starter last season, is the type of strong-armed signal-caller who should flourish in Holgorsen’s Air Raid offense.

We got a small taste of what the future could hold when Smith threw for 388 yards and four TDs in West Virginia’s spring game.

We already knew the 6’3’’, 210-pound junior had an NFL-caliber arm. Now, he’ll really get the opportunity to put it to good use this season.
 

49. RB Stepfan Taylor, Stanford

Star QB Andrew Luck may get all the credit for Stanford’s success but don’t think he doesn’t have some help in the Cardinal backfield.

Last season, RB Stepfan Taylor proved to be a perfect complement to Luck, as he powered his way to over 1,100 yards on the ground and 15 rushing TDs.

Taylor is a tough, physical runner who is capable of banging it inside the tackles or bouncing it to the outside.

The 5’11’’, 210 lb. junior won’t break any 40-yard dash records, but if you’re looking for a strong, fearless back who’s capable of carrying a heavy workload, then Taylor is the guy you need to look at.
 

50. RB Brandon Bolden, Ole Miss

It’s a shame that Brandon Bolden is going to have to play his last season on such a lousy team this year because Bolden is the type of back who’s worthy of national exposure.

Bolden was the undisputed star of Mississippi’s offense last season, and he was one of the few bright spots for a team that finished just 4-8.

The 5’11’’, 215-pound senior finished the 2010 season just shy of the 1,000-yard rushing mark, and he ended up scoring 17 total TDs.

Bolden fits the prototypical physical mold of what an NFL running back should look like, and if he can keep producing at his current rate, he should solidify himself as a day two pick.

Quarterbacks

The Top 10 Seniors

1. Ryan Lindley, San Diego State
2. Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State
3. Nick Foles, Arizona
4. Kirk Cousins, Michigan State
5. Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State
6. Kellen Moore, Boise State
7. Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M
8. Chris Relf, Mississippi State
9. Case Keenum, Houston
10. Dominique Davis, East Carolina

The Top 10 Underclassmen

1. Andrew Luck, Stanford
2. Landry Jones, Oklahoma
3. Matt Barkley, USC
4. Geno Smith, West Virginia
5. Mike Glennon, North Carolina State
6. Jeff Tuel, Washington State
7. Tyler Wilson, Arkansas
8. Brock Osweiler, Arizona State
9. E.J. Manuel, Florida State
10. Darron Thomas, Oregon

 

Running Backs

The Top 10 Seniors

1. Doug Martin, Boise State
2. Tauren Poole, Tennessee
3. Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M
4. Brandon Bolden, Ole Miss
5. Isaiah Pead, Cincinnati
6. Montel Harris, Boston College
7. Jeff Demps, Florida
8. Jason Ford, Illinois
9. Victor Anderson, Louisville
10. Jermaine Thomas, Florida State

The Top 10 Underclassmen

1. Knile Davis, Arkansas
2. Trent Richardson, Alabama
3. Ed Wesley, TCU
4. Johnathan Franklin, UCLA
5. Chris Polk, Washington
6. LaMichael James, Oregon
7. Stepfan Taylor, Stanford
8. David Wilson, Virginia Tech
9. Edwin Baker, Michigan State
10. Montee Ball, Wisconsin
 

Wide Receivers

The Top 10 Seniors

1. Michael Floyd, Notre Dame
2. Jeff Fuller, Texas A&M
3. Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma
4. Joe Adams, Arkansas
5. Juron Criner, Arizona
6. Chris Owusu, Stanford
7. Kendall Wright, Baylor
8. Dwight Jones, North Carolina
9. T.Y. Hilton, Florida International
10. Jermaine Kearse, Washington

The Top 10 Underclassmen

1. Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
2. Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina
3. Robert Griffin III, Baylor
4. Roy Roundtree, Michigan
5. Chad Bumphis, Mississippi State
6. Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers
7. Rueben Randle, LSU
8. Erik Highsmith, North Carolina
9. Denard Robinson, Michigan
10. Tavon Austin, West Virginia

Tight Ends

The Top 10 Seniors

1. David Paulson, Oregon
2. Michael Egnew, Missouri
3. Ladarius Green, Louisiana
4. George Bryan, North Carolina State
5. Coby Fleener, Stanford
6. Brandon Barden, Vanderbilt
7. Eric Lair, Minnesota
8. Deangelo Peterson, LSU
9. Kevin Koger, Michigan
10. Rhett Ellison, USC

The Top 10 Underclassmen

1. Dwayne Allen, Clemson
2. Orson Charles, Georgia
3. Lucas Reed, New Mexico
4. Jake Stoneburner, Ohio State
5. Kyler Reed, Nebraska
6. Phillip Lutzenkirchen, Auburn
7. Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame
8. Michael Williams, Alabama
9. Ryan Griffin, Connecticut
10. D.C. Jefferson, Rutgers
 

Offensive Tackles

The Top 10 Seniors

1. Mike Adams, Ohio State
2. Kelechi Osemele, Iowa State
3. Andrew Datko, Florida State
4. Al Netter, Northwestern
5. Nate Potter, Boise State
6. Matt McCants, UAB
7. Matt Reynolds, BYU
8. Levy Adcock, Oklahoma State
9. Elvis Fisher, Missouri
10. Rokevious Watkins, South Carolina

The Top 10 Underclassmen

1. Jonathan Martin, Stanford
2. Ricky Wagner, Wisconsin
3. Matt Kalil, USC
4. Riley Reiff, Iowa
5. Morgan Moses, Virginia
6. Justin Pugh, Syracuse
7. Brennan Williams, North Carolina
8. Cyril Richardson, Baylor
9. D.J. Fluker, Alabama
10. Tanner Hawkinson, Kansas
 

Interior Offensive Linemen

The Top 10 Seniors

1. Ken Plue, Purdue
2. Austin Pasztor, Virginia
3. Cordy Glenn, Georgia
4. Ryan Miller, Colorado
5. William Vlachos, Alabama
6. Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin
7. Joel Foreman, Michigan State
8. Mike Brewster, Ohio State
9. Jaymes Brooks, Virginia Tech
10. Ben Jones, Georgia

The Top 10 Underclassmen

1. Brandon Washington, Miami
2. Larry Warford, Kentucky
3. Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina
4. Barrett Jones, Alabama
5. Lane Taylor, Oklahoma State
6. David DeCastro, Stanford
7. Omeregie Uzzi, Georgia Tech
8. John Sullen, Auburn
9. Ben Habern, Oklahoma
10. Peter Konz, Wisconsin