2012 NFL Draft: 14 College Stars Whose Game Won't Translate to the NFL

Who is next to follow in the footsteps of Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush as legitimate college football stars who never made it big in the NFL?

Such things are hard to predict, as so much of a player's production in the NFL is based on where you are drafted and the talent around you.

Would Alex Smith be a Super Bowl MVP instead of a draft bust if the Green Bay Packers had drafted him?

With the college football season inching closer, let's take a look at 14 college football stars who will not make it in the NFL.

Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: Stephon Gilmore #5 of the South Carolina Gamecocks against the Florida State Seminoles during the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl at Georgia Dome on December 31, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

At 6'1" and 195 lbs., Stephon Gilmore would seem to have the ideal blend of size, speed and instincts to make it in the National Football League.

Gilmore is a bit of a utility player for the Gamecocks and has made his name by being more of an athlete than as an elite cover corner. While his athleticism is impressive, it will not make up for a lack of cover skills and instincts at the NFL level.

He might see a move to offense ala Devin Hester, or even free safety, once drafted into the NFL.

Michael Egnew, TE (Missouri)

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KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 27: Cornerback Greg Brown #5 of the Kansas Jayhawks breaks up a pass intended for Michael Egnew #82 of the Missouri Tigers as Bradley McDougald #24 looks on during the game on November 27, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas Ci

How are Chase Coffman and Martin Rucker doing in the NFL?

Those were the last two lanky, athletic tight ends from Missouri who were supposed to change the position at the NFL level by splitting out wide and working in motion to create mismatches.

It never happened for them, and it won't for Egnew.

As the season nears and then begins, watch for Egnew's stock to start dropping. He looks like a fourth-round pick in our view.

Dont'a Hightower, ILB (Alabama)

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 16: Dont'a Hightower #30 of the Alabama Crimson Tide pressures quarterback Jeremiah Masoli #8 of the Ole Miss Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Few college linebackers have more name recognition than Alabama's Dont'a Hightower.

Hightower made a name for himself in 2008 as a true freshman, dominating offenses from the weak-side linebacker position in Bama's 3-4 scheme.

His 2009 season was cut short by a torn ACL, and a move to inside linebacker in early 2010 did not work well. Hightower was then moved back to the weak side and saw his production improve.

The concern is that Hightower is not fast enough to play outside in the NFL. His size and speed would indicate he best translates as an inside linebacker, something he did not show a great aptitude for last season.

Chris Marve, ILB (Vanderbilt)

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 31: Chris Marve #13 of the Vanderbilt Commodores tackles Montel Harris #41 of the Boston College Eagles during the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl at LP Field on December 31, 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Get

A Rivals.com and College Football News' All-Freshman First-Teamer in 2008, Chris Marve has developed a bit of a rock star-like following at football-needy Vanderbilt.

Marve is a tackling machine, averaging more than 10 tackles per game in 2009 and 2010, but he is too small and too slow to survive as an inside linebacker in the NFL.

Marve will suffer the same fate Michigan State's Greg Jones did in 2011's draft by being a dominant college player who does not match up well in the NFL and sees his draft stock plummet because of it.

Lavonte David, OLB (Nebraska)

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 04: Quarterback Landry Jones #12 of the Oklahoms Sooners slides to the turf after scrambling for a gain against Linebacker Lavonte David #4 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Cowboys Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Arlington, Texas.

As an AP Second-Team All-American player in 2010, things are expected of Nebraska outside linebacker Lavonte David in 2011.

I can remember watching David dominate during his time at Fort Scott Community College, and I remember thinking, "If he could ever get to 240 lbs., I would be impressed."

Well, he hasn't.

David plays at a listed 220 lbs., way too small to make it as an outside linebacker in today's NFL. A move to strong safety might be his best chance to make an NFL roster.

Case Keenum, QB (Houston)

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PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Quarterback Case Keenum #7 of the Houston Cougars at the game against the UCLA Bruins in the second quarter at the Rose Bowl on September 18, 2010 in Pasadena, California. UCLA won 31-13. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Case Keenum is entering his sixth season of play for the Houston Cougars, but he is still not NFL-ready in our eyes.

Keenum has benefited from a pass-happy system that allows him to set many college records, but does not prepare him for the life of making reads and adjustments against an NFL defense.

Keenum is also, by default, much older and more physically mature than the players he is competing against. In six years of film study, he should have a pretty good feel for what a defense can throw at him.

Jeffrey Demps, RB (Florida)

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TALLAHASSEE, FL - NOVEMBER 29: Receiver Jeffrey Demps #2 of the Florida Gators runs against the Florida State Seminoles during the first half at Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium on November 29, 2008 in Tallahassee, Florida. Florida defeated Fl

Small, but fast as hell, Jeffrey Demps might have a better future as a track star than as an NFL running back or wide receiver.

Demps won the 60-meter run by posting a jaw-dropping 6.56 time at the 2010 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. He then won first in the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships 100-meter race.

He has done well on the football field, but Demps' undersized stature and lack of a true position will make his future on the race track and not the gridiron.

Sean Spence, LB (University of Miami)

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COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 11: Ramon Buchanan #45 of the Miami Hurricanes and Sean Spence #31 of the Hurricanes bring down Brandon Saine #3 of the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Ima

At barely six feet tall and just under 220 lbs., Sean Spence is small for a safety in the NFL.

Trouble is, he plays linebacker.

Spence is a dominant college linebacker, and he will have a chance to make the AP First-Team All American roster, but his prospects of being an NFL linebacker are all but impossible.

Spence is a good athlete, and he may be able to move to fullback or safety once in the NFL.

John Brantley, QB (Florida)

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GAINESVILLE, FL - APRIL 9: Quarterback John Brantley #12 of the Florida Gators sets to pass during the Orange and Blue spring football game April 9, 2011 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

As the 2006 Gatorade High School Player of the Year, we all thought Florida's John Brantley would become the next great college quarterback, no matter where he signed his letter of intent.

That didn't happen though, as he had to sit behind Tim Tebow for three seasons.

Brantley did beat out 2011 No. 1 draft pick Cam Newton for the job of backing up Tebow during the 2008 season, which prompted Newton to transfer to Blinn College. The rest is history.

Brantley did well in 2010 as a first-year starter, but he does not have the look of a future starter in the NFL.

Jacory Harris, QB (University of Miami)

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MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 9: Jacory Harris #12 of the Miami Hurricanes warms up prior to the game against the Florida State Seminoles on October 9, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

When Jacory Harris threw for more than 3,000 yards in 2009, he hit the radar of many in the NFL Draft community as an undersized quarterback who just might beat the odds.

The 2010 season was more of a reality check for Harris, and he responded with his worst outing as a collegiate.

Harris is a feel-good, Cinderalla story when it comes to college football. He plays for a high-pressure team that is in the spotlight, and due to his "average guy" measurables, we want him to do well.

The simple fact though is Harris will be lucky to see himself drafted without a massive change in 2011.

Juron Criner, WR (Arizona)

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TUCSON, AZ - DECEMBER 02: Wide receiver Juron Criner #82 of the Arizona Wildcats is unable to catch a deep pass during the college football game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Arizona Stadium on December 2, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Ch

Wide receivers who run a high 4.6 seconds in the 40-yard dash generally do not make huge impressions in the NFL.

You can point out Jerry Rice and Anquan Boldin as rare examples of a special athlete who can make the transition without being blazing fast, but they are truly the exception to the rule.

Juron Criner is a damn good college wide receiver, but unless he finds some speed over the next season, he will not find his game translating well to the NFL.

Garrett Gilbert, QB (Texas)

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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 25: University of Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert #8 rushes during the first half against Texas A&M at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2010 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Darren Carroll/Getty Images)

Garrett Gilbert had the unfortunate task of replacing Colt McCoy at Texas one quarter into the 2009 National Championship game.

Gilbert played better without any preparation in his three quarters against Alabama than he did during the 2010 Texas football season.

While some of Gilbert's struggles can be placed at the foot of now-departed offensive coordinator Greg Davis, the quarterback himself shares some of the responsibility.

At this point, Gilbert looks too shell-shocked to ever survive in the NFL.

Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)

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EL PASO, TX - DECEMBER 30: Wide receiver Michael Floyd #3 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs the ball past Jared Campbell #37 and Sean Spence #31 of the Miami Hurricanes at Sun Bowl on December 30, 2010 in El Paso, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Ge

Michael Floyd has every quality you would look for in a potential NFL wide receiver. He is big, fast, strong and has the sure hands general managers and scouts crave.

He has also had three alcohol-related run-ins with the law and will miss at least some portion of the 2011 season, as he has been suspended indefinitely from the Notre Dame team after he was cited for drunken driving in March.

Floyd has the talent to become elite, but like many young and talented players, he is not mature or responsible enough to turn that talent into something real at the next level.

Kellen Moore, QB (Boise State)

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LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 22: Quarterback Kellen Moore #11 of the Boise State Broncos warms up before playing against the Utah Utes in the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas at Sam Boyd Stadium December 22, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State Won 26-3. (Photo by Et

Kellen Moore might be good enough to win the Heisman Trophy this season, but that does not mean he will make it as a professional football player.

When you look at Kellen Moore you see the statistics and can be amazed. But then you look at his size (6'0", 185 lbs.), and you really start to worry. Even Drew Brees weighs 220 lbs.

Moore will go down in Boise State history as the greatest football player to ever call the Smurf Turf home, but his future in the NFL is incredibly limited.