2012 NFL Draft: 50 Underclassmen Who Will Declare After This Season
The 2011 NFL draft saw a record 56 underclassmen opt for inclusion. With the extra bodies, the draft class was still thin on talent relative to years past. However, the projected 2012 draft class looks to be much improved from 2011. The following players would certainly add credence to that projection.
Some analysts expected there to be a lower number of underclassmen declaring in 2011. After all, there was a looming labor issue in January.
There is one item some were giving too little credence.
There will be a rookie wage scale at some point. It might not happen in 2011, but will most certainly be in place by the 2012 draft. Players were being counseled on the potential impact of the change and some jumped early to get in on the open market for rookies.
The 2012 class will feature underclassmen who come out for the old-fashioned reasons—they want to get paid now and don’t want to risk injury.
Following is a list of players to keep an eye on during the ’11 college season. Many of them look to make an impact on the NFL in 2012.
Defense: Best of the Rest
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The following players need to step up in 2011 if they want to crack the first round of the 2012 NFL draft, but they all figure to declare next year:
Marcus Forston, DT: Miami
Kawann Short, NT: Purdue
Kerry Murphy, NT: Alabama
Nick Perry, DE: USC
Dont'a Hightower, LB: Alabama, Junior
Terrell Manning, LB: N.C. State
Demetrius Hartfield, LB: Maryland
Nico Johnson, LB: Alabama, Junior
Craig Roh, LB: Michigan
Cliff Harris, CB: Oregon
Desmond Trufant, CB: Washington
Kenny Okoro, CB: Wake Forest
Ray Ray Armstrong, S: Miami (FL)
T.J. McDonald, S: USC, Junior
Janzen Jackson, S: Tennessee
Rashard Hall, S: Clemson
Jerel Worthy, DT: Michigan State, Junior
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There are a few different camps on just how good Worthy will be in the NFL. Some say he'll be very good and point to a decent sophomore season with eight TFL and four sacks. Others point out he was consistently double-teamed and claim he'll be an excellent NFL prospect, leaving draft boards early in 2012.
Either way, Worthy will be a player to watch in 2011 as he makes a push to challenge the top QBs in this draft class.
Devin Taylor, DE: South Carolina, Junior
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Taylor is an amazing athlete and registered 12 TFL with 7.5 sacks as a sophomore. He also demonstrated his freakish physical performance in breaking up eight passes.
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Brandon Jenkins, DE: Florida State, Junior
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An impressive 21.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks in 2010 make Jenkins a top DE prospect to watch in 2011.
Donte Paige-Moss, DE: North Carolina, Junior
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Paige-Moss may need to look at playing OLB in the NFL, as he is an athletic 245 lbs. He had 13.5 TFL and seven sacks in 2010. Playing next to Butch Davis will certainly help his performance and draft status.
Manti Te'o, LB: Notre Dame, Junior
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Manti Te'o uses average size (6'2", 250 lbs) and excellent athletic skills to dominate on the strong side. He had 123 tackles and 8.5 TFL in 2010, and figures to be versatile enough to play a few positions in the NFL.
He can provide a pass-rush as well as drop into coverage.
Ronnell Lewis, LB: Oklahoma Junior
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Lewis is primed for a breakout season. The move to linebacker in 2010 suited his 6'2", 237-pound frame, and allowed him to finish the season as one of the better prospects.
Playing all of 2011 at the LB position should set Lewis up for a solid draft pick in 2012. He can rush the QB (five sacks in 2010) and excellent speed allows him to cover TEs and RBs coming out of the backfield.
Luke Kuechly, LB: Boston College, Junior
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Kuechly is an intelligent linebacker and is expected to be a first-round pick in 2012. His 183 tackles last season was second in college football. This included 10.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks. He added three interceptions and forced two fumbles.
Kuechly also had a solid freshman campaign with 158 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, one sack, and an interception returned for a touchdown.
He has adequate size (6'3", 235 lbs), but his coaches may continue to work on bulking him up for the NFL. He will challenge for the top LB taken in 2012.
Vontaze Burfict, ILB: Arizona State, Junior
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Burfict looks to be the best LB in the 2012 NFL draft. He has the physical size at 6'3" and 245 lbs to be a dominating LB. He posted 89 tackles (8.5 TFL) and forced two fumbles his sophomore year.
A solid 2011 season will set him up for the 2012 draft.
Jayron Hosley, CB: Virginia Tech, Junior
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Hosley will be somewhat limited in the NFL, as many teams avoid shorter corners. However, if he can lead the college ranks again in interceptions in 2011 (he posted nine in 2010) he will change some minds on how high his ceiling actually is.
Stephon Gilmore, CB: South Carolina, Junior
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Gilmore had a solid sophomore season: 79 tackles, 6 TLF, 3 INTs, 1 FF, 3 sacks. As shown in his stats, he is good against the run and the pass.
He has the combination of size (6'1", 194 lbs) and speed to make him an excellent NFL prospect.
Dre Kirkpatrick, CB: Alabama, Junior
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Kirkpatrick looks to extend the string of first-round picks and solid CBs from Alabama. His is solid in man coverage and his 6'3", 195-lb frame allows him to cover big receivers. He had three interceptions in 2010.
Kirkpatrick can also defend against the run. He had 53 tackles and forced a fumble last season.
Robert Lester, S: Alabama Junior
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Lester was one off of the interception lead in 2010 with eight. Playing with the aforementioned Dre Kirkpatrick should keep him challenging for the lead in 2011.
Lester has the size to contribute in the run and pass defense at 6'2" and 210 lbs.
Bacarri Rambo, S: Georgia, Junior
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The 6'0", 216-pound version of Rambo will be able to play in the box in the NFL. He is a solid tackler and has great instincts at the safety position.
Look for him to challenge for the top safety in the 2012 NFL draft.
Offense: Best of the Rest
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The top two on this list are QBs that some are predicting will bolt for the NFL in 2012, but I see them staying for a needed senior year. The rest aren't likely to be first round prospects, but they could make some noise this season and see their value jump.
E.J. Manuel, QB: Florida State, Junior
Denard Robinson, QB: Michigan, Junior
James White, RB: Wisconsin, Sophomore
Lamar Miller, RB: Miami, Sophomore
Dwayne Allen, TE: Clemson, Junior
Dion Sims, TE: Michigan State, Sophomore
Orson Charles, TE: Georgia, Junior
Bobby Massie, OT: Mississippi, Junior
Blake DeChristopher, OT: Virginia Tech, Junior
Riley Reiff, OT: Iowa, Junior
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Iowa and Boston College have both stepped up in offensive linemen production as of late. While the Eagles are absent in this list, Reiff looks to add another Hawkeye lineman to the list of first-round picks.
Reiff also follows in the steps of Nate Solder as a converted tight end. He has similar athleticism, even at 6’6” and 300 lbs. His greatest strength is his solid technique that is expected from an Iowa blocker.
Jonathan Martin, OT: Stanford, Junior
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Martin combines athleticism and smart play. Being 6'6" and 305 lbs doesn't hurt, either. He could add some more size to his frame, and he will push to be the top OT taken in 2012.
Several teams passed on this position in 2011, as the talent pool was a bit shallow. 2012 should make up for it.
Matt Kalil, OT: USC, Junior
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This is tough to call. Kalil could have been the top OT in the ’11 draft had he declared this year. It would have been early for him to come out, as he was just a sophomore.
However, Kalil kept Tyron Smith from playing LT in college, and could have kept him from being the first OT drafted. He may be staying around to play in a bowl game, which means one more year after the upcoming season.
Adding to the decision is a deeper pool of talent at OT in 2012. There are no guarantees that Kalil will be the first tackle taken, which could give him an incentive to return for his senior year.
He is the younger brother of Pro Bowl C Ryan Kalil of the Carolina Panthers. One can anticipate his older brother will help guide his decision.
Russell Shepard and Rueben Randle, WR: LSU
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Those who regularly read my articles know I enjoy an occasional double-dip in my slides. Not to disappoint, the LSU WRs are my initial entry.
Shepard's stats in 2010 were less than impressive with 33 receptions for 254 yards and a TD.
Randle had the same number of catches, but more than double the yardage (544) and three TDs.
They will both look to pick up some of the slack from Terrence Toliver who had 41 catches for 579 yards as a senior.
Mohamed Sanu and Mark Harrison, WR: Rutgers
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The impressive Rutgers receiving duo is my next version of double-trouble.
Sanu erupted as a freshman, posting 51 receptions for 639 yards and three TDs. His stats took a small step back last season with 44 catches for 418 yards and two touchdowns. That was due, in part, to Harrison breaking out with 829 yards on 44 catches for nine touchdowns.
They are both intimidating physical prospects. Sanu stands at 6’2”, 218 lbs, with Harrison sharing the same height and tipping the scales at 230 lbs. Depending on 2011 production, they could be seen as second-round prospects.
Justin Blackmon, WR: Oklahoma State, Junior
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Blackmon would have likely been a first-round pick had he declared for the 2011 draft. He caught 111 passes for 1,782 yards and 20 touchdowns as a sophomore, and will likely be the second WR off the board in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft.
Alshon Jeffery, WR: South Carolina, Junior
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As a true sophomore, Jeffery caught 88 passes for 1,517 yards and nine touchdowns. He is an intimidating presence for a WR at 6'3", 230 lbs. He is the early leader in the WR prospects in the 2012 NFL draft, and is definitely a player to watch this season.
Matt Brown and Bernard Pierce, RB: Temple, Junior
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The Temple RB rotation is my final double entry.
I’m not sure if either of these RBs did enough in 2010 to mark a spot in the first two days of the 2012 NFL draft. They certainly didn't do enough to make the top part of this list as stand-alone options.
However, they will have an opportunity to make their case this year.
Montee Ball, RB: Wisconsin, Junior
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Ball split carries in 2010 with the outstanding freshman James White, and John Clay (junior). Ball just missed getting 1,000 yards on the season (996), and led the Badgers with 18 TDs.
Ball had a 6.1 YPC average, and wasn't widely used the first eight games of the season. He was a focal part of the offense down the stretch, rushing for at least 125 yards in the final five games (777 total yards).
Ball uses size (5'11", 214 lbs) and speed bursts to clear holes. His production could be off the charts in 2011 if he continues to be the featured back.
Chris Polk, RB: Washington, Junior
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As much as Jake Locker had to attempt to carry the Husky offense behind a porous offensive line in 2010, Polk certainly did his part. He manufactured his own holes much of 2010, with an average rush of 5.4 yards his sophomore season.
Polk is 5'11, 214 lbs and will need to carry the load for the offense in 2011. He has elusiveness and will likely go early on day two in 2012.
Trent Richardson, RB: Alabama, Junior
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Finding carries behind Mark Ingram wasn’t an easy task. Richardson made the most of his opportunities though, which could leave some wondering if Ingram and Richardson are the elite RBs they appear to be, or if they simply benefited from a talented offensive line.
It is likely a little bit of both, and Richardson will have an opportunity to show he can still shine behind a modified offensive line in 2011. Improving on a 6.3 YPC average won’t be easy. Then again, it isn’t likely that anyone is asking him to.
Richardson had 700 yards on 112 carries in 2010 after posting 751 yards on 145 carries in 2009. He was more active in the passing game though, with 266 yards and four TDs on 23 catches.
LaMichael James, RB: Oregon, Junior
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James led the Ducks to the national championship game after the 2010 season and will look to do the same en route to giving flight to his NFL career.
Some will argue for Trent Richardson being the top RB in 2012. James will settle the argument on the field.
Season |
| G | ATT | YDS | TDS |
2009-10 |
| 13 | 230 | 1,546 | 14 |
2010-11 |
| 12 | 294 | 1,731 | 21 |
TOTAL | 26 | 524 | 3,277 | 35 |
Robert Griffin III, QB: Baylor, Junior
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After sustaining an isolated ACL tear early in his third game of 2009, Griffin missed the remainder of the season. He was granted redshirt status for the season, making him a junior entering the 2011 season.
The Bears stumbled down the stretch of the 2010 season. After a 7-2 start, they hit the hard part of their schedule. Their last three Big 12 South opponents were ranked and Baylor dropped all three games. Their final game was a 38-14 loss to Illinois in the Texas Bowl, but this was their first Bowl appearance since 1994.
Griffin’s production slipped against tough competition last season. However, it would be difficult to find a singular college football player who was more responsible for a team’s positive turnaround last season.
It will be interesting to see if Griffin opts to avoid a deep QB pool in 2012 in favor of a fifth year in college. If he can improve on his stats from 2010, he will likely make the jump.
Landry Jones, QB: Oklahoma, Junior
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Jones looks to be the third-best QB in the 2012 NFL draft, but could still be a top-five pick. He had an outstanding year as a sophomore, and is one of two players who can legitimately (almost) challenge a certain QB from Stanford for the top pick next year.
Season | G | ATT | COMP | YDS | INT | TDS | SACKED | RATING | |
2009-10 | 12 | 449 | 261 | 3198 | 14 | 26 | 12 | 130.8 | |
2010-11 | 14 | 617 | 405 | 4718 | 12 | 38 | 19 | 146.3 | |
TOTAL | 26 | 1066 | 666 | 7916 | 26 | 64 | 31 | 139.8 |
Matt Barkley, QB: USC, Junior
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While Jones could challenge for the top pick in 2012, Barkley is the one player who looks capable of taking that spot away from the next player on this list. Granted, that is assuming they both opt for the NFL in 2012.
Barkley may decide that an appearance in a bowl game means more to him than an early jump to being paid. The Trojans will still be on suspension after the 2011 season, but will be bowl eligible if they get six wins in 2012. With Barkley staying for a senior season, they would have a shot at a Pac-12 title and Rose Bowl game.
Barkley has been nothing but impressive at USC and has the tools to be an elite QB in the NFL. Teams are likely to give up a lot to get into position to draft him.
Season | G | ATT | COMP | YDS | INT | TDS | SACKED | RATING | |
2009-10 | 12 | 352 | 211 | 2735 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 131.3 | |
2010-11 | 12 | 377 | 236 | 2791 | 12 | 26 | 16 | 141.2 | |
TOTAL | 24 | 729 | 447 | 5526 | 26 | 41 | 33 | 136.4 |
Andrew Luck, QB: Stanford, Junior
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Luck would have been the top pick in 2011 had he declared for the NFL draft. Unless he takes a big ol' step backwards in 2012 he will likely get that honor next season...engineering degree in-hand.
At this point, Luck is the most promising NFL prospect at the QB position since John Elway or Dan Marino. I can't think of anything else to add to that, except perhaps his stats:
Season | G | ATT | COMP | YDS | INT | TDS | SACKED | RATING | |
2009-10 | 12 | 288 | 162 | 2575 | 4 | 13 | 6 | 143.5 | |
2010-11 | 13 | 372 | 263 | 3338 | 8 | 32 | 6 | 170.2 | |
TOTAL | 25 | 660 | 425 | 5913 | 12 | 45 | 12 | 158.5 |
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