2012 NFL Draft Preview: Power Ranking College Football's Elite Pro Prospects

The start of the college football season is fast approaching, with only two weeks left before the action kicks off, and as always, it’s never too early to start focusing in on this year’s top draft prospects.

Soon, we’ll finally get to see which high-profile players will live up to the hype and which up-and-comers will emerge as this year’s breakout performers.

For the last seven months, we’ve been talking up guys like Andrew Luck, LaMichael James, Landry Jones, Kellen Moore and other big names, and now it’s time to see who was truly worthy of our offseason praises.

College football’s talent pool lost some considerable depth due to the record number of early entrants for the 2011 draft, but there’s still enough returning star power to make things interesting this season.

It’s silly to start making mock drafts at this point, but it certainly isn’t too early to start taking a look at the players who will be competing to be next year’s top picks.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the 32 players who I feel have the best shot of being first-round picks next year, along with my personal preseason position rankings of college football’s top eligible pro prospects for the 2012 NFL draft.

1. QB Andrew Luck, Stanford

It’s rare to see a returning star quarterback actually live up to the monumental amount of hype that accumulates over the summer, but every now and then, a special type of player comes along and finally turns out to be as good as advertised.

Andrew Luck is that player.

Forget about Jake Locker, Matt Leinart, Brady Quinn and all the rest of the cover-boy quarterbacks who failed to live up to their preseason hype in the past. Andrew Luck is in a special class all by himself.

Luck has the absolute total package as far as skills are concerned and he’s already evoking comparisons to the likes of Peyton Manning and another former Stanford quarterback, John Elway.

There’s not a desired trait that Luck doesn’t possess. The arm, the brains, the athleticism—he’s got it all.

As we saw last season, the Stanford signal-caller knows how to put his natural abilities to good use and guide his team to success.

Luck carried the Cardinal on a nearly flawless 12-1 ride which culminated in the school's first-ever BCS bowl win.

He’s already considered the consensus favorite to be the No. 1 pick of the 2012 draft; now all Luck has to do is handle the pressure properly and live up to hype.

Luck is the type of intelligent, level-headed player who should have no problem dealing with the monumental expectations this season.

As long as he stays relatively injury-free and doesn’t have some unforeseeable massive drop-off in his level of play, there’s no reason to believe that Luck won’t be next year’s top pick.

Let the Andrew Luck sweepstakes begin!

2. DE Quinton Coples, North Carolina

Robert Quinn and Marvin Austin were supposed to be two of the star defensive linemen in the ACC last year, but their season-long suspensions fittingly opened the door for teammate Quinton Coples to step up and show the conference what he had to offer.

Coples, a natural defensive end who was forced to man Austin’s spot inside at defensive tackle, didn’t let his weight disadvantage stop him from wreaking havoc on opposing offenses.

The 6’6’’, 270-pound senior racked up 10 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss and was a constant menace to quarterbacks throughout his breakout 2010 campaign.

Coples will now move back to defensive end where he should get to flash his quickness and elite pass-rushing skills on a more consistent basis.

With explosive quickness, terrific body control and the strength to overpower almost any blocker he goes up against, Coples is the type of complete defensive lineman that can change the way opposing offenses have to scheme in both the passing and the running games.

Coples is a natural 4-3 edge-rusher who has the athletic ability to develop into a consistent 10-sacks-per-year-type of defensive end in the NFL. 

3. WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon received very little publicity and attention before the start of the 2010 season but that quickly changed once Blackmon started putting up huge numbers in the Cowboys Air Raid offense.

Remarkably, Blackmon scored at least one touchdown and amassed over 100 receiving yards in all 12 games he played in last season, finishing the year as the most productive receiver in the country, catching 111 balls for over 1,700 yards and scoring 21 TDs.

What the 6’1’’, 210-pound junior lacks in true breakaway speed, he makes up for with his precise route-running and knack for making momentum-shifting, game-changing plays.

It’s easy to see why so many have started to compare the reigning Biletnikoff Award winner to another former Big 12 sensation, Michael Crabtree.

Like Crabtree, Blackmon is a strong and physical receiver who can devastate a defense when he gets into the open field.

If he can put up similar statistics in 2011 and show the world that he wasn’t just a product of Dana Holgorsen’s pass-happy offensive system, Blackmon should be a top-10 pick if he decides to enter next year’s draft. 

4. DT Billy Winn, Boise State

These days, college defensive tackles who can fit in as both a 3-4 defensive end and a 4-3 under tackle are considered to be coveted commodities, and this year, Boise State’s Billy Winn is the type of versatile interior lineman who will have the scouts salivating.

Winn was one of the main reasons that Boise State’s dominating defense shut down opponent’s running games last season and finished as the second-ranked unit in the country.

The 6’4’’, 290-pound senior finished the year with 4.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss, but his fairly impressive stats don’t really tell the whole story.

There were times last year when Winn was just flat-out un-blockable, as he would either blow by or overpower whichever lineman got in his way.

The big Bronco is the type of rare tackle that you can build a defensive front seven around.

He’s got the athleticism of an edge-rushing defensive end, coupled with the strength and power of a bull-rushing nose tackle.

QB Kellen Moore will once again be the star player for Boise’s big blue machine, but Moore better be prepared to share some of the spotlight with Winn, who is set to put his stamp on the college football map in 2011. 

5. WR Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina

With the departures of A.J. Green and Julio Jones, it's time for a new receiving sheriff in the SEC, and South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery appears to be just the man for the job.

Since he wasn't eligible for the 2011 draft, Jeffery didn't garner the same type of national attention as Green and Jones last season, but that didn’t stop him from outperforming both of his former conference counterparts.

Jeffery hauled in a conference-best 88 receptions for over 1,500 yards in 2010 and finished as a finalist for the prestigious Biletnikoff Award.

The 6’4’’, 235-pound junior may not possess field-stretching speed, but he’s the type of big red-zone target that any NFL team would love to have lining up on the outside.

Although he’s not as physically intimidating as Lions WR Calvin Johnson, Jeffery can strike the same amount of fear in the heart of an opposing secondary, as he presents a matchup nightmare for any cornerback that’s forced to try to cover him.

6. OT Jonathan Martin, Stanford

Andrew Luck is college football’s most precious piece of property, so it’s only fitting that Luck’s got the best bodyguard in the business to protect his back.

Stanford’s Jonathan Martin fits the franchise left tackle mold and he’s got everything that pro scouts covet in a top flight offensive lineman.

The 6’6’’, 305-pound junior has remarkable athleticism and footwork for his size and he’s shown that he has the type of power and strength to dominate in the running game.

At this point, Martin is still a better pass-blocker than he is a run-blocker, but he’s got the potential to develop into a versatile bookend who can be the anchor of an NFL offensive line for the next decade. 

7. CB Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska

Forget about corn, it looks like Nebraska’s new biggest export is elite cornerback prospects.

Prince Amukamara, who the New York Giants selected at No. 19 in this year’s draft, got the ball rolling and it’ll be his former Cornshusker counterpart, Alfonzo Dennard, who takes center stage as the first defensive back taken next year.

No other cornerback in the country can match Dennard’s skill set or his overall athleticism.

Dennard is more athletic and naturally gifted than Amukamara, and you just have to hope that the 5’10’’, 205-pound senior will get a decent amount of passes thrown his way, so he can show off his tremendous talent for the pro scouts to see.

Dennard could have left Nebraska and likely been a first-round pick in this year’s draft but his decision to return to school could aid his development and he should now be able to harness his rare athleticism, apply it to his craft and take the next step to become a true shutdown cornerback. 

8. QB Landry Jones, Oklahoma

When you’re the quarterback for the No. 1-ranked team in college football, you’ve got a pretty nice stage to show the world what you bring to the table.

That’s the situation Oklahoma’s Landry Jones finds himself in this season.

After making his fair share of mistakes, filling in for an injured Sam Bradford in 2009, Jones came out and performed at a completely different level last season, throwing for over 4,700 yards and 38 TDs.

If Oklahoma manages to run the table and Jones puts up comparable numbers this year, the junior quarterback will find himself sitting in New York City in December, and he should also be in great position to be one of the first quarterbacks off the board if he chooses to leave school a year early.

Even though he’ll get downgraded a bit for playing in Oklahoma’s passer-friendly system, at 6'4", 220 pounds, Jones has the size, the arm and the makeup to become a Matt Schaub-type of pro passer. 

9. DE Devin Taylor, South Carolina

You hear scouts and analysts talk about body frames a lot when it comes to college defensive end prospects. NFL teams look for ends who can fill out, put on another 15-20 pounds and carry their weight without losing their quickness and burst.

In this year’s defensive end crop, there’s no other prospect who possesses a frame as intriguing as South Carolina’s Devin Taylor.

The 6’7’’, 260-pound junior just looks like the type of athlete that NFL coaches will be eager to get into a professional training and lifting program.

Taylor enjoyed a big breakout campaign as a sophomore last year, racking up 7.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss, demonstrating that he’s one of the most athletic and skilled pass-rushers in the country.

If Taylor can bulk up to 275 pounds once he gets to the pros and still hold onto his speed off the edge, he could develop into one of the most dangerous defensive ends in the NFL. 

10. DT Jared Crick, Nebraska

The Nebraska defense is absolutely loaded with star power this season, and players like LB Lavonte David and CB Alfonzo Dennard should quickly make a name for themselves in the Big Ten Conference.

One player in particular who will have Big Ten offenses shaking with fear is DT Jared Crick.

This season, Crick will be the face of college football’s most imposing defensive line.

The 6’6’’, 285-pound senior assumed Ndamukong Suh’s role as a dominant defensive force last year, racking up a team-high 9.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss.

Crick is stout at the point of attack and he knows how to find his way into the opponent’s backfield and disrupt plays before they can materialize.

Although he’s versatile enough to play in any type of defensive front, Crick has the type of size, strength and surprising quickness to be a perfect 3-4 defensive end in the mold of this year’s No. 11 pick J.J. Watt.

11. WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame

Michael Floyd could have gone pro after his junior season and likely cracked the first round of the 2011 draft, but Floyd knew if he returned to South Bend and spent another year in Brian Kelly’s offensive system, he would have a great chance to really prove that he's one of college football’s top talents.

Floyd’s offseason got off to a shaky start with a DUI charge that kept him from participating in spring practices, but Kelly has since reinstated his star receiver.

Floyd hauled in a career-high 79 catches and broke the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in 2010, and showed the college football world that when it comes to tracking the ball and making the sure-handed catch, there’s no one in the game that can do it any better.

He has a knack for making impossible catches appear routine and Floyd may very well just have the best pair of hands in all of college football.

Floyd’s got the ability to be a No. 1 receiving weapon for an NFL offense and if he builds on his junior season, puts his offseason troubles in the rear-view mirror and performs at the level he’s capable of, he’s got a great shot to be a top-20 pick next year. 

12. DE/OLB Brandon Jenkins, Florida State

With the emergence of the 3-4 defense in today’s NFL, we’ve started seeing a rising trend of smaller, quicker college defensive ends picking their hand up off the ground and making the move to rush linebacker in the pros.

One of this year's heralded prospects who meets the criteria for such a switch is Florida State DE Brandon Jenkins, who has started to ascend to the level of pass-rushing phenom after his performance last year.

The 6’3’’, 255-pound junior finished the 2010 season with 21.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks, and he showed that he has a near-unstoppable first step and burst off the ball that most offensive tackles just can’t keep up with.

Jenkins would flourish as a stand-up outside ‘backer, so if he opts to forgo his senior season, the speedy rusher will certainly catch the attention of NFL  teams currently employing a 3-4 system. 

13. OT Matt Kalil, USC

USC took a hit when offensive tackle Tyron Smith, the No. 9 pick in this year's draft, opted to forgo his senior season, 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.

Kalil seemed to make it his mission to stonewall every opposing pass-rusher he went up against and his run-blocking  wasn’t too shabby either.

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

14. CB Xavier Rhodes, Florida State

This season, Florida State’s defense will feature the country’s top cornerback duo, comprised of Xavier Rhodes and Greg Reid.

Both have NFL futures in front of them but it’s Rhodes who is the one that has a chance to truly be special.

At a rangy 6’2’’, 215 pounds, the redshirt sophomore is physically reminiscent to former LSU CB Patrick Peterson, who was selected with the fifth pick in this year’s draft.

In his first year as a starter, Rhodes racked up 49 solo tackles, picked off four passes and broke up 16 pass attempts.

For his efforts, he was rewarded with numerous honors, including a spot on the Freshman All-American team and the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year Award.

The big, athletic corner appears to be the complete package with top-notch instincts, elite closing speed and a willingness to come up and stick ball-carriers in run support.

Rhodes has a size advantage that sets him apart from the crowd.

After his breakout rookie campaign, Rhodes has officially put himself on the college football map, and now it seems like the time is right for him to take the next step and solidify his spot amongst the top cornerbacks in the game. 

15. LB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama

This year’s Alabama linebacker corps is one of the deepest and most talented we’ve seen in college football in quite some time.

There are five players who could legitimately start for any school in the country but Alabama's "Jack" linebacker, Courtney Upshaw, is the standout of the crew.

Upshaw helped ease the loss of top-10 pick Rolando McClain by becoming an instant impact player last year.

The 6'2'', 260-pound senior made his living in opponents' backfields in 2010, leading the team with seven sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss.

Upshaw is big enough and quick enough to play almost any linebacker position in any defensive system.

He’s extremely active and he seems to make some type of impact on every play just by his sheer overwhelming presence in the box.

It’s hard to stick out when you’re surrounded by so much talent but Upshaw has great range and instincts and he rarely misses a tackle, which makes it easy to spot him on every snap.

Upshaw is the type of backbone player who quietly keeps a defense glued together. 

16. DE/OLB Bruce Irvin, West Virginia

Last season, Bruce Irvin stepped into the West Virginia defensive lineup, fresh out of Mount San Antonio Junior College, and immediately proved that he was a special type of pass-rushing prodigy.

Even though he played limited snaps and was only primarily used in passing situations, Irvin still managed to lead the conference with a whopping 14 sacks.

The 6’3’’, 235-pound senior may not have the prototypical size you desire in a true defensive end, but Irvin certainly hasn’t let that stop him from making an impact.

Irvin’s tremendous speed off the edge is what sets him apart and makes him a nightmare matchup for offensive tackles.

He’s the type of muscular, chiseled athlete who can strike fear in the opponent just by stepping off the bus.

Now that he’s been given an expanded role as the starting defensive end for West Virginia’s three-man defensive line, Irvin will have plenty of opportunities to continue terrorizing Big East quarterbacks.

Look for Irvin to make a seamless transition to 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL. 

17. DT Jerel Worthy, Michigan State

If an NFL team is in need of a big run-stopper in the middle of their defense, you better believe they’re going to take a good, hard look at Michigan State’s Jerel Worthy to fill the void.

If he decides to enter the draft after next season, Worthy will be one of the most coveted interior defensive linemen in the draft.

Even though the Spartans will have to deal with the loss of LB Greg Jones, who was the team's leading tackler and top defensive leader for the past three years, the Michigan State defense should still be strong up front with Worthy taking up space in the middle.

Worthy, who finished the 2010 season with eight tackles for loss and four sacks, may have the highest ceiling of any defensive tackle in the country and when he’s playing at the top of his game, it’s nearly impossible for an offense to get anything going on the ground.

The 6’3’’, 305-pound junior can overpower any blocker who tries to contain him.

18. CB Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama

If there’s one thing Alabama coach Nick Saban knows how to do, it’s mold talented defensive backs.

It’s his specialty.

Saban might have one of the most talented secondaries of his career this year, and one of the marquee faces of that group is CB Dre Kirkpatrick.

Kirkpatrick, a 6’3’’, 190-pound junior, took a major step forward in his first season as a starter after enduring a few early struggles.

The former 5-star recruit is super long and super athletic and his size-speed combination will endear him to NFL scouts.

Kirkpatrick is still learning what it takes to be successful against the best competition that college football has to offer, but he's already displayed top-notch coverage ability, and he can lock on and mirror any receiver that's put in front of him.

If Kirkpatrick progresses and takes the next step in becoming a top-flight corner, he should develop into a first-round-caliber talent this season.

19. LB Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State

Arizona State’s Vontaze Burfict is already one of the most intimidating and feared defenders in all of college football, and the scary part is, he may only just be cracking his potential.

The 6’3’’, 245-pound junior has been the face of the Arizona State defense since first stepping foot in the desert as a true freshman, and he's managed to tally 150 tackles in just his first two seasons.

Arizona State should be one of the most improved teams in college football in 2011, and with the increased exposure, Burfict will be able to show off his game to a nationwide audience.

If he can harness his energy and stay focused this season, Burfict, who has been known for losing his composure in the past, should make great strides as a defensive leader while still occasionally knocking out a few ball-carriers. 

20. 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.

His lack of prototypical size is a bit concerning but Barkley is a proven leader who can make all the throws and he knows exactly how to march an offense down the field during crunch time. 

21. LB/S Kenny Tate, Maryland

Freak is the first word that comes to mind when I watch Maryland’s Kenny Tate, and trust me, I mean that in a good way.

At 6’4’’, 220 pounds, Tate combines the size of a linebacker with the speed and athleticism of a safety, which makes him an ideal fit for the hybrid role he’ll be playing this season.

Up to this point, Tate has made his living at safety, where he showed great range and toughness, finishing last season with 90 tackles and three interceptions, but now he’ll make the move into the box as an outside linebacker.

The senior safety is a linebacker tweener could have left for the NFL after last season and likely been a second-day pick, but he might have made the wise decision to return, as now he’ll have the chance to show scouts that he can handle both positions and be equally efficient. 

22. RB Trent Richardson, Alabama

You can call Alabama RB Trent Richardson a lot of things, but there’s really only one word you need to sufficiently describe him.

Power.

Richardson is one of the strongest and most powerful backs in the country, and he packs quite a punch when he meets contact from a would-be tackler.

After two consecutive seasons of producing over 700 yards on the ground, the 5’11’’, 220-pound junior will now take the relinquished rushing reins from Heisman-winning former teammate Mark Ingram, as he looks to fit in as the main man of the Alabama backfield.

There are some who are already convinced that Richardson is a better back than Ingram, who was taken with the 28th pick by the New Orleans Saints in this year’s draft.

Now it’s time for Richardson to prove he’s really worth all the praises we’ve been hearing about for the past two years.

If Richardson can show that he can handle a bigger workload without slowing down, he has a chance to be the first back off the board if he opts to leave Alabama after this season. 

23. CB Jayron Hosley, Virginia Tech

For some reason, if there’s one thing that Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer knows how to do, it’s produce quality defensive backs.

While guys like Macho Harris, Brandon Flowers and Jimmy Williams have been hit-or-miss in the NFL, Beamer sure knows how to get the most out of them while they’re in Blacksburg.

The latest in line is CB Jayron Hosley.

Hosley led the country with nine interceptions and led the ACC with 17 passes defended last season.

Something tells me quarterbacks won’t be so eager to test the Hokie corner this season.

The 5’11’’, 170-pound junior is a fluid corner who can turn his hips and run with any receiver. 

Hosley has already displayed a knack for finding the football and he’s proven that he’s one of the best defensive playmakers in all of college football. 

24. LB Manti Te’o, Notre Dame

Even though Notre Dame has recently produced rough and rugged defenders like Justin Tuck and Tom Zbikowski, sometime over the last decade or so, the Irish defense acquired a reputation for being a little too soft.

Now, LB Manti Te’o is basically changing that perception all by himself.

Te’o has been the heart and soul of the Notre Dame defense since arriving in South Bend as a heralded Hawaiian 5-star recruit three years ago.

The 6'2", 245-pound junior is one of the most frightening characters you’ll come across in college football these days.

Te’o led the team with 129 tackles last year and he made strides towards becoming a complete linebacker.

If Te’o can show scouts that he can be as equally effective in coverage as he is against the run, his stock should continue to skyrocket this season. 

25. WR Jeff Fuller, Texas A&M

If Jeff Fuller were playing in any other conference in America, he would probably be one of the most talked-about receivers going into the 2011 season. But since he has to share the spotlight with fellow Big 12 receivers Justin Blackmon and Ryan Broyles, Fuller hasn't gotten his proper preseason due.

At 6'4", 215 pounds, Fuller definitely passes the eyeball test, and if you’ve seen some of his highlights, you know that he’s got the substance to back up his intimidating physique.

Although Fuller’s production tailed off towards the end of last season, the big senior receiver was still able to compile an impressive stat line of 72 catches for over 1,000 yards and 12 TDs.

Now that he has consistent play at quarterback with Ryan Tannehill manning the position, Fuller should be able to prove that the Big 12 receiver crop runs deeper than just Blackmon and Broyles.

Fuller is a huge target with great hands and his deceptive speed makes him almost impossible to contain with just single coverage. 

26. OT Kelechi Osemele, Iowa State

Ames, Iowa isn’t normally a popular stop for NFL scouts, but you can bet that the pro personnel folks are going to have the home of the Cyclones on their travel agenda this season.

They’ll all be flocking to get a good look at 6’5’’, 300-pound offensive tackle Kelechi Osemele.

Osemele, one of the top linemen in the country, hasn’t gotten the exposure he deserves playing for a team that never gets any national attention, but the athletic big man has a great chance to gain a lot of buzz as a hot draft prospect this season.

The big senior struggled at times against better competition last year, but his talent is obvious.

If Osemele can show that he’s learned how to stick with his blocks and keep his feet moving with defenders, his stock will only continue to climb.

There are few offensive linemen who can boast his combination of size, power and agility.

27. CB Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina

There’s no hiding the fact that the South Carolina secondary struggled last season, finishing 10th in the SEC in pass defense. However, you can’t blame the problems in the back end on cornerback Stephon Gilmore.

Gilmore, who has started every game at corner since arriving in Columbia, performed at a high level throughout the 2010 season, earning first-team All-SEC honors.

The 6’1’’, 190-pound junior finished the year with three interceptions and 79 tackles, solidifying himself as one of the top defensive backs in all of college football.

Gilmore is a smart, savvy corner who has great recognition skills and rarely gets beat for big plays.

He’s got the rare size that you don’t see very often in a top-flight corner, and when you add that to the fact that he’s got the intelligence and coverage skills to go with it, it’s easy to see why the dependable DB has been one of the leaders of the South Carolina defense since first stepping foot onto the field. 

28. RB LaMichael James, Oregon

At just 5’9’’, 185 pounds, it’s obvious that Oregon’s LaMichael James lacks the size to be an every-down back in the NFL, but don’t shortchange him just because he isn’t your typical pound-it-inside-the-tackles-type of runner.

James, who has amassed over 3,600 yards of total offense in his first two seasons, is one of the most dangerous offensive threats in college football.

The star of Oregon’s spread attack is lightning-quick and when he gets into the open field, he can make magic happen.

The junior back is the type of weapon that has to be accounted for on every snap and he could find a nice niche in the NFL in a Reggie Bush-type of role.

If James can diversify his game and show scouts that he can be used consistently in the passing game, it could solidify his status as a first-round prospect.

29. LB Zach Brown, North Carolina

The North Carolina defensive front seven is loaded with future NFL talent and one of the real players to watch in that group is LB Zach Brown, who took a huge step forward last season and really boosted his pro stock.

Brown wasn’t even a full-time starter last year, yet he still finished second on the team with 72 tackles, outperforming both Bruce Carter and Quan Sturdivant, two ‘backers who were selected in this year’s draft.

The 6’2’’, 230-pound senior could end up playing either inside or outside in the pros but it’s likely he’ll end up manning the weak side in a 4-3 system like he does now.

Brown is a quick-twitch athlete who has the range to track down ball-carriers from sideline to sideline and he’s strong enough to shed blockers and make tackles in the open field.

Current Carolina Panthers LB Jon Beason is a good reference point when trying to project Brown as a pro player. 

30. WR Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma

You could say that Ryan Broyles is the best wide receiver in all of college football, and you may very well be right, but that still doesn’t change the fact that he’s 5'10".

No matter how many more receptions Broyles adds to his collegiate resume, it won’t stop critics from questioning if he’s big enough to be the top dog of an NFL receiving corps.

Broyles led the country with 131 catches last season, so we know he has what it takes to be a productive player, but the senior receiver will get downgraded for his size and the type of pass-happy system he plays in at Oklahoma.

The last highly productive 5'10" receiver to come out of Oklahoma was Mark Clayton, and he didn't amount to much in the NFL.

Broyles has enough speed and smarts to make a good deal of plays in the NFL and he may even turn into a slightly less explosive version of Santonio Holmes or DeSean Jackson.

Still, there could end up being more than a few personnel people who project him strictly to be a No. 2 receiving option in an NFL offense. 

31. DT Kawann Short, Purdue

It’s understandable that a young player could become frustrated because he is forced to play second fiddle to an older veteran, but if Kawann Short was upset at having to defer much of the attention to last year's Big Ten sack master, Ryan Kerrigan, the big 300-pound junior certainly didn’t show it.

Short went about his business, collecting 4.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss, and he displayed the type of difference-making ability that caught every onlooker's attention.

Now that Kerrigan’s gone, it’s time for Short to step out of his former teammate’s shadow and follow a similar path to stardom.

Short is more than just your average run-stuffer; he’s got the agility and quickness to make plays in the backfield and disrupt the flow of an offense. 

32. LB Travis Lewis, Oklahoma

It’s difficult for a young, unproven player to step in and immediately become a leader of a defense, but that’s just what LB Travis Lewis did when he arrived in Norman.

Lewis has led the Sooners in tackles each of the last three seasons, and he was on track to make it a clean sweep as a senior before suffering a broken foot that will keep him out for at least the first month of the season.

The 6’2’’, 235-pound senior could have made the jump to the NFL after last season, and he probably would have been a second- or third-round pick, but after weighing his options and realizing that he had the opportunity to improve his stock with one more season, he made the decision to return to school, and the Sooners couldn’t be happier to have him back.

Lewis, who finished with 109 tackles in 2010, will once again be the undisputed leader of the Oklahoma defense when he gets back from his injury.

While he may not be the fastest linebacker, Lewis is a smart field general with great intangibles and he would fit in perfectly in the NFL as a weak-side linebacker in a 4-3 scheme.

Quarterbacks 

The Top 15 Overall Prospects

1. Andrew Luck, Stanford (Jr.)

2. Landry Jones, Oklahoma (Jr.)

3. Matt Barkley, USC (Jr.)

4. Nick Foles, Arizona (Sr.)

5. Ryan Lindley, San Diego State (Sr.)

6. Kellen Moore, Boise State (Sr.)

7. Kirk Cousins, Michigan State (Sr.)

8. Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State (Sr.)

9. Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M (Sr.)

10. Danny O’Brien, Maryland (R-Soph.)

11. Robert Griffin III, Baylor (Jr.)

12. Dan Persa, Northwestern (Sr.)

13. Case Keenum, Houston (Sr.)

14. Chris Relf, Mississippi State (Sr.)

15. Aaron Murray, Georgia (R-Soph.) 

10 Seniors To Watch

1. Dominique Davis, East Carolina

2. Stephen Garcia, South Carolina

3. Tyler Hansen, Colorado

4. John Brantley, Florida

5. G.J. Kinne, Tulsa

6. Russell Wilson, Wisconsin

7. Chandler Harnish, Northern Illinois

8. B.J. Daniels, South Florida

9. Austin Davis, Southern Miss

10. Zach Collaros, Cincinnati 

10 Underclassmen To Watch

1. Nathan Scheelhaase, Illinois

2. Geno Smith, West Virginia

3. E.J. Manuel, Florida State

4. Tyler Wilson, Arkansas

5. Kyle Padron, Southern Methodist

6. Jeff Tuel, Washington State

7. Mike Glennon, North Carolina State

8. Darron Thomas, Oregon

9. Bryn Renner, North Carolina

10. Brock Osweiler, Arizona State

Running Backs

The Top 15 Overall Prospects

1. Trent Richardson, Alabama (Jr.)

2. LaMichael James, Oregon (Jr.)

3. Doug Martin, Boise State (Sr.)

4. Chris Polk, Washington (Jr.)

5. Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M (Sr.)

6. Johnathan Franklin, UCLA (Jr.)

7. Isaiah Pead, Cincinnati (Sr.)

8. Brandon Bolden, Ole Miss (Sr.)

9. Stepfan Taylor, Stanford (Jr.)

10. Tauren Poole, Tennessee (Sr.)

11. Edwin Baker, Michigan State (Jr.)

12. Lamar Miller, Miami (R-Soph.)

13. Ed Wesley, TCU (Jr.)

14. Montel Harris, Boston College (Sr.)

15. David Wilson, Virginia Tech  (Jr.) 

10 Seniors To Watch

1. Vick Ballard, Mississippi State

2. Jeff Demps, Florida

3. Victor Anderson, Louisville

4. Roddy Jones, Georgia Tech

5. Bobby Rainey, Western Kentucky

6. Jason Ford, Illinois

7. Boom Herron, Ohio State

8. Rodney Stewart, Colorado

9. Lennon Creer, Louisiana Tech

10. Raymond Carter, Colorado State

10 Underclassmen To Watch

1. Matthew Tucker, TCU

2. Kenjon Barner, Oregon

3. Bryce Brown, Kansas State

4. Andre Ellington, Clemson

5. Montee Ball, Wisconsin

6. Cameron Marshall, Arizona State

7. Zach Line, Southern Methodist

8. Rex Burkhead, Nebraska

9. Ray Graham, Pittsburgh

10. Darrell Scott, South Florida 

Wide Receivers

The Top 15 Overall Prospects

1. Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State (Jr.)

2. Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina (Jr.)

3. Michael Floyd, Notre Dame (Sr.)

4. Jeff Fuller, Texas A&M (Sr.)

5. Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma (Sr.)

6. Greg Childs, Arkansas (Sr.)

7. Chris Owusu, Stanford (Sr.)

8. Kendall Wright, Baylor (Sr.)

9. T.Y. Hilton, Florida International (Sr.)

10. Jermaine Kearse, Washington, (Sr.)

11. Joe Adams, Arkansas (Sr.)

12. DeVier Posey, Ohio State (Sr.)

13. Juron Criner, Arizona (Sr.)

14. Marquis Maze, Alabama (Sr.)

15. Nick Toon, Wisconsin (Sr.)

10 Seniors To Watch

1. Dwight Jones, North Carolina

2. Marvin McNutt, Iowa

3. Brian Quick, Appalachian State

4. Lance Lewis, East Carolina

5. Rishard Matthews, Nevada

6. Marvin Jones, California

7. Damarlo Belcher, Indiana

8. Jarrett Boykin, Virginia Tech

9. Chris Rainey, Florida

10. Derek Moye, Penn State 

10 Underclassmen To Watch

1. Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers

2. Josh Gordon, n/a

3. Chad Bumphis, Mississippi State

4. Roy Roundtree, Michigan

5. Rueben Randle, LSU

6. (QB) Denard Robinson, Michigan

7. Tavarres King, Georgia

8. Erik Highsmith, North Carolina

9. Tavon Austin, West Virginia

10. Emory Blake, Auburn 

Tight Ends

The Top 15 Overall Prospects

1. Dwayne Allen, Clemson (Jr.)

2. Orson Charles, Georgia (Jr.)

3. Michael Egnew, Missouri (Sr.)

4. David Paulson, Oregon (Sr.)

5. Ladarius Green, Louisiana (Sr.)

6. George Bryan, North Carolina State (Sr.)

7. Lucas Reed, New Mexico (Jr.)

8. Coby Fleener, Stanford (Sr.)

9. Phillip Lutzenkirchen, Auburn (Jr.)

10. Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame (R-Soph)

11. Deangelo Peterson, LSU (Sr.)

12. Brandon Barden, Vanderbilt (Sr.)

13. Rhett Ellison, USC (Sr.)

14. Brian Linthicum, Michigan State (Sr.)

15. Jake Stoneburner, Ohio State (Jr.) 

10 Seniors To Watch

1. Drake Dunsmore, Northwestern

2. Evan Rodriguez, Temple

3. Kevin Koger, Michigan

4. (WR) Tyler Urban, West Virginia

5. Tim Biere, Kansas

6. David Duran, Coastal Carolina

7. Beau Reliford, Florida State

8. James Hanna, Oklahoma

9. Josh Chichester, Louisville

10. Kyle Efaw, Boise State

10 Underclassmen To Watch

1. Justin Jones, East Carolina

2. Kyler Reed, Nebraska

3. Colter Phillips, Virginia

4. Chris Pantale, Boston College

5. Jordan Reed, Florida

6. Michael Williams, Alabama

7. D.C. Jefferson, Rutgers

8. Ryan Griffin, Connecticut

9. Ted Bolser, Indiana

10. Jordan Thompson, Ohio 

Offensive Tackles

The Top 15 Overall Prospects

1. Jonathan Martin, Stanford (Jr.)

2. Matt Kalil, USC (Jr.)

3. Kelechi Osemele, Iowa State (Sr.)

4. Cordy Glenn, Georgia (Sr.)

5. Nate Potter, Boise State (Sr.)

6. Riley Reiff, Iowa (Jr.)

7. Levy Adcock, Oklahoma State (Sr.)

8. Mike Adams, Ohio State (Sr.)

9. Morgan Moses, Virginia (R-Soph)

10. Matt Reynolds, BYU (Sr.)

11. D.J. Fluker, Alabama (R-Soph)

12. Andrew Datko, Florida State (Sr.)

13. Al Netter, Northwestern (Sr.)

14. Xavier Nixon, Florida (Jr.)

15. Jeff Allen, Illinois (Sr.)

10 Seniors To Watch

1. Dan Hoch, Missouri

2. Bradley Sowell, Ole Miss

3. Marcel Jones, Nebraska

4. Brandon Mosley, Auburn

5. Mitchell Schwartz, California

6. Matt McCants, UAB

7. Don Barclay, West Virginia

8. Tom Compton, South Dakota

9. Mike Ryan, Connecticut

10. Blake DeChristopher, Virginia Tech 

10 Underclassmen To Watch

1. Jeremiah Sirles, Nebraska

2. Bobby Massie, Ole Miss

3. Ricky Wagner, Wisconsin

4. Alex Hurst, LSU

5. Zach Martin, Notre Dame

6. Justin Pugh, Syracuse

7. Cyril Richardson, Baylor

8. Tanner Hawkinson, Kansas

9. Dallas Thomas, Tennessee

10. Oday Aboushi, Virginia 

Interior Offensive Linemen

The Top 15 Overall Prospects

1. David DeCastro, Stanford (Jr.)

2. Barrett Jones, Alabama (Jr.)

3. Brandon Washington, Miami (Jr.)

4. Ryan Miller, Colorado (Sr.)

5. (OT) Rokevious Watkins, South Carolina (Sr.)

6. Larry Warford, Kentucky (Jr.)

7. Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina (Jr.)

8. Mike Brewster, Ohio State (Sr.)

9. Quentin Saulsberry, Mississippi State (Sr.)

10. Ken Plue, Purdue (Sr.)

11. Joe Looney, Wake Forest (Sr.)

12. Moe Petrus, Connecticut (Sr.)

13. Jaymes Brooks, Virginia Tech (Sr.)

14. Joel Foreman, Michigan State (Sr.)

15. Ben Jones, Georgia (Sr.) 

10 Seniors To Watch

1. David Molk, Michigan

2. Lucas Nix, Pittsburgh

3. Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin

4. William Vlachos, Alabama

5. (OT) Alex Hoffman, Cincinnati

6. Ben Bojicic, Bowling Green

7. ( OT) Senio Kelemete, Washington

8. Trevor Robinson, Notre Dame

9. Kyle Dooley, TCU

10. Lonnie Edwards, Texas Tech

10 Underclassmen To Watch

1. Ben Habern, Oklahoma

2. Peter Konz, Wisconsin

3. Lane Taylor, Oklahoma State

4. Khaled Holmes, USC

5. Patrick Lewis, Texas A&M

6. Travis Swanson, Arkansas

7. Omoregie Uzzi, Georgia Tech

8. Carson York, Oregon

9. Braden Hansen, BYU

10. T.J. Johnson, South Carolina 

Defensive Tackles

The Top 15 Overall Prospects

1. Billy Winn, Boise State (Sr.)

2. Jared Crick, Nebraska (Sr.)

3. Jerel Worthy, Michigan State (Jr.)

4. Kawann Short, Purdue (Jr.)

5. Jaye Howard, Florida (Sr.)

6. Tydreke Powell, North Carolina (Sr.)

7. Alameda Ta’amu, Washington (Sr.)

8. Dontari Poe, Memphis (Jr.)

9. Kheeston Randall, Texas (Sr.)

10. Brandon Thompson, Clemson (Sr.)

11. Kendall Reyes, Connecticut (Sr.)

12. Josh Chapman, Alabama (Sr.)

13. Mike Martin, Michigan (Sr.)

14. Josh Boyd, Mississippi State (Jr.)

15. Devon Still, Penn State (Sr.)

10 Seniors To Watch

1. Mike Daniels, Iowa

2. Travian Robertson, South Carolina

3. Dominique Hamilton, Missouri

4. Kaniela Tiupulotu, Hawaii

5. Tony Jerod-Eddie, Texas A&M

6. Kaleb Ramsey, Boston College

7. Logan Harrell, Fresno State

8. Armond Armstead, USC

9. Derek Wolfe, Cincinnati

10. J.R. Sweezy, North Carolina State 

10 Underclassmen To Watch

1. Michael Brockers, LSU

2. Marcus Forston, Miami

3. Kwame Geathers, Georgia

4. Jacobbi McDaniel, Florida State

5. Akeem Spence, Illinois

6. Baker Steinkuhler, Nebraska

7. Justin Washington, Arizona

8. Omar Hunter, Florida

9. Jamarkus McFarland, Oklahoma

10. Terrence Stephens, Stanford

Defensive Ends

The Top 15 Overall Prospects

1. Quinton Coples, North Carolina (Sr.)

2. Devin Taylor, South Carolina (Jr.)

3. Jake Bequette, Arkansas (Sr.)

4. Brad Madison, Missouri (Jr.)

5. Trevor Guyton, California (Sr.)

6. Vince Browne, Northwestern (Sr.)

7. Alex Okafor, Texas (Jr.)

8. (DT) Malik Jackson, Tennessee (Sr.)

9.  Cam Johnson, Virginia (Sr.)

10. Wes Horton, USC (Jr.)

11. Cameron Meredith, Nebraska (Jr.)

12. Ethan Johnson, Notre Dame (Sr.)

13. Stansly Maponga, TCU (R-Soph.)

14. Ryan Van Bergen, Michigan (Sr.)

15. Frank Alexander, Oklahoma (Sr.) 

10 Seniors To Watch

1. Broderick Binns, Iowa

2. Tyrone Crawford, Boise State

3. Andre Branch, Clemson

4. (DT) Julian Miller, West Virginia

5. Wayne Dorsey, Ole Miss

6. Melvin Ingram, South Carolina

7. Jason Peters, Georgia Tech

8. Shea McLellin, Boise State

9. Matthew Masifilo, Stanford

10. Taylor Thompson, Southern Methodist

10 Underclassmen To Watch

1. Quinton Dial, Alabama

2. John Simon, Ohio State

3. Kapron Lewis-Moore, Notre Dame

4. Collins Ukwu, Kentucky

5. Izaan Cross, Georgia Tech

6. Oliver Vernon, Miami

7. Abry Jones, Georgia

8. Travis Long, Washington State

9. Craig Roh, Michigan

10. Malliciah Goodman, Clemson 

3-4 Rush Linebackers

Top 15 Overall Prospects

1. Brandon Jenkins, Florida State (Sr.)

2. Bruce Irvin, West Virginia (Sr.)

3. Brandon Lindsey, Pittsburgh (Sr.)

4. Ronnell Lewis, Oklahoma (Jr.)

5. Donte Paige-Moss, North Carolina (Jr.)

6. Vinny Curry, Marshall (Sr.)

7. Jonathan Massaquoi, Troy (Sr.)

8. Jacquies Smith, Missouri (Sr.)

9. Adrian Robinson, Temple (Sr.)

10. Barkevious Mingo, LSU (R-Soph)

11. Nathan Williams, Ohio State (Sr.)

12. Nosa Eguae, Auburn (R-Soph)

13. Kentrell Lockett, Ole Miss (Sr.)

14. Cornelius Washington, Georgia (Jr.)

15. Jack Crawford, Penn State (Sr.)

10 Seniors To Watch

1. Darius Fleming, Notre Dame

2. Kyle Wilber, Wake Forest

3. Darius Johnson, Indiana

4. Manny Abreu, Rutgers

5. Tank Wright, Arkansas

6. Matt Broha, Louisiana Tech

7. Louis Nzegwu, Wisconsin

8. Richetti Jones, Oklahoma State

9. Cordarro Law, Southern Miss

10. Josh Biezuns, Wyoming 

10 Underclassmen To Watch

1. Michael Buchanan, Illinois

2. Nick Perry, USC

3. Sam Montgomery, LSU

4. Chandler Jones, Syracuse

5. Chase Thomas, Stanford

6. Devon Kennard, USC

7. Jesse Joseph, Connecticut

8. Tevin Elliot, Baylor

9.  Ryne Giddins, South Florida

10. Toben Opurum, Kansas

Linebackers

The Top 15 Overall Prospects

1. Courtney Upshaw, Alabama (Sr.)

2. Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State (Jr.)

3. Manti Te’o, Notre Dame (Jr.)

4. Zach Brown, North Carolina (Sr.)

5. Travis Lewis, Oklahoma (Sr.)

6. Dont’a Hightower, Alabama (Jr.)

7. Luke Kuechly, Boston College (Jr.)

8. Keenan Robinson, Texas (Sr.)

9. Danny Trevathan, Kentucky (Sr.)

10. Nigel Bradham, Florida State (Sr.)

11. Lavonte David, Nebraska (Sr.)

12. Jelani Jenkins, Florida (R-Soph)

13. Chris Marve, Vanderbilt (Sr.)

14. Tank Carder, TCU (Sr.)

15. Emmanuel Acho, Texas (Sr.) 

10 Seniors To Watch

1. Jerry Franklin, Arkansas

2. Korey Williams, Southern Miss

3. Sean Spence, Miami

4. Audie Cole, North Carolina State

5. Mychal Kendricks, California

6. Miles Burris, San Diego State

7. Bobby Wagner, Utah State

8. Garrick Williams, Texas A&M

9.  Steven Sylvester, Georgia Tech

10. J.K. Schaffer, Cincinnati

10 Underclassmen To Watch

1. Nico Johnson, Alabama

2. Shayne Skov, Stanford

3. Zaviar Gooden, Missouri

4. Kevin Reddick, North Carolina

5. Demetrius Hartsfield, Maryland

6. Jonathan Bostic, Florida

7. Terrell Manning, North Carolina State

8. Bruce Taylor, Virginia Tech

9. Uona Kaveinga, BYU

10. Arthur Brown, Kansas State  

Cornerbacks

The Top 15 Overall Prospects

1. Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska (Sr.)

2. Xavier Rhodes, Florida State (R-Soph)

3. Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama (Jr.)

4. Jayron Hosley, Virginia Tech (Jr.)

5. Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina (Jr.)

6. Cliff Harris, Oregon (Jr.)

7. Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama (Sr.)

8. Morris Claiborne, LSU (Jr.)

9. Chase Minnifield, Virginia (Sr.)

10. Coryell Judie, Texas A&M (Sr.)

11. Casey Hayward, Vanderbilt (Sr.)

12. Greg Reid, Florida State (Jr.)

13. Omar Bolden, Arizona State (Sr.)—Injured

14. Josh Robinson, Central Florida (Jr.)

15. Brandon Boykin, Georgia (Sr.)

10 Seniors To Watch

1. Shaun Prater, Iowa

2. Keith Tandy, West Virginia

3. Jamell Fleming, Oklahoma

4. Tavon Wilson, Illinois

5. Donnie Fletcher, Boston College

6. Greg McCoy, TCU

7. Antonio Fenelus, Wisconsin

8. Gary Gray, Notre Dame

9. Leonard Johnson, Iowa State

10. Emanuel Davis, East Carolina 

10 Underclassmen To Watch

1. Johnny Adams, Michigan State

2. Corey Broomfield, Mississippi State

3. Blidi Wreh-Wilson, Connecticut

4. Darius Winston, Arkansas

5. Desmond Trufant, Washington

6. Jeremy Brown, Florida

7. T’Sharvan Bell, Auburn

8. Micah Hyde, Iowa

9. Travis Howard, Ohio State

10. Kenny Okoro, Wake Forest

Safeties

The Top 15 Overall Prospects

1. (LB) Kenny Tate, Maryland (Sr.)

2. T.J. McDonald, USC (Jr.)

3. Mark Barron, Alabama (Sr.)

4. Ray-Ray Armstrong, Miami (Jr.)

5. Robert Lester, Alabama (Jr.)

6. Janzen Jackson, Tennessee (Jr.)

7. Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State (Sr.)

8. Delano Howell, Stanford (Sr.)

9. Winston Guy, Kentucky (Sr.)

10. Trenton Robinson, Michigan State (Sr.)

11. George Iloka, Boise State (Sr.)

12. Hakeem Smith, Louisville (R-Soph)

13. DeVonte Holloman, South Carolina (Jr.)

14. Harrison Smith, Notre Dame (Sr.)

15. Robert Golden, Arizona (Sr.) 

10 Seniors To Watch

1. Lance Mitchell, Oregon State

2. Eddie Whitley, Virginia Tech

3. Tony Dye, UCLA

4. Sean Cattouse, California

5. Aaron Henry, Wisconsin

6. Duke Ihenacho, San Jose State

7. Damien Jackson, Ole Miss

8. Tramain Thomas, Arkansas

9. Tysyn Hartman, Kansas State

10. Kenji Jackson, Missouri

10 Underclassmen To Watch

1. Jarred Holley, Pittsburgh

2. Courtney Osborne, Nebraska

3. Prentiss Waggner, Tennessee

4. Vaughn Telemaque, Miami

5. Bacarri Rambo, Georgia

6. John Boyett, Oregon

7. Orhian Johnson, Ohio State

8. Earl Wolff, North Carolina State

9. Kemal Ishmael, Central Florida

10. Jon Lejiste, South Florida 

Top 5 Kickers

1. Blair Walsh, Georgia (Sr.)

2. David Ruffer, Notre Dame (Sr.)

3. Danny Hrapmann, Southern Miss (Sr.)

4. Will Snyderwine, Duke (Sr.)

5. Derek Dimke, Illinois (Sr.)

Top 5 Punters

1. Bryan Anger, California (Sr.)

2. Jeff Locke, UCLA (Jr.)

3. Quinn Sharp, Oklahoma State (Jr.)

4. Drew Butler, Georgia (Sr.)

5. Kyle Martens, Rice (Sr.)