College Football: The Best Player/Prospects at Every Position

We all know that college football awards and success don't always mean a player will enjoy the same kind of greatness (or any), in the NFL. Just ask Gino Torretta, Trev Alberts or Eric Crouch about that.  

There are players who have been able to duplicate or build on their collegiate track record with good to great NFL careers.  This is a look at the players who will perform well on Saturdays and also, project as impact players on Sundays. 

KR/PR: Jeff Demps, Florida

Demps reminds me of Dante Hall. He is electric in the open field, low to the ground and a natural in the return game.  Demps' sub 4.3-40 time is sure to get him some looks from NFL scouts, especially in Oakland.

With the new rules, guys like Demps effectiveness has taken a hit, but he can still be murderous as a punt-returner.

P: Drew Butler, Georgia

Even though his numbers dipped from 2009, Butler is still the nation's top punting prospect.  I expect him to be coveted by any team with a run-first, strong defensive identity.

Butler does wonders for the game of field position for the Bulldogs and NFL teams may go for him as early as the fifth round.

K: Philip Welch, Wisconsin

Phillip Welch has a strong leg and I love a young kicker with experience kicking in the Midwest. Welch has nailed several long field goals in a Badger uniform.

Of all the kickers in the nation, if there's a game on the line with a long field goal attempt, I'd want Welch as my kicker.

Safety: Ray Ray Armstrong, Miami

Ray-Ray and other Hurricanes will have their 2011 season clouded with the recent allegations. That said, Armstrong is a big and physical strong safety (6'4" 216 lbs), who if eligible, is the best safety in the nation.

Armstrong was among the names rumored to have received improper benefits from a Hurricanes booster. There is no telling how this will affect what will likely be his final season in Miami. It is a shame as Armstrong is a real talent.

CB: Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama

One of the most impressive players, physically speaking, in college football. He is compared to Antonio Cromartie because of his size (6'3" 200 lbs), but I think he is a better athlete.

He is physical and dynamic when the ball is in the air. The junior is the best corner in the nation and one of the best defensive prospects.

OLB-Donte: Paige Moss, UNC

Another reason why the Tar Heel defense is the best in the nation in my opinion is its speed and versatility. Both of those factors are present in Paige-Moss.

He is a DE or OLB in the NFL, either way, he projects as a nasty pass rusher, just as he is in college football.

ILB: Manti Te'o, Notre Dame

Te'o has great instincts. If you watch him, he very rarely has to change directions due to incorrect play recognition. When he locks onto a ball carrier, Te'o is a missile.

He is very fast, east to west as well as going north to south, and he will carry the burden of leading the Irish defense.  He is sometimes more of a hitter than a tackler, but Te'o is the best ILB prospect in the nation.

DT: Marcus Forston, Miami

This is not a great crop of defensive tackles, but Marcus Forston is the best in my opinion. Forston routinely gets a great jump and burst off the ball. This seems to hurt him at times as he over pursues a lot and misses too many tackles.

He still solidifies the middle of the line for the defense of a seemingly doomed Hurricanes team.

DE: Quinton Coples, UNC

Coples is one of the most versatile defensive ends in college football. He is a very good pass rusher and has had great success being moved from left to right and even inside.

While not quite as athletic as fellow UNC alum, Julius Peppers, the measurables are similar and you can expect college teams to keep Coples out of the backfield, first and foremost every Saturday.

He and Paige-Moss lead the best defense in the nation.

C: William Vlachos, Alabama

While many like Michael Brewster the best at C, in my opinion Vlachos has been more impressive against top competition. I watched Marcus Forston outplay Brewster in 2010 when Miami took on Ohio St.

Brewster will also have to deal with the turmoil that is taking place in Columbus with the Terrelle Pryor fallout.

Vlachos has helped usher Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson to solid seasons over the past two seasons, and he has done this in the rugged and ultra-talented SEC.

G: David DeCastro, Stanford

Andrew Luck isn't the only reason the Cardinal offense will be so strong in 2011.  One of a few stud offensive linemen is David DeCastro at guard.

Much like Jonathan Martin, DeCastro is a leaner O-lineman. Stanford's line is more athletic and agile, a contrast to the makeup of what you'd see from say, Wisconsin.

This has been great for Stanford and DeCastro does a lot to solidify the inside running game and nullify interior pass rushers.

OT: Jonathan Martin, Stanford

Every great offense needs a nasty offensive tackle, Jonathan Martin is that guy for Stanford. Martin is an athletic tackle who is a little better run blocker than a pass blocker.

He does a great job extending his arms and making the initial controlling contact on pass rushers. It does seem as though he may tire as the game goes on. Speed rushers have had their best luck against Martin in the second halves of games.

Still, he is my favorite tackle prospect in college football.

TE: Michael Egnew, Missouri

Ebnew is strictly a pass-catching TE, but a good one. He runs good routes and has very good hands. His production may fall off a bit without Gabbert, or maybe that'll be the other way around.

Egnew is the best TE in the nation in my opinion, but he won't give you much after the catch. He is strictly finesse, but he is effective as he has WR-like skills on a bigger frame.

WR: Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma St

Though Blackmon has had some trouble off the field, he is No. 1 in a class of good wide receivers in college football. He is physical, athletic has great hands, but most impressive to me, he is a monster after the catch. He reminds me a lot of Terrell Owens, only Blackmon stands just 6'1".

He will have to work on running his routes with variation and deception in the NFL, but in the 2011 season, Brandon Weedon to Blackmon will be one of the most prolific connections this season.

FB: Chad Diehl, Clemson

A battering ram who relishes the sometimes thankless job of ushering a half back to an exceptional season.

You won't hear his name much from announcers and color commentators but you will hear his name in the fifth or sixth round of the 2012 NFL draft.

He is the best FB prospect in the nation.

HB: Trent Richardson, Alabama

This dude is a beast, that is the simplest way to put it. Out of Mark Ingram's shadow and into the spotlight, he is a load to bring down.

He is listed at 5'11" but he looks a little more like 5'9". That doesn't matter, being smaller just gives him a lower center of gravity and intensifies that bowling ball effect.

My only concern is the pounding he takes with his seek and destroy running style. It helps that he hasn't carried the load for most of his stay at Alabama. He is Andrew Luck's best competition for the Heisman trophy and the best draft eligible running back in the nation.

QB: Andrew Luck, Stanford

Many times there is a media darling QB who leaves you wondering, "is this guy as good as everyone says he is?" In Luck's case, watching him last year, I think he is that good and maybe even better. As much as I love Cam Newton, the next great NFL QB is going to be Andrew Luck, barring injury.

Of course, he has all the measurables, 6'4" 235 LBS, strong arm, etc. Then there is the other term you hear a lot, he has played in a "pro-style" offense.

All those things are true, but the quality that makes me sure of his next season and next level success is his poise and adjustments at the line of scrimmage.

Luck is a true signal caller and team leader. He has the instincts and the ability to be great.