SEC Football Predictions 2011: 5 Best Pro Prospects in the Conference

The SEC contains the richest crop of talent in all of college football. Pro prospects are simply part of the equation in the South. Narrowing down which players will raise their game to the next level in the NFL is an inexact science, but nevertheless I will give you a list of 12 players who have shown signs of potential, and then some.

Keep in mind here that none of these projections are biased towards one school or another. Alabama happens to frequent the list a few times due to its studs on the defensive side of the ball.

Another note, this list has two basic premises for the selections:

One, on the players' performance in the SEC and on the college football level.

Two, on the likelihood a player can continue that performance in the NFL, whether it be their style of play, physical makeup, or a combination of things.

Now that we got that little programming note out of the way here's the list.

Enjoy, and comment below if you agree, disagree, think I missed someone, or remain indifferent.

South Carolina CB Stephon Gilmore

The South Carolina Gamecocks look poised to repeat their SEC East division title from a year ago. Stephon Gilmore will be a key influence if that takes place.

The 6'1'', 193-pound cornerback has NFL size for his position. Gilmore racked up 71 total tackles during 2010, of which 62 were solo tackles. The Gamecock likes to stick his head in and does not mind getting physical, a rare feature in a cornerback these day.

He will be entering his junior year, looking to impress the scouts from around the NFL. Gilmore's improvement from his freshman to sophomore year should continue as he enters his third season in Columbia.

The combination of his size, tackling ability and athleticism should translate over to the NFL. If he gets picked up by the right team, Stephon Gilmore will have all the tools at his disposal to thrive at the next level.

Georgia OT Cordy Glenn

This guy is one big "mama jamma." Cordy Glenn has enormous size, coming in just under 350 pounds. To be exact, Glenn is 6'5'' and 348 pounds.

According to georgiadogs.com, the senior offensive lineman won the MVP award on offense during Georgia's spring ball this offseason. Pretty nice honor for the big fella.

Bleacher Report's own Matt Miller stated recently that Glenn "looks like the best guard in college football." High praise for the senior Bulldog.

His size and experience in the SEC should allow Glenn to be successful in the NFL—great offensive lineman are few and far between. Glenn should be a first-rounder, and possibly a top 10 pick if he has an outstanding senior year.

Alabama CB Dre Kirkpatrick

I warned you the Alabama Crimson Tide defense had quite a few placements on this list. Dre Kirkpatrick is the first of several to come.

There's something in the water at all these SEC schools, as Kirkpatrick comes in as the second cornerback on this list over 6'0". Cornerbacks with this kind of size (6'3", 192 pounds) coming out of an NFL-style defense like the one Alabama runs makes every NFL general manager's mouth water.

In 2010 I saw Kirkpatrick play twice, once against Florida and the other against Auburn in the Iron Bowl. This guy can ball.  He possesses a combination of physicality and speed—two attributes that greatly compliment the cornerback position.

He had a team fourth-best in tackles during 2010 with 59 total tackles recorded. His agility on the ball coupled with his physically imposing size should see Dre Kirkpatrick have a distinguished NFL career—a first-round lock in my opinion.

Alabama RB Trent Richardson

Can I say I love this guy? Because I do.

Trent Richardson has everything to be successful in the NFL as a running back: quick feet, good hands, fast pace, physical runner, finesse runner...The man has the complete package. If Mark Ingram did not recover from his injury as quickly as he did in 2009, the then-freshman Richardson would have supplanted his role as the starting back.

Nick Saban has already put his lasting impressions on this historically dominant program, but he could have two Heisman running backs in three years. Trent Richardson is that good.

Personally, my view on Mark Ingram's chances for success in the NFL have been suspect, to say the least. However, Richardson has all the makings of a breakout horse in the NFL.

He's definitely a first-round pick—possibly a top five pick if he has the type of season everyone in Tuscaloosa thinks he will.

South Carolina DE Devin Taylor

Jadeveon Clowney may have swallowed up all the hype during the offseason for the South Carolina Gamecocks' defensive line, but Devin Taylor is whom you should focus on. No doubt Clowney will be good.

Taylor, on the other hand, proved his worth during his sophomore year last season.

Taylor recorded 46 tackles to lead the Gamecocks' defensive linemen in 2010. Of the 46 tackles, 13 were for a loss and 7.5 were sacks. His coming-out party earned him an invitation as first-team All-SEC.

Not exactly an easy feat to achieve.

Devin Taylor has size and lots of it. Coming in at 6'7'' and 260 pounds, the South Carolina junior more than likely will be looking to make the jump to the NFL after this year. At the moment, Taylor may be able to squeak in at the tail end of the first round. He can solidify his place with a second All-SEC type season.

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