College Football 2011: The Hottest NFL Prospect on Each Top 25 Team

The NFL Draft is more than six months away, but it's never too early to look at which current Saturday stars will become future Sunday stars.  Quarterback and wide receiver appear to be the two positions of strength, but college football is once again loaded with NFL talent.

Half of last year's first-round draft picks came from teams that finished ranked in the Top 25.  Here's a look at the top prospect on each of the current Top 25 teams.

No. 1 LSU: CB Morris Claiborne

While much of the attention this year has gone to Tyrann Mathieu, the cornerback on the opposite side of Claiborne, the "Honey Badger" won't be eligible for the NFL Draft until 2013.

Not so for Claiborne, as this season may be the last in Baton Rouge for the 6'0" junior.  His coverage and kick return skills will make him one of the more coveted defensive backs come April.

No. 2 Alabama: RB Trent Richardson

Mark Ingram's early departure has placed the spotlight squarely on Richardson, and the 224-pound junior has been a battering ram for the Crimson Tide, rushing for 729 yards and 11 touchdowns.

All inclinations are Richardson will make himself eligible for the 2012 Draft, and may be the highest drafted running back since Darren McFadden went fourth overall in 2008.

No. 3 Oklahoma: QB Landry Jones

Flip a coin between Jones and Ryan Broyles, as both record-setting Sooners will have a lot to celebrate come the last Saturday in April.  However, the wide receiver class is as deep as it's been in a long time, and Broyles will be competing against many other talented pass-catchers.

Jones has a great chance to be the second quarterback taken, possessing the size, arm strength, and intangibles that NFL teams demand.  After the success of Sam Bradford in his rookie year, there should be little concern that the redshirt junior is simply a product of the up-tempo offense that the Sooners run.

No. 4 Wisconsin: OG Kevin Zeitler

Few programs churn out offensive linemen like Wisconsin, and you can always count on the Badgers for a top prospect in the trenches.  This year, Kevin Zeitler is the guy, as the senior will likely have 40 starts under his belt by the end of the season.

Zeitler is 6'4" and close to 320 pounds, and has helped pave the way for the best rushing offense in the Big Ten.  Guards aren't often first-round picks, but Zeitler should be one of the first off of the board at his position.

No. 5 Boise State: OT Nate Potter

While everyone who's watched Kellen Moore over the past four seasons will be rooting for him to succeed in the NFL, the truth his lack of size will scare many teams away.  However, another Bronco will be on almost every team's board.

Potter turned down a chance to turn pro after last season, but the 6'6" 300-pound senior may be the first offensive lineman taken in April.  The only concern with Potter is having only played in front of the left-handed Moore, meaning he'll likely have to adjust to protecting the blind side in the NFL if he stays at left tackle.

No. 6 Oklahoma State: WR Justin Blackmon

The 2010 All-American could have been a first-round pick last year, but chose to return to Stillwater and has a chance to top his 1782 yards and 20 touchdowns from a year ago.

Blackmon is only 6'1", but his ball skills are the best in the nation, and he plays much bigger than he is with his range and leaping ability.  He has a chance to join Michael Crabtree as the only two-time winners of the Biletnikoff Award.

No. 7 Stanford: QB Andrew Luck

Not only is Luck likely to go first overall in April, but he's among the most coveted college players in the history of the NFL Draft.  The redshirt junior would have been the first pick in last year's draft, but decided to return to the Farm to get his degree and perhaps the Cardinal's first conference title since 1999.

Luck has everything imaginable in an NFL quarterback, with his size, toughness, mobility, arm strength, intelligence, and pinpoint accuracy.  The biggest story of the NFL Draft may not be who goes first, but how much teams are willing to give up to move up to draft Luck.

No. 8 Clemson: TE Dwayne Allen

Tight ends are playing a much greater role now in NFL passing games, and Allen is as good of a pass-catcher there is among college tight ends.

The redshirt junior is Clemson's second leading receiver with 22 catches and four touchdowns.  Should he leave Death Valley after the season, he could be an NFL quarterback's best friend with his size and skill set.

No. 9 Oregon: RB LaMichael James

Speed kills, and James has it.  The key piece of Oregon's lightning-fast spread offense is the flashiest running back in college football since Reggie Bush.

James' durability is the only drawback, but one NFL team will be very fortunate to get its hands on him, something Pac-12 defenders have struggled with for the past three seasons.

No. 10 Arkansas: DE Jake Bequette

Before the season, this spot would have likely gone to Greg Childs, but Childs has taken a backseat to Jarius Wright in the Razorbacks' passing game.

Bequette has battled injuries this year, but he has good size and a great motor that will make him an ideal 4-3 defensive end at the next level. 

No. 11 Michigan: C David Molk

The middle man in Michigan's offensive line has been a key factor in giving Denard Robinson the time to be able do what he does best, helping the Wolverines start 6-0.

Look no further than Maurkice Pouncey's 2010 season with the Steelers to see the immediate impact a center can have in the NFL.  Molk is one of the best in the country, and the reputation of offensive linemen coming out of Ann Arbor will add to his appeal to NFL teams.

No. 12 Georgia Tech: WR Stephen Hill

The Yellow Jackets struggled to replace Demaryius Thomas last season, but have now found his second coming in Hill.  His one-handed sideline catch against North Carolina may have been the highlight of the season thus far.

Hill has great size at 6'5", and is a big play threat against defenses who are focused on stopping Georgia Tech's triple-option attack.  Paul Johnson doesn't often produce prototypical NFL players, but Hill has the skills to succeed at the next level.

No. 13 West Virginia: DE Bruce Irvin

The junior college transfer was a sack machine in 2010, dropping quarterbacks 14 times in his first season in Morgantown.

Irvin has played defensive end in West Virginia's 3-3-5 scheme, but is likely better suited as a 4-3 end in the NFL, as he does not have overwhelming size. 

No. 14 Nebraska: CB Alfonzo Dennard

For the second-year in a row, NFL scouts will be keeping a close eye on a Nebraska cornerback, as Dennard is now the leader of the Cornhuskers' secondary after Prince Amukamara's departure.

Dennard is a physical cornerback at 205 pounds, and despite battling some injuries this season, should be one of the first cornerbacks taken in April.

No. 15 South Carolina: DT Melvin Ingram

Marcus Lattimore will still be in Columbia in 2012, so Ingram gets the nod.  Alshon Jeffery has been somewhat disappointing so far, and Ingram has emerged as a dominant force on the defensive line, as well as a playmaker on special teams.

He's on the smaller size at 6'2" and about 270 pounds, so he may fit better as a defensive end at the next level. 

No. 16 Illinois: WR A.J. Jenkins

Jenkins has burst into the national spotlight in his final season in Champaign, leading the Big Ten in receiving after the first half of the season.

While a bit undersized at 6'0", he's a deep threat with great speed.  Jenkins will need a strong second half to show he can be a consistent performer on Sunday, but he's turned heads so far with a fantastic start to his senior season.

No. 17 Kansas State: LB Arthur Brown

The transfer from Miami (FL) has been a major reason why the Wildcats are 5-0, intercepting Baylor's Robert Griffin late in the game that led to the game-winning field goal.

Brown is a very instinctive middle linebacker who has been less heralded but far more productive than his brother Bryce, and if he chooses to forgo his senior season, can make an immediate impact in the NFL next season.

No. 18 Arizona State: LB Vontaze Burfict

There have never been questions about Burfict's ability, but his decision-making and character were under scrutiny in his first two seasons in Tempe.

However, Burfict has composed himself much better this season and has been a playmaker against both the run and the pass, as the Sun Devils are off to a 5-1 start and the favorites in the Pac-12 South.

No. 19 Virginia Tech: WR Jarrett Boykin

Boykin might have the biggest hands in college football, and is already the leading receiver in Virginia Tech history.

He's been hampered by some nagging injury concerns so far this season, but his physical ability is not an issue.  The Hokies have not exactly been a factory for wide receivers, but Boykin is the best receiver to come out of Blacksburg since Antonio Freeman.

No. 20 Baylor: QB Robert Griffin

Baylor has produced some top offensive linemen in recent years in Jason Smith and Danny Watkins, but there is no certain NFL prospect right now in the trenches, so Griffin gets the nod.

He's gone from someone who wouldn't have a home in the NFL to a likely second-day pick if he comes out after this season.  His versatility is unmatched by anyone in college football.

No. 21 Texas A&M: WR Jeff Fuller

While having flown a bit under the radar due to the plethora of talent at the wide receiver position and the struggles of his team, Fuller is still a physical freak who will have success in the NFL.

At 6'4", Fuller can catch anything thrown his way with his elite ball skills, and he's about to become Texas A&M's all-time leading receiver.

No. 22 Texas: Kheeston Randall

While it wasn't apparent in last week's demoralizing loss to Oklahoma, Randall is an elite interior lineman who will transition nicely at the next level.

He's best suited to play in a 4-3 scheme, but could develop into a 3-4 nose tackle.   A strong second half for the Longhorns' defense would do wonders for his draft stock.

No. 23 Michigan State: DT Jerel Worthy

While the Spartans have experienced a lot of turnover at linebacker, Worthy has made the defensive line a major strength for Michigan State.

He's only a junior, but he'll be one of the first defensive linemen off the board if he leaves East Lansing.  He's versatile enough to fit in both 4-3 and 3-4 schemes in the NFL.

No. 24 Auburn: OT Brandon Mosley

Auburn might be the youngest team in the nation this year, so the 2012 Draft won't be filled with very many Tigers.  Mosley is the only offensive line starter returning from last year's national title team, and he's played both right and left tackle in his time on the Plains.

He's a junior college transfer who stepped right into SEC play last season without missing a beat, so the transition to the NFL shouldn't be much of a problem of Mosley.

No. 25 Houston: QB Case Keenum

Unfortunately, Keenum has two things going against him.  The first is the knee injury that cost him almost all of the 2010 season.  The second is the failure of David Klingler and Andre Ware, two prolific Cougars' quarterbacks who fizzled in the NFL.

What can't be questioned is Keenum's production at Houston, as he'll leave school as the NCAA's all-time leading passer.  He'll be a very interesting study leading up to the draft, as scouts will weigh his true skill set against the quarterback-friendly Houston offense.