2011-2012 Bowl Games: The Top 2012 NFL Draft Prospect from All 70 Bowl Teams

The college football bowl season will officially kick off tomorrow, and while some folks may just dismiss all these games as mere exhibitions, this is truly a pivotal time for pro prospects to make a name for themselves and for the upper-echelon college football players to show that they deserve the millions that NFL franchises will ultimately invest in them. 

If you’re a fan of the NFL draft, then you better be a fan of bowl season, because this is a time when college football’s best and brightest get their chance to shine.

Here’s a look at the must-watch draft prospects on each of the 70 bowl teams that will be competing in this year’s postseason.

Air Force: RB Asher Clark

Service academies like Air Force aren't known for producing a lot of high-quality pro prospects, but one player who may have caught the attention of scouts this year is RB Asher Clark. 

Clark flourished in the Falcons' flexbone offensive attack in 2011, as he broke the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the second straight season. 

The 5'8'', 190-pound senior doesn't have the desired size you're looking for in an every-down NFL back, but he may have the chance to catch on with a team as a change-of-pace, third-down back. 

Check out Clark when Air Force takes on Toledo in the Military Bowl on Dec. 28. 

Alabama: RB Trent Richardson

Alabama is loaded with star defensive prospects like linebackers Courtney Upshaw and Dont'a Hightower and defensive backs Dre Kirkpatrick and Mark Barron, but it will be the Tide's offensive star, RB Trent Richardson, who will be the first Alabama player drafted in 2012, if he comes out as expected. 

Richardson is the strongest and most powerful running back in college football, and he's got the type of total package that will warrant potential Top Five interest. 

Richardson looks like he was born in a weight room and never left, and his combination of balance, strength, speed and vision is almost unprecedented. 

There’s no doubt that he's one of the best running-back prospects we’ve seen not just in years, but decades. 

These days, teams usually stay away from running backs in the Top 10 of the draft, but they don’t often see a running-back prospect the caliber of Trent Richardson.

The NFL may be a passing league nowadays, but that’s because backs like Richardson don’t come along very often. 

The physical ferocity and the raw power combined with the elegantly graceful thoroughbred-like strides is what makes Richardson a true freak of football nature. 

There’s not a defensive player in the NFL who wouldn’t shake in their cleats just a little bit if Trent Richardson was running right at them.  

He’s got all the qualities you’re looking for in an NFL offensive difference-maker. 

Richardson is a star who has shone bright throughout the 2011 season, and he’s put the question of whether he could be a capable replacement for Heisman-winning former teammate Mark Ingram way back in the rear-view mirror.

This 5’11’’, 225-pound powerhouse is truly in a class of his own, and there's not another running back in college football who can compare to him. 

Arizona State: LB Vontaze Burfict

Vontaze Burfict was a perfect reflection of his team this year, as he was one of the real hot-cold prospects of the 2011 season.

There were games when Burfict just completely shut things down and came up with his normal highlight-reel hits, but there were also games when he disappeared for long stretches.

When Burfict is playing at his best, he’s one of the country's most dangerous defenders. The 6’3’’, 250-pound junior can track down any ball carrier from sideline to sideline.

Even though Burfict can rack up tackles with the best of them, he’s still raw and too inconsistent and immature at times for a player that’s been playing as long as he has. You’ll see the lapses in technique at different points in a game when Burfict will start to fade a little.

The point is, if he ever figures out how to harness all his energy properly for four quarters, he could develop into one of the top young linebackers in the NFL.

Burfict has to learn how to control his emotions if he ever wants to reach his full potential, and he has to play with his head in the game on every snap. 

If he can do that, he has the chance to be a truly special defender in the pros.

Arkansas: WR Joe Adams

Arkansas was loaded with great receivers this year like Jarius Wright, Greg Childs and Cobi Hamilton, but as far as the NFL is concerned, Joe Adams seems like he has the most potential to make an impact at the next level. 

Adams only caught 49 passes this year, but don't let his fairly pedestrian numbers fool you; he's a tremendous weapon to have in the passing game. 

The 5'11'', 190-pound senior can get vertical in an instant, and his speed can really be tough for an opposing defense to try to handle. 

Arkansas State: S Kelcie McCray

Watching the GoDaddy.com Bowl, which pits Arkansas State and Northern Illinois against each other on Jan. 6, probably isn't on your agenda.

But if you do end up tuning in, make sure to keep an eye on Arkansas State safety Kelcie McCray, who is one of the most underrated defensive backs in the country. 

The 6'2'', 195-pound senior has racked up 62 tackles and picked off four passes for the Red Wolves this season, and he's the type of under-the-radar prospect you'll start hearing more about in the months leading up to the 2012 NFL draft. 

Auburn: OT Brandon Mosley

Auburn lost most of its top NFL talent to the 2011 NFL draft, but there is at least one Tigers player who will have the NFL scouts interested this year, and that's OT Brandon Mosley. 

Mosley was the leader of Auburn's young and inexperienced offensive line this year, and the 6'6'', 310-pound senior certainly did enough to have teams interested in drafting him as a late-round developmental tackle. 

Baylor: QB Robert Griffin III

I’ve already said that Robert Griffin III deserves to be the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NFL draft, and admittedly, I’m a little biased because he’s my favorite player in college football, but I do think there is a legitimate argument to be made as to why he’s a better choice than Andrew Luck.

Griffin is excitement personified and every time he has the ball in his hands, you know that there’s always the possibility that something special can happen.

Whether he ends up as the No. 1 pick, or simply a Top-5 pick, it really doesn’t matter, though. It’s been fun to watch RG3 rise to stardom this year, and it’s going to be even more fun to watch him take the NFL by storm in the years to come.

Boise State: DT Billy Winn

Boise State QB Kellen Moore may get all the national attention, but it’s actually DT Billy Winn who has the brightest NFL future out of any of the Broncos. 

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 Winn certainly fits that mold.

Winn was one of the main reasons that Boise State’s defense was able to shut down opponents’ running games this season, as the Broncos allowed just 120 yards on the ground per game.

The 6’4’’, 290-pound senior has the athleticism of an edge-rushing defensive end, coupled with the strength and power of a bull-rushing nose tackle.

Winn isn’t the only Boise State player who has a bright NFL future, though. Make sure to get a good look at Winn, along with QB Kellen Moore, OT Nate Potter and S George Iloka when the Broncos take on Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 22.

BYU: OT Matt Reynolds

BYU's Matt Reynolds entered the season as one of the most coveted senior offensive tackle prospects in the country, and while we haven't heard much about Reynolds this year, that doesn't mean that he didn't do a solid job for the Cougars in 2011. 

The 6'6'', 305-pound senior has all the traits you're looking for in an NFL offensive tackle, and while he may not be the first-round pick that some people projected him to be before the season started, he's still going to hear his name called some time during the mid-rounds of the draft. 

California: WR Marvin Jones

Marvin Jones may not have the same type of star power as former Cal receiver DeSean Jackson, but he's a pretty darn explosive player in his own right. 

Jones caught 54 passes for 758 yards this season, and he's done enough in his career at Cal to warrant the playmaker label. 

It will be interesting to see how Jones fares against Texas in the Holiday Bowl on Dec. 28. 

He isn't the only Bear to watch, though. Make sure you also keep an eye on DE Trevor Guyton, another Cal senior who NFL teams will have some serious interest in. 

Clemson: DE Andre Branch

The offensive trio of QB Tajh Boyd, RB Andre Ellington and WR Sammy Watkins gets most of the credit for Clemson’s rise to the top of the ACC this season, but one player who was truly key to the Tigers’ success this season was DE Andre Branch. 

Branch led the team with 10.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss in 2011, and he definitely proved that he could handle taking over for Da’Quan Bowers as the team’s top impact defensive player.

The 6’4’’, 260-pound junior isn’t the only Clemson defensive lineman that you’ll need to watch in the Orange Bowl against West Virginia, though. DT Brandon Thompson also has the type of skill-set that NFL teams will be enamored with.

Cincinnati: RB Isaiah Pead

Because of all of the early departures for the 2011 draft, this year’s senior running back class is very weak, but there are still a few notable seniors to watch out for, and one of the best is Cincinnati’s Isaiah Pead.

Pead, who possesses track speed, is one of the fastest backs in the country, and he’s used that elusiveness to torch defenses since his sophomore year.

The 5'11", 200-pound senior averaged a whopping 6.3 yards per carry for his career, and he enjoyed his best season yet this year.

Pead totaled 1,414 yards of offense and scored 14 touchdowns, as he was once again the most important player for Cincinnati’s offense.

He’s demonstrated to scouts that he has what it takes to be a valuable third-down, speed-back option in the NFL, and if he can really wow onlookers with his 40-yard dash time, he should be able to rise up draft boards as April draws closer.

Florida: DT Jaye Howard

Florida didn’t exactly have the season that Gators fans were hoping for in 2011, as the team struggled to a 6-6 record, but one player who managed to carve out a name for himself this year was DT Jaye Howard, who was one of the leaders of the defensive front seven. 

Howard recorded four sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss, and he showed that he’s the type of defensive line prospect that NFL teams will definitely have an interest in.

It will be interesting to see how the 6’3’’, 300-pound senior fares in the Gator Bowl against the strong interior line of Ohio State.

Florida International: WR T.Y. Hilton

It’s not easy to get a lot of attention when you play for an off-the-radar school like Florida International, but T.Y. Hilton has surely caught the eyes of NFL scouts during his collegiate career. 

The 5’10’’, 185-pound senior is one of the fastest and most explosive receivers in the country, and he put that speed to good use this season, as he hauled in 64 passes for 950 yards and scored seven touchdowns.

There probably isn’t much incentive to tune into the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl between FIU and Marshall on Dec. 20, but Hilton is a highlight-reel type of player who is definitely worth checking out.

Florida State: DE/OLB Brandon Jenkins

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 started to ascend to the level of pass-rushing phenom after his performance last year.

The 6’3’’, 260-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.

Georgia: LB Jarvis Jones

For all of you NFL draft fans who are searching for the next great 3-4 rush linebacker prospect, make sure you take a look at Georgia’s Jarvis Jones.

Although he’s only a redshirt sophomore, Jones has already made his presence felt in the SEC, as he led the conference with 19.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks this season.

Jones has already outperformed his highly-touted predecessor Justin Houston, and he has the look of a future defensive star if he decides to stay in Athens for another year.

If he does return to school, Georgia will still have a shot of landing a player in the first round, as offensive tackle/guard tweener Cordy Glenn is considered to be one of the top linemen available this year.

Georgia Tech: WR Stephen Hill

It’s hard for a receiver to garner a lot of attention when he happens to play in a primarily run-oriented triple-option offense like the one that Georgia Tech runs, but Stephen Hill still managed to make his fair share of fantastic plays this season, such as this one-handed catch against North Carolina. 

It’s plays like those that really highlight the type of natural ability that Hill has.

The 6’5’’, 205-pound junior finally started to live up to his enormous potential this season and he showed scouts that he’s the type of intriguing physical specimen that they need to keep an eye on.

He may have only caught 26 passes this year, but the fact that he averaged a whopping 30.2 yards per catch just goes to show you the type of big-play threat that Hill is.

Houston: QB Case Keenum

“System quarterback.”

We’ve sure heard that term thrown around enough over the past few years, and we’re bound to hear it thrown around a few more times in reference to Houston’s Case Keenum.

All Keenum did this year was lead the country with over 5,000 passing yards, throw 45 touchdown strikes and break basically every major collegiate passing record.

Not too shabby, eh?

Yes, he benefited from playing in a pass-heavy offense, but still, any time you can put up those types of numbers and lead a team like Houston all the way to the No. 6 ranking in the country, you’ve got to be doing something right.

The senior signal-caller won’t get a ton of love from NFL scouts who label him with the dreaded “system quarterback” tag, but don’t be surprised if the persistent Keenum finds a way to stick with an NFL team for longer than most expect.

Illinois: DE Whitney Mercilus

Illinois produced a surprising defensive line prospect in Corey Liuget last season, and the Illini managed to repeat the feat once again with DE Whitney Mercilus, who went from preseason unknown into an All-American. 

Like Liuget, Mercilus wasn’t being talked about at all before the season started, but his play on the field spoke for itself, as he notched 14.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss during his breakout season.

The 6’4’’, 265-pound junior has done enough to warrant first-round interest, and if he comes out after the season ends, he could end up being a Top-20 pick, just like Liuget was this year.

Iowa: OT Riley Reiff

The Big Ten has produced some truly outstanding offensive tackles such as Jake Long and Joe Thomas in recent years, and Iowa’s Riley Reiff is now the latest star bookend to come along.

He’s in that Long and Thomas mold as the type of franchise left tackle that you can build an offensive line around.

The 6’6’’, 300-pound junior has had scouts whispering since his redshirt freshman season when he burst his way into the lineup, starting 11 games and making his presence known in the trenches.

Reiff has the power and strength to dominate in the running game but he also has the athleticism and footwork to more than hold his own as a pass blocker.

He’s grown into a leader, developed into a tenacious tone-setter along Iowa’s front five and become the type of balanced lineman that coaches covet.

Even though there are times when he gets overextended in pass protection and slips off blocks in the run game, you have to remember that Reiff is still developing and he’s still on his way to becoming a fundamentally sound technician.

Footwork, nasty streak, athleticism, instincts, smarts, size, strength; you can rattle off all the traits you want, Reiff’s got it all.

He’s still learning how to dominate, but once it all comes together, Reiff has the chance to be one of those decade-long left tackles that are invaluable to an NFL franchise.

Iowa State: Kelechi Osemele

Learn how to pronounce Kelechi Osemele now. 

That's all I'm saying. 

This kid's got the potential to be something special in the NFL if he can get the proper coaching and learn the fundamentals of being a pro offensive tackle.

Kansas State: LB Arthur Brown

Arthur Brown’s career at Miami didn’t exactly work out as planned, but he’s found a proper home back in his home state of Kansas, where he’s been able to show off his skills for the Wildcats this season. 

QB Collin Klein gets most of the attention and praise for Kansas State’s unexpected success in 2011, but Brown played a big role as well, as he led the team with 95 tackles.

The former five-star recruit is loaded with natural ability, and if he decides to remain at Kansas State for another year, he’ll be one of the top linebacker names in the country in 2012.

Louisiana-Lafayette: TE Ladarius Green

Ladarius Green isn't just the most talented tight end in the Sun Belt conference, he's one of the most talented tight ends in the country, and he's surely going to have NFL teams interested in his services.

The 6'6'', 235-pound senior is a true athletic specimen who can cause matchup nightmares for any defense he goes up against.

Green, who hauled in 46 passes for 485 yards and scored seven touchdowns this season, is a deadly weapon in the passing game, and he’s definitely going to put some pressure on the San Diego State defense in the New Orleans Bowl.

Louisiana Tech: RB Lennon Creer

Lennon Creer's time at Tennessee may not have worked out, but he's managed to salvage his collegiate career down at Louisiana Tech. 

Creer has made a name for himself in the WAC this year, as he's rushed for 838 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. 

The strong 6'1'', 215-pound senior has the natural talent that NFL scouts are looking for, and he's the type of back who could warrant some late-round interest. 

Louisville: S Hakeem Smith

Louisville’s Hakeem Smith may only be a redshirt sophomore, but the safety prodigy has already done enough to impress NFL scouts. 

The 6’1’’, 185-pound sophomore is a true defensive difference-maker and he showed that this year when he racked up 81 tackles for the Cardinals.

Smith may still be in the developmental stage of his career, but he’s definitely the type of safety to watch next year.

Make sure to keep an eye on No. 29 in the Belk Bowl when Louisville takes on North Carolina State on Dec. 27.

LSU: CB Morris Claiborne

Morris Claiborne is a better pure cornerback prospect than Patrick Peterson, the No. 5 pick in the 2011 draft, was. Peterson was a little bigger, and a little bit more athletic, but he didn’t have the type of elite cornerback traits that Claiborne has. 

Claiborne has shut down everyone this season. Every receiver that lined up in front of him, he shut ‘em all down. 

It just doesn't look like Claiborne can be beat on any type of route—underneath, over the top, intermediate, screen, doesn’t matter.

His instincts are almost too good to be true, and it helps that he has enough recovery speed to track down any receiver that may somehow find a way to get a step on him. 

The 6’0’’, 185-pound junior is long, fast and instinctive—three main traits that any elite cornerback prospect needs to possess. 

Claiborne has handled replacing Peterson as the team’s shutdown corner without a hitch.

He’s let Tyrann Mathieu soak up all the spotlight during the season, but once April rolls around, he'll have his day in the sun, because physically, you can’t build them any better than Claiborne.

If he decides to leave LSU after this season, he’ll probably come off the board before the first hour of the draft is over.

Marshall: DE Vinny Curry

I was hesitant to get excited about Marshall’s Vinny Curry, because I remember the last time I got excited about a Marshall defensive end, Albert McClellan, and he didn’t even end up getting drafted. 

But Curry has proven that he’s the type of player who deserves all of our faith, as he managed to build on his big junior campaign with an even bigger senior season this year.

The 6’4’’, 260-pound senior totaled 11 sacks and 21 tackles for loss in 2011, as he continued to dominate for the Thundering Herd.

He may be a bit undersized, but whether Curry has to make it as a 4-3 end or a 3-4 rush-linebacker, I’m sure he’ll find a way to make an impact in the NFL.

Michigan: DT Mike Martin

Michigan’s Mike Martin is another player who could fit in as either a 4-3 defensive tackle or a 3-4 defensive end.

Martin, who showed that he could also handle playing nose tackle when the Wolverines employed a 3-4 defense under Rich Rodriguez,  is one of the strongest defensive linemen in the country, and he used his power advantage to his benefit this season, as he controlled the line of scrimmage on a routine basis. 

The big, sturdy 6’1, 305-pound senior has everything you would look for in a 3-4 defensive end, and he’s not going to be an easy matchup assignment for the Virginia Tech offensive line in the Sugar Bowl.

Michigan State: DT Jerel Worthy

If an NFL team is in need of a big run-stopper in the middle of its 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 this season, Worthy will be one of the most coveted interior defensive linemen in the draft.

The 6’3’’, 305-pound junior can overpower any blocker who tries to contain him and he’s got the type of agility-strength combination that will warrant first-round interest.

It will be fun to see how Worthy fares against a very strong Georgia offensive line in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 2.

Mississippi State: DT Fletcher Cox

Mississippi State DT Fletcher Cox made a name for himself in the SEC this season, as he was one of the most disruptive interior forces in the country.

Cox led the Bulldogs with 12.5 tackles for loss and four sacks this season, and he was constantly making his presence felt in opponents' backfields. 

The 6'4'', 295-pound junior has definitely caused enough havoc to catch the interest of NFL scouts. 

Missouri: TE Michael Egnew

Missouri’s Michael Egnew is the new breed of tight end.

Egnew is a wide receiver trapped in a tight end’s body.

The 6’6’’, 245-pound senior is the type of passing threat who can really test a defense up the seam, as he’s shown these past two years, as he’s hauled in 137 receptions.

Egnew may be labeled as a one-dimensional tight end, but his pass-catching ability is surely going to have NFL teams that are in need of a weapon at the tight end position intrigued.

Nebraska: CB Alfonzo Dennard

Not only does Nebraska's Alfonzo Dennard have one of the coolest haircuts in college football, he also happens to be one of the top cornerbacks in the game. 

Last year, Dennard outplayed former Cornhusker cornerback counterpart Prince Amukamara throughout the 2010 season and stole the spotlight away, as he showed the scouting community that Amukamara wasn’t the only player with first-round potential in the Nebraska secondary.

Very few players can match the 5'10’’, 205-pound senior's natural athletic gifts. His hops, speed and strength combination is one that you don’t see very often.

And Dennard is more than just a great athlete who happens to play corner.

His coverage skills are top-notch.

He can play bump-and-run, he can turn his hips and go, plus he has the type of recovery speed that allows him to take some chances on the ball.

It will be interesting to see how Dennard fares when he goes up against South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery in the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 2.

Nevada: LB James-Michael Johnson

Nevada may not have a star player to flaunt this season like it did with QB Colin Kaepernick last year, but the Wolf Pack do happen to have one of the best inside linebackers in the country in James-Michael Johnson. 

Johnson notched 88 tackles this year, but his stats don’t truly tell the whole story.

The 6’4’’, 240-pound senior has the three T’s—toughness, tenacity and tackling ability—that you look for in a prized inside linebacker prospect.

North Carolina: DE Quinton Coples

North Carolina's defensive front seven is loaded with some great future NFL players like linebackers Zach Brown and Kevin Reddick and defensive tackle Sylvester Williams, but the player who NFL scouts will be paying the most attention to during the Independence Bowl on Dec. 26 is DE Quinton Coples. 

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 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 destroying opposing offenses last season.

The 6’6’’, 275-pound senior racked up 10 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss and was a constant menace to quarterbacks throughout 2010.

This year, Coples made the move back to defensive end, where he’s been able to flash his elite pass-rushing skills.

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 end that can change the way 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-plus sacks-per-year type of defensive end in the NFL.

His effort has been questioned somewhat this season, and there have been accusations that he’s been playing not to get hurt, but those critics conveniently seem to forget that he's been facing double teams on a consistent basis all season long.

Even though he hasn’t met exceedingly high preseason expectations, Coples has still managed to rack up 7.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in his senior year.

There’s no questioning that he has Top 10 talent.

Before the season, the senior defensive end was considered an almost sure-fire top-five pick, but now he’s got a little work to do in the postseason evaluation process to show scouts that he's still the same player they saw in 2010.

North Carolina State: TE George Bryan

CB David Amerson may be the best pro prospect on the North Carolina State roster, but Amerson is only a true sophomore and not eligible for this year’s draft, so we’ll have to focus our attention on another Wolfpack player, and one who certainly deserves some recognition is TE George Bryan.

Bryan entered the year as one of the hottest tight end names in college football, but his 30-catch performance in 2011 didn’t exactly floor a lot of NFL scouts.

Still, the 6’5’’, 265-pound senior will have a chance to redeem himself when the N.C. State takes on Louisville in the Belk Bowl on Dec. 27.

Northern Illinois: QB Chandler Harnish

Chandler Harnish is truly one of the most underrated quarterback prospects in college football. 

Although he won’t follow in the footsteps of past MAC quarterback prospects like Ben Roethlisberger, Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich and become a first-round pick, Harnish is an intriguing late-round option that a team could take a chance on.

This year, the 6’2’’, 220-pound senior led the Huskies to a 10-3 record and a MAC championship, and he showed off his versatile skill set by throwing for 2,942 yards, rushing for 1,382 yards and scoring 37 total touchdowns.

Northwestern: DE Vince Browne

QB Dan Persa may be the face of Northwestern, but it’s actually DE Vince Browne who possesses the most NFL potential. 

The 6’5’’, 265-pound senior may not be an elite pro prospect, but he could turn out to be the type of late-round prospect who ends up making an NFL roster and becoming a steady player for an NFL franchise.

Notre Dame: WR Michael Floyd

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'd have a great chance to prove that he's one of college football’s top talents.

Floyd hauled in a career-high 79 catches and broke the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the first time in his career in 2010, and he 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 who can do it any better.

Floyd’s offseason got off to a shaky start with a DUI charge that kept him from participating in spring practices. But Kelly reinstated his star receiver, and he returned the favor by hauling in 95 catches for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns.

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

The big, physical 6’3’’, 225-pound senior reminds me of a combination of Braylon Edwards and Vincent Jackson.

Floyd’s definitely got the ability to be a No. 1 receiving weapon for an NFL offense, and he has the look of a future Top-15 pick.

Ohio: WR LaVon Brazill

Ohio’s LaVon Brazill has been one of the most consistent receivers in the country this year, as he managed to break the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the first time in his career in 2011. 

It remains to be seen if Brazill has done enough to get drafted, but you can rest assured that the 5’11’’, 190-pound senior will definitely find his way into an NFL camp next year.

Ohio State: OT Mike Adams

Ohio State’s Mike Adams may have been suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season, but that didn’t stop him from solidifying his spot as one of the top available offensive-lineman prospects for this year’s draft. 

The 6’6’, 320-pound senior took a little while to start living up to his potential in Columbus, but once the light finally turned on, Adams really got it going.

After a terrific junior campaign, Adams managed to display the type of great athleticism for his mammoth size during his shortened senior season that will have NFL scouts thinking about him as a future franchise type of tackle.

Oklahoma: QB Landry Jones

Considering that he was expected to challenge for a Heisman Trophy and win a national championship this season, obviously Oklahoma QB Landry Jones didn’t have the type of year he wanted to. But that doesn’t mean that his NFL dreams are completely crushed. 

Jones has the type of size and arm-strength combination that just screams NFL starting quarterback, but the question is, is he consistent enough?

If you looked at the first half of Oklahoma's season, you would say absolutely, but if you looked at the second half, well, let's just say Landry doesn't want you to look at the second half. 

Jones is a Matt Schaub-esque type of quarterback, who would fit in well with a team that likes to hurl the ball around a lot.

Throwing for over 4,000 yards in consecutive seasons and hitting 92 touchdown strikes in three years is pretty impressive, no matter what offense you play in.

He doesn’t do many things that will wow you, but Jones has the type of skill set that would fit in perfectly in today’s passer-friendly NFL.

There was one point early in the season when a lot of people thought that Landry Jones could be a Top-5 pick, however, he didn't exactly have the type of strong finish to the season that everyone was expecting.

Right now, I’d say Jones is a mid-to-late first-round pick, but if I were one of his advisers, I'd tell him to return to Norman and give it another go as a senior. 

Oklahoma State: WR Justin Blackmon

Sometimes you see a receiver and say that guy is just physically superior to any cornerback he could possibly go up against. Calvin Johnson, Julio Jones, Randy Moss, Andre Johnson, Terrell Owens—those kinds of beastly receivers. 

Justin Blackmon is one of those rare ones. Yes, Blackmon is a true gift from the receiver gods. 

If you had said the name Justin Blackmon before the start of the 2010 season, no one outside of Stillwater would have known who you were talking about.

But over the past two years, Blackmon has absolutely taken over college football and showed everyone around the nation who the true No. 1 receiver in the country really is. 

When I look at him, I see a similar physical makeup to Baltimore’s Anquan Boldin, because he's got all the physical skills to make cornerbacks look foolish, even though he lacks true breakaway long speed.

Unlike Boldin, though, Blackmon rarely disappears in games. 

Over the last two seasons, the 6’1’’, 205-pound junior has caught 224 passes for 3,118 yards and has scored 36 total touchdowns. 

I’ll let those numbers soak in for a minute.

OK. 

Blackmon is absolutely a special talent in every sense and he's the best receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson, without a doubt. 

Now that he's announced his decision to leave Oklahoma State, I can't see any way that Justin Blackmon doesn't get picked up somewhere in the Top 10, and I'd be surprised if he makes it past the fifth pick in the 2012 draft. 

Oregon: RB LaMichael James

Oregon’s LaMichael James is one of the most entertaining players in all of college football, and there’s no doubt that he’s always worth the price of admission. However, that doesn’t change the fact that he just doesn’t have the size to be an every-down back at the NFL level.

The 5'8", 185-pound junior has been highly successful in Oregon’s spread offense, as he’s gashed defense after defense throughout his career, but he’s just not going to be able to do that in the NFL, where defenders are bigger, stronger and faster.

James, who averaged a whopping 7.4 yards per carry this season, will have to adjust to being a secondary option at the NFL level, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that he won’t be successful.

When you possess the knack for making big plays like James does, you can bet that an NFL team will find a role for you.

James will have to learn how to become a bigger weapon in the passing game in order to utilize his full potential in the pros, but if he can do that, he should definitely be able to stick in the league for a long time, just as long as his body holds up.

Penn State: DT Devon Still

Penn State's Devon Still is the type of defensive tackle who just looks like he could literally eat a running back for breakfast.

Nasty, huge and scary are the first three adjectives that came to mind every time I focused in on Still during a Penn State game. And you could tell that the frightening 6'5'', 310-pound senior really came into his own this season, as he was a major part of Penn State's defensive success in 2011. 

Still racked up 17 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks this season and he definitely ate up his fair share of running backs.

He's been a man seemingly playing against boys, and he's certainly got the strength and tenacity to handle himself in the NFL trenches. 

Given the way he's played this season, I'd expect Still to be a Top 20 pick next April, and I wouldn't even be surprised if he cracks the Top 10 by the time the 2012 draft rolls around.

Pittsburgh: OG Lucas Nix

Pittsburgh’s Lucas Nix is one of the top offensive guard prospects available this year. 

The 6’6’’, 310-pound senior is an absolute mauler in the running game, and he’s got the type of size and strength that NFL teams are looking for in an interior offensive lineman.

Check out Nix and the rest of the Panthers (sans that traitor Todd Graham, of course), when they take on SMU in the BBVA Compass Bowl on Jan. 7.

Purdue: DT Kawann Short

Michigan State’s Jerel Worthy and Penn State's Devon Still hog up most of the attention when it comes to Big Ten defensive tackle prospects, but one player who has been making a name for himself this year is Purdue’s Kawann Short.

Short is probably the most underrated defensive prospect available for the 2012 draft.

Maybe that's because he's a junior, maybe that's because he plays at Purdue, maybe that's because he plays defensive tackle, a not-so-glamorous position, or maybe that's because he's playing in the wake of star DE Ryan Kerrigan's departure.

But with Kerrigan now in the NFL, Short has managed to step up and become a dominant defender for the Boilermakers this year, racking up 6.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss.

The 6’3’’, 310-pound junior has a terrific combination of power and quickness, and he could be a great fit as a 3-technique tackle in a 4-3 system in the NFL.

Short has really stepped out of Kerrigan’s shadow this season, and he’s now established himself as the type of defensive tackle prospect that NFL teams covet. 

The defensive middle-man plays fast, pressures the quarterback and makes plays in the backfield. On top of that, he’s got the complete physical package that you’re looking for in a top-notch tackle.

Rutgers: WR Mohamed Sanu

One can only imagine where Rutgers would have been without WR Mohamed Sanu. 

Sanu was the key that unlocked the Scarlet Knights’ success this season, as he led the Big East with 109 catches, even with inconsistent quarterback play all season long. 

The 6’2’’, 215-pound junior is the type of dangerous offensive weapon who can really threaten an opposing defense, and if Sanu decides to move onto the NFL after this season, he’s going to be one of the true coveted receiver commodities available.

San Diego State: QB Ryan Lindley

San Diego State QB Ryan Lindley has been overshadowed by his star backfield mate Ronnie Hillman this season, but Lindley will have the opportunity to show off his skills for the nation to see when the Aztecs take on Louisiana-Lafayette in the New Orleans Bowl tomorrow night. 

Lindley may not be the most accurate quarterback in the world, but the 6’4’’, 230-pound senior has the type of size and arm strength that’s definitely intriguing, and if he can perform well in his final collegiate game, it will really help give him the momentum he needs going into the offseason.

SMU: DE Taylor Thompson

Taylor Thompson has been solid as a rock for the SMU defense for the last three seasons, and he managed to have the best year of his career as a senior in 2011, as he racked up six sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss in 2011. 

The 6’6’’, 285-pound senior is definitely the type of prospect who should open some eyes during the postseason evaluation process, but he'll also have one final chance to make some noise when the Mustangs take on Pittsburgh in the BBVA Compass Bowl.

South Carolina: DT/DE Melvin Ingram

Devin Taylor and Jadeveon Clowney were supposed to be the two stars of the South Carolina defensive line this season, but defensive tackle/end tweener Melvin Ingram swooped in and stole their thunder in 2011. 

One look at Ingram is all it takes to realize that he’s perfectly built to flourish at 3-4 defensive end in the NFL. 

The 6’2’’, 280-pound senior has the size and strength to be a major threat against the run, but he also possesses the type of rare speed and burst for his size that makes him a menace against the pass. 

Ingram, who leads South Carolina with 13.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks, is one of the top defensive linemen prospects available this year, and he’s shown some tremendous feats of power and athleticism this season, enough to warrant legitimate Top-10 interest.

His eye-opening fake-punt touchdown run against Georgia put him on the map, and he kept building on that momentum all season long.

There aren't many prospects who have caught the attention of NFL scouts like Ingram has this season.

One thing’s for sure, any team playing a 3-4 defense is going to place a high grade on this South Carolina star defender.

Southern Miss: DE/OLB Cordarro Law

Looking for an underrated 3-4 rush linebacker prospect?

Well, look no further than Southern Mississippi’s Cordarro Law, who perfectly fits the mold of a 3-4 NFL edge rusher.

Law racked up 7.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss this season, and the 6’2’’, 260-pound senior is the type of demon off the edge who will have NFL teams interested.

Stanford: QB Andrew Luck

It’s rare to see a returning star quarterback actually live up to the insane 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 was exactly that player this year, and even though he came up just short in his bid to win the Heisman Trophy for the second straight year, he still managed to make good on his preseason expectations.

Luck has handled the hype as well as you could possibly expect and he’s soaked up the spotlight with grace.

The 6’4’’, 235-pound junior has the absolute total package as far as skills are concerned. There’s not a desired trait that Luck doesn’t possess. The size, arm, the brains, the athleticism—he’s got it all.

Luck remains the consensus favorite to be the No. 1 pick favorite for now, but the question is, can he hold off Baylor’s Robert Griffin III?

I don’t think he can, but we’ll see where we stand once April rolls around.

TCU: LB Tank Carder

I think DE Stansly Maponga and WR Josh Boyce are the two best eligible pro prospects on TCU, but since they’re both redshirt sophomores and unlikely to come out, I’ll show LB Tank Carder some love instead.

Carder is the absolute perfect linebacker for Gary Patterson’s 4-2-5 defense. The 6’3’’, 235-pound senior has the instincts and lateral speed to track down ball carriers all over the field and if you look at TCU’s game film from this past season, I can assure you that you won’t find Carder missing many tackles.

No, he’s not the most athletically gifted linebacker out there, but Carder overcomes that weakness by playing tough, fast and physical, and he’s got the type of attitude that any NFL team would love to add to its locker room.

It’s a shame that TCU didn’t make it into a BCS bowl game this year, but you can see Tank Carder play his last collegiate game against Louisiana Tech in the Poinsettia Bowl on Dec. 21.

Temple: RB Bernard Pierce

You may be wondering to yourself, is there any reason that I should watch the New Mexico Bowl, which pits Temple against Wyoming tomorrow afternoon?

Well, I've got at least one reason that you should tune in, and his name is Bernard Pierce. 

Peirce has been one of the most undervalued and underappreciated players in college football this season, but Temple fans sure know how important he was to the Owls' success this year. 

The 6'1'', 215-pound junior rushed for 1,381 yards and scored 25 touchdowns in 2011, and he showed scouts that he's got the type of athleticism, physicality and big, strong frame to thrive in the NFL. 

Pierce will likely play his last game in a Temple uniform on Saturday, and if he can put up a big performance on a national stage, it will really help boost his stock and solidify his status as a potential Day 2 pick. 

Texas: LB Emmanuel Acho

Texas struggled through another mediocre season this year, but one Longhorn who certainly didn't struggle in 2011 is LB Emmanuel Acho.

Acho led the team with 109 tackles, and he was the most valuable player for a Texas defense which once again ranked in the Top 15 nationally in total defense. 

The 6'2'', 245-pound senior is the younger brother of Sam Acho, who was a fourth-round selection in this year's draft, and he's shown the same type of explosiveness and playmaking ability as his older brother. 

Acho isn't the only defender that you should watch in the Holiday Bowl, though. Also keep an eye on fellow linebacker Keenan Robinson and defensive tackle Kheeston Randall. 

Texas A&M: QB Ryan Tannehill

Texas A&M was one of the most disappointing teams in college football this season, as the Aggies finished just 6-6 after starting the year ranked in the Top 10. 

It will be interesting to see how A&M’s struggles this year will affect the stock of Ryan Tannehill, who entered the season as one of the few highly touted senior quarterback prospects.

Tannehill wasn’t at fault for most of the Aggies’ losses, as he threw for 3,415 yards and 28 touchdowns, but any time a team struggles the way A&M did this year, the quarterback has to take some of the blame.

Even with the disappointing year, the 6’4’’, 220-pound senior, who converted from wide receiver to quarterback midway through the 2010 season, still has the type of makeup that NFL teams covet in a quarterback, and Tannehill should hear his name called some time on Day 2 of the 2012 draft.

Toledo: WR Eric Page

He’s only a junior, but I’ll say it now, Toledo’s Eric Page is a name you better watch out for in 2012. 

Page hauled in 112 passes for 1,123 yards and scored 10 touchdowns this season. And if he returns for his senior year, he’s going to be the type of non-BCS receiver that everyone will be on the lookout for.

Tulsa: QB G.J. Kinne

Tulsa's G.J. Kinne may have been overshadowed by Houston QB Case Keenum this season, but that doesn't mean that the Golden Hurricane signal-caller didn't have a successful season. 

Kinne threw for 2,859 yards and hit 25 touchdown strikes in 2011. 

The senior quarterback may be an NFL long shot, but with the type of production that he's had during his collegiate career, it wouldn't be surprising if an NFL team took an interest in Kinne. 

UCLA: RB Johnathan Franklin

Because UCLA has endured its fair share of struggles in recent years, RB Johnathan Franklin hasn’t received much publicity outside of California, but the talented 5’10’’, 190-pound junior is certainly deserving of a closer look.

Franklin, who rushed for over 1,100 yards in 2010, has been one of the most steady performers for the Bruins since his freshman year, and he’s displayed some top-notch skills during the last three seasons. 

If Franklin were a beer, he’d be LeSean McCoy Light, as he can do a lot of the same things that the Philadelphia back can, but he just hasn’t had the chance to prove himself in the passing game yet. 

Franklin could use another year of seasoning to develop and meet his potential as an all-around back, but he’s already given pro scouts enough to chew on, and he definitely has established a solid reputation so far.

Utah: DE Derrick Shelby

Utah has two offensive tackles—Tony Bergstrom and John Cullen—who will draw considerable NFL interest, but I have to say, the Utah player who has caught my eye the most this season is DE Derrick Shelby. 

Shelby is a great athlete who has the size and length that will impress NFL scouts. 

The 6'3'', 270-pound senior earned first team All-Pac-12 honors this year after racking up eight tackles for loss and four sacks in 2011. 

Utah State: RB Robert Turbin

This year, everyone around Utah State was eager to see how RB Robert Turbin would perform after returning from a serious knee injury that cost him the entire 2010 season. 

As it turns out, Turbin didn’t miss a beat, as he racked 1,416 yards on the ground and scored 23 total touchdowns.

Turbin is truly one of the hidden gems of college football, and if he can put together a big performance in front of a national audience, he should really make a name for himself and cause some big buzz for next season.

The 5’10’’, 215-pound junior is a physical runner, who uses his strength and muscular frame to his advantage, and he’s definitely the type of back who can cause a lot of headaches for an opposing defense.

Vanderbilt: CB Casey Hayward

Vanderbilt's Casey Hayward is one of my favorite "under the radar" draft prospects this year, and I think he's got the chance to make whichever NFL team selects him very happy. 

Hayward was overshadowed in the SEC, playing for Vanderbilt, a school that doesn't exactly churn out a ton of NFL draft prospects, but the 5'11'', 195-pound senior will definitely have NFL teams intrigued with his potential. 

Hayward's got all the skills that NFL teams are looking for in a starting cornerback, and it will be interesting to see how he fares against Cincinnati's offense in the Liberty Bowl on New Year's Eve.

Virginia: CB Chase Minnifield

As the son of former Cleveland Browns corner Frank Minnifield, Chase Minnifield already has the bloodlines to succeed in the NFL, and this season, he’s shown that he’s just as capable as his father was at shutting down opposing receivers.

Last season, Minnifield took advantage of Ras-I Dowling’s injury troubles and carved out a name for himself, as the talented 6’0’’, 185-pound senior finished second in the ACC with six interceptions in 2010.

Minnifield has a great backpedal for his size and he knows how to use his quick footwork to his advantage.

He may not be a true "lockdown" corner, but Minnifield is smart and instinctive and he knows how to succeed in a variety of different coverages.

Virginia Tech: RB David Wilson

Losing two running backs as good as Ryan Williams and Darren Evans early to the draft would be enough to frighten any head coach, but Virginia Tech’s Frank Beamer knew he didn’t have anything to fear this season, with David Wilson taking over in the backfield.

Beamer knew all about Wilson’s tremendous game-breaking speed, and he knew he would finally be able to fully release his dangerous offensive weapon in 2011.

The 5'11", 205-pound junior stepped into the full-time starting role this year and was as good as anyone could have hoped, as he came in and led the ACC with 1,627 rushing yards, which ranked fifth in the country. 

His 6.1 yards per carry average is certainly impressive, but what’s going to be even more impressive is the blistering time he'll put up in the 40-yard dash if he decides to come out after the season.

Wilson has already done enough to warrant second-round interest, but he could end up being lured back to Blacksburg by the appeal of chasing a Heisman Trophy and a national championship in 2012.

Wake Forest: WR Chris Givens

Wake Forest WR Chris Givens didn't receive a ton of national press this season, but if he decides to return for his senior year, you're surely going to be hearing a lot about him in 2012. 

Givens caught 74 passes for 1,276 yards and scored nine touchdowns during his breakout 2011 campaign, and the 6'0'', 195-pound junior will be one of the most coveted receiver prospects in the country next year if he decides to come back for another season. 

Washington: RB Chris Polk

Because he plays in the Pacific Northwest, which isn't exactly the center of the college football universe, and because he happens to play in the same conference as Oregon’s LaMichael James, Chris Polk doesn’t get the type of national recognition he deserves.

But just because he doesn’t receive a ton of attention and publicity, that doesn’t mean that Polk isn’t one of the top backs in college football.

You’re not going to find many college backs as consistent and productive as Polk, who has rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of the past three seasons.

This year, the 5'11", 220-pound junior had the best season of his career. Polk totaled 1,665 yards of offense and scored 15 touchdowns, and he was once again the linchpin of the Huskies offense. 

The multi-dimensional back can do pretty much everything you’re looking for in an NFL back. He can pound it inside the tackles, get to the second level on a consistent basis and catch the ball out of the backfield.

If he decides to come out after this season, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Polk receive late first-round consideration.

West Virginia: DE/OLB Bruce Irvin

The chants of Brruuuuuccceee are something I’m going to miss at West Virginia games, but I’ll admit, it is going to be fun to see a Mountaineer get the type of publicity that Bruce Irvin’s going to get over the next couple of months as one of the premier 3-4 rush linebacker prospects for the 2012 draft. 

Irvin may only be 6’3’’, 245 pounds, but that hasn’t stopped him from abusing numerous offensive tackles over the past two years.

Irvin has racked up 21 sacks in his two years at West Virginia, and he’s the type of edge-rusher that any team that employs a 3-4 defense would love to add.

Western Michigan: WR Jordan White

Western Michigan’s Jordan White led the country with 127 catches this season, and he proved that he can be the type of reliable receiving weapon that NFL teams are looking for. 

No, White isn’t the biggest or fastest receiver prospect that will be available next year, but his production speaks for itself, and it will be the reason that he should get picked up on Day 3 of the 2012 draft.

Wisconsin: RB Montee Ball

Last year, Wisconsin had the deepest and most potent backfield in the country with Montee Ball, James White and John Clay. But this season, it was all about Montee Ball, who emerged as the true star in Madison.

After coming up four yards short of the 1,000-yard rushing mark last year, it only took Ball nine games to get over that same hump this season. He ended up rushing for 1,759 yards and scoring 38 total touchdowns on his way to becoming a fourth-place finisher in the Heisman race.

To be fair, the 5'11", 210-pound junior certainly benefited from having one of the biggest and best offensive lines in college football to run behind; and there were times when he could go 10 yards without a defender even touching him.

But even with the blocking advantages he had, you could still tell that Ball is the type of physical downhill runner who is fully capable of handling himself at the NFL level, and he should ultimately find a role as part of a two-headed rushing attack in the pros. 

Ball may not have true 4.4-caliber breakaway speed, but he’s fast enough to make things happen when he gets into the open field.

The NFL running back who I think he most resembles is Pittsburgh’s Rashard Mendenhall.

Like Mendenhall, Ball has a sturdy, powerful build and he’s got the strength and lateral agility not only to run by would-be tacklers; he can run through his fair share as well.

Wyoming: CB/S Tashaun Gipson

It’s hard to tell what position Wyoming’s Tashaun Gipson will play in the NFL, because he’s shown that he can play both cornerback and safety during his time with the Cowboys, but that versatility will certainly help endear him to NFL scouts.

The 6’0’’, 205-pound senior is the type of athlete that NFL teams want to have in their secondary, and if he can perform well enough in postseason workouts, Gipson could get picked up some time in the later rounds of the draft.