As anyone who follows the NFL Draft knows positive or negative momentum can play a big role in determining where a player is ultimately chosen. The following is a look at some prospects who have that buzz at the moment as well as some who do not. Please be sure to keep in mind that this is not a replacement or an update to the positional rankings or mock draft. For example, a player could be #1 on this list but that might only mean he has gone from a 7th round pick to a 5th rounder or an undrafted free agent to a late round possibility. So without further adieu, here are the senior prospects with the most helium:
Updated: November 16, 2011
1. Devon Still, DT, Penn St.
Nobody has ever doubted Still’s potential, but he is finally translating all that talent into consistent production on the field. As a result Still is shooting up draft boards around the league and may even start getting some consideration at the top of the second day. So far this season the 6’5 and 310 pound Still has showcased the ability to both disrupt the run game and apply pressure to the quarterback. One aspect of Still's game that stands out is how he keeps his pad level low and manages to outleverage opposing offensive linemen. On the year Still has at least one tackle for a loss in every game for the Nittany Lions. Still was dominant in a close loss to Nebraska, forcing a key fumble and abusing the Cornhuskers blockers in one-on-one situations. While the box score may not show exactly how disruptive Still was, rest assured he was making plenty of plays in the backfield. The scouting buzz surrounding Still continues to grow and he is solidifying himself as one of the top defensive tackles in the senior class.
2. Isaiah Pead, RB, Cincinnati
Cincy's Pead is an underrated player and is the type who does everything well but nothing great. Pead isn’t necessarily a homerun threat but he has been a very effective all-around playmaker for the Bearcats this season. Despite checking in at only 5’11 and 200 pounds, Pead is effective between the tackles, is able to create his own holes and shows nice vision and cutback ability. In a close loss to West Virginia this past weekend, Pead averaged nearly six yards per carry and found the end zone twice. Pead also put his pass catching abilities on display in that contest, finishing with 5 receptions for 67 yards. Pead may not profile as a starter at the next level but should be able to make a team and contribute as a complimentary weapon. The workmanlike Pead currently projects as a mid-round value.
3. Jonas Gray, RB, Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish have plenty of big weapons on offense, most notably Michael Floyd, Tyler Eifert and Cierre Wood, but Jonas Gray has come out of nowhere to emerge as an intriguing pro prospect in his own right. Gray saw limited action earlier in his career due to ball security issues but he is averaging over seven yards per carry this season. A big, 230 pound runner who doesn’t go down easily, Gray is also sneaky elusive and has displayed breakaway ability at times. Gray notched his first one hundred yard rushing performance of the season in a blowout win over Maryland this past weekend. In addition to rushing for 136 yards, Gray also scored twice and now has 11 touchdowns on the year and counting. Gray is currently a late round possibility but is moving up draft boards and could be an intriguing short yardage / goal line option. For more information on Jonas Gray be sure to check out Scott Wright's blog entry on the Golden Domer.
4. Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma St.
Weeden will turn 28-years-old this season as a senior for the Cowboys. With that age comes experience as an athlete though, both in Minor League Baseball and college football. As a junior Weeden had plenty of problems going through progressions and reading defenses, but he has taken a big step forward this year and is becoming a legitimate pro prospect. Of course having a stud like Justin Blackmon to throw to at wideout doesn’t hurt, but Weeden has looked very poised, has improved his accuracy and is also doing a better job of looking off defenders. Weeden and the Cowboys made a statement against Texas Tech, putting up 66 points in a flat out dominant performance. Weeden had an 83.8% completion percentage while throwing for 423 yards and 5 touchdowns. Weeden has not only put his team in the national title conversation, but he is now a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate as well. If not for the age issue Weeden would be a sure-fire Top 100 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft so it will be awfully interesting to see how teams handle this unique situation on Draft Day.
5. Chandler Harnish, QB, Northern Illinois
Even though Chandler Harnish doesn’t get a ton of national press he is one of the countries most underrated quarterback prospects. A dual-threat signal caller, Harnish is difficult to gameplan for due to his ability to buy time in the pocket and make plays with his feet. In fact, Harnish has rushed for over 1,000 yards the past three years while also being a very efficient passer. MAC opponents have struggled to handle Harnish, with Bowling Green and Toledo being the latest victims the past couple of weeks. In those two contests Harnish threw for 559 yards with 8 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. For good measure Harnish also ran for 284 yards and a score in those matchups. Harnish doesn't have the ideal height you look for an needs some work, which is why he is more of a mid-to-late round option. Still, Harnish could be an interesting developmental quarterback.
6. Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina
There is certainly no denying Zach Brown’s talent when watching the 6’2, 230 pound linebacker fly all over the field and make plays sideline to sideline. The biggest question with Brown is whether he is a true “football player” or merely a great athlete. Brown has really taken his game to a new level as a senior though, making huge strides fundamentally while taking better angles and showing improved instincts in coverage. Brown can still get neutralized by bigger blockers at times, but first they have to catch the speedy ‘backer. Brown has really come on as of late, racking up a boatload of tackles and forcing a turnover against rival NC St. a couple of weeks ago. A well-rounded player, Brown has proven to be effective against both the run and pass and has made major strides as a blitzer as well. A clear-cut first round talent, Brown won’t be a fit for every team or scheme but he should be highly coveted by organizations that are willing to sacrifice a little bit of size for elite speed and athleticism at the linebacker position.
7. Emmanuel Acho, LB, Texas
The Longhorns have produced some standout linebackers over the years, most recently Derrick Johnson and Brian Orakpo. Just last year Sam Acho was a third round pick of the Arizona Cardinals and soon his little brother Emmanuel will join him in the NFL. Acho is just an average athlete and doesn’t possess great size or speed but he is a good football player who consistently gets the job done between the lines. Acho racked up 12 tackles against Missouri this past weekend, making four stops behind the line of scrimmage, forcing a fumble and even knocking down a couple of passes in coverage. Texas lost that contest but their defense, led by Acho, certainly held up their end of the bargain. Acho probably won’t be selected quite as early as his big bro was but should come off the board at some point in the mid to late rounds. Acho may not be the most impressive prospect physically but he is the type of player you hate to bet against.
8. Marvin McNutt, WR, Iowa Hawkeyes
The centerpiece of the Hawkeyes potent offense this season has been wideout Marvin McNutt, who is an underrated pro prospect. McNutt nearly entered the draft as a junior but opted to return for his senior campaign. That looks like it was a smart move as McNutt is moving up draft boards around the league. A tall, rangy target, the 6’4 and 215 pound McNutt is a matchup nightmare for opposing defensive backs and a terror in the redzone. McNutt doesn’t have elite speed or acceleration but is able to compensate with a huge wingspan, terrific body control and the ability to outleap corners and high point the ball. McNutt has his fourth consecutive hundred yard receiving game in a loss to Michigan St., finishing with 8 receptions for 130 yards. McNutt also proved once again why he is such a terror in the redzone, soaring over his opponent to pull in a touchdown. There is a lot of talent at the wideout position in this class and McNutt tends to get lost in the shuffle, but he should come off the board in rounds three through five.
9. Jarius Wright, WR, Arkansas
Arkansas has a receiving corp that would make some NFL teams jealous, with no fewer than four legitimate next level prospects at the position. While Greg Childs is often the focus of headlines, Jarius Wright has become one of quarterback Tyler Wilson’s favorite targets and could even be selected ahead of his more highly-touted teammate. Checking in at just 5’10 and 180 pounds, Wright's size may limit his pro potential but he's proven that he knows how to find holes in defenses and can utilize that 4.3 speed to blow past defensive backs. Wright also has sure hands and gets out of his breaks quickly, which is giving SEC defenses fits. Wright continued to dominate against Tennessee this past weekend, finishing with 5 receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown even though the Vols rotated a safety over to help cover him at times. Wright still isn't getting the type of notice that he deserves on a national level, but pro scouts are definitely taking notice.
10. Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
Robert Griffin III gets most of the press for the Baylor Bears, but his wideout Kendall Wright may actually be an equal or perhaps even better pro prospect. Wright is on the small side, listed at 5’10 and 190 pounds, but he has top-notch quickness to get in and out of his cuts. Wright also shows the ability to identify holes in defensive zones and seems to be the hot route for Griffin more often than not. Wright most likely profiles as a slot type in the pros but is talented enough to compete for a starting job. Griffin and Wright have developed into one of the nation's most dynamic pass / catch combos in the country. This past weekend Wright picked on a poor Kansas defense and his speed was too much for the Jayhawks as he finished with 8 receptions for 102 yards. There are a number of outstanding slot receivers available this year but Wright has separated himself from the pack and appears to be a solid second or third rounder.
The Not-So-Hot List
Nate Potter, OT, Boise St.
Boise St. has been touted as the "Cinderella" of the college football world, but unfortunately they lost their glass slipper. After making the move to the Mountain West, many felt the Broncos would go undefeated yet again and perhaps contend for a national title. That was not meant to be though, with nemesis T.C.U. taking down Boise St. by just a one point margin this past weekend. The offensive line has been an issue for the Broncos at times this season, and Nate Potter hasn’t always played like a four-year starter and potential early round pick. One of the more highly touted blockers in the senior class, Potter has a good football IQ and is a leader but his upright style and a lack of strength often create a world of problems. Potter is all too often overpowered by stronger defensive linemen and that was the case against the Horned Frogs. Potter is probably best suited for a zone blocking scheme, which can hide some of his deficiencies, but he is far from the first round pick that many had him pegged as earlier in his career.
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Nobody has ever doubted Still’s potential, but he is finally translating all that talent into consistent production on the field. As a result Still is shooting up draft boards around the league and may even start getting some consideration at the top of the second day. So far this season the 6’5 and 310 pound Still has showcased the ability to both disrupt the run game and apply pressure to the quarterback. One aspect of Still's game that stands out is how he keeps his pad level low and manages to outleverage opposing offensive linemen. On the year Still has at least one tackle for a loss in every game for the Nittany Lions. Still was dominant in a close loss to Nebraska, forcing a key fumble and abusing the Cornhuskers blockers in one-on-one situations. While the box score may not show exactly how disruptive Still was, rest assured he was making plenty of plays in the backfield. The scouting buzz surrounding Still continues to grow and he is solidifying himself as one of the top defensive tackles in the senior class.
Cincy's Pead is an underrated player and is the type who does everything well but nothing great. Pead isn’t necessarily a homerun threat but he has been a very effective all-around playmaker for the Bearcats this season. Despite checking in at only 5’11 and 200 pounds, Pead is effective between the tackles, is able to create his own holes and shows nice vision and cutback ability. In a close loss to West Virginia this past weekend, Pead averaged nearly six yards per carry and found the end zone twice. Pead also put his pass catching abilities on display in that contest, finishing with 5 receptions for 67 yards. Pead may not profile as a starter at the next level but should be able to make a team and contribute as a complimentary weapon. The workmanlike Pead currently projects as a mid-round value.
The Fighting Irish have plenty of big weapons on offense, most notably Michael Floyd, Tyler Eifert and Cierre Wood, but Jonas Gray has come out of nowhere to emerge as an intriguing pro prospect in his own right. Gray saw limited action earlier in his career due to ball security issues but he is averaging over seven yards per carry this season. A big, 230 pound runner who doesn’t go down easily, Gray is also sneaky elusive and has displayed breakaway ability at times. Gray notched his first one hundred yard rushing performance of the season in a blowout win over Maryland this past weekend. In addition to rushing for 136 yards, Gray also scored twice and now has 11 touchdowns on the year and counting. Gray is currently a late round possibility but is moving up draft boards and could be an intriguing short yardage / goal line option. For more information on Jonas Gray be sure to check out Scott Wright's 
Weeden will turn 28-years-old this season as a senior for the Cowboys. With that age comes experience as an athlete though, both in Minor League Baseball and college football. As a junior Weeden had plenty of problems going through progressions and reading defenses, but he has taken a big step forward this year and is becoming a legitimate pro prospect. Of course having a stud like Justin Blackmon to throw to at wideout doesn’t hurt, but Weeden has looked very poised, has improved his accuracy and is also doing a better job of looking off defenders. Weeden and the Cowboys made a statement against Texas Tech, putting up 66 points in a flat out dominant performance. Weeden had an 83.8% completion percentage while throwing for 423 yards and 5 touchdowns. Weeden has not only put his team in the national title conversation, but he is now a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate as well. If not for the age issue Weeden would be a sure-fire Top 100 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft so it will be awfully interesting to see how teams handle this unique situation on Draft Day.
Even though Chandler Harnish doesn’t get a ton of national press he is one of the countries most underrated quarterback prospects. A dual-threat signal caller, Harnish is difficult to gameplan for due to his ability to buy time in the pocket and make plays with his feet. In fact, Harnish has rushed for over 1,000 yards the past three years while also being a very efficient passer. MAC opponents have struggled to handle Harnish, with Bowling Green and Toledo being the latest victims the past couple of weeks. In those two contests Harnish threw for 559 yards with 8 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. For good measure Harnish also ran for 284 yards and a score in those matchups. Harnish doesn't have the ideal height you look for an needs some work, which is why he is more of a mid-to-late round option. Still, Harnish could be an interesting developmental quarterback.
There is certainly no denying Zach Brown’s talent when watching the 6’2, 230 pound linebacker fly all over the field and make plays sideline to sideline. The biggest question with Brown is whether he is a true “football player” or merely a great athlete. Brown has really taken his game to a new level as a senior though, making huge strides fundamentally while taking better angles and showing improved instincts in coverage. Brown can still get neutralized by bigger blockers at times, but first they have to catch the speedy ‘backer. Brown has really come on as of late, racking up a boatload of tackles and forcing a turnover against rival NC St. a couple of weeks ago. A well-rounded player, Brown has proven to be effective against both the run and pass and has made major strides as a blitzer as well. A clear-cut first round talent, Brown won’t be a fit for every team or scheme but he should be highly coveted by organizations that are willing to sacrifice a little bit of size for elite speed and athleticism at the linebacker position.
The Longhorns have produced some standout linebackers over the years, most recently Derrick Johnson and Brian Orakpo. Just last year Sam Acho was a third round pick of the Arizona Cardinals and soon his little brother Emmanuel will join him in the NFL. Acho is just an average athlete and doesn’t possess great size or speed but he is a good football player who consistently gets the job done between the lines. Acho racked up 12 tackles against Missouri this past weekend, making four stops behind the line of scrimmage, forcing a fumble and even knocking down a couple of passes in coverage. Texas lost that contest but their defense, led by Acho, certainly held up their end of the bargain. Acho probably won’t be selected quite as early as his big bro was but should come off the board at some point in the mid to late rounds. Acho may not be the most impressive prospect physically but he is the type of player you hate to bet against.
The centerpiece of the Hawkeyes potent offense this season has been wideout Marvin McNutt, who is an underrated pro prospect. McNutt nearly entered the draft as a junior but opted to return for his senior campaign. That looks like it was a smart move as McNutt is moving up draft boards around the league. A tall, rangy target, the 6’4 and 215 pound McNutt is a matchup nightmare for opposing defensive backs and a terror in the redzone. McNutt doesn’t have elite speed or acceleration but is able to compensate with a huge wingspan, terrific body control and the ability to outleap corners and high point the ball. McNutt has his fourth consecutive hundred yard receiving game in a loss to Michigan St., finishing with 8 receptions for 130 yards. McNutt also proved once again why he is such a terror in the redzone, soaring over his opponent to pull in a touchdown. There is a lot of talent at the wideout position in this class and McNutt tends to get lost in the shuffle, but he should come off the board in rounds three through five.
Arkansas has a receiving corp that would make some NFL teams jealous, with no fewer than four legitimate next level prospects at the position. While Greg Childs is often the focus of headlines, Jarius Wright has become one of quarterback Tyler Wilson’s favorite targets and could even be selected ahead of his more highly-touted teammate. Checking in at just 5’10 and 180 pounds, Wright's size may limit his pro potential but he's proven that he knows how to find holes in defenses and can utilize that 4.3 speed to blow past defensive backs. Wright also has sure hands and gets out of his breaks quickly, which is giving SEC defenses fits. Wright continued to dominate against Tennessee this past weekend, finishing with 5 receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown even though the Vols rotated a safety over to help cover him at times. Wright still isn't getting the type of notice that he deserves on a national level, but pro scouts are definitely taking notice.
Robert Griffin III gets most of the press for the Baylor Bears, but his wideout Kendall Wright may actually be an equal or perhaps even better pro prospect. Wright is on the small side, listed at 5’10 and 190 pounds, but he has top-notch quickness to get in and out of his cuts. Wright also shows the ability to identify holes in defensive zones and seems to be the hot route for Griffin more often than not. Wright most likely profiles as a slot type in the pros but is talented enough to compete for a starting job. Griffin and Wright have developed into one of the nation's most dynamic pass / catch combos in the country. This past weekend Wright picked on a poor Kansas defense and his speed was too much for the Jayhawks as he finished with 8 receptions for 102 yards. There are a number of outstanding slot receivers available this year but Wright has separated himself from the pack and appears to be a solid second or third rounder.
Boise St. has been touted as the "Cinderella" of the college football world, but unfortunately they lost their glass slipper. After making the move to the Mountain West, many felt the Broncos would go undefeated yet again and perhaps contend for a national title. That was not meant to be though, with nemesis T.C.U. taking down Boise St. by just a one point margin this past weekend. The offensive line has been an issue for the Broncos at times this season, and Nate Potter hasn’t always played like a four-year starter and potential early round pick. One of the more highly touted blockers in the senior class, Potter has a good football IQ and is a leader but his upright style and a lack of strength often create a world of problems. Potter is all too often overpowered by stronger defensive linemen and that was the case against the Horned Frogs. Potter is probably best suited for a zone blocking scheme, which can hide some of his deficiencies, but he is far from the first round pick that many had him pegged as earlier in his career.