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: October 26, 2011
1. Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina
There is 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 stepped up his play 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. Against Clemson this past weekend Brown’s skill set was on full display. Even though Tajh Boyd tore apart the Tar Heel secondary, Brown and all his teammates had success bottling up dynamic running back Andre Ellington. Brown was also utilized as a blitzer on a number of occasions and notched a couple of sacks on the day. In coverage Brown had a lot of success underneath, breaking up one pass and putting himself in good position on another. Anyone who saw Brown’s performance against Clemson can understand why he is projected as a first round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
2. Marvin McNutt, WR, Iowa
The star 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 been putting up impressive numbers all year long and that continued against Indiana with a 6 reception for 184 yards and 3 touchdown performance. McNutt isn’t a household name yet but don’t be surprised if he is ultimately selected in the top three rounds.
3. Devon Still, DT, Penn St.
There is little doubt that Penn State’s Devon Still is steadily rising up draft boards and he 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. The fact that Still is translating all of that talent into on-field production is a major positive. Still definitely showed up against Northwestern last week, notching a sack and causing problems for the Wildcats in both the pass and run games. With Still showcasing that improved consistency, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him come off the board in Round 2 or 3.
4. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
Last season Texas A&M was poised to have a top quarterback prospect in Jerrod Johnson, a senior who was supposed to lead the Aggies to a Big 12 title. However, when Johnson went in the tank Ryan Tannehill got an opportunity and made the most of it. A former wide receiver, Tannehill is still raw but there are many who feel he will be the top senior signal caller available in the 2012 NFL Draft. Tannehill plays in a pro style system and is surrounded by weapons such as WR Jeff Fuller and RB Cyrus Gray, who are also potential early round picks. Tannehill seems to be making weekly appearances on the Hot List and he may be playing himself into the first round. In the Aggies victory over Iowa St., Tannehill was in full command of the offense and played extremely well. There were some errant passes here and there, but Tannehill showcased top-notch pocket presence and is continuing to develop his ability to read defenses. On the day Tannehill completed 24 passes for 263 yards and 2 touchdowns. Considering what Tannehill brings to the table from a physical tool, intangible and upside perspective, there should be no shortage of interested teams on Draft Day.
5. Sean Spence, OLB, Miami (FL)
So far this season the Hurricanes have been a disappointment, recently losing to two Top 20 teams in Kansas St. and Virginia Tech. The Canes defense has had their fair share of issues, usually giving up more than 120 yards of rushing and even more in the passing game, but Sean Spence has been one of the bright spots. The undersized Spence, who is just 6’0 and 224 pounds, is a violent player who dishes out big hits and always seems to be around the ball. There is no denying the productivity, but Spence's draft stock is not as high as those statistics might indicate due to his lack of stature and some past knee injuries. Spence continued to excel against the option attack of Georgia Tech this past week, with the Hurricanes pulling off an upset. Spence’s speed and ability to move sideline to sideline were integral in keeping containment on the Yellow Jackets unique attack. Spence had his third straight game with double digit tackles and was a key cog in “The U” defense rising to the challenge and allowing just seven points in the victory. Spencer may not have the prototypical size that you look for, but he is the type of player that you hate to bet against.
6. Patrick Witt, QB, Yale
It is pretty unusual for a player from Yale to find a place on the Hot List, but Patrick Witt is special talent who has an outside shot at being drafted in April. Witt has the size that pro scouts look for, checking in at 6’4 and 230 pounds. Witt also has above average pocket presence and the ability to move around if needed. Witt’s greatest strength is his ball placement ability, routinely threading the needle against some of the top corners in the Ivy League. Witt also does a nice job of anticipating and leading his targets, which compensates for just average arm strength. If Witt can get an all-star game invite, he should be able to showcase those skills against better competition. The Bulldogs have had a tough season so far, losing to Penn this past week despite leading by double digits. Witt threw for 258 yards and 2 touchdowns in the loss, utilizing play action and deep passes to rack up points in the first three quarters. Witt is currently a borderline draftable prospect, but he is a player to keep a close eye on in the coming months.
7. BJ Cunningham, WR, Michigan St.
Michigan St. had an opportunity to showcase all of their pro talent on a national stage this past week in a highly-anticipated showdown against Wisconsin. Quarterback Kirk Cousins gets most of the press, but there is at least a chance that his teammate B.J. Cunningham could come off the board earlier. Cunningham is a strong, big bodied wideout, checking in at 6’2 and 215 pounds and often leaping above defenders to make clutch catches. Cunningham also has incredible body control which allows him to make tiptoe catches along the sidelines and turn uncatchable balls into big gains. Cunningham played a key role in an upset win over the Badgers. Not only did Cunningham eclipse the one hundred yard mark but he made a number of important catches down the stretch, including a 35 yard touchdown reception. Cunningham is more of a mid to late round option but could contribute at the next level as a fourth or fifth option.
8. Kelechi Osemele, OG, Iowa St.
Osemele is considered to be one of this year's top senior offensive line prospects and a potential early round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Osemele plays left tackle for the Cyclones but will most likely have to move to right tackle or kick inside to guard at the next level. Despite battling injuries this season, Osemele continues to play well while earning extra credit for his toughness and ability to play through pain. A mountain of a man with terrific strength and power, Osemele has the ability to physically dominate and overwhelm opponents at times. Against Texas A&M, Osemele was once again a bright spot for the Cyclones. If the medical completely checks out, Osemele may be the most pro ready blocker in the draft. It still has to be determined whether Osemele is best suited to play tackle or guard at the next level, but one way or another he will be playing on Sunday’s next fall.
9. Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama
At one point Dont’a Hightower was considered to be the Crimson Tide’s top linebacker and a potential first round pick. However, while injuries have derailed Hightower his teammate Courtney Upshaw has emerged as a superior pro prospect. Upshaw simply has a knack for making the big play, spearheading one of the countries premier defenses. Upshaw isn’t necessarily an explosive athlete or speed demon but he is a force all over the field, whether it be delivering a bone crushing hit or chasing down a runner. Upshaw is also a very intelligent player with excellent instincts and a real feel for the game. Upshaw just continues to dominate as a pass rushing outside linebacker in the 3-4. In the Crimson Tide’s rout of Tennessee, Upshaw had 7 tackles and a sack that forced a fumble and turnover. Upshaw may not be the most physically imposing player, but the guy is a good football player with fantastic intangibles who finds a way to get the job done and make a plays.
10. Doug Martin, RB, Boise St.
The Boise St. offense took a big hit in the talent department with the losses of Titus Young and Austin Pettis to the NFL, there is still plenty of firepower on that blue field. This year the Broncos have had to rely heavily on the senior leadership of quarterback Kellen Moore and underrated running back Doug Martin. While not flashy, Martin is the type who does everything well but nothing great. Checking in at 5-9 and a solid 215 pounds, Martin is a powerful runner who can also contribute as a pass catcher and get the job done as a blocker. Martin continues to dominate the Mountain West, running for 125 yards and a touchdown against Air Force while also hauling in a short pass at the goal line. On the day Martin averaged six yards per carry. With Air Force’s option attack chewing up the clock, the Broncos only had eight offensive possessions and had to make the most of each opportunity. Martin will undoubtedly be overshadowed by all of the underclassmen runners that will declare, but he is an underrated early to mid round prospect who could outperform expectations at the next level.
The Not-So-Hot List
Charles Brown, CB, North Carolina
The North Carolina program has produced plenty of pro quality defensive backs in recent years, most recently Da’Norris Searcy and Kenric Burney. Charles Brown may be the best yet but he hasn’t always showcased that talent this season. In a huge game against Clemson this past weekend, Brown failed to live up to expectations. Brown and his teammates were torn apart by quarterback Tajh Boyd and they seemed to struggle to keep up with the speed and explosiveness of the Tigers wideouts. In the first half Brown was burnt by Martavis Bryant on a deep touchdown pass in which Brown was trailing by two steps. At times Brown matched up against dynamic true freshman Sammy Watkins and he gave up a number of short and medium completions that resulted in first downs. Brown did play the run pretty well and also made some noise in the return game, but overall it was not a positive day for the potential Top 100 pick.
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There is 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 stepped up his play 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. Against Clemson this past weekend Brown’s skill set was on full display. Even though Tajh Boyd tore apart the Tar Heel secondary, Brown and all his teammates had success bottling up dynamic running back Andre Ellington. Brown was also utilized as a blitzer on a number of occasions and notched a couple of sacks on the day. In coverage Brown had a lot of success underneath, breaking up one pass and putting himself in good position on another. Anyone who saw Brown’s performance against Clemson can understand why he is projected as a first round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
The star 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 been putting up impressive numbers all year long and that continued against Indiana with a 6 reception for 184 yards and 3 touchdown performance. McNutt isn’t a household name yet but don’t be surprised if he is ultimately selected in the top three rounds.
There is little doubt that Penn State’s Devon Still is steadily rising up draft boards and he 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. The fact that Still is translating all of that talent into on-field production is a major positive. Still definitely showed up against Northwestern last week, notching a sack and causing problems for the Wildcats in both the pass and run games. With Still showcasing that improved consistency, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him come off the board in Round 2 or 3.
Last season Texas A&M was poised to have a top quarterback prospect in Jerrod Johnson, a senior who was supposed to lead the Aggies to a Big 12 title. However, when Johnson went in the tank Ryan Tannehill got an opportunity and made the most of it. A former wide receiver, Tannehill is still raw but there are many who feel he will be the top senior signal caller available in the 2012 NFL Draft. Tannehill plays in a pro style system and is surrounded by weapons such as WR Jeff Fuller and RB Cyrus Gray, who are also potential early round picks. Tannehill seems to be making weekly appearances on the Hot List and he may be playing himself into the first round. In the Aggies victory over Iowa St., Tannehill was in full command of the offense and played extremely well. There were some errant passes here and there, but Tannehill showcased top-notch pocket presence and is continuing to develop his ability to read defenses. On the day Tannehill completed 24 passes for 263 yards and 2 touchdowns. Considering what Tannehill brings to the table from a physical tool, intangible and upside perspective, there should be no shortage of interested teams on Draft Day.
So far this season the Hurricanes have been a disappointment, recently losing to two Top 20 teams in Kansas St. and Virginia Tech. The Canes defense has had their fair share of issues, usually giving up more than 120 yards of rushing and even more in the passing game, but Sean Spence has been one of the bright spots. The undersized Spence, who is just 6’0 and 224 pounds, is a violent player who dishes out big hits and always seems to be around the ball. There is no denying the productivity, but Spence's draft stock is not as high as those statistics might indicate due to his lack of stature and some past knee injuries. Spence continued to excel against the option attack of Georgia Tech this past week, with the Hurricanes pulling off an upset. Spence’s speed and ability to move sideline to sideline were integral in keeping containment on the Yellow Jackets unique attack. Spence had his third straight game with double digit tackles and was a key cog in “The U” defense rising to the challenge and allowing just seven points in the victory. Spencer may not have the prototypical size that you look for, but he is the type of player that you hate to bet against.
It is pretty unusual for a player from Yale to find a place on the Hot List, but Patrick Witt is special talent who has an outside shot at being drafted in April. Witt has the size that pro scouts look for, checking in at 6’4 and 230 pounds. Witt also has above average pocket presence and the ability to move around if needed. Witt’s greatest strength is his ball placement ability, routinely threading the needle against some of the top corners in the Ivy League. Witt also does a nice job of anticipating and leading his targets, which compensates for just average arm strength. If Witt can get an all-star game invite, he should be able to showcase those skills against better competition. The Bulldogs have had a tough season so far, losing to Penn this past week despite leading by double digits. Witt threw for 258 yards and 2 touchdowns in the loss, utilizing play action and deep passes to rack up points in the first three quarters. Witt is currently a borderline draftable prospect, but he is a player to keep a close eye on in the coming months.
Michigan St. had an opportunity to showcase all of their pro talent on a national stage this past week in a highly-anticipated showdown against Wisconsin. Quarterback Kirk Cousins gets most of the press, but there is at least a chance that his teammate B.J. Cunningham could come off the board earlier. Cunningham is a strong, big bodied wideout, checking in at 6’2 and 215 pounds and often leaping above defenders to make clutch catches. Cunningham also has incredible body control which allows him to make tiptoe catches along the sidelines and turn uncatchable balls into big gains. Cunningham played a key role in an upset win over the Badgers. Not only did Cunningham eclipse the one hundred yard mark but he made a number of important catches down the stretch, including a 35 yard touchdown reception. Cunningham is more of a mid to late round option but could contribute at the next level as a fourth or fifth option.
Osemele is considered to be one of this year's top senior offensive line prospects and a potential early round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Osemele plays left tackle for the Cyclones but will most likely have to move to right tackle or kick inside to guard at the next level. Despite battling injuries this season, Osemele continues to play well while earning extra credit for his toughness and ability to play through pain. A mountain of a man with terrific strength and power, Osemele has the ability to physically dominate and overwhelm opponents at times. Against Texas A&M, Osemele was once again a bright spot for the Cyclones. If the medical completely checks out, Osemele may be the most pro ready blocker in the draft. It still has to be determined whether Osemele is best suited to play tackle or guard at the next level, but one way or another he will be playing on Sunday’s next fall. 
At one point Dont’a Hightower was considered to be the Crimson Tide’s top linebacker and a potential first round pick. However, while injuries have derailed Hightower his teammate Courtney Upshaw has emerged as a superior pro prospect. Upshaw simply has a knack for making the big play, spearheading one of the countries premier defenses. Upshaw isn’t necessarily an explosive athlete or speed demon but he is a force all over the field, whether it be delivering a bone crushing hit or chasing down a runner. Upshaw is also a very intelligent player with excellent instincts and a real feel for the game. Upshaw just continues to dominate as a pass rushing outside linebacker in the 3-4. In the Crimson Tide’s rout of Tennessee, Upshaw had 7 tackles and a sack that forced a fumble and turnover. Upshaw may not be the most physically imposing player, but the guy is a good football player with fantastic intangibles who finds a way to get the job done and make a plays.
The Boise St. offense took a big hit in the talent department with the losses of Titus Young and Austin Pettis to the NFL, there is still plenty of firepower on that blue field. This year the Broncos have had to rely heavily on the senior leadership of quarterback Kellen Moore and underrated running back Doug Martin. While not flashy, Martin is the type who does everything well but nothing great. Checking in at 5-9 and a solid 215 pounds, Martin is a powerful runner who can also contribute as a pass catcher and get the job done as a blocker. Martin continues to dominate the Mountain West, running for 125 yards and a touchdown against Air Force while also hauling in a short pass at the goal line. On the day Martin averaged six yards per carry. With Air Force’s option attack chewing up the clock, the Broncos only had eight offensive possessions and had to make the most of each opportunity. Martin will undoubtedly be overshadowed by all of the underclassmen runners that will declare, but he is an underrated early to mid round prospect who could outperform expectations at the next level.
The North Carolina program has produced plenty of pro quality defensive backs in recent years, most recently Da’Norris Searcy and Kenric Burney. Charles Brown may be the best yet but he hasn’t always showcased that talent this season. In a huge game against Clemson this past weekend, Brown failed to live up to expectations. Brown and his teammates were torn apart by quarterback Tajh Boyd and they seemed to struggle to keep up with the speed and explosiveness of the Tigers wideouts. In the first half Brown was burnt by Martavis Bryant on a deep touchdown pass in which Brown was trailing by two steps. At times Brown matched up against dynamic true freshman Sammy Watkins and he gave up a number of short and medium completions that resulted in first downs. Brown did play the run pretty well and also made some noise in the return game, but overall it was not a positive day for the potential Top 100 pick.