Potential top players by position: regardless of class

[Ozzy]

Slight edit * = changes to the list either on players I forgot about or players that just missed the cut but others argued that they should be included.

It does me good from time to time to put everything into perspective. To view each player compared to all the other players at his position not currently in the NFL. Basically saying, rating the SR-FR.

Now since I have not seen any of this years freshman play, I made up a list of current 2010 college football prospects in the senior, junior and sophomore classes.


Now it is not exact clearly, just a mild projection and yes players can develop and improve over time, or come out of no where, but by position here are some of the most talented players in my opinion.



QB: Very deep at quarterback, have players at every level, a few big times stars and this group of quarterbacks are far better than some of the top ones drafted in this years draft.

Jake Locker Washington SR
Matt Barkley USC SOPH
Andrew Luck Stanford SOPH
Ryan Mallet Arkansas RS JR
Terrelle Pryor Ohio State JR
Jacory Harris Miami FL JR
Ricky Stanzi Iowa SR
Robert Griffin Baylor JR
Tom Savage Rutgers SOPH
Christian Ponder FSU SR



RB: Not really that strong, a few really good players but a lot of questions marks and this list could change a lot down the road.

Mark Ingram Alabama JR
DeMarco Murray Oklahoma SR
John Clay Wisconsin JR
Daniel Thomas Kansas State SR
LaMichael James Oregon SOPH
Trent Richardson Alabama SOPH
Evan Royster Penn State SR
Noel Devine West Virginia SR
Ryan Williams Virginia Tech SOPH
Allen Bradford USC SR



FB: Amazing group of young full backs, really good players a few pass catchers and a few big time blockers. Great group overall and a lot of good seniors.

Owen Marecic Stanford SR
Stanley Havili USC SR
Charles Clay Tulsa SR
Henry Hynoski Pitt JR
Zach Boren Ohio State SOPH
Preston Dial Alabama SR
Derrick Coleman UCLA JR
Patrick DiMarco South Carolina SR



WR: One of the deepest position, underclassmen are easily the best players by far compared to the seniors. Just a lot of really big name players who are outstanding prospects.

Malcolm Floyd Notre Dame JR
AJ Green Georgia JR
Julio Jones Alabama JR
Alshon Jeffery South Carolina SOPH
Jonthan Baldwin Pittsburgh JR*
Ryan Broyles Oklahoma JR
Randall Cobb Kentucky JR
Greg Little UNC SR
Amron Binns Cincinnati SR
DeVier Posey Ohio State JR



TE: Pretty solid, not near the depth of this past years draft, but a few of these players could develop into real stars.

Kyle Rudolph Notre Dame JR
Lance Kendricks Wisconsin SR
DC Jefferson Rutgers JR
Virgil Green Nevada SR
Wesley Saunders South Carolina SR
Brian Linthicum Michigan State JR
Joe Halahuni Oregon State JR
Kavario Middleton Washington JR
Dwayne Allen Clemson SOPH
Michael Williams Alabama SOPH



OT: Really deep group and has outstanding youth, a lot of really good young players and a few fine seniors as well.

Gabe Camiri Wisconsin SR
Xavier Sua-Filo UCLA SOPH
Anthony Castonzo Boston College SR
Jonathan Martin Stanford SOPH
Riley Reiff Iowa RS SOPH
Mike Goodman Jr Boston College SOPH
James Carpenter Alabama SR
Marcus Gilbert Florida SR
Elvis Fisher Missouri JR
Tyron Smith USC JR



OG:Really good group, great depth at this position, some rally fine players who are big guys that can move people.

Thomas Claiborne Boston College SR
David DeCastro Stanford SOPH
Rodney Hudson FSU SR
Stefen Wisniewski Penn State SR
Justin Boren Ohio State SR
Butch Lewis USC SR
Cody Glenn Georgia JR
Chris Stewart Notre Dame SR
Terrence Brown BYU JR
Matt Kalil USC JR



C: Really good group of centers, not deep but have some stars potentially in O'Dowd, Pouncey and Brewster.

Kristofer O'Dowd USC SR
Mike Pouncey Florida SR
William Vlachos Alabama SR
Michael Brewster Ohio State JR
Thomas Byrd Boise State JR



DE: Some very good players and a lot of upper classmen could be fine players, studs potentially is the junior Dareus by far however.

Marcell Dareus Alabama JR
Adrian Clayborn Iowa SR
Allen Bailey Miami FL SR
Greg Romeus Pitt RS SR
Nick Perry USC RS SOPH
Robert Quinn UNC JR
Broderick Binns Iowa RS JR
Jabaal Sheard Pitt SR
Cliff Matthews South Carolina SR
Da’Quan Bowers Clemson JR



DT: Some very good players, a lot of senior talent in this group and some good depth.

Cameron Heyward Ohio State SR
Marvin Austin UNC SR
Jared Crick Nebraska JR
Stephen Paea Oregon State SR
Jurrell Casey USC JR
Adrian Taylor Oklahoma SR
Jerrell Powe Ole Miss SR
Drake Nevis LSU SR
Ladi Ajiboye South Carolina SR
Colby Whitlock Texas Tech JR



OLB: Some very good players and a good mix of old and young prospects. Herzlich is clearly dependent on how he comes back off injury, same with Hightower.

Greg Jones Michigan State SR
Mark Herzlich Boston College SR
Sean Spence Miami FL JR
Luke Kuechly Boston College SOPH
Manti Te'o, Notre Dame SOPH*
Brian Rolle Ohio State SR
Travis Lewis Oklahoma JR
Akeem Ayers UCLA JR*
Walter Stewart Cincinnati RS SOPH
Quan Sturdivant UNC SR




ILB: Not a very talented group top to bottom, a few good players but still a lot to be desired at this point.

Michael Mohamed Cal SR
Vontaze Burfict Arizona State SOPH
Dont'a Hightower Alabama JR
Brandon Maye Clemson JR*
Nick Bellore Central Michigan SR
Nate Irving NC State SR
Obi Ezeh Michigan SR
Nigel Bradham Florida State JR
Chris Marve Vanderbilt JR
Chris Galippo USC SR



CB: One of the most talented positions by far, much better corners than in the past years draft. Some real big time players in this group and most are underclassmen.

Patrick Peterson LSU JR
Aaron Williams Texas JR
Stephon Gilmore South Carolina SOPH
Prince Amukamara Nebraska SR
TJ Bryant USC JR
Brandon Harris Miami FL JR
Cliff Harris Oregon SOPH
Janoris Jenkins Florida JR
Shareece Wright USC SR
Kendric Burney UNC SR



SS: Real big time stars in McDaniel and Black, they carry this group. A few other players who could improve but at this point those two are the main guys.

DeAndre McDaniel Clemson SR
Ahmad Black Florida SR
George Iloka Boise State JR
Lance Mitchell Oregon State JR
Jermale Hines Ohio State SR
Mark Barron, Alabama JR*
Tyler Sash Iowa JR
Joe Lefeged Rutgers SR
Ray Ray Armstrong Miami FL SOPH
Sean Cattouse Cal JR



FS: Not a really deep group but has some potential solid players there, not a lot of youth however.

Will Hill Florida JR*
Robert Sands West Virginia JR
Chris Culliver South Carolina SR
Deunta Williams UNC SR
Rahim Moore UCLA JR*
Rashard Hall Clemson SOPH
Tejay Johnson TCU SR
Blake Gideon Texas JR
Brett Greenwood Iowa SR
Dejon Gomes Nebraska SR

[SenorGato]

Jonathan Baldwin will be a known name on this board next year.

Colby Whitlock is awesome. Kelly Gregg 2.0. Love watching that mofo play.

[TitanHope]

No DeAndre Brown or Jonathan Baldwin at WR?

I think Tennessee TE Luke Stocker deserves to be on the list, and I'm expecting huge things out of Vols FS Janzen Jackson this season.


Great job though Ozzie!

[Ozzy]

Jonathan Baldwin will be a known name on this board next year.

I have him there, but not sure he is elite yet because of his speed, but yes could easily argue he should be on the list, that I totally agree with. Interesting to see how he does without such talent around him this season and Stull not throwing him the ball.

TitanHope: I think Tennessee TE Luke Stocker deserves to be on the list, and I'm expecting huge things out of Vols FS Janzen Jackson this season.

He is on the radar, not sure he is that elite however, but not a very deep class at all so yeah could argue for him on there. Be nice to see Brandon Warren develop for them as well.


As for DeAndre Brown, I have never got the chance to see the kid play yet, hopefully I do next year, clearly size is very impressive.

[SenorGato]

Also, Lawrence Marsh is going to be playing next year. That guy can play.

[iowatreat54]

Jacody Coleman might not even start for Iowa, so I think it's too early to put him on a list.

ANd you can add Christian Ballard DT from Iowa. He's going to be almost as much sex as the manchild playing down the line from him.

[Michigan]

Originally Posted by Ozzy

ILB: Not a very talented group top to bottom, a few good players but still a lot to be desired at this point.

Michael Mohamed Cal SR
Vontaze Burfict Arizona State SOPH
Nick Bellore Central Michigan SR
Nate Irving NC State SR
Obi Ezeh Michigan SR
Nigel Bradham Florida State JR
Chris Marve Vanderbilt JR
Chris Galippo USC SR
Jacody Coleman Iowa SR
Casey Matthews Oregon SR

O_O

I'm at a loss for words.

[superman8456]

No Akeem Ayers or Brandon Maye is quite depressing.

[fenikz]

Pyror isn't a QB prospect

[WMD]

Obi isn't a prospect.

[SenorGato]

Originally Posted by iowatreat54

Jacody Coleman might not even start for Iowa, so I think it's too early to put him on a list.

ANd you can add Christian Ballard DT from Iowa. He's going to be almost as much sex as the manchild playing down the line from him.

I think he'll end up drafted higher than Clayborn.

[herkyhawkeye]

hmmmmmmmm...

JaCody Coleman left Iowa before the 09 season.

You may be thinking of Jerimahu Hunter, who is a relative unknown from being overshadowed by Angerer and Edds. Good OLB.

[TitanHope]

Originally Posted by Ozzy

He is on the radar, not sure he is that elite however, but not a very deep class at all so yeah could argue for him on there. Be nice to see Brandon Warren develop for them as well.


As for DeAndre Brown, I have never got the chance to see the kid play yet, hopefully I do next year, clearly size is very impressive.

Warren is no longer on the team. Kiffin kicked him off last season cause he got into an argument with one of the coaches. :(

[Ozzy]

iowatreat54: Jacody Coleman might not even start for Iowa, so I think it's too early to put him on a list.

ANd you can add Christian Ballard DT from Iowa. He's going to be almost as much sex as the manchild playing down the line from him.

Ballard is ok but Klug is good as well, just not sure Ballard is that elite of a prospect. But yes one could make that argument.


As for Coleman and Ezeh, well like I said the ILB group is extremely week so I was scratching to even collect 10 players to be honest. At least Ezeh shows up at times, but yes he has to get back to the form he was as a SOPH.

superman8456 No Akeem Ayers or Brandon Maye is quite depressing.

Akeem Ayers, really? He is not even top five in his own class at outside linebacker. Decent player but top 10 regardless of class, I doubt that one. Maye, yes maybe and could easily argue he has more talent than a lot of those inside backers. That I agree with totally.

fenikz Pyror isn't a QB prospect

Yeah I thought the same thing about Vince Young, odd thing is Young is more athletic than Pryor and probably should have went to WR. Pryor is slowly developing into a fine quarterback and he runs more of a pro offense than Tebow ever ran in college. How is a big tall kid like him who is strong and leads a football team and can get the ball from center and does not play in a spread offense not a NFL QB potentially? Key word, this is all potential, yes before assume Pryor is a WR but he is clearly showing the ability and work ethic to become a QB prospect.

[keylime_5]

mentioned Brian Rolle who is probably not anything more than a special teams player in the NFL, but no mention of potential 2nd round pick Ross Homan?

[DeepThreat]

As a huge Buckeyes fan, I have seen a lot of Pryor. He may still develop as a QB, but he hasn't yet and sucked last year. He can run; that's it.

[Pitt]

Dion Lewis has more skill than half the RB's you listed with his eyes closed.

[jnew76]

A couple of Missouri Prospects I think shoud be considered.

Blaine Gabbert -JR - QB - I'd have him on their ahead of about 5 of the ones listed, might not be a better college QB yet, but is clearly a better NFL Prospect than about 5 of those guys.

Aldon Smith - DE - RsSoph - Missouri - Will have everyone on this board drooling if they haven't started to already.

[keylime_5]

Originally Posted by DeepThreat

As a huge Buckeyes fan, I have seen a lot of Pryor. He may still develop as a QB, but he hasn't yet and sucked last year. He can run; that's it.

hopefully we get more of Rose Bowl Pryor this year than we do Wisconsin or Purdue Pryor.

[CC.SD]

Mark Ingram isn't even the best prospective RB on his own team

[Ozzy]

keylime_5 mentioned Brian Rolle who is probably not anything more than a special teams player in the NFL, but no mention of potential 2nd round pick Ross Homan?

I disagree with that completely. Yes Homan could be included in this list but his athletic ability might hurt him, but yes he is a very good player. Rolle is a stud, flat out star, quick, fast, strong at the point of attack, plays good in space, can run down offensive players. Should be even better this year, if he is not a good player in the NFL I would be surprised. He was arguable their best linebacker last year, he made huge plays in that Michigan game. I would be surprised if Homan is a better pro than Rolle.

Pitt Dion Lewis has more skill than half the RB's you listed with his eyes closed.

That is possible, I almost included him but he just missed the cut, will have to see him do that without those great blocking tight ends and passing game to help him. See what he does this year.

jnew76 A couple of Missouri Prospects I think shoud be considered.

Blaine Gabbert -JR - QB - I'd have him on their ahead of about 5 of the ones listed, might not be a better college QB yet, but is clearly a better NFL Prospect than about 5 of those guys.

I disagree, I was not impressed with Gabbert last year at all, he looked slow, out of shape and did not throw that good of ball. Sure is big and tall but I think he has to develop a heck of a lot more, we will see.

CC.SD Mark Ingram isn't even the best prospective RB on his own team

Note Richardson is on the list as well, but yes potentially that could be true. But hard to argue Ingram and how much he improved and dominated last year. You take Ingram off that team and it is only Richardson and Upchurch, they do not win the title.

[SUP]

You have to throw Will Hill in at FS

[zachsaints52]

I think this Center class is one of the deepest in awhile... O'Dowd is a flato ut beast.

[Ozzy]

SUP
You have to throw Will Hill in at FS

That is very true considering that group is not all that strong. I need to see more of him however, was watching all the other talented Florida defensive backs last year.

[SUP]

Originally Posted by Ozzy

That is very true considering that group is not all that strong. I need to see more of him however, was watching all the other talented Florida defensive backs last year.

that's true, he should be getting all of the reps there this year, so we will find out if he can live up to the hype.

I think he will, has been solid in limited reps and has been a beast on Kick Coverage.