In the third installment of the NFP’s Super 30, we breakdown and rank the nation’s top draft-eligible prospects through the first seven weeks of the college football season.
1. QB Jake Locker, Washington (6-3, 226)
The nation’s top quarterback prospect.
2. DT Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma (6-4, 298)
Has been downright dominant at times and consistently controls the line of scrimmage.
APNebraska DT Ndamukong Suh
3. DT Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska (6-4, 302)
Makes as many plays as any defensive lineman in the country; always seems to be around the football.
4. S Eric Berry, Tennessee (5-11, 203)
One of the most instinctive safeties to come along in years. Looks like an instant impact player in the NFL.
5. QB Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame (6-3, 223)
Made the necessary second-half adjustments last week vs. USC and looked very impressive in the fourth quarter, when it matted most.
6. ILB Rolando McClain, Alabama (6-4, 256)
Possesses an impressive athletic skill set for his size and has the ability to play in either a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme.
7. WR Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State (6-2, 220)
Although his suspension is still looming, Bryant is the nation’s most dynamic threat at receiver.
APOklahoma State WR Dez Bryant
8. S Taylor Mays, USC (6-3, 235)
It isn’t often you find a safety who generates as much power on contact as Mays.
9. DT Terrence Cody, Alabama (6-5, 365)
All the guy does is make everyone around him better. I can’t imagine him lasting too long on draft day.
10. OT Bryan Bulaga, Iowa (6-6, 312)
He still hasn’t quite regained his form from a year ago, but I expect to see Bulaga really improve his play in the coming weeks.
11. DE Carlos Dunlap, Florida (6-6, 290)
As physically gifted as it gets, but he still seems to disappears from games far too often given his skill set.
12. WR Mike Williams, Syracuse (6-2, 204)
An impressive size/speed athlete who’s been extremely productive this season and forces defense to roll coverage his way.
13. RB Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech (5-11, 235)
Is averaging 6.2 yards per carry in his past four games and looks like a guy capable of carrying the load at the next level.
APArkansas QB Ryan Mallett
14. QB Ryan Mallett, Arkansas (6-7, 238)
He still has a way to go, but his physical skill set instantly makes him one of the nation’s top quarterback prospects.
15. RB Jahvid Best, California (5-10, 195)
An elite big-play threat who can hurt you in both the run and pass game.
16. DT Arthur Jones, Syracuse (6-3, 295)
A powerful interior presence who uses his hands well to shed blocks and always seems to make plays on the ball.
17. C Maurkice Pouncey, Florida (6-5, 318)
Exhibits an impressive combination of size, power and fluidity inside; looks like a guy who can step in and become an impact center from day one.
18. DT Marvin Austin, North Carolina (6-3, 305)
His improved instincts and overall technique have allowed him to take his game to another level.
19. DT Phil Taylor, Baylor (6-4, 355)
A massive interior lineman who has the ability to anchor a defense at the next level.
20. CB Kareem Jackson, Alabama (5-11, 192)
Showcases impressive fluidity and balance in and out of his breaks and always seems to be in position to make a play on the ball.
APUSC DE Everson Griffen
21. DE Everson Griffen, USC (6-3, 278)
A physicality gifted athlete who plays with natural leverage and displays impressive footwork and body control off the snap.
22. DE Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech (6-4, 272)
Possesses the tools to get after the quarterback in a variety of ways off the edge.
23. RB C.J. Spiller, Clemson (5-11, 195)
A real X-factor who has an ability to create big plays in all facets of the game.
24. DE Jason Pierre-Paul, South Florida (6-6, 265)
He’s still raw but possesses a wingspan that goes on for days and might have more upside than any prospect in next year’s draft.
25. OT Anthony Davis, Rutgers (6-6, 325)
Showcases the size, power and fluidity to develop into a starting-caliber left tackle at the next level.
APClemson OLB/DE Ricky Sapp
26. OLB/DE Ricky Sapp, Clemson (6-4, 248)
The guy makes a living behind the line of scrimmage and has the ability to consistently shed blocks and make plays on the football.
27. DE Jason Worilds, Virginia Tech (6-2, 252)
Exhibits an impressive first step, and his improved power and pad level have enhanced his ability to get after the passer.
28. QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma (6-4, 223)
The biggest question about Bradford entering the year was, can he stay healthy behind an inexperienced offensive line? So far, the answer is no.
29. OLB Eric Norwood, South Carolina (6-0, 252)
He isn’t the tallest of linebackers, but the guy is a force when asked to make plays off the edge.
30. OT Charles Brown, USC (6-5, 292)
He not only has an ability to consistently mirror in pass protection, he’s also very natural when asked to pull and get out in space. Looks like the nation’s top senior offensive tackle.
Super 30 no more…
OT Russell Okung, Oklahoma State (6-5, 302)
A physically gifted lineman, but he needs to add more strength to his base. Gets bullied on contact too easily.
APIllinois WR Arrelious Benn
WR Arrelious Benn, Illinois (6-2, 220)
Has not been the consistent force we expected to see game in and game out.
DE Cameron Heyward, Ohio State (6-6, 287)
I love his physical skill set and upside, but he disappears from games far too often.
RB Noel Devine, West Virginia (5-8, 176)
Lacks size, but he’ll still find a way to contribute in a big way to an NFL offense.
DT Allen Bailey, Miami (6-4, 288)
All the tools are there, but he’s simply too inconsistent in his play at this time.
Just missed the cut…
APOklahoma TE Jermaine Gresham
CB Joe Haden, Florida (5-11, 190)
DE Greg Hardy, Ole Miss (6-4, 265)
OLB Von Miller, Texas A&M (6-2, 240)
RB Ryan Mathews, Fresno State (5-11, 220)
OG Mike Pouncey, Florida (6-5, 320)
ILB Josh Bynes, Auburn (6-2, 239)
OLB Bruce Carter, North Carolina (6-3, 225)
OLB/DE Jerry Hughes, TCU (6-2, 257)
ILB Brandon Spikes, Florida (6-3, 256)
FS Morgan Burnett, Georgia Tech (6-1, 210)
TE Ed Dickson, Oregon (6-4, 243)
TE Anthony McCoy, USC (6-5, 252)
TE Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma (6-6, 258)
OLB Rennie Curran, Georgia (5-11, 225)
Follow me on Twitter: WesBunting
Where would you rank locker if he were in the same draft as sanchez/stafford, also you believe the rumors of everyone coming out this year because of the contract issue because between the NFL and the Union?
McCoy, Cody, Bailey, Mays, Davis, Brown ,Morgan, MacClain, Suh, Pouncey, Spikes
Three interior linemen, a uniquely gifted safety that can play down in the box as a LB similar to Troy P his fellow alum, top pass protectors(top 6 or 7 overall players are on the same or similar level), some gifted athletic defenders for 4-3 or 3-4 sets after that.
Most of those Qb look like good backups at this time. Mallet is the most intriguing in terms of upside but he is a work in progress.
While watching the Alabama vs South Carolina game last Saturday, I tried to pay close attention to Rolando McClain. To the untrained eye, he appears to be an extremely active LB who seems as comfortable taking on guards to stuff the run as he does dropping into coverage. I was really impressed with his instincts, his closing speed and his ability to locate the football and close on it quickly. I'd love to see him in a Patriots uni next year, though Belichick and crew would need to get aggressive and move up to get him.
Your thoughts Wes?
Hi Wes,
I know it early but could you put a prediction of where you think the player will be drafted. (Like top ten or late second)
I'd love to see Gresham in a Chiefs uniform next year. If KC could get him early in the 2nd it would be awesome. He'd make a great target for Cassel.
Is Gerald McCoy still ahead of Ndamukong Suh? From what i've seen, not to take anything away from your expertise, but I think that Suh is the most dominant player in college football right now. Your thoughts?
How can the 2nd best QB on the field last week in South Bend be the 5th best prospect on this list?
I find it ludicrous not one player from the university of Texas made this list or almost made it.
Where are Sean Weatherspoon and Danario Alexander?
A comment on the power of #8 on your list Taylor Mays... the last Safety to have that power was another USC player, Troy Polomalu. Is this the second coming?
@sjgmoney
You can't be serious in thinking that Matt Barkley is on Clausen's level at this point in his career?
ND's defense gives up a ton of yards and points which played into Barkley's favor, every team throws up good offensive numbers against them. USC on the other hand is assumed to have one of the top defenses in America.
A comment on the power of #8 on your list Taylor Mays... the last Safety to have that power was another USC player, Troy Polomalu. Is this the second coming?
this guy is a joke - FLs Brandon Spikes is the best LB in the country, Aaron Hernadez is the nations top TE and where the heck is Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow-
Nice to see the most product DL in the country, O'Brien Schofield doesn't make any of your lists. Is this the usual media snub of Wisconsin or are you just picking high profile SEC and Big 12 players?
Here is a comparison of Schofield vs #3 Suh and #9 Cody. Code has 10 solo tackles and no sacks in 7 games, very impressive indeed. You aren't related to Nick Saben are you?
O'Brien Schofield, Wisconsin: 38 tackles (25 solo), 16.5 TFL, 6.5 sacks, 1 PBU, 5 QBH, 2 FF, 1 FR
Ndamakong Suh, Nebraska: 36 tackles (19 solo), 9 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 INT, 7 PBU, 9 QBH, 1 FF
Terrence Cody, Alabama: 15 tackles (10 solo), 5 TFL, 1 PBU, 2 QBH
Wes,
Am I wrong in my adoration for Charles Scott, LSU? I absolutely love his game (seeing some Mike Alstott). I think he's being horribly misused this season -I hope Les Miles has a moment on a golf course in a couple years when he suddenly realizes "Wow, I was such a moron to install a fancy high-tech spread offense that produced dismal results - and I let #32 waste away the whole time instead of making him the foundation- Are there weaknesses I'm missing?
Agreed D-wave, Tebow's lost what...3 games in his entire career? McCoy's equally as good, but they don't match up to Locker's who's won...3 games?
Lay off the crack pipe!
As a U of I guy, Benn has been handcuffed all season by poor/terrible qb play. He is phenomenal and will make a great pro next year. As for Bradford, this is a classic case of overanalyzing talent. If anyone watched the national championship game, Bradford was dropping it in the breadbasket all game but his talent minus Gresham was sub par. If someone gets Bradford around the top-20, that will be a Dan Marino style steal. How is it his fault that his O-Line can't block anyone? I am a Bears fan, and people are turning on Forte. Why? His line is GARBAGE and he fights for every inch. I know I am not a scout, but how in THE HELL IS ANYONE RANKED ABOVE BRADFORD? I remember when two teams wanted Drew Brees and neither of them was his old team, the Chargers. The Saints took a "chance" and the Dolphins passed. How did that work out for both teams? For being so smart, pro teams overthink things like "accuracy" and "wins." Bradford injured or not has done much more in his college career than Locker or Clausen. Please give him that respect.
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Oct 21, 2009
04:18 PM
Interesting rankings. Cuious as to how Brandon Graham did not make them!