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The NFP Super 30

Our first ranking of the nation’s top 30 prospects. Wes Bunting

Bookmark and Share Print This Send This September 23, 2009, 02:59 PM EST
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In the first installment of the National Football Post’s Super 30, we break down and rank the nation’s top junior and senior prospects for next year’s NFL Draft.

1. QB Jake Locker, Washington (6-3, 226)
The nation’s top quarterback prospect.

Eric BerryAPSafety Eric Berry

2. 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.

3. DT Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma (6-4, 298)
A disruptive force inside who plays with a great motor and consistently finds the football.

4. OT Bryan Bulaga, Iowa (6-6, 312)
Might be coach Kirk Ferentz’s best offensive lineman prospect yet.

5. DT Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska (6-4, 302)
His combination of length, body control and burst make him a big-time threat rushing the passer.

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)
A powerful route runner who displays the short-area quickness to separate out of his breaks and can create after the catch.

Jahvid BestAPRunning back Jahvid Best

8. RB Jahvid Best, California (5-10, 195)
Added some much-needed girth to his lower half last offseason but is still a big play waiting to happen every time he touches the ball.

9. DE Carlos Dunlap, Florida (6-6, 290)
Exhibits the power, length and quickness to develop into a disruptive three-down lineman at the next level.

10. DT Terrence Cody, Alabama (6-5, 365)
An immovable object inside who has the ability to anchor the interior of any defensive line.

11. DE/OLB Ricky Sapp, Clemson (6-4, 248)
An explosive edge rusher who looks like an ideal 3-4 OLB at the next level.

12. S Taylor Mays, Southern Cal (6-3, 235)
Possesses a rare combination of size and speed for the position, but at times will struggle with his instincts. In the Sean Taylor mold.

13. OT Anthony Davis, Rutgers (6-6, 325)
Showcases the size, power and fluidity to develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber left tackle.

Jimmy ClausenAPQuarterback Jimmy Clausen

14. QB Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame (6-3, 223)
Is quickly becoming one of the nation’s top pocket passers in a pro-style offense.

15. OT Bruce Campbell, Maryland (6-7, 310)
Another physically gifted tackle who possesses the feet and body control to anchor the left side of an NFL offensive line for the next decade.

16. QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma (6-4, 223)
He’s as accurate as any quarterback in the nation, but questions remain about his ability to make decisions in the face of pressure.

17. DE Cameron Heyward, Ohio State (6-6, 287)
A physically imposing defensive end who has the makings of an impact three-down lineman at the next level.

18. DT Allen Bailey, Miami (6-4, 288)
His physical skill set is as good as it gets. He’s still a little raw, but he’s getting better with every game.

19. OT Jarriel King, South Carolina (6-5, 312)
Showcases the athleticism and footwork to reach the edge and mirror the best pass rushers the SEC has to offer. His stock should soar this season.

Jevon SneadAPQuarterback Jevan Snead

20. QB Jevan Snead, Mississippi (6-3, 215)
A strong-armed quarterback who can make all the throws, but he needs to become a more consistent decision-maker.

21. DT Arthur Jones, Syracuse (6-3, 295)
A physical interior presence who does a great job shedding blocks on contact and making plays away from his frame.

22. OLB Rennie Curran, Georgia (5-11, 225)
Showcases great range and a nose for the ball, but because of his size, he might be limited to more of a Cover 2 scheme.

23. RB C.J. Spiller, Clemson (5-11, 195)
An X-factor on offense who has the ability to create in both the run and pass game.

24. CB Joe Haden, Florida (5-11, 190)
His combination of speed, fluidity and physicality makes him really tough to separate from in man coverage.

25. RB Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech (5-11, 235)
Has yet to get on track this year, but he’s a powerful inside runner with impressive short-area quickness for his size.

26. DE Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech (6-4, 272)
Possesses the tools to get after the quarterback in a variety of ways.

Arrelious BennAPWide receiver Arrelious Benn

27. WR Arrelious Benn, Illinois (6-2, 220)
A tough, physical wideout in the same mold as Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin.

28. OT Russell Okung, Oklahoma State (6-5, 302)
Showcases good fluidity and body control in pass protection but needs to continue to add more base strength.

29. WR Dezmon Briscoe, Kansas (6-3, 200)
A big, coordinated route runner who plays a lot faster than he times. Looks like a legit No. 1 wideout at the next level.

30. OT Nate Solder, Colorado (6-9, 305)
Needs to continue getting stronger, but his size/speed numbers are unmatched by any other offensive tackle prospect in the country.

Just missed the cut…

OLB Eric Norwood, South Carolina (6-0, 252)
DE Greg Hardy, Mississippi (6-4, 265)
QB Colt McCoy, Texas (6-2, 212)
QB Tim Tebow, Florida (6-3, 245)
WR Brandon LaFell, LSU (6-3, 206)
ILB Brandon Spikes, Florida (6-3, 256)
OLB Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri (6-1, 245)
OLB Bruce Carter, North Carolina (6-3, 225)
WR Mike Williams, Syracuse (6-2, 212)
FS Morgan Burnett, Georgia Tech (6-1, 210)
TE Weslye Saunders, South Carolina (6-5, 280)

Follow me on Twitter: WesBunting

Comments

Add a Comment
Ole Miss
Sep 23, 2009
04:28 PM

I go to Ole Miss and have watched both games live this year. Jevan Snead has not been going through his reads and pretty inaccurate. I don't think he is a 1st round prospect at this point. Perhaps he will turn it around again this year.

Mike in MD
Sep 23, 2009
04:28 PM

I think Greg Hardy is starting to get the "injury prone" label. I hope somehow he's able to stay healthy & string together a series of good games. A good year or 2 would've even been better. I've been waiting for it but he seems to always get dinged up. It is really hurting his Draft stock.

KingPanther55
Sep 23, 2009
05:19 PM

Wow. Lots of quality quarterbacks coming out this year. The Panther sure could use an upgrade at that position. Maybe they will draft one in the first round. Oh wait...

ADam
Sep 23, 2009
07:10 PM

Are you guys stoned?

Bradford behind Clausen????

Locker #1??? He has been hurt and played one quality game since coming back.

This is just a joke...

I am a huge Colorado fan, Solder is so raw... he was getting beat on the edge by DE from Colorado State and Toledo - not exactly top caliber competition. I think after his senior year he may be a legit draft pick, but, judging from this list, it seems that you think he is a 1st rounder after this year? GTFO.

I expect better out of this site.

Mr.Murder
Sep 23, 2009
07:39 PM

"18. DT Allen Bailey, Miami (6-4, 288)
His physical skill set is as good as it gets. He’s still a little raw, but he’s getting better with every game."
Top every down lineman. Some of the speed ends might not be runstoppers, the best interior players look to be two down types. Bailey has speed on top of speed and can line up almost anywhere in the front seven.

JM
Sep 24, 2009
12:46 AM

Taylor Mays at 12? Brandon Spikes not in the top 30? Jerry Hughes not even making the list? WOW!! This has to be a joke. I hope you are an intern on this site, because you really don't deserve to be paid with a list this messed up.

Grad
Sep 24, 2009
09:32 AM

"Bradford behind Clausen???? "

He should be, Bradford is now an injury risk.

CSS
Sep 24, 2009
09:42 AM

Go back and watch this past weekends game of Carlos Dunlap being absolutely dominated by a 235 lb. tight end. He was a total non-factor and has looked aweful when you focus on him. Everybody is in love with his frame while his prodcution is terrible, no, worse then terrible at an absolute BUST level.

Terrance Cody is a bigger joke. He stands straight up to hand fight and rarely has good knee bend or pad level. When he hits the ground he is completely out of the play because he CANT GET UP. No lateral movement whatsoever. The most grossly overrated 1st round projection on everybodies board. I dare anyone to watch tape of the kid and tell me I'm wrong. He consistantly gets neutralized by a single blocker, and often not an all-conference level blocker.

It really feels like you're just looking at the internet Big Boards because it doesn't seem like you're actually watching any tape on some of the names you're posting (above are only two examples of several.)

Tim Tebow
Sep 24, 2009
10:59 AM

Do u know who I am?

How dare u leave me off this list.

I'll go in the the top ten and me and coach Gruden will win at least three super bowls.

I spit on you lil Mr. B.

yep, Locker
Sep 24, 2009
10:42 PM

Yep, it only took Locker one game to pass all the pretenders.

draft111
Sep 25, 2009
12:02 AM

Wesley Saunders - 1 rec for 3 yards vs. Ole Miss - WOOOTT

Bulaga #4 Okung #28? Are you insane? Okung is far more athletic and has much better instincts than Bulaga - who by the way hasn't played since Week 1.

A 195 lb. RB in the top ten? When was the last time that happened?

Did you not watch Rutgers/Cincy? Anthony Davis isn't a left tackle. Far too sluggish.

How is Sean Weatherspoon behind Rennie Curran?

Melchar
Sep 25, 2009
04:42 AM

The lack of Jermaine Gresham is at best mystifying.

Jimmy Clausen
Sep 25, 2009
10:36 AM

20. QB Jevan Snead, Mississippi (6-3, 215)
A strong-armed quarterback who can make all the throws, but he needs to become a more consistent decision-maker.


And no Tebow?!?! that kid was a JOKE last night.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

dbdublin
Sep 25, 2009
11:57 AM

I'll say one thing, this list is a lot different than all the other lists I have looked at.

thatdudeyouhateon
Sep 29, 2009
03:58 AM

Clausen will be a top 5 pick by the end of the season, hes got that much talent.

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