This summer, the National Football Post is breaking down every team in the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-A) to identify players who might warrant interest from NFL teams in the 2010 draft.

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs finished second in the WAC last season with a record of 5-3. They looked poised for bigger and better things in 2009 as they return one of the nation’s top senior defensive tackle prospects and one of the top free safeties.

Offense

Daniel Porter: No. 20, RB, 5-9, 190

Runs with a vengeance and plays like a back who’s 6-foot, 230 pounds. However, he gets too high with his pad level and subjects his body to an awful lot of pounding. Makes cuts at full speed, but is considered more quick than fast and lacks a second gear to his game. Isn’t going to outrun any defenders in the open field, but knows how to hide behind his blocks, make a man miss and run toward daylight.

Does a nice job staying balanced, absorbing a lot of hits and keeping on his feet. Works his legs through contact and surprisingly breaks a lot of tackles. Showcases good vision and possesses the footwork to cleanly change directions at the line. Exhibits impressive balance getting out of his breaks and is able to sharply redirect and get back up speed quickly.

Impression: I love how hard he runs for his size, but he lacks straight-line speed, and his high running style doesn’t do much for his NFL chances.

Defense

D’Anthony Smith: No. 5, DT, 6-2, 298

Displays a sudden initial jolt on contact and consistently controls blockers at the point of attack. Uses his hands well to quickly disengage from linemen and possesses the closing burst to make plays up and down the line. Is a physical wrap-up tackler in space who does a nice job protecting his body on the move and getting after the football.

Doesn’t display an ideal pad level off the snap in the pass game and will get too high when rushing the passer. Is an average lateral athlete who at times struggles side-stepping blocks and allows offensive linemen to get their hands inside on him too easily. However, he does do a nice job dropping his pad level when he gains a step and working his way through blocks.

Possesses an explosive first step off the ball, and demonstrates the balance and coordination to consistently fire across the face of opposing linemen and shoot gaps inside. Does a nice job using is length to keep linemen off his frame when slipping blocks and making his way into the backfield.

Exhibits good initial balance and power in his lower body and is able to hold the point of attack inside, even when he doesn’t play with natural leverage. Is tough to drive off the ball and showcases the upper body strength to manhandle offensive linemen on contact and routinely shed their blocks. However, he needs to learn to play with a lower pad level as he consistently allows opposing linemen to get under him at the point of attack. He has the natural ability to get away with it in the college game, but not in the NFL.

Impression: He possesses the natural tools to start in the NFL, although he needs to improve his pad level and play with more leverage.

Antonio Baker: No. 34, FS, 5-11, 205

A gamer who displays good concentration in all areas of his play and does a nice job quickly finding the football. Displays impressive balance when attacking the line of scrimmage and takes good angles toward the ball carrier. Lacks ideal power on contact, but wraps up well and consistently gets his man to the ground.

Showcases smooth footwork in his drop, but at times allows his body to get behind his feet and struggles cleanly getting out of his breaks. Isn’t a real explosive athlete in space, but exhibits good game speed and displays a second gear when tracking the football.

Demonstrates impressive instincts vs. the pass game and has a nose for the ball. Plays with reckless abandon for his body and is a bit of a ball-hawk in the secondary who consistently drives on the play.

Impression: Isn’t going to “wow” you with his speed or power, but he has a nose for the ball and always puts himself in position to make plays. The kind of safety NFL coaching staffs love.

Deon Young: No. 25, SS, 5-11, 197

Showcases smooth footwork in his drop and does a nice job cleanly clicking and closing on plays in front of him. However, he lacks an ideal first step and seems to play at one speed on all levels of the field. Isn’t real instinctive at the line of scrimmage and struggles diagnosing plays quickly and finding the ball.

Allows receivers to easily cross his frame and doesn’t possess the speed to make up for a false step. Lacks fluidity transitioning out of his breaks and struggles with his lateral quickness in pass protection. However, he does a nice job locating the ball down the field and has the ability to break up a pass at its highest point.

Impression: A limited athlete who lacks the ideal size/speed numbers to man the strong safety spot in the NFL.