This
is the third year I have done this list and for those first time
readers this is not a list of the top 10 NFL Draft prospects, but
rather a list of MY top 10 favorite players. Players I would want
on
my teams, not necessarily just for their skills, but also for their
passion and heart. This list will include likely first rounders,
but
also players that will likely get drafted in the later rounds. To
be
fair to those underclassmen, I have only listed seniors. My list
the
previous two years came out after underclassmen declared, but on each
of those lists there was only one underclassman. I am a big
proponent
in college athletics being use as an academic tool to succeed in life,
and when a player earns a college degree, it speaks high of his
character. By the way, it’s going to be hard for these prospects
to
reach the admiration I have for Patrick Willis. I’m so glad
Willis is
having a strong rookie season for the 49ers. He is not only a
great
player, but also a great off the field influence. So before I go
any
further, MY top ten players:
1.
Wesley Woodyard, LB, Kentucky
Woodyard is a true team player. His freshman year, with a
Kentucky
program in shambles thanks to the Hal Mumme era, Woodyard played MLB
for the Wildcats, he was only 200 lbs. Woodyard came to Kentucky
to
play safety, but the team was in such bad shape the coaches needed him
to play linebacker. Well much has changed since then. The
Kentucky
program is having a great season, a large part because of Woodyard’s
defensive skills and leadership. Woodyard earned a spot on the
SEC
Academic Honor Roll and was named to the Frank G. Ham Society of
Character by UK Athletics. Scouts may same Woodyard is too small
to
play linebacker in the NFL. If that is the case, move him back to
his
natural safety position. It doesn’t matter to me; as a coach, I
would
just want Woodyard on the field. He has the heart of a lion.
2.
Mark Bradford, WR, Stanford
Bradford is forever known as the guy who caught the winning touchdown
catch for Stanford against USC. Just four days before that catch,
Bradford was at his father’s funeral. No one would have thought
differently if Bradford didn’t play in the USC game. But Bradford
knew
his father would have wanted him to and the rest is history. You
have
to root for a guy like Bradford. At 6-2, 215 lbs., Bradford has
the
size to play in the NFL. He also has something that many people
envy:
a Stanford education. How can you not love this guy?
3.
Martin Rucker, TE, Missouri
I am never shy to admit that my favorite position in football is the
tight end. It is an unwritten rule of mine to have at least one
tight
end on this list. Well, Rucker is the lucky one. Actually,
Rucker
makes this list without my rule because I like him that much. I
mean
6-7, 250 lbs., 250 lbs, great hands, if you like that. This
season,
Rucker already has 60 receptions for 823 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Rucker creates a mismatch whenever he is on the field. If I ran
an NFL
offense, I would be throwing to him at least 10 times a game.
4.
Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
Dorsey is a top three prospect so of course everyone likes him.
He is
only the best defensive tackle prospect in years. So, I apologize
to
readers who complain that this pick is too obvious. But my
favorite
reason for liking Dorsey: his decision to stay in school to try to help
his team win a national championship. Dorsey, was a first rounder
last
season, but unlike so many players, he was able to wait for the
money.
He is also tough as nails. What seemed like a possible season
ending
injury, Dorsey put on a brace and helped his Tigers to a 4th quarter
comeback against Alabama. This is true: His nickname is
“Putt”
because the only time he would get up and walk as an infant was when a
Putt-Putt commercial would come on television.
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5. Harry Douglas, WR, Louisville
Brian Brohm is the top rank quarterback in the draft, but no
quarterback gets to that kind of success without someone catching the
ball. Douglas currently has 55 receptions for 1172 yds and 6
touchdowns this season. Critics will quickly point to Douglas’
small size at 5-11, 170 lbs., but he just may be the fastest receiver
in the draft with 4.3 speed. Players can always gain weight and
get stronger, that’s what conditioning is for, but you can’t get
speed. Some have it, some don’t, Douglas certainly has it.
6.
Chris Long, DE, Virginia
I admit it, I am an UVA alumnus, so it is easy for me to have a bias
toward Long. I watch every single one of his games, so I get to
see and marvel at the talent of Long each week. Long is easily on his
way to becoming a first round draft pick, but its amazing to realize
how good this guy is. Virginia is one of few colleges that
implement the 3-4 defense, with that Long’s job is much harder than a
4-3 lineman, mostly being double teamed on each play, but looking at
his stats it does not seem to matter. Last season, Long won the
team’s Joe Palumbo (and two other awards) which honors the UVA player
who shows the most self-sacrifice, dedication, and enthusiasm.
For those who live in a cave and didn’t know, he also is the son of
Hall of Famer Howie Long.
7.
Josh Barrett, S, Arizona St.
The Sun Devils’ successful season could not have been done without
Barrett. At 6-3, 231, Barrett has great size to play in the NFL,
but he also has the brains. Last season he earned first team Pac
10 All-Academic recognition and also earned Hard Hat Player recognition
for his hard work and devotion during the team’s offseason strength and
conditioning.
8.
Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
Boston College has a rich tradition of producing a strong pedigree of
offensive linemen who have been successful in the NFL. Cherilus
is the next in line to do so. At 6-7, 315 lbs., Cherilus
looks to be a first round draft pick. He has started every
game in his college career (redshirted in ‘03).
9.
J Leman, MLB, Illinois
A person who has one letter to represent his name is either very
special or either very, well egotistic. Well, J Leman is the
former type, egotistic would be the last thing to describe his play on
the field. As the team’s defensive leader, Leman has led his
Fighting Illini back to promise. Last season, he recorded 152
tackles, including 19 for loss. He I a tackling machine who is
willing to get down and dirty for his team. He has also been
named Academic All-Big Ten.
10.
Kory Lichtensteiger, C, Bowling Green
Lichtensteiger might also have a spot on the all name team. Last
season, Lichtensteiger earned double All-Mac honors, one for his play
on the field and the other one for his brains in the classroom.
Lichtensteiger (I love that name) has the size 6-3, 300 lbs. and brains
to be a successful center in the NFL. Most draft sites rank him
as the 4th or 5th best center, I am so high on him that I rank him
number one.
2007
Favorite NFL Draft Prospects
Patrick Willis, WR, Ole. Miss
Eric Weddle, S, Utah
Joe Newton, TE, Oregon St.
Brian Leonard, FB, Rutgers
Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida
Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan
Marcus Hamilton, CB, Virginia
Garrett Wolfe, RB, Northern Illinois
Johnnie Lee Higgins, WR, UTEP
Dan Bazuin, DE, Central Michigan
2006
Favorite NFL Draft Prospects
Joe Klopfenstein, TE, Colorado
Mike Kudla DE/LB, Ohio State
D’Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia
Mike Hass, WR, Oregon St.
Elvis Dumervil, DE, Louisville
Manny Lawson, DE/LB, NC State
Garrett Mills, H-Back, Tulsa
Thomas Howard, OLB, UTEP
Max Jean-Gilles, G, Georgia
Devin Hester, ATH, Miami
Michael
Abromowitz's 2008 NFL Mock
Draft
Gregory Cox's 2008
NFL Mock Draft
Paul Eide's 2008 NFL
Mock Draft
Jared
Donnelly's 2008 NFL Mock
Draft
Mock
Draft Database
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