Underclassmen are denoted with an asterisk (*).
1. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville (6-3, 220, 4.65)*:
Bridgewater has dominated the Big East in his first two seasons and
eased any concerns over his level of competition with an MVP performance
in a Sugar Bowl win against an extremely talented Florida defense.
2. Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M (6-5, 305, 5.14): Luke
Joeckel received most of the attention at Texas A&M, but there are
some who believe Matthews (the son of Hall of Famer, Bruce) will wind up
the better prospect. If Matthews handles the jump to left tackle as
smoothly as scouts anticipate, a top-five selection is a virtual lock.
3. Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina (6-6, 268, 4.65)*: It is
difficult to describe Clowney and not fall into the trap of hyperbole.
He has more than lived up to his billing as the top prep prospect in the
country in his first two seasons with the Gamecocks, however, and
boasts the skillset to rank among the truly elite prospects of his
generation.
4. Taylor Lewan, T, Michigan (6-7, 310, 5.04): Possessing an
incredible combination of size and athletic ability, Lewan has earned
comparisons to former Michigan standout Jake Long throughout his career
with the Wolverines.
5. Stephon Tuitt, DL, Notre Dame (6-5, 303, 4.89)*: Overshadowed
by Manti Te'o and even nose guard Louis Nix III a season ago, Tuitt's
length, power and surprising quickness will ultimately earn him the
highest grade from NFL scouts.
6. Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson (6-1, 225, 4.68): Every team is looking
for "the next Russell Wilson." In terms of his size, poise, mobility
and arm talent, Boyd is one of the few quarterbacks to warrant
comparison to the Seahawks' young standout.
7. Cyrus Kouandjio, T, Alabama (6-5, 312, 5.12)*: Some questioned
the wisdom of moving Barrett Jones from left tackle (where he'd won the
Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the SEC's best lineman) to center in 2012.
The reason for the switch was Kouandjio, a physically-blessed athlete
who some have compared to former Redskins Pro Bowler Chris Samuels, the
No. 3 overall pick out of Alabama in 2000.
8. Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA (6-4, 238, 4.73): As the No. 5 pick of
the 2013 NFL draft, Ziggy Ansah showed just what a breakout season can
do for a pass-rusher. Barr, a former running back, exploded onto the
Pac-12 scene last year to the tune of 21.5 tackles for loss and 13.5
sacks. If he can duplicate that success as a senior, he could wind up in
the top 10, himself.
9. Marqise Lee, WR, Southern Cal (6-0, 195, 4.51)*: The reigning
Biletnikoff winner as the nation's top receiver, Lee possesses
extraordinary agility and burst, making him a threat to score every time
he touches the ball.
10. Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma St. (6-0, 190, 4.35): The
Cowboys versatile shut down corner-return specialist will be the next
line of game changing defensive backs making the leap to the next level
11. Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State (5-11, 190, 4.42)*: The Buckeyes
used to churn out first-round defensive backs annually. Roby, who
possesses spectacular straight-line speed and quick hands, will renew
the tradition.
12. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington (6-6, 267, 4.75)*: A
two-sport star for the Huskies (football, basketball), ASJ provides a
unique combination of size, overall athleticism and ball-skills, making
him a true mismatch for opponents. He was suspended indefinitely by
coach Steve Sarkisian in the spring following a DUI arrest, but is
expected to play this fall.
13. Kyle Van Noy, OLB, BYU (6-3, 235, 4.67): While Ziggy Ansah
received most of the hype at BYU, Van Noy was far and away the more
consistent defender, registering an eye-popping 22 tackles for loss, 13
sacks, six forced fumbles, two interceptions and two blocked kicks. What
can he do for an encore now that opponents will be focusing on him?
14. Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee (6-6, 332, 5.16)*:
Nicknamed "Tiny," Richardson and his game proved anything but last
season at left tackle for the Vols. Richardson remains a bit raw but was
one of the few tackles to keep Clowney off his quarterback.
15. Jason Verrett, CB, TCU (5-10, 182, 4.49): Verrett lacks the
size so en vogue in today's NFL, but agility and ball skills never go
out of style for cornerbacks. Verrett led the Big 12 with 22 passes
defended and six interceptions in 2012.
16. Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson (6-1, 200, 4.49)*: It was Watkins,
not USC's Lee, who was the more impressive pass-catcher as a freshman,
but injuries and suspension led to a disappointing sophomore campaign
for the Clemson star while Lee won the Biletnikoff Award. Long and
athletic, expect Watkins to re-emerge in 2013.
17. Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame (6-3, 326, 5.17)*: Possessing
broad shoulders, a thick lower half and surprisingly quick feet, Nix III
is a classic run-stuffer with enough burst and determination to
threaten the pocket, as well.
18. C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama (6-2, 232, 4.56): Athletic and
instinctive, Mosley is a true three-down linebacker capable of making
plays against the run and pass. He's among the best all-around football
players in what appears to be a much stronger 2014 draft class, but his
lack of elite size could keep him out of the top 10.
19. Colt Lyerla, TE, Oregon (6-5, 245, 4.59)*: Overshadowed a bit
at Oregon but shows a combination of size and overall athletic ability
that has earned comparisons from a number of veteran Pac-12 observers to
former Arizona Wildcat Rob Gronkowski.
20. Loucheiz Purifoy, CB, Florida (6-0, 185, 4.47)*: An explosive
athlete with a knack for making big plays at cornerback and on special
teams, Purifoy is expected to see significant time at receiver in 2013,
as well.
21. William Sutton, DE, Arizona State (6-1, 288, 4.79): Sutton is
undeniably smaller than scouts would prefer, but he uses his natural
leverage advantage well, slicing through gaps to terrorize opponents.
Sutton led the Pac-12 in both tackles for loss (23.5) and sacks (13) in
2012 and was voted the conference's most dominant defensive lineman --
over Carolina Panthers first-round pick Star Lotulelei, among others.
22. David Yankey, OT, Stanford (6-5, 302, 5.08)*: Scouts love
Yankey's upside and versatility. He won the Morris Trophy as the
Pac-12's top offensive lineman in his first season at left tackle ... as
a sophomore.
23. A.J. Johnson, ILB, Tennessee (6-2, 240, 4.73)*: For all of
the talk a year ago about Manti Te'o, Arthur Brown or Kevin Minter, for
my money, the most impressive inside linebacker in the country was
Johnson. He led the SEC with 138 stops while also contributing six
touchdowns as Tennessee's short-yardage back.
24. Adrian Hubbard, OLB, Alabama (6-5, 252, 4.76)*: They don't
rebuild at Alabama, they simply reload, and Hubbard is the next star on
defense to keep an eye on. The lanky pass-rusher recorded 10 tackles for
loss, six sacks and three forced fumbles in a breakout sophomore
campaign and could be on the verge of much bigger things.
25. David Fales, QB, San Jose State (6-3, 220, 4.88): Fales
signed with SJSU as a lightly recruited JUCO prospect, but turned heads
by leading the country with a 72.5 percent completion percentage. His
anticipation and accuracy make up for less than ideal size and arm
strength.
26. Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State (6-3, 212, 4.79): While not as
polished as older brother David was entering his senior season, Derek
has the frame, confidence and rocket arm to shoot up draft boards with a
big final campaign for the Bulldogs.
27. James Hurst, OT, North Carolina (6-6, 310, 5.43): Entering
his fourth season as the Tar Heels' left tackle, Hurst won't have to
worry about being overshadowed this year by guard Jonathan Cooper, and
therefore will begin to get the first-round buzz his game deserves.
28. Trent Murphy, DE/OLB, Stanford (6-4, 261, 4.80): Murphy
registered 18 tackles for loss and 10 sacks to lead the Cardinal in both
categories a season ago. The stout, broad-shouldered athlete may
project best as a defensive end rather than as a stand-up linebacker for
some.
29. Ka'Deem Carey, RB, Arizona (5-10, 200, 4.53)*: Carey led the
country with 1,929 yards a season ago, demonstrating vision, burst and
elusiveness. If he can clear up concerns about his maturity, Carey could
overtake former first-round pick Trung Canidate (selected No. 31
overall by the Rams in 2000) as the highest drafted runner in school
history.
30. Morgan Breslin, DE/OLB, Southern Cal (6-2, 250, 4.67):
Breslin exploded for 13 sacks in his first season with the Trojans after
signing as a highly regarded JUCO prospect. Breslin's burst and
tenacity could make him every bit as intriguing to 3-4 teams looking for
a standup linebacker as 4-3 teams in need of a defensive end.
31. Jackson Jeffcoat, DE/OLB, Texas (6-5, 245, 4.67): The son of
former Cowboys standout Jim Jeffcoat, Jackson has the length and
athleticism to earn a first-round grade, but durability is a concern.
32. Brandon Coleman, R, Rutgers (6-5, 220, 4.59)*: Towering over
most cornerbacks, Coleman is an ideal red-zone target with sneaky
downfield speed. His 10 receiving touchdowns in 2012 tied the school's
single-season record. Don't be surprised when he breaks the record as a
junior.
