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NCAA Scouting
Top 50 Prospects Board
by Paul Emery
December 24th 2012
 
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My board is ever changing and I keep delaying putting it live as I watch more games, but it seems a logical time to publish. I’ve not weighted by position particularly, so I don’t have a QB that high just because of the position. I’ve also not worried too much about height/weight at this time as I don’t have reliable numbers the Combine will change this dramatically. It’s also tough to know which juniors to include and which not to, so there may be a few that declare who I haven’t included, but I can include them in January.
 
As ever, this my own personal opinion from off season tape study, 117 full games watched this season plus some cut up highlights on YouTube. Ratings before the Combine are often more pure as they are from what matters most, performance on the field.
 

No

Forename

Surname

Pos.

College

Comments

1

Johnathan

Hankins*

DT

Ohio State

Dominant interior lineman is very strong at the point of attack and consistently gets push and disrupts. Has been dominant so far this season.

2

Manti

Te’o

ILB

Notre Dame

Has been outstanding all season, explosive tackler who is a fantastic leader.

3

Jarvis

Jones*

OLB

Georgia

Plays outside in a 3-4 system. Very fast pass rusher who has been highly productive. Can also set an edge against the run. Durability is a concern.

4

Damontre

Moore*

DE

Texas A&M;

Has stepped into a full time role in 2012 and excelled. Impact pass rusher who also shows a high motor.

5

Keenan

Allen*

WR

California

Less than stellar QB play gives him the chance to show his large catching radius. Dynamic playmaker.

6

Jonathan

Cooper

OG

North Carolina

Big guard who moves extremely well for his size. Plays nice and square in the run game. Has good pass protection technique, which seems improved on last year.

7

Star

Lotulelei

DT

Utah

Moves extremely well for a man of his size. Naturally powerful but tends to play too high. Natural tools will see him drafted high, but needs technique work and greater consistency.

8

Cornellius

Carradine

DE

Florida State

Junior college transfer has taken the opportunity presented by Brandon Jenkins injury with both hands. Plays with excellent leverage and hand use, can set the edge against the run, plus can turn the corner rushing the passer.

9

Matt

Barkley

QB

USC

Highly polished quarterback throws the vast majority of his passes under 10 yards and lets his game breaking receivers do the work. Has superb touch down the field, but lacks top size and a cannon arm.

10

Luke

Joeckel*

OT

Texas A&M;

Not as good a prospect as Matt Kalil last year, not as naturally flexible. Can mirror effortlessly in pass protection though. Needs a little technique work, lets defenders get into his chest too easily.

11

Jake

Matthews*

OT

Texas A&M;

Has the ability to sit in his stance and make mirroring look effortless. Like Joeckel, needs to protect his chest better but has all the raw tools.

12

Dee

Milliner*

CB

Alabama

Next in Alabama’s defensive back NFL production line. Very physical corner who shows the ability to turn and run smoothly.

13

Johnthan

Banks

CB

Mississippi State

Tall/thin corner with really loose hips. Has a nice break on the ball and will make big plays. Not great as a tackler, but does have a knack for forcing fumbles.

14

Robert

Woods*

WR

USC

Gifted athlete makes things happen after the catch, something he is asked to do a lot in a short passing offense. Has put a few too balls on the ground over his career.

15

Kenny

Vaccaro

SS

Texas

Aggressive, physical and confident safety also plays as a nickel corner. Experience in man coverage and also comfortable in the box, highly versatile.

16

Geno

Smith

QB

West Virginia

Has produced fantastic numbers this year, although Texas Tech and Kansas State slowed him down. Has all the raw skills to transition to a wide open pro offense.

17

Terrance

Williams

WR

Baylor

Built a little like AJ Green, but is much faster. Average per catch is over 20 yards this year. Extremely dangerous with the ball in his hands.

18

Kevin

Minter*

ILB

LSU

Extremely athletic linebacker often beats blockers to plays. Will take gambles, but has the speed to get away with it.

19

Dion

Jordan

OLB

Oregon

Versatile and athletic linebacker is very fast off the edge, but also shows loose hips in coverage. Tall and thin, does need to add bulk but his athletic ability is intriguing.

20

Sharrif

Floyd*

DT

Florida

Powerful interior presence can consistently get penetration. Has a nice swim move as well. Needs to develop a little more rushing the passer, but can get inside push.

21

Michael

Mauti

ILB

Penn State

Has been a vocal leader for the team at an extremely difficult time. Well put together linebacker has come back strong after a knee injury cost him most of the 2011 season. Recent knee injury clouds his status…

22

Cobi

Hamilton

WR

Arkansas

A bright spot in a horrible year for the Razorbacks. Has good size and speed, plus excellent hands. Has drawn plenty of double coverage, but has still made big plays.

23

Mike

Glennon

QB

North Carolina State

Tall quarterback can sit in the pocket and go through his progressions. More advanced with his eyes than any other QB is this class. Struggles more against pressure, must learn to read blitzes and get the ball out much quicker.

24

Justin

Hunter*

WR

Tennessee

Big play receiver missed much of 2011 with an ACL tear. Has struggled at times with drops this year, but has really started to show his undoubted talent in recent weeks.

25

Corey

Lemonier*

DE

Auburn

One of the few bright spots in a down year for the Tigers. Fast off the edge and has the ability to get low to turn the corner. Has the right idea against the run, but needs to get a little stronger to help him get off blocks.

26

Tavon

Austin

WR

West Virginia

Small slot receiver fits ideal to the wide open offenses becoming popular in the NFL. Can cut without dropping his speed and can create from nothing.

27

Nickell

Robey*

CB

USC

The perfect prospect to cover slot receivers. Extremely loose hips and plays much bigger than his size.

28

Quinton

Patton

WR

Louisiana Tech

Has extremely quick feet to make people miss, also has good long speed. Has been highly productive this year, including a monster game against Texas A&M.;

29

Bjoern

Werner*

DE

Florida State

High motor prospect might be overrated, 4 sacks against Murray State skews his sack total. Lacks ideal length and can struggle when run at.

30

Tyler

Wilson

QB

Arkansas

Has some rough edges, but has a good arm and a very quick release. Accuracy is the main concern, due to poor footwork and a low/wristy release.

31

Barkevious

Mingo*

DE

LSU

Bruce Irvin style pass rusher is very fast off the edge. Production has not been off the charts, but should light up the Combine.

32

Justin

Pugh*

OT

Syracuse

Needs to get bigger and stronger, but has very good technique and movement skills. If he was 310+ lbs he’d be the top tackle prospect.

33

Barrett

Jones

C

Alabama

Extremely versatile prospect is playing his third position this year. Developing as a center, must ensure he doesn’t lunge off the snap and lose balance. Looks more comfortable inside after playing left tackle last year.

34

Andre

Ellington

RB

Clemson

Dynamic playmaker is somewhat of a luxury type pick. Must be teamed with a bigger back and does present a medical gamble as he’s had trouble staying healthy in his Clemson career.

35

Alex

Okafor

DE

Texas

Graded on his flashes he’s much higher, but does is inconsistent. Has a really nice frame and can play low, just doesn’t always do it.

36

Sam

Montgomery*

DE

LSU

Has an ideal frame, but needs to get much stronger. Has good hand placement, but lacks heavy hands to help his pass rush.

37

Zach

Ertz*

TE

Stanford

One of three good Stanford TE’s and often used out wide where he is a mismatch against smaller CB’s. Has soft hands and will go up and high point passes very nicely.

38

Taylor

Lewan*

OT

Michigan

Looks good until he comes up against edge speed, when he loses his technique. Has a nasty streak and finishes his run blocks very nicely.

39

Chase

Thomas

OLB

Stanford

Long armed 3-4 OLB lacks an elite burst, but uses his arm length to his advantage. Needs to play lower more consistently.

40

Desmond

Trufant

CB

Washington

Tall corner needs to add a little bulk to his wiry frame, but he can press and also turn and run smoothly down the field.

41

Giovani

Bernard*

RB

North Carolina

Slightly undersized, but is a real playmaker. A very good receiver out of the backfield and can make people miss. Is also a fine punt returner.

42

Eric

Reid*

SS

LSU

Looks very comfortable in the box, but question his ability to cover man to man – hips look a little stiff.

43

Eric

Fisher

OT

Central Michigan

Has a frame that can carry additional weight and generally has very good technique. Lacks an elite first step and does look a little heavy footed in pass protection at times.

44

Tyler

Eifert*

TE

Notre Dame

Often used as a mismatch out wide or in the slot. Uses his frame to box out defenders and is a solid blocker.

45

Dallas

Thomas

OG

Tennessee

Moved inside to left guard this year and looks very comfortable. Generally has very good technique in pass protection. Isn’t as good in the run game, struggles to get to the second level quickly.

46

Sheldon

Richardson*

DT

Missouri

Rising prospect shows power and quickness in the run game. Needs to continue to develop as a pass rusher.

47

Chance

Warmack

OG

Alabama

A big mauler in the run game and will appeal to power teams at the next level. A little limited against quickness, which is particularly shown up in pass protection.

48

Khaseem

Greene

OLB

Rutgers

Former safety looks extremely comfortable in coverage. Plays bigger than his size, does not look out of place in the box.

49

EJ

Manuel

QB

Florida State

Hasn’t taken the next step in his senior year. Does not read blitzes well and at times will make poor decisions.

50

Oday

Aboushi

OT

Virginia

Very aggressive college left tackle lacks the foot speed for the position as a pro, but is a good right tackle prospect. Needs a little technique refinement, particularly in pass protection where his hands get outside a bit too much.

 
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