Three Buckeyes on the list, and they're no surprise. Honorable mention to Santonio Holmes. Everybody knows that Ginn and Peterson aren't eligible until the 2007 draft, but Fiu put them on this list anyway.
http://www.cfbnews.com/2005/Draft/2006_TopProspects.htm
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So who are this year's college football players who have the NFL scouts drooling? Here are 32 to watch for this college football season as they're in salary drives. These aren't necessarily the best college football players, but they're the ones who project to be among the best pros.
1. RB Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma
The first pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, Peterson is the best running back prospect since Willis McGahee (before the knee injury). He has a rare blend of size, speed, and talent.
2. QB Matt Leinart, USC
The rare rock-solid lock quarterback prospect. It should say something that Norm Chow said Leinart was one of the best kids he'd ever coached.
3. RB Reggie Bush, USC
Everyone forgets how big the 6-0, 200-pound speedster is. As a runner, receiver or kick returner, he's a sure-fire NFL star.
4. LB A.J. Hawk, Ohio State
The pro scouts have been in love with Hawk for the last two years. That was before the Buckeye star ripped off a 4.46 40-time on pro timing day.
5. DE Mathias Kiwanuka, Boston College
While players always emerge from nowhere, next season appears to be light on defensive ends compared to the 2005 Draft. Kiwanuka will be a much sought after pass rusher.
6. OG D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Virginia
While Elton Brown got most of the honors over the last few years, Ferguson projects to be a better pro.
7. LB Ahmad Brooks, Virginia
Considered a top pro prospect from the moment he set foot on the Virginia campus, he'll be a near-lock to go in the top ten.
8. RB DeAngelo Williams, Memphis
Even with his leg injury (which is now fine) he was projected by some as a top 15 pick had he come out for the 2005 Draft. His speed and quickness could move him up to the top five in the 2006 Draft.
9. OT Eric Winston, Miami
As long as his injured knee is 100%, he'll be someone's starting tackle for ten years.
10. LB Chad Greenway, Iowa
The range and pass coverage abilities will make him a first rounder.
11. DE Mario Williams, NC State
A freakish mix of talent in a 6-7, 285-pound end. He could project as a lightning quick tackle.
12. TE Leonard Pope, Georgia
6-7, 250-pound tight ends who can average 19 yards per catch are rare.
13. CB Jimmy Williams, Virginia Tech
Safety-sized 6-3, 206-pound corners who hit like Williams does and has 4.4 speed don't come around too often. <TABLE id=table3 cellSpacing=5 width=120 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%"><!-- 120x600 SkyScraper v1.4 for collegefootballnews.com --><!-- 120x600 SkyScraper v1.4 for collegefootballnews.com --></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>14. LB Bobby Carpenter, Ohio State
Overshadowed by A.J. Hawk, Carpenter is almost as fast and almost as good.
15. CB Devin Hester, Miami
He still needs a ton of work as a defensive back, but he has too much upside as a defender and a kick returner not to be a top prospect.
16. OT Marcus McNeill, Auburn
He's 6-9 and 337 pounds with good feet as a pass blocking left tackle.
17. OG Max Jean-Gilles, Georgia
The 6-4, 340-pound Dawg would've likely been a first round pick in the 2005 Draft.
18. OT Doug Free, Northern Illinois
They don't call him Doug Freak for nothing. He's a frightening blend of strength and speed with the potential to grow into one of the nation's top run blockers.
19. RB Laurence Maroney, Minnesota
Minnesota backs haven't panned out at the next level, but Maroney is good enough to buck the trend.
20. DT Orien Harris, Miami
From stuffing the run to getting to the quarterback, Harris could become one of the most compete tackles in college football.
21. CB/S Jason Allen, Tennessee
His size and speed makes him an intriguing prospect at corner, but he might be more suited for safety.
22. DT Kyle Williams, LSU
While not a monster on the inside, the 6-2, 295-pounder is a good interior pass rusher and active against the run.
23. RB Wali Lundy, Virginia
Think of him as next year's Ronnie Brown. He has the size, speed, and hands to be the combine guy who makes jaws drop.
24. WR/CB/KR Ted Ginn Jr., Ohio State
The question will be where he projects to play. The NFL is full of fast guys who can do a little of everything well.
25. TE Joe Klopfenstein, Colorado
He's a fast 6-6 and 245 pounds with tremendous hands.
26. RB Lynell Hamilton, San Diego State
The only question will be his durability coming back from missing all of last year with a broken ankle. He's 220 pounds with the moves of a scatback.
27. DT Jesse Mahelona, Tennessee
He's a 300-pound tackle with the athleticism of an end.
28. DT Haloti Ngata, Oregon
Injuries are all that have been able to stop the 6-5, 345-pound anchor.
29. OT Andrew Whitworth, LSU
He's a durable 6-7, 325-pound pass blocker who doesn't get beat.
30. S Darnell Bing, USC
There are a few consistency questions, but the 6-2, 220-pound big hitter will be a first rounder come draft time next year.
31. DE Darryl Tapp, Virginia Tech
He might only be 6-1, but he's lightning fast on the edge at 268 pounds.
32. OT Darryl Colledge, Boise State
The 6-5, 298-pound graduate of North Pole High in Alaska has been a starter in one of the nation's best offenses from day one and is growing into an elite pass protector.
Ten more who belong on the list: TE Tim Day, Oregon ... CB/WR Charles Gordon, Kansas ... DE Eric Henderson, Georgia Tech ... TE Matt Herian, Nebraska ... LB Abdul Hodge, Iowa ... WR Santonio Holmes, Ohio State ... OT Winston Justice, USC ... TE Marcedes Lewis, UCLA ... OG Grayling Love, Arizona State ... DT Rodrique Wright, Texas
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http://www.cfbnews.com/2005/Draft/2006_TopProspects.htm
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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 width=650 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width="9%" bgColor=#808000>
</TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#ffffff height=646><HR><TABLE height=1260 cellSpacing=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width="100%" bgColor=#ffffff height=17><TABLE id=table1 cellSpacing=4 width=300 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width="100%"><!-- ---------- 300x250 Code -------------- --><!-- ---------- Copyright 2000,---------- --></TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>By Pete Fiutak April 21, 2005
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[font=helvetica,arial][/font]2006 (and beyond) Top Pro Prospects
College football's top NFL prospects
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>College football's top NFL prospects
So who are this year's college football players who have the NFL scouts drooling? Here are 32 to watch for this college football season as they're in salary drives. These aren't necessarily the best college football players, but they're the ones who project to be among the best pros.
1. RB Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma
The first pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, Peterson is the best running back prospect since Willis McGahee (before the knee injury). He has a rare blend of size, speed, and talent.
2. QB Matt Leinart, USC
The rare rock-solid lock quarterback prospect. It should say something that Norm Chow said Leinart was one of the best kids he'd ever coached.
3. RB Reggie Bush, USC
Everyone forgets how big the 6-0, 200-pound speedster is. As a runner, receiver or kick returner, he's a sure-fire NFL star.
4. LB A.J. Hawk, Ohio State
The pro scouts have been in love with Hawk for the last two years. That was before the Buckeye star ripped off a 4.46 40-time on pro timing day.
5. DE Mathias Kiwanuka, Boston College
While players always emerge from nowhere, next season appears to be light on defensive ends compared to the 2005 Draft. Kiwanuka will be a much sought after pass rusher.
6. OG D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Virginia
While Elton Brown got most of the honors over the last few years, Ferguson projects to be a better pro.
7. LB Ahmad Brooks, Virginia
Considered a top pro prospect from the moment he set foot on the Virginia campus, he'll be a near-lock to go in the top ten.
8. RB DeAngelo Williams, Memphis
Even with his leg injury (which is now fine) he was projected by some as a top 15 pick had he come out for the 2005 Draft. His speed and quickness could move him up to the top five in the 2006 Draft.
9. OT Eric Winston, Miami
As long as his injured knee is 100%, he'll be someone's starting tackle for ten years.
10. LB Chad Greenway, Iowa
The range and pass coverage abilities will make him a first rounder.
11. DE Mario Williams, NC State
A freakish mix of talent in a 6-7, 285-pound end. He could project as a lightning quick tackle.
12. TE Leonard Pope, Georgia
6-7, 250-pound tight ends who can average 19 yards per catch are rare.
13. CB Jimmy Williams, Virginia Tech
Safety-sized 6-3, 206-pound corners who hit like Williams does and has 4.4 speed don't come around too often. <TABLE id=table3 cellSpacing=5 width=120 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%"><!-- 120x600 SkyScraper v1.4 for collegefootballnews.com --><!-- 120x600 SkyScraper v1.4 for collegefootballnews.com --></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>14. LB Bobby Carpenter, Ohio State
Overshadowed by A.J. Hawk, Carpenter is almost as fast and almost as good.
15. CB Devin Hester, Miami
He still needs a ton of work as a defensive back, but he has too much upside as a defender and a kick returner not to be a top prospect.
16. OT Marcus McNeill, Auburn
He's 6-9 and 337 pounds with good feet as a pass blocking left tackle.
17. OG Max Jean-Gilles, Georgia
The 6-4, 340-pound Dawg would've likely been a first round pick in the 2005 Draft.
18. OT Doug Free, Northern Illinois
They don't call him Doug Freak for nothing. He's a frightening blend of strength and speed with the potential to grow into one of the nation's top run blockers.
19. RB Laurence Maroney, Minnesota
Minnesota backs haven't panned out at the next level, but Maroney is good enough to buck the trend.
20. DT Orien Harris, Miami
From stuffing the run to getting to the quarterback, Harris could become one of the most compete tackles in college football.
21. CB/S Jason Allen, Tennessee
His size and speed makes him an intriguing prospect at corner, but he might be more suited for safety.
22. DT Kyle Williams, LSU
While not a monster on the inside, the 6-2, 295-pounder is a good interior pass rusher and active against the run.
23. RB Wali Lundy, Virginia
Think of him as next year's Ronnie Brown. He has the size, speed, and hands to be the combine guy who makes jaws drop.
24. WR/CB/KR Ted Ginn Jr., Ohio State
The question will be where he projects to play. The NFL is full of fast guys who can do a little of everything well.
25. TE Joe Klopfenstein, Colorado
He's a fast 6-6 and 245 pounds with tremendous hands.
26. RB Lynell Hamilton, San Diego State
The only question will be his durability coming back from missing all of last year with a broken ankle. He's 220 pounds with the moves of a scatback.
27. DT Jesse Mahelona, Tennessee
He's a 300-pound tackle with the athleticism of an end.
28. DT Haloti Ngata, Oregon
Injuries are all that have been able to stop the 6-5, 345-pound anchor.
29. OT Andrew Whitworth, LSU
He's a durable 6-7, 325-pound pass blocker who doesn't get beat.
30. S Darnell Bing, USC
There are a few consistency questions, but the 6-2, 220-pound big hitter will be a first rounder come draft time next year.
31. DE Darryl Tapp, Virginia Tech
He might only be 6-1, but he's lightning fast on the edge at 268 pounds.
32. OT Darryl Colledge, Boise State
The 6-5, 298-pound graduate of North Pole High in Alaska has been a starter in one of the nation's best offenses from day one and is growing into an elite pass protector.
Ten more who belong on the list: TE Tim Day, Oregon ... CB/WR Charles Gordon, Kansas ... DE Eric Henderson, Georgia Tech ... TE Matt Herian, Nebraska ... LB Abdul Hodge, Iowa ... WR Santonio Holmes, Ohio State ... OT Winston Justice, USC ... TE Marcedes Lewis, UCLA ... OG Grayling Love, Arizona State ... DT Rodrique Wright, Texas
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