As we enter the 2012 season, it’s never too early to look at the top prospects that will be hearing their names called next April.
The first Big Board of the season offers a glimpse at who to keep an eye out for as the season goes on. Ultimately, this list will change dramatically by season’s end and this is not a reflection of where they will get picked. Remember, at this time last season, Robert Griffin III wasn’t that high on too many people’s boards and Vontaze Burfict was a consensus Top 10 selection.
For now, this list is comprised of Seniors only, and as the season progresses, Juniors will be added. The underclassmen will make up the majority of the Big Board in the weeks to come.
Rankings: Big Board ¦ QB ¦ RB ¦ WR ¦ TE ¦ OT ¦ OG ¦ C ¦ DE ¦ DT ¦ OLB ¦ ILB ¦ CB ¦ S
1. Matt Barkley, QB, USC
2011 Stats: 308-446, 3,528 yards, 39 TDs, 7 INTs
2. Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas
2011 Stats: 277-438, 3,628, 24 TDs 6 INTs
3. Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
2011 Stats: 44 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks
4. Barrett Jones, OG/C, Alabama
2011 Stats: 14 starts at LT
5. Sean Porter, OLB, Texas A&M
2011 Stats: 79 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks
6. Alex Okafor, DE, Texas
2011 Stats: 58 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 7 sacks
7. Michael Buchanan, DE, Illinois
2011 Stats: 64 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks
8. Manti Te’o, ILB, Notre Dame
2011 Stats: 128 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks
9. Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama
2011 Stats: 13 starts at LG
10. Ricky Wagner, OT, Wisconsin
2011 Stats: 14 starts at LT
11. TJ McDonald, FS, USC
2011 Stats: 67 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions
12. Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State
2011 Stats: 71 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 5 interceptions
13. Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina
2011 Stats: 13 starts at LG
14. Robert Lester, FS, Alabama
2011 Stats: 39 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions
15. Brandon Jenkins, DE, Florida State
2011 Stats: 41 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 8 sacks
16. Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
2011 Stats: 346-526, 4,385 yards, 31 TDs, 7 INTs
17. Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon
2011 Stats: 42 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks
18. Kenny Vaccaro, SS, Texas
2011 Stats: 82 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 2 sacks
19. Shayne Skov, ILB, Stanford
2011 Stats: 19 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks
20. Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor
2011 Stats: 59 receptions, 957 yards, 11 TDs
21. Gerald Hodges, OLB, Penn State
2011 Stats: 106 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 1 interception
22. Kawann Short, DT, Purdue
2011 Stats: 54 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks
23. Dallas Thomas, OT, Tennessee
2011 Stats: 12 starts at LT
24. Johnny Adams, CB, Michigan State
2011 Stats: 51 tackles, 3 interceptions
25. Aaron Mellette, WR, Elon
2011 Stats: 113 receptions, 1,639 yards, 12 TDs
26. Brennan Williams, OT, North Carolina
2011 Stats: 13 starts at RT
27. John Jenkins, DT, Georgia
2011 Stats: 28 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 3 sacks
28. Terry Hawthorne, CB, Illinois
2011 Stats: 60 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions
29. Andre Ellington, RB, Clemson
2011 Stats: 223 carries, 1,178 yards, 11 TDS
30. Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin
2011 Stats: 307 carries, 1,923 yards, 33 TDs
31. Cobi Hamilton, WR, Arkansas
2011 Stats: 34 receptions, 542 yards, 4 TDs
32. EJ Manuel, QB, Florida State
2011 Stats: 203-311, 2,666 yards, 18 TDs, 8 INTs
-
Jeremy Cabler covers the NFL Draft and College Football for Rant Sports. Check out his Scouting Reports
Follow him on Twitter @JeremyCabler.
