[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif]2009 NFL Draft Projected First Round[/FONT][FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif] The way too early look at the top pro prospects coming back[/FONT] USC LB Rey Maualuga With the NFL early entry signing period coming to a close, the spotlight is on the top pro prospects for the 2009 draft. There are some superstars, like USC LB Rey Maualuga, who will certainly be a top pick, but it should be a down year for top skill players. Check out 32 of the best pro prospects to watch out for. Either they chose to come back for their senior seasons, will be ready as juniors, or will come out of the blue, with the time to file for early entry over, here's an early look at 32 of the best pro prospects for the 2008 college football season. NOTE: There are still a few players that could enter into this mix over the next day or so as the early entrants are finalized. This could quickly change. 1. Tim Tebow, QB Florida (Jr.) Think Alex Smith with talent. Tebow seems like the type who'll want to stay for all four years, but 2009 projects to be among the worst quarterback drafts in a long, long time making the bulldozing lefty a hot prospect. He has the size, the passing accuracy, the mobility, and the makeup to become a franchise-shaper. 2. Tyson Jackson, DE LSU Call this a bit of an out-on-a-limb projection considering Jackson probably would've been a second rounder if he came out early. At 6-5 and 290 pounds, he's an end who's built like a tackle, but he has to come up with a better year to grow into an elite of the elite pick. No, he's not a speed rusher, but JaMarcus Russell wasn't a Vince Young-like runner, either. In other words, sometimes, the freak of nature specimen aspect overshadows everything else. 3. Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB Ohio State (Jr.) With size, breakaway speed, and toughness between the tackles, Beanie is a do-it-all back who can be a 25-carry NFL franchise builder. With the talent coming back on the Buckeye line, only injuries will keep Wells from being deep in the hunt for the Heisman. 4. Rey Maualuga, LB USC In a strange way, Maualuga might have been the top linebacker taken in the 2008 draft, but he might have been the least ready of all the top prospects. He can move, he can hit, and, well, he can really, really hit. He's a top inside defender to potentially build a defense around. 5. James Laurinaitis, LB Ohio State There's no doubt he would've been a top 15, maybe top ten pick had he come out early. It'll be interesting to see if there's a little bit of a backlash considering how much great press he's received over the last few years, or if he'll turn into A.J. Hawk as far as national respect. He can put up big numbers, but he has to be better against the pass and not make so many plays ten yards down the field against the run. 6. Andre Smith, OT Alabama (Jr.) He was almost everyone's No. 1 high school recruit in 2006 and he proved to be up to the hype. 6-5, 350-pound tackles who can move and can handle speed rushers are extremely rare. 7. Malcolm Jenkins, CB Ohio State He likely would've been the first corner taken in the 2008 draft with a combination of safety size and blazing speed. Better against big or fast receivers, he has to prove in his senior year that he can lock down against the small, quick types. Tackling isn't an issue. 8. George Selvie, DE South Florida (Jr.) The pass rushing terror has to bulk up a bit, be more consistent, and be even bigger in the big games. He has to use this year to prove he can dominate no matter who's blocking him and no matter what the situation is. He can't disappear as often as he did at times late in 2007. 9. Greg Hardy, DE Ole Miss (Jr.) An unstoppable pass rushing machine who ripped apart Alabama and came up with two sacks against LSU, but off-the-field issues kept him out of a key game against Auburn. He still needs polish on his technique and he still needs to show he can be the main man with the spotlight on, but the former basketball player has the tools to be a terror at the next level. 10. C.J. Spiller, RB Clemson (Jr.) With James Davis out of the picture, the Tiger running game will be all about the one-time super-recruit who has shown flashes of greatness over his first two seasons. While he's not huge, he has great pop and breakaway speed once he gets through the line. 11. Ciron Black, OT LSU (Jr.) Black got a little bit of all-star recognition in 2007, but he should be on everyone's radar going into 2008. He made a name for himself as a freshman protecting JaMarcus Russell, and now he's ready to shoot up the draft charts with his size and feet. 12. Brian Cushing, LB USC Injuries kept him from having a huge 2007, but with his all-around game and his potential to be effective in any scheme at any outside position, he'll be a lock to be a top 30 pick. He won't have the "wow" factor of Rey Maulaluga or James Laurinaitis, but the NFL scouts will love him. 13. Taylor Mays, S USC (Jr.) At 6-4 and 225 pounds, Mays hits like a linebacker and is as fast as any Trojan. He's been a playmaker from day one, especially against the run, and now he has to show he can do a bit more when the ball is in the air to solidify a spot in the top 20. 14. Duke Robinson, OG Oklahoma A big, pounding run blocker who has helped make the OU running game go as much as the star backs plowing behind him. Consistency is a bit of an issue and pass protection will definitely be worked on in his senior year. His run blocking alone should make him one of the first linemen taken. 15. Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR Maryland (Jr.) Fast, fast, fast. At 6-2 and likely to be a solid 210 by 2009 draft time, and with the best wheels in the draft, or at least in the top five overall, he'll have all the measurables to go along with the polish from another year. 16. Greg Middleton, DE Indiana (Jr.) The nation's sack leader with 16, getting to the quarterback isn't a problem. At 270 pounds, his size makes him a dangerous all-around defender who can play in a 3-4 or a 4-3. 17. Myron Rolle, S Florida State (Jr.) This might be way too low. The prototype of an NFL safety, he's one of the nation's most intimidating hitters with great size and strength. He needs to make a few more plays with the ball in the air and has to be more of a difference maker, but all the tools are there. 18. Percy Harvin, WR Florida (Jr.) He might not be a pure wide receiver at an NFL level, but he's an elite playmaker no matter how he gets the ball in his hands. No, he's not going to be a No. 1 target for anyone, but he'll be a fun toy for some creative offensive coordinator to play with. 19. Marcus Freeman, LB Ohio State He overcame an knee injury early in his career to be a top tackler next to James Laurinaitis. At 245 pounds, he has the size to play inside, but he's an outside defender at the next level with the speed and quickness to get into the backfield on a regular basis. 20. Alex Boone, OT Ohio State Boone could've been gone after this year and would've been a top 50 pick, and now he's almost certain to go in the first round. [SIZE=-1]The 6-8, 325-pound star of the line has the feet to stay with the speed defenders and the size to dominate in the ground game.[/SIZE] 21. Sean Lee, LB Penn State The next in line after Paul Pozluszny and Dan Connor, Lee might be more versatile than Connor and more athletic then Poz. He's a natural outside defender who should see more time in the middle this year, but he'll probably move back out at the next level. 22. Herman Johnson, G LSU As long as the weight is kept in check, and he's around 330 to 340 and doesn't balloon back up to around 370, he'll be among the first linemen taken. A crushing run blocker, he has surprising athleticism for a player of his size. 23. Cornelius Ingram, TE Florida Is he a big wide receiver or a small tight end? That was enough of a question to reverse and earlier decision and come back for his senior year. If he can bulk up a bit and if he can continue to grow as a receiver, after catching 34 passes for 508 yards and seven scores, he'll be a dangerous weapon. 24. Phil Loadholt, OT Oklahoma On sheer size, Loadholt will warrant late-first round consideration. If he times well and shows good agility at the Combines, he could move into the top 15. 25. Mike Mickens, CB Cincinnati The raw speed makes him an intriguing prospect, but size might be a problem at 6-0 and around 165 pounds. Even with his slight frame, he's a tough tackler who's not afraid to throw his body around. 26. Travis Beckum, TE Wisconsin There's no questioning his route running ability, his speed, or his receiving skills, but he needed to come back to hit the weights, get bigger, and become a better blocker on the line. 27. Vontae Davis, CB Illinois (Jr.) The rare blow-him-up hitting corner, Davis hits like a ton of bricks, and while his coverage skills still need improving, he has the athleticism to go along with the tackling ability to grow into an intriguing pick. 28. Sen'Derrick Marks, DT Auburn (Jr.) While he's not a huge run stuffer, he's an ultra-athletic interior pass rusher who should be the best of a projected lousy lot of defensive tackles. This might end up being way, way too low if he turns into the star of the Tiger front line like he's supposed to. 29. Alex Mack, C California Centers don't exactly fly off the board in the first 50 picks, but Mack should be the exception. He's quick on the move, tough against the best of tackles in pass protection, and a fantastic leader, he has it all. With his size and strength, he could play any position on the line with a little bit of work. 30. Darry Beckwith, LB LSU A star recruit a few years ago, Beckwith played up to expectations proving he could play inside or out. With 230-pound size and versatility, he should fit in with just about any scheme. 31. Brandon Spikes, LB Florida (Jr.) This might be way too low as he has top 15 potential if he has a big junior year. At 6-3 and 241 pounds, he has good size, sideline-to-sideline range, and excellent strength with the physical ability of a defensive end. 32. Eugene Monroe, OT Virginia This is a projection that everything comes together at once. While he's not D'Brickashaw Ferguson, he has great size, excellent mobility, and a limitless ceiling as an all-around blocker. Now he has to prove he can get through a season injury free after having knee issues in each of the last two seasons. Some of the top pro prospects for the 2009 draft at each position: Quarterbacks 1. Tim Tebow, Florida (Jr.) 2. Matthew Stafford, Georgia (Jr.) 3.Nate Davis, Ball State (Jr.) 4. Cullen Harper, Clemson 5. Curtis Painter, Purdue Running Backs 1.Beanie Wells, OSU (Jr.) 2. C.J. Spiller, Clemson (Jr.) 3.Marlon Lucky, Nebraska 4.P.J. Hill, Wisconsin (Jr.) 5. Arian Foster, Tennessee Wide Receivers 1.D. Heyward-Bey, Mary. (Jr.) 2.Percy Harvin, Florida (Jr.) 3.Brandon Gibson, Wash. St. 4.Brian Robiskie, OSU 5. Greg Carr, Florida State Tight Ends 1.Cornelius Ingram, Florida 2.Travis Beckum, Wisconsin 3.Brandon Pettigrew, Ok. St. 4.Chase Coffman, Missouri 5. Bear Pascoe, Fresno State Offensive Tackles 1.Andre Smith, Bama (Jr.) 2.Ciron Black, LSU (Jr.) 3.Alex Boone, Ohio State 4.Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma 5. Eugene Monroe, Virginia Offensive Guards/Centers 1. Duke Robinson, Oklahoma 2. Herman Johnson, LSU 3. Alex Mack, California 4. Jeremy Perry, Oregon State 5. Cedric Dockery, Texas Defensive Ends 1. Tyson Jackson, LSU 2. George Selvie, USF (Jr.) 3. Greg Hardy, Ole Miss (Jr.) 4. Greg Middleton, Indiana (Jr.) 5. Michael Johnson, Ga Tech Defensive Tackles 1. Fili Moala, USC* 2. Sen'Derrick Marks, Aub. (Jr.) 3. Dorrell Scott, Clemson 4. George Hypolite, Colorado 5. Terrance Taylor, Michigan 6. Demonte Bolden, Tenn. *Moala is still likely to go pro in 2008. Linebackers 1. Rey Maualuga, USC 2. James Laurinaitis, Ohio State 3. Brian Cushing, USC 4. Marcus Freeman, Ohio State 5. Sean Lee, Penn State Safeties 1. Taylor Mays, USC (Jr.) 2. Myron Rolle, Fla. State (Jr.) 3. Courtney Greene, Rutgers 4. Michael Hamlin, Clemson 5. Nic Harris, Oklahoma Cornerbacks 1. Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State 2. Mike Mickens, Cincinnati 3. Vontae Davis, Illinois (Jr.) 4. Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest 5. Jairus Byrd, Oregon (Jr.)
Not being a homer, But the Best Tight End that could be coming out in 2009, Barring he leaves a year early, Ain't even on this list. Tight End Cody Slate, from Marshall University, best receiving Tight End in College Football today. Write that down. His Freshman year, Caught 43 Passes for 684 yards, and 6 touchdowns. This past season, as bad as Marshall's offense was, he caught 66 passes for 818 yards, and 5 touchdowns.. If we can get a QB, who looks to pass first instead of stand in the shotgun, take the snap and look where he can run the ball, Cody Slate would easily be a 1000+ yard TE this season, with ease.
If Tebow has any sense he will stay in college for aslong as he can....he needs to work on his mechanics for aslong as possible
I think as good as Chase Daniels is in college his measurable aren't up to par for NFL standards IMO. If he had another lights out year he might be a second day pick at best IMO.
Andy has a man-crush on Chase Daniel just so you all know, that can explain that ludicrous comment he just made. :icon_lol:
If Tebow stays healthy, which is hard for a scrambling QB, he could really have an impact in the NFL.
nah, Being a QB At Hawaii is just like being a Running Back for the Denver Bronco's. It's all in the system. We could all be successful at Hawaii playing QB, just as Any one of us could gear up for the Broncos and get a 1,000 yard season at RB
hahaha some people forget with all the college teams i probably have made a misstake like that before to.
