NFL's Future

Johnathan Franklin is impressing early on in 2012

Week two of the 2012 college football season is in the books and we already have a few prospects rising to the top and a few falling at a rapid pace.  Today, we look at who’s performance this week had them rising or falling.

RISING

Johnathan Franklin, RB, UCLA, Senior

Franklin makes the list two weeks in a row, a good sign for the senior back.  Franklin proved his week one rushing total (214 yards) was no fluke as he ran all over the Nebraska defense in week two to the tune of 217 yards.  Franklin added 3 receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown.  Franklin’s two game total of 431 yards for a 10.51 yards/carry average is leading the country and everyone is taking notice of what’s going on with Jim Mora’s team.

Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia, Junior

Jarvis Jones is making a bid for the top defensive player in the country.  He was absolutely dominant against Missouri on Saturday as evidenced by his 9 tackles, 2 sacks, and interception.  Jones was a top prospect heading into his junior season, now he may be making a case for the top defensive player in the 2013 class, should he declare.

Kenjon Barner, RB, Oregon, Senior

D’Anthony Thomas has stole the show and is getting some Heisman love but it’s Kenjon Barner that is carrying the load for the Ducks.  After only carrying the ball nine times (2 TD’s) in week one, Barner showed he can be the workhorse.  Against Fresno St. Barner toted the rock 34 times for 201 yards and 3 TD’s.  His 5 rushing touchdowns ties him for second in the country.  Barner lacks prototypical size for an NFL running back but his combination of speed and vision will intrigue scouts.

Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State, Senior

Banks was spectacular on Saturday against Auburn.  He racked up 6 tackles and 2 picks in shutting down Auburn’s big play threat Emory Blake.  Banks combines tremendous size with solid ball skills and instincts.  With no true top corner at this point in the 2013 NFL Draft, Banks could be rising to the top of the CB class.

Arthur Brown, ILB, Kansas State, Senior

Playing against his former team had to add a little extra motivation to Brown’s game on Saturday.  It showed.  Brown was all over the field in racking up 10 tackles, 2 TFL, a sack, and a fumble recovery.  Brown appears to be picking up where he left off last season and could earn a top 50 selection in April’s draft.

Damontre Moore, OLB/DE, Texas A&M, Junior

Sean Porter gets most of the attention on the A&M defense and deservedly so.  Porter’s teammate, Damontre Moore will be taking some of that attention in the near future.  Moore quietly racked up 72 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 17.5 TFL as a sophomore.  He picked up where he left off against Florida on Saturday.  Moore was dominant on his way to 10 tackles, 3 sacks, and 3 TFL.  Moore is eerily reminiscent of former Aggie, Von Miller which could earn him a slot in the first round, should he declare early.

FALLING

Ricky Wagner, OT, Wisconsin, Senior

Ricky Wagner was supposed to be the top senior tackle in the 2013 class.  After two weeks he hasn’t looked the part.  Wagner was not physical in the run game and played with poor balance in pass protection.  North Carolina’s Brennan Williams has surpassed Wagner as the top senior tackle and if Wagner’s performance doesn’t pick up soon, he will find himself falling late into day two of the 2013 NFL Draft.

John Boyett, FS, Oregon, Senior

Boyett didn’t dress this week so its not fair to put him into the falling category.  We learned that Boyett will undergo season ending surgery to repair partial tears of both patellar tendons.  The senior was unclear on whether or not he’ll apply for a medical redshirt or enter the 2013 NFL Draft.  Boyett figured to be a late day two, early day three pick before the injury.

John Simon, DE, Ohio State, Senior

John Simon is a man without a position in the NFL.  At 6’2″, 260 pounds he moves all over the OSU line including standing up.  Simon figured to be a dominant force on a good OSU defense but that hasn’t come to fruition at this point.  He has yet to register a sack against Miami (OH) and UCF.  Simon needs to be a major factor if he wants to garner significant NFL attention.

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