Nickell Robey heads up our list of rising 2013 NFL Draft prospects
Week six of the college football season was an exciting one. With some shocking upsets came some incredible performances from 2013 NFL Draft prospects. Here’s a look at some of those performances, along with some not so great ones.
RISING
Nickell Robey, CB, USC, Junior
Robey was spectacular in a much needed win against Utah. The junior cornerback filled the stat line with seven tackles, an interception that was returned for a touchdown, and a forced fumble. In what appears to be a very mediocre cornerback class, Robey would be wise to test the market and enter the 2013 NFL Draft.
Jordan Poyer, CB, Oregon State, Senior
I featured the Jordan Poyer/Marquess Wilson matchup on Friday and it didn’t disappoint. Poyer was incredible in this one as he came up with four stops and three interceptions. He has 10 interceptions in his career and is quickly rising up draft boards. At 6’0″, 190 pounds Poyer should make his way into the early stages of day two in April.
John Simon, DE, Ohio State, Senior
After an offseason of praise from HC Urban Meyer, Simon lived up to the high expectations in a route against Nebraska. Simon finished the game with seven tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, and a forced fumble. Simon is a man without a position in the NFL but his incredulous work ethic, leadership, and nose for the ball will have teams looking to find him a spot.
Giovani Bernard, RB, North Carolina, Sophomore
The redshirt sophomore has been quiet this season…until Saturday. A sprained MCL has kept his carries and production down this season following a spectacular freshman campaign. Bernard looked to be at full health against Virginia Tech on Saturday. He carried the ball 23 times for 262 yards and a touchdown in the win.
Matt Elam, SS, Florida, Junior
Matt Elam didn’t fill the stat line but his play was a big reason the Gators were able to pull off the upset on Saturday. Elam was all over the field, making seven tackles and forcing a fumble on game changing play. The junior strong safety made some bone crushing hits and was more than adequate in pass coverage. If Elam declares early for the draft, he could work his way into the latter stages of round one.
Ricky Wagner, OT, Wisconsin, Senior
Wagner has had an up and down senior season leading some to believe he would fall to the end of day two. Wagner was very solid on Saturday against Illinois. He was able to get the best of Illinois DE Michael Buchanan as he showed off surprising athleticism. Wagner isn’t a first round tackle but he could provide value at the end of round two or beginning of round three.
Logan Ryan, CB, Rutgers, Junior
Logan Ryan is a fast rising prospect that has picked off passes in consecutive weeks. Ryan was a major part of a stalwart defensive effort by the Scarlet Knights as he finished with five tackles and an interception. The junior has the size and ball skills to be a high draft pick whenever he decides to declare.
FALLING
Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia, Junior
Murray has been pretty good this season and was just beginning to pick up steam as a draft prospect. The undersized junior quarterback was brought back to reality on Saturday against South Carolina. He was pressured all night and was flat out awful in this contest. He finished the game 11-31 for 109 yards and an INT. This contest should assure that Murray stay at Georgia for his senior season and try for the 2014 NFL Draft.
Eric Reid, FS, LSU, Junior
It’s been a disappointing season for Reid as he was one of my favorite prospects heading into the season. He has been exploited in coverage and was equally bad stopping the run on Saturday in the loss to Florida. Reid was considered to be one of the top safety prospects eligible for the 2013 NFL Draft but his dropping with his poor showing in 2012.
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