NFL's Future

Khaseem Greene continues his rise up draft boards with an enormous game against Syracuse on Saturday

Week seven of the college football season was an up and down one for some of the top teams and players.  Notre Dame continued their winning ways as did Alabama and Florida.  To the surprise of all, West Virginia and Geno Smith were dealt a crushing blow at the hands of Texas Tech.  Here’s a look at some of the top performances by 2013 NFL Draft prospects and a couple not so good ones.

RISING

Larry Black, Jr., Indiana, DT, Senior

Black didn’t stuff the stat line, nor did the Indiana defense put up much of a fight against the high powered Buckeye offense.  That said, Black was a disruptive force in the OSU backfield much of the night, requiring double teams.  He finished the night with four tackles and was credited with a half a sack.  Not numbers that would scream a riser but Black’s ability to shoot gaps with speed and power was most impressive.  He’s a late round prospect that could surprise early on in his NFL career.

Khaseem Greene, LB, Rutgers, Senior

Greene has been spectacular in 2012.  The former safety is climbing draft boards quickly and Saturday’s performance against Syracuse will only help his stock.  Greene was all over the field as he racked up 14 tackles, 1.5 sacks, an INT, and 3 FF’s.  Greene is turning heads on a week to week basis and should be a day two selection when it’s all said and done.

Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan, Junior

I have to admit that I wrote Lewan off after a subpar performance against Alabama.  I am coming full circle.  I thought he was spectacular against Notre Dame and Purdue but his best was saved for Illinois.  The one thing Illinois can do well is rush the passer and Lewan was able to keep them at bay in route to a 45-0 win.  His athleticism was on full display as he routinely set the edge against the athletic Illini pass rushers.  Lewan will be in the conversation as 2013′s top offensive tackle if he declares early.

C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama, Junior

I expected Missouri to put up a better fight against Alabama.  The Tide dominated up front on both sides of the ball.  Mosley was a standout for me on defense.  He racked up 12 tackles and 2 sacks in their 42-10 victory.  Most impressive was Mosley athleticism in coverage as it was better than advertised.  The junior is making a strong case as a late first round prospect should declare early for the 2013 NFL Draft.

FALLING

Jeffcoat done for the season

Jackson Jeffcoat, DE, Texas, Junior

Jeffcoat was much of a factor in the blowout loss to Oklahoma.  But it wasn’t his on-field performance that is causing his stock to fall.  We learned late Sunday night that Jeffcoat would be lost for the season due to a ruptured right pectoral muscle.  He missed most of spring football due to tear in the left pectoral.  Jeffcoat was having a really solid season and probably headed for a top 15-20 selection in April’s draft, should he have declared.  All that will be up in the air following the injury.

Kawann Short, DT, Purdue, Senior

Short is a frustrating prospect.  One minute he looks like a sure-fire first round pick, the next he’s falling off the face of the earth.  The Wisconsin game won’t help Short as he was a non-factor in the loss to the Badgers.  Wisconsin racked up 467 yards rushing in the contest as Short was routinely pushed around in one-on-one situations.  Short’s inability to dominate at a consistent level will cost him valuable draft position in April’s draft and may have him sliding into day two of the draft.

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