Get to know Khalil Mack because he could be the best player you’ve never heard and we think he would be wise to enter the 2013 NFL Draft
Kevin Hoffman-US PRESSWIRE
We put a bow on the 2012 college football regular season and head into bowl season. January 15th marks the date that underclassmen have to decide on their NFL future. As speculation grows on the top underclassmen and what they should do, we throw our two cents in on the topic.
Here’s a list of our top thirty underclassmen and what we think their decision should be come mid-January.
Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M, Junior
Joeckel is the clear cut top tackle in the draft and will most likely be taking this talents to the NFL next season. That’s a wise decision in our book.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Leave
WHAT HE WILL DO: Leave
Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State, Junior
Werner has dominated college football for two seasons and appears ready to play in the league, now. He really doesn’t have anything to prove at FSU and won’t help his stock anymore than it already is.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Leave
WHAT HE WILL DO: Leave
Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia, Junior
The concerns with Jarvis Jones are health related and won’t get any better with time. Time is definitely not on Jones’ side and it would be unwise for him to return to Georgia.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Leave
WHAT HE WILL DO: Leave
Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M, Junior
Moore has been productive for two season at A&M but I’m on the fence about this one. I think he’s a top 15 pick in the 2013 NFL Draft but could boost his stock with another strong year in 2013. That said, top 15 is top 15 so he would be wise to come out.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Leave
WHAT HE WILL DO: Leave
Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama, Junior
Milliner only has one year of full-time starting experience. The one year of production was impressive and I don’t see any chance he’s not in the 2013 NFL Draft. He’s a top 10 pick in my book and won’t fall outside the top 15.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Leave
WHAT HE WILL DO: Leave
Matt Elam, SS, Florida, Junior
Elam has moved into the top safety spot with a phenomenal junior season. He’s undersized but draws favorable comparisons to Earl Thomas. Florida appears to be on track to be National Title contenders next season but I think Elam bolts for the NFL.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Leave
WHAT HE WILL DO: Leave
Logan Ryan, CB, Rutgers, Junior
Word on the street has Rutgers underclassmen strongly considering entering the draft. In Ryan’s case, that’s a very wise move. I think Ryan emerges as a top 20 pick as the draft draws near.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Leave
WHAT HE WILL DO: Leave
Louis Nix, NT, Notre Dame, Rs Sophomore
If Nix declares, he could be this year’s Dontari Poe. He’s a big body run stuffer that can push the pocket. With ND’s run to the National Championship Game, Nix could to decide to forgo his final two years of eligibility. Even with all those factors, I think Nix should stay another season and dominate his way into top 10 status in 2014.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Stay
WHAT HE WILL DO: Stay
Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M, Junior
Matthews is the other dominating tackle prospect at A&M. He has only played the right side in college but there is no question he can slide to left tackle at the next level. Matthews isn’t in a position that so many other prospects are. He doesn’t need the money and probably wants to enjoy his final season as a collegian.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Leave
WHAT HE WILL DO: Stay
Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU, Junior
Mingo’s production hasn’t matched his talent level at LSU. He’s a high ceiling type player that is a bit of a risk because he hasn’t translated his talents into productivity. I’m not sure if any season helps this guy at all and could hurt his draft stock.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Leave
WHAT HE WILL DO: Leave
Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State, Junior
Hankins lost some steam as the season wore on. He wears down and could use another season to work on his conditioning. That said, he’s got elite tools at the DT position and is a top 20 pick if he declares.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Leave
WHAT HE WILL DO: Leave
C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama, Junior
Mosley has been as good as anyone as any defensive player on Alabama’s stacked defense. He’s a better overall prospect than Hightower or Upshaw and should coast into a top 25 selection.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Leave
WHAT HE WILL DO: Leave
Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri, Junior
This one is a forgone conclusion as Richardson has already announced his intentions to enter the draft. A wise decision for the disruptive DT. He has the ability to go in the top 10 with a floor of the top 20.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Leave
WHAT HE DID: Leave
Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida, Junior
Floyd has run into issues with the NCAA and will be looking to head into the NFL to help his financial situation. He’s got a ton of potential as a 3T or 5T in the NFL and could go in the top 15.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Leave
WHAT HE WILL DO: Leave
Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia, Junior
Murray needed a big game in the SEC Championship to vault himself into the conversation with some of the top QB’s in the class. That game didn’t come and his struggles against top competition is a cause for concern.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Stay
WHAT HE WILL DO: Stay
Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan, Junior
Lewan as struggled a bit against top competition (OSU, Alabama) and looked dominate against others (Iowa, Purdue, Illinois). He has the tools to be top tackle prospect but hasn’t been able to show them on a consistent level.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Stay
WHAT HE WILL DO: Leave
Brad Roby, CB, Ohio State, Rs Sophomore
Roby has been one of the top corners in the nation in 2012 and he’s a redshirt sophomore. He is going to have a tough decision to make and I think Urban talks him into staying for 2013.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Leave
WHAT HE WILL DO: Stay
Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA, Junior
Barr is an intriguing prospect. I’ve heard 1st round grade and 3rd round grades if he comes out. The guy is loaded with talent and I could see him falling in the mid-first round range. This is a tough call but I think he can help himself by staying for another season.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Stay
WHAT HE WILL DO: Stay
Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee, Junior
Coaching changes are coming and will be impactful to all the Tennessee decisions. Patterson is the least experienced of the bunch but has the most upside in the NFL. I think he challenges to be the first receiver off the board if he declares.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Leave
WHAT HE WILL DO: Leave
Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia, Junior
Ogletree is very good athlete but has some off-the-field issues that could cause him to drop. He needs another year of seasoning and would be wise to stick it out for his senior season. There has been rumors of him staying but I don’t see it.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Stay
WHAT HE WILL DO: Leave
Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida St, Junior
Rhodes has an NFL-ready body and his play has been special this season. He’s a guy that I wasn’t as high on as others but am starting to turn the corner on. I think NFL GM’s will be in the same boat.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Leave
WHAT HE WILL DO: Leave
Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU, Junior
The potential is there for Montgomery to be a solid edge rusher but he lacks the speed/burst to be considered special. If I were him, I would go back to school and work hard in the offseason to improve athleticism.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Stay
WHAT HE WILL DO: Leave
Keenan Allen, WR, Cal, Junior
Allen has been hampered his entire career by mediocre QB play (that’s putting it nicely). I don’t see the advantage of coming back for another season under a new coaching regime. Allen proved enough this season to be considered the top WR prospect.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Leave
WHAT HE WILL DO: Leave
Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford, Junior
Ertz has a special skill set and I think he’s a tad better than Tyler Eifert. He’s a solid second round pick that could find his name called on day one.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Leave
WHAT HE WILL DO: Stay
Giovani Bernard, RB, North Carolina, Rs Sophomore
The running back class is struggling with Marcus Lattimore’s injury. Let’s face it, there probably isn’t a round one back in this class without Bernard’s inclusion. For that reason, I think Bernard will come out.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Leave
WHAT HE WILL DO: Leave
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson, Junior
Hopkins put together back-to-back monster seasons, leaving many to believe it would be wise for Hopkins to enter the 2013 NFL Draft. I would fall into that category as it appears the 2014 class will be star studded.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Leave
WHAT HE WILL DO: Stay
Tony Jefferson, FS, Oklahoma, Junior
Jefferson could be the second best safety in the 2013 NFL Draft if he decides to enter. There isn’t much left for Jefferson at OU, so I think he enters April’s draft.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Leave
WHAT HE WILL DO: Leave
28.Khalil Mack, DE/OLB, Buffalo, Junior
Mack is not known by general draft fans but he’s on the radar of NFL personnel. Mack has run into some issues at Buffalo and was suspended but he’s a disruptive force in the backfield.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Leave
WHAT HE WILL DO: Leave
Robert Woods, WR, USC, Junior
Woods is being pressured by teammate Marqise Lee to stay at SC for his senior season. Problem is that Lee and the rest of the 2014 receivers are forming a very solid group. Woods has been hampered by injuries throughout the season and may be best served getting healthy and taking part in pre-draft workouts in 2013.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Leave
WHAT HE WILL DO: Leave
Eric Reid, FS, LSU, Junior
Reid has really struggled this season after opening eyes as a sophomore. His struggles have been exposed on the biggest of stages in the SEC. He is best served to come back to LSU and try to pull off a Mark Barron type senior season. I don’t think he will.
WHAT HE SHOULD DO: Stay
WHAT HE WILL DO: Leave
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