Top 32 Players to Watch in 2011

Sep 1, 2011

The time of the year we’ve all been waiting for is finally here. Football is back. Each season brings new names and storylines, so who do you need to get familiar with this year and who might be your team’s first round draft pick next year? Clearly this top 32 is bound to change, but for now these are the players who will not only make a big impact in the NCAA this season, but who should go on to be top picks in the NFL draft.

* denotes underclassman

32. Travis Lewis, LB, Oklahoma

T-Lew would be much higher on this list if he hadn’t broken his foot during spring ball. The timetable for his return is about eight weeks, so odds are he will miss roughly half the season. Don’t forget his name, though, because when he’s at 100%, Lewis is an impact player. A starter for each of his three seasons in Norman, Lewis has racked up 360 tackles, 6 sacks, and 8 INTs. There will be a major void in Oklahoma’s defense with him on the sidelines and they will need someone to really step up for him if they are going to go undefeated and make a run for the national title.

31. Bruce Irvin, DE, West Virginia

Irvin sure can’t be considered a complete player, but he can do the one thing about as well as anybody else. He can flat-out rush the passer. A JUCO transfer, Irvin had only 21 tackles last year, but amazingly 14 of them were sacks. He needs work against the run and needs to bulk up as he’s currently listed at just 6’3″ 245, but Irvin has about as good as a first step as anybody and excels at the speed rush. I’m not thrilled with the player I see right now, but Irvin will generate some buzz due to his pass rushing ability. Irvin has some Elvis Dumervil in him, we’ll just have to see if he has rounded out his game enough to garner serious first round consideration.

30. Marcus Forston*, DT, Miami (FL)

I know Miami’s program as a whole is in limbo, as well as Forston’s eligibility, but he is just so gifted that I had to include him on this list. If I had to pick one interior lineman to have a breakout season like Ndamukong Suh or Nick Fairley did the last couple years, I just might say Marcus Forston. Jared Crick has produced better and is a safer bet to be the top defensive tackle in the nation, but Forston is just oozing with potential. The former Freshman All-American isn’t on that level yet, but he certainly has the talent to. He’ll need to improve his consistency to be that next game changing interior lineman. All of this is of course assuming that he is ruled eligible and plays this season, which may not happen.

29. Nick Foles, QB, Arizona

All of the headlines are about Andrew Luck, Landry Jones, and Matt Barkley, but Foles deserves some buzz too. Foles has a big arm and has put up great stats at Arizona, but he has never had the team or spotlight to burst onto the national scene. He needs to work on his decision making and accuracy, and he will never have great athleticism, but watch Foles play and it’s clear he can really sling it in the pocket. Call me a little crazy, but I watch him play and he kind of reminds me of a less mobile Aaron Rodgers. Outside of the big three, right now I think Foles is the best of the rest.

28. Luke Kuechly*, LB, Boston College

If this list was based solely on production, Kuechly may find himself in the top 5. Most players would be thrilled to have 325 tackles over the course of their career. Kuechly has done that in just two years. However, being a tackling machine won’t be enough to work Kuechly into the top 10 or 15 picks. He’ll need to make more big plays and continue to create more turnovers in order to improve his draft stock and secure a spot in the first round of the draft.

27. Jeff Fuller, WR, Texas A&M

A&M is a team that’s really on the rise and Fuller is one of the catalysts of their resurgence. Fuller has NFL size and was a favorite target of Ryan Tannehill, another name to watch in 2011. Fuller had a good outing against Patrick Peterson in the Cotton Bowl and has the look of a very good possession wide receiver. Although the stats might suggest there is a wide gap between him and other top Big 12 receivers like Justin Blackmon and Ryan Broyles, but the gap is not as wide as it might appear. If Fuller can make more of a consistent impact over the course of the season, there’s a good chance he will go in the first round of next April’s draft.

26. Cliff Harris*, CB, Oregon

You have to shake your head at him getting pulled over for going 118 mph with a suspended license, but this guy still is one of the best corners in the land. He takes his chances, but he gets his hands on the ball as much as any corner. He had six picks last year, including one in the national title game on a poorly thrown ball by Cam Newton. Harris needs to get his head screwed on right and improve his discipline, but he heads into the season as a very highly touted corner.

25. Jerel Worthy*, DT, Michigan State

Worthy has had two impressive seasons and hopes to continue to improve in his third. With 8.5 sacks thus far in his career, Jerel has flashed some pass rushing ability. He has a good combination of size, strength, and explosiveness. With Nebraska joining the Big 10, I have to say that Jared Crick is the best D-tackle in the conference. Worthy could join him on the All-Conference Team.

24. Kenny Tate, LB, Maryland

Tate was viewed as a potential first round pick as a safety, so it was pretty shocking to see new coach Randy Edsall move him down to linebacker. Tate is big for a safety at 6’4 220 lbs, so it’ll be interesting to see how he does this year and if NFL scouts will see him as a LB at the next level. His only spot there might be at 4-3 Will, so this season might be more or less irrelevant to some coaches if he does in fact play the entire season at linebacker. Regardless, expect Tate to fly around the ball and make some plays no matter what spot he lines up at.

23. Jonathan Martin*, OT, Stanford

There’s plenty of reasons why Andrew Luck is viewed as the top QB in the land, and this guy sure helps. Martin is one of the premier pass protectors in the nation and also is part of a line which leads a powerful running attack. No one will ever turn on a Stanford game to watch him block, but everyone needs to realize Martin is a vital part of their offense. As long as Luck keeps garnering out-of-this-world buzz, just remember the name Jonathan Martin. He wouldn’t be able to do it without him.

22. Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

Alabama’s defense is just loaded with NFL talent, Upshaw being the first of a handful to make this list. In his first year as a starter, Upshaw finished the season with seven sacks and two forced fumbles. The hybrid linebacker/end, Upshaw is someone who has scheme versatility, which NFL teams should love. They’ll also love the fact he came from Alabama’s sophisticated, NFL-caliber scheme. He may not be someone to get 15+ sacks, but he is a power player who can move around a defense and should continue to improve.

21. Manti Te’o*, LB, Notre Dame

Te’o came to Notre Dame amidst much fanfare as a top recruit, and although the team has been a disappointment, he hasn’t. He has yet to make a lot of splash plays, but Te’o has racked up a lot of tackles in his two years in South Bend. He has the body and talent of a first round pick, now it’s just a matter of creating more turnovers and game-changing plays. Look for Te’o to really step up his game this year and solidify himself as a potential first round pick.

20. Brandon Jenkins*, DE, Florida State

Jenkins is someone who can be seen as a one year wonder right now, but there are a lot of signs that there are more good things to come. A four star recruit coming out of high school, Jenkins didn’t record a sack as a freshman but exploded for 13.5 last season. Clearly he was very highly touted coming out of high school and needed some time to really come into his own. There’s no reason he can’t have a repeat performance this season and get even better.

19. Robert Lester*, S, Alabama

Alabama probably has the best safety tandem in the nation with Lester and Mark Barron. I like Lester a little more because I see him as a better all-around safety. Lester became a starter last season and burst onto the scene with eight picks. He has the size you look for at 6’2″ 210 lbs and certainly has the athleticism to fly around the field. If he has another season like last year, there’s a good chance he’ll end up as a first rounder in 2012.

18. Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Floyd scares me with his character concerns (go figure, a receiver with character questions), but I had to put him on this list because he is an immense talent. He is a big receiver (6’3″ 224) who has top notch production in his three years in South Bend.  He has everything you look for in a receiver, so the one thing I’ll look for more than anything from him is to stay out of trouble. He has had three alcohol incidents in the last couple years so you have to question his maturity. Odds are that won’t stop him from being picked in the first round, but teams will need to do their due diligence on him.

17. Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska

You may not be too familiar with Lavonte, but if he has another season like last year then you will be. He’s a lesser known name in large part because he was a JUCO transfer and last year was his first at the FBS level. Boy was it a good one, though. His 152 tackles are more than anyone has ever had in a season in Nebraska’s storied history. Add in the six sacks he had and you’ve got yourself a legit NFL prospect. David’s a little on the smaller side, but obviously he’s always around the football. He could be a great fit for a 4-3 team at the next level.

16. Nate Potter, OT, Boise State

Boise State had a great left tackle a few years back in Ryan Clady, and luckily for them they had no drop off at the position thanks to Nate Potter. Potter is entering his senior season as a two-time 1st Team All-WAC left tackle, and there’s no reason to expect he won’t three-peat this year. Although he doesn’t protect the southpaw Kellen Moore’s blindside, he does typically face the opponent’s best pass rusher, and has done at excellent job at keeping them at bay. He may not be quite on Clady’s level athletically, but don’t be surprised if Potter ends up going in the first round just like he did.

15. LaMichael James*, RB, Oregon

One of the bigger names in college football, James decided to return to school to pursue the national championship which they came just short of last season. While he doesn’t have prototypical size (5’9″ 190), it’s hard to argue with his production. His 3,277 yards rushing in his first seasons show that the guy just has a great feel for the position. He also is a decent receiving option out of the backfield, though he hasn’t had a lot of catches thus far. Look for James to stay amongst the national leaders in rushing yards and touchdowns. That poor mascot is in for a lot of pushups again this year.

14. Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Dennard is another reason the vaunted Nebraska “Blackshirt” defense has had a return to glory. Playing opposite Giants first-round pick Prince Amukamara last season, Dennard help lead a defense which finished top 10 nationally. He’s a great cover corner who can really stick to receivers in man coverage. Teams will likely shy away from him since he’s the #1 corner now, but Dennard should have a great season again and may end going higher in the draft than Prince did.

13. Trent Richardson*, RB, Alabama

Richardson is a really intriguing guy to me. I’ve seen a lot of him since his freshman year, and he think he could be the nation’s big-time breakout player this year. With Mark Ingram ahead of him on the depth chart, he’s never been really handed the reins to the offense and been the driving force behind it, but he’s been very impressive in the role he has had thus far. Personally, I think he has more potential than Ingram and could put up better numbers than Ingram did, but that largely depends on whether or not he can develop the vision Ingram had. The physical tools are all there and he’s shined when he’s had his chances. With a new quarterback behind center, it’s now Trent Richardson’s time to take control of this offense.

12. Dre Kirkpatrick*, CB, Alabama

Speaking of the next big thing, Kirkpatrick could be this year’s version of Patrick Peterson. Kirkpatrick has a huge frame for a corner at 6’3″ and has the athleticism to just keep getting better. He won a starting job last season and was named the team’s most improved player this past spring. It might be a little lofty to say he will be the next PP7, but Kirkpatrick has all the ability to emerge as the top corner in this year’s draft.

11. Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma

If Landry Jones has the type of year to generate Heisman buzz, I can promise you this guy should be in the discussion too. Broyles has been the security blanket for OU’s offense, racking up an eye-popping 220 catches over the past two seasons. Truthfully, I’m not 100% sure he should be a #1 receiver in the NFL or if he’d be a better fit as an outstanding #2/slot guy, but if he stays healthy Broyles will once again float around 100 receptions and be the best playmaker on Oklahoma’s high-powered attack.

10. Matt Barkley*, QB, USC

Barkley came to USC as the golden boy, the top recruit in the entire nation. Although the team has fallen off due to NCAA sanctions, Barkley has fared very well in his first two years and should take the next step this year. He will come into the NFL very prepared coming from the Trojans pro-style attack, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him be an immediate starter like Mark Sanchez was. I’m sure teams are worried about the fact that he’s only 6’2″, but they would be foolish to overlook how polished of a quarterback he is just because of his measurables. After two very solid seasons, I fully expect Barkley to truly become one of the nation’s elite QBs in his third year.

9. Dont’a Hightower*, LB, Alabama

I’m sure you’re probably sick of seeing Alabama players on this list, but I promise you their team is as loaded with NFL talent as anyone out there. Hightower is the ideal linebacker at 6’4″ 260. He’s a thumper who can play either inside or outside and has all the speed you’d expect out of an SEC starter. There are some injury concerns as he tore his ACL in ’09 and fractured his left hand the first day of camp this year, but he appears to be past those setbacks. He needs to stay healthy this year so that his draft stock won’t suffer. If he does, Hightower will be a real presence in the heart of the Crimson Tide’s defense.

8. Landry Jones*, QB, Oklahoma

There’s a lot of pressure on Landry Jones’ shoulders. He’s the quarterback of the nation’s #1 team and is already considered a favorite for the Heisman. How will he handle it all? Last year he totalled over 4700 passing yards and had 38 TDs, and many are expecting similar, if not better, numbers from him this year. He’s a true pocket passer who can’t do much to escape pressure. Give him a clean pocket,though, and he will pick you apart. If he can improve his accuracy this season and not succumb to all of the pressure, there’s a good chance Jones will be off the board in the top five picks of the draft.

7. Jared Crick, DT, Nebraska

After thriving in his sophomore season alongside Ndamukong Suh, the question last season was how well would he fare without Suh’s presence next to him. The answer: just as well, maybe better. Crick enters his senior season as the nation’s top interior lineman, and his new opponents in the Big 10 will not take a liking to him. He is an excellent pass rusher and a constant disruptor, my only complaint with him is that he tries to just bull rush the O-lineman too much and gets caught up fighting with him. Putting that aside, Crick is definitely one of the premier players in the country and should be in store for a big year again.

6. Vontaze Burfict*, LB, Arizona State

Burfict is going to be one of the most controversial players in the draft if he chooses to declare. Soft-spoken off the field, Burfict flips the switch and plays like a man possessed once he hits the field. He is as athletic as any linebacker in the nation and brings it every play. The problem is he seems to lose his cool very easily and took a lot of unnecessary personal foul penalties last year for post-play scrums and dirty play. Reports of a fight with a teammate after practice this spring haven’t done anything to dispel notions of him as a hothead. Watch Burfict play though and you will appreciate the intensity he brings each and every snap. If he can show more discipline this year, He could very easily be a top 5 or 10 pick. If he doesn’t, I assure you there will be teams who wouldn’t touch him in the first round or may even take him off their draft board completely. He won’t garner much publicity playing on the west coast, but if you get the chance check out a Sun Devils game and just focus on #7 in the middle. You’ll be in for a show.

5. Matt Kalil*, OT, USC

It speaks volumes that Kalil kept Tyron Smith, the ninth overall pick in the draft, relegated to the right side of the line. You probably know of his brother Ryan, the two time Pro Bowl center of the Carolina Panthers, but his dad, Frank, also played pro football. Kalil should follow in their footsteps and be a premier offensive line prospect. At 6’7″ 295, Matt can afford to put a few more pounds on his frame get over 300 lbs like NFL coaches will want to see. Even if he doesn’t, Kalil will be highly sought-after due to both his genes and his play.

4. Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

The Heels had a high first round pick defensive end this past season in Robert Quinn, and I fully believe Coples is a better prospect. Quinn had size, but Coples, at 6’6″ 285, is even bigger. He actually played a lot of defensive tackle for UNC last year, but with Quinn gone expect him to play mostly end this year. It gave him to showcase his versatility if nothing else. He’s really your prototype at 4-3 defensive end and should go in the top 5 picks if he has another season like last year. He tallied 10 sacks last season and actually plays the run well, too. He may not be one of the biggest names in college football, but he is one of the premier guys on NFL radars.

3. Justin Blackmon*, WR, Oklahoma State

Blackmon is a name which anyone who follows college football is familiar with. The Biletnikoff winner from this past season, Blackmon put up video game stats last season with 111 catches for 1782 yds and 20 TDs. The scary thing is that many people say he is still raw, too. He’s big, he’s fast, and he will thrive again in Oklahoma State’s high-octane offense. He may not reach the numbers he put up last year, but it’s a pretty safe bet that Blackmon will improve this year and secure his spot as one of the top players in the draft.

2. Alshon Jeffery*, WR, South Carolina

This may surprise some people but I actually like Alshon Jeffery a little more than Blackmon. I got a lot of chances to watch Alshon this past season and was always wowed by his supreme athletic ability and body control. I know it’s cliche, but he plays like a basketball player, shielding the defender from the ball. At 6’4″ 230, Jeffery is a monster who will only get better. Catch a South Carolina game  if you can this year, you may be looking at the next Calvin Johnson.

1. Andrew Luck*, QB, Stanford

Was there ever any doubt Luck would be #1? I don’t think I really have to go too much into why he’s the #1 player, hands-down, in the draft should he choose to declare. I’ve never seen someone who I was so sure would be a franchise quarterback. No matter how this season turns out, I would be downright shocked if Luck didn’t go #1 in next year’s draft. Barring injury, this guy is a franchise-changer.

-Tom