Saturday, September 29, 2018

Top 25 College Prospects. Take 2.

Former NFL scouts and current NFL Media Bucky Brooks and Daniel Jeremiah took a revised swing at their Top 25 prospects in college football. Brooks and Jeremiah are a fun analytical team. They've both done the work and they know their stuff. I highly recommend their Move The Sticks podcast. Here's their second version of the Top 25 prospects in college football.

1. Nick Bosa, DE
School: Ohio State | Year: Junior 
(Bucky Brooks ranking: 1; Daniel Jeremiah ranking: 1) 

Previous rank: 1 

Bosa was having a dominant season before suffering a core muscle injury against TCU 10 days ago. He is still the premier defensive talent in college football. -- DJ

2. Justin Herbert, QB
School: Oregon | Year: Junior 
(BB: 2; DJ: 2) 

Previous rank: 3 

Herbert saved his best showing for the biggest stage. He was deadly accurate against Stanford over the weekend and also displayed his impressive mobility. -- DJ

3. Ed Oliver, DT
School: Houston | Year: Junior 
(BB: 3; DJ: 3) 

Previous rank: 2 

The most disruptive interior defender in college football continues to enchant scouts with his exceptional first-step quickness. -- BB

4. Rashan Gary, DT
School: Michigan | Year: Junior 
(BB: 4; DJ: 5) 

Previous rank: 4 

Ultra-athletic defender with the versatility and explosiveness to play multiple positions along the defensive line. -- BB

5. Raekwon Davis, DL
School: Alabama | Year: Junior 
(BB: 8; DJ: 4) 

Previous rank: 5 

Davis is an ultra-physical player in the run game and he flashes upside against the pass. He stands out on a very destructive defensive line. -- DJ

5. Noah Fant, TE
School: Iowa | Year: Junior 
(BB: 6; DJ: 6) 

Previous rank: 9 

Big, athletic tight end with the size and playmaking ability to create mismatches in space. He fits the prototype that racks up catches in bunches in the NFL. -- BB

7. Greedy Williams, CB
School: LSU | Year: Sophomore (RS) 
(BB: 5; DJ: 8) 

Previous rank: 6 

Playmaking cover corner with a knack for finding the ball. Williams will be the next LSU standout to make his mark in the league as a lockdown CB. -- BB

8. Dexter Lawrence, DT
School: Clemson | Year: Junior 
(BB: 7; DJ: 7) 

Previous rank: 20 

Lawrence is healthier this season and it shows. He looks more explosive and is moving much better laterally. -- DJ

9. Deandre Baker, CB
School: Georgia | Year: Senior 
(BB: 9; DJ: 9) 

Previous rank: 23 

Junkyard dog on the island with the size, length and instincts to stymie top wide receivers with his aggressive approach. -- BB

10. Will Grier, QB
School: West Virginia | Year: Senior (RS) 
(BB: 10; DJ: 11) 

Previous rank: 8 

Grier is incredibly efficient and I love the poise he displays in the pocket. There are other quarterbacks with more size/arm strength, but he is operating at a high level. -- DJ

11. Drew Lock, QB
School: Missouri | Year: Senior 
(BB: 11; DJ: 12) 

Previous rank: 19 

One of the cleanest pocket passers you'll find in the collegiate ranks. Lock not only displays A-plus arm talent, but he is a rhythm thrower capable of dropping dimes with timing, touch and anticipation. -- BB

12. Jarrett Stidham, QB
School: Auburn | Year: Junior (RS) 
(BB: 15; DJ: 10) 

Previous rank: 16 

Stidham will miss some throws on occasion, but I still love his skill set. He can create plays with his legs and he's an effortless thrower. -- DJ

13. Byron Murphy, CB
School: Washington | Year: Sophomore (RS) 
(BB: 14; DJ: 15) 

Previous rank: Unranked 

Polished cover corner with a technically sound game and a nasty demeanor. Murphy can thrive in any scheme as a lockdown corner with the athleticism to play from distance or nose-to-nose. -- BB

14. Damien Harris, RB
School: Alabama | Year: Senior 
(BB: 13; DJ: 17) 

Previous rank: 17 

Alabama has an impressive stable of backs, but Harris continues to be very reliable. He has excellent vision and finishes every run. -- DJ

15. Devin White, LB
School: LSU | Year: Junior 
(BB: 18; DJ: 14) 

Previous rank: 18 

The LSU standout might be the best athlete in college football. He possesses a combination of size, speed and explosiveness that could make him a star at the next level. -- BB

15. Mack Willson, LB
School: Alabama | Year: Junior 
(BB: 16; DJ: 16) 

Previous rank: Unranked 

I haven't done a full workup on Wilson, but I love his combination of instincts and range. He is always around the football. -- DJ

17. A.J. Brown, WR
School: Mississippi | Year: Junior 
(BB: 20; DJ: 18) 

Previous rank: 14 

Brown isn't going to record a blazing 40-yard-dash time, but he has strong hands and is ultra-competitive after the catch. -- DJ

17. Derrick Brown, DT
School: Auburn | Year: Junior 
(BB: 17; DJ: 21) 

Previous rank: 24 

It's hard to find disruptive defenders with A-plus size, strength and movement skills, but Brown is the total package at defensive tackle. The 6-foot-5, 325-pounder (school measurements) is a five-star playmaker capable of taking over the game in the trenches. -- BB

17. Dwayne Haskins, QB
School: Ohio State | Year: Sophomore (RS) 
(BB: 12; DJ: NR) 

Previous rank: Unranked 

The gunslinger has lit up defenses with his pinpoint passing skills. Haskins is a rare find as a big-armed quarterback who has the patience and discipline to pick apart defenses with an assortment of quick-rhythm throws. -- BB

20. Daniel Jones, QB
School: Duke | Year: Junior (RS) 
(BB: NR; DJ: 13) 

Previous rank: Unranked 

Jones was playing at a very high level before suffering an injury (broken clavicle) in Week 2. He has ideal size, athleticism and arm talent. -- DJ

21. Greg Little, OT
School: Mississippi | Year: Junior 
(BB: 22; DJ: 19) 

Previous rank: 7 

Experienced edge blocker with the footwork, quickness and technical savvy to hold his own against elite pass rushers. -- BB

22. Dre'Mont Jones, DT
School: Ohio State | Year: Junior (RS) 
(BB: 23; DJ: 20) 

Previous rank: 15 

Big, athletic defensive tackles with playmaking ability are hard to find. That's why scouts are enamored with Jones' potential as a disruptive penetrator with explosive first-step quickness and burst. -- BB

23. N'Keal Harry, WR
School: Arizona State | Year: Junior 
(BB: 19; DJ: NR) 

Previous rank: Unranked 

Harry is similar to A.J. Brown in that he lacks elite speed, but he makes up for it with toughness and ball skills. He reminds me a little bit of Anquan Boldin. -- DJ

23. Kaden Smith, TE
School: Stanford | Year: Sophomore (RS) 
(BB: 21; DJ: 24) 

Previous rank: Unranked 

Smith is the next great Stanford tight end. He has made several contested catches in the early portion of the season. -- DJ

25. Christian Wilkens, DT
School: Clemson | Year: Senior 
(BB: 24; DJ: 22) 

Previous rank: 12 

Defensive coordinators can't wait to get their hands on guys like Wilkins, who can play anywhere from nose tackle to defensive end in a three- or four-man front. Wilkins' versatility and athleticism should make him a hot commodity when the draft rolls around in April. -- BB


*** 

Some thoughts on the list. 
-Is there ever an end to the defensive back assembly line up at Washington?
-Is there ever an end to the tight end assembly line at Stanford?
-If they are all part of the draft next April, the 2019 NFL Draft will be simply loaded with talented defensive tackle talent.
-Speaking of defensive line talent, the talent on Clemson's defensive line is simply ridiculous.
-Cal faces Justin Herbert tonight. Fun. He missed last year's game and the Ducks won by three touchdowns.


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