NCAA Scouting
Top 100 (Seniors Only)
by Paul Emery
November 10th 2011
 
Now that I'm getting to know the top prospects very well, it seems a good time to roll out my initial Top 100. To date I've watched 110 full games and numerous highlights courtesy of my friends over at Draft Breakdown. I've watched 83 FBS schools, plus a handful from the FCS/D2 and rated almost 500 prospects.
 
There aren't a great many high first round picks in the senior class, so I wanted to put this list into context. I have therefore added a column which shows where I'm thinking for prospects in terms of draft placement. The junior class will hopefully add some star power and depending on the numbers that come out early, a fair few of these prospects will fall out of the top 100.
 

No	Forename	Surname	Pos.	College	Comments	Round
1	Michael	Floyd	WR	Notre Dame	Big receiver has some quickness and can go up and get the jump ball. Very powerful after the catch, breaks a lot of tackles. Also a very physical blocker.	High 1st
2	Mike	Adams	OT	Ohio State	Talented left tackle prospect with long arms and the athletic ability to mirror effectively in pass protection. Suspended for the first five games of 2011, but has played well on his return. His only weakness is that he seems to switch off on odd plays.
3	Brandon	Thompson	DT	Clemson	Big man is surprisingly quick off the ball. Ideal one gap 3-4 NT or 4-3 Over-Tackle. Also shows the ability to get off blocks and make plays.	Mid 1st
4	Janoris	Jenkins	CB	North Alabama	Former Florida CB is extremely talented. Excellent off man corner, has a nice beckpedal and can break quickly on the ball. Now playing at a lower level and is predictably making big plays including on special teams.
5	Devon	Still	DT	Penn State	Has a nice frame and flashes quickness off the ball. Also shows two gap technique on occasion. Has the athletic ability to get penetration and disrupt. Tends to play too high when he wears down.
6	Courtney	Upshaw	OLB	Alabama	Further along with his hand use than most prospects. Has pass rush ability, a good motor and sets the edge very well in the run game. Has the ability to take over games.
7	Alfonzo	Dennard	CB	Nebraska	Has the speed to turn and run. Very quick out of his breaks but can get turned around at times and needs to improve against the run. Is not playing much press coverage this year, question if he is 100% healthy.
8	Quinton	Coples	DE	North Carolina	Very smooth athlete with an ideal frame. Flashes top ability as a pass rusher. Has had a down year though and at times is too easily controlled by blockers.
9	Mark	Barron	SS	Alabama	Reliable in the box Safety is an explosive tackler. Reads the quarterback very well in coverage. Looks a little more explosive this year, showing good range in coverage.
10	Lavonte	David	OLB	Nebraska	Undersized but active LB generally reads the game very well and is an excellent tackler. Can be overwhelmed by bigger blockers though. Very comfortable in coverage.	Late 1st
11	Vinny	Curry	DE	Marshall	Projects to 3-4 OLB. Flashes elite speed off the edge and also has a variety of tricks as a pass rusher. Very discplined in the run game and has a high motor.
12	Markelle	Martin	FS	Oklahoma State	Tall safety can attack downhill and deliver the big hit. Has excellent range in coverage. Missed too many tackles in 2010, but seems to be wrapping up far better this year.
13	Kendall	Wright	WR	Baylor	Dynamic playmaker is having a huge year. Has the speed to get deep and has very good hands.
14	Coby	Fleener	TE	Stanford	Not a great inline blocker, but can seal the edge. Very good receiver with very soft hands. A more athletic version of Lance Kendricks. Better pro prospect than college production would suggest.
15	Alameda	Ta'amu	DT	Washington	Can't be blocked with one man - demands a double team. Never comes off the field, even on obvious passing downs.
16	Coryell	Judie	CB	Texas A&M	Has a natural feel for the game in zone coverage. Is able to read the QB and make plays on the ball. Needs work in off man coverage, although looks better in press man. Also a fine kick-off returner. Has seen limited action in 2011 due to a hamstring problem that won't seem to heal.
17	Nate	Potter	OT	Boise State	College left tackles struggles against edge speed. However, he's a good technican with excellent hand placement and will be a solid pro right tackle.
18	Keenan	Robinson	OLB	Texas	Explosive linebacker has a nice frame and excellent range. Very comfortable in coverage. Playing in a more attacking defense this year, blitzing far more.	High 2nd
19	Billy	Winn	DE	Boise State	Comes of the ball fast and hard. Rotates out of the game a fair amount. Flash player who doesn't consistently show up but has the ability to dominate when on his game.
20	Melvin	Ingram	DE	South Carolina	Lining up all over the place in 2011 - but mainly playing as a DT. Very quick off the ball. Best pro position appears to be 4-3 DE as he doesn't look great from a two point stance.
21	Zach	Brown	OLB	North Carolina	Weakside linebacker prospect is a fine athlete and excellent in coverage. Has excellent speed and is best when he attacks downhill. Doesn't look as impressive when asked to read and react - seems slow to decipher information.
22	Kevin	Zeitler	OG	Wisconsin	Latest in the Wisconsin offensive line production line. A fine athlete, is used as a pulling guard with excellent results. Not always consistent with pass protection technique, but can sit and anchor.
23	Audie	Cole	ILB	North Carolina State	Productive linebacker lines up all over the place, including outside as a pass rusher. Read and react LB is very instinctive, has a nice frame and is explosive.
24	Kirk	Cousins	QB	Michigan State	Is comfortable going through his progressions and can use his eyes to look off defenders. Historically has made bad decisions though, but did have sensible outings against Michigan and Wisconsin.
25	Jared	Crick	DE	Nebraska	Is out for the season with a torn pectoral muscle. Played with the injury against Wisconsin and Ohio State where he struggled. Ideally suited to a one gap 3-4 defense or under tackle in a 'Tampa-2'
26	Jeff	Fuller	WR	Texas A&M	Big receiver is physical and can beat press coverage. Long strider has enough speed to get deep as well - but has struggled to do so this year dealing with turf toe. Comes back for the ball very well and is sharp in his routes to create separation.	Mid 2nd
27	T.Y.	Hilton	WR	Florida International	Big play receiver is also a fantastic kick returner. Slot receiver type has the speed to out run angles. Durability is the major question mark - he's had niggling injuries down the stretch.
28	Chase	Minnifield	CB	Virginia	Very comfortable on an island in press man coverage - more often than not blankets his man. Does make silly mistakes though and needs to get them out of his game.
29	Kelechi	Osemele	OG	Iowa State	Big college LT is a little like Georgia's Cordy Glenn, but with slightly better technique. Has some power, but struggles against edge speed. Projects to pro right tackle or guard.
30	Kendall	Reyes	DT	Connecticut	Flashes as a one gap penetrator. Also shows the ability to keep blockers off his body and make plays. Works hard down the line.
31	Leonard	Johnson	CB	Iowa State	Looks best in off man coverage, has a nice break on the ball. Inconsistent in press man, but can turn and run with his man. Lacks top size, but is physical and makes numerous tackles in the run game.
32	Lucas	Nix	OG	Pittsburgh	Has experience at right tackle and guard. Projects as a pro guard. Looks good when he bends at the knees, but does lunge off the ball a little too much and then loses balance.
33	Marquis	Maze	WR	Alabama	Extremely dangerous after the catch and as a returner. Had a big punt return in the Penn State game and ran one back for a touchdown against Arkansas. Ideal slot receiver.
34	Brandon	Weeden	QB	Oklahoma State	Former minor league baseball pitcher has a good arm and nice touch. Struggled against Texas A&M's variety of blitzes though. Will need to sit and learn, which is where his age (27) goes against him.	Late 2nd
35	Marvin	McNutt	WR	Iowa	Big receiver has suction cup hands and can make the one handed catch look routine. Sharp out of his breaks when running routes. Needs to get off press coverage a little better.
36	Dan	Herron	RB	Ohio State	Suspended for the first six games, but has hit the ground running (literally!). Powerful back who shows the ability create from nothing. Just lacks top end speed.
37	Matt	Reynolds	OT	Brigham Young	College left tackle really struggles against edge speed and will need to move to right tackle or inside to guard at the next level. Solid technician who plays with good knee bend and has some power.
38	Michael	Egnew	TE	Missouri	Tall TE lines up most of the time in the slot or out wide. Has excellent hands and a large catching radius due to his height. Not the fastest in a straight line and will need work as a blocker.
39	Cordy	Glenn	OG	Georgia	Moved outside to left tackle this season and is struggling against any kind of edge speed. His technique is poor, but he does flash power in the run game.
40	Markus	Zusevics	OT	Iowa	Not the best athlete, but more than makes up for this with excellent technique. Hands are up ready to strike in pass protection. Skilled zone run blocker.
41	Cam	Johnson	DE	Virginia	Has some speed off the edge rushing the passer. Is used in coverage a little where he shows a natural feel for the game and thus projects well to 3-4 OLB.
42	Ryan	Tannehill	QB	Texas A&M	Former WR has limited experience at QB, but has all the raw tools and should continue to develop in a pro style offense. However, he must make decisions quicker and avoid staring down his targets.
43	Trumaine	Johnson	CB	Montana	Tall, wiry CB looks like he could be a good press corner. Unfortunately he plays in a zone heavy system which doesn't utilise his talents as well as it might. Has a nice break on the ball though and could move up boards with a big post season.
44	Zebrie	Sanders	OT	Florida State	Recently flipped over the left tackle to replace Andrew Datko and due to a hip injury he's carrying has actually been more comfortable. Powerful prospect who might not have quick enough feet for pro left tackle though.
45	Sean	Spence	OLB	Miami (Fl.)	Undersized linebacker is used in a very attacking system. Flies up the field and takes on blockers at full speed. Can pick through traffic well, but can struggle to get off blocks at times.	High 3rd
46	Philip	Blake	C	Baylor	Athletic center looks very comfortable in pass protection where he can mirror effortlessly. Not as good in the run game, where he lunges off the snap and spends too much time on the ground.
47	Jarius	Wright	WR	Arkansas	One of four talented Arkansas receivers, he's having the best year of the group. Has excellent speed and very soft hands. Ascending player.
48	Doug	Martin	RB	Boise State	Runs low to the ground and will keep his legs churning to pick up extra yardage. Lacks top size but is still able to break tackles. Has enough speed to turn the corner and is a reliable receiver. Comfortable in pass protection.
49	Trenton	Robinson	FS	Michigan State	Generally plays over the top coverage against the slot receiver or tight end. Has a nice backpedal and break out of it to the ball plus exhibits the ability to turn and run deep with his man.
50	Ryan	Steed	CB	Furman	Aggressive cornerback has good size and a nice break out of his backpedal to the ball. Will bite on double moves though.
51	Donnie	Fletcher	CB	Boston College	Missed the first week of the season with a back injury and took a little while to get back full time. Gets low in his initial backpedal, but has some technique flaws after this - but does have the size to press.
52	Travis	Lewis	OLB	Oklahoma	Active and aggressive weakside LB is a good reader of the game and generally reliable tackler. Works very hard to get off blocks even though he's physically overmatched at times. Has been struggling with a broken toe and doesn't look as explosive as last season.
53	Robert	Golden	FS	Arizona	Has experience at cornerback, but playing free safety in 2011. Can flash up and make plays plus has a nice break on the ball. Looks comfortable in man coverage.
54	James-Michael	Johnson	ILB	Nevada	Athletic read and react linebacker plays in an aggressive system, which sees him make highlight plays. Has excellent coverage skills and is an asset on special teams coverage. Isn't afraid of contact, but too often gets eaten up by blockers.
55	Ryan	Lindley	QB	San Diego State	Has a big arm and can make all the throws. Takes huge steps in his drops, which adversely affects his accuracy at times, so he will need a complete retool of his footwork.	Mid 3rd
56	Ladarius	Green	TE	Louisiana-Lafayette	Slowed early in the season by a knee injury but now 100%. Very good receiver with soft hands and good speed. Lacking as a blocker, so a spread type TE.
57	Levy	Adcock	OT	Oklahoma State	Has the athletic tools for the next level, but his technique is a big concern. Lacks the ability to sit in his stance and anchor in pass protection. Really struggles to move his feet and is often off balance.
58	Casey	Hayward	CB	Vanderbilt	Very good in zone coverage - can read the QB very well. Lacks top end speed, so needs to play in a Cover 2 system with a safety over the top.
59	Juron	Criner	WR	Arizona	Missed the start of the season after undergoing an appendectomy. Also missed some of the off season and will need to be cleared medically. Reliable receiver with good size who has soft hands.
60	Andre	Branch	DE	Clemson	Doesn't always get off the line quickly, but when he is able to do so shows up as a pass rusher. Has a nice frame and can set the edge in the run game.
61	Amini	Silatolu	OG	Midwestern State	College left tackle will likely move inside to pro guard. Big mauler is dominant at a lower level of competition.
62	Nick	Foles	QB	Arizona	Plays in a spread offense that uses a lot of one read short passes. He needs to speed up going through his progressions if the initial read isn't on and take care not to blindly force when under pressure.
63	Brandon	Lindsey	OLB	Pittsburgh	Has a variety of pass rush moves but only flashes top quickness off the ball. Needs to get stronger to set the edge in the run game.
64	Emmanuel	Acho	ILB	Texas	Active linebacker is playing in an aggressive system this year. Blitzes alot and is very productive. Doesn't look as big as listed and can be eaten up by blockers.
65	Bruce	Irvin	OLB	West Virginia	Fantastic athlete who has a really nice jump move outside as a pass rusher, yet fails to consistently show up. Needs to get bigger and stronger to help him hold up in the run game, where he struggles to make an impact.	Late 3rd
66	Mike	Brewster	C	Ohio State	Does a fine job of playing square in the run game. Has good hand placement and arm extension in pass protection, but struggled to sit in his stance and anchor early in the season. Is playing better down the stretch though - perhaps was pressing in Mike Adams absence.
67	Frank	Alexander	DE	Oklahoma	Listed at 255 lbs, but looks heavier. Not super fast off the edge, but does have some power. Is putting together a fine senior year and moving up boards.
68	Nick	Toon	WR	Wisconsin	Not the fastest in a straight line, but uses his size and reliable hands to make plays. Question ability to separate.
69	Jermaine	Kearse	WR	Washington	Has decent size and looks very quick after the catch. Still managing to produce post Jake Locker, but drops do remain a concern.
70	Isaiah	Pead	RB	Cincinnati	Zone blocking running back who struggles to create on his own when plays are poorly blocked. Reliable receiver out of the backfield.
71	Greg	Childs	WR	Arkansas	Missed last 5 games of 2010 season with a knee injury. Big receiver who can run but hasn't looked healthy in 2011. Missed the Vanderbilt game after 'tweaking' his knee - medical question mark.
72	William	Vlachos	C	Alabama	Will lunge off the ball at times, particularly in the run game, which gives him problems (two holding penalties in the Mississippi game). But he can play with better balance and looks a good prospect when he does, particularly when getting to the second level.
73	Tony	Bergstrom	OT	Utah	Does a nice job of playing square in the run game and shows an aggressive streak. Is somewhat limited athletically in pass protection, but should be fine at right tackle as a pro.
74	Josh	Chapman	DT	Alabama	Big nose tackle prospect is tough to move in the run game but doesn't show consistent explosion. Comes off the field in obvious passing situations as he is limited as a pass rusher.
75	Cyrus	Gray	RB	Texas A&M	Solid all around back who has some make you miss ability. Lacks top speed on outside runs and at times inside is a little too hesitant.
76	Mychal	Kendricks	OLB	California	Lacks the frame to stay outside in a 3-4, but does offer good coverage ability and quickness as a pass rusher. Ideal for a team like the Giants that likes to blitz their linebackers.	High 4th
77	Dwight	Jones	WR	North Carolina	Has very good size and big, soft hands. Makes the tough catch look easy.
78	A.J.	Jenkins	WR	Illinois	Reliable hands catcher is having a career year. Can create after the catch and has a knack of finding soft spots in zone coverage
79	Ben	Jones	C	Georgia	Four year starter struggles against top speed and power. Doesn't anchor in pass protection and plays too high. Is better in the run game, squares up nicely. Good effort player - always gives 100%.
80	Kheeston	Randall	DT	Texas	Has had a quiet start to 2011 and is starting to fall down boards. Not getting penetration as he did in 2010.
81	Nigel	Bradham	OLB	Florida State	Aggressive linebacker struggles to get off blocks at times. Looks best when he reads and reacts. Question his straight line speed.
82	David	Molk	C	Michigan	Undersized center has good technique against smaller defensive tackles but his feet go back and out against power. Will need to add 10-15 lbs and get stronger.
83	Antonio	Allen	SS	South Carolina	Plays the 'Spur' LB role - is often over the slot WR. Very active player who also stars on special teams. Pro strong safety.
84	Jamell	Fleming	CB	Oklahoma	Off man or zone corner keeps everything in front of him. Will give up shorter routes in front of him though, but does have a knack of making big plays.
85	Brandon	Mosley	OT	Auburn	Looks heavy footed setting up in pass protection. Leaves his inside open and struggles to mirror.
86	Emanuel	Davis	CB	East Carolina	Suspended for the South Carolina game, missing a chance to impress against Alshon Jeffery. Has the raw tools for the next level, but his technique needs work.
87	Aaron	Henry	FS	Wisconsin	Plays deep centre field. Not overly active in the run game, but is able to make some plays over the top in the passing game. Question recovery speed and man coverage ability.	Mid 4th
88	Ryan	Miller	OG	Colorado	6'8" prospect has major leverage problems in pass protection - more often than not he plays too high. However, he gets to the second level and can move people in the run game.
89	Marc	Tyler	RB	USC	Lacks top end speed, but is a patient runner with excellent vision. Also solid in pass protection and as a receiver. Dislocated shoulder in week seven.
90	Andrew	Datko	OT	Florida State	Very athletic tackle gets to the second level very well but struggles to anchor against power in pass protection. Now out for the season with shoulder problems - medical question mark lowers his stock considerably.
91	Ryan	Broyles	WR	Oklahoma	Tore his ACL in early November against Texas A&M which lowers his stock considerably. Ultra productive slot receiver who is quicker than fast.
92	Mike	Martin	DT	Michigan	Limited as a pass rusher, but flashes power and quickness against the run. Old school two down player for a one gap team.
93	Senio	Kelemete	OG	Washington	College left tackle projects to pro guard. Has solid technique and displays some power. Looks to have short arms and struggled against Stanford's Chase Thomas.
94	Tank	Carder	OLB	TCU	Has had to get off blocks more this year in a young TCU defense and has struggled considerably. His good moments come when he uses his quickness to beat blockers to the point of attack.
95	Trevor	Guyton	DE	California	College 3-4 defensive end projects best as a left defensive end in a 4-3. Lacks a top frame, but can hold up against the run. Limited as a pass rusher.
96	Eddie	Whitley	FS	Virginia Tech	Looks very slight. Generally plays as a deep Safety, but will come up in the box and make tackles. Question man coverage ability, but does flash ability to break on the ball.
97	Shaun	Prater	CB	Iowa	Cover-2 cornerback can turn and run with his man deep. Doesn't always have a natural feel for the game in zone coverage. Not the best tackler, but is a positive performer on special teams coverage units.	Late 4th
98	Tyrone	Crawford	DE	Boise State	Ascending junior college transfer has some pass rush ability. Works hard in the run to keep blockers off his body.
99	Brandon	Boykin	CB	Georgia	Nickel back type who lacks top size and has sloppy technique. Relies on his athletic ability and looks better as a zone prospect where he shows a knack for reading the QB's eyes. Dangerous kick returner also.
100	Matt	McCants	OT	UAB	Has a nice frame and could add 20 lbs comfortably. Has some power and loves to finish his blocks in the run game. However, is too upright in pass protection and struggles against edge speed.