Not that anyone needs a reason to watch this game as it is the National Championship, but here are some draft-eligible players with their numbers to watch tonight. This is not necessarily a list of star players, but a list of good prospects that fit the Jets' team needs and, particularly for the defense, system/scheme. Alabama -------Defense------- Terrance Cody, #62 -- 3-4 NT prospect Javier Arenas, #28 -- CB prospect and Return Specialist Rolando McClain, #25 -- 3-4 ILB prospect Kareem Jackson, #3 -- CB prospect -------Offense------- Mike Johnson, #78 -- OG prospect Drew Davis, #79 -- RT prospect Colin Peek, #84 -- TE prospect with good blocking skills Some honorable mentions for Alabama: Justin Woodall (S) and Brandon Deaderick (3-4 DE). Julio Jones (WR) and Mark Ingram (RB) are excellent NFL prospects, but neither are eligible for the 2010 NFL Draft. Texas -------Defense------- Sergio Kindle, #2 -- 3-4 OLB prospect Chykie Brown, #8 -- CB prospect Sam Acho, #81 -- 3-4 OLB prospect -------Offense------- Jordan Shipley, #8 -- slot WR prospect Adam Ulatoski, #74 -- RT prospect Some honorable mentions for Texas: Lamarr Houston (DT, #33) and Roddrick Muckelroy (LB, #38) are made for a 4-3 defense. *Earl Thomas is a standout free safety prospect but he will be returning to Texas for his junior season.* Colt McCoy is a decent QB prospect for the NFL but the Jets don't need a QB. Aaron Williams (CB, #4) and Malcolm Williams (WR, #9) are excellent NFL prospect but he is not eligible for the 2010 NFL Draft. The kickers for both of these teams, Leigh Kiffin (#99) for Alabama and Hunter Lawrence (#15) for Texas, are NFL caliber kickers.
...and you know this how? He's draft eligible, so you should've included him. Nice little write up by the way.
I'm really going to key on Rolando McClain. McClain is a coach on the field and is the leader of Bama's great defense. I really like CB Kareem Jackson a much improved player that has helped his NFL career. Arenas gets more pub, but Jackson is a good player. Colin Peek has come on lately and is a well-rounded TE. Brandon Deaderick may be the best defensive player on Bama's squad next year.
As am I. Nick Saban has turned Rolando McClain into the perfect linebacker. He had all of the physical tools as a recruit, but Saban has really improved McClain's football IQ. McClain has star player written all over him.
What's amazing about RM, the guy is friggin huge for a ILB and is so quick. I'm very impressed with his coverage skills too! I've heard RM being interviewed, very articulate and intelligent....he's the entire package.
I see RM being drafted anywhere between 5-10 range. Impressive for a LB, they usually don't go that high.
Alabama has the best depth chart in all of college football. Watch out for defensive backs Mark Barron, BJ Scott, and Dre Kirkpatrick next season. Nick Saban and the Tide also has commitments from the two best defensive backs in the country: safety Keenan Allen and corner DeMarcus Milliner. As long as Saban's running the show, Alabama will be a defensive pro factory.
I know it's early but I don't see any way McClain gets past Denver at 11, and he could easily go sooner than that. Kid is a monster
Where does everyone expect Kindle to go? I really like the idea of the Jets using a first round pick (or second) on an edge rusher--I like Pace, but we're lacking the Shawne Merriman, Elvis Dumervil, Jerome Harrison, Terrell Suggs-type player who can come in with pure speed from that OLB position.
I'm anxious to see Kindle play out there tonight against the Crimson Tide. I've seen him rated all over the board, from top 5 to the 2nd round, so I feel like he needs a big day to solidy the opinion on him.
Alabama has players going into next year -- QB McElroy, WR Jones, RBs Ingram & Richardson & then Marcell Dareus #57 on D -- the guy was all over the place.
didnt watch much of the game.... How did kindle end up playing? I saw the first couple of series and he was playing great, rushing the passer and dropping into coverage on zone blitzes
