This is my take on the best pro prospects that play in the mid-major conferences. There will be plently of lists with all of the big name players like Sam Bradford, Eric Berry, Carlos Dunlap, Arrelious Benn, etc, but you won't see any of these guys getting much recognition. I kept it all FBS. This should just give those unfamiliar with mid-majors an idea on who to keep an eye on during the upcoming college football season. If you any of you guys want to put any other names out there, do it. Quarterback: Dan LeFevour 6’3 230 Central Michigan – amazing production at CMU. In 2007, he threw for over 3000 yards and rushed for over 1000 more. Is he the next great MAC quarterback? 2008 – 2784 yards passing 21 TDs and only 6 INTs and rushed for 592 yards and 6 TDs. Running Back: Vai Taua 5’10 230 Nevada – Taua is the WAC’s most explosive offensive weapon. He can run over you or around you. The guy’s got breakaway speed and incredible tackle breaking ability. 2008 - 1521 yards and 15 TDs Wide Receiver: Seyi Ajirotutu 6’3 215 Fresno State – My list wouldn’t be complete without a Fresno State player…Aji is a big, physical, fast play making wideout. If Fresno’s offense passed the ball more, he’d be a top receiver prospect…no doubt in my mind. 2008 – 47 receptions for 795 yards and 5 TDs (16.9 YPC) Tight End: Dennis Pitta 6’6 250 BYU – arguably the second best tight end in the country behind Oklahoma’s Jermaine Gresham. 2008 – 83 receptions for 1083 yards and 6 TDs Offensive Lineman: Zane Beadles 6’4 305 Utah – Beadles had a HUGE game against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Defensive End: Jerry Hughes 6’2 250 TCU – Hughes is one of the best pass rushers in all of college football. 2008 – 19.5 TFLs and 15 sacks. Defensive Tackle: Alex Carrington 6’5 285 Arkansas State – The Sunbelt DPOY will be one of the best 3-4 end prospects in the 2010 draft…right WW85? 2008: 19 TFLs and 10.5 sacks Linebacker: Barry Church 6’2 222 Toledo – I had to find a place for him on this list…he’s had an outstanding career. Church is the best safety in the MAC, but he’ll more than likely have to convert to linebacker in the pros. 2008: 93 tackles Cornerback: Kyle Wilson 5’11 190 Boise State – Wilson is a shutdown corner that gets his hands on the football…he’s also one of the best return men that I have ever seen. 2008: 5 INTs and 3 punt return TDs. Safety: Antonio Baker 5’11 212 Louisiana Tech – One of the best run stopping safeties in college football. Baker is a tackling machine. 2008: 115 tackles and 3 INTs
What do you think we try to get a free agent WR... or just wait til the draft next year coming up to land a product?? Me i just say we wait instead of rushing... one player wont make or break us i think..
We'll have to be pretty bad to land the best receiver, Arrelious Benn (Illinois), but there other possible first round wideouts like Dez Bryant (OK State) and Damian Williams (USC) could be available in the middle of the first. I'd love to see the Jets acquire Brandon Marshall but not for a 2010 first rounder...there's too much talent available, especially for a team that runs a 3-4 defense.
Nice list E. I saw one Nevada game and Taua was the only player that stood out, he was a man among boys, like a bowling ball going downhill. Kyle Wilson may surprise some people. Overall, IMO, the CB position is one of the weaker positions at the top half of 2010's draft. I thought he was a Jersey kid...looked up and he's a local.
Nevada is a threat to bust the BCS for the next two years. Colin Kaepernick is a very talented young quarterback and Taua is a beast. With Fresno State in a down year, Nevada has a very good chance of winning the WAC if they can beat Boise State in the last game of the season. The Wolfpack plays Notre Dame and Mizzou very early in the season. If the pistol offense comes through, the Pack could beat both of them...but it's highly unlikely. I hope Taua runs over every team he faces (except Fresno State) - I want this kid to be a starter in the NFL. It'd be awesome to see a Samoan running back start for a pro team. Kyle Wilson could be a first rounder if he has another big season for the Broncos. He's a track guy, so he should run a very good 40 time. Guys that are ahead of him right now are Joe Haden (Florida), Trevard Lindley (Kentucky), and Crezon Butler (Clemson). Wilson is a very similar to Alabama's Javier Arenas - both are excellent return men with questionable size, but they are playmakers. If for some reason Haden stays at UF, Wilson could be a late first rounder, but for now he's a second round prospect.
I really enjoy watching WAC games, just don't get to see many in my area. Very entertaining football in a very underrated conference. I only had Haden and Lindley rated as Round 1 CB prospects. It's likely 3 safeties will come off the board in rd 1 before the first CB.....kind of crazy.
He's much better than Fu...but they have different styles. Taua can run you over, but he has 4.4 speed. Taua reminds me of Michael Turner with less breakaway ability. Both guys are shorter, more compact backs that break a lot of tackles and bounce runs to the outside. VT is only a junior, so I'm sure he'll get to around 230-235 before he graduates.
^^ Good stuff, thanks. Sounds like a beast. Good call on Kyle Wilson. I've been watching him since HS. Another first round DB out of Piscataway High in NJ maybe? Malcolm Jenkins this year and Kyle Wilson next possibly.
