Future NFL Prospect of the Week

Dexter McCluster
RB/WR Ole Miss

5'8" 165 lb.
Senior

Week 11 vs. Tennessee
25 rushes for 282 yards and 4 TDs, 4 recs for 42 yards

In one of the most lopsided games on the SEC calendar this season, the Ole Miss Rebels gashed Lane Kiffin's Tennessee Volunteers and that was mainly due to the absolutely stellar play of one Dexter McCluster. McCluster helped his Rebels to a victory by running over and around every Tennessee player on the field including seasoned veterans like Eric Berry, Rico McCoy and Dan Williams.

The Vols didn't stand a chance when McCluster got into the open field as he showed his incredible agility and burst by making Tennessee defenders look stupid as he zipped by them and left them grasping at air. He did most of his damage off tackle but he was also a reliable option out of the backfield as well, hauling in 4 receptions for 42 yards.

However, there was one play that stood out, on the goalline, Jevan Snead pitched him the ball and he look it off of a John Jerry block and waiting for him was Eric Berry, the top defender in the NCAA last year who lay a hit on him, McCluster bounced off, used his balance to collect himself and fight down to the 1 yard line. A true testament to the toughness of this running back. Congrats Dexter, a name none more fitting seeing as he carved up the Vol defense.

-Matty

Future NFL Prospect of the Week

Mark Ingram
RB Alabama

5'10" 212 lb.
Sophomore

Week 10 vs. LSU
22 rushes for 144 yards, 5 recs for 30 yards

Well, we had John Clay here last week and yet another Sophomore running back turned on the burners and made his mark (no pun intended) and that was the star Alabama running back Mark Ingram. It is just astounding to think that Alabama might be better off when Glen Coffee declared early for the NFL because now Ingram is getting the bulk of the carries and he is making teams pay.

Ingram went up against a pretty stout LSU defense and he ripped em' to shreds, it seemed that every time he got ball in his hands, be it on a hand off or a reception it was like he was always going for a first down and gaining huge chunks of yardage at a time. LSU didn't have an answer for him and he single handedly saved the game for McElroy who made some really bad mistakes but had them glossed over because of a big play to Julio Jones and a win against #9 ranked LSU.

Ingram will be an amazing back in the NFL as he can do everything and more that a team wants their running back to do. He can catch, run and block and he will no doubtedly be a first round selection whether he comes out two years from now or after his senior season, he'll only get better and the team the drafts him will be getting a stud in this writer's honest opinion.

-Matty

Future NFL Prospect of the Week

John Clay
RB Wisconsin

6'2" 247 lb.
Sophomore

Week 9 vs. Purdue
24 rushes for 123 yards and 3 TDs

Wisconsin is a team who love the big and bruising backs and John Clay is the next in line in a long line of talented backs. The most famous is Ron Dayne who is among the NCAA elite when it comes to rushing and P.J. Hill was looking to follow in his footsteps before subpar and injury filled junior season. Regardless of their past trials in the NFL, John Clay has all the potential to be a dominant runner in the NFL.

Clay loves to run inside and out, he'll punish you by lowering his shoulder into your face, he can run around you and he can stiff arm your helmet off. The boy is talented and then some and has all the size and skills a NFL team would love. To me, he reminds me of a Brandon Jacobs, LeRon McClain type of back, a physical, between the tackles and goalline back.

It'll be interesting to see what he does in the NFL, as it currently stands he could be part of a pretty stellar running back class that includes Alabama standout Mark Ingram, Virginia Tech's Darren Evans, Oregon State speedster Jacquizz Rodgers and Georgia's Caleb King. A pretty good crop of potential Senior RBs and John Clay could easily be among the best of the bunch.

-Matty

Future NFL Prospect of the Week

Ricky Stanzi
QB Iowa

6'4" 218 lb.
Junior

Week 8 vs. Michigan State
11/27 for 138 yards and 1 TD

This game against Michigan State may not have been his best statistical output of the year, but it really shows how Stanzi is coming into his own as a NCAA quarterback. I am very impressed with his decision making, his accuracy and his poise. He's found a great target in tight end Tony Moeaki. I like his size and athleticism transitioning to the NFL and I think by this time next year he should be setting himself apart from the other potential senior QBs looking to make it big in the NFL.

Stanzi is part of the reason why Iowa is still undefeated and looking at a potential Big 10 crown. I like Iowa to win out the rest of the season and potentially make a case as the darkhorse for the National Championship. With Stanzi at the helm, the sky is limit for Kirk Ferentz and his Iowa Hawkeyes.

-Matty

Future NFL Prospect of the Week

Max Hall
QB Brigham Young

6'1" 201 lb.
Senior

Week 7 vs, San Diego State
27/39 for 348 yards and 3 TDs, 14 rushes for 47 yards and TD

Max Hall is the versatile magician running the BYO freight train offense alongside future NFL draft picks Harvey Unga and Dennis Pitta. But, this article is about Max Hall and his great Senior season so far and how he projects as a future NFL QB. Like an earlier article I wrote on Case Keenum from Houston, Max Hall has a lot of the intangibles required to be a NFL QB, save for the size as he's a bit short at 6'1" and a bit slight at just a hair over 201 lbs.

Max Hall has a solid arm and good accuracy, he can easily take over a game once he gets into a zone. He can shred a defense with the simplest of ease when he is ready to go, he is also dangerous on the run as well. It is best shown how in the stat line above to the tune of 395 total yards and 4 total TDs against a rusurgent San Diego State defense. Max Hall projects to be a late round selection in the forthcoming 2010 draft but if he sits for a year or two in the right system, he could take over in the future, but he is likely destined to be a high level back up in the right system (WCO/Spread).

-Matty

Future NFL Prospect of the Week

Brandon Spikes
LB Florida

6'3" 258 lb.
Senior

Week 6 vs. LSU
11 tackles, 2.5 sacks, FF

Brandon Spikes is a mountain of a man at linebacker, he has prototypical NFL MLB size and plays with incredible intensity and range. In the LSU game, Spikes took control of the interior and he was nearly unblockable coming on the pass rush and stuffing the run. Hilt and Hebert couldn't seal him in space and he was able to run free and cause all sorts of havoc against LSU.

Spikes offers scheme versatility for NFL teams as being able to play ILB in a 3-4 or a 4-3. He has the speed to play sideline to sideline, he can make tackles in the run game and stuff it behind the line of scrimmage, he is a solid blitzer as is evident with his 2.5 sacks against the LSU front five and he is deceptively good in coverage. He will no doubt be an early 1st day selection and probably an early candidate for DROY 2010, he'll provide a team with an immediate upgrade and provide an immediate impact.

-Matty

Future NFL Prospect of the Week

Jacory Harris
QB Miami

6'4" 190 lb.
Sophomore

Week 5 vs. Oklahoma
12/28 for 202 yards, 3 TDs and 2 INTs

Jacory Harris has helped bring the Hurricanes back to National prominence after a few shaky years when they were just average including breaking the 14 or so year streak of Miami Hurricane players getting drafted in the first round. Now, I don't think another will be drafted this year unless Eric Moncur plays lights out, but, two years from now, we could be looking at the start of a whole new streak when Harris become draft eligible.

Jacory Harris is a bit slight at 190 lbs. on a 6'4" frame, he is built like a wide receiver but he plays like a quarterback. He doesn't needlessly scramble, he is always trying to keep his eyes downfield to make plays and more often then not he does. He helped lead Miami from behind to beat the juggernaut Oklahoma Sooners. This is a defense with many potential stars, especially along the defensive line and although he was pressured and sacked very early on in the game he didn't let it get to him and made the big time throws to not only keep Miami in the game, but ultimately win it for them.

Harris will be an interesting prospect to watch in the coming years and if he keeps getting better and is maybe able to fill out that 6'4" frame a little better, he definitely has a shot at being a franchise signal caller for a team playing on Sunday.

-Matty

Future NFL Prospect of the Week

Chad Jones
S Louisiana State

6'3" 231 lb. Junior

Week 4 vs. Mississippi State
7 tackles, 1 pass break up
93 yard PR TD


Louisiana State fans every should be thanking their lucky stars for the two sport athlete that is Chad Jones as he may have kept their National Championship hopes alive for at least another week by keeping them undefeated by narrowly edging out the Mississippi State Bulldogs 30-26 in a knock down drag out. Chad Jones put the Tigers ahead with an amazing 93 yard punt return for a score and then on the goal line was the reason that Anthony Dixon and the QB Lee didn't celebrate a huge upset win as he was in the right place at the right time to deflect a play action pass to the tight end that would have sealed the win and helped on 4th and an inch with the game saving tackle.

Jones is a speedy and athletic safety who can also play in the box, off the hashes or in center field. He is an absolute beast at 6'3" and 230 lbs. he is built like Taylor Mays but may have better field awareness. He's only a junior right now but the future is bright for Jones if he continues to make plays like he has. No doubt LSU will rely on him when Tim Tebow and Joe Cox try and shred the Tiger defensive backfield.

Matty's Big Board:10-1

01. Russell Okung

OT Oklahoma State
6'5" 300 lbs.

1st team All American


02. Ndamukong Suh

DT Nebraska
6'4" 300 lbs.

115 tackles, 32 for a loss, 14.5 sacks


03. Taylor Mays

S Southern California
6'3" 230 lbs.

180 tackles, 18 pass break ups, 4 ints.


04. George Selvie

DE South Florida
6'4" 250 lbs.

189 tackles, 59.5 for a loss, 25.5 sacks


05. Ciron Black

OT Louisiana State
6'5" 322 lbs.

2nd team All SEC


06. Sergio Kindle

DE Texas
6'4" 255 lbs.

98 tackles, 19.5 for a loss, 10.5 sacks


07. Sean Weatherspoon

LB Missouri
6'2" 245 lbs.

299 tackles, 29 for a loss, 8 sacks, 3 ints.


08. Jermaine Gresham

TE Oklahoma
6'6" 258 lbs.

111 recs. 1629 yards, 26 TDs


09. Brandon Spikes

LB Florida
6'3" 258 lbs.

239 tackles, 25 for a loss, 3.5 sacks, 4 ints.


10. Syd'Quan Thompson

CB California
5'9" 191 lbs.

208 tackles, 26 pass break ups, 6 ints.

Future NFL Prospect of the Week

Jake Locker
QB Washington

6'3" 226 lbs. Junior

Week 3 vs. Southern California
21/35 for 237 yards
8 rushes and 1 TD


Though Jake Locker didn't have his biggest statistical output in the week 3 game against #3 ranked USC, Locker showed that he has the poise, the charisma and the intangibles that can help him lead a team on Sunday. Locker has the size, speed and strength to be a solid signal caller at the next level and that USC game proved it as he faced stiff competition with a subpar team and came out on top.

Jake Locker is known for his ability to improvise when the pocket breaks down but more and more this season he is sitting in the pocket and if his first read isn't open he progresses nicely instead of taking off. Granted, blocking from massive OT Ben Ossai helps out but Locker essentially puts the entire Huskie offense on his shoulders week in and week out and does what he can with them.

There is a good chance he will return to school to hone his craft and potentially up his stock where he could become a potential first overall selection in the 2011 NFL Entry Draft. As it currently stands, if he were to come out now I can't imagine him going earlier then round three just because of the more polished signal callers that will be entering this years draft. Regardless, Locker has a bright future and may be showcasing his talents for even bigger crowds on Sundays.

Matty's Big Board: 20-11

11. Corey Wootton

DE Northwestern
6'7" 280 lbs.

135 tackles, 32 for a loss, 15.5 sacks


12. Terrence Cody

DT Alabama
6'5" 365 lbs.

24 tackles, 4.5 for a loss, 0.5 sacks


13. Greg Hardy

DE Ole Miss
6'5" 275 lbs.

131 tackles, 33 for a loss, 21.5 sacks


14. Javier Arenas

CB Alabama
5'9" 198 lbs.

83 tackles, 8 pass break ups, 1 int.


15. Brandon LaFell

WR Louisiana State
6'3" 206 lbs.

118 recs. 1723 yards, 14 TDs


16. Arthur Jones

DT Syracuse
6'4" 293 lbs.

126 tackles, 31.5 for a loss, 5 sacks


17. Trent Williams

OT Oklahoma
6'5" 318 lbs.

1st team All Big-12


18. D'Anthony Smith

DT Louisiana Tech
6'2" 300 lbs.

146 tackles, 18 for a loss, 9 sacks


19. Sam Young

OT Notre Dame
6'8" 330 lbs.

1st team Freshman All American


20. Vince Oghobaase

DT Duke
6'5" 305 lbs.

128 tackles, 29 for a loss, 11.5 sacks

Matty's Big Board: 30-21

21. Boo Robinson

DT Wake Forest
6'2" 295 lbs.

108 tackles, 16.5 for a loss, 11.5 sacks


22. Jerry Hughes

DE Texas Christian
6'3" 257 lbs.

84 tackles, 24 for a loss, 17 sacks


23. Charles Brown

OT Southern California
6'6" 285 lbs.

Converted TE


24. Eric Norwood

LB South Carolina
6'1" 252 lbs.

174 tackles, 43 for a loss, 22 sacks


25. Tim Tebow

QB Florida
6'3" 245 lbs.

448/681, 6390 yards, 67 TDs, 11 ints.


26. C.J. Spiller

RB Clemson
5'11" 195 lbs.

390 rushes, 2335 yards, 20 TDs


27. Mardy Gilyard

WR Cincinnati
6'1" 187 lbs.

117 recs., 1812 yards, 14 TDs


28. Joe Pawelek

LB Baylor
6'2" 240 lbs.

313 tackles, 18.5 for a loss, 4 sacks, 8 ints.


29. Rico McCoy

LB Tennessee
6'1" 220 lbs.

231 tackles, 11 for a loss, 2 sacks, 1 int.


30. Trevard Lindley

CB Kentucky
6'0" 179 lbs.

157 tackles, 34 pass break ups, 9 ints.

Matty's Big Board: 40-31

31. Jared Odrick

DT Penn State
6'5" 296 lbs.

61 tackles, 14.5 for a loss, 7.5 sacks


32. Geno Atkins

DT Georgia
6'1" 290 lbs.

84 tackles, 23 for a loss, 8 sacks


33. Micah Johnson

LB Kentucky
6'2" 258 lbs.

180 tackles, 17 for a loss, 2.5 sacks, 2 ints.


34. Sean Lee

LB Penn State
6'2" 236 lbs.

239 tackles, 18.5 for a loss, 9 sacks, 2 ints.


35. Brandon Lang

DE Troy State
6'4" 256 lbs.

88 tackles, 27 for a loss, 16 sacks


36. Sergio Render

OG Virginia Tech
6'3" 313 lbs.

2nd team All ACC


37. Adam Ulatoski

OT Texas
6'6" 310 lbs.

1st team All Big-12


38. Mike Johnson

OG Alabama
6'6" 305 lbs.

1st team All American


39. C.J. Wilson

DE East Carolina
6'4" 278 lbs.

135 tackles, 35 for a loss, 21.5 sacks


40. Stevenson Sylvester

LB Utah
6'2" 230 lbs.

182 tackles, 19.5 for a loss, 7 sacks, 1 ints.

Matty's Big Board: 50-41

41. Brandon Graham,

DE Michigan
6'2" 263 lbs.

74 tackles, 30 for a loss, 19 sacks


42. Kam Chancellor

S Virginia Tech
6'4" 230 lbs.

140 tackles, 14 pass break ups, 4 ints.


43. Patrick Robinson

CB Florida State
5'11" 194 lbs.

65 tackles, 10 pass break ups, 7 ints.


44. Selvish Capers

OT West Virginia
6'5" 298 lbs.

Converted TE


45. Darrell Stuckey

S Kansas
6'1" 205 lbs.

202 tackles, 16 pass break ups, 7 ints.


46. Kyle Wilson

CB Boise State
5'10" 186 lbs.

117 tackles, 23 pass break ups, 8 ints.


47. Chris Brown

RB Oklahoma
5'10" 200 lbs.

445 rushes, 2174 yards, 35 TDs


48. Eric Decker

WR Minnesota
6'2" 215 lbs.

176 recs. 2364 yards, 19 TDs


49. Brandon Ghee

CB Wake Forest
6'0" 190 lbs.

98 tackles, 17 pass break ups, 1 int.


50. Justin Cole

DE San Jose State
6'3" 240 lbs.

135 tackles, 21 for a loss, 10 sacks