Looking at NFL Draft sites like draftinsider.com, we have 13 seniors who have a chance to get drafted. We could see an underclassman or two leave early, meaning we could challenge the record of most players drafted in one year from the same school (held by Texas who had 17 players drafted in 1984). 2005 Seniors DT C. Wroten (high pick) DT K. Williams (high pick) OT A. Whitworth (high pick) RB J. Addai (mid to high pick) WR S. Green (mid to high pick) OG N. Livings (mid pick) C R. Niswanger (late to mid pick) LB C. Vaughn (late to mid pick) DE M. Oliver (late to mid pick) WR B. Brazell (late pick?) TE D. Jones (late pick?) LB E. Kuale (late pick?) CB R. Prude (late pick?) Juniors who could leave early would be FS L. Landry WR D. Bowe WR C. Davis OG P. Dyakowski (not really)
I think Joe Addai is going to be a 1st or 2nd round pick. I think he will be one of the guys that stock really rises during the combines and senior bowls. he never has gotten much hype by the media. But I assume he will get an invite to Mobile and really show the scouts what hes all about.
It is NEVER too early to have Draft talk!! I pretty much agree with you at first glance, though I think Oliver could go a bit higher, a la Marquise Hill. And I think Skyler will be a 4th - 6th round pick.
Bowe would be an idiot if he decided to go pro after this year. If he wants to get an early pick he needs to play good for a full year at the level he is capable at. I know that he is good and he started slow off an injury but he needs another year where he can really show the pro scouts what he can do.
I'm thinking that approaching the record is a bit optimistic. Also don't see Addai going all that high. His upright running style will get him killed in the NFL as well as lead to a lot of fumbles. S. Green could be a high pick because of his speed, ala D. Henderson and D. Stallworth.
I would say Niswanger is an early to mid pick, not mid to late. Brazell, Kuale, & D. Jones might not get drafted. Brazell is lightening fast, but outside of some production this season he hasn't accomplished much on the football team. Kuale is unfortunate with his injury - it will depend on how he performs in combines & his health. He hasn't shown enough on the field to be more than a late draft pick IMO. Jones hasn't shown the ability to consistently be more than a blocker - his draft stock will be very dependent on his combine showings. Landry is the only player I see possibly leaving early.
I would think LaRon could come out and be a very nice pick as a Jr. He's had a very nice career as a 3 yr starting true junior and should get nice national acclaim once again after this season. FWIW, Kiper has Landry as his #2 jr. defensive back right now. After seeing Corey Webster's stock fall by staying his Sr. year, perhaps LaRon will give it some thought after the season...we'll see.
I doubt LaRon leaves early. If he comes back next year, he'll be a pre-season All American and if he performs like he has his whole career, he'll easily be a Top 15 pick in the 2007 NFL Draft.
