EZ's Stud Watch

The 25 Players below are the top 25 draft eligible prospects in college football according to me, EZ. Now that the day of declaration has come and gone, the only underclassmen still on this list, are those who have declared.



1. Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas (Previous Rank: 1)
So just in case you were not a believer pre-combine, McFadden turned in one of the best combine performances this year, simply solidifying what we already knew. This kid is good.


2. Jake Long, OT, Michigan (Previous Rank: 4)
With all eyes upon him, Long put up very impressive numbers at Indy, including a combine best 37 reps on the bench. Those that saw him san shirt, say this big man look absolutely ripped.


3. Chris Long, DE, Virginia (Previous Rank: 3)
The son of the Raider Hall of Famer will be making papa proud on Sundays. Kid can flat out chase a QB down. His performance in Indy was definitely up to expectations.


4. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU (Previous Rank: 4)
The big fella’s two spot fall is more due to the performance’s of the Longs than to his not working out. Renewed medical concerns may hurt him on draft day though.


5. Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC (Previous Rank: 5)
Despite a poor showing at the combine, a strong Senior Bowl keeps Ellis in the top 5.


6. Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio St (Previous Rank: 9)
Of all of the players at the RCA Dome, Gholston produced one of the top 5 overall performances. His rise up this board (10 spots over the last two lists) will parallel his rise up teams draft boards.


7. Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College (Previous Rank: 6)
During the combine, Matt Ryan made certain that there was no question as to who the class of this year’s QBs is. Precise throws with respectable measurables solidified Ryan as the first signal caller off the board.


8. Ryan Clady, OT, Bosie St (Previous Rank: 8)
Top underclassmen o-lineman. Good size and good feet will make him a centerpiece of someone’s o-line for the next decade.


9. DeSean Jackson, WR, California (Previous Rank: 7)
Jackson is still the highest rated of this years wide out prospects, but his showing up to the combine weighing only 169lbs lends more questions as to if this kid can take an NFL pounding.


10. Branden Albert, OG, UVA (Previous Rank: NR)
Every year there seems to be one offensive guard who makes a name for himself prior to the draft, and this year that guy is Branden Albert. The Cavaliers standout enters our stud watch has the third best o-lineman on the board.


11. Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon (Previous Rank: 11)
Reinforcing his strong Sun Bowl performance, Stewart worked out well in Indy, pushing his draft stock even higher.


12. Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy St (Previous Rank: 16)
The cornerbacks showed up to Indy and performed as well as any group there. McKelvin displayed excellent change of direction ability and a good burst to the ball, to take over the number 1 spot amongst CBs.


13. Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida (Previous Rank: 10)
This Bull’s three spot drop has more to do with the outstanding performance of others than it does his own showing. He did exactly what he was expected to do.


14. Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois (Previous Rank: 19)
A strong work-out helps Mendenhall continue his rise up draft boards. He is quickly becoming my favorite back of this years class.


15. Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson (Previous Rank: NR)
Although he did not work out in Indy, Merling adds himself to the top 25 based on his outstanding Senior season. He was a big part of what Clemson did well, and he is getting the credit he deserves.


16. Limas Sweed, WR, Texas (Previous Rank: 25)
To make up for missing large parts of his Senior season with injury, Sweed turned in one of the most pleasantly surprising performances in Indy. His speed was faster than expected, and so was his explosiveness.


17. Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt (Previous Rank: 13)
You have to like what Williams brings to the table. He is big, strong, and will cover a QBs blind side with the best of them.



18. Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville (Previous Rank: 14)
A one time top ten on this sheet, Brohm performed well enough at the combine to solidify himself the number two QB of this class.


19. Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma (Previous Rank: 22)
Solid pure receiver. Did not test out as well as he would have liked however, and now has lost some ground on Sweed.



20. Kentwan Balmer, DT, UNC (Previous Rank: 12)
Balmer has been all over this board since first appearing. This is because despite a huge upside, he has not made it clear as to the type of player he can become. This kid has boom or bust written all over him.



21. Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida (Previous Rank: 15)
Although he did not perform poorly, he did not meet the expectations many had for the former Gator at the combine. Still a first round talent however.




22. Aquib Talib, CB, Kansas (Previous Rank: 17)
Did not look as fluid as one would have hoped for. His measurables were not bad, but his hip movement looked choppy.


23. Keith Rivers, LB, USC (Previous Rank: 24)
There are still plenty of questions about this kid. None of which were answered in Indy because he did not work out. We need to see how he does at his pro-day to know if he is a top 10 talent as some say, or a fringe first rounder, as others claim.



24. James Hardy, WR, Indiana (Previous Rank: NR)
Hardy put up some excellent numbers at the combine, adding to what has been an already impressive pre-draft season. He enters the Stud Watch, and on most teams draft boards, now is carrying a first round grade.


25. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee St (Previous Rank: NR)
It can be argued that no player performed better overall than Rodgers-Cromartie did during the combine. His excellent showing helps him leap Brandon Flowers in my opinion, and makes him a player who could find himself in the top round when all is said and done.





Dropped from the Watch

Calais Campbell, DE, Miami (Previous Rank: 18)
Unlike some other who fell off this list, Campbell is currently ranked 26 overall. He needs an impressive work out in Miami to help his draft status a bit.



Kenny Phillips, S, Miami (Previous Rank: 20)
Phillips had a poor showing at the combine, leaving many with the impression that there really is not a true first round grade for any safety in this years class.



Fred Davis, TE, USC (Previous Rank: 21)
Davis was another player who failed to live up to the hype during his work-outs. He will have a chance to redeem himself during his pro-day at USC.



Sam Baker, OT, USC (Previous Rank: 23)
Like Davis, another player out of Southern Cal who is failing to make a name for himself at this time. Odd because the Trojans are known for their athletes.