Robert Griffin III is making the race to be the second quarterback taken in the 2012 NFL draft an interesting one. While I've heard some scouts and evaluators discusss Griffin in the same class as
Andrew Luck, I'm not willing to go that far. I still think Luck is, by far in fact, the likeliest play for any team drafting No. 1 overall this spring. But Griffin's great year, combined with
Matt Barkley's brilliant finish to his junior season, has made the race for the No. 2 QB to come off the board very interesting. And remember, Barkley could still return to USC. At this time last year, Luck was also a lock to be No. 1.
There are other moves, as well. Read on and let me know who should be higher or who's been passed over, in your opinion. As always, juniors and draft-eligible sophomores are noted with an asterisk.
1
Andrew Luck *
AGE: 22
DOB: 9/12/89
HT: 6-4
WT: 235
POS: QB
Comp 261
Att 373
Pct 70.0
Yds 3,170
TD 35
Int 9
Luck was unable to show off all he can do given the talent around him in 2011, but he is the total package: arm strength, size, smarts, demeanor. He remains my pick to go No. 1 overall and could unseat Peyton Manning in Indy.
LAST WEEK: 1 | PLAYER CARD
2
Matt Kalil *
AGE: 22
DOB: 7/6/89
HT: 6-7
WT: 295
POS: OT
GP 12
GS 12
Kalil was steady the entire season and has the full range of skills for the left tackle position, not to mention the pedigree. He has announced he's in the draft, and could be challenged, but is currently a safe bet for the top five.
LAST WEEK: 2 | PLAYER CARD
3
Trent Richardson *
AGE: 20
DOB: 7/10/91
HT: 5-11
WT: 224
POS: RB
Car 263
Yds 1,583
Avg. 6.0
TD 20
The BCS title game should be his final one in college. Richardson's splitting carries in his first two seasons will benefit him. Powerful, fast, with improved vision, he runs with good pad level and breaks tackles with ease.
LAST WEEK: 3 | PLAYER CARD
4
Morris Claiborne *
AGE: 21
DOB: 2/7/90
HT: 6-1
WT: 185
POS: CB
Tkl 46
Sack 0
Int 6
Doesn't get the attention, but he's a very good player. Big rise in 2011; now the top corner. Exceptional pure cover corner with impeccable instincts at the position. Locates the ball and can catch it. Not a burner; plenty quick.
LAST WEEK: 5 | PLAYER CARD
5
Justin Blackmon *
AGE: 21
DOB: 1/9/90
HT: 6-1
WT: 208
POS: WR
Rec 113
Yds 1,336
Avg 11.8
TD 15
Blackmon had a remarkable regular season, eclipsing his 111 catches of a year ago. A better prospect than recent OSU star Dez Bryant. Versatile and explosive and really works to get open. Great ball skills; breaks tackles.
LAST WEEK: 4 | PLAYER CARD
6
Matt Barkley *
AGE: 21
DOB: 9/8/90
HT: 6-2
WT: 220
POS: QB
Comp 308
Att 446
Pct 69.1
Yds 3,528
TD 39
Int 7
Faces a tough decision. Closed the year remarkably well. Accurate and showing growth year-to-year. Throwing a better ball and throws it really well on the move. Good, not great, arm. Pro-style skills are valued, even as offenses change.
LAST WEEK: 6 | PLAYER CARD
7
Robert Griffin III *
AGE: 21
DOB: 2/12/90
HT: 6-1
WT: 220
POS: QB
Comp 267
Att 369
Pct 72.4
Yds 3,998
TD 36
Int 6
Not buying any talk he'd be higher on some boards than Luck, but his altered delivery has resulted in better accuracy on downfield throws. Great kid, underrated passer, big-time athlete. No ill effects from 2009 knee injury. Remarkable numbers.
LAST WEEK: 11 | PLAYER CARD
8
Quinton Coples
AGE: 21
DOB: 6/22/90
HT: 6-6
WT: 285
POS: DE
Tkl 51
Sack 7.5
Int 0
Production isn't amazing, but skill set is hard to look past. The size and talent are there, but he'll need to add to his arsenal with increased blocking attention. Great size and length to hold the edge as a 4-3 defensive end.
LAST WEEK: 8 | PLAYER CARD
9
Jonathan Martin *
AGE: 22
DOB: 7/6/89
HT: 6-6
WT: 304
POS: OT
GP 12
GS 12
Martin can technically go back to school, as a fourth-year junior. Trusted in the passing game as the blindside protection for Luck, he also does a great job in the run game, especially for how athletic he is.
LAST WEEK: 7 | PLAYER CARD
10
Riley Reiff *
AGE: 23
DOB: 12/1/88
HT: 6-6
WT: 300
POS: OT
GP 12
GS 12
Not as athletic as Kalil or Martin, but the tape is there -- it may be the best tape of any LT this year because he's so complete. Durable, he has played from day one at Iowa. Ceiling a question, but he's very good now.
LAST WEEK: 9 | PLAYER CARD
11
Luke Kuechly *
AGE: 20
DOB: @##%/91
HT: 6-3
WT: 237
POS: LB
Tkl 191
Sack 0.0
Int 3
Great instincts both against the run and even dropping his hips and falling into coverage. Dependable, a tackling machine, he makes great reads, sees the play develop and sheds blockers well. Solid status.
LAST WEEK: 10 | PLAYER CARD
12
Alshon Jeffery *
AGE: 21
DOB: 2/14/90
HT: 6-4
WT: 233
POS: WR
Rec 45
Yds 614
Avg 13.6
TD 7
His production took a hit with South Carolina's turmoil at the QB position, but he had a good rep already. Imposing presence, a matchup nightmare. Phenomenal hands, decent burst, elite size. Speed is a bit of a question.
LAST WEEK: 12 | PLAYER CARD
13
Landry Jones *
AGE: 22
DOB: 4/22/89
HT: 6-4
WT: 229
POS: QB
Comp 339
Att 537
Pct 63.1
Yds 4,302
TD 28
Int 14
I still like the way he's battled in 2011, but it's fair to say his reputation outpaced his performance this season. Accuracy is still very good. Good size, strong arm but needs to improve footwork. Still a very good prospect.
LAST WEEK: 13 | PLAYER CARD
14
Brandon Thompson
AGE: 22
DOB: 10/19/89
HT: 6-2
WT: 310
POS: DT
Tkl 45
Sack 2.5
Int 0
Scheme-versatile, Thompson might not get the sacks but manages to be a really disruptive force along the interior. Balances plugging running lanes with decent skills as a penetrator. Consistent season.
LAST WEEK: 14 | PLAYER CARD
15
Vontaze Burfict *
AGE: 21
DOB: 9/24/90
HT: 6-3
WT: 250
POS: LB
Tkl 68
Sack 5.0
Int 1
Has little left to prove; he's started from day one. Great instincts, makes plays sideline to sideline and is far more disciplined than he gets credit for. Maybe too much tape at this point.
LAST WEEK: 15 | PLAYER CARD
16
Devon Still
AGE: 22
DOB: 7/11/89
HT: 6-5
WT: 310
POS: DT
Tkl 49
Sack 4.5
Int 0
A great penetrator, he has overcome health issues and has been extremely disruptive, breaking through double-teams to pile up TFLs. Maybe the MVP for that team this season. Could play a couple of spots at next level.
LAST WEEK: 16 | PLAYER CARD
17
Cordy Glenn
AGE: 22
DOB: 9/18/89
HT: 6-5
WT: 348
POS: T/G
GP 13
GS 13
Really experienced player whose best strength is versatility. Has spent time at tackle but can dominate at guard, and I'd expect whoever drafts him to ultimately have him blocking inside.
LAST WEEK: 17 | PLAYER CARD
18
David DeCastro
AGE: 21
DOB: 1/1/90
HT: 6-5
WT: 310
POS: OG
GP 12
GS 12
Extremely consistent, and both athletic and powerful in the run game. The rare guard who could get some looks in the first round.
LAST WEEK: 19 | PLAYER CARD
19
Courtney Upshaw
AGE: 21
DOB: 12/13/89
HT: 6-2
WT: 265
POS: LB
Tkl 45
Sack 7.5
Int 1
A riser so far this year, he is showing improved pass-rush skills and should convert to 3-4 OLB at the next level. Great leverage player who uses hands well and battles against the run. Fits the LaMarr Woodley comparison.
LAST WEEK: 18 | PLAYER CARD
20
Alfonzo Dennard
AGE: 22
DOB: 9/9/89
HT: 5-10
WT: 205
POS: CB
Tkl 23
Sack 0.0
Int 0
Plays taller than his 5-foot-10 frame with incredible leaping ability. Handles bigger receivers far better than the height implies. Has strong frame and great ball skills and is a big-time competitor.
LAST WEEK: 20 | PLAYER CARD
21
Zach Brown
AGE: 22
DOB: 10/23/89
HT: 6-2
WT: 230
POS: LB
Tkl 91
Sack 5.5
Int 2
An absolute flier, Brown isn't big, but he can get after the quarterback and back up and cover like a safety. Has a versatile skill set and can go outside in a 3-4 or be a good weakside in a 4-3.
LAST WEEK: 21 | PLAYER CARD
22
Jerel Worthy *
AGE: 21
DOB: 4/28/90
HT: 6-3
WT: 310
POS: DT
Tkl 25
Sack 3.5
Int 0
Has played better after an inconsistent start but still can have up-and-down stretches. Disruptive DT in a class that's a little shallower, and that could benefit him. Has good size and is tough to move -- just needs consistency.
LAST WEEK: 22 | PLAYER CARD
23
Janoris Jenkins
AGE: 23
DOB: 10/29/88
HT: 5-10
WT: 177
POS: CB
Tkl 53
Sack 0
Int 2
Quick as a cat with fluid hips and very good instincts for the position. He's a man among boys now at the Division II level, but must be exceptional there and answer questions. Has been dynamic as a punt returner this season.
LAST WEEK: 23 | PLAYER CARD
24
Michael Floyd *
AGE: 22
DOB: 11/27/89
HT: 6-3
WT: 224
POS: WR
Rec 95
Yds 1,106
Avg 11.6
TD 8
Multidimensional receiver is able to beat you short or deep using a big frame to beat smaller cornerbacks. Played at 227 pounds in 2010 but dropped a little weight this season and does appear a little quicker.
LAST WEEK: 24 | PLAYER CARD
25
Dwayne Allen *
AGE: 21
DOB: 2/24/90
HT: 6-4
WT: 255
POS: TE
Rec 48
Yds 577
Avg 12.0
TD 8
Multidimensional tight end who is head and shoulders above the rest of his class. He's athletic but is also a very effective blocker. The NFL is craving for these types right now.
LAST WEEK: 25 | PLAYER CARD
http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/378497/robert-griffin-iii