cowboyjoe
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http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/story/14157546/class-of-the-underclass-top-nonseniors-on-radar
This weekend's battle of unbeatens in the SEC pitting Auburn and LSU features three of the top underclassman prospects coming into the sights of NFL scouts at the mid-point of the 2010 season: Auburn quarterback Cam Newton and defensive tackle Nick Fairley and LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson.
Newton isn't a polished pocket passer, but his size (6-feet-6, 250 pounds), arm strength and mobility (860 rushing yards, 12 TD this year) give him great upside. Fairley ranks fifth in the FBS with 13.5 tackles for loss to go along with five sacks. He has intense strength and plays with hustle and sound hand play from his interior line position.
Despite not being the most polished prospect, Cam Newton has the eye of NFL teams. (US Presswire)
The 6-foot-1, 211-pound Peterson was already on scouts' radar coming into the season. He was a no-brainer for evaluators because of his prototypical size and speed for the position. But the ability he has shown in his first year returning punts (averaging 21.1 yards per return with two touchdowns) and kicks (28.2-yard average) only enhanced his value. NFL teams cannot talk directly with underclassmen during the season. But this is the time of year all 32 teams begin looking at game film to begin preparing for the possibility that top prospects will bolt school early.
Listed below in alphabetical order are 10 other juniors who like Newton, Fairley and Peterson, are on the list of most NFL teams as of mid-October:
DE Da'Quan Bowers (Clemson) 6-4/275/4.64
The nation's leader in tackles for loss (15) and sacks (nine) provides strength against the run and a nice pass rush from the strong side.
OLB Zach Brown (North Carolina) 6-2/225/4.49
...
This weekend's battle of unbeatens in the SEC pitting Auburn and LSU features three of the top underclassman prospects coming into the sights of NFL scouts at the mid-point of the 2010 season: Auburn quarterback Cam Newton and defensive tackle Nick Fairley and LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson.
Newton isn't a polished pocket passer, but his size (6-feet-6, 250 pounds), arm strength and mobility (860 rushing yards, 12 TD this year) give him great upside. Fairley ranks fifth in the FBS with 13.5 tackles for loss to go along with five sacks. He has intense strength and plays with hustle and sound hand play from his interior line position.
Despite not being the most polished prospect, Cam Newton has the eye of NFL teams. (US Presswire)
The 6-foot-1, 211-pound Peterson was already on scouts' radar coming into the season. He was a no-brainer for evaluators because of his prototypical size and speed for the position. But the ability he has shown in his first year returning punts (averaging 21.1 yards per return with two touchdowns) and kicks (28.2-yard average) only enhanced his value. NFL teams cannot talk directly with underclassmen during the season. But this is the time of year all 32 teams begin looking at game film to begin preparing for the possibility that top prospects will bolt school early.
Listed below in alphabetical order are 10 other juniors who like Newton, Fairley and Peterson, are on the list of most NFL teams as of mid-October:
DE Da'Quan Bowers (Clemson) 6-4/275/4.64
The nation's leader in tackles for loss (15) and sacks (nine) provides strength against the run and a nice pass rush from the strong side.
OLB Zach Brown (North Carolina) 6-2/225/4.49
...
