CN:NFL Draft 2012: The Junior Stream Begins

[cowboyjoe]

http://www.cowboyszone.com/2011/12/nfl-draft-2012-junior-stream-begins.html
Posted by Rafael at Thursday, December 15, 2011
Two big junior declarations today, with one more expected as a consequence.

USC left tackle Matt Kalil announced today that he will leave school to enter the NFL draft. The younger brother of Panthers center Ryan Kalil is projected as the top tackle in a rich tackle class and could crack the top five. This is the player, you'll recall, who kept Tyron Smith at right tackle.

 

[Randy White]

Brandon Washington ( OT ) and defensive end Olivier Vernon ( DE ) from da U to that list. Two very exceptionally physically talented, but very underachieving, prospects.

I'm particularly intrigued by Washington. I'm curious to see how he's going to adapt to the next level because he's the classical " all in " player. That means, he's either going to be a big hit or completely bust out. Personally, I'd try to get him in the 3rd or 4th round and convert him right away to a guard. He has the potential to be a heck of a tackle, but his temperament ( he does very stupid things at times ) is more suited to the guard position. He's very athletic and strong, particularly in small spaces, which is esentially what you look for in a guard.

 

[kevinhickey]

OG David DeCastro, Stanford declared for the draft via Profootballtalk.com

 

[KingintheNorth]

OG David DeCastro, Stanford declared for the draft via Profootballtalk.com

YES!!!

 

[burmafrd]

actually USC felt that Smith would do better at RT then Kalil would and that is why they were playing where they were. Kalil did not keep Smith at RT because he was really a better LT.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

We need offensive lineman, sweet Lord let Jerry and Jason realize this!

ray:

Top priority for 2012 draft:

Offensive line

Defensive line

OLB

DB help

 

[KingintheNorth]

actually USC felt that Smith would do better at RT then Kalil would and that is why they were playing where they were. Kalil did not keep Smith at RT because he was really a better LT.

kind of.. here's what happened.

Tyron Smith was scheduled to move to left tackle when Charles Brown graduated.
Tyron became academically ineligible so Kalil started in the Bowl game and peformed very well.
Tyron was still struggling so the coaching staff kept him out of spring practices to focus on grades.
Kalil played and stood out at left tackle.
Smith got his grades together and joined the team late so they kept him at right tackle since he already played there a year.