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Football: Toliver, Sheppard and Barksdale poised to lead LSU’s 2011 NFL draft prospects
By Chris Branch
http://www.lsureveille.com/sports/f...lead-lsu-s-2011-nfl-draft-prospects-1.2260043
Sports Writer
| Published: Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Updated: Wednesday, May 5, 2010
The Daily Reveille file photo
[From left] Offensive lineman Joseph Barksdale, linebacker Kelvin Sheppard and wide receiver Terrence Toliver are set to head LSU’s list of 2011 NFL Draft prospects.
It’s not too early, is it?
The recently departed football Tigers are still breaking in their newly minted NFL practice jerseys, and LSU coach Les Miles might tell you the current senior class still has a full year of football ahead to focus on.
But many Tigers — headlined by seniors Terrence Toliver, Kelvin Sheppard and Joseph Barksdale and junior Patrick Peterson — could be poised to head LSU’s list of 2011 NFL Draft prospects.
Let the speculation begin.
TOLIVER COULD RESUME FIRST ROUND TRADITION
Wide receiver Terrence Toliver seems to be cut from an NFL wideout assembly line. Measurements of 6 feet 5 inches and 206 pounds have scouts penciling Toliver in as a potential first-round pick.
“He’s a big, tall guy with good hands,” said local NFL Draft analyst Mike Detillier. “He’s the No. 1-rated senior wideout in this year’s class. I like him a lot.”
Toliver just wrapped up his finest season yet with 53 receptions for 735 yards and three touchdowns in 2009. Highlights include a four-reception, 117-yard, two-touchdown romp against Washington in the opening game and a five-catch, 107-yard performance against Ole Miss.
“He obviously had a breakout year last year,” Detillier said. “If he has a good year, he’s got the opportunity to be a nice wideout at the next level. He could go in the first round.”
One hindrance for Toliver could be off-the-field issues. Toliver was cited by police for fighting outside a Tigerland bar and was tasered.
“I think it’s just something that happened,” said Kristie Larson, communication studies and Spanish junior. “It’s not a trend. Assuming his hand recovers fully, I think he’ll have a good year.”
PETERSON CURRENTLY PROJECTED IN THE TOP 10
Junior cornerback Patrick Peterson is physically in the same boat as Toliver. Peterson could be an early first-round pick if he continues stifling receivers, Detillier said.
“In my opinion, Patrick Peterson is the best cover cornerback in college football,” Detillier said. “He’s the prototypical NFL cornerback. He matches up well, adjusts well to the ball in flight. If he has another season like he did last year, he’ll be a top-10 pick next year.”
Peterson earned his reputation last season. The Pompano Beach, Fla., native racked up 47 tackles and snatched two interceptions. Teams rarely threw his way.
“He’s long, and he’s quick,” said Todd Cooper, agricultural business junior. “I think he’ll have a great year. I do think he’ll leave if he does have a good year.”
Larson disagreed. She said while Peterson is a good player, she doesn’t think he’ll bolt campus for the league after this season.
“It’s unlikely he’ll have a good enough year to leave,” Larson said. “I think he’ll have a really good year though. He’ll prove himself next year.”
SHEPPARD, BARKSDALE, NEVIS AMONG HIGHLIGHTS
Toliver and Peterson might get all the attention, but that doesn’t mean the Tigers don’t have a nice stable of pro prospects.
Senior linebacker Kelvin Sheppard toyed with the idea of leaving Baton Rouge after his junior season but elected to return, hoping to boost his stock.
Detillier thinks he made the right choice.
“Kelvin made a good decision in coming back,” Detillier said. “This year’s draft class was pretty deep at linebacker, and he could have gotten lost in there.”
Sheppard flourished last season under new defensive coordinator John Chavis. The Stone Mountain, Ga., native amassed 103 tackles in the 2009 campaign, good for third in the Southeastern Conference.
He could be a first- or second-day pick with a similar performance, Detillier said.
“He’s got a shot to be an early round pick,” Detillier said. “He has a chance to be a really good football player. He knows how to find the ball.”
Senior offensive tackle Joseph Barksdale’s 2010 season will be critical to his draft status. Barksdale is moving from right tackle to left tackle in a maneuver that could seal or crumble his draft projection.
“He’s always wanted to play left tackle, and now he has his chance,” Detillier said. “He’ll be playing against the best speed pass rushers week in [and] week out outside the NFL in the SEC. We’ll see how he handles it. If he does well, he could be an early- to mid-round pick.”
Meanwhile, senior defensive tackle Drake Nevis is on an Al-Woodsian type path. Nevis oozes potential with a wide frame and quick feet, but has yet to consistently display his playmaking ability.
Woods, a fourth-round draft pick of the New Orleans Saints, faced much of the same criticism.
“The thing with Drake is that he’s been so inconsistent,” Detillier said. “At times he plays like an animal and at others he looks rather ordinary.”
Nevis could soar up draft boards with a nice showing, Detillier said. He could be a mid-round pick.
“He’s a little short for his size, squatty,” Detillier said. “But he’s agile. He’s real flexible, and he can get around blocks. He just needs to do that game in, game out.”
____
Contact Chris Branch at cbranch@lsureveille.com
By Chris Branch
http://www.lsureveille.com/sports/f...lead-lsu-s-2011-nfl-draft-prospects-1.2260043
Sports Writer
| Published: Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Updated: Wednesday, May 5, 2010
The Daily Reveille file photo
[From left] Offensive lineman Joseph Barksdale, linebacker Kelvin Sheppard and wide receiver Terrence Toliver are set to head LSU’s list of 2011 NFL Draft prospects.
It’s not too early, is it?
The recently departed football Tigers are still breaking in their newly minted NFL practice jerseys, and LSU coach Les Miles might tell you the current senior class still has a full year of football ahead to focus on.
But many Tigers — headlined by seniors Terrence Toliver, Kelvin Sheppard and Joseph Barksdale and junior Patrick Peterson — could be poised to head LSU’s list of 2011 NFL Draft prospects.
Let the speculation begin.
TOLIVER COULD RESUME FIRST ROUND TRADITION
Wide receiver Terrence Toliver seems to be cut from an NFL wideout assembly line. Measurements of 6 feet 5 inches and 206 pounds have scouts penciling Toliver in as a potential first-round pick.
“He’s a big, tall guy with good hands,” said local NFL Draft analyst Mike Detillier. “He’s the No. 1-rated senior wideout in this year’s class. I like him a lot.”
Toliver just wrapped up his finest season yet with 53 receptions for 735 yards and three touchdowns in 2009. Highlights include a four-reception, 117-yard, two-touchdown romp against Washington in the opening game and a five-catch, 107-yard performance against Ole Miss.
“He obviously had a breakout year last year,” Detillier said. “If he has a good year, he’s got the opportunity to be a nice wideout at the next level. He could go in the first round.”
One hindrance for Toliver could be off-the-field issues. Toliver was cited by police for fighting outside a Tigerland bar and was tasered.
“I think it’s just something that happened,” said Kristie Larson, communication studies and Spanish junior. “It’s not a trend. Assuming his hand recovers fully, I think he’ll have a good year.”
PETERSON CURRENTLY PROJECTED IN THE TOP 10
Junior cornerback Patrick Peterson is physically in the same boat as Toliver. Peterson could be an early first-round pick if he continues stifling receivers, Detillier said.
“In my opinion, Patrick Peterson is the best cover cornerback in college football,” Detillier said. “He’s the prototypical NFL cornerback. He matches up well, adjusts well to the ball in flight. If he has another season like he did last year, he’ll be a top-10 pick next year.”
Peterson earned his reputation last season. The Pompano Beach, Fla., native racked up 47 tackles and snatched two interceptions. Teams rarely threw his way.
“He’s long, and he’s quick,” said Todd Cooper, agricultural business junior. “I think he’ll have a great year. I do think he’ll leave if he does have a good year.”
Larson disagreed. She said while Peterson is a good player, she doesn’t think he’ll bolt campus for the league after this season.
“It’s unlikely he’ll have a good enough year to leave,” Larson said. “I think he’ll have a really good year though. He’ll prove himself next year.”
SHEPPARD, BARKSDALE, NEVIS AMONG HIGHLIGHTS
Toliver and Peterson might get all the attention, but that doesn’t mean the Tigers don’t have a nice stable of pro prospects.
Senior linebacker Kelvin Sheppard toyed with the idea of leaving Baton Rouge after his junior season but elected to return, hoping to boost his stock.
Detillier thinks he made the right choice.
“Kelvin made a good decision in coming back,” Detillier said. “This year’s draft class was pretty deep at linebacker, and he could have gotten lost in there.”
Sheppard flourished last season under new defensive coordinator John Chavis. The Stone Mountain, Ga., native amassed 103 tackles in the 2009 campaign, good for third in the Southeastern Conference.
He could be a first- or second-day pick with a similar performance, Detillier said.
“He’s got a shot to be an early round pick,” Detillier said. “He has a chance to be a really good football player. He knows how to find the ball.”
Senior offensive tackle Joseph Barksdale’s 2010 season will be critical to his draft status. Barksdale is moving from right tackle to left tackle in a maneuver that could seal or crumble his draft projection.
“He’s always wanted to play left tackle, and now he has his chance,” Detillier said. “He’ll be playing against the best speed pass rushers week in [and] week out outside the NFL in the SEC. We’ll see how he handles it. If he does well, he could be an early- to mid-round pick.”
Meanwhile, senior defensive tackle Drake Nevis is on an Al-Woodsian type path. Nevis oozes potential with a wide frame and quick feet, but has yet to consistently display his playmaking ability.
Woods, a fourth-round draft pick of the New Orleans Saints, faced much of the same criticism.
“The thing with Drake is that he’s been so inconsistent,” Detillier said. “At times he plays like an animal and at others he looks rather ordinary.”
Nevis could soar up draft boards with a nice showing, Detillier said. He could be a mid-round pick.
“He’s a little short for his size, squatty,” Detillier said. “But he’s agile. He’s real flexible, and he can get around blocks. He just needs to do that game in, game out.”
____
Contact Chris Branch at cbranch@lsureveille.com