Orange Bowl players to watch who are likely to get drafted

[kmp77]

Luck = 207.1 rating

 

[kmp77]

Luck = 207.1 rating

My bad....230.7! lol

Luck isn't very impressive.

 

[CanuckCowboysFan]

I'm seriously underwhelmed by Luck. This is the once-a-decade phenom QB? I don't see it at all.

Now this deserves one really big lmao.

 

[Bluestang]

Now this deserves one really big lmao.

To CL's credit Luck didn't do anything spectacular until the second half. He threw an ill-advised pass for a pick and was getting harrassed in the pocket.

If you ask me it's all on Coach Harbough's adjustments like rolling Luck out of the pocket and giving him high percentage throws.

 

[CATCH17]

You gotta keep in mind these guys haven't played in s month too.

They're going to be a little rusty.

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

who is that guy

That guy is Jayron Hosley. Too bad he's only a sophomore. #21 is Rashad "Rock" Carmichael. He's pretty tough, too. He'll be in the draft, because he's a redshirt Sr.

 

[Doomsday101]

Stanford
Andrew Luck, quarterback.

Pro comparison: Peyton Manning.

You've heard plenty about Luck. He's operated out of a pro-style offense all season tailored to his talents, and has produced perhaps the best single season in Stanford quarterbacking history (and that's a list that includes John Elway and Jim Plunkett!). He makes all the right throws. He can audible at the line of scrimmage. He's mobile and strong, as shown by his Heisman-worthy moments this year. What is most striking is his mental acuity and sharpness, which is clearly a cut ahead of most other college quarterbacks ... and he's only a sophomore!

If he declares, he will certainly go #1. The question is, if he does, will the Carolina Panthers keep their pick, or will they trade it away because they've committed themselves to Jimmy Clausen?

Follow our SB Nation Bay Area stream dedicated solely to Luck's decision.

Draft projection: 1st round, 1st pick.

Sione Fua, nose tackle

The Cardinal defense was much improved from last season, and much of that stemmed from the 6'2, 306 pound Fua plugging up the middle in the 3-4 scheme that defensive coordinator Vic Fangio implemented. Although not as big as a typical 3-4 NT, his low center of gravity and ability to hold his ground against formidable Pac-10 offensive lines is a good sign for his professional future. The Cardinal moved up from 55th to 24th in rushing yards allowed per game. In a league that loves the 3-4 and loves nose tackles, Fua is definitely underrated and someone to look for up the middle.

Draft projection: 4th-6th round.

Owen Marecic, fullback

Probably the most underrated player on the entire board, this fullback has been critical in taking out opposing linebackers and freeing up his running backs for additional yardage. He can also catch and played inside linebacker last season as well for a much improved Cardinal defense. For any team that wants more power in the short-yardage game and wants a throwback to the power-I formation, Marecic's your guy. The only thing that stops him from going too high is that Stanley Havili is also coming out, and he's a more complete H-back than Marecic.

Note: If Jim Harbaugh does take a pro job in the next few days, look for him to take Marecic. As much as Harbaugh loves Gerhart and Luck, his bromance with his fullback is second to none.

Draft projection: 4th round

Ryan Whalen, wide receiver

Whalen's injuries will probably knock him down a round or two from where he was slated last season. Nevertheless, he has great hands and is a very strong possession receiver, and could be very useful in the slot for a team in need of improving their pass game.

Draft projection: 5th round

Andrew Phillips, offensive guard

At 6'5, 302 pounds, Phillips has the measurables to be a very good NFL guard. He pulls quick and strong and has helped unleash Toby Gerhart and Stepfan Taylor in the potent Stanford run attack. There's also a touching story involving him and his late father in Sports Illustrated that you should all take some time to read up on.

Draft projection: 6th round-undrafted free agent

Chase Beeler, center

At 6'3, 285 pounds, Beeler is probably a little too small to warrant serious consideration for an upper-level draft pick. He will get his looks though as part of a bruising Cardinal offensive line that allowed only five sacks all season, tops in the nation.

The Cardinal offensive linemen were well-equipped to dominate the college ranks with their grinding power style, but as the game gets faster in the pros, it'll be interesting to see how well guys like Philips and Beeler adjust.

Draft projection: 7th round-undrafted

Doug Baldwin, wide receiver

After a fairly nondescript first few seasons, Baldwin stepped up to become Luck's favorite target in 2010, making a host of strong catches as both Ryan Whalen and Chris Owusu struggled to stay healthy. He'll be a late round pick at best, but it's been a strong season for the senior wideout who should land somewhere in the lower rounds. A good Orange Bowl performance can go a long way.

Draft projection: 7th round-undrafted

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Yeah, I quit watching after Stanford made that long run off their own 1 or 2. I guess Stanford had another long run right after that, and I read that it looked like Va Tech really laid down after giving up that score.

I totally admit that this was the first time I've ever seen Luck play. Still, I was expecting an Elway or Aikman type prospect and I didn't see that in the little bit I watched.

And BTW, I'm talking about his arm, the way he moved, his accuracy, etc., not how many yards he threw for or what his QB rating was. IMO Va Tech was very overrated and I've said that all year.

 

[Cover 2]

Yeah, I quit watching after Stanford made that long run off their own 1 or 2. I guess Stanford had another long run right after that, and I read that it looked like Va Tech really laid down after giving up that score.

I totally admit that this was the first time I've ever seen Luck play. Still, I was expecting an Elway or Aikman type prospect and I didn't see that in the little bit I watched.

And BTW, I'm talking about his arm, the way he moved, his accuracy, etc., not how many yards he threw for or what his QB rating was. IMO Va Tech was very overrated and I've said that all year.

Elway and Aikman didn't always look like Elway and Aikman in college.

This kid's a sophomore that will continue to get better. He has great mechanics and footwork for a college quarterback, so that will reduce his learning curve. Physically he has everything he needs, and he also is exceptionally bright. Whoever picks him is going to end up very happy.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

Gotta say, his TD's were kind of wobbly. They were so open youd think he would cut it loose

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Elway and Aikman didn't always look like Elway and Aikman in college.

Are you old enough to have seen them in college?

Because yeah, they pretty much did.

And BTW, I'm not predicting bust or anything like that. He could be a great pro. Maybe I was just expecting more of a physical phenom.

 

[Doomsday101]

Are you old enough to have seen them in college?

Because yeah, they pretty much did.

And BTW, I'm not predicting bust or anything like that. He could be a great pro. Maybe I was just expecting more of a physical phenom.

Troy did not look great at the cotton bowl the year he was drafted he was 19 of 27 passes for 172 yards . Luck was 18 of 23 for 287 and 4 TD

 

[Cover 2]

Elway and Aikman didn't always look like Elway and Aikman in college.

This kid's a sophomore that will continue to get better. He has great mechanics and footwork for a college quarterback, so that will reduce his learning curve. Physically he has everything he needs, and he also is exceptionally bright. Whoever picks him is going to end up very happy.

Haha no. But I do know that even the greats didn't always look great in college. You can see that with players like Matt Ryan, Adrian Peterson, etc.

*Meant to send this in response to CLab.