Bob Gaughan watches more college football than anyone you know. We asked him for his quick thoughts on the top prospects in this year’s NFL Draft. (If you start following him on Twitter, maybe he’ll even start tweeting.)
Defensive End
Bjoern Werner
Bjoern Werner, Florida State – Looked dominant against Florida with 3.5 sacks. Had 13 sacks on the year. Non-stop motor type of guy. People will compare to JJ Watt of Texans.
Damontre Moore, Texas A&M – Had 21 sacks the last two years. Can rush the passer as end in 4-3 or standing up in a 3-4. Love the way he rips the ball away– has forced 8 fumbles in three years. People compare him to Aldon Smith. Lane Johnson got the better of him in the bowl game.
Sam Montgomery, LSU – Not as high of ceiling as Mingo but much more productive and a better player in my eyes.
Margus Hunt, SMU – World class track athlete that throws the discus, shot put and hammer throw. I love this guy. A freak that has a 82 inch wing span. Killed Fresno in bowl game with two forced fumbles and a safety.
Ezekiel Ansah, BYU – Native of Ghana. Went to BYU to be on track team. Didn’t have a great week of practices at Senior Bowl but then had a great game. Next Pierre-Paul?
Alex Okafor, Texas – 4.5 sacks in Alamo Bowl win over Oregon State. Showed how he could dominate a game. Can make plays against the run as well.
Datone Jones, UCLA – Bit of a “tweener.” UCLA moved him around. Worries me he only had 6.5 sacks.
Cornelius Carradine, Florida State – Tore ACL in loss to Gators. How teams feel about injury will determine how far he falls.
Defensive Tackle
Star Lotulelei
Star Lotulelei, Utah – Could be first pick overall. Can play nose tackle or DT. Was dominant in games against USC (Holmes), BYU and Utah State. (Late note: Lotulelei Heart Condition Discovered At Combine)
Sharrif Floyd, Florida – Had only one sack this year but led a great defense in tackles for loss. A top prospect coming out of high school that has lived up to the hype. Sacked athletic QB Teddy Bridgewater twice in Sugar Bowl.
Sheldon Richardson, Missouri – Most hyped recruit to ever go to Missouri, picked Mizzou over USC. Lived up to the hype. Helped him that Missouri went to SEC because he stepped up his game against Alabama, South Carolina and Florida.
Kawann Short, Purdue – Had big games shutting down run in near upsets of Notre Dame and Ohio State. Huge man. Seems to get up for the big games then can disappear in other lesser games.
Jesse Williams, Alabama – Huge upper body frame. Could see in SEC title game as soon as he went out injured how Georgia was able to run better. Great nickname “Tha Monstar.”
Johnathan Hankins, Ohio State – Helped hold Le’Veon Bell to 45 yards in win over Spartans. Key FG block in Purdue win. Versatile can play DT or NT. Like many big men there is a question about him giving 100 percent effort on every snap.
Sylvester Williams, North Carolina – Had a huge game vs Virginia with eight tackles and one of his six sacks on the year. Has only played football for five years. He can go long stretches of games where he gets lost.
Jonathan Jenkins, Georgia – Had a good game vs Georgia Tech but a horrible game against Kentucky and Warford. Georgia defense supposedly had 10 NFL starters but got run over by Alabama and gave up too many points overall (44 to Tennessee) for as much talent as they supposedly had.
Bennie Logan LSU – Overshadowed by Mingo and Montgomery on DL. LSU has so much talent and rotates in fresh bodies so sometimes tough to tell. Had a better year two years ago when lined up next to Michael Brockers (Rams first rounder). Not a huge fan.
Jordan Hill, Penn St – Had a great game vs Wisconsin. Showed he can stop the run and provide a pass rush. He had 12 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and 2 sacks vs Badgers. He’s only 6-0, 295 so not an anchor in the line more of a penetrating Kyle Williams type of player.
