10/27/11 8 PM ET
Virginia at Miami
DE Cam Johnson (Virginia) #56
The 6-4 270 end projects to be a left end at the next level as he’s better against the run than as a pass rusher. In 6 games, he had 17 tackles, 5.5 for a loss, and 2 sacks. He could end up a 2nd day pick.
S Ray-Ray Armstrong (Miami) #26
Armstrong, a potential 2nd round pick at safety, missed the first 4 games of the season with a stupid suspension, but returned 3 weeks ago against Virginia Tech to record 7 tackles. In 3 games, he has 17 tackles and is back into the starting lineup for this game. In 2010, he had 79 tackles, 4.5 for a loss, 3 picks, and 3 deflections. The big 6-4 220 safety is very fast for his size and could challenge Markelle Martin to be the top safety in this class with Robert Lester and TJ McDonald struggling so far this season. Mark Barron is also in the mix.
10/22/11 12 PM ET (ESPN3 Replay)
North Carolina at Clemson
DT Brandon Thompson (Clemson) #98
Not a big stat guy, but a stud against the run at 6-2 310 and frequently takes on multiple blockers, playing a 2 gap 4-3 nose tackle type position, freeing things up for Clemson’s Andre Branch, an elite pass rusher. He did the same thing for Da’Quan Bowers last year. This year, Thompson has 27 tackles, 3.5 for loss, and .5 sacks.
TE Dwayne Allen (Clemson) #83
Allen could be the first tight end off the board in this weak tight end class. He has 27 catches for 381 yards and 4 touchdowns in 6 games this season and has been on fire in his past 5, with 29 catches for 312 yards and 3 scores in his past 4, all against tough competition, Auburn, Florida State, Virginia Tech, and Boston College. His suspect blocking could hurt his stock, but the 6-4 255 tight end has the size to become a better blocker. He’s also got great speed and great hands and is 2nd on the team behind stud freshman wide receiver Sammy Watkins in receiving yards.
10/29/11 12 PM ET
Michigan State at Nebraska
CB Alfonzo Dennard (Nebraska) #15
Dennard came into the year as a first round pick at cornerback, but injuries have hurt him and he’s been exposed without Prince Amukamara opposite him. He’s slipping right now and could end up in the 2nd round or later unless he can have a good game against a pair of potential day 2 picks, wide receiver BJ Cunningham and Quarterback Kirk Cousins throwing to him.
S Trenton Robinson (Michigan State) #39
Robinson had 76 tackles and 4 picks in 2010 and now has 31 tackles, 2 picks, a tackle for loss, a sack and a pass deflection in 7 games this season. In a weak safety class, he could end up in day 2.
10/29/11 3:30 PM ET
West Virginia at Rutgers
WR Mohamed Sanu (Rutgers) #6
The 6-3 215 pound Sanu took over where Kenny Britt left off after Britt went in the first round to the Titans in 2009. Sanu caught 51 passes for 639 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2009 as a freshman. Poor quarterback play in 2010 limited him to 44 catches for 418 yards and 2 scores, but he’s taken his game to a whole different level this year with 65 catches for 683 yards and 6 touchdowns in just 7 games even though his quarterback play still hasn’t been good. He could end up a first round pick like Britt before him. He’ll be matched up with Keith Tandy, a potential mid round pick, in this one.
DE Manny Abreu (Rutgers) #51
Abreu plays end and outside linebacker for Rutgers and at 6-3 260, he looks like a prototypical 4-3 defensive end or 3-4 outside linebacker. In 7 games this season, he has 17 tackles, 4.5 for loss, and 2.5 sacks.
10/29/11 8 PM ET
Stanford at USC
OT Jonathan Martin (Stanford) #55
The #2 offensive tackle in this class, behind Matt Kalil, Martin is part of an excellent offensive line that has done a great job protecting Andrew Luck. Even more impressive, Martin has helped keep Andrew Luck protected this year despite the fact that Stanford lost 3 starting offensive linemen in the offseason, including an All-American center. He looks like a top 10 pick.
RB Marc Tyler (USC) #26
After getting suspended one game for saying stupid shit on TMZ about USC players getting paid (even though they do), Tyler has rushed for 435 yards and 2 touchdowns on 96 carries in 6 games. The 5-11 235 pound power back had 913 yards and 9 touchdowns on 171 carries in 2010.
ESPN3 Replays
10/29/11 12 PM ET
NC State at Florida State
MLB Audie Cole (NC State) #42
In 7 games, the 6-4 240 pound linebacker has 59 tackles, 7.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks after 86 tackles, 10 for loss, and 5 sacks in 2010. He projects as a mid round pick who could go in the 3rd round as a day 2 pick.
TE George Bryan (NC State) #84
At 6-5 265, he more of a blocker than a receiver, but he can catch the ball. He had 40 catches in 2009 and 35 catches in 2009. This year, he has 10 in 6 games for 113 yards and 2 touchdowns. With all of the two tight end sets in the NFL, Bryan could be a mid round pick because of his blocking and his ability to catch passes.
10/29/11 3:30 PM ET
Illinois at Penn State
DE Whitney Mercilus (Illinois) #85
Where did this guy come from? A relative unknown coming into this season, Mercilus has 38 tackles, 15 for a loss, and 10 sacks in 8 games this year. At 6-3 260, he has prototypical 4-3 end size and could end up in the first half of the first round if he keeps this up, even though he is a one year wonder. There’s always a possibility the junior returns for his senior season in 2012.
WR AJ Jenkins (Illinois) #8
Another breakout star for Illinois, the 6-1 190 Jenkins has become one of the best receivers in college football this season. In 8 games, he has 62 catches for 987 yards and 7 touchdowns after just 56 catches for 746 yards and 7 touchdowns last season.
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