Which SEC players will be drafted and why? Part one: Offense

Every few years lines are drawn that determine which football players will get the opportunity to continue playing the game and which ones will find themselves watching from the stands. The first major leap comes during the transition from junior high school to senior high. The first major elimination of talent occurs when national letters of intent to play college ball are signed by about one of every seventeen high school players. For this small group the next round of cuts is even more significant. To be one of the names chosen by an NFL team to play not for Old State any longer, but major greenbacks. Only one in fifty college players will have this honor, and draft day will hold significantly more anxiety than national signing day. Why? This time the teams choose the players.

Which SEC players should have the excitement of hearing their name called when the NFL draft is held April 25-26? Below are some of the offensive players from the nation’s best conference who have their hopes up for the big day, when a phone call means the dream gets to move to the next level.

First Round

Matthew Stafford, Quarterback, Georgia Bulldogs
Stafford has wowed the scouts with his strong arm and poise through the screening process. It will be a real surprise if the longsuffering Detroit Lions take anyone other than him with the first overall pick.
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Percy Harvin, Wide Receiver, Florida Gators
Speed, ability to take the ball to the house and great hands make Harvin a sure first rounder. Questions are now arising about potential drug use but this should only cause him to slide further into the first round than original forecasts.

Andre Smith, Offensive Tackle, Alabama Crimson Tide
It was just a few months ago that Smith was thought to be a potential top three overall pick. That won’t happen after the last few months. In the end his athleticism and college success will cause some team to call his name in the first round.

Michael Oher, Offensive Tackle, Ole Miss Rebels
Oher has been the subject of a bestselling book and seen his life turn from a very different outcome that was awaiting him before football. NFL teams are concerned about his strength and intelligence to grasp the game. Like Smith, someone will watch the tape and realize he can play.

Second Round

Knowshon Moreno, Running Back, Georgia Bulldogs
A great player, playing a position that has a short NFL shelf life. It is also easy to find talent in later rounds.

Cornelius Ingram, Tight End, Florida Gators
Ingram runs good routes and has reliable hands, but needs to become a better blocker.

Jason Watkins, Offensive Tackle, Florida Gators
Gets off the ball quickly and is physical when playing with passion.

Third Round

Mohamed Massaquoi, Wide Receiver, Georgia Bulldogs
Will go into traffic for the ball and is explosive.

Brannan Southerland, Fullback, Georgia Bulldogs
His ability to catch the ball and the success of Peyton Hillis in Denver last year moves Southerland into day one.

Jared Cook, Tight End, South Carolina Gamecocks
Has the speed to run away from defensive players after catching the ball in a crowd.

Antoine Caldwell, Center, Alabama Crimson Tide
Versatile, strong and the among the best run blockers in the draft.

Jonathan Luigs, Center, Arkansas
Has been the best blocker, for one of the best running teams in college football over the last for years.

Here is a quick look at the offensive players who will hear their name on the second day of the draft barring something unforeseen.

Running Back
Arian Foster-Tennessee Volunteers
Glen Coffee-Alabama Crimson Tide

Wide Receiver
Louis Murphy-Florida Gators
Kenny McKinley-South Carolina Gamecocks
Demetrius Byrd-Mississippi State Bulldogs

Offensive Lineman
Ramon Foster-Tennessee Volunteers
Maurice Miller-LSU Tigers
Marlon Davis-Alabama Crimson Tide
Tyronne Green-Auburn Tigers
Tomorrow we will take a look at the players on the other side of the ball who are anxiously waiting for draft day. For each of these young men, the dream lives on for a while longer.

Sneaky touchdowns

It was during a game in Starkville on the home field of Mississippi State when I stepped in front of the pass and took it 100 yards for a touchdown. The crowd was rocking and I raised my arms crossing the goal line and tossed the ball to the official. The first touchdown still stands out the most in my memory though. Taking a handoff from Fred at the goal line, jumping into the air over the offensive line, and with a slight twist of my body found the open seam between the linebackers crashing through the lines. I saw Chip’s arms shoot straight up, and in the days before replay I knew my touchdown in “The Swamp” was secure.

The former was the last one and the latter was the first time. No, not to really score a touchdown in a big SEC game, but the first and last time I managed to sneak into a college stadium completely void of all the pageantry of Saturday. No people in the stands anticipating their team running into the stadium. No band marching into formation while playing their fight song. Not even a security guard keeping a dreamer from scoring a touchdown on the playing field. In my travels it has become a valued way to fill time between meetings or end a day. To date there has not been a single one that could not be conquered. There are also a few rules. First, no fence climbing (not at my age). Second, respect the playing surface. If the school is trying to grow a new stand of grass, stay off of it. All touchdowns come near the sidelines, not the middle of the field. Third, try hard to get a picture.

In the years since the mid-80’s when we made our way into the swamp at about 5:30 in the morning while on a road trip with best friends there have probably been at least 40 stadiums it has been a privilege to observe in quiet. At Clemson Howard’s Rock was available to touch and the home of the Washington Huskies has the most beautiful view outside the stadium there is…it must be comforting when you are getting drilled badly.  At Georgia Tech my “uniform” consisted of worn Asics running shoes, shorts and a sweaty t-shirt, while at Stanford my jacket came off, but the tie stayed on for a long kickoff return to score.

Is there a retirement on the horizon from this absurd hobby? Nope. Which stadium is the most impressive? They are all special in their own way. Who are you playing for? Do those who know me really have to ask? Do your children approve of this? They have come to understand the eccentric nature of their father. Does your wife ever go with you? No, she has much more common sense. Which stadium is next? Not about to give some school a heads up to lock their gates.

Which college stadium do you find to be the best and why? Send a note and let me know. Meanwhile enjoy the rest of spring practice from around country, because football news will soon be hard to find. But we will have all of it for you at SECMatchups.com

Gary

gary@secmatchups.com

Questions on my mind

Football and basketball are overlapping once again, o.k., o.k.….football never really ends in the SEC, and here are a few random items that cause me to stop and think.

What has happened to the mystique of Vanderbilt’s home court advantage in basketball?
Why does Ole Miss Coach Houston Nutt always seem to sign so many more players than he needs? Is it a reflection of the quality of people he goes after?
Can new Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen find an outfit that will look good on game day?
Why would Mike Anderson leave Missouri and head to Alabama to coach basketball?
Is South Carolina a good basketball team?
Is Lane Kiffin a spoiled brat or Steve Spurrier 2.0?
Will the Vols find a QB for next season among the three who could not get it done last year?
Is Les Miles a genius or the luckiest guy in the coaching business?
Why do Mark Richt’s assistant coaches stick around when there is more money at other schools?
What would Urban Meyer’s record at Florida be without Tim Tebow?
Is Kentucky underachieving or just not all that talented in basketball this year?
Where does Kentucky football go from the end of December until the first of September?
Just how good is the LSU basketball team this year?
Is Starkville aptly named?
Can Alabama generate a running game without Andre Smith?
Is it possible everyone has underestimated Wayne Chizik?
How many days until we kick football off again?

What is on your mind? E-mail us at gary@secmatchups.com and share your thoughts.