Music City Bowl: Prospect Watch

By Justin Van Fulpen

Here are the following players to keep your eye for the 2010 NFL Draft in the MUSIC CITY BOWL.

Clemson Tigers:

RB C.J. Spiller – Spiller is all around offensive threat; running, receiving and returning. That versatility should make him a high 1st round pick.

WR Jacoby Ford – A small, quick receiver who should do very good working the slot in the NFL. Ford could go as high as the 2nd round but most observers believe he will go in the 3rd-4th round range. Could be the fastest wide out in the 2010 Class.

OG Thomas Austin – Austin has shown very good ability as a run blocker and is a decent athlete; he should end up being a 7th round pick.

DE/OLB Ricky Sapp – Sapp is the type of player that 3-4 defensive teams crave as an outside linebacker. The strength of his game is his ability to be a pass rusher, which bodes well for him because there is a high demand in the NFL for players that can get to the quarterback. He could go as high as the 1st round.

OLB Kavell Conner – Conner is an all around outside linebacker that can not only play the run but can also adapt to pass coverage, as he is an above average cover man. He currently holds a 6th round grade.

CB Chris Chancellor – Chancellor is a player who is moving up on many draft boards and could use this game, as well as an all-star game to help push his stock up higher. Right now he has a 6th round projection.

CB Crezdon Butler – Butler has shown flashes of ability but needs to be more consistent, right now he is considered to be a free-agent type.

Kentucky Wildcats:

DT Corey Peters – Peters has gotten better every year at Kentucky and is a true 4-3 defensive tackle who is a good athlete who can make plays up and down the line of scrimmage. Right now is likely a 3rd round pick.

ILB Micah Johnson – Johnson is a two-down linebacker who likes to play down hill and can make plays against the run but will have to come off the field in passing downs. Currently, he is a 4th round pick. With his size, he should fit in nicely in a 3-4 scheme.

CB Trevard Lindley – Lindley is an athletic cover cornerback, who will come up and tackle but needs to get bigger and stronger to be a complete corner in the NFL. However, he does posses a lot of skills and should be a 2nd round pick.

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Photos Courtesy of Dennis Hubbard & SEC Sports Media

Supplemental Draft: Jarmon Goes To Washington

Expected to be one of the top defensive linemen in college football in 2009, Kentucky product Jeremy Jarmon will instead be suiting up for the Washington Redskins this fall. Washington selected the Tennessee native earlier today in the third round of the 2009 Supplemental draft. He was the only player selected in the draft.

Jarmon put his name into the draft after he tested positive for a substance banned by the NCAA and was suspended for his senior campaign, ending his college career. The news was a surprise to most in the college football world because the former ‘Cat is a bright young man and character is one of his strengths. The political science major even cleared it with Coach Rich Brooks before starring in the school’s production of “Weak/Side/Help”, where he played a quarterback who dabbled with steroids.

The word “beast” would best describe Jarmon’s physical presence on the gridiron. He is 6’3” and weighs 279 lbs. which, when combined with his strength and speed, makes him a force to be reckoned with. He can punish opponents with his potent rushing tactics and often finds himself in the backfield eerily close to the quarterback, or whoever may be the unlucky one holding the football. His durability is unquestioned, as Jarmon did not miss a game since appearing in all 13 games in 2006 as a freshman. The SEC product accumulated 38 tackles, 10 for loss, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and six pass breakups in 2008 (All-SEC honorable mention by AP). His 2007 numbers were even more impressive: 62 tackles, 13.5 for loss, nine sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and two pass breakups (second team All-SEC by the coaches).

Washington has already added defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth via free agency and former Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo with the 13th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft this off-season to bolster their defensive line. Jarmon will provide depth and could be the long-term answer at defensive end (see Jason Taylor), particularly if the ‘Skins decide to move Orakpo to outside linebacker as some have speculated. Drafting Jarmon means Washington will forfeit their 2010 third-round draft pick.

Other players who were eligible to be selected were Joe McMahon of Central Michigan, Demetrice Morley of Tennessee, Deon Murphy of Kansas St., Corey Surrency of Florida St., Blake Boyd of Western Kentucky, Dixon McKinner of Texas Tech and Southern Mississippi’s Torris Magee. Most recently, the San Diego Chargers selected defensive back Paul Oliver (Georgia) and the Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Omar Gaither (Maryland) in the 2007 Supplemental draft. No one applied for the 2008 Supplemental draft.

Other Supplemental draft notables include Brian Bosworth, AKA the Boz, whom the Seattle Seahawks selected coming out of Oklahoma in 1987. In 1989, the Arizona Cardinals tabbed Washington St. quarterback Timm Rosenbach and the Dallas Cowboys took Miami product Steve Walsh, while in 1993 the New York football Giants were smitten with a Dukie named Dave Brown who flourished under Steve Spurrier in Durham. All were first-round picks—none was worth it.

A pair of Supplemental picks that did pan out were Philadelphia’s selection of Cris Carter in 1987 and San Diego’s choice of noseman Jamal Williams in 1999.

Kenny Franek contributed to this piece.