Top 10 Senior Prospects: ACC
(NFLDraftScout.com draft analysts Rob Rang and Chad Reuter will highlight the top 10 senior prospects in each conference; the first of a seven-part series)
As long as the conference continues to pump out elite talent, NFL scouts aren't concerned that it has been a decade since an ACC team has won a national title. The conference might have just one prospect ranked among the Top 20 seniors overall, according the NFLDraftScout.com, but the ACC does boast a strong list of seniors poised to break out in 2009.
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| C.J. Spiller: Most dangerous back in the country? (Getty Images) |
Virginia defensive end Chris Long (St. Louis) and Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan (Atlanta) were the second and third overall picks two years ago. Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry (No. 4, Seattle) was the first ACC player off the board this past April, followed by fellow Top 10 selections in Maryland wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (No. 7, Oakland), Virginia left tackle Eugene Monroe (No. 8, Jacksonville) and Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji (No. 9, Green Bay).
That gave the ACC four of the top 10 overall picks, more than any of the higher-profile conferences.
A closer look at the Top 10 ACC seniors eligible for the 2010 NFL Draft:
10. DE Willie Young, N.C. State, 6-5, 250, 4.84 40-yard dash: Inconsistency kept Young out of the starting lineup over the first five games last year, but he was as good as any pass rusher in the ACC down the stretch. Despite the limited playing time, Young led all Wolfpack defensive linemen in tackles (58), tackles for loss (12.5) and sacks (6.5) Rangy yet explosive off the snap, Young has the ability to double his sack production as a senior and vault into the first round.
9. WR/RS Jacoby Ford, Clemson, 5-9, 186, 4.37: The winner of the 60-meter dash (6.52 seconds) in the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships March 14, Ford's electric speed makes him one of the most dangerous receivers in the country. Ford lacks great size and isn't yet a polished receiver. He finished last season with solid numbers (55 receptions for 710 yards and three touchdowns) opposite Aaron Kelly, but his rare big-play ability (six career touchdowns of 50-plus yards) makes him one to watch.
8. OLB Dekoda Watson, Florida State, 6-2, 226, 4.64: An athletic chase linebacker in the mold of former Seminole star Michael Boulware, Watson nearly matched his career high in tackles (50) last season (47) despite missing six starts due to various injuries. Watson missed more time this spring after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his left elbow, but has the athleticism and big-play ability to jump up the board with a big senior season.
7. S/OLB Kam Chancellor, Virginia Tech, 6-3, 226, 4.58: A versatile athlete who came to Virginia Tech as a quarterback and has since seen playing time at cornerback, rover and free safety, Chancellor's rare combination of size and athleticism will have scouts flocking to Blacksburg this season. As the big hitter's size would suggest, Chancellor will have to prove fast and instinctive enough to remain as a defensive back in the NFL.
6. OG Thomas Austin, Clemson, 6-3, 315, 5.16: A versatile, physical offensive lineman with starts at all three interior positions under his belt, Austin was voted the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week three times last season. Talented and consistent enough to rank among the elite prospects in the country at center and guard, Austin was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise leaky Tiger front last season.
5. CB Brandon Ghee, Wake Forest, 6-0, 191, 4.45: Possessing good size and athleticism, as well as flashing physicality in coverage and in run support, Ghee popped of the film last season for scouts focusing on the four Demon Deacons drafted in April. With two seasons of starting action under his belt, Ghee appears to have the combination of experience and ability to make a big leap up draft boards in the coming months.
4. DT Vince Oghobaase, Duke, 6-6, 302, 5.06: A rare recruiting coup for the Duke football team, Oghobaase has started all 36 games of his career and finally appears poised to take advantage of his rare combination of size and athleticism. Able to get away with simply relying on his size in the past, Oghobaase played with greater strength, technique and tenacity as a junior following the arrival of head coach David Cutcliffe. Despite his experience, Oghobaase remains a bit raw, but similar to Penn State's Jared Odrick, you can't coach size.
3. OLB Ricky Sapp, Clemson, 6-4, 245, 4.58: Scouts can't help but fall in love with Sapp's obvious athletic ability. After racking up 4.0 sacks in limited duty behind Gaines Adams two years ago, Sapp struggled through injuries, including a partially torn ACL, as a junior. If he can remain healthy as a senior -- and recapture his former explosiveness -- he could vault to the top of the outside linebacker rankings.
2. CB Patrick Robinson, Florida State, 5-11, 194, 4.42: Robinson enters his senior campaign with appearances in 33 career games, but only 13 starts. With seven career interceptions, including six in 2007, he has shown a flair for the dramatic and the athleticism necessary for the next level.
1. RB C.J. Spiller, Clemson, 5-11, 196, 4.37: Spiller's dynamic elusiveness, straight-line speed and versatility as a runner, receiver and return specialist is reminiscent of Reggie Bush while at USC. Spiller may lack the bulk most teams prefer in a bell-cow back, but there isn't a back in the country more dangerous with the ball in his hands.
Rob Rang is a Senior Analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by the Sports Xchange.
