We’re just four weekends into the college football season, but enough games have passed, along with review of the 2013 season, to start putting together scouting evaluations and preliminary rankings of the senior class.
We do not focus on or include in rankings underclassmen for multiple reasons. They won’t be included in our big boards until after the official declaration deadline in January. Until then, seniors are our top priority, and the class boasts a strong core of offensive and defensive linemen, as well as a deep set of receivers and running backs for scouts to focus as we move towards the middle part of the 2014 college football season.
(Note, this list does not include quarterbacks, as they are too unique to rank with other positions. Please see separate article here.)
1. Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
Another draft, another likely top-5 selection from the Texas A&M offensive line. Ogbuehi has right and left tackle experience, and has the strength/athleticism combo to potentially be the best in recent years.
2. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
While his size is a deterrent, Ekpre-Olomu’s physicality and timing makes it clear he has the skill set to be an NFL starter. If Jason Verrett was a first rounder, Ekpre-Olomu certainly is.
3. Carl Davis, DT, Iowa
A thick, strong and agile interior presence, Davis has the natural leverage and disruption ability to collapse the pocket with success.
4. Alvin Dupree, DE, Kentucky
Dupree has started strong and leads a surprisingly talented Kentucky defense. His performance throughout SEC play will be key in determining if he can maintain this first-round grade.
5. La'el Collins, OT, LSU
His size and strength indicates he could be a tackle or guard in the NFL, but Collins needs to maintain his grade throughout SEC play to keep him in the top-tier of the offensive line class.
6. DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
Despite an injury that kept him out the first four weeks, Parker still has last year’s display of talent without Teddy Bridgewater to hang his hat on. He leads a relatively impressive receiver class.
7. Vic Beasley, DE, Clemson
His production hasn’t met expectations thus far in 2014, but it’s not time to get off the Vic Beasley bandwagon … yet. The quick edge rusher was too impressive last year to put too much stock into his early 2014 struggles.
8. Kurtis Drummond, S, Michigan State
The best senior on a team that has continued to impress, Drummond has the range, positioning as an upfield hitter with ball skills in the mid-range, meriting a first-round grade at this point.
9. Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
Bursting onto the national scene this year, Kevin White has now has showed NFL level separation, route development and ball skills against Alabama and Oklahoma.
10. Rashad Greene, WR, Florida State
The featured weapon for Jameis Winston, Greene doesn’t have all the “wow” characteristics most first-round receivers have, and may never get to that point as a prospect. But his efficient routes, finishing skills with his hands and separation in the mid-range is tough to not be a fan of.
11. Derron Smith, S, Fresno State
The aggressive, athletic safety prospect still boasts NFL talent, but being on a defense that has allowed back-to-back-to-back 50-point blowouts doesn’t say much. Smith and the defense need to turn things around, or all of Fresno State’s prospects and bowl chances may fade quickly.
12. Hroniss Grasu, C, Oregon
It’s rare for a center to be viewed this highly, but Grasu has earned it on his play throughout his career. A high-IQ leader of the offensive line, he’ll be valued highly by teams looking for a leader with experience in a fast-paced offense.
13. Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
While he doesn’t have a great kick slide or ideal length, Scherff has proven he can hold his own as a pass blocker, and as a devastating run blocker and mauler at the point of attack thanks to tremendous strength in his upper half and hands.
14. Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State
The featured interior presence on the defensive line, Bennett’s lack of top quickness as a pass rusher keeps him from the top-tier of defensive lineman in this class. But his versatility, consistency in filling and containing gaps and finishing tackles in the backfield makes him a potential long-time NFL starter.
15. Lorenzo Mauldin, DE, Louisville
One of my favorites for the 2015 class, Mauldin is a quick, violent and explosive edge player that can generate pressure inside and out. He’ll need to show top versatility and athleticism all-season long to emerge as a potential first-rounder.
16. Frank Clark, DE, Michigan
Despite Michigan’s struggles, the front-seven has done its part thanks to the performance by, and fear teams have of, Clark. A complete end that anchors against the run and drives well as a pass-rusher, he can fit in multiple defenses at the next level.
17. Cameron Erving, OT, Florida State
He’s a bit stiff for my liking and doesn’t showcase the fluidity to develop into a top-notch offensive tackle, but his length and short-area body control is too impressive to deny. He could go higher than his talent level indicates thanks to a need for blockers with his measurements and body control.
18. Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE, UCLA
Odighizuwa has been a handful for blockers in 2014 coming back from a hip injury that kept him out all of last year. An explosive, powerful end that could fit in a 3-4 defense, he could continue to rise into the first-round discussion by season’s end.
19. Laken Tomlinson, OG, Duke
It’s a sign of change when Duke is producing top draft prospects, but they certainly have one in Laken Tomlinson. He has size, strong hands and lateral control to engage downfield.
20. Ty Montgomery, WR, Stanford
A dynamic playmaker as a receiver, runner and returner, Montgomery has the versatility as a slot presence and situational asset in an offense. If his timed speed and workouts match his on-field explosiveness, he could be looking at a potential first-round selection.
21. Anthony Harris, S, Virginia
The leader on a defense that has exceed expectations and kept the Cavaliers in every game this season, Harris has shown sound tackling and positioning along with plus reaction times in coverage.
22. Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska
The clear top senior running back, Abdullah has impressed with patient steps, explosive upfield moves and consistency each and every game. He may not be a first-round talent, but he looks like an NFL starter.
23. Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
Despite the Washington defensive struggles this year, Shelton’s draft value shouldn’t be punished yet. He’s still one of the best interior defensive line talents in the country.
24. A.J. Cann, G, South Carolina
A consistent, polished interior lineman, Cann appears to be near-NFL ready now, likely making him highly coveted by draft day.
25. Kasen Williams, WR, Washington
A big, downfield target, Williams fits the mold of the type of receivers NFL teams want today. He’ll need his young quarterback to put him in chances to succeed against Pac-12 CBs this year.