Just looking at the seniors there is not a lot to get excited about at the defensive end position this year, but throw in the top three or four juniors and this class of pass rushers could be special indeed. Here is a quick look at some of the top pass rushing talent this year in college football.Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech:
Many thought Johnson would declare for the 2008 NFL Draft, where the NFL Advisory panel gave him a third round grade. Johnson (6’ 6” 255 lbs.) is a freak of nature, in the Jevon Kearse mold. He hasn’t been as productive as what you would like to see from a size and speed stand point, recording only 5 sacks as a sophomore and 4 as a junior, but he is poised for a breakout season in 2008. Potential can get you only so far, now it's time to produce.
Many thought Johnson would declare for the 2008 NFL Draft, where the NFL Advisory panel gave him a third round grade. Johnson (6’ 6” 255 lbs.) is a freak of nature, in the Jevon Kearse mold. He hasn’t been as productive as what you would like to see from a size and speed stand point, recording only 5 sacks as a sophomore and 4 as a junior, but he is poised for a breakout season in 2008. Potential can get you only so far, now it's time to produce.
Tyson Jackson, 6' 4" 290 lbs. LSU:
I am not as high on Jackson as most. I lower a player’s draft grade when their production goes down for no good reason. Jackson is a fantastic talent though, he will be drafted high because of his size and athletic ability and he will be able to play End in either a 34 or a 43 defense. But like I said, he was much better as a sophomore than he was last year as a junior. As a sophomore he played all 13 games at left end and led the team in sacks (8.5) and tackles for loss (10). His 8.5 sacks ranked as the fifth most in the SEC that year. Last season (2007) he recorded only 4.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He looked uninterested at times last year. Jackson needs to get in better shape and get motivated to have a bounce back senior season.
I am not as high on Jackson as most. I lower a player’s draft grade when their production goes down for no good reason. Jackson is a fantastic talent though, he will be drafted high because of his size and athletic ability and he will be able to play End in either a 34 or a 43 defense. But like I said, he was much better as a sophomore than he was last year as a junior. As a sophomore he played all 13 games at left end and led the team in sacks (8.5) and tackles for loss (10). His 8.5 sacks ranked as the fifth most in the SEC that year. Last season (2007) he recorded only 4.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He looked uninterested at times last year. Jackson needs to get in better shape and get motivated to have a bounce back senior season.
Now the real talent comes into play:
(JR) George Selvie, South Florida:
The 6’ 4” 250 pound Selvie was almost unblockable last year in 2007, especially early. By the time the season was complete Selvie had recorded 14.5 sacks and 31.5 tackles for loss, which the latter was one shy of a division 1 record. Quick, strong and relentless, if he can duplicate his effort as a junior he is almost certain to enter the 2009 NFL Draft where he could easily be a top ten selection. Football Draft Dog currently has him being selected 13th overall in their 2009 NFL Mock Draft.
The 6’ 4” 250 pound Selvie was almost unblockable last year in 2007, especially early. By the time the season was complete Selvie had recorded 14.5 sacks and 31.5 tackles for loss, which the latter was one shy of a division 1 record. Quick, strong and relentless, if he can duplicate his effort as a junior he is almost certain to enter the 2009 NFL Draft where he could easily be a top ten selection. Football Draft Dog currently has him being selected 13th overall in their 2009 NFL Mock Draft.
(JR) Greg Hardy, Mississippi
Hardy reminds me of Michael Johnson and at 6’ 5” 255 pounds he has a similar frame. Hardy however is built more like the Cowboys DeMarcus Ware. The other difference between the two is unlike Johnson, Hardy was extremely productive last season. Hardy finished his sophomore season ranked #6 in the NCAA in sacks with 10 and #4 in tackles for loss with 18.5. A basketball player and a budding football star, he should dominate this season.
Hardy reminds me of Michael Johnson and at 6’ 5” 255 pounds he has a similar frame. Hardy however is built more like the Cowboys DeMarcus Ware. The other difference between the two is unlike Johnson, Hardy was extremely productive last season. Hardy finished his sophomore season ranked #6 in the NCAA in sacks with 10 and #4 in tackles for loss with 18.5. A basketball player and a budding football star, he should dominate this season.
(JR) Maurice Evans, 6’ 2” 269 lbs. Penn State
Evans is not quite as long and lean as the prospects mentioned above, but he is cat quick and strong enough to bull rush even the most powerful offensive linemen. Last season he finished ranked 8th in the NCAA with 12.5 sacks and 6th (average per game) in tackles for loss with an amazing 21.5.
Evans is not quite as long and lean as the prospects mentioned above, but he is cat quick and strong enough to bull rush even the most powerful offensive linemen. Last season he finished ranked 8th in the NCAA with 12.5 sacks and 6th (average per game) in tackles for loss with an amazing 21.5.
(JR) Greg Middleton, 6’ 3” 275 lbs. Indiana
Middleton is not as well known as some of the above mentioned prospects being from Indiana, but did you know he led the nation in sacks last year with 16? Middleton has an explosive first step and if he does enter the draft early he will make an NFL team very happy with his character, work ethic and non stop motor. He will see a lot of double teams this year, so hopefully the Hoosiers will move him around to keep offenses honest or his production will likely go down.
Middleton is not as well known as some of the above mentioned prospects being from Indiana, but did you know he led the nation in sacks last year with 16? Middleton has an explosive first step and if he does enter the draft early he will make an NFL team very happy with his character, work ethic and non stop motor. He will see a lot of double teams this year, so hopefully the Hoosiers will move him around to keep offenses honest or his production will likely go down.
(JR) Antonio Coleman, 6’ 2” 243 lbs. Auburn
Coleman will probably be converted to outside linebacker and drafted by an NFL team that plays in a 34 defense. He is the master at the "tackles for loss" recording 18.5 last season, with an additional 8.5 sacks. Coleman is all over the field, very active and an excellent tackler. He sees the plays develop and explodes into the hole. I like his chances, but since he ultimately will be an outside linebacker he will need to have a good workout at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Coleman will probably be converted to outside linebacker and drafted by an NFL team that plays in a 34 defense. He is the master at the "tackles for loss" recording 18.5 last season, with an additional 8.5 sacks. Coleman is all over the field, very active and an excellent tackler. He sees the plays develop and explodes into the hole. I like his chances, but since he ultimately will be an outside linebacker he will need to have a good workout at the NFL Scouting Combine.
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