Tigers X - Number one Source to Talk Auburn Tigers Sports
Pat Dye Field => War Damn Eagle => Topic started by: Snaggletiger on May 06, 2014, 11:09:38 AM
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A piece from Joel Erikson on what the crop of potential NFL draft prospects were rated coming out of H.S. Now right off the bat, I'm going to assume he just threw in Jake's name because he's a senior. Did Mr. SheSoundsHideous declare for the draft?
By the time the week is over, Auburn is expected to produce its biggest NFL draft class in years, a class that could be the biggest since five Tigers were selected in 2008.
A few of the Tigers' draft-eligible participants were highly-rated recruits coming out of high school, but the bulk of Auburn's players far out-performed expectations, transforming from lightly-regarded developmental prospects into All-SEC types by the time the 2013 season rolled around.
With that in mind, here's a look back at where Auburn's draft class began, at least in the eyes of the recruiting services that rate players.
The high school rankings here are from Rivals. All projected draft position rankings are from ESPN.
Steven Clark, P, Kansas City, Mo.
High school: 2-star, No. 20 placekicker
Draft projection: Fifth round-FA; No. 2 punter
Chris Davis, CB, Birmingham, Ala.
High school: 3-star, not ranked either as a cornerback or athlete
Draft projection: Third round-sixth round; No. 36 cornerback
Nosa Eguae, DL, Mansfield, Texas
High school: 3-star, No. 17 strong-side defensive end, No. 60 in Texas
Draft projection: Seventh round-FA; No. 54 defensive end
Dee Ford, DE, Odenville, Ala.
High school: 3-star, No. 62 outside linebacker, No. 27 in Alabama
Draft projection: Late first-early second round; No. 4 defensive end
Jake (From State Farm) Holland, LB, Pelham, Ala.
High school: 4-star, No. 8 middle linebacker, No. 10 in Alabama
Draft projection: Seventh round-FA; No. 42 inside linebacker
Tre Mason, RB, Lake Worth, Fla.
High school: 4-star, No. 14 running back, No. 32 in Florida, No. 199 overall
Draft projection: Second-third round; No. 4 running back
Cody Parkey, K, Jupiter, Fla.
High school: 3-star, No. 6 kicker
Draft projection: Sixth round-FA; No. 5 kicker
Jay Prosch, FB, Mobile, Ala.
High school: 2-star, unranked at position
Draft projection: Sixth round-FA; No. 3 fullback
Greg Robinson, LT, Thibodaux, La
High school: 4-star, No. 2 guard, No. 4 in Louisiana, No. 90 overall
Draft projection: Top-5 pick; No. 1 tackle
Craig "Shower Pics" Sanders, DE, Ariton, Ala.
High school: 4-star, No. 12 weak-side defensive end, No. 6 in Alabama, No. 197 overall
Draft projection: Seventh round-FA; No. 46 defensive end
Ryan Smith, S, Cordova, Ala.
High school: 3-star, unranked as an athlete
Draft projection: Seventh round-FA; No. 107 safety
Ryan White, CB, Tallahassee, Fla.
High school: 3-star, unranked as athlete
Draft projection: Seventh round-FA; No. 67 cornerback
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I would think that if Jake, the Ryan twins and Sanders make it, it will be as free agents. Maybe practice squad guys. Of course, I could be wrong but it has been a very long time since that has happened.
I love to see our guys make it. Dee has been fun to watch and I must admit that I didn't see this season coming from him. I thought he was good but he exceeded my expectations. Along with Tre and Robinson.
Robinson was highly touted but I had no idea he would be one of the best we'd seen. I attribute a lot of this success to Coach Russell. He did more for S&C in less than a year than I thought possible. We were pushed around, out of shape and giving up before Gus brought him. Helluva job making these guys as fit as any team in the country.
I remember Boulware singing Clarks praises when he first got to AU. We've been so fortunate with punters and kickers through the years that it's expected. But I thought this guy was exceptional, esp this season.
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Meanwhile:
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/boom-or-bust-backdrop-complicates-defensive-line-picks-b99262354z1-258030941.html (http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/boom-or-bust-backdrop-complicates-defensive-line-picks-b99262354z1-258030941.html)
QUOTE TO NOTE
NFL personnel man: "Alabama guys are getting killed because they wear out. Remember Florida State when Bobby (Bowden) was there? Their expiration date was used up. It's getting to be a little bit the way people think about Alabama now."
The Pro-Style is wearing players out! To the rules committee! ($1 to AUBeards)