Underclassmen Group Improves Class of Pro Prospects for the NFL Draft ‘08

Photo - DE Calais Campbell - Miami

Underclassmen have made a huge impact on the NFL Draft over the past two decades and this year they will once again have a strong presence in the player process especially in the early rounds. Over 50 underclassmen declared for the NFL Draft ’08 by the Jan 15th deadline. They will then have three additional days to rescind their decision and regain their college eligibility. Over recent years, the NFL Draft added anywhere from 30 to 50 additional pro prospects from the underclassmen ranks. The NFL has provided an experienced advisory committee that evaluates an underclassmen for the draft process and helps a collegian make the decision. The Advisory Board gives a player an approximate placement in the draft that is based on evaluation by NFL scouts, though it is only their subjective opinion. The Advisory committee has advised over 75 players this year since early December ’07 to assist college players. Players must be three years removed from high school to be eligible to the NFL Draft. Third year sophomores are eligible to declare for the pros but true sophomores are ineligible as a result of an NFL rule that a court decision upheld a few years ago that denied Ohio St’s running back Maurice Clarett of Ohio St. from entering the NFL Draft ‘04.

For Complete & Detailed Underclassmen Report – Jan. Newsletter – this week

Highly Rated Underclassmen who entered NFL Draft ‘08

RB Darren McFadden - Arkansas
Super blue chip feature back is probably the best player in the NFL Draft ’08 with the complete package to be a top pro feature back. He has a strong chance to be an immediate impact performer in the NFL in the right setting.

RB Felix Jones - Arkansas
Fast all purpose performer coupled with Darren McFadden to form the most explosive backfield in recent memory. He joins McFadden on the underclassmen list for this draft class. He has the talent to be a difference maker in the NFL in a few roles especially a change of pace back and receiver.

RB Steve Slaton - West Virginia
Fast junior scatback is well developed as both a runner and receiver and capable of being a big play impact performer early as a pro if he proves durable.

RB Rashard Mendenhall - Illinois
Big talented tailback had a monster season in the Big Ten that has lead to early entry to the NFL. He is a complete feature back and carries a first round grade at this point of the evaluation process.

RB Jonathan Stewart - Oregon
Powerfully built back has breakaway speed to combine a rare package for the position. He will have to prove durable in the NFL, but he has the package to be an elite pro feature back.

WR Malcolm Kelly - Oklahoma
Big play wideout has fine triangle numbers and production that led to his turning pro. Though, he would benefit from another season of development in college, he is a blue chip prospect with a first round grade.

WR James Hardy - Indiana
Big athletic wideout had an outstanding ’07 season and one of the key reasons for the Indiana fine performance. He has developed nicely over this season and will be one of the first receivers selected in April and figures in the late first/ early second round area.

OT Michael Oher - Mississippi
Big mobile left tackle has excelled vs NFL caliber talent and will rank with the elite prospects at the position with a fine NFL Combine.

OT Anthony Collins - Kansas
Nimble junior tackle was a key component on the Kansas surprising season and has fine pro potential for the critical left tackle spot. He would benefit from another season to refine his fine athleticism but has opted to join the pro ranks now..

DE Calais Campbell - Miami
Tall athletic defender developed nicely over the ’07 season and has the package to impress in the postseason to rank with the blue chip prospects. He has the upside potential to become one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers.

DE Derrick Harvey - Florida
Fast edge rusher brings the vital big play ability to sack the passer. He has the burst of speed to make big plays despite positional issues related to his size and development.

CB Aqib Talib - Kansas
Agile junior corner is a gambling cover man with big play ability in coverage, in addition to his impact ability on the return game. He will be one of the premier junior corners headed for the NFL.

CB Brandon Flowers - Virginia Tech
Fast cover man has come on strong over the late ’07 season and ranks with the top prospects at this demanding position. He runs as well as any player in the nation at this point.

For a Complete and Detailed Underclassmen Report – January Newsletter – this week