Tuesday January 29, 2008

NFL Talent

NFL Talent
This Sunday Super Bowl XLII will be the major sports story across the world. Often former Clemson players have been a big part of these games as 20 former Tigers have won 28 Super Bowl rings. Clemson has had a former player in the Super Bowl in five of the last nine years.

This year is different as no former Tiger is involved in the game. However, I think the chances of having a former Tiger will only increase in the next few seasons as Clemson’s program gets better and continues to recruit better players.

In the past, Clemson’s influence on the NFL has been an almost direct correlation with the success of the Tigers on the field. In other words, it should come to no one’s surprise that Clemson’s influence on the NFL is bigger in the years where the Tigers are better on the field. For example, Dwight Clark, Joe Bostic, Michael Dean Perry, Levon Kirkland and Brian Dawkins all played on some very good teams at Clemson.

Clemson had some players in the league in the 1960s but the rise of the program in the late 1970s and throughout the eighties brought more prominent players from Clemson to the NFL.

Gaines Adams made a big impact in his rookie season after being drafted fourth in last year’s draft and Phillip Merling has been getting great reviews on NFL draft sites this season. The last two years are a sign of things to come in my opinion as the Tigers have upgraded their recruiting.

You never can tell how players will continue in their development and many of the following players will never play a down in the league but here is a list of the current Tigers on offense who may have a chance in the NFL one day:

Quarterbacks
Cullen Harper-The rising senior had a phenomenal season in which he broke 22 school records. This time last year no one would have talked about Harper’s NFL future but if he can repeat his 07 performance he can improve his chances. Harper has enough arm strength and is accurate enough to play in the league. His other strengths include his size and strength. He also sees the entire field well and is a bright quarterback. Many feel he won’t be a high draft pick but in my opinion Harper is farther along than many currently on NFL rosters when they were entering their senior seasons.

Willy Korn-It is way too early to start thinking about the NFL for a guy who will be a freshman again next season and his height will always be deterrence. However I have learned to never discount Korn in anything he does. I feel he has a chance to become a great one over the next four seasons but the NFL talk will have to be put off for a later date.

Running Backs
James Davis-The rising senior made the right decision by coming back for his final year and running backs don’t last very long in the NFL because of durability issues but this is a no-brainer. James Davis is exactly what the NFL is looking for. He has the strength, speed, productivity, hands, and vision to be a very good professional. I think this is the safest bet for the NFL on offense for the Tigers.

C.J. Spiller-Some feel Spiller will be a high draft pick and an instant success in the league but I am not sure on either account. Spiller is ultra-talented but I am not sure his game is currently suited for long-term success in the NFL. He will have to develop more toughness and become a more well-rounded back to become a better fit for the league. Reggie Bush is a great example of how tough it is for finesse running backs in the NFL. Bush has been a disappointment according to most NFL observers.

Wide Receivers
Aaron Kelly-Like Davis, Kelly made the right decision to come back. Kelly should play in the NFL and he offers some skills that are attractive to pro scouts. He is fast enough and catches the ball well enough to play in the NFL. He has to become bigger, stronger and more physical to have long-term success at the next level.

Rendrick Taylor-Despite injuries and a lack of great productivity at the college level, I feel Taylor may have a chance in the NFL. In the right system and with continued development, Taylor could make it. His size and strength will attract NFL attention.

Jacoby Ford-When you run like Ford the NFL will take notice. Like Taylor, Ford will have to get in the right fit but I feel he has a lot to offer a team in the NFL. Track might be a factor here as well as Ford could become a world-class threat as a professional in track.

Brandon Clear and Xavier Dye-These young receivers are too far from the league in terms of age and eligibility but their height and vertical skills will have pro scouts talking in a couple of seasons.

Tight Ends
Chad Diehl-If you watch the NFL closely you will see that there is a place in the league for tough, blocking fullbacks/H-backs. Diehl is young but keep an eye on his development. There have been a lot of players that made it in the league because of toughness.

Offensive Linemen
The 2008 offensive line should be one of the youngest in school history. Of the 14 or 15 scholarship offensive linemen only one is a senior and nine or 10 will be freshmen and sophomores. I think players like Chris Hairston, Corey Lambert, Thomas Austin, Landon Walker, David Smith and Mason Cloy have a chance to impress scouts if they continue to develop and make their way through the program. However it is too early to talk about most of these players because of their lack of experience and the difficulty in projecting at this position.

Tomorrow we will look at 10 defensive players that could develop into NFL players.

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