Word about underclassmen filing paperwork with the NFL Draft advisory committee is coming out rapidly. As with any other year, there will be some questionable players entering the draft. Here are 10 players that should return for their senior season.
10 juniors that shouldn’t enter the 2011 NFL Draft
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Blaine Gabbert | 6'5, 240 pounds | QB | Missouri
Nick Foles | 6'5, 240 pounds | QB | Arizona
Gabbert is on record saying he'll submit his name to the advisory committee. There has been no word on Foles. But both should return because they could mature into first round picks next season, particularly Gabbert. Neither would be rated ahead of Andrew Luck, Ryan Mallett or Cam Newton. But if any of those three underclassmen return to school, Gabbert or Foles could reconsider.
DeVier Posey | 6'2, 213 pounds | WR | Ohio State
The 2011 wide receiver class is incredible with the possible likes of A.J. Green, Julio Jones, Jon Baldwin, Michael Floyd and Ryan Broyles. Not only is Posey not as good as any of those players, but he might not even be the best wide receiver on his team. Posey's hands have been questionable all season and could improve as Terrelle Pryor continues to get better.
George Bryan | 6'5, 265 pounds | TE | North Carolina State
In a bad tight end class, it will be tempting for Bryan to go pro. He's a good all-around tight end. But if he went pro, it's unlikely he'd be picked in the first two rounds because he doesn't have the athletic upside of past tight ends.
Tyron Smith | 6'6, 285 pounds | OT | Southern California
A lot of people are high on Smith, and it's easy to see why. He's highly talented and athletic for an offensive tackle. The problem is that he's not powerful enough for the NFL and he's been playing on the right side. If Smith could move to left side for 2011 and get up to 300 pounds, he could become the No. 1 overall pick in 2012.
Trinton Sturdivant | 6'5, 312 pounds | OT | Georgia
It will be a tough choice for Sturdivant. A top recruit and star freshman, Sturdivant suffered serious knee injuries only played three quarters in 2008 and 2009. He's been solid this season, but probably wouldn't be picked in the first five rounds in 2011. If he returns, he should be the starting left tackle and help make quarterback Aaron Murray look like a star. But the lure of jumping to the pros before another knee injury will be strong.
Quinton Coples | 6'6, 245 pounds | DE | North Carolina
Following the suspension of several North Carolina players, Coples broke through with 14 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks this season. He did that bouncing around from defensive tackle to end throughout the year. Coples has the look of a future top-10 pick, but isn't physically ready for the NFL. Come back to North Carolina and become next season's Da'Quan Bowers.
Aaron Williams | 6'1, 195 pounds | CB | Texas
In a stacked Texas secondary, Williams has had only an average season. Although he's played better than his teammates, Williams no longer looks like a first-round pick. Chase Minniefield of Virginia and Brandon Burton of Utah have both passed Williams as prospects. Both have upside as No. 1 corners while Williams looks more like a second corner or safety.
Mark Barron | 6'2, 215 pounds | SS | Alabama
Barron likes to make big hits. That leads to him making big mistakes. He's clearly a player that has to mature on the field and play more disciplined. Another year under Nick Saban could make Barron infinitely better.
Will Hill | 6’1, 200 pounds | FS | Florida
There is some speculation that Hill may flee to the NFL to avoid confrontations with fiery new head coach Will Muschamp. But he shouldn’t. Hill was suspended the first two games of the season due to disciplinary reasons. But that doesn’t have anything to with why he should go back to Florida. When he was on the field, Hill looked raw. He’s very athletic and physical, but it’s clear he doesn’t have the mental part of the game down.
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