The 2011 draft could feature the most talent the Western Athletic Conference has ever produced. Although the conference may not have any players taken in the first round, there should be several found in the second and third rounds.
Here is a look at the top seniors in the conference heading into this season:
Davon House | 6'0, 190 pounds | CB | New Mexico State
House burst onto the scene in 2009 with 68 tackles, 13 pass break ups and three interceptions. He's a long-limbed, confident cornerback excelling on the outside in man situations. House has a frame to get bigger and he might have to in the NFL. As a man-cover cornerback, he excels because of his excellent foot quickness and shows good instincts to make a play on the ball.
Dontay Moch | 6'1, 245 pounds | DE/OLB | Nevada
Moch is a speed demon, timing below 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He has freakish speed for anyone, let alone someone in the defensive front seven. And Moch knows how to use it. He routinely bursts around the corner and disrupts plays behind the line. Last season, Moch had 61 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. That was with teams concentrating on him, as the year before he had 50 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. Moch has to develop some technical skills, but on the right team he could become a star.
NFL Draft WAC prospect preview
Pettis isn’t considered a top-flight receiver because he doesn’t have a lot of speed. But he’s a great red zone target due to his size and body control. Pettis doesn’t have the best quickness, but he can beat the jam well enough. He’s more of a possession-type receiver.
A slight frame limits Young some on what he can do as a wide receiver. He has to rely on his pure speed and athleticism to get open. Young’s best asset is getting open deep or working underneath. But his NFL value is based on his ability as a special teams player. He’s arguably the best kick returner in the country and is a threat to score whenever the ball gets in his hands.
There is some buzz surrounding Enderle entering his senior year. He was banged up as a freshman and sophomore, but showed his talents in 2009. He finished the year with 2,906 passing yards and 22 touchdowns while completing 61.5 percent of his passes. Enderle’s arm strength is between good and great and he’s gritty.
Named the MVP of last season’s Fiesta Bowl, some think that Thompson’s coverage skills as good as former Bronco Kyle Wilson. Wilson may have the edge in tackling and jamming, but Thompson is a fluid athlete who can run with just about anyone.
Think this waifish signal caller can stay at his current position? I don’t. Kaepernick may have to try his hand at wide receiver. He certainly has the length and speed to do so.
Other seniors to watch:
| 6’2, 205 pounds | WR | Hawaii
Ryan Winterswyk | 6’4, 268 pounds | DE | Boise State
| 5’10, 215 pounds | RB | Nevada
| 5’8, 176 pounds | WR | Louisiana Tech
| 6’6, 308 pounds | OT | Louisiana Tech
Jon Bender | 6’8, 328 pounds | G | Nevada
| 5’10, 198 pounds | K/P | Boise State
| 6’0, 192 pounds | CB | Utah State
| 6’0, 208 pounds | San Jose State
