Top College Seniors in 2008 – Defensive Line
by GraveDigger on Aug.29, 2008, under NCAA, NFL Draft
The 2009 Senior DE class is full of potential and ‘tweeners. Johnson has amazing size and burst but is thin and lanky. He’ll be in the first half of round 1 with a big season but without one, he could fall a little like former Miami DE Calais Campbell did in 2008 (probably not that far though).
Orakpo and Egboh have shown flashes of talent which is enough to propel them into Day 1 but they need to show more to rise into round 1. Orakpo has great size and ability to get at the QB but he needs to prove he’s more than just a flash in the pan. Egboh will be an interesting guy to watch. Stanford switched to a 4-3 and he blossomed. With a big season, a 3-4 team will look at him early round 2 and possibly higher to play DE. Shaughnessy must overcome an injury plagued career and prove he can be an every down DE to make it into Day 1. He’s a little light and may not have a true position in the NFL but he’ll get a look from 3-4 teams as an OLB. Jackson will definitely get looked at by 3-4 teams as a DE but he has the ability to be an interior pass rusher in a 4-3. He’s not a natural pass rusher off the edge, which is why his sack numbers are low, but he’s a very versatile and talented player.
Defensive Ends:
Tyson Jackson – LSU
Michael Johnson – Georgia Tech
Brian Orakpo – Texas
Matt Shaughnessy – Wisconsin
Pannel Egboh – Stanford
Sleeper Senior: Cyril Obiozor – Texas A&M
Junior to watch: George Selvie – South Florida
Not nearly as talented as the 2008 class, this years DT crop is undersized but simply get the job done. While undersized in terms of height, both Owens and Taylor are mean run stuffers in the middle.
Moala has a chance to become another dominant Pac-10 Dlineman if he takes his game to the next level. All 3 are possibilities for round 1 but definitely won’t fall lower than round 2. Hood does all the little things well but needs to takes game up a notch. If he does, he’ll definitely jump into round 2. Raji is a short, squatty run stuffer who will get a look from 3-4 teams as a NT. With a good, productive season, he could also jump up into round 2. This entire group overall has the talent to succeed in the NFL but they all need to have big seasons to overcome their measurements.Defensive Tackles:
Jeff Owens – Georgia
Terrance Taylor – Michigan
Fili Moala – Southern Cal
Evander Hood – Missouri
B.J. Raji – Boston College
Sleeper Senior: Alex Magee – Purdue
Junior to watch: DeMarcus Granger – Oklahoma
One response to “Top College Seniors in 2008 – Defensive Line”
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Georgia DT Jeff Owens is probably out for the season.