As college football season nears kickoff, we’ll be breaking down the best prospects by position in each FBS conference. After previewing both of the power conferences on the eastern seaboard, we move on to Midwest to the new look Big Ten. The conference has added both Rutgers and Maryland, both programs who boast legitimate draft prospects. Today’s focus is on the defensive side of the ball.
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B1G Prospect Preview
DE: Shilique Calhoun,* Michigan State
An impact player who could have been a day one pick had he declared last season, Calhoun is one of the top prospects eligible for this year’s draft. Calhoun has great snap quickness, explosion, and fluidity which allows him to play behind the line of scrimmage as both a run defender and pass rusher. While he needs to refine his arsenal, Calhoun has very good potential to be a double-digit sack artist, as well as an elite run defender in a one-gap scheme.
DE: Randy Gregory,* Nebraska
Another elite physical prospect, Gregory combines versatility, effort, and athletic ability into the one of the better prospective skillsets in the nation. Gregory explodes off the snap, capable of beating most Big Ten offensive linemen off the snap, and has the fluidity to evade and slip through gaps when his first step doesn’t win for him. Gregory pursues hard and is relentless on the field, which bodes well for his future pursuits in the NFL, if he can improve his run defense to the level of his pass rush.
DT: Michael Bennett, Ohio State
A nimble athlete, Bennett possesses a skillset that is ideal for a three technique. He has a very compact frame that carries weight well, and lacks true power to hold up two blocks. However, Bennett has the quickness to shoot through gaps and put pressure on the quarterback and stop backs for a loss. While he is not Gerald McCoy, Bennett could become starting 3T, who can also play the 5T in a pinch.
LB: Noah Spence,* Ohio State
A drug-related suspension aside, Spence is one of the top prospects in the nation, let alone the Big Ten. Spence is an explosive edge rusher who has the speed to easily take the edge and get after the quarterback. While he is highly athletic, he also combines that with aggressive hands and he knows how to use them too. Spence will need to either add more mass and strength in order to remain at DE in the NFL, or prove he can play in space as a 34 rush linebacker.
LB: Taiwan Jones, Michigan State
After playing outside linebacker, Jones slides inside to fill the position evacuated by the graduation of Max Bullough and his departure to the NFL. Jones is an instinctive linebacker who is good in pursuit and is a refreshingly sure tackler. Jones is at his best against the run, as he does not have the power to take on blocks rushing the passer, nor does he have the awareness or get enough depth in coverage.
LB: Curtis Grant, Ohio State
While not the playmaking threat that the other linebackers on this list are, Grant could become a serviceable NFL linebacker in his own right. Grant has plus range and is capable of putting pressure on the QB at times. However, he needs to refine his instincts and prove he can stay healthy over the course of an entire season.
LB: Jake Ryan, Michigan
Ryan is a high motor linebacker who suffered a torn ACL before the 2013 season before even the fall but managed to get back on the field as mid-season. He has very good range and top notch instincts which put him around the ball constantly. Ryan can be too easily knocked off his feet, however, and will need to prove he can return to his 2012 form this season.
CB: Trae Waynes,* Michigan State
Primarily a zone corner, Waynes great hands and is aggressive on plays in front of him in both the run and the pass. However, Waynes will give up too much separation when receivers make cuts and he will lunge at ballcarriers’ feet instead of squaring up. If he can play with more awareness, Waynes could be one of the better corners in this year’s draft.
CB: Doran Grant, Ohio State
Though a senior, Grant is still too inconsistent and prone to stretches of mediocre play. Grant is a solid all-around prospect, but his play against the run leaves something to be desired. If he can smooth out his inconsistencies and prove he can handle the challenge of going up against primary receivers this season, he could be looking at a mid-round draft spot.
FS: Kurtis Drummond, Michigan State
While Drummond is regarded as one of the top safeties in the draft, he is not very athletic. Drummond is a highly aggressive run defender, but to his disadvantage at times as he lacks range in pursuit to make up for any false steps. Drummond is an aware defender in coverage which helps to negate his athletic deficiencies, but does not make him a premium draft choice at this time.
SS: Ibraheim Campbell, Northwestern
Campbell is about as experienced and as durable as they come, and is a polished prospect. Like Drummond he’s not a great athlete, but he is a reliable tackler against the running game, though for whatever reason he can get sloppy when trying to tackle receivers. Campbell looks like career special teamer at best in terms of his NFL potential.
Missed the Cut:
DE: Frank Clark, Michigan
DT: Carl Davis, Iowa
LB: Mike Hull, Penn State
CB: Jeremiah Johnson, Maryland
S: Adrian Amos, Penn State
On the Horizon:
DE: Joey Bosa,** Ohio State
DT: Adolphus Washington,* Ohio State
LB: Joshua Perry,* Ohio State
CB: Jordan Lucas,* Penn State
S: Vonn Bell,** Ohio State
Inside next week’s War Room: 2014 Big XII Prospect Preview
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