The following players were selected at every position as hiphopandhomeruns.com upcoming college football stars. After film breakdown, statistical analysis, and the "eye test" here are the future stars of the NFL QB Jared Goff Cal
6’4’’/210 Jared Goff has the prototype size for a 1st round quarterback but will need to improve in a number of areas in order to be considered one. This past season as a sophomore, he threw for nearly 4,000 yards, 35 TD’s and only 7 interceptions which is not bad considering the depth of the Pac 12. Jared has excellent technique in the pocket, he keeps the ball up near his helmet and has a tight, quick release. His arm strength is questionable but he has great accuracy on deep, intermediate, and short throws. At times his drop back appears to mimic a quick step, but that will change as his confidence increases. Closest comparison: Alex Smith (QB Kansas City Chiefs) RB Nick Wilson Arizona 5’10’’/199 Nick Wilson was a highly recruited back out of Fresno, California, as a 4 star prospect he had his choice for most of the Pac 12 schools that reside on the West Coast. He ended up committing to Arizona who had a recent history of successful running backs, including Karem Carey who ranks on the all time NCAA career rushing list. As a freshmen, Nick rushed for 1375 yards on 236 carries averaging 5.8 yards per carry to go along with 16 touchdowns. He broke 100 yards in 7 appearances, and 200 yards against Utah. Nick runs with a purpose; he stays low to the ground, and as soon as he finds the crease he explodes. He runs strong and has track speed for a former 100 yard dash sprinter. You won’t find him trying to juke or fake out the defender, instead he lowers the boom or hits safeties with a stiff arm to the chest. Closest comparison: Tre Mason (RB St. Louis Rams) WR Marquez North Tennessee 6’4”/ 221 Marquez does not have overwhelming stats, but what he does have is overwhelming potential. In big games versus Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Oklahoma he registered multiple catches. Entering his Junior season at the University of Tennessee (aka Receiver U) he will be the number one option and go to man in a young group of wideouts. He has all of the physical makeup to be dominant; speed, size, large hands, and attacks passes at the highest point. Although he was a 2014 Preseason All SEC first team, Marquez was plagued with a shoulder injury that put him out of competition in mid November and was out for the remainder of the season. If healthy, not only will he be the top wideout in the SEC, but Marquez will be an All-American and lock for a lottery selection. Closest comparison: Andre Johnson (WR Houston Texans) TE Kyle Carter Penn State 6’3”/ 241 There is no doubt that Kyle Carter is talented, the Bear, Delaware product appeared in all 12 games for the Nittany Lions last year. Surprisingly Kyle is not on this list for his breathtaking receiving numbers; he only hauled in 18 catches for 222 yards. But instead Kyle is an outright bull on the offensive line, completely mauling opponents and was a pivotal reason why Penn State had 2,088 yards on the ground. He is everything you would want in a tight end; huge, fast, great run blocker, reliable hands, durable and plays through injury. Carter also has the benefit of being the new safety net for future Heisman candidate Christian Hackenberg. A change in the coaching staff may have stunted Carter’s numbers but Scouts and fans alike should expect to see a spike now that he is completely healthy and will be the top target in Nittany Lions passing attack Closest comparison: Jason Witten (TE Dallas Cowboys) OL Josh Campion Minnesota 6’5’’/ 317 If you watched Josh in the Citrus Bowl this year against SEC defensive ends you will see that he dominated. The lack of offense for Minnesota was not at the expense of Josh Campion. He has great technique off the ball, short choppy steps, and mauls opponents. The majority of Minnesota’s runs went to the left side, and RB David Cobb was 11th in the NCAA in rushing (1626 yds). He will be a Senior this upcoming season and look for Josh to be a 2nd round election in the 2016 NFL draft. Closest comparison: Joe Staley (OL San Francisco 49ers) DL Myles Garrett Texas A&M 6’5”/ 250 The next stud defensive lineman in college football is Myles Garrett. Les Miles has himself quite a defensive unit anchored by this upcoming sophomore beast. In his first SEC season he not only broke the freshman sack record at Texas A&M, but he broke last years number 1 draft pick Jadeveon Clowney’s freshman sack record as well. This guy knows how to penetrate in the back field with ease. He is quick off the line of scrimmage, has a repertoire of swim and spin moves that make him look more like a seasoned veteran and not a freshman. He is not only gifted with speed and quickness for his size, but he is equipped with high football IQ and is akin to film study. Throughout the SEC, when facing option quarterbacks, he played the position perfectly. Myles always knew his keys, he was always in position. His 6’5” stature did not overpower top lineman, but he ran by them, and if they were stronger, he outmaneuvered them. He will be easily SEC pre-season first team heading into the 2015 campaign. Closest comparison: Robert Quinn (St. Louis Rams) LB Raekwon McMillan Ohio State 6’2”/ 240 Linebacker University has another product that we should look forward to being the next NFL great and his name is Raekwon McMillan. Everyone knows that the best linebackers are buckeyes and Raekwon does not disappoint. In his freshman campaign he was 2nd on the team in tackles, had a defensive touchdown, and was instrumental in Ohio State’s National championship run. When you watch the tape of McMillan, what you see on film is someone who is eager to fill the running lanes, who tackles high and has equal upper body strength to match opposing running backs. Right now he is a run stopper, and not known for rushing quarterbacks. But while he is coached by the great Urban Meyer I fully expect him to develop into a hybrid run-pass stopping linebacker Closest comparison: D’Qwell Jackson (LB Indianapolis Colts) CB Kendall Fuller Virginia Tech 6’0”/190 The Fuller Boys are at it again, younger brother to Corey and Kyle (both current NFL players) followed in the family footsteps as a star corner for the Huskies. Great size and speed, with NFL acumen, makes Kendall the next great corner in college football. As a freshman he was an All-ACC selection, and encored his Sophomore year with a 3rd team All-American selection. He has a knack for breaking up passes, and timing the receivers’ break in routes. If he gets his hands on an interception he has the potential to take it back every time which makes him a big play threat whenever he is on the field. Assuming he lives up to the potential as a potential 1st team All-American corner his junior year, he’s sure to be a late first round or early 2nd round 2016 NFL draft pick. Closest comparison: Joe Haden (CB Cleveland Browns) S Kodi Whitfield (Stanford University) 6’2”/ 204 Kodi isn’t the first Stanford player who switched from Wide receiver to defensive back, and the last guy didn’t turn out so bad (see Richard Sherman). The LA product has all types of unique skills. Although his defensive back experience is very little, his offensive traits will carry over to the defensive side of the ball. He has explosive athleticism, great ball skills, and even better hands. He levitates off the ground, and can make up distance across the field. Kodi will need to really show out in order to be a respected draft selection, but if history is any indication he has all the potential to be special. Closest comparison: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (FS Greenbay Packers)
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