Saturday NFL Draft watch notes

No one is talking about Nebraska junior defensive tackle Jared Crick. It's odd because Crick is playing just as well this year as he did last season. Expectations for Crick were made too high in the preseason with some expecting him to be next Ndamukong Suh. Although he hasn't lived up to that ridiculous notion, he's still been a consistent force on the Cornhuskers line.

Another player getting little attention is Oklahoma defensive end Jeremy Beal. Watch the Big 12 title game today and you'll see one of the nation's better pass rushers. Beal may not have the athleticism to move to 3-4 outside linebacker, but could be an excellent pass rush threat for a 4-3 team. He has 18.5 tackles for loss on the year and uses good technique to beat blockers.

Oklahoma's Quinton Carter is an excellent all-around safety who has the look of a future starter in the NFL. Carter may not be the best in man coverage duties, but he can do anything else a team would want.

The Troy/Florida Atlantic game is worth watching. You read that correctly. The game features two good offensive weapons in Florida Atlantic tight end Rob Housier and Troy wide receiver Jerrell Jernigan. Housier may not have the best stats with 36 receptions for 577 yards and four touchdowns, but he has good hands and athleticism. Jernigan will be a great offensive threat catching the ball, running reverses and returning the ball.

It's been a tough year for Virginia Tech redshirt sophomore Ryan Williams. After a freshman season of 1,655 yards, he has 428 this season. While injuries have hampered Williams, he's also not running with the same toughness. Williams should return for his junior season and reposition himself as a top running back prospect.

What Oregon State's Stephen Paea has done this season has been nothing short of incredible. He's faced double and triple teams all season and still makes plenty of plays. His 10 tackles for loss and six sacks don't tell Paea's story adequately. The powerful penetrator consistently collapses the pocket even though the Beavers are down players on the defensive line. Paea is the best player in today's game against Oregon. Believe it.

It will be interesting to see what Beavers junior wide receiver  Jacquizz Rodgers does after this season. After seeing his brother James get lost for the year, will that scare him into turning pro? It might be wise for Jacquizz to go pro. While he may not be picked before the third round, it's not likely he can increase his stock as a senior.

How fast is news going to come in Los Angeles about Southern California juniors going pro? They can't play in a bowl and the team has had a lousy year. Defensive tackle Jurrell Casey is almost a lock to go pro. But don't be shocked if fellow juniors Rhett Ellison (TE), Armond Armstead (DE), Blake Ayles (TE) and maybe Marc Tyler (RB) enter the draft.