NFL Draft ACC prospect preview

by Dan Kadar on Aug 31, 2010 3:58 PM EDT in 2011 NFL Draft

Arguably, no conference in college football this year has more top talent than the ACC. From an incredibly stacked team like North Carolina to Virginia a team with a singular star, the conference is loaded. Here's a look at those players. Juniors have italics next to their name.

Allen Bailey | 6'4, 288 pounds | DT/DE | Miami (Fla.)
Bailey is a nimble defensive lineman who started his career at Miami as a linebacker. He's incredibly strong and doesn't have the typical look of an interior lineman. His best assets are quickness, speed and shedding blocks. He's still a work in progress with technique, but has the passion to overcome it.

Ras-I Dowling | 6'2, 200 pounds | CB | Virginia
An excellent size/speed cornerback who some compare to former Virginia standout Chris Cook. He might not be the stellar man corner some think, but his zone coverage is good. He can close on the ball quickly and deliver a hit. Dowling is excellent when asked to support the run. He's not overly aggressive and knows when to maintain his position on the field. Known as an excellent character individual and team leader.

Anthony Castonzo | 6'7, 295 pounds | OT | Boston College
A classic left tackle with quick feet, long arms and solid awareness. Castonzo has shown he can be an elite tackle prospect when he can slide his leg and protect the outside. His quickness helps neutralize speed rushers, but Castonzo could stand to get stronger to handle power rushers. If Castonzo wants to become a top tackle prospect, he has to develop a better power base to anchor the running game.

Montel Harris | 5'10, 200 pounds | RB | Boston College *
Unquestionably one of the best running back in the nation that no one talks about. He is a confident runner with powerful legs. His powerful lower body helps him hit holes with plenty of strength to bust tackles and he's quick enough to get to the corner.

Mark Herzlich | 6'4, 248 pounds | OLB | Boston College
Read a write-up on Herzlich here

Da'Quan Bowers | 6'4, 280 pounds | DE | Clemson *
A blue chip recruit out of high school, Bowers has only begun to scratch the surface of what he can become. He has the size to hold as a 3-4 end, but his natural position is 4-3 end. His technical abilities as a pass rusher are still developing, but he overcomes that deficiency with quickness. He has an impressive burst off the line and has the power to drive linemen backward. Works to the inside really well. This could be a break out season for Bowers.

Jarvis Jenkins | 6'4, 305 pounds | DT | Clemson
A stout two-down lineman, Jenkins is at his best stuffing the run. He's quick to diagnose where a running back is going and he has the quick feet to close the hole. Taken out of the game on a lot of passing plays and is nearly a non-factor in the passing game.

DeAndre McDaniel | 6'1, 210 pounds | S | Clemson
McDaniel considered leaving for the pros after the 2009 season and would have likely been picked in the first three rounds. He is a physical safety who is stout against the run and pursues well. He makes a lot of plays on the ball and has surprisingly good hands (either interceptions in 2009). He doesn't have the agility to be a man coverage safety, but he's good over the deep part of the field and coming up and disrupting passes. Has some character concern – arrested in 2008 for assault and battery.

Rodney Hudson | 6'2, 283 pounds | G | Florida State
Hudson has been on the NFL radar for several years and considered entering this year's draft. He may not have optimal size for a guard, but Hudson's technique is superb and he has good footwork.

Christian Ponder | 6'2, 219 pounds | QB | Florida State
The Florida State quarterback really came on last season before getting injured. He showed he's a good rhythm passer with enough arm strength to warrant first round consideration. He's as intelligent of a quarterback as you'll find and read defenses well. Ponder's upside may not be immense, but he's nearly pro ready right now.

Marvin Austin | 6'3, 305 pounds | DT | North Carolina
Read a scouting report on Austin here.

Kendric Burney | 5'9, 190 pounds | CB | North Carolina
Don't let Burney's size fool you, he can bring it. He's an incredibly instinctual cornerback, especially in zone coverages. Burney can give up some space to receivers because he has the quick twitch movements to break on the ball. Shows a lot of tenacity in the run game and will get physical at the line. Burney may never be a No. 1 corner, but he's a good all-around defensive back who could even line up at safety.

Bruce Carter | 6'3, 230 pounds | OLB | North Carolina
Read a scouting report on Carter here.

Robert Quinn | 6'5, 270 pounds | DE | North Carolina *
Read a write-up about Quinn here.

Quan Sturdivant | 6'2, 235 pounds | MLB | North Carolina
Sturdivant was arguably the most overlooked member of North Carolina's vaunted front seven last season. He can play any linebacker position, though he's best suited on the strong side. He's a proficient run defender with good strength. What Sturdivant needs to show as a senior is more consistency on a play-to-play basis.

Deunta Williams | 6'2, 210 pounds | S | North Carolina
Williams is a rangy safety with speed and strength. He might not be the most technically sound pass coverage safety, but he does a good job reading the quarterback's eyes. Shows good agility to cover tight ends and wide receivers. For as big as Williams is, you'd expect him to be more intimidating on a regular basis.

Graig Cooper | 6'0, 205 pounds | RB | Miami (Fla.)
There are times when Cooper has the ball that he looks like a starting running back in the NFL. He has the size and agility to be a force inside and outside. He's a good one-cut runner who has good and go quickness. But Cooper's biggest issue is his health. Some teams may completely knock him off their board due to health concerns.

Leonard Hankerson | 6'3, 215 pounds | WR | Miami (Fla.)
A big play wide receiver, Hankerson makes his name in the air. Hankerson's hands are a little suspect, as is his speed. But his leaping ability is a big plus and he makes a lot of plays going over the middle. Although Hankerson doesn't have blazing speed, he covers a lot of ground due to his long legs.

Brandon Harris | 5'11, 195 pounds | CB | Miami (Fla.) *
Without question, Harris is a star in the making. He has the size, athleticism and skill to be a true No. 1 cornerback. Harris' specialty is man-to-man coverage where he can use his great quickness and agility to blanket opposing receivers. Harris is also a surprisingly good tackler and has above-average hands for the position.

Orlando Franklin | 6'7, 312 pounds | G/OT | Miami (Fla.)
Franklin is a big-sized lineman who has played guard and tackle, but may wind up on the inside at the next level. He's an experienced player who is at his best blocking the run. He gets out his stance with ease and quickness and keeps low despite his size. Franklin has a surprising amount of athleticism to get on the next level, but is still better in the phone booth.

(Yes, I know Ryan Williams of Virginia Tech is very good. However, I'm holding judgment slightly to see how the Hokies handle their running back situation with the return of Darren Evans.)

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