by Bill Haber - AP

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Jeremy Fowler of the Orlando Sentinel writes for quite possibly the best-named blog on the Internet -- Swamp Things. It's all things Florida athletics.

Earlier this week he had this post about seven Gators possibly entering the NFL. Head coach Urban Meyer said he has "seven juniors who are NFL quality players." While he wouldn't say which seven, six are pretty obvious.

The best is clearly cornerback Joe Haden. He should be a lock to go pro and a possible top 15 pick. He could start in the NFL right now.

Defensive end Carlos Dunlap sure has a lot of natural ability, but he's had a down season. He'll probably go pro but shouldn't. He has a basketball player's frame, which doesn't always equate to the NFL -- just ask Gaines Adams.

Tight end Aaron Hernandez may be undersized at 6-foot-2, but he's an elite catcher of the football. He should go pro, but realize his role in the NFL may be similar to that of Chris Cooley and not necessarily Antonio Gates.

Maurkice and Mike Pouncey might be the best players at their position in college. Both should go pro. They're going to very good in the NFL for a long time.

Safety Major Wright never really does anything to stick out. He should return and continue to enhance all parts of his game.

Those are the big six. The seventh could be defensive tackle Lawrence Marsh, running back Emmanuel Moody or defensive lineman Justin Trattou. Considering there's not a clear-cut player among those three, each should return for their senior season.

by Mike Fuentes - AP

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With a possible record number of redshirt sophomores entering the 2010 NFL Draft, it might be a good idea to start thinking about some of the best.

The clear-cut top third-year sophomores are Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett and Texas strong safety Earl Thomas. After them there is a moderate drop in talent, but the top six in the list could all go in the first two rounds of the upcoming draft.

1. Ryan Mallett | QB | 6'6, 238 pounds | Arkansas
2. Earl Thomas | SS | 5'10, 197 pounds | Texas
3. Travis Lewis | OLB | 6'2, 232 pounds | Oklahoma
4. Chris Galippo | ILB | 6'2, 250 pounds | Southern California
5. Blake DeChristopher | OT | 6'5, 313 pounds | Virginia Tech
6. Jared Crick | DT | 6'6, 285 pounds | Nebraska
7. Caleb King | RB | 5'11, 212 pounds | Georgia
8. Brandon Maye | ILB | 6'3, 230 pounds | Clemson
9. Tyler Sash | S | 6'1, 210 pounds | Iowa
10. Akeem Ayers | OLB | 6'4, 252 pounds | UCLA
11. John Clay | RB | 6'1, 248 pounds | Wisconsin
12. Nick Foles | QB | 6'5, 235 pounds | Arizona
13. Chris Rainey | RB | 5'9, 178 pounds | Florida
14. Matt Conrath | DE | 67, 270 pounds | Virginia
15. Clint Boling | OT | 6'5, 298 pounds | Georgia
16. Ryan Van Bergen | DE | 6'6, 271 pounds | Michigan
17. Jerrard Tarrant | CB | 6'0, 202 pounds | Georgia Tech
18. Josh Oglesby | OT | 6'7, 330 pounds | Wisconsin
19. Barquell Rivers | ILB | 6'0, 237 pounds | Virginia Tech
20. Michael Williams | SS | 5'11, 192 pounds | Michigan
21. Tank Carder | ILB | 6'2, 232 pounds | TCU
22. Chase Minnifield | CB | 6'0, 185 pounds | Virginia
23. Ryan Broyles | WR | 5'11, 178 pounds | Oklahoma
24. James Wilson | G | 6'5, 329 pounds | Florida
25. Tydreke Powell | DT | 6'3, 310 pounds | North Carolina

More photos » by Duane Burleson - AP

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Yes, it's against Mid-American Conference competition, but Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour is beginning to assert himself as one of the top players in the nation.

Over the last two games he's a ridiculous 49 for 59 passing for 605 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. He's had five more touchdowns running the ball.

On the season, he's completing 70 percent of his passes with 2,627 yards, 21 touchdowns and five interceptions.

LeFevour is a mobile quarterback coming from a spread offense, but he has solid NFL tools. He puts good velocity on his passes and can throw really well on the move. He plays with a lot of toughness and played well earlier this season against Michigan State.

LeFevour is emerging as a solid mid-round prospect in the draft. At the very least he could be a solid backup.

Site note: Between today and Sunday night, I will be offline and on vacation.

Four days in New York City sounded like a good idea. So did staying at the New Yorker Hotel. And seeing two Devo shows. And eating giant sandwiches. And doing a bit of networking for "real work."

So, kiddies, stay civil. The site is in your hands so don't break anything. We'll have some content still going up over the next few days and I expect to see plenty of comments.

What will be most beneficial, though, is filing me in on what goes down on Saturday. Watching a game? Leave some notes about who is looking good or bad and why. And keep the mocks coming!

Enjoy the games as the college season winds down and the NFL year goes into overdrive. In the coming weeks the site will really start to take off with content. After a quick recharging of the batteries, it'll be time to really get to work here at Mocking the Draft.

Former Browns and Ravens scout Daniel Jeremiah is making great points about taking quarterbacks in the first round today on his Twitter page.

Here's how he started the discussion:

Here's some food for thought...of the 8 division leaders, 6 of them are run by QBs not taken in the first round...

The two teams with first-round quarterbacks are Indianapolis (Peyton Manning) and Cincinnati (Carson Palmer). Both were selected first overall. Here are the other six teams:

• Minnesota Vikings - Brett Favre - Second round
• New Orleans Saints - Drew Brees - Second round
• Denver Broncos - Kyle Orton - Fourth round
• New England Patriots - Tom Brady - Sixth round
• Dallas Cowboys - Tony Romo - Undrafted
• Arizona Cardinals - Kurt Warner - Undrafted

Jeremiah also offered this nugget:

of the 8 last place teams in each division, 6 of them are run by 1st rd QBs

Interesting. But it should also be noted that the last four Super Bowl winners -- Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, Indianapolis Colts, Steelers again -- were quarterbacked by players they took in the first round.

The last good bit here from Jeremiah was his advice:

Long story short.. In a new situation, I would only take a QB in rd 1 if I felt STRONGLY about him.. go vet and draft one in later rds

So now that leads us to the 2010 NFL Draft. How strongly do people feel about the likes of Sam Bradford, Jake Locker, Jimmy Clausen or even Colt McCoy? Each has plenty of concerning aspects to their game. But three of them -- Bradford, Locker and Clausen -- seem like first-round players. Are they really players who could lead their teams to the top?

But projecting the success of college quarterbacks sure seems like explaining the plausibility of time travel. It's eye-crossing, confusing stuff. So, the real point here (if there is one) is make sure you're following Jeremiah on Twitter. His tweets will certainly get more interesting as we approach the draft.

More photos » by Mike Groll - AP

about 1 month ago: Tulane wide receiver Jeremy Williams (20) catches a second quarter touchdown in front of Army defenders Donovan Travis and Antuan Aaron (3) during an NCAA college football game in West Point, N.Y., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

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He plays for a team that is consistently one of the most mediocre in the nation. He's rarely on television but always among the nation's top stat men.

He is Tulane wide receiver Jeremy Williams. But just how good is Williams?

Well, he's good enough to get invitations to both the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Game. He's good enough to average nearly 100 yards receiving a game on the nation's 94th best offense.

In 10 games this season, Williams has 1,555 all-purpose yards with 992 receiving, 156 rushing and 407 on kick-off returns. His all-purpose average of 155.5 yards a game is good for 16th nationally and he has six total touchdowns. 

Williams is 11th in the nation in receptions per game with 7.2 a contest. Williams first and foremost makes his name with good hands.

The big question about Williams, and what could drop him in the draft, his a balky knee. He played in only five games in 2008 because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament. It's the same injury he suffered as a freshman. He also had a hand injury last season.

But the knee injury hasn't seemed to slow Williams much. He's still good in and out of his cuts and reportedly runs the 40-yard dash in the low 4.5 range.

His leaping ability is at the pro level and he does a really nice job of catching the ball at its highest point. 

Williams' agility is evident. Otherwise, he wouldn't be asked to return kicks. His quickness is excellent and it helps him get off the line with ease.

"We are really pleased for Jeremy because he has worked extremely hard to put himself in position to receive invitations to both the Senior Bowl and the East-West Shrine Game," Tulane coach Bob Toledo told reporters Tuesday.  "He worked very hard rehabbing during the offseason to overcome the two injuries he suffered last year and he did a great job of preparing himself for a really good senior season.  I think he will have a great career in the NFL."

Williams compares favorably in his playing style to Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason. He's just a heady player who knows how to read a defense and get open.

To top things off, Williams gives a great effort as a blocker. That's what could get him on the field immediately at the next level.

At the very least, it makes him one of the best hidden gems in the nation.

Reporters talked with Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian this week about the possibility of junior quarterback Jake Locker going pro after this season.

Sarkisian, in his first year as Huskies head coach, said he would give Locker information, but not advice.

"We'll assess it after the year," Sarkisian told reporters. "I think Jake is a bright young man who is patient, he's got two tremendous parents that have raised him extremely well, and we'll get all the proper information in place and he'll make a really good decision in what's best for he and his family, and not just the immediate, but for his future as well."

Reading Sarkisian's quotes, he's clearly not too enthused about the likelihood of Locker going pro. Considered a potential top 10 pick, Locker's play this season has been good but not extraordinary.

Sure, Washington doesn't have a lot of talent, but Locker isn't completing 60 percent of his passes and has 10 interceptions. Over Washington's last five games, Locker has thrown seven interceptions

"Yeah, sure, he's ready," Sarkisian said about Locker's pro prospects. "Everybody is ready to some degree."

More photos » by TONY DING - AP

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• After starting the season off slowly, Michigan defensive end Brandon Graham has become a big factor. On the season he has 17 tackles for a loss and 6.5 sacks. Wisconsin's physical offensive line will be a big challenge for Graham. Against Wisconsin last season Graham burst onto the national scene with three sacks. If he does that again, some might start to consider him a first-round prospect.

Graham might not even be the best pass rusher at Camp Randall Stadium. That just may be Badgers junior O'Brien Schofield. On the year, he has 18.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. Schofield has been consistent all season.

• Against Virginia Tech, the athleticism of Maryland left tackle Bruce Campbell will be tested. he could line up against Jason Worilds, who is as quick off the snap as any defensive end you'll find. Campbell has had some injury issues, but when he's healthy he's very good.

One Hokie to watch is senior linebacker Cody Grimm. It would be a shock if he was drafted, but don't be surprised if he makes an NFL roster as a special teams player. He's all effort and leads the Hokies in tackles with 79. He might be only 5-foot-11 and 210 pounds, but he's tenacious.

• If you only watch one game of TCU's Jerry Hughes this season, make it today against Utah. Hughes may get a few snaps against Utah's best offensive lineman Zane Beadles. Most of Hughe's plays will come against Tony Bergstrom, a developing sophomore right tackle. Hughes is having another standout season but he hasn't been very active in his last two games.

• Washington quarterback Jake Locker could have a big day against Oregon State's 113th ranked pass defense. Locker has been pretty ordinary the last three weeks and needs a good showing to really cement himself as a top prospect.

• Alabama might have the second-best rush defense in the nation, but the Crimson Tide haven't seen a running back like Mississippi State's Anthony Dixon. The bruising senior bounced back last week rushing for 252 yards against Vanderbilt after struggling versus Florida. When Dixon collides with Alabama defensive tackle Terrence Cody it will be a sight to see.

• Pittsburgh defensive end Greg Romeus has been somewhat overshadowed this season by the likes of Hughes, Graham and Georgia Tech's Derrick Morgan. But make no mistake about it, Romeus is a playmaker. He has nine sacks on the year and can hold up well against the run. Playing against Notre Dame will be a good challenge for Romeus to show he deserves to be mentioned with the best ends in college football.

• The single best matchup to watch today will be the Ohio State defensive ends against the Iowa offensive tackles. Last week, the Buckeyes' Cameron Heyward had a breakout game with three sacks against Penn State. Fellow end Thaddeus Gibson is quick and can get to the ball fast. Iowa's tackles -- Bryan Bulaga and Kyle Calloway -- might be the best bookends in the nation.

As promised, here is the write-up on Syracuse senior defensive tackle Arthur Jones. This season, I watched four of Jones games -- South Florida, West Virginia, Akron and Cincinnati.

Jones could be picked in the first 25 selections on draft day. A lot will depend on how he returns from his most-recent injury.

Arthur Jones

6'4, 293 pounds | Syracuse | Defensive tackle

Pass rush: Because of the position he plays and an overall lack of great athleticism, Jones struggled at times getting after the passer. He doesn't have a good counter move after his initial post-snap maneuver. Needs to learn how to use his hands better in the pass rush.

Pursuit: Jones is better suited in making plays in front of him instead of chasing down a ball carrier. It will be interesting to see how a recent knee injury impacts his pursuit ability.

Quickness: Jones is fairly quick off the snap. He's really good at bursting through gaps and getting after the ball.

Run defend: Keeps a good anchor against double teams. Has the leg drive to maintain his space. Big and strong enough to play nose in a 3-4 scheme. Showed he could be a factor against the run -- see 2008 Notre Dame game.

Size: Officially listed by Syracuse as 6-foot-4 and 293 pounds. This season Jones looked much bigger.  His frame appears to be maxed out, but he's built very stout.

Strength: Powerful throughout his frame. Was a high school state champion in wrestling and has great core strength, which makes him hard to move.

Tackling: When Jones get in on a play, he's hard to avoid because he stays low while tackling. Can disengage from blockers and make one-arm tackles.

Technique: Too frequently comes off the snap high, which allows linemen to get under his pads. Needs to do a better job of dropping his butt and bending his knees to get leverage. Gets good placement but he could do a better job of hand fighting. Hand/arm jolt is good.

Versatility: Jones has the size and strength to play tackle in either a 3-4 or a 4-3. Syracuse used a three-man front in 2009. While it limited some of Jones' playmaking ability, he was still a factor, particularly against the run.

More photos » by Kevin Rivoli - AP

about 1 month ago: South Florida's Nate Allen (5) reacts after his team recovered a fumble against Syracuse during the first quarter in an NCAA college football game in Syracuse, N.Y., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009. South Florida won 34-20. (AP Photo/Kevin Rivoli)

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Tonight during the South Florida/Rutgers game, it will be typically filled with plenty of NFL scouts.

But according to Chris Steuber of Scout.com, several other notables will be attendance. Among them is Patriots director of player personnel director Jason Licht. Other lead personnel men there will be Terry McDonough of Jacksonville, Rick Spielman of Minnesota and Les Snead of Atlanta.

None of those top the New York Giants who will send general manager Jerry Reese, director of college scouting Mark Ross and an additional scout.

Why all the love? That's because South Florida could possibly send five defensive players to the NFL next year.

The best among them could be junior college transfer Jason Pierre-Paul. A tall, lanky defensive end, Pierre-Paul has 9.5 tackles for a loss this season and two sacks. But his upside is tremendous. He's 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds and all arms and legs. He could become a dominant force along the defensive line if he returns for his senior season.

Senior end George Selvie will also get plenty of attention. Steuber reported on his Twitter page that Selvie is a favorite of the Vikings. While Selvie's sack numbers are down this year, he's always a factor. Few ends possess his quickness at the snap and Selvie can make plays all over the field.

Safety Nate Allen also has plenty of intrigue, as do cornerback Jerome Murphy and linebacker Kion Wilson.

However, the best player in the stadium could be playing for the Scarlet Knights. That would be left tackle Anthony Davis. A junior, Davis is expected to declare early for the 2010 NFL Draft.

Considered by many evaluators as a possible top 10 pick, Davis made his name last season by shutting Selvie down.

"George can run," Davis told reporters about Selvie. "Looking at him on film, he can get from sideline to sideline. He’s a great player, a great pass rusher. I’m looking forward to going against him."