When a player has to get in a rhythm to succeed, any small issue could be damning.

For Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder, the issue was injury. Ponder was never really himself after developing a right forearm injury that eventually required two surgeries.

Ponder's passes fluttered. His arm looked weaker than many already consider it to be. It knocked him out of games against Clemson and Virginia Tech.

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It was supposed to be Bruce Carter's year. The North Carolina senior linebacker was poised to be a first-round pick. Now, he may be lucky to a second-round pick.

Carter wasn't among the suspended Tar Heels at the beginning of the season. However, he only finished the year with 57 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss. But that's not why Carter could be a draft dropper.

On Nov. 20, Carter tore his ACL against North Carolina State and has successfully undergone surgery. It's likely he'll be unable to participate in Senior Bowl activities or North Carolina's pro day.

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Over the next several weeks, we'll look at how injuries have impacted NFL Draft prospects. This week's subject is Georgia junior offensive tackle Trinton Sturdivant.

In 2007, Sturdivant was a star for the Bulldogs. He started 13 games at left tackle and made everyone's Freshman All-American team. Sturdivant had prototypical size, quickness and agility for the position.

It was clear then that Sturdivant would be a first-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft and compared with the likes of Joe Thomas and Jake Long.

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Over the next several weeks, we'll look at how injuries have impacted NFL Draft prospects. Entering the season, some compared Houston's Case Keenum to Drew Brees. Others say he is a system quarterback only.

Right now, Keenum's NFL future is floating somewhere in limbo. The star quarterback tore his ACL on Sept. 18 and applied for a sixth year of eligibility in October. Keenum is set to graduate in December.

Because the NCAA has no timetable on making a decision, Keenum is stuck in a waiting pattern. Go pro now and it's unlikely he'll get drafted before the fifth round. Stay in college and who knows.

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Over the next several weeks, we'll look at how injuries have impacted NFL Draft prospects. No player this year has had his draft standing torpedoed more than Pittsburgh's Greg Romeus.

After the 2009 season, Romeus looked as good as current first round locks Cameron Heyward and Adrian Clayborn. He powered his way to eight sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss. His efforts earned him Big East co-Defensive Player of the Year honors. Although he had some questions about his effort and stamina, Romeus still projected as a player who could be drafted in the first two rounds.

Now, Greg Romeus could be this year's Greg Hardy. Once a top prospect, injury and effort questions cost Hardy millions in the draft as he fell to the Panthers in the sixth round.

On Saturday, Romeus tore a ligament in his knee. Romeus needed back surgery earlier this season and missed seven games. Both are incredibly serious injuries for an NFL player, let alone a prospect a team has to gamble on.

Now, Romeus could be lucky to hear his name called before the third round. Whether or not Romeus can participate in a postseason all-star game is unclear.