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NCAA hoop stars who could play in the NFL

  • By NFL.com
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With March Madness finally upon us, we at NFL.com are using skill sets, size and a totally unscientific approach to speculate which college hoops stars playing in this year's tournament could make the transition from the hardwood to the gridiron.

Victor Oladipo, Indiana, guard

Possible NFL Position: Wide receiver

He's been compared to Michael Jordan, but according to NFL Network's Akbar Gbajabiamila, the 6-foot-5 guard has the physique to match another great sports star: Calvin Johnson. With a dynamic first step and an aerodynamic agility, Oladipo could be that explosive playmaker any NFL team would love to have.

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Kenny Boyton, Florida, guard

Possible NFL Position: Cornerback

The explosive senior guard from the Florida Gators has the speed and reputation for taking the clutch shot. Listed as 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, Boyton is a bit of a 'tweener' for the guard position, but move him to safety or cornerback and you have a guy who compares ideally size-wise with his fellow Gator and 2013 NFL draft prospect Matt Elam.

Mary Ann Chastain/Associated Press

Sim Bhullar, New Mexico State, center

Possible NFL Position: Defensive tackle

Standing Vince Wilfork next to New Mexico State freshman center Sim Bhullar is like standing a compact pickup truck next to ballast tractor. At 7-foot-5, 335 pounds, Bhullar is a towering force on the court who has the nimbleness in footwork that is vital to the success of a defensive tackle. Imagine the fear quarterbacks will have scrambling out of the pocket as the behemoth Bhullar chases them down the field. They'll feel like Orcs being chased by the Ents (tree giants) in the "Lord of the Rings".

David Becker/Associated Press

Marshall Henderson, Ole Miss, guard

Possible NFL Position: Slot reciever

Henderson is on this list more for his personality and histrionics than his body type. College basketball's iconoclastic bad boy could join the ranks of Jared Allen and Cortland Finnegan as the great trash talkers of the league. Henderson's quickness and energy would make him ideal at slot receiver. Think Wes Welker meets pubescent Justin Bieber.

Rogelio V. Solis/Associated Press

Mason Plumlee, Duke, forward

Possible NFL Position: Tight end

He's a favorite for player of the year. Plumlee, a senior forward from Duke, is perfectly suited as a tight end in the NFL. Yes, he needs to bulk up his frame. But like Leonard Pope, who stood at 6-foot-8, Plumlee could use his 6-foot-11 frame to his advantage to create defensive mismatches. In high school, Plumlee could leap nearly seven feet in the high jump. Add that to his ability to bang in the paint and finish with the ball, you have a nasty combination for an interesting football hybrid.

John Bazemore/Associated Press

Peyton Siva, Louisville, point guard

Possible NFL Position: Quarterback, kick returner

Not only does the senior Louisville point guard have Samoan blood running through his veins, but he has a devastating quickness that makes him virtually impossible to cover in the open floor. Imagine him on a football field. He's got a cerebral knack for getting the ball to the right place and also when to just take it to the rim. He's got a Russell Wilson quality combined with a Jacoby Jones pedal. And he's named Peyton.

John Bazemore/Associated Press

Alex Oriakhi, Missouri, forward

Possible NFL Position: Tight end

Oriakhi transferred from Connecticut, and also transformed his body in the weight room. At 6-foot-9, 255 pounds, Oriakhi has Jimmy Graham-like size, and after dropping his weight he's able to get off the court in a hurry, meaning he'd be able to snag virtually any pass a quarterback would throw his way.

L.G. Patterson/Associated Press

Adonis Thomas, Memphis, forward

Possible NFL Position: Tight end

Thomas is a freakish athlete averaging 11.9 points per game in his sophomore season for the Memphis Tigers. At 6-foot-6, 240 pounds, Thomas might find it easier using his athleticism to exploit the middle of a football field as a tight end as opposed to the basketball court.

Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press

Trey Burke, Michigan, point guard

Possible NFL Position: Quarterback

The best point guard in college hoops, Burke, a Michigan sophomore, has that creative, lightning footwork that RG3 and Colin Kaepernick possess. His ability to thread a pass through a busy lane would be amazing to translate to football. We have a feeling he'd be a better NFL quarterback than another guy who played QB at Michigan. No, we aren't talking about you, Denard Robinson.

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State, guard

Possible NFL Position: Running back, safety

Even though Smart will likely be joining the one-and-doners and heading for the NBA draft, if he were to decide basketball wasn't for him (or struggle as a pro) there could be a future for him in football. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound freshman is a physical beast, and his athleticism could easily translate to the gridiron. As a natural point guard, he's significantly quicker than most of the players on this list, without sacrificing much size. Talk about dangerous.

Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press

J.J. O'Brien, San Diego State, forward

Possible NFL Position: Tight end

The 6-foot-7 sophomore experienced a successful opening campaign with the Aztecs after redshirting last season. O'Brien is able to play even bigger than his frame, which would bode well for catching passes over the middle of a defense. If basketball doesn't work out, O'Brien could give 2013 NFL Draft prospect Gavin Escobar a call for some help getting into football.

Isaac Brekken/Associated Press

Erik Swoope, Miami (Fla.), forward

Possible NFL Position: Tight end

More of a roleplayer for the Hurricanes, Swoope's NBA draft prospects seem relatively slim. Yet, the 6-foot-6 junior is a great athlete, and has no problem getting off the ground in a hurry (check out some of his dunks on YouTube). Plus, how much fun would color commentators have with a tight end named Swoope?

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

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