DRAFT TRACKER 2009

A&M's punter since his freshman year, Brantly has never averaged less than 43 yards per punt. His 45.7-yard average as a senior put him among the national leaders and earned a first-team All-Big 12 spot. It's natural for scouts to compare Brantly to Shane Lechler, the former A&M and now All-Pro punter for the Raiders who was selected in the fifth round in 2000. Brantly's father actually coached Lechler in high school, so the two have known each other for some time. Although Brantly's stock will not be as high as Lechler's was coming out of A&M, he could join his old friend in the NFL next season. Had an arm span of 33 inches and a hand span of 10 inches at the combine.

Although Bell is a strong one-cut back with loads of potential, he had an injury-riddled and generally ineffective career with the Bruins. He played in only 25 games over the past three seasons, starting 14, because of a suspension (2006), torn right ACL (2007) and high ankle sprain (2008). As a senior, he averaged 2.8 yards per carry playing hurt behind a young, constantly rotating offensive line. His 10 catches for 65 yards did not showcase his talents, either. If his legs are healthy and his mind is right, teams running a zone-blocking scheme could find him to be a great bargain as a late pick or free agent. Had an arm span of 31 1/2 inches and a hand span of 10 1/4 inches at the combine.

Maiava earned second-team All-Pac-10 accolades as a senior -- his only season as a starter -- and was at his best on the biggest stage, earning Defensive MVP honors in the Trojans' Rose Bowl victory over Penn State with four solo tackles and two passes broken up. Finishing behind only Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing atop the Trojans' stat sheet, Maiava posted 66 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss. Though undersized, scouts working for teams operating in a Tampa-Two scheme will find Maiava's athleticism and instincts worthy of late-round consideration.

Teammate Brandon Hughes might get more attention, but opponents chose not to throw to Lewis' side of the field, limiting his playmaking opportunities. He was honorable mention All-Pac-10 in 2008 with three interceptions and eight pass breakups. For his career, he has six interceptions and 29 breakups. A 45-game starter, Lewis has the experience in the pass-happy Pac-10 to be able to make an early contribution to an NFL franchise. Blessed with a long, lanky build, strong hand punch and an explosive burst to close, Lewis is well-suited to the aggressive man-to-man schemes Oregon State prefers. He lacks the eye-popping athleticism and gaudy interception totals to warrant a first-round pick, but could ultimately be a better NFL corner than players drafted ahead of him.

Britt decided three years in Piscataway was enough after a junior season that saw him become the conference's all-time leading receiver (3,043 yards). The third-team Associated Press All-American and first-team All-Big East pick helped the Knights win seven consecutive games to end the 2008 season, concluding with the Papajohns.com Bowl win in which he made six catches for 119 yards and the go-ahead score. Despite a lack of straight-line speed and a history of dropped passes, Britt's size and toughness put him among the top receiver prospects in this draft. Had an arm span of 34 inches and a hand span of 9 inches at the combine.

McKinley became a starter midway through his freshman year and finished his career in Columbia by breaking former NFL star Sterling Sharpe's records as USC's all-time leader in receptions (207) and receiving yards (2,781). His 19 career scores are no small feat, either, considering the very inconsistent play of recent Gamecock quarterbacks. McKinley's size and speed are only average, but his toughness is not and his experience as a high school quarterback is obvious in his ability to run good routes. Had an arm span of 31 1/4 inches and a hand span of 9 inches at the combine.

Barnes is blessed with a good enough combination of size and athleticism to enjoy success in the NFL despite only one full season as a D-I starter. Barnes broke out as a junior, snatching four interceptions and breaking up nine passes in starting all 13 games. Barnes had two interceptions and five passes broken up before suffering a rare shoulder blade fracture as a senior. The injury required surgery and an extended recovery time. Teams are intrigued by his size and speed but wonder how comfortable Barnes, not particularly aggressive in run support or a physical tackler even before the injury, will be afterwards.

Steady, no-nonsense strong safety ended his career with 34 starts and earning first-team All-Pac-10 honors after each of the past two seasons. An instinctive defender, Ellison has morphed into a coach on the field for the Trojans. While every other member of the USC defensive backfield is superior as an all-around athlete, Ellison, who was lightly recruited out of high school, makes up for a lack of eye-popping measureables with intelligence, physicality and a penchant for making the big play. Of concern to scouts, is whether Ellison has the straight-line speed to handle the transition to the NFL, especially considering the three knee operations he's undergone while at USC.

Two-time All-American and first-team All-Big East selection. His average dropped slightly from 46.3 yards per punt as a Ray Guy Award finalist in 2007 to 44.9 yards in '08, but he was still ranked in the top 10 nationally. He also reduced the number of touchbacks from 11 to an impressive two in '08. His ability to pin opponents inside the 10 allowed Cincinnati's aggressive defense to wreak havoc. Had an arm span of 31 1/4 inches and a hand span of 9 inches at the combine.

Ogletree's early exit to the NFL had as much to do with his missing the 2007 season with a leg injury as it did his honorable mention All-ACC junior campaign. He led the Cavaliers with 58 catches for 753 yards and five touchdowns in 2008, and has already graduated. Once the NFL Draft Advisory Committee returned a favorable grade, Ogletree felt it was time to move on. His speed, elusiveness and strength could land him considerable playing time as a rookie. Had an arm span of 31 inches and a hand span of 9 inches at the combine.

Mitchell spent his first two seasons at North Carolina, making 28 tackles as a part-time starter before transferring to East Carolina. After sitting out the 2006 season, Mitchell made honorable mention All-Conference USA with 19 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss. He only played in seven games, missing time early in the season with ankle and foot injuries. His 16 tackles, three for loss and a sack was not the type of production the Pirates hoped to see in his final season, but Mitchell's size and athleticism pique the interest of scouts.

Possessing extraordinary lateral quickness and elusiveness that has drawn comparisons to Barry Sanders, Moreno teamed with quarterback Matthew Stafford for two years to give the Bulldogs the most feared tandem of skill position players in college football. An offensive machine, Moreno rushed for 2,734 yards and 30 touchdowns in two seasons after redshirting in 2006 in addition to catching 53 passes for 704 yards and two scores. A YouTube.com sensation even before eye-popping leaps and jukes while with the Bulldogs, Moreno scored 128 touchdowns in his three-time state championship high school career, leaving New Jersey as the state's all-time leading scorer and second-leading rusher (6,268 yards). Had an arm span of 30 3/4 inches and a hand span of 10 inches at the combine.

A consistent weapon in Purdue's spread offense, Sheets accumulated more than 2,200 yards rushing and 70 receptions during his first three seasons. However, it took a preseason knee injury to Jaycen Taylor in 2008 for Sheets to finally get an opportunity to show that he could carry the load. With little help from inconsistent quarterback Curtis Painter, Sheets made honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2008 by rushing for 1,131 yards and adding 37 receptions. He also became Purdue's all-time leader in rushing touchdowns (48). An impressive week of practice at the Senior Bowl secured Sheets in the minds of NFL scouts as one of the more nationally underrated talents in an otherwise weak senior class of runners. Had an arm span of 31 1/4 inches and a hand span of 9 1/2 inches at the combine.

A three-time Mountain West Conference honoree, Sperry presents teams with an intriguing blend of size, straight-line speed and soft hands. Few tight ends across the country can match his production, as Sperry leaves the Rams with 141 career receptions for 1,763 yards and 20 touchdowns. Despite his physical tools and eye-popping production, Sperry could struggle acclimating to the NFL. More of an H-back than a traditional tight end capable of blocking out of the three-point stance, Sperry's chances of being anything more than a late-round gamble depends on the trend of NFL offensive coordinators looking for players who present athletic mismatches. Had an arm span of 33 3/8 inches and a hand span of 9 1/2 inches at the combine.

Wisconsin offensive linemen have earned their reputation among NFL teams as tough, smart football players. The huge, agile Urbik is just another example. The two-time second-team All-Big Ten honoree has started at right guard and tackle during his career. That versatility is not lost on scouts. In a strong class of interior linemen, Urbik is among those fighting to crack the first three rounds. Had an arm span of 33 3/4 inches and a hand span of 10 1/4 inches at the combine.

Link moved from tight end after his sophomore season, showing enough athleticism on the edge to become a two-time All-Southland Conference pick. Still very raw in his technique and in need of adding strength, Link is the sort of developmental prospect teams like to have on the back end of the roster or practice squad. Had an arm span of 32 inches and a hand span of 10 inches at the combine.

Moore might not have the most name recognition among the Southern Cal star-studded defense, but he led the Trojans with six sacks in 2008. Moore had flashed as a playmaker earlier in his career, including intercepting two passes as a junior before earning honorable mention All-Pac-10 recognition from league coaches in 2008, his first season as a full-time starter. While not explosive off the edge, Moore has strength and length at the point of attack. He's a solid second-day prospect capable of contributing as a base end.

A versatile defensive back who his career at Southern Miss and showed real potential as a redshirt sophomore. He was dismissed from the team in January 2007, leading him to transfer to Nicholls State. In his two years playing for the Colonels, he was an All-American (seven INTs, 15 PBU) and a star on kick returns (425 punt-return and 1,060 kickoff-return yards, three scores). In fact, he was the first player in NCAA history to win his conference's offensive, defensive and special teams player of the week awards during his junior year. His ball skills and toughness get him noticed, but scouts wonder what scheme and position he fits best in the NFL.

The two-time defending MAC Defensive Player of the Year, English quickly proved to NFL scouts at the Senior Bowl that his 31.5 career sacks at Northern Illinois were not a mirage. Too fast off the edge for the game's most athletic tackles, English certainly proved the pass-rush threat scouts are looking for, though there remain concerns about his ability to hold up at the line of scrimmage against the run. Teams operating out of the 3-4 alignment will be sure to pay extra attention to how English performs in linebacker drills at the Combine, as he was not asked to drop back into coverage often while with the Huskies or at the Senior Bowl. If he can demonstrate the straight-line speed and flexibility for coverage necessary to move to the rush linebacker position, English could follow the likes of DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer and LaMarr Woodley as former athletic, albeit undersized, Senior Bowl standouts whose ability to pressure the quarterback resulted in first-day draft selections.

Given the relative success enjoyed this season by Arizona rookie running back Tim Hightower, a former Richmond star, scouts have less anxiety in projecting a standout from the Colonial Athletic Association into the NFL. That can only bode well for Sidbury, a two-time CAA first-team selection whose 11.5 sacks in 2008 helped the Spiders win a national championship. Sidbury lacks the bulk and strength to compete as more than a rotational pass rusher at the next level, but his upfield burst and strong performance in the national championship game against Montana (four sacks) and during the week of practice at the East-West Shrine Game secured his status as a second-day draft pick.

McCoy's two seasons at Pittsburgh (he was draft eligible because he spent a year at Milford Academy after high school) went about as expected: he gained 2,816 yards and 35 touchdowns rushing while adding 65 receptions for 549 yards. He was twice named first-team All-Big East because he used his unique combination of power and speed to pace the Panthers' attack. The short shelf life of running backs may have played into McCoy's decision to come out early, especially considering he missed part of his senior year in high school with a compound fracture in his right leg. Had an arm span of 31 3/4 inches and a hand span of 8 7/8 inches at the combine.

An ultra-productive linebacker who finally made the All-SWAC team as a senior (first team), collecting 111 tackles, 10.5 for loss, 3.5 sacks, three interceptions and three forced fumbles. The four-year starter had 223 tackles (33.5 for loss) coming into the season, so he was no one-year wonder. NFL defensive coordinators who use 3-4 scheme principles may view him as a potential starter at rush linebacker.

Holmes came to Oklahoma as a wide receiver and moved to cornerback before settling in at free safety. Has the size and athleticism NFL scouts are looking for in a developmental prospect. While his defensive backfield mate, Nic Harris, often earned more attention, Holmes' development drew interest from scouts and he has the size and versatility to earn a higher grade than Harris in April.

Western Michigan's offense received a lot of attention this season, but the Broncos' top prospect plays defense. A four-year starter and three-time all-conference safety, scouts have concerns about his ability to hold up against NFL size and strength as a run defender. Delmas is a natural playmaker in coverage and a more physical hitter than his size would indicate.

Another in the line of talented Florida receivers, Murphy hopes to change the group's poor reputation among NFL scouts. Despite his good size and great speed (ran anchor on state-winning 4x400 relay team in high school), Florida's other speedy playmakers overshadow Murphy's attributes and prevent him from putting up big numbers. He averaged 38 catches for 602 yards (15.8 avg.) and 6.5 touchdowns the past two seasons. In other offenses, Murphy could have been a 1,000-yard receiver. NFL teams hope they can give him a chance to be that type of receiver. Coach Urban Meyer has said Murphy improved as a player and a person as much as anyone he has coached. Had an arm span of 33 5/8 inches and a hand span of 10 inches at the combine.

Texas Tech's potent offense would go nowhere without talent in the offensive line. Vasquez, a three-year starter at left guard with great size, is one of QB Graham Harrell's strongest companions. His nimble feet allow him to keep his quarterback's jersey clean and create angles inside for an underrated running game. He was named second team All-Big XII in 2008 after receiving honorable mentions the previous two seasons. Scouts wonder, however, if Tech linemen can transition from a two-point, wide-split offensive line scheme to the NFL. Had an arm span of 34 3/4 inches and a hand span of 10 3/8 inches at the combine.

Murtha is a prototypical smart, big and strong Nebraska lineman, but it's been tough for him to stay on the field. He missed the first two games of last season with a staph infection and the final two games with a sprained foot, the last four games of 2007 with a foot injury and his entire freshman season with various ailments (bruised calf, hamstring, shoulder). Murtha did start games in all four of his seasons in Lincoln, at left and right tackle. His size, strength and relative athleticism make him a solid late-round pick or priority free agent at right tackle. Had an arm span of 33 7/8 inches and a hand span of 10 1/8 inches at the combine.

There isn't much NFL scouts don't like about Jenkins. Athletic, intelligent and consistent, Jenkins surprised many when he elected to return for his senior season despite a first-round grade from the NFL Advisory Committee in 2008. The three-time first-team All-Big Ten pick and two-time All-American improved his overall consistency, winning the Thorpe Award as the nation's elite defensive back as a senior. A shutdown cornerback who intercepted 11 passes over the past three years, Jenkins was effective at cutting the field in half and sometimes moved him to free safety to generate big plays. A first-round caliber prospect at safety or cornerback, Jenkins' consistent play and versatility should land him a spot in the draft's Top 10.

Oklahoma's offense has so many stars that a solid contributor like Johnson can go unnoticed. While not particularly tall, strong or fast, Johnson's consistent production over the past three seasons in a complementary role has not gone unnoticed by scouts. His 42 catches for 714 yards and nine touchdowns in 2008 would have increased if not for a grotesquely dislocated elbow injury suffered against Kansas. Given his tough play on the field and work ethic in practice, it was no surprise when he returned with a brace after missing only one game. Had an arm span of 32 1/2 inches and a hand span of 8 3/4 inches at the combine.

Recurring ankle injuries and All-American teammate James Laurinaitis hindered Freeman's attempt to make a big splash as a senior. He ranks as one of the better all-around outside linebackers of the 2009 draft. The two-time second-team All-Big Ten choice lacks Laurinaitis' notoriety, but actually finished with more solo tackles over the past two seasons than his teammate (105 to 102). Freeman considered leaving after his junior season and could've actually dropped his stock a bit by returning and struggling with another leg injury in 2008. Strong performances at the Fiesta Bowl and throughout Senior Bowl week reaffirmed scouts' initial impressions of the athletic weak-side linebacker.

The two-time first-team All-Big Sky fullback earned the attention of scouts by blowing up defenders as a blocker and making 58 catches over the past three seasons. His weight room accomplishments transfer to the field, as he is one of the stronger blockers in this year's class. Mailei was an outstanding running back at the same high school that produced NFL standouts defensive lineman Haloti Ngata (Ravens) and middle linebacker Stewart Bradley (Eagles), but his lack of speed pushed him to fullback. Had an arm span of 30 1/4 inches and a hand span of 9 1/8 inches at the combine.

McClinton fits the old scouting label of "boom or bust" prospect. Despite struggling with injuries throughout his career, McClinton clearly has the talent to play at the next level and quickly emerged as a standout at North Carolina, starting three games as a redshirt freshman. Blessed with a rare combination of size and straight-line speed, McClinton's production (181 tackles, 10 interceptions, eight forced fumbles) is sure to get him plenty of attention from scouts. Considering he was charged in 2007 with endangerment for setting off homemade bombs, he'll have plenty of attention from scouts in interviews at the Combine.

Sanchez surprised many, including coach Pete Carroll, with his decision to leave after serving as the starting quarterback of the Trojans for just one season. It's hard to find fault with his production. He was first-team All-Pac-10 in completing 65.8 percnt of his passes for 3,207 yards, 34 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions and led USC to a surprisingly easy victory over Penn State in the Rose Bowl. His effort against Penn State (28 of 35 passing for 413 passing yards, four TDs) and a weak senior class of quarterbacks created the momentum to catapult Sanchez into first-round conversation. Teams considering Sanchez that early do so at their own risk. He has less than the equivalent of a full NFL season as a starter. Regardless of how impressive he was at times for USC, this small sample size might not be enough to convince NFL teams he's worth millions as a pillar of their franchise. Had an arm span of 33 1/2 inches and a hand span of 10 1/2 inches at the combine.

The Mesa (Ariz.) Community College transfer has developed into one of the country's most feared big-play threats. He's had similar production in his first two years, leading the Wolfpack in receptions (53 in 2007, 61 in 2008), receiving yards (1,129, 1,141) and receiving touchdowns (eight, ten). He ranked second in the nation averaging 21.3 yards per catch as a junior, but finally made first team All-WAC this season. Those outstanding numbers are boosted by Nevada's unique "pistol" offense, but his rare combination of height and straight-line speed makes him a difficult matchup for any cornerback. Had an arm span of 34 1/2 inches and a hand span of 10 1/4 inches at the combine.

While he never quite lived up to his high school All-American billing in Baton Rouge, NFL teams are still interested in Favorite's active play and run-stuffing ability inside. He made 28 tackles in his junior and senior seasons as part of a rotation of talented interior linemen, but only managed nine tackles for loss and four sacks in his career as a part-time starter for the Tigers. One of the more popular Tigers, NFL teams will appreciate his positive outlook and locker room leadership in addition to his motor and other physical talents.

Nebraska coach Bo Pelini spread the ball among his talented running back group in 2008, which basically cut Lucky's production in half as a senior. He went from 1,019 yards rushing, 75 catches for 705 yards as a receiver and 12 total touchdowns in 2007 in Bill Callahan's West Coast offense to 517 rushing yards, 26 catches for 287 yards and eight total scores under Pelini's spread hybrid offense in 2008. Scouts don't just look at stats, however; Lucky's versatility as a runner and receiver will make him a late-round pick or priority free agent. Had an arm span of 30 1/4 inches and a hand span of 10 inches at the combine.

Senior Bowl quarterback Nathan Brown's favorite target at Central Arkansas, Branson ranks as one of this draft's better H-back candidates. A tight end for the Bears, Branson lacks the preferred size to hold up as an inline blocker, but flashes the strength and tenacity in this phase of the game to compete. While at least a marginal presence as a blocker, Branson's value lies with his receiving skills. He has led the Bears in touchdown receptions (18) since signing with the team out of East Mississippi Community College in 2006, and earned All-Southland Conference first-team accolades in 2008 by averaging 16.4 yards per catch. Had an arm span of 34 1/4 inches and a hand span of 10 inches at the combine.

Injuries followed Shaughnessy throughout his career at Wisconsin. He spent last fall recovering from a broken right fibula suffered during spring 2008 practice. In 2007, he managed to get back on the field after tearing his ACL at the end of 2006. He also missed the end of his freshman season with a knee injury. To his credit, Shaughnessy has not missed much time despite being banged up. He made 18.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks in 2007, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors, but his numbers went down as a senior (eight tackles for loss, four sacks) and was named honorable mention all-conference.

The 'Huskers relied on Slauson to step in where needed throughout his four-year career. A second-team All-Big 12 pick at right guard as a senior, he started at both tackle spots and right guard in 2007, at right tackle for all but two games in 2007 (leg injury) and in three games as a true freshman. Slauson's versatility, size and strength are exactly what NFL teams (especially those using zone-blocking schemes) look for in a late-round offensive line prospect. Had an arm span of 33 1/8 inches and a hand span of 10 1/2 inches at the combine.

Blessed with a stronger and more accurate arm than many current NFL quarterbacks, Stafford possesses the type of upside that has in the past guaranteed a high first-round selection. Considered by many to be the top prep quarterback in the country when he signed with Georgia, Stafford led Highland Park High School to their first state title since 1957 and in the process earned the EA National Player of the Year. Despite less than impressive statistics (1,749 passing yards, 7-13 TD-to-INT ratio), Stafford earned All-SEC Freshman accolades in going 6-2 as a true freshman starter, earning victories against the likes of then-No. 5 Auburn, No. 14 Georgia Tech and rallying Georgia from a 21-3 deficit in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl to earn MVP honors in the victory over No. 16-ranked Virginia Tech. Significant statistical improvement as a sophomore (2,523 yards, 19-10 TD-INT) and another bowl game victory (over Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl), along with the emergence of superstar running back Knowshon Moreno, led to huge expectations for 2008. Stafford and the Bulldogs were unable to fulfill the expectations of their preseason No. 1 ranking, but his record-breaking junior campaign (3,459 yards, 25 TD-10 INT) and third bowl victory (Michigan State, Capital One Bowl) underlined his talent. Scouts have concerns about Stafford trusting his arm with risky throws, but considering his marked improvement in a pro-style offense, durability and production again SEC competition, Stafford ranks among the elite talent in the 2009 draft. Had an arm span of 33 1/4 inches and a hand span of 10 inches at the combine.

Evans' decision to enter the draft as a junior was surprising considering his lack of production as a senior. Early in the season, he was suspended after marijuana was found in his apartment, taking him out of rhythm for most of the season (four starts, 34 tackles, three sacks). He was on most All-American watch lists entering 2008 because of his first-team All-Big Ten performance (12.5 sacks, five forced fumbles) as a sophomore. Although his draft stock has taken a beating, teams looking for a solid reserve end could consider Evans late in the draft.

Left tackle Michael Oher garners most of the attention, but scouts watching film of the Ole Miss line had to take notice of the versatile Miller as well. After starting for a season and a half at right tackle, Miller moved inside to guard as a senior and played well. He even earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his play against Auburn. He missed one 2008 start as punishment for being late to a Friday morning meeting, but he stepped in at right tackle for an injured John Jerry. Scouts appreciate his strength and steadiness inside, along with that versatility. Had an arm span of 34 1/4 inches and a hand span of 10 1/2 inches at the combine.

The Ducks couldn't have asked much more of Unger during his career. He started 51 consecutive games and earned all-conference honors in every season, including being named first-team All-Pac-10 the past two years. Even more impressive is that he earned those accolades at two positions: left tackle in 2005 and 2006 and center in 2007 and 2008. NFL scouts value that durability and versatility, as well as Unger's combination of size, toughness, solid technique and short-area quickness. Had an arm span of 32 1/2 inches and a hand span of 9 1/4 inches at the combine.