College Football Players to Watch Today Who Will Be Drafted in 2013
By Jason McIntyre
Kansas State at Oklahoma, Fox, 8 pm
WILDCATS
Collin Klein, senior, QB, 6-foot-5, 225 pounds: Is Optimus Klein a pro? He’s bigger than Tebow and has a better arm. Would someone draft him as a tight end? Klein tallied 1,141 yards rushing last year (27 TDs!!) … and had 1,918 yards passing (but only 57 percent completions). Could he be a spot-Wildcat QB somewhere? Guy’s gonna get drafted if he plays the rest of this year like he did last year. Too good of an athlete not to get picked.
Arthur Brown, senior, LB, 6-foot-1, 225 pounds: Nursing an ankle injury. His status – he’ll play, according to Snyder – will be crucial if the Wildcats are to slow the 12th best running attack in the country (554 yards in two games; 7.1 ypc). Brown is the total package and was a high school star who initially went to Miami before transferring to the Wildcats. Plays MLB for the Wildcats, but probably goes to the outside in the pros. Doesn’t seem like 1st round material yet, but could play his way into it.
SOONERS
Landry Jones, senior, QB, 6-foot-4, 220 pounds: System QB? Decision-making issues? Is he tough enough? Jones looked lost late last season when Ryan Broyles went down with an injury, but he’s got another great pass-catcher this year in Kenny Stills, who has 2nd/3rd round talent. Jones had a tremendous sophomore year (38 TDs, 12 INTs, 4,718 yards passing), but seemed to regress last year. Tough to see him being a top five QB in the 2013 draft, unless the underclassmen all stay in school.
Jamarkus McFarland, senior DT, 6-foot-1, 290 pounds: Arrived in Norman amid much fanfare. Was a Top 40 recruit and famously, the New York Times chronicled his recruitment. Hasn’t quite been a flop … but he certainly hasn’t excelled. Still a future pro, though. He had more sacks as a freshman in 2009 (2.5) than the last two seasons combined (2.0). He’s off to a great start this year (2.5 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss) and a monster season could vault him as high as the 2nd or 3rd round. He’s just not in the class of 1st rounders like Lotulelei, Jenkins, Short, etc.
Clemson at Florida State, ABC, 8 pm
TIGERS
We talked about the Tigers prior to their matchup against Auburn. There aren’t many 2013 early-round pros on this roster. (That’s just one reason the spread if 14 and rising.) Is Tajh Boyd a pro? What if he sheds 20 pounds? He won’t face a better defense than this the rest of the way (apologies to the Gamecocks). If he’s NFL-worthy, maybe we’ll find out tonight.
SEMINOLES
Bjoern Werner, junior, DE, 6-foot-4, 250 pounds: Will he be the best defensive end in the 2013 draft? Already has 6.5 sacks in three games (had 7.5 as a sophomore). The big German will likely be in Boyd’s face all game long. With no Brandon Jenkins to watch on the other side, the spotlight will be on Werner, who I think, right now, is a poor man’s JJ Watt.
Xavier Rhodes, redshirt junior, CB, 6-foot-1, 215 pounds: Probably emerged as the best cornerback on the team before Greg Reid was booted. Very excited to watch his matchup against sophomore superstar Sammy Watkins. Does a great performance by Rhodes vault him into the top half of the first round? Remember when Stills hauled in the game-winner last year against the Noles over Reid? Does Rhodes make that play?