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Marcus Benjamin @_benjaminmoney
For football enthusiasts worldwide, the NFL draft is the best part of the offseason. Fans begin to build hope for the season and for the future for their beloved franchise. Five star recruits are expected to perform early and often in college and eventually become first round picks. However, players do not always live up to their expectations. Players aim to build their resumes during their college career for the biggest job offer they will potentially ever have in their lives. The higher the round the higher the payday. The draft is broken up in three days. Round one is day one, round 2-3 is day two with rounds 4-7 on the third day. The ultimate dream fulfilled is to be a first round draft pick and be one of the chosen day one. Of the five star draftees to be chosen over the next three days, here is evidence that their college careers helped or hurt their draft stock.
College careers can have many twists and turns. Injuries, legal trouble, academic standards, or just team situations or strategies can shape when, where and if a player will be drafted. So much can happen in three to four years. Athletes can be one of the best in the country to not mentioned all. Here are the potential five star draftees of 2018.
2015 Five Stars
Josh Rosen, QB UCLA (St. John Bosco, Bellflower, CA) Rosen shined instantly as a freshman earning All Pac-12 and All-American honors. After six starts as a sophomore, Rosen suffered a season ending shoulder injury. He also dealt with concussions during the 2017 season, but still managed to throw for nearly 4,000 yards. He is expected to be a top ten overall draft pick.
Prediction: Round 1
Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB Alabama (St. Peters Prep, Jersey City, NJ) Quite possibly the shutdown corner for years to come. He started 10 games as a freshman and has experience playing safety. Fitzpatrick lead the team with 6 interceptions in 2016. Many consider him the best cornerback in the draft.
Prediction: Round 1
Derwin James, S Florida State (Haines City, FL) One of the best athletes in this years draft and is expected to be drafted in the first round. He played in every game as a freshman and was named an All-American. James had a solid junior season collecting 84 tackles, 5.5 for loss, 2 interceptions, 11 pass breakups and a blocked kick. All of that after missing basically his entire sophomore season to a lateral meniscus tear.
Prediction: Round 1
Calvin Ridley, WR Alabama (Monarch, Coconut Creek, FL) Ridley broke Amari Cooper’s freshman receiving yards record at Alabama and had a team high 89 receptions that season. Over his career he finished with over 200 receptions and two national championships as the Tides main vertical threat. He is expected to be the first receiver taken in the draft.
Prediction: Round 1
Da’Ron Payne, DT Alabama (Shades Valley, Birmingham, AL) Payne brought the pain for 16 starts in his sophomore year and collected 36 tackles, 3.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks. After the departure of Jonathan Allen, he would continue and increase his dominance all the way to a national championship victory. He has a great possibility to be the first defensive tackle selected in the draft.
Prediction: Round 1
Donte Jackson, CB LSU (Riverdale, New Orleans, LA) Blazing track speed out of the gate and clocked a 4.3 40-yard dash time at the NFL combine. Last year he totaled 49 takedowns, 3.5 for loss, 11 passes defended and an interception. Could sneak into that first round but likely a day two round two pick.
Prediction: Round 2
Deon Cain, WR Clemson (Tampa Bay Tech, FL) Cain caught 52 balls for 652 yards and six touchdowns for the ACC champion Tigers. Prototypical size and speed at 6’2” 202 pounds and a 4.4 40 time. When asked he has produced with the one flaw on his resume being a failed drug test before the college football playoff that would result in a suspension. It would be surprising if Cain lasted beyond the second round.
Prediction: Round 2
Rasheem Green, DE USC (Junipero Serra, Gardena, CA) Played in every game for the Trojans his entire career. Last season, at D-Tackle he had 43 tackles, 12.5 for loss, 10 sacks and 4 pass breakups. Another round two steal for the franchise that decides to take a chance on him.
Prediction: Round 2
Malik Jefferson, LB Texas (Poteet, Mesquite, TX) Honored as the nation’s top linebacker coming out of high school with the Butkus award. In 2017, he totaled 110 tackles, 10 for loss and four sacks. Can be a day two steal for whoever picks him up.
Prediction: Round 3
Josh Sweat DE Florida State (Oscar Smith, Chesapeake, VA) Quite possibly could be a day two steal in the third round. In his last two seasons as a Seminole, Sweat posted 12.5 sacks 24 tackles for loss and 97 tackles in 24 games. He had knee surgery after his freshman season.
Prediction: Round 3
Trenton Thompson, DT Georgia (Westover, Albany, GA) Widely heralded as the number one recruit in the nation. He lead the Bulldogs with 9.5 tackles for loss during his sophomore season. He started three of twelve games last year. Thompson is projected to be selected day three.
Prediction: Round 4
Khalil McKenzie, DT Tennessee (Clayton Valley, Concord, CA) Also considered the top player in his recruiting class, McKenzie decided to forgo his senior season to enter the NFL draft. His father is a Tennessee alum, former NFL pro and the current General Manager of the Oakland Raiders. In 2016, he suffered a chest injury mid-season that would end his 2016 campaign. He started eight games in his junior season. If the silver and black pass on him, there will be some explaining to do at the dinner table. McKenzie is expected to be drafted day three.
Prediction: Round 4
Kevin Toliver II, CB LSU (Trinity Christian Academy, Jacksonville, FL) The highly recruited cornerback has suffered through injuries for most of his career, so one of the main questions will be his durability. Not enough numbers to really help his stock, but has prototypical size at cornerback at 6’2” 190 pounds. Expected to be drafted day three.
Prediction: Round 5
Tarvarus McFadden, CB Florida State (American Heritage, Plantation, FL) The athletic defender lead college football with 8 interceptions in 2016. He was a finalist for the Nagurski award which is awarded to the nations top defender. Inconsistent throughout his career as his production in other years never matched that sophomore season. He is projected to be selected on day three in the sixth or seventh round.
Prediction: Round 6
2014 Five Stars
Rashaan Evans, LB Alabama (Auburn, AL) When you lead the national championship team with tackles and tackles for loss, chances are you’re pretty good. Such is the case with Evans who did so during the 2017 season. He is expected to be off the board before the second round begins.
Prediction: Round 1
Da’Shawn Hand, DE Alabama (Woodbridge, VA) Considered the best player in the country coming out of high school. He was part of a heavy rotation of Crimson Tide defensive lineman so his career numbers are not as inflated as they could be. In 2017 however, he registered 27 tackles, 3.5 for loss and three sacks. He is expected to be drafted on day two.
Prediction: Round 2
Nick Chubb, RB Georgia (Cedartown, GA) Perhaps the best back built for running in between the tackles. Had an impressive career at Georgia and at times was considered the most outstanding player in the country as a freshman. He suffered a gruesome knee injury as a sophomore and returned to play in every game in his junior season. Post injury he rushed for 2,475 yards whiled splitting carries with running mate Sony Michel. Should be drafted day two, round two.
Prediction: Round 2
Royce Freeman, RB Oregon (Imperial, CA) Gained over 4,000 all purpose yards and scored 38 TDs throughout his career as a Duck. He is one of those do everything plug and play backs that will translate well on the next level. Should be a day two draft pick.
Prediction: Round 3
Lorenzo Carter, LB Georgia (Norcross, GA) A productive player for the Bulldogs especially in his junior and seniors seasons where he totaled just over 100 tackles and 9.5 sacks. Will be off the board before day three.
Prediction: Round 3
Chad Thomas DE, Miami (Miami Booker T. Washington, FL) Thomas started to live up to his rating during his junior season. He had 37 takedowns, 11.5 for loss and 4.5 sacks. Slightly better averages in his senior season. Projected to be drafted day three.
Prediction: Round 4
Quin Blanding, S Virginia (Bayside, Virginia Beach, VA) The three year starter produced a whopping 137 tackles and 4 interceptions from his safety position in 2017. He has close to 500 tackles in his career but projected to be drafted on day three because it is believed he is not a game changer.
Prediction: Round 5
Andrew Brown, DT Virginia (Oscar Smith, Chesapeake, VA) The national high school player of the year had a strong senior season starting every game with 46 tackles, 10 for loss and 3.5 sacks. He is projected to go day three.
Prediction: Round 6
Tony Brown, CB Alabama (Ozen, Beaumont, TX) Lightning quick with a 4.3 40-yard dash time. The former Mr. Football out of Texas could not get playing time at a program loaded with talent. Still very talented, but questions about his motor will make him a day three selection.
Prediction: Round 6
Tre Williams, LB Auburn (St. Paul’s Episcopal, Mobile, AL) Played in 11 games last season and managed 50 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Earned All SEC honors despite dealing with a shoulder injury. Maybe drafted in round seven or not all.
Prediction: Round 7
Kyle Allen QB, Houston (Desert Mountain, Scottsdale, AZ) An interesting road Allen has been on to say the least. First he lost the QB battle to Kenny Hill at Texas A&M, then won it back mid season as a true freshman. Kenny Hill would transfer to TCU in his sophomore season and Allen would eventually lose the starting job mid-season to incoming freshman Kyler Murray. He proceeded to transfer to Houston, but had to sit out the 2016 season due to transfer rules. In 2017, he would lose his job again to Kyle Postma. Allen has a 50/50 shot of being drafted at all.
Prediction: Not Drafted
Matt Elam, DT Kentucky (John Hardin, Elizabethtown, KY) At one point, Elam dropped to third on the depth chart for the Wildcats. Did not register one sack in his entire career. One of the more underachieved careers for a 5 star athlete. Will be lucky if any league decides to take a chance on him.
Prediction: Not Drafted
2013 Five Stars
Matthew Thomas, LB Florida State (Miami Booker T. Washington, FL) Lead Seminoles in tackles for the 2016 and 2017 seasons with 162. Got off to a rocky start in college as he suffered through academic and family issues. Should be a late round steal for the franchise who gambles on him. Should come off the board day three.
Prediction: Round 5
Max Browne, QB (Skyline, Sammamish, WA) Browne actually won the starting job over Sam Darnold at USC. He started that season 1-2 with the two losses against Alabama and Stanford. He was then replaced by Sam Darnold who could very well be the first player taken in the draft. He would then transfer to Pittsburgh but suffered a shoulder injury in the second month of the season. Sometimes life is just is unfair but Browne has a chance to prove the doubters wrong if he is able to make a NFL team in the preseason.
Prediction: Not Drafted
