Hot Stocks 5-11-10

As we embark on a new season of college football, we have to start the watch on a whole list of new stocks. The following players are, during the pre-season, the hottest stocks in the nation, to keep an eye on.

 

1. Jake Locker, QB, WashingtonHad he come out after his Junior campaign, he would have pushed Sam Bradford for the top spot in the draft. As a result, he goes into this year in the cat-bird seat.
   
   
   
2. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford *Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh has been grooming Luck to become one of the next great NFL signal callers. This could be his season to put pressure on conference-mate Locker as the best in the class.
   
   
   
3. Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina *When you play DE at North Carolina it is hard to not draw comparisons to alum Julius Peppers. For Quinn, he has the talent to live up to the high expectations that accompany that comparison.
   
   
   
4. Marcell Darius, DT, Alabama *Alabama is loaded this season with talent on both sides of the football. Calling Darius the best of the bunch is saying quite a lot.
   
   
   
5. Mark Ingram, RB, AlabamaLast year Ingram became the Tide's first ever Heisman Trophy winner. This year he will take a stab at becoming the first player since Ohio State's, Archie Griffin, to do it twice.
   
   
   
6. Adrian Clayborn, DE, IowaPass rushers are acquired at a premium in the NFL. Clayborn has an explosive first step that will be very enticing to potential investors next April.
   
   
   
7. Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio StateThe son of former NFL player Ironhead Heyward, Cameron is on his way to becoming a highly sought after commodity next spring. A strong fall is the first step in that campaign.
   
   
   
8. Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas *One of the more hyped players in the last decade, Mallett is living up to expectations at Arkansas after bolting from Michigan. If he continues to develop, he will be a first round pick in either 2011 or 2012.
   
   
   
9. AJ Green, WR, Georgia *This underclassman is still the class of collegiate wide receivers, despite battling injuries last year. His natural abilities are unparalleled in the game right now.
   
   
   
10. Julio Jones, WR, AlabamaJones is the third member of the defending national champs in the top ten. He has all of the right abilities to become a contributor at the next level.
    
    
    
11. Prince Amukarmara, CB, NebraskaIn the pass heavy NFL, having good corners has become increasingly important. Amukarmara is the best of a very talented corner back group that could be available next year.
    
    
    
12. Bruce Carter, OLB, North CarolinaBruce Carter had a borderline first round grade before announcing his return to Chapel Hill. Now he enters this season as the nation's premiere prospect at linebacker.
    
    
    
13. Ras-I Dowling, CB, VirginiaDowling is fast and flashes the ability to develop into a shut-down corner at the next level. His senior season will be his opportunity to showcase his abilities.
    
    
    
14. Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU *This underclassman has to be accounted for on every play. He covers ground real quickly, and he plays with immense tenacity. He could push Dowling and Amukamara for the top corner spot if he comes out after this year.
    
    
    
15. Marvin Austin, DT, North CarolinaJoining forces with Quinn and Carter will give the Tar Heels one of the most feared front seven's in the country. With so much talent, it is hard to imagine anyone putting up very many points against this defense.
    
    
    
16. Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston CollegeLast year's draft boasted some real talent and good depth at the OT position. Castonzo will use this senior season to prove he should be the toast of next year's class.
    
    
    
17. Greg Romeus, DE, PittsburghPittsburgh has quietly developed some real good NFL talent over the last decade. Romeus can be the next in a line of players who are prepared to succeed in the big time.
    
    
    
18. Demarco Murray, RB, OklahomaIf Murray can avoid injury he can move up this board as the season progresses. If he stays healthy, he will also garner himself some Heisman consideration.
    
    
    
19. Mike Pouncey, C/G, FloridaAfter his twin brother traded his Gator blue for his Steelers Black last month, Mike Pouncey become the man on the Florida o-line. If he transitions to center as well as I expect, you can expect to hear Mike's name called sometime during the first round next year.
    
    
    
20. Vonn Miller, OLB, Texas AMMiller is a playmaker on the Aggie defense. His gets after the ball well, and uses leverage to bring down ball carriers very effectively. The fact that he is currently higher rated than any Longhorn will not be lost on the Aggie faithful either.
    
    
    
21. Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson *Bowers is amongst a group of talented edge rushers who could become pros after this next season. Of course if he has another strong season, and chooses to return to college for one more year, they sky will be the limit in 2012.
    
    
    
22. Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame *Floyd will now be able to step out of the shadow of Golden Tate and establish himself as one of the nation's premiere weapons during this next season. This is of course dependent upon someone being able to get him the football.
    
    
    
23. Jurrell Casey, DT, USC *Casey is the top Trojan on Lane Kiffen's sqad right now. If he performs well, he could earn himself a place in the first round of the draft should he decide to skip school early.
    
    
    
24. Jurrell Powe, DT, Ole MissThis big fella is going to be difficult for lineman in the SEC to content with. If he can't toss them out of his way, he may just pick them up and eat them instead.
    
    
    
25. Cliff Matthews, DE/OLB, South Carolina

 I like the determination that Matthews brings to the field on Saturdays. He is the best player on this South Carolina program, and could be the primary reason that the Gamecocks become one of this coming season's surprise teams.