So with the initial Hot Stocks list of 2012, lets once again remind everyone what this list is, and what it isn't. This Hot Stocks list reviews the 25 best college football players as they project to the pros. This is not going to completely fluctuate each week. It will however change as I continue to learn more about the players. One of the factors that effect a players rating is performance though, so as the individuals play each week, their grades will change some.
Also, this is not a mock draft. Although many of the guys on the list will eventually be drafted, this is not meant to indicate a specific order, as mock drafts include the drafting team needs. Underclassmen are marked with an *.
So lets get down to business. Below are the EZ Football Futures Hot Stocks.
1. Robert Woods*, WR, USC
Simply put, Robert Woods has everything it takes to become an elite wide receiver at the next level. I have not seen a receiver like him since Calvin Johnson was at Georgia Tech. Few, if any corners can match up to him one-on-one, and he is a big time difference maker for an offense.
2. William Gholston*, DE, Michigan State
This guy is a freak. At 6'7", you would expect him to be a bit slower, but he is not. He is deadly coming off the edge. He has an excellent burst, and pass rushers are worth a premium at the next level.
3. Barkevious Mingo*, DE, LSU
Mingo will have a lot of NFL teams drooling when he declares for the draft. Mingo is a solid all around end who can seal the edge and get after the QB. He plays on an excellent defense, and he should have a great opportunity to shine.
4. Jarvis Jones*, DE/OLB, Georgia
Jones may be the single best overall ballplayer in the nation. He has the ability to play with his hand in the dirt, or upright. He has exceptionally fast hands, and a violent streak necessary to be a dominant linebacker in the NFL.
5. Ricky Wagner, OT, Wisconsin
Top notch OTs are difficult to find in the NFL. O-linemen from Wisconsin are like gold at the next level. When those two things combine, you have Wagner. He projects better than Matt Kalil who was picked 4th overall this past April.
6. Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
An elite DT in the NFL can be a difference maker. If that guy can penetrate, he can shut down a run game, or put direct pressure on an opposing QB. Star Lotulelei can be that kind of guy.
7. Jackson Jeffcoat*, DE, Texas
Jeffcoat has the ability to get in the backfield, and that will be a reason he will be a highly sought after talent when he makes the jump to the NFL. If Texas improves to the levels I expect, Jeffcoat should get the chance to move up this list.
8. Manti Te'o, MLB, Notre Dame
Had Te'o come out last year, he likely would have been the top interior linebacker taken. He has all of the tools to be successful, and he still has room to grow. He may not come in as a rookie and take the league by storm, but he can be a long term pro-bowler for a team.
9. Matt Barkley, QB, USC
QBs are so valuable. Barkley is the best in college football this year. He is not as athletic as many others, but he is an excellent leader, and he knows how to win. Depending on how things shake out he very well could wind up being the first name called next April.
10. David Amerson*, CB, North Carolina State
Amerson is the top corner in the nation, and with a pass happy league, the NFL values guys who can match up with a receiver as well as Amerson does. He led the nation in picks a year ago, and he should be at or near the top of that list again this season.
11. Alex Okafor, DE, Texas
Okafor is the second standout DE from Texas. He is a better athlete than his teammate, but he is still more raw. He does have the ability to play standing up at the second level, and that flexibility is a real asset to him.
12. Logan Thomas*, QB, Virginia Tech
Logan Thomas is an exceptional athlete at the QB position, but he is also a very good QB with an elite arm. If he can continue to develop his decision making, he could be a guy who impacts the league in similar ways to what Cam Newton did last season.
13. Keenan Allen*, WR, California
Allen is not as fast as some receivers out there, and he is not as strong as some others, but he runs great routes, and has great hands. Allen is a great weapon because he does so many things so well. His overall game should make him a very good contributor for a long time.
14. Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina
Top notch OGs worthy of a first round consideration are rare. Last year Stanford's David Decastro was that guy. This year, Cooper is one of the two who are worthy of that consideration. He has an excellent all around game, and he can be a dominant road grader at the next level.
15. DJ Fluker*, OT, Alabama
The Crimson Tide have so many elite o-linemen this year, and Fluker is the top of that elite crew. Fluker projects to be an exceptional pass blocker at the next level. Although I expect he would be a top 15 selection if he declares, I think staying for his Senior season would make him a top 3 consideration in 2014.
16. Sam Montgomery*, DE, LSU
Like Texas, the LSU DEs are both standouts. Montgomery is a more polished product than his counterpart, but he lacks some of the overall athleticism that Mingo has. Montgomery is a very good technical player and he can use that strong technique to make plays.
17. Johnny Adams, CB, Michigan State
While not a great a cover man as Amerson, Adams is a athletically gifted player who plays a physical, tough form of football. He has the wheels to stay with most receivers, and a good nose for the football too.
18. Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
Eifert is the best TE in the nation this year. He is one of the new breed of TEs sweeping the NFL. He is a big body with the skills of the wide out. He will stretch opposing defenses up the seam. With the success of Jimmy Graham, and Rob Gronkowski, Eifert will be in high demand.
19. Johnathan Hankins*, NT, Ohio State
Nose tackles are often though of a big bodies who plug up holes. Hankins is a bit different. He is a big body, but he can do som much more than just plug holes or eat up blockers. He is very athletic for his size, and will make some 3-4 defense in the NFL very happy.
20. Johnathan Banks, CB, Mississippi State
Playing in the SEC, Johnathan Banks has faced the best competition anywhere in the nation. Not only has he faced them, but he has excelled against them. He doesn't pick as many passes as Amerson, and he is not as physical as Adams, but he is more complete than either.
21. Oday Aboushi, OT, Virgina
Aboushi is an athletic tackle who can keep speed rushers off his quarterback. With some of the talent on this list, and already in the league, a guy like Aboushi will be a hot commodity if he keeps his play up.
22. Kawann Short, DT, Purdue
Short is a very good prospect because of how complete a player he is. From a defensive tackles perspective, there is nothing he cannot do, and do well. His ability to do so much for a defense will be what has teams excited when they see him play.
23. Marcus Lattimore*, RB, South Carolina
Lattimore suffered a big injury a year ago, but now he is back faster, stronger, and leaner. He has the ability to take over a game on offense, and even in a pass heavy league, Lattimore will be a sought after addition to many NFL clubs.
24. Shane Skov, MLB, Stanford
Skov reminds me of an old school middle linebacker. He plays a hard nosed brand of football. He is also a very smart player and should project well at the next level.
25. Michael Buchanan, DE/OLB, Illinois
Last year, Whitney Mercilus exploded onto the scene from Illinois. Buchanan has the potential to be even better. I expect his explosion to be difficult to deal with for tackles in the Big 10.
