It's Saturday! There aren't many intriguing bowl games on the slate for today, but here are some links nonetheless.
Running back a strength of 2012 NFL Draft with additions of Bernard Pierce, David Wilson - Mocking The Draft
Few positions look as strong in the 2012 NFL Draft as running back. The class got even deeper today when Bernard Pierce of Temple and David Wilson of Virginia Tech both announced they were entering the draft.
ASU football: Brock Osweiler's journey to starting QB took time
Twelve years ago, John Osweiler walked into his son's bedroom in Montana. Brock Osweiler was just in third grade, and what his father saw surprised him.
Pass Rushing Class Of 2012 Has Tough Act To Follow - Mocking The Draft
Aldon Smith, Von Miller, Jabaal Sheard, Adrian Clayborn, Ryan Kerrigan, Sam Acho - the 2011 draft class produced an impressive number of guys who proved to be effective in getting to the quarterback. In fact, the 2011 class had more sacks in their rookie year than any draft class since sacks became an official stat in 1982. While the 2012 class doesn't appear to be as strong, there are still a few guys who could make an impact as pass rushers in their rookie year.
With Christian Ponder in place, Vikings have options in NFL Draft - Mocking The Draft
Despite finishing the 2011 season with a 3-13 record, the Minnesota Vikings should go into the 2012 NFL Draft in a position of advantage.
Michigan State DT Jerel Worthy officially joins 2012 NFL Draft class - Mocking The Draft
There was speculation the past two days that Michigan State junior defensive tackle Jerel Worthy was set to enter the 2012 NFL Draft. He made that speculation reality at a news conference today.
Syracuse DE Chandler Jones Declares for Draft: Where does he rank? | National Football Post
Breaking down the game and handing out a grade to the Syracuse prospect.
Just how good is South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery? | National Football Post
Is he the next Calvin Johnson or Mike Williams?
2012 Compensatory Draft Pick Predictions - Mocking The Draft
I have again this year decided to try to predict compensatory draft picks to feed my draft obsession. Last year I did rather well, in that I was able to correctly assign picks for players with the exception of Seattle and Baltimore, where a midseason contract renegotiation with Cory Redding that I was not aware of gave Baltimore a pick instead of Seattle receiving a rather high pick from losing Burleson. I was also off by a round for a few picks, most of which I can relate to playing time differential.
Draft Preview: Rams - With the First Pick - An NFL Draft Site - News, Mock Drafts, Blogs, Opinion and more.
Week 17 is in the books and 60% of the 2012 NFL Draft order has been set (see earlier article for full order). Every week I will be analyzing the next team in the draft order to provide analysis and potential strategies for the team at hand. Last week, I examined the Colts which means its time to look at the St. Louis Rams.
Scout's Notes: Top 5 Non-BCS Juniors Who Could Consider NFL Jump | Articles
So far, two non-BCS prospects have declared for the 2012 NFL Draft. Robert Turbin, running back from Utah State, and Dontari Poe, nose tackle from Memphis, both have forgone their senior seasons to be eligible for the NFL Draft. Generally, non-BCS underclassmen rarely declare for the NFL Draft, as a combination of exposure and overall talent level leaves a lot to be desire for this likely productive yet undervalued prospects.
2012 NFL Combine Tracker | Articles
While the NFL Combine itself won't publish the official list of the 2012 NFL Combine Invites until late January, check back here for all the latest invites, announcements, acceptance and declines throughout the NFL Combine rumor stage.
NFL Draft Scouting Reports: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor | Scouting Reports
"A 4 year starter, Kendall Wright has caught a pass in every single collegiate game played (49 consecutive), holds the school record for receptions, and set new school records for receptions and receiving yards in a single season. He currently owns or shares more than 9 school records.
DIamond in the Rough: Gino Gradkowski, OG, University of Delaware | Articles
"Gino was ready to begin his venture to the NFL. He signed his letter of intent to play for the West Virginia Mountaineers. West Virginia University, the campus located in Morgantown, WV, is not far from the Gradkowski family back in Pittsburgh. Gino felt he would have a great shot to play in West Virginia, opening holes for some talented runners for the Big East School."
2012 NFL Mock Draft: January 5th with Two Rounds | Mock Draft
The regular season of college football is finished and the NFL season is wrapping up in a few weeks. Now that draft season is on the cusp of being every football fans focus, it's time for our next in-depth Mock Draft analysis.
Vontaze Burfict's intensity intriguing, but rage a red flag - NFL - Sporting News
Burfict announced Tuesday he would leave college for the 2012 NFL Draft. He wrote on his Facebook page: "I will be expanding my talents to the next level." Before the 2011 season, Sporting News' Matt Hayes profiled Burfict, calling him "toughest, meanest, nastiest player in the college game—the guy opponents fear and officials target, the guy once benched by his own coach because his violent makeup led to too many personal fouls."
2012 NFL Draft: Dre Kirkpatrick ideal for covering NFL's big receivers - NFL - Sporting News
In preparation for the 2012 NFL Draft, Sporting News provides exclusive insight on a prominent college player. Here's a look at Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, who has yet to announce his intentions but is an enticing prospect. Where might Kirkpatrick land? Check Sporting News' latest mock draft. Evaluations will be presented and updated during college all-star games, the annual NFL Scouting Combine, college pro days and individual workouts.
NFL Draft notebook: Despite numbers Illini's Mercilus not first-rounder - NFL - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com
Illinois junior Whitney Mercilus has entered the 2012 NFL Draft, and numbers are sure to keep his name circulating in the pre-draft hype machine. But stats can lie, and won't -- shouldn't -- get him a first-round grade. He led the NCAA in sacks (16) and forced fumbles (nine). Listed at 6-foot-4, 265 pounds, he has the size scouts covet in a pass rusher.
Big Board: Underclassmen dominate top 10 spots in early draft projections - NFL - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com
All bowl games are always a must-watch for scouts, but a couple of big games had a particularly strong impact on my ranking of the top 32 prospects for the 2012 NFL Draft. The stars came out to play in the Fiesta Bowl when Andrew Luck and a pair of his offensive linemen -- right guard David DeCastro and left tackle Jonathan Martin -- solidified their rankings. Oklahoma State junior wide receiver Justin Blackmon celebrated his final game in style with three touchdown receptions in the overtime win before announcing his intentions to go pro in a postgame interview.
Temple's Pierce joins crowded 2012 RB class - CBSSports.com
Temple's Bernard Pierce joined a lengthy list of junior running backs making the jump to the 2012 NFL Draft. A three-time First-Team All-MAC selection, Pierce rushed for 1,481 yards and a school-record 27 touchdowns in 2011. He is the No. 7 running back and No. 90 prospect overall, according to ratings by NFLDraftScout.com.
Yellow Jackets stung by Hill's surprise NFL leap - CBSSports.com
Despite catching just 28 passes in 2011 and receiving an unfavorable grade from the NFL's Advisory Committee, wide receiver Stephen Hill has decided to leave Georgia Tech for a shot at the pros. According to Ken Sugiura of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Hill came to the decision after conferring with his parents, head coach Paul Johnson and receivers coach Buzz Preston. Hill's grade was not specifically given, but reading between the lines of Sugiura's report it sounds like the scouts graded Hill as a possible day three (rounds four through seven) pick.