NFL Draft Notes

by Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Mon Apr 29 10:55:30 GMT-04:00 2013

NFL Draft Notes

We all like to talk about recruiting rankings because recruiting is another sport according to many of us.

Some like to say that the real recruiting rankings come out after the class has progressed throughout their careers. I think that makes some sense but there are too many variables there as well. Injuries occur in every class. Some staffs don't develop players as well as others. Some players aren't motivated or are not mature enough to reach their full potential. Also if a team can benefit from an easier schedule I am not sure how that should be put into evaluating a recruiting class.

Some say the NFL draft is a good indicator when it comes to draft classes. There are some flaws here though. One is that several recruiting classes can be represented in one draft class. Red-shirt seniors, seniors, red-shirt juniors, and red-shirt sophomores are eligible for the NFL draft. Three different classes can be represented.

The NFL draft is full of individual stories that can't be reflective of recruiting too. The number one pick in the draft was a former quarterback turned offensive lineman. He was a guy that was passed over out of high school and then again out of junior college by the entire Big Ten. The number one pick in the draft was a two-star coming out of high school. How often to quarterbacks change positions and play on the offensive line?

The ACC was well represented but that was mainly because of Florida State and their 11 picks. The Seminoles had seven players on defense drafted including defensive ends Bjoern Werner, Tank Carradine and Brandon Jenkins, defensive tackle Everett Dawkins, linebackers Nick Moody and Vince Williams and cornerback Xavier Rhodes.

FSU had the surprise of the draft in quarterback E.J. Manuel going in the first round. They also had offensive tackle Menelik Watson, running back Chris Thompson and placekicker Dustin Hopkins get drafted.

I feel much better about playing Florida State this season because the game is in Death Valley but I also feel better that 11 NFL guys won't be there. Don't get me wrong, they will still be talented but 11 guys and that experience will be tough to replace.

North Carolina was next in the league with five draft picks including a couple of talented linemen. Clemson had four guys selected. NC State had three, Miami and Virginia Tech had two each, Virginia, Wake Forest and Duke had one each. Boston College, Maryland and Georgia Tech did not have a player selected.

A few years ago Clemson struggled beating NC State, Maryland, Georgia Tech and Boston College. This year Clemson dominated all three. Is it a coincidence that the Tigers had more players drafted than NC State, Boston College, Georgia Tech and Maryland combined?

Clemson's best draft years came in back to back seasons in the 1983 and 1984 drafts. The NFL drafted 10 Tigers in 1983 and nine more in 1984. You don't have to be a genius to figure out how that National Title team in 1981 did it. Its called talent.

We also look to our arch rival to see how their program has improved. South Carolina had seven players drafted this season and will probably have the top player in the draft in 2014. Is there any wonder why they are having the best years in their school's history?

Georgia has had a couple of SEC East titles the last two years. Georgia had almost its entire defense drafted this past week. Most of the Dawgs defense from last season will be playing on Sundays instead of playing against Clemson this season.

We can look at the other end of the spectrum to show us who is not enjoying good seasons. Auburn had a miserable season this year on the field and ended up firing a coach that had won a national title two seasons before. The Auburn Tigers had one player drafted this season.

So next year Clemson will be represented well again in the draft. If Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins
Jr. Wide Receiver
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL
View Full Profile comes out, he will have a chance to go very high in the draft. Tajh BoydTajh Boyd
RS Sr. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA
View Full Profile will be watched by every NFL team this season. Players like Brandon ThomasBrandon Thomas
RS Sr. Offensive Line
#63 6-3, 305
Spartanburg, SC
View Full Profile would intrigued NFL teams. The NFL has drafted more place kickers in recent years so Chandler CatanzaroChandler Catanzaro
RS Sr. Punter / Kicker
#39 6-2, 195
Greenville, SC
View Full Profile will be a prospect. Juniors like Martavis BryantMartavis Bryant
Jr. Wide Receiver
#1 6-5, 200
Calhoun Falls, SC
View Full Profile might have a decision to make if he has a big year as well.

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