2011 NFL Draft Preview

The top college football players from all over the nation will get their 1^st taste of NFL stardom when their NFL journeys begin at the 2011 NFL draft. Many college stars are already being compared to NFL greats like Michael Irvin, Peyton Manning, Reggie White, Ronnie Lott, and Warren Sapp.  Kaboom! Magazine will give you a inside look into one the most anticipated events of 2011. Some players will be able to handle the pressure and live up to expectations, while others will cave in and fold like a house of cards. The 2011 NFL Draft…Let The Human Rollercoaster Ride Begin!

Defensive Stars

This class is deep with future NFL legends; teams will even find 1^st rd. quality in the later rds.

Nick Fairley Auburn: Nick recorded 60 tackles, including a school-record 24.0 tackles for loss, with 11.5 quarterback sacks. Consensus All-American in 2010 and was named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press. In terms of talent, Fairley is the best defensive linemen in the draft. There are a lot of red flags (work ethic, "dirty" play) surrounding him. Even with the red flags, Fairley the top three pick and is headed for a very successful NFL career.

Patrick Patterson LSU: Peterson established himself as the top cornerback in the country. In winning the Bednarik Award as the nation's best defender, the Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back and being named the SEC's Defensive and Special Teams MVPs, he may have proven himself to be the nation's best player at any position. Having proven himself to be a shutdown corner and dynamic returner against SEC competition, Peterson rates as one of the elite prospects of the 2011 draft.  He's likely to earn a top five selection and could be the highest drafted cornerback in modern league history.

Da’Quan Bowers Clemson: Second on Clemson team in tackles, and leads in tackles for loss, sacks and quarterback pressures. His 24 tackles for loss have resulted in 150 lost yards for Clemson's opponents. His play was actually fueled by the death of his mentor, Adams and his father in the span of 12 months. His strength at the point of attack as run-stopper and sack-master gives him the potential to be a long-time playmaker like Shaun Ellis or possibly even a game-changing 4-3 strong-side end in the Michael Strahan mold. 

Marvin Austin UNC: Austin's 2009 season was his last at UNC,  he was suspended for the entire 2010 season after an NCAA investigation found that he'd accepted improper gifts from an agent. During the 2009 season, Austin played at a high level all season and finished with 42 tackles, 6.0 tackles for losses, four sacks, three pass breakups, six quarterback pressures, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Austin is good enough and his position valuable enough to warrant a high draft pick, but he has to show people that he lost that chip on his shoulder and is ready to play football again.

Von Miller Texas A&M: The 2010 Butkus Award winner as the nation's best linebacker has been a thorn in the side of passers and offensive linemen since he arrived in College Station. A defensive end/rush linebacker hybrid spot at which he almost always was standing up at the nine-technique position outside the left or right tackle. Some scouts will label him a one-trick player as a pass rusher without great size, the increased use of the 3-4 base scheme in the NFL and his explosiveness off the edge could earn him a high draft slot.

Marcell Dareus Alabama: As part of a defense that helped carry Alabama to the 2009 national title, Dareus emerged as one of the most intriguing defensive line prospects in the country. Dareus' size and strength stood out as a five-technique in Nick Saban's 3-4 scheme. Able to control his opponent, he clears the way for linebackers to pad their stats and could play a similar role in the NFL. 

Prince Amukamara Nebraska: Amukamara was a consensus All-American and first-team All-Big 12 pick, making 59 tackles, a sack and breaking up 13 passes. While also being tabbed as one of three finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, He was also honored as the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year as voted on by the conference's head coaches. Amukamara showed lock-down ability at his corner spot throughout the season, limiting opponents to just 18 pass completions in 52 attempts against him. The important of the cornerback position in a passing league and his physical attributes will make him a high first-round selection.

J.J. Watt Wisconsin: Excellent character and work ethic. Watt won the Lott IMPACT Award for integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community and tenacity among college defenders. Began the Justin J. Watt Foundation to help schools fund athletic programs, does quite a bit of community work. Academic All-Big Ten in 2009 and 2010. Some teams might consider Watt an inside-outside 'tweener. With additional strength training, he is a prime candidate to play the five-technique position in the 3-4 base defense. His combination of size, hustle and intelligence could land him a spot in the top 40 overall selections.

Robert Quinn UNC: Quinn appeared poised to cement himself as a top-five NFL prospect. Instead, the North Carolina pass rusher was suspended for the entire 2010 season due to his involvement in the infamous agent scandal that rocked the UNC program. Quinn blessed with his natural tools that don't come around often and some 3-4 teams view the 270-pounder as athletic enough to handle responsibilities of an outside linebacker in that scheme.

2011 NFL Draft Preview

The top college football players from all over the nation will get their 1^st taste of NFL stardom when their NFL journeys begin at the 2011 NFL draft. Many college stars are already being compared to NFL greats like Michael Irvin, Peyton Manning, Reggie White, Ronnie Lott, and Warren Sapp.  Kaboom! Magazine will give you a inside look into one the most anticipated events of 2011. Some players will be able to handle the pressure and live up to expectations, while others will cave in and fold like a house of cards. The 2011 NFL Draft…Let The Human Rollercoaster Ride Begin!

Offensive Linemen

This class bodies are tailor made for the NFL…Are they too big though for the NFL???

1. Tyron Smith USC: He emerged as a standout in the Pac-10, winning the Morris Trophy as the conference's top offensive lineman as voted by the league's defensive linemen. Smith started the two seasons at right tackle at USC before declaring early for the 2011 NFL. Just scratching the surface of his potential, Smith can easily be a left tackle for someone for 10-12 years. Tyron moves like a tight-end and blocks like a all-pro guard, he’ll be a great fit for anyone passing game. A major concern is he's making a huge jump in competition without having actually operated on the left side.  

2. Anthony Castonzo Boston College: Castonzo holds the record for career starts at Boston College with 54. Associated Press Third Team All-American, All-ACC first team honoree, and as true freshmen protected Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Ryan’s blindside. Castonzo's long frame, balance and quick feet in pass protection are certain to attract attention from scouts looking for the next great BC offensive linemen. Due to his height (6’7”), Castonzo has some problems in run blocking and against speeder defensive ends. Castonzo is very polished, he won’t need a whole bunch of work to be a right tackle immediately, and he could become a left tackle in a hurry. 

3. Mike Pouncey Florida: Pouncey was named to AP All-SEC Second Team in 2010.  Mike started at center in all 12 games this season. Pouncey could be a great starter at guard or center. Mike plays very big, very physical, and athletic in games. He moves extremely well and doesn’t get beat on the inside. He doesn’t get knocked off his base and never, ever gets pushed. He can help out immediately in the running game, but needs some time to learn and be effective in the passing attack. 

4. Nate Solder Colorado: Solder became the first offensive tackle at Colorado to earn All-America honors since 1979. Solder started every game over the last three seasons, including playing all 847 snaps in his All-America senior season. He’s tall and he plays like it without getting low enough for leverage on a regular basis. He’s a technician, but he doesn’t have the attitude to destroy a defender. 

5. Gabe Carimi Wisconsin: Carimi claimed the Outland Trophy this season helping the Badgers to an 11-2 record and Rose Bowl appearance. He was a unanimous first team All-American and first team All-Big Ten selection in 2010, while helping Wisconsin get to No. 5 in the nation in rushing. Carimi is a potential first-round pick because of his prototypical size, toughness, strength and the importance placed on the offensive tackle position. He moves well, but not fast enough to be a left tackle against NFL speed rushers.