A work in progress

This post is a follow-up to yesterdays' regarding current Dawgs' chances of making the NFL. The 9 players listed in that post are, barring injury, locks to be playing on Sundays. Additionally, each of those players should be drafted by at least the 3rd round. But the actual number of current Dawgs that will go to the next level should be closer to 20, so I'm going to go through the contenders.


Senior possibles.

In this group, 3 would be great number, but more than likely only 2 will move on. Which 2?....I dunno. Each one of them does have this last chance to put up numbers. Seniors not on this list.......need to impregnate a NFL general manager's daughter to get a shot.

• Mohamed Massaquoi - Talent alone won't get you there. A few more nationally televised highlight catches just might. Needs a big year.
• Tripp Chandler - If the dropsies are truly gone, the numbers will be there.
• Brannen Southerland - Helluva football player. He's a longshot due to the diminishing roles of fullbacks in the NFL.
• Jarius Wynn - Big enough, strong enough, quick enough......must play enough. If he gets enough snaps, I think he'll make an impression.
• Corvey Irvin - Playing behind Owens and Atkins means that you're in a big shadow. Longshot at best.
• Jeremy Lomax - A bit undersized ala Marcus Howard.....will he have the same kind of year?......stay tuned
• CJ Byrd - Solid, solid, solid safety. NFL caliber? It will take a huge year.
• Brian Mimbs - probably won't be drafted but should definitely be invited to camp.

The next group has a very good chance to make it. They have the talent and opporturniy. They are underclassmen which means they're young and getting better. I look for at least 6 of these guys to make it.

• Roderick Battle - Has shown flashes and should have a great year. (note....ran into Roderick after the Auburn game.......damn he's big)
• Chris Davis - Starting on the OL as a Freshman.....the kid's good
• Clint Boling - Ditto
• Demarcus Dobbs - High motor + talent usually = good results.
• Akeem Dent - If you start at LB for UGA, you're NFL caliber......period
• Daryl Gamble - Makes plays.....enuf said
• Akeem Hebron - Monster talent
• Prince Miller - Starter at CB as a true freshman and has improved.

Ok, what about the guys that have the talent, but haven't played enough to get a good picture of their abilities. Realistically, 4 out of this group should make it.

• Walter Hill - Coaches love him
• Israel Troupe - This dude's got skillz
• Justin Anderson - an All-American waiting to happen
• Kiante Tripp - Back & forth from OL to DL to OL.....has found a home at OT.
• Caleb King - Hey, don't shoot the messenger......he still hasn't played a down.
• John Knox - Big hitter, displayed pretty good ball skills in the spring.
• Aron White - Hybrid TE / WR....good speed, needs to bulk up

There's a handfull of other players that will get playing time this year and can make an impression. There's also some very good true freshmen talent hitting Athens this fall.

Ok, I'm gonna do my calcumilationz now. Realistically, 20 players or so on this years team should see the field on Sundays. Optimistically, the number could exceed 30. The talent's certainly there, but with the number of players getting playing time, it's not so easy to stand out in the crowd.

Recap

Next year's draft class looks about as thin as this year's (barring some underclassmen deciding to go pro). The 2010, 2011, and 2012 drafts should feature 7-10 guys each year based on what we have now. I know that we're a good team, but this just shows that we're still a very young team.