As many as 14 SEC underclassmen could be NFL first rounders

Published November 21, 2012 - 1:50pm

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Outside of Barrett Jones, Chance Warmack, Jesse Williams, John Jenkins and Johnthan Banks – seniors destined for the NFL –14 underclassmen from the SEC could be selected in the first round of this spring’s NFL Draft.

Here are the potential players selected, from CBSSports.com:

Matt Elam, SS, Florida
Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU
Kevin Minter, LB, LSU
Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU
Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M
CJ Mosley, LB, Alabama
Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
Eric Reid, S, LSU
Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri

Interestingly enough, Tennessee receiver Justin Hunter was in neither of the mock drafts of either one of the draft gurus. He could have the highest ceiling of any receiver in the country physically, but mentally I’m not sure he’s tough enough. Scouts are taking note, too. He’ll be a combine freak though.

Jake Matthews and Luke Joeckel both have younger brothers at Texas A&M, and we’ll find out if that affects their decision to leave or not.

Another player who could slip into the mix of first round talks is Georgia linebacker Alec Ogletree. He moves like a receiver and is as athletic as any linebacker in the entire country.

Photo Credit: Dale Zanine-US PRESSWIRE