I’ll talk to a few NFL scouts throughout the season to get their take on SEC players that are helping or hurting their prospects at the next level. I’ll pass along some of those thoughts to you here.

Here are some of the SEC players that have scouts talking this week

STOCK RISING

  • Preston Smith, DE, Mississippi State: He has the size (6-foot-6, 270 pounds). He’s very athletic and he’s improved drastically as a pass rusher. He could possibly be a first-rounder. His stock has jumped significantly throughout the season.
  • Gabe Wright, DT, Auburn: Wright has good size and speed for either a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme. At 6-foot-3 and 284 pounds, he’s slippery in the trenches.
  • Bud Dupree, DE, Kentucky: Dupree may be the most athletic defensive end in the nation. He can rush the quarterback with the best of them. He easily could play outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme

STOCK FALLING

  • Arie Kouandjio, G, Alabama: He definitely has the size at 6-foot-5, 315 pounds, but he’s been getting pushed around and back into the backfield on both pass and run blocking. He needs to get stronger.
  • Corey Robinson, OT, South Carolina: Robinson is massive at 6-foot-8 and 344 pounds, but he’s been very slow off the ball and not very fierce. He’s inherited a “soft” label. He needs to have a good pro day by showing some athleticism.