South Florida Bulls Top NFL Prospects for 2012 and Beyond

7 B.J. Daniels, Quarterback, 6’0″ 220 (RS Junior)

B.J. Daniels has been sort of the MVP for the Bulls so far this season, passing for 1,071 yards in just four games with an 8:1 touchdown to interception ratio. He burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2009 and made the Big East All Freshman team, along with being named freshman playmaker of the year and offensive MVP. Similar type of quarterback to Russell Wilson in that he does not possess ideal size, but accuracy has improved over the course of the last three seasons. He really looks like a big running back when he takes off, and he does that quite often as one of the better dual threat quarterbacks in the conference. He will have an easy time transitioning to WR or RB at the next level because of his vision downfield, but he’s not always looking to make a throw on the run, which is part of his problem as a potential NFL quarterback. I’m excited to watch this guy in prime time lead one of the more talented Big East teams we have seen in quite some time. He will likely return for a senior season to try and improve his draft stock.

3 Darrell Scott, Running Back, 6’1″ 240 (RS Junior)

Scott is a former Colorado running back who transferred to USF last year and took his redshirt. He’s having a fantastic start to his career as a Bull, averaging 6.6 yards per carry with 348 yards and five touchdowns. He’s also added three receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown. Scott was considered one of the top transfer prospects in the country, and obviously for good reason. He’s a big back who has particularly impressive numbers considering he didn’t start until the third game. He adds another dimension to the USF offense. Very hard to track down in the open field and runs with a purpose. Had knee surgery while taking a redshirt last season. Definitely a player to watch for, as he is already 22 years old.

1 Jerrell Young, Safety, 6’1″ 209 (RS Senior)

Jerrell Young is one of the coolest stories in all of college football, though there are a ton of kids who come from tough backgrounds, you really have to appreciate a story like this one. Young really emerged last year when he had 41 tackles and three interceptions, but he made his mark this year in USF’s big victory over Notre Dame. Young forced a fumble on a Notre Dame player that was returned by a USF player for a touchdown, and then he sealed the deal with an interception to kill an Irish drive. I love that Jerrell dedicates every game to his deceased brother, who died from complications six years after being shot in the heart. “Come play with me,” he says before every game, referring to his brother. Just a really cool story, and a player you really root for.