Updated 2014 NFL Draft Stock for Top College Players
By Erik Lambert
Apr 20, 2013; Notre Dame, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish nose tackle Louis Nix (1) gestures before a two-point conversion attempt in the fourth quarter of the Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
The top names in college football continue through a tulmultuous second week. Which ones continued trending up and which one couldn’t stop their stock from tumbling for 2014 NFL draft?
Jadeveon Clowney – DE – South Carolina – Stock: Down
If the game against North Carolina was a headache, the encore for Jadeveon Clowney against Georgia was a full blown migraine. In the midst of making just one tackle all day, the defensive end watched his South Carolina team get lit up by Bulldogs quarterback Aaron Murray for four touchdown passes. If there was a time to worry, it’s coming fast.
Teddy Bridgewater – QB – Louisville – Stock: Up
Another minor opponent, another near flawless performance by Teddy Bridgewater. In leading an easy victory over Eastern Kentucky he put up 397 yards and four touchdowns as Louisville breezed to a 44-7 rout. The quarterback has looked every bit the part of a first overall pick and until a team can prove otherwise, that is exactly what he will be.
Taylor Lewan – OT – Michigan – Stock: Up
Devin Gardner is the talk of the NCAA world after capping a major upset over Notre Dame for his Wolverines. A huge key to his four touchdown passes was the protection from his offensive line, most notably left tackle Taylor Lewan who kept fellow first round prospect Stephon Tuitt largely under control. After this game, Lewan will get just as much press as Gardner.
Aaron Murray – QB – Georgia – Stock: Up
All the talk about lacking height and limited performance in big games must’ve lit a fire under Bulldogs quarterback Aaron Murray. After posting 35 points in a narrow loss to Clemson a week ago, he sent a clear statement to the NCAA world by lighting up the powerful South Carolina defense with four touchdown passes. If he wasn’t in the conversation for top 10 in the NFL draft, he is reach that point faster every week.
Louis Nix III – DT – Notre Dame – Stock: Down
Once again the mammoth defensive tackle proved ineffective, only this time it was in an embarrassing loss where his unit gave up 41 points. Nix made some tackles but never truly threatened in the pass rush and further raised doubts about how effective he can be in the pros at such an extreme weight.
Johnny Manziel – QB – Texas A&M – Stock: Up
Frustrating as it might be for haters, Johnny Manziel continues to defy the notion that he will fold to any outside pressures about his behavior. In a tuneup game for the Alabama grudge match next week, Manziel rode great protection and a bad Sam Houston St. defense to 403 passing yards and four total touchdowns. The Aggies scored 65 points and appear ready to once again take down the Crimson Tide defense.
Lache Seastrunk – RB – Baylor – Stock: Up
He made a vow before the season started that he was the best running back in college football and through two weeks Lache Seastrunk has backed up his talk. The much scouted back led the way for a Bears trampling of Buffalo with 150 rushing yards and three touchdowns while averaging an impressive 8.8 yards per carry. If this trend continues into the latter part of the season he could get the running back position back on the map with a first round selection.
David Fales – QB – San Jose State – Stock: Down
Often in the conversation for the first round, David Fales is under a lot of pressure to produce against proven opponents. Unfortunately he’s not heading in the right direction after a very quiet game against Stanford. He never seemed comfortable in the pocket and struggled to make any headway against the Cardinal defense. Scouts will be all over that when the time comes for him to declare.