Oct 1, 2011; Madison, WI, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers tight end Ben Cotton (81) against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin defeated Nebraska 48-17. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Height:  6’6″

Weight:  255 pounds

Position Rank:

Drafted By:

40 Yard Dash:  N/A

Bench Press:  N/A

Vertical Jump:  N/A

Broad Jump:  N/A

20-Yard Shuttle: N/A

Career Stats

Scouting Report/Player Notes

Big, physical tight end prospect who is a pretty good blocker but obviously hasn’t been overly productive in his career as a receiver. Only 11 catches as a senior, but two have gone for touchdowns. I think he has a ton of upside with his size and physicality, and will make it on to an NFL roster due to his potential as a blocking tight end and potentially to contribute on a variety of special teams units. He has a great frame for a tight end and has reliable hands, but his production is inconsistent because of Nebraska’s style of offense and because he sometimes doesn’t catch the ball away from his frame. He has a ton of raw ability and I think some team should take a late-round look at this guy. If not, he should be picked up and brought into some team’s camp.

Video Highlights (via YouTube)

Oct 6, 2012; Columbus, OH, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Rex Burkhead (22) runs the ball in the second quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Height:  5’11″

Weight:  210 pounds

Drafted By: Cincinnati Bengals (6th round, 190th overall)

40 Yard Dash:  4.65

Bench Press:  21

Vertical Jump:  39″

Broad Jump:  10’5″

20-Yard Shuttle: 4.09

Career Stats

Scouting Report/Player Notes

Rex Burkhead was one of my favorite running backs in the country going into the season, and unfortunately, he has missed a ton of time in the 2012 season due to injury. As a junior, Burkhead was one of the most impressive runners in the Big Ten with 284 carries for 1,357 yards, 15 touchdowns, 21 catches, and two more receiving touchdowns. He’s a pretty complete overall back with good vision, quickness, deceptive open-field speed, and nice overall power. Probably one of Burkhead’s best qualities would have to be his ability to get yardage after contact as well as running inside and outside. His injuries in 2012 have been a concern, as he’s only played four full games, but in those games he has had some really good production. Despite Burkhead’s size, he is capable of making huge plays from the RB position. He has runs of 57, 61, and 73 yards in 2012 before missing a bunch of time. I think he will still be drafted in probably the first five rounds or so unless he times really poorly.

Video Highlights (via YouTube)

Nov. 3, 2012; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers receiver Duwyce Wilson (81) is tackled by Iowa Hawkeyes players Nico Law (21) and James Morris (44) during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Indiana defeated Iowa 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Schultheiss-US PRESSWIRE

The Nebraska Cornhuskers and Iowa Hawkeyes meet for the second consecutive year as new Big Ten rivals, this time in Iowa City for a late-season showdown. The Hawkeyes have been pretty awful as of late, while the Huskers are rolling and seeking a shot at the Big Ten title. The Huskers have been on a tear since they lost to Ohio State in Columbus over a month ago.

This game features some lesser-known NFL Draft prospects, and some guys who could really make an impact at the next level. Here at NFL Mocks, we’ve gone through and scouted some of the top prospects from each team this year:

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Iowa Hawkeyes

Perhaps the best overall position in this game will be linebacker, where Iowa features three legitimate starter prospects who are all juniors, and Nebraska has senior Will Compton, one of the top senior linebackers in the country.

Here is a preview of one of our scouting report pages:

44 James Morris, Linebacker, Junior 6’2″ 230 pounds

Morris is a blue-collar, hard-nosed, tough-as-nails inside linebacker prospect who has the look of a future NFL starter, and a reliable one at that. He is rangy and has great leadership skills, and though he came into the Hawkeye football program as a 215 pound pup, he has emerged as one of the team’s top tacklers and grown into a 230 pound beast. Morris is a tackling machine who is always flying to the ball, and he’s been productive ever since his freshman season. He had 70 tackles as a freshman, 109 tackles as a sophomore, and as a junior, he’s looking to break the 100 tackle mark yet again with 96 through 10 games. The former running back is a little tight in the hips in coverage, and he’s not an elite athlete like the other LBs on Iowa’s roster, but he’s going to make tackles and make plays for your defense, and he’s a guy you’ll want to have on your team, undoubtedly.

Oct 6, 2012; Columbus, OH, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Rex Burkhead (22) runs the ball in the second quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

22 Rex Burkhead, Running Back, Senior  5’11″ 215 pounds

Rex Burkhead was one of my favorite running backs in the country going into the season, and unfortunately, he has missed a ton of time in the 2012 season due to injury. As a junior, Burkhead was one of the most impressive runners in the Big Ten with 284 carries for 1,357 yards, 15 touchdowns, 21 catches, and two more receiving touchdowns. He’s a pretty complete overall back with good vision, quickness, deceptive open-field speed, and nice overall power. Probably one of Burkhead’s best qualities would have to be his ability to get yardage after contact as well as running inside and outside. His injuries in 2012 have been a concern, as he’s only played four full games, but in those games he has had some really good production. Despite Burkhead’s size, he is capable of making huge plays from the RB position. He has runs of 57, 61, and 73 yards in 2012 before missing a bunch of time. I think he will still be drafted in probably the first five rounds or so unless he times really poorly.

25 Kyler Reed, Tight End/H-Back, Senior  6’3″ 230 pounds

Undersized TE/H-Back prospect who has good athletic ability and can really stretch a defense with his playmaking ability. I think he has a chance to be a decent weapon at the next level but he will have to add some weight in the offseason and get better in the blocking department. I’m not sure he’ll be drafted, but he is a pretty impressive athlete and has shown he can make plays downfield with 21 catches for 325 yards and two scores as a senior, despite the Huskers not really utilizing their passing game a whole heck of a lot. If Reed can finish the 2012 season strong and show out at the Combine or his pro day, he could definitely be drafted.

81 Ben Cotton, Tight End, Senior  6’6″ 255 pounds

Big, physical tight end prospect who is a pretty good blocker but obviously hasn’t been overly productive in his career as a receiver. Only 11 catches as a senior, but two have gone for touchdowns. I think he has a ton of upside with his size and physicality, and will make it on to an NFL roster due to his potential as a blocking tight end and potentially to contribute on a variety of special teams units. He has a great frame for a tight end and has reliable hands, but his production is inconsistent because of Nebraska’s style of offense and because he sometimes doesn’t catch the ball away from his frame. He has a ton of raw ability and I think some team should take a late-round look at this guy. If not, he should be picked up and brought into some team’s camp.

51 Will Compton, Linebacker, Senior  6’2″ 230 pounds

Compton is a very good looking linebacker prospect out of Bonne Terre, Missouri who has been one of the top tacklers at Nebraska the last two seasons. After coming to Nebraska with four stars attached to his name and a lot of expectations, he really struggled to get it going, starting 12 games from 2009-2010. In 2011, he emerged late in the season and started vaulting himself to where he is today, one of the most consistent tacklers and one of the leaders on the Blackshirt defense. Compton has really good overall size and athletic ability, and in 2012, he has 93 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and seven passes broken up. He’s always around the ball and always making plays. He could be selected in the first three to five rounds of the 2013 NFL Draft.

3 Daimion Stafford, Safety, Senior  6’1″ 205 pounds

Stafford is a big safety prospect and one of the best in the 2013 crop of players at his position. He is very good at filling holes in the run game, playing downhill, as well as making plays on the ball. But, like many young players, he has plenty of inconsistencies. Stafford has been a very productive Nebraska Cornhusker, racking up 76 tackles, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles in 2012 as a senior. That’s following up a junior season where he had 80 tackles and 10 passes broken up. Plays with a little chip on his shoulder and is willing to deliver big hits. I could see Stafford getting picked within the first three or four rounds of the 2013 NFL Draft.

13 P.J. Smith, Safety, Senior  6’2″ 210 pounds

Smith is a very intriguing safety prospect who has broken out as a senior with 67 tackles, six tackles for loss, and two interceptions. Great size overall at 6’2″ 210 pounds, and I think is certainly an underrated player at this point but could definitely shoot up draft boards if he is able to impress at his pro day performance. He also has a ton of value as a potential special teams ace in the NFL. I am not sure whether he will be drafted or not, but he certainly has some raw abilities.

46 Eric Martin, Defensive End, Senior  6’2″ 250 pounds

Martin is an undersized defensive end who may be destined to play some linebacker and special teams at the NFL level, but I love his energy and intensity, and when he was given an opportunity, you have to give him credit for making the most of it. He leads the Huskers defense with 11.5 tackles for loss and he has also added 7.5 sacks and 44 total tackles. He is a high energy, high intensity player who has been a core special teams performer in his career as well as one of the most critical defensive reserves for the Huskers. I think there is a place in the NFL for a guy like this, a guy who is just going to out-work so many other people.

55 Baker Steinkuhler, Defensive Tackle, Senior  6’6″ 290 pounds

Steinkuhler has had some really high expectations the last few years, expectations which he hasn’t really lived up to. After Ndamukong Suh left for the NFL, he was supposed to be the next guy to step in with Jared Crick and take over as the defensive line’s top playmaker. After Crick left this year, Steinkuhler still hasn’t been able to steal the spotlight, but I still think he is a very solid draft prospect and a guy who can do some dirty work on the defensive line. He has some upside and versatility as a defensive tackle in a four man front or as an end in a three man front. He will get picked up by an NFL team based on his potential, but so far, he hasn’t proven that he is able to live up to it.

96 Brett Maher, Kicker, Senior  6’0″ 185 pounds

One of the top kicker prospects in the country in 2012, Maher has delivered in 16 of 22 field goal attempts and is also averaging 41.55 yards per punt as a senior. The dual-threat special teamer is capable of hitting field goals from beyond 50 yards, and he has decent kickoff ability as well. He will likely crack an NFL roster next year as some team’s place kicker and emergency punter.

Aug 30, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins tailback Johnathan Franklin (23) runs the ball against the Rice Owls during the second half at Rice Stadium. UCLA beat Rice 49-24. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-US PRESSWIRE

Last week against Rice (yeah, I know) UCLA running back Johnathan Franklin increased his draft stock significantly when he rushed for 215 yards and three touchdowns. Reportedly, he runs in the mid-4.4 range and has decent but not spectacular size at 5’10″ 198 pounds. Franklin has been a significant contributor for the UCLA offense over the last three years, rushing for over 1,000 yards back in 2010. He’s averaged over five yards per carry each of the last couple of seasons, and his huge performance last Saturday has set the stage for a big game on Saturday against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

I have not heard yet whether or not Rex Burkhead will play for Nebraska after leaving last week’s game early with an injury, but I think UCLA has more than a chance in this game, especially being the home team. Nebraska is clearly the better squad, but they definitely had some things to tighten up defensively last week against Southern Mississippi, and it looks like UCLA has an upstart offense, led by Franklin and freshman dual-threat quarterback Brett Hundley.

Franklin was considered a later round prospect going into this season, and with a big performance against Nebraska on the national stage, he could vault himself to mid-round status. We’ve seen some of the best backs in college football go way later than their college production indicated (see: Isaiah Pead) but Franklin could be a guy to watch, especially if he looks anything like he did last Saturday.

Oct 1, 2011; Madison, WI, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive lineman Jared Crick (94) against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin defeated Nebraska 48-17. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

Jared Crick’s slide finally ends and he finds himself on a good team. The Houston Texans who have focused a lot on defense in this draft continued that by adding Jared Crick the terrific defensive linemen out of Nebraska. at one point Crick was considered a first round pick, but he tore a pectoral muscle in the 2011 college football season. Crick is functionally strong and tries hard, but he could get bigger and quicker. you know what you’re getting with Crick once he returns from injury and what the Texans got was a great value.

Live draft grade: A

Great pick for the Texans. You can’t have too much DL depth

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Jared Crick DE Nebraska Cornhuskers Is Sometimes a Forgotten Man USPresswire

It may seem odd that such a powerful college football program with a long standing success of putting successful players into the N.F.L. could have a group of players entering the 2012 N.F.L. draft as almost under-dogs, but that is the case of the current draft eligible Cornhuskers. The Cornhuskers had a long drought for putting players into the first round of the N.F.L. draft that changed two years ago with Nndumkong Suh was drafted #2 overall by the Detroit Lions. The following year the New York Giants drafted Prince Amukamara 19th overall. Heading into the 2011 College Football season the Cornhuskers had two projected first round picks in Alfonzo Dennard and Jared Crick.

Crick started the season off pretty well displaying his usual relentlessness and functional strength that made him a coveted 34 DE despite a MCL sprain he had suffered prior to the season. Then five games into his season he suffered a season ending pectoral injury. But as the draft as approached Crick has become a forgotten man among media guys. Crick hasn’t been mocked into the first round in forever and in twitter mockdrafts Crick is routinely available in the middle of the third round, and according to a Profootballweekly draft value chart Crick is currently projected as a mid fourth round pick by the league, which I find confounding. Crick had a lot of years on tape prior to his injury when he was considered a first round pick and his injury is not something that will keep him out of the start of the off-season training program, so why his injury such a major issue. This is a player that is about as safe as a N.F.L. prospect as you can get, a good athlete for a big man who has to add a little weight to anchor consistently, but a productive and high-motor defender. A player I’d feel comfortable with in the middle second round and a player who might eventually be a steal.

Alfonzo Dennard is a cornerback who entered the pre-season with scouts saying he had better tape than last year’s 19th overall pick Prince Amukamara–in a draft that was better than this one, and while he didn’t have a terrific season he still had good tape. Yet he’s been dropping further and further in the minds of draft followers. Dennard had a poor Bowl game where he got beat deep by Alshon Jefferey and than got in a fight and was ejected.

Then he went to the Senior bowl and struggled because Dennard wasn’t able to play his press-coverage he excels at and he had a nagging injury. Now the cornerback who entered the season as a better Prince Amukamara-is looking like a third round pick if draft media guys like this site are to be believed.  Dennard could enter the season as a starter for whatever team he is drafted by, and people have forgotten how good he is.

I think NFL talent evaluators understand the value of Alfonzo Dennnard and Jared Crick, but fans of the draft have forgotten. These are two good athletes who play extremely physical and were very productive in college. They have a lot of desirable traits for players at their position and will be successful N.F.L. players–when you hear their names called out by your team thank your lucky stars to have two of the most under-appreciated players in the draft.

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NIc Perry Could Really Emerge During the Pre-draft proces

The Baltimore Ravens are one of the finest drafting teams in the N.F.L. This year they will have to do without their fourth round pick which they traded to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for speedy Wide Receiver Lee Evans. Evans, unfortunately has been injured much of he season so the trade has not yet paid many dividens.

I think the Baltimore have a lot more needs than most do, becauses they are an aging team and they need an infusion of young talent all over the field. They could use some upgrades along the offensive line, they could use a future replacement for Ed Reed (and even someone better to play next to Ed Reed), they could use another wide receiver because Anquan Boldin has a history of being nicked up. They could use another pass rusher opposite Suggs. They don’t have many major needs though, which is why they are winning a lot of football games.

Right now you have to assume that the Ravens will be drafting around 26th. I am not a Baltimore Ravens expert so feel free to disagree vehmently with me and let me know what I got wrong.

Round 1:  Nick Perry, OLB, USC

Perry is a very good athlete who is a bit of a project as a 34 OLB, but he has the ideal athletic ability that teams are looking for the 34 OLB spot. Perry has really emerged as a pass rusher this year and I think can eventually even end up a little higher than this spot here. The Ravens get to the quarterback, but it seems like no one else makes a big sack other than Terrell Suggs. Imagine if he could find a Robin to his Batman then this defense could be real scary.

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Nebrasksa Cornhuskers LB Lavonte David Would be a Great fit with the Saints

This is the 2012 NFL Mock draft for the New Orleans Saints I’m sure we’ll have another version between now and the real draft. In the 2011 N.F.L. draft the Saints traded away this year’s first round pick in order to get back into the first round and select running back Mark Ingram. They also didn’t lose a ton in free agency so they are probably not looking at any compensatory picks. I believe they have all of their picks from the 2nd through 7th rounds, if that is incorrect someone please inform me.

On the plus side this mock draft has pointed out a few scouting reports I have yet to get to. For the scouting reports of these players (not all of them) click on the name.

For any of our other 165+ scouting reports check out our scouting report page

2nd round: Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska Cornhuskers

David is having a really good year for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, but could still be available at this point because he’s undersized. I think it’s possible that either David or Travis Lewis is available at this point, and if so the Saints should jump on him. The strength of this class is in the linebacker corpse (and the quarterback group). With the Saints having a weakness at linebacker and not having a pick until the second round their first pick could very well be a linebacker. David will bring high football intelligence, coverage ability, and a non-stop motor. Hopefully Martez Wilson develops into a nice player and the Saints can have a linebacker corpse of David, Wilson, and Vilma, which sounds much better than Vilma, nobody, and Shanle.

3rd Round: Star Lotluelelei, DT, Utah

You may not have heard of Lotuelelei, but you will soon. The man is talented. He’s been flying under the radar to draftniks, but not to scouts. he’s 6’3 325 pounds and gets off the line quickly. He’s raw as a pass rusher, but has potential to be a pretty good one. He does an excellent job anchoring against the run already.

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Mcnutt vs Dennard is the matchup to watch today Picture Designed by Sayre

This game doesn’t mean for the National Championship as LSU and Arkansas does, but there are plenty of important things to watch for in this game if you’re a draft fan.

Click on the name for our scouting report of that player and go to our scouting report page for all of our other scouting reports.

Iowa O vs Nebraksa defense

The best matchup of the day is probably going to be Marvin McNutt and Alfonzo Dennard, assuming they are playing across from each other. Marvin Mcnutt has had a huge season, the former quarterback has become a very fine WR capable of making big plays. Mcnutt has played himself into the early second round conversation. Dennard was considered by more than a few to be the superior CB prospect between him and Prince Amukamara. He started teh season hurt, but has been steadily improving since then. A good game from him today could solidfy him as a first round prospect.

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