Nebraska Cornhuskers Top Prospects for 2012 and Beyond

One of the most talented and highly regarded programs in the country, the Nebraska Cornhuskers are making a move to the Big 10 conference, where their smashmouth style of play both offensively and defensively will fit in perfectly. Nebraska has been an NFL pipeline over the last few years, and is also one of the top programs in the country historically.

Austin Bramley, co-founder of Big Ten Nation and one of the more versatile young media performers out there was generous enough to share his outlook for the top Huskers potentially joining the NFL.

15 Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Senior): Luckily for Nebraska fans, Dennard decided to stay in Lincoln for his senior season and wait on a potential lucrative NFL contract.  That’s a good deal for Nebraska, considering they already lost the corner on the other side in Prince Amukamara to the New York Giants. Dennard will bring great quickness, athleticism, and great ball skills to the Cornhuskers next season and to the NFL in the future. Dennard will be one of the nation’s top corners alongside defensive tackle Jared Crick and linebacker Lavonte David. Those three guys should give Nebraska the one of the nation’s top defenses.

94 Jared Crick, DT (Senior): Jared Crick, a member of the 2011 Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list and one of the nation’s top defensive lineman should be a top draft pick in 2012. Crick has been excellent the last two seasons and he hasn’t gone unnoticed. Crick is a two-time all conference performer. At 6’6″ 285 pounds, Crick has the size, speed and skill set to not only have a productive senior season for Nebraska but to have a great NFL Career.

4 Lavonte David, OLB (Senior): Lavonte David surprised the country in 2010 as he was one of college football’s breakthrough players for the Cornhuskers. Not only did David win an All-American honor but he helped Nebraska own one of the nation’s top defenses. David set a single season record for tackles(152) at Nebraska and won the Newcomer-of-the-year award and unanimous all conference selection. David added 10 pounds of muscle to his frame as he is getting prepared for the physical play in the Big Ten.  Standing at 6’1″ 220 pounds with a 4.57 40 time, David has the skill set, mind-set and toughness to compete at a high level in the future.

50 Jermarcus Hardrick, OT (Senior): Jermarcus Hardrick is gigantic. At 6’7″ 325 pounds Hardrick definitely uses his size to an advantage. Hardrick was a partial reason why Nebraska ran for at least 200 yards in 10 games last season.

8 Austin Cassidy, S (Senior) Austin Cassidy emerged onto the scene for the Cornhuskers last season. He began the season as a special teams captain and ended the season as a full-fledged leader at the Safety spot as he started the final seven games for Nebraska. Cassidy has shown the skills and athleticism to contribute to both pass coverage and run stoppage.

84 Brandon Kinnie,WR (Senior) Brandon Kinnie was one of the leading figures for the Cornhuskers in the 2010 season; and will be the “go to” guy for the Huskers in 2011. At 6’3″ 225 pounds, and a 40 time of 4.63, Kinnie will provide the Nebraska quarterbacks a big target with great speed. Kinnie is also known to have the ability to perform in the return game as well.

90 Terrence Moore, DT (Senior) Of the defensive lineman at Nebraska, Terrence Moore has probably been the most consistent. Moore helped the Blackshirts to rank 12th nationally in scoring this past season.  He finished last season with 16 tackles, 3 for loss and a sack.  Moore is 6’3″ 290 pounds, perfect size for his ability to bull rush the defensive line. Moore is a utility player inside for the Cornhuskers, he can do it all.

Nebraska has a string of guys who could be drafted in 2011, especially on defense. Moore, Crick, David and Denard, if drafted, will join Amukamara, Gomes and Hagg in the NFL. seven guys taken from one side of the football in two years is impressive.