California Golden Bears Top NFL Prospects for 2012 and Beyond

1 Marvin Jones, Wide Receiver, 6’3″ 200 (Senior)

Long, athletic receiver capable of making the big play. Led Cal in receiving from 2009-2010 but is sort of taking a backseat in 2011 to the emerging Keenan Allen. Jones doesn’t have blazing speed but he seems to get open with relative ease, and his long body allows him to make a lot of easy catches on poorly thrown passes. So far, he is having a solid senior season with 29 receptions for 441 yards through the first five games, and he has three touchdowns. Honorable mention All Pac 10 performer in 2010, and at this point is a mid-late round receiver prospect with size who can make plays down the field and is a solid target to have in the red zone.

72 Mitchell Schwartz, Offensive Tackle, 6’6″ 318 (Senior)

Second Team All Pac 10 selection last year and a third team All-American this pre-season by GoDaddy.com, Schwartz is a massive offensive tackle prospect with solid upside as either a tackle or possibly guard at the next level. In his Cal career as a whole, he has been a very durable lineman playing both right and left tackle, and showing off some skill in the classroom as well being named Honorable mention Pac 10 All-Academic in the last three years. Smart kid who is a mauler at his position, he should have a future in the NFL either as a right tackle or guard. Named Cal’s most valuable lineman the last two seasons.

92 Trevor Guyton, Defensive Lineman, 6’3″ 280 (Senior)

Fourth team pre-season All-Pac 12 choice this summer by Phil Steele, Guyton has been rock solid on the Cal defensive line for the last couple of years. What stands out right away is that since Cal plays a 3-4, you have to assume there will be NFL teams running that scheme looking to fit him in as a potential reserve, a role that he has been very valuable to the Bears in over the last two seasons. He has accumulated 45 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and a forced fumble as a reserve for Cal, and as a senior is getting more of a chance to be a starter. Shows solid burst off the snap but not an elite athlete. At this point, look for Guyton to possibly be a late round pick.

30 Mychal Kendricks, Linebacker, 6’1″ 240 (Senior)

One of the top returning linebackers in the country, Kendricks was on some media outlets’ pre-season All American honorable mention lists after bursting onto the scene last year as a junior with 8.5 sacks. Pretty good instincts at the linebacker position, and rarely out of position. Can probably play inside or outside, and has really good upside as a pass rusher. Natural bender around the edge with good quickness off the ball. Works really hard to make his presence felt on every play. Second team All-Pac 10 last season after finishing with 66 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and three fumble recoveries. A really solid linebacker prospect who could also be a gem for some team as a special teams player. I want to see more of him. Slightly limited athletically and at times will be over-aggressive.

3 D.J. Holt, Linebacker, 6’1″ 242 (Senior)

Not a flashy linebacker prospect but a guy who gets the job done. 85 tackles and 5.5 sacks last season. I am always intrigued by linebacker with his size type. Solid in coverage and capable of making the big hit, probably has a future in the NFL as a special teams player and reserve linebacker. A little bit older than the rest of his draft class, so that is slightly working against him, but I think he has decent upside.

11 Sean Cattouse, Safety, 6’3″ 218 (Senior)

Big safety prospect who has been rock solid for Cal ever since he started playing. Three interceptions as a freshman, which is a career high, and 109 tackles through his first three seasons including 57 last season. Not a ball-hawk at the safety position but definitely knows how to make plays. Has two interceptions already in 2011. Very intriguing size for a safety prospect at 6’3″ and just under 220 pounds. Honorable mention All-Pac 10 performer each of the last two seasons and the team’s active leader in passes broken up. Slightly stiff in the hips and can be found out of place at times.