Oklahoma Sooners 2014 NFL Draft Prospect Preview

Dec 01, 2012; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Aaron Colvin (14) plays defense against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Oklahoma won 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

14 CB Aaron Colvin (6’0″ 182 pounds, SENIOR)

Colvin is considered by most scouts as one of the top defensive backs in the entire country heading into his senior season. He has good length and physicality, and while he’s not the fastest corner what he gives you is versatility. He has the ability to play safety and corner, and has been a starter for the Sooners at both positions. Started most recently in 2012 as a cornerback, and had 61 tackles, four interceptions, and 11 passes broken up. Colvin is a good tackler who has a really solid all around game, and is always around the ball. If he goes under-drafted, it will likely because he didn’t test well. There are some scouts who believe that Colvin won’t test well in terms of his speed, but his ability to make plays and consistently at that likely will override any athletic deficiencies he may have. We’ll reserve judgment on Colvin’s athletic ability until he gets a chance to prove himself at the scouting combine. He needs to have a good senior season and prove that he can be a top tier CB for another season. Talented prospect with a really nice set of skills.

26 RB Damien Williams (6’0″ 208 pounds, SENIOR)

Williams is a former JUCO transfer who wasted no time getting his name out there with the Oklahoma Sooners. He rushed for over 100 yards in three of his first five games as a Sooner, and then an ankle injury hindered the rest of his season. He still finished with a very respectable 946 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging nearly 5.4 yards per carry. Scouts are going to be really interested to see what Williams can do now that he has a year of D1 experience under his belt. He proved very capable as a receiver, catching 34 passes last year. He is still pretty raw, but his size and athletic makeup are really intriguing. He has a chance to be one of the top senior tailbacks in the country. Pretty solid speed for a bigger running back as was on display on a 95-yard sprint vs. Texas. Not the most shifty runner, but he has good cutback ability, which can also get him in trouble at times.

33 FB Trey Millard (6’2″ 256 pounds, SENIOR)

Millard is so effective in his role as the fullback–a dying role in the NFL–that he considered leaving early after his junior season for the 2013 NFL draft. Obviously, he is back in Norman for one more season, but he has proven that he is a draftable commodity, even at a position that has severely diminished value in the NFL. Millard is a phenomenal blocker at the FB position with great size and physicality, but he proved as a junior that he can be a very effective weapon as a receiver as well. He caught 30 passes for 337 yards, and also averaged six yards per carry in limited action as a runner. He runs with toughness and a bit of a nasty streak, and I think NFL teams are really going to like having this guy. He is the kind of unheralded playmaker that teams need, and he could be a very valuable player on an NFL roster.

14 WR Jalen Saunders (5’9″ 160 pounds, SENIOR)

Former transfer from Fresno State who was frustrated with the direction the offensive philosophy was headed, so he transferred to Oklahoma in 2012. Saunders is a really exciting playmaker who was a big loss for Fresno State after a 2011 season in which he caught 50 passes for 1,065 yards and 12 touchdowns, and also added two rushing touchdowns. Saunders has great short-area quickness and due to his size, he will likely be destined for the slot WR role in the NFL, and he could see action on special teams as a kick or punt returner. Throughout his collegiate career, Saunders has proven very capable in both kick and punt return situations, and has also displayed excellent run after the catch ability. Because of his size, it’s not too hard for Saunders to get bottled up and have a few plays that go for a loss, and he’s not going to run through any tackles. Where he excels is running around people, and utilizing his speed and quickness to work the slot. That’s where Saunders can be most effective, and that’s likely where he will play in the NFL.