Marcus Vick, QB, Virginia Tech

Background

Marcus Vick's college career at Virginia Tech wasn't the most celebrated and it was filled with off the field incidents that eventually led to his dismissal from the Hokies football team. Marcus is the little brother to Atlanta Falcons star Michael Vick, who also graduated from Virginia Tech.

Out of high school, Vick was one of the most highly recruited dual-threat quarterbacks in the country. However, at Virginia Tech, Bryan Randall was entrenched as the starter and Vick was forced to sit on the bench. The Hokie coaching staff eventually moved the promising youngster to receiver to get him some playing time, which worked out well.

After his freshman season, Vick ran into off the field trouble for the first time at Virginia Tech. Vick was arrested for providing alcohol to three underage girls, reckless driving and possession or marijuana. Vick avoided jail time thanks to a plea agreement, but was suspended for the entire 2004 season.

Once the 2005 season arrived, Vick appeared to be in a new mentality and didn't run into problems, until the West Virginia game. Vick elbowed a Mountaineer coach and flipped the crowd off during the game. His actions drew an apology, but that wasn't the last of his problems. In the Gator Bowl, Vick clearly stepped on Louisville defensive end Elvis Dumervil's calf, in a deliberate attempt to injure the potential early round draft pick. Also, before the game even occurred, Vick was arrested for speeding and driving with a revoked license. With his actions clearly unacceptable, the Virginia Tech athletic department made the decision to dismiss him from the team.

Despite having a chance to go to Division I-AA and hone his skills for another year, Vick chose the NFL and is one of the year's uncertain draft prospects. During the 2005 season, the junior quarterback tossed 17 touchdowns to ten interceptions and added 2393 passing yards. On the ground, Vick gained 380 yards and six touchdowns.

Positives

Like his brother Michael, Marcus is blessed with great speed and moves that make a dancer envy. Although he may not run as much as his brother does, Vick has tallied 482 yards and six touchdowns in his career. His ability to escape the pocket and make plays with his legs is a valuable asset. During his career at Virginia Tech, Vick was often criticized for not running enough.

His passing ability is considered to be ahead of his brother at this point during his career. Vick threw for 2868 yards and completed 59.8 percent of his passes. Although his numbers aren't great, he does display good zip on the ball and nice touch on deep passes. Additionally, Vick doesn't mind staying in the pocket and taking a hit to deliver the ball.

Negatives

Without a doubt, experience is a big question mark for Vick. During his career with the Hokies, he has only played in 23 games and in some of those games, he saw action as a receiver. Obviously, Vick doesn't have a tremendous amount of playing time at quarterback, which is a downside and he hasn't seen many coverages that the NFL could throw at him.

Game experience is a concern, as well as his height. Vick only stands six feet tall and defensive linemen in the NFL will tower over him. Not being able to see over the middle of the field is a concern and Vick could have trouble finding throwing lanes. Additionally, in his career at Virginia Tech, the junior quarterback threw 19 touchdowns, compared to 15 interceptions. Obviously, turnovers are a concern.

Summary

Without a doubt, Vick's off the field troubles have placed a cloud over his NFL future. Also, his experience in the NCAA is a big question mark and since jail time is still hanging over his head, NFL teams are going to be wary of his future in the league. Vick has good passing ability, but doesn't have enough experience reading defenses and making adjustments at the line of scrimmage. Vick has good feet and can use that to make plays in the passing game, but defenses will be faster in the NFL. Despite his belief that he's ready for the NFL, Vick is not. The comparison to Adrian McPherson of Florida State can be made, especially since they've both have troubled pasts and are a project in this league. Vick could've used another year of seasoning at the I-AA level and will be a late round draft pick if he is drafted.

Antonio Cromartie, Florida State, CB, Florida State

Background

Standing 6'3 and 210 pounds, Cromartie is a huge cornerback and has been a successful one throughout his college career. Cromartie is also the brother of former Florida Gators cornerback Robert Cromartie, who had a brief career in the NFL.

Cromartie was USAToday's Defensive National Player of the Year in 2003, while also earning Parade All-American honors in his senior season. The 6'3 athlete also spent time on the track team, where he ran the 110 meter dash in 14.1 seconds.

The cornerback's career with the Seminoles was only two seasons, as he suffered a torn ACL during spring practice before the 2005 season. Cromartie missed the entire 2005 season and decided to enter the NFL Draft to help his family out.

In his freshman season at Florida State, he played in all 13 games and saw time at returning kicks as well. Cromartie averaged 23.7 yards per return and notched 19 tackles with one interception.

His sophomore season saw him begin the year with a bang, as he returned a fumble for a touchdown against Miami in the first game of the year. Cromartie tallied four interceptions, which tied for the team lead and 22 tackles.

Positives

His 6'3 frame is an immediate advantage for Cromartie. The receivers in the NFL seem to be increasing in size every year and Cromartie would be a nice addition for any team looking for size at the position. His frame can also allow for more muscle to be added and without a doubt, he's a weapon on special teams.

Cromartie's experience on the track team has displayed his great speed and that will be a valuable asset in the NFL. When he does make a play on defense or special teams, he can outrun most of his opponents. Also, Cromartie has shown a knack for making plays on defense, which any NFL team will welcome.

Negatives

Although Cromartie has great size and speed, his biggest unknown is actual playing time. 25 games is all that he's played in during his career with the Seminoles. As with any player not getting enough playing time, how he handles different routes and receiver techniques will be interesting. Cromartie will have to adjust to a faster game in the NFL and will eventually have to assume a starting spot, which was shared with the Seminoles.

Additionally, Cromartie is going to need time to let his injured ACL heal, so making an impact in his first season may be on a week to week basis.

Summary

Cromartie could've used another year of college seasoning to improve his coverage skills and show NFL teams that his knee is 100%. Cromartie's injury happened in July and the typical recovery time is one year, with a year to fully feel 100%. His size and speed are an intriguing pick for any NFL team, but they'll have to watch his knee injury and bring him along slowly. Not having a starting spot at Florida State didn't really give him enough of a chance to fully develop. An NFl team looking for a solid returner and a nickel cornerback at first will give him a look, but he will be a starter in the next three years. Look for Cromartie to be a day one pick, but he may take some time to develop into a shutdown cornerback.

Charlie Whitehurst, QB, Clemson

Background

Whitehurst came to Clemson as a highly decorated quarterback in high school. Despite battling injuries during his high school career, he still managed to make the North Fulton Super 11 by the Atlanta Journal.

While with the Tigers, Whitehurst became one of the school's most prolific passers and led the Tigers to three bowl games. Additionally, Whitehurst fell just below 10,000 yards of total offense during his career. His senior season was strong, completing 67.2 percent of his passes for 2474 yards and 11 touchdowns to 10 interceptions.

His solid season was a big bounce back year, as his junior season was awful. Whitehurst struggled, only completing 50.7 percent of his passes and seven touchdowns to 17 interceptions.

Charlie is the son of former Green Bay Packers quarterback David Whitehurst, who played in the NFL from 1976 to 1983. Whitehurst compiled a 25-15 record while the starting quarterback with the Tigers.

Positives

If he can stay healthy, Whitehurst is known as an accurate passer with a strong arm. The Tigers offense was designed to get the balls in the hands of the receivers for more runs after the catch instead of a downfield attack. Whitehurst finished his first two years with the Tigers with a 60.5 percent completion rate and finished his senior season with a 67.2 rate.

Although injuries are never a good thing, Whitehurst has played through pain. During his senior season, the quarterback battled a painful throwing shoulder injury, which hindered the zip on the ball. However, he only missed one game and this came after a sophomore season of battling a badly sprained ankle.

Outside of toughness, accuracy and a strong arm, Whitehurst is a team leader. The Tigers became one of the most explosive offenses in the NCAA with him at the helm and the team responded to him as their starting quarterback. Also, his 6'4 frame is a positive, especially since he can find easy throwing lanes.

Negatives

Injuries and a willingness to be inconsistent are Whitehurst's downfalls. There are some concerns regarding his touch on deep passes, but the quarterback isn't terrible. Additionally, Whitehurst does hold onto the ball too long at times, which results in more hits on him. Whitehurst will have to get quicker with the release of the ball in the NFL and make better decisions. His 17 interception junior year was a downpoint in his career.

Summary

With the NFL needing more solid quarterbacks, Whitehurst is a day-one pick that will be taken as a developmental quarterback. Although he's accurate and has good arm strength, Whitehurst can be up and down at times and hasn't been able to completely fend away the injury bug. Getting rid of the ball quicker should be something that Whitehurst works on in the NFL and keeping himself healthy. Look for Whitehurst to be a late day-one to early day-two pick and he'll go to a team that can let him develop for two to three years before coming a starting quarterback, but he should be a successful quarterback in the NFL.

Ernie Sims, LB, Florida State

Background

There is no question that Sims comes from good bloodlines, as his father Ernie played for Bobby Bowden and the Seminoles during the 1977-1978 and 1980-1981. His mother Alice was an All-American sprinter on the Seminoles track team from 1980-1983. Additionally, Sims was given permission to wear the number 34 by former great Ron Sellers and has given opponents headaches with his hard-hitting ability.

Out of high school, Sims gained numerous honors for being in the top five, if not number one linebacker in high school football. Sims also ran for 1081 yards during his senior season in high school, as he was a two-way player.

Outside of his bone-rocking hits, Sims has grown into one of the Seminoles best defenders. In his freshman season, Sims played in all 13 games and notched 42 tackles. Sims didn't start that season, but gained a starting nod in the team's final eleven games of the 2004 season. Sims earned All-ACC second team honors and 86 tackles.

His junior season was marred somewhat by a domestic battery charge, but he continued on this season. Despite only making 72 tackles this season, the Seminoles coaching staff believes that Sims had a great all-around year. The junior was asked to play away from the ball, which didn't allow him many tackles.

Positives

Without a doubt, Sims is one of the hardest hitting players in the draft. Sims has a reputation for bringing the big hit each game and will make players pay for a catch over the middle of the field. Sims also has good 4.5 speed and is a good tackler.

Sims has also shown a willingness to play through injuries and an ability to quickly rebound from any injuries that he has suffered. There is no question either about Sims passion for the game, as he's one of the most competitive players on the field. Also, Sims is an excellent coverage linebacker, which has led to some discussion about moving him to safety.

Negatives

One of the biggest concerns for Sims has been his concussions suffered during his football career. Sims has battled concussions and has returned from each one, but NFL teams should be worried about how many more he can take.

The next concern is his position. Is he a linebacker or a safety? Standing 6'0 isn't going to help his case as a linebacker, but likely more as a safety. Florida State has had a similar case to this before, as Michael Boulware was a linebacker in college, but moved to safety in the NFL. Sims could make the transition easily, as he's a strong pass defender and has good speed to cover the field.

Another negative is his off the field issues. Although he's a competitive player and shows passion for the game, Sims has to keep that energy on the field and not get into anymore off the field incidents. Since the domestic battery charge, he hasn't had an issue with breaking the law.

Summary

Sims is an interesting prospect, as he has the speed and tackling ability to play linebacker or safety. He should be a day one pick, as he's a huge talent and just needs a little bit of work before he can become a polished player. Whichever NFL team drafts Sims, they'll need to settle on a position right away and get him adjusted to that in the NFL. Sims will bring intensity and passion to the field and he'll also bring a hard-hitting reputation to whichever defense he plays for. Expect Sims to be a starter for a defense in his first three years in the NFL.

Devin Hester, Athlete, Miami, Fla.

Background

Hester came to Miami as one of the most interesting prospects in his recruiting class, as he was dubbed one of the best two-way players in high school football. While in high school, Hester gained honors such as USA Today First-Team All-American and the number one rated player in Florida regardless of position.

Since coming to the Hurricanes, Hester has struggled finding his place on the field. The junior bounced between offense, defense and special teams. As a freshman, he finished six in the NCAA in kick return yardage with a 28.7 average and notching one touchdown. The junior didn't see anytime on defense, but saw a little action on offense, as he caught four balls for 116 yards.

His sophomore season saw Hester get onto the field as a defensive back and he managed 17 tackles and four interceptions. However, Hester continued to dominant on special teams, as he averaged 17.2 yards on punt returns and 25.9 yards per punt return. During the 2004 season, Hester became one of the NCAA's top special teamers, as he notched four touchdowns on special teams.

Hester's junior season wasn't great, as he managed only one touchdown and split his time between offense and defense. However, he did finish third on the team with 603 total yards of offense.

Positives

Without a doubt, Hester is one of the fastest players in the draft. Hester also brings agility and quick moves that have reminded some of Deion Sanders. Hester has great speed and vision and seems to be able to find holes on returns very easily. Additionally, Hester has moved around on offense with the Hurricanes and could move into a Kordell Stewart type of role in the NFL.

Negatives

The six million dollar question is what position does Hester play? Is he a wide receiver or a cornerback? Or, is Hester without a position and just a dynamic special teams player? Hester wasn't able to maintain coverage on defense and struggled with route-running on offense.

Obviously, whichever NFL team drafts him has a very unpolished player and has work to do before he can be considered an elite receiver or cornerback.

Summary