Pro Prospects of ISU

[JustRedman]

I really think Benton has the most to gain this year. I think he will be a fine safety, and his cover skills are better than DSims. Sims was clearly a great safety for us, but I think that if Benton plays well this year teams may look at his upside and take a chance with him. I think Sims was faster (just a guess from how well he covered ground), but he had tiny hands and was not the biggest guy which really hurt him.

LJ is another person that I thought was a lock after his freshman year. Unless he makes a few more strides in his game, I could see teams using a late round pick on a guy more like...Benton. Depends on if they need a true corner, because Benton isn't an NFL corner IMO, but he may make for a decent S/Nickle.

[JustRedman]

I am not including Juniors into my equation. Otherwise I would say Knott and Klein for sure.

[Yes13]

Hayworth Hicks anyone? I would love to see a one on one drill between Hicks and KO.

[rebecacy]

IMO, I still think Franklin should have been drafted.

I doubt we have anyone other than "O" -- Franklin is a good example of players we fall in love with and inflate that are not NFL caliber. If I had a bet of over or under on 2.5 getting drafted this year i'd take the under.

[JustRedman]

I doubt we have anyone other than "O" -- Franklin is a good example of players we fall in love with and inflate that are not NFL caliber. If I had a bet of over or under on 2.5 getting drafted this year i'd take the under.

With out a doubt. We would have to overachieve like a mofo for 3 guys to get taken.

[arganbright2]

Look at last years first round and tell me how many guys came from "successful" programs. Scouts find the talent from less successful programs especially when they are in a BCS conference.

Perhaps you should go back and look at last year's first round...The only player from a traditionally 'bad' program (or non BCS) was Muhammad Wilkerson from Temple with the 30th pick and even then Temple has turned the corner with their program. I'm not trying to knock our program but going to Mid to Low level bowl games does not draw enough attention to guys like Franklin or LJ that were/are borderline draft picks

[CyFan61]

Perhaps you should go back and look at last year's first round...The only player from a traditionally 'bad' program (or non BCS) was Muhammad Wilkerson from Temple with the 30th pick and even then Temple has turned the corner with their program. I'm not trying to knock our program but going to Mid to Low level bowl games does not draw enough attention to guys like Franklin or LJ that were/are borderline draft picks

Do you think NFL scouts just watch the games that are on ESPN? They will find the best players no matter who they play for. Of course they will miss some (like Franklin IMO) but that's not because our team isn't good.

[ISUCyclone06]

I still believe that Lamaack and Franklin end up in the NFL.

In the RAG today an interview with Dallas Cowboys Scout says he believes KO is only a 2nd or 3rd round pick. So he is the only player I see getting drafted with LJ, Benton, Lattimer as Free Agent chances.

[Al_4_State]

Perhaps you should go back and look at last year's first round...The only player from a traditionally 'bad' program (or non BCS) was Muhammad Wilkerson from Temple with the 30th pick and even then Temple has turned the corner with their program. I'm not trying to knock our program but going to Mid to Low level bowl games does not draw enough attention to guys like Franklin or LJ that were/are borderline draft picks

Didn't Baylor have some first rounders? They've been quite a bit worse than ISU over the past 20 years.

When guys get drafted out of FCS schools and low major, I have a hard time believing ISU's lack of success causes NFL scouts to ignore NFL talent on our roster. If these guys aren't getting drafted it isn't because they have NFL talent and went to ISU, it's because they didn't have NFL talent.

That said, I think KO and LJ are the only guys drafted this year. Off this team, I think Knott and Klein also will end up in the league, and if a guy like Farniok comes in and starts right away, he'll have a chance. Possibly a guy like Shontrelle could make it as a 3rd down type player.

[IcSyU]

KO will go and I don't think anyone else this year. I'm not even sold on Klein/Knott as NFL material in two years. I think LJ will also struggle to get drafted. I do see all of the above getting a shot at getting on a team though.

[PabloDiablo]

KO and Knott. LJ could be a late round prospect. Young players with potential would be Irving and Miller. Someone mentioned Money... I could see him as an UDFA maybe.. being hurt and not playing well last year hurt him.. he would have to set big time records to be a one year wonder and get drafted from ISU. Klein is another guy who could be an UDFA.

Also, like someone said KO having a high grade could help some more of our guys getting noticed. I would say that only will work on the offensive side though, but we do also have Knott who should at least get drafted rounds two to three.

I think you're right about Money, we all see a ton of potential but with the right season(it would have to be a Justin Blackmon/Dez Bryant type season) he could catch on somewhere with his measureables. I also think LJ is a late rounder, but I have been an LJ fan for a loooong time.

I doubt we have anyone other than "O" -- Franklin is a good example of players we fall in love with and inflate that are not NFL caliber. If I had a bet of over or under on 2.5 getting drafted this year i'd take the under.

Agreed, we get some Cyclone blinders on and see how great they contribute to our team which shifts our opinion. I still think that CF makes a team once teams are allowed to sign UDFA. He is a niche guy who could do well in the right system just needs a chance.

Do you think NFL scouts just watch the games that are on ESPN? They will find the best players no matter who they play for. Of course they will miss some (like Franklin IMO) but that's not because our team isn't good.

This is true, how else do you see tons of DB talent come out of schools like Abilene Christian.

[Istate]

KO will go and I don't think anyone else this year. I'm not even sold on Klein/Knott as NFL material in two years. I think LJ will also struggle to get drafted. I do see all of the above getting a shot at getting on a team though.

I'm more in line with this thought. I think KO will get drafted. LJ might be a late, late round grab. He's good in run support, but I think he lacks the make-up speed to be a corner in the NFL. Knott has a chance to be drafted if he can get his speed a little better and starts making plays at or behind the LOS. However Jake has a lot of work to get done before he starts making draft boards. Does Benton have the ability to play safety in the league? It seems to me that we're forcing him to be a safety this year out of need not due to his skill-set.

[delt4cy]

I wonder if KO's weight will be a concern for the pro scouts. Combing through the 2011 OL draftees, I see only 1 person drafted weighing above 330. According to the roster, he tips in at 354.

[TitanClone]

I doubt we have anyone other than "O" -- Franklin is a good example of players we fall in love with and inflate that are not NFL caliber. If I had a bet of over or under on 2.5 getting drafted this year i'd take the under.

If it was 1.5 I would take the under.

KO is a lock. After him I would say LJ, Money and Benton (in that order) are the only ones with any chance of getting their name called.

LJ based on what we've seen and hopefully even more improvement this season.

Money based on athleticism, size and potential.

Benton based on what we've seen, size and potential.

[AArnaud4]

I strongly believe KO's weight will not matter when he reaches the next level unless he is way out of shape because more than likely he will be moved to guard.