With the 2010 College Football season already one third of the way through, and many in Jacksonville already wanting the Jags season to be over, I figured it would be a good time to have our first prospect update. While no one really knows how Gene Smith's draft board is going to look, I think there are some clues that can be had, so let's get at it.
1. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
At this point, it seems as if the Jaguars may not need to trade up for the heralded RS Sophomore. Luck possesses all of the physical attributes you want at the QB position, along with an ever growing knowledge of how to read defenses. Also, coming from a Pro Style system at Stanford will have him ahead of the curve.
2. Nick Foles, QB, Arizona
The Jr QB came into 2010 as a possible 2nd/3rd round pick. However, he's been lighting up the desert so far, with his coming out part vs Iowa a few weeks ago. He's going to be a guy to watch as the season progresses. If he keeps up his current pace, I think he'll leap frog the underwhelming Jake Locker and Ryan Mallett.
3. Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State
So far in 2010, we've seen 2 Christian Ponders. In FSU's 3 wins, he looked like the calm, cool, and collected QB from 2009. In FSU's loss to Oklahoma, he looked like the turnover prone, run if the primary guy was covered QB from 2008. He has another tune up before the Noles play Miami, a game that will affect his stock significantly one way or another.
4. Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
If Gene decides that the DEFCON 5 situation in the secondary needs to take precedence over the QB situation, Peterson is going to be the guy. Peterson's Heisman pose vs West Virginia isn't unwarranted, as he's easily the best defensive back in the country.
5. Chris Culliver, CB, South Carolina
The Jaguars have made several stops at South Carolina this year, and the guy who makes the most sense is Culliver. Tapped as a 2nd/3rd round player, Culliver is a converted FS who earned 2nd team All-SEC honors in his first year as a CB.
6. Kris O'Dowd, C, USC
The interior of the offensive line has to be replinished with new blood, and quickly. While Brad Meester has been having a nice bounce back year from a terrible 2009, I think it's clear the Jaguars will need to address the position soon.
7. Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia
Dowling was never as good as some were hyping him to be, but he is a solid cornerback prospect. Depending on where the Jaguars are drafting in the 2nd round, I think he would provide some quality depth to the secondary.
8. Chris Prosinksi, FS, Wyoming
The Jaguars were at a Wyoming practice earlier in the year, and Prosinski matched up with a Gene Smith player very well. While he's a late round guy, maybe Gene sees something others don't in him;
9. Greg Jones, MLB, Michigan St
Although Kirk Morrision has done well so far at the MLB position, Jones looks like the real deal for the Spartans.
10. Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina
Just throwing this one out there. Although Austin will probably never play another down of college football, he was a projected Top 10 pick for this year's draft. Depending on how talent evaluators feel about him now, he could slip into the 3rd round or lower. If that's true, then the potential rewards would outweigh the risks.