This years' seniors.

[SoonerDomiNation]

Ikard. Clay. Saunders. Colvin. Finch. Who do yall see as the best nfl player? I'm going with saunders. Just my opinon I could be wrong.

[BoulderSooner79]

I don't think any will be NFL stars, although I don't know enough about OL play to say much about Ikard. Seems he did get pushed around at times. Saunders and Finch are just so small, but Saunders does have great quickness if he doesn't have to go over the middle too often. I see Finch contributing on special teams as kick returner. Clay is the one that looks solid to be in an RB rotation, but not as featured back. Change of pace back or 3rd down specialist since he can pass protect and catch the ball.

[BoulderSooner79]

I'll add that Bester may surprise everyone and make a roster. He's got size and it seemed that our QB issues didn't allow us to see much of him. He sure looked good in the Sugar bowl.

[stoopified]

No draft love for Nelson? Millard?Irwin?

[SoonerDomiNation]

Yeah my bad stoop I had a brain malfunction n forgot about those guys.

[Breadburner]

BOB STOOPS....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!

[swardboy]

IMHO Millard has the best NFL prospects. I don't think the injury will hold him back too much based on his body of work...kinda like Sam. I'm hoping he gets drafted by round three.

[sooneron]

Millard
Colvin
Clay... in that order
The rest could make a roster

[Eielson]

I'm taking Colvin.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

I don't think any will be NFL stars, although I don't know enough about OL play to say much about Ikard. Seems he did get pushed around at times. Saunders and Finch are just so small, but Saunders does have great quickness if he doesn't have to go over the middle too often. I see Finch contributing on special teams as kick returner. Clay is the one that looks solid to be in an RB rotation, but not as featured back. Change of pace back or 3rd down specialist since he can pass protect and catch the ball.Pretty much. I think Finch has the most potential, but might be too fragile.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

No draft love for Nelson? Millard?Irwin?all in the maybe group, except for Millard. he's a hoss, and will make starter, i think. Just what position is the question for him. Can he LB? To me, he's got the skills to do that.

[rock on sooner]

Saunders and Finch both have a shot at special teams in the pros...
kick returner. Millard will make it as FB (blocking type) or H back
or even some tight end sets. Ikard is such an intelligent guy he
might make it as a back up center. Irwin might surprise, given how
well he did in a new position for the Sugar Bowl. Colvin will probably
be drafted highest amongst OUr seniors. Nelson will make a roster. JMO...

[jkm, the stolen pifwafwi]

I'll add that Bester may surprise everyone and make a roster. He's got size and it seemed that our QB issues didn't allow us to see much of him. He sure looked good in the Sugar bowl.

Bester has the best shot if someone gives him 2 years to get acclimated. He had 1100+ yards receiving in juco and probably would have done the same here this year if we'd have had good QB play.

[SoonerofAlabama]

I saw that Colvin was in the top 50 draft prospects on Kiper's big board. I'm not a big fan of Kiper, but I was glad to see Colvin there, I believe at No. 37.

[oupride]

Millard

[8timechamps]

I expect Ikard to have a long NFL career. He should be able to adjust to the NFL as fast as anyone, and he's a smart kid.

I was just looking at some mock drafts, and the Sooners didn't have anyone in the first two rounds. Clovin was the first guy off the board, and that was late in round 3.

[jkm, the stolen pifwafwi]

I expect Ikard to have a long NFL career. He should be able to adjust to the NFL as fast as anyone, and he's a smart kid.

I was just looking at some mock drafts, and the Sooners didn't have anyone in the first two rounds. Clovin was the first guy off the board, and that was late in round 3.

Based on Colvin tracking down that Alabama kid in the Sugar Bowl, I expect him to have a blazing 40 time at the combine. That should push him into the second round.

[Eielson]

Based on Colvin tracking down that Alabama kid in the Sugar Bowl, I expect him to have a blazing 40 time at the combine. That should push him into the second round.

He looked shockingly fast on that play, but never remember seeing that any other time. I may be wrong, but I've always felt our defensive players usually perform pretty poorly in the 40.

[sooneron]

Based on Colvin tracking down that Alabama kid in the Sugar Bowl, I expect him to have a blazing 40 time at the combine. That should push him into the second round.

I was thinking Colvin and Millard going sometime in the 3rd, that is dependent upon Millard's rehab progress. He could be one of those guys that Belichick takes in the 5th round (or later) and everyone sees him shine only to say, "oh yeah, Bill found another one and fit him into the Pats' system".

[JLEW1818]

Millard will end up on the Patriots

[Curly Bill]

I think almost all of those guys could make it. I think the closest to a sure thing is Millard (providing his injury isn't an issue).

[FaninAma]

Saunders is a Wes Welker clone with more speed. He will be a steal in the draft if he lasts until the 3rd round or later.

Ikard will be a terrific NFL center. I think he goes by the 3rd round.

[jkm, the stolen pifwafwi]

He looked shockingly fast on that play, but never remember seeing that any other time. I may be wrong, but I've always felt our defensive players usually perform pretty poorly in the 40.

Very true, because we value acceleration over top end speed. Guys like Sanchez hit their top speed very quickly, but that top end isn't anything to right home about. This is why we have traditionally had very good quickness times in the cones. Colvin is the polar opposite of that (high top end speed, decent acceleration). I think that 3 months with a trainer will do wonders for his 40 time. His other drills (and film) are going to push him down though. He is a very very grabby corner and that is going to cause NFL coaches to cringe.

[jkm, the stolen pifwafwi]

Saunders is a Wes Welker clone with more speed. He will be a steal in the draft if he lasts until the 3rd round or later.

Ikard will be a terrific NFL center. I think he goes by the 3rd round.

Saunders is closer to Marvin Harrison than Wes Welker. Saunders is a guy who is short and quick and can sit down in the middle of a zone in the 10-12 yard range. Welker on the other hand does his work 3-5 yards from the LOS. The guy is a savant at understanding "the path of least resistance".

[starclassic tama]

A lot of people don't realize how powerful Welker is due to his compact stature. He is very explosive in short bursts and strong for his size.

[HateTheWhorns]

Ikard. Clay. Saunders. Colvin. Finch. Who do yall see as the best nfl player? I'm going with saunders. Just my opinon I could be wrong.

My Take:

Colvin - has the most upside if he can stay healthy. Great coverage skills, speed, quickness, and can tackle. Unfortunately, tackling seems to be his injury bugaboo.

Ikard - should have a long career as a solid O Lineman. Certainly has the classroom and onfield IQs, solid leadership, and decent measurables.

Finch - Biggest question mark of the lot. He was totally underutilized at OU (given his skill set). Not saying he didn't bring a lot of that on himself, but he is a very electric player and I think his skills translate well over to the NFL. It all depends on how his NFL team intends to utilize him and whether or not he has matured in taking care of the ("little things") like blocking.

Clay - unfortunately I don't see a future for him in the NFL. Hope I'm wrong. Top end speed is average and he is a bit slow out of the gate. His strengths are blocking, reading blockers, good hands (catching the ball), and taking care of the ball.

Millard - His future depends on who drafts him. Only a few teams still utilize the FB position. If he lands with one of these teams, he could have a decent future. I have trouble visualizing him transitioning to another position.

Saunders - I think he ends up having a good NFL career (subject to staying healthy). Cut out of the same cloth as Clayton and Broyles. Not sure his hands are as reliable as the other two, but I think he is more explosive. Could have a future as a returner.

Nelson - Simply too small. Hope he earned his degree.

Bester - No clue. Never thought he would progress to the level that he did. He certainly has good height, agility, and speed. Just don't have a lot of faith in kids that come to OU via the JUCO route. There seems to be something in their make-up that dooms them to short-term success or out and out failure.

[BoulderSooner79]

A lot of people don't realize how powerful Welker is due to his compact stature. He is very explosive in short bursts and strong for his size.

^This! When they put a camera on him and I get to watch him come off the line, I see that the guy has more moves to get separation than any other WR I've seen. And he is very physical with guys that try to jam him.

[8timechamps]

Okay, I've caught some of the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl practices this week, and they seem very high on Roy Finch. So far, he's played really well in the game (ESPN2). Mr. Finch may be boosting his draft stock the most (out of any of the guys we have). I'm starting to like his chances.

[Eielson]

I love Saunders...I really do. He was my favorite player to watch this year. I just don't see him doing much in the NFL, though. I think the Welker comparison is way to easy to throw out there (it's a rare best case scenario kind of thing), but Welker has about 30 pounds on him. Even guys like Tavon Austin have over 20 pounds on him, and Saunders doesn't have the ultra-athleticism to go with it. I'll certainly be rooting for him, though.

Sidenote: I feel robbed that he wasn't declared eligible before the season.

[8timechamps]

I love Saunders...I really do. He was my favorite player to watch this year. I just don't see him doing much in the NFL, though. I think the Welker comparison is way to easy to throw out there (it's a rare best case scenario kind of thing), but Welker has about 30 pounds on him. Even guys like Tavon Austin have over 20 pounds on him, and Saunders doesn't have the ultra-athleticism to go with it. I'll certainly be rooting for him, though.

Sidenote: I feel robbed that he wasn't declared eligible before the season.

Welker reminds me of a smaller Ed McCaffery. McCaffery made his money going across the middle and getting destroyed. Welker, who has better hands than McCaffery, has never had a problem venturing into no-mans land to catch a ball. I just don't know if Saunders has the body to do that, and I can't see him as an outside guy at the next level. Where he can separate himself from a lot of others is in his punt return ability. I think that'll be his 'in' to making a roster.

And yeah, I agree about the NCAA ruling on him...In some ways I wish he would have just red shirted his last year, so he would have one more year. But, that's just me being selfish.

[swardboy]

Roy has a 51 kickoff return to add to his resume in the NFLPA Bowl! He's looked good, with a lot of rb reps.

Any I think he has made a commitment to not dropping the rock.

[Eielson]

And yeah, I agree about the NCAA ruling on him...In some ways I wish he would have just red shirted his last year, so he would have one more year. But, that's just me being selfish.

I thought about what it would be like to have him for another year, but I would've really missed what he did in the last half of his junior season. That OSU game by itself made it worth it that we didn't redshirt him. I don't think OSU has ever been so happy to see somebody leave after just two year.

[FaninAma]

Saunders is 5'9 160lbs with a reported time of 4.33 in the 40.
Welker's pre-draft report listed him at 5'9 186 lbs with a 4.65 40.

I understand Welker has an uncanny knack for finding the open area but I think Saunder's physical skills, especially his speed, make him more attractive coming out of college than Welker was at the same point in their careers.

Also, Welker has had the benefit of playing with some pretty damned good QBs in the NFL that helped exploit his talent of finding the creases and seams. How Saunders does at the next level will depend on the quality of QB he plays with.(Duh.)

[Eielson]

I'd be surprised if Saunders actually ran a 4.33 at the combine.

[FaninAma]

I'd be surprised if Saunders actually ran a 4.33 at the combine.
But I would be suprised if Saunders wasn't quite a bit faster than Welker.

[birddog]

Based on Colvin tracking down that Alabama kid in the Sugar Bowl, I expect him to have a blazing 40 time at the combine. That should push him into the second round.

You forgot to clarify that the bama kid forgot to remove the ankle weights before the game. Otherwise Colvin looks like a dlineman huffin it out.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

You forgot to clarify that the bama kid forgot to remove the ankle weights before the game. Otherwise Colvin looks like a dlineman huffin it out.It's why bammer lost the game to those lightweight Sooners.

[stoopified]

Bester has the best shot if someone gives him 2 years to get acclimated. He had 1100+ yards receiving in juco and probably would have done the same here this year if we'd have had good QB play.I think Bester earned at least a shot at an NFL roster with the Sugar Bowl performance he turned in.He has good size and speed and I'm guessing will test well at the combine or on pro day.I would think the fact that he was used in so many key situations as a senior says a lot about his character and work ethic. Bob doesn't play guys who aren't putting out effort(I.E. Finch last year) no matter how talented.

[stoopified]

Was watching some 2013 games on dvr and realized that I and apparently everyone else had forgotten about Damian Williams.I was reminded what a strong inside runner he was with breakaway speed.Mostly what I had forgotten was what an excellent reciever he is.I know Bob kicked him off the team but if mary jane is his only issue(I don't know one way or another),I would thinksomebody will give him a shot. He too should test well,at least skillwise.His big hurdle may be interview and drug testing.

[birddog]

Was watching some 2013 games on dvr and realized that I and apparently everyone else had forgotten about Damian Williams.I was reminded what a strong inside runner he was with breakaway speed.Mostly what I had forgotten was an excellent reciever he is.I know kicked him off the team but if mary jane is his only issue(I don't know one way or another),I would somebody will give him a shot. He too should test well,at least skillwise.His big hurdle may be interview and drug testing.
Accurate on all points