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Based on Wonderlic scores, LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne makes ex-Texas quarterback Vince Young look like a rocket scientist.

According to Pat Dooley, Claiborne got a four (out of 50 possible points) on the Wonderlic at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Four!

As Dooley tweets, a "tree stump could score a five."

Mo Claiborne of LSU scored a four on the Wunderlic test. A tree stump could score a five. That's embarrassing.

— Pat Dooley (@pat_dooley) April 3, 2012

For the non-IQ portion of the combine, you can see Claiborne's results (and those of all DBs) here.

In most mock drafts (including mine), Claiborne is a top-five pick projected to go to Cleveland at No. 4 or Tampa Bay at No. 5.

Related: Take our poll on who the Browns should select at No. 4.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 07:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The biggest knock on South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffery is his ability (or lack thereof) to separate from defensive backs.

While Jeffery is a big target (6-4), he has reportedly lost some weight ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis next week.

According to Aaron Wilson (via Twitter), Jeffery is down to 217 to 220 pounds and hopes to run a 4.5 forty.

In our 2012 NFL mock drafts, both Brendan Donahue (see his mock) and I (see my mock) have the 49ers using the 30th overall pick in the first round to take Jeffery.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 06:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Alabama junior cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick declared himself eligible for April's NFL Draft and is projected by many to be a top-10 pick.

Most draft analysts project Kirkpatrick to be the second cornerback selected in the draft after LSU's Morris Claiborne, the Jim Thorpe award recipient this year.

Kirkpatrick didn't help his draft stock any today, however, as he was arrested early Tuesday morning on a marijuana possession charge. He was released this morning on $120 bond and his court date is set for February 21st.

With the NFL Scouting Combine next month (Feb. 22-28), it makes no sense why Kirkpatrick would allow himself to end up in this situation.

Our initial mock drafts will be posted within the next week, but you can view our 2012 NFL Mock Draft Database here.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 07:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Going into Monday's night BCS Championship Game, there was no controversy around the unbeaten and top-ranked LSU Tigers playing for the national title.

With no playoff system in place to determine who should meet in the championship game, however, there was plenty of debate about whether it should be Alabama or Oklahoma State that faces LSU. Since Alabama finished second in the BCS standings ahead of Oklahoma State, who beat Stanford in the Fiesta Bowl, it will be the second time that LSU and 'Bama face each other this season.

The fact that these two teams faced each other already has no bearing on whether or not I think they should meet in the championship game although I would much rather have the matchups determined by a playoff (ideally eight teams).

In their first matchup, LSU beat Alabama by a field goal in overtime in Tuscaloosa, but the Crimson Tide were only two-of-six on field goal attempts in that game.

Alabama and LSU rank first and second, respectively, in scoring defense (8.8 and 10.5 points allowed per game) and total defense (191.3 and 252.1 yards allowed per game). Will it be another defensive battle between college football's top two defensive teams?

Alabama, who hasn't played since November 26th, are two-point favorites over LSU, who last played on December 3rd in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia.

Who will win the BCS Championship Game?

Related: Full Bowl Schedule/Results - Get Tickets to BCS Championship

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 04:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Four and a half months from now, Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck will (almost) certainly be this year's top overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

That said, Luck, who is one of the five finalists, seems less likely to be this year's Heisman Trophy winner than he does the top pick in the draft.

The other four finalists are Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, Alabama running back Trent Richardson, Wisconsin running back Montee Ball and LSU defensive back Tyrann Mathieu a.k.a. the Honey Badger.

Griffin leads the country in quarterback rating (192.3) and has more yards (3,998), touchdowns (36) and fewer interceptions (5) than Luck (167.5-3,170-35-9).

Meanwhile, Ball leads the country in rushing (1,759) and rushing touchdowns (32). Richardson, who ranks sixth in rushing, has 1,583 yards and 20 rushing touchdowns.

The last defensive player to win the award was Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson in 1997. In the 13 years since Woodson won the award, the Heisman Trophy has gone to nine quarterbacks and four running backs.

Who will be this year's Heisman Trophy winner?

Related: Our 2012 NFL Mock Draft Database - Past Heisman Winners

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 09:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The bad news?

An initial report indicated Georgia starting quarterback Aaron Murray broke his ankle in two places playing a pick-up soccer game.

The good (or less bad) news?

The updated report is that Murray has a sprained -- not broken -- ankle and is expected to be ready to return for spring practice.

Per Seth Emerson of Ledger-Enquirer, the Bulldogs have their first spring practice on March 10th, which is the day before spring break, and Georgia doesn't practice again until March 22nd. So, in other words, it's possible they sit Murray on the March 10th practice to allow him extra time to heal.

As a freshman, Murray threw for 3,049 yards, 24 touchdowns and only six interceptions in 2010.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 08:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It will be difficult for Alabama running back Mark Ingram to duplicate the success he had in his sophomore season where he won the Heisman Trophy and helped lead the Crimson Tide to the BCS national championship.

As he enters his junior season, however, he is avoiding the speculation that this could be his last collegiate season.

"My main focus right now is being the best player I can be for this team and helping this team win games and win another championship," Ingram said according to Don Kausler Jr. of the Birmingham News (via John Taylor of College Football Talk). "Anything else is not necessary to talk about."

In their 2011 NFL Mock Draft, WalterFootball.com has Ingram going as the 12th overall pick (and first running back off the board) to the New England Patriots.

Because the shelf life for a running back in the NFL is so short-lived, it makes no sense for Ingram (or any other top RB prospect, for that matter) to return for (and risk injury in) his senior season.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 09:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

With the 26th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals select Tennessee defensive tackle Dan Williams.

Williams, who is a 6-foot-3, 327-pound nose tackle, is a good value pick by the Cardinals. NFLDraftScout.com had Williams ranked as the 14th overall prospect.

One of the teams that was looking to draft Williams was the Miami Dolphins, who traded down with the San Diego Chargers to 28th overall.

Now the New England Patriots are the on the clock with the 27th overall pick.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 10:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

With the 25th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos select Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, who was arguably the most decorated quarterback in college football history.

But wow.

With the group of quarterbacks in Denver (Kyle Orton, Brady Quinn, etc.), it's surprising that the Broncos select a quarterback that is viewed as a project in the NFL at the quarterback position over someone like Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen.

Now the Arizona Cardinals are the on the clock with the 26th overall pick.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 10:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

With the 20th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans select Alabama cornerback Kareem Jackson.

Jackson, who started for three years, skipped his senior season at Alabama against the advice of coach Nick Saban.

Over those three seasons, Jackson finished with 156 tackles and five interceptions.

Now the Cincinnati Bengals are the on the clock with the 21st overall pick.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 09:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

With the 18th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers select Florida center Maurkice Pouncey.

Here are his NFL.com draft profile strengths: "Pouncey has the size and quickness we look for in an interior offensive lineman. Has the versatility to play both center and guard. Exhibits great awareness and can handle complex defensive line play. Really active. Displays impressive body control and balance when getting out in front in the running game. Plays with good leverage."

And his weaknesses: "Not too many holes in his game. Durability is a concern after Pouncey underwent torn labrum surgery. Could benefit from playing with a higher degree of tenacity. We’d like to see him more consistently finish off his blocks and fight until the whistle."

Now the Atlanta Falcons are the on the clock with the 19th overall pick.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 09:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

With the eighth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders select Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain.

Not only was McClain the SEC Defensive Player of the Year last season, he won the Dick Butkus award.

Now the Buffalo Bills are the on the clock with the ninth overall pick.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 08:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

With the seventh pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select Florida cornerback Joe Haden.

Heading into the NFL Scouting Combine, Haden was widely-regarded as the top cornerback in the NFL Draft. However, he disappointed many scouts with his slower-than-expected forty-yard dash time at the Combine.

Last year, Haden finished with four interceptions and he had eight in his three-year career with the Gators.

In 2009, the Browns ranked fourth-to-last in passing defense (244.7 yards allowed per game).

Now the Oakland Raiders are the on the clock with the eighth overall pick.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 08:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

With the fifth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select Tennessee safety Eric Berry.

Many draft analysts projected the Chiefs to take an offensive lineman if they didn't select Berry.

A guy that Berry has been compared to is Baltimore's Ed Reed in his ability to cover as a safety. Berry ran a 4.47 forty at the NFL Combine and had a 43-inch vertical jump.

In 2009, Berry had 83 tackles and two interceptions for Tennessee as a junior.

Now the Seattle Seahawks are the on the clock with the sixth overall pick. They also have the 14th overall pick.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 08:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

At the NFL Scouting Combine, LSU return specialist Trindon Holliday was hoping to beat Titans running back Chris Johnson's 40-yard dash time of 4.24.

ESPN's Adam Schefter tweets, "There's smoke coming off the track: LSU WR Trindon Holliday just recoreded one of fastest 40-yard dashes ever run in Indy, a blazing 4.22."

However, NFL.com says Holliday's unofficial 40-yard times are 4.27 and 4.32 seconds.

Either way, he's fast.

At LSU, Holliday finished his four-year career with 776 rushing yards and four touchdowns as well as seven career receptions for 72 yards.

At 5'5" though, he's likely to be a late-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft and he will primarily be a return specialist at the next level.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)