Todd Gurley, UGA RB
Gurley’s the best running back in College Football. His season was cut short dude to injury in 2013. Gurley’s got ideal size for the position at 6’1″ and weighing in at just over 230 lbs. He’s gotten it done against top college defenses including a 150+ yard/2 touchdown performance against Clemson and a 130+ yard/2 TD (1 TD rushing, 1 TD receiving) performance against Jadeveon Clowney’s alumni South Carolina. Finally, Gurley finished off the 2013 regular season with a dramatic double overtime win over Georgia Tech with 150+ yards from scrimmage and 4 total touchdowns on the day. Gurley’s a proven grinder who can run down the middle or catch the ball out of the backfield.
Amari Cooper, Alabama WR
Cooper saw his production drop in 2013 with a few games lost to injury but finished off his sophomore season better than any receiver in the country with seven touches for 200+ yards from scrimmage performance against fierce rival Auburn and a nine-catch, 121-yard performance in a loss to Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl. Cooper stands at a humble 6’1″, 202 lbs but has big-game potential.
Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M OT
Ogbuehi is the next bruising tackle in line at Texas A&M. Ogbuehi’s primed to be an early first round draft selection come 2015. At 6’5″ and 300 lbs, Ogbuehi could probably put on a little size to be a future franchise offensive tackle but has great height and excellent blocking production in his time protecting Heisman trophy QB Johnny Manziel. His time as a left tackle in 2014 will solidify his future as a franchise OT at the next level. Ogbuehi already’s slotted as a top-five overall selection in the 2015 draft by NFL talent guru Todd McShay. Ogbuehi’s got significant starting experience at guard and at right tackle suggesting he can be a versatile asset in any offense he’s drafted into.
Marcus Mariota, Oregon QB
Mariota would’ve been the first QB drafted in the 2014 draft if he’d come out this season. Houston may have even drafted him over Clowney. Mariota had absolute video game numbers this season and looks to only improve next year. He’s a great athlete as a runner but an even better passer and has great size/height to translate to the NFL. Mariota routinely torches opposing defenses and put up 50+ points in six games last season. Mariota produced 40 total touchdowns (31 passing, 9 rushing) with only four interceptions in 2013 with a gaudy 9.5 YPA on the season. Mariota will have another highlight reel season in 2014 and be a top five pick in the draft in 2015 if he chooses to come out.
Brett Hundley, UCLA QB
Hundley’s another Junior QB prospect from the Pac-12. UCLA doesn’t have the explosive passing offense used by Oregon, but Hundley still posted very strong passing metrics with 35 total touchdowns (24 passing, 11 rushing) and 9 interceptions on the season. His completion percentage improved to 67.2 on the season with 8.32 YPA on the season. Hundley possesses acceptable measurables standing at 6’3″ and 222 lbs at playing weight. Hundley closed out 2013 with a decisive 35-14 win over a strong USC defense and an 42-12 thrashing of Logan Thomas’s Virginia Tech Hokies. Hundley was responsible for over 350 yards of offense and four touchdowns in the 2013 Sun Bowl against Virginia Tech.
Devin Funchess, Michigan TE
Funchess could stand to put on some weight at 228 with a 6’5″ frame, but he has the capacity to do so. Funchess caught seven touchdowns in 2013 and seemed to be at his best against Michigan’s toughest opponents. Funchess caught two touchdowns in a grueling quadruple (yes, quadruple) overtime loss to Penn State and one touchdown each in close losses to Nebraska (13-17) and to Ohio State(41-42) to close out the regular season. Funchess is a big-game threat who could become the centerpiece of the Michigan offense in 2014 with the departure of WR Jeremy Gallon in the draft.
Gridiron Seasonal 