2012 NFL Draft Preview: More Than Just Andrew Luck

The 2012 NFL Draft features a deep pool of NFL prospects, including the 'can't miss' QB prospect Andrew Luck from the Stanford Cardinal. Luck is expected to go #1 to the Indianapolis Colts but after that, things could get interesting. Keep in mind that this is the first draft with a rookie salary cap. We expect this to result in more trades and deals as the top picks will no longer get monster contracts. In recent years, the salaries paid to top picks was so high, it often prohibited teams from being able to trade those spots. Here's a look at some of the top college football players entering the draft:

Trent Richardson, Alabama Crimson Tide:
He is the no-doubt top rated RB prospect in this draft. He was a Heisman Trophy finalist and showed significant production for the last 2 years for the national champion Crimson Tide. However, running back has become a lesser valued position in the NFL now as the passing game gets all the attention. For that reason, Richardson could even be selected outside of the Top 10 spots.

Matt Kalil, USC Trojans:
Kalil is the consensus top offensive lineman in this draft, considered the best tackle prospect since Jake Long was selected first overall by the Miami Dolphins. Kalil could be coveted by the St. Louis Rams at #2 or the Minnesota Vikings at #3, both teams need help on the line.

Andrew Luck, Stanford Cardinal
we've all heard 'Suck for Luck' since about September as Luck is the most prized QB prospect since Peyton Manning. In fact, Luck may have been the #1 pick last year if he chose to enter the draft then. Luck possesses the physical skills needed to be a top line QB, as well as the intelligence and drive to lead an NFL team. Luck is a Stanford University graduate: those boys aren't dumb. There is very little doubt that the Colts will select Luck.

Robert Griffin III, Baylor Bears:
The 'other' QB in the 2012 NFL Draft is Heisman Trophy winner RGIII. With a cannon arm and excellent running abilities, Baylor's Griffin offers a very enticing set of physical skills. Some NFL scouts actually prefer Griffin over Andrew Luck. With Matt Barkley and Landry Jones returning to college for 2012, RG3 will be in high demand as more teams need elite new QBs than there is available. We expect the Rams to trade the #2 draft pick to a team wanting Griffin.

Morris Claiborne, LSU Tigers:
The LSU secondary was deep and talanted across the board this past year but Claiborne is a notch ahead of his teammates, and the top cornerback in the NFL draft. CB is still a premium position in the NFL and LSU's Claiborne is likely going to be a top 5 selection this April.

Riley Reiff, Iowa Hawkeyes:
There's a long tradition of successful offensive lineman from the Big 10 and the Iowa Hawkeyes Reiff is the conference's top dog in 2012. Along with Stanford's Jonathan Martin, Reiff isn't as elite as Kalil but he will be drafted in the top half of round one. Reiff played left tackle for the Hawkeyes but could also play right tackle at the next level.

Dre Kirkpatrick, Mark Barron and Courtney Upshaw, Alabama Crimson Tide:
Seeing as a stifling defense led Alabama to the BCS National Title, we will see more than one 'Bama player from that side of the ball playing in the NFL in 2012. These 3 all rate highly and could well be first round picks in April. Cornerback Kirkpatrick is likely the best prospect of these three and could be the 2nd Crimson Tide player selected after Trent Richardson. With talent this deep, is it any wonder Nick Saban is in the national title picture every year?

For more information on the 2012 NFL Draft, check out ESPN.com's Draft page.

2012 College Football: Who Will Be the Top Teams?

An Early Look at the Top College Football Teams for 2012

The 2011 college football season just wrapped up, with the Alabama Crimson Tide winning the BCS title with a victory over the previously undefeated LSU Tigers. Now we take an early look ahead to next year in NCAA football - who are some of the teams that could be legitimate challengers for the BCS Championship in 2012?

Alabama Crimson Tide:
A no brainer - Roll Tide! The Tide will be losing many players to the NFL draft this year, including running back Trent Richardson, but with one of the best recruiting classes in the nation and coach Nick Saban running the show, the Crimson Tide will be a top team again

USC Trojans:
With quarterback and perhaps the early Heisman Trophy leader Matt Barkley returning to school for another season, the USC Trojans are set up for a national title run. Their out of conference schedule is not daunting, and they get both Notre Dame and the Oregon Ducks on their home turf at the LA Coliseum. This team is our early favorite for the BCA title in 2012.

Michigan Wolverines:
Big Blue returned to national prominence in 2011 under new coach Brady Hoke, defeating Virginia Tech in the Suger Bowl. Dynamic QB Denard Robinson returns to lead the Wolverines but be warned, Michigan has a tough schedule. Included on the 2012 sked is an early season tussle with the Crimson Tide, as well as road visits to Ohio State and Notre Dame. It's possible that Michigan could be a better team in 2012 but not win as many games based on the tough schedule.

Oklahoma Sooners:
Bob Stoops' Sooners were the pre-season pick as 2011 national champs but their season turned out to be a disappointment. Quarterback Landry Jones chose to return to school and there is plenty of other talent in Oklahoma to consider the Sooners in the BCS picture for 2012.

LSU Tigers:
Les Miles will have the LSU Tigers back into the national title picture again in 2012. There is some talent going off to the NFL but the 2012 schedule is much more forgiving than the murderer's row LSU faced in 2011. Also, the Tigers will get Alabama at home in Death Valley this time around.

Oregon Ducks:
in recent years, the Oregon Ducks have surpassed USC as the Pac 12's top dog. Coach Chip Kelly will have his lightning fast paced offense back in the top 10 again in 2012, and possibly again in the national title race. A narrow loss to USC last year was the only thing that kept the Ducks of the BCS title game.

Michigan State Spartans:
the Spartans play great defense and in the Big 10, that's usually a recipe for success. Sparty has had the Wolverines' number recently, winning 4 straight, and Urban Meyer's Ohio State Buckeyes are on probation in 2012. The Wisconsin Badgers will be strong again but perhaps the Spartans will be the Big 10 favorite.

Arkansas Razorbacks:
oh yeah, that OTHER team in the SEC West division. LSU and Alabama hog most of the spotlight and headlines in the SEC but Arkansas has a great team too. The Razorbacks get both Alabama and LSU at home in 2012 - if there's ever a season to leapfrog the big boys, 2012 is it.