Underclassmen Watch: Defensive Line

DECLARED

Kevin Basped, DE, Nevada, JR – Nevada’s junior defensive end has decided to forgo his senior season in what comes as a bit of a surprising move. He recorded 19.5 sacks over the last two years and developed into one of the most feared pass rushers in the WAC. Basped is long and lean and could translate into a pass rusher at the next level. PROJ ROUND: 6th-Undrafted

Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida, JR – On a busy day for Gators’ fans, Dunlap was one of several underclassmen to make a decision to enter the draft rather than returning for a senior season. Draft experts seem to be split on Dunlap, while some believe him to be a sure-fire top 10 selection and others a little overrated based on his ridiculous size-athleticism proportions. One thing’s certain: he was surely missed in the starting lineup against Alabama in the SEC Title game. Shortly before the game, he was arrested for a DUI, which led to a 1-game suspension. His stock may have dropped a bit, but he does have plenty of time to rebuild it through the draft process. Dunlap led the Gators’ defense with 9 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss on the season. PROJ ROUND: 1st

Clifton Geathers, DE, South Carolina, JR – The brother of Robert Geathers, defensive end for the Bengals, will come out a year early. He’s said to be worried about risking an injury next season, which would cost him, but at this point, he doesn’t have the production to be more than a mid-round pick. Sources around the situation have said Geathers received a projection between the 4th and 7th round. He has the size and athleticism to be developed as a 3-4 defensive end, but he’s a project right now who has shown flashes while starting for 3 years for the Gamecocks. PROJ ROUND: 4th-6th

Everson Griffen, DE, USC, JR – Shortly after the team’s 24-13 victory over Boston College in the Emerald Bowl, Griffen announced that he would forgo his final year of eligibility to turn pro. Griffen has the size and strength of a defensive end, but runs like a linebacker. Depending on how he tests in the offseason, he could be one of the prime candidates to make the transition to the 3-4 outside linebacker. PROJ ROUND: 1st-2nd

Abe Koroma, DT, Western Illinois, JR – The 6’3, 315 pound defensive tackle decided to forgo his senior season and enter the draft. Koroma is a transfer from Penn State and left for personal reasons. He’s a bit of a project at this point, but has some talent to work with. PROJ ROUND: Undrafted

Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma, JR – The disruptive McCoy would be the first tackle off the board in many years, but with a player as talented as Ndamukong Suh, he will fall a slot or two. McCoy is incredibly quick off the snap and has the lateral agility to make plays around the line of scrimmage. He does a nice job peeling off blockers to make plays, but also has the technique and leverage to hold up against the run. His best position fit in the NFL is as a penetrating UT, but he also has the ability to swing out to a 34 end. PROJ ROUND: Top 10

Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech, JR – With 12.5 sacks and 6 other tackles behind the line of scrimmage, Derrick Morgan gradually ascended up many draft boards into the top half of the first round for most. Morgan will compete with a number of talented defensive linemen to vie for a position in the top 10. He was essentially neutralized by fellow underclassmen draftee Bryan Bulaga in the team’s BCS Bowl loss to Iowa. He, like his other teammates, made the decision together and decided to go pro rather than return and look for a back-to-back spot in a BCS Bowl. PROJ ROUND: Top 15

Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida, JR – Last year it was defensive end George Selvie that was faced with this decision of returning or leaving early. He stayed in school only to be jumped by teammate Jason Pierre-Paul in many draft boards, though returning likely helped his stock as well. Pierre-Paul is a consistent force in the backfield and has outplayed his teammate to this point. After mulling over his decision, he decided to leave early and becomes one of the draft’s top defensive ends available. PROJ ROUND: 1st-2nd

Brian Price, UCLA, DT, JR – Prior to the season, Price said he would return to the Bruins regardless of how the season played out. As it turns out, he had a dominant season at defensive tackle displaying great strength and pop off the ball, which led to 22.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Now, Price is ready to play in the NFL saying that “the time is right.” In doing so, I think he made the right decision. He made progress every single year and is now a dominant collegiate defensive tackle. While he could have potentially been the top tackle off the board next year, both Suh and McCoy could wind up going in the top 5 picks, which in many experts’ eyes, would leave Price as the top tackle remaining. PROJ ROUND: 1st | BEST GUESS: Declare

Jason Worilds, DE, Virginia Tech – Though he wasn’t able to replicate the success he had as a sophomore when he finished with 18.5 tackles for loss including 8 sacks, he had a nice junior year with 11 and 4.5. Worilds may be a little small to be an every down end at the next level, but he is another candidate to stand up and play a rush linebacker in the 3-4. He’s a quick player with a good change-of-direction. PROJ ROUND: 2nd-3rd

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