OU NFL prospects

Published: April 26, 2008

This weekend, Oklahoma could have three players selected in the first round, and as many as 10 players taken overall.

Here's a breakdown of the former Sooners who have a shot of being drafted:

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Malcolm Kelly
Position: Wide receiver

Stats: 49 catches, 821 yards, nine TDs

Ht./Wt.: 6-4, 225

Combine/pro day snapshot: 4.68 in 40; 32-inch vertical

Projection: First round

Upside: Kelly arguably has the best hands of any receiver in the draft. He's also a big, physical presence who should complement teams stocked with smaller, shiftier receivers.

Curtis Lofton
Position: Inside linebacker

Stats: 157 tackles, three INTs

Ht./Wt.: 6-0, 238

Combine/pro day snapshot: 4.67 in 40; 32-inch vertical

Projection: Second round

Upside: Lofton has a knack for creating big turnovers and made a bunch of tackles in college. He runs well sideline-to-sideline, and when he gets there, he knows how to deliver the big hit.

Reggie Smith
Position: Safety/cornerback

Stats: 78 tackles, 3 INTs

Ht./Wt.: 6-1, 199

Combine/pro day snapshot: 4.61 in 40; 39.5-inch vertical

Projection: Second round

Upside: Smith has probably not yet tapped into his full potential, despite a good and productive college career that earned him first-team All-Big 12 honors last season. Smith also has the versatility to play either safety at corner, and he has game experience at both.

Allen Patrick
Position: Running back

Stats: 1,039 yards, eight TDs

Ht./Wt.: 6-1, 198

Combine/pro day snapshot: 4.55 in 40; 36-inch vertical

Projection: Fifth round

Upside: At one point last offseason, Patrick was considered one of the top running backs available in the draft. He didn't have the season many thought he would, but Patrick showed what he's capable of in a 200-plus yard outing against Oklahoma State. Patrick, though not big, runs with power.

D.J. Wolfe
Position: Safety

Stats: 87 tackles, 4 INTs

Ht./Wt.: 5-11, 207

Combine/pro day snapshot: 4.57 in 40, 35.5-inch vertical

Projection: Fifth round

Upside: Wolfe is a savvy player and seems to find himself in the right place at the right time. He isn't an exceptional athlete and doesn't smash opposing ball-carriers at the line of scrimmage, but his instincts will make him an attractive second-day selection.

Joe Jon Finley
Position: Tight end

Stats: 23 catches, 290 yards, four TDs

Ht./Wt.: 6-6, 258

Combine/pro day snapshot: 4.86 in 40; 31-inch vertical

Projection: Sixth round

Upside: Finley is a big, muscular athlete who can both run block and go out on passing routes. He won't be a star in the NFL, but he could be a solid second-team tight end.

Marcus Walker
Position: Cornerback

Stats: 47 tackles

Ht./Wt.: 5-11, 191

Combine/pro day snapshot: 4.55 in 40; 37-inch vertical

Projection: Seventh round

Upside: Walker has enough speed to run with opposing wide receivers, but his lack of top speed or size could keep him from getting drafted. Walker is a good tackler, though, and that may earn him a spot on a special teams unit.

Garrett Hartley
Position: Kicker

Stats: 13 of 15 field goals, 53 long

Ht./Wt.: 5-9, 199

Combine/pro day snapshot: 11 reps on bench press (225 pounds)

Projection: Seventh round

Upside: Hartley has the power and accuracy to become someone's starting field goal kicker in time, but he needs to prove his extra-point misses last season were a fluke and improve on kickoffs.

Lewis Baker
Position: Outside linebacker

Stats: 91 tackles

Ht./Wt.: 6-2, 210

Combine/pro day snapshot: 4.70 in 40; 33-inch vertical

Projection: Free agent

Upside: Baker likely won't be drafted, but he could make an NFL roster. Baker is athletic and physical for his size and has a motor that could earn him a spot on special teams.

Darien Williams
Position: Safety

Stats: 22 tackles

Ht./Wt.: 5-11, 207

Combine/pro day snapshot: 4.71 in 40; 35-inch vertical

Projection: Free agent

Upside: Williams was a starter for the Sooners before injuries plagued him his senior season and kept him on the sidelines. If he can regain some of that form from his junior year, he might have a chance at making a roster.

By Jake Trotter


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Good Luck in the NFL gentlemen! Thanks for your years
and work @ OU!
william, destin - Apr 26, 2008 11:35 AM
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Projection.... Cody's a nerd that's never played sports!!!!!
Joe, Oklahoma City - Apr 26, 2008 9:45 AM
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Good luck to all. Thanks for the job you did on Saturdays.
Ken, Boise - Apr 26, 2008 8:37 AM
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Projection: They ain't getting faster next year. Who knows what could happen. It's unfortunate they hurt
Cody's feelings by leaving. Don't worry, OU doesn't rebuild, the reload.
tom, temple - Apr 26, 2008 8:11 AM
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Projection: Kelly, Smith AND Lofton 1st round draft picks.......IN '09!!! (Based upon past improvements, and barring any injuries or other unforeseen variables.) In some cases, it is advantageous (financially, and/or otherwise) for players to leave early. In each of these particular cases, the amount of money left on the table by making the immature decision to "go-for-the-green now" is inconceivable. Each one of these players would have benefited greatly (as a person and financially) if they would have chosen to stay another year (Kelly included, although, with his mother's ailing health, he is hardly to blame). Neither can I blame these "kids" for forfeiting their final year of eligibility to go to the NFL, nor should anybody suggest that money was their only motivation. Ultimately, competing at the highest level is every player's goal and dream, as it should be. The NFL is just that - the highest level. It is just unfortunate that these players do not understand the amount of money they have subsequently lost by leaving a year early.
Cody, Tulsa - Apr 26, 2008 2:16 AM
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Projection: Kelly, Smith AND Lofton 1st round draft picks.......IN '09!!! (Based upon past improvements, and barring any injuries or other unforeseen variables.) In some cases, it is advantageous (financially, and/or otherwise) for players to leave early. In each of these particular cases, the amount of money left on the table by making the immature decision to "go-for-the-green now" is inconceivable. Each one of these players would have benefited greatly (as a person and financially) if they would have chosen to stay another year (Kelly included, although, with his mother's ailing health, he is hardly to blame). Neither can I blame these "kids" for forfeiting their final year of eligibility to go to the NFL, nor should anybody suggest that money was their only motivation. Ultimately, competing at the highest level is every player's goal and dream, as it should be. The NFL is just that - the highest level. It is just unfortunate that these players do not understand the amount of money they have subsequently lost by leaving a year early.
Cody, Tulsa - Apr 26, 2008 2:14 AM
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