Take one look at Darrius Heyward-Bey and it’s not hard to see why the University of Maryland prospect turns so many NFL scouts’ heads.

A muscular 6’3”, 206 pounds, Heyward-Bey has blazing speed. He ran the fastest 40-yard dash of any player at this year’s NFL combine. Had he wanted to, coming out of high school he would have had a good chance at winning an NCAA championship and possibly even qualifying for the Olympics in track. Instead, Heyward-Bey turned his attention to burning rubber on the field.

Despite having to play in the Terrapins’ struggling offense for three seasons, Heyward-Bey didn’t take long to establish himself as one of college football’s elite playmakers. Throughout his career, he turned out eight plays of 50 yards or more, scored 15 touchdowns (13 receiving, 2 rushing), and consistently averaged 15 yards per catch. He was able to do so all while being the only real offensive threat on a team that failed throughout his career to consistently move the ball.

The NFL is a league that values its playmakers. “Scoreboard changers,” as analysts dub them, are always one play away from ripping off a big play for their team. Players like Reggie Bush, Devin Hester, Chris Johnson and Steve Smith are valued greatly for their game-breaking abilities with the football in their hands. Heyward-Bey is cut from the same cloth, with his eye-popping athleticism, and it’s for this reason that NFL teams have stopped to take notice.

They’ve also noticed a few of his flaws, however. Heyward-Bey is not considered a consistent route runner at this point in his career, and he has frequently gone through slumps where he’s had trouble catching the ball consistently. These are two very undesirable qualities for an NFL receiver, where speed and playmaking ability alone do not guarantee success (see: Peter Warrick).

However, there is reason to believe Heyward-Bey can improve in both of these areas. For one, he has the quickness to come in and out of breaks quickly on his routes, so as he dedicates more focus to that aspect of his game he should improve dramatically as a route runner. He also has the intangible qualities teams look for – considered a very high character guy, he doesn’t display the me-first attitude of NFL receivers Chad Ocho Cinco or Terrell Owens. Not to mention the fact that with a strong supporting cast, he’ll no longer face the entire focus of the defense that he did in college.

Rookie wide receivers are notorious for having initial trouble in adjusting to the pace and style of the NFL. After having time to develop, however, highly-drafted receivers can turn out to be franchise-type players (see: Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Johnson). So despite his shortcomings, it’s not hard to see Heyward-Bey get selected sometime in the mid-first round of the NFL draft.

Because with speed like his, there’s plenty of reason for teams to give him a shot.

Latest on Heyward-Bey

ESPN’s Todd McShay predicts the Minnesota Vikings will take Heyward-Bey with the no. 22 pick in the draft.

Darrius Says

“I have seen guys I’ve known who made bad decisions. I am always surrounding myself with good people. That’s a big deal with [NFL] teams. We’re on the same page there.”

Heyward-Bey on the Web

Wikipedia page: Facts and links

His self-run draft profile page: Blog posts and videos

Maryland profile: Career stats and personal info

ESPN profile: Statistics from his college career

Draft profile: Measurables and statistics

Baltimore Sun series: The newspaper puts out several features and videos on Heyward-Bey’s journey through the NFL draft process

YouTube video of 2008 highlights

2009 has not been kind to Andre Smith.

His year got off to a rotten start, as he was suspended from the University of Alabama’s embarrassing Sugar Bowl loss to Utah. This incident caused questions about his character to surface, and the offensive tackle who had at one point been thought of as a potential no. 1 overall pick was suddenly on the defensive.

He didn’t help his cause any by showing up to the NFL scouting combine out of shape, then refusing to take part in drills before leaving the combine altogether without informing anyone. In just two months, Smith had gone from the draft’s hottest prospect to its most dangerous, as projections began to put Smith somewhere late in the first round.

Since then, however, teams appear to be warming back up to the mercurial lineman. They are remembering how dominant Smith was on the field last season, playing a huge role in the Crimson Tide’s surprise run to the top of the polls. They are remembering his unreal size-quickness combination, that the 6’4”, 332-pounder mauled defenders in the running game and was an impenetrable wall in keeping quarterback John Parker Wilson upright in the passing game.

Recently, Alabama head coach Nick Saban, the same coach who suspended Smith for the Sugar Bowl, has come to Smith’s defense, saying that as a player he always acted the right way and worked hard to improve. These words, coming from a coach known for being hard-nosed and difficult to please, are reassuring teams attracted by Smith’s talent but nervous about his recent questionable behavior.

Smith’s ability to keep his weight in check will definitely be a concern as he develops as a tackle in the NFL. It is believed that as of right now he could be a real force at right tackle, but that he’s not quite quick enough to play the highly valued left tackle position. If he stays in shape and capitalizes on his impressive size-quickness ratio, teams aren’t going to care at all about the time he got himself suspended for a bowl game or the time he left the combine early.

And if he does all those things, and gets himself drafted early on in the first round, 2009 might not end up being such a bad year for Andre Smith after all.

Latest on Smith

Alabama coach Nick Saban recently defended Smith as a player.

ESPN’s Todd McShay predicts that Smith will be taken no. 9 by the Green Bay Packers in his latest mock draft.

Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis described his recent meeting with Smith as positive.

Smith on the Web

Alabama Profile: Stats and personal information

Article on Smith’s Sugar Bowl suspension

ESPN Draft Profile: Measurables and stats

YouTube video of Smith’s 2008 highlights

Video of Todd McShay breaking down Smith’s game

For this season at least, the University of Southern California should be known as Linebacker U.

That title has traditionally been worn by Penn State University, but given that the Trojans will most likely have all three of their starting ’backers taken in the first round of this year’s NFL draft, it’s clear that an exception needs to be made.

Perhaps the least heralded of the trio is Brian Cushing, a 6-3, 250-pounder who has stayed somewhat in the shadow of the better-known Clay Matthews and Rey Maualuga. Cushing is no secret to NFL scouts, however. In fact, there is a school of thought among draft experts that it is Cushing who, of the three, may end up having the most successful NFL career.

The reasoning behind this thinking is due to a few things. For one, Cushing’s intensity level is unmatched. He was called a bulldog by both USC Head Coach Pete Carroll and linebackers coach Ken Norton, Jr. He plays the entire game at one speed – full speed – and can wreak absolute havoc on offenses due to his relentless motor and game-changing playmaking ability.

Another reason for the scouts’ love affair with Cushing is the New Jersey native’s versatility. He is capable of playing any linebacker position, both on the inside and on the outside – an asset that makes him capable of fitting in with any defensive scheme.

Lastly, teams can’t get enough of Cushing’s athleticism. He was actually recruited out of high school as a strong safety, but his work in the weight room led to such a dramatic weight gain that he grew into the linebacker position. Despite packing on the extra muscle, Cushing has managed to maintain the quickness and speed he displayed as a defensive back prospect.

As with every potential draftee, Cushing has a few question marks surrounding him. One is that he and the rest of his USC teammates look better on tape because they all have played with such a strong supporting cast. Critics claim that if they did not have each other, they would be less impressive individually as prospects. A more serious concern is one that has dogged him since high school, and that is the issue of steroids. Despite never having failed a single drug test, Cushing has had to consistently endure claims that he uses steroids, including a recently surfaced report that was categorically denied by Cushing’s handlers and coaches.

It’s unlikely that this “bulldog” will let the rumors get to him. The gym rat who wears an “I Hate Haters” t-shirt when he works out knows a thing or two about deflecting criticism. Because what really matters is that on draft day, Brian Cushing will be feeling the love.

Latest on Cushing:

Pete Carroll denies internet report that Cushing and USC linebacker Clay Matthews used steroids

Mel Kiper Jr. predicts the Houston Texans will take Cushing with the 15^th overall pick, while his ESPN colleague Todd McShay says that Cushing will go no. 25 to the Miami Dolphins.

Cushing Says:

On being called a bulldog by USC linebackers coach Ken Norton, Jr.:

“It’s a violent sport where the more vile the name coaches call you, the higher the compliment. What other business could you be in where a coach calls you a [expletive] and you love every second of it?”

In response to the steroids allegations that seemingly follow him everywhere he goes:

“I really believe it’s almost the American point of view now where people build people up just to see them fail. As records are made to be broken, heroes are made to fall. Love turns into jealousy.”

Cushing on the Web:

USC Profile

Stats and personal info from his college career

Wikipedia page

Information and links to other articles on Cushing

Sports Illustrated Feature Story

Describes Cushing’s toughness, willingness to play through pain

NFL Draft Scout Profile

Stats and measurables

NY Daily News Feature Story

Describes how the NY-area native turned down Penn State and Joe Paterno

YouTube video of Cushing’s 2008 highlights

Vontae Davis wants to be known as more than just Vernon Davis’ little brother.

And understandably so. After all, Vernon’s most noteworthy action of the 2008 NFL season was when the San Francisco 49ers tight end was banished to the locker room in the middle of a game by Head Coach Mike Singletary for demonstrating less than team-oriented behavior.

But when it comes to some comparisons, he’ll gladly take them. Like when his physical skills are compared to Vernon’s eye-popping athleticism and top-flight talent. Vontae says he owes a lot to Vernon, that his big brother helped him out in developing into the football player he has become – a football player poised to become a first-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Davis, an early-entry prospect out of the University of Illinois, is considered one of the top cornerbacks in the draft. The 6-0, 200-pounder possesses incredible athleticism, capable of both running with the league’s fastest receivers and coming up to the line of scrimmage both in run support and on corner blitzes. In three years with the Illini, Davis earned the reputation of one of the nation’s hardest-hitting defensive backs.

Davis did not have the type of year he had hoped to in 2008, but much of that can be attributed to the across-the-board struggles that the Fighting Illini defense suffered from last season. Many teams chose to completely avoid throwing Davis’ way for fear of his playmaking ability, and he finished the season with a statline of 78 tackles, 3 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions. He had a career-high 4 picks in 2007, the same season in which he recorded 13 tackles in a Rose Bowl loss to the University of Southern California.

He also played the role of recruiter during his time in Illinois. He convinced his Dunbar High School (Washington, D.C.) teammate Arrelious Benn, a dynamic playmaking wide receiver – and potential future NFL draft prospect – to join him in Champaign.

Vontae’s own reason for choosing Illinois came in part because he didn’t want to follow in Vernon’s footsteps by attending the nearby University of Maryland. He wanted to be known for his own accomplishments, not his brother’s.

There is a good chance Vontae is feeling the same thing now. Supposedly, NFL teams have reservations about drafting him because of character questions, meaning that they don’t want to invest in a player as emotionally volatile as his big brother Vernon. Coaches can’t afford undisciplined players at the cornerback position, and Vontae’s own benching by Illinois coach Ron Zook in 2008 has raised questions about his coachability. Recent rumors that Vontae tested positive for marijuana at the scouting combine are not doing anything to ease teams’ concerns, either.

However, the positive comparisons to Vernon will likely have the biggest effect on Vontae’s draft status – after all, talent is king in today’s NFL. And if Vontae can develop into the shutdown cornerback he’s capable of becoming, then it might be Vernon Davis who will have something to prove: that he’s more than just Vontae Davis’ big brother.

Latest on Davis:

ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. says Davis will go no. 25 to the Miami Dolphins, while colleague Todd McShay says he will be taken by the Baltimore Ravens with the no. 26 pick

Approximately 20 teams held interviews with Davis at the scouting combine

A comparison of Davis to Ohio State cornerback prospect Malcolm Jenkins

Vontae Says:

On comparing himself to the Oakland Raiders’ cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha:

“In the long run, when it all gets said and done, I’ll be in Nnamdi’s shoes.”

On his older brother Vernon Davis:

“He’s my older brother so he’d always think he could bully me and do all this. But I respect that because I look up to him. He pushed me a lot through high school. He did things that made me be a better player. He woke me up at 5 o’clock in the morning to go throw the ball, and it helped.”

On potentially being selected by the Miami Dolphins:

“I like the coaching staff and who could ask for a better place to play than Miami.”

Davis on the Web:

Wikipedia page

Stats and info

Illinois profile

Complete statistics and highlights from his college career

ESPN profile

Stats and info

Scouting report

Includes combine numbers, strengths and weaknesses

Washington Post feature

Vontae dishes on his ability, relationship with big brother Vernon

YouTube clip of Vontae Davis’ 2008 highlights