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By Kevin Weidl
It's never too early to look ahead to next year, so here's a rundown of three potential 2012 NFL draft prospects from each defensive position group to watch when the 2011 college season kicks off.
Defensive linemen
Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
Coples is a beast who possesses an excellent blend of size, strength and power with the versatility to reduce inside on occasion. He is coming off of a monster season where he notched 15.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, and has the inside track of being the first defender off the board in this extremely early stage for the 2012 draft.
Jerel Worthy*, DT, Michigan State
Worthy will be a redshirt junior this fall and has the quickness and explosive strength to develop into one of the top interior defensive linemen in the country. If he can build off of a productive 2010 season, where he had eight tackles for loss and four sacks he should have his name called in the first round of the 2012 draft.
Donte Paige-Moss*, DE, North Carolina
Paige-Moss is another young explosive Tar Heels defensive end. He and Coples should form one of -- if not the best -- DE tandem in the country in 2011. Paige-Moss provides top-tier pass rushing capabilities and has enough athleticism to transition to OLB for a base 3-4 scheme at the next level, if need be.
Other notables
DT Marcus Forston*, Miami; DE Brandon Jenkins*, Florida State; DT Randall Kheeston, Texas; DT Tyrdreke Powell, North Carolina; DE Andre Branch, Clemson; DT Jared Crick, Nebraska.
Linebackers
Manti Te'o*, ILB, Notre Dame
Te'o possesses the strength and power teams covet as an inside linebacker at the next level. If the junior can continue developing his instincts and awareness, as well as build on a productive 2010 season, where he totaled 133 tackles, he has a chance to be the first linebacker off the board in 2012.
Luke Kuechly*, OLB, Boston College
Kuechly possesses elite instincts, motor and tackling skills. He is coming off of an absurd 183 tackles in 2010 and has the work ethic that will help him continue to develop into a top-tier outside linebacker.
Keenan Robinson, OLB, Texas
Robinson has a prototypical and impressive build with excellent length for the position. He displays a wide range and should continue to improve his point of attack skills with another year in the weight room.
Other notables
ILB Zach Brown*, North Carolina; ILB Vontaze Burfict* Arizona State; OLB Travis Lewis, Oklahoma.
Defensive backs
Janoris Jenkins, CB, Florida
Jenkins' status is unknown after recently being dismissed from Florida due to off-the-field issues. He can enter this year's supplemental draft, but at this point, he is the top CB prospect in the 2012 class with elite man coverage skills.
Dre Kirkpatrick*, CB, Alabama
Kirkpatrick has a nice combination of size and movement skills to develop into an effective press corner at the next level. A solid year in the weight room would help to fill out his frame.
Ray Ray Armstrong*, S, Miami
Armstrong possesses a nice combination of size, range and playmaking skills. He also brings a physical presence down the middle of the field. If he can clean up his angles in run support, he has a chance to be the first safety off the board in next year's class.
Other notables CB Jayron Hosley*, Virginia Tech; CB Stephon Gilmore*, South Carolina; CB Alphonso Dennard, Nebraska; CB Chase Minnifield, Virginia; CB Coryell Judie, Texas A&M; CB Cliff Harris*, Oregon; S Robert Lester*, Alabama; S Janzen Jackson*, Tennessee; S Mark Barron, Alabama.
It's never too early to look ahead to next year, so here's a rundown of three potential 2012 NFL draft prospects from each defensive position group to watch when the 2011 college season kicks off.
Defensive linemen
Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
Coples is a beast who possesses an excellent blend of size, strength and power with the versatility to reduce inside on occasion. He is coming off of a monster season where he notched 15.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, and has the inside track of being the first defender off the board in this extremely early stage for the 2012 draft.
Jerel Worthy*, DT, Michigan State
Worthy will be a redshirt junior this fall and has the quickness and explosive strength to develop into one of the top interior defensive linemen in the country. If he can build off of a productive 2010 season, where he had eight tackles for loss and four sacks he should have his name called in the first round of the 2012 draft.
Donte Paige-Moss*, DE, North Carolina
Paige-Moss is another young explosive Tar Heels defensive end. He and Coples should form one of -- if not the best -- DE tandem in the country in 2011. Paige-Moss provides top-tier pass rushing capabilities and has enough athleticism to transition to OLB for a base 3-4 scheme at the next level, if need be.
Other notables
DT Marcus Forston*, Miami; DE Brandon Jenkins*, Florida State; DT Randall Kheeston, Texas; DT Tyrdreke Powell, North Carolina; DE Andre Branch, Clemson; DT Jared Crick, Nebraska.
Linebackers
Manti Te'o*, ILB, Notre Dame
Te'o possesses the strength and power teams covet as an inside linebacker at the next level. If the junior can continue developing his instincts and awareness, as well as build on a productive 2010 season, where he totaled 133 tackles, he has a chance to be the first linebacker off the board in 2012.
Luke Kuechly*, OLB, Boston College
Kuechly possesses elite instincts, motor and tackling skills. He is coming off of an absurd 183 tackles in 2010 and has the work ethic that will help him continue to develop into a top-tier outside linebacker.
Keenan Robinson, OLB, Texas
Robinson has a prototypical and impressive build with excellent length for the position. He displays a wide range and should continue to improve his point of attack skills with another year in the weight room.
Other notables
ILB Zach Brown*, North Carolina; ILB Vontaze Burfict* Arizona State; OLB Travis Lewis, Oklahoma.
Defensive backs
Janoris Jenkins, CB, Florida
Jenkins' status is unknown after recently being dismissed from Florida due to off-the-field issues. He can enter this year's supplemental draft, but at this point, he is the top CB prospect in the 2012 class with elite man coverage skills.
Dre Kirkpatrick*, CB, Alabama
Kirkpatrick has a nice combination of size and movement skills to develop into an effective press corner at the next level. A solid year in the weight room would help to fill out his frame.
Ray Ray Armstrong*, S, Miami
Armstrong possesses a nice combination of size, range and playmaking skills. He also brings a physical presence down the middle of the field. If he can clean up his angles in run support, he has a chance to be the first safety off the board in next year's class.
Other notables CB Jayron Hosley*, Virginia Tech; CB Stephon Gilmore*, South Carolina; CB Alphonso Dennard, Nebraska; CB Chase Minnifield, Virginia; CB Coryell Judie, Texas A&M; CB Cliff Harris*, Oregon; S Robert Lester*, Alabama; S Janzen Jackson*, Tennessee; S Mark Barron, Alabama.