Top cornerback Mo Claiborne, along with athletic defensive lineman Michael Brockers, are going to enter the 2012 NFL Draft.
As expected, LSU Tigers cornerback Morris Claiborne and defensive lineman Michael Brockers are leaving Baton Rouge for the big time. The pair announced at a Thursday afternoon press conference that they're entering the 2012 NFL Draft.
Claiborne is expected to be a top-10 pick and could go in the top five, while Brockers said he's been told he could go as high as the end of the first round himself. Our own Mocking the Draft served up a Michael Brockers scouting report just before the announcement came out:
In the 2012 NFL Draft, few players carry as much potential and upside as Brockers, a redshirt sophomore. On a loaded LSU defensive line, Brockers routinely stood out and should transition well to the NFL. At 6-foot-6, Brockers has an impressive frame with a lot of room to grow. Because of his relative inexperience (one season as a full-time starter), he'll need to get drafted on a team that can rotate him in while he develops.
For more on Claiborne and Brockers, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook. For more on the NFL Draft, visit Mocking the Draft.
The player many think is the best in the LSU Tigers secondary could declare for the 2012 NFL Draft Thursday. But Tyrann Mathieu is only a sophomore! We're talking about his complement, of course: cornerback and return man Morris Claiborne. Both he and defensive tackle Michael Brockers are expected to announce their draft decisions at a press conference, meaning they're expected to announce they're turning pro.
Claiborne, the only LSU player to pick off more than two passes on the year (he had six), projects as a a top-five pick. In SBNation.com's latest 2012 mock draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers pick him up at No. 5. Thoughts from Ryan Van Bibber on the selection:
Aqib Talib may not go to prison, against all odds. If he doesn't, the Buccaneers still need to find a more consistent corner to replace him. They could even get the double shocker if Ronde Barberrides off into the sunset. Claiborne is that rare cornerback worthy of a top-five pick. The new coach, whoever that may be, will love to have a talented guy like this anchoring the back of his defense for what he'll hope is more successful tenure than Raheem Morris' was.
Brockers, six-foot-six and 306 pounds, is expected to be picked in the second or third round, it seems. He racked up 10 tackles for loss on the year and blocked a field goal in the national title game, which may have been LSU's best offense of the entire night.
For more on Claiborne and Brockers, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook.
NFL Draft 2012: Rueben Randle Also Leaving LSU, According To Reports
One of the biggest undecided names left in the potential 2012 NFL Draft crop, LSU Tigers wide receiver Rueben Randle has decided to leave school, according to Scout.com's Shea Dixon, confirming an earlier report by SI.com's Tony Pauline. He'd become the third Tigers player to turn for the pros within one hour if he were to break the news on Thursday, after cornerback Morris Claiborne and defensive tackle Michael Brockers officially announced earlier.
Will the last wide receiver in Baton Rouge hit the lights? Our own Mocking the Draft provided a quick note on Randle in advance of the national title game:
For more on the Tigers, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook.
Jan 12 4:39p by Jason Kirk - 0 comments