2010 top senior prospects: ACC

With the 2010 NFP Scouting Series all wrapped up, we’ll now take a look back and break down the top senior prospects from each conference, using the new NFP grading scale.

Therefore, today we grade out the ACC.

”ACC Starting Caliber
8.0 Starts first game as a pro…football jersey A rare prospect who possesses rare physical attributes which have an obvious impact on the game… Will instantly become one of the best players at his position in the NFL.
7.5 Becomes a starter during his rookie year… A prospect who possesses physical attributes that will create mismatches and have an obvious impact on the game… Will become one of the premier players in the league.
7.0 Starts in first game as a pro… A prospect who possesses physical attributes that will create mismatches vs. most opponents… A featured player on a team.
6.9 Becomes a starter during his rookie year… A prospect who possesses physical attributes that will create mismatches vs. most opponents… A featured player on a team.
6.8 Becomes a starter during his rookie year… Becomes a solid NFL player who has no real weakness… Can’t be exploited or consistently taken out of games.
Dirty Starter Caliber
6.7 Contributes first year and starts second year… Must be able to get on the field and make a contribution as a rookie… Expected to start his second year in the league.
6.6 Contributes first year, but may take time to become a starter… Has the ability to become a starter and will be expected to assume a starting role.
6.5 Clean player who is inconsistent in his play due to character, alertness or competitiveness… Has all the physical tools needed to become a starter… If he overcomes his deficiencies he will be a star in the league… If he doesn’t he will be a complete failure — there is NO middle ground!
Possible Starter Caliber
6.4 Has one deficient area of his playing skills or his physical attributes but should be able to overcome it and contribute to a team… Has the potential to become a starter based on his abilities.
6.3 Has one deficient area of his playing skills or his physical attributes that will be difficult to overcome, but will contribute in spite of it… Has the potential to become a starter based on his abilities.
6.2 Has one deficient area of his physical attributes that he can NEVER overcome, but has been productive and has the potential to be a starter in the NFL in spite of his shortcomings.
Specialty/Developmental Prospect Caliber
6.1 Has one deficient area of Bengals jersey his playing skills or physical attributes that he should be able to overcome and contribute to a team. Doesn’t possess the physical and/or athletic skill set required to ever become a starter, but has the abilities to become a dynamic sub-package option and make an impact for an NFL team.
6.0 A clean prospect who will need time and development in order to contribute… Physically, this player has all the tools to be a starter in the NFL, but has not yet developed ALL the skills necessary due to level of competition, offensive or defensive schemes, injury, grades or lack of playing time, football instincts, character, and/or competitiveness… TRUE DEVELOPMENTAL PLAYER who has the potential to become a starter, but is a real boom or bust prospect.
Backup/Depth Caliber
5.9 Has a deficient area of his playing or physical skills that he SHOULD overcome and contribute as a backup and spot player only.
5.8 Has a deficient area of his playing or physical skills that will be DIFFICULT to overcome, but will contribute as a backup and spot player only.
5.7 Has a deficient area of his physical skills that CANNOT be overcome, but has been productive and can contribute as a backup and spot player only.
Free Agent Category
5.6 Free Agent with Speed, Character and Competitiveness.
5.5 Free Agent with Athletic Ability, Character and Competitiveness.
5.4 Free Agent with Size, Character and Competitiveness.
5.3 Free Agent at a High Level of Competition with either Size, Speed or Athletic
Ability.
5.2 Free Agent with Size or Speed.
5.1 Free Agent with Character and Competitiveness.
5.0 Camp Body
4.0 Reject… No Qualities for Professional Football
NFP College Lettering System
B This prospect presently lacks the bulk for the position, but should be able to add bulk through time.
C This prospect has a character problem that must be considered before drafting… It may involve drugs, alcohol, weight problems, criminal acts, coachability or motor.
D This prospect has NO weakness in any critical factors, but will need time and development in order to fulfill his potential.
F This prospect presently lacks the bulk for the position and the frame to add the desired weight… It will be VERY DIFFICULT for this prospect to get any bigger.
M This prospect lacks football intelligence to play his position in the NFL… Has a problem understanding schemes or taking information from the classroom to the field.
O This prospect is an overachiever that grades out high in competitiveness, character and production, but otherwise lacks the physical tools to compete in the NFL.
P This prospect is being projected by the scout to play a position in the NFL that he has never played in college. The scout must feel this prospect has the potential to start in the NFL at the projected position.
S This prospect lacks the required playing speed for Bears jersey his position.
T This prospect is a tight or “stiff” player and the tightness has an effect on his play.
U This prospect is an underachiever, but must have the physical skills required to be a starter in the NFL… The underachieving can be a result of any factor EXCEPT physical ability.
X This prospect has an injury problem that has AFFECTED his play.
Z This prospect lacks the required height for his position.