NFL Draft Adventureland

Drat Velncreland hree high profile college players I neaded into the 2012 season were USC quarterback Matt Barkley, West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith DRAFT 2013 and Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o. All three experienced many highs and lows in their draft journey. Here's a look at the peaks and valleys of their fantastic rides. Can't Miss Solid Ist MATT BARKLEY'S BIG FALL Stock's Rising/Falling 10 Second Day 11 Oh Boy! SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER JANUARY MARCH 4 USC stumbles further as it loses at home to Oregon, 62-51. Nov. 3. 1 Returns for senior season 7 Word spreads that USC teammates got into a fight in the locker room in part because Barkley wouldn't play in the Sun Bowl. Coach Lane Kiffin denies the report. 10 Barkley has impressive and is favorite to win Heisman. pro day at USC. March 28. USC opens the year ranked No. 1. 2 USC loses to No. 24 5 Knocked out of the game against UCLA on Nov. 17 and misses game against APRIL Stanford. Sept. 15 Notre Dame a week later. 11 Expected to be a solid second-round pick. Jan. 16 OCTOBER DECEMBER FEBRUARY 3 USC upset at Arizona. Oct. 27. 6 Doesn't play in the Sun Bowl. 8 Despite initial reports that he would, Barkley doesn't throw at the NFL Scouting Combine. Feb. 18 Dec. 31. 9 Does well at the interview portion, and is taller than expected. Feb. 24 E GENO SMITH'S MOUNTAINEER RAILROAD Can't Miss Solid Ist Stock's Rising/Falling Second Day Oh Boy! SEPTEMBER OCTOBER DECEMBER MARCH O Returns for his senior season at West Virginia. 4 West Virginia beats Texas, 48-45 as Smith throws for 268 yards and four touchdowns. Oct. 6. Smith has 24 touchdown passes and no interceptions in his first five games. 7 Not overly impressive in loss to Syracuse in Pinstripe Bowl. Dec. 29. 10 The Chiefs complete a trade for Alex Smith, which just about ends Geno's hopes of being the top draft picks. March 12. 2 Becomes the all-time leading passer in West Virginia's history with 323 passing yards and four touchdowns vs. Marshall on Sept. 1. JANUARY APRIL Throws his first interception of the season in 55-14 loss to Kansas State. Oct. 20. 8 Figures to be the top quarterback selected in NFL draft, and the Chiefs need a quarterback. 1 Is no longer considered by Mike Mayock to be top quarterback choice in the 2013 NFL Draft, but still figures to be the first quarterback off the board in the first round. 3 Throws for 656 yards and eight touchdowns against Baylor. Sept. 29. NOVEMBER FEBRUARY 6 West Virginia ends five-game losing 9 Throws well at combine, might even be the first overall-selection skid with win over lowa State. Nov. 23. in the 2013 NFL Draft. Feb. 24 TE Wild Catfish Can't Miss Solid Ist 11 10 Stock's Rising/Falling Second Day Oh Boy! SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY 6 Notre Dame defeats Barkley-less USC at the Coliseum in Los Angeles on No. 24. Notre Dame will play for the BCS championship. O The Irish are humiliated by the Crimson Tide of Alabama, 42-14, 9 Starts to repair his off-the field reputation in interviews, but posts a less-than-impressive time in the 40-yard dash. Feb. 1 Returns to Notre Dame for his senior season to lead the Irish to in the BCS title game. Jan. 7 the national championship. 2 Plays with a heavy heart after the loss of his grandmother and girlfriend on Sept. 11 as Notre Dame beats Michigan State and then Michigan. 26 8 Word spreads that he's been the victim of a "catfishing" hoax. Te'o becomes a punch line on the talk show and comedy circuit. Te'o DECEMBER MARCH Finalist for Heisman Trophy and wins Maxwell Award, Chuck Bednarik Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award and the Walter Camp Award. Dec. 8 Can't miss 10 Runs faster at Notre Dame's pro day, but some scouts still skeptical. March 26 does interview with Katie Couric to explain his actions. Jan. 18. OCTOBER 3 Notre Dame knocks off No. 17 APRIL Stanford. Oct. 13. 1 Could come off the board to Minnesota according to 4 Has diving interception as Notre Dame wins handily at Oklahoma, 30-13. Oct. 27. NFL.com's Mock Draft Central. NFL.com September December January February Se ptember October November December lamuary February September October December January February March