College Football has finished up its regular season as teams are now looking forward to their respective bowl games. While there are still many chances for 2016 NFL Draft prospects to improve their stock between now and the end of April, the majority of the tape that NFL teams will be watching has already been filmed. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the 10 prospects who improved their draft status the most during the 2015 College Football season.
Jason Fletcher is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonFletcher25, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.
10. DE Tim Williams, Alabama
Getty ImagesWilliams wasn't even on the radar as a 2016 NFL Draft prospect prior to the season, but he's shown enough this season to prove worthy of being drafted in the middle rounds. Designated as a pass-rush specialist by defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Williams has recorded 9.5 sacks in 2015 despite only playing mainly on passing downs. If he adds a little bit of muscle, Williams could easily be an Aldon Smith-type player.
9. DE Shaq Lawson, Clemson
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It's not a guarantee that Lawson will declare for the draft, but he should. In 2015, he recorded 9.5 sacks while helping lead the Tigers to an undefeated regular season, ACC championship and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. After only starting one game as a sophomore, Lawson is projected as a first-round pick following his impressive junior season.
8. DE Emmanuel Ogbah, Oklahoma State
Getty ImagesOgbah put together a remarkable 2013 season as he recorded 13 sacks for the Cowboys. Not only can he get to the quarterback, but he also plays the run well and has a motor that never stops. Even in the last two or three weeks, Ogbah's jumped from a borderline first-round pick to a top-15 player.
7. DT A'Shawn Robinson, Alabama
Getty ImagesAlabama defensive linemen haven't traditionally translated well to the NFL, but the Tide have never had a player like Robinson either. He's still a bit raw, but he's been dominant down the stretch for Nick Saban and put himself square in the mid-first-round conversation.
6. QB Carson Wentz, North Dakota State
Getty ImagesWentz stands 6-foot-6 and 235 pounds, but he moves around well. During his first season as a starter in 2014, Wentz led the Bison to their third-straight FCS Championship by completing 228-of-358 passes for 3,111 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. After being limited to only six games to this point in 2015, Wentz has completed 114-of-179 passes for 1,454 yards, 16 touchdowns and two interceptions. With Connor Cook and Christian Hackenburg's stock declining sharply, there's talk that Wentz could end up as a late-first-rounder.
5. DT Sheldon Rankins, Louisville
Getty ImagesSome experts have Rankins listed as a defensive tackle while others have him at a defensive end. That's the beauty with Rankins, at 6-foot-2 and 303 pounds, he can play as a tackle in a 4-3 defense or as a defensive end in a 3-4. He has the ability to play the run as well as rush the passer and he could end up being a mid-to-late first-rounder before all is said and done.
4. S Jayron Kearse, Clemson
Getty ImagesKearse is quickly rising up draft boards as the leader of the Clemson secondary. He does a great job in pass coverage while also giving great help in the run game. There are some draft experts who believe that Kearse will end up as a mid-first-rounder.
3. DE DeForest Buckner, Oregon
Getty ImagesWhile Oregon is better known for its offense as opposed to its defense, the Ducks have churned out some solid NFL players on the defensive side of the ball in recent years. With 9.5 sacks and 16 TFLs in 2015, Buckner should be the next Ducks' defensive player to go in the first round after not being on many watch lists earlier in the season.
2. WR Josh Doctson, TCU
Getty ImagesDoctson posted 79 receptions for 1,327 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2015 despite missing almost three full games. He possesses the rare combination of height, speed and catching ability that all NFL teams look for as he should be one of the top-two receivers taken off the board along with Laquon Treadwell from Ole Miss.
1. QB Paxton Lynch, Memphis
Getty ImagesPrior to the start of the season, many NFL Draft pundits didn't even have Lynch projected as a first-round prospect. Currently, he's being projected as the No. 1 overall pick in the draft thanks to a 2015 season that saw him complete 280-of-406 passes for 3,670 yards, 28 touchdowns and only three interceptions.
