NFL Draft Prospects: Oregon State Beavers

Here is a rundown of Oregon State football players with a chance to hear their name called during the NFL Draft in New York on April 25th-26th. A few projections are provided along with some general thoughts on how these prospects will fit into the NFL's big picture.

Andy Levitre, OG

Levitre was considered a solid prospect throughout the 2008 season and is now considered anywhere from the 1st to 5th best guard prospect in this years draft. He started in 39 games throughout his career at right and left tackle, but his relatively short build has him projected as a guard at the next level. An All-American and All-Pac-10 first teamer in 2008, Levitre has also been labeled as a team leader and model student-athlete during his time on campus. Equipped with good strength and a knack for understanding blocking schemes, Levitre should be able to succeed inside at guard, covering up some of his weaknesses, namely his quickness and ability to play in space.

Projections: Both Scouts Inc. and NFLDraftCountdown grade him as a 2nd or 3rd round pick, and if he goes that high, the team who picks him is undoubtedly hoping he becomes a future starter.

Sammie Stroughter, WR

Stroughter has been a very productive receiver and return man for the Beavs during the past few seasons. He had a breakout year in 2006, amassing just under 1300 yards receiving. He was also a premier punt returned, scoring three touchdowns on punt returns, the most memorable being his 70-yard punt return for touchdown in upset win over USC. He earned third-team All America status that season as a punt returner. He missed most of 2007 due to personal issues and a lacerated kidney, but was granted a medical redshirt by the NCAA. Bouncing back in 2008, Stroughter once again had over 1,000 yards receiving, earning first-team All-Pac-10 honors as a wide receiver. Stroughter was a little underwhelming at the combine, running the 40-yard dash in the mid-4.5 range, which left some scouts questioning his ability to stretch the field with his vertical speed. Despite these questions, his quickness, versatility, and productivity could lead to his selection in April.

Projections: Scouts Inc. has him rated as a 5th round prospect, so hearing his name called on draft day is a possibility but not a certainty.

Keenan Lewis, CB

Lewis is a big corner with a ton of experience in the Pac-10, a league known for having teams with deadly passing attacks. He started 45 games in his career, and quieted some concerns about his high-end speed with a sub 4.50 40-yard dash time at Oregon State's pro-day. While this isn't an eye-popping number, it is solid with a corner of his size. He is a decent tackler and is adept at jamming receivers off the line. While some scouts tout his instincts and awareness, I have seen too many instances in which he loses the ball in the air and cannot react properly. He must work on this if he wants to become a long-term contributer in the NFL.

Projections: Most websites have him listed as the 10th-15th best CB in the draft and expect him to be picked in the 4th or 5th round.

Brandon Hughes, CB

Hughes is another experienced Beaver CB, starting 40 games after making the position switch from receiver early in his college career. He had a solid showing at the combine, putting up one of the top 40 times for a CB with a 4.50. Many still question his speed however and he doesn't have the size that projects to the NFL like his teammate Keenan Lewis, but many Beaver fans will tell you that they felt more comfortable when opponents threw to Hughes' side of the field than when they were airing it out in Lewis' area.

Projections: Projected at around #20 for CB, late round draft pick or undrafted free agent.

Other Prospects

Victor Butler, OLB, Slade Norris, DE, Al Afalava, S

These guys are rated as anything from a late round prospect to a possible undrafted free agent. Butler certainly possesses athleticism and pass-rush skills; he totaled 25.5 sacks during his career at OSU. The inevitable position change from DE to OLB will be tough, but he could get a chance to prove himself in some team's training camp workouts this summer. Norris had a good year opposite butler in 2008, but his workout numbers won't jump off the page, so expect him to go undrafted. Afalava is a safety who wasn't invited to the combine and while he was known for delivering the knockout hit on unsuspecting receivers throughout his career, he didn't show elite speed on the field. I am told that he impressed scouts with his speed at OSU's Pro Day, but I would look for him to go undrafted as well.

All in all this is a solid class of draft prospects for the Beavers coming off a 9-win season. Let's hope some of them can stick in the NFL and make a name for themselves playing on Sundays.