2015 NFL Rookie Stars and Who's Next
As we head into the final stretch of the football season and with the Heisman award being announced Saturday, it’s been a promising year for some college stars. Nevertheless, they have had plenty of NFL rookies to look to for aspiration in getting to the next level. Here’s my top rookies that continued their college stardom as a professional, the moment we knew it would happen, and their former college teammates that are following their footsteps.
1. Amari Cooper, WR, Oakland Raiders
The former Alabama standout and No. 4 all around pick in the 2015 NFL Draft has vicariously rose to fame with the Oakland Raiders. He flashed promised in the first preseason game against the St. Louis Rams with three receptions for 22 yards. He reiterated himself as a threat to opposing defenses in week 7’s dominant 35-29 win over the San Diego Chargers, where he averaged 26.6 yards per catch totaling 133 yards and 1 touchdown. The 3-time Pepsi Rookie of the week has received the highest first round grade for a non-QB by NFL media analyst Daniel Jeremiah. He is now on his way to be a 1,000 yard receiver for the Raiders. With both size and speed, this season the WR has already had three 100-yard games. It might be hard for him to make a Pro Bowl this year but he is a clear cut candidate for Rookie of the Year.
When we first knew he’d be a star: Once Cooper dropped his bags off at Bryant-Denny stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, it didn't take long for him to get to work. Freshman year he had 59 receptions for 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns which broke the 62-year old record previously held by Al Lary. The rest of his college career he became known as the "Uncoverable Wide Receiver".
College Teammate that’s following his footsteps: Alabama Running Back, Derrick Henry, may not be catching as many touchdowns as Cooper but he's certainly running them in. Henry, a junior this year, came into the season as a first time starter and now leads the nation with 1,797 yards, averaging 149.8 yards per carry which is third in the country. His 22 rushing touchdowns are the nation’s best and a school record with just two away from breaking Tim Tebow’s SEC record. Taking home both the Maxwell and Doak Walker Award at the CFB awards night, word on the street is this RB is edging out his competitors for the Heisman. If Alabama can clinch the CFP Championship title, no doubt Henry will follow the footsteps of Cooper and declare early for the draft.
2. Marcus Mariota, QB, Tennessee Titans
With sponsor deals from top brands like Beats, Nike, and Subway, Mariota has had a lot to live up to this season and he hasn’t disappointed. For his first NFL season opener, the former Oregon Duck, had a perfect quarterback rating of 158.3 with four touchdowns in the 42-14 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Per Chris Wessling, Around the NFL writer, Mariota became the first NFL player in history with at least 100 yards rushing, 250 yards passing and three touchdowns in the same game.
When we first knew he’d be a star: Anyone remember the 86 yard running touchdown freshman year against Arizona State? Well, Mariota made it known to the world that he could throw, run, jump, and virtually fly his way into the end zone as he became the most decorated player in school history, eventually winning the Heisman last year.
College Teammate that’s following his footsteps: We should say teammates as Oregon has a few notable players that are eligible for the draft this year. All that include, Bralon Addison, Tyler Johnstone, and Vernon Adams Jr. However, Mariota’s former teammate and defensive end, DeForest Buckner, has caught my eye the most. Named Pac-12 Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year, the senior is highly regarded as a potential top-10 pick for the 2016 NFL Draft. With 9.5 sacks, 76 tackles, 16 of them for a loss, Buckner has not only been an impact player but a leader for the team – two characteristics held by Mariota. It’s fair to expect big things from the DE in the future.
3. Todd Gurley, RB, St. Louis Rams
Taken 10th overall in the NFL Draft, the former Georgia Bulldog has carried the ball 173 times for 835 yards and six touchdowns for the Rams. After making a huge statement at the beginning of the year, recording 17 receptions for 143 yards, opposing teams have had to stack the box on Gurley to keep him from breaking out. Starting in nine games this season, he’s a top contender against Amari Cooper for Rookie of the Year.
When we knew he’d be a star: First game as a Bulldog, Gurley had a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Buffalo. He became a starter the next game and it all went uphill from there. Enough said.
College Teammate that’s following his footsteps: Georgia linebacker, Leonard Floyd, otherwise known as the "Freak Athlete" leads the team with 4.5 sacks and 10 tackles for a loss. Right after Georgia’s Head Coach Mark Richt was fired, Floyd announced that he would be gone as well by declaring for the draft. The defensive end is projected to be a first round pick.
The Star we didn’t see coming: Ronald Darby, CB, Buffalo Bills
The cornerback drafted in the second round out of Florida State wasn’t even expected to be starting this year. After just nine games, the rookie set a franchise record for most passes defended (18) by a rookie CB. He now is tied for first at 19 passes defended in the league. He took home Defensive Player of the Month honors in September and gave wide receiver star, Odell Beckham Jr., a run for his money in week 4. Darby is #1 in Mel Kiper’s Rookie Rankings followed by Amari Cooper at #2 and he is on the watch for Rookie of the Year.
The transition to the NFL is never easy no matter how much promise a player showed in college, but a true star will always rise to the occasion. Which current college players from this season do you think will be an NFL star or even struggle to perform at the next level?