I’m a big fan of Reddick’s and he stood out in multiple UNC games last season. Zach Brown was always the better athlete with the higher ceiling, but Reddick is a more rounded and consistent football player. The game against Georgia Tech stood out for me in particular – a game where Quinton Coples and Brown both struggled, but Reddick played with a level of intensity the other two lacked.

I put him at #22 on the top 40 watch list but he could’ve been higher. A limited ceiling will temper his draft stock, but he’s a solid linebacker and one to watch in 2012.

Davis was primed for a huge 2011 before a serious ankle injury ruled him out for the entire season. Had he stayed healthy, he would’ve challenged Trent Richardson as the top running back in the country. He’s bigger than most runners at 6-0 and 226lbs, but he still has great speed and breakaway ability. If he can get back to his peak this year he’ll be competing with another returning runner – Marcus Lattimore – to be the first running back off the board in 2013. Davis is ranked at #11 on our top 40 watch list.

Amerson recorded 13 interceptions in 2011, an incredible number that unsurprisingly topped the NCAA. It’s created a little bit of hype going into this year, with some listing him as a potential top-10 pick. I’m not quite sure he’s good enough for that, and he may not get the chance to prove otherwise.

When you make 13 interceptions in a season, you stand out. Teams are probably going to stop throwing in his direction this year which will limit Amerson’s chances to prove he is such a big-time playmaker. Yet he’ll need to keep making plays because at 6-3 and 194lbs, he doesn’t have the required speed to be a top-echelon draft pick for the position and a move to safety is very likely. The only way at that size/speed he’ll be a top choice will be if he keeps making multiple interceptions. I listed him at #25 in the top 40 watch list for next season.

Murray has moments where he looks pretty good. At least good enough to see beyond his smaller than ideal size (around 6-0 and 210lbs) and the fact he’s not the kind of athletically superior quarterback the NFL is crazy about right now. Then there are other times where he struggles to find any kind of rhythm and you can’t help but question whether he has what it takes to ever become a realistic starter at the next level. Georgia has a nice defense, but they’re relying on this guy to be a difference maker on offense. He was patchy against Boise State, Mississippi State, Florida and Kentucky last season – but he looked good against Georgia Tech and Auburn.

The bowl game against Michigan State highlights both the good and bad of Murray’s play. But without ideal physical tools and because he is so inconsistent, I’m not including him in our top 40 watch list.

I like Ellington, even if he didn’t make it onto the top 40 watchlist. He does have an X-Factor to his game and while he’ll probably never be a work-horse at the next level, he could have an impact as a complimentary runner. Clemson should have another productive season in 2012 so he’s one to monitor.

Wilson is ranked at #7 in our top 40 watch list for 2013. This wasn’t his or Arkansas’ best performance last year, but it’s the kind of game he’ll need to shine in this year to truly max out his potential. Arkansas has enough talent to win the SEC and Wilson needs to take the chance to impress scouts against top-tier opposition.

This was a record breaking performance in last seasons Orange Bowl. Smith shined on the day, but there were other times last season where he wasn’t quite as polished. He has a lot of talent and will continue to put up big numbers in 2012 in Dana Holgorsen’s offense. However, will teams see through the system to grade him as a possible pro-passer? Smith is ranked at #39 in our top 40 watch list.