Carter Rated Top Junior On Final Day To Declare Eligibility For Nfl Draft

When Dave-Te Thomas looks at the group of underclassmen in this year’s NFL draft, he sees up to a dozen first-round picks. He also sees a lot of question marks.

Thomas, editor of the NFL Draft Report, thinks Penn State tailback KiJana Carter, Michigan cornerback Ty Law, Miami defensive tackle Warren Sapp and Notre Dame safety Bobby Taylor are sure-fire pro stars.

At least 20 underclassmen announced they were entering the NFL draft before Wednesday’s deadline. The exact number won’t be known until today, when the league releases its final list.

“It’s a super quality group,” Thomas said. “I think there’s probably a dozen first-round picks there.”

Thomas rates Carter the top junior in this year’s draft, which will be held April 22-23 in New York.

Other juniors projected as first-round picks are defensive end Derrick Alexander and safety Devin Bush of Florida State, Brigham Young quarterback John Walsh, Texas offensive lineman Blake Brockermeyer, Miami fullback James Stewart and Ohio State offensive lineman Korey Stringer.

Heisman Trophy winner Rashaan Salaam of Colorado may not go until the second round. Thomas rates the junior behind four other runners - Carter, Wheatley, Stewart and Rodney Thomas of Texas A&M.

Eleven juniors were taken in the first round last year, tying the record set in 1992.

Junior defensive tackle Shannon Clavelle, voted the 1995 Fiesta Bowl defensive MVP and a two-time All-Big Eight selection, announced he plans to leave Colorado and make himself available for the draft.

Branndon Stewart, who lost out to fellow freshman Payton Manning in a duel for Tennessee’s quarterback job, said he is transferring to Texas A&M.