The 2011 BCS National Championship Game between Auburn and Oregon will feature two highly-sought after NFL draft prospects in Auburn's Cam Newton and Nick Fairley. Newton, a quarterback who is expected to declare for the draft, won the 2010 Heisman Trophy following a season in which he threw for 2,589 yards and 28 touchdowns and also rushed for 1,409 yards and 20 touchdowns. At 6-foot-6, 250-pounds, Newton appears to be a force to be reckoned with in the NFL given his size, but will a team be willing to take that risk after one amazing season at the FBS level? He could be a top-10 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Nick Fairley is a defensive lineman for the Tigers and should also be selected in the top-10 picks of the upcoming draft. He had 21.0 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks in 2010. The 6-foto-5, 300-pound lineman is versatile enough to play in either a 3-4 or 4-3 defensive scheme. The Denver Broncos would be well advised to watch Fairley very closely in tonight's game.
Mocking the Draft has a post on other players of interest in this game. One player not mentioned on that list is Oregon Ducks running back LaMichael James, who decided to return to school. James will be a high selection when he comes out in 2012 or 2013.