The deadline for underclassmen to declare for 2011 NFL draft is fast approaching, and on Thursday the Auburn Tigers' Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, Cam Newton, declared for the draft. With Stanford Cardinal quarterback Andrew Luck returning to school for another year, Newton could emerge as the top quarterback in the draft. He will contend with Missouri Tiger Blaine Gabbert, Arkansas Razorback Ryan Mallett and, to a lesser extent, the Washington Huskies' Jake Locker. None of these players is on the same level as Luck, who was the presumed No. 1 pick to Carolina Panthers.
Will he be this year's Tim Tebow, scaring most teams off but finding one team who will take that chance late in the first round? Or will he wow scouts and other talent evaluators in workouts and force his way into the top 10? SB Nation has Newton going No. 7 overall in its latest NFL Mock Draft. Newton's combination of size and speed may bee too much for a team to pass up in the top 10.
Find out later on Friday if his teammate, defensive lineman Nick Fairley, who dominated in the BCS Championship game, will join him in this April's draft. The Denver Broncos will most definitely be waiting to hear this announcement, especially new head coach John Fox.