For instance:

- The top offensive prospect in the Big 12 is Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree with Missouri’s Jeremy Maclin close behind. Rang called Crabtree “a freak, like Detroit’s Calvin Johnson. His hands are amazing.”

- The top defensive prospect is either Missouri’s William Moore or Texas’ Brian Orakpo, although he has gripes with both. Moore has been injured and while he has potential, Rang said he’s almost too aggressive and doesn’t break down well in space. As for Orakpo, he says the hype has elevated the defensive end’s stock. “He’s not Jevon Kearse, and he’s not a top 5 guy,” Rang said. “But he’s a legit top 15. But there are some warts.”

And finally, because this is the reason you’ve read this far – Josh Freeman.

He can’t recall seeing a worse senior class for quarterbacks, so he fully expects to see a large number of junior quarterbacks throw their names into the draft – and he doesn’t think that’s a good idea, either.

“I think a lot of agents will get to talking,” Rang said. “There is a lot of talk of one more year of the salary cap, and how they might implement a stronger cap. It would be chaos because the senior class is so bad, and it could be all of the elite guys in the Big 12.

“I’m always for a kid returning to school. I’m hesitant to tout all of them – (OU’s Sam) Bradford, (UT’s Colt) McCoy and Freeman – but they all have obvious tools. They’re just not Matt Ryan.”

In other words, he doesn’t believe any of those three are ready, but it doesn’t believe it would stop any of those three from a) entering the draft and b) being selected in the first round.

NFLDraftScout.com’s official ranking of the junior class is, in order, Georgia’s Matt Stafford, Florida’s Tim Tebow, USC’s Mark Sanchez, McCoy and Freeman. They’d all be first-round picks, Rang said. Bradford wasn’t included because he’s a redshirt sophomore, although he’d be eligible for the draft is so inclined. And in Rang’s personal estimation, within the Big 12, it’s McCoy, Bradford and Freeman, although he believes Freeman has the biggest upside – as well as the biggest floor.

“I want to see more,” Rang said. “I want to see better poise in the pocket, and I want to see him continue to make progress with his accuracy. But he can make throws right now some quarterbacks in the NFL can’t make.”

And for one final thought on the senior quarterback class – and why I’d be shocked if Josh Freeman spent another year in Manhattan – Rang said, “I’d be surprised if a senior quarterback is taken in the first day of the draft (which is now two rounds). It’s a very weak class.”

Thoughts? Let’s hear them.

Vann McElroy represents Kansas State wide receiver Jordy Nelson. It’s in McElroy’s best interests to talk up his client, but you also can’t get carried away and mislead your client. Which is why I’m convinced McElroy truly believes what he told me this morning, which is that he thinks Nelson might be nabbed in Round 1 of Saturday’s NFL Draft.

“This kid could slip into the bottom of the first – he’s risen that much,” McElroy said.

The reasoning, McElroy explained, is that Nelson compares athletically with the rest of the wide receivers available, not to mention his production. And there’s the issue of character, which isn’t an issue at all with Nelson.

“He’s No. 1 on the board in terms of character,” he said. “It’s a big deal… The commissioner went to league meetings this past spring and looked at the owners and said, ‘I can’t do this by myself… Make a statement and don’t sign these guys (with bad character). It helps him move ahead.”

Right now, McElroy is confident Nelson is a solid second-round selection. He has spoken with two teams that currently have him in their top five at wide receiver.

“I think Washington would take him at 51,” McElroy said.

1. When did you get in? What’s it like?

I arrived Wednesday night. I had a six-hour layover in Chicago… There is one room (for media) that is completely filled, but then they opened up another room that is four times as big, and all but 15 spaces are filled. It’s crazy. This is my fourth or fifth year, and every year it’s gotten bigger… There are no televisions in the rooms. You may know what times (prospects) run before we’ll know because you can watch on television. I don’t know if they’re going to bring in televisions or what, but right now, no televisions… None of the fun stuff has started yet. The offensive linemen did the bench press — I don’t have the numbers. I know specialists have worked out, but I didn’t get your message until after I found out. I asked who stood out, and Tim (Reyer) wasn’t mentioned. And that’s not a bad thing — as you long as you don’t draw too much negative attention, that’s fine. There are only going to be a limited number of punters drafted, anyway… The workout are at the RCA Dome. We’re in the exhibition center, which is connected to the Dome. You walk in, and they have a whole another part of the center dedicated to a pre-teen girls’ gymnastics competition. I’m surrounded by hundreds of eight-year-old girls in leotards. But then, just a little ways away, you have the players. There are security guards… There are a lot of people standing around, autograph hounds. They’ll walk up to players, coaches, agents, etc., as they walk out. They try to get an autograph they can sell on eBay.

2. I saw on your mock draft you had USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis at No. 1. Really?

Until I hear confirmation on Glenn Dorsey’s medical records… He was a little nicked up as a senior. He played the entire junior year with a stress fracture. Two dominant years — and he was dominant, make no mistake — he was hurt. He didn’t play in Senior Bowl. He’s not here… Not that that means he’s not No. 1, but until teams get a confirmed medical report — until I do — he’s not No. 1. If Miami keeps the pick, they’ll go with one of the big linemen — Dorsey, Ellis or (Virginia defensive end) Chris Long. (Michigan offensive tackle) Jake Long? I can’t see it.

3. You mentioned Tim Reyer earlier. Will he be drafted?

I think Reyer is fighting an uphill battle. It’s not perceived to be a great punter class in general. I don’t think he’s the elite, the top two or three generally. But again, he didn’t hurt himself here, and that’s a good thing. They’re going to have look at the film. Only two or three players get drafted, anyway, and the rest have a chance at being picked up as free agents.

4. Are people talking about Justin McKinney?

I think McKinney can be drafted. He can help himself if he shows some speed. The word around is that he’s a 4.55 guy that relies on being physical. If he can prove he can run, he can get away with that. He’d be an ideal Tampa 2 corner. But he’s a little grabby… To me, that speaks to a six- or seven-round pick. You’re not going to put him on an island and have him play man-to-man. As long as he doesn’t have a terrible time here, he’ll be fine… But he’s a JUCO player, and you want to make sure that checks out.

5. OK, what’s the word on Jordy?

The perception is he’s a possession receiver. I believe he could be more than that. I think he can make plays. He’s one of those guys who I believe because of his work ethic and generally reliable hands — at worst, he’s a possession receiver. He could be potentially one of the better possession receivers… He’s not going to be Joey Galloway and beat people all day long deep. The stigma against possession receivers is they can’t run a route more than seven yards. He’ll beat able to beat people over the top… He has the opportunity here. I think he will work out better than people think. His strength isn’t pure straight-ahead speed. He’s just a good football player. … I believe he runs Sunday. I know running backs are Sunday.

(BONUS) 6. What are your expectations of Jordy?

My expectation is that he works out well enough to solidify himself as a third- or fourth-round guy. When I talk to teams, they view him as fourth- or fifth-round pick… This is a unique class. There is no established No. 1 receiver. I’ve talked to five different scouts and asked them who the No. 1 receiver was in the draft, and I got five different answers. I’m not sure there are going to be more than two or three taken in the first round, and I don’t think any will be taken in the top 10. You’ll have a glut of receivers selected in the second round, and I don’t think Jordy is in that group… I think the third round this year is almost like the second round in most years. There are so many big-name receivers throughout their career that are more dynamic ahead of him… But the early third round is still pretty good. It’s weird — people are almost starting to over-hype him a little bit. There has been some buzz… Ever since he was at the Senior Bowl. The fact that he was there helped him because he proved that he belonged… He established himself as deserving to be at the Senior Bowl.

(BONUS) 7. What do you think he’ll run?

Probably low 4.5. I think he has a chance to break 4.4, like a high 4.4 — a 4.48 or 4.49. If he runs a 4.6, that will hurt him. I mean, it won’t affect his current standing because he runs as good of routes as he does… I think he’s as fast on the field as he is on the track.

(BONUS) 8. Because of that indelible image of Jordy roasting Aqib Talib, what’s the word on the KU cornerback?

That he’s going to run a 4.55. That’s what everyone is talking about. If he runs well, if he can break 4.4, he could be the No. 1 corner taken in the draft. If he runs a 4.55, he’s a late first-round or early second-round pick. If he runs faster, he can generate more buzz.

Here’s what I know – Jordy Nelson, punter Tim Reyer and cornerback Justin McKinney are the only Kansas State football invited to next week’s NFL Combine. McKinney apparently turned heads with his catch-up speed at the Hula Bowl.

The information on Nelson is far easier to come by.

The folks at nfldraftscout.com list Nelson No. 3 among the draft’s risers. At the moment, they rate him as the No. 15 wide receiver available, but they clearly expect that to change.

“… Perhaps the wideout who opened the most eyes with his performance in Mobile was Kansas State’s Jordy Nelson. Nelson went from former walk-on to an All-American as a senior, finishing second in the nation in both receptions (122) and receiving yards (1,606). Many scouts attributed this sudden rise in success to the Wildcats’ passing game, but Nelson’s reliable route-running, hands, and size still have scouts buzzing.”

According to ESPN.com’s Todd McShay, Nelson is in the next group of wideouts after OU’s Malcolm Kelly, Texas’ Limas Sweed, Michigan’s Mario Manningham and Cal’s DeSean Jackson. Overall, McShay has Nelson rated as the No. 12 wideout.

Bucky Brooks, a scout for si.com, has Nelson as his eighth wide receiver overall:

“As a craft route runner with good hands and excellent running skills, Nelson has the potential to excel as a complementary receiver on the next level. Additionally, he is a legitimate dual-threat who excels as a punt returner. Look for Nelson to come off the board in the second round as a team seeks to add a playmaker wit versatile skills.”

As always, if you find some intriguing multi-round mock drafts out there on the Interwebs, send them this way. Well, put the URLs in the comments field below and I’ll check it out.

And there’s this - slightly off track, but still K-State football related.

But check it out for yourself – after reading below, of course:

1. You have Michael Beasley listed as the top pick in your 2008 mock
draft. Easy decision?
Yes. As long as Beasley stays out of
trouble between now and draft day, I can’t see anyone overtaking him. Right
now I would separate Beasley, (Memphis’ Derrick) Rose and (Indiana’s Eric) Gordon from the rest of the pack.
(Texas A&M’s DeAndre) Jordan also has a ton of upside, but he’s really raw.

2.
Is he the best freshman in the country? If so, is he the best player in the country?
Yes and maybe. The stats don’t even tell the whole story. Beasley has  carried this team on his back and they have lost a few games
despite great games on his part. He’s a man amongst boys out there,
even though he’s usually a few years younger than his opponents. He
may struggle to win Player of the Year the way Durant did just because he’s playing
at Kansas State and doesn’t have as much talent around him,
particularly at point guard. Here’s to the 19-year age rule!

3.
What is the feedback regarding Mike you’re hearing from NBA scouts,
etc.? What do they like? Dislike?
They like his versatility,
athleticism, overall talent and potential. They don’t like the problem
child reputation that he had in high school. But he seems to have matured and
become more focused.

4. What about Bill Walker? Is his
stock rising again? I see he’s suddenly a first-rounder  again in your
mock.
Yes. It seems like it has taken him a few games to play himself
fully back into shape. He still isn’t as explosive as he was in high
school. But he seems to be getting that back. Against Cal, he had his
best performance yet and showed that he has pro moves and the hunger
to dominate. he is definitely on the rise again and stands a good
chance of getting into the first round if he keeps playing at this
level.

5. Should the presence of these two NBA-caliber talents carry Kansas State into the NCAA tournament?
They
definitely should be a tournament team. Beasley guaranteed wins against
Kansas,  which might be far-fetched but you like to see
the confidence.

(BONUS). 6. Who do these two remind you
of? Anyone past or present in the NBA?
I hear a lot of people
say Derrick Coleman for Beasley, but to me he’s like Carmelo Anthony. Coleman
was supremely talented but never had the killer instinct that Beasley’s
showing. Anthony has such a nose for scoring and bulls people just like
Beasley. Walker was the most athletic guy I’d ever seen in high school. He
jumped higher than Vince (Carter). He’s not back to that level yet so maybe a thicker
Gerald Wilkins.

Warning — it’s comprehensive, you will waste a substantial amount of time there, and you’ll have to pay for premium. But it’s worth it, trust me.

I spoke Tuesday with senior analyst Rob Rang about Jordy Nelson, who had the kind of senior season an NFL hopeful only dreams of.

Technically, this could have been a “Five,” but I’m not going to skimp on y’all this week. Not quite a bonus "Five," but it’s something. Enjoy.

Where do you have Jordy?
I still think he’s a second-day guy, a third- or fourth-round guy. For Jordy, it’s going to be how he runs and performs in the Senior Bowl or the East-West Shrine Game. His production this year was staggering. His playing speed on film was also impressive. I saw the Kansas game in particular, and how he beat Aqib Talib was impressive… When NFL teams went through (colleges) in the spring, I think he was still injured and he was timed in about the 4.6, 4.5 range. But I don’t think that’s indicative of his speed. I think he’s faster. It doesn’t hurt to have Brandon Marshall in Denver having a big year. He’s a former defensive back that made the transition as well at Central Florida. Because of that, teams are looking at these type of guys and saying, ‘Hey, let’s see what he can do.’ The fact that Marshall has had such a breakout year, they’ll be excited. Especially because (Jordy) is a great kid. And the special teams? Icing on the cake. He’s not your typical receiver in that way. The position is known for the prima donna type, but he has the defensive back mentality teams are looking for.

After all that, you still consider him a second-day guy?
At this point, yes. At the Senior Bowl or the East-West game, he has to light it up there. Then, he has a chance to move himself up. The third round wouldn’t be a shock. The second round would be great.

Is that the best course of action for Jordy?
In theory, he should work out at the Combine. There are going to be a lot of questions of whether this kid is legit… Because he had a breakout senior year, a lot of guys (in his position) choose to ride the momentum.

Does he compare to Marshall? I’ve heard some lazier comparisons…
That’s the thing. Based on what I saw, he flashes things like (Marshall). Yeah, I’ve heard that stereotype of every white receiver… It is lazy. They’re going off of the spring reports, when he ran a 4.6, 4.5. That’s why it’s so important he runs well. There are so few white receivers who have shown they can run well. Maybe people will find out Talib isn’t as fast as they thought. A lot of people will point to that — a game against a high-profile defender. Talib is on everybody’s All-American teams, and look at what Jordy did to him… It’s vital (Jordy) runs well.

How much ground can he make up?
If he can run like I think he can, I think a first-day grade, it’s possible. I wouldn’t feel comfortable saying that until he does it, until he goes to one of these all-star games and performs like I think he can… A two-round jump is pretty significant. He wasn’t even considerable a draftable commodity before the season. It’s been a pretty amazing transformation in one year.

There you have it. Check back tomorrow when I converse with Aran Smith
at NBAdraft.net about Mike Beasley and Bill Walker. Peace.