By Don Stokes-Senior Writer-Mid-West-Football Reporters Online

GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 13: Alshon Jeffery #1 of the South Carolina Gamecocks smiles after winning a game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Gainesville, Florida. The Gamecocks beat the Gators 36-14. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)By Don Stokes Senior Mid- West Region Writer-Football Reporters Onine

As we are well aware there have been those Wide Receivers who have all of the natural ability in the world but for some unknown reason do not adjust to the pro game or are allowed to grow in the right system for their talent set. Some of these young men in this group will have long careers or become consistent NFL Pro Bowl players. Maybe one will receive a yellow jacket to Canton. But in reality in a few seasons some will be looking for other job occupations. Here is my top 40 list. Enjoy.

1. Justin Blackman WR Oklahoma State University

Born 1/9/1990 6’1 207lbs,

40 time   4.48    reps: 14    R-Jr.

Considered by most to be the very best wide receiver of this draft, Justin Blackman is the first non- QB in 12 seasons and the first WR to earn the honor on the Big 12 Offensive Player of the year in 2012. During the 2011 year Blackman finished the 2011 regular season with 113 catches for 1,337 yards and 15 touchdowns. After becoming the Fiesta Bowl MVP Blackman made his declaration to the 2012 NFL Draft. Has great physical presence of the line that can be worked in the slot formation but would be better suited outside. He will also not be outworked for a pass because Blackman has the hands that most NFL wide outs would kill to have.  He has the un-coachable ability to catch the deep pass over either shoulder with ease although at times too often relies on catching passes with pads and chest. Not pure breakaway speed but very agile and strong after the catch. He’ll probably be the fourth or fifth player chosen overall in the draft.

RATING 9.0

2. Michael Floyd WR Notre Dame 6’3 220lbs

Born 11/27/2012

40 time   4.42    reps: 16     Sr.

Buyers beware because this is a wide receiver that has either Hall of fame potential or could flame out after a few seasons. With his overall talent Michael Floyd is regarded as one of the best WR prospect of this class. Floyd, who has had issues with driving while impaired in his past which caused a recent school imposed five month suspension from ND began his 2011 season on schedule and on time. Floyd played all 13 games for the 8-5 Irish in 2011 and finished with 100 receptions for 1147 yards and 9 TD. He’s a good stop and drop in a zone type WR who would do better in a “West Coast” type offense. Not blessed with pure speed but can separate from most defensive backs Michael Floyd has all of the physical skills one would covert as a first rounder. But with three different alcohol related arrests during his college career a NFL GM should wonder is he worth a first rounder top 10 type money or not?

RATING 8.8

3. Kendall Wright WR Baylor 5’10 190lbs

Born 11/12/1989

40 time 4.61   reps: 14    Sr.

Every NFL club wants that burner on the outside who can make the game changing reception. If you’re that NFL GM then Kendall Wright could be that difference maker for your club. Although limited by size (5’10) and weight (190lbs) Kendall Wright makes up for it with explosiveness, heart and desire. A four year starter at Baylor University, Wright receiving numbers improved each season from 50 catches with 649 yards as a freshman to 108 catches and a career high in yardage with 1,663 with 14 TD as a senior in 2011. Quick, explosive and will go get any pass. Kendall tends to snatch throws out of very tight windows for his QB. Can make the acrobatic circus catch seem routine, Wright has a knack of finding open spots on the field which will make him a QB’s best friend at the next level but can drop the easiest throws. He should go during round one.

RATING 8.5

4. Ruben Randle WR LSU 6’3 210lbs

Born 5/7/1991

40 time 4.55   reps: 15    Jr.

You’re playing the BCS Championship game in your home state of Louisiana. Your team, the LSU Tigers is playing for the national championship vs. the University of Alabama and your QB throws for the ungodly total of 53 yards for the entire game, a 21-0 Alabama whitewash. After starting LSU QB’s Jordan Jefferson struggled against the Crimson tide stout defense Junior WR Ruben Randle had made his decision. He indeed would enter upcoming 2012 NFL Draft. Despite a season long revolving door at QB (Lee-Jefferson-Lee-Jefferson) Randle set career highs in catches (53) yards (917) and touchdowns with 8. He’s become a very smooth runner who understands how to “set up” the opposing DB with shoulders dips. He does a good job getting inside of a DB and uses his long arms and hands well, although does lets the ball hit him in the chest too often. Can run the deep route well but could use his hands and arms a bit more often for separation.

RATING 8.4

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The Notre Dame Club of Dallas Welcomes Head Football Coach Brian Kelly as Keynote Speaker for Universal Notre Dame Night 2011

DALLAS, April 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — The spirit of Notre Dame comes to Dallas Thursday, April 28, as the university’s head football coach, Brian Kelly, will present the current state of the university as well as provide an update about the upcoming 2011 Fighting Irish Football Team at Universal Notre Dame Night 2011. He will discuss his team’s plans for success this football season and share his insights about teamwork and being “other-centered.”

Hosted by the Notre Dame Club of Dallas, an officially sanctioned organization of the university that strives to exemplify the university’s ideals in the community, the event will highlight the club’s successes this past year and vision moving forward along with presenting its annual “Person of the Year” award, an honor given to those giving outstanding service to the community.

“We are very excited about this event. Having Coach Kelly here will bring our club members together and hopefully many of those who are fans and friends of the University – regardless of whether they attended Notre Dame as a student. Notre Dame has many followers – people who support, cheer for and pray for the university. They are all part of the Notre Dame family and we look forward to seeing them at this annual event,” said Calvin Colbert, 2011 President of the Notre Dame Club of Dallas. “Father Edward Sorin, C.S.C., founder of the university, stated, ‘This college will be one of the most powerful means for doing good in this country’ and in turn, our club here in Dallas tries to live that vision through our efforts to raise money for scholarships along with supporting a number of different community service programs each year, including tax assistance, tutoring, ‘Hearts & Hammers’ events, and more.”

Universal Notre Dame Night is a unique event that began in 1924 in the form of a nationwide radio broadcast to nurture the university’s reputation as a premier learning institution. Today, it assembles clubs from all over the world on the same night to celebrate the university and promote camaraderie among alumni and friends.

A unique photo opportunity with Coach Kelly begins at 5:15 p.m., and registration begins at 6:00 p.m. Proceeds from the event will go to support the Notre Dame Club of Dallas scholarship funds as well as the club’s community service events. Open to the general public, the event will be held at the Hilton Anatole Hotel. For more information or tickets, visit http://www.nddallas.org/.

For members of the press interested in joining, there will be a media event with time for questions at 6:15 p.m. with Coach Kelly. For more information, call Calvin Colbert at 214-505-1895.

About the Notre Dame Club of Dallas

The Notre Dame Club of Dallas is an officially sanctioned organization of the University of Notre Dame. Its purpose is to promote solidarity and friendship among graduates, former students, current students, parents of current students and friends of the University of Notre Dame by encouraging the perpetuation of the same ideals the university teaches and upholds. As a “Force for Good,” the club raises money for student scholarships. In addition, the club sponsors, directs and participates in activities which further the interests of the club members or the interests of the University of Notre Dame, including charitable, educational, religious, social and athletic activities.

SOURCE Notre Dame Club of Dallas

CONTACT: Media, Calvin Colbert, +1-214-505-1895, calvincolbert@yahoo.com, for Notre Dame Club of Dallas

Web Site: http://www.theberylinstitute.org

Clausen and Tate take their Games to Sundays

John Kelly

Football Reporters Online

Senior Writer

Midwest/Northeast Correspondent

Jimmy Clausen and Golden Tate sat before the media hearts thumping and their emotions heavy. In between them former coach Charlie Weis was all smiles. With the flashing bulbs illuminating over their life size posters, both declared for the NFL draft during a Monday news conference.

They had talked about their intentions with fired Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis on Friday. Jimmy Clausen decided took his next step towards childhood aspirations.

“Growing up as a kid, one of my lifelong dreams has been to play in the NFL and with that being said, with the support of my family and coaches I will be forgoing my senior year and entering the 2010 NFL draft,” Clausen said in a release handed out by the school before his news conference.

The decision was much harder for Tate. His relationships on the gridon and the diamond made it even tougher.

“But after talking with my family and coach Weis, I am going to pursue my dream and enter next year’s NFL draft,” he said.

Clausen came to Notre Dame from Westlake, California in 2007 and enrolled early. He was most-hyped Notre Dame quarterback since Ron Powlus back in 1993. Clausen was known for infamously announcing his decision to attend Notre Dame at the College Football Hall of Fame, arriving in a Hummer limo and flashing three high school championship rings. He came to South Bend claiming he would add 4 national title rings to his collection.

His career was one of high aspirations unfulfilled. Clausen never directed the Irish to a single Bowl Championship Series game. He did help the Irish break their 9 game bowl losing streak with a 49-21 victory in the Hawaii bowl in which he was the MVP.

He made 34 starts for the Irish compiling a 16-18 record. He finished 2009 ranked second in the country in pass efficiency behind Boise State’s Kellen Moore. Clausen threw for 3,722 yards and 28 touchdowns this year. He only threw 4 picks, which was his biggest problem and averaged 310 yards a game passing.

Tate on the other hand was never thought to leave this early after barely finding the field as a freshman. Tate came in to South Bend as a running back and struggled to adapt to the precise route running necessary for Charlie Weis’s scheme. He only had six catches for 131 yards that season.

Last season he was the most improved player on the roster, leading the Irish in all-purpose yards with 1,754. He snagged 58 passes for 1,080 yards, an averaged 18.9 yards a catch. But he came of age this season becoming more of a well-rounded receiver and made highlight reel catches. After the Michael Floyd injury he repeatedly beat zone coverage’s, ran the ball from the wildcat, and increased his production game to game.

Tate was even talked about as a possible Heisman Trophy contender until the Irish lost their last four games.

The 5-11, 195-pound junior from Hendersonville, Tenn., finished the 2009 campaign with 93 catches for 1,496 yards and 15 touchdown receptions. He also added two scores on the ground and one on a punt return for a touchdown. He finished third in the nation in receiving yards per game (124.67), seventh catches per game (7.75), and is a Blinkoff Finalist for the nations best receiver.

According to most draft experts Clausen and Tate are top 15 picks. In the eyes of the Fro Tate is easily the best receiving prospect while Clausen presents mixed feelings towards his ranking.