What Cougs could be selected in the 2017 NFL Draft?

While the 2016 edition of the NFL draft is yet to to be completed, is it too early to start thinking about which Cougs might hear there name called a year from now? The folks at the ESPN Pac-12 blog sure don't think it is, as they came out with their Top 10 Pac-12 prospects for the 2017 draft. The only quarterback named to that list was WSU's Luke Falk.

Falk, of course, will be a redshirt junior after the 2016 season, with a season a eligibility remaining. However, if Falk stays healthy and improves, a huge 2016 season is likely. Dave Lombardi dismissed the "system quarterback" label and described Falk as having a "legitimate skill set." If the NFL comes calling in a year it would be hard to blame Falk for pursuing his dream, but we'll all be sad to see him go.

Gabe Marks is the next obvious candidate to take his game to the next level. It was almost expected that Marks would leave after his stellar redshirt junior campaign in 2015. That only made it sweeter when he announced he'd be returning in 2016. Marks would have likely been drafted in this year, and one can only hope that he improves his stock by playing one more season in Pullman.

Hercules Mata'afa is a third name to consider, and one that Michael Preston and Jacob Thorpe discussed in the most recent episode of the CougCenter Hour. Mata'afa would be coming off just his redshirt sophomore season, but he shined as a freshman. If the Freshman All-American has a good enough of a season to consider the draft, the Coug defensive line will wreak havoc in 2016.

Graduating seniors will get a look at the NFL as well, with Robert Barber, River Cracraft, and Shalom Luani likely headlining that group. With a nice 2016 season and an impressive pro day one or more of those guys may even sneak into the draft.

What do you think the odds are that Falk or Mata'afa go pro after 2016? Which one of the seniors do you think will have the best shot at having an NFL career?

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Football:

Top 10 Pac-12 prospects for the 2017 NFL draft - Pac-12 Blog- ESPN
Too early to consider the 2017 NFL draft? Never. Here are 10 Pac-12 players to watch this season with an eye toward the next level.

For Joe Dahl, Jeremiah Allison and WSU’s NFL hopefuls, draft will determine their futures | The Seattle Times
For the seven former WSU football players who are waiting for the NFL Draft to determine their futures, the wait is finally over. But if football doesn't pan out, some, such as Jeremiah Allison, have more solid backup plans than others

NCAA overturns satellite camp ban, so WSU Cougars will get to run camps in California after all | The Seattle Times
On Thursday, the NCAA Division I Board of Directors rescinded the proposed ban on satellite camps, effectively immediately.

Basketball:

Pressure mounts on WSU to OK transfer to SDSU | SanDiegoUnionTribune.com
Athletic advocates are urging Washington State to release basketball transfer Valentine Izundu so he can consider SDSU.

Montana associate coach Bone resigns from hoops program | Mens Basketball | billingsgazette.com
Ken Bone, who has for the past two seasons served as Montana’s associate head coach under Travis DeCuire, resigned from his post Thursday, the school confirmed.

Track & Field:

16th Annual Cougar Invite Saturday at Mooberry - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
WSU hosts the 16th Annual Cougar Invitational, a collegiate track and field meet, Sat., April 30, at Mooberry Track in Pullman.