NCAA Top 25 Team Rankings and Some of the Top Prospects

Note: The main reason we look at college football on this site is to help the average fan gain knowledge of potential Niners prospects through the course of the season. It also provides a place where people may feel comfortable with already to discuss such topics.

Before free agency, a lot of 49ers fans were quite worried. Particularly in the first couple of days.

However, after the larger named players were officially off the market, the 49ers began making some moves to patch the holes on both sides of the ball.

With all of the movement came a lot of 1-year contracts. This could be something to keep in mind moving forward in the college football season. As the season progresses, problems will emerge at specific positions. If the 49ers want to primarily build through the draft as they claim, it will be important to notice these holes and take note of the players coming up as well.

Throughout the year (as years past), I will be posting Saturday Game Threads so that those who enjoy NCAA Football can continue to come to Niners Nation and talk about the games and prospects.

After the jump, I've provided the Top 25 Rankings, which officially came out the other day. Below, I have previewed some of the top prospects (at certain positions) to keep an eye on moving forward in to the year.

·         Others receiving votes: Arizona State 158, West Virginia 149, Utah 50, Miami (FL) 49, Iowa 41, Northwestern 30, Arizona 28, UCF 22, Michigan 19, Air Force 15, North Carolina 14, Houston 13, South Florida 9, Hawaii 8, Clemson 7, Tennessee 7, Southern Miss 6, Brigham Young 5, North Carolina State 4, NORTHERNIL 4, Oregon State 4, Pittsburgh 3, Washington 3, Nevada 1, Georgia Tech 1,

Here now are some players at the top three areas of concern and that may be still next year. Feel free to chime in below in the comments if you feel as though there may be other areas of concern.

1. DEFENSIVE END

• Jared Crick (Nebraska) 6'4", 290 LBS
• Billy Winn (Boise State) 6'3", 296 LBS
• Izaan Cross (Georgia Tech) 6'4", 294 LBS

*Ray McDonald and Justin Smith will be very solid this year. But with Smith aging and concerns about whether or not McDonald can play every down, it seems as though it would be wise to keep an eye on some of the better prospects at this position this year.

2. CORNERBACK

• Dre Kirkpatrick (Alabama) 6'2", 200 LBS
• Cliff Harris (Oregon) 5'11", 185 LBS
• Chase Minnifield (Virginia) 6'0", 192 LBS

*Yes, the 49ers did just get Carlos Rogers and yes, they did just draft Culliver. But you can never have too much talent at this position as evidence of the Philadelphia Eagles with Asomugha, Rogers-Cromartie, and Samuel. I still think the 49ers can stand to get stronger here.

3. OUTSIDE LINEBACKER

• Quinton Coples (North Carolina) 6'6", 275 LBS
• Andre Branch (Clemson) 6'4", 258 LBS
• Brandon Jenkins (Florida State) 6'3", 252 LBS

*The Niners did just get Aldon Smith this past draft in the 1st Round. And chances are he will be successful. To what level, I have no idea. But... Vic Fangio loves his linebackers and a great pass rush. We are going to see a lot more blitzes this year. I have no doubts about that. Adding any of these three would certainly give defensive coordinators something to stay up late at night in fear of the night before a game against the Niners.