NFL Draft Prospect to Watch: Virginia OT Eugene Monroe vs. USC

With the college football season getting underway this weekend, one of the best games for watching 2009 NFL draft prospects will take place Saturday when USC visits Virginia.

But while USC is obviously the more talented team, here's a surprise prediction for you: The player in that game whose name Roger Goodell will call first next April will be Virginia left tackle Eugene Monroe.

Monroe is a 6-foot-6, 315-pound senior who has nimble feet for a big guy. He started 11 games for the Cavaliers last season and didn't allow a sack in any of them, and his coach compares him to the two Virginia offensive linemen drafted in the first round the last two years, D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Branden Albert.

Coach Al Groh says:

"Gene is a player that really caught people's attention here early," Groh said. "He finished at a high level last year and it looks like he's already beyond that level. He had an awesome summer and it's looking right now like he can have a season comparable to any of those who preceded him."

That Monroe could have a season comparable to Ferguson or Albert is high praise indeed. If you want to watch NFL-quality talent, you'll need to watch both sides of the ball when Virginia's offense takes the field against USC's defense Saturday.