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Predicting which underclassmen stay or go is always a frustrating exercise for NFL personnel departments. If they think a player is going to stay in school and don't give him proper evaluation time, it can be costly if the prospect makes a last-minute decision to come out.

On the flip side, if they evaluate an underclassman who decides to stay, they have a head start on his evaluation process heading into his senior season. However, that money and time that could have been used on other available prospects.

With that said, underclassmen additions continue to increase on almost an annual basis. Furthermore, underclassmen are dominating the top of the draft board more than ever before. Last year, for example, 16 of the top 30 prospects drafted were underclassmen.

This year's draft should continue in that trend, as many of the top underclassmen project as first-round selections should they ultimately decide to forgo their final year of collegiate eligibility and make themselves available for the 2005 NFL draft.

Just as a brief overview, the positions that could be helped the most are quarterback, offensive tackle, defensive end, inside and outside linebacker and safety. The senior class of quarterbacks is unimpressive, but the 2005 class could get a huge boost if Cal's Aaron Rodgers and USC's Matt Leinart – both potential first-round picks – leave school early. Leinart already said he plans to stay for his senior season, but prospects often do that just to take the pressure off during their junior seasons.

The senior offensive tackle class is strong already with top prospects such as Florida State's Alex Barron and Oklahoma's Jammal Brown, but if Miami's Eric Winston and Texas' Jonathan Scott are added to the group, it could be special.

Defensive linemen are always at a premium on draft day. While Texas' Rodrique Wright is the only shoo-in first-round defensive tackle, there are several ends who could emerge as first-round picks by the end of their respective junior seasons, including Miami's Orien Harris, Boston College's Mathias Kiwanuka, Georgia Tech's Eric Henderson and Northwestern's Loren Howard.

The position that would benefit the most would be linebacker – inside and outside. The senior class already has a potential top-10 pick in Texas' Derrick Johnson and another potential first-round pick in Tennessee's Kevin Burnett, but if Washington State's Will Derting, Tennessee's Kevin Simon, Ohio State's A.J. Hawk, Virginia's Darryl Blackstock and Maryland's D'Qwell Jackson are all added to the group, it could be the best linebacker class in over a decade.

Finally, while the majority of the blue-chip cornerbacks are seniors, the safety class could be enhanced greatly by the addition of Georgia's Thomas Davis, who reminds us a lot of former Longhorn and current Dallas Cowboy standout Roy Williams. While Davis is the only potential first-round pick at safety, there are several others who could emerge as Day 1 prospects (Michigan's Ernest Shazor, Texas' Michael Huff, Oklahoma's Brodney Poole, Nebraska's Josh Bullocks, Memphis' Wesley Smith and Mississippi State's Darren Williams) should they elect to come leave school early.

Below is a look at the top 20 underclassmen prospects regardless of position, but ranked and evaluated by position. Former Ohio State RB Maurice Clarett, who wouldn't make our top-20 list but has already been evaluated due to his unique situation, has also been added.

Following the 21 evaluations, we've also provided a look at 45 other underclassmen prospects – ranked by position – that could enter the 2005 draft picture with strong 2004 seasons.

Defensive senior prospects:
DE | DT | IL | OL | S | CB | P | K | RS | Grade explanation
Offensive senior prospects:
QB | FB | RB | WR | TE | C | OG | OT

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