D-Day — how do locals size up locals?

Today's NFL draft will change the lives of a busload of college football players and impact the futures of others for some time.

Locally, we've got some college stars that could end up drafted and make NFL rosters come this summer.

But the science of who will go where and to what team is far from exact. Outside of the first five or six picks in the first round, nobody really knows what will happen, as clubs often hide their true intentions when they leak out projections to so-called experts, scouts and media types.

Locally, we've got some well-schooled opinion-throwers who can guess with the best of them.

So, let's put them to the test in the first-ever Harmon Media Poll. In a very tough pre-draft break-out prediction assignment thrown their way, how do local sports experts see the pecking order of who will go first, second and third from among local college players?

Rod Zundel, KSL-TV Sports, ended up first on the list of respondents and quickly showed the dilemma of why it's a roll of the dice to guess the local draft order. Zundel's first pick is Weber State offensive lineman Paul McQuistan. He then listed BYU receiver Todd Watkins as the second Utah collegian taken, followed by Ute running back Quinton Ganther. Then, after further review of his projection while still on the phone, Zundel switched Ganther and Watkins.

Ryan Hatch, KZN: "First, Watkins — he'll be the ninth overall pick in the draft to Detroit because Matt Millen is an idiot and infatuated with receivers. No offense to Todd, who would have nonetheless been the first local player taken anyway, probably in the fourth round. Second, (BYU running back) Fahu Tahi — with his size and strength he shouldn't drop lower than the sixth round. Third, Ganther — had a very good combine and being a Bronco fan, I can only assume Mike Shanahan is going to try and make him one of his late-round sleepers. And I'd lay 10-1 odds that (Steve) Fifita is Mr. Irrelevant. No matter his size, he deserves to have his name called."

Bill Riley, KALL Sportsradio 700: "First, Paul McQuistan, Weber State offensive guard — rated in the top five of several of the scouting services I've seen. Probably the only guy that played in Utah that has a shot at day one. Second, Watkins — can't teach size and speed, Todd has both for a wide receiver; the bad news is his senior year was a bit of a disappointment and WRs can be found later, so I think Todd will be a second-day guy, fourth or fifth round. Third, Ganther — had excellent workouts by all accounts. His size and lack of blazing speed might hurt him a bit, but his work ethic, strength and fearlessness will land him an NFL job, probably in the sixth or seventh round."