Dual threat: 5 college hoops stars who could excel in the NFL

Earlier this week a report surfaced that NFL teams were interested in former Kentucky guard Dominique Hawkins making a jump to football to play defensive back.

While a number of college basketball stars have made the move to the NFL in recent years, it's almost always at the tight end position, not on the defensive side of the football.

Thinking of how Hawkins could slide in as a defensive player brought about some other names that could be really fun on the football field.

Here are five guys that would be incredible to watch toss around the pigskin.

Bam Adebayo (DE)

At 6-foot-10 and 260 pounds, Bam Adebayo is as formidable a post threat as there was in college basketball last season. The Kentucky big man dominated opponents down low, using his speed, strength, and reach to attack the rim time after time. Those traits are also essential for a pass-rusher at the NFL level, and Adebayo would present a nightmare matchup for any offensive tackle. His burst off the line would be almost impossible to stop, and his massive length would interrupt passing lanes on practically every play.

Dennis Smith Jr. (S)

The ferocity in which Dennis Smith Jr. attacks every play on the court is similar to how Earl Thomas attacks opposing offensive players for the Seattle Seahawks. The 6-foot-3 195-pounder is never shy to throw his weight around on forays into the paint, and would strike fear into any receiver attempting a crossing route during action on the gridiron. The former NC State star has shown his play-making ability on the basketball court, and could serve as a ball-hawking safety for a team in need of turnovers.

De'Aaron Fox (CB)

De'Aaron Fox is arguably the fastest player in the country, proving to be unguardable in the transition game throughout the season. At 6-foot-4 with a long 6-foot-6 wingspan, Fox could provide a blanket corner in the mold of Richard Sherman at the NFL level. As he showed in the NCAA tournament, Fox is not shy from the big moment, dominating UCLA and Lonzo Ball in a Sweet 16 win with 39 points. Fox averaged 1.5 steals per game with Kentucky last season, and would totally disrupt an NFL team's passing attack with the threat of a pick-6 on every throw.

Lonzo Ball (QB)

Most people know LaVar Ball as a boisterous product pitchman who likes to make absurd claims as to his skills as a basketball player. What many don't know however, is that the boastful father of former UCLA star Lonzo Ball was once on the Carolina Panthers' practice squad. At 6-foot-6, Lonzo has prototypical height for an NFL pivot, and the nation's assist leader showed otherworldly court vision throughout his one season in the college game. Lonzo's ability to read a defense would translate easily at the NFL level, and his cool and calm demeanor is perfect to win confidence in the huddle. He would have to bulk up to survive in the physical game, but that's nothing this Big Baller couldn't handle.

Jordan Bell (TE)

Of all the players mentioned, Oregon's Jordan Bell is probably the guy who would have the most success if he actually made the move to the NFL. The 6-foot-9, 230-pounder is an athletic marvel that was among the most versatile players in college basketball. Bell was a shot-blocking and rebounding machine for the Ducks, a testament to his elite level timing on knowing when to jump against much larger opponents. As a tight end, he's physical enough to manhandle any member of the secondary, and is way too athletic for linebackers to keep up with him. Bell would have to gain 15-20 pounds at the NFL level, but if he could do so, a long career as a dominant pass-catcher would be a real possibility.

(Photos courtsy: Action Images)