Hawk Among Nation's Best
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Hawk among nation's best
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The college football season is still a few months away, but it's time to take a preseason look at the Hot 100 list for 2005. As always, this isn't a projection in regards to draft prospects, but simply a run-through of who will be the biggest impact/value guys to their programs in the '05 season.
NOTE: Players in limbo due to academic question marks or guys battling through injuries or dealing with off-field matters probably didn't make the list. Same for place kickers or punters.
1. Reggie Bush, USC, RB/WR/KR: The ultimate game-breaker.
2. A.J. Hawk, OSU, LB: Great speed, great instincts and is superb against the run and the pass.
<!---------------------INLINE TABLE (BEGIN)---------------------><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=150 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000">Talkin' College Football</TH><!---<tr valign="top" style="background-color:#ececec;"><td width="134" style="background-color:#999999;">column</td></tr>---><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=134>College football is never out of season anymore. Check out Bruce Feldman's Weblog often to find out his latest observations.
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3. Matt Leinart, USC, QB: Mr. Cool is a perfect fit for possibly the most loaded offense in college football history.
4. Adrian Peterson, OU, RB: The franchise. Even with a rebuilt O-line, he's still a good bet to make a run at 2000 yards.
5. Mathias Kiwanuka, Boston College, DE: Single-handedly dominates games. Could get 30 TFLs this fall.
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6. DeAngelo Williams, Memphis, RB: Has Bush's burst and Peterson's power, all coupled with outstanding hands.
7. D'Qwell Jackson, Maryland, LB: As much as the scouts loved Shawn Merriman, this guy's a better player.
8. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Virginia, OT: Top technician has better feet than some running backs.
9. Eric Winston, Miami, LT: Converted TE has a coach's grit and a bouncer's mentality.
Chad Greenway cuts an imposing figure in the hole at 6-3, 238.
10. Chad Greenway, Iowa, LB: Not quite as flashy as Abdul Hodge, but even more versatile. A rangy farm boy type who keeps making huge strides each year.
11. Omar Jacobs, Bowling Green, QB: If he matches his numbers from last year (41 TDs, 4 INTs), he should get invited to NYC for the Heisman.
12. Laurence Maroney, Minnesota, RB: Numbers should get even better now that Marion Barber III has moved on to the NFL.
13. Brian Brohm, Louisville, QB: Will tear up the Big East. Might be the top pick in the '07 Draft.
14. Antonio Cromartie, FSU DB: Taller, faster version of Va. Tech's Jimmy Williams.
15. Vince Young, Texas, QB: If he can cut down the picks he will make a run at the Heisman. Especially if the Horns finally beat OU.
16. Greg Eslinger, Minnesota, C: Best center college football has seen in years. Has great agility and heart.
17. Jesse Mahelona, Tenn., DT: Powerhouse tackle makes a habit of brawling his way into the backfield.
18. JJimmy Williams, Va Tech, CB: Great size, toughness and has really matured as a leader.
19. Chris Leak, Florida, QB: Appears to be a perfect fit for Meyer's offense, he's the trendy pick for the Heisman.
20. Derek Hagan, ASU, WR: Top route runner has wonderful hands and showed improved wheels for NFL scouts, clocking a 4.44 forty this spring.
21. Reggie McNeal, Texas A&M, QB: Lost in the Vince Young hype, he's ready to make some Heisman noise.
22. Leon Washington, Florida State, RB: Great all-around back who is probably the most underrated RB in the nation.
23. Calvin Johnson, Ga. Tech, WR: A bigger Larry Fitzgerald. As close to a sure thing in the red zone as there is in college football.
24. Mario Williams, NC State, DE: Has top-pick-in the-draft talent, and with an added 15 lbs, might be ready to be an every-down dominator.
25. Abdul Hodge, Iowa, LB: Hard-nosed run stuffer is a safe bet for 10 tackles plus per game.
26. Manese Hopoi, Washington, DL: Says he's ready to make a run at Terrell Suggs' Pac-10 sack mark.
27. Ahmad Brooks, Virginia, ILB: Has NFL tools right now, but disappears too much.
28. Darryl Tapp, Va. Tech, DE: Superb moves and motor. Had 8.5 sacks and 16.5 TFLs last season.
29. Ernie Sims, FSU, OLB: Flashy hitter is the energizer for a great defense.
30. Jared Zabransky, Boise St., QB: A winner. Dual threat, who pilots a great scheme.
31. Dale Robinson, ASU, LB: Made the switch from the outside to the middle and looks ready to take the jump from all-conference type to all-America candidate.
32. Michael Bush, Louisville, RB: Shockingly nimble 245-pounder is like a flashier Greg Jones.
33. Jarrett Hicks, Texas Tech, WR: Fluid junior should get 100 catches and 1500 yards this fall.
34. Daryn Colledge, Boise St., OT: Great strength and agility but still needs to elevate his run blocking skills to match up with his pass pro game.
35. Drew Tate, Iowa, QB: Pinpoint passer needs to cut down the picks (14 in '04) to make a run at Heisman contention.
36. Marcus McNeill, Auburn, OT: Mammoth road-grader is a surprisingly adept pass blocker.
37. AJ Nicholson, FSU, LB: Not as big a hitter as Ernie Sims, but every bit as productive.
38. Manny Lawson, NC State, DE: The nation's fastest D-lineman also is a lethal kick blocker.
The Buckeyes should have success in the passing game.
39. Santonio Holmes, Ohio State, WR: The Buckeyes version of Derek Hagan.
40. Brandon Siler, Florida, LB: Great closing speed and leadership skills for such a young player.
41. Marshawn Lynch, Cal, RB: Despite the great backs from the LA teams, expect him to lead the Pac-10 in rushing. Has great balance and vision.
42. Ted Ginn, OSU, KR-WR: Blessed with a gear no one in the Big Ten can match.
43. Bruce Gradkowski, Toledo, QB: Overshadowed by Omar Jacobs, he's the nation's most overlooked star (27 TDs, 8 INTs, 70%).
44. Steve Breaston, Michigan, WR-KR:Lost in the Bush-Hester-Ginn hype, Breaston is right in their class as a game-changer now that he's healthy.
45. Jason Allen, Tenn., DB: Versatile DB has great nose for the ball.
46. Jonathan Scott, Texas, OT: Smooth pass protector figures to be Horns' next first-round O-lineman.
47. Stanley McClover, Auburn, DE: Showed this spring he's ready to be a dominant rush end.
48. Mike Hart, Michigan, TB: Unbelievably tough for his size. The big question is will he get as many carries with blue-chipper Kevin Grady around?
49. Marcedes Lewis, UCLA, TE: If he continues to improve as a blocker, he should be a lock first-rounder.
50. Devin Hester, Miami, CB-KR: Says he's ready to notch 10 TD returns. We'll see.
51. Tyler Palko, Pitt, QB: Should be even better now that he's working with Matt Cavanaugh.
52. Andrew Whitworth, LSU, OT: Only allowed one sack last season.
53. Gabe Watson, Michigan, DT: Could be another Vince Wilfork if he can play bigger in the big games.
54. Andre Caldwell, Florida, WR: Numbers should double in the new system.
55. Anthony Fasano, ND, TE: Nation's best blocking TE should thrive in Weis's regime, showcasing his underrated receiving skills.
56. Rod Wright, Texas, DT: Potential is there to dominate, but production hasn't quite been there.
57. PJ Daniels, Ga. Tech RB: Pound-for-pound toughest back in the country.
58. Orien Harris, Miami, DT: At times he looks like the Canes' next stud DT. Other times, he looks bored. Does he really want to be a star?
59. Dwayne Jarrett, USC, WR: With an added 10 pounds of muscle and some maturity, he should make a jump at 15 TD grabs.
60. Patrick Willis, Ole Miss, MLB: Vicious hitter is a perfect fit for new 4-3 D.
61. Jamario Thomas, No. Texas, RB: Nation's leading rusher will be ever more of a weapon in Mean Green passing game although he probably won't get as many carries now that Patrick Cobbs is healthy again.
62. Chad Henne, Michigan, QB: Has all the tools to be Michigan's next stud QB prospect.
63. LaRon Landry, LSU, S: Great tackler is the backbone of the Tiger D.
64.Winston Justice, USC, OT: Impressive specimen is the more athletic of a standout pair of bookend tackles.
65. Gerald Riggs, JR., Tenn. RB: Bruiser is coming off an 1100-yard season and should make a run at 1500 this fall.
66. Robby Carpenter, Ohio State, LB: Every bit as athletic as A.J. Hawk, but not as consistent.
67. David Anderson, Colorado State, WR: Tough wideout is a lock for 1200 yards. Also a great blocker.
68. Brad Smith, Missouri, QB: Will get back to running more and has good receivers to make the passing game work too.
69. Garrett McIntyre, Fresno State, DL: Former walk-on linebacker has blossomed into a relentless 260-pound attack man. The West Coast's version of David Pollack.
70. Maurice Drew, UCLA, RB: Breakaway back who will get more all-purpose yards than Reggie Bush.
71. Darnell Bing, USC, S: Great athlete and a big hitter, only lacking consistency.
72. Max Jean-Gilles, Georgia, OG: A mauler who should key one of the country's top ground games.
AP Photo
Marcus Vick has all the tools to be a dynamic performer.
73. Marcus Vick, Va. Tech, QB: Great arm and wheels, but how well will he handle the pressure this time around?
74. Baraka Atkins, Miami, DL: Now moves inside to DT where he should amass as many sacks as anyone at the position.
75. Greg Lee, Pittsburgh, WR: A combination of Larry Fitzgerald and Antonio Bryant and he gets to work with a better QB than they had.
76. Spencer Havner, UCLA, LB: Active Bruin will again contend for nation's tackle title.
77. Lawrence Jackson, USC, DE: The Trojans next stud D-lineman has trimmed his body fat from 14% to under 10% as he takes over leadership of a revamped front.
78. Wali Lundy, Uva: RB: Great nose for the goal-line. Had 16 TDs in '04.
79. Mike Hass, Oregon State, WR: Best-kept secret in the Pac-10. Production is as good as any WR.
80. Brady Quinn, ND, QB: All the pieces are in place for a dramatic improvement.
81. Elvis Dumerville, Louisville, DE: Poor man's Dwight Freeney will again pile up double-digit sacks.
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82. DonTrell Moore, New Mexico, RB: Punishing runner hopes to be 100% recovered from knee injury by fall.
83. Haloti Ngata, Oregon, DT: Awesome powerhouse just needs to stay healthy to anchor Duck D.
84. Larry Birdine, Oklahoma, DE: Explosive big-play end can make up for his big mouth.
85. Bernard Pollard, S, Purdue: Big hitter (8 tackles per) puts the toughness in the underrated Boiler D.
86. LenDale White, USC, RB: Trojan sledgehammer can bounce plays outside as well as any big back in the country.
87. Greg Olsen, Miami, TE: Hard-nosed kid has soft hands and knows how to get open. UM coaches are convinced he will be their next first-round TE.
88. Kyle Williams, LSU, DL: Has great potential. Now needs to bring it on every down.
89. Dallas Baker, Florida, WR: Took to Utah scheme nicely.
90. Donte Whitner, Ohio State, DB: Sure tackler is the latest in a great run of Buckeye DBs.
91. Charlie Whitehurst, Clemson, QB: Should rebound from dismal '04 with new OC Rob Spence altering the offense.
Charlie Whitehurst is looking to rebound from a miserable season.
92. Derrick Williams, Penn State, WR-KR: Best thing to hit State College since LaVar.
93.Taurean Henderson, Texas Tech, RB: Great all-around back should get 1000 rushing and 600 receiving yards.
94. Will Derting, Wash. St., LB: Would jump 60 places higher if he can get back to 2003 form.
95. Tim Day, Oregon, TE: Should get 50 catches and 10 TDs this fall.
96. Ko Simpson, So. Carolina, S: Great ball skills, had six INTs and three fumble recoveries as a frosh.
97. Darrell Hackney, UAB, QB: Combination of Daunte Culpepper and Jared Lorenzen, he's worth the price of admission.
98. Alan Zemaitis, Penn State, CB: Best pro prospect on a very good D.
99. Steve Smith, USC, WR: Huge title game performance was no fluke.
100. Nick Reid, Kansas, MLB: Best bet to lead the Big 12 in tackles.
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Teddy Ginn at 42?????
I was suprised to see Whitner on this list and Carpenter might be a little undderated but other than that it looks good for the bucks.
Derrick Williams at 92???????? Dude hasnt even stepped foot in a game yet.
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