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matcar
Mostly banned
Freeman battled for the staring job last yr??
Saw this posted today. Now, I know that Marcus has a world of talet, but regardless of his injury, how in the world was he going to start last yr with the group we had??? 2-deep? Sure, starting???
http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/Columnists/RC/AllWelcomeBackTeam.htm
Richard Cirminiello
LB Marcus Freeman, Ohio State – Freeman is Exhibit A why the Ohio State linebacking corps isn’t going to slip as much as you might think. He’s a seek-and-destroy speedster that was battling for a starting job in 2005 when he injured his knee and developed an infection that slowed his recovery. While only a sophomore, Freeman has the look of a future Butkus Award candidate.
Saw this posted today. Now, I know that Marcus has a world of talet, but regardless of his injury, how in the world was he going to start last yr with the group we had??? 2-deep? Sure, starting???
http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/Columnists/RC/AllWelcomeBackTeam.htm
Richard Cirminiello
LB Marcus Freeman, Ohio State – Freeman is Exhibit A why the Ohio State linebacking corps isn’t going to slip as much as you might think. He’s a seek-and-destroy speedster that was battling for a starting job in 2005 when he injured his knee and developed an infection that slowed his recovery. While only a sophomore, Freeman has the look of a future Butkus Award candidate.
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zincfinger
Gert Frobe-approved
I've seen it claimed in more than one place that before he got injured, Freeman was neck-and-neck with Carpenter, and that there was a real possibility of having both of them on the field simultaneously in the starting group, with Carpenter predominantly in a 3-point stance.
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OregonBuckeye
Semper Fi Buckeyes
Doubtful as long as there is a decent PSU linebacker playing.
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matcar
Mostly banned
Yeah, I've heard that claimed too, but that was usually from the same crowd that said that Wells would supplant Pitt this year. Seriously though, if Free and Carp were on the field, who comes off? A D lineman? I guess in certain packages, but I wouldn't want that regularly. Basically misplaces you in 3-4 package when all of your intent is 4-3.
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Buckeye86
I do not choose to discuss it
water under the bridge...
for this year I think Laurinaitis and Freeman are pretty much locks to be on the field at one LB position or another, who will step in and play the third LB spot is really what's up in the air right now I think. But really who knows, I'll definately be watching the LB's at the open practice on Monday.
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zincfinger
Gert Frobe-approved
Not from what I saw. The main person I have in mind is osualum82 (over at BN) who claimed this was the thinking circulating as a result of Freeman's outstanding performance in fall camp last year.
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matcar
Mostly banned
Well, as the poster above stated, I guess it's all water under the bridge...in any event, we can hope that he truly was pushing for a starting job next yr regardless of how doubtful that may be. For a frosh to come in and have the instincts necessary to play is incredible. I don't doubt the physical ability of Homan or Freeman, but to get the mental part correct right out of high school is very hard.
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zincfinger
Gert Frobe-approved
Not sure if I'm understanding you correctly, but Freeman was a sophomore last year. He backed up Carpenter at the SAM as a true freshman in '04 (with minimal dropoff, in my opinion).
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CPD
OSU FOOTBALL
Opportunity arrives for LB Freeman
Tuesday, August 22, 2006 Doug Lesmerises
Plain Dealer Reporter
Columbus- There's been a good word said about nearly every Ohio State linebacker during preseason camp, from Tyler Moeller to James Laurinaitis to Larry Grant to Curtis Terry to John Kerr.
If you're looking for the best linebacker on the team that featured the best linebackers in college football last year, start at No. 1.
That's the number worn by Marcus Freeman, who, if not for a staph infection that ended his season, would have been the No. 4 linebacker behind stars A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Schlegel a year ago.
Now, linebackers coach Luke Fickell is treating the sophomore like he treated those seniors.
"Those guys last year, I told them I held them to a different standard," Fickell said. "And I'm trying to hold him to a different standard and expect more out of him."
Fickell can do that because though Freeman, 20, is a sophomore in eligibility, he has been on campus nearly as long as a typical senior. He graduated from high school early, enrolling at Ohio State in the winter of 2004, and he played in every game as a freshman, mostly on special teams.
Last season, he injured his knee in the opener against Miami of Ohio, but following arthroscopic surgery, he prepared to return for the season's fourth game. That was before a staph infection entered through his surgical wound and put his season on ice.
"At first you're like, 'Why me?' " Freeman said of the infection, "but then you've got to take everything for a reason."
Freeman knows his reason could be the redshirt season he took, leaving him to play this fall, in 2007 and again in 2008 if he wants.
In his absence, it might have been easy to forget the reputation Freeman brought to Columbus from Wayne High School near Dayton.
In the recruiting class of 2004, rivals.com ranked him as the No. 3 prospect in Ohio, behind Ted Ginn Jr. and current Southern Cal starting tight end Fred Davis. He was the No. 4 inside linebacker in the country and the No. 31 overall prospect.
"Lots of people come out of high school saying, 'I'm going to Ohio State and I'm going to start,' " Freeman said. ". . . But you come to realize it's a whole different game at this level. It's a wakeup call."
All that potential is still there, though, in a 6-2, 242-pound package. Freeman's versatility allowed Fickell to shuffle his expected starters, Freeman moving from the weakside back to the strongside, where he backed up Carpenter in 2004.
"He knows every position, so it's not hard for him to switch to any of the three positions," Fickell said. "We're trying to find the best fit, and if we have to move him around, we move him around."
The Buckeyes are already treating Freeman like a veteran. Now they just need him to play like one.
OSU FOOTBALL
Opportunity arrives for LB Freeman
Tuesday, August 22, 2006 Doug Lesmerises
Plain Dealer Reporter
Columbus- There's been a good word said about nearly every Ohio State linebacker during preseason camp, from Tyler Moeller to James Laurinaitis to Larry Grant to Curtis Terry to John Kerr.
If you're looking for the best linebacker on the team that featured the best linebackers in college football last year, start at No. 1.
That's the number worn by Marcus Freeman, who, if not for a staph infection that ended his season, would have been the No. 4 linebacker behind stars A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Schlegel a year ago.
Now, linebackers coach Luke Fickell is treating the sophomore like he treated those seniors.
"Those guys last year, I told them I held them to a different standard," Fickell said. "And I'm trying to hold him to a different standard and expect more out of him."
Fickell can do that because though Freeman, 20, is a sophomore in eligibility, he has been on campus nearly as long as a typical senior. He graduated from high school early, enrolling at Ohio State in the winter of 2004, and he played in every game as a freshman, mostly on special teams.
Last season, he injured his knee in the opener against Miami of Ohio, but following arthroscopic surgery, he prepared to return for the season's fourth game. That was before a staph infection entered through his surgical wound and put his season on ice.
"At first you're like, 'Why me?' " Freeman said of the infection, "but then you've got to take everything for a reason."
Freeman knows his reason could be the redshirt season he took, leaving him to play this fall, in 2007 and again in 2008 if he wants.
In his absence, it might have been easy to forget the reputation Freeman brought to Columbus from Wayne High School near Dayton.
In the recruiting class of 2004, rivals.com ranked him as the No. 3 prospect in Ohio, behind Ted Ginn Jr. and current Southern Cal starting tight end Fred Davis. He was the No. 4 inside linebacker in the country and the No. 31 overall prospect.
"Lots of people come out of high school saying, 'I'm going to Ohio State and I'm going to start,' " Freeman said. ". . . But you come to realize it's a whole different game at this level. It's a wakeup call."
All that potential is still there, though, in a 6-2, 242-pound package. Freeman's versatility allowed Fickell to shuffle his expected starters, Freeman moving from the weakside back to the strongside, where he backed up Carpenter in 2004.
"He knows every position, so it's not hard for him to switch to any of the three positions," Fickell said. "We're trying to find the best fit, and if we have to move him around, we move him around."
The Buckeyes are already treating Freeman like a veteran. Now they just need him to play like one.
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Dispatch
Freeman made most of time off
Injured linebacker spent season learning
Friday, August 25, 2006
Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
<!--PHOTOS--> <table class="phototableright" align="right" border="0"> <!-- begin large ad code --> <tbody><tr><td> <table align="center"> <tbody><tr><td align="center">
</td></tr> <tr><td class="credit" width="200"> NEAL C . LAURON </td></tr> <tr><td class="credit" width="200"> DISPATCH </td></tr> <tr><td class="cutline" width="200">Marcus Freeman missed last season because of a staph infection but will move into the starting lineup this season. </td></tr> </tbody></table> </td></tr> </tbody> </table>
There were two ways Marcus Freeman could have taken last season’s unexpected year off just when his college career was supposed to be shifting into high gear.
He could have felt sorry for himself, or he could use the time to study and prepare for 2006.
He did both.
When the linebacker was told he had developed a staph infection after what should have been routine arthroscopic knee surgery, he was down in the dumps. He had no plans of redshirting, but a year to sit out was thrust upon him.
"At first you are like, ‘Man, why me?’ " Freeman said. "But then you’ve got to take everything for a reason. You realize you need to think, ‘What can I do today to make myself better?’ "
He decided to partake of the linebacker clinic staged in front of him every day. Eventual first-round NFL draft picks A.J. Hawk and Bobby Carpenter, and third-rounder Anthony Schlegel were showing the whole nation how to work and play as a group, and Freeman had a front-row seat.
"God has a plan for everybody, and maybe that was it, that I needed that extra year to get better," he said.
As for Ohio State’s plan, the coaches expect him to step up and not only play this season but show others how it’s done. Even though he played sparingly as a freshman, he is one of the more experienced players in a defensive back seven that will have new starters.
He hasn’t played a lot, linebackers coach Luke Fickell said, but it’s time for Freeman to show he at least was paying attention last season.
"He’s one of the guys I’m trying to really, really lean on," Fickell said. "He’s only a sophomore, but he has been here for going on three years, and I have high expectations for him.
"Just like with those (three) guys last year, I told them I held them to a different standard a lot of times. I am trying to hold him to a different standard and expect a lot more out of him."
At times Freeman is caught in a double bind: yes, he might be older, but he also hasn’t played that much.
"Sometimes you feel like, ‘Man, I’m having a great practice,’ " Freeman said. "And then sometimes you’re like, ‘Why am I messing up here?’ We’ve had a lot of those practices.
"Our major goal is to make sure you don’t have those rusty practices, that every time you go out there you’re sharp and ready to go."
He has been installed on the strong side among the three new starting linebackers, with sophomore James Laurinaitis in the middle and senior John Kerr on the weak side. On paper Freeman has taken over Carpenter’s spot, but the three probably are going to switch around some.
"They have changed up the defense a little bit so it’s not exactly like it was last year," Freeman said. "I think it’s because each person brings a different thing. Like I’m not the player Bobby Carpenter was.
"They probably don’t want to put me on the line the way they put Bobby Carpenter on the line. I think they have taken us off the line a little bit to let us run a little more freely and use our talents."
Freeman — a Parade All-American at Huber Heights Wayne and rated one of the top prospects in 2004 — is expected to live up to his credentials. He knows he’s better equipped than he was two years ago.
"So many people come out of high school saying, ‘Hey, I’m going to go out to Ohio State, and I’m going to start,’ " Freeman said. "Even as a high school kid I was thinking, ‘A.J. Hawk? I can go in there and play with him.’
"But you come to realize it’s a whole different game up here at this level. There is so much to learn, and then you have to add your game to what you learn."
Freeman made most of time off
Injured linebacker spent season learning
Friday, August 25, 2006
Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
<!--PHOTOS--> <table class="phototableright" align="right" border="0"> <!-- begin large ad code --> <tbody><tr><td> <table align="center"> <tbody><tr><td align="center">
There were two ways Marcus Freeman could have taken last season’s unexpected year off just when his college career was supposed to be shifting into high gear.
He could have felt sorry for himself, or he could use the time to study and prepare for 2006.
He did both.
When the linebacker was told he had developed a staph infection after what should have been routine arthroscopic knee surgery, he was down in the dumps. He had no plans of redshirting, but a year to sit out was thrust upon him.
"At first you are like, ‘Man, why me?’ " Freeman said. "But then you’ve got to take everything for a reason. You realize you need to think, ‘What can I do today to make myself better?’ "
He decided to partake of the linebacker clinic staged in front of him every day. Eventual first-round NFL draft picks A.J. Hawk and Bobby Carpenter, and third-rounder Anthony Schlegel were showing the whole nation how to work and play as a group, and Freeman had a front-row seat.
"God has a plan for everybody, and maybe that was it, that I needed that extra year to get better," he said.
As for Ohio State’s plan, the coaches expect him to step up and not only play this season but show others how it’s done. Even though he played sparingly as a freshman, he is one of the more experienced players in a defensive back seven that will have new starters.
He hasn’t played a lot, linebackers coach Luke Fickell said, but it’s time for Freeman to show he at least was paying attention last season.
"He’s one of the guys I’m trying to really, really lean on," Fickell said. "He’s only a sophomore, but he has been here for going on three years, and I have high expectations for him.
"Just like with those (three) guys last year, I told them I held them to a different standard a lot of times. I am trying to hold him to a different standard and expect a lot more out of him."
At times Freeman is caught in a double bind: yes, he might be older, but he also hasn’t played that much.
"Sometimes you feel like, ‘Man, I’m having a great practice,’ " Freeman said. "And then sometimes you’re like, ‘Why am I messing up here?’ We’ve had a lot of those practices.
"Our major goal is to make sure you don’t have those rusty practices, that every time you go out there you’re sharp and ready to go."
He has been installed on the strong side among the three new starting linebackers, with sophomore James Laurinaitis in the middle and senior John Kerr on the weak side. On paper Freeman has taken over Carpenter’s spot, but the three probably are going to switch around some.
"They have changed up the defense a little bit so it’s not exactly like it was last year," Freeman said. "I think it’s because each person brings a different thing. Like I’m not the player Bobby Carpenter was.
"They probably don’t want to put me on the line the way they put Bobby Carpenter on the line. I think they have taken us off the line a little bit to let us run a little more freely and use our talents."
Freeman — a Parade All-American at Huber Heights Wayne and rated one of the top prospects in 2004 — is expected to live up to his credentials. He knows he’s better equipped than he was two years ago.
"So many people come out of high school saying, ‘Hey, I’m going to go out to Ohio State, and I’m going to start,’ " Freeman said. "Even as a high school kid I was thinking, ‘A.J. Hawk? I can go in there and play with him.’
"But you come to realize it’s a whole different game up here at this level. There is so much to learn, and then you have to add your game to what you learn."
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I used to think the same thing, but it turns out Free was pushing Carp last camp.
Last year, OSU often ran a nickel set with Carp at rush end, and Schlegel at LB. Freeman would likely have been a much better fit than AS on obvious passing downs.
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Link
Impact performers welcomed back into the fold By David Fox, Rivals.com College Football Staff Writer
Time heals all wounds - and apparently violations of team rules and academic issues.
Rarely does a school go an entire season without having to deal with a season-ending injury, a key suspension or academic problems with one of its players.
Luckily for the players below, they get to return to the field this season healthy and in good standing with coaches and professors.
National championship hopes could hinge on the knees, ankles, backs and study habits of several players.
Sure enough, team doctors and trainers will earn their keep this season.
Ohio State will need linebacker Marcus Freeman to make a full recovery to offset the loss of its three starting linebackers.
Southern California placed three potential starters on this list -- running back Chauncey Washington, offensive guard Jeff Byers and linebacker Dallas Sartz.
Notre Dame can always add another offensive weapon and will get one back this year with receiver Rhema McKnight.
The recoveries of top two on the list -- LSU's Alley Broussard and Cal's Nate Longshore -- could make or break their team's conference and national title hopes.
Here are the top 10 impact players returning from injuries, suspensions or academic problems that kept them out for at least half of the 2005 season:
Rivals.com 2006 Preseason Top Impact Players Who Missed Last Season 1. LSU running back Alley Broussard: Torn ACL, missed 2005 season
Broussard led the Tigers in rushing in 2004 with 867 yards and added 10 touchdowns. He entered the 2005 season ahead of eventual first-round draft pick Joseph Addai on the depth chart before a torn ACL in a scrimmage last summer ended his 2005 season. He has had a few setbacks in his recovery, including an infection in the knee that limited him during spring practice. If healthy in the fall, he could return to his starting role. 2. California quarterback Nate Longshore: Broken ankle, missed 11 games
Longshore won the starting job for only one quarter after breaking his ankle early in the opener against Sacramento State. The sophomore will have to compete for his job a second time this fall after his replacements, Joe Ayoob and Steve Levy, were inconsistent. This time he will have to learn elements of the spread offense brought to Cal from Northwestern by new offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar. 3. Oklahoma defensive end Larry Birdine: Torn biceps muscle, missed 2005 season
Birdine was a potential all-conference player before a freak biceps injury during fall practice ended his season. In the season prior to his injury, Birdine had 40 tackles and seven sacks playing as a backup. Starting defensive ends C.J. Ah You and Calvin Thibodeaux return, but Birdine will work his way into the rotation if healthy. Now a senior, this is Birdine's last chance to make an impact. 4. Florida wide receiver Andre Caldwell: Broken leg, missed nine games
Caldwell's broken leg sustained against Tennessee in the third game of the season limited Florida's offense. His presence was missed in Urban Meyer's spread option through the remainder of the season despite the presence of Chad Jackson, Dallas Baker and Jemalle Cornelius. In the preseason, Caldwell was clocked at 4.29 seconds in the 40-yard dash, faster than before his injury and fastest on the team. 5. Oregon State tight end Joe Newton: Torn leg muscle, missed 2005 season
As a sophomore, Newton was an all-conference honorable mention selection after catching 56 passes for 687 yards and seven touchdowns in 2004. A torn left leg muscle sustained in August kept him out for the 2005 season. Fully healthy in 2006, Newton will give Beavers quarterback Matt Moore a big (6-foot-7) target following the departure of Biletnikoff winner Mike Hass. 6. Notre Dame wide receiver Rhema McKnight: Knee, missed 11 games
The Irish's leading receiver in 2003 and '04 missed out on most of Notre Dame's offensive fireworks last year after injuring his knee in the game against Michigan. After taking a medical redshirt year in 2005 after playing in only two games, McKnight hopes to reap the benefits of playing with Heisman frontrunner Brady Quinn in Charlie Weis' offense. He is slated to start and replace Maurice Stovall alongside All-American Jeff Samardzija. 7. Southern Cal running back Chauncey Washington:
Academically ineligible, missed 2004-05 seasons
Washington, a junior, has not played since 2003 due to academic issues. Now that he's eligible, the redshirt junior will be among several running backs the Trojans will rely on to replace Reggie Bush and LenDale White. Washington's last game action came in his freshman year in 2003 when he ran for 65 yards on 19 carries. 8. Ohio State linebacker Marcus Freeman: Knee/infection, missed 2005 season
Tough as it is to believe, the Buckeyes' linebacker corps of A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Schlegel could have been even better with Freeman, who was a projected starter before a knee injury in the opener ended his season. Now healthy, he is a likely starter at strongside linebacker. The No. 31 recruit in the country in 2004, Freeman played all 13 games as a true freshman. 9. Nebraska tight end Matt Herian: Broken leg, missed 2005 season
Before his leg injury in October 2004, Herian was in line to become the top tight end in the Big 12, earning second-team honors as a freshman when he had 22 catches for 484 yards. He returned to the team in the fall after sitting out of the spring wiht a hamstring injury. He'll give quarterback Zac Taylor another potent target in Bill Callahan's West Coast offense with receivers Terrence Nunn and Nate Swift. 10. UCLA defensive tackle Kevin Brown: Ankle, missed 2005 season
Brown became a starter as a sophomore in 2004 and contributed five sacks and 8.5 tackles for a loss. An ankle injury kept him out of the 2005 season, and his presence was sorely missed. Without him, the Bruins' were dismal against the run, ranking 116th in the nation. UCLA will need him to return to his freshman form if it hopes to keep up with the rest of the Pac-10. Best of the rest 11. Southern California offensive guard Jeff Byers (Hip, missed 2005) 12. Tennessee linebacker Rico McCoy (Foot, missed 2005 season) 13. Florida defensive end Ray McDonald (Torn ACLs, missed seven games) 14. Miami cornerback Glenn Sharpe (Torn ACL, missed 2005 season) 15. Miami safety Anthony Reddick (Torn right ACL, missed 11 games) 16. UCLA wide receiver Junior Taylor (Torn ACL, missed 10 games) 17. Nebraska linebacker Steve Octavien (Broken leg, missed 11 games) 18. Stanford wide receiver Evan Moore (Dislocated hip, missed 10 games) 19. Georgia Tech defensive tackle Darryl Richard (Knee, missed 2005 season) 20. Southern California linebacker Dallas Sartz (Dislocated shoulder, missed 11 games) 21. South Carolina running back Cory Boyd (Suspension, missed 2005 season) 22. Texas A&M wide receiver Earvin Taylor (Broken leg, missed eight games) 23. Texas Tech linebacker Brock Stratton (Knee, missed eight games) 24. Washington State cornerback Tyron Brackenridge (Academics, missed 2005 season) 25. Colorado cornerback Terrence Wheatley (Wrist, missed 2005 season) The Rivals Five Injuries and suspensions to keep an eye on at the start of 2006: 1. Arkansas running back Darren McFadden: McFadden's chances to start the season were thrown into question after a late-night altercation in Little Rock left him with a dislocated toe. The good news is that sophomore Felix Jones is a quality replacement. The bad news is playing the opener against Southern California. 2. Wisconsin quarterback John Stocco: Stocco, who set several single-season school records in 2005, could miss time early this season following knee surgery during the preseason. 3. Miami running back Tyrone Moss and wide receiver Ryan Moore: The Hurricanes' offense will take a hit with Moss and Moore among four Hurricanes suspended for the season opener against Florida State. Moss was also suspended for game No. 2 against Florida A&M. 4. Georgia offensive tackle Daniel Inman and cornerback Thomas Flowers: Inman, a starter at left tackle, and Flowers, a projected starting cornerback and punt returner, will miss the first two games of the season due to suspensions. It's not the opener against Western Kentucky that's worrisome. It's game No. 2 against South Carolina in Columbia. 5. Virginia wide receiver Deyon Williams: The Cavaliers' leading receiver last season could be out until ACC play after sustaining a stress fracture in his right foot early in fall camp.
Impact performers welcomed back into the fold By David Fox, Rivals.com College Football Staff Writer
Time heals all wounds - and apparently violations of team rules and academic issues. Rarely does a school go an entire season without having to deal with a season-ending injury, a key suspension or academic problems with one of its players.
Luckily for the players below, they get to return to the field this season healthy and in good standing with coaches and professors.
National championship hopes could hinge on the knees, ankles, backs and study habits of several players.
Sure enough, team doctors and trainers will earn their keep this season.
Ohio State will need linebacker Marcus Freeman to make a full recovery to offset the loss of its three starting linebackers.
Southern California placed three potential starters on this list -- running back Chauncey Washington, offensive guard Jeff Byers and linebacker Dallas Sartz.
Notre Dame can always add another offensive weapon and will get one back this year with receiver Rhema McKnight.
The recoveries of top two on the list -- LSU's Alley Broussard and Cal's Nate Longshore -- could make or break their team's conference and national title hopes.
Here are the top 10 impact players returning from injuries, suspensions or academic problems that kept them out for at least half of the 2005 season:
Rivals.com 2006 Preseason Top Impact Players Who Missed Last Season 1. LSU running back Alley Broussard: Torn ACL, missed 2005 season
Broussard led the Tigers in rushing in 2004 with 867 yards and added 10 touchdowns. He entered the 2005 season ahead of eventual first-round draft pick Joseph Addai on the depth chart before a torn ACL in a scrimmage last summer ended his 2005 season. He has had a few setbacks in his recovery, including an infection in the knee that limited him during spring practice. If healthy in the fall, he could return to his starting role. 2. California quarterback Nate Longshore: Broken ankle, missed 11 games
Longshore won the starting job for only one quarter after breaking his ankle early in the opener against Sacramento State. The sophomore will have to compete for his job a second time this fall after his replacements, Joe Ayoob and Steve Levy, were inconsistent. This time he will have to learn elements of the spread offense brought to Cal from Northwestern by new offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar. 3. Oklahoma defensive end Larry Birdine: Torn biceps muscle, missed 2005 season
Birdine was a potential all-conference player before a freak biceps injury during fall practice ended his season. In the season prior to his injury, Birdine had 40 tackles and seven sacks playing as a backup. Starting defensive ends C.J. Ah You and Calvin Thibodeaux return, but Birdine will work his way into the rotation if healthy. Now a senior, this is Birdine's last chance to make an impact. 4. Florida wide receiver Andre Caldwell: Broken leg, missed nine games
Caldwell's broken leg sustained against Tennessee in the third game of the season limited Florida's offense. His presence was missed in Urban Meyer's spread option through the remainder of the season despite the presence of Chad Jackson, Dallas Baker and Jemalle Cornelius. In the preseason, Caldwell was clocked at 4.29 seconds in the 40-yard dash, faster than before his injury and fastest on the team. 5. Oregon State tight end Joe Newton: Torn leg muscle, missed 2005 season
As a sophomore, Newton was an all-conference honorable mention selection after catching 56 passes for 687 yards and seven touchdowns in 2004. A torn left leg muscle sustained in August kept him out for the 2005 season. Fully healthy in 2006, Newton will give Beavers quarterback Matt Moore a big (6-foot-7) target following the departure of Biletnikoff winner Mike Hass. 6. Notre Dame wide receiver Rhema McKnight: Knee, missed 11 games
The Irish's leading receiver in 2003 and '04 missed out on most of Notre Dame's offensive fireworks last year after injuring his knee in the game against Michigan. After taking a medical redshirt year in 2005 after playing in only two games, McKnight hopes to reap the benefits of playing with Heisman frontrunner Brady Quinn in Charlie Weis' offense. He is slated to start and replace Maurice Stovall alongside All-American Jeff Samardzija. 7. Southern Cal running back Chauncey Washington:
Academically ineligible, missed 2004-05 seasons
Washington, a junior, has not played since 2003 due to academic issues. Now that he's eligible, the redshirt junior will be among several running backs the Trojans will rely on to replace Reggie Bush and LenDale White. Washington's last game action came in his freshman year in 2003 when he ran for 65 yards on 19 carries. 8. Ohio State linebacker Marcus Freeman: Knee/infection, missed 2005 season
Tough as it is to believe, the Buckeyes' linebacker corps of A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Schlegel could have been even better with Freeman, who was a projected starter before a knee injury in the opener ended his season. Now healthy, he is a likely starter at strongside linebacker. The No. 31 recruit in the country in 2004, Freeman played all 13 games as a true freshman. 9. Nebraska tight end Matt Herian: Broken leg, missed 2005 season
Before his leg injury in October 2004, Herian was in line to become the top tight end in the Big 12, earning second-team honors as a freshman when he had 22 catches for 484 yards. He returned to the team in the fall after sitting out of the spring wiht a hamstring injury. He'll give quarterback Zac Taylor another potent target in Bill Callahan's West Coast offense with receivers Terrence Nunn and Nate Swift. 10. UCLA defensive tackle Kevin Brown: Ankle, missed 2005 season
Brown became a starter as a sophomore in 2004 and contributed five sacks and 8.5 tackles for a loss. An ankle injury kept him out of the 2005 season, and his presence was sorely missed. Without him, the Bruins' were dismal against the run, ranking 116th in the nation. UCLA will need him to return to his freshman form if it hopes to keep up with the rest of the Pac-10. Best of the rest 11. Southern California offensive guard Jeff Byers (Hip, missed 2005) 12. Tennessee linebacker Rico McCoy (Foot, missed 2005 season) 13. Florida defensive end Ray McDonald (Torn ACLs, missed seven games) 14. Miami cornerback Glenn Sharpe (Torn ACL, missed 2005 season) 15. Miami safety Anthony Reddick (Torn right ACL, missed 11 games) 16. UCLA wide receiver Junior Taylor (Torn ACL, missed 10 games) 17. Nebraska linebacker Steve Octavien (Broken leg, missed 11 games) 18. Stanford wide receiver Evan Moore (Dislocated hip, missed 10 games) 19. Georgia Tech defensive tackle Darryl Richard (Knee, missed 2005 season) 20. Southern California linebacker Dallas Sartz (Dislocated shoulder, missed 11 games) 21. South Carolina running back Cory Boyd (Suspension, missed 2005 season) 22. Texas A&M wide receiver Earvin Taylor (Broken leg, missed eight games) 23. Texas Tech linebacker Brock Stratton (Knee, missed eight games) 24. Washington State cornerback Tyron Brackenridge (Academics, missed 2005 season) 25. Colorado cornerback Terrence Wheatley (Wrist, missed 2005 season) The Rivals Five Injuries and suspensions to keep an eye on at the start of 2006: 1. Arkansas running back Darren McFadden: McFadden's chances to start the season were thrown into question after a late-night altercation in Little Rock left him with a dislocated toe. The good news is that sophomore Felix Jones is a quality replacement. The bad news is playing the opener against Southern California. 2. Wisconsin quarterback John Stocco: Stocco, who set several single-season school records in 2005, could miss time early this season following knee surgery during the preseason. 3. Miami running back Tyrone Moss and wide receiver Ryan Moore: The Hurricanes' offense will take a hit with Moss and Moore among four Hurricanes suspended for the season opener against Florida State. Moss was also suspended for game No. 2 against Florida A&M. 4. Georgia offensive tackle Daniel Inman and cornerback Thomas Flowers: Inman, a starter at left tackle, and Flowers, a projected starting cornerback and punt returner, will miss the first two games of the season due to suspensions. It's not the opener against Western Kentucky that's worrisome. It's game No. 2 against South Carolina in Columbia. 5. Virginia wide receiver Deyon Williams: The Cavaliers' leading receiver last season could be out until ACC play after sustaining a stress fracture in his right foot early in fall camp.
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