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1. QB Matt Leinart, Sr., USC
With his decision to return for a senior season rather than become the first pick in the 2005 NFL draft, Leinart has put himself in a position to be considered the greatest college quarterback of all-time. If USC wins another national title, that'll be three championships under his guidance and he'll be all but assured of being at least a Heisman finalist. The 2004 Heisman winner might not be spectacular, but he's a calm, cool leader who doesn't make the big mistake. He is scary accurate when he gets on a roll and has a good enough arm to make all the deep throws. While not a runner, he's not immobile able to throw well on the run.
2. RB Reggie Bush, Jr., USC
It's easy to focus on the tremendous speed and quickness, but don't forget about the power. Bush is 6-0 and 200 pounds with a game-changing burst in the open field. The Heisman finalist finished second in rushing with 903 yards and six touchdowns averaging 6.3 yards per carry and was second in receiving with 43 catches for 509 yards and seven scores. He averaged 15.7 yards per punt and kickoff returns.
3. RB Adrian Peterson, Soph., Oklahoma
Seldom do overhyped super-recruits live up to expectations, much less exceed them, but Peterson was everything and more as the best young back college football has seen since Herschel Walker. All Peterson did was rush for 1,925 yards and 15 touchdowns averaging 5.7 yards per carry starting off his career with nine straight 100-yard games. He's 6-2 and 210 pounds with 4.4 speed and linebacker strength. He's not going to offer much wiggle through the line, but he hits the hole hard and is a killer when he gets outside. The he-gets-better-as-the-game-goes-on cliché applies here, be he needs a little more help after pounding the ball between the tackles for most of last year and finishing with a whopping 339 carries.. He isn't much of a receiver, but that's looking for a problem that isn't there.
4. RB Laurence Maroney, Jr., Minnesota
The 5-11, 205-pound junior has rushed for 2,469 yards and 22 touchdowns in his first two years mainly as a backup behind Marion Barber III averaging 6.5 yards per carry. Even so, he led the team in rushing and is a better home run hitter than the departed Barber. With speed, quickness and workhorse ability, he should be in for a huge season as the team's featured player.
5. QB Vince Young, Jr., Texas
He's not that bad a passer. Even after a transcendent Rose Bowl performance all anyone could discuss was Young's passing ability. "If he could just be an above-average passer he'd be a number one draft pick." At 6-5 and 230 pounds, he's way big, way fast, and one of the best open field runners in college football rushing for 1,079 yards and 14 touchdowns. He completed almost 60% of his passes last season, but he failed to throw more than one touchdown pass in a game after the win over Baylor in early October and did next to nothing in the showdown against Oklahoma. However, he got better with a sharper command of the passing game becoming more and more consistent as the year went on. Expect even bigger things now that he has some experienced targets to work with.
6. QB Omar Jacobs, Jr., Bowling Green
One of the nation's breakout superstars with an incredible 41 touchdown passes and only four interceptions, Jacobs will be the signature star of the MAC season. He's 6-4 and 224 pounds with a strong accurate arm and decent mobility finishing third on the team in rushing with 300 yards and four touchdowns. Now he really knows the offense and is even more of a team leader; he should be just as sharp.
7. DE Mathias Kiwanuka, Sr., Boston College
Kiwanuka put off NFL millions to come back for his senior year to be among the nation's best pass rushers. He's not just a sack artist, he's great against the run and has a long wing span that forces quarterback to adjust their throws. At 6-7 and 261 pounds, he's a bit rangy and has to handle being a marked man all year facing double and triple teams, but he'll be a sure All-American.
8. WR/KR Ted Ginn Jr., Soph., Ohio State
One of the nation's most talented players, Ginn Jr. is pure lightning as a kick returner, corner, quarterback, runner and receiver. He's being mostly used on offense, but the defensive coaches are desperate to get him on their side as a shutdown defensive back. Ginn has been lobbying for the role as well. He was second on the team with 25 catches for 359 yards and two touchdowns, ran 13 times for 113 yards and two scores, and returned four punts for touchdowns. Expect him to once again be a jack of all trades and the coaching staff to find a way to get the ball in his hands at least 10-15 times per game.
9. LB A.J. Hawk, Sr., Ohio State
Hawk likely would've been a first round draft pick had he left school a year early. A tackling machine with 273 career stops with 24.5 tackles for loss and six interceptions, the 238-pound Hawk ripped off a 4.46 40-yard dash time proving that he doesn't just look fast when chasing down ball-carriers. In a good year for college football linebackers, Hawk will be at the head of the class with his tremendous instincts, production and toughness.
10. DT Kyle Williams, Sr., LSU
This is a salary drive season as Williams should be a good, first day draft choice. He's tough and strong with a non-stop motor and good quickness on the interior. He'll make some All-America teams by the end of the season.
11. QB Reggie McNeal, Sr., Texas A&M
McNeal had a resurgent season turning into one of the nation's best all-around quarterbacks and one of the most efficient with only four interceptions to 14 touchdowns passes completing 58% of his passes. He has good size and terrific mobility rushing for 718 yards and eight touchdowns. The key was his consistency throwing for over 200 yards in ten games. With a few big wins early, he'll be considered in the Heisman race.
12. DT Jesse Mahelona, Sr., Tennessee
Mahelona came in from the JUCO ranks and immediately dominated as a tremendous interior pass rusher and anchor of the line. His experience turned into a godsend for the young line becoming the focus of everyone's blocking scheme. He's a smart player with the athleticism of a defensive end.
13. QB Brad Smith, Sr., Missouri
Last year was supposed to be when Smith took another step up in the progression and become one of the college football's best quarterbacks. Instead, he wasn't quite the runner he was his first two years seeing his rushing total go from 1,406 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2003 to 553 yards and four scores last year. Worse yet, his his completion percentage went from 60.3% to a career worst 51.7% throwing 11 interceptions. He threw 13 in his first two seasons. When he's on, he's one of the nation's most exciting weapons. Instead of being bottled up last year and tried out as a pocket passer, he needs to be able to make plays on the move. Expect the coaching staff to get him running more.
14. LB Ahmad Brooks, Jr.. Virginia
A top 15 draft pick whenever he decides to come out, the 6-4, 249-pound junior has tremendous range with cornerback speed and big-time hitting ability. He has 207 tackles over his first two seasons with 20 tackles for loss, 12 sacks and 26 quarterback hurries. He's also tremendous in pass coverage with two interceptions and ten broken up passes. How fast is he? He returned a few kickoffs averaging 27.5 yards per return.
15. OT D'Brickashaw. Ferguson, Sr., Virginia
An almost certain top 15 draft pick, the 6-5, 295-pound senior has started at left tackle over the last three seasons. He hit the weights and bulked up while keeping his athleticism as a pass protector. He's strong enough to become an even better run blocker.
16. OT Marcus McNeill, Sr., Auburn
He should be in the NFL. The 6-9, 337-pound senior will be on everyone's All-America list and should be the SEC's best lineman. He's a massive run blocker who was the team's most consistent player on the line throughout last year. He'll once again hold down his spot on the left side.
17. QB Tyler Palko, Jr., Pittsburgh
Palko appears ready to be a college football superstar. He has the personality, the grit, and the talent to be the Big East's signature player with another good year. He threw for 3,067 yards and 24 touchdowns with only seven interceptions. He rocked over the second half of the year highlighted by a 411-yard, five touchdown performance against South Florida to seal a BCS spot, and he became a better, more confident decision maker. He's tough, has a good arm, and is mobile finishing third on the team with 139 yards and three touchdowns.
18. RB DeAngelo Williams, Sr. Memphis
Simply put, Williams has to be considered among the top running backs in college football coming off a 1,948-yard, 22 touchdown season. For his career, the quick and powerful senior has rushed for 4,062 yards and 37 scores averaging 6.2 yards per carry. He'll be everyone's Heisman list coming back 100% after a broken leg suffered in the bowl loss to Bowling Green. Would he have turned pro a year early if he hadn't hurt himself? All that matters is that he's back now.
19. QB Drew Tate, Jr., Iowa
Without any running game to rely on and an untested group of receivers to throw to, Tate still had a magnificent season and was the most valuable player in the Big Ten throwing for 2,786 yards and 20 touchdowns and ran for two scores. Interceptions were a bit of a problems throwing 14 of them. While not all that big barely scratching the six-foot mark, he has a big arm and is the epitome of a gamer. He won't run for many yards, but he's not immobile.
20. OT Davin Joseph, Sr., Oklahoma
The star guard will move over to left tackle where he'll be an All-Big XII talent and an early round draft pick. While he still has to learn some of the finer points of the position, the coaching staff can't stop raving about him. Once again, he'll be a devastating run blocker.
21. LB Chad Greenway, Sr., Iowa
Greenway went from being a good tackler to a great all-around player with three interceptions and another defensive back in pass coverage. He never, ever missed a one-on-one tackle and is strong at shedding blocks and stopping the run.
22. RB Andre Hall, Sr., South Florida
Probably the best running back you've never heard of, the 5-10, 205-pound senior bypassed a shot to go pro early to be the focus of the USF attack. He ran for a school record 1,357 yards and 11 touchdowns averaging 6.5 yards per carry. He's a powerful back with good breakaway speed, and he's also a tough workhorse rushing for 275 yards and two touchdowns against UAB kicking off a run of four straight 100-yard days. He was also the team's third leading receiver catching 18 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown.
23. DT Rodrique Wright, Sr., Texas
Wright could be a top 15 pick in next year's NFL draft and likely would've gone in the first round had he decided to leave early this year. Hurt by a lingering ankle problem, the 305-pound senior had his least productive season after cranking out 65 tackles as a freshman and 80 stops and 30 quarterback pressures in 2003. He'll be on most preseason All-America lists now that he's back to 100%.
24. LB Abdul Hodge, Sr., Iowa
If he isn't the best middle linebacker in college football, he's in the team photo. He has 295 career tackles with the speed of a defensive back to get in the backfield and chase down ball carriers from sideline-to-sideline.
25. FS Ko Simpson, Soph., South Carolina
On everyone's All-Freshman team and named the SEC Freshman of the Year by the AP, the 6-1, 199-pound Simpson had a huge year finishing second on the team in tackles and led the way in interceptions and broken up passes. He's a big hitter who's all over the field all the time always finding a way to get around the ball.
26. RB Mike Hart, Soph., Michigan
It took two games for Hart to get in the mix, but be became, arguably, the nation's most consistent running back. The 5-9, 192-pound sophomore had seven games with 99 yards or more highlighted by a three game stretch against Minnesota, Illinois and Purdue when he ran for 664 yards and finished the season with 1,455 yards and nine touchdowns. He has great quickness and is tough as nails averaging a whopping 27 carries per game over the last ten games. He can also catch finishing fourth on the team with 26 grabs for 237 yards and a score. While he's a workhorse and has moves, he's not a home run hitter and isn't much at creating his own running room.
27. LB Ernie Sims, Jr.. Florida State
He's ready for the NFL right now. He has defensive back athleticism and huge hitting ability on the strongside. The only knock is that he isn't that big at only 6-0 and 220 pounds, otherwise he's a first round talent with unbelievable range and superior closing ability when he gets into the backfield.
28. LB Travis Williams, Sr., Auburn
While not all that big at only 207 pounds, Williams is a tough tackler and speedy enough playmaker to be a strong pass rusher. He's also good at dropping into pass coverage as a third safety. He earned First Team All-SEC honors last year leading the team in tackles.
29. OT Andrew Whitworth, Sr., LSU
The All-American should be in the NFL right now. He's 6-7, 310 pounds and quick. As important as anything else, he's dependable playing 39 straight games as the team's top all-around blocker. His long arms are great at keeping pass rushers at bay, while he has the strength to be a killer for the ground game.
30. CB Jimmy Williams, Sr.. Virginia Tech
Williams not only made a successful transition from safety to corner, he became one of the nation's best and will be on the short list for the Thorpe Award. He still hits like a safety tying for third on the team in tackles, but he has elite level speed and could've easily gone pro this year.
31. NT Gabe Watson, Sr., Michigan
Watson should be in the NFL. The 6-4, 331-pound senior is a true anchor n the nose able to take on two blockers without much of a problem. He's not a statue; he's a quick interior pass rusher when his gas tank is full. He needs to improve his conditioning a bit, but that's nitpicking for the All-Big Ten defender.
32. [font=verdana, arial, sans serif][size=-2]OT Justin Blalock, Jr., Texas
A multi-millionaire next year at this time if he chooses to leave early, the 6-4, 329-pound junior has started every game in his career at right tackle as a consistently dominating run blocker. He earned first-team All-Big XII honors and will be on everyone's All-America short list. If needed, he can play guard.
33. LB Spencer Havner, Sr., UCLA
Havner was a one man gang last year cleaning up everything the line couldn't take care of. He could've left for the NFL and been around a third-round draft pick, but he came back to give the Bruins one of the nation's best linebackers and to try to get a little bit bigger and faster. While not a blazer, he's more than quick enough in traffic to make plays and tough as nails against the run.
34. LB D'Qwell Jackson, Sr., Maryland
While every bit the playmaker E.J. Henderson was and one of the nation's best all-around defenders, he doesn't get nearly the credit he deserves. The 2004 CFN All-American has phenomenal range and is strong enough to handle himself in the running game. He's not that big at 6-0 and 225 pounds, but he makes up for it with his toughness and by never, ever missing a tackle.
35. WR Greg Lee, Jr., Pittsburgh
One of the best receivers in college football, Lee has followed the tradition of great Panther receivers catching 68 passes for 1,297 yards and ten touchdowns averaging a whopping 19.1 yards per grab. He's more than just a dangerous deep threat, he's a sure-handed, consistent target with six 100-yard games, and three 90+ yard performances last year. At 6-2 and 200 pounds, he's too physical for most defensive backs and has the speed to blow by most safeties.
36. CB Charles Gordon, Jr., Kansas
Gordon was a good receiver in a part-time role catching 15 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns, but his real talents are as a defensive back and punt returner averaging nine yards per return. He turned the Jayhawk pass defense around by turning into a shutdown corner finishing tied as the nation's interception leader. He's tremendously fast and surprisingly tough at only 5-9 and 177 pounds.
37. DE Stanley McClover, Soph., Auburn
Get the All-America hype rolling. McClover isn't all that big at 247 pounds, but he's blazing quick on the end proving to be too fast for 99% of college football tackles (including Auburn's). He tied Quentin Groves for the team lead in sacks even though he only played part-time. In the full-time role, he'll be devastating if he's as good as he was in spring practice. Unstoppable.
38. OT Daryn Colledge, Sr., Boise State
The 6-5, 298-pound senior is a dominant run blocker frustrating the best of pure pass rushers while being a dominant run blocker when he gets rolling. He's fast with tremendous feet ready to be a solid NFL rock.
39. DE Mario Williams, Jr.. NC State
The 6-7, 285-pound Williams was a terror all season earning All-ACC honors camped out in everyone's backfield. In two years he has 11 sacks, 26 quarterback pressures and 28 tackles for loss. Not just a big and quick pass rusher, he's tremendously strong and very athletic. There's no fat on the frame. He's ready for the NFL now, but will spend the year in the hunt for the Lombardi Award.
40. RB LenDale White, Jr., USC
The forgotten star in the high-octane attack, the 6-2, 235-pound White has scored 31 touchdowns in his first two seasons as the workhorse of the rushing attack. He's the power back, but he also mixes in some solid wheels when he gets through the line. He missed spring ball with academic issues and had an ankle problem, but he'll be fine for the start of the season.
41. OG Max Jean-Gilles, Sr., Georgia
In one of the shocks of the off-season, the 6-4, 340-pounder decided NFL millions can wait another year. He'll make everyone's preseason All-America list and will be a favorite for the Outland. He has worked his way into being an elite all-around blocker able to play tackle or guard. He's a dominant pass protector, but he's even better in the running game.
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42. WR Santonio Holmes, Jr., Ohio State
Holmes was the teams one and only true wide receiver last year leading the way with 55 catches for 769 yards and seven touchdowns. He was consistently average throughout the season after lighting up Marshall and Northwestern each for ten catches. If OSU starts chucking the ball more, he'll get the numbers, but he should be the Big Ten's most talented receiver with his tremendous speed and good hands. There are few better route runners.
43. FS LaRon Landry, Jr., LSU
The team's leading tackler is All-Academic SEC smart with a great nose for the ball. He's a big time hitter with 4.4 speed. In other words, he's a big-time pro prospect and should be one of the SEC's best defensive backs.
44. RB Leon Washington, Sr., Florida State
The 5-9, 202-pound senior was the ACC's best player over the first half of last year ripping through the first seven games for 689 yards and six touchdowns. He was banged up for most of the final four games of the regular season with a shoulder problem, but he was healthy for the Gator Bowl exploding for 195 yards on only 12 carries against West Virginia. He has tremendous speed when he gets into the open and good pop through the line.
45. RB Lynell Hamilton, Soph., San Diego State
Hamilton is one of the most talented backs in college football. At 220 pounds with speed, quickness and moves, he can do it all starting his career off with a bang rushing for 1,087 yards. All set for a breakout into superstardom last year, he missed the entire season with a broken ankle. All indications are that the sophomore is ready to roll and ready to become one of the Mountain West's top players.
46. QB Bruce Gradkowski, Sr., Toledo
One of the most accurate quarterbacks in college football over the last few years, Gradkowski has completed 71% of his passes for 6,756 yards and 56 touchdowns with a mere 15 interceptions. With two years of starting experience, he should be even better now that he knows the system cold. He's strong throwing on the run and has great speed turning into a scoring threat last year with nine rushing scores. A broken right hand suffered at the end of last year will be fine by the start of the season.
47. LB Will Derting, Sr., Washington State
On the short list for the Butkus Award, Derting is tough as nails in the middle making 225 career tackles with 14.5 sacks and 30.5 tackles for loss. He's a huge hitter with great range against the run and tremendous instincts for getting into the backfield at the right time.
48. DT Claude Wroten, Sr., LSU
Wroten is one of the quickest, most talented defensive tackles in the SEC with the speed to play on the end and the strength to handle himself well in the middle. The former JUCO transfer will flourish on the other side of Kyle Williams.
49. [font=verdana, arial, sans serif][size=-2]DE Parys Haralson, Sr., Tennessee
The 248-pound Haralson was a leader both on the field and in the locker room as a team captain and also a big-time pass rusher with 21 quarterback pressures along with seven sacks. He's a flash coming around the end, but he's also stout against the run.
50. SS Darnell Bing, Jr., USC
One of the nation's best defensive backs and a top pro prospect, the 220-pound junior is one of the fastest players on the defense and should be even better now that the injured shoulder that bothered him all of last year has healed.
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1. QB Matt Leinart, Sr., USC
With his decision to return for a senior season rather than become the first pick in the 2005 NFL draft, Leinart has put himself in a position to be considered the greatest college quarterback of all-time. If USC wins another national title, that'll be three championships under his guidance and he'll be all but assured of being at least a Heisman finalist. The 2004 Heisman winner might not be spectacular, but he's a calm, cool leader who doesn't make the big mistake. He is scary accurate when he gets on a roll and has a good enough arm to make all the deep throws. While not a runner, he's not immobile able to throw well on the run.
2. RB Reggie Bush, Jr., USC
It's easy to focus on the tremendous speed and quickness, but don't forget about the power. Bush is 6-0 and 200 pounds with a game-changing burst in the open field. The Heisman finalist finished second in rushing with 903 yards and six touchdowns averaging 6.3 yards per carry and was second in receiving with 43 catches for 509 yards and seven scores. He averaged 15.7 yards per punt and kickoff returns.
3. RB Adrian Peterson, Soph., Oklahoma
Seldom do overhyped super-recruits live up to expectations, much less exceed them, but Peterson was everything and more as the best young back college football has seen since Herschel Walker. All Peterson did was rush for 1,925 yards and 15 touchdowns averaging 5.7 yards per carry starting off his career with nine straight 100-yard games. He's 6-2 and 210 pounds with 4.4 speed and linebacker strength. He's not going to offer much wiggle through the line, but he hits the hole hard and is a killer when he gets outside. The he-gets-better-as-the-game-goes-on cliché applies here, be he needs a little more help after pounding the ball between the tackles for most of last year and finishing with a whopping 339 carries.. He isn't much of a receiver, but that's looking for a problem that isn't there.
4. RB Laurence Maroney, Jr., Minnesota
The 5-11, 205-pound junior has rushed for 2,469 yards and 22 touchdowns in his first two years mainly as a backup behind Marion Barber III averaging 6.5 yards per carry. Even so, he led the team in rushing and is a better home run hitter than the departed Barber. With speed, quickness and workhorse ability, he should be in for a huge season as the team's featured player.
5. QB Vince Young, Jr., Texas
He's not that bad a passer. Even after a transcendent Rose Bowl performance all anyone could discuss was Young's passing ability. "If he could just be an above-average passer he'd be a number one draft pick." At 6-5 and 230 pounds, he's way big, way fast, and one of the best open field runners in college football rushing for 1,079 yards and 14 touchdowns. He completed almost 60% of his passes last season, but he failed to throw more than one touchdown pass in a game after the win over Baylor in early October and did next to nothing in the showdown against Oklahoma. However, he got better with a sharper command of the passing game becoming more and more consistent as the year went on. Expect even bigger things now that he has some experienced targets to work with.
6. QB Omar Jacobs, Jr., Bowling Green
One of the nation's breakout superstars with an incredible 41 touchdown passes and only four interceptions, Jacobs will be the signature star of the MAC season. He's 6-4 and 224 pounds with a strong accurate arm and decent mobility finishing third on the team in rushing with 300 yards and four touchdowns. Now he really knows the offense and is even more of a team leader; he should be just as sharp.
7. DE Mathias Kiwanuka, Sr., Boston College
Kiwanuka put off NFL millions to come back for his senior year to be among the nation's best pass rushers. He's not just a sack artist, he's great against the run and has a long wing span that forces quarterback to adjust their throws. At 6-7 and 261 pounds, he's a bit rangy and has to handle being a marked man all year facing double and triple teams, but he'll be a sure All-American.
8. WR/KR Ted Ginn Jr., Soph., Ohio State
One of the nation's most talented players, Ginn Jr. is pure lightning as a kick returner, corner, quarterback, runner and receiver. He's being mostly used on offense, but the defensive coaches are desperate to get him on their side as a shutdown defensive back. Ginn has been lobbying for the role as well. He was second on the team with 25 catches for 359 yards and two touchdowns, ran 13 times for 113 yards and two scores, and returned four punts for touchdowns. Expect him to once again be a jack of all trades and the coaching staff to find a way to get the ball in his hands at least 10-15 times per game.
9. LB A.J. Hawk, Sr., Ohio State
Hawk likely would've been a first round draft pick had he left school a year early. A tackling machine with 273 career stops with 24.5 tackles for loss and six interceptions, the 238-pound Hawk ripped off a 4.46 40-yard dash time proving that he doesn't just look fast when chasing down ball-carriers. In a good year for college football linebackers, Hawk will be at the head of the class with his tremendous instincts, production and toughness.
10. DT Kyle Williams, Sr., LSU
This is a salary drive season as Williams should be a good, first day draft choice. He's tough and strong with a non-stop motor and good quickness on the interior. He'll make some All-America teams by the end of the season.
11. QB Reggie McNeal, Sr., Texas A&M
McNeal had a resurgent season turning into one of the nation's best all-around quarterbacks and one of the most efficient with only four interceptions to 14 touchdowns passes completing 58% of his passes. He has good size and terrific mobility rushing for 718 yards and eight touchdowns. The key was his consistency throwing for over 200 yards in ten games. With a few big wins early, he'll be considered in the Heisman race.
12. DT Jesse Mahelona, Sr., Tennessee
Mahelona came in from the JUCO ranks and immediately dominated as a tremendous interior pass rusher and anchor of the line. His experience turned into a godsend for the young line becoming the focus of everyone's blocking scheme. He's a smart player with the athleticism of a defensive end.
13. QB Brad Smith, Sr., Missouri
Last year was supposed to be when Smith took another step up in the progression and become one of the college football's best quarterbacks. Instead, he wasn't quite the runner he was his first two years seeing his rushing total go from 1,406 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2003 to 553 yards and four scores last year. Worse yet, his his completion percentage went from 60.3% to a career worst 51.7% throwing 11 interceptions. He threw 13 in his first two seasons. When he's on, he's one of the nation's most exciting weapons. Instead of being bottled up last year and tried out as a pocket passer, he needs to be able to make plays on the move. Expect the coaching staff to get him running more.
14. LB Ahmad Brooks, Jr.. Virginia
A top 15 draft pick whenever he decides to come out, the 6-4, 249-pound junior has tremendous range with cornerback speed and big-time hitting ability. He has 207 tackles over his first two seasons with 20 tackles for loss, 12 sacks and 26 quarterback hurries. He's also tremendous in pass coverage with two interceptions and ten broken up passes. How fast is he? He returned a few kickoffs averaging 27.5 yards per return.
15. OT D'Brickashaw. Ferguson, Sr., Virginia
An almost certain top 15 draft pick, the 6-5, 295-pound senior has started at left tackle over the last three seasons. He hit the weights and bulked up while keeping his athleticism as a pass protector. He's strong enough to become an even better run blocker.
16. OT Marcus McNeill, Sr., Auburn
He should be in the NFL. The 6-9, 337-pound senior will be on everyone's All-America list and should be the SEC's best lineman. He's a massive run blocker who was the team's most consistent player on the line throughout last year. He'll once again hold down his spot on the left side.
17. QB Tyler Palko, Jr., Pittsburgh
Palko appears ready to be a college football superstar. He has the personality, the grit, and the talent to be the Big East's signature player with another good year. He threw for 3,067 yards and 24 touchdowns with only seven interceptions. He rocked over the second half of the year highlighted by a 411-yard, five touchdown performance against South Florida to seal a BCS spot, and he became a better, more confident decision maker. He's tough, has a good arm, and is mobile finishing third on the team with 139 yards and three touchdowns.
18. RB DeAngelo Williams, Sr. Memphis
Simply put, Williams has to be considered among the top running backs in college football coming off a 1,948-yard, 22 touchdown season. For his career, the quick and powerful senior has rushed for 4,062 yards and 37 scores averaging 6.2 yards per carry. He'll be everyone's Heisman list coming back 100% after a broken leg suffered in the bowl loss to Bowling Green. Would he have turned pro a year early if he hadn't hurt himself? All that matters is that he's back now.
19. QB Drew Tate, Jr., Iowa
Without any running game to rely on and an untested group of receivers to throw to, Tate still had a magnificent season and was the most valuable player in the Big Ten throwing for 2,786 yards and 20 touchdowns and ran for two scores. Interceptions were a bit of a problems throwing 14 of them. While not all that big barely scratching the six-foot mark, he has a big arm and is the epitome of a gamer. He won't run for many yards, but he's not immobile.
20. OT Davin Joseph, Sr., Oklahoma
The star guard will move over to left tackle where he'll be an All-Big XII talent and an early round draft pick. While he still has to learn some of the finer points of the position, the coaching staff can't stop raving about him. Once again, he'll be a devastating run blocker.
21. LB Chad Greenway, Sr., Iowa
Greenway went from being a good tackler to a great all-around player with three interceptions and another defensive back in pass coverage. He never, ever missed a one-on-one tackle and is strong at shedding blocks and stopping the run.
22. RB Andre Hall, Sr., South Florida
Probably the best running back you've never heard of, the 5-10, 205-pound senior bypassed a shot to go pro early to be the focus of the USF attack. He ran for a school record 1,357 yards and 11 touchdowns averaging 6.5 yards per carry. He's a powerful back with good breakaway speed, and he's also a tough workhorse rushing for 275 yards and two touchdowns against UAB kicking off a run of four straight 100-yard days. He was also the team's third leading receiver catching 18 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown.
23. DT Rodrique Wright, Sr., Texas
Wright could be a top 15 pick in next year's NFL draft and likely would've gone in the first round had he decided to leave early this year. Hurt by a lingering ankle problem, the 305-pound senior had his least productive season after cranking out 65 tackles as a freshman and 80 stops and 30 quarterback pressures in 2003. He'll be on most preseason All-America lists now that he's back to 100%.
24. LB Abdul Hodge, Sr., Iowa
If he isn't the best middle linebacker in college football, he's in the team photo. He has 295 career tackles with the speed of a defensive back to get in the backfield and chase down ball carriers from sideline-to-sideline.
25. FS Ko Simpson, Soph., South Carolina
On everyone's All-Freshman team and named the SEC Freshman of the Year by the AP, the 6-1, 199-pound Simpson had a huge year finishing second on the team in tackles and led the way in interceptions and broken up passes. He's a big hitter who's all over the field all the time always finding a way to get around the ball.
26. RB Mike Hart, Soph., Michigan
It took two games for Hart to get in the mix, but be became, arguably, the nation's most consistent running back. The 5-9, 192-pound sophomore had seven games with 99 yards or more highlighted by a three game stretch against Minnesota, Illinois and Purdue when he ran for 664 yards and finished the season with 1,455 yards and nine touchdowns. He has great quickness and is tough as nails averaging a whopping 27 carries per game over the last ten games. He can also catch finishing fourth on the team with 26 grabs for 237 yards and a score. While he's a workhorse and has moves, he's not a home run hitter and isn't much at creating his own running room.
27. LB Ernie Sims, Jr.. Florida State
He's ready for the NFL right now. He has defensive back athleticism and huge hitting ability on the strongside. The only knock is that he isn't that big at only 6-0 and 220 pounds, otherwise he's a first round talent with unbelievable range and superior closing ability when he gets into the backfield.
28. LB Travis Williams, Sr., Auburn
While not all that big at only 207 pounds, Williams is a tough tackler and speedy enough playmaker to be a strong pass rusher. He's also good at dropping into pass coverage as a third safety. He earned First Team All-SEC honors last year leading the team in tackles.
29. OT Andrew Whitworth, Sr., LSU
The All-American should be in the NFL right now. He's 6-7, 310 pounds and quick. As important as anything else, he's dependable playing 39 straight games as the team's top all-around blocker. His long arms are great at keeping pass rushers at bay, while he has the strength to be a killer for the ground game.
30. CB Jimmy Williams, Sr.. Virginia Tech
Williams not only made a successful transition from safety to corner, he became one of the nation's best and will be on the short list for the Thorpe Award. He still hits like a safety tying for third on the team in tackles, but he has elite level speed and could've easily gone pro this year.
31. NT Gabe Watson, Sr., Michigan
Watson should be in the NFL. The 6-4, 331-pound senior is a true anchor n the nose able to take on two blockers without much of a problem. He's not a statue; he's a quick interior pass rusher when his gas tank is full. He needs to improve his conditioning a bit, but that's nitpicking for the All-Big Ten defender.
32. [font=verdana, arial, sans serif][size=-2]OT Justin Blalock, Jr., Texas
A multi-millionaire next year at this time if he chooses to leave early, the 6-4, 329-pound junior has started every game in his career at right tackle as a consistently dominating run blocker. He earned first-team All-Big XII honors and will be on everyone's All-America short list. If needed, he can play guard.
33. LB Spencer Havner, Sr., UCLA
Havner was a one man gang last year cleaning up everything the line couldn't take care of. He could've left for the NFL and been around a third-round draft pick, but he came back to give the Bruins one of the nation's best linebackers and to try to get a little bit bigger and faster. While not a blazer, he's more than quick enough in traffic to make plays and tough as nails against the run.
34. LB D'Qwell Jackson, Sr., Maryland
While every bit the playmaker E.J. Henderson was and one of the nation's best all-around defenders, he doesn't get nearly the credit he deserves. The 2004 CFN All-American has phenomenal range and is strong enough to handle himself in the running game. He's not that big at 6-0 and 225 pounds, but he makes up for it with his toughness and by never, ever missing a tackle.
35. WR Greg Lee, Jr., Pittsburgh
One of the best receivers in college football, Lee has followed the tradition of great Panther receivers catching 68 passes for 1,297 yards and ten touchdowns averaging a whopping 19.1 yards per grab. He's more than just a dangerous deep threat, he's a sure-handed, consistent target with six 100-yard games, and three 90+ yard performances last year. At 6-2 and 200 pounds, he's too physical for most defensive backs and has the speed to blow by most safeties.
36. CB Charles Gordon, Jr., Kansas
Gordon was a good receiver in a part-time role catching 15 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns, but his real talents are as a defensive back and punt returner averaging nine yards per return. He turned the Jayhawk pass defense around by turning into a shutdown corner finishing tied as the nation's interception leader. He's tremendously fast and surprisingly tough at only 5-9 and 177 pounds.
37. DE Stanley McClover, Soph., Auburn
Get the All-America hype rolling. McClover isn't all that big at 247 pounds, but he's blazing quick on the end proving to be too fast for 99% of college football tackles (including Auburn's). He tied Quentin Groves for the team lead in sacks even though he only played part-time. In the full-time role, he'll be devastating if he's as good as he was in spring practice. Unstoppable.
38. OT Daryn Colledge, Sr., Boise State
The 6-5, 298-pound senior is a dominant run blocker frustrating the best of pure pass rushers while being a dominant run blocker when he gets rolling. He's fast with tremendous feet ready to be a solid NFL rock.
39. DE Mario Williams, Jr.. NC State
The 6-7, 285-pound Williams was a terror all season earning All-ACC honors camped out in everyone's backfield. In two years he has 11 sacks, 26 quarterback pressures and 28 tackles for loss. Not just a big and quick pass rusher, he's tremendously strong and very athletic. There's no fat on the frame. He's ready for the NFL now, but will spend the year in the hunt for the Lombardi Award.
40. RB LenDale White, Jr., USC
The forgotten star in the high-octane attack, the 6-2, 235-pound White has scored 31 touchdowns in his first two seasons as the workhorse of the rushing attack. He's the power back, but he also mixes in some solid wheels when he gets through the line. He missed spring ball with academic issues and had an ankle problem, but he'll be fine for the start of the season.
41. OG Max Jean-Gilles, Sr., Georgia
In one of the shocks of the off-season, the 6-4, 340-pounder decided NFL millions can wait another year. He'll make everyone's preseason All-America list and will be a favorite for the Outland. He has worked his way into being an elite all-around blocker able to play tackle or guard. He's a dominant pass protector, but he's even better in the running game.
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42. WR Santonio Holmes, Jr., Ohio State
Holmes was the teams one and only true wide receiver last year leading the way with 55 catches for 769 yards and seven touchdowns. He was consistently average throughout the season after lighting up Marshall and Northwestern each for ten catches. If OSU starts chucking the ball more, he'll get the numbers, but he should be the Big Ten's most talented receiver with his tremendous speed and good hands. There are few better route runners.
43. FS LaRon Landry, Jr., LSU
The team's leading tackler is All-Academic SEC smart with a great nose for the ball. He's a big time hitter with 4.4 speed. In other words, he's a big-time pro prospect and should be one of the SEC's best defensive backs.
44. RB Leon Washington, Sr., Florida State
The 5-9, 202-pound senior was the ACC's best player over the first half of last year ripping through the first seven games for 689 yards and six touchdowns. He was banged up for most of the final four games of the regular season with a shoulder problem, but he was healthy for the Gator Bowl exploding for 195 yards on only 12 carries against West Virginia. He has tremendous speed when he gets into the open and good pop through the line.
45. RB Lynell Hamilton, Soph., San Diego State
Hamilton is one of the most talented backs in college football. At 220 pounds with speed, quickness and moves, he can do it all starting his career off with a bang rushing for 1,087 yards. All set for a breakout into superstardom last year, he missed the entire season with a broken ankle. All indications are that the sophomore is ready to roll and ready to become one of the Mountain West's top players.
46. QB Bruce Gradkowski, Sr., Toledo
One of the most accurate quarterbacks in college football over the last few years, Gradkowski has completed 71% of his passes for 6,756 yards and 56 touchdowns with a mere 15 interceptions. With two years of starting experience, he should be even better now that he knows the system cold. He's strong throwing on the run and has great speed turning into a scoring threat last year with nine rushing scores. A broken right hand suffered at the end of last year will be fine by the start of the season.
47. LB Will Derting, Sr., Washington State
On the short list for the Butkus Award, Derting is tough as nails in the middle making 225 career tackles with 14.5 sacks and 30.5 tackles for loss. He's a huge hitter with great range against the run and tremendous instincts for getting into the backfield at the right time.
48. DT Claude Wroten, Sr., LSU
Wroten is one of the quickest, most talented defensive tackles in the SEC with the speed to play on the end and the strength to handle himself well in the middle. The former JUCO transfer will flourish on the other side of Kyle Williams.
49. [font=verdana, arial, sans serif][size=-2]DE Parys Haralson, Sr., Tennessee
The 248-pound Haralson was a leader both on the field and in the locker room as a team captain and also a big-time pass rusher with 21 quarterback pressures along with seven sacks. He's a flash coming around the end, but he's also stout against the run.
50. SS Darnell Bing, Jr., USC
One of the nation's best defensive backs and a top pro prospect, the 220-pound junior is one of the fastest players on the defense and should be even better now that the injured shoulder that bothered him all of last year has healed.
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