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GAME OF THE WEEK EXTRA:
Who to watch in today's college bowl game
(Ed. note: Over the course of this year's bowl season we take a look at the players to watch in each game with an eye toward the 2005 draft).
New Year's Day, January 1st
Outback Bowl; 11 AM ET; ESPN
Wisconsin versus Georgia
College football's annual New Year's Day fest kicks off with two pretty good matchups including Wisconsin against Georgia in the Outback Bowl. Both teams, though, had visions of something better as the season progressed, but this Big 10-SEC battle could be one of the best non-BCS games this year. What makes the Badgers-Bulldogs matchup a little more special is that two of the top pass rushing DEs in the 2005 draft field will go head-to-head. Indeed, if the draft were held today, DEs Erasmus James (#90, 6-4, 260) of Wisconsin and Georgia's David Pollack (#47, 6-3, 280) could very well be the first two DEs selected. The speedy James, a tweener type didn't play in 2003 because of a hip injury, but bounced back nicely in 2004 to post 8.5 sacks and 11.5 total tackles for loss, despite missing some time with an ankle injury as he tore up opposing Big 10 backfields all fall. For his part, Pollack fashioned one of the best careers ever for a collegiate defensive lineman, topping it off this year with a 9.5 sack, 14.5 tackle for loss campaign. Like James, Pollack isn't overly big and can struggle holding the point of attack against a double-team, however, he explodes off the snap and has a motor which is always running on full throttle.
James and Pollack are just the tip of the iceberg of what should be a fest for draft watchers. Along with DE James, for example, Wisconsin has one of the deepest defensive fronts in college football, including DT Anttaj Hawthorne (#77, 6-3, 315), a potential late first, early second round pick next April, who had 5 sacks of his own this fall, along with run-stuffing DT Jason Jefferson (#74, 6-3, 310). The Wisconsin D also features a ball-hawking secondary including FS Jim Leonhard (#18, 5-8, 185), who isn't very big, but is very fast and instinctive, especially in coverage and CB Scott Starks (#2, 5-10, 175).
Meanwhile, Badgers' RB Anthony Davis (#28, 5-8, 195) will be looking for one last opportunity to impress pro scouts playing against quality collegiate opposition. Davis entered the season with thoughts of posting a 2,000-yard season, but didn't make 1,000 after missing three full games with an eye injury. Davis will run behind a huge offensive line featuring star OGs Dan Buenning (#67, 6-4, 315) and Jonathan Clinkscale (#50, 6-3, 305), both of whom could be off the board by the end of the 2005 draft's first day.
As good as Georgia's Pollack is, he won't necessarily even be the first Bulldog off the board this coming April. Junior FS Thomas Davis (#10, 6-1, 220), for example, has drawn some comparisons to FS Sean Taylor, the 5th player selected overall last April, although he doesn't make as many big plays as the former Hurricane star. Davis, in fact, is just one of three Georgi juniors who could impact this year's early rounds as both MLB Odell Thurman (#33, 6-1, 230) and OG Max Jean-Gilles (#74, 6-4, 345) have the potential to be among the first players selected at their respective position. Meanwhile, veteran QB David Greene (#14, 6-3, 225) isn't very stylish, but he is heady, gritty and generally gets the ball where its supposed to be. Greene has a pair of quality targets in WRs Fred Gibson (#82, 6-4, 195) and Reggie Brown (#1, 6-1, 195); the angular Gibson is the better known of the two, but was outplayed this fall by Brown who was simply more consistent.
Cotton Bowl; 11 AM ET; Fox
Tennessee versus Texas A&M
The Cotton Bowl has a bit of a 'Tale of Two Teams' feel about it as Tennessee were hoping for a BCS bowl bid entering the season. Texas A&M, though, is probably thrilled to be in prime game like the Cotton after bouncing back from a dismal 4-8 record in 2003. And while there will be plenty of talented players on the field in this one, the game also has something of a 'wait until next year' look about it as many of the best players are underclassmen.
The 'wait until next year' aspect to the game was is exaggerated because Tennessee senior OT Michael Munoz, potentially one of the top OT prospects in the 2005 draft, underwent rotator cuff surgery earlier this month and won't be available. Pro scouts, though, will at least get another good look at Tennessee LB Kevin Burnett (#2, 6-3, 235) a big-play OLB with decent size to go along with better than average speed and quickness, but who like fellow Vols' star Munoz has had some injuries including a serious knee injury in 2002. Tennessee also has one of the most celebrated backfields in college football featuring highly recruited RBs Cedric Houston (#21, 6-0, 220) and junior Gerald Riggs (#31, 6-0, 220), both of whom quietly put together solid seasons after struggling with injuries and inconsistency earlier in their careers. Meanwhile, P Dustin Colquitt (#47, 6-2, 200) is one of the best punters in college football dipped this year to around 41 yards per kick, down from 45 last fall. Heading to Dallas, though, the strength of the Volunteers could be a solid junior class including RB Riggs as well as star FS Jason Allen (#18, 6-2, 200), who led the team with 118 tackles this fall; rugged, run-stuffing DT Jesse Mahelona, who rang up 18.5 tackles for loss this season; big-play OLB Omar Gaither (#44, 6-2, 225); along with massive offensive linemen Albert Toeaina (#72, 6-5, 350), an OT, and OG Cody Douglas (#70, 6-4, 325).
There is something of a similar story at Texas A&M, which climbed back into the ranks of near-elite programs with a very young lineup. Junior QB Reggie McNeal (6-2, 200), for example, has all the physical tools to be a great college player, although he may lack the arm to be more than a fringe pro prospect at the position. Meanwhile, sophomore RB Courtney Lewis (5-11, 195), is an emerging star runner, while junior FS Jaxson Appel (#19, 5-11, 195) has been the Aggies' leading tackler the past couple of years; neither Lewis nor Appel, though, are overly big. A&M also got a huge lift this year with the return of massive junior OT Jami Hightower (#75, 6-4, 355), a rugged specimen with athletcism who missed the entire 2003 season with a rare infection. Hightower should combine with C Geoff Hangartner (#66, 6-5, 305) to provide the Aggies with the nucleus of a big, athletic offensive line. Texas A&M also has a rising star of sorts in WR Terrence Murphy (#5, 6-1, 195) a quality receiver with speed who heads a decent group of second-tier receivers in the 2005 draft class. Pro scouts will also be eying DE Mike Montgomery (#95, 6-5, 280), a full-sized DE who has always played the the run reasonably, but finally got some real pressure on the passer this season as he posted 6 sacks. The Aggies also have a decent CB in Byron Jones (#11, 5-11, 185), who combines with speedy CB Jonte Buhl (#26, 5-10, 175), to give Texas A&M a pair of solid cover corners.
Gator Bowl; 12:30 PM ET; ESPN
Florida State versus West Virginia
This year's Gator Bowl features a couple of teams that when they were good they were very good; when they weren't so good, well, they weren't quite so good. West Virginia, for example, had been expected to waltz to the Big East title and a BCS bowl with Miami and Virginia Tech off to the ACC to battle the likes of Florida State. The Mountaineers were upset twice in the conference, though, and had to settle for gator. West Virginia, though, could get some small consolation at the 2005 where a couple of juniors could have an early impact. Indeed, junior CB Adam 'Pacman' Jones (#9, 5-11, 185) could ultimately be one of the top 2-3 corners selected this year if he runs well in off-season workouts; that also assumes, of course, that, as expected, Jones opts to enter this year's draft. Fellow junior WR Chris Henry, one of the most dangerous big-play receivers in the country, could also be a high first-day pick this coming April. Henry, though, won't be strutting his stuff in Jacksonville as he has suspended for the game; in fact, Henry was suspended a couple of times this past season which has pro teams a little concerned.
Even if neither underclassmen decides to enter this year's draft, the Mountaineers should be well represented this coming April with veterans like athletic C Tim Brown (#60, 6-5, 305), MLB Adam Lehnortt (#10, 6-2, 235), OLB Scott Gyorko (#33, 6-0, 225) are all solid early second-day type prospects. RB Kay-Jay Harris (#1, 6-1, 235) will also get some close scrutiny from pro scouts. Harris is a specimen with speed who ran for over 300 yards in the Mountaineers' season-opener, but then battled a string of nagging injuries the rest of the way. Meanwhile, QB Rasheed Wallace (#2, 6-1, 190) will also be an interesting player this off-season; Wallace is a terrific athlete - he ran for almost 800 yards this fall - but doesn't throw well enough to be more than a fringe prospect as a QB, but may get a long look as a WR or DB.
Florida State also should be a major player at this year's draft. Veteran OT Alex Barron (#70, 6-6, 310), who combines with OT Ray Willis (#77, 6-6, 320) to give FSU one of the best sets of bookend OTs in the country, is currently rated as the top OT prospect in the 2005 draft class. Meanwhile, DT Travis Johnson (#99, 6-5, 290), who has all the phyiscal tools, finally put together a dominating season after being in and out of trouble off the field throughout his FSU career. Today's game will also be a last chance for WR Craphonso Thorpe (#1, 6-2, 195) to show scouts he's back top 100%. Thorpe, who reportedly has 4.3 speed, emerged as one of the nation's most explosive big-play WRs in 2003 when he averaged 19.5 yards per reception, but wasn't quite the same this year after he fractured a leg suffered late that season. While Thorpe struggled some this season, fellow WR Chauncey Stovall (#15, 6-1, 215), another big-play threat established his credentials as a legitimate second-tier receiving prtospect. Meanwhile, other Florida State players NFL scouts will be watching closely include DE Eric Moore (#55, 6-4, 245), whom the FSU coaches hope will be the next great Seminoles' outside pass-rush threat, although he is something of a tweener; SS Jerome Carter (#23, 6-0, 220) and CBs Bryant McFadden (#8, 6-0, 185) and junior Leroy Smith (#32, 5-10, 190). One Seminole, pro scouts may not see, though, is QB Chris Rix (#16, 6-4, 210), a talented, but very inconsistent performer, who lost his job earlier this season to sophomore Wyatt Sexton (#19, 6-3, 205).
Capitol One Bowl; 1:00 PM ET; ABC
Louisiana State versus Iowa
With Michigan and Texas going at it in the Rose Bowl and BCS-busting Utah headlining the Fiesta, LSU and Iowa in the Capitol One Bowl may get overlooked a tad, but make no mistake about it, this could be one of the most competitive games on the entire bowl schedule. As a bonus, this game should also feature as much potential 2005 draft talent as any game this week.
LSU, for example, could have at least a couple of players rate at the top of their respective positions prior to the 2005 draft in CB Corey Webster (#13, 6-0, 200) and DE Marcus Spears (#84, 6-4, 295). Webster is a big, physical corner with the size to take on the biggest receivers in the game and the speed and quickness to matchup with the fleetest. Plus he's a ball-hawker extraordinaire, although as a former WR who has only played CB for less than three full seasons is inexperienced at the position. For his part, Spears is a huge DE who while not overly fast is still very quick off the snap. Because he isn't a pure speed rusher, Spears may never post monster sack totals, but because of his overall combination of strength and upfield explosion will almost always command some kind of double-teaming whether he ultimately lines up at DE, or possibly DT at the next level where he might even be more effective. Indeed, the only thing separating Spears from a potential top 15 grade prior to next April's draft is the tendency to take plays off on occasion. The Tigers could also have had two oif the top offensive linemen in the 2005 draft class, but star C Ben Wilkerson, who would have figured in the battle for a top grade among this year's pretty good center class, is out for the year with a knee injury, while junior OT Andrew Whitworth (#76, 6-7, 325), who'd also be a top pick this year, has alraedy indicated he'll be returning to school next fall. Meanwhile, LB Lionel Turner (#58, 6-2, 255) and CB Travis Daniels (#29, 6-1, 190) tend to get overlooked a bit, but both are solid later round prospects in their own rights. LSU also has some of the best young talent in the country including junior WR Skyler Green (#5, 5-9, 190), who doubles as college football's most dangerous punt returners when healthy.
Defending national champion LSU should get a real test from a deep, experienced Iowa squad. Indeed, Iowa could have the most talented defensive front seven in the country led by junior MLB Abdul Hodge (#52, 6-2, 232); Hodge is one of those proverbial heat-seeking missiles in search of the ball; he has reported 4.5 speed and, while not overly big, explodes into tackles when he gets there. Hodge pairs with fellow junior LB Chad Greenway (#18, 6-4, 240) to give the Hawkeyes perhaps the top 1-2 LB duo in the country; Greenway doesn't have Hodge's natural athleticism, but has excellent range and instincts of his own. Meanwhile, DE Matt Roth (#31, 6-4, 270), has quietly made a huge move up draft boards around the NFL; Roth is one of the better pass-rushing DEs in the 2005 draft class, posting 30 sacks over the past three years; and for good measure, the relentless Roth is also strong against the run. Roth will lineup next to a couple of very athletic DTs in Jonathan Babinaeux (#45, 6-2, 290), who tieal d Roth for the team lead with 8 sacks this fall, and Tyler Luebke (#60, 6-1, 280), although neither is very big by pro draft standards; no such problem, for swingman Derreck Robinson (#98, 6-5, 290) who'll likely get a shot at DE, but may ultimately be better suited to DT at the next level. Meanwhile, FS Sean Considine (#37, 6-0, 205) heads a good secondary which also features a pair of emerging junior cover corners in Antwan Allen (#20, 5-10, 180) and Jovan Johnson (#26, 5-9, 180). On the other side of the ball, the Hawkeyes have a quality OT in Pete McMahon (#69, 6-7, 335), a solid RT type who might be a better fit at OG at the next level.
GAME OF THE WEEK EXTRA:
Who to watch in today's college bowl game
(Ed. note: Over the course of this year's bowl season we take a look at the players to watch in each game with an eye toward the 2005 draft).
New Year's Day, January 1st
Outback Bowl; 11 AM ET; ESPN
Wisconsin versus Georgia
College football's annual New Year's Day fest kicks off with two pretty good matchups including Wisconsin against Georgia in the Outback Bowl. Both teams, though, had visions of something better as the season progressed, but this Big 10-SEC battle could be one of the best non-BCS games this year. What makes the Badgers-Bulldogs matchup a little more special is that two of the top pass rushing DEs in the 2005 draft field will go head-to-head. Indeed, if the draft were held today, DEs Erasmus James (#90, 6-4, 260) of Wisconsin and Georgia's David Pollack (#47, 6-3, 280) could very well be the first two DEs selected. The speedy James, a tweener type didn't play in 2003 because of a hip injury, but bounced back nicely in 2004 to post 8.5 sacks and 11.5 total tackles for loss, despite missing some time with an ankle injury as he tore up opposing Big 10 backfields all fall. For his part, Pollack fashioned one of the best careers ever for a collegiate defensive lineman, topping it off this year with a 9.5 sack, 14.5 tackle for loss campaign. Like James, Pollack isn't overly big and can struggle holding the point of attack against a double-team, however, he explodes off the snap and has a motor which is always running on full throttle.
James and Pollack are just the tip of the iceberg of what should be a fest for draft watchers. Along with DE James, for example, Wisconsin has one of the deepest defensive fronts in college football, including DT Anttaj Hawthorne (#77, 6-3, 315), a potential late first, early second round pick next April, who had 5 sacks of his own this fall, along with run-stuffing DT Jason Jefferson (#74, 6-3, 310). The Wisconsin D also features a ball-hawking secondary including FS Jim Leonhard (#18, 5-8, 185), who isn't very big, but is very fast and instinctive, especially in coverage and CB Scott Starks (#2, 5-10, 175).
Meanwhile, Badgers' RB Anthony Davis (#28, 5-8, 195) will be looking for one last opportunity to impress pro scouts playing against quality collegiate opposition. Davis entered the season with thoughts of posting a 2,000-yard season, but didn't make 1,000 after missing three full games with an eye injury. Davis will run behind a huge offensive line featuring star OGs Dan Buenning (#67, 6-4, 315) and Jonathan Clinkscale (#50, 6-3, 305), both of whom could be off the board by the end of the 2005 draft's first day.
As good as Georgia's Pollack is, he won't necessarily even be the first Bulldog off the board this coming April. Junior FS Thomas Davis (#10, 6-1, 220), for example, has drawn some comparisons to FS Sean Taylor, the 5th player selected overall last April, although he doesn't make as many big plays as the former Hurricane star. Davis, in fact, is just one of three Georgi juniors who could impact this year's early rounds as both MLB Odell Thurman (#33, 6-1, 230) and OG Max Jean-Gilles (#74, 6-4, 345) have the potential to be among the first players selected at their respective position. Meanwhile, veteran QB David Greene (#14, 6-3, 225) isn't very stylish, but he is heady, gritty and generally gets the ball where its supposed to be. Greene has a pair of quality targets in WRs Fred Gibson (#82, 6-4, 195) and Reggie Brown (#1, 6-1, 195); the angular Gibson is the better known of the two, but was outplayed this fall by Brown who was simply more consistent.
Cotton Bowl; 11 AM ET; Fox
Tennessee versus Texas A&M
The Cotton Bowl has a bit of a 'Tale of Two Teams' feel about it as Tennessee were hoping for a BCS bowl bid entering the season. Texas A&M, though, is probably thrilled to be in prime game like the Cotton after bouncing back from a dismal 4-8 record in 2003. And while there will be plenty of talented players on the field in this one, the game also has something of a 'wait until next year' look about it as many of the best players are underclassmen.
The 'wait until next year' aspect to the game was is exaggerated because Tennessee senior OT Michael Munoz, potentially one of the top OT prospects in the 2005 draft, underwent rotator cuff surgery earlier this month and won't be available. Pro scouts, though, will at least get another good look at Tennessee LB Kevin Burnett (#2, 6-3, 235) a big-play OLB with decent size to go along with better than average speed and quickness, but who like fellow Vols' star Munoz has had some injuries including a serious knee injury in 2002. Tennessee also has one of the most celebrated backfields in college football featuring highly recruited RBs Cedric Houston (#21, 6-0, 220) and junior Gerald Riggs (#31, 6-0, 220), both of whom quietly put together solid seasons after struggling with injuries and inconsistency earlier in their careers. Meanwhile, P Dustin Colquitt (#47, 6-2, 200) is one of the best punters in college football dipped this year to around 41 yards per kick, down from 45 last fall. Heading to Dallas, though, the strength of the Volunteers could be a solid junior class including RB Riggs as well as star FS Jason Allen (#18, 6-2, 200), who led the team with 118 tackles this fall; rugged, run-stuffing DT Jesse Mahelona, who rang up 18.5 tackles for loss this season; big-play OLB Omar Gaither (#44, 6-2, 225); along with massive offensive linemen Albert Toeaina (#72, 6-5, 350), an OT, and OG Cody Douglas (#70, 6-4, 325).
There is something of a similar story at Texas A&M, which climbed back into the ranks of near-elite programs with a very young lineup. Junior QB Reggie McNeal (6-2, 200), for example, has all the physical tools to be a great college player, although he may lack the arm to be more than a fringe pro prospect at the position. Meanwhile, sophomore RB Courtney Lewis (5-11, 195), is an emerging star runner, while junior FS Jaxson Appel (#19, 5-11, 195) has been the Aggies' leading tackler the past couple of years; neither Lewis nor Appel, though, are overly big. A&M also got a huge lift this year with the return of massive junior OT Jami Hightower (#75, 6-4, 355), a rugged specimen with athletcism who missed the entire 2003 season with a rare infection. Hightower should combine with C Geoff Hangartner (#66, 6-5, 305) to provide the Aggies with the nucleus of a big, athletic offensive line. Texas A&M also has a rising star of sorts in WR Terrence Murphy (#5, 6-1, 195) a quality receiver with speed who heads a decent group of second-tier receivers in the 2005 draft class. Pro scouts will also be eying DE Mike Montgomery (#95, 6-5, 280), a full-sized DE who has always played the the run reasonably, but finally got some real pressure on the passer this season as he posted 6 sacks. The Aggies also have a decent CB in Byron Jones (#11, 5-11, 185), who combines with speedy CB Jonte Buhl (#26, 5-10, 175), to give Texas A&M a pair of solid cover corners.
Gator Bowl; 12:30 PM ET; ESPN
Florida State versus West Virginia
This year's Gator Bowl features a couple of teams that when they were good they were very good; when they weren't so good, well, they weren't quite so good. West Virginia, for example, had been expected to waltz to the Big East title and a BCS bowl with Miami and Virginia Tech off to the ACC to battle the likes of Florida State. The Mountaineers were upset twice in the conference, though, and had to settle for gator. West Virginia, though, could get some small consolation at the 2005 where a couple of juniors could have an early impact. Indeed, junior CB Adam 'Pacman' Jones (#9, 5-11, 185) could ultimately be one of the top 2-3 corners selected this year if he runs well in off-season workouts; that also assumes, of course, that, as expected, Jones opts to enter this year's draft. Fellow junior WR Chris Henry, one of the most dangerous big-play receivers in the country, could also be a high first-day pick this coming April. Henry, though, won't be strutting his stuff in Jacksonville as he has suspended for the game; in fact, Henry was suspended a couple of times this past season which has pro teams a little concerned.
Even if neither underclassmen decides to enter this year's draft, the Mountaineers should be well represented this coming April with veterans like athletic C Tim Brown (#60, 6-5, 305), MLB Adam Lehnortt (#10, 6-2, 235), OLB Scott Gyorko (#33, 6-0, 225) are all solid early second-day type prospects. RB Kay-Jay Harris (#1, 6-1, 235) will also get some close scrutiny from pro scouts. Harris is a specimen with speed who ran for over 300 yards in the Mountaineers' season-opener, but then battled a string of nagging injuries the rest of the way. Meanwhile, QB Rasheed Wallace (#2, 6-1, 190) will also be an interesting player this off-season; Wallace is a terrific athlete - he ran for almost 800 yards this fall - but doesn't throw well enough to be more than a fringe prospect as a QB, but may get a long look as a WR or DB.
Florida State also should be a major player at this year's draft. Veteran OT Alex Barron (#70, 6-6, 310), who combines with OT Ray Willis (#77, 6-6, 320) to give FSU one of the best sets of bookend OTs in the country, is currently rated as the top OT prospect in the 2005 draft class. Meanwhile, DT Travis Johnson (#99, 6-5, 290), who has all the phyiscal tools, finally put together a dominating season after being in and out of trouble off the field throughout his FSU career. Today's game will also be a last chance for WR Craphonso Thorpe (#1, 6-2, 195) to show scouts he's back top 100%. Thorpe, who reportedly has 4.3 speed, emerged as one of the nation's most explosive big-play WRs in 2003 when he averaged 19.5 yards per reception, but wasn't quite the same this year after he fractured a leg suffered late that season. While Thorpe struggled some this season, fellow WR Chauncey Stovall (#15, 6-1, 215), another big-play threat established his credentials as a legitimate second-tier receiving prtospect. Meanwhile, other Florida State players NFL scouts will be watching closely include DE Eric Moore (#55, 6-4, 245), whom the FSU coaches hope will be the next great Seminoles' outside pass-rush threat, although he is something of a tweener; SS Jerome Carter (#23, 6-0, 220) and CBs Bryant McFadden (#8, 6-0, 185) and junior Leroy Smith (#32, 5-10, 190). One Seminole, pro scouts may not see, though, is QB Chris Rix (#16, 6-4, 210), a talented, but very inconsistent performer, who lost his job earlier this season to sophomore Wyatt Sexton (#19, 6-3, 205).
Capitol One Bowl; 1:00 PM ET; ABC
Louisiana State versus Iowa
With Michigan and Texas going at it in the Rose Bowl and BCS-busting Utah headlining the Fiesta, LSU and Iowa in the Capitol One Bowl may get overlooked a tad, but make no mistake about it, this could be one of the most competitive games on the entire bowl schedule. As a bonus, this game should also feature as much potential 2005 draft talent as any game this week.
LSU, for example, could have at least a couple of players rate at the top of their respective positions prior to the 2005 draft in CB Corey Webster (#13, 6-0, 200) and DE Marcus Spears (#84, 6-4, 295). Webster is a big, physical corner with the size to take on the biggest receivers in the game and the speed and quickness to matchup with the fleetest. Plus he's a ball-hawker extraordinaire, although as a former WR who has only played CB for less than three full seasons is inexperienced at the position. For his part, Spears is a huge DE who while not overly fast is still very quick off the snap. Because he isn't a pure speed rusher, Spears may never post monster sack totals, but because of his overall combination of strength and upfield explosion will almost always command some kind of double-teaming whether he ultimately lines up at DE, or possibly DT at the next level where he might even be more effective. Indeed, the only thing separating Spears from a potential top 15 grade prior to next April's draft is the tendency to take plays off on occasion. The Tigers could also have had two oif the top offensive linemen in the 2005 draft class, but star C Ben Wilkerson, who would have figured in the battle for a top grade among this year's pretty good center class, is out for the year with a knee injury, while junior OT Andrew Whitworth (#76, 6-7, 325), who'd also be a top pick this year, has alraedy indicated he'll be returning to school next fall. Meanwhile, LB Lionel Turner (#58, 6-2, 255) and CB Travis Daniels (#29, 6-1, 190) tend to get overlooked a bit, but both are solid later round prospects in their own rights. LSU also has some of the best young talent in the country including junior WR Skyler Green (#5, 5-9, 190), who doubles as college football's most dangerous punt returners when healthy.
Defending national champion LSU should get a real test from a deep, experienced Iowa squad. Indeed, Iowa could have the most talented defensive front seven in the country led by junior MLB Abdul Hodge (#52, 6-2, 232); Hodge is one of those proverbial heat-seeking missiles in search of the ball; he has reported 4.5 speed and, while not overly big, explodes into tackles when he gets there. Hodge pairs with fellow junior LB Chad Greenway (#18, 6-4, 240) to give the Hawkeyes perhaps the top 1-2 LB duo in the country; Greenway doesn't have Hodge's natural athleticism, but has excellent range and instincts of his own. Meanwhile, DE Matt Roth (#31, 6-4, 270), has quietly made a huge move up draft boards around the NFL; Roth is one of the better pass-rushing DEs in the 2005 draft class, posting 30 sacks over the past three years; and for good measure, the relentless Roth is also strong against the run. Roth will lineup next to a couple of very athletic DTs in Jonathan Babinaeux (#45, 6-2, 290), who tieal d Roth for the team lead with 8 sacks this fall, and Tyler Luebke (#60, 6-1, 280), although neither is very big by pro draft standards; no such problem, for swingman Derreck Robinson (#98, 6-5, 290) who'll likely get a shot at DE, but may ultimately be better suited to DT at the next level. Meanwhile, FS Sean Considine (#37, 6-0, 205) heads a good secondary which also features a pair of emerging junior cover corners in Antwan Allen (#20, 5-10, 180) and Jovan Johnson (#26, 5-9, 180). On the other side of the ball, the Hawkeyes have a quality OT in Pete McMahon (#69, 6-7, 335), a solid RT type who might be a better fit at OG at the next level.
