Future N.F.L. Stars

[brnzfan57]

Sorry if I missed this being discussed here, but I couldn't find it anywhere. I found this thread on Bucknuts and thought it was pretty interesting.www.collegefootballnews.com/2005/Preview/NextBigThing_WR.htm<!--EZCODE LINK END-->
Here are my thoughts:
1.) Impressed with how much pub, and hype O.S.U. stars are getting this year along with some of the star's we already have in the league.
2.) Hawk and Carp should be ranked higher, especially if they are being compared to Ray Lewis and Peter Boulware. Those are pretty lofty comparisons.
3.) Thought Pitcock would have been mentioned somehow, but maybe just being a Buckeye homer.
4.) Miami(OH) has a quite a few players mentioned including Betts and 2 W.R.. This should be a good test for our C.B.'s. I guess we'll see if Everitt is up to the challenge right off the bat.
5.) Is Michigan's O.L and D.L. really that good, because we just abused them last year and it would really make me feel good about our own players if they are.
6.) Looking at the D.E. position makes me believe this could have been the best defense in history if we wouldn't missed out on some of those guys.
7.) Over all very excited for the season, and to see how we stack up with some of the nations best talent.

 

[BB73]

That'a an older article about the WR's on CFBNews.com. I think the part about CB's is new, however. He's got Youboty at #3.

cfbnews.com/CB.htm

By Richard Cirminiello

Like a hockey goalie or a closer in baseball, the defensive back is the last line of defense. And with that monumental responsibility comes high risk and high reward. While the best can become the toast of the town, get burned too often, and, well, you’re just plain toast. As the NFL Draft bears out, if you can cover like a double-digit home dog, pro teams will gladly back up the Brinks truck to your dorm room. Over the past decade, 41 cornerbacks have been plucked out of the first round, compared to only a dozen safeties, a trend that’ll prevail as long as receivers keep getting bigger and faster and the forward pass remains a popular mode of offensive transportation.[font=verdana, arial,
sans serif]
1. Jimmy Williams, Virginia Tech – Cornerbacks like Williams come around as often as comets, which is why he might be the first defensive player drafted next April. He’s a fleet-footed, 6-2, 215-pound hybrid, who had 114 tackles as a free safety in 2003 and five picks and 14 breakups as a corner in 2004. He’s got the skill set and athletic instincts to play either position, which further increases his marketability. Williams can disrupt an opposing offense in so many ways, it’s hard to imagine him not having an immediate impact in the NFL.
[/font][font=verdana, arial,
sans serif][size=-1]Shades of…Bobby Taylor

2. Alan Zemaitis, Penn State – At 6-2 and 200 pounds, Zemaitis has unusual size for a corner, yet sacrifices nothing in the areas of speed, quickness and reaction time. He loves to intimidate receivers and can be valuable in run support. One of this year’s team captains, Zemaitis is a quick learn and a ball hawk, whose numbers dipped last year because of the respect he was getting from opposing Big Ten quarterbacks.
Shades of…Nate Clements

3. Ashton Youboty, Ohio State (Jr.) – Fresh off a breakthrough sophomore year in Columbus, Youboty is primed to become one of the country’s top-tier cover corners. He’s a fluid, 6-2 and 185-pound athlete, who has exceptional recovery speed and appears effortless on film going stride-for-stride with his receiver. Youboty would benefit from more time in the weight room, but his slender frame hasn’t caused him to get pushed around by bigger receivers.
Shades of…Chris McAlister

4. Will Blackmon, Boston College – Blackmon’s taking his snaps at wide receiver this year, but that’s not where he’ll earn his paycheck in the NFL. He’s a premier corner, who just happens to be unselfish and versatile enough to help one of the Eagles’ thinnest units. Blackmon has a favorable blend of size and speed, covers well and has shown a knack for making the big play on defense and special teams. He’s the type of player that looks good in practice, but even better on film.
Shades of…Champ Bailey

5. Tye Hill, Clemson – Hill came to Clemson as a running back and will leave at the end of this year a heralded defensive back. He’s a little undersized at 5-10 and 180 pounds, but literally has track speed and an explosive burst to the ball that helped him break up a school-record 21 passes in 2004. Hill is still learning the little details about his adopted position, however, if he develops as much in the next two years as he has in the last two, he’ll be an NFL star before he’s 25.
Shades of…Ricardo Colclough

6. Kelly Jennings, Miami – This time next year, you’ll be able to add Jennings’ name to the growing list of Miami defensive backs on NFL rosters. While not all that big or physical, he’s got top speed and the ability to blanket a receiver in man coverage that appeals to pro scouts and coaches. Jennings is also a strong character student-athlete, whose keen intellect has helped him in the classroom and when reading offenses on the field.
Shades of…Aaron Glenn

7. Devin Hester, Miami (Jr.) – No doubt Hester is a work in progress at corner, but when you possess his athletic ability and world class wheels, all 32 NFL teams will be willing to be patient and offer some on-the-job training. His acceleration and quickness reaching top gear is unmatched, which explains why the ‘Canes concoct ways to get the ball in his hands. Hester is one of the nation’s most lethal return men, and with more work on defense, capable of being a terrific defensive back as well.
Shades of…Chris Gamble

8. Charles Gordon, Kansas (Jr.) – Only a truly special athlete can lead a program in receiving and interceptions in consecutive seasons. Gordon is special, although that’s still a pretty well-kept secret. He caught 57 passes as a freshman and 22 more last year, 15 from Jayhawk passers and seven from opposing quarterbacks. At 5-10 and 180 pounds, Gordon struggles when engaged by a blocker, but is rapidly developing into a lockdown corner, who can also break open games on special teams.
Shades of…Deion Sanders

9. Anwar Phillips, Penn State – A one-time receiver with the Lions, Phillips has blossomed into a shutdown corner with ample room for growth as he learns the position better. Last year, he was the target of opposing quarterbacks, who quickly realized he was just as tough to pass on as teammate Alan Zemaitis. Phillips has good hands, anticipates well and makes a swift break on the ball. He was charged, and later acquitted, with sexual assault two years ago in a well-publicized case that’ll become topical to NFL teams again early next year. Shades of…Brian Kelly

10. DeMario Minter, Georgia – Minter used 2004, his first season as a starter, to propel himself out of the legions of the unknown and firmly on to scouts’ radar. In fact, he heads into the 2005 season considered a Top 5 corner by NFL scouting consortiums, BLESTO and National Scouting. Like all the Dawg DBs, Minter can really motor, and at 5-11 and 200 pounds, is able to get physical in pass coverage and run support. The senior is still a mild sleeper, but has a chance to change that with another productive season.
Shades of…Dunta Robinson

[/size][/font][font=verdana, arial,
sans serif]One Monster Year from First-Day Money

[/font][font=verdana, arial,
sans serif]Darrell Hunter[font=verdana, arial,
sans serif][size=-1], Miami (OH) – If Hunter’s as impressive on film as he figures to be in Indianapolis next February, the senior could skyrocket into the draft’s first two rounds. The fastest man in Miami history, courtesy of a 4.25 in the 40, also happens to be 6-0 and more than 200 pounds. Hunter needs to fine tune his coverage skills, but the raw gifts are in place for him to have a long and lucrative pro career.

Antonio Cromartie, Florida State (Jr.) – Cromartie may be one monster year from a fat payday, but a torn ACL and LCL in July ensured that that year won’t come before 2006. Prior to the injury, he was about to take the left lane to the first round of the NFL Draft. Cromartie is a rare and sensational blend of safety size and corner speed, who can physically demoralize his receiver. The rehab for his July 21 surgery is expected to be nine months.

Reuben Houston, Georgia Tech – Houston is one of those Top 10 talents with a 10 cent head. Less than a year away from being a possible first-day draft selection, he was arrested for conspiracy to distribute marijuana, and is currently suspended by the university. Houston is a nice-sized, physical corner with upside, however, it’s still too early to tell if his next live action will come for Tech, the NFL or Paul Crew’s Mean Machine.

Antoine Cason, Arizona (So.) – Get used to hearing Cason’s name a lot the next three years, two if he opts to leave some eligibility on the table. Just over a year removed from his high school graduation, he’s already the Pac-10 corner with the steepest upside. Cason hasn’t even filled out his 6-1 frame, yet was everywhere in 2004, making tackles, picking passes, forcing fumbles, and generally playing like a future Pro Bowler.

Demetrice Webb, Florida (Jr.) – At 5-11 and 188 pounds, Webb is not the kind of physical defensive back who’ll jam his man on the line or be a force in run defense, and he hurt his shoulder making his effectiveness this season in doubt. However, few can match his ability to blanket a receiver, something the Gators need more of if they plan to employ more man coverages this fall. Webb can be electrifying in the open field, which explains why he might be used on kickoff and punt returns.

Cedric Griffin, Texas – A target for criticism two years ago, Griffin delivered a terrific season for the ‘Horns in 2004. He’s an outstanding physical specimen, who dishes out hits and provides run support like a safety, but has struggled at times in pass coverage. Griffin is also a menace on special teams, which will bolster an already long resume.

Leon Hall, Michigan (Jr.) – With the Wolverines pining for stoppers in the secondary, Hall must be ready to step up and become the stud many felt he’d be when he signed with Michigan. He’s got nice physical assets, including 4.4 speed, and is always working to improve, but got toasted deep a few too many times in 2004. UM coaches, who are counting on Hall to be a lockdown DB, have raved about his off-season dedication and development.

Fred Bennett, South Carolina (Jr.) – Following a fine debut as a first-time starter, Bennett is ready to set sail on an All-SEC type season. He’s a tall, agile defensive back with above average speed and just enough cockiness that you’d expect to see in a top corner. Bennett’s got sharp instincts, but still needs to hone his consistency before he gets to the pros.

Tim Jennings, Georgia – Jennings is small by kicker standards, so you know when 5-8, 180-pound players are graded pro caliber, they must be blurs. Jennings has not only run consistent 4.3s, but is also a sensational cover corner, who’ll blanket bigger wideouts, and take them out of the game. His size will scare off some of teams, all of whom should recall that Darrell Green cashed NFL paychecks for two decades.

Josh Lay[/font], Pittsburgh – While still somewhat raw and inconsistent, Lay has the natural gifts to be a next level corner. He’s got the height to match up with the tall receivers and the speed to keep pace with the outside burners. Now all he has to do is get a little more physical and close out his Panther career with the best season of his life. [/size][/font][font=verdana, arial,
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