The top 25...
I always find it interesting to read the preseason lists and see who ends up living up to their potential and who ends up a bust. As usual, it looks like Miami, Oklahoma, and Texas have more talent than the rest of the NCAA. And Michigan has 3 in the top 100.ESPN wrote:1. Kellen Winslow II, Miami, TE: One hundred catches might not be possible, but nobody creates more mismatches or makes more spectacular catches.
2. Reggie Williams, Washington, WR: Faster than Mike. More physical than Roy, this is the most complete Williams. Also has the best QB throwing to him.
3. Rod Davis, Southern Miss, LB: He may not run 4.38, but he plays fast. College football's Ray Lewis, he could get 200 tackles and 25 TFLs.
4. Rashaun Woods, Oklahoma St., WR: Twelve catches for 226 yards and 3 TDs against an OU secondary that probably has three first-rounders. May not be track fast, but scouts love his great burst coming out of his breaks.
5. David Pollack, Georgia, DE: Not very tall (barely 6-feet), he's got Urlacher-like explosive. Great motor guy. He'll miss Jonathan Sullivan, but will still find a way.
6. Larry Fitzgerald, Pitt, WR: Best ball skills of any receiver in the nation. Almost a sure thing on the fade, he's the Panthers most unstoppable offensive weapon since Tony Dorsett.
7. Teddy Lehman, Oklahoma, LB: Runs 4.38. Plays like it too. Has tremendous closing speed.
8. Sean Taylor, Miami, S: Track fast (legit sub-4.4 speed) and now as big as some DEs at 233. Taylor could be a top-five pick whenever he comes out.
9. Roy Williams, Texas, WR: The fastest of the Williams boys. Had 4 for 142 against good LSU defense in the Cotton Bowl and is finally 100 percent we're told.
10. Shawn Andrews, Arkansas, OT: Roadgrader with surprisingly quick feet, he paved the way for the SEC's top ground attack in '02.
11. Madieu Williams, Maryland, DB: Mr. Smooth. Has great range, instincts and the feet to even play corner.
12. Mike Williams, USC, WR: A mauler (81 rec., 1,265 yards and 14 TDs), he's now 15 pounds bigger (up to 228) and a more polished route runner.
13. Marlin Jackson, Michigan, DB: The Big Ten's best. He's super competitive and very physical. WRs call him the toughest cover guy in the conference.
14. Derrick Johnson, Texas, LB: Led UT with 119 tackles and nine stops and three tackles behind the line against LSU.
15. Chris Gamble, Ohio State, CB/WR: Playmaker. Made game-saving picks all season. Then, with some help, did solid job on Andre Johnson in the Fiesta Bowl, but realized he needed to get stronger -- and thanks to 15 pounds of muscle -- he did.
16. Darnell Docket, FSU, DT: Even though he was never 100 percent last season, he still had 17 TFLs.
17. Robert Gallery, Iowa, OT: Big, smart (3.2 GPA), nimble and has long arms. The 6-7, 320-pounder might've been the best of the great Hawkeye O-line last season.
18. Philip Rivers, NC State, QB: Quirky mechanics aside, he is the sharpest QB around. Blistered a good ND defense going 23 of 37 for 228 yards and 2 TDs in Gator Bowl.
19. Darren Sproles, Kansas State, RB: "Tank" added 15 pounds (up to 187) to add some power to his dazzling video game-like quickness.
20. Brad Smith, Missouri, QB: Should again rush for over 1,000 yards and might pass for 3,000 this time around.
21. Greg Jones, FSU, RB: Nine games, 938 yards before tearing his ACL, a healthy Jones evokes visions of Eddie George at his best.
22. Booger Kennedy, North Texas, NG: The 5-9, 315-pounder former standout point guard is virtually unblockable. Despite doubles and triples, he still had 25 TFLs.
23. Ben Roethlisberger, Miami (Ohio), QB: The prototype can make all the throws, even run a little option and now has a deep threat in Martin Nance.
24. Tommie Harris, Oklahoma, DT: A groin injury kept him to about 70 percent, but he was still a guy teams had to double all year.
25. Cedric Benson, Texas, TB: Only had 1,300 yards despite battling through injuries.
That would explain why he's virtually unblockable though.
