Way too early rankings for 08

I just finished a final, and I'm a little inspired. This is how I think of these guys going into next season, Underclassmen inckuded, because where's the fun without them?

Quarterback:
1. Sam Keller, Nebraska. I love Keller, and have since he stepped in for Andrew Walter at the Sun Bowl in what seems like a lifetime ago. Best arm tools, I believe, of any QB in the country. That Nebraska offense is going to light it up next season (they already had the best offense in the Big 12 last year with Zac Taylor).
2. Brian Brohm, Louisville. Not his biggest fan, but he can be very good when his game's on. Has gigantic lapses when put under heavy pressure, very similar to Brady Quinn in my mind.
3. Colt Brennan, Hawaii. I'm putting a lot of faith in the idea that this kid is totally for real. When I watch him there's a clear difference between his ability and that of past spread QBs like Timmy Chang.
4. John David Booty, USC. Has the game, and an offense that might lack the marquee names of a few years ago, but has just as much, maybe even more talent.
5a. Erik Ainge. I'm a bigger fan of him than some, but he's shown a lot of progress over the past yaer, with Cutcliffe in charge he's bound to make even bigger strides for his senior year.
5b. Chad Henne. Inconsistency has been his problem since he started a as a True Freshman, and despite his skill, I'm still waiting for gim to really prove his worth as a top flight QB. Having Mike Hart, Jake Long and his WRs all back will help him tremendously.

As far as underclassmen go, Ben Olsen from UCLA and Stephen McGee are the two to watch.

Running Back:
1. Darren McFadden, Arkansas. Big, fast, overall just a deadly running back. Probably the highest rated back since.... maybe KiJana Carter?
2. James Davis, Clemson. He slowed a bit at the end of the year, but if he can keep up his play throughout tough ACC competition he'll go very high. A lock to leave as well with CJ Spiller quickly developing.
3. Ray Rice, Rutgers. Lacks what the other's have in top level speed, also on the small side, but the only player i've seen that can locate holes like him is Curtis Martin.
4. Steve Slaton, WVU. Not sure how he'll translate to the NFL, but excited to see it.
5. Mike Hart, Michigan. I give him the benefit of the doubt because I love how he plays the game. 124 vs ND, 91 vs UW, 195 vs Minnesota, 122 vs MSU, 112 vs PSU, 126 vs Iowa, and 142 vs Ohio State.

Another guy to watch is McFadden's understudy, Felix Jones, he deserves more than the 150 carries he got last year. Also look out for Jonathan Stewart if he gets his act together.

Wide Receiver:
1. Limas Sweed, Texas. Big physical wideout that's developing into one of the better players in the nation. Struggled with his hands early in his career, but doesn't show it nearly as much now. Definitely not a clear cut #1 prospect though, some other wideout could take this spot.
2. DeSean Jackson, California. Many say that he's an even better big play wideout than Ted Ginn ever was, and we'll see if that's true next year with that Cal offense going back to depending on the pass without Lynch.
3. Adarius Bowman, OK State. Still has some ways to go in developing skills, but can absolutely dominate a game when needed. Just ask Aqib Talib and Kansas.
4. DJ Hall, Alabama. Tall, skinny wide receiver that has just as much physical potential as he does on the field. He was one of the few players on that Alabama offense that made strides last season, and will need to be on his game even more now that the running game will be shaken up.
5. Earl Bennett, Vanderbilt. A lot of people thought he'd fall off once Jay Cutler went to the NFL, but added three yards to hos ypc and put up over 1100 yards. He can make plays all over the field, and just a junior, can be at the top of this list very easily by next april.

As for Tight Ends, the guy that will end up as the top guy in the class in my opinion will be Fred Davis. One time was a 5 star receiver recruit for USC, but moved over to TE because of his size and the emergence of Dwayne Jarrett. Davis is a phenomenal athlete, especially for Tight End, has great body control, and as Greg Olsen showed, needs to only be a marginal blocker to go in Rd 1.

I'll be posting the rest of the positions as I write them.

 

Nah, nothing. I saw highlights of him at the Nebraska Spring game and he was absolutely lights out, looks even better than he did at Arizona St.


Rambo- I've been out of commission with illness the past few days, as soon as I can devote the time, I'll finish off the Line and Defense.

 

It was probably an old article from his days at ASU Mike. Lot of controversy over there around the QB position.

But Rankings, CONTINUED!!

Offensive Line:
1. Jake Long, Michigan. Easily the top rated OT in next year's class, the top rated player overall by many. Played both tackle spots at UM, settled in very nicely at Left Tackle last year, and excels at both run and pass blocking.
2. Sam Baker, USC. I'm a huge fan of Baker's personally, and think he's top ten caliber no question. Started on that USC line forever, is just a rock. Plus his dad is the AFL commissioner.
3. Michael Oher, Ole Miss. Underclassman to watch, people that know a lot more about this than any of us say he's top 5 whenever he declares, but that he wants to stay for 4 years.
4. Jared Gaither, Maryland. I gave Gaither the edge here over a few seniors because I think he has massive potential.
5. Gosder Cherilius, Boston College- I've never been blown away by him personally, but I love BC linemen. With Marten and Beekman gone, it'll be on him this year.
6. Will Arnold, LSU. The lone interior lineman in the top 8? Yes, but Arnold is your run of the mill high 2nd round guard that will start for years.
7. Barry Richardson, Clemson. Might get pushed down a bit by underclassment, but Richardson can be a starting LT in the NFL with some development, was great as a sophomore.
8. Kirk Barton, Ohio St. A lot of people like him higher than this, but I'm not sure if he's quite up to par with some of the other great OSU OL's.


Defensive End:
1. Calais Campbell, Miami. Not sure if he'll declare, but he's an absolute freak. 6-8, 280 and probably the best athlete at end in the nation. Top 5 guy if he repeats last season.
2. Lawrence Jackson, USC. It seems like he's been at SC forever, but he's worth the wait. Great passrusher, and developed his overall game by leaps and bounds this past year.
3. Chris Long, Virginia. Howie's son is the ideal 3-4 Defensive End, if that will get Carricker into the top 15, then it defenitely will a powerhous like Long.
4. Bruce Davis, UCLA. Like Long, Davis is a niche guy, except he's a outside linebacker in a 3-4. Could also play end though with some bulking up, a natural at getting to the QB.
5. Quentin Groves, Auburn. A lot of people thought he was a lock to leave last year, going back might better his stock, but not by much in this DE class.

Look out for Kendall Langford from Hampton too.

Defensive Tackle:
1. Frank Okam, Texas. An NT in the mold of a Vince Wilfork, in that he can physically hold his own no problem as a Nose, but athletically can do so much more.
2. Glenn Dorsey, LSU. Powerful DT that emerged last year after Wroten and Williams left, he has a lot of potential left in him. Could blow up next year and find his way into the top 5.
3. Sedrick Ellis, USC. Talented kid that plays the nose for USC. He's had issues maintaining/gaining weight though, I don't think he's much above 280 for his playing weight.
4. DeMario Pressley, NC State. Once an absolute stud recruit, I'm anxious to see if he'll fill his potential now that he's a senior. Has no more first day guys playing next to him, we'll see how he responds.
5. Brandon Harrison, Arkansas. Similar to Pressley, he loses Anderson and Jackson next to him, might be a tough adjustment, but if he emerges on his own could move up.

Linebacker:
1. James Laurainitis, Ohio St. Going off emotion a little? Probably, but this kid is just phenomenal. All that's seperating him from absolute superstardom is a little more experience. He's also just a junior, so he might stay, but I can hope otherwise.
2. Keith Rivers, USC. Most people will have Rivers #1 in this LB group, and for good reason. Just like Jackson, he's been playing for SC forever it seems, he has it all. Has a chance to reach the level that AJ Hawk did as a prospect.
3. Rey Maualuga, USC. As close to the prototype MLB as you're going to find. Big, strong, fast, and plays with a wreckless abandon, you'd think he was a DT with the way he crashes the line.
4. Dan Connor, PSU. Many people believe he's unquestionably a better prospect than Posluszny was, and he might be, but he's caught in an outstanding LB class.
5. Ali Highsmith, LSU. Not many people take notice of him with all the talent on the LSU roster, but he's been one of the best players there since his sophomore year. A little undersized, but is lightning fast and a powerful hitter, also the nephew of former Hurricane great Alonzo Highsmith (plays like a Cane too, ie Vilma/Beason).
6. Vince Hall, VTech. Sleek but strong inside LB, excels in coverage and is a natural born leader. Unlike his teammate, never disappointed, instead steadily progressed.
7. Xavier Adibi, VTech. If there was anyone that could jump up this ranking to the top by next April, it's Adibi. So talented it's almost scary, there's been something holding him back since he flashed top ten potential early in his career. If he figures it out, there's none better.
8. Shawn Crable, Michigan. Tall, athletic passrusher that stepped up in a big way last year; 20+ TFL and 10 sacks are likely in store for next year. He was also the Wolverines special teams captain for a few games.

Brian Toal is another guy that deserves mention, but most believe that he'll miss all of next year after surgery. Look for him to take a medical redshirt year.

Corners and Safeties tomorrow...

 

Leman was on the short list of other LBs that just quite didn't make the list. I think he and Jasper Brinkley are two guys that are stellar, but may get pushed down a bit by underclassmen.

And GoldenBoy, didn't know about Gaither's academic troubles, I'll keep an eye on it, thanks.

 

The conclusion:

Cornerbacks:
1. Antoine Cason, Arizona. He's been my favorite corner in the country for a while now, I think he's got what it takes to be a lock down NFL CB. He has great speed and ball skills, and has been taught by probably the best DB coach in the country in Mark Stoops.
2. Paul Oliver, Georgia. Oliver is the guy that most people have rated as the #1 corner headed into next year, and with what he did as a junior, it's no wonder why. I think both he and Cason are top ten caliber guys if they play up to potential.
3. Justin King, Penn St. King is what makes this group so intriguing, because as highly as I think of the top two seniors, King as a junior may enter and go higher than both of them.
4. Marcus Jenkins, Ohio St. Jenkins is a local guy that has really taken off at OSU. People think that he's a lock to leave for some reason, so he'll have a tough road ahead of him to get to the top, but with his skills he may be at worst a late 1st rounder.
5. Simeon Castille, Alabama. I have a lot of faith in Castille to bring it back together, and make good on the promise he showed as a freshman and sophomore at Alabama.

Safeties:

1. Kenny Phillips, Miami. He could/should have probably been better than he was last year, but that's just because I personally hold him to very high standards. Has the goods to be the best of any Miami safety, and I fully expect him to hit that level next year.
2. Darrien Williams, Oklahoma. Williams likes to play a similar game to former Sooner Safety Roy Williams, that is up near the line where he can make plays. Will have to be at the top of his game all year to keep his job though.
3. Reggie Smith/Nik Harris, Oklahoma. Speaking of Williams' job, whoever starts opposite him will likely emerge as one of the best underclassmen DBs in the nation. Both Smith and Harris have huge potential and have shown the ability to be stars at OU.
4. Tom Zbikowski, Notre Dame. He's not quite the dominant force that some think, but he's a pretty good player. Strong, tough safety, but can get exposed in coverage despite his athleticism.
5. Jamar Adams, Michigan. Big, physical safety emerged last year in his second year starting for Michigan. Great tackler, and has been improving vs the pass.

 

It wasn't as much a knock on him as it was commending the strength of this DE class. If he improves on his stellar sophomore year then yes there's a very good chance he could end up in that high first round area, but this DE class is stacked overall.

 

Well done skippy, except Nebraska was 14th with 5804 yards and 414.6 yards per game while OK State was 16th with 5387 yards and 409.9 yards per game. All OK State had on Nebraska was scoring.