Overlooked All America? team.

This are the thoughts of University Of Hawaii coach Jeff Reinebold.
What I like about this article is the complete non bias in it , Jeff could easily have picked Colt Brennen and explained away why , afterall these are HIS thoughts alone.
Comments?

OFFENSIVE TEAM


QB – Josh Johnson - University of San Diego - 6’3’’ 200
Led 1AA in both total offense and pass efficiency while earning All America honors in 1AA. Johnson threw for 43 TD’s and a 176.68 QB rating, the highest ever in college football. As the scouts have come through and talk about prospects they always mention this kid.


RB – Kevin Smith - University of Central Florida - 6’1’’ 210
The nation’s leading rusher with 2,444 yards in 2007. Good size and speed with the toughness that the NFL loves in a running back.



FB – Owen Schmitt - West Virginia University - 6’3’’ 250
Big tough guy who has the speed to carry the football and the hands to catch it. Averaged over 10 yards per catch and 4.7 per run while being an outstanding blocker for the Mountaineers.


TE – Bear Pasco - Fresno State University - 6’5’’ 270
Pasco is an outstanding blocker at the point of attack but also excels catching the football. Averaged over 12 yards per catch in 2007 and scored 4 touchdowns while playing hurt with a bad ankle.


OL – Ryan Clady - Boise State University - 6’6’’ 319
Only a junior, but Clady is expected to come out in the NFL draft. Size and pass blocking ability make him one of the top NFL prospects at the valuable left tackle position.


OL – John Greco - Toledo University - 6’5” 315
Greco is an exceptional run blocker who has the kind of toughness and aggressive attitude that the NFL loves in their offensive line prospects. This young guy has the tools to be a first day draft for anyone looking for a road grader up front.


OL – John Estes - University of Hawaii - 6’ 2’’ 295
Estes, who is only a red shirt sophomore, has started for two years on Hawaii teams that finished 11–3 and 12–0. This kid combines a great punch with the balance and footwork you need at the position, will be the next NFL lineman out of Hawaii.


OL – Sebastian Vollmer - University of Houston - 6’6’’ 290
A little bit of a sentimental favorite but “sea bass” played well this year at OT for the Cougars. A product of Tony Allen’s NFL National Player Program and a Team Europe alumnus this kid will get a chance to play at the next level because of his height, range and ability to pass protect. Vollmer is the kind of player who in the past would have played a couple of seasons then for years in the NFL.


OL – Michael Oher - Ole Miss - 6’5’’ 325
While the Rebels struggled on the field this season Oher dominated in the top to bottom tough SEC. Many scouts I have talked to think this guy has the ability to go in the first round if he does well in the post season all star games he plays in. Oher has shown great toughness and an ability to finish blocks with a vengeance.



WR – James Hardy - Indiana University - 6’7’’ 220
Talk about numbers that the NFL guys like, how about the 6’7’’ dimensions on this guy. Hardy led IU to its first bowl game in over 20 years catching 74 balls for over 1,000 yards and 16 touchdowns. Only a junior, I think he will go to the very top of a lot of people’s draft boards.


WR – Dante Love - Ball State University - 5’10’’ 189
Love is considered too small for a lot of NFL teams but his production numbers at Ball State have to account for something. Love averaged over 13 yards per reception in his career in Muncie and had great games against good competition including a 10 catch 241 yard day at Nebraska in 2007.


THE DEFENSIVE UNIT


DL – Chase Ortiz - Texas Christian University - 6’3’’ 245
Ortiz is only a sophomore but he had 9 sacks for the Horned Frogs of TCU. This guy has a big time motor and the ability to speed rush most tackles he faces in the mountain west conference. TCU has produced some top notch pass rushers in the past and this kid if he gets stronger can be as good as any of them.


DL – Jan Jorgensen - Brigham Young University - 6’3’’ 250
I don’t normally include freshmen on my All America team but this big guys deserves to be on our team. 11.5 sacks for the Cougars meant he provided constant pressure on the QB in 2007.


DL – Jeremiah Chapman - North Texas University - 6’3’’ 250
People don’t look for defensive players at North Texas but this kid was far and away the best player on a very weak North Texas defensive outfit. One thing you look for on film is how a kid plays when he does not have a chance to win – this kid plays hard no matter what the situation.


DL – Titus Brown - Mississippi State University - 6’3’’ 245
This guy may end up being a standup outside linebacker in the NFL. Reminds me of Cowboy OLB DeMarcus Ware who came out of UAB as a defensive end and transitioned into a Pro Bowl OLB. Brown has the combination of speed and change of direction to make the successful transition to OLB in a 30 defense.



LB – Beau Bell - University of Nevada at Las Vegas - 6’3’’ 240
This senior had an outstanding season for the Rebels with 126 total tackles. Bell is the total package as evidenced by his three sacks and four interceptions in 2007. He is a tough guy to block on the second level because of his ability to use his hands and get off of blocks.


LB – John Rabold - Air Force Academy - 6’3’’ 230
Rabold led the Falcon defense both in statistics and in emotion. The Senior accounted for 73 tackles including an outstanding 16.5 for losses. A good pass rusher as a blitzer he was responsible for 5.5 sacks three fumbles caused and three fumbles recovered. Some people will shy away because of his commitment to the Air Force but he could be the next Chad Henning.


LB – David Vobora - University of Idaho - 6’1’’ 240
Playing at Idaho has to be frustrating with three head coaches during his four seasons in Moscow. Vobora never led that frustration show on the field as he led the Vandals and the WAC with 148 tackles. While some will questions his athleticism for the next level his 280 plus tackles in two seasons can not be questioned.


CB – Myron Newberry - University of Hawaii - 5’8’’ 180
Myron does not have the height you look for in a CB in the NFL he does possess great leaping ability and ball skills. Has had 6 INT’s at Hawaii since coming to Honolulu from Trinity Valley JC in Texas. Newberry always plays bigger than he measures.



CB – Tracy Porter - Indiana University - 5’11’’ 190
Porter led IU with 6 interceptions - the most by a Hoosier players since 1982. Porter also broke up four passes and showed good ball skills and instincts as a cover corner. Because corners are so hard to find I think he has the ability to make an NFL roster.


SS – Tyrell Johnson - Arkansas State University - 6’ 210
This guys plays an awful lot like one of my ex-players the Broncos Nick Ferguson. A little small by NFL standards for the SS postion he is a ball hawk finishing 2007 with 6 interceptions to go with 94 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss.


FS – Greg James - Louisiana Monroe University - 6’1’’ 190
Long lean body you look for in a FS this kid led the War Hawks to a huge upset win over Alabama in 2007. Johnson had 5 picks returning one for a touchdown and had over 70 tackles from the FS position. If he develops he has the tools to play a long time in the NFL.


Well there you have it our Back to School Overlooked All America Team. Most of these guys have not gotten the publicity that they deserve and hopefully you will keep your eye on them in the future as your NFL team gets ready for the draft.


Next week we will be writing from the “Big Easy” - New Orleans, Louisiana as we touch down in Cajun country for the 2008 Sugar Bowl against the Georgia Bulldogs.


Until then Aloha and Mele Kalisimasi


http://www.nfluk.com/features-display.php?id=2811

Jeff