Up and Coming College Football Prospects

When a young man attends college to play football he has high hopes of fame and fortune, but very few attain either. While the fortune part might never, or take years to achieve, the fame part is starting to come to realization for a few of these young men. Here is a listing of some of the young stars of the 2008 college football season that have came out of nowhere to burst into national prominence.

(JR) RB Donald Brown, Connecticut (5’ 10” 208 lbs): Brown went from the second string running back in the preseason to leading the nation in rushing with an impressive 165 rushing yards per game average. In his college debut as a redshirt freshman he rushed for 118 yards. Fast forward to October 4th 2008 against North Carolina, he rushed for 161 yards and went over 1,000 yards for the season. As of 8 games he has rushed 235 times for 1,324 yards and 14 touchdowns. The future looks bright for Mr. Brown.

(JR) RB Shonn Greene, Iowa (5’ 11” 225 lbs): Greene has NFL size and ability and is being mentioned as the best running back in the nation and a front runner for the Heisman Trophy; pretty good for a kid that didn’t play last year due to academic issues. Greene has been utterly spectacular this year, he has rushed for at least 100 yards in all 8 games and seems to be getting stronger every game. Last week against Wisconsin he rushed for 217 yards and 4 touchdowns. He is currently ranked #3 in the nation with an 144 yards per game average. He currently has an impressive 6.52 yards per carry average and has accumulated 177 carries for 1,154 yards and 10 TD.

(FR) RB Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State (5’ 6” 180 lbs): I don’t normally write about freshman, especially running backs that are only 5’ 6” tall, by the time they are seniors they might fall off the radar. Many young players can’t build on their early success due to injuries or lack of discipline, but even if Rodgers doesn’t emerge into an NFL Draft Prospect in a couple years, he did have his day in the sun as a freshman. When Oregon State pulled off the miracle upset against undefeated USC this year, those watching were thinking, “Who is this little Jacquizz Rodgers kid?” Rodgers was phenomenal in this game rushing for 194 yards and 2 touchdowns. Rodgers is small, but has incredible power and leg drive and doesn’t go down upon initial contact. He has been a workhorse this year and has rushed for over 100 yards in 4 out of his 7 games that he has played in, for the season he has rushed for 829 yards and 9 touchdowns.

(SR) QB David Johnson, Tulsa (6’ 3” 217 lbs): He is not young, but he has emerged. Did you know he is the highest rated quarterback in college football? In a year with extremely poor play at the quarterback position, we won’t see a single senior get drafted in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft. A big guy with a big arm, Johnson is emerging as one of the better seniors, like I said, he is the highest rated QB in the nation with a 212.8 QB rating and has thrown for an amazing 2,397 yards and 31 touchdowns with an impressive 69% completion percentage.

(Soph) WR Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State (6’ 2” 210 lbs): Somebody forgot to tell Bryant he was just a sophomore, he plays fearless and wasn’t intimidated at all on national TV against Texas. Bryant is a fantastic prospect for the 2010 or 2011 NFL Draft. Bryant is a dual purpose threat and is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. He has scored 2 touchdowns returning punts this year, and receiving he has recorded 51 receptions for 883 yards and 11 TDs.
(JR) WR Eric Decker, Minnesota (6’ 3” 218 lbs): Decker is a good looking, young possession receiver. He might not have blazing speed, but will catch everything thrown his way. He is currently ranked #3 in the nation with 66 receptions for 883 yards and 5 TD. He has an impressive 104 receiving yards per game average.

(Soph) LB Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina (6’ 2” 230 lbs): Sturdivant is a talented young linebacker that is having a fantastic season and has been a tackling machine. After eight games he has recorded 49 solo tackles (69 total tackles) and 2 sacks. He has also recorded two interceptions, one which he returned for 57 yards and the other he returned 32 yards for a touchdown against Notre Dame.

(Soph) LB Rennie Curran, Georgia (5’ 11” 220 lbs): Yes Curran is small for a linebacker, but this guy is strong as an ox with huge arms and strong hands, he also has great instincts and can run. For the season Curran has recorded 42 solo tackles (69 total). He was the defensive player of the week after the LSU win when he recorded 11 total tackles, with 5 being solo.

(Soph) DE Aaron Maybin, Penn State (6’ 4” 240 lbs): Probably an outside linebacker at the next level, but he beat out Maurice Evans this year, that in itself is saying a lot as Evans was first team All-Big Ten last year and finished with 12.5 sacks. Maybin is having an equally impressive season, he is extremely quick around the outside, and good luck blocking this kid when he gets a good jump on the ball. Maybin is currently ranked 4th in the nation with 11 sacks and an additional 15tackles for loss (TFL). Maybin has recorded five sacks in his last four games.

(JR) DE Jerry Hughes, TCU (6’ 2” 248 lbs): Hughes is another End that will probably have to play linebacker to make it in the NFL, but he is having a superlative season, he is strong, very quick and seems to be getting better and better. Hughes is currently ranked #3 in the nation with 12 sacks and an additional 15 tackles for loss (TFL). He has recorded an amazing 9 sacks in his last 4 games.

(Soph) DE Paul Kruger, Utah (6’ 5” 255 lbs): Kruger has prototype size and if he keeps improving could emerge as an elite future NFL Draft Prospect. Kruger is a true End, but gets after the passer like the smaller hybrid types. So far this season he has recorded 5.5 sacks and 13.5 TFLs. He started out hot, but has tailed off a little as of late; let’s see if he can sustain his early success.

The Mid-Season Fantasy Football Awards

Hi, I’m Josh Galligan and I’ll be your host for the next… however long it takes you to read this. Never mind who I am, the important thing is WHY I’m here. In the interests of spoiling the surprise somewhat, I’m the new, resident fantasy guru around these parts. This, the mid-season fantasy football awards is my debut article. And you’re reading it! Seriously, WHAT are the odds!? Anyway…

True, half of seventeen – or even sixteen -- is definitely not seven. So why do a mid-season award write-up now? Ah, what you fail to realize my young book cover judger is that these are FANTASY football awards – not NFL season awards. A fantasy football season, in order to compensate for studs on playoff teams being benched and rested, usually has its playoffs from weeks 13-16. That is the time of the year that the magical fantasy football playoffs are held. Wait, what’s that? You’ve never been to a fantasy football playoff in any of your leagues? Well, the pathetic level of that aside, you’ve come to the right place.

How will mid-season awards help you in your league you ask? Well, why don’t you just read on and find out! With the obscure explanations and introductions out of the way, let’s just dive in and get started.

THE FANTASY SQUAD ASSASSIN AWARD

This award is given to the player that was drafted VERY highly in fantasy leagues, but failed to live up to even a portion of his (or uh… her – hey, I’m diplomatic, what can I say?) expectations. Think former Detroit Lions WR Charles Rogers, multiply it by twelve, and pretend you had $200 bucks riding on his performance. Scary, I know.

Runners up:

Tom Brady (QB), LaDainian Tomlinson (RB), Stephen Jackson (RB), and Joseph Addai (RB)

And the “winner” is:

Lawrence Maroney, running back for the New England Patriots!

He may not have gone as high as some of the runners-up, but I’m pretty sure that most people that drafted him envisioned he would score more than eight fantasy points by Week Seven. Yeah, that’s right; he hasn’t even cracked DOUBLE digits yet.

Prognosis:

Even if the Patriots didn’t have twelve other options at halfback, Maroney’s future would still look grim. He’s had some injury problems, yes, but even when he was healthy has failed to live up to his potential. If you haven’t gotten rid of him yet, you’re going to want cut the umbilical cord soon. And for those with the balls big enough to try and up talk him in a trade (I’m unfortunately speaking from firsthand experience here), just stop. Unless you play in a twenty team league with a big bench, or with owners who don’t have electricity, you’re not going to get anything for him. Just drop him, forget about it, and feel good about it. Unless you paid more than $30 for him in an auction league – in which case I suggest you just go and head to the liquor store.

THE THANK YOU FOR MAKING ME LOOK LIKE A GENIUS AWARD

This award is given to the player who caused you to be made fun of mercilessly on draft day, but turned around and had an unexpectedly great first half of the season – which effectively made you look like a genius.

Runners up:

Kurt Warner (QB), Antwaan Randle El (WR), Rashied David (WR), Deangelo Williams (RB)

And the winner is:

Kyle Orton, quarterback for the Chicago Bears!

Even the mere mention of the young Orton at draft parties provoked uncontainable laughter. Nearly the entire country (outside of Illinois) just flat out refused to believe in a universe in which Kyle Orton, the “victor” in the Bears quarterback “battle” (another topical party favorite), would actually produce like a solid NFL QB. Or even throw like one.

Prognosis:

Orton isn’t good enough yet to demand weekly starting status yet, but he’s definitely an option to play the matchup game with. If you have him on your team, pat yourself on the back, get over yourself, and sleep easy at night knowing that your backup QB could fill in just fine should the need arise. If you’re not in a deep league and Orton IS one of your starters, then take your pat on the back back, and promise yourself to never, ever, gamble for the rest of your life. This one may have worked out, but hoping something like this will fall through in order for you to succeed, well, yeah – just don’t gamble. At all. Ever.

THE I WISH I HAD A DELOREAN AWARD

This award is given to the player that often makes you wish you could take a page out of Michael J. Fox’s book, call up the Doc, gun the Delorean to 88, and draft a different player with your first overall selection instead of the scrub you actually took.

Runners up:

Clinton Portis (RB), Marion Barber (RB), Drew Brees (QB), Frank Gore (RB)

And the winner is:

Michael Turner, running back for the resurgent Atlanta Falcons!

If you’re like me, then you stubbornly talked yourself out of drafting Turner for a safer pick like… Isaac Bruce. Yeah, it was safe pick all right – safe from winning a title (ZING!). The majority of people though, shared a similar opinion on Turner: that he was a great sloppy seconds (or thirds for third down if you want to get technical – gross, but technical) running back and looked great against defenses who were croaking for Gatorade after chasing LaDainian Tomlinson around all day. Or maybe that was just my opinion, but my conscience likes to pretend otherwise to save some face.

Prognosis:

Despite see-sawing every other game and having one monster game, followed by one mediocre one, followed by another monster game, I have to bite my tongue and admit that Michael Turner is not going to slow down. If anything, with the schedule he has left he could very well end up winning the rushing title. Don’t worry about the inconsistency too much, he’s going to string together a couple great games and likely won’t look back. Now please excuse me while I go and throw my television off out my third story window…

THE LUCKIEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD AWARD

This award goes to… well, you! The reader! Why are you so lucky? Because you found this weekly write up! Despite this debut article being pretty hodgepodge and all over the place, I promise I will break into a nice weekly format for the rest of the season.

Except some start and sit suggestions, a little bit of waiver wire players to look out for, and the advice that would normally come with a paid subscription to the best of the best fantasy websites. What’s the difference with me? Well, for one, I haven’t gotten famous enough to ignore personal requests – so if you have suggestions for what should be in each weekly article, or if you just have a start em/sit em question that you would like me to answer in the column, feel free to send me an e-mail at Galligan@NFLDraftDog.com.

Barring this column blowing up and my inbox overflowing with requests, I should be just fine replying to each and every e-mail sent.

Cowboys Coach Wade Phillips in the Hot Seat

With the latest stunning loss to the Cardinals and coaching failures, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones might be considering firing lame duck Coach Wade Phillips. If the Cowboys don't make the playoffs and at least win a game there, then current offensive coordinator Jason Garrett will almsot certainly be the coach for the Dallas Cowboys in 2009.

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Where Have All the Quarterbacks Gone?

A lot of NFL teams are desperate for a quarterback right about now, the Vikings, Bears, Lions, Chiefs, and Buccaneers. Then you have a few more teams that have an ancient and/or declining quarterback situation like the Dolphins, Cardinals, Jets, and you could even make a case for the Rams, 49ers and Seahawks needing help at quarterback. So with an obvious shortage of quality quarterbacks in the NFL, the help at quarterback will have to come from the NFL Draft. Here’s where the problem lies, this looks like one of the worst years for quarterback in college football in a number of years and I don’t see a lot of sure fire talent at the QB position in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Matt Stafford from Georgia looks like the best hope, he definitely has the size and arm strength, but he is only a junior and might not even be in the 2009 NFL Draft. Even if he does enter the draft, he is young, fairly inexperienced and will likely need at least one year to develop in the NFL. Outside of Stafford, I am just not seeing a lot of college quarterbacks that can step in and make a difference early.

The other junior that is being talked about is two time Heisman winner Tim Tebow. Have you noticed the lack of conversation from the so-called draftniks about Tebow? It reminds me of last year when I was the first draftnik to bring up Kentucky QB Andre Woodson. Mel Kiper had him on his big board and everyone else jumped on his band wagon. Not me, I brought up the point about his long, slow delivery and evidently the NFL scouts agreed as he wasn’t selected until late in the 6th round (198 overall). He (Woodson) was baffled by the drop in the draft. Woodson was subsequently cut by the Giants prior to the 2008 NFL Football season. So what has Woodson got to do with Tim Tebow? Not much really, except that I don’t think Tebow is quite the NFL prospect that some think he is and most draftniks are hesitant to talk about it, for fear of being proven wrong later. I like Tebow, don’t get me wrong, he is a class act and we need more quality kids like him for our youth to look up to. He will go down in history as one of the best college quarterbacks to ever play the game, but unless he improves his throwing mechanics and accuracy he will have difficulty in the NFL. His run first mentality won’t cut it in the NFL and his arm isn’t good enough to win the day. I don’t even see him declaring for the NFL as a junior, that’s why he isn’t listed in my 2009 NFL Mock Draft.

The other junior worth mentioning is Colt McCoy (6’ 2” 209 lbs) from Texas. McCoy has been around awhile; he started and looked good as a freshman, looked mediocre last year as a sophomore, but has came out this year as a junior and just been on fire. McCoy has his Longhorns undefeated and has completed an amazing 80% of his passes for 1,018 yards and thrown 14 touchdowns. He also has an eye popping 209.71 quarterback rating. Texas players have a history of staying until their senior year, but due to the pending rookie salary cap in 2010, we might have record number of underclassmen declaring early this year.

Actually Sam Bradford (6’ 4” 220 lbs) from Oklahoma has looked the best so far, but he is only a sophomore, he was redshirted his first year at Oklahoma, so yes technically he is eligible for the 2009 NFL Draft, but I just don’t see him jumping to the NFL as a sophomore. This kid is really talented though, he has a very powerful, accurate arm. Last year as a red-shirt freshman he (Bradford) broke the NCAA freshman record of 29 TDs and led the NCAA in pass efficiency. This year he is playing even better, he has more confidence and has completed 72% of his passes for 1,293 yards and thrown for 16 touchdowns. Did I mention that he has his Sooners ranked number one in the nation in the College Football Polls.

One promising senior is Curtis Painter from Purdue, he is a big kid (6’ 3” 225 lbs), with a lightening quick release and strong arm, but he isn’t playing as well this year as he did last. His accuracy and decision making looks a little suspect. He has tons of potential, but so far this year he hasn’t wowed anybody. I know he is in the first round of my 2009 NFL Mock Draft right now, but when I do my next update he will be moved probably to the 2nd round.

There are only three other senior quarterbacks worth mentioning, and no, one of them is not Clemson’s Cullen Harper, who has not looked good this year. I really like Hunter Cantwell from Louisville; he has been stuck behind Brian Brohm on the depth chart until now. Cantwell is a big kid (6’ 4” 231 lbs), has a very powerful arm and is fairly accurate, he is just playing on a crappy team and is trying to force too many balls. I like his long term potential in the NFL though.

The other senior QB is Rhett Bomar (6’ 2” 212 lbs), he probably would be starting ahead of Sam Bradford right now, but he was booted off the team (Oklahoma) a couple years ago. He transferred to tiny Sam Houston State and has played very well. He is currently ranked 4th in division 1AA averaging 314 yards per game. Bomar has thrown 10 touchdowns and has completed 63.92% of his passes. He has all the physical tools to play QB in the NFL.

What about Graham Harrell from Texas Tech? Yea I can’t forget about Harrell, playing in the spread offense his numbers are off the charts. Honestly Harrell is tough to evaluate because he never plays under center. He has the size (6’ 2” 202 lbs), arm strength and accuracy, so there isn’t any reason why he can’t be successful at the next level. But similar to Washington Redskins and former Hawaii QB Colt Brennan last year, he will have to fight the “system quarterback” label. Brennan slipped in the draft last year (6th round), but actually looked very good in the pre-season for the Redskins. Like Brennan, Harrell will have to relearn the quarterback position playing under center. He will have to change his footwork, timing and delivery in the NFL, but with patience and a year or two to develop he has nice upside at the next level. So as we can see there are some talented quarterbacks out there, but likely not much that can come in and make a difference right away.