TIGER-PAUL Wrote:wvu 4
ville 5
rutg 12
usf 25
good gravy
Here is the entire Sports Illustrated Top 25:
Rights of spring
Who stepped up and who stood out in spring practice
Posted: Tuesday April 24, 2007 1:03PM;
Updated: Tuesday April 24, 2007 1:36PM
This much we now know beyond the shadow of a doubt: Americans love their spring football.
On a glorious weekend throughout the country, regular-season crowds filled some of the nation's biggest stadiums for their teams' respective spring games. At Ohio State, 75,301 spectators watched a rare, nail-biting Scarlet and Gray Game, with an 80-yard fumble-return touchdown sealing the deal. In a highly touching scene, many of the 71,000 at Penn State's Blue-White Game donned different colors -- maroon and orange -- in tribute to the shooting victims at Virginia Tech. At Notre Dame, a school-record 51,852 turned out to watch wunderkind Jimmy Clausen attempt seven passes.
And then there was the mother lode: Alabama. Crimson Tide fans managed to fill 92,138-seat Bryant-Denny Stadium to capacity for Nick Saban's first A-Day. No word on whether he was blown away or frightened beyond belief.
Whether these fans actually learned anything about their teams is another story. Coaches tend to keep things close to the vest in the spring when the public's around. Over the course of 15 practices, however, position battles are fought, new faces emerge and teams' identities begin to come clear. For this, my updated preseason Top 25, I recap each team's spring, including a "spring star" -- a previously obscure backup or talented youngster who figures to contribute heavily this fall following his breakout performance.
NCAA Football Power Rankings
Rank LW Team
1 -- USC Trojans (11-2 in 2006)
Key returnees: QB John David Booty, T Sam Baker, DE Lawrence Jackson, LBs Brian Cushing and Keith Rivers
Spring star: C Matt Spanos. Academically ineligible last season, Spanos emerged as the surprise replacement for departed All-America Ryan Kalil.
Spring recap: As expected, Patrick Turner and Vidal Hazelton established themselves as the new starting receivers. Former starting CB Josh Pinkard, injured all of last year, has moved back to safety and will rotate
with returning starters Taylor Mays and Kevin Ellison.
2 -- LSU Tigers (11-2)
Key returnees: QB Matt Flynn, RB Keiland Williams, WR Early Doucet, DT Glenn Dorsey, LB Ali Highsmith
Spring star: RB Richard Murphy. The slashing redshirt freshman ran for 85 yards on 11 carries in LSU's spring game and will be hard to keep off the field come fall.
Spring recap: The Tigers, loaded on defense, showed they should be fine on offense as well. Flynn, the 2005 Peach Bowl MVP, is more than ready to step in as the starter behind center, and Doucet will replace Dwayne Bowe as a go-to receiver. With Murphy, the backfield is suddenly very deep.
3 -- Florida Gators (13-1)
Key returnees: QB Tim Tebow, WRs Andre Caldwell and Percy Harvin, DE Derrick Harvey, S Tony Joiner
Spring star: WR Louis Murphy. A non-factor his first two seasons, the junior caught eight passes for 129 yards in the spring game and is now considered a starter in the Gators' spread offense.
Spring recap: Tebow and his receivers clicked throughout spring, and Kestahn Moore emerged as the primary tailback. The defending champs go into fall with serious questions on defense, most notably cornerback, where youngsters Markihe Anderson and Wondy Pierre-Louis are still raw.
4 -- West Virginia Mountaineers (11-2)
Key returnees: QB Pat White, RB Steve Slaton, FB Owen Schmitt, WR Darius Reynard, S Eric Wicks
Spring star: RB Noel Devine (high school senior). The Florida phenom finally signed with the Mountaineers on March 30, adding yet another speed demon to their backfield (if he qualifies).
Spring recap: With Slaton sidelined following wrist surgery, WVU focused on its passing game. Coach Rich Rodriguez expressed frustration with his young receiving corps but praised the performance of oft-maligned cornerbacks Antonio Lewis, Vaughn Rivers and Larry Williams.
5 -- Louisville Cardinals (12-1)
Key returnees: QB Brian Brohm, WRs Harry Douglas and Mario Urrutia, C Eric Wood, LB Malik Jackson
Spring star: RB Sergio Spencer. Buried on the depth chart his first two years, the junior made a run for the starting tailback spot with his impressive scrimmage performances.
Spring recap: New coach Steve Kragthorpe installed about half his offense, with Brohm and Douglas clicking on quick passing routes. Junior DT Adrian Grady emerged as the replacement for star Amobi Akoye. Juco studs LB Willie Williams and CB Woodny Turenne arrive in the fall.
6 -- Michigan Wolverines (11-2)
Key returnees: QB Chad Henne, RB Mike Hart, T Jake Long, WR Mario Manningham, LB Shawn Crable
Spring star: WR Greg Matthews. The rising sophomore, who made seven catches last season, earned rave reviews from coach Lloyd Carr, who said he has the makings of the next great Michigan receiver.
Spring recap: Injuries held out most of the Wolverines' main offensive contributors. Several new faces emerged on the defense, which must replace four departed All-Americas. Among those were juco transfer Austin Panter and freshmen Jonas Mouton and Obinna Ezeh, all at linebacker.
7 -- Virginia Tech Hokies (10-3)
Key returnees: QB Sean Glennon, RB Branden Ore, LBs Vince Hall and Xavier Adibi, CB Brandon Flowers
Spring star: RB Jahre Cheesman. The former cornerback, injured most of his freshman season, showed off some impressive moves. He could become a much-needed relief man for Ore.
Spring recap: Virginia Tech's spring game was canceled following last week's campus tragedy. Glennon and the offense, which struggled badly in 2006, made some encouraging big plays in the Hokies' two scrimmages. Last season's top-ranked defense returns eight proven starters.
8 -- Texas Longhorns (10-3)
Key returnees: QB Colt McCoy, RB Jamaal Charles, WR Limas Sweed, T Tony Hillis, DT Frank Okam
Spring star: CB Chykie Brown. The speedy redshirt freshman looked ready to see significant time both as a return man and in the Longhorns' depleted secondary.
Spring recap: With McCoy entrenched as the starter, Texas concentrated on developing a reliable backup QB. Freshmen Sherrod Harris and John Chiles both broke off long TD runs in the spring game. Veteran LB Drew Kelson moved to safety to help shore up a mediocre pass defense.
9 -- Oklahoma Sooners (11-3)
Key returnees: RB Allen Patrick, WRs Malcolm Kelly and Jaquin Iglesias, S Reggie Smith
Spring star: RB DeMarco Murray. The electrifying redshirt freshman was spectacular in three scrimmages, rushing 29 times for 327 yards (11.3 per carry), and will eventually supplant Patrick.
Spring recap: Redshirt freshman Sam Bradford appeared to separate himself from fellow contenders Joey Hazle and Keith Nichol in the QB race. OU is a veteran team, but several impressive youngsters emerged, including WR Adron Tennell, DB Dominique Franks and DT Gerald McCoy.
10 -- Wisconsin Badgers (12-1)
Key returnees: RB P.J. Hill, TE Travis Beckum, DE Matt Shaughnessey, LB Jonathan Casillas, CB Jack Ikegwuonu
Spring star: T Gabe Carimi. The redshirt freshman made enough strides to pull even with sophomore Jake Bscherer in the race to replace Outland winner Joe Thomas.
Spring recap: The offense, despite returning nine starters, largely struggled against the Badgers' loaded defense. Senior Tyler Donovan and K-State transfer Allen Evridge remain in a dead heat for the starting QB job. Shane Carter and Aubrey Pleasant stepped into the vacated safety spots.
11 -- Ohio State Buckeyes (12-1)
Key returnees: RB Chris Wells, WR Brian Robiskie, T Alex Boone, LB James Laurinaitis, CB Malcolm Jenkins
Spring star: WR Shane Lyons. With Ted Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez gone, the sophomore emerged as a new threat, catching three passes for 72 yards in last weekend's spring game.
Spring recap: Junior Todd Boeckman retained the lead over Ron Schoenfelt and Antonio Henton in the QB race, though all three made mistakes last Saturday. The Buckeyes remain loaded on defense, particularly at linebacker and in the secondary. The offensive line struggled at times.
12 -- Rutgers Scarlet Knights (11-2)
Key returnees: QB Mike Teel, RB Ray Rice, DE Jamaal Westerman, DT Eric Foster, S Courtney Greene
Spring star: DT Pete Tverdov. The junior, previously a backup defensive end, was named the spring's most improved defensive player and will replace departed All-Big East DT Ramel Meekins.
Spring recap: Teel, who struggled much of last season, continued to show improvement, and WR Kenny Britt looks poised for a big year. Rice and Kordell Young will be used more as receivers out of the backfield with FB Brian Leonard gone. The linebacking corps still lacks proven playmakers.
13 -- Arkansas Razorbacks (10-4)
Key returnees: QB Casey Dick, RBs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, WR Marcus Monk, DE Antwain Robinson.
Spring star: RB Michael Smith. With McFadden and Jones held out of scrimmages, the 5-foot-6 sophomore slasher showed his stuff, scoring on 23- and 20-yard touchdowns in the spring game.
Spring recap: Even without McFadden and Jones, the offense dominated the injury-riddled defense in the last two scrimmages. Dick, working with new offensive coordinator David Lee, was a solid 8-of-14 for 117 yards and two TDs in the spring game. Depth on the D-line is a concern.
14 -- Penn State Nittany Lions (9-4)
Key returnees: QB Anthony Morelli, WR Derrick Williams LBs Dan Connor and Sean Lee, CB Justin King
Spring star: CB A.J. Wallace. Coaches moved one of last year's starting corners, Tony Davis, to safety to open up a spot for the sophomore speedster.
Spring recap: All eyes were on RB Austin Scott, the 2004 freshman sensation who, following several setbacks, is finally set to take over for departed star Tony Hunt. Penn State's front seven figures to be a strength, with youngsters like DE Maurice Evans and DT Phillip Taylor emerging.
15 -- Boise State Broncos (13-0)
Key returnees: RB Ian Johnson, WR Vinny Perretta, T Ryan Clady, S Marty Tadman
Spring star: LB Tim Brady. The junior walk-on showed a knack for big plays throughout the spring and is pushing for one of the starting spots vacated by standouts Korey Hall and Colt Brooks.
Spring recap: What started as a four-man race to replace departed QB Jared Zabransky appears to be down to two contenders, senior Taylor Tharp and junior Bush Hamdan. The Broncos finished spring still looking to plug holes along both lines. Several young DBs will have an impact.
16 -- Auburn Tigers (11-2)
Key returnees: QB Brandon Cox, RBs Brad Lester and Ben Tate, WR Rod Smith, DE Quentin Groves
Spring star: RB Mario Fanin. Auburn's tailback assembly line just keeps rolling, with this redshirt freshman exploding for 208 yards against the Tigers' second-team D in their final scrimmage.
Spring recap: The defense dominated much of the spring before suffering injuries to several starters. Cox continued to establish himself as a dependable leader, though it's unclear who his main playmakers will be at receiver. Offensive line coach Hugh Nall shuffled around personnel.
17 -- Tennessee Volunteers (9-4)
Key returnees: QB Erik Ainge, RBs LaMarcus Coker, DE Xavier Mitchell, LB Jerod Mayo, S Jonathan Hefney
Spring star: S Jarod Parish. The career backup picked off four passes in the Vols' last two scrimmages and will likely take the starting spot vacated by academic washout Demetrice Morley.
Spring recap: Offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe began the spring by installing a surprise no-huddle offense, but Ainge injured his knee and the young receiving corps struggled. Coker saw time as a Reggie Bush-type receiver. The Vols' front seven looked solid, but the secondary has questions.
18 -- Nebraska Cornhuskers (9-5)
Key returnees: RB Marlon Lucky, WRs Maurice Purify and Terrence Nunn, LBs Corey McKeon and Bo Ruud
Spring star: S Larry Asante. The hard-hitting juco transfer -- who laid out a couple of Nebraska receivers in the spring game -- brought a much-needed physical presence to a suspect secondary.
Spring recap: At QB, Arizona State transfer Sam Keller and junior Joe Ganz both looked good in the spring game and will battle into the fall. DTs Ndamukong Soh and Ty Steinkuhler bolster a depleted D-line. CB Zack Bowman suffered a knee injury and could miss a second straight season.
19 -- Georgia Bulldogs (9-4)
Key returnees: QB Matthew Stafford, RB Kregg Lumpkin, LB Brandon Miller, CB Paul Oliver, K Brandon Coutu
Spring star: TE Tripp Chandler. Following in the footsteps of Ben Watson, Leonard Pope and Martrez Milner, the junior caught three passes for 74 yards and a TD in the spring game.
Spring recap: In a complete reversal from a year ago, Stafford and his improving cast of receivers shined while the rebuilding defense struggled. New offensive coordinator Mike Bobo showed his creativity, while the steady performance of a mostly new offensive line was a pleasant surprise.
20 -- Cal Golden Bears (10-3)
Key returnees: QB Nate Longshore, RB Justin Forsett, WRs DeSean Jackson and Robert Jordan, LB Worrell Williams
Spring star: RB James Montgomery. With Marshawn Lynch off to the NFL, the versatile redshirt freshman will likely fill the change-of-pace role previously held by Forsett, now the No. 1 guy.
Spring recap: The Bears knew what to expect from their many veteran skill players. The offensive line, which lost three veteran starters, may be a little thin on depth. Redshirt freshman DE Derrick Hill leads a cast of promising young defenders. The second cornerback spot remains a concern.
21 -- TCU Horned Frogs (11-2)
Key returnees: RB Aaron Brown, DEs Chase Ortiz and Tommy Blake, LB Jason Phillips, S Brian Bonner
Spring star: S Stephen Hodge. One of the most impressive defensive performers of the spring, the junior should see significant action in the fall as part of the Horned Frogs' 4-2-5 scheme.
Spring recap: Not surprisingly, the defense -- which returns nine starters from a unit that ranked second in the country in 2006 -- dominated its offensive counterparts. A new starting QB has not yet emerged between Marcus Jackson and Andy Dalton. The receivers are unproven as well.
22 -- UCLA Bruins (7-6)
Key returnees: RB Chris Markey, G Shannon Tevaga, DE Bruce Davis, LB Christian Taylor, S Chris Horton
Spring star: DE Tom Blake. A walk-on transfer from UC-Davis, the junior has emerged as a legitimate contender to fill the starting spot vacated by All-America Justin Hickman.
Spring recap: With a staggering 20 returning starters from the squad that stunned USC in last year's regular-season finale, the biggest mystery this spring has involved the quarterback race between incumbents Pat Cowan and Ben Olson. Both have struggled against UCLA's loaded defense.
23 -- Oregon State Beavers (10-4)
Key returnees: RB Yvenson Bernard, WR Sammie Stroughter, LBs Derrick Dargett and Joey LaRocque, K Alexis Serna
Spring star: WR Damola Adeniji. The junior college walk-on had three catches for 76 yards in the Beavers' last scrimmage and could push for playing time behind Stroughter and Anthony Brown.
Spring recap: With Oregon State's spring game coming up Saturday, the Beavers' veteran defense has been dominant, led by the front seven. Sean Canfield holds a slight edge over Lyle Moevao at quarterback. With Bernard sitting out, the Beavers have been thin at running back.
24 -- South Carolina Gamecocks (8-5)
Key returnees: QB Blake Mitchell, RB Cory Boyd, DE Casper Brinkley, LB Jasper Brinkley, K/P Ryan Succop
Spring stars: DLs Ladi Ajiboye and Travian Robertson. The true-freshman early enrollees stood out all spring, prompting coach Steve Spurrier to call the Gamecocks' D-line their most improved unit.
Spring recap: Mitchell, as has been the case for three years, was inconsistent, though Spurrier blamed much of his problems on an offensive line in "dire straits." Also contributing: A veteran defense (10 returning starters) that's only gotten deeper with an influx of young talent.
25 -- South Florida Bulls (9-4)
Key returnees: QB Matt Grothe, WR Taurus Johnson, LB Ben Moffit, CBs Mike Jenkins and Trae Williams
Spring star: RB Mike Ford. The former four-star recruit and Alabama signee is now an instant-impact freshman at USF, where he carried eight times for 55 yards and a TD in the spring game.
Spring recap: Offensively, the Bulls, which return Big East rookie of the year Grothe and several receivers, focused on developing a more physical running game, led by newcomers Ford and Aston Samuels. Iowa State transfer Tyrone McKenzieM worked his way into the mix at linebacker.
On the cusp: Wake Forest, Boston College, Hawaii, Texas A&M, Clemson.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/wr...index.html
