| 1 |
Aaron Curry  |
(OLB), Wake Forest |
.
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6-2 |
254 |
4.52 |
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 Aaron Curry heading into rSr season: 2008: All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team choice...Recipient of the Butkus Award, given to the nation's top linebacker...Started all thirteen games at strong-side outside linebacker, as he led the team with a career-high 105 tackles (66 solos) and 16.0 stops for losses totaling 48 yards...Added 2.5 sacks for minus 16 yards and two pressures...Recovered three fumbles, advancing one 3 yards...Caused one fumble, deflected three passes and intercepted another for a 22-yard return...On 85 running plays he was involved in, the opposition gained 338 yards (3.98 ypc) with 22 first downs three touchdowns, as Curry made twelve third-down stops and one more on fourth-down, stopping runners three times for no gain...His opponents threw 45 passes into his area, completing 32 of those tosses (71.115) for 239 yards (7.47 yards per completion/5.31 yards per attempt), ten first downs and four touchdowns, as Curry made six third-down stops and another on fourth down in pass coverage...Collected eleven of his tackles inside the red zone, including six on goal line plays...2007: 13 GP; 13 GS; 63 Sol-99 TT, 13.5 TFL, 3 SK, 4 INT, 4 PBU, 4 QBH, 2 FF; Second team All-ACC linebacker as a junior...Earned second team All-America honors from CollegeSportsReport.com...Was named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week after the North Carolina game when he had seven tackles and two interceptions including an 84-yard return for a touchdown...2006: 14 GP; 14 GS; 52 Sol-83 TT, 8.5 TFL, 3 SK, 1 INT, 3 PBU, 1 QBH, 2 FF; Started all 14 games at outside linebacker...ranked 42nd in the ACC averaging 4.9 tackles per game...ranked second on the team with 83 tackles...tied for fourth on the team with 8.5 tackles for loss and three sacks...broke up three passes and intercepted one...forced two fumbles...2005: 11 GP; 10 GS; 28 Sol-45 TT, 7.5 TFL, 1 SK, 5 PBU, 1 BLK; Named second team Freshman All-American and to the ACC All-Freshman Team by The Sporting News.
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| 2 |
*Michael Crabtree  |
(WR), Texas Tech |
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6-2 |
215 |
4.54 |
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 *Michael Crabtree heading into rSo season: 2008: Unanimous All-Big 12 Conference first-team pick, earning Biletnikoff Award honors (nation's top receiver) for the second consecutive year...Ranked sixth in the nation and second in the league with an average of 7.46 receptions per game...Placed 16th nationally with an average of 89.62 yards per game and finished 14th in scoring with 8.77 points per contest...Led the team as he caught 97-of-145 passes targeted to him (66.9%) for 1,165 yards (12.0 avg) and twelve touchdowns...Registered 60 first-down grabs, as he converted 11-of-20 third-down throws and 3-of-4 fourth-down tosses... Had 44 catches for at least ten yards, including eleven for 20 yards or longer...Converted 16 catches into first downs inside the red zone, including eleven on goal-line snaps...Set up 29 touchdowns and one field goal with key receptions...Turned the ball over once on three fumbles and had nine passes targeted to him that were deflected by the opposition...Carried twice for a 1-yard gain and returned a kickoff 50 yards while scoring 114 points...2007: Biletnikoff Award winner...unanimous consensus All-America first team selection...unanimous all-conference pick...Big 12 Conference Offensive Player of the Year...Big 12 Conference Offensive Newcomer of the Year...several National Freshman of the Year honors...led the nation and the Big 12 in receptions (134), receiving yards (1,962) and touchdowns (22) - all NCAA freshman records.
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| 3 |
Jason Smith |
(OT), Baylor |
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6-5 |
309 |
5.09 |
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 Jason Smith heading into rSr season: 2008: The Football Writers Association All-American first-team choice became Baylor's first offensive lineman since guard Frank Ditta in 1980 and the Bears' first All-American offensive tackle since Mike Hughes in 1975...Added second-team All-American accolades from The NFL Draft Report and third-team recognition by Rivals.com...Unanimous All-Big Twelve Conference first-team selection...Named the team's co-Most Valuable Player...The left offensive tackle led the conference with seventeen touchdown-resulting blocks...His 96 knockdown blocks were the most ever by a Baylor offensive lineman...Added a league-high (for a down lineman) thirteen down field blocks, but was penalized five times...Was charged with just two quarterback pressures and 3.5 sacks on 290 pass plays...Was the major reason the team ranked 21st in the nation and third in the Big Twelve in rushing, averaging 195.75 yards per game, a vast improvement over 2007, when the Bears ranked 113th nationally (77.83 yards per game)...The team's 29 touchdown runs are the most by a Baylor squad since 1994 and rank third on the team season-record list...Graded at least 90% for blocking consistency in four contests (Wake Forest, Northwestern State, Texas A&M and Texas Tech)...2007: Earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors as a junior offensive tackle from The Associated Press despite being slowed by a sprained knee injury for much of season ... Played and started in seven games at left tackle ...Was a key performer along a Bears' o-line which yielded just 21 sacks, the program's fewest since 1995 ... Sustained a right MCL strain in season-opener at No. 22 TCU which sidelined him for three games, then returned to start at Texas A&M and vs. Colorado...2006: 11 GP; 8 GS; Rec: 6-70-11.7-1; Moved from tight end to offensive tackle prior to spring practice and went on to start all 12 games of his sophomore season as the Bears' right tackle ... Played every offensive snap in 11 of his 12 starts.
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| 4 |
Eugene Monroe |
(OT), Virginia |
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6-5 |
309 |
5.18 |
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 Eugene Monroe heading into Sr season: 2008: Unanimous All-Atlantic Coast Conference and All-State first-team choice...Recipient of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, given annually since 1953 to the player voted the most outstanding blocker in the ACC by a poll of the league's head coaches and defensive coordinators. Monroe started all twelve games at left offensive tackle, as he was one of the few bright spots for a unit that not only struggled to score (ranked 115th in the nation with an average of 16.08 points per game), but also to gain yardage (106th in total offense with an average of 299.75 yards per game and 109th in rushing, averaging 96.58 yards per contest)...Registered a school season-record 105 knockdowns/key blocks, as he set another school and ACC season-record with sixteen touchdown-resulting blocks, posting a blocking consistency grade of 88.42%, the best of any senior offensive tackle in the collegiate ranks...What makes his sixteen touchdown-resulting blocks (also provided key pass protection blocks on five touchdown throws) even more impressive is the fact that all of the team's touchdown runs were because of those blocks and the Cavaliers would produce just 23 total touchdowns for the season (made touchdown-resulting blocks on 69.56% of the team's touchdowns and was involved with key blocks on 91.3% of those scores)...The offense generated 3,597 yards in total offense for the season, with 2,762 of those yards (76.79%) coming from over Monroe's side of the field...2007: Honorable mention All-ACC selection … underrated performer who was overpowering during the season … started 11 games at left tackle, missing the Pittsburgh and Middle Tennessee games with a knee injury... did not allow a sack during the regular season...2006: Played in all 12 games and started six times at left tackle where he shared time with Zak Stair ... earned his first letter.
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| 5 |
*Matthew Stafford |
(QB), Georgia |
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6-2 |
225 |
4.81 |
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 *Matthew Stafford heading into Jr season: 2008: Earned All-Southeastern Conference second-team honors from the league's coaches and Associated Press...Named one of 10 finalists for the Manning Award and one of 13 semifinalists for the Davey O'Brien Award ...Earned the team's Vince Dooley Most Valuable Player of the Year Award and received SEC Academic Honor Roll distinction for the fall semester...Started all 13 games, as the Capital One Bowl MVP completed 235-of-383 passes (both fourth on the school season-record list) for 3,459 yards (second-best season total by a Bulldog passer, compiling a .6136 pass completion percentage...Set the Bulldog season-record with 25 touchdown tosses, as he also had 10 interceptions... Averaged 9.03 yards per pass attempt, the third-best season total in Georgia history...His passing efficiency rating of 153.54 is the second-best annual mark in school annals...Ran for 40 yards and a score on 55 carries (0.7-yard average)...On 423 plays, he amassed a school season-record 3,499 yards in total offense (269.15 yards per game), along with being responsible for 26 touchdowns (third on the Georgia season-record list)...Stafford compiled a 27-7 record as Georgia's starting quarterback, as he threw for over 200 yards in 22 times, including three games over 300 yards and one with more than 400 yards...Ranks third in school history by completing 564-of-987 passes, topped by Eric Zeier (838-of-1,402; 1991-94) and David Greene (849-1,440; 2001-04)...His 7,731 yards passing also rank third in Georgia annals behind Zeier's 11,153 and Greene's 11,528...His pass efficiency rating of 134.52 is the fifth-highest career mark in school annals...His 51 touchdown passes again earned him a Georgia all-time ranking of third behind Zeier (67) and Greene (72), and his 1,113 offensive plays also placed him third in school history, topped by Zeier (1,560) and Greene (1,644)...Averaged 7.14 yards per offensive play, tying Mike Bobo (1994-97) for second on the school career-record list, surpassed by Charlie Trippi (7.52-yard average, 1942, 1945-46)...That average also placed him fifth in Southeastern Conference annals...Gained 7,944 yards in total offense, topped by Zeier (10,841) and Greene (11,270) on the Bulldogs' all-time record chart...Was responsible for 57 touchdowns (51 passing, six rushing) during his time at Georgia, ranking behind Greene (77), Zeier (71) and Frank Sinkwich (60, 1940-42)...His 33 interceptions placed fourth in school history behind Zeier (37), Larry Rakestraw (42, 1961-63) and the SEC record of 68 by Zeke Zeke Bratkowski (1951-53)...2007: 13 GP; 13 GS; Rush: 39-(-18)-(-0.5)-2; Pass: 348-194-55.7-2523-19-10. 2006: 13 GP; 8 GS; Rush: 47-191-4.1-3; Pass: 256-135-52.7-1749-7-13; SEC All-Freshman Team by the league's coaches; 6-2 as a starter including ending year with wins over #5 Auburn, #16 Ga. Tech and #14 Va. Tech; Two-time SEC Freshman of the Week for performance.
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| 6 |
*Mark Sanchez |
(QB), Southern Cal |
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6-2 |
227 |
4.93 |
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 *Mark Sanchez heading into rJr season: 2008: All-Pac 10 Conference first-team selection...Finalist for the Manning Award and semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Award, both given to the nation's top quarterback...Semifinalist for the Maxwell Award (nation's top player)...Suffered a left kneecap dislocation during preseason camp, but went on to start all thirteen contests...Led the conference and ranked sixth in the nation with a 164.64 passing efficiency rating...Also led the league and finished 13th in the nation in points responsible for (17.08 ppg)...His 3,207 yards passing also paced the Pac-10...Completed 241-of-366 passes (65.85%) for 3,207 yards, as his 34 touchdowns rank second in both school and league season annals...Threw 10 interceptions, but scored three times on the ground, as he was responsible for 37 touchdowns and a league-best 247.92-yard average in total offense (3,223 yards)...Produced 147 first downs among his 241 completions, as 50 of those throws were good for 20 yards or longer...In addition to his ten interceptions, Sanchez had 35 passes deflected, as he fumbled seven times, losing the ball three times...Threw for over 200 yards in nine games, including three games for over 300 yards and one for over 400...Helped the team rank 11th nationally and second in the Pac-10 with an average of 454.69 yards per game in total offense...The Trojans also led the conference in passing offense (259.85 yards per game, 22nd in the nation) and finished third in rushing (194.85 yards per game, 22nd nationally)...Helped convert 69-of-149 third-down plays (46.31%)...2007: 8 GP; 3 GS; Rush: 14-22-1.6-0; Pass: 114-69-60.5-695-7-5; Sanchez served as the backup quarterback as a sophomore in 2007, but he ended up starting 3 games (Arizona, Notre Dame and Oregon) for an injured John David Booty and performed well... 2006: 6 GP; 0 GS; Rush: 4-(-5)-(-1.2)-1; Pass: 7-3-42.9-63-0-1; Sanchez, who had an impressive showing in 2006 spring practice while John David Booty was sidelined with an injury, was USC's No. 2 quarterback as a redshirt freshman in 2006.
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| 7 |
Tyson Jackson |
(DE), LSU |
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6-4 |
296 |
4.94 |
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 Tyson Jackson heading into rSr season: 2008: Jackson earned All-Southeastern Conference second-team honors for the second time as a Tiger...The left defensive end recorded 36 tackles (17 solo) that included 4.5 sacks for minus-27 yards, 10.5 stops for losses of 37 yards and seven quarterback pressures, as the front wall allowed only 110.15 yards per game rushing, ranking 17th in the nation in that category...Recovered a fumble that he advanced 18 yards and deflected four passes...On 33 plays vs. the run, the opposition gained only 57 yards (1.73 yards per carry) with three touchdowns over Jackson's area...Made 13 stops on third-down plays, including eight vs. the running game, adding five more hits on fourth down...The opposition completed 8-of-20 passes into his area for 58 yards (2.9 yards per pass attempt)...2007: 14 GP; 14 GS; 15 Sol-36 TT, 5 TFL, 3.5 SK, 10 PBU, 10 QBH, 1 FF; Teamed with Glenn Dorsey to give LSU one of the most intimidating defensive fronts in college football during the 2007 season ... Started all 14 games at left defensive end for the Tigers ... Credited with 36 total tackles, including 4.5 tackles for losses and 3.5 sacks ... Led team with 15 quarterback hurries ... Second on team with 10 pass breakups ... Capped season with a sack for a 9-yard loss and a forced fumble in LSU's win over Ohio State in the BCS National Championship Game. 2006: 13 GP; 12 GS; 13 Sol-37 TT, 10 TFL, 8.5 SK, 1 INT, 4 PBU, 6 QBH, 1 FR, 1 FF; One of the SEC's most dominating defensive linemen, he was named a Second-Team All- SEC selection by the league's coaches … A key member of the Tigers' defensive front he has started all 13 games at left end … Led the team in sacks (8.5) and tackles for loss (10) … His 8.5 sacks ranked as the fifth most in the SEC in 2006 … Also credited with 37 tackles, a team-high six quarterback hurries, four broken up passes, an interception and one forced fumble. 2005: 13 GP; 0 GS; 8 Sol-13 TT, 3 TFL, 2 SK, 5 QBH; Earned a spot on the Freshman All-SEC team as voted on by the league's coaches and The Sporting News after recording 13 tackles and 2 sacks in 12 games ... Reliable backup on the defensive line. 2004: Redshirted as a true freshman for the Tigers in 2004.
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| 8 |
*Jeremy Maclin |
(WR), Missouri |
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6-0 |
198 |
4.45 |
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 *Jeremy Maclin heading into rSo season: 2008: Unanimous All-Big 12 Conference first-team pick...Finalist for the Biletnikoff Award and semi-finalist for the -Maxwell Award...Started all fourteen games at the H-receiver (inside slot) position, but also lined up at the traditional flanker and split end spots, in addition to carrying the ball out of the backfield...Led the nation with a school single-season record 2,833 all-purpose yards (202.36 ypg)...Set the school single-season record with 102 receptions, good for 1,260 yards (12.4 avg) and 13 touchdowns...Ranked second on the squad with 293 yards and a pair of scores on 40 carries (7.3 avg)...Ranked third in the Big 12 with 23 punt returns for 270 yards (11.7 avg) and a touchdown...Added 1,010 yards and a score on 42 kickoff returns (24.0 avg)...Also recorded two tackles - one each vs. Oklahoma and Buffalo... Caught 102-of-129 passes targeted to him (79.07%), as 14-of-27 passes he did not get to were deflected by the opposition...Proved to be one of the best clutch receivers in the game, as he converted 22-of-30 third-down passes (73.33%) and 1-of-2 fourth-down throws as he produced 55 first downs via receptions...37 of his catches were good for gains of at least ten yards, including 16 for 20 yards or longer...Had key catches that set up 21 Tiger touchdown drives...Turned the ball over twice on three fumbles...2007: Tallied 2,776 all-purpose yards, which was an NCAA Division I-A single-season freshman record, and was the fifth-most ever by any player in a season in Division I-A history ...Was the only player in the nation to record touchdowns via receiving (9), rushing (4), punt return (2) and kickoff return (1)...2006: Came to Columbia during the summer to get a jump on his acclimation period, and by all accounts was on his way to likely earning playing time as a true freshman, before a knee injury suffered in 7-on-7 passing drills in July sidelined him for the year...Maclin has amassed 182 receptions for 2,315 yards and 22 touchdowns in the air, 668 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground, and another 2,626 combined yards on punt and kickoff returns in two seasons at Missouri.
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| 9 |
Brian Orakpo |
(DE), Texas |
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6-3 |
263 |
4.63 |
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 Brian Orakpo heading into rSr season: 2008: Earned All-American first-team honors from the American Football Coaches Association, Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, The Sporting News and Walter Camp Football Foundation...Recipient of the Nagurski Trophy (nation's top defensive player), Lombardi Award (nation's top lineman) and Hendricks Award (nation's top defensive end)...Finalist for the Lott Trophy (defensive IMPACT player of the year) and named Big Twelve Conference Defensive Player of the Year...Unanimous first-team All-Big Twelve selection...Appeared in twelve games, starting eleven contests at the "quick" defensive end position...Missed the second half of the Texas Tech game and the Baylor contest due to a knee injury and was also was limited at Kansas as a result of that injury... Still managed to record 40 tackles (32 solos), as he ranked second in the league and sixth in the nation with 11.5 sacks for minus-100 yards, the tenth-best season sack total by a Longhorn...Ranked second in the Big Twelve and 14th nationally with 17.5 stops for losses totaling 112 yards...Registered 15 QB pressures and caused four fumbles...Also deflected two passes...Had a very impressive performance in the trenches...On 38 running plays that he made tackles on, the opposition netted just one yard, a miniscule 0.026 yards per carry...Had a hand on 20 pass plays, resulting in his opponents gaining just 56 yards on four receptions, an average of only 2.8 yards per pass attempt...Made fourteen of his stops on third-down snaps and three more on fourth-down...Nine of his tackles came inside the red zone, including three on goal-line snaps...2007: 9 GP; 8 GS; 27 Sol-37 TT, 9 TFL, 5.5 SK, 2 PBU, 12 QBH, 1 FF; Appeared in nine games, starting eight, missing four due to a right knee injury suffered against Arkansas State ... earned Defensive MVP honors in the Holiday Bowl ... earned one of UT's Frank Medina Rehabilitation Awards and was named one of the Longhorns' Outstanding Defensive Ends ... helped UT allow just 93.4 rushing yards per game (sixth NCAA) ... tallied 37 tackles, nine TFL, 5.5 sacks, 12 pressures, two PBD and a forced fumble. 2006: 13 GP; 1 GS; 18 Sol-26 TT, 6 TFL, 4.5 SK, 2 PBU, 11 QBH; Played in all 13 games, recording 26 tackles, six TFL, 4.5 sacks and two PBD ... named one of the Lowe's Most Improved Defensive Players.
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| 10 |
B.J. Raji |
(DT), Boston College |
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6-2 |
337 |
5.12 |
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 B.J. Raji heading into rSr season: 2008: All-American first-team selection by The NFL Draft Report, earning second-team honors from Rivals.com, third-team accolades from the Associated Press and Scout.com and was an honorable mention by Pro Football Weekly and Sports Illustrated...First-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference pick...The recipient of The Mary M. and William H. Sullivan, Jr. '37 Scholarship started all thirteen games at right defensive tackle, recording a career-high 42 tackles (22 solos)...Led the team with eight sacks for minus 48 yards, 16.0 stops for losses of 79 yards and three quarterback pressures...Finished third on the squad with five pass deflections...Had at least one tackle behind the line of scrimmage in ten contests... Helped the team lead the ACC and rank seventh in the nation by holding the opposition to an average of 91.21 rushing yards per game, as the Eagles also led the conference and placed fifth nationally with an average of 268.14 yards per game in total offense allowed...2007: Redshirted due to academic reasons. 2006: 12 GP; 12 GS; 16 Sol-23 TT, 8.5 TFL, 3 SK, 3 PBU, 1 QBH, 1 FF; Received All-ACC second-team honors...Started 12 games at defensive tackle...had 23 tackles, including 16 solo stops...made 8.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, forced one fumble and had three pass breakups...earned All-ACC second-team honors... 2005: 12 GP; 12 GS; 15 Sol-27 TT, 6.5 TFL, 1.5 SK, 1 PBU; Started all 12 contests at right defensive tackle...registered 27 tackles (20 solos), 1.5 sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss and one pass breakup... 2004: 8 GP; 0 GS; 6 Sol-13 TT, 1.5 TFL; Worked his way into the rotation at defensive tackle as a true freshman...registered 13 tackles (6 solos) and 1.5 tackles for loss...was listed at number two on the depth chart (behind Tim Bulman) at left tackle...saw his first collegiate action in home opener against Penn State.
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| 11 |
*Andre Smith  |
(OT), Alabama |
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6-4 |
332 |
5.28 |
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 *Andre Smith heading into Jr season: 2008: Consensus All-American first-team selection and recipient of the Outland Trophy, given annually to the nation's best down lineman...All-Southeastern Conference first-team pick and shared the league's Jacobs Blocking Trophy with Arkansas center Jonathan Luigs...Chosen SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week at Arkansas and was selected his team's Offensive Player of the Year...Also captured the offensive line's Up-Front Award for his outstanding blocking...Started 12 games at left offensive tackle and was chosen for the team's Paul Crane Offensive Lineman Award...Sat out the Tulane contest with a right knee sprain; left the season opener vs. Clemson in the third quarter with a left knee sprain and was sidelined for several series vs. Kentucky with an elbow strain...Did not play in the Sugar Bowl vs. Utah after he was declared ineligible due to a team rules violation...Saw action in 710 of the team's 902 offensive plays, but still led the squad with 103 key blocks/ knockdowns and added seven blocks downfield...His 18 touchdown-resulting blocks led the SEC's down linemen...Was penalized twice, as he allowed just one QB sack and six pressures on 334 pass plays...Helped the team rank 30th in the nation and third in the conference in rushing, averaging 184.64 yards per game...That unit also averaged 171.14 yards passing, 30.14 points and 355.79 yards in total offense per game...2007: Was a co-winner of the SEC's Jacobs Blocking Trophy along with Arkansas' Jonathan Luigs ... 2007 Coaches First-Team All-SEC selection ... Started every game at the left tackle position, one of two players to start every game on the offensive line (Mike Jo...2006: A 13-game starter, Smith led all Alabama players with 831 snaps. He was one of five players with 800 snaps. He played at least 65 snaps in 10 of the 13 games and played more than 70 plays five times. Smith led all offensive linemen with 62 knockdown block. He is the cousin of Dominic Lee, a defensive lineman for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
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| 12 |
Malcolm Jenkins |
(CB), Ohio State |
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6-0 |
204 |
4.51 |
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 Malcolm Jenkins heading into Sr season: 2008: Consensus All-American first-team and unanimous All-Big Ten Conference first-team choice...Winner of the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation's premier defensive back...Quarterfinalist for the Ronnie Lott Trophy and semi-finalist for the Bednarik Award...Was named team captain...Shifted back to field cornerback, starting all thirteen games to lead a secondary that ranked 13th in the nation in pass efficiency defense (105.23 rating), as he collected a career-high 57 tackles (34 solos) with an 8-yard sack and four stops for losses of 23 yards...Caused three fumbles, deflected nine passes and intercepted three others for 7 yards in returns...Also blocked a pair of punts that he advanced for a total of 28 yards...Held the opposition to 230 yards and no touchdowns on 30 catches of 60 passes targeted into his area (7.67 yards per completion/3.83 yards per pass attempt)...Registered 22 third-down stops, including 18 vs. the pass...Did not allow his main pass coverage assignment to catch any passes in seven contests, as those receivers managed just seven receptions for 66 yards (9.43 yards per completion)...2007: 13 GP; 13 GS; PR: 1-21-21-0; 27 Sol-47 TT, 5 TFL, 4 INT, 3 PBU; First Team All-America (Pro Football Weekly) … Second team All-America (Walter Camp, AP, Rivals) … first team all-Big Ten (media, coaches, Rivals) .. Thorpe Award semifinalist … 47 tackles for season … 26 career starts. 2006: 13 GP; 13 GS; PR: 2-7-3.5-0; 40 Sol-55 TT, 4.5 TFL, 4 INT, 3 PBU, 1 QBH, 1 FF; Consensus first-team All-Big Ten ... started all 13 games at field corner ... tied for fourth on the team in tackles with 55 ... 40 of his tackles were solo, second-most on the team ... picked off four passes and totaled a team-high 99 return yards ... added three passes broken up and a forced fumble. 2005: 10 GP; 3 GS; KR: 1-34-34-0; 23 Sol-37 TT, 2 PBU; Earned his first letter as a true freshman … worked his way into the rotation at nickel back.
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| 13 |
Michael Oher |
(OT), Mississippi |
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6-5 |
309 |
5.34 |
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 Michael Oher heading into Sr season: 2008: Consensus All-American first-team and unanimous All-Southeastern Conference first-team choice...The team captain was the recipient of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, given to the SEC's top blocker...One of three finalists for both the Outland Trophy, given to the nation's premier blocker and the Conerly Trophy, given to the state of Mississippi's top collegiate player...Semifinalist for the Rotary Lombardi Award...Named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week vs. Louisiana-Monroe...The team captain started all 13 games at left offensive tackle, recording 99 knockdowns/key blocks for the second-straight season...Posted a league-high 17 touchdown-resulting blocks and delivered eight blocks downfield...Allowed just 2.5 quarterback sacks and one pressure on 340 pass plays...Behind Oher's blocking, the Rebels ranked 28th in the nation and second in the league in rushing (186.46 yards per game), 29th nationally and third in the SEC in total offense (407.62 ypg) and 28th in the major college ranks and second in the conference in scoring (32.08 ppg)...After allowing 28 quarterback sacks in 2007, the front wall was charged with just 18 sacks in 2008...2007: Named Fourth Team All-America by Phil Steele … Consensus First Team All-SEC selection … Named Mid-Season All-America first team by The Sporting News and a fourth team by Phil Steele, who also listed him on his All-SEC first team … Started all 12 games at left tackle… Helped pave the way for Green-Ellis' 1,137 rushing yards, which ranks second on the school's single-season chart. 2006: Earned second team All-SEC honors from the league's coaches ... Has started 22 consecutive games over the last two seasons ... Started all 12 games at LT ... As a blocker helped BenJarvus Green-Ellis become the third 1,000-yard runner in Ole Miss history and record four 100-yard rushing games. 2005: Earned First Team Freshman All-America honors from Rivals.com and The Sporting News and Third Team distinction from CollegeFootballNews.com ... Named First Team Freshman All-SEC by the SEC Coaches and The Sporting News.
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| 14 |
*Chris Wells |
(RB), Ohio State |
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6-1 |
235 |
4.52 |
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 *Chris Wells heading into Jr season: 2008: Academic All-Big Ten Conference first-team and All-Big Ten second-team selection, as he started eight of ten games that he played in, missing the Ohio University, Southern California and Troy contests...Still managed to lead the team and rank third in the conference with 207 carries for 1,197 yards (5.8 avg) and eight touchdowns...Scored 48 points and caught eight passes for 47 yards (5.9 avg)...Generated 1,244 all-purpose yards, ranking seventh in the league with an average of 124.4 yards per game...Turned the ball over three times on fumbles, including one each in the Youngstown State, Minnesota and Illinois contests...Rushed for over 100 yards in eight contests...Wells started 21 of 36 games as a Buckeye, carrying 585 times for 3,382 yards (5.78 avg) and 30 touchdowns, adding 84 yards on 15 receptions (5.6 avg). He recorded two solo tackles, registered 180 points and generated 3,466 all-purpose yards, an average of 96.28 yards per game...His 3,382 yards rank fourth in school history behind Archie Griffin (5,589; 1972-75), Eddie George (3,768; 1992-95) and Tim Spencer (3,553; 1979-82)...His average of 93.94 yards per game rushing rank third in school annals, topped by Griffin (121.15 ypg) and Jim Otis (94.15 ypg, 1967-69)...Rushed for more than 100 yards 17 times during his career, tying Keith Byars (1982-85) for third on the OSU all-time record list behind Griffin (34) and George (20)...Set the school sophomore rushing record, as his 1,609 yards on the ground in 2007 rank fourth on the Buckeyes single-season record list, surpassed by George (1,927 in 1995), Byars (1,764 in 1984) and Griffin (1,695 in 1974)...2007: 13 GP; 13 GS; Rush: 274-1609-5.9-15; Rec: 5-21-4.2-0; 2 Sol-2 TT; Voted team Most Valuable Player … second team All-America (Rivals) … first team all-Big Ten (media, coaches, Rivals) … 1,609 yards for season with 15 touchdowns … ranks fourth among all-tim...2006: 13 GP; 0 GS; Rush: 104-576-5.5-7; Rec: 2-16-8-0; Played in all 13 games as a true freshman and finished second on the team with 576 yards on 104 carries ... was named the team's outstanding first-year award on offense ... averaged 5.6 yards per rush. Goes by "Beanie," a nickname given to him by his family at a young age.
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| 15 |
*Knowshon Moreno |
(RB), Georgia |
.
|
5-11 |
217 |
4.50 |
|
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 *Knowshon Moreno heading into rSo season: 2008: Finalist for the Doak Walker Award (nation's top running back) and semi-finalist for the Maxwell Award (top player in the country)...Earned team Most Valuable Offensive Player Award honors...Only the second player in school history to rush for over 1,000-yards in back-to-back seasons, joining Herschel Walker (1980-82)...Despite suffering leg cramps in the season opener vs. Georgia Southern and a deep elbow bruise vs. Alabama, Moreno started all thirteen games, leading the team with 250 carries for 1,400 yards (5.6 avg) and sixteen touch-downs...His 250 rushing attempts rank sixth on the school single-season record list, as his 1,400 yards rank fifth and his sixteen scores rank tied for fourth on the Georgia single-season record charts...Led the conference with an average of 107.69 yards per game rushing...Caught 33 passes for 392 yards (11.9 avg) and a pair of touchdowns, adding 30 yards on two punt returns...Ranked second in the league with an average of 140.15 all-purpose yards per game...Produced 65 first down runs on 250 attempts (26.0%), as he converted 9 of 24 third-down rushing attempts (37.5%)...Had 51 carries for at least 10 yards, including 15 for 20 yards or longer...Had 44 positive runs inside the red zone, including 22 on goal-line plays...Tackled for a loss 22 times and stopped for no gain on 35 other carries...Had key rushes that set up 22 touchdown drives and five series that ended with field goals...18 of his 33 receptions (54.55%) produced first downs, including converting 8 of 11 third-down passes...Had seven receptions for 20 yards or longer, setting up nine touchdown drives with his catches...Pulled down 33 of 39 passes thrown to him (84.62%)...2007: Appeared in 13 games making six starts with 248 carries for 1,334 yards (5.3 average) and 14 TDs while also making 20 receptions for 253 yards (12.6 average)...Ended the season with the second-most yards per game (102.6) in the SEC and out of the nation’s Division I freshmen...Finished No. 2 on the school’s all-time list and No. 4 on the SEC’s alltime list for most yards rushing by a freshman (1,334 yards)...All-SEC First-Team selection by Associated Press, SEC Coaches and Rivals.com; named SEC All-Freshman and SEC Freshman Offensive Player of the Year by Sporting News...Became the first Bulldog since Herschel Walker in 1982 to rush for 100 or more yards in five-consecutive games...2006: Redshirted.
|
| 16 |
Brian Cushing |
(OLB), Southern Cal |
.
|
6-3 |
243 |
4.64 |
|
|
|
|
|
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 Brian Cushing heading into Sr season: 2008: Consensus All-Pac 10 Conference first-team choice...Finalist for the Butkus Award, semi-finalist for the Lombardi Award and quarter-finalist for the Lott Trophy...Named the team's Co-Lifter of the Year...Limited in spring drills after undergoing arthroscopic ankle surgery...Suffered a broken bone in his hand vs. Oregon State and was forced to play wearing a cast for about one month...Also suffered a shoulder contusion vs. Arizona State, but still managed to start all thirteen games on the Trojans' schedule...Ranked second on the team with 73 tackles (46 solos)... Added three sacks for minus 22 yards and led the squad with 10.5 stops for losses totaling 50 yards...Also had a QB pressure, along with a forced fumble...Deflected six passes and recorded his first career interception...On 54 running plays he was involved in, Cushing held the opposition to 119 yards, no touchdowns and eight first downs (2.2 ypc), as he made six third-down stops, two more on fourth-down plays and took down ball carriers for no gain on four other runs...On 30 pass plays into his area, the opposition completed 19 passes (63.33%) for 132 yards (6.95 yards per completion/4.40 yards per pass attempt) and one touchdown, allowing four first-down receptions...Made six of his tackles inside the red zone, including four on goal line plays...Added one more tackle for the kickoff coverage unit...2007: 10 GP; 8 GS; 14 Sol-25 TT, 2.5 TFL, 1 SK, 2 PBU, 1 FR; Cushing, who did a standout job starting at defensive end in 2006, moved back to his natural strongside linebacker spot as a junior in 2007 and didn't miss a beat. Overall while appearing in 10 games (all but Washington, Stanford and Arizona) and starting 8 times (Idaho and USC's last 7 games), he had 25 tackles, including 2.5 for losses of 4 yards (with a 2-yard sack), plus a fumble recovery and 2 deflections. He sprained his left ankle in the Idaho opener, then played briefly but didn't start the next 2 games (Nebraska and Washington State) before re-spraining it against Washington State and being sidelined for the next 3 contests. 2006: 13 GP; 13 GS; 27 Sol-57 TT, 13.5 TFL, 4.5 SK, 1 PBU, 1 QBH, 1 FF, 1 BLK; Cushing, who started 4 times in 2005 at strongside linebacker, started all of his 2006 sophomore season as a stand-up defensive end in USC's hybrid 3-4 "Elephant" defense. Overall in 2006 while appearing in all 13 games, he had 57 tackles, including a team-best 13.5 for losses of 52 yards.
|
| 17 |
*Josh Freeman |
(QB), Kansas State |
.
|
6-6 |
248 |
4.90 |
|
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 *Josh Freeman heading into Jr season: 2008: Freeman started all 12 games, ranking 17th in the nation in total offense (279.08 yards per game) and 11th in points responsible for (17.17 points per game)...Completed 224-of-382 passes (58.64%) for 2,945 yards (27th nationally in yards gained passing), eight interceptions and 20 touchdowns (tied for fourth on the school single-season touchdown record chart)...Ran for 14 scores, finishing second on the team with 404 yards on 107 carries (3.8-yard average)...Saw action in 489 offensive plays that totaled 3,349 yards...Guided a unit that ranked 19 in the nation in both scoring (34.92 points per game) and passing yardage (269.58 yards per game)...Was sacked 15 times for losses of 127 yards and turned the ball over five times on nine fumbles...Had 56-of-382 pass attempts deflected by the opposition (14.66%)...Freeman started 32-of-35 games he appeared in...His 8,078 yards passing shattered the previous school record of 6,208 yards by Lynn Dickey (1968-70)...His 680 pass completions also broke Dickey's old KSU all-time mark of 501, and his 1,151 pass attempts Surpassed Dickey's previous record of 994 attempts...Freeman's passing efficiency rating of 124.74 placed him seventh in school history...Lynn Dickey's 6,208 yards passing was topped by Freeman's 8,078 yards on the Wildcats' all-time record list...Threw for 44 touchdowns, breaking the previous KSU career record of 37 by Ell Roberson (2000-03)...Ran for 20 more touchdowns, which ranks tied with Cornelius Davis (1966-68) for ninth on the school's overall record chart and fourth among their quarterbacks, topped by Roberson (40), Jonathan Beasley (26; 1996-97, 99-2000) and Michael Bishop (23; 1997-98)...His pass completion percentage of .5908 broke the old school career-record of 56.0% by Chad May (min. 400 attempts; 1993-94)...2007: 12 GP; 12 GS; Rush: 53-(-40)-(-0.8)-4; Pass: 499-316-63.3-3353-18-11; 2 Sol-2 TT; Earned honorable mention All-Big 12 accolades from the league's coaches... Strong-armed quarterback who started all 12 games at quarterback...2006: 11 GP; 8 GS; Rush: 54-(-21)-(-0.4)-2; Pass: 270-140-51.9-1780-6-15; Appeared in 11-of-13 games, including starts in the final eight contests of the season... Father, Ron, played professionally in the USFL and serves as Grandview High's defensive coordinator.
|
| 18 |
*Darrius Heyward-Bey |
(WR), Maryland |
.
|
6-2 |
210 |
4.25 |
|
|
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 *Darrius Heyward-Bey heading into rJr season: 2008: All-Atlantic Coast Conference honorable mention...Super Sleeper Team choice by The NFL Draft Report...Started twelve games at the "Z" receiver position, leading the team for the third consecutive year with 42 receptions for 609 yards (14.5 avg) and five touchdowns... Had seven of the 72 passes targeted to him deflected by the opposition, as he converted 8-of-15 third-down throws and registered 26 first downs receiving, including 20 receptions for at least 10 yards each (with ten for 20 yards or longer)...Fumbled for the only time during his career in his final game as a Terp, vs. Nevada in the Humanitarian Bowl...Had key catches that set up eight touchdown drives and one series that ended with a field goal...Finished fourth on the team with 202 yards and a touchdown on only fifteen carries, as his average of 13.5 yards per rushing attempt was tops in the ACC...Also recorded a solo tackle vs. Middle Tennessee State...Ranked ninth in the league in receiving yardage (50.75 ypg) and tenth in receptions (3.5 pg)....Also placed 20th in the conference with an average of 67.58 all-purpose yards per game...Heyward-Bey's 138 receptions rank third in school history behind Jermaine Lewis (193, 1992-95) and Geroy Simon (185, 1993-96)...His 2,089 yards receiving marked just the third time a Terrapin gained more than 2,000 yards in a career, joining Lewis (2,932 yards) and Simon (2,059)...Hauled in 13 of those passes for touchdowns, tying Guilian Gary (1998-2001) for third on the school all-time record list, topped by Lewis (21) and Greg Hill (18, 1982-84)...2007: 13 GP; 13 GS; Rush: 5-107-21.4-1; Rec: 51-786-15.4-3; 1 Sol-1 TT; An honorable mention All-America choice at wide receiver by Pro Football Weekly ... led the team in receptions (51) and receiving yards (786) ... ranked ninth in the ACC in receiving yards ...2006: 13 GP; 10 GS; Rush: 5-5-1-0; Rec: 45-694-15.4-5; Emerged as one of the top young players in the ACC, earning a number of postseason honors, including first-team freshman All-America by The Sporting News and Rivals.com ... 2005: Redshirt season.
|
| 19 |
*Everette Brown |
(DE), Florida State |
.
|
6-2 |
256 |
4.65 |
|
|
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|
|
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 *Everette Brown heading into rJr season: 2008: All-American second-team selection by The NFL Draft Report, Rivals.com, Associated Press and the Walter Camp Foundation...Unanimous All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team choice and was a runner-up for both the ACC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards...Finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award, given to the nation's premier defensive end...Named Walter Camp National Player of the Week vs. Maryland and ACC Defensive Player of the Week vs. Virginia Tech...Started all thirteen games at right defensive end, where he gave up considerable bulk to some of the best left offensive tackles in the collegiate ranks, but still had great success in disrupting the opposition's offensive game plan...Recorded 36 tackles (career-high 30 solos), as he caused a team-high four fumbles and recovered another that he advanced 5 yards...Also deflected two passes and was credited with three quarterback pressures...Had four games where he recorded multiple sacks and posted at least one tackle behind the line of scrimmage in eleven contests (including six multiple-stop performances)...2007: 13 GP; 9 GS; 25 Sol-36 TT, 11.5 TFL, 6.5 SK, 3 PBU, 1 FF; Florida State's starter at the left defensive end position where he earned a career-high eight starting assignments for the season...has played in 26 consecutive games in his first two seasons...2006: 13 GP; 3 GS; 16 Sol-27 TT, 13.5 TFL, 3 SK, 3 QBH, 1 BLK; Freshman All-America and All-ACC Freshman team honoree by The Sporting News...played in all 13 games while starting three games (Rice, NC State, Duke) when Darrell Burston was moved to the left end...2005: A redshirt season.
|
| 20 |
Rey Maualuga |
(ILB), Southern Cal |
.
|
6-2 |
249 |
4.78 |
|
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 Rey Maualuga heading into Sr season: 2008: Recipient of the Bednarik Award, given to the nation's top defensive player...Finalist for the Lombardi Award, Bronko Nagurski Award and the Butkus Award...Team Most Valuable Player and named the Pac-10's Defensive Player of the Year...Started 12 games at middle linebacker, missing the Oregon contest due to a knee sprain suffered vs. Oregon State...Still managed to lead the team and match his career-high with 79 tackles (51 solos) that included 2.5 stops for losses of 11 yards...Intercepted two passes for 48 yards in returns with a touchdown...Credited with one quarterback pressure and deflected four passes... On 62 running plays in his area, the opposition gained 311 yards (5.02 ypc) with five touchdowns and 16 first downs, as Maualuga made four third-down stops and prevented ball carriers from gaining yardage on four of those attempts...The opposition completed 18 of 24 passes in front of the linebacker, producing 13 first downs and 234 yards (13.0 yards per completion/9.75 yards per attempt)...Part of a unit that allowed just 87.38 yards per game on the ground (fifth in the NCAA), ranking second in the country in total defense (221.77 ypg) while leading the major colleges in scoring defense (9.0 ppg)...2007: 13 GP; 12 GS; 41 Sol-79 TT, 10.5 TFL, 6 SK, 1 INT, 3 PBU, 1 FR, 1 FF; Maualuga returned for his second season as USC's starting middle linebacker as a junior in 2007 and led the team in tackles. Overall in 2007 while appearing in all 13 games (starting all but the Notre Dame game, in which he was limited because of a hip pointer), he had 79 tackles, including 10.5 for losses of 40 yards (with 6 sacks for minus 32 yards), plus 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception (returned for 19 yards) and 3 deflections. 2006: 13 GP; 10 GS; 45 Sol-78 TT, 5 TFL, 2 SK, 1 INT, 3 PBU, 1 QBH, 1 FF; Maualuga started most of 2006 at middle linebacker as a sophomore and proved to be an impact player. Overall in 2006 while appearing in all 13 games (he started all but Arkansas, Oregon State and Notre Dame), he had a 78 tackles, including 5 for losses of 17 yards (with 2 sacks for minus 8 yards), an interception, 3 deflections and a forced fumble. 2005: 12 GP; 0 GS; 26 Sol-37 TT, 4.5 TFL, 1 SK, 1 INT, 2 PBU, 2 FF; Arrested in November 2005 for allegedly punching a man at an off-campus party.
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| 21 |
Peria Jerry |
(DT), Mississippi |
.
|
6-2 |
299 |
4.98 |
|
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 Peria Jerry heading into Sr season: 2008: All-American first-team selection by The NFL Draft Report, ESPN and the Associated Press, adding second-team honors from College Football News and Rivals.com...First-team All-Southeastern Conference choice...Rated the best senior defensive tackle in the nation by Pro Football Weekly...Made the Nagurski Trophy and Outland Trophy Watch Lists...Received the Jeff Hamm Memorial Award, given to the team's Most Improved Defensive Player...Started the team's last eleven games at left defensive tackle, missing the season opener vs. Memphis after undergoing August surgery to repair a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee...Recorded 49 tackles (25 solos) and ranked second on the team with a career-high seven sacks for minus 54 yards, adding three quarterback pressures...Led the league and ranked second among the nation's defensive tackles (11th overall) with 18.0 stops for losses of 80 yards...His dominance in the trenches saw Ole Miss finish fourth in the nation in rush defense, allowing only 85.54 yards per game, compared to 199.08 yards the previous season...Caused two fumbles and recovered another that he advanced 13 yards for a touchdown...Also deflected a pass...Registered at least two tackles behind the line of scrimmage in seven contests...2007: 12 GP; 12 GS; 40 Sol-58 TT, 14 TFL, 3.5 SK, 1 INT, 1 PBU, 4 QBH, 1 FR; Named Second Team All-SEC by the Associated Press and Rivals.com and Third Team by Phil Steele … Started all 12 games at defensive tackle … Ranked sixth in the SEC in TFLs with 14.0 … Finished second on the team in TFLs , sacks (3.5) and hurries (4) and eighth in total tackles (58) … 2006: 8 GP; 6 GS; 13 Sol-22 TT, 1 TFL, 1 SK, 1 QBH; Battled through foot injuries to appear in eight games, making six starts along the defensive line … Made starts at end, tackle and nose tackle … Totaled 22 tackles on the season with 1.0 TFL and 1.0 sack... 2005: 6 GP; 0 GS; 1 Sol-3 TT; After missing the first four games of his true freshman season with injury, appeared in six of the final seven games … Finished the season with three total tackles...His brother, John, is a offensive lineman at Ole Miss Majoring in Criminal Justice ... Cousins Eddie Strong and Toward Sanford both played at Ole Miss ... Another cousin, Jamarca Sanford, currently starts in the Rebel secondary ... Strong and cousin Dwayne Rudd both played in the NFL.
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| 22 |
Clay Matthews |
(OLB), Southern Cal |
.
|
6-3 |
240 |
4.62 |
|
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 Clay Matthews heading into rSr season: 2008: Academic All-Pac 10 first-team and named the squad's Co-Lifter of the Year and Co-Special Teams Player of the Year, the third consecutive season he captured that latter award...Underwent hand surgery prior to spring practice, but was fully recovered by the season opener...Played behind Everson Griffen at right defensive tackle for the season's first three games before taking over and starting the final ten contests...Ranked fourth on the team with 56 tackles (28 solos), as he helped the Trojans lead the nation in scoring defense (9.0 ppg) and passing efficiency defense (85.75 rating)...Tied for second on the team with 4.5 sacks for minus 42 yards and ranked third on the team with nine stops for losses of 59 yards, as the Trojans finished fifth nationally in rush defense (87.38 ypg) and second in total defense (221.77 ypg)...Had a pair of pass deflections and blocked his third field goal for his career (vs. Oregon State)...Also caused and recovered a pair of fumbles...2007: 13 GP; 2 GS; 15 Sol-17 TT, 3 TFL, 1 PBU, 1 QBH, 2 FF, 2 BLK; Matthews was a key backup linebacker and special teams player as a junior in 2007. Overall in 2007 while appearing in all 13 games, he had 17 tackles, including 3 for losses of 23 yards, plus 2 forced fumbles, 1 deflection and 2 blocked field goals. He won USC's Co-Special Teams Player of the Year Award. Suffered broken left thumb against Nebraska, then fractured a metacarpal later in season, then had to have surgery after the bowl game as it did not heal properly...2006: 13 GP; 0 GS; 9 Sol-15 TT, 1.5 TFL, 1 SK; A one-time walk-on, Matthews earned a scholarship in the fall of 2006 and served as a reserve linebacker and key special teams player as a sophomore in 2006. Overall in 2006 while appearing in all 13 games, he had 15 tackles, including 1.5 for losses of 9 yards (with a 7-yard sack). Comes from a football family. His father, Clay, was a 4-year (1974-77) letterman linebacker at USC who played on Troy's 1974 national championship team and earned All-American honors in 1977 (he went on to play with the NFL's Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons from 1978 to 1996). His brother, Kyle, lettered at safety on USC's 2003 national championship team. His uncle, Bruce, was a 3-year (1980-82) letterman offensive guard at USC who earned All-American honors in 1982 and then played with the NFL's Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans from 1983 to 2001. His grandfather, Clay Sr., was on the football, wrestling and swimming teams at Georgia Tech in the 1940s and then played in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers in the 1950s.
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| 23 |
Brandon Pettigrew |
(TE), Oklahoma State |
.
|
6-6 |
263 |
4.80 |
|
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 Brandon Pettigrew heading into rSr season: 2008: Finalist for the John Mackey Award, given to the nation's top tight end...Started ten games at tight end, missing the Troy, Texas A&M and Missouri contests with a high ankle sprain...Had just eleven receptions through the team's first seven games, but finished with a career-high 42 catches for 472 yards (11.2 avg), despite not finding the end zone...23 of his receptions produced first downs (54.76 percent), as he converted 4 of 9 third-down (44.44 percent) and 1 of 2 fourth-down plays...Three of his catches were for 20 yards or longer, as he also had key receptions to set up five scoring drives... Eleven of his catches came inside the red zone, including eight on goal-line plays...Made 43 knockdowns, including eight touchdown-resulting blocks...Pettigrew started 45 of 47 games at Oklahoma State, recording 216 knockdowns with 30 touchdown-resulting blocks...Recorded 10 tackles (7 solos) with a fumble recovery... Scored 54 points on nine touchdown receptions...Became the first tight end in school history to catch more than 100 passes in a career, as his 112 receptions rank seventh overall in school history behind Rashaun Woods (293, 2000-03), Hart Lee Dykes (203. 1985-88), D'Juan Woods (163, 2002-2006), Adarius Bowman (127, 2006-2007), Neill Armstrong (115, 1943-46) and Hermann Eben (114, 1968-70)...Those 112 catches topped the previous school tight end record of 92 grabs by Alonzo Mayes (1994-97)...Placed eighth in OSU annals with 1,450 yards receiving, ranking behind Rashaun Woods (4.414), Dykes (3,171), D'Juan Woods (2,751), Bowman (2,187), Eben (1973), Curtis Mayfield (1,507; 1987-90) and Dick Graham (1,458; 1969-71)...His 1,450 yards surpassed the old school tight end record of 1,372 yards by Alonzo Mayes...2007: 13 GP; 13 GS; Rec: 35-540-15.4-4; 1 Sol-1 TT; Finished third on the squad with 35 catches after grabbing 32 passes in his first two seasons on campus … Averaged 15.4 yards per reception. 2006: 11 GP; 11 GS; Rec: 24-310-12.9-4; Completed his second year as a starter at tight end and was an honorable mention all-Big 12 pick ... Finished third on the Cowboy squad with 24 receptions covering 310 yards ... Averaged 12.2 yards per catch ... Had four TD receptions. 2005: 11 GP; 9 GS; Rec: 11-128-11.6-1; Played in all 11 games and started nine at tight end, including the last seven ... Finished the season with 11 catches for 128 yards and a touchdown. 2004: Redshirt.
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| 24 |
Darius Butler  |
(CB), Connecticut |
.
|
5-11 |
183 |
4.41 |
|
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 Darius Butler heading into rSr season: 2008: All-American Dream Team selection as an all-purpose back by The NFL Draft Report... Added All-Big East Conference first-team honors...The two-time team captain started nine of ten games he played in, missing part of the West Virginia clash and the entire Syracuse, South Florida and Pittsburgh contests after suffering a knee sprain vs. the Mountaineers...Recorded 40 tackles (28 solos) with three stops for losses of 9 yards...Deflected four passes and returned 20 kickoffs for 471 yards (23.5 avg)...On offense, he gained 123 yards with a touchdown on nine receptions (13.7 yards) and 13 yards with a score on two rushing attempts...Led a unit that ranked sixth in the nation in total defense (278.0 ypg) and ninth in both pass defense (168.23 ypg) and passing efficiency defense (101.51 rating)...Did not allow any touchdowns on 43 passes targeted into his area, as his main pass coverage assignments caught just a total of six of those passes for 106 yards, as Butler delivered thirteen third-down stops and one more on forth down vs. the pass...2007: 13 GP; 13 GS; KR: 4-70-17.5-0; 37 Sol-54 TT, 2.5 TFL, 2 INT, 7 PBU, 2 FF; Team captain…Started all 13 games in 2007and has missed just one start in his three-year UConn career…Made 54 tackles this year, intercepted two passes and broke up seven more though most teams do not throw his way...2006: 11 GP; 10 GS; KR: 1-16-16-0; 36 Sol-50 TT, 2 TFL, 4 INT, 7 PBU; Started every game except for Syracuse (Nov. 18) which he missed with a sore hamstring…Made 50 tackles on the year, 36 of them solos, and a pair of TFLs…Intercepted four passes, tying teammate Danny Lansanah for third in the BIG EAST…Also broke up seven passes...2005: 11 GP; 11 GS; KR: 10-338-33.8-1; 24 Sol-36 TT, 4 INT, 8 PBU, 1 FF; Started all 11 games at cornerback, the only defensive back to start every contest…Perhaps UConn's best freshman performer in 2005… Proved to be a top cover corner as the year progressed while also making an impact on special teams...2004: Redshirted...One of eight siblings…Uncle, Gene Atkins, played in the NFL from 1987-96 with the New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins…Cousin of Buffalo Bills running back Willis McGahee, an All-American at Miami in 2002.
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| 25 |
*Eben Britton |
(OT), Arizona |
.
|
6-6 |
309 |
5.14 |
|
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 *Eben Britton heading into rJr season: 2008: Member of the Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List, selected by the Football Writers Association...Limited for several fall scrimmages by a groin strain, but used the time to acclimate to the demanding left tackle position after playing on the right side during his first two seasons...With Britton on the left side, the offense relied heavily on him for his stellar blocking...Named one of the team's five captains, the Wildcats generated 2,988 of its 5,231 yards in total offense (57.12 percent) over the left side of the field...On 58 rushing attempts that gained at least 10 yards by a Wildcats runner, 45 of those carries came over the left side of the line...Arizona completed 117 passes for 10 yards or longer, with 76 of those tosses going to the left side of the field (59.83 percent)...Britton quickly adjusted to his new position, registering a school season-record 125 key blocks/ knockdowns with 17 touchdown-resulting blocks (best in the conference) and 12 blocks downfield, leading an offensive charge that saw the Wildcats average 401.25 yards in total offense, 237.25 yards passing and 164.00 yards rushing per game, as their average of 37.08 points scored per game ranks third in the Pac-10 and 16th in the nation during the regular season...His 111 knockdown blocks topped the previous school season-record of 106 by 1998 Morris Trophy winner and All-American offensive guard Yusef Scott...Had at least one touchdown-resulting block in each of 13 contests played...2007: Britton drew attention from his first day in the program onward. The 6-6, 340-pound right tackle earned second-team All-Pac-10 honors in 2007. He's a versatile athlete in a big body (6-6, 310), an academic-honors student, and will be a 24-starts...2006: Arizona's most consistent and best offensive lineman in 2006, Britton has the potential to be one of UA's best ever at the tackle position... 2005: Redshirted in 2005 as a tackle, although he and fellow line mates did make some road trips as emergency options... One of the team's early recruits in the class of 2005.
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| 26 |
Evander Hood |
(DT), Missouri |
.
|
6-3 |
300 |
4.83 |
|
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 Evander Hood heading into Sr season: 2008: Consensus All-Big 12 Conference first-team selection...Added Academic All-Big 12 second-team accolades...Team captain and named the Tigers' Defensive Lineman of the Year...Started all fourteen games at weak-side defensive tackle, recording a career-high 62 tackles (31 solos)...Ranked second on the team with five sacks for minus 37 yards and had seven stops for losses of 42 yards...Credited with twelve quarterback pressures, as he recovered two fumbles, deflected a pair of passes and blocked one kick...Helped the team rank second in the league and 12th in the nation with an average of 7.43 tackles for loss per game...Part of a front wall that gave up just 124.86 yards per game rushing...Held the opposition to 97 yards on 40 running plays he was involved in (2.43 ypc), as he made eight third-down stops vs. the run and allowed just seven first downs with no touchdowns and stopped opposing ball carriers for no gain on ten of those rushing attempts...Ten of his QB pressures came on third-down snaps and another on fourth-down...Registered ten tackles inside the red zone, including six on goal line plays...2007: 14 GP; 14 GS; 30 Sol-46 TT, 8 TFL, 4.5 SK, 5 PBU, 4 QBH, 1 FR, 3 FF; Won honorable mention All-Big 12 honors from both league media and coaches for his play, which included career-best numbers in every major category … Ended the year with 49 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 4 QB hurries and 3 forced fumbles...2006: 10 GP; 7 GS; 24 Sol-36 TT, 5 TFL, 4 SK, 1 PBU, 4 QBH, 2 FF; Had his true sophomore season derailed somewhat by a broken foot in the 3rd game of the season, but he returned to play in the final 7 games, playing at not quite 100 percent health ... Opened his sophomore season on a tear, recording 13 tackles, 3 sacks and 4 TFLs in the season's first 3 games, before breaking a foot in game 3 at New Mexico ... Had surgery on Sept. 18th to insert a screw, and returned to action against Texas A&M on Oct. 14, missing just 3 games...First name is Evander, but is known by most everyone (friends and family included) as Ziggy - a nickname given to him by his grandmother as a child.
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| 27 |
James Laurinaitis |
(ILB), Ohio State |
.
|
6-2 |
244 |
4.76 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
 James Laurinaitis heading into Sr season: 2008: Named one of four finalists for the 2008 Rotary Lombardi Award (only Big Ten player in consideration for that award)... Winner of the Ronnie Lott Trophy. Named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, the Lott Trophy is awarded to college football's Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year and is given as recognition of athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player... Recipient of the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an Division I FBS senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: Classroom, Character, Community, and Competition...Finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, presented to the nation's top defender by the Maxwell Club of Philadelphia and one of five defensive players among fifteen finalists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year award...Started all thirteen games, becoming the fourth player in school history to lead the team in tackles three times in a career, as he ranked second in the Big Ten and 14th nationally with an average of 10.0 tackles per game...Recorded a career-high 130 tackles (52 solos) that included four sacks for minus 28 yards, seven stops for losses of 34 yards and one QB pressure...Caused a fumble, deflected four passes and picked off two others...On 108 plays vs. the running game, the opposition gained 381 yards (3.53 ypc) and three touchdowns, with 20 first downs that included five rushes for longer than 10 yards, including two more than 20 yards, as he also stopped ball carriers for no gain at the line of scrimmage five times...On 41 pass plays he was involved in, the opposition completed 23 of those tosses (56.10%) for 147 yards and five first downs, an average of 6.39 yards per pass completion and 3.59 yards per pass attempt (jammed or rerouted receivers on eleven incomplete throws)...Made twelve of his tackles inside the red zone, including six on goal-line plays...Made nineteen third-down hits (11 vs. the run/8 vs. the pass) and six fourth-down stops (including one on a punt return)...Helped the team rank 14th in the nation in total defense (293.77 ypg), sixth in scoring defense (13.92 ppg) and 19th in rush defense (110.23 ypg)...2007: 13 GP; 13 GS; 51 Sol-121 TT, 8.5 TFL, 5 SK, 2 INT, 1 PBU, 1 FR; All-America linebacker who had another stellar season … Butkus Award winner … Big Ten defensive player of the year … Nagurski Award finalist … Lombardi Award finalist … Bednarik Award finalist … Lott Trophy finalist … Walter Camp player of the year finalist … first team All-America (Walter Camp, FWAA, AFCA, Sporting News, AP, Rivals) … lead team with 121 tackles … first team all-Big Ten (media, coaches, Rivals) … voted team caption … 25 career starts … Bill Willis award for defensive MVP … Big Ten all-academic … third-year letterman. 2006: 13 GP; 13 GS; 53 Sol-115 TT, 8.5 TFL, 4 SK, 5 INT, 2 PBU, 3 FF; Won the 2006 Nagurski Award as the nation's best defensive player ... was a finalist for the Butkus and Bednarik awards as a true sophomore... first-team All-Big Ten ... named a Walter Camp All-America and also by the Football Writers Association of America ... started all 13 games at the middle linebacker spot ... led the Buckeyes with 115 tackles, including 53 solo stops ... paced the Buckeyes with five interceptions, including a stretch of four-consecutive games against Texas, Cincinnati, Penn State and Iowa... his father is a popular professional wrestler watching his career peak in the 1980s and 1990s, known as "Animal" of the Legion of Doom, The Road Warriors tag team in WCW & WWE.
|
| 28 |
*Vontae Davis |
(CB), Illinois |
.
|
5-11 |
203 |
4.40 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 *Vontae Davis heading into Jr season: 2008: All-American first-team choice by Playboy...Consensus All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection...Started 11 games at strong-side cornerback, coming off the bench vs. Iowa...Ranked second on the team with a career-high 78 tackles (53 solos) that included seven stops for losses of 18 yards and one quarterback pressure...Tied for second in the conference with three forced fumbles...Intercepted two passes, broke up eight others and recovered one fumble...Gained 99 yards on five kickoff returns (19.8 avg)...Saw his opponents complete 34 of 53 passes targeted into his area (64.15%) for 269 yards (7.91 yards per completion/5.08 yards per pass attempt) and four touchdowns, as eleven of those catches resulted in first downs...Registered 23 third-down stops, including 17 vs. the pass, adding two more on fourth-down action...Collected nine of his tackles inside the red zone, including six on goal-line plays...Davis started 34 of 36 games he played in for the Fighting Illini, recording 206 tackles (139 solos) with 13.5 stops for losses totaling 34 yards and three quarterback pressures...Had three forced fumbles and recovered two others...Gained 12 yards on seven interception returns and deflected 22 passes...Returned nine kickoffs for 215 yards (23.9 avg) and blocked two punts for 31 yards in returns, including one touchdown...2007: 12 GP; 12 GS; PR: 2-31-15.5-1 KR: 4-116-29-0; 56 Sol-76 TT, 4 TFL, 4 INT, 8 PBU, 1 QBH, 2 BLK; First team All-Big 10. Sixth in interceptions and sixth in passes defended in the Big Ten ... Posted a career-best, team-leading 13 tackles... 2006: 12 GP; 12 GS; 30 Sol-52 TT, 2.5 TFL, 1 INT, 6 PBU, 1 QBH, 1 FR; Named to Freshman All-America first teams by The Sporting News, Scout.com and Rivals.com … Earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors by both the coaches and the media… Brother, Vernon, played tight end at Maryland and was the sixth overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, selected by the San Francisco 49ers.
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| 29 |
*Percy Harvin |
(WR), Florida |
.
|
5-11 |
192 |
4.39 |
|
|
|
|
|
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|
 *Percy Harvin heading into Jr season: 2008: Earned All-American first-team-honors from Rivals.com and second-team accolades from The NFL Draft Report (as an all-purpose back), American Football Coaches Association and the Walter Camp Foundation...Consensus first-team All-Southeastern Conference pick...Appeared in twelve games, starting eleven contests while lining up as a slot receiver, tailback and split end...Hauled in 40 passes for 644 yards (16.1 avg) and seven touchdowns, as 31 of his grabs produced first downs...Set up twelve touchdown drives and two other series that ended with field goals, as he converted 9-of-16 third-down throws to him...24 of his receptions were for at least 10 yards, including eleven catches of 20 yards or longer...Carried 70 times for 660 yards (9.4 avg) and ten touchdowns...His ten scoring runs tied Ciatrick Fason (2004) and Errict Rhett (1991) for ninth on Florida's annual record chart...Amassed 1,304 all-purpose yards, ranking fourth in the conference with an average of 108.67 yards per game...In 36 games at Florida, Harvin started 26 times, gaining 3,781 all-purpose yards, the most by a Gator since Errict Rhett amassed 5,393 yards (1990-93)...Caught 133 passes, tying Taylor Jacobs (1999-2002) for 10th on the school career record list...Gained 1,929 yards receiving, scoring 13 times on those receptions...Carried 194 times for 1,852 yards, as his average of 9.55 yards per rushing attempt topped the old school all-time record of 6.4 yards by Elijah Williams (1994-97)...His 19 touchdown runs rank 10th in Florida history...2007: 11 GP; 10 GS; Rush: 83-764-9.2-6; Rec: 59-858-14.5-4; Started 10 games while seeing game action in 11… Missed games against South Carolina and Florida Atlantic due to illness… Second team All-SEC selection by the AP and coaches... 2006: 13 GP; 5 GS; Rush: 41-428-10.4-3; Rec: 34-427-12.6-2; Named to the Freshman All-America team presented by Scripps/FWAA… Collected second-team Freshman All-America honors from The Sporting News…Chosen as the SEC Freshman of the Year by the league's coaches.
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| 30 |
Brian Robiskie |
(WR), Ohio State |
.
|
6-3 |
209 |
4.46 |
|
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 Brian Robiskie heading into Sr season: 2008: Finalist for the Draddy Award, given for academic excellence, receiving an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship from the National Football Foundation after compiling a 3.54 grade point average in Marketing...Winner of the Team's Paul Warfield Outstanding Receiver Award for the second-straight year... Added All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention...Lowe's Senior CLASS Award Top 30 choice...Started all thirteen games, shifting to flanker while leading the team for the second consecutive season, catching 42-of-71 passes targeted to him (59.15%) for 535 yards (12.7 avg) and eight touchdowns...24 of his receptions produced first downs (57.14%), as he converted 10-of-24 third-down tosses (41.67%)...Had 17 receptions for at least 10 yards (40.48%), as eight of those grabs totaled 20 or more yards (19.05%)...Had key catches that set up thirteen touchdown drives and saw six other series end with field goals...Proved to be a capable clutch receiver, as seven of his receptions came inside the red zone, including six on goal-line plays...Averaged 3.23 receptions and 41.15 yards per game receiving...Returned four punts for 17 yards (4.2 avg) and added an 11-yard kickoff return to amass 563 all-purpose yards (43.31 ypg)...2007: 13 GP; 13 GS; Rec: 55-935-17-11; PR: 7-60-8.6-0; Led the Buckeyes with 55 receptions for 935 yards, with 11 scores … first team ESPN/CoSIDA Academic All-America (3.50 in marketing) … Biletnikoff Award semifinalist … second team all-Big Ten (Rivals). 2006: 13 GP; 5 GS; Rec: 29-383-13.2-5; PR: 1-0-0-0; Played all 13 games and made five starts, including in two of the team's final four games ... finished third on the team with 29 catches for 383 yards and five touchdowns. 2005: 12 GP; 0 GS; Rec: 1-13-13-0; Would have to rate as one of the more pleasant surprises of the year ... made an early impression with his athletic ability and nailed down a spot on the special teams ... appeared in all 12 games, but almost all of his playing time came with the special teams...his father, Terry Robiskie, played in the NFL and was the interim head coach of the Cleveland Browns before returning to role of assistant on the Browns' staff.
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| 31 |
*Aaron Maybin |
(DE), Penn State |
.
|
6-4 |
249 |
4.78 |
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
 *Aaron Maybin heading into rSo season: 2008: Maybin took over left defensive end duties in the season's third game vs. Syracuse, starting 10 of the team's next 11 games...Selected to the All-American first-team by the Associated Press, Walter Camp Football Foundation, Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), CBSSports.com and CollegeFootballNews.com...Named a second-team All-American by The NFL Draft Report and The Sporting News...Chosen NCAA Defensive Player of the Year by the Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C...The Walter Camp honor was announced at the ESPNU/Home Depot College Football Awards Show, where Maybin was one of three finalists for the Bednarik Award, presented to the nation's top defensive player...Was among the six finalists for the Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award, becoming the third Nittany Lion in four years to be named a finalist for the honor...Became the 93rd player in school history and 76th from the Joe Paterno era to earn first-team All-American accolades...Ranked seventh in the nation, as the All-Big Ten Conference first-team choice led the league with an average of 0.92 quarterbacks sacks per game, totaling 12 sacks for minus-78 yards...Finished third in the conference and tied for eighth nationally with an average of 1.54 tackles for loss per game...Led the Lions with 20.0 stops for losses totaling 94 yards...Ranked sixth on the squad with 49 tackles (30 solo), adding one pressure, three forced fumbles and three pass deflections...Had at least one tackle behind the line of scrimmage in each of the 13 games he played in, including at least one sack in 10 contests...On 43 running plays he was involved in, he held the opposition to minus-35 yards on the ground (minus-0.81 ypc), as he stopped those runners for no gain five times, in addition to his 20 hits behind the line of scrimmage...The opposition completed 3-of-7 passes into his area for 41 yards...Made a pair of solo tackles on the kickoff coverage unit...Delivered 12 third-down stops, including 10 against the run, as he also made two fourth-down tackles...Allowed just three first downs rushing and two more receiving for the season...2007: Playing in every game on defense and special teams, Maybin had 12 tackles, with 4.5 tackles for losses, one forced fumble and one pass breakup. He was fourth on the team with four sacks for minus-32 yards.
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| 32 |
*Donald Brown |
(RB), Connecticut |
.
|
5-10 |
210 |
4.46 |
|
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 *Donald Brown heading into rJr season: 2008: First-team All-America selection by The NFL Draft Report and The Sporting News, earning second-team honors from the Walter Camp Football Foundation and Associated Press...Named Big East Conference Offensive Player of the Year, as he was also chosen All-Big East first-team...Chosen Eastern College Athletic Conference Player of the Year...Also selected the team's Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year...Led the nation as he set school and conference season records with 2,083 yards on 367 carries (5.7 avg.) that included 18 touchdown runs...Ranked third on the squad with 21 receptions for 125 yards (6.0 avg.), ranking second in the league and 24th in the nation with 108 points, an average of 8.31 points per game...Led the Big East and placed sixth in the NCAA ranks with 2,208 all-purpose yards, an average of 169.85 yards per game...Ran for 106 first downs on his 367 rushing attempts (28.88%)...Converted 19 of 51 third-down carries...Had 51 runs for at least 10 yards (13.9%), including 17 for 20 yards or longer...Gained positive yardage on 73 rushing attempts inside the red zone (19.89%), including 29 on goal-line plays...Had big runs that set up 27 Connecticut touchdown drives and 11 more that led to field goals...Was tackled behind the line of scrimmage 38 times (10.35%) and was stopped for no gain on 22 other runs (5.99%)...Turned the ball over three times, fumbling once in each of the Louisville, West Virginia and Buffalo games...Ran for over 100 yards in 11 contests...2007: Appeared in 12 games with five starts, missing only the Virginia game (Oct. 13)…Led the team with eight touchdowns…Ran 170 times for 821 yards (4.8 avg.) while catching 14 passes for 85 yards out of the backfield… Shared the team’s Offensive MVP award after the season with fellow tailback Andre Dixon…2006: Played in all 12 games and took charge after an injury to Terry Caulley, starting each of the final five contests and earning All-BIG EAST recognition…Was the only freshman in the entire league to be named All-Conference in 2006…Gained 896 yards rushing on 161 carries (5.6 average) with seven touchdowns while catching 13 passes for 66 yards and two more scores…Also returned nine kickoffs for a 23.3 yard average…2005: Redshirted.
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| 33 |
Robert Ayers |
(DE), Tennessee |
.
|
6-3 |
272 |
4.77 |
|
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 Robert Ayers heading into rSr season: 2008: All-Southeastern Conference second-team selection and co-recipient of the Andy Spiva Award, given to the team's most improved defensive player. Started all 12 games at right defensive end, leading the conference with a career-high 15.5 stops for losses of 63 yards. Ranked sixth on the squad with a career-high 49 tackles (34 solos) that included three sacks for minus 29 yards and six quarterback pressures. Gained eight yards when he returned his first career interception...Ayers started 14-of-48 games at Tennessee, recording 113 tackles (79 solos) with nine sacks for minus-61 yards, 31.5 stops for losses of 125 yards and 12 QB pressures. Deflected three passes and intercepted another for an 8-yard return. His 22.5 stops of opposing ball carriers (not including sacks) behind the line of scrimmage rank sixth in school history behind Eric Westmoreland (34.0, 1996, 98-2000), Al Wilson (27.0, 1995-98), Leonard Little (25.0, 1995-97), Ben Talley (24.0, 1991-94) and Andy Spiva (23, 1973-76). Ayers' 15.5 tackles for loss (including sacks) in 2008 tied James Wilson (1993) for ninth on the Vols' season-record chart, while his 12.5 stops of opposing ballcarriers (sacks not included) behind the line of scrimmage rank fourth on the annual record list, topped by Leonard Little (14.0 in 1995), Jesse Mahelona (13.5 in 2004) and Greg Jones (13.0 in 1976)...2007: 14 GP; 0 GS; 25 Sol-34 TT, 12 TFL, 4 SK, 2 PBU, 3 QBH; Games/Starts: 14/0 ... 2006: 13 GP; 2 GS; 19 Sol-25 TT, 3 TFL, 1 SK, 1 PBU, 2 QBH; Games/Starts: 13/2...2005: 9 GP; 0 GS; 3 Sol-5 TT, 1 TFL, 1 SK; Suspended during spring 2005 for April arrest for aggravated assault at on-campus party. Pled to misdemeanor assault and paid court fees and restituation to the victim. Games/Starts: 9/0 ... 2004: Redshirted.
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| 34 |
Alphonso Smith |
(CB), Wake Forest |
.
|
5-09 |
193 |
4.47 |
|
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 Alphonso Smith heading into rSr season: 2008: First-team All-American selection by The NFL Draft Report, adding second-team honors from the Walter Camp Foundation and third-team accolades from the Associated Press...All-ACC first-team pick...Started all thirteen games at left cornerback, registered 44 tackles (36 solos) with three sacks for minus 20 yards, 4.5 stops for losses totaling 24 yards and a QB pressure...Caused a league-high four fumbles, as he deflected eight passes and blocked one punt...Gained 112 yards on six kickoff returns (18.7 avg)...Ranked tied for second in the nation with a school season-record eight interceptions, tying another ACC mark by returning those pass thefts for 166 yards and three touchdowns, just one shy of the NCAA annual record four interception returns for scores by Deltha O'Neal of California in 1999...2007: 13 GP; 13 GS; Rec: 3-13-4.3-0; KR: 6-112-18.7-0; 36 Sol-44 TT, 4.5 TFL, 3 SK, 8 INT, 10 PBU, 1 QBH, 4 FF, 1 BLK; Considered one of the top corners in the ACC ... First team All- ACC ... Second team All-America by Walter Camp ... Third team AP All- America squad and honorable mention on the Sports Illustrated All-America team ... First team All-American by CollegeSportsReport.com ... Led the nation and the ACC with a school-record eight interceptions ... Had three interception returns for touchdowns ...2006: 14 GP; 3 GS; 37 Sol-48 TT, 8.5 TFL, 4 SK, 3 INT, 8 PBU, 1 FF, 1 BLK; Played in all 14 games and started three at cornerback... tied for the team lead with 8.5 tackles for loss from his position in the secondary... ranked third on the team with four sacks... intercepted three passes, tied for the the third-most on the team... broke up eight passes, the third-most on the team... ranked seventh on the team with 48 tackles... 2005: 11 GP; 11 GS; 52 Sol-59 TT, 8 TFL, 2 SK, 3 INT, 9 PBU, 1 FF; Named first team Freshman All-American by CollegeFootballNews.com, ESPN.com, and Scout.com... chosen second team Freshman All-American by The Sporting News and Rivals.com... selected to The Sporting News' ACC All-Freshman Team... recipient of the ACC's Defensive Back of the Week award on October 24... ranked among the top freshmen nationally with eight tackles for loss... tied for the team lead and tied for third in the ACC with 12 passes defended... tied for eighth in the ACC and 68th nationally with three interceptions... claimed a starting job in the preseason as a rookie and retained it all season... one of only three Wake Forest defenders to start all 11 games... 2004: Redshirted the season as a true freshman... nickname is Prime.
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| 35 |
Phil Loadholt |
(OT), Oklahoma |
.
|
6-8 |
332 |
5.49 |
|
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 Phil Loadholt heading into Sr season: 2008: Earned All-Big Twelve Conference first-team accolades from the league's coaches and the Associated Press...Added All-American honorable mention from The NFL Draft Report...Started the team's final thirteen games at left offensive tackle, missing the season opener after he was suspended for a team rules violation back in June...Participated in 822 snaps, producing 94 knockdowns, eight down field blocks and a league-high 16 touchdown-resulting blocks...Was penalized four times, as he allowed just one quarterback pressure and two sacks on 438 pass plays...Recorded an 85.62% grade for blocking consistency that included a pair of 90% performances (vs. Kansas State and Texas Tech)...Started all 48 games he played in during his collegiate career at left offensive tackle, including 27 contests at Oklahoma and 21 more at Garden City College...Made 213 knockdowns with 20 touchdown-resulting blocks during his junior college career...Posted 212 knockdowns, 29 touchdown-resulting blocks, thirteen down field blocks and was penalized 17 times in 1,562 offensive plays for the Sooners...Allowed only 6.5 QB sacks and two pressures on 639 pass plays...Graded over 90% for blocking consistency in three games for the Sooners (95 vs. Baylor in 2007, 90 vs. Kansas State and 99 vs. Texas Tech in 2008), finishing with an overall grade of 82.96% at Oklahoma...2007: Honorable mention All-American by Sports Illustrated ... Dallas Morning News' All-Big 12 first team ... named second team All-Big 12 by the coaches and Associated Press ... started all 14 games at left tackle ... overall season grade of 79% ... had the highest run grade on the team at 75% ... logged 740 plays with 104 knockdowns ... best knockdown game was 15 versus Texas A&M ... enrolled at OU in January 2007. JC: No. 20 overall player in Junior College Top 100 (Rivals.com), No. 17 overall JUCO player in SUPERPREP JUCO 100. Played at Garden City CC in Kansas where he was a two-time letterman ... two-time junior college All-American ... Jayhawk Conference Lineman of the Year in 2006 ... had 93 pancake blocks and 113 tackles last season ... freshman team played in the Dixie Bowl ... junior college coach was J.J. Eckert ... won the Student Support Service Award and was named to the 3.0 Student Excellence List...was a teammate of current Sooner defensive back D.J. Wolfe in the seventh, eighth and 10th grades when both resided in Colorado.
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| 36 |
Alex Mack |
(C), California |
.
|
6-4 |
307 |
5.17 |
|
|
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 Alex Mack heading into rSr season: 2008: Unanimous All-Pac 10 Conference and Academic All-Pac 10 first-team choice...Winner of the Draddy Trophy, given to college football's top scholar-athlete, an award that also includes a $25,000 post-graduate scholar-ship...Chosen the Pac 10 Conference's Scholar-Athlete of the Year...Finalist for the Rimington Trophy (nation's top center) and semifinalist for the Lombardi Award (nation's top down lineman)...Also a finalist for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, given for academic and athletic accomplishment...Recipient of the team's Schlessinger Coaches Award, which recognizes outstanding athletic ability, academic success and community service....Named the team's co-Offensive Most Valuable Player and was a member of ESPN's All-Bowl Team for his performance vs. Miami in the Emerald Bowl (second time in his career that Mack earned that honor. Received it in 2006)...Only the third player in Pac-10 annals to earn the Morris Blocking Trophy in consecutive seasons, joining Southern California's Roy Foster (1980-81) and Washington's Lincoln Kennedy (1991-92) and became the third Cal offensive lineman to receive that accolade, joining Todd Steussie (1993) and Ryan O'Callaghan (2005)....Helped the team rank 29th in the nation in rushing (186.23 ypg) and 27th in scoring (32.62 ppg), as he did not allow any quarterback sacks or pressures on 397 pass plays...Led the team with 92 key blocks/knockdowns, as his 11 touchdown-resulting blocks also paced the Golden Bears and ranked fifth in the county among major college centers...Registered 11 down-field blocks and graded 86.31 percent for blocking consistency...Penalized twice on a total of 832 snaps...2007: Selected as a finalist for the Rimington Trophy as the top center in the nation ... earned the Morris Trophy as the top offensive lineman in the Pac-10 as voted on by the league's defensive linemen ... one of just three players to be a unanimous first-team All-Pac-10 selection ... a first-team All-American at center by The Sporting News and an honorable mention All-American by SI.com ... honored as the midseason first-team All-American center by Phil Steele's Magazine as well as a midseason first-team All-American by SI.com and Rivals.com ... rated as the No. 1 junior center in the nation by Mel Kiper ... also a semifinalist for the Rotary Lombardi Award ... anchored offensive line which allowed just 11 sacks (best in the Pac-10, third in the nation) ... voted the team's Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman (Brick Muller Award) ... led the team in pancakes, knockdowns and cuts.
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| 37 |
*Kenny Britt |
(WR), Rutgers |
.
|
6-3 |
218 |
4.50 |
|
|
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|
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 *Kenny Britt heading into Jr season: 2008: All-America third-team selection by The NFL Draft Report and Associated Press...Was a unanimous All-Big East Conference first-team choice...Started 12 games at split end, sitting out the Morgan State game (suspended for a violation of team rules)...Led the Big East with an average of 7.25 receptions and 114.25 yards receiving per game...Set the school season record with 87 catches for 1,371 yards (15.8 avg) and seven touchdowns...Had 130 passes targeted to him (caught 66.92 percent), as 11 of the balls he did not get to were deflected by the opposition (8.46 percent)...Produced 62 first downs among his 87 grabs, converting 11 of 29 third-down plays (37.93 percent)...57 of his receptions (65.52 percent) gained at least 10 yards, with 17 going for 20 yards or longer (19.54 percent)...Had key receptions that led to 16 Rutgers touchdowns and ended 10 other series with field goals...Added 75 yards and a score on seven carries (10.7 avg.)...Scored 48 points and recorded two solo tackles...Also completed his only pass attempt, good for 28 yards in the West Virginia clash...Ranked fourth in the conference with an average of 120.5 all-purpose yards per game...Set the school season record with eight 100-yard receiving performances...Britt started 31 of 34 games he appeared in...His 178 receptions rank third in school history behind Brian Leonard (207, 2003-06) and Tres Moses (192, 2001-05), as that total also placed fourth in league history behind the two fellow Scarlet Knights and Pete Mitchell of Boston College (190, 1991-94)...His 3,043 yards receiving surpassed the old school career record of 2,522 yards by Moses and also set the Big East record, joining Dietrich Jells of Pittsburgh (3,003 yards, 1991-95) as the only players in league annals to gain over 3,000 yards receiving...2007: 13 GP; 13 GS; Rec: 62-1232-19.9-8; Second Team All-BIG EAST honoree ... set Rutgers single-season record with 1,232 yards receiving … fifth-best single-season yardage total in BIG EAST history … 62 receptions for 1,232 yards and eight touchdowns in 13 games...2006: 9 GP; 6 GS; Rec: 29-440-15.2-2; Leading returning receiver statistically in both receptions (29) and receiving yards (440) … played in nine games … started six of the last seven, including the last four contests of the season.
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| 38 |
William Beatty |
(OT), Connecticut |
.
|
6-6 |
307 |
5.06 |
|
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|
 William Beatty heading into rSr season: 2008: Beatty earned All-Big East Conference first-team honors from the league's media and coaches...Named to The NFL Draft Report's Super Sleeper Team and garnered All-American honorable mention...Shared the team's Joseph M. Giannelli Unsung Hero Award this year with teammate Dahna Deleston...Part of an offensive line that paved the way for tailback Donald Brown to lead the nation in rushing, as the Huskies captured the Big East rushing title and ranked 13th in the major college ranks, averaging 216.38 yards per game on the ground...Starting all 13 games at left tackle, Beatty registered 88 key blocks/knockdowns that included 13 touchdown-resulting blocks and nine blocks downfield...Penalized three times and allowed a pair of assisted sacks, along with six stops behind the line of scrimmage while participating in 799 plays (including 329 pass plays)...Graded 84.69% for blocking consistency during the season, including marks of at least 90% vs. Hofstra, Baylor and West Virginia...Registered three tackles (two solos)...Earned a game ball from the coaching staff for his performance in the Virginia clash...Beatty started 35 of 39 games in which he played in at Connecticut, producing 238 knockdowns/key blocks, including 30 touchdown-resulting blocks...During his final two seasons as a full-time starter, he delivered 173 knockdowns, 23 touchdown-resulting blocks, 16 blocks downfield and was penalized nine times on 1,592 offensive snaps...Allowed 6.5 quarterback sacks on 689 pass plays as a junior and senior...2007: Started all 13 games at left tackle, one of three Husky offensive linemen to start every game….Shared the offensive game ball with his fellow linemen after the win over USF (Oct. 27) and earned one by himself against Maine (Sept. 8)...2006: Started each of the first five games of the year at left tackle before breaking a leg at USF (Oct. 7) and missing the remainder of the season...2005: Played in eight games at left tackle with four starts... 2004: Redshirted.
|
| 39 |
Eric Wood |
(C), Louisville |
.
|
6-4 |
310 |
5.19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Eric Wood heading into rSr season: 2008: All-American third-team choice by The NFL Draft Report...All-Big East Conference first-team selection...Finalist for the Rimington Trophy, given to the nation's premier center...Started all twelve games at center, recording 78 knockdowns, sixteen touchdown-resulting blocks and four down-field blocks to receive a blocking consistency grade of 87.08 percent...Was penalized three times...Did not allow any sacks or pressures on 391 pass plays...Helped the offense average 376.67 yards and 24.67 points per game...Also made an assisted tackle vs. Pittsburgh...Received grades of 90 percent or better in each of the Tennessee Tech, Connecticut, Memphis and Middle Tennessee contests...Woods' consecutive start string of 49 ranks second in school history behind Travis Leffew (51, 2002-05)...His 49 starts were also the sixth-longest streak among all active NCAA players last season, topped by Andrew Hartline of Central Michigan (51), Andrew Gardner of Georgia Tech (51), Jason Phillips of Texas Christian (50), Dallas Reynolds of Brigham Young (50) and Clint Sintim of Virginia (50)...For his career, Wood registered 328 knockdowns and 46 touchdown-resulting blocks...During his final two seasons, he graded 85.17 percent for blocking consistency...On 1,754 total plays during that span, he delivered 164 knockdowns and 27 touchdown-resulting blocks, as he allowed just two quarterback pressures and one sack on 882 pass plays...2007: Started all 12 games at center... earned first team All-BIG EAST honors... started on an offense that ranked sixth nationally with an average of 488.0 yards per game... passing offense stood fourth in the country...2006: Started all 13 games at center… named second team All-BIG EAST Conference...2005: Named a Rivals.com Freshman All-American... first team Freshman All-american by sporting News and second team by collegefootballnews.com... started all 12 games at center... earned Academic All-BIG EAST accolades...2004: Red-shirted.
|
| 40 |
Connor Barwin |
(OLB), Cincinnati |
.
|
6-4 |
256 |
4.59 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Connor Barwin heading into Sr season: 2008: Recipient of the Claude Rost Award, given to the team's Most Valuable Player...Earned Big East Conference Special Teams Player of the Week accolades vs. Marshal and was named to the Big East Weekly Honor Roll after the Eastern Kentucky, Rutgers and Pittsburgh clashes...Moved to the defensive line for his final season and was named one of the team's captains prior to the Oklahoma contest...Switched from jersey #89 to number 5, starting the first nine games at strong-side defensive end...Recorded 53 tackles (27 solos), as he led the team and Big East while ranking tied for seventh in the nation with 12.0 sacks for minus 74 yards...His 12.0 sacks rank third on the school single-season record list...Part of a defensive unit that ranked ninth nationally, as the Bearcats averaged 0.85 sacks per game through their first thirteen contests...Led the team, ranked second in the conference and tied for 28th nationally with 16.0 stops for losses totaling 92 yards... Registered a league-high 20 quarterback pressures and was third on the squad with eight pass deflections, the most of any Big East defensive lineman in 2008...Recovered three fumbles and leads the league with three blocked kicks...Helped the Wildcats rank 17th in the nation and second in the Big East, allowing only 104.00 yards per game rushing...The defense also ranked third in the league and 26th in the major college ranks, allowing 316.05 yards in total offense per game...Barwin made 50 of his plays vs. the run, holding the opposition to minus 15 yards (-0.30 ypc), the lowest rushing yardage total allowed by a Bowl Division defensive lineman in 2008...Also stopped ball carriers at the line of scrimmage for no gain on seven of those carries...Thirteen of his hits came on third-down running plays, collecting six stops inside the red zone, including four on goal-line plays...The Bearcats ranked 28th in the country and third in the Big East with a 112.92 pass defense efficiency rating...That was thanks to Barwin, who allowed only 2-of-32 passes targeted into his area (6.06 percent) to be completed for minus 11 yards (only player in college football to hold an opponent to minus yardage during the 2008 season)...Made 21 of his pass play stops on third-down snaps and also delivered six fourth-down hits...2006: 13 GP; 0 GS; Rec: 13-148-11.4-2; Saw action in all 13 games as a regular on special teams and alternate at the tight end position ... made a reception in three of the first four games ... Bearcat Academic Honor Roll (Winter 2007)...2005: 11 GP; 0 GS; Rec: 8-144-18-1; One of two first-year freshmen to see action on offense ... played in all 11 games as a backup tight end ... joined the basketball team in early January ... saw action in each of the final 16 games as a backup to the forward positions.
|
| 41 |
*Hakeem Nicks |
(WR), North Carolina |
.
|
6-1 |
212 |
4.51 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 *Hakeem Nicks heading into Jr season: 2008: All-American honorable mention by The NFL Draft Report and Rivals.com...Earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team honors from the league's coaches, media and Associated Press...Started all 13 games at split end, leading the team for the third consecutive year, as he caught 68 of 105 passes targeted to him (64.76 percent), setting the school single-season record with 1,222 yards (18.0 avg) and 12 touchdowns...Ranked second in the league with an average of 5.23 catches per game and led the ACC with an average of 94.0 yards receiving...49 of-68 catches produced first downs (72.06 percent), as he converted 19 of 25 third-down tosses (76.0 percent) and all three fourth-down passes targeted to him...45 of his receptions (66.18 percent) were good for at least 10 yards, with 23 of those grabs gaining 20 or more yards (29.41 percent)...Had key receptions that set up 19 touchdown drives and five other series that ended with field goals...Registered 43 yards with a score on seven carries (6.1 avg), adding 134 yards on seven kickoff returns (19.1 avg)...Recorded a pair of solo tackles by taking down defenders after UNC interceptions in the Virginia Tech clash...Also scored 78 points...Finished seventh in the conference with an average of 106.92 all-purpose yards per game...Nicks started all 36 games he played in for the Tar Heels...His 181 receptions topped the old school career record of 177 grabs by Jarwarski Pollock (2001-05) and rank 13th in Atlantic Coast Conference annals...His 2,840 yards receiving broke the previous Tar Heels all-time record of 2,447 yards by Corey Holliday (1989-93) and placed Nicks 11th on the ACC career record chart...His 21 touchdown receptions bettered the old school all-time record of 19 by Octavus Barnes (1994-97)...2007: Second-Team All-ACC by The Associated Press...Set a single-season school record with 74 catches for 958 yards and five touchdowns ... The 958 yards are the third most in school history ... Finished second in the ACC with 79.8 receiving yards per game and third with 6.17 catches per contest ... Caught at least eight passes in four of the last eight games...2006: Led the team and set Carolina single-season records for receptions (39) and receiving yards (660) by a freshman ... Ranked third in the ACC in receiving yards per game (60.0) and eighth in receptions per game (3.6).
|
| 42 |
Michael Johnson |
(DE), Georgia Tech |
.
|
6-7 |
266 |
4.69 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Michael Johnson heading into Sr season: 2008: All-American first-team selection by the American Football Coaches Association, adding honorable mention from Sports Illustrated...Consensus All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team choice...Served as one of three team captains...Recorded 46 tackles (28 solos) as he led the team and finished third in the conference with nine sacks for minus 85 yards and 17.5 stops for losses of 99 yards...His sack totals and tackle for loss numbers both rank tied for tenth on the school season-record list...Caused three fumbles for the third consecutive year and also recovered one fumble...Deflected seven passes and had a 26-yard interception return for a touchdown...Also blocked the third field goal for his Tech career...On 43 running plays he was directly involved in, the opposition gained 37 yards (0.86 yards per carry) with one touchdown...On 16 pass attempts into his territory, his opponents completed six of those tosses for 68 yards and a touchdown (11.33 yards per completion/ 5.23 yards per pass attempt)...Recorded 12 third-down stops and one more on fourth-down...On two goal line plays, he held opposing ball carriers to no yardage...2007: 13 GP; 1 GS; 11 Sol-21 TT, 6 TFL, 4 SK, 1 PBU, 4 QBH, 1 FR, 3 FF, 2 BLK; Saw action in all 13 games, coming off the bench in basically every passing situation… started in the Humanitarian Bowl… his three forced fumbles rank tied for seventh in the ACC and tied for 55th nationally… had 21 tackles including 11 solos… had 6.0 TFLs and 4.0 sacks… led the team with four QB hurries… also led the team in blocked kicks (2)… forced three fumbles and recovered one. 2006: 12 GP; 12 GS; 25 Sol-34 TT, 6 TFL, 5 SK, 2 PBU, 1 QBH, 3 FF; Second on the team with five sacks ... Has 33 tackles, six tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and two pass breakups. 2005: 11 GP; 0 GS; 5 Sol-6 TT, 1 TFL, 1 SK, 1 QBH, 1 FF; Against Connecticut, he forced a fumble on kickoff coverage that Tech recovered to set up a touchdown ... Had a sack against Virginia Tech ... Totalled six tackles on the season ... Saw most of his action on special teams ... One of eight true freshmen to play in 2005.
|
| 43 |
Jamon Meredith |
(OT), South Carolina |
.
|
6-5 |
304 |
4.99 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Jamon Meredith heading into rSr season: 2008: Recipient of the Harold White Grade Point Average Award (3.7 GPA)...Meredith started nine of the 11 games he appeared in...The NCAA ruled him ineligible to play in the team's first two contests vs. North Carolina State and Virginia...A right ankle sprain in fall camp was again re-injured vs. Louisiana State, missing most of that game while seeing very limited action the next two weeks vs. Tennessee and Arkansas...Was the team's starting left tackle in his first 2008 appearance, vs. Georgia, and then shifted to left guard for the balance of the schedule...Recorded 48 knockdowns with five touchdown-resulting blocks and two down field blocks, grading 80.0% for blocking consistency...Penalized twice and allowed four quarterback sacks and two pressures...Part of a front wall that saw the Gamecocks slip to 97th in the nation in total offense (316.54 yards per game), 96th in scoring (20.77 ppg), 112th in rushing (94.08 ypg) and 111th in sacks allowed (3.00 spg)...2007: Started at left tackle...2006: Started all 13 games... started the first seven games at right tackle, then moved to left tackle for the final six contests... given a game ball following the win at Vanderbilt when he switched from right tackle to left tackle after intermission... named the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his efforts in helping Carolina knock off 24th-ranked Clemson... the USC offense gained nearly 500 yards of offense against a Tiger defense that had allowed an average of just 250 yards previously... the Gamecocks totaled over 400 yards of offense in each of the season's final four games... presented the Andrew Sorensen Scholar-Athlete Award for Football during the spring game...2005: Earned four starts during the season, all at right tackle, including the bowl game against Missouri... made his first career start versus Kentucky... took over the right tackle spot halfway through the Arkansas contest and started each of the final two regular season games...2004: Rookie who saw action in one game, getting in for three plays against Vanderbilt... granted a redshirt year but will need to sit out the first two games of the `08 season.
|
| 44 |
Larry English |
(OLB), Northern Illinois |
.
|
6-2 |
255 |
4.82 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Larry English heading into rSr season: 2008: English earned All-Mid American Conference first-team honors, as he was named MAC Defensive Player of the Year by the league's coaches and media, in addition to being selected by The Sporting News…Captured the Vern Smith Leadership Award for the second-straight year, just the fourth player and first defender to win that honor twice in a career…Member of the Bronko Nagurski Award, Ted Hendricks Award, Rotary Lombardi Award and Lowe's Senior CLASS Award Watch Lists…Named MAC Player of the Week vs. Tennessee and Kent State…Had an injury-plagued year, as he first underwent knee surgery in January to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament, missing most of spring drills with a torn pectoral muscle and then played most of the season with pins in his thumb after undergoing surgery for a broken bone in his hand…English was limited to a career-low 37 tackles (26 solos), but he led the team and ranked fourth in the conference with eight sacks for minus 57 yards…Led the Huskies and finished third in the MAC with 16.0 stops for losses totaling 73 yards…Added two quarterback pressures with three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and a pass deflection while starting all thirteen games at right defensive end…Opponents managed just three yards on 34 running plays to his side of the field (0.09 ypc) and completed only 2-of-7 passes thrown into his area (28.57%) for 11 yards (5.5 yards per completion/1.57 yards per attempt)…Made twelve third-down tackles, including nine vs. the run, adding another stop on fourth-down…Allowed just five first downs, all coming on rushing plays, as he stopped ball carriers for no gain twice…
Helped the team lead the MAC and rank 17th in the nation in total defense (298.46 ypg) and placed 14th nationally in scoring defense (18.0 ppg)...2007: 12 GP; 12 GS; 29 Sol-67 TT, 17 TFL, 10.5 SK, 2 PBU, 3 QBH, 1 FR, 1 FF; Was on the field for 98 percent (894 of 916) of the team's defensive plays during the year. Earned the MAC's Vern Smith Leadership Award (league MVP), becoming the second consecutive Huskie to do so, and was a consensus choice first team All-MAC. First defensive player to win the award since the first year of the award in 1982. Named to the Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List and the Ted Hendricks Award Midseason Watch list. Named the team's defensive MVP. Registered a team-best 17 tackles for loss, the third-highest total in NIU history, with 1.42 tackles for loss per game, ranked 18th in the country. His 10.5 sacks led the MAC and ranked tied for 11th nationally as he averaged 0.88 sacks per game. Had a TFL in 10 of 12 games played. Also broke up a pair of passes.
|
| 45 |
*Sean Smith |
(CB), Utah |
.
|
6-4 |
214 |
4.50 |
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
 *Sean Smith heading into rJr season: 2008: Played in thirteen games, starting twelve contests at left cornerback (Utah started four safeties vs. Air Force)…Made 46 tackles (23 solos), ranking seventh on the team…Added a 10-yard sack, two stops for losses of 12 yards and a forced fumble…Deflected nine passes and intercepted five others for 151 yards in returns (30.2 avg), including one touchdown…Had 65 passes targeted into his area, as the opposition caught 26 of those throws (40.0%) for 273 yards (10.5 yards per pass completion/4.2 yards per pass attempt), two touchdowns and twelve first downs… Registered ten third-down stops and two more on fourth-down vs. the pass…His main pass coverage assignments totaled 163 yards and two scores on eleven receptions...Smith started 22-of-39 games at Utah; one at nickel back and 21 at left cornerback…He recorded 80 tackles (43 solos) with a 10-yard sack and three stops for losses of 18 yards…Caused one fumble and deflected sixteen passes…Had nine interceptions for 151 yards in returns, including one touchdown…His 151 return yards rank eleventh on the school career-record list, but were good for fifth on the Utes' season-record chart behind Norm Thompson (259 in 1969); Erroll Tucker (215 in 1985); Harold Lusk (184 in 1994) and Gary Barker (183 in 1967)…His four pass deflections vs. New Mexico in 2007 tied the school game-record he shares with Erroll Tucker (vs. Air Force, 1984), Clarence Fields (vs. Boise State, 1987), Kareem Leary (vs. Colorado State, 1994), Clarence Lawson (vs. SMU, 1996), Eric Weddle (vs. New Mexico, 2005) and Brice McCain (vs. New Mexico, 2007)...2007: Played in all 13 games, starting 10 ... nine of his starts were at corner and one came at nickel back ... four interceptions led Utah and tied the third-best individual total in the MWC ... seven pass breakups was the second most by a Ute ... 32 total tackles ... one tackle for loss ... 2006: Played in all 13 games ... played receiver in the first 11 games and then moved to cornerback for the last two.
|
| 46 |
Max Unger |
(C), Oregon |
.
|
6-5 |
309 |
5.26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Max Unger heading into rSr season: 2008: All-Pac 10 Conference first-team choice for the second year in a row and recipient of the Ed Moshofsky Award (team's outstanding offensive lineman) for the third consecutive season...The team captain was also a finalist for the Rimington Trophy, given to the nation's top center...Started all thirteen games, lining up at center for eleven contests and at left offensive tackle vs. Washington and UCLA...Recorded an assisted tackle in the Boise State clash...Led an explosive offense that ranked second in the nation and led the league in rushing (280.08 ypg)...Helped the Ducks lead the Pac-10 and rank seventh nationally in total offense (484.85 ypg) and scoring (41.92 ppg)...Part of a front wall that placed second in the conference, allowing 20 sacks for minus 121 yards, as Unger was charged with 2.5 of those sacks on 373 pass plays...Led the team with 90 knockdowns and seventeen touchdown-resulting blocks... Kept his string intact, as he was never penalized in a game for the third-straight season...Led the offensive line with an 86.62 percent grade for blocking consistency, earning grades of 90 percent or better in each of the Purdue, Washington and Arizona contests...2007: Selected Oregon's Outstanding Offensive Lineman (Ed Moshofsky Award) the second straight season, the first-team all-conference choice was chosen as a first-team All-American by SI.com. That was despite him making the transition from left tackle, where he had started the previous 25 consecutive games as a freshman and sophomore, to center, where he excelled in 13 starts as a junior...2006: The 13-game starter at left tackle earned second-team all conference accolades in addition to receiving Oregon's Ed Moshofsky Award as its top offensive lineman. Played a major role in Oregon finishing second in the Pac-10 in fewest quarterback sacks allowed (16) as well as leading the league in rushing offense (14th nationally) for the first time since 1955... 2005: It's not easy for a redshirt freshman to step in and protect the blind side of a quarterback but Unger did so admirably for 12 consecutive starts and did it well. Was a major reason why Oregon rose from last in the Pac-10 in QB sacks allowed in 2004 (41) to third in 2005 (20). Took part in 80 snaps or more in 10 of 12 appearances at left tackle, including 100 plays at Arizona State, to receive the team's Ironman Award following the season as the player who played the most snaps.
|
| 47 |
Ron Brace |
(DT), Boston College |
.
|
6-3 |
330 |
5.48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Ron Brace heading into rSr season: 2008: All-Atlantic Coast Conference second-team selection...Extending his consecutive start string to 37 games, starting all fourteen contests...Helped the team lead the ACC and rank seventh in the nation in rush defense, allowing only 91.21 yards per game...The team also led the league and ranked fifth nationally in total defense (268.14 ypg)...Collected 27 tackles (19 solos) with a career-high three sacks for minus 12 yards, as he finished second on the squad with eleven stops for losses totaling 25 yards...Also caused one fumble...Brace started his final 37 games, playing in 49 contests (40 total starts)...Recorded 85 tackles (50 solos), as he registered 5.5 sacks for minus 32 yards, adding 23 stops for losses of 65 yards and one quarterback pressure...Also caused and recovered a fumble...2007: 14 GP; 7 GS; 14 Sol-27 TT, 7.5 TFL, 2.5 SK, 1 QBH; Awarded All-ACC honorable mention...ranked third on the team with 7.5 TFLs, recorded a career-high 2.5 sacks ...finished the season with 27 total tackles (14 solos)...recorded two tackles in the Champs Sports Bowl against Michigan State, helping to keep BC's bowl-game win streak alive with a 24-21 victory... 2006: 11 GP; 11 GS; 11 Sol-20 TT, 3.5 TFL, 1 FR; Played and started in 11 games at defensive tackle…had 20 tackles, including 11 unassisted stops…registered 3.5 tackles for loss...2005: 8 GP; 0 GS; 6 Sol-11 TT, 1 TFL; Finished the season with 11 tackles (six solos) and one tackle for loss...started the season on the two-deep at left tackle (behind Al Washington)...saw his first collegiate action in the season opener at BYU, where he recorded one assist... 2004: Redshirted.
|
| 48 |
Clint Sintim |
(OLB), Virginia |
.
|
6-3 |
256 |
4.75 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Clint Sintim heading into rSr season: 2008: Started all twelve games at strong-side outside line-backer, ranking third on the team with 70 tackles (38 solos)…Registered a career-high eleven sacks for minus 86 yards, the fifth-best season total in school history…His average of 0.92 sacks per game ranked second in the ACC and tied for ninth in the nation…Totaled thirteen stops for losses totaling 90 yards and had four quarterback pressures…Caused a fumble and recovered two others…Also deflected three passes…On 65 running plays he was involved in, the opposition gained 139 yards (2.14 ypc) with three touchdowns and 19 first downs, as Sintim made 14 third-down stops vs. the ground attack, taking down ball carriers for no gain on six carries…Had 11-of-20 passes in his area completed (55.0%) for 88 yards (8.0 yards per completion/4.4 yards per attempt), one touchdown and four first downs, as he made seven third-down stops and two more on fourth-down vs. The aerial game…Delivered ten tackles inside the red zone, including three on goal-line plays...2007: 13 GP; 13 GS; 44 Sol-78 TT, 9 TFL, 9 SK, 3 QBH, 2 FF; Third-year starter at outside linebacker ... started the last 37 games, ... the longest active streak on the team ... third on the team in tackling with a career-high 77 tackles ... 28th in the ACC in tackling with an average of 5.9 tpg. ... led the nation in sacks by a linebacker with an average of 0.69/g ... fourth in the ACC in sacks and tops among linebackers .. his nine sacks are fourth most in a season by a UVa linebacker ... second on the team behind Chris Long with 17 quarterback pressures ... shared the team lead with two forced fumbles ... made at least eight tackles on five occasions ... named the coaches' defensive player of the week four times ... 2006: 12 GP; 12 GS; 22 Sol-45 TT, 10 TFL, 4 SK, 2 QBH, 1 FR, 1 FF; Started all 12 games at outside linebacker for the second year in a row ... averaged 3.8 tackles per game ... more than a quarter of his tackles were for loss (12 of 45) ... tied for second on the team with 12 TFL ... also second with four sacks ... credited with five quarterback pressures.
|
| 49 |
Jarron Gilbert |
(DE), San Jose State |
.
|
6-5 |
288 |
4.81 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Jarron Gilbert heading into rSr season: 2008: All-American first-team and Super Sleeper Team selection by The NFL Draft Report...All-Western Athletic Conference first-team choice and named the league's co-Defensive Player of the Year...The team captain was also named the Spartans' Most Valuable Player...Started at his fourth different position during his SJSU career, taking over left defensive tackle duties...Recorded a career-high 52 tackles (36 solos), as he led the team, ranked second in the WAC and finished tied for 19th in the nation with 9.5 sacks for minus 74 yards...Led the NCAA and tied the conference season-record with 22.0 stops behind the line of scrimmage for losses totaling 116 yards...Added five quarterback pressures, as he caused two fumbles and deflected three passes...Made 41 of his plays vs. the running game, holding the opposition to 39 yards (0.95 ypc) with no touchdowns and just four first downs, as he stopped ball carriers for no gain on eight attempts, in addition to making 22 tackles behind the line of scrimmage...Registered ten of his stops on third-down plays and one more on fourth down, as he also produced seven stops for loss inside the red zone...Gilbert played in 48 games at San Jose State, starting 14 games at right defensive end, 12 at left defensive tackle, 10 at left defensive end and two at right defensive tackle...Recorded 144 tackles (87 solos) with seven quarterback pressures, three forced fumbles and 15 pass deflections...His 22.5 sacks for minus 142 yards fifth on the Western Athletic Conference career list behind Jorge Cordova of Nevada (31.0, 2000-03), Brandon Green of Rice (25.0, 1999-2002), Travis LaBoy of Hawaii (24.0, 2001-03) and Garrett McIntyre of Fresno State (23.5, 2002-05)...His 9.5 sacks in 2008 tied Melila Purcell of Hawaii (2006) and J.J. Milan of Nevada (2006) for tenth on the WAC's season-record chart...Gilbert registered 42.0 stops for losses of 207 yards, breaking the old school career-record of 40.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage by Lyneil Mayo (1989-90) and rank tied with Nick Burley of Fresno State (1999-2002), Sam Rayburn of Tulsa (1999-2002) and Derek Kennard of Nevada (2000-03) for sixth on the conference all-time record chart...His 22.0 tackles for loss in 2008 tied Travis LaBoy of Hawaii (2003) for the WAC season-record...2007: 12 GP; 12 GS; 23 Sol-39 TT, 7.5 TFL, 4 SK, 4 PBU, 1 FF; Second team All-WAC...2006: 13 GP; 10 GS; 14 Sol-32 TT, 7.5 TFL, 5 SK, 6 PBU, 2 QBH; Started 10 games and played in all 13...Finished season with 32 tackles, including 7.5 tackles for loss...Led Spartans with 5.0 sacks.
|
| 50 |
Louis Delmas |
(FS), Western Michigan |
.
|
6-0 |
202 |
4.52 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Louis Delmas heading into Sr season: 2008: All-American Dream Team choice by The NFL Draft Report, adding All-Mid American Conference first-team honors from the league's coaches...Earned MAC Defensive Player of the Week honors vs. Northern Illinois and Illinois...Started all thirteen games at free safety, leading the team with a career-high 111 tackles (61 solos), adding four stops for losses totaling 7 yards...Recovered one fumble and deflected three passes...Gained 98 yards with a touchdown on four interception returns...Made 24 of his tackles on third- or fourth-down plays...Had at least ten tackles in a game six times...Also caught a pass for 19 yards vs. Rice in the Texas Bowl...Intercepted a pass in each of the team's first three games...Delmas started 44 of 45 games at Western Michigan; 33 at free safety, 11 at left cornerback...Ranks tied with Dominic Riggio (1971-73) for eighth in school history with 310 tackles, topped by John Offerdahl (694, 1982-85), Sean Mulhearn (435, 1987-90), Eric Hoffman (406, 1985-88), Peter Tuffo (382, 1990-94), Greg Igaz (346, 1969-71), John Schuster (334, 1978-81) and Scott Niles (313, 1996-99)...Added 2.5 sacks for minus 15 yards, 11.5 stops for losses totaling 32 yards and one quarterback pressure...Recovered four fumbles and caused three others...Deflected 18 passes and intercepted 12 others for 152 yards in returns (12.67 avg) and one touchdown...2007: 10 GP; 10 GS; KR: 7-162-23.1-0; 48 Sol-64 TT, 3 TFL, 1 SK, 1 INT, 2 PBU, 1 QBH, 2 FF; Team captain ... named Second Team All-MAC Defense ... 2006: 11 GP; 11 GS; 39 Sol-53 TT, 0.5 TFL, 4 INT, 5 PBU, 1 FR, 1 FF; Started all 11 games played ... 2005: 11 GP; 11 GS; 54 Sol-82 TT, 4 TFL, 1.5 SK, 3 INT, 8 PBU, 2 FR, 1 BLK, 1 SFTY; Started all 11 games as a true freshman ... Second-Team All-MAC selection.
|
| 51 |
Lawrence Sidbury, Jr. |
(DE), Richmond |
.
|
6-3 |
266 |
4.53 |
|
|
|
|
|
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 Lawrence Sidbury, Jr. heading into rSr season: 2008: Helped Richmond earn the school's first NCAA Championship in any sport on its way to a school-record 13-3 record. The Spiders won nine consecutive games to end the season, which stands as the longest winning streak in the FCS entering 2009...Started all 16 games he played in at left defensive end. Recording a career-high 56 tackles (26 solo), as he led the Spiders with 11.5 sacks for minus 61 yards (third-best season total in school history) and led the CAA with 20 stops for losses totaling 80 yards...Registered four quarterback pressures, as he caused three fumbles, recovered another and deflected two passes...Had at least one sack in eight games and at least one tackle behind the line of scrimmage in 13 contests...Sidbury started 31-of-52 games at Richmond, recording 145 tackles (71 solos) with 20.5 sacks for minus-111 yards and 38 stops for losses of 159 yards...Registered six quarterback pressures, as he caused four fumbles, recovered two others and deflected four passes...His 20.5 quarterback sacks rank fourth in school history behind Marc Megna (32.0, 1994-98), Steve Quander (25.0, 1994-97) and Tom Coles (24.5, 1986-88)...Posted 11.5 sacks in 2008, moving to third on Richmond's season-record list behind Marl Megna's 13.0 in 1998 and 14.0 in 1997...Became the seventh player in school history invited to play in the prestigious Senior Bowl, joining defensive end John Hilton, offensive tackle Wayne Fowler (1970), defensive back Jeff Nixon (1979), tailback Barry Redden (1982), safety Brian Jordan (1989) and linebacker Shawn Barber (1998)...His four quarterback sacks vs. Montana in the 2008 FCS title game set the NCAA record for most sacks in a playoff game and were also the most sacks registered by a Richmond player in a contest...2007: 13 GP; 13 GS; 20 Sol-48 TT, 8 TFL, 4.5 SK, 1 PBU, 2 QBH, 1 FR, 1 FF; First team All-CAA...2006: 9 GP; 0 GS; 11 Sol-17 TT, 5.5 TFL, 1 SK; Played in nine games... Was in on 17 tackles (5.5 for loss) and one sack... Helped a Richmond defense that ranked 21st nationally against the run (115.9 yards/game), 36th against the pass (117.3 yards/game) and 22nd in points allowed (18.09 points/game)...2005: 13 GP; 1 GS; 12 Sol-24 TT, 4 TFL, 3 SK, 1 PBU; Helped the Spider defense rank fourth in the conference and 38th in the country in total defense (339.3 yd/game)... Was part of a Spider defensive squad which also ranked fourth in the conference and 22nd in the nation against the rush (120.1 yd/game)... Took part in the Spider defense which recorded 51 total sacks, the most since wracking up 59 in 1997... Played in 13 games and started one... Recorded a total of 24 tackles, including four for loss... Garnered three sacks for a total of 12 yards. 2004: Redshirted... Competes on the Richmond track & field squad.
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| 52 |
*LeSean McCoy |
(RB), Pittsburgh |
.
|
5-11 |
204 |
4.50 |
|
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 *LeSean McCoy heading into So season: 2008: All-Big East Conference first-team pick and named Big East Offensive Player of the Year by the media...Semi-finalist for both the Maxwell Award and Doak Walker Award...Team Most Valuable Player...Started all 13 games, leading the Big East while ranking second in the nation in scoring, averaging 9.69 points per game...Finished second in the league and 10th nationally with an average of 114.46 yards per game rushing, as he also ranked third in the conference with 1,809 all-purpose yards, an average of 139.15 yards per game...Ran for a career-high 1,488 yards and 21 touchdowns on 308 carries (4.8 avg.), as he produced 89 first downs (28.9%) and converted 11 of 31 third-down snaps (35.48%)...Had 40 carries that gained at least 10 yards (12.99%), including 10 for 20 yards or longer...Recorded 49 positive runs inside the end zone (15.91%), including 27 on goal-line plays...Credited with key rushing attempts that set up 28 touchdown drives and nine other series that ended with field goals...Turned the ball over three times on six fumbles, as he was stopped behind the line of scrimmage on 27 carries (8.77%) and tackled for no gain on 15 other rushing attempts...Ran for over 100 yards six times and scored at least one touchdown in all but two of his 13 contests...McCoy started 22 of 25 games he played in at Pittsburgh, carrying the ball 584 times for 2,816 yards (4.82 avg.) and 35 touchdowns, adding 549 yards and a score on 65 receptions (8.4 avg.), 16 yards on a kickoff return and scored 216 points...Also completed two of four passes for 32 yards, recorded three tackles (two solos) and generated 3,381 all-purpose yards, an average of 135.24 yards per game...His combined touchdown total of 36 topped the previous NCAA record for freshman and sophomores of 32 by Pittsburgh's Larry Fitzgerald (2002-03)...2007: Was the country's top freshman rusher with an average of 110.67 yards per game and ranked 21st overall...set a Big East freshman record with 1,328 yards on 276 carries (4.81 avg.), surpassing Terrell Willis' (Rutgers) mark of 1,261 set in 1993...McCoy set Pitt freshman records for points (90) and rushing touchdowns (14), surpassing Tony Dorsett's 34-year-old marks (78 points, 13 rushing TDs in 1973)...had seven 100-yard rushing performances on the season, the most by a Pitt frosh since Tony Dorsett had 10 in 1973.
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| 53 |
Patrick Chung |
(SS), Oregon |
.
|
5-11 |
212 |
4.49 |
|
|
|
|
|
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|
 Patrick Chung heading into rSr season: 2008: Chung was named All-American third-team by Phil Steele Publications, adding first-team All-Pac 10 Conference honors for the second-straight year...As the heart of the Oregon defense, the four-year starter continued his role as the defensive quarterback, despite altering his responsibilities from Rover to more of a free safety as the season wore on...Ranked third on the team and led the secondary with 92 tackles (58 solos), including two sacks for minus 18 yards and 6.5 stops for losses totaling 34 yards...Recorded seven pass deflections and returned his only interception 31 yards for a touchdown...Gained 307 yards on 12 kickoff returns (25.6 avg)...His average of 7.08 tackles per game placed ninth among conference players...2007: 13 GP; 13 GS; PR: 2-10-5-0 KR: 9-201-22.3-0; 71 Sol-117 TT, 7.5 TFL, 2 INT, 7 PBU, 1 FF, 2 BLK; The second-team All-America honoree (Associated Press) and Oregon's top tackler posted more tackles than any other defensive back on the team in 13 years. Extending his string of consecutive starting assignments to 38 games, he accumulated 57 tackles over his past six appearances... He makes it difficult to pull him off the field as the special teams mainstay was honored as the Ducks' outstanding special teams player (Gordon E. Wilson Award) following the conclusion of the regular season... 2006: 13 GP; 13 GS; PR: 14-170-12.1-1; 49 Sol-84 TT, 3.5 TFL, 2 SK, 4 INT, 1 PBU, 1 FR; Attracted honorable mention all-conference acclaim for the second year in a row as Oregon's third-leading tackler helped stabilize a young secondary that completed the regular season ranked 10th in the country in pass defense. Also finished as team's runner-up in QB sacks in the secondary as well as second in interceptions... 2005: 12 GP; 12 GS; KR: 2-34-17-0; 58 Sol-91 TT, 1.5 TFL, 2 INT, 3 PBU, 1 FF; Oregon's second-leading tackler and top returnee not only garnered honorable mention all-Pacific-10 Conference acclaim as a rookie.
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| 54 |
*Jared Cook |
(TE), South Carolina |
.
|
6-5 |
246 |
4.49 |
|
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 *Jared Cook heading into rJr season: 2008: Named All-Southeastern Conference first-team by the league's coaches, adding second-team honors from the Associated Press and Rivals.com...Appeared in thirteen games, starting all but the Mississippi and Kentucky contests at tight end...Finished second on the team with a career-high 37 receptions for 573 yards (15.5 avg) and three touchdowns...Ranked 12th in the SEC with 44.08 receiving yards and 13th with 2.85 receptions per game...Caught 37 of 70 passes targeted to him52.86 percent), as the opposition deflected four of those throws...Had 25 first-down catches (67.57 percent), as he converted 7 of 16 third-down throws (43.75 percent)...23 of his receptions were good for at least 10 yards (62.16 percent), including eight for 20 yards or longer (21.625)...Caught four of his receptions inside the red zone...Assisted on a tackle and caused one fumble...Penalized three times for false starts, but also drew the opposition into pass interference calls five times, including three in the Georgia contest...Cook started 15 of 36 games for South Carolina, seeing most of his action as a tight end, but also competed at split end and flanker...Finished his career by hauling in 73 passes for 1,107 yards (15.16 avg), including seven touchdowns, averaging 30.75 receiving yards and 2.03 receptions per game...2007: Made three starts in 2007... was third on the squad with 30 receptions for 421 yards (second on the team), an average of 14.0 yards per catch, the highest average for any player with more than two receptions...has caught 36 passes over the past two seasons for 534 yards, an average of 14.8 yards per catch, with three scores... clocked a 4.37 40-yard dash with a 39.5-inch vertical leap in 2007... has made four career starts.
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| 55 |
William Moore |
(SS), Missouri |
.
|
6-0 |
221 |
4.56 |
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 William Moore heading into rSr season: 2008: The team captain and Thorpe Award semi-finalist earned All-Big Twelve Conference first-team honors from the league's coaches, picking up second-team accolades from the Associated Press, Kansas City Star and Houston Chronicle…Member of the Nagurski Award and Lott Trophy preseason Watch Lists…Started eleven of twelve games he played in, missing the Southeast Missouri clash after he suffered a right foot sprain in the season opener vs. Illinois…Re-injured his foot vs. Nevada, sitting out the Buffalo contest…Left the Big Twelve Championship Game vs. Oklahoma with rib cartilage damage…Still managed to rank fourth on the team with 86 tackles (55 solos), including a 10-yard sack, 6.5 stops for losses of 19 yards and a pressure…Paced the Tigers with three forced fumbles and had six pass deflections along with a 17-yard interception return for a touchdown...Moore started 32-of-48 games at Missouri, recording 284 tacklers (182 solos), ranking 15th on the school overall career-record list and that total was the fourth-highest by a Tigers defensive back, topped by Jason Simpson (331, 2002-05), Erik McMillan (323, 1984-87) and Adrian Jones (319, 1986-89)…Registered three sacks for minus 31 yards, 17.0 stops for losses totaling 67 yards and four quarterback pressures…Recovered one fumble and caused six others…Deflected 22 passes and had eleven interceptions for 162 yards, breaking Erik McMillan's school career-record (three) by returning four of those thefts for touchdowns…2007: 14 GP; 14 GS; 71 Sol-115 TT, 9 TFL, 2 SK, 8 INT, 5 PBU, 2 QBH, 2 FF; Second team All-Big 12. Emerged as one of the nation's top playmakers at safety, as he tied for the NCAA lead with a school-record 8 interceptions … His development throughout the course of the season was a major reason why the Tiger defense turned into one of the better ones in the Big 12 Conference, and his leadership after the defense lost fellow safety Pig Brown in game eight for the year was crucial … Had 5 INTs and 2 forced fumbles in the 6 games after Brown was lost for the year 2006: 13 GP; 4 GS; 33 Sol-51 TT, 1.5 TFL, 1 INT, 8 PBU, 1 FR; Made big plays as a sophomore on both defense and special teams.
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| 56 |
*D.J. Moore |
(CB), Vanderbilt |
.
|
5-10 |
192 |
4.56 |
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 *D.J. Moore heading into Jr season: 2008: Unanimous All-Southeastern Conference first-team selection…Started all thirteen games at left cornerback, but also received playing time as a wide receiver, running back, punt returner and kickoff returner during the season, in addition to taking snaps as quarterback...Recorded 58 tackles (30 solos) with an 8-yard sack and 4.5 stops for losses totaling 23 yards…Recovered and caused a fumble…Deflected seven passes…Ranked third in the league and eleventh in the nation for both interceptions and punt returns…Had six pass thefts for 56 yards in returns (9.3 avg) and averaged 14.35 yards on 17 punt returns for 244 yards, including a 91-yarder vs. Miami (Oh.), the second-longest punt runback in school history…Gained 407 yards on 21 kickoff returns (19.4 avg)…In limited duty on offense, Moore rushed for 76 yards on nine carries (8.4 avg) and caught seven passes for 143 yards (20.4 avg) and two touch-downs…Gained 926 all-purpose yards (71.23 ypg), as he touched the ball 60 times, averaging 15.43 yards per attempt...Moore started 34-of-37 games he played in at Vanderbilt at left cornerback…Recorded 178 tackles (120 solos) with two sacks for minus 17 yards, 6.5 stops for losses of 35 yards and one quarterback pressure…Recovered four fumbles and caused another…Deflected 19 passes and gained 109 yards with a touchdown on thirteen interceptions…His thirteen pass thefts tied Donald Gleisner (1950-52) and Ken Stone (1970-72) for second on the school career-record list behind the fifteen interceptions by Leonard Coleman (1980-83)…2007: 12 GP; 11 GS; Rush: 6-78-13-0; KR: 32-823-25.7-0; 67 Sol-83 TT, 2 TFL, 1 SK, 6 INT, 10 PBU, 1 QBH; One of the Southeastern Conference's most versatile athletes, Moore put together one of the finest seasons ever by a Commodore defensive back…2006: 12 GP; 9 GS; PR: 3-7-2.3-0 KR: 2-26-13-0; 27 Sol-37 TT, 1 INT, 2 PBU, 3 FF; Played in every game at a true freshman, starting nine straight games at cornerback... Also saw action as a punt returner.
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| 57 |
Duke Robinson |
(OG), Oklahoma |
.
|
6-5 |
329 |
5.32 |
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 Duke Robinson heading into Sr season: 2008: All-American first-team selection by The NFL Draft Report, Walter Camp Foundation and the Football Writers Association of America...Unanimous All-Big 12 Conference first-team choice...Finalist for the Outland Trophy, awarded to the nation's premier down lineman...Appeared in 13 games, starting 12 contests at left offensive guard... Was benched for the season opener vs. Chattanooga and suspended for the first half vs. Texas Christian due to team rules violations...Participated in 952 offensive snaps, grading 85.62 percent for blocking consistency...Registered 117 knockdowns/key blocks with 14 touchdown-resulting blocks and five down field blocks for the Sooners' NCAA record-setting offense that was the first team in college annals to score 60 or more points in five consecutive games....Oklahoma's 716 points scored and 96 offensive touchdowns also set NCAA team season-records...Was penalized eight times, but did not allow any QB sacks or pressures on 404 pass plays...During his final two seasons, Robinson logged 1,615 snaps, producing 229 knockdowns/ key blocks, 29 touchdown-resulting blocks and 10 blocks down field, but was also penalized 12 times...Allowed only two sacks and no pressures on 877 pass plays during his junior and senior campaigns...2007: AFCA, AP, The Sporting News and Sports Illustrated first team All-American ... All-Big 12 first team by the coaches and Associated Press ... starter at left guard ... caught a deflected pass and advanced it eight yards vs. A&M ... started 13 games, only exception was Texas A&M game ... graded at 85% for the season with 663 plays and 97 knockdowns ... had a knockdown best of 13 against Miami. 2006: All-Big 12 honorable mention by the coaches and Associated Press ... graded at 76% for the season ... top grade was 84% at Oklahoma State ... notched 108 knockdown blocks on the season with a best of 12 against Oregon and Oklahoma State ... had the highest snap count on the line with 809. 2005: Played in 10 games, mostly at left guard as a true freshman ... saw some action at left tackle early in the season...First name is George, nicknamed "Duke"...great nephew of singer/songwriter Smokey Robinson.
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| 58 |
Andre Brown |
(RB), North Carolina State |
.
|
6-0 |
224 |
4.37 |
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 Andre Brown heading into Sr season: 2008: Battled back from a left foot fracture in spring camp to start all 13 games, leading the team with a career-high 767 yards and seven touchdowns on 175 carries (4.4 avg.)...Registered 46 first-down runs (26.29%), as he converted 8-of-12 third-down snaps and had 29 positive carries inside the red zone, including 15 on goal-line plays...23 of his runs were for at least 10 yards, as he was tackled behind the line of scrimmage 17 times (9.71%) and stopped for no gain on eight other runs...Had key rushes that set up 10 touchdown drives and one more that ended with a field goal...Ranked second on the team with a career-high 29 receptions for 309 yards (10.7 avg.) and two scores...Added 13 yards on a kickoff return to total 1,089 all-purpose yards, an average of 83.77 yards per game...2007: 8 GP; 4 GS; Rush: 95-447-4.7-5; Rec: 25-194-7.8-0; Ranks 12th in NC State history with 1,772 career yards, he missed four complete games after fracturing his foot at Florida State ... Underwent surgery and didn't return until the Wake Forest game ... Rushed for 447 yards for the season, he was also a threat to catch the ball ... Tallied more receptions in eight games (25) than in his previous two seasons combined (16 in 23 games) ... On the preseason watch list for the Doak Walker Award ... Reinjured his foot in 2008 spring drills and underwent a second surgery ... Should be back at full speed for fall camp...2006: 12 GP; 9 GS; Rush: 124-658-5.3-4; Rec: 9-52-5.8-0; KR: 7-131-18.7-0; Became the 21st player in school history to rush for over 1,000 career yards when he had 113 against Florida State ... Reached that milestone in his 16th game, the eight-shortest time in school history for a player to reach 1,000 rushing yards ... The Wolfpack's leading rusher in seven games, he ranked second on the team in rushing with 658 yards ... Averaged 5.3 yards per carry, the seventh-best mark in school history ... 2005: 11 GP; 5 GS; Rush: 129-667-5.2-6; Rec: 7-76-10.9-0; KR: 9-197-21.9-0; A first-team Academic All-ACC performer.
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| 59 |
Kevin Barnes |
(CB), Maryland |
.
|
6-0 |
187 |
4.45 |
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 Kevin Barnes heading into rSr season: 2008: The All-Atlantic Coast Conference preseason selection started the team's first seven games at strong-side cornerback, but suffered a shoulder injury vs. Wake Forest that would sideline him for the final six contests...Finished with 20 tackles (15 solos) and two forced fumbles...Blocked a kick vs. Virginia and totaled 27 yards on two interceptions... Also deflected five passes...The Terrapin Leadership Council member proved to be a "team first" player, as he served as a student coach while missing the second half of the season during his time recovering from his fractured left scapula and torn labrum...Barnes started 21 of 43 games at Maryland; 20 at strong-side cornerback and one at boundary cornerback...Recorded 100 tackles (75 solos) with 5.5 stops for losses of 18 yards and two forced fumbles...Blocked a kick vs. Virginia in 2008 and deflected 15 passes...Gained 82 yards on six interception returns (13.67-yard average)...2007: 13 GP; 13 GS; 46 Sol-64 TT, 5.5 TFL, 4 INT, 8 PBU; An All-ACC nominee at cornerback ... led the team with four interceptions, the most by a Terp since Dominique Foxworth had five in 2002 ... second on the team in pass breakups (nine) ... fifth on the team with 65 tackles ... also fourth on the team with 47 solo stops ... tied for seventh in the ACC and 77th in the country in interceptions (0.31 pg) ... tied for fifth in the ACC and 55th in the NCAA in passes defended (1.00 pg) ... started all 13 games at cornerback ... also a regular on special teams where he posted 10 tackles on the season ... 2006: 13 GP; 1 GS; 9 Sol-11 TT; Played in all 13 games at cornerback, including one start ... also saw action on special teams ... 2005: 10 GP; 0 GS; 4 Sol-4 TT, 1 PBU; Saw action in 10 games, playing primarily on special teams ... finished the season with four tackles, all solo, and a pass breakup... 2004: Redshirt season.
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| 60 |
*Shonn Greene |
(RB), Iowa |
.
|
5-11 |
227 |
4.62 |
|
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 *Shonn Greene heading into Jr season: 2008: Earned All-America first-team honors from The NFL Draft Report, Football Writers Association of America, Walter Camp, American Football Coaches Association and The Sporting News, becoming Iowa's first consensus All-American running back since Nile Kinnick in 1939...All-Big Ten Conference first-team choice and named the league's Offensive Player of the Year...Recipient of the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation's top running back...The Chicago Tribune awarded him with the Silver Football, given to the Most Valuable Player in the Big Ten...Named the team's offensive captain and Offensive MVP...Semi-finalist for the Maxwell Award, given to the nation's top player...Set the school single-season records with 1,850 yards on 307 carries (6.0 avg.) and 20 touchdowns, as he led the conference and ranked second nationally with an average of 142.31 yards per game rushing...Caught eight passes for 49 yards and recorded one solo tackle...Finished second in the Big Ten and 22nd in the nation with 1,899 all-purpose yards, an average of 146.08 yards per game...Turned the ball over twice on fumbles -- one each vs. Florida International and Northwestern...Ran for over 100 yards in a Big Ten Conference single-season record 13 games...In 33 games at Iowa, Greene started 13 contests, as he carried 376 times for 2,228 yards (5.93 avg.) and 22 touchdowns, adding 72 yards on 11 receptions (6.55 avg.), 114 yards on six kickoff returns (19.0 avg.) and six tackles (four solos), as he amassed 2,414 all-purpose yards, an average of 73.15 yards per game...2007: Did not participate with football program in 2007... moved from running back to defensive back during 2006 bowl preparation...2006: 32-205-6.4 1 TD in '06...Listed as second team running back following spring practice...2005: 37-173-4.7 1 TD in '05...one of five true freshmen to see action in 2005...Born 8/21/85...will be a mid-twenties NFL rookie.
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| 61 |
*James Casey |
(FB), Rice |
.
|
6-3 |
246 |
4.74 |
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 *James Casey heading into So season: 2008: Unanimous first-team All-Conference USA pick...Named league Offensive Player of the Week vs. Memphis, Texas-El Paso and Houston...Started all thirteen games at the "Y" receiver position, but also saw action at the other three receiver spots, in addition to playing quarterback and returning punts...Set the school single-season records as he caught 111 of 142 passes targeted to him (78.17 percent) for 1,329 yards (12.0 avg) and thirteen touchdowns...Led the conference and ranked second in the nation with an average of 8.54 receptions per game...Placed second in the league and seventh nationally with an average of 192.23 receiving yards per game...67 of his receptions (60.36 percent) produced first downs, as he converted 14 of 25 third-down throws (56 percent)...Proving to be the team's "money player," 32 of his receptions came inside the red zone, as he had big catches to set up 27 touchdown drives and three other series that ended with field goals...2007: Consensus C-USA All Freshman pick...second on the team with 46 catches and finished second on the team with 585 yards receiving...46 receptions matched the 10th best single-season total in school history... 55 of his 91 touches on offense resulted in either a first down or a touchown. (23 of 45 rushes; 32 of 46 receptions)...2006: Retired from pro baseball at the end of the 2006 baseball season...drafted in the seventh round of the 2003 Draft by the Chicago White Sox...was cited by Baseball America as possessing the Best Fastball from the Sox 2003 draft class...Pitched in the White Sox system for three seasons at the Rookie League level before he was released...September 22, 1984...married, will be a 24/25 year old NFL rookie.
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| 62 |
Pat White |
(QB), West Virginia |
.
|
6-0 |
197 |
4.55 |
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 Pat White heading into rSr season: 2008: All-Big East Conference first-team selection for the third consecutive season...Started 12 games, missing the Syracuse game and the second half of the Rutgers game after suffering a head injury from a helmet-to-helmet collision vs. the Scarlet Knights...Ranked second in the conference with a 142.35 passing efficiency rating, as he led the Big East and finishing 19th in the nation in points responsible for (14.67 points per game)...Finished second on the team for the third time in four years with 974 yards and eight touchdowns on 191 carries (5.1-yard average)...Ranked third in the conference with an average of 234.67 yards per game in total offense...Completed 180-of-274 passes (65.69%) for 1,842 yards, a career-high 21 touchdowns and just seven interceptions...Helped the team rank 15th in the nation with an average of 209.92 yards per game rushing...Was sacked a career-high 16 times for minus-93 yards, but greatly reduced his turnovers, losing the ball just once on four fumbles...Had only 19-of-274 pass attempts deflected by the opposition (6.93%)...2007: All-Big East Conference first-team selection and named the league's Offensive Player of the Year...Semifinalist for the O'Brien Award and the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award...Named the Fiesta Bowl Offensive MVP and chosen for ESPN.com's All-Bowl team, as he also finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy balloting...Earned team MVP honors for the second-straight year...Ranked ninth in the nation with a 151.4 passing efficiency rating and finished 29th overall and second among the nation's quarterbacks in rushing, as he gained a career-high 1,335 yards with 14 touchdowns on 197 carries (6.8-yard average)...Only Michael Desormeaux of Louisiana-Lafayette (103.73 yards per game) had a better rushing yards per game average than White's 102.69 among the major college quarterbacks...Averaged 235.31 yards per game in total offense...Completed 144-of-216 passes (66.67%) for 1,724 yards, 14 touchdowns and only four interceptions...Made one solo tackle, but was sacked eight times for minus-35 yards...Fourth-round draft pick of Anaheim Angels in 2004.
|
| 63 |
*Jairus Byrd |
(CB), Oregon |
.
|
5-10 |
207 |
4.67 |
|
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 *Jairus Byrd heading into rJr season: 2008: All-Pac 10 Conference first-team selection…The three-year starter had the best year of his outstanding collegiate career, capped by winning the Defensive MVP award at the Holiday Bowl...Byrd started all thirteen games at left cornerback and also handled the bulk of the punt return duties…Finished fourth on the team with 83 total tackles and second with 60 solo hits, adding 1.5 stops for minus 3 yards…Caused and recovered a fumble…Tied for the league lead with five interceptions, good for 52 yards in returns…Led the Ducks with 19 pass break-ups and ranked second in the league and third in the nation with a total of 26 passes defended (1.46 pg)…Finished third in the conference with a 12.31-yard average (20th nationally) on 26 punt returns for 320 yards and a touchdown…Benefited from tremendous strength as he joined a pair of current teammates in equaling the program's all-time power clean lift by a defensive back (330 lbs.) during the 2008 winter testing...Byrd started each of his final 37 contests during a 39-game career at left cornerback, recording 203 tackles (143 solos) with six stops for losses of 17 yards, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries…Deflected 53 passes, ranking fourth in school history behind Alex Molden (60, 1992-95), Steve Smith (56, 1998-2001) and Rashad Bauman (55, 1997-2001)…2007: 13 GP; 13 GS; PR: 7-63-9-0; 44 Sol-65 TT, 4 TFL, 1 SK, 7 INT, 15 PBU, 1 QBH, 3 FR, 1 FF; The Pacific-10 Conference's honorable mention all-league standout and leader in interceptions was the Ducks' fifth-leading tackler...2006: 13 GP; 11 GS; 40 Sol-56 TT, 0.5 TFL, 5 INT, 7 PBU, 1 FF; Earned Pac-10 Conference Co-Freshman Player-of-the- Year honors as well as second-team Freshman All-America acclaim (The Sporting News) after the former rover was pressed into a starting cornerback...2005: redshirt year.
|
| 64 |
Jason Williams |
(OLB), Western Illinois |
.
|
6-1 |
241 |
4.52 |
|
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 Jason Williams heading into rSr season: 2008: All-American first-team selection by The NFL Draft Report, The Sporting News, Associated Press, the Sports Network, College Sporting News and the American Football Coaches Association...Rated the best linebacker prospect below the major college ranks by The NFL Draft Report and finished fourth in the voting for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the top defensive player in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision ranks...Added All-Gateway Conference first-team honors...Named the team's Defensive Most Valuable Player...Started all 11 games at weak-side outside linebacker, producing at least one tackle behind the line of scrimmage in each of his first 10 contests...Set the school season-record and led the FCS ranks with six forced fumbles...Recorded 67 tackles (39 solo) with four sacks for minus-29 yards...Led the team with a career-high 17.0 stops for losses totaling 57 yards, ranking second in the conference...Added four quarterback pressures and deflected six passes...2007: 11 GP; 11 GS; 42 Sol-107 TT, 16.5 TFL, 8 SK, 4 PBU, 2 QBH, 2 FR, 5 FF; Named to the AFCA FCS All-America Team and the Associated Press All-America Second Team... a first-team all-Gateway honoree... runner-up for Gateway Defensive Player of the Year Award... led the Gateway in three defensive categories - sacks (8), tackles for loss (16.5) and forced fumbles (5), and ranked third in tackles (107)... ranked among the nation's top 50 defensive players in tackles for loss, total tackles and sacks... his five forced fumbles ranked fifth nationally and tied a school record... helped anchor a defensive unit that ranked among the top-25 nationally in five categories - scoring defense (18th), total defense (21st), pass defense (22nd), sacks (23rd) and pass efficiency defense (25th)... named the team's defensive MVP at the annual awards banquet...2006: 11 GP; 11 GS; 41 Sol-92 TT, 10.5 TFL, 3 SK, 1 INT, 3 PBU, 3 FF; Was the only linebacker to start all 11 games... earned honorable mention all-Gateway honors... ranked eighth in the league in tackles, averaging 8.4 per game... had more tackles than any sophomore in the league (92)... also had three sacks (-29 yards)... ranked seventh in the conference with 10.5 tackles for loss (-47 yards)... forced three fumbles, including two at Missouri State... 2005: 10 GP; 2 GS; 14 Sol-23 TT, 1 TFL, 1 BLK; Started the final two games of the season at strong safety... appeared in 10 games, missing only the Iowa Wesleyan contest... totaled 23 tackles, including 14 solo stops.
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