The Top 15 Most Feared College Football Players in 2009

The upcoming season should be filled with plenty of playmakers and hard hitters. Offensive coordinators lay awake at nigh, trying to figure out how to stop these players. And defensive coordinators, don't unpack your bags.

Some of these kids are not even old enough to drink. I review the top-15 players in College Football. Keep an eye on them.

No. 15 - Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State

The redshirt sophomore is entering the season as the dark horse for the Heisman trophy. Although the media hype isn't centered around Boise, Idaho, Moore has led the Broncos to a 12-1 regular season record and a birth in the Poinsetta Bowl in his first year of starting.

Expect Moore to post similar numbers to last season, where he threw for 3,486 yards and tossed 25 TDs.

No. 14 - Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State

"The Quizz," also a red shirt sophomore, was the Pac-10's second leading rusher last season. I am not going to let my USC bias rear it's ugly head in this article, but I will say that Rodgers is a tiny target at 5'7", which makes him hard to see over offensive linemen, and he has such a quick first step.

Despite only playing 11 games last year, expect Jacquizz to post another 1,000 yard campaign.

No. 13 - Dezmon Briscoe, WR, Kansas

I didn't know there was such a thing as fantasy college football, but last year I signed up for it, and my seventh round pick was Briscoe, and he only rewarded me with 92 receptions, 1,407 yards, and 15 TDs.

The pass heavy Kansas Jayhawks will have one of the most dangerous targets this year with the 6'3" wideout. Expect the Jayhawk receiver not only to be on many draft boards come April, but also breaking a lot more Kansas records.

No. 12 - Zac Robinson, QB, Oklahoma State

With a very heavy offensive attack at his disposal, Robinson can hang with the big boys in the Big 12. Any QB that can throw for 3,000 yards and rush for over 500 with a 1,000 yard receiver and 1,000 yard rusher, you have to give hats off to their offensive coordinator.

And with Kendall Hunter and Dez Bryant back to help the Pokes nab a Big 12 title, Zac Robinson (with another year in that system) can just sit back and enjoy all the toys he has to play with. Do I expect him to contend for Heisman? Uhh, ya.

No. 11 - Robert Griffin, QB, Baylor

Staying in the Big 12, Griffin might not have all the players to truly contend for national contention, but anyone from Baylor who can make them relevant has to get my nod. 843 yards and 13 TDs...rushing.

Now passing, although efficient (only 3 INTs), he does not have to rely on his arm to win games, obviously. For the first time since 1997, Baylor's opener against Wake Forest will be televised, and you have to think this sophomore will squeeze every opportunity to show his worth.

No. 10 - Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

The best DT in the nation (now) is coming back for his senior year campaign and you have to know that he and the Sooners are hungry to redeem themselves after getting spanked by the Gators in the BCS National Title game.

McCoy is going to have a young, AND experienced defense to play with. Combine that with the 6'4", 295 pound McCoy, and it becomes one scary defense. Double him, someone else will come through. Try and one-on-one block, he is bound to rip and get through.

The only concern is durability, but hey, he is the only who has to worry about it.

No. 9 - Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

One of the most impressive freshman receivers I have ever seen. He is big, he is physical, and if you want to bump him at the line, be my guest, he is also pretty quick.

Jones burst onto the scene with the Tide and didn't leave anything on the table. I know what your thinking—without JP Wilson, or a very experienced QB at that, how can Jones expect to post similar numbers like last year? Well, Greg McElroy will find No. 9, and he will find him often.

No. 8 - Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida

Spikes is an old school, gritty line backer. I'm sure Lombardi is rolling around in his grave for me saying that, but its true! He is the heart of the best (yes, best) defense, returning an unheard of 11 starters from a year ago.

Brandon is one of those emotional leaders, and usually playing with emotion isn't the best idea, but he translates the emotion to just great play on the field. I wanted to make him much higher on this list, but the next seven guys are just so damn good.

No. 7 - Taylor Mays, S, USC

Mays passed up a first-round selection, millions of dollars, and NFL stardom to make it on my list. Kidding. But the way this kid plays is no joke (ha, that one was unintentional)

Taylor Mays can make a good defense great. Luckily at USC, he has the opportunity to make a great defense even better. He is built like a linebacker but can run like a wideout. Offensive coordinators in the Pac-10 have another year long headache when they try and scheme, knowing Mays will probably bust through the play and disrupt timing. NFL is salivating at the opportunity to showcase this tremendous talent.

No. 6 - Eric Berry, S, Tennessee

Berry could very well be in the race for the Heisman, and playing in the tough SEC is on his side. The playmaker at safety has been showing his skill set ever since he first arrived in Knoxville. And although he may not have the best defense around him, he can find ways to improve and make his defense better.
Like Mays, Berry is almost guaranteed a first round selection in the NFL when he enters. He is athletic and can play both safety and cornerback.

No. 5 - Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State

THE best receiver in the nation now doesn't have to worry about No. 5 taking all the national attention. When you have the numbers that Bryant has (130 receptions, 2,102 yards and 25 TDs) and still have 2 years of eligibility left, well, it is safe to say he could very well go down as one of the best receivers in Oklahoma State history.

His blend of size and quickness make him an absolute dream for NFL O coordinators, and an absolute nightmare for the guys who are hired to stop him. If he stays healthy, Bryant will shake up the Big 12.

No. 4 - Jahvid Best, RB, California

I remember sitting in a coffee house with a fellow Journalism classmate of mine, and he was hyping up the former 4 star running back from Cal. Being the USC fan I am, I immediately dispelled him. After a 1,580 yard and 15 TD campaign, I am wrong. Dead wrong.

This kid is probably one of the most raw athletes, but he is slowly becoming a every touch back. He can catch, and he is getting better at finding spaces in the D. When you play Cal, you not only have to account for him, but also Shane Vereen, so that 1-2 punch could give you fits.

Expect Best to be the best he can this season. You might not see him next year.

No. 3 - Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

Last years Heisman winner is not letting up. The Oklahoma junior is already being talked about as a two-time Heisman winner, and I want to join that discussion.

He has weapons still, despite the loss of Iglesias. Bradford has Jermaine Gresham (who was going to make this list) and DeMarco Murray back, health. When you have a healthy running game, it makes the offense so much more easier to handle.

Can he repeat? Yes, because even though he got worked in the National Title game, he still posts very gaudy numbers (4,720 yards, 50 TDs AND just 8 INTs).

His uncanny accuracy and poise will make him a top-5 pick next year, or the year after.

No. 2 - Tim Tebow, QB, Florida

The best player on the best team in America, with two National Titles under his belt, and a Heisman, while also contending for his second. Do I really have to go on?

Tebow has been the golden boy of college football for almost four years now. His positive outlook and religious demeanor makes him a very desirable player, but what makes him more desirable is his toughness and rugged style of play. Anyone who has ever put on pads and has actually gotten hit during a game knows—it isn't easy to take it. Tim is like a bowling ball, he just keeps going.

If he posts similar numbers to last year and the year before, expect to see his pretty grin in New York.

No. 1 - Colt McCoy, QB, Texas

He got to where he is by being tough—not just physically, but mentally. He was a red shirt freshman, battling Jevan Snead (Ya, that one QB at Ole Miss) to replace a Texas legend, Vince Young, after their National title year. Sounds tough? Not for McCoy.

The Jim Ned HS prodigy has re-written the Texas record book, and he did it with a supporting cast that has not had a first round pick on offense since...you guessed it, Vince Young.

McCoy is great at throwing on the run, probably the best at it. He can run as well as he amassed nearly 600 yards on the ground last year. He will eclipse the 10,000 yard passing mark this upcoming year, and with his favorite target Jordan Shipley back in Austin, expect McCoy to make a lot happen with a little.