College Football's Top 200 Players for 2011

We’ve all had that debate.

You’re sitting at the bar with your friends, watching some games, making small talk and the inevitable "NFL or College Football, which is better?" argument arises, and it ends up occupying an hour or so of your time.

Now don’t get me wrong, I really like the NFL, but for me, there’s no other sport that can compare to college football.

Why?

Well, the main reason is that every season, new stars are born.

What can I say, I’m a sucker for up-and-coming talent.

In the NFL, it seems like every year we’re talking about Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and the like, but in college, the talent turnover rate is so great that it allows for new faces to shine and for under-the-radar players to become instant celebrities virtually overnight.

I mean who would have thought at the beginning of the 2010 season that guys like Cam Newton, Justin Blackmon and Denard Robinson would capture the country’s attention the way that they did?

It was tremendously entertaining to watch, and we should expect the same thing to happen in 2011.

Sure, everyone is going to be talking about guys like Andrew Luck, Kellen Moore and LaMichael James in August, and don’t get me wrong, all three are terrific players. But this year’s talent pool is in no way shallow, and there are plenty of other players throughout the country who deserve recognition and accolades.

With that in mind, I compiled a list of 200 college football players, who in my opinion, are most worthy of preseason attention.

It’s only a starting point, as there are guaranteed to be more than a few breakout stars that rise from relative obscurity, but these are the players who appear set to have the biggest impact and make the most headlines this season.

1. QB Andrew Luck, Stanford

Alright Andrew Luck, you’ve got our attention. Now let’s see if you can handle the hype.

Being the Heisman front-runner, the No. 1 pick favorite and college football’s cover boy comes with its own set of challenges. But if anyone is equipped to handle all the pressure, it’s Andrew Luck.

We’ve seen recent highly-touted quarterbacks like Jake Locker, Matt Leinart and Brady Quinn fail to live up to the preseason media hype that was created for them, but it’s hard to see the Stanford signal-caller joining that group.

Luck is one of the best college quarterbacks we’ve seen since the turn of the millennium, and he’s got all the tools you’re looking for in a future franchise quarterback.

The 6’4’’, 235-pound junior is coming off a season in which he threw for over 3,300 yards and 32 TDs, carried Stanford to a 12-1 record and a BCS bowl victory and finished as a runner-up in the Heisman voting.

It certainly won’t be easy to top last year’s performance, but Luck’s got the talent and the mindset to accomplish anything he puts his mind to and a Pac-12 championship, an invite to New York City and a national title will all be on his goal sheet for the 2011 season.

2. WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State

Where did this guy come from?

That's a question many Big 12 fanbases found themselves asking last year after Justin Blackmon tore their teams to pieces.

Blackmon, who had a fairly pedestrian redshirt freshman season in 2009, exploded onto the scene, leading the country with 20 TD catches, hauling in 111 receptions and ultimately winning the Biletnikoff Award for his efforts.

The 6'1'', 205-pound junior has QB Brandon Weeden back, and although his production could slip a little without coordinator Dana Holgorsen calling plays, if last season is any indication, there’s no reason to believe that Blackmon won’t keep abusing Big 12 defensive backs on a regular basis in 2011.

3. LB Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State

There are a few different players who I’m really going to be rooting hard for this year, but without a doubt, my favorite player going into the 2011 season is LB Vontaze Burfict.

Burfict is one of the most intimidating defenders in all of college football, and the scary part is, he may only just be cracking his potential.

The 6’3’’, 245-pound junior has been the face of the Arizona State defense since first stepping foot in the desert as a true freshman, and he's managed to tally 150 tackles in just his first two seasons.

Arizona State should be one of the most improved teams in college football in 2011, and with the increased exposure, Burfict should be able to show off his game to a nationwide audience and let every fan know who the top linebacker is.

4. RB Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina

The Adrian Peterson comparisons may have been a bit premature, but you can certainly understand why people got so excited about Marcus Lattimore so quickly.

Lattimore arrived in Columbia as a a heralded 5-star recruit out of South Carolina’s Byrnes High School, and he certainly made quite a first impression.

The 6'0", 230-pound powerhouse rumbled for nearly 1,200 yards and scored 19 TDs last season and turned out to be one of the main reasons the Gamecocks were able to rise to the top of the SEC East division.

It should be interesting to see how much the extra 15 pounds of muscle will help the budding sophomore superstar as he aims to capture the SEC rushing title this year.

5. QB Landry Jones, Oklahoma

Being the quarterback for the top-ranked team in college football is definitely something that looks good on a Heisman resume, and that’s exactly the position that Oklahoma’s Landry Jones finds himself in going into the 2011 season.

After taking his lumps, filling in for an injured Sam Bradford in 2009, Jones came out firing on all cylinders last season, throwing for over 4,700 yards and 38 TDs.

If Oklahoma manages to run the table and Jones puts up comparable numbers this year, the junior quarterback will find himself sitting in New York City in December.

6. RB LaMichael James, Oregon

I know some say that the spread offense makes stars out of players who wouldn't necessarily be stars otherwise, but trust me, LaMichael James would stand out in any type of offense you put him in, whether it be a Zone Read Spread or a Wing-T.

Although he's only 5'8", James has the type of rare combination of speed, burst and agility that make him almost impossible to stop when he gets moving in the open field.

James built on his eye-opening freshman campaign with an even better season in 2010, rushing for over 1,800 yards and 21 scores. 

The redshirt junior decided to forgo the opportunity to enter this year's NFL draft, opting to continue his chase of a Heisman Trophy and a national title—two goals he came close to reaching last season.

James will have QB Darron Thomas by his side once again, and there's no reason the Oregon offense shouldn't continue rolling over opposing defenses in 2011.  

7. DE Quinton Coples, North Carolina

Last year's preseason losses of standout defensive linemen Robert Quinn and Marvin Austin were a major blow to North Carolina's hopes of competing for an ACC Championship. However, we could actually end up looking back on the losses as a blessing in disguise, as Qunn and Austin's absences allowed for other fellow Tar Heel linemen like Quinton Coples to flourish.    

Coples stepped in and became an instant impact player, taking over for Austin at defensive tackle.

Although he was undersized for the position, Coples still managed to cause havoc, racking up 10 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss.

This season, the 6'6'', 275-pound senior is set to move back to his more natural position of defensive end, where he should have a better opportunity to hunt down quarterbacks and impress the NFL scouts. 

8. QB Kellen Moore, Boise State

The Jimmer Fredette of college football?

Yeah, maybe. But just because QB Kellen Moore isn't an elite pro prospect, it doesn't take away from all that he's accomplished during his career at Boise State.

Moore has compiled a remarkable 38-2 record as a starter, and he's helped propel the Broncos onto the national scene and make them an annual BCS contender.

The 6'0'', 190-pound senior had his best season a year ago, throwing for over 3,800 yards and 35 TDs, which earned him a trip to New York and fourth place finish in the Heisman voting.

Moore needs just eight more victories to capture college football's all-time wins record.

While he'll certainly miss stud receivers Titus Young and Austin Pettis, the wily quarterback should have the Broncos in contention for a Mountain West title and possibly a BCS berth if he can replicate his past success in his swan song season on the blue turf.   

9. WR Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina

So long A.J. Green!

See ya later Julio Jones. 

It's time for a new receiving sheriff in the SEC and South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery is ready for the job. 

Because he wasn't eligible for the 2011 NFL draft, Jeffery didn't garner the same type of national attention as Green and Jones last season, but he still managed to take his game to the next level and outdo both of his former conference counterparts. 

Jeffery hauled in a conference-best 88 receptions for over 1,500 yards in 2010 and finished as a finalist for the prestigious Biletnikoff Award.  

The Gamecocks will their have sights set on getting back to the SEC Championship game this year and they've got a pretty impressive offensive trio with Jeffery, RB Marcus Lattimore and QB Stephen Garcia to help lead them there. 

10. LB Lavonte David, Nebraska

Nebraska has certainly had its fair share of great defenders throughout the years, so you know it takes a special player to set the Cornhuskers’ single season tackles record. And LB Lavonte David is just that, a special player.

David recorded an astonishing 152 tackles in 2010, and he was a pivotal player for a Nebraska defense that finished ranked 11th in the country last year.

Under coach Bo Pelini, the Cornhuskers have regained their old black shirts mentality and the face of that resurgent swagger movement has been David.

Look for the senior backer to go out with a bang, as he leads what looks to be one of college football’s top defenses for 2011.

11. WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame

Michael Floyd could have gone pro after his junior season and likely cracked the first round of the 2011 NFL draft. But Floyd knew that if he returned to South Bend and spent another year in Brian Kelly’s offensive attack, he had a chance to really prove himself as one of college football’s top talents.

Floyd’s offseason got off to a shaky start with a DUI charge that kept him from participating in spring practices, but Kelly has since said that his star receiver would be welcome back to the team if he fulfills all his proper preliminary obligations.

If the 6'3'', 225-pound senior suits up for the Irish, it automatically makes them a legitimate contender to get back to a BCS bowl game, 

Floyd hauled in a career-high 79 catches and broke the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in 2010, and now that he has experience playing in Kelly’s system, there’s no telling what type of numbers he’s capable of putting up if he’s able to get back out on the field this season.

12. WR Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma

Ryan Broyles proved to be one of college football’s most dangerous offensive weapons last season, leading all receivers with 131 catches.

Oklahoma will be at the top of the list of national championship contenders going into the 2011 season, and it will be Broyles, a likely future first-round draft pick, who could be the difference maker in the team's quest for a title.

The Landry Jones to Ryan Broyles connection is one of the most unstoppable in the country, and if the two can continue to produce at their 2010 pace, a run to the big game is a definite possibility.

13. OT Jonathan Martin, Stanford

The term franchise left tackle gets thrown around a little too loosely these days, but one player who actually fits the mold is Stanford’s Jonathan Martin.

Martin, the top offensive linemen in the country, has the physical makeup that will have pro scouts drooling this season.

The 6’6’’, 305-pound junior, who has been manning the tackle spot for the past two seasons, has the athleticism and power combination that’s desired in a top flight linemen.

Martin’s job is to keep QB Andrew Luck upright, and it’s a duty he excels at.

14. DE Devin Taylor, South Carolina

Incoming 5-star recruit Jadeveon Clowney, one of the most highly-touted freshman in recent memory, will be the talk of Columbia this offseason. But hopefully, Gamecock fans won’t forget that they already have a proven star at the defensive end position in Devin Taylor.

Taylor enjoyed a breakout campaign last year, racking up 7.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss and demonstrating that he’s one of the most athletic and skilled pass-rushers in the country.

The 6’7’’, 250-pound junior is a quiet and humble budding star, who lets his play do all of his talking.

Don’t be shocked if Taylor turns out to be this year’s Da’Quan Bowers.

15. S Mark Barron, Alabama

Mark Barron had to step up and become the leader of an inexperienced Alabama defense last year, and while there were a few instances when Barron struggled and came up short in coverage on crucial plays, overall, he ultimately did his job when it came to being a leader in the back end.

Barron led the Tide with 75 tackles and helped serve as the backbone for a developing defense that will now be one of the most experienced and talented-filled units in college football

The 6'2'', 210-pound senior will once again team up with Robert Lester to form one of the fiercest safety tandems in the country.

16. DE Brandon Jenkins, Florida State

Ladies and gentlemen, Florida State football has returned to the spotlight.

Head Coach Jimbo Fisher has the Seminoles back on the national college football scene once again, and one of the main reasons the team has been able to rise up in the ACC has been the improvement of the defense.

The Florida State defense has gone from laughingstock to formidable unit in the span of just one season, and one of the key players in the transformation has been super pass-rusher Brandon Jenkins.

Jenkins, a 6’3’’, 255-pound junior, finished the 2010 season with 21.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks, and he showed that he has a near unstoppable first step and burst off the ball that most offensive tackles just can’t keep up with.

17. LB Manti Te'o, Notre Dame

I can only imagine how terrifying it must be for a running back to line up and look straight across the line into the waiting eyes of LB Manti Te’o.

It’s something I don’t ever need to experience for myself.

Te’o is a frightening character who brings a ton of toughness to a Notre Dame defense that's been accused of being soft in recent years.

The 6'2", 245-pound junior is a stone-cold tackler who has lived up to his 5-star billing from his time as an elite Hawaii high school recruit.

18. CB Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska

I just came up with a good college football trivia question: How many times has one school produced back-to-back first-round cornerback prospects?

I'm too lazy to look up the answer, but I have a hunch the number is rather low.

One school that will eventually be a part of that answer is Nebraska.

The Cornhuskers sent Prince Amukamara off to the pros this year, and the same thing will take place after next season when Alfonzo Dennard makes the jump.

Dennard is a freakish athlete who outplayed his former cornerback counterpart for the better part of the 2010 season, and he’ll have his senior year to cement his status as the best corner in college football.

19. DT Billy Winn, Boise State

Kellen Moore may get all the attention as the leader of Boise State’s big blue machine, but it’s actually DT Billy Winn who has the brightest future out of any Broncos player.

Winn is one of the top defensive tackle prospects for the 2012 NFL draft, and he was one of the main reasons the Boise State defense finished second in the country in total defense a year ago.

The 6’4’’, 290-pound senior finished the 2010 season with 4.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss, but his moderately impressive stats don’t really tell the whole story.

Winn is the type of defensive tackle that you can build an entire defense around, and this season he’ll once again team with DE Shea Mclellin to form a dominant defensive line duo.

20. LB Travis Lewis, Oklahoma

It’s rare that you see a young player step in and immediately become a leader of a defense, but that’s just what LB Travis Lewis did when he arrived in Norman.

Lewis has led the Sooners in tackles the last three seasons, and he’s on track to make it a clean sweep as a senior.

Lewis could have made the jump to the NFL after last season, and he probably would have been a second or third-round pick. But after weighing his options and realizing that he had the opportunity to not only improve his stock with one more season but also make a run at a national title as well, Lewis made the right call and stayed in school.

The Sooners couldn’t be happier to have him back.

Lewis, who finished with 109 tackles in 2010, will once again be the undisputed leader of an Oklahoma defense that's shaping up to be one of the best in college football this season.

21. QB Matt Barkley, USC

I’ll say it now, watch out for USC this year.

The Trojans are in an unfamiliar position, entering this season without much fanfare, but this team has the weapons to do some real damage in the new-look Pac-12.

The captain of the ship will again be junior QB Matt Barkley, who threw for over 2,700 yards and 26 TDs in 2010.

This could be Barkley’s final year in LA before he heads off to the NFL, so you better believe he’ll be looking to have a stellar season to go out on.

22. RB Trent Richardson, Alabama

It’s never easy replacing a Heisman winner, but if you ask some Alabama fans, they’ll tell you that Trent Richardson has been the best player in the Alabama backfield since he arrived in Tuscaloosa.

Yes, Mark Ingram was the older and more experienced of the two, and therefore was given a bigger share of the workload, but Richardson was still able to prove his worth with just a limited number of touches.

The 5'11", 220-pound sophomore has put up consecutive 700-yard-plus efforts in his first two seasons, and he’s shown that he should be a more than capable replacement for Ingram.

Richardson, who looks like he was chiseled out of granite handed down by the football gods, will be asked to shoulder much more of the offensive load this season, which means he’ll have plenty of opportunities to show he’s just as good as, if not better than, his highly regarded award-winning predecessor.

23. WR Jeff Fuller, Texas A&M

If Jeff Fuller were playing in any other conference in America, he would probably be one of the most talked about receivers going into the 2011 season. But since he has to share the spotlight with fellow Big 12 receivers Justin Blackmon and Ryan Broyles, Fuller probably won’t get his proper preseason due.

At 6'4", 215 pounds, Fuller definitely passes the eyeball test, and if you’ve seen some of his highlights, you know that he’s got the substance to back up his intimidating physique.

Although Fuller’s production tailed off towards the end of last season, the big senior receiver was still able to compile an impressive state line of 72 catches for over 1,000 yards and 12 TDs.

Now that he has consistent play at quarterback with Ryan Tannehill manning the position, Fuller should be able to prove that the Big 12 receiver crop runs deeper than just Blackmon and Broyles.

24. LB Luke Kuechly, Boston College

Luke Kuechly has 325 total tackles in his first two seasons at Boston College.

Not too shabby, right?

Kuechly, a 6'3", 235-pound junior, is an absolute tackling machine who has a radar for ball carriers unlike any other player in college football.

He'll never be the best pure athlete on the field, but Kuechly has outstanding instincts and intelligence for the linebacker position, and he’s been the heart and soul of the Boston College defense for the past two years.

25. QB Robert Griffin III, Baylor

Baylor fans, it’s time to rejoice. Hope is in the air in Waco.

Robert Griffin III has basically single-handedly dug the Bears out of the hole they’ve been stuck in for over a decade.

Griffin III returned in 2010 after a knee injury robbed him of most of his second season and led Baylor to a bowl game for the first time in over 15 years.

The dual-threat star totaled over 4,000 yards of offense and accounted for 30 TDs.

If you're looking for a Heisman dark horse this season, then look no further than Robert Griffin III, a quarterback that no defense in the country will want to have to deal with this season.

26. OT Kelechi Osemele, Iowa State

Ames, Iowa isn’t normally a popular stop for NFL scouts, but you can bet that the pro personnel folks are going to have the home of the Cyclones on their travel agenda this season.

They’ll all be flocking to get a good look at 6’5’’, 300-pound offensive tackle Kelechi Osemele.

Osemele, one of the top linemen in the country, hasn’t gotten the exposure he deserves playing for a team that never gets any national attention, but the athletic big man has a good chance to really stamp his name on the college football map in 2011 and become a hot draft prospect. 

27. CB Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina

There’s no hiding the fact that the South Carolina secondary struggled last season, finishing 10th in the SEC in pass defense. However, you can’t blame the problems in the back end on cornerback Stephon Gilmore.

Gilmore, who has started every game at corner since arriving in Columbia, performed at a high level throughout the 2010 season, earning first team All-SEC honors.

The 6’1’’, 190-pound junior finished the year with three interceptions and 79 tackles, solidifying himself as one of the top defensive backs in all of college football.

28. RB Michael Dyer, Auburn

Marcus Lattimore wasn’t the only true freshman to take the SEC by storm in 2010. Auburn’s Michael Dyer, one of the most highly coveted recruits of the 2010 class, also made a considerable impact in his first year on the job.

Dyer rushed for over 1,000 yards and five TDs in 2010, and he ended up coming up with the most crucial play of the national title game.

With QB Cam Newton gone, Dyer, along with backfield mate Onterio McCalebb, will be asked to carry a retooled Auburn offense this season, and there's no reason to believe the 5'9", 215-pound sophomore won't be able to handle the task. 

29. DT Jared Crick, Nebraska

The Nebraska defense is shaping up to be one of the elite units in college football this season.

The Cornhuskers are loaded with star power and players like LB Lavonte David and CB Alfonzo Dennard should quickly make a name for themselves in the Big Ten Conference.

There’s one player in particular who will keep offenses shaking, and that’s DT Jared Crick.

Crick is one of the most heralded NFL prospects of the 2012 class and with good reason.

The 6’6’’, 285-pound senior assumed Ndamukong Suh’s role as a dominant defensive force last year, racking up a team-high 9.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss.

This season, Crick will once again be the face of one of college football’s most imposing defensive lines.

30. LB Dont'a Hightower, Alabama

If you're looking for the deepest linebacker corps in college football, all you have to do is head down to Tuscaloosa to find it.

Alabama has five linebackers who could start for pretty much any team in America, and the best of the bunch is the versatile Dont’a Hightower, an intimidating physical force.

Hightower slowly gained back his form last year after missing most of the 2009 season with a knee injury, and he showed that he can line up virtually anywhere on the field and make an impact

The 6'4'', 260-pound junior finished second on the team with 69 stops, and he now looks ready to kick his game up a notch and become one of the top defensive players in the SEC.

31. CB Cliff Harris, Oregon

It’s fitting that Cliff Harris got in trouble for speeding because last season Harris proved that he was one of the fastest defenders in all of college football.

The 5’11’’, 180-pound junior is the defense’s top player, and Oregon’s top overall pro prospect, so there’s no question that his absence will be felt when the Ducks take on LSU in Dallas on opening weekend.

If Harris can get his act together, he should be able to return to the playmaking form we saw in 2010 and regain the momentum he built up. 

32. WR Greg Childs, Arkansas

New Arkansas QB Tyler Wilson is already starting to gain some buzz as he tries to replace the big-armed Ryan Mallett as the leader of Bobby Petrino’s high flying offense.

Wilson, who could turn out to be a hidden gem, will have the benefit of throwing to one of the nation’s best receiving trios this season.

WR Greg Childs is the leader of that pack, which also includes productive seniors Joe Adams and Jarius Wright.

Childs, a well-built 6’3’’, 215-pound senior, finished the 2010 season with over 650 receiving yards and six touchdown catches even though he missed the final five games of the year with a knee injury.

If Childs comes back fully healthy, he’ll be one of the most coveted receiving prospects in the 2012 NFL draft class.

33. RB Edwin Baker, Michigan State

Michigan State RB Edwin Baker has already stated that his goal for the 2011 season is to break the 2,000-yard rushing mark, and you know what, it might not actually be as lofty as it sounds.

Sure Baker will once again have to defer some carries to teammate Larry Caper, but he had to do the same thing last year, and he still managed to run for 1,246 yards and 13 TDs.

The 5’9’’, 210-pound junior packs a powerful punch when he runs, and he’s been blessed with the perfect combination of strength and speed to excel in the Big Ten conference. 

34. CB Jayron Hosley, Virginia Tech

For some reason, if there’s one thing that Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer knows how to do, it’s produce quality defensive backs.

While guys like Macho Harris, Brandon Flowers and Jimmy Williams have been hit-or-miss in the NFL, Beamer sure knows how to get the most out of them while they’re in Blacksburg.

The latest in line is CB Jayron Hosley. Hosley, a 5’11’’, 170-pound junior, led the country with nine interceptions and led the ACC with 17 passes defended last season.

Something tells me quarterbacks won’t be so eager to test the Hokie corner this season. 

35. QB Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State

OK Brandon Weeden, it’s time to show us that you weren’t just a product of the system last season.

Coordinator Dana Holgorsen has moved on to West Virginia, which means Weeden probably won’t be throwing the ball over 500 times this season.

Or does it?

Highly productive RB Kendall Hunter is off to the NFL, and the Cowboys do return the nation’s top receiver, Justin Blackmon.

We know Weeden can sling it. His 4,277 passing yards from a year ago is evidence of that. So maybe, just maybe, we’ll see another astonishing performance from one of the Big 12’s most surprising players.

36. LB Tank Carder, TCU

TCU may lose the face of its offense now that long-time starting QB Andy Dalton is off to the NFL, but luckily for the Horned Frogs, they return the leader of their defense, LB Tank Carder.

Carder is the type of linebacker that is perfectly built to thrive in Gary Patterson’s 4-2-5 defensive scheme, and he served as the fulcrum of college football’s top defense last season.

The 6’3’’, 240-pound senior will again join up with talented teammate Tanner Brock to give the Frogs one of the best linebacker duos in America.

37. DE Brandon Lindsey, Pittsburgh

New Pittsburgh head coach Todd Graham is switching his team’s defensive philosophy for this season.

The Panthers will now feature a three-man defensive line along with a rush linebacker position that will be filled by returning second team All-Big East performer Brandon Lindsey.

Lindsey has the perfect makeup and skill set to flourish in such a role.

Last year, the speedy 6’2’’, 250-pound senior stepped up and really came up big when Greg Romeus was lost for the season early in the year.

Lindsey racked up a conference best 18 tackles for loss and also added 10 sacks.

With the departures of Romeus and Jabaal Sheard, Lindsey will now be counted on to be the team’s go-to pass-rusher, and it should be interesting to see what he’s capable of doing at his new hybrid position.

38. QB Denard Robinson, Michigan

Few players in college football history had the type of five-game stretch that Denard Robinson enjoyed at the beginning of last season.

Robinson, who totaled nearly 2,000 yards of offense in Michigan’s first five games, was the talk of college football, an early Heisman front-runner and the sport's September superstar. Then, it all seemingly fell apart in a hurry.

The Wolverines struggled down the stretch, losing six of their last eight games, and Robinson struggled to regain his early season form.

It should be interesting to see how the 6’0’’, 195 lb. junior fits outside of Rich Rodriguez’s dual-threat, friendly-spread offense.

39. RB Chris Polk, Washington

The Jake Locker era has come to an end at Washington, and you know what that means.

Time to start running the football.

As the Huskies try to break in Locker’s successor Keith Price, they’ll have to lean on talented RB Chris Polk to do some heavy lifting early on.

That’s certainly not a bad thing as Polk has proven that he’s one of the best backs out west.

Polk, who rushed for over 1,400 yards as a sophomore last year, outgained both Jacquizz Rodgers and Shane Vereen, two talented backs who were both selected in this year’s NFL draft.

40. QB Geno Smith, West Virginia

Is this the year?

Is this the year Geno Smith becomes a national college football star?

He’s got the big arm and the big-time talent, and now with Dana Holgorsen calling the shots, he’s got a coach who is going to let him sling it all over the field instead of throwing bubble screens and check downs all game long.

The opportunity is there for Smith to put up huge numbers while leading West Virginia back to a BCS bowl game, but he still has to work on one thing, consistency.

We saw flashes of Smith’s enormous potential in 2010, but there were also times when we watched him struggle to move the offense, although a part of that had to do with inept play calling.

Last season, the 6’3’’, 210-pound junior threw for over 2,700 yards and 24 TDs while completing 64 percent of his passes, and that was for an offense that led the Big East in rushing attempts.

Thinking about what Geno Smith could be capable of doing in Holgorsen's system is a scary thought, and it’s one that should get the Mountaineer faithful mighty fired up for the upcoming season.   

41. LB Kenny Tate, Maryland

I’m still puzzled as to why Kenny Tate decided to return to Maryland for one more season.

Top-flight talent plus a weak safety class and a new incoming coach should have been an equation that equaled Tate entering the 2011 NFL Draft. But hey, what do I know?

Maryland fans should be thankful they get another year of watching the 6’4’’, 220-pound athletic behemoth, roaming the field at his new linebacker position.

Tate, who finished the 2010 season with 90 tackles and three interceptions, will be Maryland’s best defensive player this season, and he should contend for All-American honors.

42. CB Xavier Rhodes, Florida State

This season, Florida State will boast one of the most impressive cornerback combinations in the country with Xavier Rhodes and Greg Reid.

Both are premier talents, and while the veteran Reid has already established himself in the ACC, Rhodes looks like he’s ready to ascend to true lockdown status in the coming years.

The 6’2’’, 205-pound sophomore already has some Seminoles fans thinking Deion 2.0.

While that is certainly a bit premature, the truth is, Rhodes has a shot to be special.

The Freshman All-American finished the 2010 season with 12 pass breakups and four interceptions, and that campaign could turn out to be just the starting point of what’s shaping up to be a great career.

43. DT Jerel Worthy, Michigan State

Michigan State won’t have an easy time figuring out how to cover up the loss of star All-American MLB Greg Jones. But the Spartans don’t have to hit the panic button just yet.

Even though Jones, who was the team's leading tackler and top defensive leader for the past three years, is gone, the Michigan State defense should still be strong up front with big DT Jerel Worthy taking up space in the middle.

Worthy, who finished the 2010 season with eight tackles for loss and four sacks, may have the highest ceiling of any defensive tackle in the country.

44. S T.J. McDonald, USC

In a way, I feel like T.J. McDonald is the player the Pac-12 gods gave us to make up for all those expectations we had for Taylor Mays.

McDonald, a former 5-star recruit, certainly came to USC with expectations to meet just as Mays did, but unlike his predecessor, he’s actually lived up to the hype.

McDonald, who led the Trojans with 89 tackles in 2010, may not be the hitter or provide the same type of physicality as Mays did, but when it comes to coverage and instincts, it’s not even a debate.

After just one season as a starter, the 6'’2’’ 205-pound junior has already established himself as one of the premier defensive backs in the country, and he’ll be a key player for a Trojan defense that will be looking to gain back some respectability after a less-than-stellar performance in 2010.

45. QB Russell Wilson, Wisconsin

For those expecting to see another Jeremiah Masoli type of transfer disaster, I’m sorry, but you're sadly mistaken.

I only got to see a few glimpses of QB Russell Wilson throughout the 2010 season, but from what I saw of Wilson in the Champs Sports Bowl, I can just tell that he’s a winner.

Wilson resurrected a North Carolina State team that had been lying dormant for the first three years of coach Tom O’Brien’s tenure, as he accounted for over 4,200 yards of total offense and scored 37 touchdowns on his way to guiding the Wolfpack to a nine-win season.

Wilson may take some time acclimating to life in the Big Ten, but if he can find his footing, he has a great chance to lead the Badgers back to Pasadena.

46. OG Barrett Jones, Alabama

It doesn't take a genius to figure out why Alabama wasn't able to finish undefeated again this past season.

The Tide experienced some tough injuries to key offensive linemen during the course of the year, none more devastating than Barrett Jones' troubles.

Jones, the best linemen in the SEC, was hampered by an ankle injury late in the season, and it was felt throughout the entire offense, which demonstrated just what an integral part of the team he actually is.

With Jones healthy, the Tide line should once again be one of the best in college football

47. WR Jermaine Kearse, Washington

Lost in the shuffle of Jake Locker’s senior struggles was the great performance of Locker’s top target, WR Jermaine Kearse.

After leading the team in receiving in 2009, Kearse kicked his game up a notch as a junior, finishing the season with 63 catches for over 1,000 yards.

His 12 trips to the end zone didn’t hurt either.

It’s obvious why Locker looked his way so often.

Kearse’s numbers may take a hit this season as Washington tries to break in a new quarterback, but his presence on the edge is definitely something that defenses will have to account for on every snap.

48. RB Knile Davis, Arkansas

Much was made of the Arkansas passing offense, which accounted for over 4,300 yards and 36 TDs last season, however, the Razorbacks were far from one dimensional.

Last year, RB Knile Davis ended up finishing second in the SEC with over 1,300 yards on the ground and proved to be the slashing big-play threat that the Razorbacks' running game needed.

The 6'0'', 220-pound junior, who averaged nearly 6.5 yards per carry in 2010, has a rare combination of power and speed, and he looks like he'll be one the most coveted NFL running back prospects in his class.

49. QB Ryan Lindley, San Diego State

This year, there’s no senior quarterback prospect that appears to have true top 10, franchise-saving ability. But, there are a few players worth taking a look at.

San Diego State’s Ryan Lindley is one of the more intriguing senior signal-callers, and he hasn’t received very much national attention, playing outside the spotlight of the BCS.

Lindley, who possesses the size, arm and poise that you look for in an NFL quarterback, threw for over 3,800 yards and 28 TDs last season and helped the Aztecs offense average 35 points per game.

The 6’4’’, 220-pound senior will miss his two top targets, Vincent Brown and DeMarco Sampson, but luckily for Lindley, he’ll have star sophomore sensation Ronnie Hillman in the backfield with him to take some of the pressure off.

50. WR Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers

Let’s be blunt, Rutgers was a mess in 2010. Whether it be the offense or the defense, they didn’t seem to play either all that well.

The offense was a disaster, averaging less than 300 yards a game, and the lack of cohesiveness obviously had an effect on WR Mohamed Sanu.

Sanu, who was one of the Big East’s top performers in 2009, failed to replicate his freshman success last year.

Whether it be the emergence of fellow receiver Mark Harrison, who stole some of his thunder, or the terrible play-calling that plagued the team (Note to Rutgers, scrap the Wildcat), things just didn’t seem to break right for Sanu.

Even so, the 6’2’’, 215-pound junior still finished with nearly 900 total yards of offense.

If the Rutgers' offensive staff can find a way to properly use the versatile Sanu, he should have a big bounce-back year.

51. LB Nigel Bradham, Florida State

Florida State’s run defense was horrible in 2009, ranking last in the ACC and giving up an average of over 200 yards on the ground per game.

There was one shining light for the Seminoles, though, and that was LB Nigel Bradham.

After finishing as the team’s leading tackler in 2009, Bradham helped tighten up Florida State’s defense and bring it back to respectability this past season.

Bradham, who has totaled over 200 tackles during his time in Tallahassee, is a difference-making defender who can make plays on every down.

52. RB Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M

The Big 12 isn’t exactly loaded with proven running backs this season, but there are a few backs who appear to be ready to rise to the top of the conference in 2011 and one of those players is Cyrus Gray.

Gray took advantage of fellow RB Christine Michael’s injury last season and ended up coming up with a "take notice of me" type of season.

The 5’10’’, 190-pound senior rushed for over 1,100 yards and 12 TDs in 2010, and now that Michael is back at full health, the Aggies should have one of the most productive running back duos in the country this season.

53. DT Jaye Howard, Florida

Florida may have signed two 5-star defensive tackle recruits in 2010, but neither Shariff Floyd nor Dominique Easley were able to outplay veteran Jaye Howard.

Howard, a 6‘3’’, 300-pound senior, played the best out of the defensive tackle group in 2010, tallying 10 tackles for loss.

The Gators have enough talent with Floyd, Easley and Omar Hunter all returning to have a solid, steady rotation, so Howard may not get as many snaps as other top-shelf tackles.

But when he’s on the field, Howard's sure to be a nuisance for opposing offenses.

54. DE Jake Bequette, Arkansas

If you’re looking for this year’s version of Ryan Kerrigan, you might want to take a peak at Arkansas DE Jake Bequette.

Like Kerrigan, Bequette wasn’t born with great athletic gifts, but he didn’t let that stop him from causing havoc in opponents’ backfields last season.

The 6'5'', 270-pound Bequette finished the season with seven sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss.

Now a senior, Bequette should be one of the SEC's most feared defensive linemen this season.

55. CB Morris Claiborne, LSU

After watching Jheranie Boyd burn Morris Claiborne in last year’s North Carolina-LSU season opener, I thought to myself, oh boy, Patrick Peterson won't have much help in the Tigers secondary this season.

I was wrong, however, as Claiborne rebounded and improved dramatically by the end of the season, finishing the year with a team high five interceptions.

The departure of a player as talented as Peterson will no doubt weaken the secondary, but LSU has the benefit of both Claiborne and Tyrann Mathieu, two of the most talented corners in the SEC, to help ease the loss.

56. RB Montee Ball, Wisconsin

It’s rare that a team can lose a 1,000-yard rusher and still return one of the best backfields in the country. But hey, this is Wisconsin we’re talking about.

The Badgers, who know a thing or two about producing highly-productive rushers, may lose John Clay, but they return Montee Ball and James White, who combined for over 2,000 yards on the ground last season, each averaging over six yards per carry.

Ball is the bigger and more experienced of the two, and he should be able to get his hands on the ball more than 163 times this year.

The 5’11’’, 215-pound junior proved to be an end zone magnet last season, leading the Big Ten with 18 rushing touchdowns.

57. QB Taylor Martinez, Nebraska

Going into the 2010 season, you could have made the case that quarterback was the biggest question mark on the entire Nebraska team.

No one was quite sure what Taylor Martinez would bring to the table.

The young freshman quickly converted Nebraska fans to his side by running through opponents on his way to pacing the Cornhuskers to a 9-1 record. However, the bloom fell off the rose in a late season loss to Texas A&M when cameras caught coach Bo Pelini screaming at his young quarterback on the sidelines.

There’s no question that Martinez has the ability to have Nebraska in the chase for a Big Ten championship this year, but he first must demonstrate he’s grown as a leader.

58. TE Orson Charles, Georgia

There’s no one in college football who has the type of talent to replace a receiver like A.J. Geen, the No. 4 pick in the 2011 NFL draft. But just because Green is gone, it doesn’t necessarily mean the Georgia passing attack will falter.

QB Aaron Murray is one of the SEC’s rising stars, and although he’ll surely miss having Green occupying the attention of opposing secondaries, Murray has quite a formidable target to throw to in the form of TE Orson Charles.

Charles has as much natural ability as any tight end in America, and he should provide a great option up the seam.

The 6’3’’, 240-pound junior hauled in 26 passes for 422 yards and two scores last season, and his numbers should improve dramatically now that he’ll be an even more integral part of the passing game.

59. DT Kawann Short, Purdue

It’s completely understandable that a young star player could become frustrated because he is forced to play second fiddle to an older veteran. But if Kawann Short was upset at having to defer much of the attention to last year's Big Ten sack master, Ryan Kerrigan, the big 300-pound junior certainly didn’t show it.

Short went about his business, collecting 4.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss, and he displayed the type of rare skills that caught every onlooker's attention.

Now that Kerrigan’s gone, it’s time for Short to step out of his former teammate’s shadow and follow a similar path to stardom.

60. LB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama

Let's be honest, this Alabama linebacking group is absolutely disgusting. No other team in the country can boast the type of talent and depth at the position that the Tide can.

Alabama's "Jack" linebacker Courtney Upshaw is one of the standouts of the crew. 

Upshaw helped ease the loss of top-10 pick Rolando McClain by becoming an instant impact player last year.

The 6'2'', 260-pound senior made his living in opponents' backfields in 2010, leading the team with seven sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss.

61. OT Matt Kalil, USC

USC took a hit when offensive tackle Tyron Smith, the No. 9 pick in this year's draft, opted to forgo his senior season. But don’t expect Coach Kiffin and his staff to be shedding too many years. 

Sure, Smith will be missed, but his departure opens the door for emerging tackle Matt Kalil to shine and soak up the spotlight.

Kalil, the younger brother of Ryan Kalil of the Carolina Panthers, was good enough to start every game at left tackle last season, forcing Smith to stay on the right side.

The former All-American recruit excelled in his first season as a starter.

Don’t be surprised if you see the 6’7’’, 295-pound junior in the NFL with his brother rather soon.

62. RB Ed Wesley, TCU

Now that QB Andy Dalton has graduated, you’d have to expect the Horned Frogs to make the running game a priority in 2011.

TCU returns three quality running backs in Ed Wesley, Matthew Tucker and Waymon James, but it's Wesley, a 5'9", 200-pound junior, who will once again be the star of the show.

The powerful Wesley rushed for over 1,000 yards last season, and he should top that number once again this year as the focal point of the offense.

63. LB Jelani Jenkins, Florida

Now that CB Janoris Jenkins has been booted from the team, it seems fitting that LB Jelani Jenkins, who had formerly been the other Jenkins of the Florida defense, will be the one to assume the role as the unit's most valuable player.

Jenkins, who plays the game like a cruise missile, returns as the team's leading tackler after tallying 76 stops in 2010.

The 6'1'', 225-pound sophomore will team with Jon Bostic to give Florida one of the best linebacker duos in not only the SEC, but the entire country.

64. DE Bruce Irvin, West Virginia

So much for a learning curve.

Last season, Bruce Irvin stepped into the West Virginia defensive lineup, fresh out of Mount San Antonio Junior College, and immediately proved that he was a special type of pass-rushing prodigy.

Even though he played limited snaps and was only primarily used in passing situations, Irvin still managed to lead the conference with a whopping 14 sacks.

The 6’3’’, 235-pound senior may not have the prototypical size you desire in a true defensive end, but Irvin certainly hasn’t let that stop him from finding his way into the opponents' backfield on a consistent basis.

Irvin’s tremendous speed off the edge is what sets him apart and makes him a nightmare matchup for opposing offensive tackles.

Now that he’s been given an expanded role as the starting defensive end for West Virginia’s three-man defensive line, Irvin will have plenty of opportunities to continue terrorizing Big East quarterbacks.

65. CB Jamell Fleming, Oklahoma

It’s hard to say that Oklahoma fans had a reason to be nervous this offseason, you know considering the little fact that their team will enter the 2011 season as the trendy title favorite and the No. 1 ranked team in the country.

There was some cause for concern, however, that the Oklahoma defense would be without one of its most talented and important players, CB Jammell Fleming, who was not enrolled in school this spring.

Sooner fans were hoping that their defense’s second best player would be able to return to a secondary that loses both safety Quinton Carter and cornerback Jonathan Nelson, and their wishes were answered.

Fleming, who proved to be a true ballhawk last season, finishing with five interceptions, which tied for the lead in the conference, has sorted out his situation and returned to the team.

The 5'11'', 190-pound senior will be a valued asset on the Oklahoma defense this year.

66. WR Juron Criner, Arizona

Juron Criner made every Arizona fan’s day when he announced his intentions to return to Tucson for his senior season. But recent reports and rumors have cast doubt about whether or not the star receiver will even play at all in 2011.

There’s been no official word on Criner’s condition as of yet, so all we have to go on is speculation, but I know that I for one would be disappointed if he ends up missing the season.

Criner, the conference’s leading receiver in 2010, did enough as a junior to warrant NFL interest last year, but in the end, the 6’4’’ senior may have made the right choice coming back to hook up with QB Nick Foles for one more year.

Criner finished with 83 catches for over 1,200 yards and 12 TDs last season, and he has a chance to best those numbers as a senior.

67. TE Michael Egnew, Missouri

Quick, name the top five tight ends in college football.

OK, it’s true, tight end is not a marquee glamour position in today’s day and age of spread offenses, however, there are a few hybrid players who are still keeping the position afloat and Missouri’s Michael Egnew is one of them.

You could make the case that the 6’6’’, 235-pound Egnew is just an oversized wide receiver, and you might be right. But is there really anything wrong with that?

After Egnew’s 90-catch performance in 2010, I can assure you that Missouri fans have no complaints.

68. LB Sean Spence, Miami

Sean Spence doesn’t belong on this Miami team. Spence is an old-school type of Hurricane who would fit in well with “Da U" teams of the glory days.

Miami may have lost a bit of its edge since the days when Ed Reed and Sean Taylor turned Dade County into a hunting zone, but one player who still plays with the old 'Canes swagger is LB Sean Spence.

Spence is hardly the biggest linebacker out there size-wise, but nobody seems to come up with as many huge plays as the 6’0’’, 220-pound senior.

Spence had 111 stops last season, and he should challenge for the ACC’s tackle crown in 2011.

69. S Delano Howell, Stanford

Something tells me safety Delano Howell is going to make his mark on the college football map this season.

Howell, who racked up 60 tackles and picked off five passes in 2010, will now assume a leadership role on the Cardinal defense after the departures of DT Sione Fua, LB Thomas Keiser and CB Richard Sherman.

The 5’11’’, 200-pound senior, who started his college career as a running back, has made a seamless transition to the defensive side of the ball, and he should now be one of the most coveted senior safety prospects of the 2012 NFL draft class.

70. RB Doug Martin, Boise State

There was one play last year that defined who Doug Martin is as a ball carrier. If you watched the Boise State-Nevada game, you know which one I’m talking about.

Knotted up at 24 with five minutes remaining, Martin took a Kellen Moore screen pass 79 yards to give the Broncos the lead. Too bad Kyle Brotzman had to ruin the fun.

To put it simply, the 5’9’’, 200-pound Martin runs like a bull in shoulder pads. As a junior, he totaled over 1,500 yards of offense.

Expect Martin to be an even bigger offensive factor in 2011.

71. CB Chase Minnifield, Virginia

This year’s senior cornerback class took some major blows with the early draft declarations of key players like Patrick Peterson, Brandon Harris and Aaron Williams.

It’s a group that now needs some new faces at the forefront and Virginia’s Chase Minnifield is right up there with the best of his senior cornerback peers.

Minnifield took advantage of Ras-I Dowling’s injury troubles in 2010 and really carved out a name for himself.

The talented 6’0’’, 185-pound senior finished second in the ACC with six interceptions last season.

72. QB Darron Thomas, Oregon

I guess Jeremiah Masoli wasn’t as important to Oregon’s success as some made him out to be.

A few analysts made it seem like Masoli’s departure from Eugene would spell doom for the loaded Ducks squad, but as we found out, that was certainly not the case.

The offense became even more powerful and potent with Darron Thomas running the show, as the Ducks outpaced their opponents on their way to a perfect regular season and a berth in the national title game.

With Thomas and RB LaMichael James both returning, Oregon should once again be lethal on offense.

73. WR Kendall Wright, Baylor

Speed, that’s the name of Kendall Wright’s game.

The former high school track star has made a habit of blowing by defensive backs over the last three years.

Wright has led Baylor in receiving in each of his three seasons. He's already accumulated 194 catches, over 2,300 receiving yards and 18 TDs for his career.  

He’s one of my personal favorite prospects in the 2012 NFL draft class, and I wouldn't be surprised if he challenged Justin Blackmon, Ryan Broyles and Jeff Fuller for top receiver honors in the Big 12 this season.

74. RB Johnathan Franklin, UCLA

The Pac-12 is absolutely loaded with great running backs this year.

Backs like Oregon’s LaMichael James and Washington’s Chris Polk are sure to receive the most preseason attention, but the real star of the conference could turn out to be Johnathan Franklin out of UCLA.

Franklin, who rushed for over 1,100 yards last season, is a home run waiting to happen.

The speedy junior could be in store for a colossal campaign in 2011, and he has a chance to either make or break the Bruins' bowl hopes with his performance.

75. DT Mike Martin, Michigan

It’s difficult to explain to people how good Michigan DT Mike Martin really is, because most of the time when you say “Hey, you should check out this Michigan defensive tackle, he’s pretty good,” the person you’re talking to looks puzzled and responds, “Michigan has a defense?”

Yes, the Michigan defense wasn't just bad last season; it was basically nonexistent.

Last year, the Wolverines finished dead last in the Big Ten in both scoring defense and total defense, allowing 35 points and 450 yards per game.

The glaring troubles cast a dark cloud over the entire unit, but in reality, most of the costly mistakes could be traced back to a young, inexperienced secondary.

Michigan’s three-man defensive line, led by Martin, actually played fairly well as a whole.

Martin, one of the strongest defenders in all of college football, anchored the middle of the defense and swallowed up double teams on a regular basis.

Martin and DE Ryan Van Bergen are back to give the defense two proven leaders up front.

The 6’2’’, 300-pound senior should continue causing headaches for opposing offensive linemen throughout the 2011 season.

76. WR T.Y. Hilton, Florida International

Now that former Troy receiver Jerrel Jernigan is off to the NFL, the title of Sun Belt’s top pro prospect will now be bestowed on Florida International’s T.Y. Hilton.

Hilton, the 2010 Conference Player of the Year, flirted with the idea of entering the 2011 NFL draft but ultimately decided to return to school.

The 5’10’’, 185-pound senior is one of college football’s fastest receivers, and he’s the type of non-BCS player that NFL scouts will make sure to take special note of.

Hilton hauled in 59 passes for 848 yards last season, and he and returning QB Wesley Carroll should be able to make some more magic this year.

77. LB Shayne Skov, Stanford

Brian Cushing all over again?

Shayne Skov shares a striking resemblance to the former USC linebacker, and judging by the way he's performed thus far, it’s reasonable to believe that Skov should be joining Cushing in the NFL sometime soon.

Skov, who led the Cardinal with 83 tackles in 2010, plays a brand of football that any true football fan would love.

The 6'3", 245-pound junior is mean, instinctive, athletic and strong.

Basically, he’s a deadly combination of linebacker traits.

78. S Robert Lester, Alabama

In his first year of playing major minutes for Alabama, Robert Lester turned out to be a revelation for the Tide, leading the SEC with eight interceptions.

In just one season as a starter, Lester showed that he has the special playmaker gene it takes to be one of the elite players in the conference.

The 6'2'', 205-pound Alabama native will team with mentor Mark Barron to give head coach Nick Saban a safety tandem that's worth getting excited about.

79. DT Kendall Reyes, Connecticut

The Big East probably won’t have many high picks in the 2012 NFL draft, but one player who
should definitely intrigue the pro scouts is UConn DT Kendall Reyes.

Reyes, a powerful, athletic and agile interior defensive lineman, finished the 2010 season with 10 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.

The 6’4’’, 295-pound senior has the type of skill set to line up at any position along the defensive line, but you’re most likely going to find him inside this season.

This year, the Huskies will once again have one of the Big East’s most intimidating defensive fronts with Reyes, fellow DT Twyon Martin and ends Jesse Joseph and Trevardo Williams.

The four of them combined for 18 sacks and 37 tackles for loss in 2010.

80. QB Chris Relf, Mississippi State

Dan Mullen is doing some great things down in Starkville. He’s done a remarkable job building up a Mississippi State program that many consider to be one of the hardest jobs in the SEC.

Mullen’s spread offense has a chance to be very potent this season, and QB Chris Relf will be the one who ignites the engine.

Although he's not Tim Tebow 2.0, Relf is the type of dynamic quarterback that perfectly suits Mullen’s offense, and he’ll have a great opportunity to shine this season.

If Mississippi State wants to contend in the stacked SEC West, the Bulldogs will need a huge campaign out of their senior quarterback.

81. RB Isaiah Pead, Cincinnati

Last season, we had two breakout running back stars in the Big East, Connecticut’s Jordan Todman and Louisville’s Bilal Powell, who combined to rush for over 3,000 yards.

Now that both Todman and Powell are off to the NFL, it’s time to start thinking about who this year’s top Big East back will be.

Cincinnati’s Isaiah Pead seems like as good of a candidate as anybody considering the senior speedster comes into the year as the top returning rusher after his 1,000-yard campaign in 2010.

The Bearcats sure do throw the ball of a lot, but when they do hand it off to Pead, he makes things happen by averaging a whopping 6.5 yards per carry.  

82. DE Vinny Curry, Marshall

It’s hard to get a ton of national publicity when you play at a school like Marshall, so don’t expect too many folks to be raving about Vinny Curry as one of the best defensive ends in college football this summer.

While he probably won’t receive the same type of attention as some of the top defensive ends at BCS schools, that doesn’t mean Curry isn’t worthy of praise.

The 6’5’’, 250-pound senior racked up 94 tackles and 12 sacks last season, earning the title of most feared defender in Conference USA.

Pam Ward may not be a big fan of his, but Curry is one of the top pass-rushers in college football.

83. CB Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama

If there’s one thing Alabama coach Nick Saban knows how to do, it’s mold talented defensive backs. It’s his specialty.

Saban might have one of the most talented secondaries of his career this year, and one of the marquee faces of that group is CB Dre Kirkpatrick.

Kirkpatrick, a 6’3’’, 190-pound junior, took a major step forward in his first season as a starter after enduring a few early struggles.

Alabama has the benefit of a cornerback duo, comprised of Kirkpatrick and sophomore Dee Milliner, that should be one of the best in the SEC this year.

84. QB Dan Persa, Northwestern

If you lined up all the quarterbacks on this list for a WWE style Battle Royal match, Dan Persa would probably be one of your last picks to win. The 6’1’’ senior can in no way be considered physically imposing, but I have a feeling that somehow Persa would probably be one of the last men standing in such a fight.

Persa just has that gritty, get things done nature about him, and that’s definitely rubbed off on his teammates.

Persa was having a dream season in 2010, leading Northwestern to a 7-3 record, before an Achilles injury cut his year short, and effectively ended the team’s run as they lost the last three games of the season.

Now that he’s healed up, Persa will be eager to solve his unfinished business from a year ago and end his career as a Wildcat in strong fashion.

85. RB Marcus Coker, Iowa

As usual, the Big Ten is filled with a ton of quality running backs this year, but the one player I’m most interested to see is Iowa’s Marcus Coker.

Coker had his coming out party in the Insight Bowl against Missouri when he set an Iowa Bowl record with 219 rushing yards.

The 6’0’’, 230-pound sophomore is oozing with power, and he’s sure to inflict punishment on any defense he goes up against in 2011.

86. DT Kheeston Randall, Texas

In recent years, Texas defensive linemen have had a habit of failing to meet expectations.

Frank Okam, Tim Crowder, the list goes on, but one Longhorn lineman who looks like he’ll finally live up to the hype is DT Kheeston Randall.

Randall, a 6’5’’ 295-pound senior, will be the focal point of the Texas front four this year after tallying 10 tackles for loss last season.

Randall has all the traits—power, strength and agility—you would want in an interior defensive linemen, and he has the potential to dominate in 2011.

87. WR Chris Owusu, Stanford

If it wasn’t for injuries, Chris Owusu might just be a household name by now. But instead, the speedy wideout who doubles as a return threat has been limited in his effectiveness.

Owusu, who played in just seven games in 2010, only caught 25 passes, but he’s now set to be Stanford’s No. 1 receiving option, and you have to expect that Andrew Luck will look his way an awful lot in 2011.

When Owusu's healthy, he's a dynamic game-changer who has the ability to beat any defender put in front of him.

88. RB Ronnie Hillman, San Diego State

After just one season at San Diego State, Ronnie Hillman is already starting to hear his name mentioned in the same sentence as former Aztecs' great Marshall Faulk.

Hillman, a 5'10", 175-pound sophomore, certainly looked Faulkesque in 2010, rushing for over 1,500 yards.

Hillman finished with 18 total touchdowns and turned out to be the team's most valuable contributor.

If the Aztecs want to contend in the Mountain West this year, they’re going to need another big campaign from their star running back.

89. QB E.J. Manuel, Florida State

Alright, Florida State, the foundation for success is there and the excitement is back, now it’s time to prove last year was no fluke.

In Jimbo Fisher’s first year as head coach, the Seminoles gave us a few glimpses of greatness that resembled their old dominating days of the 90s. But in the end, they ultimately fell short of attaining an ACC crown.

This season, it looks like Florida State, a team that returns most of its firepower from last year, will be one of the favorites to represent the conference in a BCS game.

The one key factor that could make or break the Seminoles’ success is the play of QB E.J. Manuel.

I caught a first-hand look at Manuel a few years ago when he beat up my Mountaineers in the Gator Bowl, and ever since then, I’ve been eager to see more from him.

This year, we’ll all get the chance to see if Manuel, who has teased us in spot duty since his freshman year, is the real deal.

If the 6’4’’, 225-pound junior can make the most of his potential, this Florida State squad has a chance to go a long way in 2011.

90. OT Nate Potter, Boise State

Nate Potter is one of Boise State's rare homegrown products.

Potter, a native of Boise, has certainly made his home city proud during his time on the blue turf.

The 6'6'', 300-pound senior has been the team's most consistent linemen since his sophomore season, dominating weaker WAC competition with his strength and tenacity.

Potter will never get the same type of recognition as his teammate, QB Kellen Moore, but it's his coaches and teammates who are the ones who really know and appreciate all that the big tackle has done for his team these past couple of years.

91. DE Ronald Powell, Florida

Ronald Powell had to find out the hard way that just because you’re a big-name recruit, it doesn’t automatically guarantee you success in college.

Powell arrived in Gainesville as the highest ranked recruit of the 2010 class, but he soon found out that the competition in the SEC was a little more fierce than what he faced when he was at California’s Rancho Verde High School.

Powell showed off flashes of his remarkable athleticism and overall ability in his initial season with the Gators, but he failed to live up to his enormous hype and recruiting buzz.

I expect this season to be a different story.

Now that he knows what it takes to compete in the toughest conference in America, Powell now has an idea of what he has to do to be successful, and I expect him to make a major impact at his hybrid defensive end/linebacker position this year.

A double-digit sack season isn’t out of the question.

92. LB Danny Trevathan, Kentucky

The Kentucky offense will have some serious rebuilding to do in 2011, but luckily for head coach Joker Phillips, his defense returns most of its key players.

The team's top overall player is LB Danny Trevathan, who seriously flirted with entering the 2011 NFL draft.

The 6'1'', 225-pound Trevathan led the SEC with 144 tackles last season, and he should be able to match that number as a senior.

Although he's a bit undersized, Trevathan has the instincts and hustle to be a thorn in any opposing offense's side.

93. DT Marcus Forston, Miami

Marcus Forston, this is your moment to shine; let’s see what you do with it.

Forston, one of the most highly regarded recruits of the 2008 class, is sitting on the doorstep of greatness, ready to have a breakout season. But we have to see if he can finally put it all together.

The 6’3’’, 305-pound defensive tackle finished the 2010 season with 12 tackles for loss and three sacks and possesses eye-popping ability. Now, he just has to use it.

We saw what Al Golden did with Muhammad Wilkerson at Temple last season, and it wouldn't be surprising if he has similar results with Forston this year.

94. WR Joe Adams, Arkansas

Greg Childs is the big name of the talented Arkansas receiving group, but his teammate Joe Adams might be just as good. And it wouldn’t be surprising if it’s actually Adams who has the better season this year.

Adams stepped up when Childs went down with an injury late in the 2010 season and became a go-to option for QB Ryan Mallett.

The 5’11’’, 190-pound senior finished the year as the team’s most productive wide receiver, compiling 50 catches, and between his work as a both a receiver and a returner, he managed to amass over 1,100 total yards and seven scores.

Adams and Childs should continue to be one of the most productive receiving duos in the country in 2011.

95. CB Brandon Boykin, Georgia

Brandon Boykin could have joined his fellow underclassmen cornerbacks and hopped on the early NFL declaration train this past January, but instead, he made the wise decision to return to Georgia.

Boykin, who had a junior year that admittedly wasn’t as good as it should have been, will play on Sundays soon, but he’s still got a little more developing to do down in Athens first.

The 5’10’’, 185-pound senior is one of the most athletically-gifted defensive backs in the country, but he’s still a little rough around the edges at this point.

96. LB Keenan Robinson, Texas

Say what you will about Texas and the effort the team put forth last year, however, you certainly can't blame the woeful 2010 campaign on the defense.

Texas finished as the top defense in the Big 12, allowing just 300 yards per game, and arguably the most important player on the unit was LB Keenan Robinson, the team's leading tackler.

The 6'3'', 240-pound senior stepped up his play in 2010 after the departures of S Earl Thomas, DE Sergio Kindle and LB Roddrick Muckelroy.

Robinson will once again be the leader of what looks to be another intimidating defense.

97. S Janzen Jackson, Tennessee

At one point this spring, it appeared as if Janzen Jackson’s time at Tennessee had come to an end when word broke that the talented safety was leaving the team due to personal reasons.

It would have been a major blow considering Jackson, who finished the 2010 season with 69 tackles and five interceptions, is the unquestioned top player on the Tennessee defense. But the crisis was averted when it was announced that Jackson had overcome his problems and returned to Knoxville. 

If the 6’0’’, 185-pound junior has his head his fully in the game this season, Jackson could be the type of player who makes an early dash to the NFL if he plays up the standard he displayed a season ago.

98. QB Nick Foles, Arizona

I watch Nick Foles sometimes, and I wonder to myself : Is this guy just going to be one of those quarterbacks who never gets over the hump?

The ability is there, we all know that, but every time Foles seems like he’s about to reach his immense potential, he’ll have that one disastrous setback game that sends him back to square one.

Remember, even with so many big-name quarterbacks floating around last year, Foles was still able to lead the conference with 290 passing yards per game in 2010.

Going into the season, he’ll once again be overshadowed by conference counterparts Andrew Luck and Matt Barkley, but Foles has a real chance to make his mark on the Pac-12 in 2011, especially if his top target Juron Criner ends up suiting up.

99. DT Mike Daniels, Iowa

Iowa lost three important pieces, DE Adrian Clayborn, DT Christian Ballard and DT Karl Klug, from last year’s defensive line, but the Hawkeyes do return talented new unit leader Mike Daniels to the fold.

Daniels was often overshadowed by his fellow linemates, but he still managed to produce at a high rate and make his presence known last season.

The 6’1’’, 275-pound senior finished the year with four sacks and 11 tackles for loss.

Daniels and DE Broderick Binns should be one of the best defensive line duos in the Big Ten this season.

100. RB Brandon Bolden, Ole Miss

This year’s senior running back class was decimated by early entrants for the 2011 NFL draft, but there are still a few prospects with evident pro potential.

Mississippi’s Brandon Bolden is one of the best backs in his class, and this season, he should continue to build on an already strong résumé.

The 5'11", 215-pound senior rushed for 14 scores and nearly broke the 1,000-yard rushing mark in 2010.

Bolden won’t have much help at the quarterback position, but he will have the benefit of a strong, experienced offensive line to open up big holes for him.

101-110 Rankings

101. DE Donte Paige-Moss, North Carolina

102. RB Stepfan Taylor, Stanford

103. OT Matt Reynolds, BYU

104. QB Kirk Cousins, Michigan State

105. TE Ladarius Green, Louisiana

106. RB Montel Harris, Boston College

107. WR Roy Roundtree, Michigan

108. LB C.J. Mosley, Alabama

109. QB Aaron Murray, Georgia

110. DT Dontari Poe, Memphis

111-120 Rankings

111. OT Mike Adams, Ohio State

112. QB Case Keenum, Houston

113. S George Iloka, Boise State

114. WR Tavon Austin, West Virginia

115. CB Casey Hayward, Vanderbilt

116. LB Emmanuel Acho, Texas

117. CB Josh Robinson, Central Florida

118. WR Robert Woods, USC

119. LB Chris Borland, Wisconsin

120. DE Vince Browne, Northwestern

121-130 Rankings

121. RB David Wilson, Virginia Tech

122. QB Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M

123. OG David DeCastro, Stanford

124. RB Tauren Poole, Tennessee

125. WR Dwight Jones, North Carolina

126. CB Keith Tandy, West Virginia

127. QB Danny O’Brien, Maryland

128. DT Malik Jackson, Tennessee

129. RB Lamar Miller, Miami

130. S Jarred Holley, Pittsburgh

131-140 Rankings

131. QB Nathan Scheelhaase, Illinois

132. LB Jerry Franklin, Arkansas

133. DT Tydreke Powell, North Carolina

134. TE Dwayne Allen, Clemson

135. WR Marvin McNutt, Iowa

136. DT Alameda Ta’amu, Washington

137. CB Coryell Judie, Texas A&M

138. S Lance Mitchell, Oregon State

139. DT Roosevelt Nix, Kent State

140. QB Jake Heaps, BYU

141-150 Rankings

141. OG Brandon Washington, Miami

142. LB Bruce Taylor, Virginia Tech

143. DE Ronnell Lewis, Oklahoma

144. CB Shaun Prater, Iowa

145. LB Zaviar Gooden, Missouri

146. DT Brandon Thompson, Clemson

147. LB Kevin Reddick, North Carolina

148. WR DeVier Posey, Ohio State

149. S Trenton Robinson, Michigan State

150. RB Ray Graham, Pittsburgh

151-160 Rankings

151. CB Corey Broomfield, Mississippi State

152. LB Garrick Williams, Texas A&M

153. S Ray-Ray Armstrong, Miami

154. WR Lance Lewis, East Carolina

155. RB Rex Burkhead, Nebraska

156. WR Marquess Wilson, Washington State

157. DE Brad Madison, Missouri

158. RB Vick Ballard, Mississippi State

159. LB Chris Marve, Vanderbilt

160. DE Nathan Williams, Ohio State

161-170 Rankings

161. QB Tyler Wilson, Arkansas

162. RB James White, Wisconsin

163. LB Nico Johnson, Alabama

164. DT Justin Washington, Arizona

165. LB Miles Burris, San Diego State

166. OT Levy Adcock, Oklahoma State

167. S Harrison Smith, Notre Dame

168. DE Alex Okafor, Texas

169. LB Mychal Kendricks, California

170. DT Devon Still, Penn State

171-180 Rankings

171. RB Jeff Demps, Florida

172. LB Chase Thomas, Stanford

173. DE Barkevious Mingo, LSU

174. OT Morgan Moses, Virginia 

175. WR Travis Benjamin, Miami 

176. LB Sio Moore, Connecticut

177. DT Jamarkus McFarland, Oklahoma

178. S Hakeem Smith, Louisville

179. RB Rodney Stewart, Colorado

180. DT Josh Boyd, Mississippi State

181-190 Rankings

181. QB B.J. Daniels, South Florida

182. DE Stansly Maponga, TCU 

183. WR Chad Bumphis, Mississippi State

184. TE George Bryan, North Carolina State

185. LB Jake Knott, Iowa State

186. RB Brandon Williams, Oklahoma

187. QB Bryant Moniz, Hawaii

188. CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson, Connecticut

189. DT Jaccobi McDaniel, Florida State

190. LB Tanner Brock, TCU

191-200 Rankings

191. LB/S DeVonte Holloman, South Carolina

192. RB Andre Ellington, Clemson

193. QB Stephen Garcia, South Carolina

194. CB Greg Reid, Florida State

195. DT Josh Chapman, Alabama

196. WR Damaris Johnson, Tulsa

197. LB JK Schaffer, Cincinnati

198. S Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State

199. RB Onterio McCalebb, Auburn

200. LB Corey Paredes, Hawaii

Top 5 Kickers

1. Blair Walsh, Georgia

2. Danny Hrapmann, Southern Miss

3. Derek Dimke, Illinois

4. Dustin Hopkins, Florida State

5. Will Snyderwine, Duke

Top 5 Punters

1. Bryan Anger, California

2. Quinn Sharp, Oklahoma State

3. Drew Butler, Georgia

4. Kyle Martens, Rice

5. Dawson Zimmerman, Clemson

Honorable Mention: Quarterbacks

Tyler Bray, Tennessee

Mike Glennon, North Carolina State

Jeff Tuel, Washington State

Jordan Jefferson, LSU

Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech

G.J. Kinne, Tulsa

Jordan Wynn, Utah

Dominique Davis, East Carolina

Kyle Padron, Southern Methodist

Bryn Renner, North Carolina

Honorable Mention: Running Backs

Silas Redd, Penn State

Bobby Rainey, Western Kentucky

Victor Anderson, Louisville

Joseph Randle, Oklahoma State

Chris Thompson, Florida State

Bryce Brown, Kansas State

Boom Herron, Ohio State

Asher Clark, Air Force

Bernard Pierce, Temple

Darrell Scott, South Florida

Honorable Mention: Wide Receivers

Jarrett Boykin, Virginia Tech

Derek Moye, Penn State

Damarlo Belcher, Indiana

Justin Hunter, Tennessee

Conner Vernon, Duke

T.J. Moe, Missouri

Paul Richardson, Colorado

Rueben Randle, LSU

Josh Boyce, TCU

Patrick Edwards, Houston

Honorable Mention: Tight Ends

David Paulson, Oregon

Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame

Kyler Reed, Nebraska

Jake Stoneburner, Ohio State

Lucas Reed, New Mexico

Brandon Barden, Vanderbilt

Rhett Ellison, USC

Phillip Lutzenkirchen, Auburn

Kevin Koger, Michigan

Ryan Griffin, Connecticut

Honorable Mention: Offensive Tackles

Cordy Glenn, Georgia

Riley Reiff, Iowa

Andrew Datko, Florida State

Ricky Wagner, Wisconsin

Justin Pugh, Syracuse

Al Netter, Northwestern

Mike Ryan, Connecticut

Bradley Sowell, Ole Miss

Dan Hoch, Missouri

Matt McCants, UAB

Honorable Mention: Interior Linemen

Mike Brewster, Ohio State

Chris Barker, Nevada

Larry Warford, Kentucky

William Vlachos, Alabama

David Molk, Michigan

Quentin Saulsberry, Mississippi State

Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina

A.J. Wallerstein, Air Force

Ben Habern, Oklahoma

Omoregie Uzzi, Georgia Tech

Honorable Mention: Defensive Tackles

Armond Armstead, USC

Baker Steinkuhler, Nebraska

Julian Miller, West Virginia

Travian Robertson, South Carolina

Everett Dawkins, Florida State

Kwame Geathers, Georgia

Joe Vellano, Maryland

Kaniela Tuipulotu, Hawaii

Derek Wolfe, Cincinnati

Logan Harrell, Fresno State

Honorable Mention: Defensive Ends

Broderick Binns, Iowa

Sam Montgomery, LSU

Frank Alexander, Oklahoma

Cameron Meredith, Nebraska

Andre Branch, Clemson

Junior Onyeali, Arizona State

Jonathan Massaquoi, Troy

Chandler Jones, Syracuse

Ryne Giddins, South Florida

Kentrell Lockett, Ole Miss

Honorable Mention: Linebackers

Tony Jefferson, Oklahoma

Kevin Pierre-Louis, Boston College

Ryan Baker, LSU

Michael Mauti, Penn State

Bobby Wagner, Utah State

Arthur Brown, Kansas State

DeDe Lattimore, South Florida

Patrick Larimore, UCLA

Audie Cole, North Carolina State

Gregg Williams, Pittsburgh

Honorable Mention: Cornerbacks

Tyrann Mathieu, LSU

Johnny Adams, Michigan State

Nickell Robey, USC

Gary Gray, Notre Dame

Tavon Wilson, Illinois

Desmond Trufant, Washington

Emmanuel Davis, East Carolina

Antonio Fenelus, Wisconsin

Cameron Chism, Maryland

Jordan Mabin, Northwestern

Honorable Mention: Safeties

Phillip Thomas, Syracuse

Winston Guy, Kentucky

Prentiss Wagner, Tennessee

Aaron Henry, Wisconsin

Micah Hyde, Iowa

Eddie Whitley, Virginia Tech

Baccari Rambo, Georgia

Tony Dye, UCLA

Blake Gideon, Texas

John Boyett, Oregon