With the first week of college football in the books, it's time to look at the race for the top draft-eligible QB. The rankings, please:
(1) Colt McCoy, Texas (LW: 2): 21/29, 317 yards, 2 TD-1 INT in 59-20 win vs. Louisiana-Monroe
(2) Jevan Snead , Ole Miss (3): 12/22, 175 yards, 2 TD-2 INT in 45-14 win at Memphis
(3) Tim Tebow, Florida (4): 10/15, 188 yards, 1 TD, 2 carries, 1 yard, 1 TD in 62-3 win vs. Charleston Southern
(4) Sam Bradford, Oklahoma (1): 10/14, 96 yards, 1 TD in 14-13 loss vs. BYU
Bradofrd drops to No. 4 largely because of his injury, which has been diagnosed as a grade 2 or 3 elbow sprain. However, with the long-term prognosis still forthcoming, the OU signal-caller has to be dropped to the fourth spot until more can be learned about his health and situation. His numbers were solid in his half of play, despite Oklahoma's offensive shortcomings in that half.
McCoy, however, leapfrogs to the top on the strength of his performance. He led the quartet in passing yards and added 2 scores to his name. His lone blemish was the pick in the second quarter, with the game already well on its way to blowout status.
Snead had a bad first half, looking terrible in throwing 2 first-half interceptions. But he turned it on in the fourth quarter, throwing 2 scores in the period to salt away a 45-14 victory over Memphis. Snead was not spectacular in the game, but we'll get a clearer picture of his skills once he shakes off the rust and gets to the heart of the college football season.
Tebow was solid but not spectacular, completing over 66 percent of his passes and throwing for a score. He only carried twice, including a 1-yard touchdown run. The Florida QB is known for playing his best football in big games, and as the contests get more important, Tebow tends to rise to the occasion.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Weekend Wrap-up for Week 1
Yes, there's still a handful of games to be played in the opening week, but with the bulk in the books, it's time for THE WEEKEND-WRAP-UP. The "Weekend Wrap-up" will be a regular feature during the college football season. It'll take a look at the draft-eligible players who had big days to bolster their draft stock and bad days to hurt it.
STARS
- USC RB Joe McKnight (Jr) turned in one of the finer performances of his college career, even if it was against San Jose State. McKnight, who came to USC with high expectations but has been largely inconsistent, carried 10 times for 145 yards and 2 scores. He fumbled on his third carry - something he has been prone to do at USC - but dazzled on his touchdown runs, one of them a 54-yard masterpiece in which he made a number of would-be tacklers miss. McKnight didn't open the season as a top-10 back in terms of April 2010 because of his inconsistency, but he opened the season as the #1 RB on the depth chart, and if he can consistently show this skill set, he'll be talked about when the draft rolls around.
- Oklahoma State WR Dez Bryant (Jr) is arguably the top draft-eligible receiver in college football, and he wowed everyone with 3 catches for 77 yards and 2 TDs. His numbers weren't gaudy, but his athleticism was. He made a spectacular 46-yard touchdown grab late in the second quarter, blowing past the secondary and diving to make a remarkable catch. Bryant is a big-play receiver with remarkable skills and a knack for making spectacular grabs, which he showcased Saturday.
- Cal RB Javhid Best (Jr) made his case for the #1 RB slot, as did Georgia Tech's Jonathan Dwyer (Jr). Best carried 10 times for 137 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Dwyer had 7 carries for 95 yards and 2 scores - all in the first half - including a 74-yard scoring run on the first play from scrimmage. Both are among the nation's elite draft-eligible RBs, and it'll be interesting to see how this race develops as the season goes along.
STUMBLERS
- Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford (Jr) suffered an injury to his throwing arm, forcing him to sit out the second half of Oklahoma's loss to BYU. More to come in the Week 1 QB Competition update.
- Clemson RB C.J. Spiller (Sr) opened up his season with a 96-yard kickoff return for a TD but was injured in the second quarter and did not return. The injury is not believed to be serious, according to the Clemson athletic department.
STARS
- USC RB Joe McKnight (Jr) turned in one of the finer performances of his college career, even if it was against San Jose State. McKnight, who came to USC with high expectations but has been largely inconsistent, carried 10 times for 145 yards and 2 scores. He fumbled on his third carry - something he has been prone to do at USC - but dazzled on his touchdown runs, one of them a 54-yard masterpiece in which he made a number of would-be tacklers miss. McKnight didn't open the season as a top-10 back in terms of April 2010 because of his inconsistency, but he opened the season as the #1 RB on the depth chart, and if he can consistently show this skill set, he'll be talked about when the draft rolls around.
- Oklahoma State WR Dez Bryant (Jr) is arguably the top draft-eligible receiver in college football, and he wowed everyone with 3 catches for 77 yards and 2 TDs. His numbers weren't gaudy, but his athleticism was. He made a spectacular 46-yard touchdown grab late in the second quarter, blowing past the secondary and diving to make a remarkable catch. Bryant is a big-play receiver with remarkable skills and a knack for making spectacular grabs, which he showcased Saturday.
- Cal RB Javhid Best (Jr) made his case for the #1 RB slot, as did Georgia Tech's Jonathan Dwyer (Jr). Best carried 10 times for 137 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Dwyer had 7 carries for 95 yards and 2 scores - all in the first half - including a 74-yard scoring run on the first play from scrimmage. Both are among the nation's elite draft-eligible RBs, and it'll be interesting to see how this race develops as the season goes along.
STUMBLERS
- Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford (Jr) suffered an injury to his throwing arm, forcing him to sit out the second half of Oklahoma's loss to BYU. More to come in the Week 1 QB Competition update.
- Clemson RB C.J. Spiller (Sr) opened up his season with a 96-yard kickoff return for a TD but was injured in the second quarter and did not return. The injury is not believed to be serious, according to the Clemson athletic department.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Blount Update: Bye-Bye, 2009
Oregon announced today that it will suspend RB LeGarrette Blount for the duration of the season after he punched Boise State LB Byron Hout last night.
What does this mean for his chances in April 2010? Nothing good. Blount could have used a strong 2009 to bolster his draft stock and make him a viable second- or third-round draft choice. Now, he will sit out all of 2009 and almost certainly ensure he will not be drafted in 2010.
What does this mean for his chances in April 2010? Nothing good. Blount could have used a strong 2009 to bolster his draft stock and make him a viable second- or third-round draft choice. Now, he will sit out all of 2009 and almost certainly ensure he will not be drafted in 2010.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Blount Punches Ticket to Tumble-Town
In the last post, I anointed Oregon RB LeGarrette Blount as one of the top draft-eligible running backs in college football. Thursday night, he made waves in a way that will likely send him tumbling down early draft boards.
Blount hit the exacta at Boise State, turning in a poor physical and mental performance. He carried 8 times for -5 yards, the worst performance of his college career. Then, during the post-game handshake, Blount punched a Boise State player on the field, and was escorted off by players, coaches and security.
This could be the final straw for Blount, who possesses enormous talent but is now in trouble yet again. In February, he was suspended indefinitely for a "failure to fulfill team obligations," according to Mike Bellotti. The Oregonian reported on February 10 that Blount "[had] been a no-show at various team meetings in the offseason." Now, he could be a no-show for good, as in kicked off the team. The Chip Kelly era started with a resounding thud with the 19-8 loss to Boise State, and now the new coach may be forced to dish out harsh discipline to one of his best players.
At the very least, Blount's antics off the field do not bode well for future character evaluations when the draft nears.
Blount hit the exacta at Boise State, turning in a poor physical and mental performance. He carried 8 times for -5 yards, the worst performance of his college career. Then, during the post-game handshake, Blount punched a Boise State player on the field, and was escorted off by players, coaches and security.
This could be the final straw for Blount, who possesses enormous talent but is now in trouble yet again. In February, he was suspended indefinitely for a "failure to fulfill team obligations," according to Mike Bellotti. The Oregonian reported on February 10 that Blount "[had] been a no-show at various team meetings in the offseason." Now, he could be a no-show for good, as in kicked off the team. The Chip Kelly era started with a resounding thud with the 19-8 loss to Boise State, and now the new coach may be forced to dish out harsh discipline to one of his best players.
At the very least, Blount's antics off the field do not bode well for future character evaluations when the draft nears.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Pre-Season Rankings: The RBs
This year's crop of draft-eligible running backs is particularly deep, with as many as 8 players who are possible first- or second-round picks. The talent pool also features a number of juniors who will face a tough decision when it comes time to declare or stick around for one more year.
The rankings:
1) C.J. Spiller, Clemson
2) Jahvid Best, Cal (Jr.)
3) Evan Royster, Penn State (Jr.)
4) Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech (Jr.)
5) LeGarrette Blount, Oregon
6) DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma
7) Noel Devine, West Virginia (Jr.)
8) Charles Scott, LSU
9) Chris Brown, Oklahoma
10) Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State (Jr.)
Spiller's case is an interesting one. He had a remarkable freshman campaign in 2006, rushing for 938 yards and 10 touchdowns. But his production has dropped off each of the last two years, 768-3 in 2007 and 629-7 in 2008. He is a very good receiving back as well, catching 34 passes each of the last two seasons. If he can reverse his trend of diminishing returns on the ground and showcase the talent that made him an electric back in 2006, he can make a case for No. 1 RB off the board in 2010. The skills are there - he just has to put it all together.
Best has a chance to make his case for No. 1 after an astounding sophomore campaign in which he rushed for 1,580 yards and 15 touchdowns. He has explosive moves, incredible quickness and the ability to bring the crowd to its feet every time he touches the football. If Best displays similar numbers in 2009, not only will he be the top back, but he'll be a top pick in April 2010.
Dwyer is another interesting case. After a decent freshman year in 2007 (436 yards, 9 TDs), he had an incredible 2008, thriving in the newly-installed triple option offense to the tune of 1,395 yards and 12 TDs. Dwyer must prove he has what it takes to put up those numbers (or something similar) in a conventional offense.
The biggest question for this group is: Where does the top tier end? Some people suggest there is a group of four top backs, and the rest aren't worth first-round status. Others say the top three is the top-tier. I'm in the latter group. Royster is a solid back (1,236 yards and 12 TDs in 2008) with the skills necessary for the next level. Dwyer, as mentioned above, needs to prove he can succeed in a conventional offense. If he can, he'll earn first-round status.
The rankings:
1) C.J. Spiller, Clemson
2) Jahvid Best, Cal (Jr.)
3) Evan Royster, Penn State (Jr.)
4) Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech (Jr.)
5) LeGarrette Blount, Oregon
6) DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma
7) Noel Devine, West Virginia (Jr.)
8) Charles Scott, LSU
9) Chris Brown, Oklahoma
10) Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State (Jr.)
Spiller's case is an interesting one. He had a remarkable freshman campaign in 2006, rushing for 938 yards and 10 touchdowns. But his production has dropped off each of the last two years, 768-3 in 2007 and 629-7 in 2008. He is a very good receiving back as well, catching 34 passes each of the last two seasons. If he can reverse his trend of diminishing returns on the ground and showcase the talent that made him an electric back in 2006, he can make a case for No. 1 RB off the board in 2010. The skills are there - he just has to put it all together.
Best has a chance to make his case for No. 1 after an astounding sophomore campaign in which he rushed for 1,580 yards and 15 touchdowns. He has explosive moves, incredible quickness and the ability to bring the crowd to its feet every time he touches the football. If Best displays similar numbers in 2009, not only will he be the top back, but he'll be a top pick in April 2010.
Dwyer is another interesting case. After a decent freshman year in 2007 (436 yards, 9 TDs), he had an incredible 2008, thriving in the newly-installed triple option offense to the tune of 1,395 yards and 12 TDs. Dwyer must prove he has what it takes to put up those numbers (or something similar) in a conventional offense.
The biggest question for this group is: Where does the top tier end? Some people suggest there is a group of four top backs, and the rest aren't worth first-round status. Others say the top three is the top-tier. I'm in the latter group. Royster is a solid back (1,236 yards and 12 TDs in 2008) with the skills necessary for the next level. Dwyer, as mentioned above, needs to prove he can succeed in a conventional offense. If he can, he'll earn first-round status.
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