11-24-2004, 07:42 PM
You can't blame NFL scouts for having a BCS bias. On the first day of the 2004 draft, just 11 of the 96 selections were plucked from mid-major, directional or otherwise obscure schools. But the leader of that group -- Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, out of Miami of Ohio -- is the league's likely Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The following 20 senior standouts are trying to follow in Big Ben's footsteps in the 2005 draft. Although you probably haven't been able to catch them on your TV often (or at all) this year, they each have something -- size, speed or smarts -- that has caught scouts' attention:
1. Charlie Frye, QB, Akron. In sticking around for his senior year, this 6-foot-4, 225-pound all-around talent has boosted his career passing total (to a school-record 11,049 yards) as well as his draft stock.
2. Jamaal Brimmer, SS, UNLV. His production has dipped slightly this year, but scouts love the instincts and aggressiveness of the Rebels' 6-1, 210-pounder.
3. Demarcus Ware, DE, Troy. A relentless pass rusher, Ware (6-4, 233-pounds) has pushed opponents back 100 yards on 17.5 tackles for loss this season.
4. Michael Boley, LB, Southern Miss. "Always around the ball" is the refrain about the 6-3, 220-pound Boley, the 2003 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year.
5. Kirk Morrison, LB, San Diego State. The Aztecs' defensive anchor finished the season with 72 solo tackles, the NCAA's seventh-best in that category.
6. Claude Terrell, OG, New Mexico. Terrell has shown impressive versatility: After shifting from guard to tackle this season, he has 96 knockdown blocks.
7. Jim "Boomer" Grigsby, LB, Illinois State. Boomer, who has a Div. I-AA-record 580 career tackles, will need to heal fully from Nov. 17 meniscus tear surgery to be drafted as early as projected.
8. Roddy White, WR, UAB. White is big (6-3, 205) and physical, and his 120.7 receiving yards-per-game average is the nation's fifth-best this year.
9. Logan Mankins, OT, Fresno State. Since rebounding from a 2003 knee injury, the stock of the Bulldogs' left tackle, who enters the weekend with 71 pancake blocks, has been rising.
10. Vincent Jackson, WR, Northern Colorado. His school-record 39 TD catches is impressive, but his 6-6, 230-pound physique is what attracts scouts.
11. Chris Kemoeatu, OG, Utah. The biggest secret behind Utah's high-flying offense is this 6-4, 330-pound right guard.
12. Joel Dreessen,TE, Colorado State. Four-year Rams starter has good size (6-4, 260) and great catching ability.
13. Kyle Eckel, FB, Navy. The 5-foot-11, 240-pounder benches 415 pounds and has played big on a big stage, becoming the fourth Navy fullback in 29 years to rush for more than 100 yards against Notre Dame.
14. Brandon Jacobs, RB, Southern Illinois. The 6-4, 260-pound Auburn transfer could shift to tight end in the NFL.
15. Anthony Alabi, OT, TCU. Alabi is physically gifted (6-6, 311) and is seen as having the potential to improve dramatically at the next level.
16. Atari Bigby, SS, UCF. The senior started out the season as a top prospect but his exposure has been limited due to a stress fracture to his fibula.
17. Scott Mruczkowski, C, Bowling Green. Size is the selling point of this 6-4, 319-pound center.
18. Nick Kaczur, OT, Toledo. Three-time MAC All-America Kaczur (6-5, 305) is noted for his toughness.
19. Jonathan Goddard, DE, Marshall. Goddard's athleticism has earned him 16 sacks and a Nagurski finalist nod, although his height (just 6-foot) could limit interest.
20. Adam Bergen, TE, Lehigh. An agile 6-5, 255-pounds, Bergen is an intriguing wild card
The following 20 senior standouts are trying to follow in Big Ben's footsteps in the 2005 draft. Although you probably haven't been able to catch them on your TV often (or at all) this year, they each have something -- size, speed or smarts -- that has caught scouts' attention:
1. Charlie Frye, QB, Akron. In sticking around for his senior year, this 6-foot-4, 225-pound all-around talent has boosted his career passing total (to a school-record 11,049 yards) as well as his draft stock.
2. Jamaal Brimmer, SS, UNLV. His production has dipped slightly this year, but scouts love the instincts and aggressiveness of the Rebels' 6-1, 210-pounder.
3. Demarcus Ware, DE, Troy. A relentless pass rusher, Ware (6-4, 233-pounds) has pushed opponents back 100 yards on 17.5 tackles for loss this season.
4. Michael Boley, LB, Southern Miss. "Always around the ball" is the refrain about the 6-3, 220-pound Boley, the 2003 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year.
5. Kirk Morrison, LB, San Diego State. The Aztecs' defensive anchor finished the season with 72 solo tackles, the NCAA's seventh-best in that category.
6. Claude Terrell, OG, New Mexico. Terrell has shown impressive versatility: After shifting from guard to tackle this season, he has 96 knockdown blocks.
7. Jim "Boomer" Grigsby, LB, Illinois State. Boomer, who has a Div. I-AA-record 580 career tackles, will need to heal fully from Nov. 17 meniscus tear surgery to be drafted as early as projected.
8. Roddy White, WR, UAB. White is big (6-3, 205) and physical, and his 120.7 receiving yards-per-game average is the nation's fifth-best this year.
9. Logan Mankins, OT, Fresno State. Since rebounding from a 2003 knee injury, the stock of the Bulldogs' left tackle, who enters the weekend with 71 pancake blocks, has been rising.
10. Vincent Jackson, WR, Northern Colorado. His school-record 39 TD catches is impressive, but his 6-6, 230-pound physique is what attracts scouts.
11. Chris Kemoeatu, OG, Utah. The biggest secret behind Utah's high-flying offense is this 6-4, 330-pound right guard.
12. Joel Dreessen,TE, Colorado State. Four-year Rams starter has good size (6-4, 260) and great catching ability.
13. Kyle Eckel, FB, Navy. The 5-foot-11, 240-pounder benches 415 pounds and has played big on a big stage, becoming the fourth Navy fullback in 29 years to rush for more than 100 yards against Notre Dame.
14. Brandon Jacobs, RB, Southern Illinois. The 6-4, 260-pound Auburn transfer could shift to tight end in the NFL.
15. Anthony Alabi, OT, TCU. Alabi is physically gifted (6-6, 311) and is seen as having the potential to improve dramatically at the next level.
16. Atari Bigby, SS, UCF. The senior started out the season as a top prospect but his exposure has been limited due to a stress fracture to his fibula.
17. Scott Mruczkowski, C, Bowling Green. Size is the selling point of this 6-4, 319-pound center.
18. Nick Kaczur, OT, Toledo. Three-time MAC All-America Kaczur (6-5, 305) is noted for his toughness.
19. Jonathan Goddard, DE, Marshall. Goddard's athleticism has earned him 16 sacks and a Nagurski finalist nod, although his height (just 6-foot) could limit interest.
20. Adam Bergen, TE, Lehigh. An agile 6-5, 255-pounds, Bergen is an intriguing wild card