Louisville running back Michael Bush, a
potential top 15 choice in next April's draft, broke his right leg in the third quarter of the
Cardinals' 59-28 win over Kentucky on Sunday night and will be out
for the remainder of the season.
Bush totaled 124-yards and three touchdowns in the first half
before breaking his right leg on the second play of the second half. He
underwent successful surgery Monday morning, having a rod inserted into his
right leg.
Bush led the nation in scoring last season as a
junior, averaging 14.4 points per game and scoring a school-record 23 rushing touchdowns. He considered
leaving for last April's NFL Draft but decided to return for his senior
year. He does have a red-shirt year left and could return for another
season in Louisville next year.
The bad luck suffered by Bush last night offers
a window of opportunity for reserve Kolby Smith. Recently given a
fifth round grade by BLESTO Scouting service, one of two used by the NFL, Smith
offers outstanding computer numbers for a running back (5'-11"/215
lbs/4.58). Smith finished the night with 12-carries for 66-yards on
Monday.
Another highly rated prospect from the
Louisville offense, quarterback Brian Brohm, played well in his first
game back from injury. Brohm, who suffered a devastating knee injury last
November, threw for 254 yards and a touchdown just nine
months after tearing a ligament.
Brohm is projected to be first round material
if he decides to enter next April's draft.
A second highly rated prospect suffered a
season ending injury this weekend, Clemson linebacker Anthony Waters.
During the Tigers 54-6 blowout victory over
Florida Atlantic, Waters tore an ACL and will have surgery sometime within the
next three weeks.
Entertaining thoughts of jumping to the NFL
last January, Waters is a fifth year senior who must now petition the NCAA for
an extra-season of eligibility. Waters rates between a third-to-fifth
round draft choice.
Proving he is the complete package and a triple
threat fullback, Brian Leonard of Rutgers kept his pass catching streak
alive. Leonard, who grades out as a top 75-selection, has at least one reception in 35 consecutive games
in college.
A pair of highly rated senior tight ends
returning from injury had good showings over the weekend.
Oregon State’s Joe Newton, who
suffered a freak leg injury just prior to the start of practice last August,
totaled five receptions for 56 yards and two touchdowns during the Beavers dismantling
of Eastern Washington.
After a tremendous sophomore campaign in 2003, Nebraska’s
Matt Herian looked like the next great downfield pass catching threat at
the tight end position. Herian started off well in '04 until a devastating
broken leg ended his season. The injury was so bad Herian sat on the
sidelines all of 2005.
Herian made a statement Saturday against
Louisiana Tech catching three passes for 61-yards with one score. His
20-yard average made many reminisce of the skill Herian showed early in
his career. At one time considered first round material, Herian must show
continual improvement and fare well during the medical exams administered at the
combine to jump into the initial two rounds.
Last year Tennessee
quarterback Erik Ainge was pushed and pulled in-and-out of the
line-up. Ainge, a player we recently mentioned during our Volunteer
line-up, has a new outlook with a "new" coordinator.
David Cutcliffe helped develop both of the
Manning brothers, first Peyton as offensive coordinator in Tennessee then Eli as
the head coach of Mississippi. Cutcliffe returned to Knoxville this year
to run the offense and seems to be working well with Ainge.
The end result? 66% passes completed for
291-yards passing and four scores during the Volunteers domination of California
on Saturday.
Texas senior starting cornerback Tarell Brown was arrested and charged on misdemeanor drug and weapons charges on
Monday. Brown was charged with carrying a loaded weapon and possessing
under 2 ounces of marijuana.
A highly rated shut-down corner considered
top-45 material, Brown's showdown against Ohio State's game breaking receiver
Ted Ginn Jr. is now in jeopardy.