The worst news came out of Knoxville where
defensive tackle Justin Harrell
saw his season come to a quick end after rupturing a tendon in his left
bicep. In what looks like a weak crop at the position next April,
Harrell ranked as one of the top three prospects and a potential first round choice.
Purdue's big receiver
Kyle Ingraham was deemed
academically ineligible for the '06 season. Measuring near 6-feet-5-inches, Ingraham is considered first day
material by NFL scouts. He has already stated he hopes to return and play for
the Boilermakers in 2007.
USC safety
Josh Pinkard, considered by many as the next big-time defensive back
from the Trojan program, saw his season cut short as well. Pinkard, who injured his knee
during the team's
first game against Arkansas, will have surgery next week to repair major
ligament damage.
Trojan receiver
Dwayne Jarrett, a potential first round pick in next April's draft as a declared underclassman,
was heavily criticized by offensive
coordinator Lane Kiffin. Commenting on the several drops Jarrett suffered
against Arkansas and a measly five
receptions for 35 receiving yards, Kiffin claims his big-play receiver is living in the
past.
Another wide out off to a slow start is
Sidney Rice of South Carolina. Much was expected of Rice, a red-shirt sophomore
who presently holds a first round grade, yet in two games he has caught just five passes. Much of his poor start can be attributed to the
fact that SEC opponents are now familiar with Rice and his game. Last year as a
freshman Rice caught opponents off guard and was able to haul in 70 receptions for
more than 1100-receiving yards.
Things have been tough for Penn State
linebacker Paul Posluszny thus far in '06. Slow in returning from the knee
injury he suffered during the Lions overtime victory in the Orange Bowl,
Posluszny has looked sluggish this year. Registering just 18 tackles in
the teams first two games, red-flags have been raised by NFL scouts.
There has been several pleasant surprises
drawing rave reviews in the scouting community.
One linebacker moving up draft boards is Buster Davis of Florida State. Earning ACC Defensive Honors
in consecutive weeks, Davis has impacted the Seminole defense in a variety of
ways. Last Saturday Davis came up
with a crucial fourth quarter interception which eventually led to the game
winning score for FSU. Measuring just 5-feet-9-inches and 244-pounds, Davis
came into the season with a fifth round grade from NFL scouting services.
Yet many now liken his size and style to that of London Fletcher,
the former Pro-Bowl linebacker now with the Buffalo Bills.
Already ranking highly of the list of senior
guards available in next April's draft, Josh Beekman of Boston College added
another dimension to his game. During Saturday's thrilling double overtime
victory against Clemson, Beekman shifted inside to center during the second
quarter, successfully handling the position.
The versatility to effectively play several blocking positions will enhance Beekman's
draft grade.
People have been pleased with the successful
return of Notre Dame receiver Rhema McKnight. Presently sitting as Notre
Dame's most productive pass catcher this year, McKnight has made a complete return from
the knee injury which sidelined him most of last season. Now a
fifth-year senior, McKnight originally carried a second round grade coming into
the '05 campaign prior to the injury.
Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio State has answered
the call since moving into the Buckeyes starting line-up. A back-up to Santonio Holmes
last year, Gonzalez has totaled 12 receptions, 195 receiving yards and and a
pair of scores during the initial two games of the season. A
fourth-year junior, Gonzalez is considered a sure-handed wide-out and number two
receiver in the NFL by league scouts, who presently grade him as a first day
selection.
In two games against quality opponents Fresno State running back Dwayne Wright has posted 312-rushing yards and four
scores. What makes this story enticing is the 6-foot/215 pound power
runner has not played football since September of 2004, when he tore his
left patellar tendon. Only a junior, Wright must decide if he will
jump to the NFL at the end of the year.
Since grabbing control of the starting job
at quarterback junior Dennis Dixon has done a masterful job for the
Oregon Ducks.
Dixon has completed 67% of his passes for a combined 476-passing yards during the
teams first two games. An athletic pocket passer with a live arm, NFL
scouts feel Dixon is rounding into a complete quarterback.