Recently, sources close to the TFY Draft Preview
have told us signs are pointing to at least one junior signal-caller leaving
college and declaring his eligibility for the draft. Surprising to us the
quarterback in question was Mississippi's Eli Manning.
Though we have been of the mind that Manning
would stay at 'Ole Miss next season, sources told us several reasons seemingly
have Manning leaning towards the NFL next year. First is the fact that
with or without Manning, the Rebels are not poised to make a run towards a
national title in 2003, or for that matter even an SEC Western division
championship. This is in direct contrast to the situation older
brother Peyton found himself in prior to the 1997 season when he chose to fulfill
his college eligibility. Much like this season a Heisman candidacy is
unlikely for
Manning next year. Finally Eli will
graduate and have his degree by May which negates the need to come back for
more class credits.
When we brought up the fact that Peyton spent
four years in college the point was made that so has Eli; he red-shirted in
1999. The final decision should be interesting.
Staying in Oxford we have learned that
Manning's teammate and roommate, tight end Dusty Zeigler, is working hard to
rehabilitate the leg he broke back on September 24. Zeigler will apply to the
NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility but realistically does
not think it will be granted which will force his hand into the draft. It
is quite possible the NCAA will not render a final decision until late January,
it is also possible Zeigler will not be ready to play for an extended period of
time.
A pair of linemen are making a lot of noise
amongst scouting circles lately. Arkansas
State's Gary Johnson has really picked
up the pace of his game and is turning heads. Ranked as the
number four guard in the nation last September by the TFY Draft Preview, many feel
Johnson can easily handle
the left tackle duties at the next level, as he does now for ASU.
Johnson is expected get invited to the Senior Bowl and a big week of
practice in Mobile next January, one in which he displays the skills to protect
the blind side, could push him into the initial 75 selections.
The other lineman that has people talking is
Wade Smith of Memphis State. A former tight end, many we spoke with are
absolutely in love with his athletic abilities and feel Smith would be effective
in a number of blocking schemes at the next level.
One player that feels he is poised to have a
big season in college next year is Wade Smith's former teammate Albert
Means, the defensive tackle declared academically ineligible prior to
the start of the season. Currently in school and preparing for next year,
Means got married over the summer and has reportedly
matured "tremendously" according to sources. He hopes to be on
the field next August.
In Baton Rouge there are mixed feelings as to
which way running back LaBrandon Toefield
is presently leaning. Still in a
cast that extends up to his shoulder after surgery to repair a fractured
forearm, (and expected to be that way for a few more weeks) several on the Tiger
squad think Toefield will head to the NFL next year and the big ball carrier has
admitted he is concerned about the two huge injuries he's
suffered in less then a year and is worried about a third possibly happening in
college.