It's very simple, control the running lane and when called upon on passing situations, knock the quarterback on his butt. If you can perform these two specific skills, you will play this game a very long time and I might add make a whole bunch of money!
Zach Slade of East Carolina flashed during the 2007 season and has a chance to become a steady, journeyman type back up at the professional level. I really liked his playing motor although I also realize he has just adequate playiing tools. His teammate Marcus Hands, on the other hand was a major disappointment to me in 2007. After putting up some very impressive numbers as a sophomore, he appeared to enter football's witness protection program as a junior. I just didn’t see top playing strength nor did I think he effectively countered when neutralized off the go. JUCO transfer David Veikune made a major splash in his first season for the U. of Hawaii and could well become a major force as a senior.
Keep a close eye on Texas Tech bounce back, McKinner Dixon. A freshman All American in 2005, and star at the junior college level, if he can get eligible for the 08 season, this Red Raider could well develop into one of the top pass rushers in the country. Clint McDonald from the University of Memphis, needs more overall playing consistency, but has a good deal of playing talent and natural tools.
| Grade |
Last |
First |
School |
2007 Stats
Solo - Assist - Total - Sack - TFL |
| D |
Greenwood |
Bobby |
Alabama U |
8-12-20-1-4.5 |
| D |
Briggs |
Diyral |
Bowling Green |
15-39-54-5-6.5 |
| D |
Griffin |
Kirby |
California (PA) U |
43-26-69-5-16.5 |
| D |
Barwin |
Connor |
Cincinnati U |
No defensive stats in 07 |
| D |
Lucas |
Maurice |
Colorado U |
20-16-36-0-5.5 |
| D |
Talley |
Ron |
Delaware U |
19-24-43-3-6 |
| D |
Hands |
Marcus |
East Carolina U |
2-5-7-0.5-2 |
| D |
Slate |
Zach |
East Carolina U |
22-27-49-4.5-11.5 |
| D |
Walters |
Pierre |
Eastern Illinois U |
25-22-47-4-6.5 |
| D |
Moffett |
Neefy |
Florida St |
16-3-19-2.5-9 |
| D |
Wynn |
Jarius |
Georgia U |
6-3-9-1-1 |
| D |
Veikune |
David |
Hawaii U |
22-12-34-7-8.5 |
| D |
Ash |
Eli |
Houston U |
15-27-42-1-4.5 |
| D |
Walker |
Derek |
Illinois U |
12-10-22-2.5-3.5 |
| D |
Broesen |
Russell |
Kansas U |
17-19-36-1.5-4 |
| D |
Jenkins |
Ventrell |
Kentucky U |
17-17-34-4-5.5 |
| D |
McDonald |
Clinton |
Memphis |
27-28-55-4-9.5 |
| D |
Coniglio |
Joseph |
Miami (OH) |
6-5-11-10-5 |
| D |
VanDeSteeg |
Willie |
Minnesota U |
20-9-29-1-8 |
| D |
Sulak |
Stryker |
Missouri U |
36-23-59-1-11 |
| D |
Turner |
Barry |
Nebraska U |
12-17-29-3-3.5 |
| D |
Anderson |
Rhyan |
New Mexico St |
5-7-12-1-2 |
| D |
Hartke |
Jameson |
Ohio U |
23-28-51-2-5.5 |
| D |
Williams |
John |
Oklahoma U |
6-1-7-1-4 |
| D |
Sidbury |
Lawrence |
Richmond U |
20-28-48-4.5-8 |
| D |
Lindsey |
Jordin |
So Carolina U |
No 2007 stats - Academics |
| D |
Buie |
Jarriett |
South Florida U |
19-7-26-1-6 |
| D |
Bennett |
Michael |
Texas A&M |
20-23-43-1-6 |
| D |
Dixon |
McKinner |
Texas Tech |
39-30-69-9-? |
| D |
Ratliff |
Jake |
Texas Tech |
16-10-26-1-3 |
| D |
Lewis |
Aaron |
Texas U |
20-6-26-2-8 |
| D |
Melton |
Henry |
Texas U |
5-6-11-0-1 |
| D |
Moore |
Kyle |
USC |
15-20-35-2-3.5 |
| D |
Calderwood |
Ben |
Utah St |
17-34-51-2.5-5.5 |
| D |
Field |
Alex |
Virginia U |
2-9-11-1.5-2.6 |
| D |
Manley |
Dexter |
West Texas A&M |
0-2-2-0-0.5 |