VS
Nebraska Cornhuskers
NU had a horrid campaign and
unlike most year's, the off season will not be kind to its' seniors in the
draft. Their top pro-prospect, defensive
end Chris
Kelsay, has been on
crutches most of the season with a bad hamstring and will tumble down draft
boards next April. Cornerback DeJaun
Groce did not have the season needed to
push him into the first sixty picks, though teams do not throw in his
direction. Running
back Thunder Collins left the team, receiver
Thomas Wilson did not have
the breakout year many were hoping for and tight
end Aaron Golliday was a
non-factor in the offense. It is easy to see why the Huskers had such a
poor year and will be even easier to understand why they may have only three
players drafted next year.
Mississippi Rebels
The Rebels had a small window of
opportunity last season and let it slam in their face, just barely making it to
a bowl game. The big question; is this the last time quarterback
Eli Manning wears a
Rebel uniform? From what we hear that is the case, though he could
be making a mistake. After the '96 season we thought Peyton Manning
should've left for the draft but he stayed in school. Now we feel Eli should
stay in school (you fill in the blanks). Manning is talented and has a lot
to offer but just does not inspire us the way his older sibling did half a
decade ago. One big factor that could be weighing into Manning's ultimate
choice is the future of head coach David Cutcliffe. Cutcliffe
"recruited" Manning to Oxford after coaching his brother in Tennessee
(he was the offensive coordinator under Phil Fulmer). Rumors were
squelched ten days ago that Cutcliff was leaving his post at Mississippi to take
the same job in Lexington. The story has picked up steam in the last
twelve hours several reports have Cutcliffe agreeing to be the next coach of the
Kentucky Wildcats; stay tuned! Center
Ben Claxton is getting positive reviews lately and
could end up being selected during the first part of the second day with a good
post season. On the other hand
linebacker Eddie Strong did not live up to
expectations in 2002 and even though he missed a few contests, will drop like a
rock on draft weekend. Keep an eye on Chris Collins whose developing into
a terrific
receiver.
INDEPENDENCE BOWL DATABASE
PRE SEASON
REPORTS
MAIN
BOWL PAGE