Tagged: USC

Listing the Top 37 SEC Players Eligible for 2012 NFL Draft


During the 2011 NFL Draft 37 players from the SEC heard their name called by NFL teams, 10 in the first round alone. 51 total seniors from SEC schools have been invited to participate in the four different post season all-star games. Underclassmen are already preparing for this year’s NFL Combine by hiring strength and fitness instructors to help them display their athletic abilities.

 

How many SEC players will hear their names called during the 2012 NFL Draft?

 

Here’s a list of the top 37 players that can equal last year’s impressive transition from college football into the NFL.

 

*Denotes underclassman

 

Running Backs:

*Trent Richardson, 5’11”, 224 pounds, University of Alabama

Workhorse, power runner, game changer, break away back, the total package… However you want to describe Richardson as a dominate running back take your pick. He can also catch the ball out of the backfield. The only thing that will keep him off the field as a rookie in the NFL is if he does not show the ability to pick up the blitz on passing downs.

 

Richardson led the SEC in rushing yards (1,679), rushing attempts (283), and rushing touchdowns (21). He also led the SEC to their sixth straight BCS National Championship.

 

Draft Worthy Mentions:

RB Vick Ballard, Mississippi State

RB Tauren Poole, Tennessee

RB Chris Rainey, Florida

FBBroderick Green, Arkansas

 

 

Wide Receivers and Tight Ends:

*Alshon Jeffery, 6’4”, 229 pounds, University of South Carolina

Jeffery is a big target which NFL scouts like and he’s great at jumping over defenders, especially in the red zone. Jeffery lacks the blazing speed coveted by NFL teams and his route running is not crisp.

 

Even with the instability at quarterback for the Gamecocks, Jeffery was able to finish the season ranked No. 5 in the SEC in total receiving yards. His eight touchdown receptions were tied for third best in the SEC.

 

*Orson Charles, 6’3”, 242 pounds, University of Georgia

Charles may be the best tight end available in the NFL Draft much less the best tight end in the SEC. He has the speed, height, and athletic ability for the next level. His ability to stretch the field and pump against linebackers will help his draft status.

 

Charles was No. 12 in the SEC in total receiving yards with 574 while hauling in 45 passes and five receiving touchdowns.

 

Jarius Wright, 5’10”, 180 pounds, University of Arkansas

Wright is smaller wide receiver than what most scouts want in a No. 1 receiver. InArkansas’ offense he was accustomed to running routes across the middle of the field which is something he will have to do on the next level as a No. 2 option or as a slot receiver.

 

Wright finished the 2011 season leading the SEC in receiving yards (1,117) and receiving touchdowns (12). He was one catch shy of tying Da’Rick Rogers (Tennessee) for most receptions-Rogers67, Wright 66.

 

Joe Adams, 5’11”, 190 pounds, University of Arkansas

Adamswas a consensus All-American as a punter returner in 2011. He led all players with four kickoff returns for touchdowns and his yardage per punt return average of 16.89 was second in college football. Some team will take a chance on Adams for his return ability alone. His 4.3 40-yard dash helps too.

 

Do not overlook Adams’ ability as a receiver. He was No. 4 in the SEC in total receptions (54) and No. 8 in total receiving yards (652).

 

Draft Worthy Mentions:

Greg Childs, Arkansas

*Reuben Randle, LSU

 

Offensive Linemen:

Cordy Glenn, 6’5”, 348 pounds, University of Georgia

Glenn has the size of a NFL tackle but played guard for the Bulldogs since his sophomore year. Either way he’s a beast to contend with especially on running plays.

 

He has started since his freshman season and has played against top quality defensive linemen throughout his college career. Glenn should be a late first round draft pick.

 

Draft Worthy Mentions:

OT D.J. Fluker, Alabama

C Ben Jones, Georgia

OG Will Blackwell, LSU

C William Vlachos, Alabama

OT Bobby Massie, Ole Miss

 

Linebackers:

*Dont’a Hightower, 6’4”, 260 pounds, Alabama

Hightower is a hard nosed tackler with size and good speed. If he did not have a history of being injured (tore ACL in left knee in 2009) Hightower might be considered the top outside linebacker in the NFL Draft. As it is he still will go somewhere in the first round.

 

Courtney Upshaw, 6’2”, 265 pounds, Alabama

Upshaw is anotherAlabamaproduct that projects high in the NFL Draft. Upshaw is an excellent fit as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 NFL defensive scheme. He led Bama with 9.5 sacks this season and seven in 2010.

 

Upshaw was a four year player for the Tide. He has 4.6 speed to go with his massive frame.

 

Chris Marve, 6’0”, 242 pounds, University of Vanderbilt

Marve is a typical SEC middle linebacker, always in on a play and a sound tackler. He had an off senior year due to injuries. Still he finished with 91 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

 

Unless Marve shows tremendous speed at the combine he is likely going to drop into the third round.

 

Draft Worthy Mentions:

Jerry Franklin, Arkansas

Danny Trevathan, Kentucky

 

Defensive Linemen:

Melvin Ingram, 6’2”, 276 pounds, University of South Carolina

Ingram was the senior leader of a three-headed defensive end rotation that terrorized the SEC- Devin Taylor and Jadeveon Clowney. Ingram had nine sacks as a junior and 10 sacks as a senior.

 

He has a knack for making big plays. His speed is average for a defensive end his size (4.6 40-yard dash). If he can show off some superior atheism at the combine he could work his way into a solid second round pick.

 

*Michael Brockers, 6’6”, 306 pounds, LSU

A disruptive force for offensive lines to deal with, Brockers easily dominates most blockers in one-on-one situations. He gets up field in a hurry and commands double teams.

 

He converted from defensive end to defensive tackle while inBaton Rouge. He is short on overall experience but has a ton of upside. If he does well at the combine he should hear his name called in the first round.

 

Josh Chapman, 6’1”, 310 pounds, Alabama

Chapman anchored the line for a great Alabama defense throughout his colligate career. His size is a little undersized for a nose tackle.  His real weapon in the trenches is his speed. He clocked a 4.92 40-yard dash.

 

Chapman should go before the second round his over. Early third round if he has a bad NFL Combine or pro day.

 

*Fletcher Cox, 6’4”, 295 pounds, Mississippi State

There is nothing bad to say about the abilities of Fletcher Cox. He has a motor that does not stop, he is quick off the ball, and played through double-teams throughout his college career. He posted 5 sacks in 2011 and 2.5 in 2010.

 

NFL teams will want to beef Cox up once he is drafted. Look for Cox to go somewhere in the second to third round.

 

Jake Bequette, 6’5”, 271 pounds, University of Arkansas

Bequette is an experienced college player having redshirted before becoming a four-year starter for the Hogs. He finished the 2011 season with 10 sacks in 10 games as a hamstring injury forced him to miss three games during the early part of the season.

 

Bequette is fast but not necessarily strong for a defensive end. He has been clocked at 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. He might end up being a weak side defensive end in the NFL.

 

Draft Worthy Mentions:

DT Malik Jackson, Tennessee

DE Tim Fugger, Vanderbilt

 

Defensive Backs:

*Dre Kirkpatrick, 6’3”, 192 pounds, University of Alabama

Kirkpatrick has the size and speed NFL scouts drool over for cornerbacks. His background at Alabama will help him play man defense and zone defense at the next level.

 

Kirkpatrick had zero interceptions in 2011 but had three in 2010.

 

His ability on the field makes him a first round draft pick. Getting busted for marijuana in Bradenton, Florida may drop his draft status.

 

*Morris Claiborne, 6’0”, 185 pounds, LSU

Claiborne is considered the best corner in college football with the ability to be a shut-down corner on the next level. His speed, toughness, and athletic ability will make him a first-round pick for some lucky NFL team.

 

Claiborne had six interceptions during his junior campaign with one returned for a touchdown. He had five interceptions in 2010.

 

*Jonathan Banks, 6’1”, 185 pounds, Mississippi State

Banks is a legitimate cover corner ready for the next level. He had three picks in 2010 and five in 2011 with one returned for a touchdown. He also registered three sacks this season.

His ability to move up in draft status will depend on how well he competes at the NFL Draft Combine.

 

Draft Worthy Mentions:

*CB Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina

CB Brandon Boykin, Georgia

CB CaseyHayward, Vanderbilt

SS Mark Barron, Alabama

FS Tramain Thomas, Arkansas


  1. Alabama 12-1
  2. LSU 13-1
  3. Arkansas 11-2
  4. Oregon12-2
  5. Oklahoma State 12-1
  6. USC 10-2
  7. Houston 13-1
  8. South Carolina 11-2
  9. Boise State 12-1
  10. Michigan State 11-3
  11. Stanford 11-2
  12. West Virginia 10-3
  13. Wisconsin 11-3
  14. Michigan 11-2
  15. Kansas State 10-3
  16. Baylor 10-3
  17. TCU 11-2
  18. Oklahoma 10-3
  19. Southern Mississippi 12-2
  20. Auburn 8-5
  21. Georgia 10-4
  22. Florida State 9-4
  23. Cincinnati 10-3
  24. Virginia Tech 11-3
  25. Clemson 10-4

Continue reading →

Is Arkansas the most Influential State for College Football of All-Time?


Razorback Stadium

Since the first football game was played November 6, 1869, between Rutgers and Princeton, football fans have battled over whose team is better, which team has the best players, and why for over 100 years.

 

The most overlooked area in college football and perhaps the most important is what state is the most influential. What makes your criteria, the most Heisman Trophy winners per state, the most first round NFL draft picks, or the coaches that got those players to their prominent positions?

 

Based on coaching, would you believe Arkansas may be the most influential college football state of all-time?

 

PennStatefans will argue about the legacy of Joe Pa, Florida State fans will “Tomahawk” you to death with Bobby Bowden all the while Bill Walsh and Cardinal fans will nickel and dime you down the field in the West Coast offense. But if one looks closely at the coaches born in the state of Arkansas or those that cut their teeth coaching at the University of Arkansas, you might change your mind.

 

Here are a few coaches that have made their mark in the world of college football after passing through the great state of Arkansas.

 

Paul “Bear” Bryant

Who is arguably the greatest college football coach of all-time? Most fans, especially those who support Alabama, will tell you Paul “Bear” Bryant is the end all be all and for good reason. Coach Bryant won six national championships at Alabama and 15 conference titles between the SEC and Southwest Conference.

 

When Bryant retired he owned a 323-85-17 coaching record; that is a winning percentage of 76. After his passing in 1983, Super Bowl XVII was dedicated in his honor. The National Coach of the Year Award is even named in his honor.

 

Three coaches that got their start under Coach Bryant went on to win National Championships – Danny Ford, Gene Stallings, and Howard Schnellenberger. Other notable head coaches that got their start under Bear Bryant include David Cutcliffe, Jackie Sherrill, Pat Dye, Sylvester Croom, Jim Owens, Charles McClendon, and Neil Callaway.

 

What does Coach Bryant have to do with Arkansas? He was born in Fordyce, Arkansas. Alabama and college football fans, you are welcome.

 

Frank Broyles

The next great Arkansas coach would have to be Frank Broyles. Coach Broyles was the head coach at the University of Arkansas for 19 years compiling a record of 149-62-6 (69 winning percent) making him the all-time winningest coach in school history.

 

Coach Broyles won a national championship in 1964 and seven Southwest Conference titles from 1958 – 1976.

 

His showdown against University of Texas in 1969 was considered “The Game of the Century” before this year’s Alabama and LSU teams were even a consideration. There was so much national attention on the game President Nixon showed up inFayettevilleto watch.

 

Broyles was in the broadcast booth with Keith Jackson on ABC from 1977-1985 influencing generations of college football fans watching the games at home.

 

In 1996 college football started the Frank Broyles Award to honor the top college football assistant in the nation. Past winners include Randy Shannon, Norm Chow, Gene Chizik, and Gus Malzahn.

 

Broyles helped Johnny Majors (Tennessee), Joe Gibbs (Washington Redskins), Barry Switzer (Oklahoma and the Dallas Cowboys), and Jimmy Johnson (University of Miami and the Dallas Cowboys) all get their start in coaching. Between the four coaches they have won five college football national championships and six Super Bowls.

 

Of the players Coach Broyles mentored over 30 have gone on to coach at the college or pro levels.

 

As the athletic director for Arkansas in 1992, Coach Broyles led Arkansas to college football’s first mega-conference when they departed the now defunct Southwest Conference for the Southeastern Conference.

 

Lou Holtz

Lou Holtz succeeded Coach Broyles in 1977 as the head coach at Arkansas after stops at William and Mary, North Carolina State, and a one-year stint as the New York Jets head coach. Coach Broyles gave the embattled coach an opportunity to get back into college coaching before taking Notre Dame to a national championship in 1988.

 

Holtz won the Paul “Bear” Bryant Award in 1977 after leading Arkansas to a 1978 Orange Bowl victory over Oklahoma. Had Oklahoma won the game that would have been the third national championship in four years for the Sooners. OU was coached by Barry Switzer.

 

Younger generations may only know of Coach Holtz from his work on ESPN’s College Football Score Board and College Football Live or his time asSouth Carolina’s head coach (1999-2004).

 

HoustonNutt

Recruited by Broyles and played under Lou Holtz, Houston Nutt not only was born in Arkansas and played for the Razorbacks but he was also the head coach at the University of Arkansas from 1998-2007. Coach Nutt won three SEC West titles and was named SEC Coach of the Year three times.

 

In 1998 Coach Nutt was awarded coach of the year by The Football News for leading Arkansas to a 9-3 record after being picked to finish last in the SEC West during the preseason.

 

Coach Nutt had eight winning seasons while at Arkansas, two as the head coach at Ole Miss. Nutt’s teams have appeared in seven New Year’s Day bowl games.

 

He coached Darren McFadden to back-to-back runner-up finishes in the Heisman Trophy Award – 2006 and 2007.

 

Jimmy Johnson

Jimmy Johnson played his college ball at theUniversityofArkansasbefore becoming the defensive coordinator under Broyles from 1973-1976. Johnson went on to be the head coach at Oklahoma State University(1979-1983) and University of Miami (1984-1988) before going to the NFL.

 

Coach Johnson won the 1987 national championship atMiamibefore taking over as the Dallas Cowboys head coach in 1989. While inDallas, Johnson won the Super Bowl in 1992 and 1993. The foundation Johnson laid for the Cowboys set up another Super Bowl win in 1995.

 

Johnson’s coaching tree includes native Arkansans Tommy Tuberville and Butch Davis. Johnson also helped start the careers of Norv Turner, Dave Wannstedt, and Dave Campo.

 

Randy Shannon was the starting linebacker for Johnson’s national championship team. Shannon was the head coach at University of Miami from 2007-2010.

 

Barry Switzer

As the head coach at University of Oklahoma from 1973-1988 Barry Switzer had a college record of 157-29-4 winning three national championships (1974, 1975, and 1985) and won 12 Big Eight Conference Titles.

 

Coach Switzer won 82 percent of his games at OU. His teams finished in the Top 10 of the AP Poll 12 times during his tenure.

 

He won Super Bowl XXX in 1995 as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.

 

Switzer played for the Razorbacks from 1956-1960 before taking a position as an assistant from 1961-1965 with the Hogs.

 

Coach Switzer was born in Crossett, Arkansas.

 

Ken Hatfield

Ken Hatfield was born in Helena, Arkansas. He played at Arkansas under Frank Broyles, was the head coach atArkansasfrom 1984-1989 compiling a record of 55-17 with three 10 win seasons – 1985, 1988, and 1989.

 

Hatfield was also the head coach at Air Force, Clemson, and Rice.

 

ButchDavis

Coach Davis was a defensive end for the Razorbacks before starting his coaching career at Fayetteville High School in Arkansas.

 

Coach Davis helped turn the University of Miami program around and laid down the tracks for success for Larry Coker and their BCS Championship winning team in 2001. Davis was the head coach at Miami from 1995-2000 before taking over as the head coach for the Cleveland Browns (2001-2004).

 

Davis was recently the head coach at North Carolina– 2007-2010.

 

He won three Big East Championships while at Miami– 1995, 1996, and 2000.

 

Butch Davis recruited Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Reggie Wayne, Clinton Portis, Bryant McKinnie, Antrel Rolle, Sean Taylor, and Jeremey Shockey, just to name a few of the more noteworthy NFL players under his mentorship.

 

Hayden Fry

Coach Fry got his big coaching break when Frank Broyles brought him on staff as his offensive backfield coach in 1961. After Arkansas was the Southwest Conference co-champions that same year, SMU hired Fry as their head coach for the 1962 season.

 

Fry is most remembered as the head coach for the Iowa Hawkeyes (1979-1998). Fry won one Southwest Conference title (1966), one Missouri Valley Conference title (1973), and three Big Ten titles (1981, 1985, and 1990).

 

Johnny Majors

Coach Majors may be considered “Mr. Rocky Top” but before he became the head coach at Tennessee he was an assistant under Frank Broyles from 1964-1967. Majors parlayed his time atArkansasto a head coaching position at Iowa State (1968-1972) before two stints at University of Pittsburgh (1973-1976 and 1993-1996).

 

Majors won the SEC three times (1985, 1989, and 1990). His coaching record for the Volunteers was 116-62-8. In 1985 his Tennessee team finished the season ranked No. 4, his highest post season ranking.

 

Head Coaches Born in Arkansas

 

Fred Akers

Fred Akers was born in Blytheville, Arkansas. He was a running back, kicker, and punter for the Hogs before becoming a coach.

 

Akers is best remembered as being the head coach atUniversityofTexasfrom 1977-1986. He also had head coaching jobs at Wyoming (1975-1976) and Purdue (1987-1990).

 

Akers twice led the Longhorns through undefeated seasons only to lose their bowl game each time – 1977 and 1983.

 

Gus Malzahn

Gus Malzahn, from Jonesboro, Arkansas, was the offensive coordinator for Arkansas, Tulsa, and Auburn before taking the head coaching position atArkansasState.

 

He won the 2010 BCS National Championship as the offensive coordinator forAuburn.

 

As offensive coordinator, Darren McFadden had a runner-up finish in the 2006 Heisman Trophy Award and in 2010 quarterback Cam Newton won the Heisman while atAuburn.

 

Charlie Strong

Coach Strong was born in Batesville, Arkansas and attended University of Central Arkansas before embarking on his coaching career. Strong made a name for himself as a top SEC defensive coordinator atSouth Carolina(1999-2001) and Florida (2002-2009) before taking the head coaching job at Louisville in 2010.

 

Tommy Tuberville

The “Riverboat Gambler” was born in Camden, Arkansas and played safety at Southern Arkansas before beginning his coaching career at Arkansas State.

 

Coach Tuberville has been the head coach at Ole Miss (1995-1998) and Auburn (1999-2008) before taking the Texas Tech position in 2010. While coaching in the SEC Tuberville won one SEC Conference Title and five SEC Western Conference Division Titles.

 

In 2004 he led the Tigers to a 13-0 record. That same year he won the Paul “Bear” Bryant award. He was twice named SEC Coach of the Year – 1997 and 2004.

 

Fitz Hill

Coach Hill was an assistant on the Razorback staff from 1992-2000. He played collegiately at Ouachita Baptist (NAIA) in Arkansas. He was the head coach of San Jose State from 2001-2004 before returning to Ouachita Baptist as the school’s president.

 

Coaching Assistants at University of Arkansas

 

Joe Gibbs – Running backs coach 1971-1972, three time Super Bowl winner with the Washington Redskins.

 

Garrick McGee – Quarterback coach from 2008-2009, offensive coordinator from 2009-2010, and now the head coach at University of Alabama-Birmingham.

 

Monte Kiffin – Defensive coordinator from 1977-1979, parlayed stint atArkansasinto head coaching job at North Carolina State. He is considered the “father” of the Tampa Two defense. Kiffin is the current defensive coordinator at University of Southern California.

 

Pete Carroll got his first big coaching break as a graduate assistant coaching the secondary atArkansasunder then head coach Lou Holtz. On staff was Monte Kiffin who taught Carroll the “4-3 Under” defense and the principal of the Tampa Two defense. Carroll was the 2003 National Coach of the Year while at USC.

 

 

Arkansas’ Influences in other Areas of Football

 

Jerry Jones grew up inNorth Little Rock,Arkansasand played on Frank Broyles 1964 national championship team. In 1989 Jones bought the Dallas Cowboys and immediately made waves throughout the NFL by firing legendary head coach Tom Landry.

 

Jones has taken “America’s Team” to new heights in popularity while winning three Super Bowls as the team owner – 1992, 1993, and 1995.

 

He is also the general manager for the Dallas Cowboys.

 

 

Pat Summerall was a place kicker, tight end, and defensive end atArkansasfrom 1949-1951. He spent 10 years in the NFL before working NFL telecasts in 1962. Summerall and John Madden became the definitive broadcast voices for NFL football covering 22 years.

 

In 1994 the Pro Football Hall of Fame awarded Summerall the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award for his contributions to football through radio and television.

 

From USC to Tennessee and Seattle to Miami, the coaching tree continues to spread its influence on college and pro football making Arkansas the most influential state in college football.

Arkansas Razorbacks: Tyler Wilson Named First Team All-SEC


Wilson and Wright named first team All-SEC.

Tyler Wilson has done something no other Arkansas Razorback has ever accomplished he’s been named first team All-SEC at the quarterback position.

 

Wilsonalong with six other Razorback players was named to All-SEC teams Monday. Wide receivers Jarius Wright and Joe Adams were selected first team All-SEC as well. Adams selection was as an all-purpose player for his contributions as a punt returner and wide receiver.

 

Arkansassecond team picks included linebacker Jerry Franklin, punter Dylan Breeding, guard Alvin Bailey, and running back Dennis Johnson; Johnson was an all-purpose selection for his kickoff return abilities and play at running back.

 

Senior safety Tramain Thomas received an honorable mention. Thomas had five interceptions during the 2011 season tying him for No. 10 in FBS and No. 4 in the SEC.

 

Missing from the All-SEC lists is senior defensive end Jake Bequette. Bequette missed significant game time and three total games with an early season hamstring injury but still managed to finish the season with eight sacks. Bequette’s eight sacks ranked No. 8 in the SEC.

 

Jarvis Jones led the SEC in sacks with 13.5, finishing second in college football during the regular season to Whitney Mercilus a defensive end forIllinois.

 

The following is a list of the All-SEC honorees, their position, their school, and their class:

 

First Team Offense

QB – Tyler Wilson,Arkansas, Jr.

RB – Trent Richardson, Alabama, Jr.

RB – Michael Dyer, Auburn, So.

WR –Jarius Wright, Arkansas, Sr.

WR – Da’Rick Rogers, Tennessee, So.

OL –Barret Jones,Alabama, Jr.

OL –Rokevious Watkins, South Carolina, Sr.

OL – Cordy Glenn, Georgia, Sr.

OL – Will Balckwell, LSU, Sr.

C  -William Vlachos, Alabama, Sr.

TE –Orson Charles, Georgia, Jr.

 

Special Teams

K –Caleb Sturgis, Florida, Jr.

AP – Joe Adams, Arkansas, Sr.

 

First Team Defense

DT – Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State, Jr.

DT –Malik Jackson, Tennessee, Sr.

DE – Melvin Ingram,South Carolina, Sr.

DE – Sam Montgomery, LSU, So.

LB – Danny Trevathan, Kentucky, Sr.

LB – Courtney Upshaw, Alabama, Sr.

LB –Jarvis Jones,Georgia, So.

CB – Morris Claiborne, LSU, Jr.

CB – Tyrann Mathieu, LSU, So.

S –Mark Barron, Alabama, Sr.

S –Bacarri Rambo,Georgia, Jr.

 

Special Teams

P – Brad Wing, LSU, Fr.

 

 

Second Team Offense

QB – Aaron Murray, Georgia, So.

RB – Zac Stacy, Vanderbilt, Jr.

RB –Vick Ballard, Mississippi State, Sr.

WR –Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina, Jr.

WR – Rueben Randle, LSU, Jr.

OL – Alvin Bailey, Arkansas, So.

OL – Chris Faulk, LSU, So.

OL – Larry Warford,Kentucky, Jr.

OL – Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State, So.

C –Ben Jones, Georgia, Sr.

TE – Philip Lutzenkirchen, Auburn, Jr.

 

Special Teams

K- Drew Alleman, LSU, Jr.

AP – Dennis Johnson, Arkansas, Jr.

 

Second Team Defense

DT – Michael Brockers, LSU, So.

DT – Josh Chapman, Alabama, Sr.

DE – Cory Lemonier, Auburn, So.

DE – Barkevious Mingo, LSU, So.

LB – Chris Marve, Vanderbilt, Sr.

LB – Jerry Franklin, Arkansas, Sr.

LB – Don’t’A Hightower, Alabama, Jr.

CB –Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama, Jr.

CB – Casey Hayward, Vanderbilt, Sr.

S –Antonio Allen, South Carolina, Sr.

S – Eric Reid, LSU, So.

 

Special Teams

P –Dylan Breeding, Arkansas, Jr.

 

Offensive Player of the Year

Trent Richardson, Alabama

 

Defensive Player of the Year

Tyrann Mathieu, LSU

 

Coach of the Year

Les Miles, LSU

 

Freshman of the Year

Isaiah Crowell, Georgia

HogManInLA’s College Football Top 25: Week 15


 

  1. LSU 13-0
  2. Alabama 11-1
  3. Oklahoma State 11-1
  4. Arkansas 10-2
  5. Wisconsin 11-2
  6. Oregon 11-2
  7. South Carolina 10-2
  8. Stanford 11-1
  9. USC 10-2
  10. Georgia 10-3
  11. Michigan State 10-3
  12. Boise State 11-1
  13. Virginia Tech 11-2
  14. Kansas State 10-2
  15. Clemson 10-3
  16. Michigan 10-2
  17. Oklahoma 9-3
  18. Baylor 9-3
  19. Southern Mississippi 11-2
  20. TCU 10-2
  21. Arkansas State 10-2
  22. Houston 12-1
  23. Nebraska 9-3
  24. Penn State 9-3
  25. West Virginia 8-3

 

All the hype on Sunday will be about Oklahoma State. Will they or won’t they… that is will they move to No. 2 in the BCS Rankings or will they remain at No. 3?

 

Oklahoma State did impress Saturday night in their home win over Oklahoma, but one has to remember that Alabama lost to the No. 1 team in the nation in their lone defeat not to an unranked team; one could argue that Bama won every facet of the game except the score board against LSU. All Oklahoma State did was beat a two-loss team Saturday.

Ranking the 10 Best Quarterbacks in College Football


How do you like your college football quarterback? Do you like a QB that is rough and rugged, one with a quick release, or a guy with a gun for an arm? Does your leader need to be able to scramble out of the pocket to buy time for his wide receivers to keep the play alive?

How about a player that lines up under center with gaudy offensive numbers or a dual threat speed demon that can eat up chunks of yards with his feet as well as his arm?

Whatever your preference is in a quarterback, this year’s college football class has the talent to make any fan happy.

The following article breaks down each individual quarterback giving the highlights and lowlights of the 10 best college football quarterbacks in the nation with the reasons why they are better than all the rest.

10) Tajh Boyd, Clemson University, Sophomore, 6’1”, 230 lbs

Clemson was slated to be a .500 team by most college football pundits entering 2011 play. Once the season began college football took notice of the upstart Tigers behind the heady play of Tajh Boyd… and he’s only a sophomore.

Boyd led Clemson to eight straight wins to start the season on the way to a 9-3 regular season record. The Tigers play Virginia Tech in the ACC Conference Championship Game for the right to represent the ACC in a BCS Bowl game on Saturday.

The Highlights:

11 straight games with 200 yards or more passing, 28 passing touchdowns and 10 interceptions, with a QB Rating of 143.1 for the season. 17th in the nation in passing yards per game with 278. Boyd leads the ACC in total passing yards with 3,338.

Clemson had quality wins over Auburn, Florida State, and Virginia Tech.

The Lowlights:

Boyd had a horrible game against South Carolina, 11-29, 83 yards passing, 5 sacks, 1 passing touchdown, 1 interception. The Gamecocks rolled over the Tigers 34-13 to end the regular season for both teams.

Boyd was sacked 27 times during the season.

9) Russell Wilson, University of Wisconsin, Senior, 5’11”, 201 lbs

Wilson, a senior transfer fromNorth CarolinaState, has made an immediate impact for the Badgers. His noticeably seamless ease into the role of the new starting quarterback for Wisconsin has paid dividends as Wisconsin is two Hail Mary plays away from being undefeated and playing for a BCS National Championship.

Wilson’s numbers may not overwhelm but his results do. Sporting a 10-2 record entering the inaugural Big Ten Conference Championship Game, the Badgers have an opportunity to defend a last second loss toMichiganState, this time the game is on a neutral field. Can Wilson lead Wisconsin back to the Rose Bowl for the second year in a row?

The Highlights:

Wilsonhas two 300-yard passing games on the year, has thrown at least one touchdown pass in every game this season with five rushing touchdowns. His passing yards per game ranks him 46th in the nation with 224 per game.

Other thanWilson’s ridiculous 192.9 quarterback rating, his most impressive stat may be the three interceptions he’s thrown in 260 pass attempts against a defense first conference.

The Lowlights:

Wilsonput up more passing yards at North Carolina State during his junior and sophomore campaigns, 3,563 in 2010 and 3,027 in 2009. The trade off for passing yards has been fewer interceptions thrown, a better team record, and the ability to rely on running back Montee Ball.

Ball is second total rushing yards in college football with 1,622 yards and two games left to play.

Wilson’s statistics will not get him an invite toNew York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony but his leadership and play for Wisconsin has been tremendous. He leads FBS in quarterback rating, is fifth in completion percentage, and is second in yards per completions with an average of 10.4 yards per.

If more was asked of Wilson one can only imagine how gaudy his numbers would be.

8) Nick Foles, University o fArizona, Senior, 6’5”, 240 lbs

Foles has NFL ability and gaudy passing statistics to prove it despite having very little overall talent around him. The Wildcats are 4-8 on the season with tough losses at USC and at Oregon State. Without him Arizona might be winless.

Foles is second in the nation in total passing yards with 4,334. Because the Wildcats have played their last game of the season, Foles may drop to fifth or sixth by the end of the postseason.

The Highlights:

2-1 touchdown to interception ratio (28-14), 10 games with over 300-yards passing (two of those games he went over 400-yards), and averaged 32.25 completions per game.

Foles has a completion percentage of 69.1. He is second in college football in total passing attempts and completions with 560 and 387 respectively.

He can play against the “big boys”: In 2011 Foles threw for 398 yards against Oklahoma State, 398 against Oregon, 425 against USC, and 388 against Washington.

The last three years Foles has progressively gotten better. His numbers are amazing especially considering all opposing defensive coordinators know they have to try and stop Foles somehow but never do.

The Lowlights:

Foles takes a lot of sacks – 23 in 2011 and 23 in 2010. How much of this is his fault and how much is the play of the offensive line can be debated. Considering the entire offense rests on his ability to throw the ball, all in all he has played really well.

7) Matt Barkley,UniversityofSouthern California, Junior, 6’2”, 220 lbs

Matt Barkley is a college quarterback candidate who may leave college early for NFL riches. The shame for USC fans is if Barkley returns for the 2012 season the Trojans will more than likely be a Top 10 preseason team.

The Trojans will also have something to play for in 2012 as 2011 is their last season under NCAA post season sanctions stemming from Reggie Bush’s NCAA violations.

Even without much motivation or overall team goals to shoot for, Barkley has led the Trojans to a 10-2 season and what would have been a PAC-12 South Division Title.

The Highlights:

Barkley has a 39-7 TD-INT ratio, six games of 300-yards or more passing, and has only been sacked 8 times. He has a passing touchdown in every game this season with two games of six passing touchdowns against Colorado and UCLA.

The Lowlights:

Barkley puts up great numbers but has games when he underachieves against better competition. Against Arizona State he finished 21-33 for 227 yards passing, againstCaliforniahe went 19-35 for 195 yards, and 24-35 against Notre Dame for 224 yards.

Truth be told, Barkley could use one more year of seasoning in college football.

6) Case Keenum, University of Houston, Senior, 6’2”, 210 lbs

Keenum may be a product of the offensive system he is in, regardless, he delivers.

The Cougars are 12-0 entering Conference USA’s Conference Title Game against No. 24 Southern Mississippi. IfHoustonbeats Southern Mississippi on Saturday, Houston will play in their first BCS Bowl.

The Highlights:

Keenum leads college football in just about every major passing category including total passing yards (4,726), passing touchdowns (43), completion percentage with a minimum of 300 attempts (73.2), and has only thrown 3 picks this season (14-1 TD-INT ratio).

His 393.83 passing yards per game leads FBS despite having fewer total passing attempts than 6 of the Top 10 quarterbacks in college football. Put in other terms, he’s more efficient than his counterparts.

Every Houston game during the 2011 season has finished with Keenum throwing for more than 300 yards; six of those games Keenum threw for more than 400 yards with one of those games going for 534.

If he throws one touchdown pass against Southern Miss he will tie his previous single season highs of 44 set in 2009 and 2008.

The Lowlights:

Keenum threw for more yards in 2009 (5,671) and 2008 (5,020).

Conference USA does not get the respect of the other power conferences; one could debate the level of play between the Big East and Conference USA. College football fans will always wonder how well Keenum would have performed playing against power conference teams every week.

UCLA was the lone BCS program Keenum faced in 2011; his first game back from a season ending knee injury in 2010 that occurred against UCLA. He finished the game 30-40 for 310 yards passing with 2 touchdowns and zero interceptions.

If Keenum puts up video game passing numbers inHouston’s bowl game his spot on the Top Quarterback list would jump dramatically. He will finally have an opportunity to prove himself against top tier competition.

5) Landry Jones,UniversityofOklahoma, Junior, 6’4”, 229 lbs

Will he stay or will he go? Entering the 2011 season Jones and company were preseason No. 1. The Sooners 9-2 team record may not have turned out the way he wanted but few could argue the success that Jones has had under center. The big question for Jones is will he stay on campus for one more year or pass up his senior year for NFL riches?

The Highlights:

Jones has eight games with 300 or more yards passing, ranks third in FBS in passing yards per game with 368, and averages 28 completions per game.

The Lowlights:

One can question the toughness of Big 12 defenses and the offensive numbers put up within conference play. Five of the top 20 passing quarterbacks in college football sling it around the Big 12; Seth Doege (Texas Tech), Brandon Weeden (OSU), Jones, Ryan Tannehill (Texas A&M), and Robert Griffin III (Baylor).

Are Big 12 quarterbacks that good or is pass defense an afterthought in that conference?

Texas is the only Big 12 team ranked in the Top 25 in total team defense.

In OU’s biggest non-conference game against Florida State, Jones finished 18-27 passing for 199 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions.

4) Tyler Wilson, University of Arkansas, Junior, 6’3”, 220 lbs

Tyler Wilson is a first year starter playing behind an average offensive line. All stats can be skewed but college football fans have to wonder how much betterWilson’s numbers could be if his offensive line gave him time to throw. He has been sacked 23 times in 2011. Who knows how many times he’s been knocked to the turf?

The Highlights:

Wilsonleads the SEC in total passing yards, completion percentage among QBs with 300 or more attempts (63.1), and yards per game (285.17). His overall numbers place him among college football’s elite especially considering he has faced three of the four top total defenses in the nation (Alabama, LSU, and South Carolina) and six of the top 25 pass defense teams in the nation (No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 South Carolina, No. 6 LSU, No. 12 Tennessee, No. 23 Ole Miss, and No. 25 Mississippi State).

Wilsonis 11th in FBS in total passing yards with 3,422 with an opportunity to move back in the top 10 during post season play.

InArkansas’ biggest non-conference game of the year,Wilsonthrew for a school record 510 yards against Texas A&M. Against South Carolina Wilson threw for 299 yards with two passing touchdowns.

The Lowlights:

Wilson’s two worst games came againstAlabamaand LSU when he finished with 185 and 207 yards passing respectively. He threw two touchdowns against Bama and one against LSU. He also threw one pick in both games as well.

3) Geno Smith, West Virginia University, Junior, 6’3”, 214 lbs

The 8-3 Mountaineers have been riding the electric arm of Smith’s all season long. Even in WVU’s three losses to LSU, Syracuse, and Louisville Smith has played well. He finished the game against LSU with 463 yards passing, 338 against Syracuse, and 410 against Louisville.

Smith has one more regular season game againstSouth Floridaremaining to add to his passing totals before their bowl game. Because the Big East only has eight conference members and not the twelve mandated for a conference title game, Smith will not get that extra game to pad his 2011 stats.

The Highlights:

Smith’s 5-1 touchdown to interception ratio (25-5) has been tremendous. He’s ninth in FBS in total offense per game with 332.91 yards per game, has seven games of 300 or more passing yards, and is fifth in the nation with 340 passing yards per game.

3,741 total passing yards has Smith ranked sixth in the nation.

The Lowlights:

Smith takes too many sacks (25) and his 65 percent completion rate ranks him 28th best in the nation.

Smith already puts up great numbers. One could argue that he should put up even better numbers in a weak Big East conference, but that is splitting hairs.

2) Robert Griffin III, Baylor University

An advertisement for Baylor football should read, “Baylor football is… Robert Griffin.” RG3 is the ultimate all around college football quarterback and arguably one of the best players in college football.

In Baylor’s three losses to Kansas State, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma State RG3 put up 346 passing yards against KSU, 430 against A&M, and 425 on OSU. The big statistic against those three teams is each team held Griffin to his three lowest rushing totals of the season, 6, 15, and 27 rushing yards respectively.

The Highlights:

Griffinhas thrown for 300 or more yards in eight games this season, over 400 yards in four of those games. His 34-5 TD-INT ratio, 72.6 completion percentage, 334.46 passing yards per game proves he is a complete quarterback.

College football passer rankings: 6th in passing yards per game (334), 2nd in total offense per game (390), and 2nd in quarterback rating (191.1).

The Lowlights:

It’s hard to poke too many holes inGriffin’s game but his 22 sacks on the season is a start.

He had season low totals last weekend against Texas Tech after being knocked out of the game with a concussion. He still finished the game with a passing touchdown, as he has every game this year.

1)Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State University, Senior, 6’4”, 218 lbs

The only knock on Weeden as a college football quarterback is his age; he’s 28. No wait, that will be the knock on him going into the NFL. As college quarterbacks go, Weeden is great.

Weeden has led the Cowboys to a 10-1 record with a chance for a BCS Bowl berth. Even in Oklahoma State’s lone loss to Iowa State Weeden was great when he threw for 476 yards. His three interceptions against the Cyclones… were not so great.

The Highlights:

Eight games of 300 or more yards passing, three of those games he was over 400, one of those was over 500.

College football passer rankings: 2nd in passing yards per game (374), third in total passing yards (4,111) but should move into second barring injury after this weekend’s game against Oklahoma, fifth in touchdown passes thrown with 34, and eighth in quarterback rating (162.2).

The Lowlights:

Not too many holes to poke here. His 12 interceptions and 11 sacks could be improved upon. He has improved on his completion percentage from 2010, 67 to 73 percent.

Weeden was held to 218 passing yards against the Longhorns in Austin, the only defensive minded team he has faced all season.

Weeden may not be the best all around quarterback in the Big 12 with Robert Griffin lurking behind him. But should he have a great game against OU will Heisman voters realize how much better Weeden is than Andrew Luck?

Honorable Mentions

Ryan Alpine, Arkansas State

11th in total offense in FBS, averages 262 passing yards per game

 

Dan Persa, Northwestern

After returning from an injury, he leads FBS in completion percentage

 

Andrew Luck, Stanford

Luck is a media darling but statistically the fifth best QB in the PAC-12

 

Kellen Moore, Boise State

Average numbers in a non-BCS power conference, 290 passing yards per game

 

Zac Dysert, Miami of Ohio

Averages a FBS 11th best 293 passing yards per game

 

Brock Osweiler, Arizona State

Averages 303 passing yards per game, TD-INT ratio is poor (2-1)

HogManInLA’s College Football Top 25: Week 14


 

  1. LSU 12-0
  2. Alabama 11-1
  3. Oklahoma State 10-1
  4. Arkansas 10-2
  5. Wisconsin 10-2
  6. Michigan State 10-2
  7. Georgia 10-2
  8. Virginia Tech 11-1
  9. South Carolina 10-2
  10. Houston 12-0
  11. Stanford 11-1
  12. USC 10-2
  13. Oklahoma 9-2
  14. Boise State 10-1
  15. Oregon 10-2
  16. Kansas State 9-2
  17. Michigan10-2
  18. Baylor 8-3
  19. TCU 9-2
  20. Arkansas State 9-2
  21. Nebraska 9-3
  22. Penn State 9-3
  23. West Virginia 8-3
  24. Clemson 9-3
  25. Southern Mississippi 10-2

 

HogManInLA’s College Football Top 25: Week 13


 

  1. LSU 11-0
  2. Arkansas 10-1
  3. Alabama 10-1
  4. Virginia Tech 10-1
  5. Georgia 9-2
  6. Oklahoma State 10-1
  7. Michigan State 9-2
  8. Wisconsin 9-2
  9. Houston 11-0
  10. South Carolina 9-2
  11. Stanford 10-1
  12. USC 9-2
  13. Oklahoma 8-2
  14. Boise State 9-1
  15. Oregon 9-2
  16. Kansas State 9-2
  17. Penn State 9-2
  18. Michigan 9-2
  19. Clemson 9-2
  20. Baylor 7-3
  21. Georgia Tech 8-3
  22. TCU 9-2
  23. Arkansas State 9-2
  24. Tulsa 8-3
  25. Auburn 7-4

HogManInLA’s College Football Top 25: Week 12


  1. LSU 10-0
  2. Oklahoma State 10-0
  3. Arkansas 9-1
  4. Alabama 9-1
  5. Oregon 9-1
  6. Oklahoma 8-1
  7. Georgia 8-2
  8. Houston 10-0
  9. Virginia Tech 9-1
  10. Clemson 9-1
  11. Michigan State 8-2
  12. Wisconsin 8-2
  13. South Carolina 8-2
  14. Stanford 9-1
  15. Nebraska 8-2
  16. Kansas State 8-2
  17. TCU 8-2
  18. Boise State 8-1
  19. USC 8-2
  20. Michigan 8-2
  21. Southern Mississippi 9-1
  22. Penn State 8-2
  23. Florida State 7-3
  24. Arkansas State 8-2
  25. Tulsa 7-3

HogManInLA’s College Football Top 25: Week 11


 

  1. LSU 9-0
  2. Oklahoma State 9-0
  3. Arkansas 8-1
  4. Alabama 8-1
  5. Stanford 9-0
  6. Oregon8-1
  7. Boise State 8-0
  8. Oklahoma 8-1
  9. Georgia 7-2
  10. Houston 9-0
  11. Virginia Tech 8-1
  12. Clemson 8-1
  13. Penn State 8-1
  14. Michigan State 7-2
  15. Wisconsin 7-2
  16. South Carolina 7-2
  17. USC 7-2
  18. Southern Mississippi 8-1
  19. Kansas State 7-2
  20. Nebraska 7-2
  21. TCU 7-2
  22. Florida State 6-3
  23. Texas 6-2
  24. Michigan 7-2
  25. Arkansas State 7-2