STARS OF TOMORROW

BY RICK SERRITELLA
NFL DRAFT BIBLE

His numbers haven’t been pretty, but true freshman quarterback Ryan Mallet deserves credit for showing tremendous poise and leading Michigan to back-to-back victories over Notre Dame and Penn State. While it has been Notre Dame freshman quarterback Jimmy Claussen garnering all the attention, Mallet has been the one translating the hype into success.

There may not be a better backfield tandem in the nation than Darren McFadden and Felix Jones of Arkansas but the duo of James Davis and C.J. Spiller certainly give them a run for their money. Dubbed “Thunder & Lightning”, Davis provides the between-the-tackles yardage, while Spiller has the potential to take it the distance at any moment. On Saturday, they combined for 368 total yards, as the upstart Tigers improved to 4-0.

If you haven’t heard about Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich, you will soon. Standing in at 6’4 and 238-pounds, the sophomore has the size, acceleration and instincts to become an impact player on the defensive side of the ball. A punishing hitter, Herzlich has followed up his impressive freshman campaign with an outstanding start to the 2007 season.