All Access Football Radio: All-Star Game Special

ALL ALL STAR GAME SPECIAL! JANUARY 28th, 2008 * 10:00-11:00 PM EST

Powered by All Access Football Radio Channel, in affiliation with Blog Talk Radio.

The One Hour show will be co-hosted by Daniel Mogollon (College Football Insiders Founder/NFL Draft Bible President) and NFL Draft Bible/CFI Senior Writer Ralph Mancini

WHAT'S ON TAP:
• Former Oklahoma Sooner NIC HARRIS who played in the last week.
• Live from the El Paso, Texas vs. The Nation participants for The Nation team QB CURTIS PAINTER from Purdue and San Jose St. CB CHRISTOPHER OWENS, who is representing Texas
• Draft Guy SIGMUND BLOOM on location from the Texas vs. The Nation game
• The Fantasy Five: Which All-Star Game Participants can help your fantasy team in 2009

*** LISTEN HERE ***

*Join our chat-room or call-in with your questions: 347.945.6275

*Missed It Live? Shows are archived 15 minutes upon conclusion of each episode here

Photo Credit: OU Athletics Department

Teams Have Questions, Do They Have Answers?

1. Graham Harrell, Texas Tech – The Red Raiders’ signal caller is coming off back-to-back 5,000-yard/40 touchdown seasons…yet NFL scouts still have questions regarding his ability to throw the football. Is it fair? To answer a question with a question – how have Kliff Kingsbury (5,017 yards, 45 touchdowns in 2002), B.J. Symons (5,883 yards, 52 touchdowns in 2003), Sonny Cumbie (4,742 yards, 32 touchdowns in 2004) and Cody Hodges (4,197 yards, 31 touchdowns in 2005) fared in the NFL? While Harrell is a far better pro prospect than any of his predecessors, the fact they have done absolutely nothing in the league where they play for pay doesn’t help the Texas native. Most of Harrell’s passes travel 10 yards or less and he will have to adjust to playing under center after playing in the spread offense not only in his entire college career, but in high school as well.

2. Pat White, West Virginia – Pat White wishes he had Harrell’s problems…as he has to prove to NFL personnel people that he is in fact a quarterback, otherwise he is headed to wide receiver. While Harrell was reaching the 400-yard mark on a regular basis the past two seasons, the Mountaineers’ leader in the huddle didn’t turn in his first 300-yard performance until his career finale. White is a winner – he is the first quarterback ever with four bowl wins as a starter – but did as much damage with his legs as he did with his arm at the college level, if not more. White’s Meineke Car Care performance (26-of-32 passing, 332 yards, three touchdowns) opened some eyes and proved he deserves at least the opportunity to prove he is a quarterback. Thus far, White is sticking to his guns and playing exclusively at quarterback in Mobile. It says here that in all likelihood when White lines up in shut-gun on Sundays, it will be in some sort of “Wildcat” package, not as a traditional quarterback.

3. Nic Harris, Oklahoma – While this Boomer Sooner got to keep his No. 5, Harris isn’t playing his customary safety position this week at the Senior Bowl. Instead, the First Team All-Big 12 defensive back is lining up at linebacker. At 6’3 and 230 pounds Harris is bigger than many college linebackers and even saw some time there when Oklahoma suffered a rash of injuries at the middle linebacker position. Harris is at his best playing in the box and moving towards the line of scrimmage with the speed to cover ground. His move to linebacker is clearly a sign scouts are not impressed with his cover skills. Now he must prove that he can play in the front seven or he could be in danger of being labeled a ‘tweener – not quick or rangy enough to play safety and not big or physical enough to be a linebacker.

4. Connor Barwin, Cincinnati – Like Pat White, this Big East product has scouts arguing about where he should play. In fact, many teams differ as to which side of the ball best suits this Bearcat. So far he has played predominately at tight end, with a few reps sprinkled in at defensive end towards the end of day two. Tight end was where Barwin lined up during his first three seasons at Cincinnati and he recorded 31 receptions for 399 yards and two touchdowns in 2007. As a senior, he made the switch to defense and made a major impact despite being a neophyte at the position. Taking to his new position with relative ease, Barwin turned in 10 sacks this past season. At 6’4/255 pounds he has the build, as well as the athleticism, to either get after the quarterback or catch passes from one. Only the team that will call his name on the last weekend April will know where Barwin will ultimately play on Sundays.

5. Ramses Barden, Cal-Poly – The only thing small about this wideout is the competition he played against in college. At over 6’5 and 225 pounds with mittens for hands, Barden is among the biggest and longest receivers in the class of 2009 and the Football Championship Subdivision stud is as productive as any wide receiver not named Michael Crabtree. He will pass the eye test for sure, but how will he fare on the field against big-school competition? This week of practice at the Senior Bowl and the game on Saturday is Barden’s best opportunity to show NFL scouts that he belongs with the big boys. With former FCS stars Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Arizona), Tim Hightower (Arizona) and Joe Flacco (Baltimore) helping their teams advance deep into the playoffs in the NFL, you can be sure Barden will be given every opportunity to prove just that.

Photo Credit: OU Athletics Department, College Press Box (Texas Tech), Matt Brown Photography

Featured Match-Up: Sooners vs. Longhorns

QB COLT MCCOY VS. SS NIC HARRIS

A STRONG-ARMED quarterback who can make all the throws, Colt McCoy shows good touch on long and intermediate passes. He has good mobility in the pocket and is more than capable of avoiding the rush. At times he will tend to “throw it up” in hopes of a big play rather than take the sack or simply throw it away. His willingness to take gambles is also part of what you’ve gotta like about him. After suffering through a bit of a sophomore slump (McCoy’s touchdowns went down by seven and interceptions increased by 11 from his freshman season), McCoy is having his best season to date. He looks stronger and is playing faster.

FOR A SAFETY, Nic Harris possesses ideal size. His bulk and strength exceed that of many college linebackers. Harris is an excellent athlete and an instinctive football player that the Sooners' staff loves to move around and let loose. He's at his best moving forward—Harris is capable of getting into the backfield to stop a running back for a loss and he is also a very effective blitzer. Harris has experience playing in a nickel role and he is a defensive leader. The Louisiana native is very muscular and in phenomenal shape (less than five percent body fat)—he could be the strongest safety in the nation.

OT PHIL LOADHOLT VS.DE BRIAN ORAKPO

AT 6’8 AND over 330 pounds, it is obvious that Phil Loadholt’s biggest strength is his sheer size, but he is also very athletic for a mountain of a man. The residuals of the former high school basketball star are still there, allowing him to play left tackle and protect Sam Bradford’s blind side. In his first season as a Sooner, Loadholt started in all 14 games and was very productive. Born in Hawaii, Loadholt has made his way around the country throughout his young life, including a stop at Garden City Junior College prior to his arrival in Norman. The Second Team All-Big 12 performer adjusted rather easily to playing Division I football last season.

A FIFTH-YEAR senior, Brian Orakpo has appeared in 40 games heading into the Red River Rivalry. Throughout his time as a Longhorn, he has gained valuable experience playing behind the likes of future pros Tim Crowder (Broncos) and Brian Robison (Vikings). As a senior, Orakpo has improved all aspects of his game, but his strength remains his ability to get into the offensive backfield—his primary job is to get to the quarterback. He displays excellent agility and explosiveness off the edge for a defensive lineman. A hard worker, Orakpo plays to the whistle.

Photo Credit: OU Athletics Department, University of Texas Athletics

Oklahoma's Harris nominated for FedEx Orange Bowl Courage Award

DALLAS (FWAA) – Oklahoma's Nic Harris has been nominated for the FedEx Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award, to be announced at the end of the 2007 season. Harris, a junior free safety, grew up with an unstable home life, but has taken a leadership and mentoring role with area schoolchildren.

Born to young parents who were unable to care for him, Harris shuttled from house to house throughout his childhood in Alexandria, La. "I didn't have a bed to really call my own for a good part of my life," Harris told The Oklahoman of Oklahoma City.

But Harris didn't survive. He thrived. Now, he is president of Bridge Builders, a minority community service organization that participates in several projects in the Norman/Oklahoma City area. He has worked with Toys for Tots as well as other programs, but enjoys mentoring kids the most.

An idle mind is the worst thing a child can have," Harris said. "I feel as easy as the Lord gave it to you, He'll take it way. You should always give back to the community. I'm not personally able to give back to the community of Alexandria, La., but I'm just going to try to make an impact in the area I'm in."

Harris is on track to earn a degree in physical therapy. He has started every game at free safety for the Sooners. He ranks second on the team with 51 tackles and two interceptions.

For the second straight year, the Football Writers Association of America and the FedEx Orange Bowl will announce a weekly nominee each Wednesday during the season. A blue-ribbon panel will determine the winner from all of the nominees. The winner of the FedEx Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award will be announced in December and be presented with the trophy.

NOTRE DAME’S TOM ZBIKOWSKI, MISSISSIPPI’S JASON COOK AND NORTH DAKOTA STATE’S STEVE WALKER ARE THREE OF THE 22 SELECTIONS TO THE 2007 AFCA GOOD WORKS

WACO, TEXAS—St. Thomas earned its record tenth-straight selection to the 2007 American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team®, while Georgia strong safety Kelin Johnson became the 11th Bulldog selected to the Good Works Team, which ties Nebraska for the most selections all-time. Steve Walker became North Dakota State’s fourth-straight selection on the Divisional Team. California, Central Michigan, Illinois State, Murray State, Southern Illinois, Wayne State (Mich.), Chicago and Gettysburg all earned Good Works honors for the first time.

The two 11-man teams, a Division I-A team and a combined team from NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the NAIA, honor players for their dedication and commitment to community service. The AFCA has been selecting the Good Works Team since 1997. From 1992-1996, the Good Works Team was chosen by the College Football Association. When the CFA disbanded in 1997, the AFCA began selecting the teams.

“It never ceases to amaze me to see the contributions student-athletes make to their communities,” AFCA Executive Director Grant Teaff said. “Often times, these young men are better known for the good things they do on the field. The AFCA is proud to recognize these student-athletes for the good things they do in their communities.”

Criteria: Nominations were submitted to the AFCA by the college sports information departments. Nominees have to be actively involved and committed to working with a charitable organization, service group or involved in other community service activities. Candidates have to display sincere concern and reliability, while also having made a favorable impression on the organizations with which they are involved. Athletic ability is not a criteria.

2007 AFCA Good Works Teams®
Division I-A

Name Cl. Pos. School Head Coach Hometown (High School)
Jason Cook Jr. FB Mississippi Ed Orgeron Suwanee, Ga. (North Gwinnett)
Alex Derenthal Jr. C Temple Al Golden Davie, Fla. (Western)
Casey Flair Jr. WR UNLV Mike Sanford Anchorage, Alaska (East)
Nic Harris Jr. DB Oklahoma Bob Stoops Alexandria, La. (Alexandria)
George Hypolite Jr. DT Colorado Dan Hawkins Los Angeles, Calif. (Loyola)
Kelin Johnson Sr. SS Georgia Mark Richt Daytona Beach, Fla. (Mainland)
Adam Kadela Sr. LB Northwestern Pat Fitzgerald Dublin, Ohio (Coffman)
Red Keith Sr. LB Central Michigan Butch Jones Franklin, Ga. (Heard County)
Tom Schneider Sr. PK California Jeff Tedford Walnut Creek, Calif. (Las Lomas)
Paul Smith Sr. QB Tulsa Todd Graham Owasso, Okla. (Owasso)
Tom Zbikowski Sr. S Notre Dame Charlie Weis Arlington Heights, Ill. (Buffalo Grove)

FCS, Divisions II, III, and NAIA

Name Cl. Pos. School Head Coach Hometown (High School)
Luke Drone Sr. QB Illinois St. Denver Johnson Mt. Carmel, Ill. (Mt. Carmel)
Tyler Fischer Sr. LB Southwest Minnesota St. Eric Eidsness Gettysburg, S.D. (Gettysburg)
Alan Guy Sr. LB Wayne St. (Mich.) Paul Winters Rochester Hills, Mich. (Adams)
Quinton Hankins Jr. C Murray St. (Ky.) Matt Griffin Batesville, Miss. (South Panola)
Mike Harriett Sr. S Chicago Dick Maloney St. Charles, Ill. (North)
Lex Hilliard Sr. HB Montana Bobby Hauck Kalispell, Mont. (Flathead)
James Russell Sr. OT Gettysburg (Pa.) Barry Streeter Amityville, N.Y. (Memorial)
Patrick Sommerstad Sr. LB St. Thomas (Minn.) Don Roney Apple Valley, Minn. (Eastview)
Steve Walker Sr. QB North Dakota St. Craig Bohl Lockport, Ill. (Township)
Matt Watkins Jr. DB Valparaiso (Ind.) Stacy Adams Mason, Ohio (Mason)
Anthony Williams Sr. CB Southern Illinois Jerry Kill Clewiston, Fla. (Clewiston)

* CHECK BELOW FOR PLAYER BOIS *

Player Bios for Division I-A Good Works Team®

Jason Cook, FB, Junior, Mississippi: Vital part of the “Reading with the Rebels” program at local city, county and private schools ... Participates in the Oxford Pantry Food Drive ... Helped collect toys for “Toys for Tots,” which was sponsored by the Marine ROTC at Mississippi ... Coordinates the Fellowship of Christian Athletes program for Ole Miss student-athletes ... Visits local senior citizens at extended care centers in Oxford and visits patients at North Mississippi Regional Center.

Alex Derenthal, C, Junior, Temple: Helped execute a Partnership School Field Day that involved 400 kids in games, activities and health awareness programs ... Active member of Owl Outreach, which is a community service program at Temple to raise awareness in young people throughout Philadelphia on aspects of leadership, positive character development and high ethical standards ... Volunteered at Philadelphia Triathlon, which benefited the Children’s Cancer Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Casey Flair, WR, Junior, UNLV: Founded, promotes and oversees his own week-long, non-profit football camp for kids age 6-14 in his hometown of Anchorage ... Volunteers each year for Santa Clothes, which sees underprivileged youth invited to UNLV for a day of sports and mentoring before they go on a donated shopping spree for much-needed clothing ... Part-time employee at Cambridge Recreation Center, acting as a tutor and sports coach for at-risk youth ... Spoken at nearly two dozen schools in Alaska and Nevada.

Nic Harris, DB, Junior, Oklahoma: Served as president and is an active member of BridgeBuilders, an African-American Student-Athlete network group at Oklahoma ... Led BridgeBuilders as it continues relationships with Madison Elementary School and Brookhaven Nursing Center ... BridgeBuilders joined forces with Norman’s Food for Friends Community Action Agency by serving lunch to less fortunate in the community ... Raised money to provide Thanksgiving dinners to 10 families in Norman area.

George Hypolite, DT, Junior, Colorado: Volunteered at the Boulder homeless shelter and participated in a food drive and an Angel Tree project to provide gifts to children and senior citizens in need during the holiday season ... In his hometown of Los Angeles, participates in Project Angel Food in which he helped prepare food for homebound AIDS and cancer patients ... Volunteers in Read with the Buffs, a program in which he reads designated books to elementary students and coordinates a Q&A session with the students afterward.

Kelin Johnson, SS, Senior, Georgia: Volunteered for field day event sponsored by HERO for Children, which is a non-profit dedicated to improving the quality of life of children infected with HIV/AIDS ... Assisted with Camp Well Springs, a camp for children with disabilities ... Assisted with a home building project in Athens with Habitat for Humanity ... Active member in the Boys and Girls Club mentor program ... Speaks an numerous elementary, junior and high schools around Athens area about the importance of education.

Adam Kadela, LB, Senior, Northwestern: Regular volunteer for the American Cancer Society Generation Fit Program, discussing benefits of a healthy lifestyle with elementary school children ... Organized a football relay team for the NU Relay for Life ... Annually visits Children’s Memorial Hospital and Lutheran General Hospital ... Participates in an annual fundraising event for Misericordia, a residential home for developmentally and physically disabled individuals ... Participates in events at many local elementary schools.

Red Keith, LB, Senior, Central Michigan: Annual participant in local canned food drive that has served as the second-largest yearly contribution to the Isabella County chapter of the American Red Cross ... Volunteered to help conduct events and hand out awards at the State of Michigan Special Olympics Summer Games ... Visits patients at nursing homes near his hometown of Franklin, Ga. ... Member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and helps coordinate community service activities for CMU student-athletes.

Tom Schneider, PK, Senior, California: Ran in a Relay for Life marathon to raise money for cancer awareness, prevention and research ... Participated in a city works project helping clean up parts of Berkeley ... Involved in Read Across America project at Buena Vista Elementary school for four years ... Volunteers time for Surf Riders Foundation, helping raise money to help clean up California’s public beaches ... Volunteered at Berkeley Free Clinic, helping with fundraising and awareness ... Visits children at John Muir Hospital.

Paul Smith, QB, Senior, Tulsa: Volunteered for the past three years at FCA Tulsa Inner-City camp ... Makes visits to local hospital’s children’s ward and many local elementary schools ... Leads Praise and Worship at every FCA meeting at Tulsa for the past four years ... Has spoke at Tulsa Union H.S. football banquet, Owasso First Assembly of God Church, Southern Hills Baptist Church, Tulsa Memorial H.S. Fifth Quarter meeting, Boston Avenue United Methodist Church, Woodland Acres Baptist Church, and many others.

Tom Zbikowski, S, Senior, Notre Dame: Organized a charity boxing event in South Bend in March of 2007 and donated $50,000 to various charities, including Hannah & Friends, a non-profit foundation dedicated to providing a better quality life for children and adults with special needs, Hospice of Health First of Melbourne, Fla., Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Indiana, Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, South Bend Center for the Homeless, and PanCAN, a pancreatic cancer research foundation.