Draft Watch: Fiesta Bowl

Here are the following players to keep your eye for the 2010 NFL Draft in the FIESTA BOWL.

TCU Horned Frogs:

DE Jerry Hughes (#98) – Hughes lacks the ideal size for a defensive end, so some believe he may end up as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. But when it is all said and done I think he will be a 4-3 defensive end in a Tampa Bay Two type defense. Right now has a 2nd round grade.

LB Daryl Washington (#41)– Washington is an athletic linebacker who is quick and is also fast. The issue with him is his size or lack thereof. In addition, there is a question mark regarding his position - is he an outside linebacker or an inside linebacker? Right now he has a 2nd round grade.

Senior Watch: RB Joseph Turner (#24), LT Marshall Newhouse (#70), CB Nick Sanders (#20)

Stars Of Tomorrow: QB Andy Dalton, JR (#14); RT Marcus Cannon, JR (#61); C Jake Kirkpatrick, JR (#76); MIKE Tank Carder, SO (#43); FS Tejay Johnson, JR (#3)

Medical Examiner: CB Rafael Priest (Out/Sprained Left Foot)

Boise State Broncos:

CB Kyle Wilson (#1) – Wilson is a good overall athlete at cornerback and also does a good job in the return game. He has smooth hips and has the ability to play man to man. The New Jersey native is an aggressive cornerback who can get beat with double moves. Right now he has a 3rd round grade.

Stars Of Tomorrow: WR Austin Pettis, JR (#2); LT Nate Potter, SO (#73); DE Ryan Winterswyk, JR (#98); DE Bryon Hout, SO (#94); DT Billy Winn, SO (#90); SS Jeron Johnson, JR (#23)

Medical Examiner: WR Austin Pettis (Questionable/Broken Leg)

For more NFL, NFL Draft news, you can follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jvanfulpen

Photo Courtesy of College Press Box

BCS Busters: Week 5 Preview

By KENNY FRANEK

Game of the Week: Utah State @ BYU
You’ve got to love an in-state rivalry. BYU has won nine-straight against the Aggies since 1994 by an average of 18.8 points. But Utah State is coming off a monster offensive game against Southern Utah where they piled up 53 points and 604 yards of total offense. With that said, BYU is no Southern Utah. They came back after a beat-down by Florida State to pummel Colorado State and now have their sights set on starting up another win streak against the Aggies. Quarterback Max Hall and running back Harvey Unga will need to put on an offensive display to combat the Aggies’ offense. The Cougars’ defense will have their hands full trying to contain running back Robert Turbin and quarterback Diondre Borel. Turbin ran for 104 yards and caught four passes for 116 yards while scoring three touchdowns against Southern Utah. In the same game, Borel went 15-of-21 for 316 yards and three touchdowns. This game will lie heavily on defense; the team that can create the most stops and turnovers should come out the victor. As porous as the BYU defense has been in its last two games, the Aggies have a chances, albeit a slim one. But in the end, there will be too much Hall, Unga, and Dennis Pitta for them to overcome.
Prediction: BYU 42, Utah State 28

Players to Watch
BYU: Max Hall (QB); Harvey Unga (RB); Dennis Pitta (TE); Jan Jorgenson (DL); Brian Logan (CB); Utah State: Robert Turbin (RB); Diondre Borel (QB); James Brindley (S); Paul Igboeli (LB); Bobby Wagner (LB)

Other Games to Watch:

Air Force @ Navy
The Falcons take their solid rush game on the road the play the Midshipmen of Navy. Navy has shown signs of promise, nearly pulling off a monumental upset in their season opener at Ohio State. They will need more from their quarterback Ricky Dobbs if they have a chance at pulling out a win at home.
Prediction: Air Force 26, Navy 17

Southern Methodist @ TCU
The Frogs look to beat the Mustangs for the ninth time in their last 10 meetings. Both teams put up similar numbers in terms of offense, but it is TCU’s defense that will be the difference maker in this one. Not to mention quarterback Andy Dalton has been playing his best ball as of late. The Frogs continue to hop along.
Prediction: TCU 24, Southern Methodist 10

Colorado State @ Idaho
The Rams will try and bounce back after losing to BYU while outgaining them on offense. Quarterback Grant Stucker must protect the ball this week in order to give his team a chance to win. The Vandals escaped with a win at Northern Illinois after nearly blowing an 18 point lead. Vandals’ running back DeMaundray Woolridge will need a repeat performance of last week to keep the modest Rams defense on the field and keep their defense fresh.
Prediction: Colorado State 34, Idaho 23

Arkansas State @ Iowa
The Red Wolves will have their hands full against an amped-up Hawkeye team coming off a huge upset in Happy Valley. Running back Reggie Arnold has been outstanding thus far, averaging 6.3 yards-per-carry with seven touchdowns. They will need to get the ground game going early and limit their turnovers to pull off an incredible upset on the road.
Prediction: Iowa 36, Arkansas State 10

Photos Courtesy of USU Athletic Media Relations

College Football Insiders Preview: BCS Busters

By KENNY FRANEK

Last year the BCS Buster came from the Mountain West in the Utes of Utah, their second BCS Bowl trip, while the WAC's Boise St. is no stranger to crashing the party. They are the favorites with other MWC clubs BYU and TCU on the cusp.

The Favorites: Utah & Boise State: The Utes bring back ten of their top-11 tacklers and nine starters overall from last year’s defense. Defensive end Koa Misi and linebacker Stevenson Sylvester will anchor the tenacious defensive group, which should be one of the MWC’s top defenses again (ranked second overall in the conference in 2008). They do, though, have big holes to fill on offense. Almost every skill position will need to be filled, starting with the quarterback. Freshman Jordan Wynn and junior Terrance Cain step in to replace the departed MWC Offensive Player of the Year, Brian Johnson. First-team All-MWC tackle Zane Beadles looks to break in new starters on the offensive line. Utah’s schedule starts off easy and gets tougher as the year rolls along. The true test will come in the final four games of the season when they travel to UNLV, Colorado State, TCU, and BYU. Should they weather that storm, they will be hoisting the MWC trophy at year’s end. This season will test the adage “defense wins championships”. The blue field darlings of Boise State are back to stake their claim as the BCS giant killers once again in 2009. Quarterback Kellen Moore looks to continue the offensive onslaught the Broncos have shown in years’ past. The departure of some key offensive players, including running back Ian Johnson, will make this task a bit more difficult, but Broncos are not lacking for offensive tools. Moore has a strong offensive line on front of him, a unit which only gave up 11 sacks in 2008 and should give him plenty of time in the pocket. The defensive front seven will be extremely depleted with defensive end Ryan Winterswyk the only upper-classmen on the defensive line. However, they will be helped by a secondary that returns almost fully intact, with only one player earning his first full-time gig. They may not be the number one WAC defense again this year due to the inexperience of the defensive line, but they still should be able to hold their own. A tough home opener against Oregon will be a good test to see how good these Broncos will be in 2009. Despite road trips against Louisiana Tech, Hawaii, and Fresno State, they will be WAC champs yet again.

The Contenders: TCU & BYU: The Horned Frogs return seven offensive starters, including all but one skill player. Quarterback Andy Dalton will look to build upon his 2008 success and will have numerous weapons on the offensive end to do so. The Frogs’ top receiver from last season, Jimmy Young, will be Dalton’s go-to guy and should help the offensive run smoothly. The defense will return a bit depleted, but will still have some firepower. The Frogs have five returning starters on defense, including defensive end Jerry Hughes who must get pressure on the quarterback to ease the burden of the new starters. The secondary brings back three starters from a year ago and will look to remain stout. Like most of the BCS busters, the Frogs have a rough spot in their schedule. They have trips Air Force and BYU in October. It definitely won’t be an easy task to run through this schedule, but they do have the talent to get through it with a convincing record. The Cougars of BYU are coming off a great season and hope to carry that momentum into 2009. The offense will try to duplicate last season’s success but it will not be easy as they return only four starters from a year ago. Quarterback Max Hall and tight end Dennis Pitta will be the focal points of the offense. The offensive line brings only one returning starter, left tackle Matt Reynolds. If the Cougars have an Achilles heel, this would be it. They will have a tough task ahead of them trying to keep Hall upright. If the offensive line can hold defenders at bay, this offense should be able to click like so many that came before it. The defense boasts seven returning starters. Defensive end Jan Jorgensen will be the leader of this potentially potent defense, while senior linebackers Matt Bauman and Coleby Clawson look to be a big part of stopping both the rush and the pass. Their schedule is going to be brutal, to say the least. Their opening game is an indication of that as they take on the Sooners at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Luckily, they get Florida State, Colorado State, TCU, Air Force, and Utah all at home. But they will have to go on the road for tough matchups against UNLV, San Diego State, Tulane, and New Mexico. This will be one of the toughest seasons for the Cougars to endure.

The Sleepers: Nevada vs. East Carolina: Nevada has the best offense of all the potential BCS busters. The Wolf Pack attack ranked third in the nation in rushing with 277.8 yards per game. Quarterback Collin Kaepernick was a big part of achieving that total, rushing for over 1,000 yards himself. He also passed for over 2,000 yards and had 39 total touchdowns. The second part of those 277.8 yards per game is running back Vai Taua, who rushed for 1,521 yards in 2008. The Pack also has running back Luke Lippincott who was granted a sixth year of eligibility after missing all but two games last season. Lippincott rushed for 1,420 yards in 2007 so it should be interesting to see how both backs are utilized in 2009. Although they had two players with double-digit sack totals last season, the Wolf Pack ranked dead last in the nation in pass defense, giving up 311.6 yards per game. They should be an improved secondary in 2009 and with this offense any improvement in defense should turn into more wins. The Pirates of East Carolina are coming off a great year. They have eight starters returning on offense and eight on defense as well. Quarterback Patrick Pinkney is behind center again this season which makes this offense a good one. He will have All-Conference selection Sean Allen back at center along with a slew of upper-classmen to help keep defenders at bay. Dwayne Harris returns to play the Z receiver role and should be Pinkney’s first look. The defense returns almost fully intact. Defensive end C. J. Wilson and free safety Van Eskridge will be the anchors of the defense. The Pirates have a fairly easy schedule, playing only one team currently in the pre-season top 25 (Virginia Tech).

Offensive Player of the Year: QB Collin Kaepernick (Nevada) vs. QB Dan LeFevour (Central Michigan): This is a classic battle between a pair of dual-threat quarterbacks. Collin Kaepernick has outstanding weapons on offense, including himself. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season while throwing for over 2,000. He is intelligent, makes great decisions, and flusters defenses with his athletic ability. The return of running back Luke Lippincott should only make Kaepernick more dangerous. If his defense is as porous this season as it was last season, then look for him to be more involved in both the passing and running game in 2009, which could lead to some off-the-chart stats. Dan LeFevour has the ability to make everyone around him better. He is a leader and makes great decisions on the field. His arm is going to be heavily relied upon this season as it has in years past. He failed to crack the 3,000-yard passing mark for the first time in three seasons due to injuries, so as a senior, you would have to expect that he wants to show both fans and scouts what he is capable of and go out with a career season. He has two good wide receivers to help him out in Antonio Brown and Bryan Anderson; both eclipsed 800 yards receiving last year. LeFevour can also be a version of Kaepernick and run with the ball as well. He led his team in rushing with 592 yards in 2008 and 1,1122 yards in 2007. If he can be as offensively sound as he has in the past, he should have the career year he is looking for.

Honorable Mention: QB Case Keenum (Houston), QB Kellen Moore (Boise St.), QB Max Hall (BYU), Tim Hiller (Western Michigan), QB Rusty Smith (Florida Atlantic), DeAndre Brown (Southern Miss.), TE Dennis Pitta (BYU)

Defensive Player of the Year: Jerry Hughes (TCU) vs. Stevenson Sylvester (Utah): Jerry Hughes is a do-it-all defensive end. He can get to the quarterback, defend against the run, and create turnovers. He had 52 tackles, 15 sacks, one forced fumble, and two interceptions last season. He makes the defensive unit of the Horned Frogs a feared one. He often needs the attention of a second blocker because of his unmatched physical ability and overall skill set. TCU’s defense will be a tough one to crack again this season, which will most likely lead to another great stat-stuffing year for one of the best defensive ends in football. Stevenson Sylvester is a terrific linebacker. He has great speed and vision and is a big help to the Utes’ rush defense. He had 69 tackles and 3.5 sacks last season, which are very respectable numbers. He hits very hard, causing two forced fumbles last season. His total tackles were not as high as in 2007 (86), but with the veteran defense he has around him this season he will be able to match or surpass that number. Look for him to go out with a bang and catch scouts’ eyes as the season progresses.

Honorable Mention: DE Justin Cole (San Jose St.), DE Brandon Lang (Troy), CB Kyle Wilson (Boise St.)

Breakout Seasons: RB Jeremy Avery (Boise St.), QB Andy Dalton (TCU), WR Chris Wellington (Nevada): Jeremy Avery steps in as the No.1 tailback as Ian Johnson departed for the NFL. He has had two years to learn the system and be mentored by Johnson, so he should make the most of his first full-time starting role. He not only can rush with a good yards per carry average (6.5 in 2007 and 5.5 in 2008), but he can also be a receiving threat out of the backfield. He had 30 receptions for 379 yards and two touchdowns over the past two seasons in his limited role. Look for him to play a big role in the offensive success of the Broncos in 2009. Andy Dalton showed a big improvement last season after a not-so-hot freshman campaign. He rebounded to throw 11 touchdowns and only five interceptions last season after throwing 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2007. Now that he has experience at the position, he is poised for a big 2009. Having a stellar defense that can create turnovers should help him by taking away a come-from-behind offensive mentality and the need to throw the ball instead of the choice to do so. He should thrive in the Horned Frogs balanced attack. Chris Wellington showed much promise last season, catching 42 passes for 632 yards and six touchdowns. The Wolf Pack have a spectacular running game, which should relieve pressure on him in the secondary and give him freedom to roam. He is sure handed and will be a nice option for quarterback Collin Kaepernick. The porous defense of the Wolf Pack made them get into shootouts in 2008, so if that happens to be the case this season then Wellington’s numbers should increase dramatically.

Best Pro Prospect: Dan LeFevour (Central Michigan): Dan LeFevour is the complete package. He can stand in the pocket and deliver crisp passes and if the pocket collapses he can create positive yardage with his legs. He has Jay Cutler type qualities, which have proved to be a great asset in the NFL. He may not get the chance to start immediately, but down the line he will pay off big for whichever team takes him in the 2010 Draft.

College Football Insiders Picks:

BCS Busters Top Team: Boise State: This seems to be the trendy pick every season, but for good reason. They have a great leader at quarterback in Kellen Moore and a very tough defense. Their schedule is fairly friendly, with their toughest matchup against Oregon at home on September 3rd for their season opener. If they can pull that game out they will be flirting with another undefeated season in 2009.

Offensive Player of the Year: QB Collin Kaepernick, Nevada: Considering he was one of only five players in college football history to pass for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a single season last year, it’s hard to pick against him. He also has a great running back in Vai Taua to take pressure off the passing game and keep defenses honest. There is way too much talent here to think he can’t eclipse 2,000 yards passing and 1,000 rushing again this season.

Defensive Player of the Year: DE Jerry Hughes, TCU: He had 15 sacks last season and has another great defense alongside him in 2009. That makes me think 15 sacks are very reachable and that he could flirt with 18-20 by season’s end. I don’t care who you are playing with, that many sacks should earn you something, so why not Defensive Player of the Year?

Photos Courtesy of Media Relations Boise St. University, Central Michigan University & TCU Athletics Media Relations

CFI Preview: BCS Busters Top Five

1. Boise State Broncos
College Football Insiders: 16
Associated Press: 14
Coaches Poll: 16
2008 Record: 12-1 (WAC: 8-0)
The Broncos hold the No.1 spot due to their record of success, and until they prove they do not belong in the preseason top 25, they should be members of it. They have a solid offensive line which gave up only 11 sacks all season in 2008, a quarterback in Kellen Moore who is a strong pocket passer, and a solid secondary which has all but one returning starter. Their offensive line is a big question mark at this point. They have only two upper-classmen starting while the rest are sophomores earning their first full-time starting jobs. There is definitely more to love than hate with this Broncos team and until they show signs of significant downfall from last seasons’ success, they will be in the BCS Busters’ top-five rankings.
Up Next: 9/3 vs. Oregon; 9/12 @ Toledo

2. Utah Utes
College Football Insiders: 20
Associated Press: 19
Coaches Poll: 18
2008 Record: 13-0 (MWC: 8-0)
The Utes have one of the strongest defenses in the in the nation, returning seven starters from a year ago. They do have holes to fill on offense, including every skill position. Quarterback Corbin Louks has the skill set to take this team far this season due to his ability to run the ball. The fact he can get out of the pocket and make things happen brings huge upside to this revamped offense. They still have first-team All-MMWC tackle Zane Beadles, who will serve as a mentor to the new group of linemen coming in. The defense will be rock solid, but the offense will need to come through and move the chains to keep the defense fresh if the Utes are going to make a BCS Bowl push.
Up Next: 9/3 vs. Utah State; 9/12 @ San Jose State

3. BYU Cougars
College Football Insiders: NR
Associated Press: 20
Coaches Poll: 24
2008 Record: 10-3 (MWC: 6-2)
The Cougars’ Max Hall should do wonders for an offense that brings back only four starters from a year ago. Hall has great pocket presence and an outstanding tight end in Dennis Pitta to throw to if he gets into trouble. The offensive line is young and inexperienced, but could be surprisingly effective. The defense brings back seven starters and should be a force in the MWC. The only factors that could potentially bring this team down from the top-five rankings are their offensive line and the schedule. Playing Oklahoma, Florida State, TCU, Air Force and Utah, will be a big test for this young team. Should they pull a couple of upsets, they will make their way to a New Year’s Day bowl game.
Up Next: 9/5 vs. Oklahoma (Dallas); 9/12 @ Tulane

4. TCU Horned Frogs
College Football Insiders: NR
Associated Press: 17
Coaches Poll: 17
2008 Record: 11-2 (MWC: 7-1)
The Horned Frogs have great balance on offense and return seven starters from 2008. All but one skill position will be a second-year starter which bodes well for this group. Their defense still has the likes of defensive end Jerry Hughes, who can be a game-changing performer and protect the secondary because of his pass-rushing ability. The secondary returns three starters of its own and should be able to hold their own even if Hughes can’t get to the quarterback on every play. The Frogs have one of the softer schedules of the BCS Buster teams and have a great chance of climbing up the top-five rankings as the season progresses.
Up Next: 9/12 @ Virginia; 9/19 vs. Texas State

5. Nevada Wolf Pack
College Football Insiders: NR
Associated Press: 50
Coaches Poll: 40
2008 Record: 7-6 (WAC: 5-3)
The Wolf Pack have a high-powered offense that will cause trouble for opposing defenses. The ground game they possess is tremendous, with the quarterback (Collin Kaepernick) and tailback (Vai Taua) both coming off 1,000-yard seasons in 2008. It is the pass defense that needs to tighten up—they were last in the nation in that department a year ago, surrendering a horrific 311.6 yards per game. Despite a good pass rush, the secondary allowed too many points on the board for the Wolf Pack to win close games. They were 1-4 in games which both teams scored 30 or more points. If the secondary can even remotely catch up with the defensive line, this team will be feared and should end up with a much better record than its 7-6 mark of a season ago.
Up Next: 9/5 @ Notre Dame; 9/19 @ Colorado State

On Location: Ian Johnson - Bigger is Better

Ian Johnson, the running back from Boise State, is another player who used the time from the end of his college career until the Scouting Combine to bulk up as he prepares to play on Sundays. Joking that he doesn’t care to have pro teams remember him as the ‘guy who proposed right after beating Oklahoma’, Johnson sounded determined to show how much he has changed his body and approach to running with the football. An addition of 14 pounds should make him thicker, yet he is hoping to run a 4.42 or lower. Furthermore, he has dramatically upped his bench, making a significant jump from 12 reps. He fell a bit short of his goal of 28 or 29, throwing the bar up 26 times, which was still good enough for fifth among the running backs (including two fullbacks who were ahead of him). It should be interesting to see his numbers fall – certainly he will be a case of the numbers game correlating potentially to a higher draft slot.

Q&A: Ian Johnson, RB, Boise St.

Click To Listen to the Interview

This week we have the NFL Scouting Combine are you 100 percent?

Johnson: Oh man, I’ve never felt this good. If you call this 100 percent...this is awesome right now. I’ve never felt this good. Weight is great, body feels great. I’m sad I never played like this before.

So there are no excuses next week at the combine?

Johnson: I know there’s not much as far as expectations for me so I’m excited to go out and show everyone that they should set the bar a lot higher for me.

In Indianapolis, what kind of weight and height do you think you're going to show?

Johnson: I’ll be 5’11 cause that never changes and I’ll weigh about 214.

That’s up from your usual weight. Have you put on a few pounds?

Johnson: Definitely, I probably played the season around 201, so that was at my heaviest. Now I’ve put on a good solid 13 pounds. I weigh 214 and run at 214 and that won’t be water weight.

Now we were doing some research and you were quoted as saying, “I’m super excited because I’m about to show them something they don’t know” referring to the scouts and your speed.

Johnson: Definitely one of the things I want to show them. One of the knocks on me wasn’t even that I wasn't fast, but it was that I was slow. So I’m excited that it gives me a chance to go up in front of everyone to show not only am I not slow but I’m more towards the other end. I’m not going to say what I’m going to run right now because I want to keep people surprised, but it will be a good little surprise for everybody.

The typical guy goes to the gym three or four times a week maybe for a hour or so. Can you take a tell us how the day goes for Ian Johnson?

Johnson: Oh definitely. I wake up about 7:15, eat breakfast right away, have a couple of shakes, leave for the facility at 7:30. We start running and warming up at 8:00. From 8:30 to about 11:00 we're in there running, doing our resistance training or speed workout. Then after that, we get a 15-20 minute break and have a snack or a light lunch, come back and then we will lift for another two hours. When I’m done lifting for about two hours I’ll take another 45 minute break. Then we go onto the field and do (position) drills. So from about 8 to 3:30.

Wow, that’s impressive. Do you shut down for the rest of the day or are you out there doing active stuff after a long day like that?

Johnson: It all depends on how the workout was and how I’m feeling. At the very beginning of the workouts when I first got to San Diego, as soon as I was done I couldn’t even walk to the beach and we were staying on the beach! I was so tired. Now it’s just about being smart and saying hey 'I might have the energy to do something', but I might sit on the beach for 45 minutes or go sit in the house, catch up and maybe ice myself down because no matter what, I have to be healthy for this combine.

At the East/West Shrine game did any teams show interest in you?

Johnson: I talked with probably upwards of about 15 different teams personally. I mean it was real nice to go out and find out that there are people out there that have interest. So this (Combine) for me is another chance for me to see how much those relationships are really going to be built on. They say 'hey, we liked what we saw at the East/West Shrine game, but you're bigger, faster, stronger than you were even back then.' So I have nothing but good hopes for this (the Combine).

When did you start prepping for the Combine?

Johnson: We got done with our bowl game on December 23rd. I took a week off, then flew into southern California to start training on the 2nd, so I’ve been training since the 2nd of January.

Wow, that’s about 13 or 14 pounds I’m assuming of muscle mass in a short period of time...that’s a impressive statistic.

Johnson: I take my training very seriously and I’ve been taking it almost religiously out here. I mean, when I have a goal in my mind, I’ll reach it. My goal was to come to the Combine at 212 and I think I beat that a little early.

Have you had to answer any questions referring to your reps and production going down since the stand out season of 2006?

Johnson: Definitely had to answer questions. To me it’s easy for me to understand because were not the same team every year. I mean even in the pros where you have guys staying longer than 4 or 5 years, teams change from year to year. Running backs will have a less productive season just because for a team to win, a wide receiver might have to have more catches, other people might have to touch the ball for the team to win. So for me, I just understood that this isn’t the same team - we didn’t have the same offensive line and we needed to switch up who touched the ball in different ways. I just wanted to make this team win and anything I could do to make this team win was what I was all about. And for this year it meant a lot more special teams and not just running the ball. I caught a lot more passes and I’ve done more things on the field than I had ever done.

Have you had to answer any questions regarding your health, and are you nervous about your injuries and answering those questions at the Combine?

Johnson: No I’m not worried about any of those questions. Lucky for me, all my injuries have only a rare chance of recurring. If you take a look at the doctors' notes about why these injuries happened, one of them would say it’s either a fluke or hey it’s a broken rib. The chances of it recurring after it heals are the same as before, so I’m not any more susceptible to that - it’s not going to keep me from running hard. And the things that I needed to do to keep those injuries from happening, I changed. I needed to put on more weight because I didn’t have enough muscle mass or I didn’t have enough cushion in my body to keep my organs safe. I put on a lot on muscle mass in my rib cage area so I mean I’m 100 percent ready to take on a full load take the beating of a running back and not get hurt anymore.

Do you have the mind-set that you could be a 20-carry back in the NFL?

Johnson: Oh definitely, my mind-set is 'go out and carry the ball as many times as they feed it to me'. But that’s not gonna keep me from being happy if I go to a team and they say, 'you're going to be a complementary back for a little bit.' I’m going to go out there and give whatever is asked of me and give them no reason to say 'hey well you’ll only be a complementary back'. I want to give them a reason to say 'hey this guy can do it all.'

As a youngster did you have any players you looked up to or tried to emulate when you were on the field?

Johnson: Oh definitely, I was a huge Emmitt Smith fan. I went from playing him on Tecmo Bowl to watching him live. And it was just something about him that no matter what, he wasn’t super super flashy but he was always productive...he was always just right and I loved him for it.

Now if you get drafted by a NFL team and you play Madden are you going to be Ian Johnson or Adrian Peterson?

Johnson: First I’m not a huge Madden guy, but if I was to play I’d probably have to use myself at least once just so I can say I did. Hey I could say I played a video game with my name, my number - not like college where it’s just your number - and that’s me, my likeness. After that, I’m more of a first person shooter game guy so that’s what I’d spend my time on.

That’s got to be a pretty cool feeling, that you might be on a John Madden football game.

Johnson: It’s ridiculous to me because that was never my desire. I just wanted to play football and enjoy myself doing it. Playing at a high as a level as I could and all of those extras are kind of like waking me up - I could be on a football game...I could be getting paid for this. It's so amazing to me.

What do you like to do in your free time, I know that you're married. Is it hard to spend quality time together?

Johnson: We are definitely real busy. So it’s hard for me to get a lot of quality time but we enjoy ourselves. I spend a lot of my time teaching myself to play piano. If I have a lot of down time I’ll play some video games, watch some TV but my wife and I like to stay active outside of my active football life. We go down to the beach, especially now that were in southern California, we go down to the beach a lot just watch waves and enjoy nature.

Very nice. You guys doing any today for Valentine's Day?

Johnson: Actually we had to fly into Boise last night and we're flying home to Ocean Side, California in about an hour so nothing too special. I think I got a her a vacation to Boise. That was my present to my wife. (Laughs)

So you can tell the honeymoon is over...

Johnson: Just a little bit. (Wife in background saying 'some vacation'.)

Would you do away with the college bowl games and have a playoff system if you could change it?

Johnson: Definitely not, I think the way it’s set up now you would have to push the season earlier into summer. Guys would be playing more games and with the way the college season is, it's already taking a big toll on guys, taking guys out of school longer. College football takes up so much of their time as it is so I don’t think it’s fair to the athletes to play another three or four games. The Bowl (Championship) Series has been good so far. Maybe make some tweaks, but nothing too big.

I’m surprised you answered that way with you guys finished 13-0 (in 2006). I thought you would take the playoff system to be honest with you.

Johnson: I understand why people would think that. But for us, they treated us well - we got our 13-0, we got our Fiesta Bowl season...it worked for us. There are so many variables that are in college football, it's hard to have a perfect system. So maybe tweak it to where teams get automatic bids, but the system is fine.

If we had you iPod or MP3 player, what kind of music would we find?

Johnson: You're going to find a wide variety. A lot of little punk bands on there, I came from a punk rock scene in California so that’s where my heart is. You will find a little rap, a little R&B, some Robin Thicke and even throw some Yanni on there.

Last question before we let you go. I heard back in the day that you had a ritual, a pre-track warm up where you would eat a banana with peel and all. Would you like to comment on that?

Johnson: (Laughing) Close. We had a little deal in high school - the freshmen had to eat a whole entire banana, stem and all. Right before the game, there was no dancing but everyone would chant “banana peel, banana peel!” and we would pick a freshman. He would have to eat it, it started with my class and I continued it...but no dancing.

Very nice. Ian, I want to thank you so much and wish you the best of luck. Hope to see you on draft day holding up a jersey for some team. Best of luck, thank you.

Johnson: You too, thank you.

RADIO: Player Spotlight: RB Ian Johnson, Boise St.

This Bronco made a name for himself in the Fiesta Bowl by scoring the memorable game-winning two point conversion against the Oklahoma Sooners, which he followed up with a unique encore—getting on one knee and proposing to his then girlfriend. After putting up some whopping numbers as a sophomore (1,714 yards, 6.2 yards per carry, 25 rushing touchdowns), Johnson took a leadership role in his final two seasons as a Bronco, helping Boise St. finish 12-1 this past season. The California native finished his famed career by passing Marshall Faulk (as well as LaDainian Tomlinson) on his way to becoming the WAC’s all-time touchdown maker.

*** CLICK TO LISTEN ***

NFL Draft Bible Player Profile Page

Independence Bowl: Northern Ill. vs. La. Tech

By J.J. PESAVENTO

December 28 * 8:15 PM * ESPN

The 6-6 Huskies rebounded from a dismal 2007 campaign and they did so mainly by running the ball and playing tough defense. Quarterback Chandler Harnish and running backs Meco Brown and Chad Spann combined for 14 touchdowns and over 1,300 yards rushing this season. When the Huskies do throw, Marcus Perez, Matt Simon and Reed Cunningham will all play a role. However, don't expect an aerial assault from the Huskies – the ground game is what makes the offense go. The defense, which ranks fifth in the nation against the pass, is led by Larry English, who leads the team in sacks (eight) and tackles for loss (13.5). Like the Huskies, the 7-5 Bulldogs live by the running game. Running backs Daniel Porter and Patrick Jackson and all-around threat Phillip Livas have combined for over 2,000 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns in 2008. Quarterback Ross Jenkins won't be asked to carry the offense but he has a home run threat at receiver in Livas, who led the WAC in punt return average and all-purpose yardage, as well as Jackson who is a threat coming out of the backfield as a receiver. The defense led by defensive lineman D'Anthony Smith and leading tackler, defensive back Antonio Baker, is tough to run on but struggles defending the pass.

Inside the Numbers – Pass, Run & Catch

Northern Illinois Huskies (6-6, 5-3)
Pass: Chandler Harnish – 1,342 yards, 7 TDs
Run: Me’co Brown – 508 yards, 2 TDs
Catch: Marcus Perez – 50-755-3 TDs

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (7-5, 5-3)
Pass: Ross Jenkins – 1,011 yards, 7 TDs
Run: Daniel Porter – 1,086 yards, 8 TDs
Catch: Phillip Livas – 32-436-2 TDs

Poinsettia Bowl Notes: TCU 17, Boise St. 16

Playmakers Make Plays:

With the score 17-13 in TCU’s favor, Boise St. was set to snap the ball from the TCU 12-yard line with approximately 5:30 left on the game clock. It was third-and-eight and ESPN’s Mark May set the tone by saying, “This is the time for the playmakers to make plays”. Before Boise St.’s freshman Kellen Moore was able to figure out where to go with the football, he was being engulfed by the Horned Frogs’ All-American defensive end, Jerry Hughes. Hughes was held in check for most of the night, though not necessarily by the Broncos’ offensive line, as Boise St.’s passing game consisted of mostly short, quick rotes. Moore did feel Hughes’ impact prior to the sack as the athletic junior end pressured the southpaw signal caller throughout the first half and got a few shots in.

No one made more impact plays than senior safety Stephen Hodge, who turned in a team best 11 tackles. Hodge was most effective when called upon to blitz. He recorded a big sack of Moore and delivered a devastating blow on another quarterback pressure (Moore is one tough cookie). Hodge also knifed in on a run blitz and stopped the ball carrier for a two-yard loss. In the open field, he delivered a big hit out on the flat and turned in three tackles for a loss in the contest. On one of the Broncos’ trickeration plays, the safety displayed his discipline and instincts, sniffing out an end around and making yet another solid open field tackle. Hodge showed his great closing speed covering Ian Johnson on a screen pass, allowing him nothing after the catch. This kid was all over the field…he even made a nice special teams stop. His final big play came on an interception late the game, which ended any hopes the Broncos had at pulling out the win.

On Moore’s interception, the southpaw was pressured by speedy junior linebacker Daryl Washington, who forced the lefty to deliver the ball before he wanted to. Washington also had excellent coverage on Johnson coming out of the backfield, knocking a pass away. He is phenomenal athlete and with senior linebackers Jason Phillips and Robert Henson moving on, and Hughes potentially leaving early, don’t be surprised if Washington emerges as the linchpin of the Horned Frogs’ defense in 2009.

All of the defensive plays may have gone for naught if not for the running of Aaron Brown. Before the half, with TCU trailing 13-0, the senior tailback took an option pitch, cut back--despite the fact the Horned Frogs were out of time outs--and turned on the jets for a 16-yard scoring scamper with 24 ticks remaining in the first half.

TCU was in jeopardy of entering the locker room down two scores despite dominating the first half – 246 yards to 106 – and downright owning the second quarter – 188 yards to minus-seven. Brown’s score gave the Horned Frogs some much needed momentum heading into intermission. I really like Brown’s burst and would have liked to have seen him get more carries this season. His 14 carries and 102 yards were the second highest totals for the Texas native on the season (he had 15 carries for 106 yards versus Utah). Brown displayed burst, speed, vision, and cutback ability – he is a sleeper to keep an eye on for the 2009 draft.

If he was starting something, the closer was junior Joseph Turner. At 226 pounds he is the bigger of the two backs and he broke free up the middle for a 17-yard game-winning score midway through the fourth quarter. Turner also converted a key fourth-and-one on his way to a season-high 83 yards.

Another player who stood out with his best game of the season was senior wide out Walter Bryant who, at 6’4”, has good size. He showed good hands in making six receptions for 67 yards. Tight end Shea Reagan is also a sleeper. They don’t throw much to the 6’4”/261 pound senior, but he turned in a brilliant sideline reception in the fourth quarter, which allowed the Horned Frogs to kill some clock.

Boise St. Has Playmakers Too:

If you like big hits, sophomore safety Jeron Johnson is the man for you. Johnson laid so much wood he could have been mistaken for a lumberjack. A tackling machine, Johnson finished the game with a game-high 14 stops and added an interception for good measure.

The most spectacular play of the game was turned in by Boise St.’s back-up defensive end, Byron Hout. The freshman lineman snagged an Andy Dalton pass, used a spin move to avoid one would-be tackler, and set up his blockers, displaying good vision. He even switched hands with the pigskin instinctively as he cut back…brilliant! Alas, he was tackled at the TCU 11-yard line after rumbling 62 yards. Hout made four tackles, including a shared tackle for a loss – the kid has a bright future.

Another young lineman who flashed potential was sophomore defensive end Ryan Winterswyk. The starter came up big on a critical fourth and two from the Boise St. 33-yard line, stopping TCU’s Jeremy Kerley short of the first down. Winterswyk beat his man, made penetration and wrapped up in the backfield.

Record Setter:

On a draw play, Ian Johnson showed enough speed to get around the corner and into the end zone for his WAC-record 58th career rushing touchdown. What’s WAC football you say? It’s not like he’s playing in the SEC where the likes of Hershel Walker and Bo Jackson once roamed, you say? Well before you judge, understand that Johnson passed some guy named Marshall Faulk and some other back, LaDainian Tomlinson, is now third on the list (TCU now plays in the Mountain West Conference). Tomlinson, a TCU alum and Texas native with the cowboy boots to prove it, was in the house to see his Frogs prevail as the Poinsettia Bowl was played Qualcomm Stadium, home of Tomlinson’s Chargers. Marshall Faulk, who hails from New Orleans, played his college football at nearby San Diego St. University.

Lou Holtz on the Money:

More kudos for the ESPN team of Reece Davis, Mark May and Lou Holtz--with TCU apparently trying to milk the clock, they snapped the ball on consecutive plays with 18, 10 and nine seconds remaining on the play clock, a point Holtz was hammering home. This happens way too often in college football and is usually overlooked. There is really no explanation for not taking as much time off the clock as possible in that situation.

Photo Credit: College Press Box, TCU Athletics Media Relations

Hawai'i Bowl: Hawaii vs. Notre Dame

By J.J. PESAVENTO

December 24 * 8:00 PM * ESPN

Quarterback Jimmy Clausen will look to lead the Fighting Irish to their first bowl victory since 1994. Clausen has seen his numbers improve in 2008 after spending most of last season as a mugging victim at the hands of opposing defenses. With freshman sensation Michael Floyd out, his primary targets will be receivers Golden Tate, David Grimes and Kyle Rudolph. Notre Dame doesn't run the ball very well, but when they do look for Armando Allen to get the bulk of the carries. The defense has left something to be desired for much of the season even with standouts like linebacker Maurice Crum Jr. and safety David Bruton and that will hurt them against Hawaii. Hawaii got off to a mediocre 3-4 start in 2008, but quarterback Greg Alexander has been hot the last six games, leading the Warriors to a 4-2 finish. The Notre Dame defense will have to concern themselves with a number of receivers in Greg Salas, Michael Washington, Malcolm Lane and Aaron Bain. On the rare occasions Hawaii does run the ball, Dan Libre will get the call. However, if Kealoha Pilares is healthy, he will be a big factor, lining up at both receiver and running back. Senior defensive back Keao Monteilh, defensive lineman David Veikune and linebacker Solomon Elimimian will be the key players on the Hawaii defense.

Inside the Numbers – Pass, Run & Catch:

Hawaii Warriors (7-6, 5-3)

Pass: Greg Alexander – 1,634 yards, 12 TDs
Run: Daniel Libre – 431 yards, 6 TDs
Catch: Greg Salas – 50-755-3 TDs

Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-6)

Pass: Jimmy Clausen – 2,771 yards, 20 TDs
Run: Armando Allen – 576 yards, 3 TDs
Catch: Golden Tate – 52-903-7 TDs

Poinsetta Bowl: Boise St. vs. TCU

By ANDREW GARDA

December 23, 2008 * 8:00 * ESPN Qualcomm Stadium * San Diego, California

Boise State ended the season as one of only two teams without a loss in the country, but that wasn’t good enough for one of the ten slots in the BCS bowls. And so the nation’s ninth ranked team is left to “settle” for a match with No. 11 TCU, in one of the better matches in a non-BCS Bowl this season.

When the Broncos Have the Ball

Led by freshman quarterback Kellen Moore, the Broncos have been averaging 39.4 points per game. Moore has been playing outstanding football with a 161.5 passer rating, which was boosted by a completion rate of 70 percent. He has played impeccably in his first season and was named a Second Team All-WAC member. Moore also has a rushing attack that is averaging 183.5 yards a game, with senior Ian Johnson and sophomore Jeremy Avery leading the way. TCU comes into the game with the second best defense in the country, and will need every unit functioning at a high level against Boise State’s top-13 offense. The Frogs won’t go easy – they have held opponents to 10 points or less eight times this season. Their chief weapon and the most important man for Boise State to account for would be defensive end Jerry Hughes. The junior was a finalist for both the 2008 Ted Hendricks Award and the Bronco Nagurski Trophy. Hughes has a nation-leading 14 sacks, and is tied for the lead in forced fumbles with six. He also has a pair of interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. The Broncos will have to find a way to shut Hughes down and keep him from making a big play. Also keep an eye on stud senior linebacker Jason Phillips.

When the Frogs Have the Ball

While the Horned Frogs aren’t as dynamic offensively as Boise State, they are still averaging 35 points a game. Sophomore quarterback Andy Dalton isn’t as effective as Moore, but he takes good care of the ball and keeps the chains moving. The Frogs’ rushing attack is 13th in the nation and while they do not have any one stud back to lead them, they are able to get the job done by spreading carries across numerous runners to great effect. That means the Bronco defensive unit will have to work hard to contain multiple runners who can be plugged in as a succession of fresh legs. Joseph Turner and Aaron Brown lead the team in overall yards. Turner is far and away the biggest scoring threat on the ground though, totaling 10 touchdowns so far this season. Boise State will try to keep pressure on Dalton and hope he makes some bad decisions with the ball. If they can get the secondary the opportunity to make plays, they can do it. Led by junior cornerback Kyle Wilson’s WAC best five interceptions, the Broncos are opportunistic on the defensive side of the ball. Wilson is also a second team All-American as a punt returner and leads the nation in punt returns for touchdowns with three.

Final Analysis
Neither team makes too many mistakes so turnovers will be at a premium. Whichever defense steps up first will likely make the big play that wins this game.

Inside the Numbers – Pass, Run & Catch

Boise St. Broncos (12-0, 8-0)
Pass: Kellen Moore – 3,264 yards, 25 TDs
Run: Ian Johnson – 738 yards, 12 TDs
Catch: Jeremy Childs – 741 yards, 7 TDs)

TCU Horned Frogs (10-2, 7-1)
Pass: Andy Dalton – 2,045 yards, 11 TDs
Run: Joseph Turner – 494 yards, 10 TDs
Catch: Jimmy Young – 926 yards, 5 TDs

The CFI Prediction: Boise St. 27, TCU 17

Photo Credit: TCU Athletics Media Relations; Boise St. University

This Date in College Football History

Dec. 23, 1983: At the Holiday Bowl in San Diego, Brigham Young stuns Missouri as Cougar quarterback Steve Young (2001 College Hall of Fame inductee) drives his team 94 yards for the win. On a trick play, halfback Eddie Stinnett caps off the drive, throwing a 14-yard pass to Young with 23 seconds left in the game to seal the 21-17 victory.

Credit: The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame

New Mexico Bowl: Colorado St. vs. Fresno St.

By ANDREW GARDA

December 20 * 2:30 PM * ESPN

These two teams match up very well and are similar in many areas of play. Both quarterbacks work out of the pocket and have thrown for more than 2,000 yards. Fresno State’s Tom Brandstater and Colorado State’s Billy Farris also have ball protection issues in common – Brandstater with 11 interceptions to Farris’ even dozen. Each quarterback has been able to get the ball into the end zone plenty of times though, and can move the chains effectively. Both teams also have potentially NFL-worthy players at the tight end position. The Rams have Kory Sperry, who has 470 yards and five touchdowns, while the Bulldogs feature Bear Pascoe, who is actually second overall on his team in receiving yards with 361 and four touchdowns. The biggest difference between the teams comes at the running back position. Although Colorado State has a 1,000 runner in Gartrell Johnson, they don’t have anyone behind him who is very effective rushing the ball. If Johnson is stopped or hurt, there isn’t anyone to can fill in. While Fresno State lacks a thousand-yard back, they have three players with more than 500 yards and over 100 carries on the season. That depth should come in handy against the Rams and may be the difference in the outcome of this game.

Inside the Numbers – Pass, Run & Catch:

Colorado St. Rams (6-6, 4-4)
Pass: Billy Farris – 2,677 yards, 17 TDs
Run: Gartrell Johnson – 1,191 yards, 10 TDs
Catch: Rashaun Greer – 62-1,045-2 TDs

Fresno State Bulldogs (7-5, 4-4)
Pass: Tom Brandstater – 2,478 yards, 17 TDs
Run: Anthony Harding – 702 yards, 4 TDs
Catch: Seyi Ajirotutu – 44-714-5 TDs

This Date in College Football History

December 14, 1995: The first-ever Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) overtime game takes place at the Las Vegas Bowl, as Toledo outlasts Nevada 40-37.

Credit: The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame

BCS Buster Players of the Week - Week Fourteen

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

TE James Casey, Rice
The 24-year old sophomore hauled in 12 passes for 172 yards and three scores in the Owls’ 56-42 win over Houston, giving the Rice product 104 reception for 1,217 yards and 12 touchdowns on the season. The versatile talent also ran for a score (sixth of the season) and threw his second touchdown pass of 2008.

Honorable Mention: Andy Schmitt, QB, Eastern Michigan: 58-of-80, 516 yards, five touchdowns

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

DE Ben Calderwood, Utah St.
The senior defensive lineman turned a three-sack performance. Calderwood’s tackles for loss played a major role in the Aggies holding New Mexico St. to minus-seven yards rushing.

Honorable Mention: Gerald McRath, LB, Southern Miss: eight tackles, forced fumble

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

PR Kyle Wilson, Boise St.
Wilson returned three punts for a total of 136 yards, including a 90-yard touchdown.

Honorable Mention: Swayze Waters, PK, UAB: five-for-five on field goals, all 15 points

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Rice University)