Newcomer Spotlight: Big Ten: Donsay Hardeman

By Brian Vornberg

Coming into 2007, Illinois did not have high expectations. This season, all of that has changed after the Fighting Illini were one of the surprise teams of the year and earned a Rose Bowl berth. Couple that with the talented recruiting class that head coach Ron Zook has just reeled in and there are high hopes going into 2008.

A huge part of this season’s success will depend on the newcomers, including safety Donsay Hardeman. Of all of Zook’s 2008 recruits, Hardeman seems to be the most college-ready after playing at Georgia Military College the last couple of seasons. He already has linebacker size and is capable of hitting like one too. I once asked Donsay about his favorite football moment and he mentioned a game in which he hit a guy so hard, he broke his jaw his three different places. He did feel really bad for the guy, by the way. However, it’s still a great football story.

Illinois had the good fortune of having Donsay fall into their lap in a way. He was originally a top-flight recruit in the 2006 class who was sought after by the likes of Miami, South Carolina, and others. However, he did not qualify academically, hence the last two years at Military School. Now Hardeman seems to have turned all of his academic troubles around and is looking to find a new home in Champaign.

Hardeman enters a great situation coming to the Illini, whose defense is already in great shape with young studs like linebacker Martez Wilson and cornerback Vontae Davis. It must be said that the young men challenging Donsay, namely Bo Flowers and Nate Bussey, are also very talented players. However, I believe Donsay Hardeman will be co-defensive coordinators’ Dan Disch and Curt Mallory’s man at the safety spot by the beginning of the season. He’s just too talented, intimidating, and vocal to keep off the field.

Freshman Spotlight: Big East: Jonathan Baldwin

By Brian Vornberg

In the world of college football, it’s not often that you find a 5-star rated tight end prospect. Heck, even the 5-star receivers are hard to come by. But this year was different. Jonathan Baldwin, a tight end prospect out of Aliquippa, PA, proved that tight ends deserve some serious attention.

Baldwin, who was selected to play in this past January’s Army All-American game in San Antonio, Texas, is not just a multi-dimensional tight end, but a multi-dimensional all around player. In fact, in that same All-American game, Baldwin caught a 46-yard touchdown pass from Alabama quarterback to be Star Jackson with outstretched arms that was so reminiscent of Larry Fitzgerald, it was almost scary. The guy’s paws are enormous. He could have chosen basketball just as easily as he chose football, but football is obviously Baldwin’s passion (he was first team all-state in Pennsylvania for basketball as well). He also could have gone to schools with storied histories like Miami, Florida, USC, or Michigan. However, he stayed close to home and will add more talent to Dave Wannstedt’s already stellar recruiting class.

In addition to the potential to dominate in the red zone at 6'6" and 233 pounds, Baldwin also possesses 4.4-speed and the ability to get open. Jeremy Crabtree, an analyst for Rivals.com, said that Baldwin is “one of the top athletes in the country.” He reminds football fans of a faster Martin Rucker, the former Missouri tight end who will now play on Sundays. Baldwin is also a vastly underrated blocker, a rarity for most tight ends entering the college football ranks these days.

Keep in mind, there is a lot of pressure being placed on Baldwin to come in and perform as evidenced by the early comparisons to Larry Fitzgerald, probably the best Pitt wide receiver of all-time. He does have a couple of really good veteran wide receivers around him to help ease the transition and if talking to him as I did in San Antonio is any indication of his true character, he’ll handle the pressure just fine. Big East defensive backs, beware.

Freshman Spotlight: Big 12 Tramain Swindall

By Brian Vornberg

It's not that often that you'll see the Red Raiders going into the state of Oklahoma to pick out a prized recruit. In 2007, it was different.

Tramain Swindall came to Texas Tech as one of the star recruits of their 2007 class. With a plethora of receivers last season, the rangy 6'2, 175-pound receiver out of Oklahoma City decided to redshirt. Now he's ready to get onto the field in Lubbock.

Swindall came out of high school with less hype than the other receivers from the '07 class, but he certainly possesses all the tools needed to fit in right away in Mike Leach's pass-happy offense. He finished his high school career with 73 receptions and 1,702 yards (24-yard avg.) over his final two years to go along with 22 touchdowns. Not only was Swindall an exceptional receiver, he was also an excellent defensive back at Millwood High. His ended his high school career with a game-winning interception in the Oklahoma state title game with 30 seconds left and the opposing team driving.

In 2007, Rivals.com rated Swindall as the No. 54 wide receiver in the country and the No. 5 player out of Oklahoma. Somewhat surprisingly, the receiver chose the Red Raiders over others such as Kansas State, Missouri and Texas A&M.

His biggest asset will undoubtedly be his big, soft hands and his leaping ability. Swindall also adjusts very well to the ball while it's in the air.

If anyone is questioning Swindall's loyalty to his new program, he certainly answered those questions immediately. Swindall showed his pride for Tech, sporting the Red Raider's logo shaved into the side of his head during that memorable state championship game after his teammates all agreed to get Mohawks if they made it that far.

When asked about his anticipation of joining the Red Raider team, Swindall stated, "I'm very excited. They're losing receivers, so I'm going to have a chance to play. But if not, just being in Lubbock and a part of that pass-oriented offense is exciting." I'm fairly certain that for head coach Mike Leach and his pass-oriented offense, the feeling is mutual.