East-West Shrine Game: Players To Watch

As the East-West Shrine Game gets set to kickoff in Orlando, we take a look at five players to watch on each side.

East Roster:

Western Illinois CB Patrick Stoudamire -- A lot of hype based on big senior campaign and plenty of Internet buzz but can that translate into a late NFL Combine invite... this week's practices will tell the tale.

Bowling Green WR Freddie Barnes -- Led the nation in receptions, but all eyes will be on whether he can consistently get off the line of scrimmage and show separation and acceleration while the ball is in the air... his perceived game speed will determine his final draft grade.

Fordham QB John Skelton -- Can he follow in the footsteps of Joe Flacco and make a big splash starting at this week's practices... has a live arm, big, sturdy frame but must show he has the footwork and ability to adjust to faster game now that the level of competition increases.

Ole Miss DE Greg Hardy -- Has the ability to be one of the top pass rushers in this year's NFL Draft, but he has been injury-prone and inconsistent the past year and a half... a big week, especially in 1-on-1 drills can jump him right back into 1st round consideration.

Central Florida DT Torell Troup -- His quickness off the ball and ability to cause consistent pressure from an interior defensive line position make him a very attractive prospect... this week's big stage will allow him to put his name on the map... could be the East roster's "Fastest Riser" come week's end.

West Roster:

Utah S Robert Johnson -- Shocked and upset by his current status of not holding a invite to the NFL Combine he plans to take it out on all the opposing offensive prospects and play his way into one of the final senior spots in next month's event in Indianapolis.

California WR Verran Tucker -- Has the size/speed to wow scouts in 1-on-1's and his potential as a vertical threat could push up his final draft grade, but he needs to catch the ball consistently and run improved routes during this week's practices.

UNLV LB Jason Beauchamp -- Under-rated defender that will be closely evaluated by teams the employ a 3-4 scheme... impressive athlete with ideal size and shows an explosive burst to the QB... his name should be mentioned as one of the "Top Risers" coming off the West roster.

Texas Tech OG Brandon Carter -- Was thought at one-time to be among the top-rated interior linemen for this year's NFL Draft... he's had some off-the-field issues along the way and will need to address those when talking to scouts and show more consistency to his game during the practices on-the-field.

Eastern Washington QB Matt Nichols -- Solid career and terrific numbers posted throughout senior campaign where he lacked ideal weapons, but still managed to earn a late roster spot in this contest; big week of practices could earn him a late NFL Combine invite or at the very least improve his current grade.

*Interesting side note... in-spite of the fact that this year's game is being played at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida there are a total of only seven players who are either from the state of Florida or natives of the Sunshine state... meanwhile, there are a total of 17 players who are either from the state of Texas or natives of the Lonestar state.

Photo Courtesy of College Press Box, Dennis Hubbard

CFI Countdown: #13 Mississippi Rebels

2008 Record: 9-4 (SEC 5-3)
Bowl Game: Won Cotton Bowl vs. Texas Tech 47-34
Location: Oxford, Mississippi
Stadium: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (60,580)
Head Coach: Houston Nutt
Overall: 120-74 (17th season)
@ Ole Miss 9-4 (2nd season)
Link to Ole Miss Football Page

In case you didn’t realize Houston Nutt knew how to coach…now you do. Nutt came over from Arkansas and took over an Ole Miss squad that was 14-32 since they won 10 games in 2003, including a 3-9 campaign in 2007. Under Nutt, they turned it around much quicker than anyone expected going 9-4 in 2008. If you are wondering what the fuss is about with the 2009 Rebels—they won their final six games of last season including a Cotton Bowl victory over Texas Tech, so there is cause for optimism. Oh, they were also the only team last year to knock off the eventual champion Florida Gators.

When the Rebels Have the Ball

Offensive Coordinator: Kent Austin (2nd season)
Scheme: Pro Style
Starters Returning: Six
Key Losses: OT Michael Oher, WR Mike Wallace, FB Jason Cook, OG Maurice Miller, LB Tony Fein

It’s no secret why things began to click for the Rebels last season—his name is Jevan Snead. The former Longhorn was a little rusty, throwing seven interceptions in their first six games, but once he got going he was tough to slow down. Snead has an NFL arm and is big time prospect. This is just his second season as a full-time starter at the college level so the best is yet to come, which is what has so many people excited about this Ole Miss squad. When Snead isn’t lined up behind center it’s because Coach Nutt is up to his old tricks, lining up wide out/running back Dexter McCluster at quarterback to run the “Wild Rebel” as he did with Darren McFadden back at Arkansas. McCluster is the quintessential all-purpose player having spent significant time at running back and receiver, in addition to dabbling at quarterback. While he didn’t complete a pass (five attempts), McCluster is tied with the most receptions among returning Rebels and is their leading returning rusher—he’s very dynamic with the football in his hands. The primary ball carrier this season figures to be sophomore Brandon Bolden who was impressive in the Cotton Bowl, with senior Cordera Eason providing relief if necessary in what is a deep backfield. Lining up outside along with McCluster is fellow senior Shay Hodge, who is sure-handed and knows how to get into the end zone. Center Daverin Geralds and tackle John Jerry—returning senior starters—should be two of the better linemen in the SEC, but the other spots are in question right now. Replacing a left tackle such as Michael Oher is easier said than done.

Top Pro Prospects: 1 QB Jevan Snead (JR), 2) OG John Jerry (SR), 3) OT Dexter McCluster (SR)

When the Other Team Has the Ball

Defensive Coordinator: Tyrone Nix (2nd season)
Scheme: 4-3/4-2-5
Starters Returning: Eight
Key Losses: DT Peria Jerry, LB Ashlee Palmer, S Jamarca Sanford

Like Oher, replacing a disruptive force like Peria Jerry at defensive tackle is going to be nearly impossible—guys like that just don’t grow on trees, even in SEC country. However, the Rebs do have a few things going for them on defense. They expect a bigger season from uber-talented defensive end Greg Hardy, and continued development from the likes of tackles Ted Laurent and Lawon Scott, as well as ends Marcus Tillman and Kentrall Lockett—four solid contributors from last year’s run. The wildcard is tackle Jerrell Powe, who to this point has been more myth than legend, but could be on the cusp of breaking out. At the next level of defense, one player sure to bust loose is WILL Patrick Trahan, who looked like a future All-SEC performer with the Auburn Tigers once upon a time. He has taken the long route—via Northwest Mississippi Community College—but he may get there yet. They return three of four DBs, but the way they struggled to stop the pass that may not be a good thing. Free safety Kendrick Lewis is solid, but the corners need to step up.

Top Pro Prospects: 1) DE Greg Hardy (SR), 2) DT Ted Laurent (JR), 3) FS Kendrick Lewis (SR)

The Schedule

The out of conference slate, which includes SE Louisiana, UAB, and Northern Arizona, is pretty close to creampuff city. The one game they shouldn’t overlook is the season opener against Memphis—even so it would be a pretty big upset if the Rebels were to lose that one. The reality is that playing a pair of FCS schools could end up hurting them in the long run. They don’t face any ranked teams on the road, but any road trip in the SEC can be tough—Vanderbilt, Auburn, South Carolina, and even in-state rival Mississippi St. can’t be overlooked. It does work out well for Nutt and company that West favorite Alabama and perennial power LSU both come to Dixieland. Those games will likely decide who plays for the SEC title.

Pivotal Point

It’s on the shoulders, or should we say arm, of Jevan Snead. As much as Houston Nutt has done a great job, and although they have plenty of speed on both sides of the ball and depth along the defensive line, it all comes down to the play of Snead. In Ole Miss’ wins, Snead threw 20 touchdowns to six interceptions. In their losses, his touchdowns dropped to six and interceptions rose to seven. Listen to opposing coaches speak about the Rebels and the first thing they mention is the quarterback—the kid is something special. In fact, some might not think it’s the craziest thing in the world if Snead ends up as the first-team signal caller in the SEC. Ironically, had Vince Young stayed in Texas for his senior year, Snead may have remained a Longhorn. But Young left early, and a red-shirt freshman named Colt McCoy took hold of the starting job and wasn’t going to let it go.

CFI Final Analysis

A year ago the Rebels entered the season quietly and were able to sneak up on people. What was impressive was how they played at Alabama (24-20 loss), at LSU (31-13 win) and in the Cotton Bowl versus 11-1 Texas Tech (47-34 win) even after people started to take notice. Now the spotlight is really on them—we’re talking magazine covers and top-five predictions. Mississippi is ready to take the next step; whether or not that means a trip to the SEC Championship game remains to be seen. It may be a stretch to say that a club which was 0-8 in SEC play just two years ago is supposed to surpass ‘Bama and the Bayou Bengals, but it’s impressive that people are even thinking it.


College Football Insiders Top 25 Countdown:
The Next 25 (26-50) Plus 18 Bowl Teams
#25 West Virginia Mounainteers
#24 Tennessee Volunteers
#23 Clemson Tigers
#22 Pittsburgh Panthers
#21 Michigan St. Spartans
#20 Utah Utes
#19 Oregon Ducks
#18 Florida St. Seminoles
#17 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
#16 Boise St. Broncos
#15 North Carolina Tar Heels
#14 Penn St. Nittany Lions

Photos Courtesy of SEC Sports Media

Top 10 SEC Senior Prospects

By JUSTIN VANFULPEN

1. DE Greg Hardy, Ole Miss – Hardy’s career at Ole Miss has been anything but normal. This past winter there was much speculation that he would enter his name into the 2009 NFL Draft, but Hardy ultimately made the decision to return for his senior season. Last season he suffered a stress fracture in his right foot during preseason practice that required surgery, causing him to miss the team’s first three games. In 2007 he was suspended for two games for violating team rules.

If Hardy can remain healthy, he can be a dominant pass rusher. He possesses all of the qualities a team could want in a defensive end—he has good size at 6-4 265, a great first step when he is rushing the passer, and is solid against the run. One scout I talked to told me that Hardy would have been the best 4-3 defensive end in this past April’s draft if he had declared.

2. CB Trevard Lindley, Kentucky – In Lindley, you have a one of the most polished cornerbacks in the college game—a defensive back with the ability to take away half the field. Not only does he have great speed and anticipation, he also has the size to go with it, standing right around 6 feet tall. Last season Lindley was honored as a second-team All-American by the Walter Camp Foundation.

He is not as thick as Malcolm Jenkins (Lindley is only around 180 pounds), who was the first cornerback drafted (#14 overall to the Saints) in this year’s draft, but Lindley has better speed, agility, and ball skills than Jenkins.

3. WR Brandon LaFell, LSU – LaFell declared for this year’s NFL draft, but changed his mind in the 72-hour period allowed for underclassmen and will return to LSU for his senior season. LaFell was a first team All-SEC selection in 2008, and in three years with the LSU he has 118 career receptions for 1,725 yards and 14 touchdowns.

LaFell is a big receiver (6-3, 210 pounds) with good speed, but he needs to be more consistent in his route running to become an elite wide receiver. If LaFell works on his ability to get in and out of breaks more smoothly instead of coasting on his natural athletic ability, he could be a top-notch wide receiver.

4. ILB Brandon Spikes, Florida – Spikes possesses good size and range for an inside linebacker, and has the ability to go sideline to sideline to make a play. Spikes has a great football IQ—he has the ability to diagnose plays, anticipate where the ball is going, and takes great angles when pursing the ball carrier. He is not great in coverage, but can do it if he is asked to.

Spikes had a better season in his sophomore year than he did last year, but he’s a productive player who can make game changing plays at the middle linebacker spot. That’s a hard-to-find quality, which is why Spikes will be drafted early if he keeps playing up to his potential

5. DT Terrence Cody, Alabama – They call him “Mount Cody”, and does that nickname ever fit—the big man is huge at 6-5, 365 pounds. Last season was Cody’s first at Alabama after arriving from Gulf Coast Community College, and he missed two games with a sprained MCL.

Cody has good agility for a man of his size and has the ability to play as a 3-4 nose tackle or a 4-3 defensive tackle. He is similar to B.J. Raji who was drafted 9th overall by the Green Bay Packers in this year’s draft, but Cody is bigger and I think better when all is said and done…but only if he keeps his weight in check.

6. OT Ciron Black, LSU – LSU is happy that Black decided to come back for his senior season because there were thoughts that he was going to leave early and if he did, he may have been a first-round pick. Black has great size at 6-5 320, and shows terrific quickness and agility with good balance. He has a powerful initial punch and has exceptional range to pull and get to the second level.

With a good senior season and more consistency, you might see Black rise to the level that Jason Smith (#2 overall pick by the Rams) did in this year’s draft. Smith is a better overall athlete then Black, but I think Black could actually have a better NFL career.

7. OLB Antonio Coleman, Auburn – Last season Coleman had 46 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 6 sacks. Expect his production this season to go up from there. Coleman is a talented player who projects to be a 3-4 outside linebacker at the next level. His best asset is his ability to rush the passer, but he is an all-around athlete that can drop in coverage and produce against the run.

There was some talk about Coleman coming out early, but he wisely ended up staying for his senior season. If he can put it all together this season, he could be a first-round pick in next year’s draft as more teams make the switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4. Outside linebackers are premier players in that defense.

8. DT Geno Atkins, Georgia – Atkins is a lot smaller than Cody of Alabama, but he makes up for that lack of size with speed and quickness. He is a Tampa Two type of defensive tackle—a good athlete with the ability to make plays up and down the line of scrimmage.

Atkins has a good motor and fires off the ball with the ability to penetrate and wreak havoc in the backfield. He is a hard worker and shows the ability to shed blocks. I think this will be a good season, one that will see him move up teams’ draft boards and wind up being a late first-round selection in 2010.

9. QB Tim Tebow, Florida – Everyone knows Tebow’s story—he is a great player and an even better person. He’s won multiple awards, including the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore, and will be a favorite to win it again this season. His team has won two national titles and they will also be favored to win it again this season.

But the question is—how good of a NFL quarterback will Tim Tebow be? Everyone has an opinion on that, and those opinions vary to say the least. Tebow is coming from the spread offense, which is a huge negative for him. Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell didn’t get drafted or sign as a free-agent, and I think everyone would agree Harrell is a better pure passer then Tebow. True, Tebow is bigger, stronger, and a better overall athlete than Harrell, but the question marks are the same. I like Tebow and think he can play in the NFL, but I don’t think he is a lock first-round pick and a lot more evaluation is needed. That evaluation will come at the NFL combine, his Pro Day, and any All-Star games he participates in.

10. CB Javier Arenas, Alabama – Arenas is not only a good cornerback, he’s a great return man, one who returned three punts for touchdowns last season. He has the ability to score every time he touches the ball, and has great speed and elusiveness as a returner.

As a cornerback he has good ball skills, but stands only 5-9. He does make up for the lack of height somewhat with his bulk, tipping the scales at almost 200 pounds. He isn’t a shutdown corner but he can effectively cover man-to-man and is solid in zone coverage. He is also able to support in run defense and come off the edge on the blitz, but what makes Arenas so special is his game-changing ability in the return game.

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media

Cotton Bowl: #8 Texas Tech vs. #20 Ole Miss

By J.J. PESAVENTO

Dallas, TX * January 2, 2009 *2:00PM * FOX

In Texas Tech and Ole Miss, you have two teams who experienced very different fortunes in 2008. Texas Tech was among the best teams in the country the entire season and the Red Raiders were making a case for a shot at the national title until Oklahoma pummeled them in week eleven. Ole Miss was 3-4 at one point then ran off five straight wins to get into the Cotton Bowl.

When the Red Raiders have the Ball

Look for an aerial assault by the Red Raiders led by quarterback Graham Harrell with the primary target being Biletnikoff Award winner Michael Crabtree. Crabtree is far from the sole weapon in the Tech arsenal. Detron Lewis, Eric Morris and Tramain Swindall all had over 500 yards receiving and combined for 13 touchdowns for the Red Raiders. For the Ole Miss defense, it starts with pressure up front from Greg Hardy and All-American Peria Jerry. The Rebels led the SEC with 37 sacks in 2008 and getting to Harrell is key to disrupting the high-powered Tech offense. Obviously, Tech does not run the ball a great deal but when they do, it will be either Baron Batch or Shannon Woods toting the rock. But the going won't be easy against an Ole Miss defense led by Jamarca Sanford and Kendrick Lewis that ranks sixth in the nation against the run.

When the Rebels have the Ball

One player to keep an eye on is wide receiver Dexter McCluster, who does it all for the Rebels. McCluster rushed for 558 yards with five touchdowns and hauled in 38 passes for 542 yards with one score this season. Cordera Eason is the primary back for Ole Miss but McCluster and Brandon Bolden also fit into the mix. The backs will be running behind an offensive line led by All-American tackle Michael Oher. Tech isn't all that bad against the run led by Brandon Williams, McKinner Dixon and Brian Duncan. Quarterback Jevan Snead has had a solid season throwing for 23 touchdowns and rushing for three. When he looks to pass, in addition to McCluster, he'll look for Mike Wallace and Shay Hodge, who combined for 14 touchdowns in 2008. Again, Dixon and McKinner will be the players on defense bringing the heat up front with Darcel McBath, who tied for the Big 12 lead in picks (6) and Dan Charbonnet, who had five interceptions in the secondary.

Final Analysis

It goes without saying that the Ole Miss defense will be under fire the entire game and how they handle the pressure will have the biggest impact on the outcome. The Rebels are aggressive and not letting Harrell have the time to pick them apart is paramount. If Texas Tech plays the way they have most of the season, the Rebels cannot stay with them. And the Rebels will also have to put together some offense of their own to keep Harrell on the sidelines where he cannot hurt them. While the Tech defense doesn't rank all that well defending the pass, that can be misleading since most teams were forced into strictly passing after falling behind the Red Raiders. Still, we think Tech just has too much firepower and will outlast the Rebels.

CFI Prediction: Texas Tech 37, Ole Miss 24

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Texas Tech Red Raiders (11-1, 7-1)
Pass-Graham Harrell (4,747 yards, 41 TDs)
Run--Baron Batch (742 yards, 7 TDs)
Catch--Michael Crabtree (93-1,135 yards, 18 TDs)

Ole Miss Rebels (8-4,5-3)
Pass--Jevan Snead (2,470 yards, 23 TDs)
Run--Cordera Eason (35-644 yards, 3 TDs)
Catch--Mike Wallace (704 yards, 6 TDs)


Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media, College Press Box, Texas Tech Athletics

POWE GETTING IN SHAPE

Next Level Scouting, Inc. is reporting that Mississippi junior defensive tackle Jerrell Powe, who was finally cleared academically by the NCAA in late July, has reportedly lost nearly 50 pounds and is currently down to the 340-345-pound range. He would like to get down even further during the course of fall drills and has high hopes for his first SEC campaign.

Powe was a Top-20 rated prep prospect coming out of high school in 2005 and college football fans and insiders have been waiting for years to see him develop. The 2004 Prep All-American joins senior defensive tackle Peria Jerry (pictured) and junior end Greg Hardy in what could be one of the most talented defensive lines in the nation.

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media