Even in the midst of yet another spine-tingling college football season it's hard not to look at recruiting, either a peek at who's coming in to hopefully provide help next season, or to look back a few years after a class is signed. Because many members of the class of 2005 are in midst of their senior campaigns, it's fascinating to see what happened to many of that year's Rivals100.
There are some guys that are now making a major noise on Sundays, most notably Jonathan Stewart and Darren McFadden. Both backs made major fantasy impacts and decided to get paid for taking a pounding. We also have some on the list, like DeSean Jackson, Martellus Bennett and Jamaal Charles who, following stellar collegiate careers, all may make a professional splash.
There are some who, for varying reasons, failed to meet expectations on Saturdays. Jason Gwaltney played Wally Pipp to Steve Slaton and Antonio Bass (Michigan) suffered a devastating injury so we never saw what he could truly do. And in addition to current players such as Mark Sanchez, Marlon Lucky and Travis Beckum, we have two players who have experienced careers that have been one part solid and one part frustrating, but ultimately, when all things are considered, very successful.
Penn State's Derrick Williams was the top-rated recruit in the class of 2005. He was off to a great freshman career until his season was cut short with a broken arm. While his sophomore and junior seasons were solid, Nittany Lion fans (and fantasy owners) have been left wanting more.
Florida State's Antone Smith was going to be Florida State's next Warrick Dunn. He played a little as a freshman, and he showed enough to raise expectations for the remainder of his career. And many will say that statistically he has yet to reach those expectations.
Yesterday Derrick Williams scored on a run, pass and kick return as he gained more than 240 all-purpose yards during PSU's win over Illinois. Antone Smith ran for more than 150 yards and three scores as his Seminoles handled Colorado with surprising ease. These two players will likely only serve as spot fantasy starters this year, however each has persevered and this is certainly worth noting.
Both players committed to a storied school and each has seen his coach lose some control of his program while dealing with questions about when he should head off into the sunset. Each player took a leap of faith when they certainly had other options, and I have no clue how their teams' seasons will play out. Though I have no rooting interest in either school, and neither player is on my fantasy squad, I'll be pulling for both Derrick Williams and Antone Smith the rest of the way.
Other Random Musings:
U.S. & World
With the likes of Stanford, Washington, Navy and others remaining on the schedule, don't look now but Jimmy Clausen will become a viable fantasy quarterback. For all the heat he's taken, the young quarterback is improving along with his team's offense.
Because it's so much fun to unfairly compare 18 year old football players to legends, I'll go ahead and say that I see a great deal of Marshall Faulk in Jacquizz Rodgers.
Walking into Bailey's in Arlington, VA last night was like walking into a mini-Blacksburg, and then walking into Carpool was like walking into a little Happy Valley. Good times.
As my buddy Alex likes to say, it's time to "ripcord" the Auburn offense.
Should we just go ahead and tell every Heisman voter that he/she can only watch Big Twelve games the rest of the season? It's looking pretty good that the winner will be a dude who plays quarterback in this conference.
The NFL is becoming more unwatchable with every passing minute.
This was our preseason preview of Jake Locker's fantasy prospects:
We love the Tebow of the west. He's gutty in a Jake Plummer way, and he's an excellent football player who'll put on some great displays in 2008. Still the Willingham rebuilding project has yet to surround Locker with enough complimentary talent, and when we take a look at Washington's schedule it's hard to see Locker surpassing his 27-touchdown 2008. This is not meant to say that, unlike other quarterbacks, Locker has a low ceiling. Rather he's got unlimited potential but simply can't do it all on his own, let alone do it against one of the nation's most difficult schedules. Someone will take him way too high, think his team looks really good on paper, and then he'll see Washington play. We hope Locker makes it through the season unharmed.
In light of Washington's 0-4 start and Jake Locker's broken thumb, the belief that football is the greatest TEAM sport is further supported.
Any school that finds itself in need of a coach this off-season should begin their courtship in Storrs, Connecticut. I don't think I've seen a more fundamentally sound, better-coached team than Randy Edsall's Huskies. If UConn wants to continue its ascent into the rare air of major college football programs then they'll lock this guy up forever. Greg Schiano and Penn State's next coach (Tom Bradley?) may be in trouble on the recruiting trail.
While it's annoying that seemingly every other play is now reviewed, it is nice to ultimately get the call right. The number overturned also illustrates how woeful the officiating can be at times. Did they really get this many calls wrong before?
Just like finance majors should cease reading the Wall Street Journal for a while, would-be defensive coordinators should not watch this week's game between Rice and Tulsa. I'd go watch this game on closed circuit television, just like my dad used to do when Tommy Hearns/Roberto Duran/Sugar Ray Lenoard/Marvin Hagler would fight.
Duke is 3-1 and Tennessee is 1-3. Think David Cutcliffe is missed in Knoxville?
A reader posed an Ask the Insider question regarding Ball State's MiQuale Lewis and his expected production against Kent State. I was a bit noncommittal, although I did wonder if Ball State would run a little bit more in light of Dante Love's career-ending injury. I guess 23-116-3 provides a bit of evidence.
On to the waiver wire:
QB Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State
Sure he's only seen two very suspect defensive units while playing a prominent role in the OSU game plan, but anyone who has seen this gazelle with a cannon arm play realizes that the hype is deserved, and he's arrived. Besides, are there any Big Ten defensive units that he should be afraid of?
QB's Omar Clayton, Jamie Hampton & Tom Brandstater
Sure they've been on the list before, but the respective quarterbacks for UNLV, Troy and Fresno State are all entering conference play. If you haven't picked them up yet, you should as their numbers will likely only increase.
RB MiQual Lewis, Ball State
See above.
RB Jourdan Brooks, Rutgers
He's a freshman and he's scoring touchdowns. All good, right? Well be wary of Kordell Young's return. This good thing might come to an end.
RB Montel Harris, Boston College
One man's misery...with highly-touted running back Josh Haden nursing a sore ankle we saw Montel Harris say this we how I do it. The "other" freshman has been impressive
RB Kahlil Bell, UCLA
The senior returned with two scores yesterday. The team will struggle, but a healthy Bell will keep ringing.
RB Glen Coffee, Alabama
Ever bring a new puppy home and see the old dog respond with much more energy? Well Nick Saban brought Mark Ingram in and it's been the best thing that could have happened to Glenn Coffee. Ingram is pushing Coffee and Coffee is percolating (I just can't help it).
WR Marshwan Gilyard, Cincinnati
Gilyard has been on this list before, and he's back again. Marcus Barnett is not getting it done, and Gilyard is stepping up. Cincy's quarterbacking injury woes do cause cocern.
WR Jordan Shipley, Texas
On this very list a week ago, Shipley returns because the Texas Colt is smoking.
WR Jeremy Williams, Tulane
Four touchdowns in the last three games. Can't think of better reason to pick a guy up than that.
WR Patrick Edwards, Houston
Edwards and the Houston wide receivers are no strangers to the waiver wire list. Mr. Edwards finally got on the board with a score after a three game drought, though it's damn near impossible to predict who will emerge in the Houston passing game each week.
Others to Consider or Watch:
QB Robert Marve, Mia
QB Cameron Sexton, North Carolina
QB Ryan Lindley, San Diego State
QB Julian Edelman, Kent State
QB Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame
QB Drew Willey, Buffalo
QB Cincinnati
RB Marcus Thigpen, In
RB Vai Taua, Nevada
RB Anthony Kimble, Stanford
RB Vic Anderson, Louisville
RB Ontario Sneed, Central Michigan
RB Darren Evans, Virginia Tech
RB Donte Harden, Ohio
WR James Rodgers, Oregon State
WR Desmond Tardy, Purdue
WRs UNLV
TE Charlie Gantt, Michigan State
TE Richard Dickson, LSU
TE Mike McNeil, Nebraska
