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Sorry, I just feel like talking something football related......
1. Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia Mountaineers
The Miami native had a good sophomore season, having completed 65 percent of his passes for 2,763 yards to go along with a 24:7 TD:INT ratio, but don't be surprised if those numbers skyrocket now that offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen has come to Morgantown. Holgorsen took Case Keenum, who threw for 2,259 yards with 14 TDs and 10 INTs one season, and transformed him into a 5,000-yard passer with a 44-11 TD-INT mark the next season. Last year, Holgorsen worked magic with Brandon Weeden of the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
In Smith, he has a guy who has been streaky, but the 6-foot-3, 210-pounder has plenty of tools. Smith, who had surgery on his foot in January, also has a nice crew of playmaking receivers, led by Tavon Austin, a player that Holgorsen said has star potential. Smith may sound like a big long shot now, but if the Mountaineers can win at Maryland in Week 3 and then knock off what could be a top-three LSU Tigers team in Morgantown, he will be in the thick of the race, because you know he's going to be put up gaudy stats in this system.
2. Taylor Martinez, QB, Nebraska Cornhuskers
T-Magic went from being an unknown to a revelation to one of the biggest mysteries in the sport -- all in the span of a few months. As a redshirt freshman, he broke onto the national scene with spectacular long runs, displaying blazing speed, and he emerged as a Heisman contender in October. But then he got banged up. Later there was footage of coach Bo Pelini berating him on the sidelines. The day after that, Martinez missed a team workout. There was speculation of a rift between his coach and his dad. Then there was the dismal Huskers showing in the Holiday Bowl, in which they were handled easily by a mediocre Washington Huskies team.
I realize he still has to beat out junior Cody Green, but I believe the 2010 Big 12 offensive freshman of the year can be very special for a storied program as it moves into a new era in the Big Ten.
"I think he grew up a lot since last season," Pelini told Tom Shatel. "He's taking a leadership role. He's growing into the position. You see guys who grow into it in different ways, at their own pace. That's what is happening with Taylor now. He's grown up a lot. He carries himself different. Everybody goes through that.''
My hunch is that the change of offensive coordinators from Shawn Watson to Tim Beck will help Martinez, and in Kenny Bell and junior college transfer Stanley Jean-Baptiste, he'll have some talented newcomers to help out at wide receiver.
3. EJ Manuel, QB, Florida State Seminoles">Florida State Seminoles
As I wrote on Monday, expectations surrounding the FSU program are very, very high in 2011. The biggest question marks involve replacing the middle of the offensive line and Manuel's development, as the QB takes over for Christian Ponder. Manuel finished off last season in style, winning MVP in the Noles' bowl win over South Carolina. It should only be the beginning.
"He has all of the tools and all of the intangibles," FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said. "He has 'it.'" Manuel also has a much better arm than most people have seen. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound QB told me that because he had shoulder surgery last year his shoulder still bothered him during the season, saying it was around 75 percent. "I was about eight months out of major surgery," Manuel said. "But right now, it feels great." FSU has plenty of skill-position talent around him, and it gets a couple of tune-ups to start before a momentous visit from the Oklahoma Sooners, who pummeled FSU last year in Norman. If the Noles win that one, Manuel's in the race for sure.
4. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M Aggies
A terrific athlete, Tannehill helped the program at receiver while serving as Jerrod Johnson's QB understudy in what had been an underwhelming first half of the season for the Aggies. Then Tannehill took over at quarterback, and A&M took off. He connected on 65 percent of his throws, with a respectable 13-6 TD-INT mark. The team went 6-1, which included wins over OU and Nebraska and archrival Texas, with Tannehill as the starting QB. Tannehill has a crew of gifted receivers and backs returning, and that extremely young O-line now has some seasoning. The early season schedule, if A&M can survive, will provide chances to get some attention, facing an improved SMU team and Oklahoma State and Arkansas all in the first month and all at home.
5. Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina Gamecocks
Lattimore may be the Gamecocks' headliner after his great debut season, but with A.J. Green and Julio Jones gone, the 6-foot-4, 230-pound junior will get plenty of attention. He put up big numbers for the SEC East champs last year, with 1,517 receiving yards and 9 TDs. It's unclear at this point which quarterback will be throwing Jeffery the ball this year, as Stephen Garcia is back in Steve Spurrier's doghouse, but the Gamecocks do have two viable options at QB, and with teams worried about Lattimore Jeffery should have another huge season.
[+] Enlarge
Mark J. Rebilas/US Presswire
In limited action last season, Brock Osweiler showcased his considerable talent.
6. Brock Osweiler, QB, Arizona State Sun Devils
The one-time Gonzaga basketball recruit only started two games last year, but both were wins, and he threw for 647 yards with a 5:0 TD:INT mark, while also displaying some good wheels. Osweiler is not lacking for confidence and he has a strong supporting cast that has some ASU insiders expecting at least 10 wins this year.
7. Edwin Baker, RB, Michigan State Spartans
One of the most underrated backs in college football, Baker had a strong sophomore season for the 11-2 Spartans, running for 1,201 yards, 5.8 yards per carry and 13 TDs. The downside: He was a non-factor against some of the best defenses MSU saw (nine carries for 21 yards versus the Iowa Hawkeyes and 12 carries for 14 yards against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Capital One Bowl). He also competes for carries with Le'Veon Bell and Larry Caper.
8. Michael Dyer, RB, Auburn Tigers
Last year as a freshman, he came through with one of the biggest plays of the BCS title game win, en route to a 143-yard performance. He also battled through a nagging knee injury and broke Bo Jackson's freshman rushing record, going for 1,093 yards on a 6-yard-per-carry average. The bad news: The Tigers have to replace a ton of key players, including almost the entire offensive line and the nation's premier playmaker, Newton, which means they will have their hands full finishing in the top three of their division, with Bama, LSU and the Arkansas Razorbacks appearing to be loaded.
9. David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech Hokies
With Ryan Williams and Darren Evans moving on to the NFL and a new QB getting broken in, there will be plenty of work for the explosive junior-to-be. In 2010, he ran for 619 yards and added 234 more yards as a receiver. He's also a dangerous return man.
10 (tie). Jeff Godfrey, QB, UCF Knights
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Miami native had a superb debut season, winning Conference USA freshman of the year honors. George O'Leary compared Godfrey favorably to another playmaking quarterback he once coached, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets great Joe Hamilton. The challenge this year for Godfrey is to develop more poise in the pocket.
"Last year, he did a terrific job of making plays but he also missed a lot of plays," O'Leary said. "He also has to rely on his protection to get the things done he needs to get done. Last year, he missed a lot of checks you would've like to see him have made but he was a freshman; I didn't expect him to do anything but that. This year he has to have a lot more poise in the pocket, stepping up and delivering."
10 (tie). Isaiah Crowell, RB, Georgia Bulldogs
Called by some recruiting analysts the most important recruit Mark Richt has signed during his time in Athens, Crowell was the nation's top-ranked running back prospect. This year, he may spark a team that went 6-7 last year to an SEC East title this season. He'll run behind a good, experienced offensive line and has a gifted young QB, Aaron Murray, to keep defenses honest. Plus, the legacy of great Bulldogs backs may spur his candidacy if the team can get rolling in Week 1, in which the Boise State Broncos come east.
Just missed the cut: Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas; Dan Persa, QB, Northwestern Wildcats; Robert Woods, WR-KR, USC Trojans; Russell Shepard, WR, LSU; Dayne Crist, QB, Notre Dame Fighting Irish; Lamar Miller, RB, Miami Hurricanes; Braxton Miller, QB, Ohio State Buckeyes; Bryant Moniz, QB, Hawaii Warriors; Jake Heaps, QB, Brigham Young Cougars; Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin Badgers; Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College Eagles
1. Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia Mountaineers
The Miami native had a good sophomore season, having completed 65 percent of his passes for 2,763 yards to go along with a 24:7 TD:INT ratio, but don't be surprised if those numbers skyrocket now that offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen has come to Morgantown. Holgorsen took Case Keenum, who threw for 2,259 yards with 14 TDs and 10 INTs one season, and transformed him into a 5,000-yard passer with a 44-11 TD-INT mark the next season. Last year, Holgorsen worked magic with Brandon Weeden of the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
In Smith, he has a guy who has been streaky, but the 6-foot-3, 210-pounder has plenty of tools. Smith, who had surgery on his foot in January, also has a nice crew of playmaking receivers, led by Tavon Austin, a player that Holgorsen said has star potential. Smith may sound like a big long shot now, but if the Mountaineers can win at Maryland in Week 3 and then knock off what could be a top-three LSU Tigers team in Morgantown, he will be in the thick of the race, because you know he's going to be put up gaudy stats in this system.
2. Taylor Martinez, QB, Nebraska Cornhuskers
T-Magic went from being an unknown to a revelation to one of the biggest mysteries in the sport -- all in the span of a few months. As a redshirt freshman, he broke onto the national scene with spectacular long runs, displaying blazing speed, and he emerged as a Heisman contender in October. But then he got banged up. Later there was footage of coach Bo Pelini berating him on the sidelines. The day after that, Martinez missed a team workout. There was speculation of a rift between his coach and his dad. Then there was the dismal Huskers showing in the Holiday Bowl, in which they were handled easily by a mediocre Washington Huskies team.
I realize he still has to beat out junior Cody Green, but I believe the 2010 Big 12 offensive freshman of the year can be very special for a storied program as it moves into a new era in the Big Ten.
"I think he grew up a lot since last season," Pelini told Tom Shatel. "He's taking a leadership role. He's growing into the position. You see guys who grow into it in different ways, at their own pace. That's what is happening with Taylor now. He's grown up a lot. He carries himself different. Everybody goes through that.''
My hunch is that the change of offensive coordinators from Shawn Watson to Tim Beck will help Martinez, and in Kenny Bell and junior college transfer Stanley Jean-Baptiste, he'll have some talented newcomers to help out at wide receiver.
3. EJ Manuel, QB, Florida State Seminoles">Florida State Seminoles
As I wrote on Monday, expectations surrounding the FSU program are very, very high in 2011. The biggest question marks involve replacing the middle of the offensive line and Manuel's development, as the QB takes over for Christian Ponder. Manuel finished off last season in style, winning MVP in the Noles' bowl win over South Carolina. It should only be the beginning.
"He has all of the tools and all of the intangibles," FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said. "He has 'it.'" Manuel also has a much better arm than most people have seen. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound QB told me that because he had shoulder surgery last year his shoulder still bothered him during the season, saying it was around 75 percent. "I was about eight months out of major surgery," Manuel said. "But right now, it feels great." FSU has plenty of skill-position talent around him, and it gets a couple of tune-ups to start before a momentous visit from the Oklahoma Sooners, who pummeled FSU last year in Norman. If the Noles win that one, Manuel's in the race for sure.
4. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M Aggies
A terrific athlete, Tannehill helped the program at receiver while serving as Jerrod Johnson's QB understudy in what had been an underwhelming first half of the season for the Aggies. Then Tannehill took over at quarterback, and A&M took off. He connected on 65 percent of his throws, with a respectable 13-6 TD-INT mark. The team went 6-1, which included wins over OU and Nebraska and archrival Texas, with Tannehill as the starting QB. Tannehill has a crew of gifted receivers and backs returning, and that extremely young O-line now has some seasoning. The early season schedule, if A&M can survive, will provide chances to get some attention, facing an improved SMU team and Oklahoma State and Arkansas all in the first month and all at home.
5. Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina Gamecocks
Lattimore may be the Gamecocks' headliner after his great debut season, but with A.J. Green and Julio Jones gone, the 6-foot-4, 230-pound junior will get plenty of attention. He put up big numbers for the SEC East champs last year, with 1,517 receiving yards and 9 TDs. It's unclear at this point which quarterback will be throwing Jeffery the ball this year, as Stephen Garcia is back in Steve Spurrier's doghouse, but the Gamecocks do have two viable options at QB, and with teams worried about Lattimore Jeffery should have another huge season.
[+] Enlarge
Mark J. Rebilas/US Presswire
In limited action last season, Brock Osweiler showcased his considerable talent.
6. Brock Osweiler, QB, Arizona State Sun Devils
The one-time Gonzaga basketball recruit only started two games last year, but both were wins, and he threw for 647 yards with a 5:0 TD:INT mark, while also displaying some good wheels. Osweiler is not lacking for confidence and he has a strong supporting cast that has some ASU insiders expecting at least 10 wins this year.
7. Edwin Baker, RB, Michigan State Spartans
One of the most underrated backs in college football, Baker had a strong sophomore season for the 11-2 Spartans, running for 1,201 yards, 5.8 yards per carry and 13 TDs. The downside: He was a non-factor against some of the best defenses MSU saw (nine carries for 21 yards versus the Iowa Hawkeyes and 12 carries for 14 yards against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Capital One Bowl). He also competes for carries with Le'Veon Bell and Larry Caper.
8. Michael Dyer, RB, Auburn Tigers
Last year as a freshman, he came through with one of the biggest plays of the BCS title game win, en route to a 143-yard performance. He also battled through a nagging knee injury and broke Bo Jackson's freshman rushing record, going for 1,093 yards on a 6-yard-per-carry average. The bad news: The Tigers have to replace a ton of key players, including almost the entire offensive line and the nation's premier playmaker, Newton, which means they will have their hands full finishing in the top three of their division, with Bama, LSU and the Arkansas Razorbacks appearing to be loaded.
9. David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech Hokies
With Ryan Williams and Darren Evans moving on to the NFL and a new QB getting broken in, there will be plenty of work for the explosive junior-to-be. In 2010, he ran for 619 yards and added 234 more yards as a receiver. He's also a dangerous return man.
10 (tie). Jeff Godfrey, QB, UCF Knights
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Miami native had a superb debut season, winning Conference USA freshman of the year honors. George O'Leary compared Godfrey favorably to another playmaking quarterback he once coached, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets great Joe Hamilton. The challenge this year for Godfrey is to develop more poise in the pocket.
"Last year, he did a terrific job of making plays but he also missed a lot of plays," O'Leary said. "He also has to rely on his protection to get the things done he needs to get done. Last year, he missed a lot of checks you would've like to see him have made but he was a freshman; I didn't expect him to do anything but that. This year he has to have a lot more poise in the pocket, stepping up and delivering."
10 (tie). Isaiah Crowell, RB, Georgia Bulldogs
Called by some recruiting analysts the most important recruit Mark Richt has signed during his time in Athens, Crowell was the nation's top-ranked running back prospect. This year, he may spark a team that went 6-7 last year to an SEC East title this season. He'll run behind a good, experienced offensive line and has a gifted young QB, Aaron Murray, to keep defenses honest. Plus, the legacy of great Bulldogs backs may spur his candidacy if the team can get rolling in Week 1, in which the Boise State Broncos come east.
Just missed the cut: Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas; Dan Persa, QB, Northwestern Wildcats; Robert Woods, WR-KR, USC Trojans; Russell Shepard, WR, LSU; Dayne Crist, QB, Notre Dame Fighting Irish; Lamar Miller, RB, Miami Hurricanes; Braxton Miller, QB, Ohio State Buckeyes; Bryant Moniz, QB, Hawaii Warriors; Jake Heaps, QB, Brigham Young Cougars; Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin Badgers; Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College Eagles
