espn's top 100 college players

The college football season is still a few months away, but it's time to take a preseason look at the Hot 100 list for 2005. As always, this isn't a projection in regards to draft prospects, but simply a run-through of who will be the biggest impact/value guys to their programs in the '05 season.

NOTE: Players in limbo due to academic question marks or guys battling through injuries or dealing with off-field matters probably didn't make the list. Same for place kickers or punters.

1. Reggie Bush, USC, RB/WR/KR: The ultimate game-breaker.

2. A.J. Hawk, OSU, LB: Great speed, great instincts and is superb against the run and the pass.

3. Matt Leinart, USC, QB: Mr. Cool is a perfect fit for possibly the most loaded offense in college football history.

4. Adrian Peterson, OU, RB: The franchise. Even with a rebuilt O-line, he's still a good bet to make a run at 2000 yards.

5. Mathias Kiwanuka, Boston College, DE: Single-handedly dominates games. Could get 30 TFLs this fall.

6. DeAngelo Williams, Memphis, RB: Has Bush's burst and Peterson's power, all coupled with outstanding hands.

7. D'Qwell Jackson, Maryland, LB: As much as the scouts loved Shawn Merriman, this guy's a better player.

8. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Virginia, OT: Top technician has better feet than some running backs.

9. Eric Winston, Miami, LT: Converted TE has a coach's grit and a bouncer's mentality.

10. Chad Greenway, Iowa, LB: Not quite as flashy as Abdul Hodge, but even more versatile. A rangy farm boy type who keeps making huge strides each year.

11. Omar Jacobs, Bowling Green, QB: If he matches his numbers from last year (41 TDs, 4 INTs), he should get invited to NYC for the Heisman.

12. Laurence Maroney, Minnesota, RB: Numbers should get even better now that Marion Barber III has moved on to the NFL.

13. Brian Brohm, Louisville, QB: Will tear up the Big East. Might be the top pick in the '07 Draft.

14. Antonio Cromartie, FSU DB: Taller, faster version of Va. Tech's Jimmy Williams.

15. Vince Young, Texas, QB: If he can cut down the picks he will make a run at the Heisman. Especially if the Horns finally beat OU.

16. Greg Eslinger, Minnesota, C: Best center college football has seen in years. Has great agility and heart.

17. Jesse Mahelona, Tenn., DT: Powerhouse tackle makes a habit of brawling his way into the backfield.

18. JJimmy Williams, Va Tech, CB: Great size, toughness and has really matured as a leader.

19. Chris Leak, Florida, QB: Appears to be a perfect fit for Meyer's offense, he's the trendy pick for the Heisman.

20. Derek Hagan, ASU, WR: Top route runner has wonderful hands and showed improved wheels for NFL scouts, clocking a 4.44 forty this spring.

21. Reggie McNeal, Texas A&M, QB: Lost in the Vince Young hype, he's ready to make some Heisman noise.

22. Leon Washington, Florida State, RB: Great all-around back who is probably the most underrated RB in the nation.

23. Calvin Johnson, Ga. Tech, WR: A bigger Larry Fitzgerald. As close to a sure thing in the red zone as there is in college football.

24. Mario Williams, NC State, DE: Has top-pick-in the-draft talent, and with an added 15 lbs, might be ready to be an every-down dominator.

25. Abdul Hodge, Iowa, LB: Hard-nosed run stuffer is a safe bet for 10 tackles plus per game.

26. Manese Hopoi, Washington, DL: Says he's ready to make a run at Terrell Suggs' Pac-10 sack mark.

27. Ahmad Brooks, Virginia, ILB: Has NFL tools right now, but disappears too much.

28. Darryl Tapp, Va. Tech, DE: Superb moves and motor. Had 8.5 sacks and 16.5 TFLs last season.

29. Ernie Sims, FSU, OLB: Flashy hitter is the energizer for a great defense.

30. Jared Zabransky, Boise St., QB: A winner. Dual threat, who pilots a great scheme.

31. Dale Robinson, ASU, LB: Made the switch from the outside to the middle and looks ready to take the jump from all-conference type to all-America candidate.

32. Michael Bush, Louisville, RB: Shockingly nimble 245-pounder is like a flashier Greg Jones.

33. Jarrett Hicks, Texas Tech, WR: Fluid junior should get 100 catches and 1500 yards this fall.

34. Daryn Colledge, Boise St., OT: Great strength and agility but still needs to elevate his run blocking skills to match up with his pass pro game.

35. Drew Tate, Iowa, QB: Pinpoint passer needs to cut down the picks (14 in '04) to make a run at Heisman contention.

36. Marcus McNeill, Auburn, OT: Mammoth road-grader is a surprisingly adept pass blocker.

37. AJ Nicholson, FSU, LB: Not as big a hitter as Ernie Sims, but every bit as productive.

38. Manny Lawson, NC State, DE: The nation's fastest D-lineman also is a lethal kick blocker.

39. Santonio Holmes, Ohio State, WR: The Buckeyes version of Derek Hagan.

40. Brandon Siler, Florida, LB: Great closing speed and leadership skills for such a young player.

41. Marshawn Lynch, Cal, RB: Despite the great backs from the LA teams, expect him to lead the Pac-10 in rushing. Has great balance and vision.

42. Ted Ginn, OSU, KR-WR: Blessed with a gear no one in the Big Ten can match.

43. Bruce Gradkowski, Toledo, QB: Overshadowed by Omar Jacobs, he's the nation's most overlooked star (27 TDs, 8 INTs, 70%).

44. Steve Breaston, Michigan, WR-KR:Lost in the Bush-Hester-Ginn hype, Breaston is right in their class as a game-changer now that he's healthy.

45. Jason Allen, Tenn., DB: Versatile DB has great nose for the ball.

46. Jonathan Scott, Texas, OT: Smooth pass protector figures to be Horns' next first-round O-lineman.

47. Stanley McClover, Auburn, DE: Showed this spring he's ready to be a dominant rush end.

48. Mike Hart, Michigan, TB: Unbelievably tough for his size. The big question is will he get as many carries with blue-chipper Kevin Grady around?

49. Marcedes Lewis, UCLA, TE: If he continues to improve as a blocker, he should be a lock first-rounder.

50. Devin Hester, Miami, CB-KR: Says he's ready to notch 10 TD returns. We'll see.

 

51. Tyler Palko, Pitt, QB: Should be even better now that he's working with Matt Cavanaugh.

52. Andrew Whitworth, LSU, OT: Only allowed one sack last season.

53. Gabe Watson, Michigan, DT: Could be another Vince Wilfork if he can play bigger in the big games.

54. Andre Caldwell, Florida, WR: Numbers should double in the new system.

55. Anthony Fasano, ND, TE: Nation's best blocking TE should thrive in Weis's regime, showcasing his underrated receiving skills.

56. Rod Wright, Texas, DT: Potential is there to dominate, but production hasn't quite been there.

57. PJ Daniels, Ga. Tech RB: Pound-for-pound toughest back in the country.

58. Orien Harris, Miami, DT: At times he looks like the Canes' next stud DT. Other times, he looks bored. Does he really want to be a star?

59. Dwayne Jarrett, USC, WR: With an added 10 pounds of muscle and some maturity, he should make a jump at 15 TD grabs.

60. Patrick Willis, Ole Miss, MLB: Vicious hitter is a perfect fit for new 4-3 D.

61. Jamario Thomas, No. Texas, RB: Nation's leading rusher will be ever more of a weapon in Mean Green passing game although he probably won't get as many carries now that Patrick Cobbs is healthy again.

62. Chad Henne, Michigan, QB: Has all the tools to be Michigan's next stud QB prospect.

63. LaRon Landry, LSU, S: Great tackler is the backbone of the Tiger D.

64.Winston Justice, USC, OT: Impressive specimen is the more athletic of a standout pair of bookend tackles.

65. Gerald Riggs, JR., Tenn. RB: Bruiser is coming off an 1100-yard season and should make a run at 1500 this fall.

66. Robby Carpenter, Ohio State, LB: Every bit as athletic as A.J. Hawk, but not as consistent.

67. David Anderson, Colorado State, WR: Tough wideout is a lock for 1200 yards. Also a great blocker.

68. Brad Smith, Missouri, QB: Will get back to running more and has good receivers to make the passing game work too.

69. Garrett McIntyre, Fresno State, DL: Former walk-on linebacker has blossomed into a relentless 260-pound attack man. The West Coast's version of David Pollack.

70. Maurice Drew, UCLA, RB: Breakaway back who will get more all-purpose yards than Reggie Bush.

71. Darnell Bing, USC, S: Great athlete and a big hitter, only lacking consistency.

72. Max Jean-Gilles, Georgia, OG: A mauler who should key one of the country's top ground games.

73. Marcus Vick, Va. Tech, QB: Great arm and wheels, but how well will he handle the pressure this time around?

74. Baraka Atkins, Miami, DL: Now moves inside to DT where he should amass as many sacks as anyone at the position.

75. Greg Lee, Pittsburgh, WR: A combination of Larry Fitzgerald and Antonio Bryant and he gets to work with a better QB than they had.

76. Spencer Havner, UCLA, LB: Active Bruin will again contend for nation's tackle title.

77. Lawrence Jackson, USC, DE: The Trojans next stud D-lineman has trimmed his body fat from 14% to under 10% as he takes over leadership of a revamped front.

78. Wali Lundy, Uva: RB: Great nose for the goal-line. Had 16 TDs in '04.

79. Mike Hass, Oregon State, WR: Best-kept secret in the Pac-10. Production is as good as any WR.

80. Brady Quinn, ND, QB: All the pieces are in place for a dramatic improvement.

81. Elvis Dumerville, Louisville, DE: Poor man's Dwight Freeney will again pile up double-digit sacks.

82. DonTrell Moore, New Mexico, RB: Punishing runner hopes to be 100% recovered from knee injury by fall.

83. Haloti Ngata, Oregon, DT: Awesome powerhouse just needs to stay healthy to anchor Duck D.

84. Larry Birdine, Oklahoma, DE: Explosive big-play end can make up for his big mouth.

85. Bernard Pollard, S, Purdue: Big hitter (8 tackles per) puts the toughness in the underrated Boiler D.

86. LenDale White, USC, RB: Trojan sledgehammer can bounce plays outside as well as any big back in the country.

87. Greg Olsen, Miami, TE: Hard-nosed kid has soft hands and knows how to get open. UM coaches are convinced he will be their next first-round TE.

88. Kyle Williams, LSU, DL: Has great potential. Now needs to bring it on every down.

89. Dallas Baker, Florida, WR: Took to Utah scheme nicely.

90. Donte Whitner, Ohio State, DB: Sure tackler is the latest in a great run of Buckeye DBs.

91. Charlie Whitehurst, Clemson, QB: Should rebound from dismal '04 with new OC Rob Spence altering the offense.

92. Derrick Williams, Penn State, WR-KR: Best thing to hit State College since LaVar.

93.Taurean Henderson, Texas Tech, RB: Great all-around back should get 1000 rushing and 600 receiving yards.

94. Will Derting, Wash. St., LB: Would jump 60 places higher if he can get back to 2003 form.

95. Tim Day, Oregon, TE: Should get 50 catches and 10 TDs this fall.

96. Ko Simpson, So. Carolina, S: Great ball skills, had six INTs and three fumble recoveries as a frosh.

97. Darrell Hackney, UAB, QB: Combination of Daunte Culpepper and Jared Lorenzen, he's worth the price of admission.

98. Alan Zemaitis, Penn State, CB: Best pro prospect on a very good D.

99. Steve Smith, USC, WR: Huge title game performance was no fluke.

100. Nick Reid, Kansas, MLB: Best bet to lead the Big 12 in tackles.

 

Watch out for 24 and 38. They are going to be a nasty bookends.

 

At the end of the year, Manny will be a lot higher than 38. Take that to the bank.

 

As much as ESPN has been hyping Adrian Peterson, I'm shocked that they let him be ranked all the way down at fourth.