ESPN the Magazine ESPN


ESPNMAG.com
In This Issue
Backtalk
Message Board
Customer Service
SPORT SECTIONS







The Life


August 20, 2002
Instant Impacts
ESPN The Magazine

These freakish talents can step right up and into the starting lineup.

Stanford's freshman sensation, LB Michael-Jordan Craven, was born nine months after the original MJ won an NCAA hoops crown as a freshman for North Carolina. (A coincidence, Craven insists.)

Craven, who prefers cowhide to pigskin, even had a failed baseball gig, seeing no outfield time at Stanford this spring. So now he's full-time football. Fine with new Cardinal whistle Buddy Teevens, who concurs with what Dean Smith determined two decades ago: Sometimes a frosh is too damn good to sit. And Craven, who, at 6'1", 215, closes faster than a bear trap, is that good. "He's one of the most instinctive guys I've ever been around," says LB coach Tom Williams. "You don't want him to ever come off the field."

Stanford lost all three 'backers from 2001. No one in Palo Alto can recall the last time a linebacker started as a freshman, but Teevens needs Craven -- the top prep LB in 2000 -- to shut down foes and get the coach's pass-happy Buddyball on the field. The new MJ is happy to lead the transition game.

  • Marcedes Lewis, UCLA Fr. TE/WR Think Teyo Johnson, only quicker. He'll line up all over the field

  • Lance Mitchell, Oklahoma Jr. LB Won two juco titles at CCSF; he could get 150 tackles with OU DL

  • Haloti Ngata, Oregon Fr. DT His 333-lb. presence alone should improve Pac-10's ninth-ranked D

  • Demorrio Williams, Nebraska Jr. LB Speedy 215-pound juco star will speed up sluggish Blackshirts

  • Kellen Winslow II, Miami So. TE Answer to the two-deep. K II could get even better than Shockey

    More Players To Watch: Bad Boys I Next Superstars I Draft Dodgers I X Men I Leading Men

    This article appears in the September 2 issue of ESPN The Magazine.

  • Buy this issue now!




  • Latest Issue


    Also See
    Present Tense
    Oregon RB Onterrio Smith ...

    College Football front page
    The latest news and stats

    ESPNMAG.com
    Who's on the cover today?

    SportsCenter with staples
    Subscribe to ESPN The Magazine for just ...


     ESPN Tools
    Email story
     
    Most sent
     
    Print story
     


    Customer Service

    SUBSCRIBE
    GIFT SUBSCRIPTION
    CHANGE OF ADDRESS

    CONTACT US
    CHECK YOUR ACCOUNT
    BACK ISSUES

    ESPN.com: Help | Media Kit | Contact Us | Tools | Site Map | PR
    Copyright ©2002 ESPN Internet Ventures. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information are applicable to this site. For ESPN the Magazine customer service (including back issues) call 1-888-267-3684. Click here if you're having problems with this page.