Sept. 5
Mel Kiper Jr. rates the top senior prospects for the 2002 NFL draft:
1. John Henderson, DT , Tennessee -- Recorded three tackles (one for loss) and recovered a fumble against Syracuse. During the second half , Henderson suffered a high ankle sprain and is considered probable for the Vols' road battle this week against Arkansas.
2. Kalimba Edwards, DE, South Carolina -- After a fine effort (eight tackles, one QB pressure) in the opener against Boise State, Edwards and the Gamecocks face Georgia in Athens this week in a critical game in the SEC East.
3. Quentin Jammer, CB, Texas -- New Mexico State stayed away from Jammer the entire game, not allowing the super blue-chipper to be a factor in pass coverage.
4. Anthony Weaver, DT, Notre Dame -- Weaver and the Fighting Irish opening the 2001 season on the road this week in Lincoln against Nebraska.
5. Bryant McKinnie, OT, Miami (Fla.) -- Didn't come through with one of his usual dominating efforts against Penn State. He wasn't able to manhandle the DE on running plays and was off-balance at times in pass protection. For the majority of collegiate OTs, his performance would be viewed as adequate. But with a player of McKinnie's caliber, he'll need to take his game to the level expected in the coming weeks in order to secure a grade equal to the likes of Tony Boselli, Jonathan Ogden, Orlando Pace or Chris Samuels.
6. Mike Williams, OT, Texas -- The mammoth 6-6, 360-pound RT was credited with seven pancake blocks in the Longhorns' 41-7 victory over New Mexico State.
7. Wendell Bryant, DT, Wisconsin -- Even though he was doubled-teamed the entire way against Oregon, Bryant managed to sack Joey Harrington twice and recorded a QB pressure.
8. Edward Reed, DB, Miami (Fla.) -- Now the QB of the Hurricanes defense, Reed had six tackles, an interception and a pass breakup in the drubbing of Penn State.
9. Larry Triplett, DT, Washington -- Triplett and the Huskies host Michigan in their season opener this week, then go on the road to face the Hurricanes.
10. Alex Brown, DE, Florida -- After recording two sacks against Marshall, Brown and the Gators will have a tune-up this week against Louisiana-Monroe before their marquee matchup with Tennessee on Sept. 15.
11. Ron Johnson, WR, Minnesota -- In the Golden Gophers' loss to Toledo, Johnson hauled in seven receptions for 72 yards.
12. Kelly Campbell, WR, Georgia Tech -- Caught 10 passes in the opener against Syracuse, then was held out of last week's game against The Citadel because of a bruised shin. He had practiced all week, however, and figures to be at about full strength this week against Navy.
13. DeShaun Foster, RB, UCLA -- Showcased his top-flight skill level in the Bruins' hard fought 20-17 victory on the road against Alabama. For the night, Foster rolled up 110 yards rushing on 24 carries while hauling in two passes out of the backfield. Included were a pair of impressive scampers, covering 21 and 40 yards. He was able to make people miss and showed tackle-breaking ability. But what impressed me most was his toughness. He displayed determination and grit after suffering a first-half rib injury. By the way, the sore ribs sustained in that game didn't keep him off the practice field this week as the Bruins prepared for a road trip to Kansas.
14. Javon Walker, WR, Florida St. -- With Robert Morgan and Anquan Boldin going down with season-ending injuries, the physically gifted Walker will be counted on to step up his performance level. Enjoyed a pretty good start against Duke, hauling in five receptions for 62 yards.
15. David Carr, QB, Fresno St. -- Came through with a brilliant effort as he orchestrated the Bulldogs' upset victory over Oregon State. Carr consistently made the proper reads while showing big-time arm strength and impressive accuracy and touch. For the night, Carr completed 21-of-34 passes for 340 yards and four TDs with no interceptions.
16. Michael Lewis, DB, Colorado -- In addition to his six tackles and two interceptions, one of which he returned 41 yards for a TD, Lewis also became the Buffaloes' all-time sack leader for DBs.
17. Bradley Jennings, MLB, Florida St. -- Enjoyed a more than satisfactory beginning to the 2001 campaign, recording eight tackles (five solos) in FSU's 55-13 victory over Duke.
18. Eddie Freeman, DT, Alabama-Birmingham -- Came through with a solid, unspectacular effort against Montana State, with the Blazers allowing -1 yards rushing in that contest. Over the next two weeks, Freeman and the Blazers will be dealing with a pair of rough non-conference games against Florida State and Pittsburgh.
19. Pig Prather, DB, Mississippi St. -- The former RB was all over the field in the Bulldogs' win over Memphis, finishing with six tackles (five solos), two stops behind the line of scrimmage and a QB sack.
20. Rocky Calmus, LB, Oklahoma -- The heart and soul of the OU defense, Calmus continues to be a tackling machine for the Sooners. Through the first two games, he's recorded 21 stops, recovered two fumbles and intercepted a pass.
21. Kurt Kittner, QB, Illinois -- Although more of a timing/touch passer who won't wow you with his arm strength, Kittner has a tremendous command of Ron Turner's sophisticated pro-style attack. Against Cal this past week, Kittner completed 18-of-34 passes for 297 yards and a pair of TDs without an interception.
22. James Allen, LB, Oregon St. -- A missed tackle by Allen resulted in a key play for the Fresno State Bulldogs early in the game, but he rebounded to finish with 10 total tackles.
23. Daryl Jones, WR, Miami (Fla.) -- Caught one pass for 15 yards against Penn State, then was sidelined with a sprained MCL after being rolled into while fair-catching a punt. Jones will sit out this week's game against Rutgers but could possibly be back in action when the Hurricanes host Washington on Sept. 15. If he's not ready, Jones and the Hurricanes have a week off before a key Big East road battle against Pittsburgh in late September.
24. Levi Jones, OT, Arizona St. -- Quality LT for a Sun Devil squad that opens the 2001 campaign this week at home in Tempe against San Diego State.
25. Keyou Craver, CB, Nebraska -- Smooth cover man with ideal recovery speed, Craver also starred for the Nebraska's track team as a triple jumper. Against Troy State, he recorded five tackles and broke up a pass while returning five punts for 42 yards.
25A. Daniel Graham, TE, Colorado -- After catching six passes for 56 yards in the opener against Fresno State, the multi-talented Graham showcased his blocking skills in the Buffaloes' 41-14 win over Colorado State. For the game, he was credited with 22 downfield blocks on running plays as the Buffaloes finished with 315 yards on the ground.
