-Joe Adams, sophomore, WR, Arkansas – Originally committed to play CB at USC, Adams spurned the Trojans on signing day in order to play WR for his hometown Razorbacks – and Hawg fans everywhere are glad he did.
Extremely shifty and uncommonly instinctive, Adams is a terror in the open field who possesses enough deep speed to beat most corners. With rocket-armed Michigan transfer Ryan Mallett under center, Adams should catch plenty of long balls this season in Fayetteville.
-Danario Alexander, senior, WR, Missouri – Some receivers have trouble running routes. Others have issues catching balls. Danario Alexander’s troubles deal with staying out of the trainer’s room. Over the course of his career, the Missouri senior tore his ACL in the 2007 Big 12 title game, only to re-tear it months later during his rehabilitation. He’s missed 8 more games over the past three years due to various other ailments.
It’s a shame, because Alexander is a game breaker when he does take the field. Physically, he’s everything you’d want in a top tier receiver – 6’5’’, 215 lbs with enough speed to stretch the defense. Kansas knows that all too well; in the 2007 border war between the #2 Jayhawks and #3 Tigers, Alexander abused the KU secondary to the tune of 8 catches for 117 yards and a touchdown.
Expect a lot more of that this year with All American Jeremy Maclin now in the NFL – assuming, of course, that Alexander can stay healthy.
-John Clay, sophomore, RB, Wisconsin – One of the most highly touted recruits to come out of the state of Wisconsin in years, the 247lb Clay is the latest bulldozing Badger tailback. After receiving sporadic playing time to start 2008, Clay supplanted the prolific PJ Hill halfway through the season and never looked back, totaling 542 of his 884 yards in the last six regular season games. Now, with the job to himself at one of the nation’s premier running schools, Clay could challenge for a conference rushing crown.
-Montel Harris, sophomore, RB, Boston College – The best running back you’ve never heard of. Last year, in his true freshman season, Harris ran for an even 900 yards on 5 yards per carry and was a huge part of BC’s second consecutive ACC title game appearance. He comes up big when it matters, too, putting up 121 yards and a touchdown at Florida State and 116 yards vs. Maryland in two must win games for the Eagles. At any other program, Harris would be a household name already; at BC, he’ll have to settle for becoming one sometime this season.
-Aldarius Johnson, sophomore, WR, Miami – Between 2007 and 2008, nobody signed more receivers than the Hurricanes, who inked 10 – coun’t em – 10 receivers to letters of intent. Needless to say, someone has to step out of that crowded mess to become the go-to man, and the bet here is Johnson. At 6’2’’, 205, Johnson has the frame and the willingness to go over the middle and get tough balls, but also has superb open field skills for a bigger receiver.
The x-factor that might set him apart, however, is his familiarity with QB Jacory Harris. The two formed one of the elite pass-catch combos back in their high school days at Miami Northwestern, and figure to reprise that in 2009.
-Detron Lewis, junior, WR, Texas Tech – Coming off a 76 catch, 913 yard season, Detron Lewis is hardly neither unknown nor unproven. But his headlines – and opportunities – still were limited next Michael Crabtree’s dominance.
Now, it’s Lewis’ show and while that likely will entail more double teams, it also means that Lewis will be the first, second, and third options in Texas Tech’s pinball offense. If nothing else, Lewis should have no trouble tripling last season’s 3 touchdowns.
-Ryan Matthews, junior, RB, Fresno State – Another star-in-waiting who has been held back by injuries. After running for 866 yards as freshman, Matthews missed half of 2008 with a knee injury yet still cleared the 600 yard barrier. Over 3/4ths of those came in the first four games of the season, which happen to be the only ones he was truly healthy for. With a week 2 road game against Wisconsin, Matthews will have an early opportunity to show the rest of the country what he’s capable of now that he’s healthy.
-Rahim Moore, sophomore, FS, UCLA – A highly touted recruit out of Los Angeles Dorsey High, Moore became the first Bruin true freshman to start a season opener since 2001 en route to starting all 12 games at FS. He possesses a safety’s build with a cornerback’s coverage skills, and barring injury, will likely start every game of his UCLA career. Only a matter of time before he is a first team all conference pick.
-Donovan Warren, junior, CB, Michigan – Other than quarterback, cornerback might be the toughest position for a true freshman to play at a consistently high level. Between learning complicated coverages, undertaking what often is their first weight-training program, and going up against receivers who are older and more mature, the demands are often too much for an 18 year old to handle.
Donovan Warren was not most 18 year olds, and he is not most corners. A 2007 freshman All American, Warren enters this year having started 22 of the first 24 games of his collegiate career. Now, only halfway through his eligibility, he is the Wolverines’ most experienced cover man, which means he’ll be the one tasked with stopping receivers such as Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd, Ohio State’s DeVier Posey, and Michigan State’s Mark Dell among others. Warren will give them all they can handle with jumbo corner size (6’0’’, 185lbs) and veteran corner savvy.
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