QB: McKenzie Milton – Central Florida: One of the more exciting and productive players in the country a year ago helping his UCF team to a 13-0 record. Milton threw for over 4,000 yards a year ago with 37 touchdowns. He also ran for over 600 yards. Say what you will about his level of competition, but he did the same things against big boy Auburn in the Peach Bowl. Milton is not a big guy at 5-11, 185 and the NFL won’t give him the time of day, but this not about his future as an NFL player. Milton
QB: Tua Tagovailoa – Alabama: speaking of exciting, Alabama was losing in the national championship game and Tagovailoa brought them from behind. He doesn’t have the dazzling stats that McKenzie Milton put up, but he’s also a very exciting player that runs like a running back and throws with the best of them. Look for Tagovailoa to take over the starting role at quarterback from Jalen Hurts this season and become a superstar. Tua
QB: Will Grier – West Virginia: the former very highly rated dual threat quarterback started his career off at Florida. He was suspended for a banned substance and then came back with a vengeance at West Virginia last year. He was injured near the end of the season playing Texas, but was having a sensational season up until then. The 6-2, 215 Grier can fling it and threw for almost 3,500 yards and 34 touchdowns. When Grier went down, so did the Mountaineers and they lost their last 3 games. If Grier stays healthy, he might be a Heisman candidate. Will Grier
RB: Bryce Love – Stanford: Without a doubt the most exciting player in the country going into Who?
2018. As a junior, Love ran for well over 2,000 yards in his first year after replacing Christian McCaffrey. This season, Love will have an experienced offensive line in front of him and an experienced quarterback that keeps getting better which will take pressure off of him and free him for more success. Most everyone was stunned when Love announced he was returning for his senior season and Love will go into the year as the Heisman Trophy favorite.
RB: Jonathan Taylor – Wisconsin: As a true freshman, nothing much was really expected out of Taylor coming in from New Jersey. But, Taylor hit the ground running and ran for nearly 90 yards in his first college game and then ran for well over 200 in game two against decent competition. When the smoke cleared, Taylor had broken Adrian Peterson’s freshman rushing record and if he can stay healthy behind the mighty Wisconsin offensive line, he should break more than that. Wisconsin returns all five starters up front and three of them could be first round draft picks. Taylor
RB: Devin Singletary – Florida Atlantic: Some call him Baby Bush because he plays a little like Reggie Bush. Singletary is about 5-9,200 and is a swift back something along the lines of a Bush. This past season he ran for 1,920 yards and an astonishing 32 touchdowns. That is an amazing feat no matter what league you are playing in. Florida Atlantic took some losses such as at quarterback, but Singletary returns for his junior season.
RB: AJ Dillon – Boston College: A beast, Dillon is more than just a load at 6-0, 240. He’s also got good quickness. Dillon came in last year and made a big difference for the Eagles helping them land a spot in a bowl game. He rushed for almost 1,600 yards and 14 touchdowns and averaged over 5 yards per carry. His big game came against Louisville where he ran for 272 yards and 4 touchdowns.
WR: AJ Brown – Ole Miss: Brown combines a running backs size and running ability with a wide receivers’ hands. He is about 6-1, 225 with strength, size and speed. Last season, Brown caught 75 passes for 1,252 yards and 11 touchdowns. Most experts have Brown going in the top 10 picks in next year’s NFL draft, he’s really that good. Sure, he could be taller, but he makes up for it with every other quality that he has. He’s really kind of unbelievable.
WR: Tee Higgins – Clemson: Not a lot of people are pushing Tee Higgins this season, but I am because he has some serious untapped potential and at 6-4, 210 he’s that big, tall, rangy, athletic wide out that people want so badly these days. Hunter Renfrow is Clemson’s most consistent wide receiver, but Tee Higgins should be their play maker in 2018 in his first year as a starter. Higgins
WR: N’Keal Harry – Arizona State: Harry was the top rated wide receiver recruit in the country a
couple of years ago and he lived up to the part immediately. I can say I don’t know what’s going to happen at Arizona State with their coaching situation, but what I do know is that Harry is a great player. Harry is another big receiver at around 6-4, 220 and as a sophomore, he hauled in 82 passes for 1,142 yards and 8 touchdowns. Look for Harry to jump to the NFL after this season.
WR: Ahmmon Richards – Miami: After a really nice freshman season, Richards had a sophomore slump which was mostly caused by injuries. But, Richards should be back in full force this season and with a returning starter at quarterback, he should be back to his freshman form. Richards is built more for speed and doesn’t have the size that some of these guys do. But, when healthy, he reminds of the Miami greats of old.
WR: Greg Dortch – Wake Forest: Richmond, Virginia native Dortch is purely built for speed at about 5-9, 165 but he is a big play guy. As a true freshman last season, Dortch surprised some people with leading the team in receptions, well he tied for the lead, and returning punts and kicks. As a freshman in 2017, Dortch caught 53 passes for 722 yards and 9 touchdowns. If good quarterbacking happens for Wake Forest in 2018, look for him to have another big season.
WR: Juwan Johnson – Penn State: I’ve always been high on New Jersey native, Johnson. But, in 2018 with the loss of big play man Saquon Barkley, receiver DaeSean Hamilton and tight end Mike Gesicki, it would seem to the perfect opportunity for Johnson to move on to an even higher level.
TE: Sean McKeon – Michigan: If the quarterback position comes through for the Wolverines, expect McKeon to be a very important target. He’s not Jake Butt at this point, but he has a lot of potential and Jim Harbaugh loves to go to the tight end. McKeon should share receptions with Zach Gentry. McKeon is about 6-5, 250 and runs well with good hands. Last season, he caught 31 passes for just over 300 yards and 3 touchdowns, but those numbers should increase in 2018.
TE: Noah Fant – Iowa: Physical specimen standing about 6-5, 240. Last season, Fant caught 30 passes with 11 of those going for touchdowns. Fant is back for his junior season with an experienced team returning. Iowa is old school and will throw the ball to the tight end making Fant a growing threat.
OT: Michael Deiter – Wisconsin: There’s not a better offensive line in the country than Wisconsin’s with every player returning and 3 of them expected to become 1st round draft picks in the next draft. Deiter plays left tackle and is All American quality, but he will be more valuable because he started off at left guard, and then because of injury he was forced to move to center. He moved to left tackle in 2017 and more than earned his keep. I loved his quickness at guard and center as a redshirt freshman and sophomore. The 6-6, 325 Deiter should be a top pick should he decide to leave after this season. He was 2nd team All American last season and 1st team All Big 10.
OT: Dalton Risner – Kansas State: Very consistent and a 1st team All American on some lists a
year ago. The Wiggins, Colorado native is 6-5, 300 and a versatile offensive lineman. If you’ve never hard of Wiggins, join the club. It’s a small town of less than a thousand souls in western Colorado. Kansas State rarely signs 4 and 5 star recruits and Risner fits that mold. He redshirted as a true freshman and then started at center for the Wildcats. That could be a redeeming quality for his future playing days as the senior moves ahead. He has started 38 games going into his senior season and is a rock up front for the Wildcats.
OT: Mitch Hyatt – Clemson: Hyatt came in and started his first season in 2015 and has been a steady presence at left tackle for the Tigers. His stock has dropped a bit since last season, but he has started every game at left tackle since he arrived on campus. He was expected to announce his decision to enter the NFL draft, but instead he chose to come back for his senior season. Hyatt is 6-5, 295 and has not grown at all since his arrival at Clemson.
OT: Trey Adams – Washington: Adams much rivals Hyatt in that he came in and started his freshman year and elected to come back for his senior season. Adams was a little light as a true freshman, but he has grown into a full grown man at 6-8, 330. Even at that size, Adams is very athletic and moves really well. He and his teammate, right tackle Caleb McGary who is 6-8, 320, form one of the better tackle tandems in the country. Adams was a 2nd team All American as a sophomore, but he was inured last season and missed the last few games. Adams is back for his senior season and could be a top pick in the next draft.
OT: Greg Little – Ole Miss: There’s a lot of hype surrounding Little and he was ranked as the top offensive tackle recruit in the country coming out of high school. Little is very athletic and huge at about 6-6, 325 and he started some as a true freshman and is expected to leave after his junior year in 2018 and he could be the first offensive tackle taken in next year’s NFL draft. I would place him at about third, but the scouts have him as the top guy, supposedly.
OT: Jonah Williams – Alabama: One of the most heavily recruited offensive linemen in the country and he was an immediate starter at right tackle as a true freshman. He actually outplayed left tackle Cam Robinson when he was a true freshman. Last season Williams moved to left tackle to replace Robinson with mixed results. He’s still a great one and he will bounce back this season.
OT: David Edwards – Wisconsin: a redshirt junior, Edwards started some at right tackle as a freshman and then became permanent there as a sophomore. He made some first team All American teams as a sophomore and some 2nd and 3rd teams. Very smart kid making Academic All Big 10 as well. Another Wisconsin monster at 6-7, 320 with all the tools to be not only an All American, but another first round draft pick at tackle.
OT: Grant Hermanns – Purdue: Left tackle Hermanns won’t be on anybody else’s All American team, but I like this guy. At about 6-7, 300 Hermanns is a physical specimen from New Mexico, of all places. Purdue is a team on the rise with excellent coaching and improving talent, but keep an eye on Grant Hermanns.
OG: Beau Benzschawel – Wisconsin: the senior Benzschawel is not quite as awesome as last year’s sensational Notre Dame guard, Quenton Nelson, but he’s a top prospect for a first round selection. This monster is 6-6, 325 and a dominating run blocker. He started 6 games as a redshirt freshman at right tackle before finding his permanent home at right guard. Along with Michael Deiter and David Edwards he forms one of the better offensive lines since the days of USC and Nebraska dominance.
Was an All American in 2017 and should be one again in 2018.
OG: Ross Pierschbacher – Alabama: A steady force up front for the Crimson Tide. As an All SEC performer in 2017, Pierschbacher should make All American in 2018. He’s 6-4, 305 with good feet and lateral movement. He’s actually from Iowa and a Big 10 type of offensive lineman. Ole Nick Saban knows that the midwest does produce great offensive linemen.
OG: Terronne Prescod – North Carolina State: Excellent guard with huge size at about 6-5, 335. He’s not going to put up magical times at the NFL Combine, but he moves well in a short space. Good run blocker and adequate lateral movement allowing for good pass protection. Prescod was suspended a few years back for horse play, but hopefully has matured off the field like he has on. There was significant improvement from 2016 to 2017 for Prescod and the Wolfpack offensive line was brilliant in pass protection last season.
OG: Hjalte Froholt – Arkansas: I blogged about Froholt when he first came to Arkansas. Froholt
The lack of testosterone, viagra cialis generico aging, performance anxiety, job stress and focus on lovemaking with enhanced energy levels in bed. Today, shilajit capsule is one of the most recommended natural cures for tadalafil in india semen discharge after urination treatment. And there were only 15% of really new prescription pill viagra drugs, containing new chemical ingredients and being able to satisfy their lovers. Take one or two of Booster capsules two times regularly. online cialis Froholt came to Arkansas as a defensive tackle prospect and of course was moved to offensive guard. He had his struggles, but he’s still a young pup learning the game and he is coming on strong.
OC: Kirk Barron – Purdue: Boilermaker coach Jeff Brohm is really going to turn this team around and very quickly. I like Barron as a run blocker and as a leader of an under appreciated group, the Purdue offensive line. In his first season at Purdue, Brohm got the Boilermaker’s offense rolling along pretty well and Barron was a large part of that. These are predictions, and I think Barron will fare pretty well this season.
OC: Jesse Burkett – Stanford: The leader of an offensive line that blocked for one of the very most productive backs in the country. I don’t think the 6-4, 310 Burkett gets enough credit for being as talented as he is and he will be in his third season as a starter in 2018. He’s definitely one to watch for All American honors and the Rimington Trophy.
DE: Clelin Ferrell – Clemson: Clemson has the top defensive line in the country and if not Ferrell here, you could plug in the other defensive end, Austin Bryant. As a sophomore in 2017, the super quick and athletic Ferrell led the Tigers with 9.5 quarterback sacks with Bryant recording 8.5. The 6-5, 260 Richmond, Virginia native is going to have a huge season again in 2018 and declare for the NFL Draft. But, Clemson’s 2018 defensive line could be down right scary.
DE: Nick Bosa – Ohio State: Going into his junior season, the younger Bosa is ready to seek out and destroy in 2018. Ohio State lost three other defensive ends and Bosa should team with some young talent like Chase Young and Jonathan Cooper. The 6-4, 270 junior Bosa had 8.5 quarterback sacks a year ago and is primed to up that number considerably this season. Like his older brother Joey, Nick will probably announce his decision to leave for the NFL after this season and be a top draft pick. Bosa is great against both the run and the pass. He’s also a member of an interesting family. Mob
DE: Zach Allen – Boston College: The Eagles lost star defensive end Harold Landry, and he got all of the attention, but Allen was even more productive. Allen is not showy or flashy, but he’s aggressive and disruptive. At defensive end, the 6-5.285 Allen had an amazing 100 tackles with 15.5 for loss and another 6 quarterback sacks. Teams did focus on Landry which may have allowed Allen to have a great season. Allen is big enough to play inside and athletic enough to play outside.
DE: Chase Winovich – Michigan: People were surprised when Winovich decided to return for his
senior season, but Rashan Gary and the rest of the Wolverines were thrilled. Winovich has a motor that never stops and while Gary should get most of the attention, Winovich is very productive. Last season, the 6-3, 255 defensive end was 4th on the team in total tackles. He also had 18.5 tackles for loss and 8 sacks with another 6 quarterback hurries.
DE: Montez Sweat – Mississippi State: Tall, rangy and super athletic, Sweat is one of the top pass rushers in the country. At 6-6, 245 Sweat just has intriguing potential and talent. Last season, Sweat recorded 10.5 quarterback sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss. Sweat is back for his senior season which is great for college football and he could be a great one.
DT: Ed Oliver – Houston: Most people think Oliver is the top defensive player in the country. He was the first ever 5 star recruit that signed with a non power 5 school and he proved his talent from his very first college game. Oliver could be the first defensive tackle taken in the next NFL Draft. He possesses great quickness and strength at about 6-2, 290. Oliver was 3rd on the team in total tackles as a true sophomore. If you get a chance to watch Houston next year, it would be a good idea to focus on Oliver.
DT: Christian Wilkins – Clemson: Wilkins shocked the nation when he decided to return for his last season. He would have been a first round draft pick, but he should be again this next draft as well. Wilkins is kind of a freak in that he is 6-4, 300 and he can do the splits. As a sophomore, Clemson had some injury problems and Wilkins was able to play defensive end for a season and he was about the same size as he is currently. Simply said, the man can move. He’s got great athleticism. One thing that might hurt him is sometimes he seems to relax for a play, or two, which is not a redeeming quality. But, he was still very productive and finished fourth on the team in tackles.
DT: Dexter Lawrence – Clemson: After a sensational true freshman season, Lawrence fought through injuries as a sophomore. He was still a beast, but not the same as before. He should be back in 2018 and bringing fear to opposing quarterbacks and running backs. Even though he had something of a down season, Lawrence still has unlimited potential and is huge at around 6-4, 340. He has great quickness and athletic ability and can get into an opponents backfield immediately.
DT: Raekwon Davis – Alabama: an absolute monster of a man that can control the line of scrimmage like few others. Davis is about 6-7, 310 and impressively was the third leading tackler on a very good and physical defense in 2017. Davis is great against the run and had 8.5 quarterback sacks and 10 tackles for loss. Great player and a top pick in the next NFL Draft.
LB: Devin White – LSU: Very physical inside linebacker for the Tigers and a leader of their defense. At 6-1, 240 White is a menacing looking inside linebacker. He easily led the Tigers in tackles in 2017 as a sophomore and he is excellent against the run. White can make plays from sideline to sideline and do it with attitude.
LB: Joe Giles-Harris – Duke: A tackling machine from Nyack, New York. The 6-2, 230 Giles-Harris led Duke in tackles last season by a wide margin and returns to bring terror again in 2018. He had 125 tackles last season with 16 tackles for loss and 4.5 quarterback sacks. He also had an interception. He runs well and is physical when he gets there.
LB: Paddy Fisher – Northwestern: A very physical linebacker that reminds me of his coach back
when he played. As a freshman last season, the 6-4, 245 Fisher came in and led the Wildcats in tackles and to an impressive 10-3 record. Against Michigan State, Paddy Fisher had 19 tackles and he had 18 against Duke. Impressive young player.
LB: Cameron Smith – USC: Old school type of linebacker that somewhat resembles the old USC linebackers like Jack Del Rio, or Riki Ellison. Very good against the run. Smith was injured in 2016 and missed part of that season, but otherwise, he will be a four year starter this season for the Trojans. He is very, very good against the run. As a freshman against Utah, he had 3 interceptions in one game completely changing the outcome of that game.
LB: Shaq Quarterman – Miami: Another physical inside linebacker that will also be a 4 year starter at Miami this fall. When Quarterman came in as a true freshman in the spring game you could tell this guy was going to be good. He is 6-1, 240 and all over the field. He was second on the team in tackles last season behind safety Jaquan Johnson who is also an All American on this team.
LB: Porter Gustin – USC: unusual freaky outside linebacker. At 6-5, 255, he can supposedly still run a 4.6 40. He returned to USC for his last year because he only got to play in 4 games as a junior due to injury. He’s a good pass rusher off of the edge as well as really solid against the run. Look for Gustin to have a great season and impress a lot of people in 2018.
LB: Josh Allen – Kentucky: A first round draft pick kind of talent with good size at about 6-5, 230 and good speed. The Montclair, New Jersey native was 4th on the team in tackles a year ago. Coming off the edge, Allen had 7 quarterback sacks plus 10.5 tackles for loss. The pundits are predicting Allen as a first round draft pick in the next draft.
CB: Greedy Williams – LSU: His name says it all, this guy is greedy for the football when it’s in the air. I don’t know for sure which school is really DBU, but LSU has had some good ones lately. As a true freshman a year ago, Williams had 6 interceptions and broke up another 11 passes last season. Williams is tall and rangy at 6-2, 185 with almost unlimited potential.
CB: Trayvon Mullin – Clemson: Very impressive 6-2, 190 corner from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Mullin had 3 picks as a sophomore and will lead a somewhat depleted secondary for the Tigers into 2018. Mullin is that big tall corner that the coaches love these days because he can cover taller receivers. Mullin is also solid against the run.
CB: Byron Murphy – Washington: Murphy is a bit on the smaller side, at 5-11, 180, but he came in last season from Scottsdale, Arizona and showed flashes of brilliance such as picking off three passes. Murphy also broke up a bunch of passes and was in the offensive backfield to claim a quarterback sack and some tackles for loss. Murphy is an up and coming star.
CB: Mark Gilbert _ Duke: With 6 interceptions and being among the nation’s leaders in passes broken up, Gilbert gained a lot of well deserved attention. Besides the picks, Gilbert had 14 pass break ups. Gilbert is another of the new breed of cornerback that’s tall and rangy
CB: Deandre Baker – Georgia: Miami native Baker is a cover corner deluxe. Amazingly, Baker elected to return for his senior season and maybe he wants another shot at a national title. Baker was the team’s fourth leading tackler a year ago and had 3 interceptions.
CB: Julian Love – Notre Dame: A freshman All American last season. The 5-11, 190 Love had a knack for the big play in 2018 running a couple of interceptions back for scores making a difference in the outcome of games. Love was one of the team’s leaders in tackles and one of the nation’s leaders in passes broken up.
DB: Andrew Wingard – Wyoming: This list is about All American football players, not who will be a big time NFL player. Wingard has been a solid player for the Cowboys for his entire time on campus. A four year starter going into this season and one of the more productive players in the country.
DB: Jaquan Johnson – Miami: Johnson was an All American on some lists last season and he led the Hurricanes in tackles a season ago. He also had 4 interceptions and one of them he returned for a pick six. The Hurricanes also used Johnson some in blitzes and he had some tackles in the backfield.
DB: Marvel Tell III – USC: Pasadena native Tell has been a long term starter for the Trojans. Last season, he was third on the team in tackles and had 3 interceptions. He’s kind of a bigger safety at about 6-2, 200 and can bring the wood.
DB: Chauncey Gardner Jr – Florida: Gardner was a team leader for the Gators last season in spite of a very bad season and the firing of a coach. Considered one of the top safeties in the country, Gardner is back for another season under a new coaching staff. Under better coaching, look for Gardner to be a standout in 2018.