2008 CFN Redshirt Freshman
All-America Offense
Compiled by
Richard Cirminiello
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2008 Preview |
2008 CFN Redshirt
All-America Defense
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2007 CFN Redshirt
All-America Offense
For hundreds of
freshmen across the country, last season was undoubtedly the most
frustrating of their athletic careers. Sure, there was plenty of
developing taking place, both physically and intellectually, but there
were no games to be played, no competition on Saturdays, and no box
scores that housed their names. For a variety of reasons, these idle
warriors were redshirted in 2007 with the design that they’d return this
year a little bigger, a little stronger, and a lot better prepared to
start paying dividends for all those recruiting trips, phone calls and
text messages during the courting process.
QB Jarrett Lee, LSU – Lee went under the microscope the moment
Ryan Perrilloux was dismissed from the program in the spring. Although
he could take a back seat to Harvard transfer Andrew Hatch in the early
going, it might wind up being a temporary stay on the sidelines. A
former top recruit out of Texas, he has the toughness and smarts to
conjure up comparisons to former Bengal Matt Flynn, and will play some
role in the program’s title defense.
RB Ryan McCants, Oregon State – Like a young Steven Jackson,
McCants has the thick frame and quick feet to become the third freshman
to rush for 1,000 yards in the Mike Riley era. With Yvenson Bernard out
of eligibility and the passing game unreliable, he’s poised to
immediately become the focal point of the offense. On the scout team and
in the spring, he was a load in the open field, routinely bouncing off
tacklers and picking up yards after contact.
RB Caleb King, Georgia – Remember how everyone was raving about
Knowshon Moreno last offseason? King has been attracting the same type
of plaudits over the past few months. A dynamite back with exceptional
change-of-direction skills, he’ll command carries even in a
complimentary capacity. If Moreno happens to leave for the NFL after
this season, the Bulldogs won’t skip a beat in 2008. King is that good.
WR Michael Calvin, Cal – The Bears are looking to replace last
year’s top five pass-catchers. Calvin is first in line to fill the
gaping void. He’s more Sean Dawkins than DeSean Jackson, a physical 6-2,
200-pounder with the ball skills to prosper high above defensive backs.
Still somewhat raw in his fundamentals, he’ll flatten the learning curve
shortly after the season begins.
WR Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma – Before breaking his collarbone in the
spring, Broyles was showing signs of becoming the playmaker Oklahoma is
looking for in the passing game. Lean and shifty in space, he
accelerates quickly and displays explosive straight-line speed. He’s a
candidate to play in the slot, where he can take short passes and parlay
them into game-breaking sprints through the defense.
TE Rhett Ellison, USC – One of the biggest surprises of spring
camp, he showed enough in April to be no worse than the backup to
Anthony McCoy. With similar progress this month, he could be the heir
apparent to All-American Fred Davis. While he continues to add muscle
and weight to his 6-5 frame, he hasn’t lost any of the zip or the soft
hands that makes him such a dangerous downfield receiving threat.
OL Jeff Spikes, Kansas – As the replacement for current
Cincinnati Bengal Anthony Collins at left tackle, Spikes holds the key
to the Jayhawks’ success on offense. He’s looked up to the challenge of
being Todd Reesing’s bodyguard, flashing great footwork and uncommon
agility for a 6-6, 314-pounder. The Kansas staff has already begun
whispering that Spikes has an All-American upside if he continues
working on his technique and fundamentals.
OL Blake DeChristopher, Virginia Tech – As the lone newcomer to
the Hokie front wall, DeChristopher gets a chance to develop with a ton
of veteran support surrounding him. He stepped up in a big way in the
spring, winning the right tackle job and showing the tenacity and pass
protection skills that this line sorely needs. Long term, he has the
size and potential to shift over to left tackle and evolve into the
cornerstone of the unit.
OL Matt Reynolds, BYU – Right now, Reynolds is buried on one of
the nation’s best offensive lines, but it’s only a matter of time before
he gets playing time and becomes a fixture on the unit. He actually
played with the first team in the spring, and performed exceptionally
well in the audition. An athletic 6-6, 315-pounder with an All-Mountain
West future, he’s being groomed as the successor to Travis Bright at
right guard.
OL Caleb Ruch, Rutgers – For good reason, the Scarlet Knight
staff is excited about Ruch’s future in Piscataway. He’s an explosive,
nasty blocker who is extremely strong at the point of attack. Although
he’ll begin his college career at guard, his future could be at center,
where his blend of strength, speed, and smarts will be even more
evident.
OL Josh Oglesby, Wisconsin – Oglesby is about to start fulfilling
some of the massive potential that made him the nation’s top line
prospect of 2007. He’ll be the understudy for Eric Vanden Heuvel at
right tackle for one season before taking over on a full-time basis in
2009. At 6-7 and 338 pounds, he blocks out the sun and has the wingspan
coveted by premier tackles. A dominant run blocker, he’ll fit in nicely
with the ground-oriented Badgers.
Honorable Mention
– Offense
QB: Robert Marve, Miami, Stephen Threet, Michigan, Willy Korn, Clemson,
Mark Cann, Marshall, Austin Davis, Southern Miss, and Kellen Moore,
Boise State
RB:
Chris Rainey, Florida, Stephfon Green, Penn State, Bradley Stephens,
Texas A&M, Foswhitt Whitaker, Texas, Darren Evans, Virginia Tech, and
Brandon Pendergrass, Wake Forest
WR:
Malcolm Williams, Texas, B.J. Cunningham, Michigan State, Deonte
Thompson, Florida, Jermaine McKenzie, Miami, Bert Reed, Florida State,
and Curenski Gilleylen, Nebraska
TE: Rocky Weaver, Central Michigan, and Mitch Joseph,
LSU
OL: Antwane
Greenlee, Florida State, Ernest McCoy, LSU, Nate Potter, Boise State, Al
Netter, Northwestern, Matthew Bahr, Colorado, Joseph Gilbert, Georgia
Tech, and Moe Petrus, Connecticut
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2008 CFN Redshirt
All-America Defense