ESPN.com - The Blitz: The Hot 100

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Monday, October 21, 2002
The Blitz: The Hot 100

By By Bruce Feldman

Note: This list shouldn't be taken as any draft upshot. That's Mel's gig. This is just a look at the 100 top impact players in 1-A college football for the first half of the 2002 season as well as with a hint of how we expect them to perform the rest of the year. (Season-ending injuries are taken into account. Hence, the removal of Cadillac Williams and Shaun Cody.)

1. Byron Leftwich, Marshall, QB
The franchise QB has been as great as advertised. Good for 400 yards-plus every game.
2. Charles Rogers, Mich. State, WR
Randy Moss skills without all the drama.
3. Greg Jones, FSU, TB
Made Hurricane D look like it was the Tulsa Hurricanes.
4. Willis McGahee, Miami RB
Could run for 2000 this season if his team didn't blow most opponents out by the end of the first quarter.


	If you're in Harris' way, get used to eating turf.

5. Tommie Harris, Oklahoma, DT
The anchor of the country's toughest D. Has a team-high 12 hurries.
6. Maurice Clarett, OSU, RB
Agile 230-pound rook has the best stiff arm this side of Lennox Lewis.
7. Brett Williams, FSU, OT
Dominated Miami's O-line and a big reason why Jones may get a rushing title.
8. Bradie James, LSU, LB
Making Butkus noise by sparking a D that leads the SEC in almost every category.
9. Terrell Suggs, ASU, DE
Lip-reading snap count fiend has 13 sacks already and also shown he can play the run now too.
10. Kelley Washington, Tenn., WR
Not only UT's only wideout, but also might be the Vols only legit arm now too.

11. Chris Brown, Colorado, RB
Probably has a few more 250-yard games left in him this season.
12. William Joseph, Miami, DT
Made three TFLs to spark UM's rally vs. FSU.
13. Mike Doss, Ohio State, S
Great hitter, sure tackler is the heart-and-soul of OSU's rebirth.
14. Onterrio Smith, Oregon, RB
Quietly piling up 100-yard games and is getting better with each effort.


Wallace was going to fall Sooner or later.

15. Seneca Wallace, Iowa State, QB
Pure playmaker has been the most consistent of all Heisman frontrunners. At least until Oklahoma got him.
16. Philip Rivers, NC State, QB
Heady gunslinger is the country's passing efficiency leader. By a lot.
17. Nat Dorsey, Ga. Tech, OT
What Chan Gailey means when he tells backs to 'follow the Yellow Brick Road."
18. Reggie Williams, Wash., WR
Ate up Zona for almost 200 yards and is just now getting healthy.
19. Jeff Faine, ND, C
Brings a nasty streak to the Irish offense.
20. Jason Gesser, Wash. St., QB
Gritty scrambler has been superb (16 TDs, 5 INTs).

21. Andre Woolfolk, Oklahoma, CB
The purest coverman in the country. Made a big pick against UT.
22. Lee Suggs, Va. Tech, TB
Nobody has a better nose for the goal-line.
23. Derrick Johnson, Texas, LB
Had 12 tackles and a pick against Oklahoma.
24. Ken Dorsey, Miami, QB
Even the skeptics can't overlook his fourth-quarter rally against FSU.


	This Cardinal is seeing red.

25. Dewayne White, L'ville, DE
Coming off his best game of the season with 9 tackles, two sacks and a blocked kick against Memphis.
26. Dave Ragone, L'ville, QB
Without an O-line, he's beating teams six-on-11. Could be another Daunte Culpepper.
27. Rashaun Woods, Okla. St., WR
Has come up against three name corners and lit them all up.
28. Kevin Jones, Va. Tech, TB
The (slightly) more explosive half of The Untouchables.
29. Jimmy Kennedy, Penn. St., DT
His four sacks against Wisconsin showed how dominant he can be.
30. Lance Mitchell, Oklahoma, MLB
The Sooners leading tackler, a JC import, is better than former OU star Torrance Marshall. Had 15 tackles against UT.

31. Shane Walton, ND, CB
Former soccer star has arrived as a corner (6 INTs).
32. Brad Smith, Missouri, QB
Just ask the Sooners how great this kid is. He's rushing for over 100 yards per game and passing for almost 200 more.
33. Derrick Strait, Oklahoma, CB
Overshadowed a little by Woolfolk, the rest of the Big 12 knows how tough D-Strait is.
34. Jon Vilma, Miami, LB
UM's leading tackler (49) had a career-beat 15 against FSU.


This Gator makes Grossman look good.

35. Taylor Jacobs, UF, WR
The SEC's most productive wideout (57 rec., 905 yds., 8 TDs).
36. E.J. Henderson, Maryland, LB
Hasn't been as great as last season, but still a force (12 tackles per).
37. Andre Johnson, Miami, WR
Big East 60-meter king is a 227-pound nightmare for cornerbacks.
38. Dennis Weathersby, Oregon State, CB
Huge, physical corner is the top cover man on the west coast.
39. Eli Manning, Miss., QB
May not want the hype, but certainly deserves it (12 TDs, 4 INTs).
40. Trent Smith, Oklahoma, TE
OU's money receiver had a TD vs. UT, but has also shown this year he can really block too.

41. Shawn Andrews, Ark., OT
Thanks in large part to the massive soph, the Hogs are averaging 50 yards more than the SEC's second-best running team.
42. Terence Newman, K-State, CB
Not just a track guy any more. Has broken up eight passes and made two INTs.
43. Teddy Lehman, Oklahoma, LB
Finally playing like a 4.4 guy, chasing everything down.
44. Brett Romberg, Miami, C
The Canes are averaging over six yards a carry and it all starts with #66 and his blood-and-guts attitude.


	The Horns are lost without Vasher.

45. Nathan Vasher, Texas, CB-PR
Averaging 19 yards per punt return, he also broke up two passes and had a sack against OU.
46. Cecil Sapp, Colo. St., RB
Nobody runs harder. Just ask Virginia or Colorado.
47. Michael Boulware, FSU, LB
Top coverage backer made a big pick vs.Miami.
48. Jerome McDougle, Miami, DE
Great pass rusher (12 hurries), he is a sure-fire first-rounder although he disappeared against FSU.
49. Marlin Jackson, Michigan, CB
Fast and physical, he's as close as there is to a shut-down corner in the Big Ten.
50. Stu Schweigert, Purdue, S
Can hit. Can run. Wondering why opposing QBs are completing just 45% against the Boilers? Just watch #9 play.

51. Boss Bailey, UGa, LB
Champ's kid brother is as athletic as strongside LB in the country. Had nine tackles and blocked a kick vs. Tenn.
52. Michael Haynes, Penn State, DE
The Big Ten's top pass rusher (9.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles).
53. Darnell Dockett, FSU, DT
Big talent. Big talker. Although his production is down.


As Lloyd goes, so go the Illini.

54. Brandon Lloyd, Illinois, WR
Still flashy and backing it up (44 rec., 801 yds). He, not Chuck Rogers, has been the Big Ten's most productive receiver.
55. Terrence Holt, NC State, S
Great pass defender is also the best kick blocker in college football history.
56. Cory Redding, Texas, DE
Hasn't generated the numbers, but has helped young horns flourish.
57. Anquan Boldin, FSU, WR
Physical 225-pound former QB is averaging 16 yards per grab and has four TD catches.
58. Kyle Boller, Cal, QB
NFL scouts call the cannon-armed senior the nation's most improved player.
59. Larry Johnson, Penn State, RB
His 257 rushing yards vs. Northwestern wasn't a fluke.
60. Zach Mills, Penn State, QB
Run-pass threat is the biggest reason why Lions convert on a Big Ten-best 46% on third downs.

61. Shaun McDonald, Arizona State WR
Former soccer star is tearing up Pac-10 DBs (55 rec., 941 yds., 9 TDs)
62. Avon Cobourne, WVU, RB
Rugged Jersey kid is on pace for almost 1800 rushing yards.
63. Nathaniel Adibi, Va. Tech, DE
The Big East's top sackman (6.5) is making skeptics looks foolish now.
64. Kliff Kingsbury, Texas Tech., QB
Super tough guy again piling up numbers (28 TDs, 6 INTs, 68%).


	Give this Bruin the damn ball!

65. Mike Seidman, UCLA, TE
The best deep threat at his position has backed up his plea for more passes.
66. T.A. McLendon, NC State, RB
Touchdown Anytime has been living up to his name (12 TDs) while playing through pain.
67. Jimmy Wilkerson, Oklahoma, DE
Still hasn't had a huge game yet, but has been solid (11 pressures, 3 sacks).
68. Cody Pickett, Washington, QB
Putting up sick numbers and is already making a case to be a Heisman candidate for 2003.
69. Kellen Winslow II, Miami, TE
UM's leading receiver (22 rec., 4 TDs), K II has replace Shockey as Dorsey's go-to guy.
70. David Pollack, Georgia, DE
The ultimate "motor" guy is good for at least two huge plays every game. Has 7 sacks.

71. Artose Pinner, Kentucky, RB
Probably the most complete back in America (781 rush yards, 29 rec.).
72. Rex Grossman, Florida, QB Hasn't been a good fit in new system, throwing more picks than TDs (14,13).
73. Troy Polamalu, USC, S
Injuries have slowed him, but not stopped him.
74. Antoine Mirambeau, FSU, C
Paving the way for FSU's ground game that is averaging 5.2 ypc.


Despite a bum leg, Roy has got game.

75. Roy Williams, Texas, WR
Was slowed by a bad hammy, but still UT's top threat.
76. Kawika Mitchell, USF, LB
The one-time Georgia Bulldog has shined against everyone, including Oklahoma and Southern Miss.
77. Jason Witten, Tenn., TE
Soft hands, good hands and a terrific blocker, he is playing like a future first-rounder.
78. D.J. Williams, Miami, LB
Making more big-plays this fall (7 TFLs), this is the Canes next great NFL 'backer.
79. Gerald Hayes, Pitt, LB
An artist off the field, he's also one on it as well (68 tackles, 9 TFLs).
80. Kwame Harris, Stanford, OT
You can't blame the Cardinal woes on him.

81. Quentin Griffin, Oklahoma, TB
The Texas killer hasn't been too bad against everyone else either.
82. Kevin Mitchell, Oregon, LB
A 210-pound scrapper is keying the D that's only allowing 2.4 ypr.
83. Mike Saffer, UCLA, OT
Showed his toughness by coming back early and playing with a broken rib.
84. Karlos Dansby, Auburn, LB
Always seems to be making highlight-reel plays.


	Smurf will leave defenses feeling blue.

85. Keenan Howry, Oregon, WR
Slow start but has come on fast.
86. Justin Gage, Missouri, WR
Bowling Green schemed to shut down Brad Smith so Gage caught 16 passes on 'em.
87. Fred Russell, Iowa, TB
Hawkeyes short speedster has been a rock toting the rock (133 rushing yards per).
88. Jared Lorenzen, Kentucky, QB
So what if he weighs 315 lbs? Try these numbers (61% completions, 17 TDs, 3 INTs).
89. Jordan Gross, Utah, OT
The NFL scouts know all about Gross, who might be first-round material.
90. Matt Wilhelm, Ohio State, LB
Not overthinking any more, #35 is keying a D that has only yielded 7 TDs in 22 Red Zone visits.

91. Michael Turner, No. Illinois, RB
Nation's top all-purpose back (207 ypg) gives long-suffering NIU fans something to cheer for.
92. Jon Stinchcomb, Georgia, OT
Smart, reliable guy who has been David Greene's insurance policy.
93. Cedric Benson, Texas, TB
Had no room against Oklahoma, but don't count him out.
94. John Leake, Clemson, LB
Speedy Texan is good for 12 tackles per.


Hobson keeps the Wolverines respectable.

95. Victor Hobson, Michigan, LB
The Blue's top tackler (51) also is UM's top playmaker (9 TFLs).
96. Josh Harris, Bowling Green, QB
Only Brad Smith may be a better run-pass threat.
97. Booger Kennedy, No. Texas, NG
Kenoy Kennedy's 5'9" 304-pound baby brother is an unblockable, leverage machine. Has 11 TFLs and 4 sacks.
98. Dallas Clark, Iowa, TE
Showing TEs can stretch the field (23 catches, 18 yards per).
99. Terry Jackson II, Minn., TB
Charlie Rogers' unheralded former prep teammate is making Gophers look like geniuses for giving him a scholarship. Has 636 rushing yards in last three games
100. Calvin Pace, Wake Forest, DE
Former prep QB is coming off a six TFL game against Duke. Has 14.5 TFLs on the season.

Bruce Feldman covers college football for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at bruce.feldman@espnmag.com.