James Parks presents a pre-season look at 5 players from each conference that will be in the running for conference player of the year.ACC
1. Chris Rix, QB, Florida State: Rix is probably the most phyiscally gifted Quarterback in the ACC this season, and he has a terrific running game, offensive line, and receiving core to help his cause. He is poised for a signature season.
2. P.J. Daniels, RB, Georgia Tech: Daniels very quietly rushed for a conference high 1447 yards last season, but is still widely unknown outside of Atlanta…until now. Daniels was first team All-ACC last season as a sophomore, and is ready for more of the same during his junior campaign.
3. Daryl Blackstock, LB, Virginia: Blackstock is the leader and the most experienced player on the Virginia linebacking core, who gets my vote for best unit in the country. Blackstock had 15 tackles for loss last season and tallied 6 sacks.
4. Bryan Randall, QB, Virginia Tech: Marcus Vick is gone, so now there is no room for QB error in Blacksburg. The Hokies couldn’t have picked a worse season to debut in the ACC, considering they lose key runningbacks, receivers, and playmakers on defense. Randall is going to have to be the Senior leader on this team, and needs to be near perfect.
5. Leroy Hill, LB, Clemson: Hill led the entire conference in tackles for loss last season with 27, but unfortunately Clemson loses key Defensive Linemen Donnell Washington, Dejaun Polk, and Khaleed Vaughn. Hill has to rely on 3 inexperienced players to anchor the defense for him.
Big East
1. Walter Reyes, RB, Syracuse: Reyes is the only top 5 rusher in the Big East that returns this season. Reyes started off hot last season, leading the NCAA in rushing after 4 games. However, Reyes then struggled, going 7 straight games without surpassing 100 yards. Reyes has 4.36 speed and is a powerful runner at 5’10, 209, and should lead the conference in rushing.
2. Dan Orlovksy, QB, Connecticut: Orlovsky has great size (6’5, 235) and has been very consistent over his Huskie career. However, he loses 2 of his top receivers in Shaun Fieldeisen and O’Neill Wilson, and will be facing some slighty tougher competition. UConn could have almost been considered a member of the MAC last season, going 4-0 against MAC opponents.
3. Rasheed Marshall, QB, West Virginia: Marshall will perhaps be the biggest playmaker in the conference this season, and has some great talent around him. Marshall threw for 1729 yards, and rushed for another 424 last season.
4. Kay-Jay Harris, RB, West Virginia: West Virginia always has one of the top runningbacks in the country, and this season should be no different. Harris has some big footsteps to follow in, filling in where Quincy Wilson and Avon Cobourne left off.
5. Brian Leonard, FB, Rutgers: Leonard was arguably one of the best fullbacks in college football last season as a redshirt freshman. Leonard led the team in rushing with 880 yards and 8 touchdowns, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. Most of the offensive line returns, and Leonard will be the go to guy in New Brunswick again this season.
Big Ten
1. Kyle Orton, QB, Purdue: Orton is the only major returning player at Quarterback in the entire Big Ten. Orton threw for 2,885 yards last season with 15 touchdowns, and is ready to break out this season. Veteran receiver Taylor Stubblefield is back to help Orton out.
2. Braylon Edwards, WR, Michigan: Edwards is one of the many Wolverine receivers that are quite capable of being in this same spot. Edwards had 1138 receiving yards last season (3rd best in conference) and led the conference in touchdowns with 14.
3. Taylor Stubblefield, WR, Purdue: Stubblefield is poised to become the all-time receiving leader in Purdue history, and nothing is standing in his way. Stubblefield had 835 yards last season, but needs to improve on the mere 3 touchdowns he hauled in last season.
4. Marion Barber III, RB, Minnesota: It will be hard for Marion Barber to stand out as an individual player with younger Laurence Maroney right beside him. However, combined, they rank my #1 RB unit in the nation.
5. Anthony Davis, RB, Wisconsin: Davis has always had the talent to be at the top of this list, but injuries have been the story of his career so far. He had a sensational season in 2001, earning First Team Big 10 honors with his 1,466 yards. Davis was on his way to a terrific season last year, but suffered an injury in game three that caused him to miss 5 full games, and he never fully recovered.
Big XII
1. Darren Sproles, RB, Kansas State: Darren Sproles should press charges on the NCAA for not being invited to New York for the heisman presenation last season. Sproles ran for 1,986 yards last season, nearly 200 more then Chris Perry did… on 20 fewer carries. Sproles can break out the game using so many different weapons. He is the best overall player in college football.
2. Mark Clayton, WR, Oklahoma: In my opinion, Mark Clayton is the best player on this Sooner offense. Clayton had a conference high 1,425 yards last season and led the team with 15 touchdowns. He returns along with every other receiver on what should be a stellar unit.
3. Brad Smith, QB, Missouri: Brad Smith is no longer a mystery throughout college football, and you know opposing defenses will be scrambling around to find a way to stop this sensational athlete. Smith was 2nd in the entire conference in rushing yards last season. Not bad with players like Sproles, Tatum Bell, and Cedric Benson.
4. Derrick Johnson, LB, Texas: Johnson was a sure first round draft pick last season, but surprisingly decided to return for his senior season. Johnson was awarded All-American Status last season, as well as First Team all Big 12 in 2002. At 6’4, 220, he is #1 on the list of preseason favorites for the Butkus award winner (awarded to the nation’s top linebacker).
5. Cedric Benson, RB, Texas: It is tough to put Benson on here, because he hardly ever produces in the big games against good defenses. He has, however, managed to rush for 1000 yards in 3 consecutive seasons. However, he may not even be the best back on the team with Selvin Young breathing down his neck.
Conference USA
1. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis: Williams led the C-USA with 1430 yards last season, and had a productive 10 touchdowns to go along with it. And to think Lee Corso said Williams is a great player that no one has ever heard of. Come on Corso, get with the program here. Williams has been a very productive back the past 2 years… we all know who he is.
2. Kevin Kolb, QB, Houston: A majority of college football fans have heard of him, but just in case, I’ll give you a review of Kolb. Kolb threw for 3,131 yards last season with 25 touchdowns as a true freshman. Remarkably, he only threw 6 interceptions, which was a conference low among starters. He led his Cougars to their first bowl game since 1996, and nearly won it in a 3 overtime classic shootout against Hawaii.
3. Stefan LeFors, QB, Louisville: Lefors had some large shoes to fill last season, covering for the great Dave Ragone. He did very well throwing for a conference 2nd best 3145 yards. Most of the cardinal offense is back, and LeFors is primed for a great senior campaign.
4. Danny Wimprine, QB, Memphis: Memphis had a terrific season last year, with Wimprine leading the Tigers to their first bowl game since 1971. Wimprine is all ready the career passing leader in Memphis history, and the senior looks to put the record further out of reach this year. Memphis returns all starters on offense.
5. Michael Boley, LB, Southern Miss: Boley was second in the conference in sacks with 11 last season, behind TCU standout Bo Schobel. Boley returns as the top defensive player in the Conference USA after 2 consecutive All-conference nominations.
MAC
1. Martin Nance, WR, Miami Ohio: Nance was a key instrument in the Redhawks great 2003 season. Sure, Ben Roethlisberger was terrific, but he alone didn’t win 13 straight. Martin Nance is a very athletic receiver with great size (6’5, 210) and is one of the top receivers in the country. Nance will make a name for himself once again, and looks to improve upon his MAC best 1,498 yards from last season.
2. Charlie Frye, QB, Akron: Charlie Frye has one of the best arms in college football, has great speed (4.6 40 time), superb accuracy, all on a solid 6’4, 226 frame. However, all of the top 5 receivers from last season depart, and I doubt Frye can improve on the 3,549 yards he posted in 2003.
3. Bruce Gradkowski, QB, Toledo: Gradkowski was an extremely efficient QB last season, throwing for 3,210 on 29 touchdowns, and threw only 7 interceptions on the season. With every top receiver returning, Toledo should be dangerous yet again this season, and are highly favored to win the underrated MAC West.
4. Anthony Sherrell, RB, Eastern Michigan: Sherrell is one of the most talented, but highly unknown players in all of college football. Sherrell, at 5’10 191, seemingly came out of nowhere, producing 1,531 yards on his way to first team All-MAC honors. Sherrell certainly didn’t benefit from the passing game last season, which only threw for 1,360 yards on the year while throwing 5 more interceptions then touchdowns. Sherrell will be the go to guy for the Eagles this season.
5. Keon Newson, CB, Bowling Green: Keon Newson was part of a dynamic defensive backfield last season along with Janssen Patton, who was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers this season. Newson led the team in tackles last season, and got his hand in a total of 15 passes last year, but only intercepted one. Patton was able to intercept 7. This season, Newson will be the leader on defense, and the best defensive back in the conference.
Mountain West
1. Dontrell Moore, RB, New Mexico: Moore has been a very consitent back over the past few seasons, including 1st team MWC honors in 2002. At 5’11, 214, Moore has a terrific balance of power and speed, finding multiple ways to elude would-be tacklers. Moore has led his team to 2 straight bowl games, but has only rushed for a combined 27 yards in both.
2. Kirk Morrison, LB, San Diego State: Morrison won defensive player of the year award in the MWC last season, to go on top of his First Team All-MWC honors in 2002. Morrison is a punishing hitter at 6’2, 240, and has a very quick burst of speed to get into the backfield and disrupt plays before they start. He is the leader of linebacking core that ranks in the top 3 in the entire country.
3. Alex Smith, QB, Utah: Smith was a very conservative QB last season, but you won’t hear coach Urban Meyer complain about Smith’s 2,247 yards and 15 touchdowns, while only throwing 3 interceptions. All of the top receivers return, and Utah will have probably the best offense in the conference.
4. Lynell Hamilton, RB, San Diego State: Looking for the next bigtime runningback coming out of a small conference, such as Marshall Faulk or LaDanian Tomlinson? Then don’t forget the name Lynell Hamilton. Hamilton rushed for 1,087 yards as a true freshman last season, while missing 2 games with an injury. Hamilton only had 4 touchdowns last season, but those numbers will go up in 2004.
5. David Anderson, WR, Colorado State: Awarded with first team All-MWC honors last season, Anderson was the only receiver in the conference to eclipse the 1,000 yard receiving mark. Anderson, at 5’11, 192, is the best deep threat in the Mountain West this season.
Pac-10
1. Matt Leinart, QB, USC: Leinart is quite possibly the best passer in the entire nation, and who can argue with the numbers. Leinart threw for 3,556 yards last season on 38 touchdowns, while throwing only 9 interceptions. The numbers should improve yet again this season, and Leinart will contend for the coveted Heisman trophy.
2. Aaron Rodgers, QB, California: Aaron Rodgers was a Junior College Transfer last season, and didn’t see time as a starter until the third game of the season, learning behind Junior Reggie Robertson. From there on, Rodgers was stellar, throwing for 2,903 yards on the year with 19 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. However, Rodgers suffered an injury and could not finish the second half against USC, and Robertson came in and won the game. Rodgers’ two top receivers return this season.
3. Reggie Bush, RB, USC: It’s tough to rank Bush this high, considering 3 of the top runningbacks in the entire conference are on this team, with Lendale White and Hershel Dennis in the backfield with Bush. This is more of a group ranking then it is individual, but Bush is probably has the most potential out of the group, and is an excellent kick returner.
4. Brandon Browner, CB, Oregon State: This may sound like kind of a surprise pick, but Browner is a solid player. He quietly won Pac 10 freshman of the year last season with 6 interceptions and 6 broken passes. He’s the type of corner that can jam receivers at the line with his terrific 6’4, 202 size. Few people outside of Corvallis know of Browner, but they will next season.
5. Geoff McArthur, WR, California: McArthur broke the Cal season season record for receiving yards last season, posting a conference high 1,504 yards and 10 touchdowns. McArthur is ready for senior season, hoping to improve on the second team All-American honors he earned last season.
NOTE: These rankings do not include Mike Williams of USC because he is not officially re-instated yet.
SEC
1. David Greene, QB, Georgia: David Greene has great poise, a terrific arm, good accuracy, and is a natural leader. Georgia lost a lot of key players 2 seasons ago, but last year Greene held the team together for an 11-3 season, with 2 losses to the eventual national champs. Fred Gibson and Reggie Brown return at receiver, making this a dangerous unit.
2. Carnell Williams, RB, Auburn: Carnell Williams has the best balance between power and speed in all of college footbal this season. Williams is perhaps the most hyped up runningback this decade, but hasn’t hit his full potential yet due to injuries. He ran for 1,307 yards last season, with an astonishing 17 touchdowns. The only problem is, he may not get a full load of carries with such a good runningback behind him in fellow senior Ronnie Brown.
3. Corey Webster, CB, LSU: Webster was awarded 1st team All-SEC and 2ns 2nd team All-American honors last season, and is perhaps the best corner in all of college football. Webster deflected 25 passes last season to go along with his 7 interceptions. He also had 7 interceptions in 2002. Webster is the leader on my highest ranked defensive back unit in the nation.
4. Justin Vincent, RB, LSU: Vincent ran for 1,001 yards last season, and racked in a total of 10 touchdowns, which was tied for third in the SEC with Cedric Cobbs of Arkansas. Vincent was a key component to the LSU victory against Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl, and is ready to make an even bigger name for himself in his sophomore season.
5. Dave Pollack, DE, Georgia: There hasn’t been a defensive end in college football since Julius Peppers, and for good reason. Pollack is a natural leader, and backs up his fame by production on the field. He totaled 14 sacks in 2002, and added 8 to his total in 2003. Pollack has been awarded first team All-American honors for 2 consecutive seasons.
Sun Belt
1. Patrick Cobbs, RB, North Texas: Cobbs had 533 yards more then the second leading rusher in the Sun Belt last season, totaling 1,680 yards and 19 touchdowns. He averaged a remarkable 153 yards per game!
2. Kerry Wright, WR, Middle Tennessee State: Kerry Wright used his 4.38 speed to haul in 1,280 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns, both league highs. Wright returns along with 6 other starters on a young Blue Raider squad.
3. Buck Pierce, QB, New Mexico State: Pierce threw for 1,510 yards amd 7 touchdowns last season, and completed nearly 70% of his passes. He also rushed for 277 yards, but unfortunately is only 1 of 3 returning starters on the entire offense.
4. DeWhitt Betterson, RB, Troy State: Ran for 1,161 yards and 9 touchdowns last season as Troy State was an independent. Look for his numbers to go up in this inaugural Sun Belt season for the Trojans.
5. Travis Cox, QB, Utah State: Led the Sun Belt in passing with 2,791 yards and 18 touchdowns. Cox was also selected to the All-Sun Belt second team in 2003. However, all top receivers are gone for 2004.
WAC
1. Timmy Chang, QB, Hawaii: Chang has been one of the biggest names in college football over the past 4 seasons, posting 12,814 yards and 79 touchdowns. But Chang wants it all. If he can pass for 2,218 yards (just over half of what he did last year), Chang will be the all time leading passer in NCAA history. 5 of his top 6 receivers return for his hopeful record breaking season.
2. Paul Pinegar, QB, Fresno State: Paul Pinegar’s best season came in 2001 as a redshirt freshman with 2,929 yards passing, covering for an injured Jeff Grady. Unfortunately in 2003, Pinegar suffered an injury in preseason that kept him out of the first 6 games, but still put up 1,773 yards, 11 touchdowns, and a victory in the Silicon Valley Bowl.
3. Ryan Moats, RB, Louisiana Tech: Lost in the mix of the pass happy WAC is a great runningback in Ryan Moats. Most was 1st team All-WAC last season with 1,300 yards rushing on 10 touchdowns. Moats also caught 28 passes for 251 yards in 2003. The entire Bulldog offensive line is back to help make Moats’ senior season one to remember.
4. Chad Owens, WR, Hawaii: Owens had 1,134 receiving yards last season, which was second behind Tim Gilligan of Boise State. However, Owens had 9 touchdowns, three more than Gilligan. Owens is part of a great receiving core that returns nearly everyone from last season.
5. James Kilian, QB, Tulsa: Kilian threw for 2,217 yards last season with twice as many touchdowns (22) and interceptions (11), and is the key component on a Golden Hurricane squad who returns a total of 17 starters. Kilian led Tulsa to an 8-5 record and first bowl game since 1991.