thevalleyranchreport
09-13-2007, 12:09 AM
Henne out, Highsmith and Jenkins in on latest Big Board
By Mel Kiper Jr.
ESPN.com
One noticeable change on this week's Top 25 Big Board is the absence of Michigan QB Chad Henne, Michigan. He was No. 13 last week, but now is off the board primarily because of an injury that will sideline him for at least this week's game against Notre Dame.
Linebacker Ali Highsmith leads LSU with 14 tackles, including two tackles for loss.
However, Henne showed signs of inconsistency the first two weeks and made some bad decisions -- an area in which he needs to improve. Henne has a great arm and can make all the throws, but he needs to be more consistent when he returns. In the first two games, Henne has completed just 31 of 60 pass attempts.
Two new players debut this week on the board, South Florida cornerback Mike Jenkins and LSU linebacker Ali Highsmith. Not only is Jenkins great in coverage, but is very aggressive in run support and is a solid open-field tackler. Last week, Jenkins performed exceptionally well in USF's upset win at Auburn.
As for Highsmith, he is performing at the level that made him a standout as a sophomore. His played dropped off a bit last year, but he is well on his way to being the type of linebacker who makes game-altering plays on a weekly basis.
1. Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville (6-3, 223) Previous: Same
Polished pure passer in the Jim Kelly mold.
2. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU (6-2, 292) | Previous: Same
Disruptive force along the interior.
3. Jake Long, OT, Michigan (6-6, 320) | Previous: Same
Top drawer left or right tackle prospect.
4. Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn (6-3, 251) | Previous: Same
Speed rusher with the talent to rank as one of the more feared sack artists in the nation.
5. Dan Connor, LB, Penn State (6-2½, 231) | Previous: 14
Big-play performer who finds the ball.
6. Chris Long, DE, Virginia (6-4, 282) | Previous: 12
Three-four defensive end with great bloodlines who understands leverage and uses his hands as well as any D-lineman in the country.
7. Andre' Woodson, QB, Kentucky (6-5, 232) | Previous: Same
Big and mobile with a rocket arm.
8. Early Doucet, WR, LSU (5-11½, 205) | Previous: 6
Super talented, becomes LSU's go-to option in 2007.
9. Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College (6-4, 223) | Previous: 11
He has the size and arm to wow the NFL brass during NFL testing.
10. Sam Baker, OT, USC (6-4½, 310) | Previous: 5
Exceptional pass blocker with superb technique.
11. Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College (6-6½, 320) | Previous: 8
Should thrive with move from right to left tackle in 2007.
12. Frank Okam, DT, Texas (6-5, 318) | Previous: 9
Great physical ability and overall potential.
13. Adarius Bowman, WR, Oklahoma State (6-3, 222) | Previous: 19
Physically gifted wide out who should soar up the draft board with another huge season.
14. Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC (6-1, 297) | Previous: 15
Tampa Bay Bucs-style DT with superior quickness and nonstop motor.
15. Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina (6-4, 298) | Previous: 18
Unbelievably talented player who is primed for a breakout season.
16. Keith Rivers, LB, USC (6-3, 233) | Previous: 10
Has the skill set to become a super blue chipper.
17. Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida (5-11½, 202) | Previous: Unranked
He has excellent recovery speed and the toughness you look for in a cornerback. His size allows him to match up with an opponent's No. 1 wide receiver.
18. Harry Douglas, WR, Louisville (5-10½, 175) | Previous: 21
Underrated, bringing speed, toughness and great hands to the WR spot.
19. Bruce Davis, LB, UCLA (6-3, 241) | Previous: 16
Combo DE/OLB, ideal as a pass rusher off the edge in a 3-4 scheme.
20. Tashard Choice, RB, Georgia Tech (6-0, 205) | Previous: 17
Impressive all-around back. Choice led the ACC in rushing last year and is off to a phenomenal start in 2007.
21. DeJuan Tribble, CB, Boston College (5-9, 191) | Previous: 24
Proven cover corner who is both steady and reliable.
22. Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt (6-5½, 318) | Previous: 20
Top drawer talent, possessing superior athleticism and good feet to neutralize outside pass rushers.
23. Limas Sweed, WR, Texas (6-4, 217) | Previous: Same
TD-maker who plays fast with pads on.
24. Terrell Thomas, CB, USC (6-0, 200) | Previous: 22
Proven cover corner who is both steady and reliable.
25. Ali Highsmith, LB, LSU (6-1, 225) | Previous: Unranked
Showed tremendous potential in 2005 before taking a step back as a junior. Highsmith now is re-establishing himself as one of the top linebackers in the SEC.
DROPPED
Chad Henne, QB, Michigan (6-2, 222) | Previous: 13
Can make all the throws, but needs more consistency.
DJ Hall, WR, Alabama (6-2½, 189) | Previous: 25
Big-play wideout who has shown improvement every year with the Crimson Tide.
By Mel Kiper Jr.
ESPN.com
One noticeable change on this week's Top 25 Big Board is the absence of Michigan QB Chad Henne, Michigan. He was No. 13 last week, but now is off the board primarily because of an injury that will sideline him for at least this week's game against Notre Dame.
Linebacker Ali Highsmith leads LSU with 14 tackles, including two tackles for loss.
However, Henne showed signs of inconsistency the first two weeks and made some bad decisions -- an area in which he needs to improve. Henne has a great arm and can make all the throws, but he needs to be more consistent when he returns. In the first two games, Henne has completed just 31 of 60 pass attempts.
Two new players debut this week on the board, South Florida cornerback Mike Jenkins and LSU linebacker Ali Highsmith. Not only is Jenkins great in coverage, but is very aggressive in run support and is a solid open-field tackler. Last week, Jenkins performed exceptionally well in USF's upset win at Auburn.
As for Highsmith, he is performing at the level that made him a standout as a sophomore. His played dropped off a bit last year, but he is well on his way to being the type of linebacker who makes game-altering plays on a weekly basis.
1. Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville (6-3, 223) Previous: Same
Polished pure passer in the Jim Kelly mold.
2. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU (6-2, 292) | Previous: Same
Disruptive force along the interior.
3. Jake Long, OT, Michigan (6-6, 320) | Previous: Same
Top drawer left or right tackle prospect.
4. Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn (6-3, 251) | Previous: Same
Speed rusher with the talent to rank as one of the more feared sack artists in the nation.
5. Dan Connor, LB, Penn State (6-2½, 231) | Previous: 14
Big-play performer who finds the ball.
6. Chris Long, DE, Virginia (6-4, 282) | Previous: 12
Three-four defensive end with great bloodlines who understands leverage and uses his hands as well as any D-lineman in the country.
7. Andre' Woodson, QB, Kentucky (6-5, 232) | Previous: Same
Big and mobile with a rocket arm.
8. Early Doucet, WR, LSU (5-11½, 205) | Previous: 6
Super talented, becomes LSU's go-to option in 2007.
9. Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College (6-4, 223) | Previous: 11
He has the size and arm to wow the NFL brass during NFL testing.
10. Sam Baker, OT, USC (6-4½, 310) | Previous: 5
Exceptional pass blocker with superb technique.
11. Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College (6-6½, 320) | Previous: 8
Should thrive with move from right to left tackle in 2007.
12. Frank Okam, DT, Texas (6-5, 318) | Previous: 9
Great physical ability and overall potential.
13. Adarius Bowman, WR, Oklahoma State (6-3, 222) | Previous: 19
Physically gifted wide out who should soar up the draft board with another huge season.
14. Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC (6-1, 297) | Previous: 15
Tampa Bay Bucs-style DT with superior quickness and nonstop motor.
15. Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina (6-4, 298) | Previous: 18
Unbelievably talented player who is primed for a breakout season.
16. Keith Rivers, LB, USC (6-3, 233) | Previous: 10
Has the skill set to become a super blue chipper.
17. Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida (5-11½, 202) | Previous: Unranked
He has excellent recovery speed and the toughness you look for in a cornerback. His size allows him to match up with an opponent's No. 1 wide receiver.
18. Harry Douglas, WR, Louisville (5-10½, 175) | Previous: 21
Underrated, bringing speed, toughness and great hands to the WR spot.
19. Bruce Davis, LB, UCLA (6-3, 241) | Previous: 16
Combo DE/OLB, ideal as a pass rusher off the edge in a 3-4 scheme.
20. Tashard Choice, RB, Georgia Tech (6-0, 205) | Previous: 17
Impressive all-around back. Choice led the ACC in rushing last year and is off to a phenomenal start in 2007.
21. DeJuan Tribble, CB, Boston College (5-9, 191) | Previous: 24
Proven cover corner who is both steady and reliable.
22. Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt (6-5½, 318) | Previous: 20
Top drawer talent, possessing superior athleticism and good feet to neutralize outside pass rushers.
23. Limas Sweed, WR, Texas (6-4, 217) | Previous: Same
TD-maker who plays fast with pads on.
24. Terrell Thomas, CB, USC (6-0, 200) | Previous: 22
Proven cover corner who is both steady and reliable.
25. Ali Highsmith, LB, LSU (6-1, 225) | Previous: Unranked
Showed tremendous potential in 2005 before taking a step back as a junior. Highsmith now is re-establishing himself as one of the top linebackers in the SEC.
DROPPED
Chad Henne, QB, Michigan (6-2, 222) | Previous: 13
Can make all the throws, but needs more consistency.
DJ Hall, WR, Alabama (6-2½, 189) | Previous: 25
Big-play wideout who has shown improvement every year with the Crimson Tide.