A special thanks to Adam Nettina for keeping this blog afloat for the past few weeks. Even though he has a strange infatuation with Phil Steele, he does great work and is a big asset to In The Bleachers. You will see Adam hopefully throughout the offseason and into next season. I apologize for my lack of writing, the NHL Playoffs have been keeping my mind off of college football, but I am re-energized and ready to start talking more about the 2008 season.

My favorite position to analyze is the quarterback, they are the ones that are either the heroes or the goats of the game. If a quarterback is lucky enough to start as a sophomore or freshman, they are given a little more leeway since they are younger and are more prone to mistakes. But what makes them an elite quarterback is their ability to take the “next step” to that higher level. I have identified 7 quarterbacks that have the talent, started early, and now it is time for them to take the next step.

Deacon Fans have high hopes for Skinner

In 2006, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons were the feel good cinderella story of the year and one of the big reasons why was the play of their freshman quarterback Riley Skinner. Skinner had a good year as freshman quarterback throwing for over 2000 yards with 9 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions. In his second year his passing yards went up a little, as did his completion percentage, but his interceptions went up to 13, and he missed two games in the 2007 season. He did have 12 touchdown passes, but you always want your QB to have more passing touchdowns than interceptions. For Skinner to make that next step, he has to improve on those interception numbers and not turn the ball over as much.

The next person on my list, might be a bit of a surprise, but if you look at his play from one season to the next you will understand why he is on it. Colt McCoy had a stellar freshman season with the Longhorns, which landed him on many lists for Heisman hopefuls in early 2007. But McCoy’s play early on in 2007 was very much less than stellar. In his first 5 games against less than average opponents, McCoy threw 8 touchdown passes and 9 interceptions. He ended the season with 22 and 18, and with a lower completion percentage than the year before. With the losses in the skill positions on offense, the pressure is going to be even greater on McCoy to protect the ball and produce points. So we should find out early if Texas will get back the McCoy of his freshman year or not.

Matt Grothe has been a big pain in the neck to Big East coaches his first two years at South Florida. Each of his first two seasons he has hovered around the 1 to 1 touchdown to interception ratio, which as I stated earlier must improve for him to become elite, but also Grothe disappeared down the stretch for the Bulls in the later half of 2007. Teams have focused on him and now it is up to the Bulls coaching staff to become creative and find ways for Grothe to exploit opposing defenses. USF has the chance to vault to the top of the Big East, but the Bulls will only go as far as the arm, and legs of Matt Grothe take them.

Ty’s job is riding on Locker’s shoulders

Some call him the savior, some call him the second coming of Ron Paulus, but any way you put it Notre Dame is excited to have Jimmy Clausen under center. I will be honest here, I was not a big Clausen fan, but he did well in his first season under center considering the fact that Notre Dame had no rushing game and their offensive line had more holes in it than a cheese grater. But as we all know, Domer fans are not patient, they want results now. Hopes are high for Clausen after his lack luster performance (10-of-27 passing for 183 yards) in the Irish’s spring game. Clausen has a strong arm and the toughness to be a good quarterback, but whether he takes that step up this year or next is another question. If the Irish are going to go bowling this year, it will be because of this man.

At 6 foot 3 inches and 225 lbs, Jake Locker has a big frame which he needs to play quarterback the way he does. In his first season as Huskies quarterback, Locker threw for over 2000 yards and ran for over 900 more. The two glaring bad points with him are that his completion percentage was below 50% and he threw one more interception than touchdown. Not bad at all for a freshman, so why is he on this list? Well his coach Tyrone Willingham, the guy who recruited Locker, is running on borrowed time. He needs to win now to keep his job for another season, and for that to happen Locker has to improve his offensive output, and decrease his turnovers. That is not going to be an easy task playing in the Pac 10 where the Huskies won 2 games last year, and 4 overall.

I save the best for last, well the quarterback with the best name. John Parker Wilson will be a three year starter when the 2008 season begins for the Crimson Tide. It will be his second year under Nick Saban. Unfortunately for him, he will no longer have his favorite target DJ Hall to throw to, but with the way the Tide have been recruiting, there will be some young freshman ready to step in. The main problem with Parker Wilson is his consistency. He will go stretches of games where he is just plain lack luster, even against team where he should be padding his stats. The past two years Alabama snuck into bowl games with a 6-6 record, and I don’t think Tide fans would be happy if they had anything less than 9 wins this year. Parker Wilson is a senior now, the leader of the team. He needs to completed over 60% of his passes and keep his interceptions below the double digit mark. If he does that, you will see the Tide challenging for the top of the SEC West, if not, no New Years Day bowl for Alabama.

Go Here Now.

Looks like June 3-5 is where it’s at if you call, but I’ve got a hunch some stores will get it before the June 10th date Phil mentions. This is awsome.

Believe it or not, the word “obsessive” has been thrown around by family and friends in regards to my yearly fixation over the release of Phil Steele’s massive 328-page college football preview magazine. Aside from the usual mentions of having a man-crush on the dude, I’ve also been accused of secretly working for Mr. Steele in an effort to further disseminate his work throughout the blogosphere. Psh, I wish.

Still, there is a reason for this fixation, as nothing says “save me from exorbitant gas prices and the NBA playoffs” quite like Phil Steele’s preview. I mean, for goodness sakes, it’s almost June. We’re right smack dab in the no-man’s land between the end of spring practices and the start of fall camp. We’re stuck amidst a hazy sports landscape which gives us college baseball and lacrosse to watch on a Saturday afternoon. Throw in nightcaps of your hometown baseball team’s inevitably slide into mediocrity and a sport which, despite whatever ESPN may claim, nobody cares about, and you have a veritable cornucopia of Saturday boredom. It’s not that I need the 2008 college football season right this second, but at the very least I could use something telling me that it’s coming.

Fortunately, we may not be far off. If my memory serves correctly (itself a 50/50 proposition) I bought my Phil Steele 2007 magazine at the end of the first week in June last year. If memory further serves me correctly (ok, so this may really be stretching it) I actually bought my Athlon Regional preview on one of the last day’s of May last year. Considering Athlon was ranked the number two preview magazine by an independent service last year, it may not be a bad idea to invest in it, even if you are an unabashed Phil Steele zealot like myself.

Whatever the case may be, I think it’s fair to say that within the next two weeks we’ll be seeing something in stores, whether it be Athlon or Steele. Of course, guided by my pseudo-obsessive need to fill my head with almost meaningless statistics and plenty of acronyms, I’ll be the first to report in when I do find these magazines in stores.

Speaking of Phil Steele, have you ever noticed how there is only one actual picture of the guy online? Oh don’t act like you haven’t done a google image search before, we all know you have. Fortunately I recently caught up with Phil at a Naval Academy practice, confirming that not only is he actually real, but that he is a big fan of Navy do-it-all athlete Jarod Bryant.

Note: The authenticity of this photo cannot be confirmed.

Earlier this week we told you about apparent signs of life out of the Phil Steele camp, signs which included a top 25 countdown and an early look at which team’s may  be facing the toughest schedule’s in 2008. Today we’re happy to report that Mr. Steele’s website has again been updated, this time with all ten separate covers that will grace the front of the National, 328-page preview magazine which could come out as early as in the next two weeks. The usual suspects can be found gracing the covers of the Texas and SEC editions, but interestingly enough Phil has added a special “Armed Forces” cover. No word yet if it will have special content related to the three service academies, or where exactly one can pick up a magazine with this cover (I’m guessing probability only online or at select military installations) but it’s definitely one of the cooler twists I’ve seen out of a preview magazine in some time.

As Orson noted yesterday, Phil Steele has quietly emerged from his subterranean bunker believed to be located somewhere in the vicinity of Athens, Georgia to post an interesting look at the winning percentages of every FBS team’s opponents going into 2008. I actually knew this about a week ago, but seeing as though my own Midshipmen are dead last in terms of opponents winning percentage, I decided to keep my mouth shut about it.

One thing I will gladly promulgate to the world however is Phil’s recent posting of the cover of the 2008 National Magazine, which will feature Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, Ohio State running back Chris “Beanie” Wells, and USC linebacker Brian Cushing. Solid selection if you ask me. Also, Phil has up his Top 25 countdown, which promises to add another team down from 25 each day. Today’s selection? Shady McCoy and Pitt checking in as his 25th ranked preseason team.

Head over to PhilSteele.com for more, and be sure (really, like I actually have to remind you) to pick up his 328-page college football preseason guide when it hits stores in June. Basically, it’s the best thing 8.95 plus tax could ever possibly purchase, and I’m not just saying this because his staff went out of their way last year to clear up a misunderstanding which had led me to believe he was blowing me off.

So you think you know who the best high school football players in America are? Chances are you probably do, but just in case names like Matt Barkley or Cierre Wood don’t mean much to you, here are five top prep players to keep an eye out for in 2008 and beyond.

QB Kevin Newsome, Chesapeake Western Branch (VA): Michigan

Michigan may have lost out on Terrelle Pryor in 2008, but the new look Wolverine offense figures to get a good one in 2009 with the recent commitment of Virginia quarterback Kevin Newsome. Newsome is an intriguing player because while the athleticism is certainly there, he’s not strictly an option quarterback, and displays very good arm strength and solid pocket fundamentals. While he may not be as explosive or shifty as Pat White he has deceptive straight line speed for his size (6’3, 217) and quick enough feet that defenders have a hard time getting a clear shot at him. Probably will need to adjust to spread option reads at the next level as well as improve his delivery and accuracy with short-midge range throws, but definitely has the physical skills to succeed in 2008 and beyond.

MLB Tom Wort, New Braunfels (TX): Oklahoma

Wort doesn’t just play like a Tomahawk missile, the guy literally is one. Originally hailing from across the pond in England, Wort is one of those kids who opposing players’ moms have nightmares about. That’s because he plays the game with nothing short of a violent and relentless intensity that shows itself in every tackle he makes. His highlight film has already been called the defensive equivalent of the infamous “McGuffie Mixtape,” and has become something of a minor internet sensation over the past several weeks. I know he’s a bit undersized at 6’1, 210, but he projects as an outside linebacker at the next level and could even play strong safety. A physical specimen in terms of speed, strength, and pure hitting ability, Wort’s high-intensity style of play should make him an instant fan favorite when he gets to Norman in 2009.

RB Brandon Wegher, Sioux City Heelan (IA): Undecided

One of the Midwest’s most explosive offensive players, Wegher is a complete back with the strength, speed, and vision that you love to see in a Division I prospect. The Iowa star currently holds scholarship offers from 16 different schools and is expected to narrow his list to five over the summer. As you can see from his highlight video, he shows great cutback ability and a fluid running style which allows him to navigate through the second level of defenses almost untouched. A legitimate sub 4.5/40 guy (Also runs a 10.8/100) Wegher has the ability to blow up defensive angles once he gets to the sideline, and has enough upper body strength and leg explosion to also run through tackles. One thing I love about Wegner is his combination of work ethic and natural athletic ability. Often times you’ll see a guy with one or the other, but rarely will you find a guy who is motivated enough to continually improve.

WR Andre DeBose, Sanford Seminole (FL): Undecided

A dynamic all-purpose athlete who has drawn comparisons to Percy Harvin, Debose is ridiculously smooth in the open field and makes opposing defensive players look like their running through jello. This kid is a pure athlete all the way and has exceptional straight line speed as well as good cutback ability and lateral quickness. He’s exceptionally versatile in that while he projects as a wide receiver on the college level he can be lined up at several positions. He reminds me a lot of Harvin as well as former Purdue wide receiver and return man Dorian Bryant. One drawback I may see in his game is that he’s far from polished as a pure wide receiver and will likely need to play in a spread style offense to make an immediate impact. Translation? Don’t go to Florida State.

DE Sam Montgomery Greenwood Greenwood (SC): Undecided

Montgomery is a really exciting prospect not just because he has the “measurables” which give him unlimited potential on the next level, but because he has displayed outstanding overall production at the prep level. At 6’5 he has ideal size coming out of high school at the defensive end position, and with a 4.65/40 time he boasts more than enough speed to make an immediate impact as a rush end once he gets to college. You’d like to see him attack the weight room a little harder his senior season, but you can’t argue with 20 sacks as a junior in 2007. The amazing part of it? 2007 was his first year playing football, which means with refining he should be able to put up monster numbers down the road.

Former LSU and oft-troubled quarterback Ryan “Hunk Fiji” Perrilloux has officially transferred to FCS middleweight Jacksonville State.

What This Means: While I can’t say I’ve had much sympathy for Perrilloux, I think this is a mutually beneficial situation that he’s stepping into. Considering Jacksonville State didn’t have any scholarship quarterbacks on the roster he’s clearly doing them a favor by stepping into a tough situation, while Head Coach Jack Crowe is doing him a favor by virtually guaranteeing him a starting spot. But don’t just assume Perrilloux will dominate at a lower level and play his way back into NFL prospectdom. He’s bound to be on a short leash considering he’s taking over for a quarterback who was kicked off the team, and has shown a propensity for finding trouble in the past even when he knows he’s run out of fifth chances. If nothing else, this gives us another reason to tune into the Jacksonville State-Georgia Tech matchup on August 28. Something tells me Bristol is scrambling to get involved in this one.

BYU running back Manase Tonga was ruled academically ineligible for the 2008 season, and will have to take a redshirt before reapplying to the University if he wants to play in 2009.

What This Means: Not a whole lot. Don’t get me wrong, in an offense based on role players Tonga was one of BYU’s best last year. A solid blocker and receiver out of the backfield, he ran for 305 yards and eight touchdowns for the Cougars in limited duty. But BYU is stacked in the backfield, returning both MWC Freshmen of the Year Harvey Unga (1227 yards, 13 TD) and a finally healthy Taufui Vakapuna (252 yards in ’07, 445 yards in ’06.) Unga is truly as talented as they come, while Vakapuna, when healthy, is an absolute load to bring down. When you throw in highly touted redshirt freshmen J.J. DiLuigi to the mix, BYU has one of the best backfields in the entire country even without Tonga.

The Big East reportedly was in negotiations to bring Memphis into the conference as a possible expansion team, then reportedly was not.

What It Means: It seems like just yesterday we were still writing Big (L)east and never missing an opportunity to make the constant aside about how much the new Big East sucks. That being said dumping Temple and moving to an eight team football conference hasn’t been bad at all for the Big East, and despite basically perpetual calls for adding a ninth team by fans and media members I don’t know if this is something that needs to be rushed along. I do know one thing, and that’s that Army, Navy, and Notre Dame aren’t going anywhere, so when the Big East does decide to expand, it will either have to come internally (like ‘Nova moving up from the FCS) or will have to come from Memphis or East Carolina.

ACC Athletic Directors decided to scrap possible plans for adding a ninth conference game.

What This Means: Boo-hoo. I know the folks in SEC and Pac-10 country are whining over this as usual, but being from ACC country I applaud this move. Why? Because we have great regional games here on the east coast, games that often feature matchups between the ACC and Conference-USA or the highly competitive Colonial Athletic Conference. People love to knock these “lower” matchups because of how easily they perceive the ACC slate to be, but God forbid the sport of college football be extended out of hallowed SEC conference. Personally, I’d much rather see a highly motivated CAA team try to knock off a mid-level ACC team than be subjected to seeing Clemson put up 70 on Duke.

League Commissioner John Swofford has announced that the ACC will no longer participate in the Humanitarian Bowl after 2008, a move which will terminate one reluctant ACC team’s annual pilgrimage to the Smurf Turf.

What It Means: With the approval of the Congressional Bowl this was bound to happen, as the ACC is now affiliated with nine (count them: NINE) bowl tie-ins for 2008. Considering the ACC probably won’t have nine bowl eligible teams, it makes sense to cut ties with Humanitarian Bowl, which has always been looked on as something of a punishment by fans and media members. For the record, I hate it when people knock Boise, which really is a pretty awesome city in one of the coolest regions of our country. Maybe not a cup of tea for some Miami fan in December, but hopefully my Midshipmen can jump on this in 2009 and give me a decent excuse to get out to Sun Valley for some skiing.

Mailbag, did you say Mailbag?

I like to think myself a fairly astute observer of the college football game, especially the non-BCS conferences. So, in an effort to make our slow crawl into the college football preview season a little more interesting, I’ve decided to set up a “Non-BCS Conference Mailbag” over here at ITB. Basically we can do this one of two ways. One, you send your questions, comments, concerns, or queries to guyontheright-at-gmail.com and I answer them here on the blog, OR I make up questions by people named A. Howard Rogers and post the answers on the blog. Frankly I’d rather try the first option, so let’s have at it.

DB Andrew Sendejo, Rice- A rock at 6’1, 213, Sendajo is also one of Conference USA’s best kept secrets. Incredibly active, he’s one of the most versatile defensive backs in the entire country, intercepting five passes (one returned for a touchdown) and notching up 107 tackles in 2007 as a true sophomore. Sendejo is one of the rare combinations of a guy with great range who also happens to be a ferocious hitter, and looks primed to lead what figures to be a much improved Rice Owl defense is 2008.

DE Larry English, Northern Illinois- NIU may have struggled through an injury plagued 2007 campaign, but for the second consecutive year defensive end Larry English was all but unstoppable for opposing offensive lines. The rising senior recorded 10.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, and recovered a fumble for a touchdown in 2007. At 6’3, 254 he figures to be a classic tweener at the next level, but for now he remains one of the most relentless defensive ends in the game. With NIU rebuilding under new head coach Jerry Kill, I look for English to lead a refocused defense in 2008.

OLB Clayton Mullins, Miami (Oh)- The reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Year, Mullins played like a man possessed in 2007 for the Red Hawks, totaling 143 tackles (69 solo, 16 tfl), four sacks, and six passes defended. At 6’2, 235 he has next level size for his position at outside linebacker, and more than enough speed and recognition ability to make plays both between the lines and on the perimeter. The leader of the MAC’s best defense, Mullins and Miami should contend for the MAC title yet again in 2008.

LB Frantz Joseph, Florida Atlantic- A big part of FAU’s unlikely turnaround in 2007, Joseph finished 28th in the country in tackles per game last year with just over 10 per contest. He also led the Sun Belt conference in tackles for loss (17) while recording two interceptions and two and a half sacks. Originally a transfer from Boston College, Joseph is a tremendous competitor with great range and instincts who should have FAU back in contention for the Sun Belt crown in 2008.

LB Adam Leonard, Hawaii- A first team all WAC selection in 2007, Leonard is not only one of the WAC’s hardest hitters, but one of its biggest defensive playmakers. Second on the team with 105 tackles last season (53 solo, 11.5 tfl) Leonard also took two interceptions back for touchdowns and broke up four passes. Not the tallest player, he nevertheless has a great feel for the game and the always underrated ability to shed blocks with ease. He’s a versatile player can play either the “mac” or “buck” linebacker positions as they’re known in Honolulu, and should be a major asset in new head coach Greg McMackin’s efforts to keep the program competitive.

DT John Fletcher, Wyoming- One of the major factors in Wyoming’s defensive dominance over the past two years, Fletcher is the 6’6, 275-lb stonewall that anchors the Cowboy defensive line. A dominating force inside with long arms and a powerful upper body, Fletcher registered an unusually high 10.5 sacks from the defensive tackle position last year, in addition to 14 tackles for a loss. His size and athleticism makes him a potential NFL sleeper down the road, but for now he remains the anchor on one of the country’s best and most underrated defensive lines.

FS Ryan Downard, Eastern Michigan- When commentators use the term “playing center field” to describe the actions of a free safety, their explaining the way rising sophomore Ryan Downard played in 2007 to a tee. Downard is one of those guys who has the uncanny ability to just make plays on the football, picking off six passes as a redshirt freshmen last year. I love his feel for the game at free safety, and he shows maturity beyond his years in reading quarterbacks. His continued progression gives perennial MAC bottom feeder Eastern Michigan a chance to be competitive in the MAC next season.

CB Joe Burnett, Central Florida- A rising senior who originally declared for the 2008 NFL draft, Burnett instead chose to return to Central Florida for his senior season after a monster junior campaign in 2007. An aggressive corner who excels against both the pass (12 career interceptions) and the run (148 career solo stops), Burnett also doubles as one of the nation’s most explosive punt returners with three career touchdown returns. His versatility and nose for the football make him not only one of the best defenders in the conference, but also a potential Day 1 draft pick in next year’s draft.

DB Wyatt Middleton, Navy- While I’m willing to admit that this is a blatently homeristic call on my part, I truly believe Middleton is the second coming of former Navy great Josh Smith, who recorded about a bazillion tackles for the Mids between 2002-2004 and was basically a one-man wrecking crew who I swear could have made it in the NFL had he wanted to. Middleton isn’t overly flashy (at least not yet) but he does do what 95% of college defenders can’t- he tackles with proper form. In a day and age where defenders almost always leave their feet, forget to bring their arms, and most of the time get truly and disgustingly high pad level, Middleton displays proper form and good courage against much bigger players. While my esteemed colleague has often noticed his habit of being out of position in the passing game, a solid spring should pay dividends on the field in 2008.

Note: UCF cornerback Johnell Neal was to be included in this list until a recent shooting on May 10th left him injured and put his status in jeopardy for the 2008 season. Neal, who recently graduated early from UCF, picked off six passes in 2007 and broke up another ten. We wish him a speedy recovery and return to the field, whether it be on the college level or the next.

Ten non-BCS conference players who could make or break their team’s chances in 2008. Click the links to view highlight clips.

RB Harvey Unga, BYU- Big, physical, and athletic, Unga was the lead horse in a very good stable of running backs at BYU last year, and already looks primed for an even bigger 2008. Earning both Mountain West Conference Freshmen of the year and Freshmen All-American honors, Unga powered his way to 1,227 yards on the ground (5.0 avg) and an incredible 655 yards through the air in 2007 en route to BYU’s second consecutive Mountain West Title. Joined by All-MWC performers Max Hall at quarterback and Austin Collie at wide receiver, Unga has a very real shot of leading BYU to a BCS bowl game in 2008.

RB James Starks, Buffalo- Starks is an intriguing case because he might be the most talented skill player at the University at Buffalo since Drew Haddad in the late 90s. At 6’2, 210 he’s big enough to be an effective inside runner, but he has uncanny straight line speed for a guy his size in the open field. He’s a duel threat guy out of the backfield and has great ball skills, catching 41 passes in 2007 while not fumbling once in 251 carries. One of the key role players in Buffalo’s recent turnaround, Starks looks ready to lead the Bulls to a bowl eligible season in 2008.

QB/SB/PR Jarod Bryant, Navy- It’s not often that the buzz around a given team’s spring practice revolves around the backup quarterback, but in the case of the Naval Academy that’s exactly what happened this April. A multi-faceted athlete from the famed Hoover High program, backup quarterback Jarod Bryant spent last year in spot relief duty of Kaipo-Noa Keheaku-Enhada before new Head Coach Ken Niumatalolo added slotback and punt returner to his list of duties this offseason. With Vick-like quickness and feet in the open field, Bryant has the natural ability to just flat out make people miss whenever he has the ball in his hands, and will likely play a key role in Navy’s quest to make it to a sixth consecutive Bowl game.

WR Casey Fitzgerald, North Texas- A bigtime playmaker in every sense of the word, Fitzgerald thrived in his first year under Head Coach Todd Dodge, leading a resurgent Mean Green offense in reception (111), receiving yards (1322) and receiving touchdowns (12.) His 11.9 yard average doesn’t jump out on paper, but catch and runs of 99 and 69 yards sure do on tape. While he has the physical skills of speed and body control that make him an NFL prospect, it’s his recognition ability and route running which make him the dominant receiver in the Sun Belt conference. I’m expecting Dodge and North Texas to be at the top of the Sun Belt in 2008, and this guy is a big reason why.

QB Chase Clement, Rice- Clement may very well be the best duel threat quarterback in the country you’ve never heard of, and he’s got the numbers to prove it. Hitting 60% of his passes in 2007, Clement threw for 3377 yards and 29 touchdowns, while rushing for 535 yards and eight touchdowns. He doesn’t have the strongest arm in the world but at the same time he doesn’t have to, as he’s incredibly accurate and has the ability to make mid range throws with consistency. With some stability finally coming to the Rice coaching staff Clement has the ability to take the Owles back to the postseason this season.

RB Luke Lippincott, Nevada- Another physical runner, Lippincott literally ran through WAC defenses last year en route to a 1420 yard (5.3 avg) year on the ground in 2007. Well trained in Coach Chris Ault’s pistol offense, Lippincott is the perfect compliment for speedy quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who himself gave Nevada’s offense a much needed spark last year. With a wide open WAC this year I look for Nevada to use Lippincot aggressively and return to the postseason.

WR Kevin Jurovich, San Jose State- If this is your first time hearing about Jurovich then don’t worry, you’re not alone. Maybe the lone bright spot on San Jose State’s anemic offense last season, Jurovich has a chance to be one of the most prolific skill position players in the WAC next season. A very smooth route runner with good quickness and decent long speed, Jurovich went from being a backup safety in 2006 to the team’s leading receiver in 2007. With a new quarterback coming into SJSU this year it’s going to be critical for SJSU to get the ball into Jurovich’s hands as much as possible, especially if the Spartans wish to return to their 2006 season form.

TE Bear Pascoe, Fresno State- You don’t often think about possession tight ends when you talk about the one most important player on an offense, but in the case of Fresno State’s offense you might have to. The rising senior has ideal size (6’5, 265) and tremendous body control, which makes the fact that he was an option quarterback in high school all the more insane. He almost single-handedly obliterated Texas A&M’s secondary last season (7 catches, 3 TDs) and figures to be an iatrical part of Fresno State’s loaded offense in 2008.

RB Eugene Jarvis, Kent State- The leading returning rusher in the country, Jarvis ran for 1669 yards (6.0 avg) and ten touchdowns in 2007 to very little national acclaim. A scat back with tremendous vision and change of direction ability in the open field, watching Jarvis is like watching former MAC great Garrett Wolfe out of a zone running based offense. The challenge for Jarvis will be whether or not he can help get Kent State over the hump in a MAC title race in which one team’s chances seem to be as good as the next’s. If he can, then don’t be surprised to see him replicate Wolfe’s minor Heisman Run from a few years ago in 2008.

RB Ian Johnson, Boise State- After eclipsing 1700 yards rushing and 25 touchdowns in 2006 it seemed like Johnson was a viable contender for the Heisman in 2007, but a retooled Boise State offense transferred much of the load to fellow running backs Jeremy Avery and DJ Harper last season. Still, Johnson is one of the elite start-stop runners in all of college football, and surpassed the 1000 yard rushing mark last season. After a quiet year in 2007 expect Johnson and Boise State to make another run in the WAC, where the departure of Colt Brennan and June Jones at Hawaii has suddenly left the conference wide open.

I was rather critical of Les Miles earlier in the month for his less than harsh punishment(s) of star quarterback Ryan Perrilloux. But today, Miles finally had enough and kicked the blue chip quarterback off the team for good. On one hand I applaud Miles, but on the other, I wonder what the heck took him so long to do this?

From the beginning we all knew that Perrilloux was no saint. Let’s look at some of the trouble he has been in while being at LSU:

1. Late 2006 - Perrilloux was questioned by federal officials for his role in a counterfeiting ring being investigated in his hometown of LaPlace. Perrilloux had tried to pass to counterfeit $20 at a LaPlace area convenience store. He was never arrested for this but did community service work.

2. May 2007 - Cited by Baton Rouge Police for attempting to enter a downtown gambling casino with false identification. He was not 21 at the time. Punished for the summer (Ouch!). Reinstated for fall practice.

3. October 2007 - Perrilloux was in a barroom brawl near the LSU campus. He was questioned by Baton Rouge Police but not arrested. Miles suspended him for the Nov. 3 Alabama game, however, and he did not make the trip to Tuscaloosa, Ala. He re-joined the team two days after the game.

4. January 2008 - Skipping classes and team meetings. Miles suspends him from the team, yet allows him to go to the White House with the team to be honored by President Bush. He is one of the few members of the team to shake the President’s hand. The suspension was lifted late during the Tigers’ spring drills.

I can see giving a person a second chance, but he had a history of bringing trouble with him, and part of the blame has to go to Miles and the LSU staff. They knew what they were getting into when recruiting Perrilloux, yet looked the other way to get a superstar on their team. Well guys, you got your National Title, so everything is alright.

There is no doubt that Perriloux will try and transfer to another program, but what program would want to take a chance on a kid like this? I know there is one or two out there, but I believe he will end up in the ranks of the FCS Division. He would be too much of a distraction to only be able to have for one year for an FBS team to take a chance on him.