QB Joe Hamilton — Georgia Tech
Hamilton may not be the NFL’s prototype quarterback, but he’s the best in
college football. If the Heisman Trophy was truly based on just one year, Hamilton is
probably the player who meant the most to his team and is most deserving of it.
Hamilton is a Charlie Ward type of quarterback but throws the ball better and did not
have the great supporting cast Ward had at Florida State. Hamilton is a fine option
quarterback who can also drop back and throw the ball well. While not blessed with a great
deep arm, he lays the ball out accurately and has good timing on his deep throws. The best
way to measure a quarterback is by asking two questions: Does he get his team into the
endzone? And how well does he play with the game on the line? In 1999, Hamilton was
brilliant in both areas.
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Ron Dayne
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RB Ron Dayne — Wisconsin
Dayne got his weight down, had his best season and finished the year by breaking Ricky
Williams’ NCAA career rushing record while leading the Badgers to the Rose Bowl. He
is a patient runner with great power once he gets going. He also boasts excellent vision,
quick feet and staying power. However, he caught only one pass in ’99 and did not do
much in the second half of Wisconsin’s lone conference loss to Michigan.
RB Thomas Jones — Virginia
Jones may very well have been a better all-around back than Dayne this year. He ran for
similar yardage, caught a lot more passes and showed that he could run inside or outside
and explode through tiny creases. His hands are soft, and his intangibles are superb.
TE Daniel ‘‘Bubba’’ Franks — Miami (Fla.)
Franks is not going to catch as many passes as Louisville’s Ibn Green or
Kentucky’s James Whalen because of the type of offense he plays in. But Franks is a
big, sure-handed receiver who can run after the catch and block. He is not just an extra
wide receiver like the aforementioned Green and is much bigger than both Whalen and Green.
Whalen is only 230 pounds but tries to block and is a superproductive receiver who would
be our second-team All-American.
WR Peter Warrick — Florida State
Nobody is better running with the ball after the catch. If not for his off-the-field
problems, Warrick would have been right up there with Dayne in the Heisman race.
WR Troy Walters — Stanford
The pros may overlook him because he is so short, but he was a difference-maker in
college and a big reason Stanford won the Pacific-10.
OG Steve Hutchinson — Michigan
Can be dominating in the running game and has improved as a pass protector.
OG Richard Mercier — Miami (Fla.)
The pros will knock him for his size and athletic ability, but he is a solid player.
C John St. Clair — Virginia
He’s no Dwight Stephenson, but St. Clair plays hard and has performed well.
OT Chris McIntosh — Wisconsin
The man Dayne has loved to run behind the past four years.
OT Chris Samuels — Alabama
Best and most athletic offensive lineman in the nation.
DE Courtney Brown — Penn State
Everything is positive with Brown. He could be the first pick in the NFL draft.
DE Corey Moore — Virginia Tech
Moore is only about 5-11 and 218 pounds, but he plays with amazing leverage and could
be the best pure football player in the college game.
DT Corey Simon — Florida State
A dominating inside player who is very powerful and athletic.
DT Chris Hovan — Boston College
Plays beyond his athletic ability. Nebraska’s Steve Warren is also a good
candidate.
LB LaVar Arrington — Penn State
Makes more big plays than any linebacker but also will take chances and get overzealous
at times.
LB Raynoch Thompson — Tennessee
Has played better than Al Wilson did last year in Knoxville.
LB Keith Bulluck — Syracuse
Started both inside and outside and has great speed and range.
CB Jamar Fletcher — Wisconsin
A playmaker who does not have much size but makes a ton of plays.
CB Ike Charlton — Virginia Tech
Another playmaker with a great knack for getting to the ball.
FS Deon Grant — Tennessee
Below-average tackler but a great football athlete with superb hands and range.
SS Brian Urlacher — New Mexico
Is a dominating run defender and has great hands. Urlacher will probably be a
linebacker in the NFL.
PK Sebastian Janikowski — Florida State
May have the strongest leg in football, period, and is more accurate than most.
P Shane Lechler — Texas A&M
Best senior football player the Aggies have.
RS Deltha O’Neal — California
Doesn’t possess great speed but has a flair for the return game. |
