If you're a follower of college football, you are undoubtedly aware of Heisman Trophy contenders like Arkansas' Darren McFadden, USC's John David Booty, Hawaii's Colt Brennan, and Louisville's Brian Brohm. Many of you many also be familiar with top defensive players like Notre Dame's Tom Zbikowski, Ohio State's James Laurinaitis, and LSU's Glenn Dorsey. Below that level of All-American and multiple national award contenders lies a group of potential college football superstars whom could start to dominate national headlines as the season progresses.
At the very least, all of the following players, barring injury, will make significant impact on their teams and conferences respectively.
Jarett Dillard, WR, Rice
The most remarkable part of Rice's turnaround from 1-10 in 2005 to 7-6 in 2006 was not only the fact that it was traditionally putrid Rice, but that it happened in a spread offense with a team that had wishbone personnel from a previous coaching staff.
This year, the coach who masterminded the turnaround in Todd Graham is gone, but the spread offense stays and so does wideout Jarett Dillard. Dillard caught a whopping 21 touchdowns last year with 91 receptions and 1,247 yards to boot.
The Owls' top quarterback, Chase Clement returns, which could see all three of Dillard's superb receiving totals improve.
Brian Cushing, OLB, USC
Perhaps the only quote-unquote "big" name known by college football fans on USC's defense is defensive end Lawrence Jackson.
But the true reason why USC are the preseason favorites for the national championship is not because of Booty and the offense, but is due to their absolutely loaded defense. Ten starters return to a unit that allowed less than 300 yards per game a year ago.
While Cushing is not "under the radar" by any means, he is moving to a more natural strong-side linebacker position after starting every game a year ago at defensive end. The 6'4", 245 lb. player recorded 13.5 tackles for loss last year and has a great chance to improve with all the talent around him.
Gosder Cherilus, LT, Boston College
If one were to scan over every single NFL roster, one of the most stunning things you would find would be the sheer volume of offensive linemen who played for BC. Cherilus, a senior, will be the next BC o-line product to make it to the pros.
The Haitian-born 23-year-old beast has started every single game for the Eagles since redshirting in 2003. The 6'7", 320 lb. beast of a tackle will block first team All-ACC quarterback Matt Ryan's blind side and will pave holes for the talented running back duo of L.V. Whitworth and Andre Callender.
Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
Usually, if I'm talking about a 6'2", 180 lb. athlete at Kansas, chances are that he is a point guard for the Jayhawks, and not one of the nation's best all-around corners.
Talib's size and prowess led to the corner leading the nation in pass break-ups a year ago, with over one a game more than the next best. The junior also has a knack to punish quarterbacks for mistakes, intercepting six passes as a sophomore. Big 12 teams will likely try to shy away from throwing to Talib's side at all in 2007, but could have a rude awakening when they find a top-50 national recruit form 2005 in Anthony Webb on the other side.
If Talib and Webb can shut down top Big 12 passing games, it could not only lead to a bowl appearance for the Jayhawks, but to perhaps a first team All-America spot for Talib.
Dorien Bryant, WR, Purdue
Quick — who led the Big Ten in receiving yards last year? It wasn't Ted Ginn, Anthony Gonzalez, Steve Breaston, Mario Manningham, or anyone on Penn State or Wisconsin.
It was the Boilermakers' Bryant, a 5'10" speed demon who was once clocked at 4.24 in the 40. Even with all the receiving talent and hysteria surrounding Ohio State and Michigan, Bryant was still voted as a first team All-Big Ten selection.
Besides Bryant, Joe Tiller's team returns 17 more starters and only loses one key piece in first-round NFL draft pick Anthony Spencer.
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