Mel Kiper's Big Board

[Seminole44]

1. Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame (6-3½, 225) | previous: Same

Poised, smart and at his best in pressure situations. After a comeback against Michigan State, Quinn had another solid outing in leading the Irish to a come-from-behind win against UCLA.

 

 

2. Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin (6-6½, 313) | previous: Same

Huge, quick and athletic with a long wingspan.

 

 

3. Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson (6-4½, 260) | previous: Same

Flashes dominating ability with his athleticism and quickness.

 

 

4. Leon Hall, CB, Michigan (5-11, 193) | previous: Same

Tough customer who also shows very good anticipation and awareness in coverage.

 

 

5. Jeff Samardzija, WR, Notre Dame (6-4½, 215) | previous: 6

Super hands and concentration with outstanding speed-to-size ratio. He has five TD receptions in his last four games.

 

 

6. LaRon Landry, DB, LSU (6-1½, 205) | previous: 7

Four-year starter who has proven to be Mr. Reliable throughout his career.

 

 

7. Quinn Pitcock, DT, Ohio St. (6-3, 297) | previous: 5

Run-stuffing dynamo who does a great job of clogging the interior.

 

 

8. Levi Brown, OT, Penn St. (6-4½, 325) | previous: 9

Steady and reliable at protecting the quarterback's blind side.

 

 

9. Kenny Irons, RB, Auburn (5-10½, 199) | previous:11

Deceptively strong with great vision and balance. Irons has missed two games this season because of injuries.

 

 

10. Drew Stanton, QB, Michigan St. (6-3, 232) | previous: Unranked

Desire to win is unmatched and brings every intangible you want at the QB position. Stanton showed those intangibles last week in Michigan State's miraculous comeback at Northwestern.

 

 

11. Marcus Thomas, DT, Florida (6-2½, 288) | previous rank: 12

Thomas neutralizes the double team and plays with power.

 

 

12. Quentin Moses, DE, Georgia (6-4, 254) | previous: 8

Mature, hard working and explosive off the edge.

 

 

13. Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno St. (6-0½, 200) | previous: 16

He has the size and speed (4.33 40-yard dash) with outstanding coverage technique.

 

 

14. Victor Abiamiri, DE, Notre Dame (6-4, 270) | previous rank: 10

He has really stepped up as a big-time pass rusher this season. Abiamiri also is one of the more durable and battle-tested ends in the country.

 

 

15. DeMarcus "Tank" Tyler, DT, NC State (6-2¼, 310) | previous: 14

Extremely quick and very powerful. A player on the rise, Taylor has been a one-man wrecking crew on the defensive line for the Wolfpack.

 

 

16. Tom Zbikowski, S, Notre Dame (5-11½, 212) | previous: 13

An aggressive ball hawk who brings a swagger to the Irish's defense. A true play-maker who also excels as a punt returner.

 

 

17. Daymeion Hughes, CB, California (6-0, 187) | previous: Same

Big-play cornerback for the Golden Bears. Finished strong in 2005 and it has carried over to this season. Hughes has seven INT in eight games.

 

18. Ray McDonald, DE, Florida (6-2½, 279) | previous: Unranked

A versatile defensive lineman who is putting together an outstanding senior season for the Gators. McDonald is quick at the snap and plays through the whistle. He's also stayed healthy this season after missing a significant amount of time in 2005 with a knee injury.

 

 

19. Patrick Willis, LB, Mississippi (6-2, 235) | previous: 20

Tackling machine with great football sense and diagnostic ability. Leads the Rebels with 86 tackles (58 solo).

 

 

20. Aundrae Allison, WR, East Carolina (6-0, 190) | previous: Unranked

He's a difference-maker when he's at full strength. Allison returned from an ankle injury last week with 13 receptions against SMU.

 

 

21. Ryan Harris, OT, Notre Dame (6-4½, 297) | previous: 15

Light on his feet with a defensive mentality. Harris neutralizes quick outside pass rushers.

 

 

22. Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan (6-5½, 300) | previous: Unranked

He's a former tight end who has developed into a natural left tackle. Staley brings incredible footwork, athleticism and agility to the position.

 

 

23. David Harris, LB, Michigan (6-2, 240) | previous: 18

Fast, strong and very productive, Harris has been one of the elite defensive players in the Big Ten this season.

 

 

24. Paul Posluszny, LB, Penn St. (6-1½, 235) | previous: 23

A productive and consistent player who studies and prepares as thoroughly as anybody.

 

 

25. John Wendling, S, Wyoming (6-1, 220) | previous: Unranked

He's a key performer on the Cowboys defense that ranks, statistically, as one of the best in the nation. Wendling can run under 4.40 in the 40-yard dash and has a 41-inch vertical leap. He's also one of the most intelligent players in all of college football.

[Seminole44]

I should note that he doesn't include injured players and juniors on this board....

[Eagle]

I was wondering where Peterson was.

 

Tim Crowder will be in top 15 much less top 25.

 

Is Meachem not a SR?

[Seminole44]

Crowder was in his Top 25 at the beginning of the season....he comes out with a new one each month...I think Meachem is a junior, or Kiper might think that he's not a great pro prospect....

[coachb]

troy smith is going to win the heisman and he is not on any of these lists

[Seminole44]

Are you saying that he should be? I don't know if Troy Smith is that great a Pro Prospect, he's small for a pro QB, and I'm not sure he's as accurate or polished as others. Besides we all know that winning the Heisman doesn't equal Pro ability, see--- Jason White, Danny Weurffuel, Ty Detmer, etc etc etc

[ramsn03]

Good gosh how does Notre Dame lose, with 5 players in the top 25.

[TxBroadcaster]

Smith is not THAT small he is 6'1 215

[Smoaky]

If reference to no Adrian Peterson...

 

Most of these lists, "for now", don't include underclassmen---things will change as the college season winds down...

 

Smoaky

[lobo4life]

How has Crowder just fallen like a rock and has 8.5 sacks this year?