College tight ends to watch in 2012



Notre Dame's Tyler Effert

Given how the San Diego Chargers already possess one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history backed up by solid veterans and a promising rookie, one may believe general manager A.J. Smith will not target the position for next April’s draft. The great Antonio Gates may not have many years left, however, and rookie Ladarius Green still needs to prove himself. Not to mention the fact that the New England Patriots’ offense dominated the NFL last year by using athletic studs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez in two-tight end sets.

So, with all that in mind, Smith may want to check out the following prospects this fall:

1.      Notre Dame’s Tyler Eifert: Considered the top tight end in the nation right now, this 6-6, 251-pound junior can do it all as a pass-catcher and route-runner. He had 63 catches for 803 yards and five touchdowns last year.

2.      Arkansas’ Chris Gragg: The 6-3, 236-pound senior is being counted on to catch a lot of passes in the Razorbacks’ offense this season. He caught 41 passes for 518 yards and two touchdowns in 2011.

3.      San Jose State’s Ryan Otten: This 6-6, 245-pound senior made first-team All-WAC last season after catching 52 passes for 739 yards and a team-leading five touchdowns.

4.      Western Kentucky’s Jack Doyle: A 6-6, 255-pound senior, he had 52 catches for 614 yards and made second-team All-Sun Belt in 2011.

5.      Stanford’s Zach Ertz and Levine Toilolo: Both are seniors possessing immense talents. The 6-6, 252-pound Ertz caught 27 passes for 343 yards and four touchdowns last season. With Coby Fleener now in the NFL, Ertz should get more playing time this fall. Toilolo, meanwhile, is a 6-8, 265-pound nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators. He was named All-Pac-12 honorable mention last year after finishing with 25 receptions for 343 yards and six touchdowns. He has also proven to be a dominant blocker in the run game.

6.      Colorado State’s Crockett Gilmore: A 6-6, 245-pound junior, he had 45 catches for 468 yards and four touchdowns in 2011. His efforts led to him making the All-Mountain West second team.

7.      UCLA tight end/wide receiver Joseph Fauria: He’s a 6-7, 258-pound senior who caught 39 passes for 481 yards and six touchdowns in 2011. His size makes him quite an intriguing prospect as a hybrid.

8.      Auburn’s Philip Lutzenkirchen: This 6-5, 255-pound senior caught 24 passes for 238 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He was also voted second-team All-SEC by the coaches and the Associated Press.

 

The tight end position isn’t one many seem to get excited about at the college level, but a few of these prospects are intriguing, and more will probably emerge.

 

College wide receivers to watch in 2012

California's Keenan Allen

After making several additions to the wide receiver position this past offseason, and what with 2011 third-round pick Vincent Brown seeming to have a nice future, one may believe San Diego Chargers general manager A.J. Smith shouldn’t invest a high draft selection on a pass-catcher next April. Yet, with the departure of Vincent Jackson, the Chargers may be on the lookout for that surefire #1 target who could strike fear into opposing defenses. As of right now, nobody could know for sure if free-agent addition Robert Meachem fits that bill, so Smith should definitely keep his eyes on the following prospects this fall:

1.      California's Keenan Allen: One of the most dynamic talents in the nation, this 6-3, 210-pound junior had 98 receptions for 1,343 yards and six touchdowns last season. A repeat or improved performance this year could possibly lead to him becoming a top-five pick next April.

2.      USC's Robert Woods: Arguably the most gifted wide receiver in the nation, this 6-1, 190-pound junior had 111 receptions for 1,292 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2011. He and Keenan Allen will probably compete to be the first wide receiver selected in next April’s draft.

3.      Baylor's Terrance Williams: A 6-2, 206-pound senior, he had 59 receptions for 957 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. Now that Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Robert Griffin is playing with the Washington Redskins in the NFL, Williams needs to show he can handle his own and make big plays without a legend tossing him the ball.

4.      Washington State's Marquess Wilson: A 6-4, 185-pound junior, he was named first-team All-Pac-12 last season after catching 82 passes for 1,388 yards and 12 touchdowns. His numbers should be even better in 2012, now that Mike Leach has taken over as Washington State’s head coach. Given Wilson’s height, he could probably benefit from putting on 15-20 pounds.

5.     Tennessee Tech's Da’Rick Rogers: A talented playmaker who possesses the complete package at 6-3, 208 pounds, this junior caught 67 passes for 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns last year. Formerly a member of the University of Tennessee, he was dismissed from the Vols after failing a couple drug tests.

6.      Miami of Ohio's Nick Harwell: A 6-1, 193-pound junior, he caught 97 passes for 1,425 yards and nine touchdowns in 2011. That outstanding production led to him earning first-team All-MAC honors.

7.      Clemson wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins: Although he’s considered an inferior playmaker in comparison to teammate Sammy Watkins—who won’t be eligible for the 2013 draft—the 6-1, 200-pound Hopkins, a junior, is still quite a talented pass-catcher. In 2011 he caught 72 passes for 978 yards and five touchdowns. That followed up his freshman season in 2010, during which he amassed 51 receptions for 626 yards and four touchdowns.

8.      West Virginia wide receiver Stedman Bailey: About to be a third-year starter, this 5-10, 193-pound junior caught 72 passes for 1,279 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. He’s considered one of the best deep threats in all of college football right now.

9.      Oklahoma wide receiver Kenny Stills: This 6-1, 190-pound junior made 61 catches for 849 yards and eight touchdowns last season. His efforts led to the coaches voting him All-Big 12 second team.

10.  Arkansas wide receiver Cobi Hamilton: This 6-3, 209-pound senior is expected to be Tyler Wilson’s top target this fall. In 2011, Hamilton caught 34 passes for 542 yards and four touchdowns.

11.  TCU wide receiver Josh Boyce: A junior, this 6-0, 203-pound receiver is considered a burner. In 2011 he caught 61 passes for 998 yards and nine touchdowns.

12.  West Virginia wide receiver Tavon Austin: A prototypical slot receiver, this 5-9, 174-pound senior had 101 receptions for 1,186 yards and eight touchdowns last season.

13.  Duke wide receiver Connor Vernon: A 6-1, 200-pound senior, he had 70 receptions for 956 yards and six touchdowns in 2011.

14.  Wyoming wide receiver Chris McNeill: This 6-1, 180-pound senior had 42 catches for 504 yards and four touchdowns in nine games last year. An arm injury cut his season short, but he was still named to the All-Mountain West second team.

15.  Louisiana (Lafayette) wide receiver Javone Lawson: A 6-1, 183-pound senior, he made first-team All-Sun Belt in 2011 after catching 63 passes for 1,092 yards and eight touchdowns.

16.  Troy wide receiver Eric Thomas: This 6-1, 209-pound junior had 67 receptions for 875 yards and nine touchdowns last year. His efforts led to him making the All-Sun Belt second team.

 

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers may have more options to throw to this season, but there’s no denying he’ll miss having a clear #1 target such as Jackson. If Meachem doesn’t prove to be anywhere close to what Jackson was during his time with the Lightning Bolts, Smith may want to jump at the opportunity to select one of the aforementioned phenomenal college wide receivers next April.

College running backs to watch in 2012



Arizona State's Cameron Marshall

The San Diego Chargers have two former first-round picks (Ronnie Brown and Ryan Mathews) on their roster. They also have nice depth in the versatile Le’Ron McClain and Jacob Hester, along with whomever wins the preseason duel among Jackie Battle, Curtis Brinkley, and Edwin Baker. Still, with Mathews suffering yet another injury this summer, and Brown seemingly on the decline, San Diego general manager A.J. Smith may want to select a ball-carrier in next April’s NFL draft. Actually, if neither Baker nor Brinkley works out, Smith will definitely need to find a #2 back of the future behind Mathews. In that regard, Smith should stay focused on the following prospects this fall:

1.      South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore: Coming off a torn ACL, he’s ready to return this fall, his junior year, and prove to the nation that he’s the best running back in all of college football. Before suffering the season-ending injury in the seventh game last year, he ran for 818 yards and 10 touchdowns. That followed a 2010 freshman season in which he rushed for 1,184 yards and 17 touchdowns and caught 29 passes for 412 yards and another two scores. At 6-0, 218 pounds, he possesses the size and overall ability to be a workhorse running back in the NFL. All he needs to do is show that he’s all the way back from the torn ACL.

2.      Wisconsin running back Montee Ball: The 2011 rushing champion returns for his senior year. At 5-11, 215 pounds, there are those who say he doesn’t possess elite ability, but he certainly made his case last season, when he rushed for 1,923 yards and produced 39 total touchdowns (33 rushing, six receiving). Wisconsin is known for its road-grading offensive linemen making their running backs look better than they actually are. Several former Badger ball-carriers, most notably 1999 Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne, dominated at the collegiate level, only to turn into busts in the NFL. That has to be kept in mind when watching Ball this year.

3.      North Carolina running back Gio Bernard: A redshirt sophomore, he rushed for 1,253 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. At 5-10, 205 pounds, he also proved to be a receiving threat out of the backfield, as he caught 45 passes for 362 yards.

4.      USC running back Silas Redd: A transfer from Penn State, this 5-10, 200-pound junior ran for 1,241 yards and seven touchdowns last season. There’s a chance he won’t be as productive in the Trojans’ offense, as USC quarterback Matt Barkley’s excellence will probably lead to Redd receiving fewer carries. Still, Redd should give USC a big boost and could perhaps be the final piece to a championship puzzle.

5.      Clemson running back Andre Ellington: At 5-10, 190 pounds Ellington, a senior, is considered the best prospect on the Tigers’ offense for the 2013 draft.  In 2011 he rushed for 1,178 yards and 11 touchdowns.

6.      Fresno State running back Robbie Rouse: This 5-7, 195-pound senior has rushed for 3,157 yards thus far in his college career. In 2011 he ran for 1,549 yards. He also supposedly has the ability to catch passes out of the backfield, so the Bulldogs plan on taking advantage of that skill this fall.

7.      Pittsburgh running back Ray Graham: A senior, he’s a bit undersized at 5-9, 195 pounds, but he was very productive last season, rushing for 958 yards and nine touchdowns despite missing the final five games with a knee injury. He’s considered a dual-threat as a ball-carrier and receiver out of the backfield and possesses the complete package when it comes to running on the inside and outside.

8.      Arizona State running back Cameron Marshall: Considered one of the best-kept secrets in all of college football, this 5-11, 215-pound senior rushed for 1,098 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2011. He was also voted All-PAC-10/12 honorable mention for the second straight year.

9.      Houston running back Charles Sims, Jr.: A 6-0, 213-pound redshirt junior, he rushed for 821 yards and nine touchdowns on just 110 careers, equating to 7.5 yards per attempt. He also had 51 receptions for 575 yards and another four scores. His efforts led to him making first-team All-Conference USA. It must be noted, however, that Houston runs a wacky offense that makes it easier for running back to put up ridiculous numbers, as the aerial assault opens up the ground game.

10.  Arkansas running back Knile Davis: He missed all of last season with a broken left ankle. In 2010 he ran for 1,322 yards and 13 touchdowns. Former Razorbacks head coach Bobby Petrino thinks Davis, who will be a junior this fall, will come out for the 2013 draft.

11.  Michigan running back Fitz Toussaint: As a sophomore last season, he rushed for 1,041 yards and had outstanding games against Illinois (192 yards), Purdue (170 yards), and Nebraska (138 yards). He stands 5-10 and weighs 202 pounds.

12.  Notre Dame running back Cierre Wood: This 6-0, 215-pound senior rushed for 1,102 yards and nine touchdowns in 2011. He also caught 27 passes for another 189 yards. Unfortunately, he’ll miss the first two games of the season, thanks to a suspension for violating team rules.

13.  UCLA running back Jonathan Franklin: This 5-10, 205-pound senior ran for 976 yards, five touchdowns, and a 5.9 average last season.

"He's going to be something," Bruins head coach Jim Mora said Blue Ribbon's preview. "What's important is that he trusts his instincts now. We have some different blocking patterns and a little bit different holes that might be difficult to see. He had a tiny bit of hesitancy, but once he's comfortable, he's going to do some good things. He's explosive and tough, and he catches the ball."

14.  Utah running back John White: Another undersized back at 5-8, 188 pounds, this senior rushed for 1,519 yards and 15 touchdowns last year. He also hauled in two touchdown receptions.

15.  Stanford running back Stepfan Taylor: A 5-11, 208-pound workhorse, he’s coming off of back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and is looking to make it a three-peat during his senior year this fall. In 2011 he rushed for 1,330 yards and 10 touchdowns, which followed a 2010 campaign that saw him pound out 1,137 yards and 15 scores. He’s also a good receiver out of the backfield.

16.  Oklahoma State running back Joseph Randle: This 6-1, 200-pound junior ran for 1,216 yards and 24 touchdowns last season. He also caught 43 passes for 266 yards and two more scores.

17.  Texas A&M running back Christine Michael: A bigger back at 5-11, 213 pounds, he’s been injury-prone, as he suffered a broken leg in 2010 and a torn ACL last year. Before his season ended prematurely in 2011, he rushed for 631 yards and four touchdowns while splitting carries with Cyrus Gray. Now that Gray’s in the NFL, it’s time for Michael, a senior, to shine and prove he’s one of the best running backs in the nation.

18.  SMU running back Zach Line: A 6-1, 230-pound senior, he rushed for 1,224 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2011, despite missing three games. During his two years as the Mustangs’ main ball-carrier, he rushed for 2,718 yards and 27 touchdowns.

19.  Connecticut running back Lyle McCombs: A 5-8, 166-pound redshirt sophomore, he rushed for 1,151 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He’s definitely undersized, so it will be interesting to see how well he holds up and runs between the tackles.

20.  Michigan State running back Le’Veon Bell: This junior is a bruiser at 6-2, 244 pounds. He made All-Big Ten honorable mention last year after rushing for 948 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also caught 35 passes for another 207 yards.

21.  Buffalo running back Branden Oliver: The younger cousin of Chargers receiver Roscoe Parrish, Oliver, a 5-8, 204-pound junior, ran for 1,396 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2011. He also caught 38 passes for 366 yards.

22.  Colorado State running back Chris Nwoke: This 6-0, 213-pound junior earned team MVP honors and made second-team All-Mountain West in 2011 after rushing for 1,130 yards and nine touchdowns. He’s considered a classic power back who possesses tremendous athleticism.

23.  California running back Isi Sofele: Noted as one of the most underrated players in the nation, this 5-8, 200-pound senior ran for 1,322 yards and 10 touchdowns last year. His efforts led to him making All-PAC-12 honorable mention.

24.  Alabama running back Eddie Lacy: Previously a reliable backup to the great Trent Richardson, this 6-0, 220-pound junior is ready to take over the lead role this fall. In 2011 he rushed for 694 yards and seven touchdowns on just 95 carries, equating to an outstanding 7.1 yards per attempt. He also caught 11 passes for 131 yards.

25.  Vanderbilt running back Zac Stacy: This 5-9, 210-pound senior set school single-season records in rushing yards (1,193) and rushing touchdowns (14) last year. That allowed him to earn second-team All-SEC honors from the coaches and sportswriters.

26.  Florida International running back Kedrick Rhodes: A 5-10, 200-pound junior, he ran for 1,149 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He also caught 27 passes for another 252 yards.

27.  Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead: This 5-11, 210-pound senior is not a breakaway threat, but he’s been ultra-productive, as evidenced with the 1,357 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns he put up last season. He also proved to be a receiving threat out of the backfield, catching 21 passes for 277 yards and two more scores.

28.  Oregon running back Kenjon Barner: This 5-11, 195-pound senior will finally be a starter this fall—now that LaMichael James is playing in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers. Despite backing up James, Barner was quite productive last season, running for 939 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also showed good hands, as he caught 17 passes for 184 yards and three touchdowns.

Many experts will state that running back isn’t a premium position anymore. Although that may be true, the Chargers definitely could use more balance in their offensive attack. If they would have had a better running game in 2009, there’s a good chance they would have won the Super Bowl. Hopefully someone will step up this season to form a great tandem with Mathews and give Smith no need to take a running back next April. But if the running game struggles yet again, there should plenty of talented ball-carriers for Smith to choose from in the 2013 draft.

College centers to watch in 2012

Alabama's Barrett Jones

After Nick Hardwick was re-signed to a three-year deal this offseason, the San Diego Chargers don’t appear to be in great need of finding a starting center of the future. Still, anything can happen, which Hardwick learned after seeing left guard Kris Dielman retire prematurely this offseason due to a terrifying concussion sustained last October. Meanwhile, neither Colin Baxter nor David Molk, the two youngsters vying to back Hardwick up this year, is exactly a shoo-in to replace Hardwick when he does decide to retire. With all that in mind, Chargers general manager A.J. Smith may want to monitor the progress the following prospects make this fall.

1.      Alabama’s Barrett Jones: If versatility is what you like in an offensive lineman, then this 6-5, 302-pound is your man. In 2010 he was named an All-American as a guard. Then, last season, he made the All-America team as an offensive tackle. Now, in 2012, he’s attempting to complete the trifecta by being named an All-American as a center. He also won the Outland Trophy last season.

2.      USC’s Khaled Holmes: A 6-4, 305-pound senior, he has experience starting at both center and guard thus far in his college career. Considered to have a nice mixture of agility and power, he’s expected to be one of the top centers in the nation. He made All-PAC-12 second team last season.

3.      Clemson’s Dalton Freeman: At 6-5, 285 pounds he needs to put on some weight and bulk up, but he’s considered one of the top centers in the nation, as evidenced by the fact he was a finalist for the Rimington Award last year. Quite a challenge is on the horizon for him, however, as he heads into this campaign as the only senior on the Tigers’ starting offensive line. He has started 36 games during his college career.

4.      Oklahoma center/guard Gabe Ikard: A 6-4, 295-pound junior, he’s heading into his third season as a starter. After coming to Norman as a tight end, he was switched to guard, a position he played for the entire 2010 season and half of last year. He started at center for half of last season and will play there this fall. He was a first-team All-Big 12 choice in 2011.

5.      Illinois’ Graham Pocic: Entering his third season as the starting center, this 6-7, 310-pound senior was named the Illini’s Offensive MVP for this past spring’s practices. With his tremendous ability and size, it is believed he will be a success in the NFL.

6.      Louisville’s Mario Benavides:  This 6-4, 280-pound senior has started 34 games for the Cardinals. Although he’s definitely light for the position, experts believe he’ll be the top offensive lineman this season.

7.      Colorado State’s Weston Richburg: A quarterback in high school, this 6-4, 297-pound junior has made a surprisingly smooth transition to the offensive line, as evidenced with his 24 starts in two seasons at center. He made second-team All-Mountain West last season.

8.      Arkansas’ Travis Swanson: A 6-5, 305-pound junior, Swanson has started 26 games for the Razorbacks. He’s on the Rimington Watch List for a second consecutive season.

 

If something career-threatening should happen to Hardwick this season, Smith will have the option of selecting one of these talents next April. With other, more-pressing needs, however, let’s hope Hardwick will still be the Chargers’ center in 2013 and a few years beyond.

Bolts improve preseason record to 3-0



Chargers linebacker Larry English (52) sacks Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7)

 

The San Diego Chargers improved their preseason record to 3-0 after pounding out a 12-10 win on the road against the Minnesota Vikings last night, but one would be hard-pressed to state the Lightning Bolts left the game unscathed. Much like the previous two preseason contests, the Chargers showed alarming signs of weakness that could keep them out of the playoffs for the third straight year.

When discussing the biggest concerns Chargers fans have for the team heading into this season, it has to start with the offensive line. With three starting blockers (left tackle Jared Gaither, left guard Tyronne Green, and center Nick Hardwick) sitting out with injuries last night, the backups didn’t instill any confidence that they can step in and get the job done.

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers sat out so he couldn’t put himself in harm’s way. It’s a great thing San Diego head coach Norv Turner protected his starting quarterback, as the backup, Charlie Whitehurst, was sacked five times, and third-stringer Jarrett Lee was dropped once. Additionally, the running backs once again found it difficult to unearth holes to run through; collectively, they averaged just 2.5 yards per carry on 26 attempts.

To be fair to backup left tackle Michael Harris, he was tasked with blocking Vikings defensive end Jared Allen, arguably the best pass-rusher in the NFL. Harris gave up two sacks to Allen, but that was to be expected. Still, if the starting offensive line doesn’t come together soon, Turner very well could be looking for a new job at the conclusion of the season.

But while the offense looked miserable, the defense put together a promising performance, producing five sacks and four turnovers. Surprisingly, outside linebacker Larry English, who’s been labeled as a bust thus far in his career, led San Diego with two sacks, and undrafted free agent cornerback DeAndre Presley came through with six tackles and an interception. Hopefully English is finally ready to make a strong contribution, and perhaps Presley can make the team and add much-needed depth at cornerback.

Defensive end Corey Liuget, the Chargers 2011 first-round pick, showed great penetration into the backfield and held very strong while he was in there. Outside linebacker Jarret Johnson, one of San Diego’s top free agent acquisitions this offseason, notched a sack.

The Chargers are also seeing some nice early returns on their first three draft picks from last April. There was quite a scare when outside linebacker Melvin Ingram, the team’s first-round selection, went down with what was first reported as a left knee injury. (It turned out that he suffered a deep thigh bruise that isn’t serious.) Before going down, he had a sack and showed tremendous aggression.

The team’s second-round choice, defensive end Kendall Reyes, looks like he just may form an intimidating tandem with Liuget for many years to come. Reyes finished the game with a sack and a tackle. Third-round pick Brandon Taylor is battling veteran Atari Bigby for the staring strong safety spot. Showing the ability to hold his own in the box, Taylor finished the game with six tackles. It will be interesting to see who wins the job to start the regular-season opener, but both should see plenty of playing time.

Then there’s the kicking battle. Personally, I don’t care if Nate Kaeding makes five 80-yard field goals in a row in the final preseason game; he still shouldn’t win the job. His failures/chokejobs in the playoffs lead me to believe he’ll never come through in the clutch for the Chargers. He made both of his kicks last night, a 50-yarder and a 54-yarder, but his competition, Nick Novak booted the game-winner from 45 yards as time expired. Although it was just a preseason game, I’m not even sure Kaeding would have the cajones to come through in that situation. Novak also made a 34-yarder.

San Diego plays its final snoozefest of a preseason game Thursday, August 30, at San Francisco. Perhaps left tackle Jared Gaither and wide receiver Eddie Royal will play, but it wouldn’t be a shock if neither of them does.

College offensive guards to watch in 2012



North Carolina's Jonathan Cooper

After how poorly the San Diego Chargers’ offensive line played during the team’s six-game losing streak last season, it’s never been more obvious that the blockers up front are vital to an offense’s success. Quarterback Philip Rivers took quite a beating during that period, particularly at home against the hated Oakland Raiders last November, and that’s just something which can’t occur again.

While the hope is Tyronne Green and Louis Vasquez will be the long-term starters at the guard positions, both are set to become free agents after this season, so it’s not out of the question that one or both of them will be playing somewhere else in 2013. With that in mind, just to be safe, Chargers general manager A.J. Smith should take a look at each of the following prospects this fall:

1.      Alabama's Chance Warmack: A 6-3, 320-pound senior, he’s heading into his third year as a starting left guard. A mauler in the run game who also does quite well as a pass-blocker, he made second-team All-SEC and was voted All-America honorable mention by Pro Football Weekly in 2011.

2.      North Carolina's Jonathan Cooper: Heading into his fourth year as a starter, he was a freshman All-American in 2009 and made second-team All-ACC the last two seasons. At 6-3, 310 pounds, and with experience at both guard positions, he is a dominant run-blocker who excels at pulling on trap plays to take out linebackers and defensive backs. He very well could be a first-round pick next April.

3.      Wisconsin's Travis Frederick: A 6-4, 328-pound junior, he’s a road-grader who fits the mold as a classic interior blocker for Wisconsin’s offensive line. He made second-team All-Big Ten last season and is expected to improve even more this year. Primarily a left guard, he has also seen some time at center.

4.      Arkansas' Alvin Bailey: This 6-5, 312-pound right guard, a junior, made Pro Football Weekly’s All-America team last season and has started 26 games thus far in his college career. He also made second team All-SEC last season. Scouts say he has nice quickness for a man his size and fires off the snap with supreme intensity.

5.      Kentucky's Larry Warford: This 6-3, 336-pound senior is considered a mauler but also possesses the athleticism to pull on trap blocks and sweeps. A right guard, the 2012 season will be his third as a starter. He made second-team All-SEC last year.

6.      Michigan's Patrick Omameh: A 6-4, 305-pound right guard, he is a high-praised redshirt senior who has made 29 starts thus far in his college career. He made Academic All-Big Ten in both 2010 and 2011.

7.      Mississippi State's Gabe Jackson: This 6-4, 330-pound redshirt junior has made 26 starts at left guard thus far in his college career. He made the All-SEC second team and the Sophomore All-America team in 2011.

8.      Kansas's Duane Zlatnik: A former defensive lineman, this 6-4, 306-pound senior made 20 starts at right guard over the last two seasons. He was named All-Big 12 honorable mention by the Associated Press and the conference's coaches in 2011,

9.      Nevada's Chris Barker: A 6-4, 305-pound senior left guard, he has made 40 starts thus far in his college career. He earned first-team All-WAC honors in 2011 and is considered one of the top under-the-radar offensive linemen in the country.

The preview magazines and Web sites didn’t really do a good job of mentioning offensive guard prospects, so I didn’t have an opportunity to research that many. Hopefully more will receive recognition as the season goes along.

College offensive tackles to watch in 2012



Taylor Lewan

After how poorly the San Diego Chargers’ offensive line played during the team’s six-game losing streak last season, it’s never been more obvious that the blockers up front are vital to an offense’s success. Quarterback Philip Rivers took quite a beating during that period, particularly at home against the hated Oakland Raiders last November, and that’s just something which can’t occur again.

Although the hope is Jared Gaither will keep his act together as the Chargers’ left tackle for the next few years, it’s tough to be fully confident that will occur, given his history—and his recent issues with back spasms. Then there’s Jeromey Clary, perhaps the worst right tackle in the entire NFL.

So, since there’s a certain amount of doubt at each offensive tackle position, it would be wise for San Diego general manager A.J. Smith to take a serious look at each of these prospects this fall:

1.     Michigan left tackle Taylor Lewan: He’s a fourth-year junior many are projecting as a future first-round pick. Possessing quite a mean streak at 6-8, 302 pounds, he’s expected to become one of the greatest offensive linemen to wear a Wolverines uniform. He made second-team All-Big Ten last year.

2.    Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel: At 6-6, 310 pounds, and about to enter his third year as the Aggies’ starting blindside protector, most view him as the best offensive tackle in the nation. He made first-team All-Big 12 in 2011.

3.     Alabama right tackle D.J. Fluker: A 6-6, 335-pound junior, he’s heading into his third season as a starter and is one of the fiercest run-blockers in the nation. Precaution has to come into play with all Crimson Tide linemen, however, as former Alabama studs Andre Smith and Terrence Cody have been slapped with the lazy tag.

4.     Texas A&M right tackle Jake Matthews: A junior, he comes from a football family. Most notably, his father, Bruce, is an NFL Hall of Famer who had a 19-year career as an offensive guard. At 6-5, 305 pounds Jake may have a long NFL career himself, as he handles his own as a mauler in the run game and as a pass-protector. He’s heading into his third season as a starter for the Aggies

5.     LSU right tackle Alex Hurst: This 6-6, 340-pound senior is about to be a third-year starter on the Tigers’ offensive line. He earned first-team All-SEC honors last year.

6.     LSU left tackle Chris Faulk: A 6-6, 325-pound junior, he became a full-time starter at left tackle last season and is considered among the elite at his position heading into 2012. He moves around very nicely for a man size while also showing the ability to dominate as a run-blocker.

7.     Wisconsin left tackle Ricky Wagner: A tight end in high school, this 6-6, 322-pound senior is about to be a third-year starter. This will be his second year as the starting left tackle, after taking over for Gabe Carimi, a first-round pick in the 2011 draft. Like Carimi, Wagner is considered a road-grader. It will be interesting to see how he protects the quarterback’s blind side this fall.

8.      Central Michigan left tackle Eric Fisher: At 6-8, 305 pounds, he has experience at both tackle spots and right guard. He earned All-MAC third team honors while starting at left tackle last season. He’s considered a superior athlete for a man his size and moves around in the open field very smoothly. He missed the final two games of 2011 with a knee injury.

9.     Texas Tech left tackle LaAdrian Waddle: A 6-6, 330-pound senior, he’s entering his third season as a starter. He earned All-Big 12 second team honors in 2011.

10.  Miami right tackle Seantrel Henderson: This 6-8, 350-pound junior is considered to have a ton of promise, but he’s made just 11 starts thus far in his college career. The 2011 season was injury-marred while he recovered from offseason surgery, and he’s missed a lot of practices this summer after being involved in a car accident on August 1. As a result, he may not even be the starting right tackle when the season begins. In 2010 he was named Freshmen first-team All-American by both College Football News and Rivals.

11.  Colorado left tackle David Bahktiari: A 6-4, 295-pound redshirt junior, he made second-team All-PAC-12 in 2011. He has experience at both tackle spots but is ingrained on the left side after taking over for Nate Solder prior to last season.

12. Syracuse left tackle Justin Pugh: This 6-6, 292-pound senior made first-team All-Big East last season. He’s suffering from an undisclosed injury, however, so it’s unclear how much time he will miss this season.

13. Virginia left tackle Oday Aboushi: A 6-6, 310-pound senior captain, he has experience at both tackle spots but has started the majority of the last two seasons on the left side. He made second-team All-ACC in 2011.

Much like the offensive guards, there weren’t that many offensive tackles mentioned in the preview magazines and Web sites I read this summer. Unsurprisingly, the offensive linemen don’t receive the love or recognition they deserve. Regardless, this group I’ve compiled appears to be filled with first- and second-round picks, so Smith should have plenty of options to at least replace Clary next April.

College quarterbacks to watch in 2012

Georgia's Aaron Murray

With an elite passer in the 30-year-old Philip Rivers, the San Diego Chargers appear to be set at quarterback for the next few seasons, at least. Anything can happen, though, as evidenced with what occurred with the great Peyton Manning in Indianapolis over the last year-and-a-half.

After undergoing multiple neck surgeries and missing the entire 2011 season, Manning went from being irreplaceable to replaceable rather quickly. As outstanding as Rivers has been for the Chargers, he’s not indestructible, and if he struggles again in 2012 after throwing 20 interceptions last year, San Diego general manager A.J. Smith may want to consider finding a quarterback of the future in next April’s NFL draft. In that regard, he should check out the following prospects this fall:

  1.      USC quarterback Matt Barkley: He’s not just considered the top quarterback in the nation, but many believe this 6-2, 230-pound senior is the #1 player overall. In 2011 he completed 69.1% of his passes for 3,528 yards, 39 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Another season like that will probably guarantee him the privilege of being the #1 overall pick of next April’s draft.

2.      West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith: A 6-3, 214-pound senior, most experts believe he’ll be Barkley’s greatest competition to be the first quarterback selected next spring. Along with 31 touchdown passes and seven interceptions, Smith threw for a single-season school record of 4,385 yards in 2011.

3.      Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson: A 6-3, 220-pound senior, he probably would have been the third quarterback selected in last April’s draft if he had come out. In 2011 he completed 63.2% of his passes for 3,638 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also didn’t make a lot of mistakes, as he finished the year with just six interceptions, a huge reason why he was named first-team All-SEC.

4.      Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray: A 6-1, 210-pound junior, he threw for over 3,300 yards in each of his first two seasons as the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback. He also threw a single-season school record 35 touchdown passes, against 14 interceptions, last year. He should be watched as a possible franchise quarterback of the future.

5.      Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones: This 6-4, 218-pound senior has thrown for 12,379 yards (a Sooners record), 93 touchdowns, and 41 interceptions thus far in his college career. In 2011 he completed 63.2% of his passes for 4,463 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. He struggled mightily at the end of last season, however, as he threw six interceptions and just one touchdown pass in the final four games.

6.      Virginia Tech quarterback Logan Thomas: At 6-6, 262 pounds, he was recruited to Blacksburg as a tight end but made the switch to full-time quarterback last season. With a cannon for an arm, he enticed NFL scouts by throwing for 3,019 yards and 19 touchdowns and running for 419 yards and another 11 scores in 2011. He should improve as he gets more experience as a junior this fall, during which he hopes to cut down on the 10 interceptions he threw last year.

7.      Clemson quarterback Tahj Boyd: This 6-1, 225-pound junior is the best passer the Tigers have had since Charlie Whitehurst, the current backup to Rivers. In 2011 Boyd completed 59.7% of his passes for 3,828 yards and 33 touchdowns against just 12 interceptions.

8.      Western Michigan quarterback Alex Carder: A 6-2, 215-pound senior, he threw for 3,873 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions last season. His efforts led to him becoming a candidate of the Davey O’Brien Award and Manning Award. He’s entering his third season as the Broncos’ starting quarterback.

9.      Washington quarterback Keith Price: At 6-1, 195 pounds, he’s a bit undersized, but he threw for 3,063 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions as a sophomore last season. He also completed 66.1% of his passes, a single-season school record, and threw for 438 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for another three scores during a 67-56 triumph over Baylor in the Alamo Bowl.

10.  Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray: He’s missed some valuable playing time over his first two seasons with the Vols, but when he’s been in, this 6-6, 213-pound junior has been effective, throwing for 3,832 yards and 35 touchdowns against just 16 interceptions. This fall will be a huge season for him to impress NFL scouts, as he’ll have two elite options to throw passes to in wide receivers Justin Hunter and Da’Rick Rogers.

11.  TCU quarterback Casey Pachall: In 2011, his first year as a starter, this 6-5, 225-pound signal caller threw for 2,921 yards, 25 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He’s looking to improve on those numbers as a junior this fall.

12.  Washington State quarterback Jeff Tuel: Due to suffering multiple injuries, this 6-3, 221-pounder appeared in just three games and completed 29 of 45 passes for 276 yards and a touchdown last season. A senior, he’s looking to show he’s one of the top quarterbacks in the nation this fall.

13.  Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr: The younger brother of former #1 overall pick David Carr, this 6-3, 210-pound redshirt junior was a second-team All-WAC selection last season after throwing for 3,544 yards, 26 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.

With the way mediocre talents like Christian Ponder are getting selected in the top 15, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if six or seven of these passers are picked in the first round of next April’s draft. But let’s hope Rivers leads San Diego to its first Super Bowl title this season and there won’t be any need for Smith to take a quarterback early.