College Football Nation: 10 ESPNU 150 Review
Now that the 2012 ESPNU 150 list is out, here’s an update on the 2010 ESPNU 150 players – all 56 of them – who signed with SEC schools:
IMPACT PLAYERS
No. 5: Mike Dyer, RB, Auburn -- He holds the Auburn freshman rushing record with 1,093 yards and was named the Offensive MVP of the BCS National Championship Game. In conference games only, he led the league with 5.9 yards per carry.
No. 9: Matt Elam, S, Florida -- Elam backed up All-SEC safety Ahmad Black and was the Gators’ nickel corner. Last fall, Elam showed that he’ll be one of the more aggressive safeties in the league and totaled 22 tackles in 13 games. He enters this season as Florida’s starting strong safety.
No. 16: DeMarcus Milliner, CB, Alabama -- Milliner was immediately thrown into the fire by Alabama’s coaching staff, starting 11 games as a true freshman. He was named both a Freshman All-American and a Freshman All-SEC selection. He was fourth on the team with 55 tackles and had one interception in 2010.
No. 19: Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina -- Lattimore was the unanimous pick for National Freshman of the Year and SEC Freshman of the Year. He was a first-team All-SEC choice by both the league's coaches and the Associated Press after rushing for 1,197 yards and 17 touchdowns on 249 carries.
No. 24: Ja’Wuan James, OT, Tennessee -- A rarity in the SEC, the mammoth James started all 13 games at right tackle for the Vols as a true freshman and is a budding star at his position.
No. 25: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida -- Floyd could have been a lot better in 2010, but he was one of the most consistent of Florida’s tremendously hyped freshman class. He played in 13 games, totaling 23 tackles, including 6.5 for loss.
No. 26: Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee -- He showed right away that he has a nose for the end zone, turning 16 of his catches last season into seven touchdowns and averaging 25.9 yards per catch.
No. 29: Alec Ogletree, S, Georgia -- He started out as a safety and was named to the SEC All-Freshmen team by the coaches, but moved to inside linebacker this spring and is a tackling machine.
No. 79: Cody Riggs, CB, Florida -- Riggs played in all 13 games and started three. He saw his playing time increase throughout the season and is competing for one of the two cornerback spots this fall.
No. 94: Corey Lemonier, DE, Auburn -- Although he didn’t start, Lemonier showed the tools that should make him one of the top defensive ends in the SEC this season. He had a key tackle for loss in the BCS National Championship Game.
No. 99: C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama -- Mosley made just three starts as a freshman, but was third on the team with 67 tackles, had two interceptions and finished the season with 10 pass breakups. He was a first-team Freshman All-American and Freshman All-SEC member and is one of those players who’s just always around the ball.
No. 100: James Stone, C, Tennessee -- Making the transition to center, Stone started eight of the 12 games he played in last fall and earned Freshman All-America honors from The Sporting News and Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).
No. 135: Tyler Bray, QB, Tennessee -- After taking over the starting duties late in the season, he led the Vols to four straight victories, throwing 16 touchdowns in his five starts and was one of two quarterbacks in the SEC to claim four 300-yard passing performances.
JURY’S STILL OUT
No. 1: Ronald Powell, DE, Florida -- The country’s top prospect struggled with adjusting to college life and the college game. Attitude issues made the situation worse. However, a new coaching staff brought out a new attitude in Powell, who will start as the Gators’ hybrid linebacker/defensive end called the “Buck” this fall.
No. 3: Dominique Easley, DT, Florida -- Easley was supposed to be a pain for opposing offensive linemen, but was instead a pain for his coaches. Discipline problems plagued him for most of last fall. He regrouped this spring and is competing for a starting job at tackle.
No. 30: Da’Rick Rogers, WR, Tennessee -- He was very raw as a true freshman, but showed flashes. This spring, he was one of the Vols’ most consistent playmakers, not to mention one of their most improved players.
No. 35: Gerald Christian, TE, Florida -- Played both linebacker and tight end this spring.
No. 36: John Fulton, CB, Alabama -- Fulton played in all 13 games last fall and was a regular contributor on special teams. He recorded two pass breakups and five tackles.
No. 50: Jaylen Watkins, CB, Florida -- He played in 10 games last fall, totaling eight tackles.
No. 51: Corey Miller, DE, Tennessee -- The Vols need help at defensive tackle, and Miller should give them more depth inside there after moving over from end.
No. 81: Eric Reid, S, LSU -- Reid will be relied on heavily this season and started three of the 12 games he played in last season, recording 25 tackles and one interception.
No. 84: T. J. Stripling: OLB, Georgia -- He played in five games a year ago before suffering a ruptured patella tendon against Colorado, ending his season.
No. 91: Tharold Simon, CB, LSU -- One of the taller cornerbacks in the league, Simon is one of four super sophomores in the Tigers’ defensive backfield.
No. 95: Kadron Boone, WR, LSU -- Boone really impressed this spring and should help the Tigers out with their receiver depth this fall, especially with Terrence Toliver gone.
No. 106: Solomon Patton, WR, Florida -- Could be the Gators' next game-changer in the return game.
No. 143: Garrison Smith, DT, Georgia -- After playing in seven games last season, Smith ended this spring as the backup to DeAngelo Tyson at end.
No. 146: Justin Maclin, DE, LSU -- He filled in at end after Sam Montgomery injured his knee, although Maclin played in just one game.
REDSHIRTED/PREP SCHOOL
No. 28: Joshua Shaw, CB, Florida -- Shaw moved from cornerback to safety this spring.
No. 32: Phillip Sims, QB, Alabama -- He exited the spring neck-and-neck with sophomore AJ McCarron for the starting spot in the Tide’s quarterback race.
No. 34: Mack Brown, RB, Florida -- Brown carried the ball three times for 23 yards, but redshirted. He broke his fibula in his leg this spring, but will return for fall camp.
No. 39: Trovon Reed, WR, Auburn -- Had it not been for knee problems, Reed would have been a big part of the Tigers’ offense last season. He should be one of the top newcomers in the SEC this fall.
No. 41: Ian Silberman, OL, Florida -- Moved to guard this spring.
No. 52: Chaz Green, OL, Florida -- He was the Gators’ starting left tackle this spring.
No. 54: Adrian Hubbard, DE, Alabama -- He will compete for time at the Jack linebacker spot.
No. 57: Travis Dickson, TE, LSU -- The younger brother of former LSU tight end Richard Dickson, who’s now in the NFL.
No. 74: Chad Lindsay, OL, Alabama -- A backup to William Vlachos at center, Lindsay could also play guard.
No. 78: Eric Mack, OT, Auburn -- After coming in too heavy, Mack will battle for one of the starting guard spots this fall.
No. 85: A.J. Cann, OL, South Carolina -- Cann made major strides this spring. He did so well that he’ll enter fall camp as the starter at left guard.
No. 81: Leon Orr, OL/DL, Florida -- Moved from offensive tackle to defensive tackle this spring.
No. 89: Keiwone Malone, WR, Alabama -- Malone is looking to be a deep threat for the Crimson Tide.
No. 96: Kolton Houston, OT, Georgia -- Houston will battle for one of the starting guard spots this fall and also worked at tackle in the spring.
No. 97: Ken Malcome, RB, Georgia -- With Washaun Ealey leaving, Malcome will have a shot to break into the Bulldogs’ running back rotation.
No. 104: Damien Robinson, OT, Mississippi State -- He ended the spring as a reserve at guard. But standing 6-8, his future could be at tackle.
No. 111: Chris Martin, DE/LB, Florida -- The Cal transfer will be a hybrid like Powell.
No. 119: Brent Benedict, OT, Georgia -- A serious knee injury in high school held back Benedict last season.
No. 123: Michael Taylor, LB, Florida -- Coming off a solid spring, Taylor will be counted on to add depth at linebacker for the Gators.
No. 124: Kelcy Quarles, DT, South Carolina -- After spending the 2010 season at prep school, Quarles showed this spring that he will be able to help right away in the middle of that South Carolina defensive line.
No. 132: Brian Vogler, TE, Alabama -- Vogler got a lot of practice reps at H-back in the spring.
No. 136: Ego Ferguson, DT, LSU -- The Tigers plan on playing Ferguson both inside and outside in certain situations after he made a big splash this spring.
No. 138: LaDarius Owens, LB, Auburn -- Auburn will be looking for linebacker help, and Owens’ physical talent is hard to miss.
No. 139: Evan Washington, OT, LSU -- The Tigers return four starters up front, but Washington could help at guard or tackle.
ALREADY GONE
No. 10: Jonathan Dowling, S, Florida -- Former Florida coach Urban Meyer kicked Dowling off the team last November for violating team rules.
No. 37: Chris Dunkley, WR, Florida -- Transferred to South Florida this spring.
No. 47: Antonio Goodwin, WR, Auburn -- Dismissed from Auburn’s team after being arrested and charged with armed robbery in March.
No. 93: Cam Feldt, OT, Arkansas -- Granted his release by Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino in May and plans to transfer.
No. 98: Shaun Kitchens, WR, Auburn -- Dismissed from Auburn’s team after being arrested and charged with armed robbery in March.
IMPACT PLAYERS
[+] Enlarge
John Reed/US PresswireRunning back Mike Dyer averaged 5.9 yards per carry against SEC opponents last season.
John Reed/US PresswireRunning back Mike Dyer averaged 5.9 yards per carry against SEC opponents last season.No. 9: Matt Elam, S, Florida -- Elam backed up All-SEC safety Ahmad Black and was the Gators’ nickel corner. Last fall, Elam showed that he’ll be one of the more aggressive safeties in the league and totaled 22 tackles in 13 games. He enters this season as Florida’s starting strong safety.
No. 16: DeMarcus Milliner, CB, Alabama -- Milliner was immediately thrown into the fire by Alabama’s coaching staff, starting 11 games as a true freshman. He was named both a Freshman All-American and a Freshman All-SEC selection. He was fourth on the team with 55 tackles and had one interception in 2010.
No. 19: Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina -- Lattimore was the unanimous pick for National Freshman of the Year and SEC Freshman of the Year. He was a first-team All-SEC choice by both the league's coaches and the Associated Press after rushing for 1,197 yards and 17 touchdowns on 249 carries.
No. 24: Ja’Wuan James, OT, Tennessee -- A rarity in the SEC, the mammoth James started all 13 games at right tackle for the Vols as a true freshman and is a budding star at his position.
No. 25: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida -- Floyd could have been a lot better in 2010, but he was one of the most consistent of Florida’s tremendously hyped freshman class. He played in 13 games, totaling 23 tackles, including 6.5 for loss.
No. 26: Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee -- He showed right away that he has a nose for the end zone, turning 16 of his catches last season into seven touchdowns and averaging 25.9 yards per catch.
No. 29: Alec Ogletree, S, Georgia -- He started out as a safety and was named to the SEC All-Freshmen team by the coaches, but moved to inside linebacker this spring and is a tackling machine.
No. 79: Cody Riggs, CB, Florida -- Riggs played in all 13 games and started three. He saw his playing time increase throughout the season and is competing for one of the two cornerback spots this fall.
No. 94: Corey Lemonier, DE, Auburn -- Although he didn’t start, Lemonier showed the tools that should make him one of the top defensive ends in the SEC this season. He had a key tackle for loss in the BCS National Championship Game.
No. 99: C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama -- Mosley made just three starts as a freshman, but was third on the team with 67 tackles, had two interceptions and finished the season with 10 pass breakups. He was a first-team Freshman All-American and Freshman All-SEC member and is one of those players who’s just always around the ball.
No. 100: James Stone, C, Tennessee -- Making the transition to center, Stone started eight of the 12 games he played in last fall and earned Freshman All-America honors from The Sporting News and Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).
[+] Enlarge
Jim Brown/US PresswireThe Vols' Tyler Bray threw 16 TD passes in five starts last season.
Jim Brown/US PresswireThe Vols' Tyler Bray threw 16 TD passes in five starts last season.JURY’S STILL OUT
No. 1: Ronald Powell, DE, Florida -- The country’s top prospect struggled with adjusting to college life and the college game. Attitude issues made the situation worse. However, a new coaching staff brought out a new attitude in Powell, who will start as the Gators’ hybrid linebacker/defensive end called the “Buck” this fall.
No. 3: Dominique Easley, DT, Florida -- Easley was supposed to be a pain for opposing offensive linemen, but was instead a pain for his coaches. Discipline problems plagued him for most of last fall. He regrouped this spring and is competing for a starting job at tackle.
No. 30: Da’Rick Rogers, WR, Tennessee -- He was very raw as a true freshman, but showed flashes. This spring, he was one of the Vols’ most consistent playmakers, not to mention one of their most improved players.
No. 35: Gerald Christian, TE, Florida -- Played both linebacker and tight end this spring.
No. 36: John Fulton, CB, Alabama -- Fulton played in all 13 games last fall and was a regular contributor on special teams. He recorded two pass breakups and five tackles.
No. 50: Jaylen Watkins, CB, Florida -- He played in 10 games last fall, totaling eight tackles.
No. 51: Corey Miller, DE, Tennessee -- The Vols need help at defensive tackle, and Miller should give them more depth inside there after moving over from end.
No. 81: Eric Reid, S, LSU -- Reid will be relied on heavily this season and started three of the 12 games he played in last season, recording 25 tackles and one interception.
No. 84: T. J. Stripling: OLB, Georgia -- He played in five games a year ago before suffering a ruptured patella tendon against Colorado, ending his season.
No. 91: Tharold Simon, CB, LSU -- One of the taller cornerbacks in the league, Simon is one of four super sophomores in the Tigers’ defensive backfield.
No. 95: Kadron Boone, WR, LSU -- Boone really impressed this spring and should help the Tigers out with their receiver depth this fall, especially with Terrence Toliver gone.
No. 106: Solomon Patton, WR, Florida -- Could be the Gators' next game-changer in the return game.
No. 143: Garrison Smith, DT, Georgia -- After playing in seven games last season, Smith ended this spring as the backup to DeAngelo Tyson at end.
No. 146: Justin Maclin, DE, LSU -- He filled in at end after Sam Montgomery injured his knee, although Maclin played in just one game.
REDSHIRTED/PREP SCHOOL
No. 28: Joshua Shaw, CB, Florida -- Shaw moved from cornerback to safety this spring.
No. 32: Phillip Sims, QB, Alabama -- He exited the spring neck-and-neck with sophomore AJ McCarron for the starting spot in the Tide’s quarterback race.
No. 34: Mack Brown, RB, Florida -- Brown carried the ball three times for 23 yards, but redshirted. He broke his fibula in his leg this spring, but will return for fall camp.
No. 39: Trovon Reed, WR, Auburn -- Had it not been for knee problems, Reed would have been a big part of the Tigers’ offense last season. He should be one of the top newcomers in the SEC this fall.
No. 41: Ian Silberman, OL, Florida -- Moved to guard this spring.
No. 52: Chaz Green, OL, Florida -- He was the Gators’ starting left tackle this spring.
No. 54: Adrian Hubbard, DE, Alabama -- He will compete for time at the Jack linebacker spot.
No. 57: Travis Dickson, TE, LSU -- The younger brother of former LSU tight end Richard Dickson, who’s now in the NFL.
No. 74: Chad Lindsay, OL, Alabama -- A backup to William Vlachos at center, Lindsay could also play guard.
No. 78: Eric Mack, OT, Auburn -- After coming in too heavy, Mack will battle for one of the starting guard spots this fall.
No. 85: A.J. Cann, OL, South Carolina -- Cann made major strides this spring. He did so well that he’ll enter fall camp as the starter at left guard.
No. 81: Leon Orr, OL/DL, Florida -- Moved from offensive tackle to defensive tackle this spring.
No. 89: Keiwone Malone, WR, Alabama -- Malone is looking to be a deep threat for the Crimson Tide.
No. 96: Kolton Houston, OT, Georgia -- Houston will battle for one of the starting guard spots this fall and also worked at tackle in the spring.
No. 97: Ken Malcome, RB, Georgia -- With Washaun Ealey leaving, Malcome will have a shot to break into the Bulldogs’ running back rotation.
No. 104: Damien Robinson, OT, Mississippi State -- He ended the spring as a reserve at guard. But standing 6-8, his future could be at tackle.
No. 111: Chris Martin, DE/LB, Florida -- The Cal transfer will be a hybrid like Powell.
No. 119: Brent Benedict, OT, Georgia -- A serious knee injury in high school held back Benedict last season.
No. 123: Michael Taylor, LB, Florida -- Coming off a solid spring, Taylor will be counted on to add depth at linebacker for the Gators.
No. 124: Kelcy Quarles, DT, South Carolina -- After spending the 2010 season at prep school, Quarles showed this spring that he will be able to help right away in the middle of that South Carolina defensive line.
No. 132: Brian Vogler, TE, Alabama -- Vogler got a lot of practice reps at H-back in the spring.
No. 136: Ego Ferguson, DT, LSU -- The Tigers plan on playing Ferguson both inside and outside in certain situations after he made a big splash this spring.
No. 138: LaDarius Owens, LB, Auburn -- Auburn will be looking for linebacker help, and Owens’ physical talent is hard to miss.
No. 139: Evan Washington, OT, LSU -- The Tigers return four starters up front, but Washington could help at guard or tackle.
ALREADY GONE
No. 10: Jonathan Dowling, S, Florida -- Former Florida coach Urban Meyer kicked Dowling off the team last November for violating team rules.
No. 37: Chris Dunkley, WR, Florida -- Transferred to South Florida this spring.
No. 47: Antonio Goodwin, WR, Auburn -- Dismissed from Auburn’s team after being arrested and charged with armed robbery in March.
No. 93: Cam Feldt, OT, Arkansas -- Granted his release by Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino in May and plans to transfer.
No. 98: Shaun Kitchens, WR, Auburn -- Dismissed from Auburn’s team after being arrested and charged with armed robbery in March.
A look back at the 2010 ESPNU 150
June, 7, 2011
6/07/11
11:51
AM ET
By
Edward Aschoff and
Chris Low | ESPN.com
Wednesday marks the unveiling of the 2011 ESPNU 150 that names the nation’s top 150 recruits. Some would consider it a holiday of sorts.
To get everyone hyped up for tomorrow’s release, we took a look back at the 2010 list to see how some of those players fared in their first semesters on campus.
Biggest impact players:
No. 5: Mike Dyer, RB, Auburn -- He holds the Auburn freshman rushing record with 1,093 yards and was named the Offensive MVP of BCS National Championship Game. In conference games only, he led the league with 5.9 yards per carry
No. 16: DeMarcus Milliner, CB, Alabama -- Milliner was immediately thrown into the fire by Alabama’s coaching staff, starting 11 games as a true freshman and was named both a Freshman All-American and a Freshman All-SEC selection. He was fourth on the team with 55 tackles and had one interception in 2010.
No. 19: Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina -- Lattimore was the unanimous pick for National Freshman of the Year and SEC Freshman of the Year. He was a first-team All-SEC choice by both the league's coaches and the Associated Press after rushing for 1,197 yards and 17 touchdowns on 249 carries.
No. 99: C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama -- Mosley made just three starts as a freshman, but was third on the team with 67 tackles, had two interceptions and finished the year with 10 pass breakups. He was a first-team Freshman All-American and Freshman All-SEC member.
Jury’s still out:
No. 1: Ronald Powel, DE, Florida -- The country’s top player struggled with adjusting to college life and the college game. Attitude issues worsened the situation. However, a new coaching staff brought out a new attitude in Powell, who will start as the Gators’ hybrid linebacker/defensive end called the Buck this fall.
No. 3: Dominique Easley, DT, Florida -- Easley was supposed to be a pain for opposing offensive linemen but was instead a pain for his coaches. Discipline problems plagued him for most of last fall. He regrouped this spring and is competing for a starting job at tackle.
No. 30: Da’Rick Rogers, WR, Tennessee -- He was very raw, but showed flashes. This spring he was one of the Vols’ most consistent playmakers.
No. 81: Eric Reid, S, LSU -- Reid will be relied on heavily this season and started three of the 12 games he played in last year, recording 25 tackles and one interception.
Redshirted last season:
No. 32: Phillip Sims, QB, Alabama -- He exited the spring neck-and-neck with sophomore AJ McCarron for the starting spot in the Tide’s quarterback race.
No. 39: Trovon Reed, WR, Auburn -- Had it not been for knee problems, Reed would have been a big part of the Tigers’ offense last season. He should be one of the top newcomer in the SEC this fall.
No. 85: A.J. Cann, OL, South Carolina -- Cann made major strides this spring. He did so well that he’ll enter fall camp as the starter at left guard.
No. 97: Ken Malcome, RB, Georgia -- He was dropped to fourth on the depth chart, but is still someone who can get the tough yards.
No. 136: Ego Ferguson, DT, LSU -- The Tigers plan to play him both inside and outside after making a big splash this spring.
One and done:
No. 10: Jonathan Dowling, S, Florida
No. 47: Antonio Goodwin, WR, Auburn
No. 93: Cam Feldt, OT, Arkansas
No. 98: Shaun Kitchens, WR, Auburn
To get everyone hyped up for tomorrow’s release, we took a look back at the 2010 list to see how some of those players fared in their first semesters on campus.
Biggest impact players:
No. 5: Mike Dyer, RB, Auburn -- He holds the Auburn freshman rushing record with 1,093 yards and was named the Offensive MVP of BCS National Championship Game. In conference games only, he led the league with 5.9 yards per carry
No. 16: DeMarcus Milliner, CB, Alabama -- Milliner was immediately thrown into the fire by Alabama’s coaching staff, starting 11 games as a true freshman and was named both a Freshman All-American and a Freshman All-SEC selection. He was fourth on the team with 55 tackles and had one interception in 2010.
No. 19: Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina -- Lattimore was the unanimous pick for National Freshman of the Year and SEC Freshman of the Year. He was a first-team All-SEC choice by both the league's coaches and the Associated Press after rushing for 1,197 yards and 17 touchdowns on 249 carries.
No. 99: C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama -- Mosley made just three starts as a freshman, but was third on the team with 67 tackles, had two interceptions and finished the year with 10 pass breakups. He was a first-team Freshman All-American and Freshman All-SEC member.
Jury’s still out:
No. 1: Ronald Powel, DE, Florida -- The country’s top player struggled with adjusting to college life and the college game. Attitude issues worsened the situation. However, a new coaching staff brought out a new attitude in Powell, who will start as the Gators’ hybrid linebacker/defensive end called the Buck this fall.
No. 3: Dominique Easley, DT, Florida -- Easley was supposed to be a pain for opposing offensive linemen but was instead a pain for his coaches. Discipline problems plagued him for most of last fall. He regrouped this spring and is competing for a starting job at tackle.
No. 30: Da’Rick Rogers, WR, Tennessee -- He was very raw, but showed flashes. This spring he was one of the Vols’ most consistent playmakers.
No. 81: Eric Reid, S, LSU -- Reid will be relied on heavily this season and started three of the 12 games he played in last year, recording 25 tackles and one interception.
Redshirted last season:
No. 32: Phillip Sims, QB, Alabama -- He exited the spring neck-and-neck with sophomore AJ McCarron for the starting spot in the Tide’s quarterback race.
No. 39: Trovon Reed, WR, Auburn -- Had it not been for knee problems, Reed would have been a big part of the Tigers’ offense last season. He should be one of the top newcomer in the SEC this fall.
No. 85: A.J. Cann, OL, South Carolina -- Cann made major strides this spring. He did so well that he’ll enter fall camp as the starter at left guard.
No. 97: Ken Malcome, RB, Georgia -- He was dropped to fourth on the depth chart, but is still someone who can get the tough yards.
No. 136: Ego Ferguson, DT, LSU -- The Tigers plan to play him both inside and outside after making a big splash this spring.
One and done:
No. 10: Jonathan Dowling, S, Florida
No. 47: Antonio Goodwin, WR, Auburn
No. 93: Cam Feldt, OT, Arkansas
No. 98: Shaun Kitchens, WR, Auburn
Wednesday marks the release of the 2011 ESPNU 150, naming the nation's top 150 recruits. Today, we take a look back at the players who made the list in 2010.
Biggest impact from the class: No. 144 Terrence Mitchell, WR, USF. Mitchell ended up being switched from cornerback to receiver and became a special teams standout, returning 21 punts for 232 yards. His 11.0-yard return average was tops among all freshmen in the nation, and he is penciled in to start at receiver in 2011.
The jury's still out: No. 109 Ivan McCartney, WR, West Virginia. McCartney came to the Mountaineers with high expectations but only caught one pass for 4 yards last season. You have to wonder whether or not he should have been redshirted. But now that Dana Holgorsen has taken over as offensive coordinator, hopes are much higher for McCartney to have a breakout season.
Redshirted last season, but look out: No. 67 Todd Chandler, DT, USF. Chandler spent last season bulking up and learning the defense, and is listed as a backup behind Cory Grissom at nose tackle. But he should see plenty of reps as part of the two-deep rotation.
Biggest impact from the class: No. 144 Terrence Mitchell, WR, USF. Mitchell ended up being switched from cornerback to receiver and became a special teams standout, returning 21 punts for 232 yards. His 11.0-yard return average was tops among all freshmen in the nation, and he is penciled in to start at receiver in 2011.
The jury's still out: No. 109 Ivan McCartney, WR, West Virginia. McCartney came to the Mountaineers with high expectations but only caught one pass for 4 yards last season. You have to wonder whether or not he should have been redshirted. But now that Dana Holgorsen has taken over as offensive coordinator, hopes are much higher for McCartney to have a breakout season.
Redshirted last season, but look out: No. 67 Todd Chandler, DT, USF. Chandler spent last season bulking up and learning the defense, and is listed as a backup behind Cory Grissom at nose tackle. But he should see plenty of reps as part of the two-deep rotation.
Wednesday marks the release of the 2011 ESPNU 150, naming the nation's top 150 recruits. This year, we took a look back at the players who made the past five years of this list and signed with Big 12 teams, but it's time to direct our focus to the players who made last year's list.
Biggest impact players:
No. 21: Tony Jefferson, S, Oklahoma -- Jefferson was one of seven ESPNU 150 signees for Oklahoma in 2010, and shared Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors. The 5-foot-10, 199-pounder has drawn comparisons to Oklahoma legend Roy Williams for his work at the nickelback spot, and could be a dark horse candidate for Defensive Player of the Year next season.
No. 75: Shaun Lewis, LB, Oklahoma State -- Lewis was the Cowboys' lone ESPNU 150 signee, but he paid off in a big way. He shared Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors with Jefferson, and made two of the biggest plays of the season in 2010, picking off Jerrod Johnson to set up a game-winning field goal, and picking off Landry Jones for a touchdown in the regular-season finale.
Nos. 83 and 90: Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews, OL, Texas A&M -- The pair could be game-changing bookends for the offensive line. They were two of the Aggies' three ESPNU 150 signees. Joeckel took over as the starter at left tackle in his first spring and Matthews joined him midway through last season. Both are likely All-Big 12 performers as sophomores.
Ready to break out:
No. 2: Jackson Jeffcoat, DE, Texas -- Jeffcoat, one of the Longhorns' 14 ESPNU 150 signees, showed big promise early, but an ankle injury slowed his development as a freshman. He showed tons of raw talent, and if he stays healthy, could prove himself as one of the league's best pass-rushers.
No. 4: Jordan Hicks, LB, Texas -- Hicks missed the spring with a broken foot after making 21 tackles last season, including 11 in a win against Nebraska. An Ohio native, Hicks could be headed for a big season once he's back to full strength.
No. 13: Mike Davis, WR, Texas -- Davis was already second on the team with 47 receptions, 478 yards and two touchdowns. Coach Mack Brown was raving about his receiver this spring, saying he'd be the go-to guy in his new offense if the season began this spring.
No. 15: Ahmad Dixon, S, Baylor -- With experienced safeties on the roster last season, Dixon had a modest impact (16 tackles, one forced fumble). However, he's moved into a likely starting role at nickelback in Phil Bennett's new defense this spring. The Bears' only ESPNU 150 signee, Dixon offers a combination of size and speed not often seen on a Baylor defense.
No. 62: Corey Nelson, LB, Oklahoma -- Nelson had just 21 tackles last season, but blocked a punt against Texas A&M, the team he spurned for the Sooners on signing day. This spring, coach Bob Stoops called him the best player on the defense. Stoops should find a way to make sure Nelson is on the field this fall.
Redshirted last season, but look out:
No. 142: Justin McCay, WR, Oklahoma -- McCay, a 6-foot-3, 200-pounder, was rated by some recruiting services as one of the Sooners' top recruits. He suffered a knee injury this spring and missed the spring game, but could add more depth to the Oklahoma receiving corps as a big target in 2011.
Biggest impact players:
[+] Enlarge
Brett Davis/US PresswireOklahoma's Tony Jefferson shared Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors last season.
Brett Davis/US PresswireOklahoma's Tony Jefferson shared Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors last season.No. 75: Shaun Lewis, LB, Oklahoma State -- Lewis was the Cowboys' lone ESPNU 150 signee, but he paid off in a big way. He shared Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors with Jefferson, and made two of the biggest plays of the season in 2010, picking off Jerrod Johnson to set up a game-winning field goal, and picking off Landry Jones for a touchdown in the regular-season finale.
Nos. 83 and 90: Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews, OL, Texas A&M -- The pair could be game-changing bookends for the offensive line. They were two of the Aggies' three ESPNU 150 signees. Joeckel took over as the starter at left tackle in his first spring and Matthews joined him midway through last season. Both are likely All-Big 12 performers as sophomores.
Ready to break out:
No. 2: Jackson Jeffcoat, DE, Texas -- Jeffcoat, one of the Longhorns' 14 ESPNU 150 signees, showed big promise early, but an ankle injury slowed his development as a freshman. He showed tons of raw talent, and if he stays healthy, could prove himself as one of the league's best pass-rushers.
No. 4: Jordan Hicks, LB, Texas -- Hicks missed the spring with a broken foot after making 21 tackles last season, including 11 in a win against Nebraska. An Ohio native, Hicks could be headed for a big season once he's back to full strength.
No. 13: Mike Davis, WR, Texas -- Davis was already second on the team with 47 receptions, 478 yards and two touchdowns. Coach Mack Brown was raving about his receiver this spring, saying he'd be the go-to guy in his new offense if the season began this spring.
No. 15: Ahmad Dixon, S, Baylor -- With experienced safeties on the roster last season, Dixon had a modest impact (16 tackles, one forced fumble). However, he's moved into a likely starting role at nickelback in Phil Bennett's new defense this spring. The Bears' only ESPNU 150 signee, Dixon offers a combination of size and speed not often seen on a Baylor defense.
No. 62: Corey Nelson, LB, Oklahoma -- Nelson had just 21 tackles last season, but blocked a punt against Texas A&M, the team he spurned for the Sooners on signing day. This spring, coach Bob Stoops called him the best player on the defense. Stoops should find a way to make sure Nelson is on the field this fall.
Redshirted last season, but look out:
No. 142: Justin McCay, WR, Oklahoma -- McCay, a 6-foot-3, 200-pounder, was rated by some recruiting services as one of the Sooners' top recruits. He suffered a knee injury this spring and missed the spring game, but could add more depth to the Oklahoma receiving corps as a big target in 2011.
They were the best 150 recruits in the nation last season, according to ESPN Recruiting, and 18 of them committed to ACC schools, including eight of whom chose Florida State. Some of them have already made an impact while others either haven't been afforded that opportunity or haven't earned it.
Here's a look back at the ACC's 2010 ESPNU 150 recruits:
Biggest impact: North Carolina offensive tackle James Hurst: He was rated the No. 87 player overall and No. 4 at his position, and he has lived up to the billing. As a true freshman, Hurst played in all 13 games and started the final 12 games of the regular season at left tackle. He played 845 snaps and graded out with a team-high 83 percent. He was third on the team with 33 knockdown blocks and was in on all 72 offensive plays in the win over Tennessee in the Music City Bowl.
Jury's still out (has played, but hasn't quite broken out): Florida State safety Lamarcus Joyner. He made a successful transition from cornerback to his natural position of safety this spring, and could emerge as a starter there. He played in all 14 games last season as a true freshman and finished with 23 tackles, two pass breakups and one interception. He also made an impact on kickoff returns and added five returns for 74 yards at Oklahoma and four returns for 112 yards in the ACC championship game against Virginia Tech.
Worth watching (hasn't played or redshirted last season): Florida State receiver Christian Green. The Seminoles should be deep at the receiver position this season with the return of Bert Reed, Taiwan Easterling, Willie Haulstead and Rodney Smith, but the staff is looking for more from younger players like Green. ESPN Recruiting ranked him the No. 9 athlete in his class and No. 53 overall. With a first-year starting quarterback in EJ Manuel, the more dependable receivers FSU can find, the better for Manuel.
Here's a look back at the ACC's 2010 ESPNU 150 recruits:
Biggest impact: North Carolina offensive tackle James Hurst: He was rated the No. 87 player overall and No. 4 at his position, and he has lived up to the billing. As a true freshman, Hurst played in all 13 games and started the final 12 games of the regular season at left tackle. He played 845 snaps and graded out with a team-high 83 percent. He was third on the team with 33 knockdown blocks and was in on all 72 offensive plays in the win over Tennessee in the Music City Bowl.
Jury's still out (has played, but hasn't quite broken out): Florida State safety Lamarcus Joyner. He made a successful transition from cornerback to his natural position of safety this spring, and could emerge as a starter there. He played in all 14 games last season as a true freshman and finished with 23 tackles, two pass breakups and one interception. He also made an impact on kickoff returns and added five returns for 74 yards at Oklahoma and four returns for 112 yards in the ACC championship game against Virginia Tech.
Worth watching (hasn't played or redshirted last season): Florida State receiver Christian Green. The Seminoles should be deep at the receiver position this season with the return of Bert Reed, Taiwan Easterling, Willie Haulstead and Rodney Smith, but the staff is looking for more from younger players like Green. ESPN Recruiting ranked him the No. 9 athlete in his class and No. 53 overall. With a first-year starting quarterback in EJ Manuel, the more dependable receivers FSU can find, the better for Manuel.
They were the best 150 recruits in the nation last season, according to ESPN Recruiting, and 26 of them committed to Pac-10 schools, including 10 who chose USC. Some of them have already made an impact while others either haven't been afforded that opportunity or haven't earned it.
Here's a look back at the Pac-12 2010 ESPNU 150 recruits:
Biggest impact: USC receiver Robert Woods, ranked seventh overall, was first-team All-Pac-10 as a kick returner and was the Trojans' leading receiver with 64 receptions for 786 yards with six touchdowns. He made just about every freshman All-America team. Honorable mentions go to USC CB Nickell Robey (No. 149) and California receiver Keenan Allen (No. 33), who both almost immediately became starters.
Jury's still out (has played, but hasn't quite broken out): UCLA DE Owamagbe Odighizuwa (No. 17), Washington S Sean Parker (No. 49) and USC RB Dillon Baxter (No. 117) each saw action last fall and flashed ability -- in some cases big-time ability -- but didn't break through as starters. None of the three finished spring practices as a clear No. 1 on the depth chart.
Worth watching (hasn't played or redshirted last season): A lot of the redshirts are expected to break through and contribute in 2011, including Oregon RB Lache Seastrunk (No. 40), UCLA RB Jordan James (No. 38), USC WR Kyle Prater (No. 45), USC DT George Uko (No. 58) and California OLB Cecil Whiteside (No. 116). Seastrunk and James are expected to get touches, despite the return of talented, experienced players ahead of them on the depth chart. Prater would have been a contributor in 2010 if not for injuries. Uko was a surprise No. 1 on the post-spring depth chart, while Whiteside was a standout this spring.
Here's a look back at the Pac-12 2010 ESPNU 150 recruits:
Biggest impact: USC receiver Robert Woods, ranked seventh overall, was first-team All-Pac-10 as a kick returner and was the Trojans' leading receiver with 64 receptions for 786 yards with six touchdowns. He made just about every freshman All-America team. Honorable mentions go to USC CB Nickell Robey (No. 149) and California receiver Keenan Allen (No. 33), who both almost immediately became starters.
Jury's still out (has played, but hasn't quite broken out): UCLA DE Owamagbe Odighizuwa (No. 17), Washington S Sean Parker (No. 49) and USC RB Dillon Baxter (No. 117) each saw action last fall and flashed ability -- in some cases big-time ability -- but didn't break through as starters. None of the three finished spring practices as a clear No. 1 on the depth chart.
Worth watching (hasn't played or redshirted last season): A lot of the redshirts are expected to break through and contribute in 2011, including Oregon RB Lache Seastrunk (No. 40), UCLA RB Jordan James (No. 38), USC WR Kyle Prater (No. 45), USC DT George Uko (No. 58) and California OLB Cecil Whiteside (No. 116). Seastrunk and James are expected to get touches, despite the return of talented, experienced players ahead of them on the depth chart. Prater would have been a contributor in 2010 if not for injuries. Uko was a surprise No. 1 on the post-spring depth chart, while Whiteside was a standout this spring.
Taking stock: Big Ten's top recruits from '10
June, 7, 2011
6/07/11
10:30
AM ET
By
Brian Bennett | ESPN.com
Being one of the top-rated recruits in the country is a double-edged sword. You get all the attention and hype you'd ever want coming out of high school. But there is also more pressure on you to succeed once you step foot on campus. And there's more pressure on coaches and programs to get the most out of their big-time prospects. As the old saying goes, potential will get you fired.
With that in mind, today we're taking a look back at the top Big Ten recruits from the 2010 class and seeing where they stand. It's not fair to judge these guys until the end of their college careers, and in several cases these players haven't even gotten on the field yet. But it's never too early to take stock.
We're going to use the ESPNU150 list from 2010 as our guide. The Big Ten had 14 players make that elite list. We'll divide the players into three categories: those who've made the biggest impact so far, those who have played but for whom the jury is still out and those who haven't played yet. (One interesting thing to note: None of the 14 made Adam's 2010 Big Ten All-Freshman team):
Away we go ...
Biggest impact
Rob Bolden, QB, Penn State (No. 112 overall, No. 4 position rank)
You all know the Bolden story. He started the first seven games as a true freshmen and eight games overall, throwing for 1,360 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions. Then he lost his job to walk-on Matt McGloin after suffering a concussion against Minnesota, and there was a heated quarterback battle this spring. The last we heard, Bolden hadn't decided whether he'll stay at Penn State or transfer before the 2011 season.
Corey Brown, WR, Ohio State (No. 137 overall, No. 20 position rank)
"Philly," as he's called, played in all 13 games last season and saw time on the kick and punt return teams as well as at receiver. He caught eight balls for 105 yards and a touchdown, which came in the win over Purdue. He won the outstanding first-year player award from the coaching staff. But he also had trouble with drops this spring. With the Buckeyes' lone returning starter at receiver, DeVier Posey, out for the first five games, Brown will need to become a consistent force.
Khairi Fortt, LB, Penn State (No. 66 overall, No. 2 position rank): Will Fortt be one of the next great players at Linebacker U.? He saw action in nine games last year, including a start against Illinois in which he recorded 11 tackles. Penn State is loaded at linebacker, but Fortt saw a lot of time with the first-team defense this spring and will be hard to keep out of the lineup this fall.
William Gholston, DE, Michigan State (No. 42 overall, No. 3 position rank)
The Big Ten's highest-rated recruit in 2010 served as the Spartans' backup left end and played in 10 games before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury against Minnesota. He collected 13 tackles and a half-sack as a true freshman and had five stops and an assisted tackle for loss against Iowa. The 6-foot-7, 265-pounder should slide into a starting role in 2011.
Jury's still out
C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE, Iowa (No. 82 overall, No. 6 position rank)
Fiedorowicz saw action in all 13 games but did not record a catch as a true freshman as he saw most of his time on special teams. The 6-foot-7 sophomore is expected to back up starter Brad Herman this season but could see time when the Hawkeyes use two tight ends.
Devin Gardner, QB, Michigan (No. 128 overall, No. 5 position rank)
Gardner got to play in three games as a true freshman. He threw for 85 yards and a touchdown against Bowling Green and also ran for a score in that game. Then he hurt his back and missed the rest of the season, and Michigan is hoping to get a medical redshirt year for him. Of course, his opportunities were limited anyway and figure to be the same for the foreseeable future because he's stuck behind another pretty good quarterback. Fella named Denard. You might have heard of him.
Andrew Rodriguez, OG, Nebraska (No. 147 overall, No. 7 position rank)
The 6-foot-6 Rodriguez got his feet wet with five appearances in 2010, becoming the first true freshman to play on the offensive line for Nebraska since 2006. With starting guards Ricky Henry and Keith Williams now departed, there's a good chance Rodriguez fills one of those spots in 2011.
Look out for
Darryl Baldwin, DE, Ohio State (No. 131 overall, No. 13 position rank)
Baldwin took a redshirt year in 2010 and should see some snaps this year, albeit most likely in a backup role.
Miles Dieffenbach, C, Penn State (No. 118 overall, No. 1 position rank)
Dieffenbach redshirted in 2010 as senior Doug Klopacz held down the center spot. Dieffenbach is expected to back up junior Matt Stankiewitch in 2011.
Evan Hailes, DT, Penn State (No. 88 overall, No. 9 position rank)
It may be a while before we know anything about Hailes. He redshirted in 2010, and Joe Paterno said after the spring game that Hailes could miss the entire 2011 season with an undisclosed illness.
James Louis, WR, Ohio State (No. 80 overall, No. 12 position rank)
Louis redshirted in 2010 and was inconsistent this spring, like most of the Buckeyes' young receivers. At least the opportunity for playing time is there.
C.J. Olaniyan, DE, Penn State (No. 148 overall, No. 16 position rank)
Olaniyan redshirted last season and got some first-team reps this spring with starters Jack Crawford and Eric Latimore slowed by injuries. Those two will start when they get healthy, but Olaniyan should see time in the rotation along the defensive front.
Dakota Royer, LB, Penn State (No. 70 overall, No. 7 position rank)
A defensive end in high school, Royer is battling for playing time at the crowded linebacker position with the Nittany Lions. He redshirted in 2010 and will have to fight to get on the field behind an experienced crew this season.
Rod Smith, RB, Ohio State (No. 56 overall, No. 7 position rank)
Smith reported late to preseason camp last year while he worked on some academics and ended up redshirting. Now he's part of a group of tailbacks battling for carries while starter Dan Herron is out for the first five games. The 6-3, 230-pound bruiser impressed during bowl practice last year, had seven carries for 36 yards in the spring game and could become the featured back in Herron's absence. But the running back competition figures to continue into fall camp.
With that in mind, today we're taking a look back at the top Big Ten recruits from the 2010 class and seeing where they stand. It's not fair to judge these guys until the end of their college careers, and in several cases these players haven't even gotten on the field yet. But it's never too early to take stock.
We're going to use the ESPNU150 list from 2010 as our guide. The Big Ten had 14 players make that elite list. We'll divide the players into three categories: those who've made the biggest impact so far, those who have played but for whom the jury is still out and those who haven't played yet. (One interesting thing to note: None of the 14 made Adam's 2010 Big Ten All-Freshman team):
Away we go ...
Biggest impact
Rob Bolden, QB, Penn State (No. 112 overall, No. 4 position rank)
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, FileRob Bolden made a big impact as a freshman, but his future remains up in the air.
AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, FileRob Bolden made a big impact as a freshman, but his future remains up in the air.Corey Brown, WR, Ohio State (No. 137 overall, No. 20 position rank)
"Philly," as he's called, played in all 13 games last season and saw time on the kick and punt return teams as well as at receiver. He caught eight balls for 105 yards and a touchdown, which came in the win over Purdue. He won the outstanding first-year player award from the coaching staff. But he also had trouble with drops this spring. With the Buckeyes' lone returning starter at receiver, DeVier Posey, out for the first five games, Brown will need to become a consistent force.
Khairi Fortt, LB, Penn State (No. 66 overall, No. 2 position rank): Will Fortt be one of the next great players at Linebacker U.? He saw action in nine games last year, including a start against Illinois in which he recorded 11 tackles. Penn State is loaded at linebacker, but Fortt saw a lot of time with the first-team defense this spring and will be hard to keep out of the lineup this fall.
William Gholston, DE, Michigan State (No. 42 overall, No. 3 position rank)
The Big Ten's highest-rated recruit in 2010 served as the Spartans' backup left end and played in 10 games before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury against Minnesota. He collected 13 tackles and a half-sack as a true freshman and had five stops and an assisted tackle for loss against Iowa. The 6-foot-7, 265-pounder should slide into a starting role in 2011.
Jury's still out
C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE, Iowa (No. 82 overall, No. 6 position rank)
Fiedorowicz saw action in all 13 games but did not record a catch as a true freshman as he saw most of his time on special teams. The 6-foot-7 sophomore is expected to back up starter Brad Herman this season but could see time when the Hawkeyes use two tight ends.
Devin Gardner, QB, Michigan (No. 128 overall, No. 5 position rank)
Gardner got to play in three games as a true freshman. He threw for 85 yards and a touchdown against Bowling Green and also ran for a score in that game. Then he hurt his back and missed the rest of the season, and Michigan is hoping to get a medical redshirt year for him. Of course, his opportunities were limited anyway and figure to be the same for the foreseeable future because he's stuck behind another pretty good quarterback. Fella named Denard. You might have heard of him.
Andrew Rodriguez, OG, Nebraska (No. 147 overall, No. 7 position rank)
The 6-foot-6 Rodriguez got his feet wet with five appearances in 2010, becoming the first true freshman to play on the offensive line for Nebraska since 2006. With starting guards Ricky Henry and Keith Williams now departed, there's a good chance Rodriguez fills one of those spots in 2011.
Look out for
Darryl Baldwin, DE, Ohio State (No. 131 overall, No. 13 position rank)
Baldwin took a redshirt year in 2010 and should see some snaps this year, albeit most likely in a backup role.
Miles Dieffenbach, C, Penn State (No. 118 overall, No. 1 position rank)
Dieffenbach redshirted in 2010 as senior Doug Klopacz held down the center spot. Dieffenbach is expected to back up junior Matt Stankiewitch in 2011.
Evan Hailes, DT, Penn State (No. 88 overall, No. 9 position rank)
It may be a while before we know anything about Hailes. He redshirted in 2010, and Joe Paterno said after the spring game that Hailes could miss the entire 2011 season with an undisclosed illness.
James Louis, WR, Ohio State (No. 80 overall, No. 12 position rank)
Louis redshirted in 2010 and was inconsistent this spring, like most of the Buckeyes' young receivers. At least the opportunity for playing time is there.
C.J. Olaniyan, DE, Penn State (No. 148 overall, No. 16 position rank)
Olaniyan redshirted last season and got some first-team reps this spring with starters Jack Crawford and Eric Latimore slowed by injuries. Those two will start when they get healthy, but Olaniyan should see time in the rotation along the defensive front.
Dakota Royer, LB, Penn State (No. 70 overall, No. 7 position rank)
A defensive end in high school, Royer is battling for playing time at the crowded linebacker position with the Nittany Lions. He redshirted in 2010 and will have to fight to get on the field behind an experienced crew this season.
Rod Smith, RB, Ohio State (No. 56 overall, No. 7 position rank)
Smith reported late to preseason camp last year while he worked on some academics and ended up redshirting. Now he's part of a group of tailbacks battling for carries while starter Dan Herron is out for the first five games. The 6-3, 230-pound bruiser impressed during bowl practice last year, had seven carries for 36 yards in the spring game and could become the featured back in Herron's absence. But the running back competition figures to continue into fall camp.
Today on ESPN.com, we're taking a look at how the ESPNU150 recruits from 2010 have fared so far.
These players have only had one year of college experience, and not all played in 2010. Any judgments on their career can't be made for several more years. Still, it's never too early to take stock.
So let's look at Notre Dame's ESPNU150 recruits from last year. The Irish had two on the list.
The one who made an impact last season was receiver T.J. Jones (No. 68 overall, No. 10 receiver in class). He played in 12 games, including seven starts, and saw time at all three receiver positions, finishing with 23 catches for 306 yards and three touchdowns. He was the first Irish freshman wideout in school history to catch touchdown passes in each of his first two career games. Jones should start this season, and could provide a solid No. 2 complement to Michael Floyd, assuming Floyd comes back from suspension.
The other ESPNU150 recruit didn't play last season but is one to look out for in 2011. He's defensive tackle Louis Nix (No. 64 overall, No. 6 defensive tackle in class). Nix reported to campus at more than 350 pounds, ensuring a redshirt campaign. He's in better shape now but still is a mountain of a man and showed the ability this spring to be an elite run-stuffer. Offensive linemen simply can't move him. Nix has a long way to go to improve his endurance so he can stay on the field, but even in limited time, he should have an impact on the Irish defense in 2011.
These players have only had one year of college experience, and not all played in 2010. Any judgments on their career can't be made for several more years. Still, it's never too early to take stock.
So let's look at Notre Dame's ESPNU150 recruits from last year. The Irish had two on the list.
The one who made an impact last season was receiver T.J. Jones (No. 68 overall, No. 10 receiver in class). He played in 12 games, including seven starts, and saw time at all three receiver positions, finishing with 23 catches for 306 yards and three touchdowns. He was the first Irish freshman wideout in school history to catch touchdown passes in each of his first two career games. Jones should start this season, and could provide a solid No. 2 complement to Michael Floyd, assuming Floyd comes back from suspension.
The other ESPNU150 recruit didn't play last season but is one to look out for in 2011. He's defensive tackle Louis Nix (No. 64 overall, No. 6 defensive tackle in class). Nix reported to campus at more than 350 pounds, ensuring a redshirt campaign. He's in better shape now but still is a mountain of a man and showed the ability this spring to be an elite run-stuffer. Offensive linemen simply can't move him. Nix has a long way to go to improve his endurance so he can stay on the field, but even in limited time, he should have an impact on the Irish defense in 2011.
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