HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Its New Year's Day and that means a heavy dose of college football games featuring many top prospects for the upcoming draft.....

January 1

Outback Bowl, Boise; 11 AM ET; ESPN

Tennessee (9-3) vs Penn State (8-4)

Star your New Year’s Day on the right foot with a great match-up between traditional powers Tennessee and Penn State in the Outback Bowl. If nothing else, the game offers a chance to compare of two of the top OTs in the 2007 draft class in the Volunteers’ Arron Sears (#76, 6-4, 335) and Levi Brown (#67, 6-5, 330) of Penn State both of whom are solid first-round prospects for the upcoming draft. Indeed, the burly Brown could go as high as the top 10-15 picks with a solid series of workouts this winter. Tennessee has a second first-round candidate in junior WR Robert Meacham (#3, 6-2, 205), an outstanding athlete who finally played up to his physical potential this fall and appears headed for this year’s draft. In fact, Meacham heads a talented Volunteers’ receiver corps which also includes WR Jayson Swain (#1, 6-0, 205), while FB Cory Anderson (#45, 6-2, 255) is one of the better lead-blockers in the country. Then there is junior QB Eril Ainge (#10, 6-5, 220) who had a breakout year and should figure among the top prospects at the position in 2008. On the other side of the ball DE Turk McBride (#90, 6-4, 275) is one of the rising stars along the defensive front while the Volunteers also have plenty of speed in the secondary including CB Jonathan Wade (#4, 6-0, 195) and DB Antwan Stewart (#24, 6-0, 195), both of whom have track speed.

There is a similar story over at Penn State where LB Paul Poluszny (#31, 6-1, 240) could join teammate Brown in this year’s opening round. Poluszny started the year slowly after undergoing off-season surgery to repair a knee injured last year’s bowl. If healthy, Poluszny is an instinctive, aggressive backer although he lacks explosive pure speed. And in what seems fitting at ‘LB’ Poluszny heads a strong LB corps which also includes star junior Dan Connor (#40, 6-3, 225) and Tim Shaw (#20, 6-1, 235). They all work behind a defensive line anchored by steady all-around DT Jay Alford (#13, 6-2, 290). Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions’ offense has something of a rising star in RB Tony Hunt (#26, 6-0, 230).

Cotton Bowl, Dallas; 11:30 AM ET; Fox

Nebraska (9-4) vs Auburn (10-2)

The only thing missing from this year’s Cotton Bowl is a team from Texas. There certainly will be no shortage of talent on the field, though, when Nebraska battles Auburn. The Tigers, for example, will be lead by explosive RB Kenny Irons (#23, 5-11, 205), arguably the top senior back in the country who could be a top 20-25 pick at the 2007 draft. Irons will run behind a huge offensive line anchored by emerging star OGs Ben Grubbs (#69, 6-3, 305) and emerging junior Tim Duckworth (#76, 6-2, 310), while WR Courtney Taylor (#86, 6-1, 205) is a solid second-tier receiver prospect. On the other side of the ball, physical DB Will Herring (#35, 6-2, 225), who could actually play a lot at OLB this fall, heads a very aggressive defense which also include DEs Marquies Gunn (#48, 6-3, 255) and junior Quentin Groves (#54, 6-3, 250), along with speedy CB David Irons (#4, 6-0, 190), the RB's brother. The Tigers will also feature one of the better punters in the country in Kody Bliss (#30, 5-11, 180) who averaged almost 45 yards per boot last fall.

While Auburn has been a bowl fixture in recent years, Nebraska marks its return to college football’s elite with today’s Cotton Bowl appearance. These aren’t your grandfather’s Huskers, though, who traditionally ran the ball down everybodies throats. Under former Oakland head coach Bill Callaghan, Nebraska has been re-invented as a wide-open passing program, this year led by QB Zac Taylor (#13, 6-1, 210) who threw for 24 TDs this fall against only 4 picks. Taylor also has a top target in TE Matt Herian (#11, 6-5, 245) who has made a nice recovery from a devastating leg injury, while C Kurt Mann (#50, 6-3, 290) anchors a steady offensive line and FB Dane Todd (#41, 5-11, 235) is a typical Nebraska lead blocker. The Huskers best prospects for 2007, though, are on the defensive side of the ball starting with two-way DE Adam Carriker (#90, 6-5, 295), a first day prospect for the upcoming draft. Carriker combines with DE Jay Moore (#44, 6-4, 280) to give Nebraska a solid set of bookends on the defensive front, while OLB Stewart Bradley (#34, 6-3, 245) is also a good one.

Gator Bowl, Tampa; 1 PM ET; CBS

Georgia Tech (9-4) vs West Virginia (10-2)

Get those clickers handy because both of today’s 1 PM games feature a player with the potential to be the #1 pick at the 2007 draft. Georgia Tech junior WR Calvin Johnson (#21, 6-4, 235), whose Ramblin’ Wrecksters tangle with West Virginia in the Gator Bowl, for example, combines freakish size and speed and is a lock to be a top 5 pick this year if he opts to enter the upcoming draft; that is if he doesn’t go first overall. Johnson, though, will have to face the Mountaineers without QB Reggie Ball who is academically ineligible. Meanwhile, other Georgia Tech players to watch on a very young team include OT Mansfield Wrotto (#68, 6-3, 310), a converted defensive lineman, DT Joe Anoai (#96, 6-2, 285), LB KaMichael Hall (#35, 6-0, 235), and DB Joe Gaston (#37, 5-11, 195).

West Virginia likely won’t have anywhere near as big an impact at the 2007 draft as Georgia Tech but give the Mountaineers time as the team’s stars are QB Pat White (#5, 6-1, 195) and RB Steve Slaton (#10, 5-9, 195), a pair of explosive sophomores each of whom could contend for the Heisman Trophy next fall. The Mountaineers, though, do have one of the better interior offensive lineman in the upcoming draft class in C Dan Mozes (#76, 6-3, 295), who is one of the most accomplished pivots in the country, although he isn’t very big. Meanwhile LB Ken “Boo” McLee (#43, 6-1, 255) is a good-sized weakside backer who can make plays in both directions. The Mountaineers also have a number of solid second-tier prospects, especially on defense including LB Jay Henry (#42, 6-2, 225), DE Craig Wilson (#66, 6-1, 290), and SS Eric Weeks (#41, 6-1, 210), while OG Jeremy Sheffey (#65, 6-3, 295) and WR Brandon Myles (#7, 6-3, 190) are solid collegiate players on the other side of the ball.

Capitol One, Orlando; 1 PM ET; ABC

Wisconsin (11-1) vs Arkansas (10-3)

Draft watchers will have a tough time choosing between the Gator Bowl and the Capitol One match-up at the same time between Wisconsin and Arkansas which features the Badgers All-American OT Joe Thomas (#72, 6-7, 310), who appears headed to a top 2-3 selection at the 2007 draft. At the same time, though, this game should also feature a pretty good battle between two of the very best young backs in the country in Arkansas super sophomore RB Darren McFadden (#5, 6-1, 210), arguably the best player in the country period this season, and Wisconsin freshman sensation P.J. Hill (#39, 5-10, 242). In fact, both of these teams are relatively young, but the Badgers do have a number of solid second-tier prospects including veteran QB John Stocco (#7, 6-2, 210), along with MLB Mark Zalewski (#41, 6-1, 235), DE Joe Monty (#95, 6-1, 260) and DBs Rod Rogers (#22, 6-1, 190) and Joe Stellmacher (#16, 6-1, 220). Meanwhile, OLB Sam Olajabutu (#24, 5-9, 225) is probably the Razorbacks best senior prospect; he's certainly the most interesting . Olajabutu is very short but can run to the ball. Other Hogs to watch include seniors OTs Tony Ugoh (#66, 6-5, 305) and Zac Tubbs (#69, 6-5, 340), OG Stephen Parker (#74, 6-3, 310), stumpy NT Keith Jackson (#99, 6-0, 300), MLB Desmond Sims (#23, 6-2, 225), SS Randy Kelly (#6-0, 5-11, 195), and P Jacob Skinner (#14, 6-2, 210), while DE Jamaal Anderson (#92, 6-5, 270) is another top junior to keep an eye on.

Rose Bowl, Pasadena; 5 PM ET; ABC

Southern California (10-2) vs Michigan (11-1)

It did indeed turn out to be something of a rebuilding year at Southern California where the Trojans stumbled a couple of times on the way to what would have been a third straight national title game. Still, the Trojans should have a major impact on the upcoming draft if star junior WR Dwayne Jarrett (#8, 6-4, 210), who appears to be a lock to be a top 15 pick this year, leaves school early. The good news for the Trojans though is that just about all their other outstanding juniors including OT Sam Baker (#79, 6-5, 305), DE Lawrence Jackson (#96, 6-5, 265), LB Keith Rivers (#55, 6-3, 220) and DT Sedrick Ellis (#49, 6-1, 290) have all indicated they will be returning for their senior seasons. So will junior QB John David Booty (#10, 6-3, 195) who has done a nice job after taking over from Matt Leinart but still needs more seasoning. Another junior, RB Chauncey Washington (#23, 6-0, 205), could be a bit of a sleeper at the 2007 draft if he leaves school early which he very well might after struggling with the books the past several years. Meanwhile, USC will also send several seniors to this year’s draft including veteran WR Steve Smith (#2, 6-2, 195), C Ryan Kalil (#67, 6-3, 286), and LBs Dallas Sartz (#44, 6-5, 220) and LB Oscar Lua (#45, 6-1, 240).

As talented as is Southern California, Michigan could actually have a bigger impact at the 2007 draft. Indeed, the Wolverines have a couple of top ten prospects in CB Leon Hall (#29, 5-10, 195), who could be the first corner off the board this year, and massive run-stuffing junior DT Alan Branch (#80, 6-5, 330), who is inching closer to a top 5-10 pick. Like the Trojans, though, most of Michigan’s other top juniors including junior OT Jake Long (#77, 6-6, 320), QB Chad Henne (#7, 6-2, 225), and RB Mike Hart (#20, 5-9, 200) will be back in maize next fall. Meanwhile, DE LaMarr Woodley (#56, 6-2, 270), LBs Prescott Burgess (#6, 6-3, 245) and David Harris (#45, 6-2, 242), and KR Steve Breaston (#15, 6-0, 85) are solid late first-day candidates. And there’s plenty of depth in the Michigan draft class which includes veterans like MLB, DBs Willis Barringer (#19, 6-0, 205) and Brandent Englemon (#31, 5-11, 205), TE Tyler Ecker (#89, 6-5, 250), and PK Garrett Rivas (#38, 5-9, 215) who are rated as possible second-day prospects.

Fiesta Bowl, Phoenix; 8 PM ET; Fox

Oklahoma (11-2) vs Boise State (12-0)

New Year’s Day wraps up with a really fascinating match-up in the Fiesta Bowl where traditional power Oklahoma takes on traditional pygmy Boise State. And both the Sooners and the Broncos are happy enough to be in Phoenix, however, both feel they have a claim to be in that other Arizona BCS game, next Monday’s national title contest. The Sooners, for example, lost twice but one of those was a disputed loss at Oregon after which officials admit they blew a late call that would have given Oklahoma that win. Meanwhile, the unheralded Broncos were Division 1A’s only unbeaten team other than Ohio State, but as a WAC team don’t much national respect, although they did beat Oregon State, the same Oregon State that ended Southern Cal’s unbeaten run earlier this fall.

The other big story at this year’s Fiesta Bowl will be the return to action of Oklahoma junior RB Adrian Peterson (#28, 6-0, 220). Peterson, who is expected to be a top 5 pick at the 2007 draft, hasn’t played since October after breaking his collarbone. The Fiesta Bowl, in fact, could evolve into a battle between two of the best young backs in college football as Boise State sophomore Ian Johnson (#41, 5-10, 195) emerged as rising superstar this fall as he ran for over 1,600 yards and scored 24 times.

Both teams, though, also have some very good seniors. The Sooners best senior pro prospect, for example, is OLB Rufus Alexander (#42, 6-0, 230), who could sneak into the late-first round this coming April. The Sooners also have a top trio of excellent edge rushers in DEs C.J. Ah You (#99, 6-4, 275), Calvin Thibodeux (#58, 6-1, 255) and Larry Birdine (#92, 6-2, 260). The Sooners also have a very athletic LT in Chris Messner (#79, 6-5, 280) although he isn't very big.

Boise State has quietly emerged as one of the better programs in the country in the past decade winning an average of over 10 games per year in the last seven seasons. However, that success hasn’t translated to a lot of success on draft day. Indeed, when Green Bay selected former Broncos’ OT Darren Colledge in the middle of the second round this past April, it represented the first time in twenty years that Boise State had a player taken on the first day of the draft. Unfortunately, the Broncos aren’t likely to dramatically reverse that trend this fall, but will be busy enough this coming April with a deep draft class that includes QB Jared Zabransky (#5, 6-2, 2050), WR Legedu Naanee (#4, 6-2, 230), TE Derel Schouman (#91, 6-2, 235), FB Brad Lau (#34, 5-11, 245), MLB Korey Hall (#25, 6-1, 230), DB Gerald Alexander (#2, 6-0, 205), DT Andrew Browning (#57, 6-0, 280), and PK Anthony Montgomery (#47, 6-1, 210). Zabransky, for example, has been one of the more productive passers in the country the past couple of seasons, but still throws far too interceptions, while Hall is a prototype tackling machine, but isn’t overly big or fast. Meanwhile, while the afore-mentioned Colledge had pro scouts excited, they positively drool when checking out talented Boise State sophomore offensive linemen Ryan Clady (#79, 6-6, 320), a very athletic LT prospect, and road-grading Canadian OG Andrew Woodruff (#67, 6-3, 330).....

Underclassmen still have a couple of weeks to formally apply to the NFL for entry to this year's draft, however, it does not appear that Kentucky junior QB Andre Woodson is going anywhere at least this winter. The 6-5 Woodson, who led the Wildcats to an upset over Clemson at the Music City Bowl over the weekend stated after the game that he would be back at school next fall.....

Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in downtown Denver early Monday morning, police said. Williams, a second-round pick in the 2005 draft out of Oklahoma State, started nine games as a rookie due to injuries. This season, he took over as the starter for Lenny Walls alongside Champ Bailey, and was second on the team with four interceptions and tied for third with 86 tackles. We met Darrent at the Senior Bowl prior to the 2005 draft and found him to be a thoughtful young man with a bright future. Our condolences go his family.