Sept. 26
Mel Kiper Jr. rates the top senior prospects for the 2002 NFL draft:
1. John Henderson, DT, Tennessee -- Recorded three tackles (one for loss) and recovered a fumble against Syracuse. Henderson combines imposing size with exceptional skill as the leader of the Vols' defense.
2. Kalimba Edwards, DE, South Carolina -- In the Jevon Kearse mold as an explosive outside pass rusher; a destructive edge performer with great closing speed. Edwards had a fine effort (eight tackles, one QB pressure) in the opener against Boise State.
3. Wendell Bryant, DT, Wisconsin -- Coming off a dominant five-sack effort vs. Penn State. Even though he was doubled-teamed the entire way against Oregon, Bryant sacked Joey Harrington twice and recorded a QB pressure. Bryant has a ton of ability but needs more consistency.
4. David Carr, QB, Fresno St. -- Solid again: 22-of-29, 314 yards, three TD passes, one interception vs. Tulsa; has completed 62.8 percent of his passes. Came through with brilliant efforts as he orchestrated upset victories over Wisconsin and Oregon State. Carr has consistently made the proper reads while showing big-time arm strength and impressive accuracy and touch. Against Oregon State, Carr completed 21 of 34 for 340 yards and four TDs with no interceptions.
5. Anthony Weaver, DT, Notre Dame -- Has superior quickness and block-shed technique. Weaver performed well even though the Fighting Irish opened the season with a loss at Nebraska.
6. Quentin Jammer, CB, Texas -- A serious eraser in the Longhorns' deep patrol. New Mexico State stayed away from Jammer the entire game, not allowing the super blue-chipper to be a factor in pass coverage.
7. Bryant McKinnie, OT, Miami (Fla.) -- A dominating bookend LT at 6-7½, 335 pounds. But McKinnie didn't come through with one of his usual dominating efforts against Penn State. He wasn't able to manhandle the DE on running plays and was off-balance at times in pass protection. With a player of McKinnie's caliber, he'll need to take his game to the level expected in the coming weeks to secure a grade equal to the likes of Tony Boselli, Jonathan Ogden, Orlando Pace or Chris Samuels.
8. Mike Williams, OT, Texas -- The mammoth 6-6, 360-pound RT was credited with seven pancake blocks in the Longhorns' 41-7 victory over New Mexico State; he's an All-American caliber RT.
9. Larry Tripplett, DT, Washington -- Outstanding effort against Idaho: five tackles for loss, one sack and a blocked field goal that was returned for a touchdown. Tripplett's strength is as a run-stuffer on the inside. He anchors Washington's front seven.
10. Edward Reed, DB, Miami (Fla.) -- Now the QB of the Hurricanes defense, Reed had six tackles, an interception and a pass breakup in the drubbing of Penn State.
11. Ron Johnson, WR, Minnesota -- After two games: 11 catches, 11.6-yard average but no TDs. Uses size (6-2½, 212) well and has physical approach. In the Golden Gophers' loss to Toledo, Johnson hauled in seven receptions for 72 yards.
12. Kelly Campbell, WR, Georgia Tech -- An exciting play-maker in the mold of former UCLA WR Freddie Mitchell. Campbell caught 10 passes in the opener against Syracuse.
13. DeShaun Foster, RB, UCLA -- Sub-par effort against Ohio State: 29 carries, 66 yards, four fumbles (two lost). But he showcased his top-flight skill in the Bruins' hard-fought 20-17 victory at Alabama (110 yards rushing on 24 carries, including impressive 21- and 40-yard runs). He was able to make people miss and showed tackle-breaking ability. Also impressive was his toughness; he displayed determination and grit after suffering a first-half rib injury.
14. Javon Walker, WR, Florida St. -- With Robert Morgan and Anquan Boldin going down with season-ending injuries, the physically gifted Walker will be counted on to step up his performance level. Enjoyed a good start against Duke, hauling in five receptions for 62 yards.
15. Alan Harper, DT, Fresno St. -- Four tackles, no sacks against Tulsa, but the Golden Hurricane used three-step drops, preventing Harper from being a bigger force. Has been an integral part of Fresno State's 3-0 start with his dominance. He plays through double teams and is effective at getting into the backfield, opening up things for the defensive ends. Harper is a quick, destructive player who gets great leverage and has tremendous ball-location skills.
16. Michael Lewis, DB, Colorado -- Had team-leading 12 tackles against Kansas. Hits like a ton of bricks from SS spot. Lewis is now the Buffaloes' all-time sack leader for DBs.
17. Alex Brown, DE, Florida -- A serious force as an outside pass rusher. Brown recorded two sacks against Marshall.
18. Levi Jones, OT, Arizona St. -- Key performer on Sun Devils' line that didn't allow a sack in the first two games. Top-quality LT for the Sun Devils. A versatile athlete, Jones once worked on the defensive line.
19. Pig Prather, DB, Mississippi St. -- Former RB was all over the field in the Bulldogs' win over Memphis, finishing with six tackles (five solos), two stops behind the line of scrimmage and a sack.
20. Rocky Calmus, LB, Oklahoma -- The heart and soul of the OU defense, Calmus continues to be a tackling machine. In the first two games, he recorded 21 stops, recovered two fumbles and intercepted a pass.
21. Daniel Graham, TE, Colorado -- Strong in-line blocker with excellent hands; had three catches for 43 yards and one TD against Kansas. One of QB Craig Ochs' favorite targets; against Colorado State, Graham was credited with 22 downfield blocks on running plays as the Buffaloes rushed for 315 yards. Graham is a centerpiece of the Buffaloes' attack.
22. Bradley Jennings, MLB, Florida St. -- Has nearly 200 tackles in the past two seasons. Jennings enjoyed a more-than-satisfactory beginning to the 2001 campaign, recording eight tackles (five solos) in FSU's 55-13 victory over Duke.
23. Keyou Craver, CB, Nebraska -- Smooth cover man with ideal recovery speed, Craver also starred for Nebraska's track team as a triple jumper. Against Troy State, he recorded five tackles, broke up a pass and returned five punts for 42 yards.
24. Eddie Freeman, DT, Alabama-Birmingham -- Two tackles against Army, but he only played in the first half of UAB's rout. Big (6-4½, 290) and strong (bench presses 500-plus pounds). Freeman came through with a solid but unspectacular effort against Montana State (Blazers allowed -1 yards rushing).
25. Kurt Kittner, QB, Illinois -- Completing only 49 percent of his passes, and he's coming off sub-par efforts against Northern Illinois and Louisville. A timing/touch passer who won't wow you with his arm strength, Kittner has tremendous command of Ron Turner's sophisticated pro-style attack.
