Top 20 Players Heading Into 2007

SI Staff | Apr 25, 2007

Top 20 Players Heading Into 2007 /

Top 20 Players Heading Into 2007

Colt McCoy, QB

McCoy shocked everyone with the way he took command of the quarterback position after the departure of Vince Young. Colt threw for 2,570 yards and 29 touchdowns to just seven interceptions last season.

Calais Campbell, DE

NFL scouts are drooling over this playmaking defensive end's frame (6-8, 280 pounds). Campbell had 20.5 tackles for loss, tops among returning players.

Percy Harvin, WR

This burner is a huge key to Urban Meyer's spread attack. In his MVP performance during the SEC title game, Harvin had six rushes for 105 yards and a touchdown and five catches for 62 yards and another score.

Sam Baker, LT

The two-time first-team All-American will start at left tackle for his fourth consecutive year. Baker would have been the first USC player selected had he chosen to enter this year's draft.

Jake Long, LT

Michigan's mammoth offensive tackle (6-foot-7, 315 pounds) has been a rock since his freshman year in Ann Arbor. Long probably would have been a first-round pick had he gone pro.

Bruce Davis, DE

Utilizing premier speed off the edge, Davis recorded 12.5 sacks -- tops among all returning players. He headlines a talented UCLA defense that returns 10 starters.

Ian Johnson, RB

Johnson became a national darling after he scored the winning two-point conversion in Boise State's miraculous Fiesta Bowl victory and proceeded to purpose to his girlfriend, a Broncos cheerleader. Johnson led the country with 25 rushing scores.

Antoine Cason, CB

A four-year starter for the Wildcats, Cason enters this season as the frontrunner for the Thorpe Award, which is given to the nation's best defensive back.

Mario Manningham, WR

Last season, Manningham established himself as one of the nation's most prolific deep threats. "Super Mario" caught nine touchdowns in Michigan's first six games before injuring his knee against Michigan State.

Ray Rice, RB

The driving force behind Rutgers' breakout season in 2006, Rice rumbled for 1,794 yards and 20 touchdowns. He will have to adjust to a life without graduated FB Brian Leonard.

James Laurinaitis, LB

Laurinaitis, whose father was a popular wrestler known as "The Animal," won the Bronko Nagurski award, given to the nation's most outstanding defensive player.

Colt Brennan, QB

Running June Jones' run-and-shoot offense to perfection, Brennan set an NCAA record with 58 touchdown passes. Brennan flirted with the NFL draft, but decided to return and lead a stout Hawaii squad.

DeSean Jackson, WR

Many liken the Bears' playmaking dynamo to former USC star Reggie Bush. Jackson set the Pac-10 record for punt return touchdowns in a season (four) and led the nation with 18.2 yards per punt return. As a receiver, he finished second in the Pac-10 with nine touchdown grabs.

Pat White, QB

Between White and Steve Slaton, it's difficult to say who is more important to West Virginia's fertile spread-option attack. As the nation's premier dual-threat QB, White ran for 18 touchdowns and threw for 13.

Mike Hart, RB

Hart doesn't possess the flashiness of the nation's other top runners, but he's as steady as they come. Over his first three seasons in Ann Arbor, Michigan's diminutive bruiser has piled up 3,279 yards and 27 touchdowns on the ground, while losing just two fumbles.

John David Booty, QB

In his first season as USC's starting signal-caller, Booty threw for 3,347 yards and 29 touchdowns to just nine interceptions. The first-team All-Pac-10 performer enjoyed his best game of the season in the Rose Bowl, where he burned Michigan for 391 yards and four touchdowns.

Brian Brohm, QB

Behind a strong arm and pinpoint accuracy (66.3 completion percentage), Brohm has piled up the accolades in three seasons at Louisville. He should enjoy a prolific season under the wide-open offense of first-year coach Steve Kragthorpe.

Steve Slaton, RB

Quite possibly the most explosive player in college football, Slaton rushed for 1,744 yards (while averaging seven yards per carry) and scored 18 total touchdowns.

Glenn Dorsey, DT

A possible top-10 pick had he chosen to enter this year's NFL Draft, Dorsey will return for his senior year to anchor a talented front seven. Dorsey possesses enviable quickness for a defensive tackle.

Darren McFadden, RB

Arkansas has probably suffered the most tumultuous offseason in college football, but when fall comes around, the Razorbacks will still boast the nation's top player. Finishing second in last year's Heisman Trophy voting, McFadden rushed for 1,647 yards and 14 touchdowns, caught a 70-yard touchdown pass and threw for three scores.

Published Apr 25, 2007

SI STAFF