With all the focus and high
expectations for Auburn running back Kenny Irons this season one skill
player on the team has fallen under the radar.
We thought highly of receiver
Courtney Taylor after his sophomore season in which he displayed himself
to be a big play threat. After
average production in ’05, thanks in large part to a dearth of wide outs at
Auburn, Taylor has returned to prior form as a senior this year.
Totaling a career high 48 receptions to date, Taylor grades as a
potential first day selection next April.
Another SEC wide out that’s
improved his game this season is LSU’s Dwayne Bowe.
After a junior campaign which included a ton of dropped passes then lasik
surgery in the off-season to correct his vision, Bowe has also returned to the
dominant form he displayed as a sophomore in ’04.
Coming up big several times this season, Bowe’s has also caught 48
passes to date with and an outstanding nine touchdowns in ten games. He is
another wide-out who will be a top 100 selection.
A pair of defenders from
Georgia are hitting the high note this season.
Linebacker Tony Taylor has
been omni-present for the Bulldogs defense and really stood out last Saturday in
the upset win over Auburn. Taylor’s
versatility to play several linebacker spots coupled with his athleticism is
sure to get him a Senior Bowl invitation.
While Quentin Moses
has struggled this season for Georgia, junior defensive end Charles Johnson
has looked outstanding. After
showing flashes as a sophomore in ’05, Johnson elevated his game and to date
has registered 6.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss.
Only a junior, Johnson is getting a lot of notice from NFL scouts.
One more SEC defensive end
who’s been a terror this season is Florida’s Jarvis Moss.
Another from the ranks of the underclassmen, Moss has been a disruptive
force and will be a top 60-choice if he enters the draft.
From the ACC linebacker Lawrence Timmons has looked exceptional at times.
The Florida State junior is considered a better athlete than Ernie Sims,
his former Seminole teammate drafted by the Detroit Lions with the eight
selection in round one last April. And
though not comparable to Sims as a football player just yet, Timmons has a great
amount of upside.
Finally
Steve Vallos has been a terrific blocker for Wake Forest during their
storybook season this year. Helping
to shut down the Florida State pass rush in Saturday, the tackle has improved
his status to a middle round pick.