• The 2009 NFL Draft features another stellar crop of senior offensive tackles but while everyone knows about sure-fire first rounders Eugene Monroe, Michael Oher and Jason Smith there are also some impressive blockers in the second tier. Tulane's Troy Kropog doesn't have the same name recognition as guys like Phil Loadholt, Jamon Meredith and Alex Boone but he has a chance to emerge from that group and perhaps combine with Matthew Forte to give the Green Wave their second consecutive Day One pick.

    A three-year starter at left tackle, Kropog is still developing physically and will have to continue getting stronger and adding weight but he has already put more than 20 pounds onto his 6-6 frame since last season and after entering college as a 265 pound freshman he is now tipping the scales at a solid 315. Kropog is a very good athlete with excellent mobility who excels in pass protection and there is no question he has the physical tools to play left tackle at the next level. As an added bonus Kropog also earns high marks in the intangibles department because by all accounts he is very smart and a hard worker. Despite already being a terrific player Kropog still has some upside as well and he is having the best season of his career as a senior while really standing out against top competition like Alabama and L.S.U. On the feels of that fantastic senior campaign Kropog has already earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl and that week in Mobile could provide him with an opportunity to move up draft boards even further. Kropog may not be a good fit for everyone and teams that run a zone-blocking scheme will probably have more interest than others but he shouldn't fall any further than the fourth round and round two is a real possibility. Not bad for a guy many casual draftniks have never even heard of...

    Keep an eye on this guy in the coming months because teams in the market for a left tackle in round two or three might be thinking "Kropog", not "Loadholt" or "Boone". Troy Kropog is going to be one of the Top 10 offensive tackles in the draft and he could be closer to the Top 5 when all is said and done.

• Everyone knows that Michael Crabtree, Jeremy Maclin, Knowshon Moreno and LeSean McCoy might very well play a prominent role in the 2009 NFL Draft but there is yet another redshirt sophomore prospect who could figure into the first round mix if he opted to come out early.

    Oklahoma DT Gerald McCoy.

    Coming out of high school McCoy was rated by Rivals.com as the #4 recruit in the entire nation, regardless of position, and just to give you an idea of what kind of company he was in just take a look at some of the guys who were ranked in the same general area that year: Percy Harvin (#1), Andre Smith (#2), Beanie Wells (#3), Matthew Stafford (#6). That is four All-American's and future first round picks! After redshirting as a true frosh McCoy immediately began making up for lost time in 2007 and despite playing in a rotation that limited his snaps he was still named the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and earned numerous Freshman All-American honors. McCoy has been even better this year and even though his teammate Auston English is getting a lot of hype as one of the top pass rushers in the country it's actually McCoy who leads the Sooners in sacks with 6.0, not to mention 9.0 TFL. McCoy is very strong and checks in at a solid 6-4 / 295 pounds but he is also a great athlete with excellent speed (5.00) and quickness. A disruptive playmaker who is capable of penetrating and wreaking havoc in opponents backfields, there is no question that McCoy is already one of the premier defensive tackles in the country and with another year or two of college development he just might have the potential to be an Elite pro prospect.

    And I don't just throw my "Elite" grade around lightly...

    So far there has been no indication that McCoy is seriously considering making the leap to the pros after this year and he is also a pretty good student so academics might be a major factor in his decision as well. However, if McCoy did opt to go pro this year there is a chance he would be the top defensive tackle available, which could equate to a spot in the middle of round one. Either way Gerald McCoy looks like a future first rounder whether it be 2009, 2010 or 2011.

• In recent years we have seen a number of players get drafted based almost solely on their abilities as return men. Call it the "Devin Hester Effect". In fact, teams like the Ravens and Steelers used third round picks, which are premium selections, on Yamon Figurs and Willie Reid even though they didn't offer a whole lot as positional players. Even the Patriots got into the act last year when they used a fifth rounder on Matt Slater, who was viewed as strictly a special teams ace. I don't foresee any one-dimensional return specialists being chosen in the first few rounds next April but I do think Indiana's Marcus Thigpen can play at the next level and is worthy of being drafted.

    When it comes to his work as a positional player Thigpen really isn't much of a pro prospect. After beginning his college career as a wide receiver Thigpen moved to running back as a sophomore but coming into the 2008 season he had run for less than 1,000 yards in his entire college career. Granted he is having a solid senior campaign (578 yards and 7 touchdowns on the year despite only getting 7-8 carries per game) and has proven to be an exciting big play threat but if the 5-8, 193 pound Thigpen was being evaluated strictly as a running back he probably wouldn't get a second look. In fact, when it comes right down to it he is probably a better wideout prospect and during his Hoosier career he has also accumulated 76 receptions for 866 yards and 9 touchdowns. However, Thigpen's real value comes as a kick returner and if he does get a chance to play in the NFL it will be that skill that gets him there. Over the last four years Thigpen has averaged 24.8 yards per attempt, taking three to the house, and in 2006 he averaged 30.1 yards per return and earned numerous All-American honors. A dynamic playmaker with 4.4 speed who has also been a part of the Hoosier track team, Thigpen may not be in the same class as Hester but I really don't see any reason why he can't make a NFL roster and contribute as a kick returner / situational running back.

    He is never going to be a star and his role on offense will most likely be limited but every year more and more teams are placing a greater emphasis on field position and Marcus Thigpen has the ability to be a real weapon in that facet of the game. Why wouldn't you take a late round flyer on a guy like that ?

• It's still unclear exactly what position Northern Illinois' Larry English will play at the next level but those concerns aside he should be an interesting prospect to keep an eye on in the coming months. In fact, he might be chosen a lot higher than most realize based on one very important ability.

    Regardless of where he plays the #1 thing English will be asked to do in the NFL is get after the quarterback, which is something he has excelled at during his time with the Huskies. A four-year starter, English has already accumulated an amazing 53.0 TFL and 30.5 Sacks during his college career and he isn't done yet. In 2007 English also became just the second defensive player to ever be named the MVP of the Mid-American Conference. Granted he hasn't exactly been doing that damage against the Florida's and Southern Cal's of the world but numbers like that are guaranteed to catch the attention of scouts. Also, don't forget that as a senior English produced 4.5 TFL and 3.0 Sacks against the two BCS schools on his schedule, Minnesota and Tennessee. The 6-3, 255 pound English plays defensive end for NIU and he could stay there if he gets drafted by a team like the Bears or Colts, but in my opinion his best fit will probably be as a 3-4 outside linebacker. However, English isn't necessarily an "elite" athlete and he only figures to run in the 4.75-4.80 range so he will need to use the post-season All-Star games, Scouting Combine and workouts to show the pro scouts that he can play standing up and handle coverage responsibilities.

    The months leading up to the 2009 NFL Draft will undoubtedly play a huge role in determining where English ultimately comes off the board but right now he looks like a potential mid-round pick and if everything breaks just right round three might not even be out of the question. Where Larry English will wind up in terms of both position and scheme may still be up in the air but there will always be plenty of room in the NFL for someone who can rush the passer.

• One of the biggest surprises of this NFL season has been how bad the Seattle Seahawks are. Sure their quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has only played in four games this year but Seattle was supposed to not only win their division but possibly even compete for the Super Bowl. Instead they have just two wins and are in the hunt for the #1 pick in the draft.

    In fact, they have a much better chance at landing the top pick than most people realize. If the season ended today the Seahawks would own the #6 overall pick but based on their opponents records they only miss the #4 spot by a matter of .49 percent. Then there is Kansas City and Cincinnati just ahead of them with one win a piece, followed by Detroit who has yet to win a single game. Two things would have to happen for the Seahawks to land the top pick. First of all they need some help from the teams above them but the Lions, Chiefs and Bengals are all capable of winning a game or two down the stretch. The second thing that needs to happen is the Seahawks have to lose out but based on their schedule and the way they have played I would certainly not rule that out. Seattle closes the season by playing the Cardinals this weekend followed by Washington, Dallas, New England, St. Louis, the Jets and then close the season with Arizona again. The Rams game is the only matchup I can see them being favored in and even that one is on the road. Would a 2-14 record be enough to get the top pick? Maybe. Maybe not. However, it would definitely earn them a place in the Top 5.

    If the Seahawks do end up with one of the top picks in the draft who might they target? I think wide receiver would be a good place to start. Deion Branch has been hurt more often than not lately, Bobby Engram will be 36-years-old in January and is going to be a free agent and all of the young guys they have drafted in recent years (Ben Obomanu, Courtney Taylor, Jordan Kent) have failed to pan out. Needless to say someone like Michael Crabtree or even Jeremy Maclin would give the Seahawks passing game a huge boost. Or how about a stud running back like Chris "Beanie Wells"? Sure they have some solid runners in Julius Jones, Maurice Morris and T.J. Duckett but when the Seahawks were at their best they had a true star and workhorse in Shaun Alexander. In fact, when you think about it Seattle really hasn't been the same since Alexander started going downhill. Other possibilities could include an offensive tackle who could someday replace Walter Jones on the left side, a safety like William Moore and if they lose free agent Leroy Hill maybe a SAM linebacker like Aaron Curry.

    Nobody expected the Seahawks to be this bad or to be in contention for the #1 pick but their surprising ineptitude could make for some interesting NFL Draft discussion over the next few months. Personally, I think this is a classic case of a team not being nearly as bad as their record might indicate and with a strong offseason, and more importantly a healthy Hasselbeck, they could be right back in contention for a playoff spot a year from now. However, for the time being the Seahawks focus is on the rest of this season and while they will be trying to win some games down the stretch it is probably in their best interests to lose out.

• Because we have two terrific senior inside linebackers this year it is easy to forget about the underclassmen but that would be a mistake. The cream of the crop is, without question, Florida junior Brandon Spikes and if he opts to come out early he could find a home in the first round.

    After playing a key role in Florida's National Championship run as a true freshman Spikes took over for Brandon Siler as the Gators starting middle linebacker in 2007 and totaled an impressive 131 tackles. A complete 'backer with outstanding instincts who is capable of mixing it up in the trenches, going sideline-to-sideline or dropping back into coverage, Spikes isn't necessarily going to blow anyone away with his size (6-3, 245) or speed (4.70) but his measurables are certainly adequate. Spikes gets high marks in the intangibles department as well because not only does he play with a ton of energy but he has also developed into a real leader for the Gators aggressive defense. Spikes also offers some positional / schematic versatility.

    Right now I would classify Spikes as a fringe first rounder but even if he did fall into the early portion of round two that wouldn't be the end of the world. In fact, the top of round two has been a goldmine for inside linebackers in recent years. Just consider this list: E.J. Henderson, Karlos Dansby, Barrett Ruud, Lofa Tatupu, DeMeco Ryans, Paul Posluszny, David Harris, Curtis Lofton. That's practically a Pro Bowl team! There has already been some chatter in scouting circles that Spikes is seriously considering entering the '09 Draft and if he does look for him to emerge as the #3 inside linebacker prospect available. James Laurinaitis and Rey Maualuga will both come off the board pretty early but Spikes may be a nice consolation prize for a team that misses out on the "Big 2".

• Way back on September 5th I wrote about Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman in this blog and speculated about his draft stock if he chose to come out early. Well, a few weeks ago there was a development that could ultimately play a big role in Freeman's decision making process.

    The Wildcats fired their Head Coach Ron Prince.

    Back in 2005 Freeman cited Prince as the main reason he chose to switch his verbal commitment from Nebraska to Kansas St. so I think it's probably safe to say he was disappointed with his coach's dismissal. Freeman will now have to decide if he wants to stay for his senior year and try to learn a new offense under a new coaching staff or head to the pros. Let me start off by making one thing clear: Josh Freeman is not ready for the NFL. That's not necessarily a knock on him because very few underclassmen signal callers are ready but he is still awfully inconsistent and all things being equal he would probably be best served playing one more year in college. However, there could be a terrific opportunity for Freeman to come out and take advantage of the lack of quality quarterbacks in the senior class and maybe even be a first round pick. When it comes to size (6-6, 250), arm strength and athleticism Freeman is the total package and as an added bonus he also plays in a pro-style system. Sure he might not be a finished product but his upside is almost unlimited and many scouts view him as a poor-man's JaMarcus Russell. Assuming they come out Matthew Stafford and Sam Bradford will likely be selected very early but there are a handful of potential landing spots for Freeman later in the first round, most notably Minnesota and Detroit. Heck, if things break just right maybe he even becomes an option for teams like Kansas City and San Francisco in the Top 10 overall. Now I'm not saying Freeman is a Top 10 pick right now but considering the great demand for top signal callers I can certainly see some scenarios in which that could happen.

    If he does come out early Freeman will undoubtedly be one of the most intriguing players in the entire draft and he would most likely be one of the top three players available at his position. In fact, if Bradford stays in school he could check in right behind Matthew Stafford. And if Stafford didn't come out... Keep a very close eye on this situation over the next couple of months because Josh Freeman's decision could have an enormous impact on the '09 NFL Draft.

• A lot of casual observers probably got their first introduction to Alabama safety Rashad Johnson when he intercepted three passes against L.S.U. last weekend but pro scouts have been hot on his trail for quite some time now. This is one of the best crops of senior safeties we have seen in years but while guys like Michael Hamlin, Courtney Greene and Nic Harris got more attention coming into the season it looks like Johnson will be chosen before all of them. In fact, he just might be the second senior safety off the board.

    Based on physical tools alone Johnson looks more like a late rounder and career backup than an early round pick but this is a classic case of how measurables can be misleading. A former walk-on, Johnson isn't the biggest (6-0, 187) or fastest (4.50) guy around but through hard work and determination he has developed into one of the best safeties in the country and an All-American candidate. Arguably the heart and soul of the Crimson Tide's stout defense, through eight games Johnson is second on the team in tackles with 62 and leads the team in both pass breakups (10) and interceptions (5). Johnson is a solid all-around player with terrific range and excellent hands who isn't afraid to be physical but what really stands out about him are his instincts and intangibles. A leader and team captain, Johnson is extremely smart and just has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. For all intents and purposes he is basically an extra coach on the field. It may be a tad cliché but Johnson truly is the type of player who is a jack of all trades but master of none.

    In many ways Johnson reminds me of former Alabama star Roman Harper, who overcame a lack of eye-popping measurables to become a 2nd round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft (#43 overall) and is now a starter for the New Orleans Saints. When all is said and done I think Johnson could very well come off the board in about the same general area. There are other safeties in this draft that are a lot "sexier" when it comes to their size, speed and athleticism but it's hard to find anybody who has gotten better results on the field than Rashad Johnson.

• You may have noticed that Chiefs quarterback Tyler Thigpen has been on fire as of late. In his last three games Thigpen has thrown for an average of 237 yards and completed 65% of his passes with a 6 - 0 TD/INT ratio. What is really impressive is that he has managed to keep his team competitive in those games against the Jets, Bucs and Chargers even though, by most accounts, the Chiefs were undermanned in the talent department. Could Thigpen's emergence allow Kansas City to pass on a quarterback next April?

    Possibly, but I doubt it.

    First of all it's important to keep in mind that the Chiefs did ultimately lose all three of those games, which makes Thigpen 0-4 as a starting quarterback in the NFL. Also, unless both Matthew Stafford and Sam Bradford come out or they end up with the #1 overall pick the Chiefs may not even have an opportunity to draft a franchise signal caller in the 2009 NFL Draft. Furthermore, despite Thigpen's surprising stretch you have to look a little deeper and realize that a lot of it is being done with smoke and mirrors. To mask some of their offense's deficiencies the Chiefs have resorted to using a version of the spread offense, which is similar to what Thigpen ran in college at Coastal Carolina. Now that is fine for a short period but eventually professional defensive coordinators are gonna figure it out. Then what happens?

    I don't want to come off sounding like Debbie Downer or take anything away from Thigpen because he has done a good job and his future looks much brighter than it did just a month ago. However, he certainly hasn't done enough yet to justify being called the long-term solution in Kansas City and in all honestly I doubt he could do enough down the stretch to make the Chiefs feel comfortable in passing on a potential franchise player like Stafford or Bradford in round one. If they have the opportunity... Still, you have to give Thigpen a lot of credit because after entering the league as a 7th round developmental guy and being cut by his original team (Minnesota Vikings) it looks like he now has a chance to at least be a backup in the NFL and perhaps enjoy a lengthly career.

• There wasn't a single wide receiver chosen in the first round last year and without an influx of underclassmen the Class of '09 could be a stinker as well. Fear not though, reinforcements are on their way in the form of a terrific crop of true freshman pass catchers.

    There are plenty of talented frosh wideouts all across the country (and some are even redshirting) but three really stand out above the rest. Alabama's Julio Jones has undoubtedly received the most attention and you can make the case that he was already a star before ever playing a college game. A native of Foley, AL, Jones was one of the nation's most ballyhooed recruits and when he decided to stay home and play for the Crimson Tide he instantly became a local legend. It wasn't going to be easy for Jones to live up to those unrealistic expectations but he has actually managed to do it. In fact, the 6-4, 210 pound Jones is leading the Tide in receiving with 33 receptions for 506 yards (15.3 avg) and 4 touchdowns and he is a big reason why they are the #1 team in the country. Next up Notre Dame's is Michael Floyd, who is already shattering Irish receiving records. The 6-3, 215 pound Floyd is also the top pass catcher on his team with 41 receptions for 633 yards (15.4 avg) to go along with 7 touchdowns and it looks like he and Jimmy Clausen will form one of the most dynamic pass/catch combos in the country for the next couple of years. Finally there is Georgia's A.J. Green, who is another impressive physical specimen at 6-4 and 200 pounds. Just like his counterparts Jones and Floyd Green is also leading his squad in receiving with 44 catches for 753 yards (17.1 avg) and 5 touchdowns, which is no small feat for such a talent laden SEC team. Green may not have Matthew Stafford to throw him the ball beyond this year but the Dawgs have a couple of highly-touted quarterback recruits coming in who will have no problem throwing it up for Green. Not only are Jones, Floyd and Green three of the best freshman receivers in the country but they all rank among the nation's best wideouts period, regardless of class. That's what you call an instant impact!

    It is still very early and the soonest any of these guys could enter the NFL Draft is 2011 but I don't think there is any question that they all have first round potential. We are usually fortunate to see just one pass catcher of this caliber come along every year or two so to have three in one class is nothing short of amazing. Needless to say all of these guys have a chance to be very special players and excellent pro prospects by the time their college careers are finished.

• You know how they say that it's better to let people think you're an idiot rather than open your mouth and remove all doubt? Well, Al Davis opened his mouth.

    Less than eight months after acquiring DeAngelo Hall from Atlanta for a 2nd round pick and rewarding him with a huge new contract the Oakland Raiders have already released the much-maligned cornerback. The final tally? $8 million for 8 games. I really don't know where to start with this whole situation but I guess the thing that bugs me most is the utter waste of a premium draft choice. Oakland gave up the 34th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft for Hall and less than a year later they have absolutely nothing to show for it. They should have been able to turn that selection into an immediate starter! Even though Hall has the sheer talent to be one of the NFL's best cover guys he also has a history of character issues, which is one reason why he was available to begin with. That, combined with the draft pick compensation and new contract, made the deal very risky and the Raiders ultimately got burned in a big, bad way. There is no question that Hall has been a disappointment but why not give him time to turn it around? He's still arguably one of your best players and considering what you have invested in him was eight games enough time to justify writing him off completely? If you need proof that Hall is still a quality player just watch and see how long it takes for another team to pick him up. Apparently money was a key factor behind Hall's release and the Raiders stand to save up to $16 million by cutting him now but what kind of message does that send? If you were a free agent would you want to sign with Oakland knowing they will cut you at any time? Sure Hall got a lot of money for just a handful of games but it was still only about 1/3 of what he was supposed to get. This is why players fight to get as much money up front as possible and after this who could blame them? Word has it that other disappointing veterans like Javon Walker and Tommy Kelly could be on the chopping block as well and while some call it shedding dead weight you can bet players in their locker room and around the league view it as disloyal and cheap.

    This offseason will start yet another round of rebuilding in Oakland and they will be in the market for their sixth head coach in eight years. Wow, while typing that the phrase "Are you kidding me!" kept bouncing around my head... The Raiders will most likely have a Top 5 pick in the draft as well but the prospect of playing in Oakland is probably sending shivers down the spines of guys like Andre Smith and Michael Crabtree. It's hard to fathom an underclassmen passing up tens of millions of dollars to go back to school but the chance that they could wind up a Raider on Draft Day might be enough to give them second thoughts. Regardless of who they hire to be the next head coach, what they do in free agency and who they draft Oakland is clearly doomed to fail as long as Al Davis is in charge but it doesn't look like that is going to change anytime in the near future. Just when you think it isn't possible Al Davis manages to set the crazy bar one notch higher and the release of DeAngelo Hall is a prime example. I've been in this business quite a while and I was a fan long before that but this has to be the most dysfunctional franchise I have ever seen.

• Everyone knows that Ohio State's Malcolm Jenkins is far and away, without question the top senior cornerback in the country but you may not fully comprehend just how good of a pro prospect he is.

    So how good is he?

    Perhaps Top 5 overall good.

    When it comes to physical tools Jenkins is basically the prototype, checking in at 6-0 and 200 pounds while reportedly running a legit 4.45 forty. Some scouts contend that he doesn't play quite as fast as his timed speed would lead you to believe and that he might be more of a free safety at the next level but as the evaluation process continues those voices are becoming more and more of a minority. In addition to his top-shelf measurables and outstanding instincts Jenkins is also one tough hombre and he isn't afraid to deliver the big hit or come up to support the run. In other words he's the total package. Now don't get me wrong because I'm certainly not saying he's the second coming of Deion Sanders or Champ Bailey but Jenkins could very well be the best cornerback prospect the NFL Draft has seen in the last 3-5 years. Had he come out after his junior season like many thought he would have been a first round pick and might have even competed to be the first corner drafted but by going back to Columbus for one more year he now has a chance to enter some rarified air on Draft Day. Based on what I've seen on film and the people I've spoken to I think Jenkins is a sure-fire Top 10-15 overall pick right now and if things break just right I would not rule out the Top 5. There should be plenty of teams in need of a top-flight cover guy picking near the top of the draft next April and that could mean big dollar signs for Jenkins as well as Vontae Davis if he opts to leave school early. Some potential landing spots in that Top 5-10 include Saint Louis, San Francisco, Cleveland and Miami.

    The final factor to consider with Jenkins is the Buckeyes incredible track record when it comes to producing NFL cornerbacks. Just look at some of these names from the last decade alone: Shawn Springs. Antoine Winfield. Ahmed Plummer. Nate Clements. Derek Ross. Chris Gamble. Ashton Youboty. You just can't underestimate a pedigree like that. Soon Malcolm Jenkins will add his name to that illustrious list and while it's a leap to suggest he could eventually be better than all his predecessors it is not as big of a stretch as you might think.

• If there's one thing we have learned about the NFL Draft throughout the years it's that you can find good running backs in the later rounds. Guys like Marion Barber, Brandon Jacobs and Michael Turner were all selected after the third round and while it is too early to add Tim Hightower's name to that list I think it's safe to say that Arizona got a steal when they selected him in the fifth round.

    There were signs that Arizona might have something special on their hands as early as the preseason when Hightower scored three touchdowns in four games and he carried that momentum over to the regular season. Hightower quickly carved out a role as the Cardinals goalline back early in the year and scored 6 touchdowns in his first 7 NFL games but it looks like he may have officially supplanted Edgerrin James as Arizona's starting running back in Week 9. After seeing only a handful of carries early in the season the Cardinals finally upped Hightower's workload against the Rams and he rewarded them by rushing 22 times for 109 yards and 1 touchdown. Even though he was apparently healthy and active James did not get a single carry. The writing is on the wall Edge. That is obviously a small sample size and Hightower will have to keep this up down the stretch to solidify himself as the long-term answer in Arizona but the early returns are pretty darn encouraging.

    The crop of running backs in the 2008 NFL Draft was widely regarded to be one of the strongest in years and so far they have certainly lived up to the hype. However, while Darren McFadden, Jonathan Stewart and Rashard Mendenhall received the majority of the pre-draft accolades it has been guys like Felix Jones, Chris Johnson, Matt Forté, Kevin Smith, Ray Rice, Steve Slaton, Jamaal Charles and Hightower who are really making this a class for the ages. In fact, when we look back five years from now there is a legitimate chance that as many as 8-10 teams will be starting running backs that they found in the '08 Draft. Almost a third of the league! That would have to be some sort of record. It'll probably be a long, long time before we see another crop of rookie running backs like this one but it looks like Hightower just may be the icing on the cake.

    Here is a look back at my final pre-draft scouting report on Tim Hightower:

Running Back | Senior | Richmond  Tim Hightower
Height: 5-117/8 | Weight: 224 | 40-Time: 4.59
Official Bio	Strengths: Very good size and bulk...Nice vision and instincts....Strong...Runs with some power...Nice balance...Doesn't go down easy...Aggressive...Runs hard...Tough...Durable...Hard worker...Team leader...Huge senior year. Weaknesses: Did not play against top competition...Doesn't have great speed...Not very explosive and lacks a burst...Is not overly elusive...Doesn't have great hands...Isn't much of a big play or breakaway threat...He did not really emerge until 2007...Needs to work on improving his ball security. Notes: Was a three-year starter for the Spiders...An interesting small school prospect who may be a bit of a RB/FB 'tweener...The type who does everything well but nothing great....Profiles as a backup and short-yardage guy at the next level...Pretty good special teamer and that may represent his best opportunity to make a NFL roster as a rookie. College Statistics Year GP Att Yds Avg TD Rec Yds TD 2004 11 58 161 2.8 0 19 158 0 2005 13 142 777 5.5 9 21 163 0 2006 11 177 850 4.8 5 34 269 2 2007 14 327 1,924 5.9 20 32 228 3 Totals 49 704 3,712 5.3 34 106 818 5

• Everyone knows that the 2009 NFL Draft will get a big boost from underclassmen running backs but in addition to Beanie Wells and Knowshon Moreno there is another youngster who could be a major factor if he comes out.

    Pitt's LeSean "Shady" McCoy.

    McCoy exploded onto the scene in 2007, setting the Big East freshman rushing record with 1,328 yards while also amassing 14 touchdowns and establishing himself as a top pro prospect in the process. After getting off to a relatively slow start in his first few games this season it looked like McCoy might fall victim to the dreaded sophomore slump but since then he has come on like gangbusters, running for at least 140 yards in each of his last five games. McCoy has already gone over the 1,000 yard mark on the season and he has also reached the endzone 15 times in just eight games. So much for a sophomore slump! McCoy may be the best Pitt running back since Tony Dorsett but don't expect him to be around long enough to break too many of The Hawk's schools records. Even though he's just a true sophomore in terms of college eligibility it has been three years since McCoy's high school class graduated because he attended a prep school in 2006, which means he is technically eligible to enter the '09 Draft. It's actually the same situation that Larry Fitzgerald was in back in 2004.

    At 5-11 and 210 pounds with 4.4 speed McCoy certainly has the physical tools you look for in a top running back and even though Knowshon Moreno gets more attention and acclaim I'm not so sure McCoy isn't a better pro prospect. That's not a knock on Moreno, it's merely a testament to McCoy's talent. While Moreno is more of a natural runner who does everything well he isn't necessarily "special" in any one area, whereas McCoy just seems to have that "It" factor. McCoy isn't a bruising inside runner, at least not in the Panthers offense, but he is explosive and elusive with an outstanding burst. In my opinion he is a guy who can run inside and outside and to put it into some perspective Moreno is probably more Cadillac Williams while McCoy is more Ronnie Brown. The one big concern with McCoy is durability because he always seems to be battling some nagging lower body ailment, whether it be his leg, an ankle, or a toe, and that could give teams some pause on Draft Day. However, even when he's not 100% healthy Shady is still quite a force to be reckoned with.

    If McCoy does opt to come out early he will most likely be in the first round mix and from what I've been told he is not only strongly considering making the leap but probably even leaning in that direction. I don't foresee anyone overtaking Beanie Wells for the top running back spot next April but assuming they both come out LeSean McCoy could give Moreno a real run for his money.