Sept. 19
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 -- 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. 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.
4. 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 road loss at Nebraska.
5. Wendell Bryant, DT, Wisconsin -- Even though he was doubled-teamed the entire way against Oregon, Bryant managed to sack Joey Harrington twice and recorded a QB pressure. Bryant has a ton of ability but needs more consistency.
6. David Carr, QB, Fresno St. -- 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 passes for 340 yards and four TDs with no interceptions.
7. Bryant McKinnie, OT, Miami (Fla.) -- A dominating bookend LT at 6-7½, 335 pounds. 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. 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.
10. Larry Triplett, DT, Washington -- Triplett's strength is as a run-stuffer on the inside. He anchors Washington's front seven.
11. DeShaun Foster, RB, UCLA -- Showcased his top-flight skill level in the Bruins' hard fought 20-17 victory on the road against Alabama. Foster rolled up 110 yards rushing on 24 carries while hauling in two passes out of the backfield. Included were a pair of impressive scampers covering 21 and 40 yards. He was able to make people miss and showed tackle-breaking ability. What impressed me most was his toughness; he displayed determination and grit after suffering a first-half rib injury.
12. Ron Johnson, WR, Minnesota -- 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.
13. 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.
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. -- Has been an integral part of Fresno State's 3-0 start with his dominance at defensive tackle. 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. Alex Brown, DE, Florida -- A serious force as an outside pass rusher. Brown recorded two sacks against Marshall.
17. Michael Lewis, DB, Colorado -- Hits like a ton of bricks from SS spot. Lewis is now the Buffaloes' all-time sack leader for DBs.
18. 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 QB sack.
19. Rocky Calmus, LB, Oklahoma -- The heart and soul of the OU defense, Calmus continues to be a tackling machine for the Sooners. In the first two games, he recorded 21 stops, recovered two fumbles and intercepted a pass.
20. Levi Jones, OT, Arizona St. -- Top-quality LT for the Sun Devils. A versatile athlete, Jones once worked on the defensive line.
21. 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.
22. Eddie Freeman, DT, Alabama-Birmingham -- Big (6-4½, 290) and strong (bench presses 500-plus pounds). Freeman came through with a solid but unspectacular effort against Montana State, with the Blazers allowing -1 yards rushing in that contest.
23. Kurt Kittner, QB, Illinois -- Although more of a timing/touch passer who won't wow you with his arm strength, Kittner has a tremendous command of Ron Turner's sophisticated pro-style attack. Against Cal, Kittner completed 18-of-34 passes for 297 yards and a pair of TDs without an interception.
24. 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 and broke up a pass while returning five punts for 42 yards.
25. Daniel Graham, TE, Colorado -- One of QB Craig Ochs' favorite targets. At over 6-3 and 245 pounds, he has excellent pass-receiving and blocking skills. 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.
