Mel Kipers top 25 seniors:
The regular season is now over, but my evaluation of seniors has not stopped. There continues to be some movement within my Top 25 Big Board; of course, the Big Board will change even more once underclassmen declare for next April's NFL draft.
One player making his debut on the Big Board this week is Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith. Smith is a proven winner and has been at his best in the Buckeyes biggest game, and is most likely going to walk away with the Heisman Trophy on Saturday.
<OFFER>One player who showed the most consistency since the first week of the season is Wisconsin left tackle Joe Thomas. In fact, I gave him a fifth-place vote on ESPN.com's Heisman Watch this week because he has been one of the best players in college football this season. What's more impressive about Thomas is he wasn't even cleared to practice until Aug. 6, because of a knee injury he suffered during the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 2, 2006. </OFFER>
Even when underclassmen have declared, Thomas still will be one of the top five picks in the '07 draft.
1. Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame (6-3½, 225) | previous: Same
Poised, smart and at his best in pressure situations. Quinn threw just one interception in his last eight games.
2. Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin (6-6½, 313) | previous: Same
Huge, quick and athletic with a long wingspan.
3. Leon Hall, CB, Michigan (5-11, 193) | previous: Same
Tough customer who also shows very good anticipation and awareness in coverage. Hall leads the Wolverines with three interceptions.
4. Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson (6-4½, 260) | previous: Same
Flashes dominating ability with his athleticism and quickness. Adams leads the Tigers with 10½ sacks and 15½ tackles for loss.
5. Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville (6-1½, 298) | previous: 7
A four-year veteran, and he is only 19 years old. Okoye is quick and explosive and goes all-out on every play. He is not only good at eating up space but also gets good penetration into the backfield. He's second on the Cardinals in both sacks and tackles for loss.
6. LaRon Landry, DB, LSU (6-1½, 205) | previous: 8
Four-year starter who has proven to be Mr. Reliable throughout his career. Landry leads LSU with 42 solo tackles.
7. Quinn Pitcock, DT, Ohio St. (6-3, 297) | previous: 5
Run-stuffing dynamo who does a great job of clogging the interior.
8. Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno St. (6-0½, 200) | previous: 10
He has the size and speed (4.33 40-yard dash) with outstanding coverage technique.
9. Tim Crowder, DE, Texas (6-3¼, 273) | previous: 12
Consistent and reliable in his career, and he has become more of a playmaker for the Longhorns in 2006.
10. Jeff Samardzija, WR, Notre Dame (6-4½, 215) | previous: 6
Super hands and concentration with outstanding speed-to-size ratio. He caught a touchdown pass in four straight and six of the last seven games.
11. Levi Brown, OT, Penn St. (6-4½, 325) | previous: 13
Steady and reliable at protecting the quarterback's blind side.
12. Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska (6-6, 298) | previous: 11
You just don't see many defensive ends carrying 300 pounds who can move as well as Carriker.
13. DeMarcus "Tank" Tyler, DT, NC State (6-2¼, 310) | previous: 9
Extremely quick and very powerful. A player on the rise, Taylor has been a one-man wrecking crew on the defensive line for the Wolfpack.
14. Patrick Willis, LB, Mississippi (6-2, 235) | previous: Same
Tackling machine with great football sense. Willis lead the Rebels with 137 tackles (87 solo).
15. Tony Ugoh, OT, Arkansas (6-5, 308) | previous: Same
Ugoh's stock has been rising all year to the point where he's one of the more intriguing senior prospects in the nation.
16. Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU (6-2, 217) | previous: Same
Big and productive, Bowe runs excellent routes and has the toughness to catch the ball in traffic.
17. Ryan Kalil, C, USC (6-2½, 292) | previous: Same
His performance during the latter stages of his career has been that of a first- or second-round draft choice.
18. Turk McBride, DT, Tennessee (6-3, 277) | previous: 22
McBride is a quality athletic talent with dual versatility for the next level, only adding to his value. Week to week, he's one of the more productive defensive linemen in the nation. McBride is fourth on the team with 64 tackles, including eight tackles for loss and five QB hurries.
19. LaMarr Woodley, DE, Michigan (6-1½, 269) | previous: 25
Combination DE/OLB with a hustling approach and disruptive capabilities. Woodley leads Michigan in sacks (11) and tackles for loss (15½).
20. Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State (6-0, 213) | previous: Unranked
A consummate winner, Smith performed at his best on the biggest stages. (See his 3-0 record against Michigan, a bowl win over Notre Dame and road win this season at Texas.) He's a great player who makes those around him better, and he has a great ability to keep plays alive with his mobility. His arm strength is excellent and if he was two or three inches taller, Smith would be talked about as a top-five pick.
21. Daymeion Hughes, CB, California (6-0, 187) | previous: Same
Big-play cornerback for the Golden Bears. Finished strong in 2005 and it carried over to this season. Hughes has eight interceptions, tied for third in Division I-A.
22. Anthony Spencer, DE, Purdue (6-2½, 261) | previous: Same
He has become a much more effective pass-rusher this season for the Boilermakers. The key at the next level will be his athleticism and versatility, because I project he would be an ideal outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense.
23. Quentin Moses, DE, Georgia (6-4, 254) | previous: 23
Mature, hardworking and explosive off the edge. Moses is second on the Bulldogs with 10½ tackles for loss.
24. Ben Grubbs, OG, Auburn (6-3, 300) | previous: Unranked
A versatile athlete who started his career at defensive tackle and then shifted to tight end. Grubbs brings a great deal of athletic ability to the interior of the offensive line.
25. Brian Leonard, Rutgers, (6-1, 239) | previous: 18
He will present the NFL with a tremendous amount of versatility, either as a traditional fullback or as an H-back.
Dropped
Michael Johnson, S, Arizona (6-2¼, 211) | previous: 19
Came into his own late in 2005 and has continued to perform at a high level during his senior season. Johnson is one of the fastest pure safeties in college football.
Kenny Irons, RB, Auburn (5-10½, 199) | previous: 24
Deceptively strong with great vision and balance. Irons has missed time this season because of injuries.