Signing day, shmining day!!  Hearing about the fantasy dominance of incoming freshmen Devin Gardner, Michael Dyer and Kyle Prater is getting old.  These players always get drafted too early in fantasy circles and usually end up being a big disappointment – just ask my friend the Ice Man who blew a first rounder a couple years ago in our keeper league on can’t miss running back Darrell Scott.  You can get much better value on last year’s misses – those freshmen that didn’t produce right away – even if they did cite that immediate playing time was a goal of their when they signed their LOI’s. 


QB’s

Garrett Gilbert, Texas (SO): When Garrett Gilbert walked into the Rose Bowl in January, I can promise you one thing was going through his mind: I wish I could set up a La-Z-Boy on the sideline, kick back with a six pack, and take it all in. Let’s be real: Colt McCoy missed only 3 games in his entire college career over 4 years. His junior year, he was running the ball as hard as Tim Tebow, and missed only one game. As luck would have it, Colt got knocked out of a game that he waited 4 years to play in and handed over the Longhorn reins to Gilbert a game earlier than anyone expected.

Gilbert went in there and performed admirably in the biggest game in college sports. It took him half the game to get really comfortable, but he made some amazing passes to Jordan Shipley that showed everyone that this kid is something special. He didn’t look like Colt “The Real” McCoy out there, but something tells me he’ll get the national championship ring that Colt never got.

Brock Osweiler, Arizona State (SO): Mother of God. That’s all I can think of when I look at a 6’8” 237 lb. Ginger from Montana starting at QB. He put up decent numbers in spot duty as a true freshman, but he will be in a three way battle for the starting nod, including two time transferee Steven Threat (if it doesn’t work out here Steven, would you call that a sign?). Osweiler was not the most heralded recruit, but he has a chance to make an impact now, and with that size, he has immediate advantage as he can sit in the pocket and see the field from at least 4 inches higher than his competition.

Geno Smith, WVU (SO) :As everyone else was concentrating on the past at this years Gator Bowl remembering the great career of Bobby Bowden, WVU fans were treated to a glimpse of their future – Geno Smith.  After Jarrett Brown went down, the freshmen came in for his first meaningful snaps of his career and looked pretty good doing it.  Look for the jewel of Bill Stewart’s first full recruiting to best out incoming freshmen Berry Brunetti and take the reigns of a potent offense which plays a weak schedule.  Smith is the perfect candidate to run the WVU offense – when he chose the school he spurred spread offense guru Rich Rodreguiz in the process.  He has a strong arm, is elusive in the pocket and can pick up big chunks of yards with his feet – think Pat White speed with Jarrett Brown arm.  Joining Smith on the Mountaineers will be his favorite WR from Miramar High School, Sticks McCartney.  Look for the two to be a potent TD combo for years to come. 

Kevin Newsome, PSU (SO) :Think more Michael Robinson then Darryl Clarke, Kevin Newsome is a beast.  Now before you run and draft him, watch the preseason battle as he is joined by talented freshmen Paul Jones (early enrollee) and Robert Bolden, but a year in the system may help thrust this former Wolverine commit into the starters role.  While the Penn State offense will focus on the run next year, their QB’s always find a way to score and this is only increased when said QB can scramble.  While the kid is raw, he oozes with talent. He broke tackles in the All-American game as well as anyone.  Also, don’t count out how much learning from Clark last year will help him.  The Nittany Lions were in a fair number of blowouts last year which allowed Newsome to get some mop up duty.  He looked solid, completing 8 of 11 passes and rushing for 90 yards and 2 touchdowns.  If he wins the starting job, look out – especially if you’re in a keeper league as he seems to be the type of guy who will get better with age.

Honorable Mention: Aaron Murray (Georgia, R. Fr), Cody Green (Nebraska, So), Bryn Renner (R. Fr) and Raymond Cotton (Ole Miss, R. Fr)


RB’s

Jamaal Berry, the Ohio State University (R. Fr): We know this kid does two things well: hit the bong and carry the rock (No, no, not “that” rock).  And while your league probably doesn’t give out points for arrests or fatties rolled, it probably does give points for rushing yards.  Watching O$U last year, it became evident that neither Saine nor Herron is a game breaking running back – both had about 130 carriers and neither topped either 8 touchdowns or 700 yards.  Jamaal Berry brings a little of that Southern speed and swagger to a northern school that has recently been exposed against the big boys for a lack of it.  The kid has game breaking speed and the kind of moves that turn ankles – just ask Manti Te’o who was juked out of his pants by the kid in the Under Armour All American game.  While its impossible to predict who will come out of the spring as the starter, look for Berry to become an increasing part of the offense as the season goes on. Had not been for an arrest for marijuana possession Berry probably would have been a big part of the offense last year. 

Bryce Brown and David Oku, Tenn (SO):  The best player in college football with a street agent (that’s what his handler refers to himself as), Bryce Brown had a productive first year as a Vol but look for big things to come in 2010.  The guy who thought about going directly to the CFL until his street agent Brian Butler was told that the teams couldn’t meet his lofty salary demands should be the man next year presuming he can hold off fellow talented second year player David Oku.  In backup duty last year, Brown had 460 yards on 101 carries and found the checkered end zone three times.  Anyone who has followed the career of Derrick Dooley knows that he loves to pound the rock. Those drafting Brown must be careful to handcuff him with Oku, who but for an injury last year would of probably seen a lot of Brown’s 100 + carries.  Look for Oku to also take a number of snaps from the Wild Cat, something he did frequently in high school.  While drafting him means you have to give up ten percent of your winnings to Butler, trust us when we say it will be worth it.

Onterrio McCalebb, Auburn (SO): Who says that going to prep school for a year isn’t a good idea? Not McCalebb. His name did not appear as much to fans of recruiting for this reason, but man is this kid talented, and he was definitely the gem of the 2009 class for Auburn. Ranked #4 overall out of all the prep school players last year, he came into Auburn and did not disappoint in his first season. He ran the ball 99 times for 547 yards (5.5 yds/carry) and 4 TDS while sharing carries with Ben Tate. Now that Tate has graduated, the keys to car were supposed to be handed to McCalebb. There’s just one catch: Auburn just reeled in arguably the #1 running back recruit in the nation Michael Dyer (maybe the most talked about person to come out Little Rock since Clinton). Most likely, these guys are gone share carries since Dyer is 5’8 200lbs and McCalebb is 5’10” 165lbs., giving them some size difference, but don’t kid yourself for a second if you think Dyer is slow. He runs a 4.4 40 time. These two will form a menacing duo in the SEC for years to come.

Lamar Miller (RS FR) /Mike James (SO), Miami: It’s a trend that has proven quite valuable to numerous incoming freshman: early enrollment. Without it, Matt Barkley would not have beaten out Aaron Corp last year. Jacory Harris would not have made the Miami coaching staff think twice about starting him over Robert Marve. And now Mike James, an extremely talented running back coming out of high school, but was ranked 13 spots lower than Lamar Miller, may have supplanted Miller in the rotation. James came into school a semester early, and because he did, he was rewarded with some early palying time, getting 15 rushing attempts and 15 receptions last season. Graig Cooper, the starting running back, caught 18 passes the whole season with 134 rushing attempts. That tells you that James is something special. The coaches at the U rave about the speed and potential of Miller, but they also were awe struck last summer watching James, who they claim to be the total package as he is great receiving back as well.

With Javarris James going to the NFL, and Graig Cooper possibly missing all of next season with a knee injury, Damien Berry (Sr.) and Lee Chambers (Jr.) look to be the next in line. But don’t be surprised if these two young backs crack the rotation or get in there via injury and make some noise. Yes, the Canes did just pick up two excellent recruits in Storm Johnson and Eduardo Clements, but there is no way that Randy Shannon is going use up a year of eligibility for either one of those kids when he’s got 4 very capable backs in front of them who have put in the time to see action on the field.

Michael Ford, LSU (RS FR.): Trindon Holiday, Charles Scott, and Keiland Williams: ALL GONE. Insert Micheal Ford. At 5’10, 200 lbs., you can bet that this Bayou Bengal is a thrasher down in the Big Easy. Richard Murphy is his only true obstacle, and most likely they will share carries as Murphy is a talented back as well. But Ford is gonna put up some nice numbers. The only real problem is that the passing game of LSU has looked flat since the departure of Matt Flynn. The numbers have not changed very much, but they just seemed like a team that was way more dangerous through the air just 2 years ago. That being said, if the passing game can open up a bit and keep the defenses honest, Ford could start off his college career with a bang this year and never look back.

Honorable Mention: Kendall Lawrence (Missouri, So), Rodney Scott (Ole Miss, So), Chris Whaley (Texas, So) and Cierre Wood (Notre Dame, So)


WR’s

Andre Debose, Florida (RS FR.): The snap heard round the swamp last year had to have been the hamstring injury of stud receiver Andre Debose. He was the answer to the Percy Harvin problem, and without him, Tebow was forced to take an extra 40 rushes this season, which equates to almost 2 extra games played. Debose was second only to Reuben Randle in recruiting at his position, and even though the Gators have brough in 4 new receivers this year, Debose should be the go-to guy with Deonte Thompson if he can return to his former self pre-injury, especially with the departures of Riley Cooper and David Nelson.

Randall Carroll, UCLA (So): Two things have defined Carroll’s career up until now: Speed and Twitter.  Carroll became yet another cautionary tale for how even in the cyber world you need to think before you speak (or tweet) when he posted some racial slurs about OC Norm Chow.  This caused quite a media sensation and Carroll spent more time dealing with this than learning the playbook.  More importantly for fantasy purposes however is that fact that Carroll is fast – and not just fast like Andre Debose or other players on the list – this kid is next man fast – in fact he is the only person in California high school history to win the state championship for the 100 and 200 meter dashes – twice!!  His 10.28 time at states was fastest recorded since Magic and Worthy were leading the Lake Show.  UCLA has settled on strong armed Kevin Prince to lead them, but lose most of the play makers around him meaning Carroll will have a golden opportunity to become the man in Westwood for years to come.

Bryce McNeal, Clemson (R Fr):  It’s easy to get lost on a team that has both Jacoby Ford and CJ Spiller.  2009 was a year for the uber-recruit from Minnesota to digest the playbook and learn from the starters, and 2010 will be the year he becomes The Man.  Lets face it, Clemson doesn’t return a clear go-to guy and in a situation like that my moneys always going to be on the kid with talent – and McNeal has tons of it.  McNeal will benefit from catching passes from one of the ACC’s best QBs.  If the Dabo Swinney / Billy Napier coaching duo proved anything last year, it was they are going get the ball in the hands of their best players over and over.  McNeal figures to be that guy this fall and could be a late round steal in 2010 fantasy drafts.  His value only increases for those leagues that give bonuses to 50 yard plus and special teams touchdowns.  Word out of Clemson is that he will return kicks.

Patrick Patterson, Ole Miss (SO): Had Jevan Snead decided to be a little more patient, I would have had Patterson ranked even higher. The two of them could have made magic together, but Snead’s greed to leave early was too great. Patterson will be a MAJOR focal point in the passing attack with Dexter McCluster gone. A new and undeveloped QB may hurt him a bit, but there is talent at the QB position in Nathan Stanley and Raymond Cotton. He has great size at almost 6’3” 215 lbs., and with manchild Bobby Massie giving his QB some protection, great things can be expected from this offense. 

Rueben Randal, LSU (SO): This kid is the total package – he has the size, he has the speed, he has the hands, he runs great routes.  I could go on and on.  Anyway, Brandon LaFell graduated last year leaving a big hole in this offense and while Terrance Tolliver proved to be a good role player – after three years I am ready to give up on the kid ever becoming The Man.  While that is sad for Tolliver owners, it’s good for those who have Randle on their team next year.  Even with bad play at the QB spot the last few years LSU receivers have still been good fantasy producers over this time frame and look for Randle to continue this.  If Jordan Jefferson can take the next step at QB or if Russell Shepard can beat him out (is he even staying at QB?) look for Randle to become the next star down in Baton Rouge.

Honorable Mention: Duron Carter (Ohio State, So), Jheranie Boyd (UNC, So) and Terry Hawthorne (Illinois, R-Fr)