Feb. 5, 2008

By Tom Lemming

Special to CSTV.com

TOM LEMMING
Tom is CSTV's college football recruiting analyst, and writes for CSTV.com regularly.
E-mail
        ---   Column Archive   --- SIGNING DAY 2008 2/8: Mailbag - Signing Day Fall Out 2/8: Overall Conference Class Rankings 2/6: Winners & Losers 2/5: Flashback 2007 2/1: Mailbag - Where Will They Go? SIGNING DAY 2007 2/7: Winners and Losers 1/22: Countdown to Signing Day 1/15: Best Available CONFERENCE BREAKDOWNS 08 2/16: Big East 2/15: Pac-10 2/14: Big Ten 2/13: Big 12 2/12: ACC 2/8: SEC CONFERENCE BREAKDOWNS 07 2/13: SEC 2/12: Pac-10 2/11: Big Ten 2/10: Big East 2/9: Big 12 2/8: ACC CONFERENCE BREAKDOWNS 06 4/28: Pac-10 4/25: Big East 4/19: ACC 4/14: Big 12 4/12: Big Ten 4/6: SEC CLASS PLAYER RANKINGS 2/06: Class of 2009 Top 100 First Release 2/05: Class of 2007 Look Back 1/23: Final Class Of 2008 Top 100 1/11: Stock Watch - 2009 Potential All-Americans 1/5: Stock Watch - All-American Bowl 1/4: Stock Watch - All-American Practice Week 8/2: 2008 Top 100 Overview 4/9: 2008 Updated Watch List 2/8: 2008 Early Watch List 2/5: Top 100 Latest 1/29: 2007 - Final Rankings 1/23: 2006 - Final Rankings 2008 TOP 25s 11/15: Inside Linebackers 11/14: Outside Linebackers 11/13: Athletes 11/13: Cornerbacks 11/12: Fullbacks 11/08: OGuards/Centers 11/01: Offensive Tackles 10/20: Defensive Ends 10/14: Tight Ends 10/04: Safeties 9/19: Defensive Tackles 9/12: Tailbacks 9/5: Pro-Style QBs 8/28: Dual Threat QBs BCS BOWLS 1/5: BCS Championship Game 12/31: BCS Orange Bowl 12/30: BCS Sugar Bowl 12/30: BCS Fiesta Bowl 12/30: BCS Rose Bowl ROAD TRIP 2007 6/7: Mailbag 5/23: History Lesson 5/11: Ten With Tom 3/29: North Carolina 3/16: East Coast Swing 2/28: Setting Up Shop 2/26: Texas ROAD TRIP 06 7/14: Part IX 6/22: Part VIII 6/2: Utah 5/26: Colorado 5/16: Illinois 1/19: Part IV 1/12: Part III 1/06: Part II 12/30: Part I NFL DRAFT 4/27: From Five-Star to First Rounder

A year ago, I released my Class of 2007 Top 100 and now that, for the most part, every freshman found himself playing some sort of role on their respective team, I'm taking a look at how the best players from last year's class faired this past season.

1. Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame - 2007 Stats: 1,254 Yds., 56.3 Pct., 7 TD, 6 INT, 103.85 Rat.

Clausen, I thought, did very well this year considering he had an operation over the summer and he wasn't able to lift weights. He did not show a lot of strength physically, but I think you'll see a different person in 2008 when he can get his weight up to 220. I think you'll see a completely different Jimmy Clausen next year. He's going to stand out.

2. Ryan Mallet, QB, Michigan - 2007 Stats: 892 Yds., 43.3 Pct., 7 TD, 5 INT, 105.69 Rat.

He made a good move going to Arkansas, I thought. He's going to have to sit out next year, but when he's ready, he's going to be an impact player for new coach Bobby Petrino, who trained Brian Brohm and other good quarterbacks. And Mallett has more talent than all of them.

3. Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina - 2007 Stats: 6 TFL, 4 Sacks, 3 QBH

Austin is already an impact player for North Carolina. Probably their best defensive player, he'll do nothing but get better over the next few years and be a top draft pick.

4. Joe McKnight, RB, USC - 2007 Stats: 540 Yds., 5.7 Avg., 3 TD

McKnight showed that, even though USC had nine All-Americans over two classes, he's the elite player of the nine. He'll be an elite player for the next couple of years before he leaves early for the NFL Draft. He's not the next Reggie Bush because he doesn't have Reggie's burst, but he has the moves and the speed. He's the closest thing USC has right now to Reggie.

5. Marc Tyler, RB, USC - 2007 Stats: Red-Shirted

Tyler had a devastating knee injury. He'll come in at running back next year, but he was also an all-league linebacker and may make that switch if McKnight is dominating at running back.

6. Chris Gallipo, LB, USC - 2007 Stats: 8 Tackles

When he played early before being injured he was a star. He'll be a major impact player next year. He's one of the best defensive players on the Trojans.

7. Noel Devine, RB, West Virginia - 2007 Stats: 627 Yds., 8.6 Avg., 6 TD

Noel proved that he's an impact player, especially in space. He's not a pounder, but he's a difference-maker type and as soon as he sees an opening, he can take the ball the distance. I think next year he'll be getting more carries and he'll become a national name for West Virginia.

8. John Clay, RB, Wisconsin - 2007 Stats: Red-Shirted

Grade problems. If he's healthy, he averaged 12 yards a carry as a junior and 10 yards a carry as a senior in high school. If he's okay, he's going to be an impact player. I know they have backs in Wisconsin, but he's a great player.

9. Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois - 2007 Stats: 54 Rec., 676 Yds., 2 TD

Probably of all the freshmen, he was the best until injuries kind of sidetracked him toward the end of the season. He's a go-to guy who helped propel Illinois to a 9-4 season. He would have been the true-freshman of the year. Looking back, he would be No. 1 on the list of freshmen from the class of 2007 that had the biggest impact.

10. John Oglesby, Wisconsin - 2007 Stats: Red-Shirted

Redshirted after having knee surgery. Without a doubt the best offensive linemen of that group. He's going to be 6-foot-8 and 330 pounds and still look thin. He'll take the place that Joe Thomas gave up.

Others who impressed:

11. Eric Berry, CB, Tennessee

12. Everson Griffen, DE, USC

13. Martez Wilson, LB, Illinois

32. Eugene Clifford, CB, Ohio State

36. Ryan Miller, OT, Colorado

39. Tyrod Taylor, QB, Virginia Tech

40. Greg Little, WR, North Carolina