1) LSU DE Tyson Jackson, Sr. DT Charles Alexander, Sr. DT Ricky Jean-Francois, Jr. DE Kirston Pittman, Sr. Within a couple of years, there is a solid chance that each member of their front 6 could be on an NFL team. While only 4 are listed, one can not forget about DTs Al Woods and Marlon Favorite. In fact, either could be considered a starter over Alexander. These guys will have a great rotation and legs will be fresh. This front will be very hard to run against. The DTs are powerful and athletic. Jean-Francois has DE speed, but DT strength. Alexander, Favorite, and Woods are all stout. Woods is the biggest at 315lbs. Jackson's Junior year was a step off from his Sophomore campaign, but he'll be back and ready to go. He's a very good base DE that puts pressure on the QB as well as stuffing the run. Pittman has had injury issues, but is a blur off the edge when healthy. 2) Oklahoma DE Auston English, Jr. DT DeMarcus Granger, Jr. DT Gerald McCoy, So. DE Jeremy Beal, So. The first 3 names on the list have an NFL future. The DTs aren't good, they're great. Beal will come along at DE... Granger and McCoy are young, but play well beyond their years. Both are great run stuffers and can deflate the pocket well. Even at 240lbs., English got into the backfield often and was good against the run. He's now bulked up to be even better in that department. McCoy and Granger will take turns beating up RBs and QBs alike. They will demand enough interior presence to free up the DEs. There's should be a lot of dark red seen in opposing backfields this fall. If English can stay healthy, people will give him All-Conference consideration. 3) Penn State DE Maurice Evans, Jr. DT Jared Odrick, Jr. DT Ollie Ogbu, So. DE Josh Gaines, Sr. / DE Aaron Maybin, So. This D-Line is very active and forces the QB across from them into making some rushed, stupid decisions. This team is very good at the DE spots, while the DTs free up the LBs to make plays. This is a stout group that doesn't give up much ground. 4) Texas DE Henry Melton, Sr. DT Roy Miller, Sr. DT Lamarr Houston, Jr. DE Brian Orakpo, Sr. The Longhorns have some very good talent that should really emerge this year. If they can mesh their talents, look out. Miller is extremely strong, while Houston has the quickness of a DE but the push of a DT. These guys will compliment each other nicely. Orakpo may end up an All-American, while Melton quietly holds his own. Running up the middle won't be easy. The DEs have good size with quickness to cover the outside. The pass rush will be prevalent from both inside and out. Folks won't find much success against these guys if they play to their full ability. 5) Michigan DE Tim Jamison, Sr. DT Will Johnson, Sr. DT Terrance Taylor, Sr. DE Brandon Graham, Jr. All 4 have the ability to play at the next level. In fact, I think all 4 will be drafted in the next 2 years. This is a very active, relentless group. Taylor is a beast of a DT/NT...very strong. Johnson is an underrated DT with great experience. Jamison and Graham have speed to the outside, and enough size to handle the run. The DTs will crush the pocket, while the DEs will be too good for most teams to contain. Each of them has great speed off the edge, and does well at hunting down prey. The Wolverine LB corps won't be as good this year, but they may not need to be. 6) USC DE Kyle Moore, Sr. DT Fili Moala, Sr. DT Averell Spicer, Jr. DE Everson Griffen, So. This D-Line is bursting with talent. Moala should be a Top 5 DT, and Spicer has plenty of reps on his resume. Moore is a reliable DE, while Griffen is the best Sophomore DE in the nation. This team will not be easy to move the ball against. Moala plays like an animal, and Spicer is experienced. While Moore is a rangy DE, he can hold his own against the run. Griffen will be a Top 10 pick when he comes out. He does it all. Sacks will come from all over the place. This D-Line will create pressure of its own, but will keep blocker at bay while the LBs run wild. The unit is experienced and knows how to shut down an Offense. 7) Boston College DE Alex Albright, Jr. DT Ron Brace, Sr. DT B.J. Raji, Sr. DE Jim Ramella, Jr. This squad has some solid experience on its side. Both DTs are Seniors, while the DEs have seen good action. Brace and Raji have a combined weight of 650lbs. They are virtually impossible to run straight towards. Even if teams take an outside approach, they have to go wide, as everything inside of the Tackles could be blocked up. Albright could hit the double-digit mark in Sacks this year. With the onus set on securing the interior, he may get away with some plays on the periphery. Neither DE is real big, so this will be the sweet spot opposing Offenses attack. 8) Mississippi (Ole Miss) DE Marcus Tillman, Jr. DT Peria Jerry, Sr. DT Ted Laurent, So. DE Greg Hardy, Jr. Everyone is back along the D-Line...scary. Jerry is the most underrated DT in college, and Tillman and Hardy both made several Freshmen All-American teams at DE. As stated, Jerry is a beast at DT. He's strong at the point of attack and pushed piles. He can make a play change direction all by himself. Laurent is young, but will be stout enough to compliment Jerry. While Tillman and Hardy aren't huge, they each weight at least 260lbs. Tillman is a solid DE, but with Hardy out there he doesn't get much love. Both will look like studs in 2008, as most teams aren't talented enough to handle an inside force like Perry while having beasts fly at them from both sides. When one gets contained, the other will be free. 9) Georgia DE Roderick Battle, Jr. DT Jeff Owens, Sr. (Injured) DT Geno Atkins, Jr. DE Jeremy Lomax, Sr. Owens' injury knocks them down a few slots for sure. The Georgia DTs amassed over 50 QBHs last season. They shut down running lanes and deflate the pocket as good as any DT pairing in the nation. They each have a nice blend of power and quickness. The outside will be a bit question mark of sorts. Battle does not come with the high regard that previous Bulldog DEs have been able to attain. However, I imagine that he'll do enough to get the job done as a whole. Lomax, while not a household name, has some great upside. Watch him blossom. 10) Clemson DE D'Quan Bowers, Jr. DT Dorell Scott, Sr. DT Rashaad Jackson, Sr. DE Ricky Sapp, Jr. Strength inside, speed outside. Scott is an absolute beast to move, and Jackson is a former Freshman All-American. It's very hard to get an interior push against these guys; so many plays will go to the outside. But, there is speed to contend with there Merling is very tough to replace at DE, but the guy doing so may end up to be just as good, and certainly quicker in the rush department. Sapp is on the verge of a breakout year, and will be a guy to watch. Others to watch... Georgia Tech could work themselves into the mix if Michael Johnson plays to his potential at DE. Walker and Richard should be a formidable tandem at DT. Florida is a young squad just bursting at the seams with talent. If Cunningham stays around for the 2009 season, he and Dunlap could be the best bookend combo in the nation. Look for these guys to learn a lot in 2008. And, there is a lot of talent waiting in the wings. The D-Line will have a solid rotation of youngsters subbing in. Wisconsin returns a solid crew. While undersized, they get the job done. If Shaughnessy comes back 100%, and if DeCremer plays like he did as a Freshman, they'll be set at DE. The DTs don't look to be future pros, but they play hard and don't make many mistakes. Auburn will get the job done on the D-Line, even with losing Pat Sims. Marks is one of the best DTs in the nation, and was unstoppable at times last year. Coleman will give OTs plenty of headaches. If the other guys can pitch in, they will be solid. Northwestern actually has some talent. Gill and Hahn are not flashy DTs, but each weighs in at about 290lbs. and is steady. Wooton has massive potential at DE, if he would just play to it.