DTS

1) *Sen'Derrick Marks DT 6'1 290 Auburn
While Marks will certainly miss playing along side of Pat Sims, this guy should still have a
monster 2008. In fact, it should be good enough for him to declare as a Junior and be a 1st
Round pick. In 2007, he had 43 Tackles and 9 TFLs. He's an amazing interior force who is
extremely hard to block. He has a low center of gravity and really knows how to split the
wedge. Look for him to get better as the year progresses.

2) *DeMarcus Granger DT 6'2 315 Oklahoma
Granger was a top-shelf recruit coming out of Texas, so big things were expected from him. In
fact, Rivals had him rated as the number one DT prospect in their 2005 rankings. So far, it
looks like they were spot on with their assessment. Last year as a Sophomore, he hauled in
35 Tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 3.5 Sacks, and 8 QBHs. I anticipate that he'll have an even better
season this year as a Junior, showing he's pro ready.

3) Fili Moala DT 6'5 300 USC
Most programs would take a major step back by losing a beast like Sedrick Ellis. USC won't.
Moala is expected to man the NT/DT spot very nicely. Blessed with great size and power,
Moala has room to get even bigger and stronger. With the amount of pressure that USC DE's
Griffen and Moore will be putting on the outside, teams may be forced to try the inside game.
Good luck. Moala could be the #1 DT at year end. He comes with off-field concerns.

4) Jeff Owens DT 6'3 300 Georgia
As if Offensive Coordinators don't have enough to worry about with Georgia's LBs, they also
have to face their D-Lineman. Owens and Atkins will form one of the best DT combos in the
country. Owens had an impressive 22 QBHs in 2007. He is a mauling type of DT that simply
wears down his opponent over the course of the game. He must be accounted for at all times,
as he's a complete menace to deal with.

5) Peria Jerry DT 6'2 310 Ole Miss
As it stands today, Jerry is the most underrated DT in college football. In 2007, he tallied 58
Tackles, 14 TFLs, and 3.5 Sacks. Those are insane numbers for a DT to be putting up. Jerry
is very strong at the point of attack, and does a fine job of redirecting the play. Greg Hardy
(DE) will be happy to have Jerry out there, as he will force many backs right into Hardy's arms.
Look for him to be ultra productive.

6) Terrance Taylor DT 6'0 320 Michigan
As a Junior, Taylor pulled in 55 Tackles, 8.5 TFLs, and 3.5 Sacks. Stats don't always paint the
picture in terms of a DT's value, but they're telling in this case. Taylor has the ability to
constantly stir things up in the backfield. Many plays never develop because of him. With a
450lb. bench, he's very strong. This team should have been crushed by losing Watson and
Branch in back to back years, but they weren't. He's filled their void.

7) *Ricky Jean-Francois DE 6'3 282 LSU
Often times, it takes hours and hours of game tape review to see if a certain prospect has it or
not. In one game, Jean Francois showed that he has the make-up of a future star. The one
game in mention happens to be the BCS Title game where this freak went against a more
than formidable opponent. He shined then as he will this year. He also happens to be a field
star on the track team.

8) *Geno Atkins DT 6'1 290 Georgia
Atkins will battle teammate Jeff Owens for best D-Lineman honors all year long. Atkins was a
machine last year, coming away with 38 Tackles, 13.5 TFLs, 6.5 Sacks, and a whopping 29
QBHs. Atkins is very fast off of the snap and simply too quick for many interior lineman to
block. When you couple that with his strong base and low center of gravity, the guy's a
menace. The DTs could make the Dawgs to SEC champs.

9) Vince Oghobaase DT 6'6 310 Duke
The Duke Football program fails to get much love these days, as it continues to be a doormat
for virtually every team it faces. However, teams know to steer clear of the monster DT
Oghobaase. Last season, he posted 49 Tackles, 12 TFLs, and 4.5 Sacks. Despite his size,
he moves well for a big guy. Look for him to be an ACC terror, despite the fact that he'll draw
double-teams.

10) Ziggy Hood DT 6'3 295 Missouri
Hood had a great season last year, posting 49 Tackles, 8 TFLs, 5 Sacks, 5 PBUs, and 4
QBHs. What's scary, is that his numbers could be just as strong this year. The Tiger Defense
will revolve around him, and he'll set a strong tone. He's a relentless pursuer and is very good
at destroying the play. He has enough talent and athleticism to bounce outside and play DE in
a 3-4 as well.

11) B.J. Raji DT 6'1 315 Boston College
Raji was academically ineligible for the 2007 season, so he didn't get to build upon what was
a great 2006 for him. That year, he had 63 Tackles, 16.5 TFLs, and 3.5 Sacks. What's scary,
is that Boston College only allowed their opponents 885 total rushing yards last season
without Raji. With Raji and Brace working side by side, the run defense is expected to even be
better this year. He could easily move up from this spot.

12) Vance Walker DT 6'2 292 Georgia Tech
This guy can flat out produce. As a Junior, he posted 45 Tackles, 14 TFLs, and 8.5 Sacks for
the Ramblin' Wreck. If he can pick up where he left off, he'll be sought after. The team lost LBs
Guyton and Wheeler, so they need him to produce. With Michael Johnson causing fits at one
DE spot, Walker we'll be freed up. Darryl Richard, the other starting DT is solid as well and will
help the cause.

13) George Hypolite DT 6'1 285 Colorado
Hypolite returns for his Senior season in what should be a good campaign for him. In 2007, he
came up with 44 Tackles, 6 TFLs, and 5 Sacks. Hypolite is a fireplug with a great motor. It's
his non-stop style of play that makes him so difficult to defend against. He's joined by Brandon
Nicolas who's a nice DT as well. That should take some of the pressure off of Hypolite and
allow him to be productive.

14) *Arthur Jones DT 6'4 290 Syracuse
As a Sophomore, Jones was easily one of the best DT talents in the Big East. He registered
51 Tackles...17.5 were TFLs. While he may not be looking to declare this year as he's just a
Junior, I'm betting that his numbers will be good enough for him to do so. Blessed with great
size and speed for the position, there's no telling what he'll be able to do. He has the ability to
move up the draft boards.

15) *Al Woods DT 6'3 315 LSU
LSU is completely stacked with talent across their D-Line, so Woods has not seen anywhere
near the playing time a talent such as he normally would. That may be the case again this year
if Jean-Francois and Alexander each play to their full potential. However, Woods is a great DT
prospect, and may end up being better than either of the aforementioned. If he gets on the
field, he'll be hard to remove.

16) *Gerald McCoy DT 6'4 290 Oklahoma
McCoy is listed as a Sophomore, he's eligible to declare if he chooses to do so. While he
certainly has adequate size now to play the position, his frame could handle another 10-15lbs.
without a problem. While there are quite a few excellent DT combos this year, Granger and
McCoy have a shot at being the best tandem in the nation. McCoy used last year to get his
feet wet, but should blow up the Big 12 in 2008.

17) Dorrell Scott DT 6'3 300 Clemson
Scott is an imposing DT who is a rock against the run. He's very hard to move and crushes the
pocket quite well. His 2007 numbers were solid, as he ended up with 50 Tackles, 5 TFLs, and
3 Sacks. He also had 8 QBHs, showcasing his ability to create pressure up the middle. Scott
should have an even better season in 2008 and solidify himself as one of the best DTs in the
ACC. Operating next to Jackson will help the cause.

18) Ekom Udofia DT 6'2 310 Stanford
Udofia was a prize recruit coming out of High School in 2005, and played NT as a true
Freshman. He was named to several Freshmen All-American teams, as he showed major
promise. In 2007, his play was limited to only 7 games. Therefore, his stats don't jump off of
the page. However, he should end up being one of the best interior D-Lineman for the PAC-10
in 2008.

19) Roy Miller DT 6'2 300 Texas
Every year, it seems some lineman from the Longhorns puts up respectable numbers on the
bench come combine time. Enter Roy Miller. Miller has freakish strength and comes with a lot
of experience. Why he hasn't seen much time as a starter, he's been consistently used in the
rotation. 2008 will be the year for him to showcase the same ability that garnered him such
high praise out of High School.

20) Demonte Bolden DT 6'5 290 Tennessee
While Bolden was a top recruit coming out of High School, he really didn't see any solid
playing time until last season. He had 26 Tackles, 5 TFLs, and 2 Sacks. For an average DT,
these would be decent stats. For a talent like Bolden, they're pretty weak. He has the potential
to double his output in each of these categories this season. He passes the eye test in terms
of size, he just has to play to it.

21) Terrill Byrd DT 6'0 275 Cincinnati
Coming into this season, Byrd dropped some weight and may be even quicker as a result.
Based off of last year's stats, he didn't need to. Boasting 56 Tackles, 17 TFLs, 8 Sacks, and 6
QBHs, he was one of the best DTs in the Big East. He should once again be viewed as a
Conference all-star. He flashes an amazing ability to get into the backfield and be a pest. It
would be ideal for him to get back up to his 290+lb. range.

22) Ronnie Brace DT 6'3 325 Boston College
Last season, Eagle fans panicked when they learned they'd be without the services of DT B.J.
Raji. Brace filled in nicely and alleviated most of those concerns. While not much of a threat to
apply pressure on the QB, he's a wide body who's impossible to move at times. He has the
potential to turn into one of the better NT prospects in the nation this year. He does need to get
quicker feet.

23) Earl Heyman DT 6'3 285 Louisville
At some point in the year, I'm sure I'll populate a page with my take on who the most
underrated players are in the nation. Heyman very well may be on that list. He's been a starter
for the past two years, and 2008 makes it three. He's very good at controlling the line of
scrimmage and forcing the play outside. While he doesn't do any one thing exceptionally well,
he's a dependable player who isn't easy to run at.

24) Marlon Favorite DT 6'1 295 Iowa
Favorite might not even be a starter when the 2008 season kicks off. However, that is more of
an indication as to how stacked LSU is vs. Favorite not being worthy to do so. This DT would
be a lock to start on almost any other team in the nation. While he may not get enough game
time to post eye-popping stats, he should do enough to get recognized as a future draft
prospect. He'll be part of an outstanding D-Line rotation.

25) *Ndamukong Suh DT 6'4 300 Nebraska
Suh is another star recruit who's on the verge of finding his stride. Now that Nebraska has
made some major coaching changes favoring the defense, expect Suh to improve. While his
34 Tackles and 6 TFLs are nothing to sneeze at, he's capable of a lot more. He's powerfully
built and holds his own very well at the point of attack. He can also add another 10-15lbs. to
his sturdy base without a problem.

Other Considerations...
Will Johnson - Michigan, Alex Magee - Purdue, Charles Alexander - LSU, Myron Pryor -
Kentucky, Rashaad Jackson - Clemson, Marque Hall - South Carolina, Ted Bentler - Army,
Paul Griffin - Florida State, Pat Kuntz - Notre Dame, Andre Neblett - Temple, Darell Richard -
Georgia Tech, D'Anthony Smith - Louisiana Tech, Ell Ash - Houston, Doug Worthington - Ohio
State, Ernest Mitchell - Arkansas