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BCS Title Game - Ohio St. vs LSU - Pro Prospects
Jan. 7, 2008 - New Orleans, La.
Photo - LB Ali Highsmith - LSU
Pro Prospects May Decide National Title Game
It is no surprise that college football’s BCS title game features two clubs loaded with NFL prospects, many of them underclassmen. Both Ohio St and LSU have supplied many players to the NFL over recent years with most of them elite prospects for the pro game. This title matchup could turn out to be a classic game and one that provides as many as eight 1st round selections and over a dozen prospects chosen in the top 100 picks this spring. No school has been hurt by the loss of underclassmen to the NFL more than Ohio St, but that has not hindered the Buckeyes from annually fielding a championship caliber club. The LSU Tigers have become a favorite of NFL scouts in the Southern region with many top selections for the NFL Draft over the past decade. As many as eight current LSU defensive starters carry NFL starting grades with most of them senior prospects who will play for pay next fall.
Offensive Players
FB Jacob Hester - 6’ 225 lbs. - LSU
Athletic versatile senior completed a fine performance last fall as both a receiver and runner. He is suited for a one back offense that features his versatility and athleticism. He is a strong inside runner who gets every yard possible and has shown great ball security over his career. He also has fine hands as a pass catcher and will pressure the OSU linebackers as an outlet receiver. He has performed brilliantly in big game situations and gets a final chance to shine on the season’s biggest stage vs the Buckeyes.
Wideouts
WR Early Doucet - 6’ 205 lbs. - LSU
Fast big play senior wideout has been nicked up over his final season that has limited his production in the Tigers potent offense. He combines fine size, speed and hands to move up further with a strong postseason. He needs to improve on the finer points of the game especially route running to rank at the top of the elite receiving prospects. He faces a key matchup in this contest vs Malcolm Jenkins who is one of the nation’s premier corners. He could become a top selection in April with a strong showing in this critical game and amend for a subpar final season.
* WR Brian Robiskie - 6’3� 195 lbs.- Ohio St.
Tall junior receiver has stepped up and become the go to guy for the Buckeyes passing game after being a fine #3 wideout earlier in his career. He displays fine body control and the ability to make a play on the ball that will test the Tigers secondary to the fullest. He is still a raw athlete who would benefit greatly from another season at the collegiate level.
Offensive Linemen
* OT Alex Boone - 6’8� 325 lbs. - Ohio St
Gigantic junior left tackle has the mobility, strength, technique and toughness to be a starting NFL lineman. He has been one of the best blockers in the Big Ten over the past three starting seasons. He moves well with a huge wingspan to get his hands on defenders and control them the full play. He has the frame to bulk up and play with more power as a drive blocker. He faces a critical matchup with the physical Tigers ends and looks to amend a disappointing title game last season vs the fast Florida Gators. He could be a 1st round selection with a strong title game followed up with an impressive postseason.
OT Kirk Barton - 6’5� 310 lbs. - Ohio St
Tough senior right tackle has moved up the charts after doing a fine job in pass protection on the outside over recent seasons. He has size, toughness, agility and bulk and looks like the type of prospect who can move up further with a strong postseason. He needs a strong game vs Tyson Jackson, a talented physical junior end who is coming off an erratic ’07 performance.
Defensive Linemen
* DE Vernon Gholston - 6’4� 265 lbs. - Ohio St
Quick relentless junior pass rusher completed several huge performances over the ’07 season especially in key late games. He has been a difference maker for the OSU defense with the speed from the outside that allowed to change games with one play. He ranks with the nation’s better pass rushers and will pressure the Tigers line that will probably command double teaming in passing situations. He is well developed in most areas and is one of the fast rising performers at this key position that probably leads to early entrance into the NFL.
* DE Tyson Jackson - 6’5� 290 lbs. - LSU
Big athletic lineman has the complete package for the outside but struggled through an inconsistent ’07 season. He provides strong run support and is stout at the point of attack to play either pro scheme. Despite his amazing upside potential, he needs development to become a complete pro prospect. He lacks the quick first step to give him an advantage on the snap and relies on power to collapse the pocket. He faces NFL caliber tackles in Barton and Boone that will fully test how much he has developed and his overall readiness for the pro game.
DT Glenn Dorsey - 6’2� 300 lbs. - LSU
Powerful mobile senior tackle has been a force in the middle of the Tigers defense the past few seasons. He walked off with all the hardware for a defensive lineman – Lombardi, Nagurski and Outland Trophies this postseason. He has flashed big play ability, relying on his fine combination of power and quickness. He has taken over games during his late career and will probably command double team blocking often by the Buckeyes talented offensive line. His combination of quickness and power give him a huge advantage early on the down and has allowed him to become this season’s premier defensive pro prospect.
Linebackers
* LB James Laurinaitis - 6’2� 245 lbs. - Ohio St
Explosive savvy junior linebacker completed a huge performance in ‘07 that earned him Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors. He is a fast, powerful, athletic and instinctive defender with the combination of agility, speed and quickness to become a top flight NFL linebacker. He has shown the ability to sack the QB and go sideline to sideline to make big stops. He is expected to declare and should be one of the elite prospects for the NFL Draft ’08.
LB Ali Highsmith - 6’1� 230 lbs. - LSU
Fast agile outside linebacker displayed the athletic package to be an impact player for the Tigers. He combines fine speed and quickness with keen instincts to become an excellent NFL defender at either outside position. He had another huge season and faces a critical matchup with OSU running back Chris Wells that should have a strong bearing on the final outcome of this title clash.
* LB Marcus Freeman - 6’1� 245 lbs. - Ohio St
Speedy junior linebacker is one of the better athletes in the very talented OSU defense. He combines fine speed with good size for the position with the instincts and toughness to be a complete NFL defender. He hopes to become the next Buckeye linebacker to start in the NFL. His speed allows him to make plays sideline to sideline and he has performed at a high level since his freshman season that could influence him to declare for the NFL game.
* LB Darry Beckwith - 6’1� 225 lbs. - LSU
Savvy junior backer has been a very productive defender over his SEC career operating on the inside. He has fine athleticism and with the instincts and intangibles that pro scouts seek in an NFL starting linebacker. He runs well and stays on his feet consistently with the ability to shed blockers and finish plays. He has well developed pass coverage skills to be a complete prospect. He hopes to showcase his talents here with a major clash with Buckeye tailback Chris Wells, a key determining factor in his decision to turn pro.
Defensive Backs
* CB Malcolm Jenkins - 6' 200 lbs. - Ohio St.
Shutdown junior corner faces a major test vs LSU wideout Early Doucet. He is big, fast and quick athlete with fine read and react skills. He has the agility and change of direction skills necessary to match up in man coverage with the ball instincts to make big play. He has been a lockdown cover defender who could be the top cornerback in this NFL Draft if he declares after this game which is highly probable with a strong title game performance.
CB Chevis Jackson - 5’11� 190 lbs. - LSU
Athletic senior corner is coming off a good '07 season, performing well vs quality SEC receivers. He has the size, speed and athleticism to matchup vs big receivers and better suited for zone coverage. He is also tough in run support with sure tackling skills. He is capable of moving up the positional ratings with a strong game vs the talented OSU receivers.
CB Jonathan Zenon - 6’ 180 lbs. - LSU
Smooth lean senior corner combines the size, quickness and instincts to become a solid NFL cover man in a zone scheme. He has the agility and change of direction skills necessary to close on the pass in zone coverage. He possesses only average man to man coverage skills and relies on a cover 2 scheme to succeed. He could improve his stock further with a strong BCS showing vs the fine Buckeye pass catchers.
SS Craig Steltz - 6’1� 210 lbs. - LSU
Tough senior safety has been a fixture in the Tigers defense over recent seasons in a variety of roles. He has good range and instincts with adequate speed and strong tackling skills to rank with the better safeties in college football. He has a fine nose for the ball, showing good instincts to make the proper reads and the sure tackling to complete the play. He will be tested fully vs OSU tailback Chris Wells as the Tigers primary ‘In the Box’ defender.
Frank Coyle
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