Opinion

By Matt Hayes

updated 9:49 p.m. ET July 9, 2008

Matt Hayes

Let there be no doubt about the impact Ricky Jean-Francois had on LSU's national title run last year. He played in all of two games -- the SEC championship game and the BCS national title game -- and it was abundantly clear:

"The best player on the field," says Nebraska coach Bo Pelini, LSU's defensive coordinator last season.

Let's put that statement into perspective. Also on the field in the BCS title game: LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey (No. 5 overall pick in the NFL draft) and Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston (No. 6). Jean-Francois, a junior defensive tackle, missed the first 12 games of the season while on academic suspension and was reinstated in time for the SEC championship game. He was on the field for 20 snaps against Tennessee because of conditioning issues, then got into shape over the next month and was dominant in the national title game against Ohio State, blocking a field goal and commanding double-teams on the interior.

At one point, Pelini was running stunts to free up Jean-Francois.

"There's no doubt in my mind," says one AFC scout, "if (Jean-Francois) stays out of trouble and plays at a high level like he did in those two games, he could develop into the No. 1 overall pick in the draft."

Big words for a player with little experience. Jean-Francois (6-3, 281) was a top backup his first season, earning Sporting News Freshman All-American honors after solid play at tackle and end. A year later, in two games against premier competition and with the season riding on every play, he stood out.

Jean-Francois had nearly walked away from LSU his freshman year, when coach Les Miles pulled him into his office and handed out the suspension before the team's bowl game against Notre Dame. "A humbling experience," Jean-Francois says. "I just prayed that one stupid mistake wouldn't define me."

Now Jean-Francois has a chance to define himself on the field for a full season. Others ready to break out this fall:

• LB Rolando McClain, 6-4, 255, So., Alabama. Scout's take: "I absolutely love this kid. Big run stuffer, plays with attitude. I always look for guys who kind of play on the edge, who enjoy the vicious aspect of the game. Rolando was a freshman last year; he didn't really get it all and had a huge season. I can't wait to watch him develop."
• DE Jason Worilds, 6-2, 252, So., Virginia Tech. Scout's take: "This is a man here, folks. Whoa! As an end, strictly relating to NFL potential, he's not the typical size. But he has the get-off move on the edge. Speed, speed, speed. He didn't have any idea what he was doing last year, and that's to be expected of young guys. Wait until he understands what's going on. Holy cow, will he be good."
• RB Mike Ford, 6-2, 225, So., South Florida. Scout's take: "Big, tough kid with good speed. He's a 20-carry guy in (the NFL). What I like best about him is he understands cutbacks and following zone blocking. He knows where to go, but it's obvious his ball security issues have made him a little tentative in hitting holes."
• DE Lawrence Wilson, 6-4, 274, Jr., Ohio State. Scout's take: "Saw him a couple of times as a freshman, then saw him in the spring before last fall, before he got hurt in the first game of the season. Still have my notes: 'Wilson better than Gholston?' The complete package. He can stop the run, and his size and wingspan -- he's 280 pounds, for goodness sake -- are impossible for those poor (offensive) tackles."
• RB DeMarco Murray, So., 6-0, 191, Oklahoma. Scout's take: "Bob (Stoops) has had a bunch of terrific runners there, and I'm telling you, this kid could be his best. Including (Adrian) Peterson. His speed, he hits the high gear immediately. He's a hard runner, but he's not the tough inside guy Peterson was. At least not yet."
• DE Everson Griffen, 6-3, 265, So., USC. Scout's take: "In two years, we'll all be talking about who's in line to pick Griffen No. 1. He started really slow last year, and then it all clicked. He was unblockable at times. Wait until (USC coach) Pete (Carroll) gets his technique and motor to catch up to his desire. Wow, will he be terrific."
• WR Duval Kamara, 6-5, 222, So., Notre Dame. Scout's take: "Saw them twice last year, and he's the only guy on offense who looked comfortable. He knows how to get off the jam (at the line of scrimmage), knows how to use his hands to separate. He's got good speed. Once he figures out how to use his big frame to shield himself, he'll be a terror. No one in college football will be able to match up with him -- no one."

Also ready to shine

• ACC: DE Allen Bailey, 6-4, 287, So., Miami; SS Myron Rolle, 6-2, 218, Jr., Florida State
• Big East: DE Greg Romeus, 6-5, 250, So., Pitt; WR Marcus Barnett, 6-2, 164, So. Cincinnati
• Big Ten: LB Martez Wilson, 6-4, 246, So., Illinois; OT Rocco Cironi, 6-6, 305, Jr., Michigan State
• Big 12: WR Dezmon Briscoe, 6-3, 200, So., Kansas; WR Josh Smith, 6-0, 180, So., Colorado
• Pac-10: RB LaGarrette Blount, 6-2, 230, Jr., Oregon; WR Nyan Boateng, 6-2, 210, Jr., California
• SEC: RB Chris Rainey, 5-9, 167, Fr., Florida; WR Gerald Jones, 6-0, 185, So., Tennessee
• Outside the BCS: QB Case Keenum, 6-1, 210, So., Houston; QB Justin Willis, 6-1, 210, Jr., SMU; RB Ryan Mathews, 5-11, 205, So., Fresno State; QB Nate Davis, 6-2, 217, Jr., Ball State

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