Update: Recent Coaching Changes and Additions

• Boston College assistant coach Don Yanowsky has resigned as the tight ends and special team coach. Yanowsky held that position for the two season under coach Jeff Jagodzinski before he was terminated. Yanowsky is the third assistant coach to quit since Frank Spaziani was named Jagodzinski’s replacement.
• In other Boston College news, the Eagles from Chestnut Hill, Mass. have promoted linebackers coach, Bill McGovern to defensive coordinator.
• Buffalo Head Coach Turner Gill promoted Danny Barrett to offensive coordinator. Barrett was the quarterbacks coach previously.
• Long-time Florida State Head Coach Bobby Bowden has sign a one-year contract extension. The new extension will keep Bowden with the Seminoles until January 4, 2010.
• Kansas State Athletic Director Bob Krause announced he will resign effective March 31st, to accept the university’s director of development position at its Innovation Campus in Olathe, Kan.
• Ernest T. Jones was fired from Alcorn State after losing an appeal on the matter. Jones was initially fired exactly one year from the date he was hired.
• Stanford hired Greg Norman to be its new offensive line coach. Roman spent 13 years as an assistant in the NFL before being hired by Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh.

The Top 5 Players of 2008: Defensive Backs

There were some great defensive backs in college football during the 2008 season. Defensive backs must have excellent speed, agility, and good catching skills. I decided to combine the cornerbacks and safeties together for this list. So, here they are.... the top 5 defensive backs of 2008:


Trojans Free Safety Taylor Mays Along With Head Coach Pete Carroll

1. Malcolm Jenkins (CB - Ohio State) - Malcolm Jenkins improved on his amazing Buckeye's career in 2008. The 6'1" - 201 lbs senior posted 57 tackles (34 solo), 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, and 3 INTs in 2008. Jenkins was honored with consensus First-Team All-Big Ten and First-Team All-American. He also received the Jim Thorpe Award for the top defensive back in the nation. Jenkins is the number one defensive back prospect coming into the 2009 NFL Draft.
2. Taylor Mays (FS - USC) - Taylor Mays has become one of the most feared safeties in college football. The 6'3" - 230 lbs Mays recorded 53 tackles (38 solo) in 2008. He received unanimous consensus All-American honors, and was a 2008 Jim Thorpe Award finalist. Mays was also on the Lott Trophy and Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch Lists. Mays was a key factor in USC's defense being ranked second nationally, arguably one of college football's best-ever defenses.
3. Eric Berry (CB - Tennessee) - Eric Berry had a phenomenal sophomore season in 2008. The 5'11" - 195 lbs cornerback posted 74 tackles (44 solo), 3 sacks, led the nation with 7 INTs, and 2 TDs. Berry was named 2008 All-SEC First-Team, First-Team All-American, 2008 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, 2008 National Defensive Sophomore of the Year, and 2008 Tennessee Sports Writer's Association Player of the Year. Berry was also awarded the Jack Tatum Award for best defensive back in college football.
4. Vontae Davis (CB - Illinois) - Vontae Davis added another great season to his college resume in 2008. Davis , 6'0" - 205 lbs, recorded 78 tackles (53 solo), 3 forced fumbles, and 2 INTs. Davis garnered much attention coming into the 2008 season with Playboy All-American honors, and named Big Ten's Best Athlete by The Sporting News. He was also named the #4 cornerback in the nation by Lindy's. Davis was a pre-season candidate for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Jim Thorpe Award, and the Chuck Bednarik Award.
5. Sean Smith (CB - Utah) - Sean Smith became a very reliable cornerback for the Utes in 2008. Smith was named First-Team All-MWC and led Utah in passes defended with 14. Davis posted 41 tackles (20 solo), 1 sack, 5 INTs, and 1 TD in 2008. He gave a stellar performance in Utah's victory versus Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Davis had 6 tackles, a pass break up, and a 10-yard sack that led to a Utah field goal in the bowl game.

These are the top 5 defensive backs in college football for the 2008 season. Please check in tomorrow..... I'll have the top 5 best kickers and punters!

The Top 5 Players of 2008: Linebackers

The linebacker position is one of the most highly regarded in football. A good linebacker must be lightning fast, possess good field vision, uncanny instincts, and crushing strength. The linebacker is the Nostradamus of football - he must recognize what will happen before it happens. I think you will enjoy this list of 2008's top 5 college linebackers.


Wake Forest Linebacker Aaron Curry

1. Aaron Curry (Wake Forest) - Aaron Curry may be a big surprise coming in at number one on my list. Curry, who is 6'3"-247 lbs, has emerged as an elite linebacker during the 2008 season. He finished with 101 tackles (63 solo), 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 INT. Curry received the 2008 Butkus Award for the nation's top linebacker. He was also placed on the first-team All-ACC Team. Look for Curry to be a first round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.
2. Rey Maualuga (USC) - Rey Maualuga has been a menace to PAC 10 offenses in 2008. The 6'3" - 255 lbs linebacker has been compared to Pittsburgh Steelers Safety Troy Polamalu for his aggressive play and hard hits. Maualuga recorded 80 tackles (52 solo), 2 INTs, and 1 TD. He was placed on the 2008 Playboy Pre-season All-American Team, and on the Lombardi Award and Bronko Nagurski Award Watch Lists. He was honored with the 2008 Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the best collegiate defensive player of the year.
3. James Laurinaitis (Ohio State) - The 6'3"-243 lbs Buckeyes linebacker had another great season in 2008. Laurinaitis had a whopping 130 tackles (52 solo), 4 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 2 INTs this past season. He received the 2008 Lott Trophy, presented to the college football defensive IMPACT player of the year. Laurinaitis was also awarded the 2009 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, which is presented to the outstanding senior NCAA Division 1 Student-Athlete of the year. This was the first year of the award.
4. Mark Herzlich (Boston College) - Mark Herzlich had a fantastic 2008 season for the Eagles of Boston College. Herzlich had a combined 110 tackles with 81 solo tackles. That's right....81 solo tackles! He also contributed 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 6 INTs, and 2 TDs. He was named to the Butkus Award and Lott Trophy Watch Lists during the pre-season. Herzlich was a key factor in Boston College's return trip to the ACC Championship Game in 2008, and managed to give ACC offensive coordinators bad headaches each week. I don't think we are finished seeing what this great linebacker will do on the field.
5. Clint Sintim (Virginia) - The 6'3"-254 lbs, Clint Sintim, had an outstanding 2008 season for the Cavaliers. Sintim developed into a terrific pass-rusher in 2008, apparent by his 69 tackles (38 solo), amazing 10 sacks, and 1 forced fumble.

This will conclude my top 5 linebackers of 2008. Check in tomorrow for The Top 5 Players of 2008: Defensive Backs!

The Top 5 Players of 2008: Defensive Lineman

2008 was a great year for defensive lineman. These huge tackling machines were pivotal in shoring up staunch run defenses, along with providing superb pass rushing. Now for the top 5 defensive lineman of 2008:


Ole Miss Defensive Tackle Peria Jerry

1. Peria Jerry (Mississippi) - Defensive Tackle Peria Jerry is a 6'2", 290 lbs beast when it comes to rush defense. Jerry was named first-team All-American by ESPN and the AP, consensus All-SEC, and was first in the SEC in TFL with 18. With 48 tackles (24 solo), 6 sacks and 2 forced fumbles, I can see why he gets so many accolades.
2. Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma) - Gerald McCoy had a great 2008 helping Oklahoma win the Big 12 Championship and play for a national title as well. McCoy at 6'4" - 288 lbs, posted 26 tackles (13 solo), 6 sacks, and 1 INT this past season. McCoy has decided to return to Oklahoma in 2009 after flirting with the possibility of entering the 2009 NFL Draft. He was expected to be a high pick for defensive lineman.
3. Mitch King (Iowa) - Mitch King was a tackling machine for the Hawkeyes in 2008, recording 53 tackles (26 solo) and 4 sacks. King was added to the Bronko Nargurski Trophy and Lott Trophy watch lists in pre-season 2008. Look for King to be a menace to NFL offenses in 2009!
4. Terrence Cody (Alabama) - Terrence Cody is a behemoth at nose guard for the Crimson Tide at 6'5", 385 lbs. Cody is nicknamed "Mount Cody" for his tremendous size. Cody had a breakout year in 2008, recording 23 tackles (7 solo), 4.5 TFL, 1 sack and 1 forced fumble. Cody was instrumental in helping to hold Clemson's dynamic duo of Spiller and Davis to 0 net rushing yards. He was named AP All-SEC first team and All-American honors from AP, CBS, Rivals.com, Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, and Walter Camp.
5. Fili Moala (USC) - Fili Moala was key in helping the Trojan's defense become impenetrable in 2008. At 6'4" - 303 lbs, Moala has nice size and very good speed. He posted 30 tackles (16 solo) and 4 sacks in 2008. Moala was hampered for the early part of the season with back spasms. Look to see Moala on the NFL grid iron in 2009!

There are 5 very impressive defensive lineman for 2008. Expect to see Terrence Cody rise on this list for 2009. Tomorrow I will bring the top 5 linebackers of 2008. Until then, have a good one!

The Top 5 Players of 2008: Defensive Ends

Defensive end is one of the most critical positions on defense. This position requires great speed, good hands, strength and quick reflexes. I decided to make a list for defensive ends seperate from the other defensive lineman. I believe the importance of the defensive end position deserves that recognition. There were many superb defensive ends in 2008, but here are my top 5:


Texas Defensive End Brian Orakpo

1. Brian Orakpo (Texas) - Brian Orakpo had a sensational year wrecking havoc on the Big 12 offenses in 2008. The 6'4", 260 lbs DE posted 35 tackles ( 26 solo), 9 sacks, 15 TFL, 23 pressures and 3 forced fumbles in eight games. Orakpo received the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the 2008 Ted Hendriks Award, 2008 Lombardi Award, unanimous consensus All-American and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Honors. He is expected to be drafted very high in the first round come April in the NFL Draft.
2. Everette Brown (Florida State) - Everette Brown is as fast as lightning coming off the end position for Florida State for a 6'4", 248 lbs player. He had 37 tackles (31 solo), 13 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles in 2008.
3. Michael Johnson (Georgia Tech) - Michael Johnson is a monster 6'7", 260 lbs DE for The Ramblin' Wreck. You could say he IS a ramblin' wreck! Johnson had 45 tackles (27 solo), 9 sacks, and 1 INT resulting in a 26 yard TD. Johnson is a top 15 prospect in the upcoming NFL Draft.
4. Aaron Maybin (Penn State) - At 6'4", 236 lbs, Aaron Maybin is the smallest DE in my list. But don't let the lighter weight fool you, this guy packs a wallop! Maybin posted 49 tackles (30 solo), 12 sacks, and 1 forced fumble in 2008. He received All-American honors from several sources in 2008.
5. Paul Kruger (Utah) - Paul Kruger had a stellar year in 2008, helping the Utes accomplish an undefeated season. Kruger had 56 tackles (26 solo), 7 sacks and 1 INT. He was named 2008 All-MWC Defensive Lineman of the Year.

This is certainly a great crop of defensive ends for 2008. Check back tomorrow for the top 5 defensive lineman (interior) of 2008.