AUGUST 2012
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VOL 3 / ISSUE 2
The 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302 The 2013 Boss 302 offers a unique functional design feature in the grille with removable covers where fog lamps would be. For improved cooling on track days, the covers can be easily removed with a screw driver.
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The 2012
Premier Players of College Football Charitable Awards Dinner
Co-Hosted By
News Channel 8 Morning Anchor Rod Carter& 10 News Sports Anchor Dave Wirth
5-8 p.m. Saturday, January 19th, 2013 Embassy Suites Tampa - USF, 3705 Spectrum Blvd., Tampa, Florida, 33612
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Features & Departments
PUBLISHING CEO & PUBLISHER Carnell Moore CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Steve Wright Marc Jenkins Carnell Moore Associated Press CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER Carnell Moore Clarisa Rosianu For advertising information e-mail: Advertise@premierplayers.com To submit editorials & ideas e-mail: editor@premierplayers.com or visit www.premierplayers.com Write to us at: P.O. Box 341064, Tampa, FL 33694-1064 Call us at: 813-833-3495
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David Emerson (#1) had a remarkable 13 INTs last season and he is just one of four returning starters at DB for the North Carolina State Wolfpack. Find out more about him and the other candidates for The 2012 Premier Players of College Football award. Starting on page 8.
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Fans Get Ready To Vote
8
Top 20 Premier Player Trophy Candidates
14
Shaun King Talks About Football Issues
30
Ward Lends A Helping Hands To Kids
38
The USC Trojans Are Back
40
Player’s Ink PREMIER PLAYERS 5
Ryan Mallett was the first recipient of the Premier Player of College Football trophy and the fans couldn’t have selected a better person. From the moment the University of Arkansas quarterback entered the room, he served the crowd with a certain charm that left every fan wanting more time with him. Ryan was a tough act to follow, but Steve Keenum, father of 2011 Premier Player of College Football trophy winner Case Keenum of the Houston Cougars, demonstrated the impact of a great dad on a son and in the community. After a remarkable speech by Mr. Keenum, Case appeared by video hoping we had enjoyed “the older, wiser, less handsome version” of himself and to thank the fans. You had to be there to truly understand the fun and excitement of those nights. If you missed them, here is where the next opportunity begins for you to experience the hottest award in college football. In this issue, it is our pleasure to present the initial 20 candidates for The 2012 Premier Player of College Football trophy. The award will be presented to the athlete you, the fans, voted for as the best player in NCAA college football. Here is the process: At the beginning of the college football season, a poll is released with 20 of the best players for fans to follow. In mid October, five more great performing players are added to the ballot. Fans then have until the last conference championship game to cast their initial votes for deciding the five finalists. The five athletes with the most votes will be announced in early December and invited to The Premier Player of College Football charitable awards dinner. Simultaneous, another poll begins with just those five players on the ballot that remains open until a week before the awards dinner. The recipient of the trophy will be revealed at the charitable dinner set for 5 p.m. on January 19, 2013, at the Embassy Suites Tampa -USF Busch Gardens. Fans are such a big part of the games, so we wanted to come up with an award that they can be a big part of too. All the athletes on the list are Premier Players, but the fans decide who gets the trophy each January. Our first advisory board member, the late NFL and
Collegiate Hall of Fame inductee Lee Roy Selmon, viewed this award as a great voice for football fans, and saw the charitable awards dinners as signature events to showcase cities, provide fun for fans, and help children around world. At the 2011 Premier Players of College Football event, the proceeds supported PlaySmart, All Sports Community Service, SCORE International, the Downtown Tampa Kiwanis Club and The Premier Players Sports Foundation. The Premier Player Sports Foundation has also established The Premier Players of College Basketball charitable awards dinner in Charlotte, NC; The Premier Players of College Baseball charitable awards dinner in Atlanta, GA; and The Premier Players of College Hockey charitable awards dinner in Boston, MA. Proceeds from each event will stay in its respective city to assist local charities. The Premier Players Sports Foundation is based in Tampa, FL. The foundation recognizes sports can be a game-changer in a child's life because it teaches team work, physical fitness, leadership and relationship building. That's why the foundation's mission is to provide orphanages around the world with sports balls, apparel and community league sponsorships to help their kids get into the game. The foundation will also financially assist orphanages and other children organizations by using its charitable award dinners as community fundraisers for nonprofits that operate for the well-being of children in orphanages, foster care or with disabilities and diseases. “I think it’s important for everyone to have a chance to play sports,” says Josh Freeman, starting quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Premier Players Sports Foundation advisory board member. “Football is a big part of my family and it has put me in a position to help others .” The 2012 Premier Players of College Football charitable awards dinner promises to be a fun event for fans, but overall, it will be a great event for the community. You have to be there to truly understand the experience. Call 813-8333495 to order your tickets or print a ticket order form at www.premierplayers.com. Enjoy the issue and the candidates for The 2012 Premier Player of College Football trophy. PREMIER PLAYERS 7
1. David Amerson David Amerson is by far one of the top defensive backs in the nation who brings forth a tremendous blend of speed, strength and skill each and every week for the Wolfpack. Last season the 6’3” 194 lbs. corner from Greensboro, NC, set both an ACC and NC State single season record for interceptions with 13 which also tied him for 2nd place in FBS history for picks. Over his two seasons thus far at NC State, Amerson has also racked up a total of 109 tackles and started 22 of the teams 26 games. Following the 2011 campaign, Amerson was PREMIER PLAYERS 8
selected for several 1st and 2nd All-American team honors including ESPN, Sports Illustrated and the Associated Press. Already Amerson ranks third on NC State’s career interception list with the 13 he snagged in 2011. Exiting James B. Dudley High School in Greensboro, NC, Amerson received a four-star rating from Rivals.com and is well on his way to accomplishing terrific things for the Wolfpack. Now that he has made his name in Raleigh, NC, it's time for the entire nation to take notice of this star defensive back up for the 2012 Premier Player of College Football trophy.
2. Montee Ball Wisconsin’s Montee Ball is quite the spectacle to see whether he’s rushing through an opposition’s defensive line or catching passes out of the backfield, he can do it all. The Sociology major from Wentzville, MO, attended Timberland High School and was a star athlete in not just football but he also lettered in Basketball. Last season, the 5’11” 212 lbs. power back tied the great Barry Sanders NCAA single season record with 39 total touchdowns scored and made at least two trips to the end zone in each of the team’s first 13 games. The Wrecking Ball’s 2011 statistics includes 1,923 rushing yards on 307 carries for an average of 6.3 yards per carry and a Big 10 record 33 rushing
touchdowns plus 24 receptions for 306 yards and another six touchdowns. Ball also racked up ten 100yard rushing games including two of them where he rushed for at least 200 yards. Besides being a very physical running back, Ball is also very quick for his size (4.5 40-yard dash time) which is why he is such a tough load to bring down in the open field. He will be the workhorse for the Badgers and based on his past performance, the defenses better be ready. All of those incredible numbers last season placed him amongst the Heisman finalists at the end of the 2011 campaign and you can expect to see him again in New York or Tampa, FL.
3. Matt Barkley Matt Barkley is without question the most pro ready and prototypical quarterback in the nation today which is why it should be no surprise that he is up for The Premier Player of College Football award. The 6’2” 230 lbs. signal caller finished 6th in the 2011 Heisman Trophy balloting and it was a surprise to many that he didn’t declare himself eligible for the 2012 NFL Draft as many experts predicted he would be an early-tomid first round selection. Barkley returns for his senior season with the sole intention to lead USC to a national championship. During Barkley’s time as a Trojan, he has put up some gaudy numbers which places him amongst some of the best USC quarterbacks of all time. He ranks third on the Trojans career list for total completions (755) and total offensive yards (9,013) trailing only former Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart in PREMIER PLAYERS 10
both categories. Barkley also followed Leinart’s footsteps in high school as he attended the exact school as Leinart (Mater Dei High School), a school known for breeding incredible football talent. During the 2011 season, Barkley passed for a career high 3,528 yards and 39 touchdowns to just seven interceptions while completing 69.1% of his passing attempts. He also compiled six-300 yard games (including a 423 yard performance versus UCLA) and eight games with at least three touchdowns (including five versus Syracuse, six versus Colorado and six versus UCLA). He made everyone’s All Pac-12 2nd team last season but the only reason he didn’t make anyone’s first team is because of a guy named Andrew Luck, perhaps you’ve heard of him.
4. Rex Burkhead When you look up tradition in a dictionary it may as well just have a picture of a Nebraska running back. These days the occupier of this prestigious position is Rex Burkhead, a kid from Plano, TX, who is doing a fine job of adding to the legacy of those who came before him. Burkhead was a standout performer at Plano High. In his senior year, he literally carried the team to the competitive Class 5A state playoffs on the back of over 1,750 yards and 28 touchdowns. An all purpose back from the beginning, he also caught nearly 600 yards worth of passes and scored an additional five touchdowns. As a result of these exploits he was named all state and the Dallas Morning News announced him as the AllArea Offensive Player of the Year. Burkhead spent his first two years at Nebraska as a solid contributor to the team’s running back rotation. As a freshman he had nearly 350 yards and three scores despite only playing limited minutes in nine games. By his sophomore season his playing time increased and he played in all 14 games rushing for 951 yards and nine
PREMIER PLAYERS 12
touchdowns. At the end of his sophomore campaign Rex was an honorable-mention All-Big XII player. Coming in to the season last year, there was no debate about the starting running back as Nebraska started life in the Big Ten. Burkhead was named in the starting line up for every game and quickly became a workhorse back for a unit which finished in the Top 20 nationally in rushing. He finished the season as a first-team Big Ten performer while putting together one of the best rushing seasons in Cornhusker history – a total of 1,357 yards and 15 touchdowns (plus two receiving). Burkhead is a rare blend of consistency and explosiveness. In an age where running backs are rotated seemingly every play he was able to put up numbers like 35 carries for 130 yards and 2 TDs against Michigan State. These kind of throwback stat lines seem fitting for a player wearing a ‘Husker uniform, and by repeating those numbers this fall he will go down in Nebraska history.
PREMIER PLAYERS 13
Shaun King Talks About Issues In College & Pro Football By David Coble
I had the pleasure of interviewing Shaun King, the former quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. We talked about a lot of the important issues of the upcoming season in both pro and college football.
was the loss of Eric Berry in the secondary. I really like the potential combination of Dwayne Bowe and Jon Baldwin, the second year player from Pitt at wide receiver. Q: Do you think Tim Tebow Will Succeed in New York? King: First, I do not think that Tebow will succeed in New York. I think it is the wrong situation for him. Tim has to go to a team where there is a Pro Bowl quarterback whom he can learn under for a while. The Jets starting quarterback Mark Sanchez is an inconsistent quarterback and is not a vocal leader. There is going to be a point in this season where Sanchez has a lull in play and the fans will call for Tebow. He will get to play and if he does not play well it will hurt the team and damage his growth as a quarterback.
Coach Andy Reid
Q: Who are your favorites to get to the Super Bowl this season? King: I would have to say New England and Philadelphia, both teams have elite coaches. Philadelphia's Andy Reid has not won a ring yet but I still feel he is an elite coach. I really like both of these teams because they have elite quarterbacks, also. However, my two surprise teams are Chicago and Kansas City. I really like what Chicago has done in the off season. Matt Forte is a quality back and Brandon Marshall at wide receiver is going to have a big year with Jay Cutler. Mike Tice has taken over the offense and you will see a lot more offensive sets that will give better pass protection for Jay. I also like Kansas City in AFC West. It seems like the Chief players really like Romeo Crennel and are buying into what he is trying to do. If Kansas City's quarterback Matt Cassell can play a little above average I feel the Chiefs will make the playoffs. They were decimated by injuries last season and all of those players are back. What really hurt the Chiefs on defense last year Tim Tebow PREMIER PLAYERS 14
representatives from the power conferences? Are teams like Houston, if they would have gone undefeated last season, going to have a legitimate chance to be in the playoffs? Are they going to take one or two loss teams in the top ten over undefeated mid-majors? I have strong feelings about this because when I played at Tulane we went 12-0 in 1998 and did not have a chance to play for the BCS championship. Tennessee played Florida State who had one loss for the title. I am proud of that team because I feel we opened up a serious discussion about the opportunities for teams that go undefeated from mid-major conferences. Q: How do you think Rich Rodriguez will do at Arizona?
Jonathan Vilma
Q: What is your opinion on “Bountygate� and the situation with the New Orleans Saints? King: The players really got the shaft on this one. The front office knew that the league was investigating the team and the players about this situation but the front office did not inform the players. That is flat out wrong. The coaches that were suspended by the league - Vitt, Loomis, and Payton - will recover financially from this. Jonathan Vilma will never recover the lost money from this season. When you are a player and you lose a season it is gone no matter what. On top of that, you lose money you will never have a chance to recover. There is a chance that Jonathan Vilma's career is over and that is not right at all.
King: Rich was my offensive coordinator at Tulane and I think he will do fine. He did not have full support at Michigan and that makes the job tough. The Michigan job was not a good fit for him. USC has an advantage over everyone in the PAC-12 but when Rich gets his players and system in at Arizona I feel he will be able to compete with USC. And there you have it folks from Shaun King. Catch him this season on Fox Sports as a college football game analyst and on NBC Sports as an NFL studio analyst.
Q: What are your thoughts about the direction the NFL is going concerning concussions? King: The veteran players will get some form of compensation from the lawsuits that have been filed. However, it is going to be hard for someone to sue the NFL in the future about concussions because the league is making an honest effort to make the game safer for the players. Q: How do you feel about the new playoff system in college football? King: It is a step in the right direction but I am going to be a little skeptical until we learn who is on the committee. Are they going to load it with
Coach Rich Rodriguez PREMIER PLAYERS 15
BRABUS – Mercedes-Benz 800 E V12 Cabriolet
Brabus, the German aftermarket auto tuner, has unveiled its 800 E V12 Cabriolet, a drop top based on the Mercedes E-Class Convertible. Under the hood is a modified engine borrowed from the Mercedes S600: A 788-horsepower biturbo 6.3-liter V12, with an electronically limited 811 lb-ft of torque. This means the car can reach 0-62 mph in 3.7 seconds, 124 mph in 9.9 seconds, with a top speed of 231 mph. It is the fastest four-seat convertible in the world.
5. Brandon Jenkins If you were to build a defensive end prototype it would probably look a lot like Florida State pass-rush machine Brandon Jenkins. Standing at 6’3”, 265 lbs. the Tallahassee, FL, native is without doubt one of the most feared outside rushers in the country. A product of the Florida State University High School it was obviously a pretty easy decision for Jenkins on where to attended college. As a high school player he carried a four star rating and was one of the top 15 weak side ends in the nation per Rivals. As a senior he exploded onto the scene as he recorded 20 sacks against some of the best high school competition in the country. This gave Jenkins a total of 44 sacks in three years of high school ball. As a true freshman Jenkins was too good for the Seminole staff to keep off the field and he played in 12 of the 13 games in 2009. Despite a relative lack of playing time he was able to lead the team in quarterback hurries as he was often on the gridiron on passing downs late in the year. As a sophomore Jenkins took the right defensive end spot as his own and was rewarded with a season which would lead to him being named a First Team All-ACC performer. This was on the back of his 13.5 sacks (third in the nation) and 21.5 tackles for a loss. As a junior, teams showed Jenkins far more respect, but he was still causing havoc in the offensive backfield every Saturday. Named a Second Team All-ACC performer he developed his all-around game, especially against the run, while still throwing down quarterbacks for eight sacks. He played by far his best football down the stretch with 4.5 tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks in the last three games of Florida State’s season. Named to a host of preseason awards watch lists, Jenkins is looking to make his final season as a Seminole his best. With his unique blend of quickness and instincts for his size he is a natural pass rusher and as a result he is used both as a down lineman and a stand up rusher. Earning the most outstanding player award at the conclusion of Florida State’s spring practice, Jenkins name is one that will be heard all around the country this fall.
6. Barrett Jones
When one thinks of the best offensive linemen currently playing college football the list must begin with the big space maker on Alabama’s line, Barrett Jones. Jones attended the Evangelical Christian School in Memphis, TN, and was considered the top overall football prospect from the state of Tennessee in 2008 with a five-star rating by Rivals.com. This Accounting major was the recipient of the 2011 Outland Trophy (top interior offensive lineman in FBS) as well as the Jacobs Blocking Trophy (top offensive lineman in SEC) which is why he was a unanimous selection for both First Team All-American honors and 1st Team All SEC honors. Throughout his career, Jones has blocked for 25, 100-yard rushing games and missed just nine blocking assignments in a total of 587 snaps (98.5% success rate). At 6’5” 302 lbs. this huge senior looks to have an exceptional huge season and lead block his Crimson Tide back into the BCS title game.
7. Landry Jones
When you are named after one of the greatest coaches in the history of professional football there is an argument to be made that you are destined for gridiron greatness. Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones, named after Cowboys Hall of Famer Tom Landry, has shown over his Sooners career that he has the game to dominate in college and continue his career on Sundays in the future. Jones was born on April 4, 1989, in Artisia, NM, and he quickly shone on the field. As the New Mexico 4A player of the year in high school, he was one of the most highly recruited players in his class when he chose to wear the crimson and cream of OU. His high school numbers - 7,013 yards and 89 touchdowns are staggering. Jones was thrust into the fire early in his collegiate career as an injury to returning Heisman winning quarterback Sam Bradford brought Landry into the lineup. Though this would have phased many red shirt PREMIER PLAYERS 20
freshman, Jones proved he was ready for the bright lights as he passed for over 3,000 yards and 26 touchdowns in relief of Bradford. In both 2010 and 2011, Jones continued to improve his game. He completes well over 60% of his passes and has thrown for 64 touchdowns in the last two years. Jones has also developed a reputation as a big game player and the Sooners are undefeated in Bowl Games during his tenure. The 2011 Insight Bowl win over Iowa came at the end of yet another double digit winning season, one in which Jones led the Sooners to an emphatic 55-17 win over arch rival Texas. In a newly revamped Big XII, Landry Jones is certainly a player to keep an eye on in 2012. Entering his senior season he has an unmatched combination of talent and experience which could well put this Sooner ahead of the pack.
8. Marcus Lattimore Disappointment is the first word that comes to mind when one thinks of Marcus Lattimore’s 2011 season. Lattimore’s season ended abruptly following a terrifying knee injury - a torn ACL in left knee - midway through the season while playing against Mississippi State. Up to that point, The Gamecocks' star running back was having another exceptional season rushing for 818 yards on 163 attempts for an average of five yards per carry and 10 trips to the end zone. During Lattimore’s freshman season in 2010 he made an instant name for himself after rushing for 1,197 yards
with 17 touchdowns which placed him on several 1st and 2nd All-American teams (Walter Camp and Associated Press to name a few) and made him a unanimous choice for National Freshman of the Year. While playing at Byrnes Highs School in Duncan, SC, Lattimore was named South Carolina’s Mr. Football in 2008 and was one the country’s most highly touted recruits. Coming off of the injury, look for the 6’0” 218lbs. power back to put together a special year during the 2012 season and receive tons of accolades in the process. PREMIER PLAYERS 21
9. Sam Montgomery Sam Montgomery is another of those SEC defensive ends who has Sunday performer written all over him. Born in Greenwood, SC, on May 25, 1990, Montgomery was a four-star prospect coming out of Greenwood High School rated as high as the second best in the country. He was an every-down end at Greenwood who was as comfortable taking down players in space as he was sacking the quarterback. In his junior and senior seasons combined he totaled 150 tackles and 31 sacks. This play caught the eyes of the Tigers coaching staff. After a redshirt season, Montgomery was primed to take center stage as a freshman in 2010. After a strong start which included 18 tackles, of which a third were for a loss, and two sacks he suffered a season ending knee injury in the fifth game of the season against Tennessee. It says something as to how highly Montgomery is regarded by the SEC coaches that despite playing so few games he still received Freshman All-SEC honors at the end of the campaign. Any concerns that the knee injury would slow Montgomery were quelled early in his sophomore season as he recorded half a sack in the second game against Northwestern State. It was a sign of what was to come as Montgomery got stronger and more explosive as the season progressed starting 11 games and leading the SEC with nine sacks. This included a standout performance with two sacks in the 9-6 LSU win over Alabama which saw them finish the regular season as number one in the country and SEC Champions. Sam finished the year as a First Team AllAmerican and has been widely praised for his blend of huge size and high work rate. In 2012 he will have had a full offseason of injury free work and will be looking to once again terrorize offensive tackles as the key to a dominant LSU defensive unit. PREMIER PLAYERS 22
10. Alex Okafor To get recognition as a defensive end you have to be a special player, and the 6’4”, 260 lbs. Alex Okafor is one of those who stands out from the rest. The Dallas native was born right in the heart of Longhorn country so it came as no surprise when he committed to Texas. Okafor ran a 4.6 40-yard dash in high school and is a high motor player who doesn’t take plays off. He was ranked as the #2 defensive end in his high school class by Scout.com and has become an explosive playmaker for Texas. He is one of those players able to make those around him better. As a result, when he plays at the top of his game the Longhorns defense is at its peak. During a string of four games in which Okafor had five sacks last year, the Longhorns did not allow an opponent to post more than 20 points against them. At the end of an outstanding 2011 junior season in which he made 46 tackles and had seven sacks, Okafor was named an AllAmerican by the coaches association. For 2012, he has been named as one of 10 preseason candidates for the Hendricks Award. This trophy is given to the nation’s top defensive end and the three-year letterman is considered a favorite by many. To this point, Okafor has only scratched the surface of his potential as during his first two years with the Longhorns he was used as a swing lineman who would play as much defensive tackle as end. Now he is entrenched in that end spot and has spent the summer increasing his speed and explosiveness in a bid to increase his sack total from a year ago. With so much transition in the Big XII this year, it is hard to know what to expect from teams. One thing for sure though is that play after play, game after game, the Texas Longhorns will have an outside pass rushing force who will not slow down or quit until the final whistle blows. PREMIER PLAYERS 23
"The Aventador is extreme in its design and its performance (0-62 mph in 2.9 seconds), uncompromising in its standards and technology, and unmistakably Italian in its style and perfection. Overall, the dynamics and technical excellence of the Aventador LP 700-4 makes it unrivaled in the worldwide super sports car arena," says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini.
11. Keith Price
Compton, CA, native Keith Price is one of those success stories which rise up every once in a while in the collegiate game. The 6’1”, 202 lbs. Price attended St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, CA, and put up great numbers in a football rich state. He completed almost 75% of his passes with 24 touchdowns while rushing for 579 yards and 10 scores. While in high school Price would often compete with Bosco’s chief rival Mater Dei and their QB Matt Barkley. Despite high school success Price was only ranked as the 50th best QB in his class, and the 33rd best dual threat prospect when he committed to Washington. His first season at Washington saw Price learning the ropes as part of the scout team. Though he saw no game action and redshirted the year, he was noticed by the coaches or his exceptional mobility and ability to make plays and was named the scout squad MVP. Playing behind the injury prone Jake Locker meant Price had to be ready to go into the game at a moment notice when he assumed the back up spot as a redshirt freshman. He appeared in eight games and PREMIER PLAYERS 26
even threw a touchdown on his first play in relief of Locker against USC. This proved to be just a glimpse of what the Husky fans would be in for when Price became the full time starter in 2011. Last year as a sophomore Price went from lightly recruited athlete into a bona fide difference maker. He threw for 2,625 yards and 29 TDs with a QB rating of 161.9 which ranked him 13th in the country. In back-to -back weeks early on in the season Price threw for four TDs and 315 yards against Hawaii and then four TDs and 271 yards against Nebraska. He finished out the season with one of the most ridiculous stat lines of any quarterback in 2011 with an Alamo Bowl performance which featured over 400 yards passing, four TD passes, and three TD runs as part of a 56 point offensive explosion against Baylor. Price went into the Alamo Bowl as perhaps the most under-the-radar star in the country and came out of it being touted as a future Heisman winner. This season the national media will be focusing more on Price than ever before and as someone who is used to exceeding expectation, he will be ready.
12. Bacarri Rambo
Bacarri Rambo is by far one of the top safeties in the nation. At 6’0� 218lbs., he provides an ideal blend of size and speed at the position. In 2011 Rambo tallied 55 tackles, eight interceptions, 16 pass deflections and a fumble recovery which placed him on the All SEC 1st team as the free safety. He was also named to several 1st and 2nd All-American teams including the Associated Press, Yahoo Sports and Sports Illustrated. So far during his three-year career, Rambo has racked up 162 tackles, six tackles for a loss, 13 interceptions, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 37 games, 26 of which he started. This Consumer Economics major from Donaldsonville, GA, has been a force to be reckoned with since his days of competing at Seminole County High School and that has carried over effortlessly to his days of battling in Athens. In the 2012 campaign Rambo will have to play catch up after being suspended four games by the Bulldogs for failing a school administered drug test, but there should be no question that when Rambo does return to the field he will play lights out in the defensive back field and may be mentioned as The 2012 Player of College Football. PREMIER PLAYERS 27
13. Joseph Randle Joseph Randle was born December 29, 1991, in Wichita, KS. Ironically, the 2011 college football season saw him become the second best running back statistically in Oklahoma State history behind another Wichitan, one by the name of Barry Sanders. Any time a running back is even in the same conversation as Sanders it is a good thing, and Randle has two more year in which to add to his Cowboy legacy. Randle was a high school standout as a first team all-state on defense and a second team all-state on offense where he rushed for 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior. The all-around athleticism which allowed him to play two positions at such a high standard was on show early in his OSU career as he was one of the most productive true freshmen in the Big XII in 2010. Randle found himself used in the running game (452 yards), the receiving game (437 yards), and often in the return and coverage units, too. You get the feeling he would have been the water boy and driven the bus if he had been asked. PREMIER PLAYERS 28
Having played his part on the team as a true freshman, however, it was last year’s sophomore campaign which saw Randle show what he could do. Joseph rushed for 1,216 yards and 24 touchdowns as part of an Oklahoma State squad which didn’t score less than 30 points in a game all year in route to an 111 regular season record. Randle’s total included monster performances, like four TDs and 152 yards against Baylor and 151 yards and two scores in the Bedlam Game against Oklahoma. An All-Big XII pick, Randle finished 2011 fourth in the nation in scoring and his 24 rushing touchdowns were the most of anyone in the FBS. Amazingly, he finished seventh in the conference in all-purpose yards despite not returning a single kick or punt all season. The Cowboys don’t believe they have seen anything like the best of Randle, yet. With two seasons to go and with him getting stronger and faster every day, maybe one day he will have folks in Stillwater saying Barry who?
14. Denard Robinson
Denard Robinson is one of the most fascinating players in college football today. His speed, athleticism and playmaking ability at the quarterback position are uncanny and unmatched by anyone else currently on the collegiate level. Nicknamed Shoelace due to the fact that he would never have his shoelaces tied while playing Pee Wee football in his hometown of Deerfield Beach, FL (later on it fit because he would make attempting defenders touch their shoelaces), Robinson has had a great run at the University of Michigan so far and looks to cap everything off with a spectacular senior season in 2012. Robinson already holds the NCAA single season record for most rushing yards by a quarterback (1,702
in 2010) and is also the first player in NCAA history to pass for 2,500 yards and rush for 1,500 yards in a single season. Robinson also is just the fourth player in NCAA history to pass for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a season twice during their career. It’s surprising that Shoelace only received a fourstar rating from Rivals.com after completing a stellar career at Deerfield Beach High School where he took over as the starting quarterback for the varsity team in just his sophomore year. In his three seasons as a Wolverine, this Kinesiology major has combined to pass and rush for 75 total touchdowns and with his entire senior year ahead of him, look for that number to eclipse the century mark. PREMIER PLAYERS 29
Community
Helping Hands Makes Ward An Ambassador of Hope When you talk about Hines Ward, you are talking about perhaps the greatest wide receiver in the Pittsburgh Steelers' history and certainly the best blocking wide receiver in NFL history. If you have any doubts, let's go over his accomplishments: he owns every receiving record in franchise history, he is a two-time Super Bowl Champion, the MVP of Super Bowl XL, a four-time Pro Bowler, all-time team leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, he is the only receiver in Steeler history to surpass 1,000 receiving yards for four straight seasons, and was named to the Steelers' 75th Season All-Time Team, to name just a few. To top it all off, on New Years day 2012, Hines became only the 8th player in NFL history to reach 1,000 career receptions on what would be his last catch ever as a Pittsburgh Steeler. In case you are wondering about the man off the field, Ward has been equally impressive. He is a man of character in his community both locally and worldwide. Born in Seoul, South Korea, to a Korean mother and an African American soldier, Hines Ward has become an international role model to children everywhere. Having persevered through many trials as a child in a single parent home, he dedicates his time off the field to the betterment of inner city and underprivileged youth in the Pittsburgh and Atlanta areas. Ward's Helping Hands U.S. Foundation focuses on improving literacy among children and provides programs and services to better equip them for achieving and handling success in life. Abroad, his Helping Hands Korea Foundation (formed as a tribute to his mother) has targeted biracial discrimination, especially as it occurs among the children of Korea. Ward has already made a significant impact on the entire country of Korea just by speaking out against the country’s discriminatory practices and by pledging his time and allegiance to the biracial children there. With his dedication of both “heart and soul” to his Helping Hands cause both here and abroad, Ward is considered by many to be the world’s “Ambassador of Hope” to children from all walks of life. PREMIER PLAYERS 30
Korean-American Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward shakes hands with South Korean Prime Minister Han Myung-sook, right, at the government house in Seoul in 2006.
Since his first visit back to his birthplace, Ward has pledged $1 million of his own money to his Korea foundation and plans to raise much more through corporate sponsorship. His management team is currently planning an agenda and host of activities in Seoul to raise the awareness and level of consciousness among the people of Korea. Some of the planned activities include a celebrity fashion show featuring biracial models, a football camp to raise money for education, and a speaking tour throughout Korea. Like many children who are bi-racial, Ward went through a tough time as a child, denying his Korean heritage to avoid being teased by others. Now, he seeks to build up children in similar situations so that they can be proud of their heritage and who they truly are. For more information about the Help Hands Foundation, visit www.hinesward.com.
15. Geno Smith When it comes to schools to leave Florida for, there are a number that spring immediately to mind, and none of them are in West Virginia. The Mountaineers, though, were able to pluck Geno Smith from under the noses of the Florida power schools, and out of their own backyard at Miramar High in Miami to boot. Smith was born on October 10th 1990 and established himself as a Parade High School AllAmerican. Finishing number 2 in the Mr. Florida voting, he attended the “Elite 11” football camp in California after a high school career which saw him throw for over 3,000 yards and 32 touchdowns. Though his first year at West Virginia was spent as a back up, he was able to sit and learn from starter Jarrett Brown as he waited for his turn to star. He showed huge progress as a sophomore as he took over the starting quarterback role. He had an outstanding season with over 2,700 yards passing and 24 touchdowns and was named to the First Team BigEast squad for his efforts. Though that would be a career year for many starters around the country, it PREMIER PLAYERS 32
was but a prelude to what Smith would do during his junior year. With almost 4,400 yards passing and 31 touchdowns Smith improved in every area from his sophomore to junior years. He threw for a touchdown in every game but one during the Mountaineers season and had three or more touchdown passes in four regular season games. His bowl game, however, was the very definition of saving the best for last. Against Clemson in the Orange Bowl, Smith went off passing for 407 yards and six touchdowns. He even added a rushing score just for fun. With a stat line like that it is no wonder he was the game’s MVP and was named to every AllBowl team around. With the Mountaineers moving to the Big XII this year, it will be new territory for Smith. In a conference where defense is often an afterthought, it would be no surprise to see him match or even improve on his numbers from last year.
16. Manti Te’o At 6’2” 255 lbs., Manti Te’o is a hard hitting, super athletic linebacker with supreme lateral movement and a high football IQ. This Graphic Designs major from Laie, HI, was a standout linebacker at the Punahou School located in Honolulu receiving Hawaii State Defensive Player of The Year in 2007 and 2008 while at the same time earning recognition as Gatorade Hawaii Football Player of The Year over the same period. He topped off 2009 with Hawaii State Defensive Player of The Decade honors. He came onto the collegiate scene with a five-star rating from Rivals.com and has continued to prove it was the correct grade. He played in all 12 games of his freshman season, starting in 10, and finished the season with 63 tackles, the third-most tackles ever by a Notre Dame freshman. Te'o also recorded 5.5 tackles for loss and 1 sack on his way to earning
Freshman All-American honors. In 2010, Te'o moved from outside to inside linebacker as Notre Dame switched to a 3-4 defensive scheme. He led the Fighting Irish in tackles with 133, and was second in tackles for loss with 9.5. Against Stanford on September 25, Te'o finished with 21 total tackles. This total represents a career-high for him. Te'o led the Fighting Irish in tackles for the second straight season in 2011 with 128 and in tackles for loss with 13.5. The Butkus Award and Lott Trophy finalist also finished second in sacks. He is the leader and anchor of the Fightin’ Irish’s defensive unit. A 40-yard dash in a little over 4.6 seconds, great speed for someone his size, allows him to cover lots of ground on the field. Expect Manti Te’o to have a tremendous senior season and go very high in the 2013 NFL Draftt. PREMIER PLAYERS 33
17. De’Anthony Thomas If you are looking for blazing speed, extreme athleticism and explosive big playmaking ability then look no further than Oregon’s De’Anthony Thomas. During Thomas’ freshman campaign he put up terrific statistics including being the only player in the nation to gain 400 or more yards in each rushing, receiving and kick returning and also ranked 11th in the country in all-purpose yards per game at 147.8. Nicknamed the Black Mamba by rapper Snoop Dogg, who’s Youth Football League he used to compete in, the 5’9” 173 lbs back has top line speed and running instincts which led him to being named the 2011 Pac-12 cooffensive rookie of the year, to the Pac-12’s 1st team as the kick returner and also a share of Oregon’s Most Outstanding Player honor. While playing at Crenshaw High School in Crenshaw, California, Thomas played four positions (running back, wide receiver, defensive back and kick/punt returner) and earned a five-star rating from Rivals.com. The sky is the limit for this Communications major entering his sophomore season. Now that he is on everyone’s radar, expect the Black Mamba to continue adding serious numbers to his collegiate career totals.
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18. Sammy Watkins After a dazzling freshman season in 2011 it is time to see what Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins can do for an encore. Born June 14, 1993, Watkins is just 19 years old but burst onto the national scene last year. He shined at South Fort Myers High School in his home town of Fort Myers, FL, setting a number of Lee County records by catching 133 passes for almost 3,000 yards and 36 touchdowns. In his senior year, Watkins carried South Fort Myers to the AAA state semifinals with 54 catches and 12 TDs. His play had him noticed early with Rivals.com listing him as the third best receiving prospect in the country. Watkins was highly recruited by the usual Florida power schools but made a somewhat unusual choice by deciding to go out of state to Clemson. Even though he was still a high schooler and unable to make spring practices, he made an immediate impact for the Tigers catching 82 passes for 1,219 yards and 12 TDs. This was enough to make him the leading freshman receiver in the country. The highlight of Watkins’ first season at Clemson was a 10-catch, 155-yard, and 2-TD performance against the defending national champion Auburn Tigers. His string of outstanding early season games led to Watkins rewriting the freshman record books at Clemson just seven games into his season, including the all-purpose yard mark. By the end of the year he was the nation’s leader in all-purpose yards by a freshman. As if that wasn’t enough recognition, Watkins performances also lead to him being named an AP First Team All-American at year’s end. He became only the third true freshman to receive this highest of honors, joining an exclusive list along side Adrian Peterson and Herschel Walker. PREMIER PLAYERS 35
19. Marquess Wilson Tulare, California native Marquess Wilson has a name you have to live up to. The Washington State wide receiver was a three year high school letter winner in football and basketball, as well as being a four time track star. His blend of size, 6’4”, 185 lbs, and speed led to him hauling in 50 catches for just shy of 1,100 yards and 22 touchdowns while still finding the time to be named All-State as a defensive back. After enrolling at Washington State, Wilson quickly proved to be far too valuable to keep off the field. Even though he was only rated as a three star prospect, his rangy body and deceptive speed made him an instant tough match up for Pac-10 defensive backs. He appeared in all 12 games for the Cougars in 2010 making eight starts and ending the season being named a Freshman All-American. He set a Washington State freshman record with 55 catches, scored six touchdowns, and led the team with just over 1,000 yards receiving. His yardage total was the most by any freshman in the country. PREMIER PLAYERS 36
Coming into his sophomore season much was expected of Wilson and he was able to deliver in a big way. As a Second-Team All PAC-12 player, he set a new standard at WSU by breaking the single season records of old with 82 receptions and 1,388 yards receiving. He scored 12 touchdowns through the air including three in a big win over Arizona State late in the season. In the Arizona State game Wilson also broke 200 yards receiving, he finished with 223, for the second time in the season. He first accomplished that landmark with a six catch 236 yard performance against San Diego State. Wilson is that rarest of athletes as he is the go-to guy no one can seem to stop. Even though Washington State is largely devoid of offensive playmakers, Wilson finds ways to get open and make big plays in seemingly every game. If the supporting cast can step up a little don’t be shocked to see Wilson put up even bigger numbers this season.
20. Tyler WIlson A Razorback through and through, Tyler Wilson was born in the hog heavy town of Fort Smith, AR. He excelled at Greenwood High school in Greenwood, AR, leading the Bulldogs to two state title victories in his two years as their starting quarterback. During those two years under center he threw for an amazing 8,000 yards and 94 touchdowns. The multi-talented Wilson was also an outstanding baseball player, finishing his senior year with an 11-0 record and a 1.42 ERA while batting .415. He was heavily recruited and he won the Landers award in 2007 as the best football player in the state of Arkansas. ESPN rated Tyler as the number eight QB in the nation noting he had a pro style arm and a high level of understanding the position. After receiving a medical redshirt for an injury and illness plagued 2008 season, Wilson had to bide his time behind established upperclassmen before getting a crack at the starting job. The 6’3�, 220 lbs. Wilson looked sharp when he was called up in the 2010 game against Auburn giving a glimpse of his potential. Even though he was only in the game for a little over a half, Wilson was able to connect with his wide outs for 332 years and four touchdowns. The 2011 season was the coming out party which Wilson had been waiting for since the day he stepped on campus. Last year he threw for over 3,600 yards with 24 TDs. Perhaps the most startling number though is that despite playing in a defensively minded conference, and despite having a shaky offensive line, Wilson threw just six interceptions all season. This kind of ball security is why the AP and coaches named him All-SEC, the first Arkansas quarterback in history to be given that honor.
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By Associated Press
Matt Barkley’s progression at Southern California has taken him from a heralded freshman who sometimes made questionable decisions to one of the best quarterbacks in college football. So once he finished his junior season, the general belief was that he would leave the Trojans for the NFL. He was, after all, already a polished quarterback and was expected to be a high NFL draft pick. But when the time came to make a decision, Barkley surprised just about everyone. He was coming back, forgoing a big payday in the NFL for one more college season and a chance to play for a national title. And with Barkley back, the Trojans are among the front-runners to win a title. “I assume he would have been a top-5 pick, totally ready to go in and be the face of a franchise and be ready to play in the NFL,” USC coach Lane Kiffin said. “His situation was different, and I think it was about him wanting to do something special. What some people have written, he may be able to go down as the most historic Trojan ever if we do big things this year.” The Trojans certainly have that chance. The past two seasons, USC has been ineligible for the postseason because of NCAA sanctions. Now, the Trojans are bowl-eligible again and have the type of players who could make not just a bowl run, but contend for much more. There’s Robert Woods, one of the nation’s most dynamic receivers who’s expected to be healthy after battling an ankle injury last season. Complementing him, along with giving Barkley another option, is Marquise Lee, a could-break-one-any-play receiver who’s expected to be more polished in his second
season. Curtis McNeal, who ran for over 1,000 yards last season, is back and leads a deep running back corps, one that should be even better with the unexpected arrival of Penn State transfer Silas Redd. USC has plenty of playmakers on defense, too, led by safety T.J. McDonald, who also bypassed a shot at the NFL, and cornerback Nickell Robey. Leading them all will be Barkley, a Heisman Trophy favorite who turns what would have been a good team into potentially a great one. “Our leader is back,” McNeal said. “Having your leader to lead you in battle, it just motivates you even more to go get what we want.” Barkley was highly touted as a freshman, expected to be the next in a line of star quarterbacks at USC,
following in the footsteps of Carson Palmer, Mark Sanchez and Matt Leinart. He didn’t quite live up to the billing as a freshman, throwing for over 2,700 yards and 15 touchdowns, but with 14 interceptions and occasional ill-advised throws. Barkley progressed the next season, getting a better grasp for the game while throwing for nearly 2,800 yards and 26 touchdowns with 12 interceptions as a sophomore. He took an even bigger step last season as a junior, finishing sixth in the Heisman voting after throwing for 3,528 yards and a team-record 39 touchdowns while completing 69 percent of his passes — another school record — with just seven interceptions. After a season like that, the consensus was that Barkley was headed to the NFL. Even he thought he
was going before changing his mind — and the fortunes of the Trojans this season. “Right after we played UCLA I was on an emotional high, and the way we finished out the season, I thought for sure I was going to the NFL,” Barkley said. “But once that settled down, and I started looking into it all, I think I made the right call.” Barkley’s return gives the Trojans a chance to burst out of what had been a dark time. USC spent the past two seasons without a chance to play in the postseason, thanks to NCAA sanctions tied to former Heisman Trophy-winning running back Reggie Bush. The Trojans also lost 30 scholarships, forcing Kiffin and his staff to get creative with the depth chart and in recruiting while leaving the team bereft of depth. USC’s roster is still thin because of the sanctions, but the postseason ban has been lifted, giving the players something to play for other than pride. And, in a way, the past two years may have helped the Trojans. They held it together with no hope of playing in a bowl, winning eight games in 2010 and 10 last season. Now, they’re using the built-up frustration as motivation. “I do think that the sanctions have brought our team closer together and strengthened us in a way that I didn’t anticipate,” Barkley said. “It made us stronger in terms of character and, you know, it allowed us to face adversity in a unique way that guys our age aren’t really used to. “It seemed all bad at first, but ultimately, I think it worked in our favor for this point where we are today.” Which, thanks to Barkley’s return, is in position for a national-title run. PREMIER PLAYERS 39
Player’s Ink This Eagles defensive end doesn't give two hoots about making his body designs meaningful or making sure they provide him with some daily affirmation every time he looks in the mirror. Jason Babin admits the tribal designs that runs across his arms and chest that he personally designed in college don't have any deep connection to his place in the universe or how he became such a powerful defensive force in the NFL. He just thinks they look cool.