One of the most decorated linemen in the history of the University of Tennessee, he's won All-American honors as well as the Jacob's Award, which goes to the best lineman in the vaunted Southeastern Conference (SEC).
The Auburn offensive guard admits he's still learning new things daily. Having played numerous positions in high school, plus other sports too, helped him develop the self respect it takes to be a winner.
Notre Dame's QB has obliterated the school record for passing with a total of 11,762 yards. In fact, he owns every major passing record at the school.
Former University of Nebraska running back Brandon Jackson is a speed burner. He runs the 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds, which automatically made him attractive to National Football League scouts.
In college, the two-way player is a rare thing. Once in a while it'll happen with a receiver and defensive back. It certainly doesn't happen on the line, but that's where Scarlet Knight Cameron Stephenson plays.
The Fresno State OL originally turned his scholarship down, planning to go on a mission for his church instead. After deciding to attend college, he walked on and earned it back, becoming an imposable figure on the Bulldog line.
At 6 feet and 207 pounds, the QB of the 2007 National Champions faces the question of whether or not he see over his offensive line enough to be effective. Citing his passing record of 11,213 yards and 88 touchdowns in his college career, he thinks that the results speak for themselves.
The tight end from Rutgers has the consummate football player's mentality, the gritty attitude and take-no-prisoners bravado coaches applaud on the gridiron.
The one-time linebacker says what he learned from changing positions is that you have to be prepared any time you get an opportunity to take advantage of it. He also says that what you do in the classroom is more important than what you can do on the football field.
At 6-foot-2 and 293 pounds, former West Virginia center Dan Mozes is viewed as small. Luckily for Mozes, he has learned to stop listening to his critics. Now, he lets his play on the field do the talking for him.
University of Florida running back DeShawn Wynn has endured plenty of knocks over the past four years. Yet he remains unabashedly optimistic about his chances of forging a career in the NFL.
The Ohio State Buckeye says he learned a lot about the position and what it takes to be great at it from Nick Mangold, who now plays for the New York Jets. Attitude and determination are nearly as important - or maybe even more important - than size or other measureables, he says.
At Waynesville High School in Waynesville, Mo., Robinson was all-state in football and also played on the varsity basketball team. From there he moved on to Missouri Western State, where he helped the program make its first-ever Division II playoff appearance.
One of the most dominating football players in Alabama high school history has gone on to lead LSU to a 20-3 record during his junior and senior seasons. Now, he's looking to make a name for himself in the National Football League.
The starting quarterback for Boise State, known as much for rushing as passing, has led the Broncos to two undefeated regular seasons. A prolific athelete in general, he played football, basketball and baseball in high school - and was named Eastern Oregon's Athlete of the Year in 2002.
The 49ers' third-round draftee thought about leaving Washington State in 2005 and declaring early for the NFL draft. Waiting allowed his draft status to improve and for him to graduate.
The Nevada Wolfpack employ four- and five-receiver formations much of the time and most commonly operate out of the shotgun offense. For a signal caller like Jeff Rowe, it doesn't get much better than that.
Joe Newton is as well-rounded athletically and academically as a person can get. He majored in forest management at Oregon State University (OSU) after leaving high school with a grade point average of 3.73. He was a standout in three sports at Roseburg High School in Roseburg, Ore., before moving on to OSU, where he set the school record for touchdown receptions by a tight end.
When asked about his main assets, the former Wisconsin offensive lineman doesn't speak of strength, but of concentration and diligence. Preparation for life on and off the field is essential to success.
The latest on the BYU quarterback production line electrified Cougars fans when he played four games as a freshman -- and he has kept them on the edge of their seats ever since. Miami rewarded his work by selecting him in the second round of the NFL Draft April 28.
Blalock started 51 games at the University of Texas, a major feat at any position. At offensive tackle, where you get beat up on each and every down, the accomplishment takes on new meaning. Yet when you're 6-foot-3 and 320, you're usually the one giving the beating.
Glance at the list of the Crimson Tide's all-time leading rushers, and you'll see Kenneth Darby's name in the No. 3 spot. He hopes his success at the high school and collegiate levels will translate to an equally successful career in the NFL.
The second-round draft choice threw for 3,131 yards and 25 touchdowns as a true freshman at Houston. Yet, Kolb thinks NFL coaches understand the need to bring rookies along slowly.
At the University of Louisville, he was but one option in a talent-heavy backfield, which limited his carries, but Smith didn't mind. As a runner, he describes himself as a back with solid spin moves and the ability to run over people.
The Penn State OT signed on to the defense before Coach Paterno saw a new potential in him. At the time, Brown wasn't keen on making the move to the other side of the ball, but his trust in the coach has paid off.
At Brookwood HS in Georgia, he was a defensive whiz-bang. That changed at Georgia Tech, where he went on to make his mark on the other side of the ball. Now, drafted by the Seahawks, he hopes to make his mark on the NFL.
U. of Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz says Baltimore's third-round pick is one of the best he's ever seen play at the college level. That's high praise, and Yanda hopes he can live up to it with a solid NFL career.
The University of Georgia tight end has been drafted by the Falcons and vows to bring his receiving skills up to the caliber of his blocking skills.
Considered the best kicker in college football last season when he split the uprights for the University of Colorado, Crosby focused on developing his skill for the less-glamorous position early in high school.
The tight end from NCAA Division III's Whitworth may have been a late bloomer, but has quickly became the most prolific TE in the school's history. Read on to learn more about this underdog vying for a spot in the draft.
Louisville's jack-of-all-trades didn't merely play multiple positions, he played them well. Following his junior season in 2001, he was the top vote-getter for all-state honors at five of the six positions he played.
Notre Dame's well-spoken OT aims for the pros, but also has political ambitions that might take him far beyond that.
When it comes to centers, Ryan Kalil was one of the best around in college. A three-year starter at USC, he saw his fair share of big games and big wins. And now, he begins his professional career as a member of the Carolina Panthers, drafted in the second round of the NFL Draft.
The fourth-round selection of the San Diego Chargers caught 117 passes for 1,467 yards and 10 touchdowns during his career at the University of Iowa. He's come a long way since his wide receiver days at Carroll HS in Southlake, Texas.
It would be difficult for a receiver to string together a better high school career than Sidney Rice, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound wideout from South Carolina, who is entering the NFL early this year with 4.47 speed in the 40-yard dash.
The wide receiver from Michigan has dazzled coaches and fans alike as the Wolverines' all-time leading punt and kick returner. Over four years he returned 127 punts for 1,599 yards and 81 kicks for 1,993 yards. He returned five kicks (four of which were punts) for touchdowns, a Michigan record.
The 2006 Heisman Trophy winner says he gets a positive perspective by improving both as a person and a quarterback while listening the advice. Smith's advice for high school quarterbacks is to focus not just on athletic ability, but on leading the team in the right direction.
With no shortage of awards under his belt, the all-time leader in receptions at the tight end position at ASU has hauled in 144 catches, a team-high 50 receptions for 484 yards, and four touchdowns.
Even a cursory glance at the numbers says the odds are stacked against Brown University senior linebacker Zak DeOssie. At the start of the 2006 season, only 13 of the 1,696 players on NFL rosters were Ivy Leaguers, and he was the only Ivy Leaguer out of 327 players invited to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis in February.
2007 NFL Draft Index
Here are the latest players to update their journals:
