10th annual Herbie Awards
espn.com
You can watch these tonight on espn, or just read this article from espn.com. These are really good. As usual, Herbie does an excellent job!
With the season's kickoff just days away, it's time to step back and celebrate the players, coaches, color and pageantry of college football. Who are the players to know? Where are the places to be? The 10th annual Herbie Awards presentation answers those questions and more.
This list tackles the top playmakers, the defensive difference-makers, the fresh faces on the scene, the student sections that roar and everything else that's great about college football. Herbies are given to the best college football players, coaches, teams and fans across the nation.
Also, this is just my list. These are my choices, but not everyone will agree. That's the beauty of it. Let the second-guessing begin.
So, without further ado, here are the 10th annual Herbie Awards:
RIGHT TO EXCITE: MOST EXCITING PLAYERS
Jacquizz Rodgers is no stranger to the highlight reel.
1. Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State
2. LaMichael James, Oregon
3. Jake Locker, Washington
4. DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma
5. Noel Devine, West Virginia
BORN TO RUN: BEST RUNNING BACKS
Ryan Williams was one of 2009's best freshmen.
1. Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech
2. Mark Ingram, Alabama
3. DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma
4. LaMichael James, Oregon
5. Evan Royster, Penn State
CATCH A RISING STAR: TOP WIDE RECEIVERS
Defenses will handle A.J. Green with care in 2010.
1. A.J. Green, Georgia
2. Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma
3. Jon Baldwin, Pitt
4. DeAndre Brown, Southern Miss
5. James Rodgers, Oregon State
OFF AND RUNNING: READY TO TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL
1. Jeff Demps, Florida
2. Anthony Allen, Georgia Tech
3. Shane Vereen, California
4. Ron Johnson, USC
5. Brandon Bolden, Ole Miss
RODNEY DANGERFIELDS: PLAYERS WHO DON'T GET ENOUGH RESPECT
The Herbies appreciates the work Montel Harris does.
1. Montel Harris, Boston College
2. Chris Polk, Washington
3. Ryan Whalen, Stanford
4. Jordan Todman, Connecticut
5. Stephen Paea, Oregon State
FRESH APPROACH: TOP TRUE FRESHMEN
1. Dillon Baxter, USC
2. Michael Dyer, Auburn
3. Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina
4. Kenny Stills, Oklahoma
5. Lamarcus Joyner, Florida State
QUARTERBACKS: POCKET PRESENCE
Andrew Luck is lethal in the pocket.
1. Andrew Luck, Stanford
2. Kellen Moore, Boise State
3. Christian Ponder, Florida State
4. Ryan Mallett, Arkansas
5. Jacory Harris, Miami
QUARTERBACKS: DUAL-THREAT
Jake Locker gets it done on the ground or in the air.
1. Jake Locker, Washington
2. Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State
3. Jerrod Johnson, Texas A&M
4. Robert Griffin III, Baylor
5. B.J. Daniels, South Florida
MOST EXPLOSIVE PLAYERS
The Herbies loves DeMarco Murray's extra gear.
1. DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma
2. Noel Devine, West Virginia
3. Titus Young, Boise State
4. Jeremiah Masoli, Ole Miss
5. Shane Vereen, Cal
ALL TOGETHER NOW: BEST POSITION UNIT
No QB looks forward to the day he has to face UNC.
1. North Carolina LBs
2. Alabama backfield
3. Iowa DL
4. Arkansas WRs
5. Nebraska secondary
DRESS FOR SUCCESS: LOOKS THE PART
DeAndre McDaniel anchors Clemson's secondary.
1. DeAndre McDaniel, Clemson
2. Patrick Peterson, LSU
3. Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame
4. Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech
5. Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina
ALL THE MARBLES: QB WITH THE GAME ON THE LINE
Not many can match Kellen Moore in the win column.
1. Kellen Moore, Boise State
2. Ryan Mallett, Arkansas
3. Andrew Luck, Stanford
4. Jerrod Johnson, Texas A&M
5. Jacory Harris, Miami
SHOW ME SOME RESPECT: UNDERRATED COACHES
Mike Riley has worked wonders at Oregon State.
1. Mike Riley, Oregon State
2. Randy Edsall, Connecticut
3. Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern
4. Houston Nutt, Ole Miss
5. Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech
TAPE 'EM UP: ANKLE-BREAKERS
LaMichael James is deadly in the open field.
1. LaMichael James, Oregon
2. Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State
3. Jeremy Kerley, TCU
4. Dion Lewis, Pittsburgh
5. Roddy Jones, Georgia Tech
HITS KEEP COMING: BIGGEST HITTERS
Ronnell Lewis delivers a mean hit for the Sooners.
1. Ronnell Lewis, Oklahoma
2. Jay Valai, Wisconsin
3. Manti Te'o, Notre Dame
4. Dont'a Hightower, Alabama
5. Jeron Johnson, Boise State
NOSE FOR THE BALL: MOST INSTINCTIVE PLAYER
Wherever the ball is, that's where Scott Lutrus is.
1. Scott Lutrus, Connecticut
2. Ross Homan, Ohio State
3. DeJon Gomes, Nebraska
4. Luke Kuechly, Boston College
5. Greg Jones, Michigan State
NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN: COMEBACK PLAYER
Baylor happily welcomes back QB Robert Griffin III.
1. Robert Griffin III, Baylor
2. Dont'a Hightower, Alabama
3. Mark Herzlich, Boston College
4. Darren Evans, Virginia Tech
5. Jewel Hampton, Iowa
ULTIMATE GAME-CHANGER
UW's fortunes rest on Jake Locker's shoulders.
1. Jake Locker, Washington
2. Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State
3. Mark Ingram, Alabama
4. DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma
5. A.J. Green, Georgia
TOE THE LINE: TOP LINEBACKERS
1. Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina
2. Travis Lewis, Oklahoma
3. Kelvin Sheppard, LSU
4. Greg Jones, Michigan State
5. Brian Rolle, Ohio State
CORNERING THE MARKET: TOP CORNERBACKS
Patrick Peterson has things covered for the Tigers.
1. Patrick Peterson, LSU
2. Prince Amukamara, Nebraska
3. Aaron Williams, Texas
4. Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina
5. Kendric Burney, North Carolina
OFF THE EDGE: BEST DEFENSIVE ENDS
Robert Quinn will have his eyes on opposing QBs this fall.
1. Robert Quinn, North Carolina
2. Adrian Clayborn, Iowa
3. Cameron Heyward, Ohio State
4. Greg Romeus, Pitt
5. Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue
STAGE DIRECTION: TOP PLAYCALLERS
Steve Sarkisian pulls the strings for Washington.
1. Steve Sarkisian, Washington
2. Chip Kelly, Oregon
3. Gus Malzahn, Auburn
4. Bobby Petrino, Arkansas
5. Kevin Wilson, Oklahoma
TOP DEFENSIVE MINDS
T-1. Bo Pelini, Nebraska
T-1. Will Muschamp, Texas
T-1. Nick Saban, Alabama
4. Monte Kiffin, USC
5. Gary Patterson, TCU
MOST UNDERVALUED TEAMS
Greg Jones and MSU might surprise people in 2010.
1. Michigan State
2. UCLA
3. Northwestern
4. Rutgers
5. Ole Miss
AND THE BAND PLAYED ON: TOP STUDENT BANDS
Fortunately, the band plays on at Ohio State.
1. Ohio State
2. Florida A&M
3. Wisconsin
4. Michigan
5. Tennessee
STAY IN SCHOOL: TOP STUDENT SECTIONS
1. Penn State's White Out is a sight to behold.
2. Notre Dame
3. LSU
4. Wisconsin
5. South Carolina
BEST RESTAURANTS
1. Ruffino's -- Baton Rouge, La.
2. Mark's U.S. Prime -- Gainesville, Fla.
3. El Arroyo -- Austin, Texas
4. Little Dooey -- Starkville, Miss.
5. Hyde Park Steakhouse -- Columbus, Ohio
FAVORITE UNIFORMS (after the scarlet-and-gray of Ohio State, of course)
1. Texas home
2. USC's away
3. Alabama
4. Penn State
5. TCU's Nike Pro Combat
CANDID COACHES (arranged alphabetically)
1. Bret Bielema, Wisconsin
2. Mack Brown, Texas
3. Gene Chizik, Auburn
4. Chip Kelly, Oregon
5. Rick Neuheisel, UCLA
6. Houston Nutt, Ole Miss
7. Bo Pelini, Nebraska
8. Nick Saban, Alabama
9. Steve Sarkisian, Washington
10. Randy Shannon, Miami
11. Mike Stoops, Arizona
12. Jim Tressel, Ohio State
BULL DURHAM COACHES: GREAT COACHES WHO PLAY IT CLOSE TO THE VEST
1. Frank Beamer, V-Tech
2. Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
3. Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern
4. Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech
5. Gary Pinkel, Missouri
FREQUENT FLIERS: BEST/WORST AIRPORTS
Best to travel to and through Least favorite
1. Detroit 1. Atlanta
2. Cincinnati 2. Atlanta
3. Dallas 3. Philadelphia
4. Salt Lake City 4. Washington Dulles
5. Los Angeles 5. Memphis
TEAMS ON THE MOVE
Movin' On Up Headin' On Down
1. Oklahoma 1. Oklahoma State
2. Auburn 2. Texas Tech
3. Miami 3. BYU
4. Boston College 4. Minnesota
5. Michigan 5. Tennessee
ALL-HERBIE TEAM
Offense Defense Specialists
QB - Jake Locker, Washington DL - Robert Quinn, North Carolina RET - Jeremy Kerley, TCU
RB - LaMichael James, Oregon DL - Adrian Clayborn, Iowa RET - Kenjon Barner, Oregon
RB - Mark Ingram, Alabama DL - Cameron Heyward, Ohio State K/P - Alex Henery, Nebraska
WR - A.J. Green, Georgia DL - Greg Romeus, Pitt
WR - Jon Baldwin, Pitt LB - Travis Lewis, Oklahoma
WR - Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma LB - Dont'a Hightower, Alabama
TE - Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame LB - Quan Sturdivant, UNC
T - Anthony Castonzo, BC LB - Von Miller, Texas A&M
T - Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin CB - Prince Amukamara, Nebraska
G - Rodney Hudson, Florida State CB - Patrick Peterson, LSU
G - Stefen Wisniewski, Penn State S - Rahim Moore, UCLA
C - Mike Pouncey, Florida S - DeAndre McDaniel, Clemson
ALL-UNI TEAM: WHAT A COLLEGE TEAM SHOULD LOOK LIKE
Offensive Team Defensive Team
QB - Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State DL - Robert Quinn, North Carolina
RB - DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma DL - Greg Romeus, Pitt
RB - Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech DT - Allen Bailey, Miami
WR - DeAndre Brown, Southern Miss DT - Adrian Clayborn, Iowa
WR - Greg Little, North Carolina LB - Travis Lewis, Oklahoma
TE - Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame LB - Akeem Ayers, UCLA
T - Anthony Castonzo, Boston College LB - Martez Wilson, Illinois
T - Lee Ziemba, Auburn LB - Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina
G - Stefen Wisniewski, Penn State CB - Aaron Williams, Texas
G - Barrett Jones, Alabama CB - Patrick Peterson, LSU
C - Mike Pouncey, Florida S - DeAndre McDaniel, Clemson
S - Rahim Moore, UCLA
BCS CONFERENCE PICKS
Conference Best Player Likely To Disappoint Sleeper Team Champion
ACC Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech North Carolina Boston College Miami over BC
Big 12 Travis Lewis, Oklahoma Oklahoma State Texas A&M Oklahoma over Nebraska
Big East Dion Lewis, Pitt West Virginia Cincinnati Connecticut
Big Ten Adrian Clayborn, Iowa Wisconsin Northwestern Ohio State
Pac-10 LaMichael James, Oregon USC UCLA Stanford
SEC Patrick Peterson, LSU Arkansas Georgia Florida over Auburn
National championship game: Ohio State over Oklahoma
Maurice Clarett joins Omaha of UFL
I say good for him!!!!
OMAHA, Neb. -- Former Ohio State star Maurice Clarett has signed a one-year contract with the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League.
Clarett met Monday with team officials and UFL commissioner Michael Huyghue, who gave his blessing.
Clarett was expected to be on the practice field Monday night for his first football activity since he was a bust with the Denver Broncos and spent 3½ years for having a hidden gun and holding up two people outside a Columbus, Ohio, bar, in 2006.
"I am humbled by the opportunity the Omaha Nighthawks have given me and will dedicate myself on and off the field to prove that I can be a valuable member of the team and the Omaha community," Clarett said in a statement. "I am committed to working hard to earn the right for a second chance in football and more importantly in life."
Clarett, who is not scheduled to meet with reporters until Wednesday, went through a private workout and physical Sunday.
"The things you can't coach you can see were there -- footwork, hands, those types of things. And he's in really good physical condition," general manager Rick Mueller said. "Those were the things that jumped out more than anything else. He's done a pretty good job getting himself in condition to play football."
Clarett, 26, needed a judge's permission to leave Ohio to work out for the Nighthawks. He was allowed to be out of state for 30 days. Nighthawks general manager Rick Mueller said he's confident Clarett will be allowed to stay the entire season in Omaha and that he won't be barred from traveling to road games.
Clarett ran into trouble after a sensational freshman year at Ohio State in 2002. He rushed for 1,237 yards and 18 touchdowns, the last one clinching a victory in the national title game against Miami.
He was suspended the entire 2003 season for taking gifts and lying to the NCAA. He later lost a court case challenging the NFL's rule requiring a player to be out of high school three years before becoming eligible for the draft.
The Denver Broncos drafted Clarett in the third round in 2005, but he was hindered by a groin problem, never played in a preseason game and was cut before the regular season.
His downward spiral continued with the robbery, which landed him in prison and then, for the last 4½ months, in a community-based lockdown dormitory.
Huygue had said that he wouldn't allow Clarett to sign with the Nighthawks unless the team provided a strong support system. Ahman Green, a native of Omaha and four-time Pro Bowler with the Green Bay Packers, has agreed to serve as Clarett's mentor.
"I met with Maurice Clarett today and additionally reviewed all of the reports surrounding his circumstances," Huygue said. "I support allowing his return to football and believe he will make the most of this opportunity with the Omaha Nighthawks."
Clarett has the full support of his former coach, Ohio State's Jim Tressel. He said he received several calls from people associated with the UFL about whether Clarett would be interested in making a comeback.
"I think he kind of felt good that there was some interest," Tressel said.
Besides Green, the Nighthawks feature Pro Bowl quarterback Jeff Garcia and several other players with NFL experience.
"We're going to be patient with him," Mueller said of Clarett. "We have to be smart about it and so does Maurice. This kid is anxious to get out there and show what he can do, but it's no good if he's hurt.
"He's done everything he can personally, legally and physically to put himself in condition to be successful. Now we have to find out if he can get back."
Ohio State's Nathan Williams will NOT play vs Marshall on Thursday night!
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