RANKINGS
1-5
6-10
11-15
16-20
21-25
PRESENTED BY INSIDE99   
  HEAD COACH: Rick Neuheisel
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES:
Marques Tuiasosopo-QB, Elliot Silvers-OT, Matt Fraize-OG, Dominic Daste-OG, Chad Ward-OG, Wes Call-OT, Pat Conniff-FB
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Hakim Akbar-SS, Jeremiah Pharms-OLB, Darrell Daniels-ILB, Curtis Williams-SS, Ryan Julian-DE, Ryan Fleming-P, Anthony Vontoure-DB
 

The battle cry in Seattle for 2001 just might be defense. Opponents are going to find it quite a challenge running the ball with the stellar linebackers and front line the Huskies will employ. Coach Neuheisel, in his second season, has led the Huskies to two straight bowl appearances and a serious run at the title in 2000. Fans got their money's worth this past season as UW won seven games by a touchdown or less. The offense has some incredible skill positions at wide receiver, including consensus All-American tight end Jerramy Stevens. The receivers may be the best unit on the team as the top three pass catchers from 2000 return as well as 1999 sensation Chris Juergens as he sat out 2000 with an injury. A slew of running backs will suit up come August. So many tailbacks, so few balls to hand off. The biggest concern will be replacing Tuiasosopo at QB and basically rebuilding the entire offensive line. Washington scored 30 or more points in eight games in 2000. Don't look for the same in 2001, at the same time don't look for opponents to score that many. The defense is led by the Huskies other consensus All-American Larry Tripplett in the middle of the line. There is concern in the defensive backfield as three regulars depart. With just a speckle of seniors and a great recruiting class coming in, the purple and gold may be just a year away from national dominance. A major schedule bummer won't see the Huskies face the Ducks in 2001, but a rematch game in Coral Gables against the Canes will be circled on the schedule. A Rose Bowl bid and a shot at the title this year will be tough with so many new faces. However, a BCS bid is well within reach.

WASHINGTON 2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
OFFENSE
QB Cody Pickett-So Taylor Barton-Jr
FB Ken Walker-Sr Spencer Marona-Jr
TB Rich Alexis-So Willie Hurst-Sr
SE Justin Robbins-So Chris Juergens-Jr
FL Todd Elstrom-Sr Wilbur Hooks-Jr
TE Jerramy Stevens-Jr Joe Collier-Sr
OT Francisco Tipoti-Jr Khalif Barnes-Fr
OG Elliott Zajac-Jr Aaron Butler-Fr
C Kyle Benn-Sr Todd Bachert-So
OG Nick Newton-So Daniel Dicks-Fr
OT Andre Reeves-Fr Ryan Brooks-Fr
K John Anderson-Jr Jim Skurski-Sr
DEFENSE
DE Marcus Roberson-Sr Ossim Hatem-Jr
NT Larry Tripplett-Sr Terry Johnson-So
DT Jerome Stevens-So Junior Coffin-Fr
REB Kai Ellis-Jr Zach Tuiasosopo-Fr
MLB Ben Mahdavi-Jr Jamaun Willis-Sr
SLB Anthony Kelley-Sr Jafar Williams-Jr
WLB Marquis Cooper-So Tyler Krambrink-So
CB Omare Lowe-Sr Derrick Johnson-So
CB Chris Massey-So Roc Alexander-So
SS Greg Carothers-So Wondame Davis-Sr
FS Jimmy Newell-So Owen Biddle-Jr
P Derek McLaughlin-Fr John Anderson-Jr
 
  HEAD COACH: George O'Leary
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES:
Ed Wilder-FB, Jon Muyres-WR, Chris Brown-OT, Brent Key-OG
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Felipe Claybrooks-DE, Tony Robinson-DT, Jamara Clark-CB
 

Before the 2000 season began, O'Leary was telling the media that Tech had a much better supporting class surrounding its new quarterback than QB Joey Hamilton had when he was a freshman in 1996. He also said Tech would put more athletes on the field than it ever had. As O'Leary foretold, the answers to all the questions have turned up a resounding yes. Guess what, most of them are baaaaack! The Yellow Jackets exceeded everyone's expectations this past season, perhaps everyone except O'Leary, who has been named the ACC's Coach of the Year for the second time in three years. However, the loss of offensive coordinator/genius, Ralph Friedgen, who left to take over the Maryland program, sure did leave its mark. And it was ever so apparent in the Peach Bowl loss to LSU as the Tech offense struggled badly. But a blooming senior QB, Gary Godsey, will be welcomed back in Atlanta, aided by some unbelievable talent at wide out. One of those will be Kelly Cambell, a two-time All-ACC pick. The high point for the Yellow Jackets will undoubtedly be the defense. The defensive ends, Greg Gathers and Nick Rogers, will be the one of the best tandems in the conference. And the LB's may be tops in the league also. Give George O'Leary that much talent to work with on defense and you know you've got a winner. Seven straight victories in 2000 had the Jackets on a hot streak, and it seems that number will get surpassed in 2001. This team by far will be the team picked to give Florida State a run for the conference title.

GEORGIA TECH 2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
OFFENSE
QB George Godsey-Sr Andy Hall-So
FB Ross Mitchell-Sr Johnathan Jackson-Fr
TB Joe Burns-Jr Sean Gregory-Sr
WR Nate Curry-So Kerry Watkins-Jr
WR Kelly Campbell-Sr Will Glover-Jr
TE Russell Matvay-Sr Will Heller-Jr
OT Leon Robinson-Fr Garren Findlay-Jr
OG Raymond Roberts-Blake-Jr Jason Kemble-Sr
C David Schmidgall-Sr Clay Hartley-So
OG Hugh Reilly-So Brian Meager-Sr
OT John Bennett-So Jeremy Phillips-Fr
K Luke Manget-Jr Dan Burnett-Jr
DEFENSE
DE Greg Gathers-Jr Hobie Holiday-So
DT Casey Loesch-Jr Reggie Koon-So
DT Merrix Watson-Sr Gary Johnson-Jr
DE Nick Rogers-Sr Fred Wright-Jr
LB Recardo Wimbush-Jr Keyaron Fox-So
LB Daryl Smith-So Matt Miller-Sr
LB Ather Brown-So Anthony Lawston-So
CB Marvious Hester-Jr Tony Hollings-So
CB Jonathan Cox-So Albert Poree-So
SS Chris Young-Sr Cory Collins-Jr
FS Jeremy Muyres-Jr Sterling Green-So
P Dan Dyke-Jr Chris Morehouse-Jr
 
  HEAD COACH: Lloyd Carr
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES
: Drew Henson-QB, David Terrell-WR, Anthony Thomas-TB, Jeff Backus-OT, Steve Hutchinson-OG, David Brandt-C, Maurice Williams-OT
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Eric Wilson-DT, James Whitley-CB, DeWayne Patmon-FS, Justin Fargas-FS
 

Lloyd Carr will see roughly 12 starters come back for his 2001 campaign with most of them on the defensive side of the ball. But on offense, Coach Carr may find next fall his biggest challenge of all as quarterback Drew Henson has decided to forgoe his senior year and play baseball leaving holes everywhere. The NFL snatched the star wide receiver David Terrell, so Marquise Walker, the teams second leading receiver, will be called upon to lead the way. The ground game takes a big loss with the departure of the A-train, Anthony Thomas at tailback which may not be a pleasant situation considering the Michigan offensive line will lose quite a few big guns. Only one regular returns from tackle to tackle in Ben Mast.

Ahhhh, but the defense. With eight starters back this Wolverine defense will be ready to play some Big Ten football. Centered around the leading tackles for loss king, Larry Foote, the linebacking crew will have a chance to lay some big time hits on opposing ball carriers. Especially considering the men up front taking on blockers. The defensive backfield is just as loaded. Todd Howard is back after picking off opponents six times. UM's strength will definitely be on the defensive side of the ball which isn't such a bad deal while playing in the hard-nosed Big Ten. Defense wins championships. It still will be mighty tough to go unbeaten in the Big Ten and a road trip to UCLA has been replaced with one to Seattle to take on the Huskies. Another grueling, grind out Big Ten season may still find some of the best teams with two losses. Michigan is one of the largest living examples for the need of a college football playoff.

MICHIGAN 2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
OFFENSE
QB John Navarre-So Jermaine Gonzales-Fr
FB B.J. Askew-Jr Dave Armstrong-Jr
TB Walter Cross-Sr Chris Perry-So
SE Ronald Bellamy-Jr ..
FL Marquise Walker-Sr Calvin Bell-So
TE Bill Seymour-Sr Shawn Thompson-Sr
OT Demeterius Solomon-So Courtney Morgan-So
OG Jonathan Goodwin-Sr Dave Petruziello-Jr
C Kurt Anderson-Sr Jonathan Goodwin-Sr
OG Ben Mast-Sr Joe Denay-Jr
OT Tony Pape-So ..
K Hayden Epstein-Sr ..
DEFENSE
OLB Victor Hobson-Jr John Spytek-So
DE Dan Rumishek-Jr Norman Heuer-So
NT Grant Bowman-So Gary Rose-Sr
DT Shawn Lazarus-Jr Norman Heuer-So
RLB Larry Stevens-So Alain Kashama-So
ILB Larry Foote-Sr Anthony Jordan-Sr
ILB Eric Brackins-Sr Carl Diggs-So
CB Todd Howard-Sr Markus Curry-Fr
CB Jeremy LeSueur-So Brandon Williams-Jr
SS Julius Curry-Jr Charles Drake-Jr
FS Cato June-Jr ..
P Hayden Epstein-Sr ..
 
  HEAD COACH: Bill Snyder
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES:
Jonathan Beasley-QB, David Allen-RB, Chris Claybon-RB, Johnno Lazetich-FB, Quincy Morgan-WR, Shad Meier-TE, Milford Stephenson-OT, Randall Cummins-C, Jamie Rheem-K, Martez Wesley-WR
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Monty Beisel-DE, Mario Fatafehi-DT, Chris Holloman-DT, Chris Johnson-DE, Turelle Williams-LB, Jason Kazar-LB, Jarrod Cooper-SS, Dyshod Carter-CB, Jerametrius Butler-CB
 

For the eighth strait season, Bill Snyder's Kansas State Wildcats have made an appearance in a bowl. And for the fourth season in a row they have 11 victories, and Florida State is the only other team to reach that plateau. Life doesn't get any easier for the upcoming season as 13 starters will depart. Coaches will be breaking in a new quarterback and featuring a refurbished defense. If this were any other team, a Top 25 preseason appearance would be highly unlikely. But there is no way to dispel the accomplishments performed in Manhattan the past decade. Certainly, it would not be an understatement to predict another amazing year for 2001. Sophomore quarterback Ell Roberson and junior college signee Marc Dunn are expected to battle it out in the spring as the replacement for Jonathan Beasley. Josh Scobey had taken over the running duties of now departed senior, David Allen, by the end of the season and closed with a solid 147 yards in the Cotton Bowl against Tennessee. Big things will be needed from wide receiver Aaron Lockett, who also led the nation in individual punt returns. The secondary took an unexpected hit when cornerback Jerametrius Butler declared early for the NFL Draft, leaving only 3 or 4 remainders on the defense. That obviously will be the biggest concern for coaches heading into spring. Next fall sees KSU finally attempt to upgrade the out of conference schedule with a game against USC in the opener. The conference slate will be brutal with major road tests at Lincoln and at Norman. Whew, but safe money is on Bill Snyder to take KSU to its 9th straight bowl appearance.

KANSAS STATE 2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
OFFENSE
QB Ell Roberson-So Marc Dunn-Jr
FB Roc Cartwright-Sr Nick Hoheisel-Jr
RB Josh Scobey-Sr Danny Morris-So
WR Derrick Evans-So Drew Thalmann-Sr
WR Aaron Lockett-Sr Ricky Lloyd-Sr
TE Nick Warren-Sr Thomas Hill-So
OT Matt Martin-Sr Oshin Honarchian-Sr
OG Andy Eby-Sr Chris Boggas-Fr
C Nick Leckey-So Steve Washington-Jr
OG John Robertson-Sr Ben Rettele-So
OT Thomas Barnett-Sr Billy Miller-Sr
K Jared Brite-So Kyle Altvater-Jr
DEFENSE
DE Thomas Houchin-So Alax Carrier-Fr
DT Jerry Togiai-Sr Justin Montgomery-So
NT Eric Everley-Sr Cory Hoffman-Jr
DE Melvin Williams-Jr Andrew Shull-So
LB Ben Leber-Sr Andy Klocke-Jr
LB Terry Pierce-So Bryan Hickman-So
LB Warren Lott-Sr Josh Buhl-So
CB DeRon Tyler-Sr DeMarcus Faggins-Sr
CB Terence Newman-Jr James Dunnigan-Jr
SS Milton Proctor-Jr Alan Walker-So
FS Jon McGraw-Sr Derrick Yates-Sr
P Travis Brown-Jr ..
 
  HEAD COACH: Nick Saban
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES:
Josh Booty-QB, Tommy Banks-FB, Louis Williams-C, John Compton-C, Brandon Winey-OT
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Fred Booker-CB, Kareem Mitchell-DL
 

LSU turned what was predicted to be a modest 2000 season into a dominating performance under first year coach Nick Saban, topping off the final with a Peach Bowl win over a super hot Georgia Tech. Folks, this team is loaded for bear heading into 2001. We are talking about 10 starters back on defense and seven on offense. The only big loss came when QB Josh Booty declared early for the NFL. But the 1(a) quarterback (as they call it in Baton Rouge), big Rohan Davey, will now take over the reigns solo, which may not be such a bad deal after all. Davey came in and sparked LSU to second half victory on more than one occasion last year, including a national player of the week honor for his efforts against the Vols. At 6-3 and 245 pounds, a very kind estimate, Davey has shown some good leadership skills, and will have his top receivers back in Reed, Robinson, Myers and TE Robert Royal, after being granted another year of eligibility. The Tigers won't be all pass either as the top two leading tailbacks return. The defense will be led by two retuning All SEC linebackers: Faulk and James. If that weren't enough for opposing offenses, all four front men are back. The defensive backfield only loses CB Fred Booker and there is a ton of depth at each spot. On paper, this LSU team is set for something very special next fall. And Coach Saban has brought in a top rated recruiting season. With 17+ starters back, including both kicker and punter, it wouldn't be surprising to see LSU with a Top Ten finish….easily.

LOUISIANA STATE 2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
OFFENSE
QB Rohan Davey-Sr Matt Mauck-Fr
FB Elice Parker-Jr Ryan O'Neal-Jr
TB LaBrandon Toefield-So Derron Parquet-Fr
WR Reggie Robinson-Sr Jack Hunt-So
WR Josh Reed-Jr Jerel Myers-Jr
TE Robert Royal-Sr Joe Domingeaux-Sr
OT Rodney Reed-So Terry Phillips-Jr
OG John Young-Jr Kade Comeaux-Fr
C Rob Sale-Jr Jonathan Autrey-So
OG Dwayne Pierce-Sr Daniel Leon-Fr
OT Brad Smalling-Jr Jason Baggett-Sr
K John Corbello-Jr ..
DEFENSE
DE Kenderick Allen-Jr Bryce Wyatt-So
DT Muskingum Barnes-Sr Byron Dawson-Jr
DT Chad Lavalais-So Howard Green-Sr
DE Jarvis Green-Sr Kyle Kipps-Sr
SLB Jeremy Lawrence-Jr Lionel Turner-Fr
MLB Treverance Faulk-Jr Marcus Yanez-Fr
WLB Bradie James-Jr Walter Moreham-Sr
CB Erin Damond-So Norman LeJeune-Jr
CB Robert Davis-Sr Demetrius Hookfin-Jr
SS Lionel Thomas-Sr Damien James-Jr
FS Ryan Clark-Sr Adrian Mayes-So
P Donnie Jones-So ..
 
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