My Draft Dreams

If I could dream of draft picks that I wanted in the upcoming draft, these are the players I would select. Every one of them has caught my attention, and I believe they can all be successes in the NFL. There are not obvious favorites in here, just favorites of mine. If I had the choice, all of these guys would wind up with the Bucs. But it won’t happen, so I can only dream.

Colt Brennan, QB, Hawaii

If you haven’t heard of Colt Brennan, you probably live under a rock. Not only does he own every passing record at Hawaii, but he owns many in the NCAA as well. He owns over 20 NCAA passing records, including most career touchdown passes (131), most career touchdowns responsible (146), single-season record for most touchdown passes (58), passing efficiency in one season (186.0), and most career touchdown passes by a quarterback-receiver duo (39, to Davone Bess). 2006 was his standout year, where he passed for 5,549 yards, completed 72.6% of his passes, and set the NCAA single-season record for touchdown passes with 58. In his three years at Hawaii, he completed 70% of his passes for 14,193 yards and a record 131 touchdowns. He was third in Heisman voting in 2007. He is extremely accurate, has a great release, and is very knowledgeable about the game.

Chad Henne, QB, Michigan

I watched this guy for four years at Michigan, and I’m glad to see him come so far. Although not always well known, Henne has spent four years producing numbers. He was in a bowl game every year of his career, and finally won one his senior year, where he was named MVP of the Capital One Bowl. He was also named MVP of the North offense in the Senior Bowl. In his career, Henne completed 828 of 1,387 attempts (59.7%) for 9,715 yards, 87 touchdowns and 37 interceptions. All five of those marks are school records. His 87 career touchdown passes is second in Big 10 history. Henne has excellent arm strength, great timing, and is very smart.

John David Booty, QB, USC

Booty had the misfortune of following two Heisman winners at USC. However, he did not disappoint. He ended his career throwing for 6,125 yards, completing 62.3% of his passes, and threw for 55 touchdowns. He capped off his career by winning the Rose Bowl, and set the Rose Bowl record for career touchdowns (7), and was named the MVP. Booty was 9-0 against Top 25 teams in his career. He is very accurate, has a quick release, and has great throwing mechanics.

Paul Smith, QB, Tulsa

Not much is known about Paul Smith. He played at a small school and isn’t highly recruited, but he does have talent. The 2007 C-USA Player of the Year helped his Tulsa team to a win in the GMAC Bowl, where he set the NCAA record for consecutive games passing for more than 300 yards (14). In 47 career games, he threw for 10,624 yards, completed 62.6% of his passes, and threw 78 touchdowns. He has good accuracy, is mobile, and is known as a team leader.

Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers

Ray Rice is an unknown player that needs to be known. A key factor in the resurgence of Rutgers football, Rice set records along the way. In 2006, he set the Rutgers single-season rushing yards record with 1,794 yards. In 2008 he set the Rutgers single-game rushing record with 280 yards. His 49 touchdowns is a school record. In his short career, Rice ran the ball 910 times for 4,926 yards and 49 touchdowns. Rice is known for picking up yards after getting hit, and is very quick.

Mike Hart, RB, Michigan

Mike Hart made it fun to watch Michigan football for four years. Hart set various rushing records while there, including rushing attempts, yards, and most games with at least 100 yards rushing and 200 yards rushing. When he broke the 5,000 yard mark, he became the 4th player in Big 10 history to do so. Ending his career with a victory in the Capital One Bowl, Hart left Michigan as one of their best running backs. In four years, Hart ran the ball 1,015 times for 5,040 yards and 41 touchdowns. He’s an aggressive runner who is smart and famous for not fumbling the ball.

Danny Woodhead, RB, Chadron State

If you honestly know who Danny Woodhead is, good for you. The little known running back from Chadron State should be more famous than he is. He happens to hold several NCAA records, including single season rushing and all-time rushing yards. Averaging 190.8 yards per game, Woodhead also owns many conference and school records. Although not invited to the combine, he ran the 40 in 4.33 seconds at Pro Day, which would have been the second fastest time at the combine. There is some speculation that he was not invited to the combine because of his skin color. In four years, Woodhead ran the ball 1,156 times for 7,962 yards and 101 touchdowns. He has excellent speed, hands, and vision.

Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois

Really only having one breakout season didn’t stop Rashard Mendenhall from jumping to the draft. Never really accumulating many stats, he did set the Illinois record for rushing yards, carries, and touchdowns in a single season. In three seasons, Mendenhall ran the ball 388 times for 2,539 yards and 22 touchdowns. He has great speed and size, and has good hands.

Jacob Hester, FB, LSU

Even though the fullback is a dying breed, this National Champion can be used effectively. As the fullback, Hester wasn’t the premier runner on his L.S.U. team. In four seasons, he ran the ball 364 times for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns. He is tough, has good hands and is an instinctive runner.

Davone Bess, WR, Hawaii

Little known Davone Bess was a hero in Hawaii. Skipping his senior season, Bess is already one of the best receivers in Hawaii history, even setting a record for most career touchdown passes by a quarterback-receiver duo. In three years at Hawaii, Bess caught 293 passes for 3,610 yards and 41 touchdowns. He has good hands, is an excellent route runner, and is very tough.

Chris Long, DE, Virginia

Although he won’t be on the board when the Bucs draft, it’s still nice to dream. One of the most highly touted players in the draft, Long has all the right stuff. Long spent much of his senior season at the top in most defensive categories. His 22 career sacks is 6th on the school’s all-time list. His 14 sacks in 2007 was tied for third on the school’s single-season list. He had his #91 jersey retired in November, making him the first ever Cavalier football player to have his jersey retired while he was still active. In four seasons, Long recorded 187 tackles, 43 for loss, and had 21 sacks. He’s a hard worker, he’s tough, and uses his hands very well.

Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech

An overlooked player at his position, Flowers left Virgina Tech as one of the best cornerbacks ever. In his final season, he led the nation in passes broken up and passes defended. In four seasons, he had 158 tackles, 31 passes broken up, and 10 interceptions. He has good athleticism, is very physical, and has good instincts.