Take one look at Darrius Heyward-Bey and it’s not hard to see why the University of Maryland prospect turns so many NFL scouts’ heads.

A muscular 6’3”, 206 pounds, Heyward-Bey has blazing speed. He ran the fastest 40-yard dash of any player at this year’s NFL combine. Had he wanted to, coming out of high school he would have had a good chance at winning an NCAA championship and possibly even qualifying for the Olympics in track. Instead, Heyward-Bey turned his attention to burning rubber on the field.

Despite having to play in the Terrapins’ struggling offense for three seasons, Heyward-Bey didn’t take long to establish himself as one of college football’s elite playmakers. Throughout his career, he turned out eight plays of 50 yards or more, scored 15 touchdowns (13 receiving, 2 rushing), and consistently averaged 15 yards per catch. He was able to do so all while being the only real offensive threat on a team that failed throughout his career to consistently move the ball.

The NFL is a league that values its playmakers. “Scoreboard changers,” as analysts dub them, are always one play away from ripping off a big play for their team. Players like Reggie Bush, Devin Hester, Chris Johnson and Steve Smith are valued greatly for their game-breaking abilities with the football in their hands. Heyward-Bey is cut from the same cloth, with his eye-popping athleticism, and it’s for this reason that NFL teams have stopped to take notice.

They’ve also noticed a few of his flaws, however. Heyward-Bey is not considered a consistent route runner at this point in his career, and he has frequently gone through slumps where he’s had trouble catching the ball consistently. These are two very undesirable qualities for an NFL receiver, where speed and playmaking ability alone do not guarantee success (see: Peter Warrick).

However, there is reason to believe Heyward-Bey can improve in both of these areas. For one, he has the quickness to come in and out of breaks quickly on his routes, so as he dedicates more focus to that aspect of his game he should improve dramatically as a route runner. He also has the intangible qualities teams look for – considered a very high character guy, he doesn’t display the me-first attitude of NFL receivers Chad Ocho Cinco or Terrell Owens. Not to mention the fact that with a strong supporting cast, he’ll no longer face the entire focus of the defense that he did in college.

Rookie wide receivers are notorious for having initial trouble in adjusting to the pace and style of the NFL. After having time to develop, however, highly-drafted receivers can turn out to be franchise-type players (see: Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Johnson). So despite his shortcomings, it’s not hard to see Heyward-Bey get selected sometime in the mid-first round of the NFL draft.

Because with speed like his, there’s plenty of reason for teams to give him a shot.

Latest on Heyward-Bey

ESPN’s Todd McShay predicts the Minnesota Vikings will take Heyward-Bey with the no. 22 pick in the draft.

Darrius Says

“I have seen guys I’ve known who made bad decisions. I am always surrounding myself with good people. That’s a big deal with [NFL] teams. We’re on the same page there.”

Heyward-Bey on the Web

Wikipedia page: Facts and links

His self-run draft profile page: Blog posts and videos

Maryland profile: Career stats and personal info

ESPN profile: Statistics from his college career

Draft profile: Measurables and statistics

Baltimore Sun series: The newspaper puts out several features and videos on Heyward-Bey’s journey through the NFL draft process

YouTube video of 2008 highlights

2009 has not been kind to Andre Smith.

His year got off to a rotten start, as he was suspended from the University of Alabama’s embarrassing Sugar Bowl loss to Utah. This incident caused questions about his character to surface, and the offensive tackle who had at one point been thought of as a potential no. 1 overall pick was suddenly on the defensive.

He didn’t help his cause any by showing up to the NFL scouting combine out of shape, then refusing to take part in drills before leaving the combine altogether without informing anyone. In just two months, Smith had gone from the draft’s hottest prospect to its most dangerous, as projections began to put Smith somewhere late in the first round.

Since then, however, teams appear to be warming back up to the mercurial lineman. They are remembering how dominant Smith was on the field last season, playing a huge role in the Crimson Tide’s surprise run to the top of the polls. They are remembering his unreal size-quickness combination, that the 6’4”, 332-pounder mauled defenders in the running game and was an impenetrable wall in keeping quarterback John Parker Wilson upright in the passing game.

Recently, Alabama head coach Nick Saban, the same coach who suspended Smith for the Sugar Bowl, has come to Smith’s defense, saying that as a player he always acted the right way and worked hard to improve. These words, coming from a coach known for being hard-nosed and difficult to please, are reassuring teams attracted by Smith’s talent but nervous about his recent questionable behavior.

Smith’s ability to keep his weight in check will definitely be a concern as he develops as a tackle in the NFL. It is believed that as of right now he could be a real force at right tackle, but that he’s not quite quick enough to play the highly valued left tackle position. If he stays in shape and capitalizes on his impressive size-quickness ratio, teams aren’t going to care at all about the time he got himself suspended for a bowl game or the time he left the combine early.

And if he does all those things, and gets himself drafted early on in the first round, 2009 might not end up being such a bad year for Andre Smith after all.

Latest on Smith

Alabama coach Nick Saban recently defended Smith as a player.

ESPN’s Todd McShay predicts that Smith will be taken no. 9 by the Green Bay Packers in his latest mock draft.

Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis described his recent meeting with Smith as positive.

Smith on the Web

Alabama Profile: Stats and personal information

Article on Smith’s Sugar Bowl suspension

ESPN Draft Profile: Measurables and stats

YouTube video of Smith’s 2008 highlights

Video of Todd McShay breaking down Smith’s game

For this season at least, the University of Southern California should be known as Linebacker U.

That title has traditionally been worn by Penn State University, but given that the Trojans will most likely have all three of their starting ’backers taken in the first round of this year’s NFL draft, it’s clear that an exception needs to be made.

Perhaps the least heralded of the trio is Brian Cushing, a 6-3, 250-pounder who has stayed somewhat in the shadow of the better-known Clay Matthews and Rey Maualuga. Cushing is no secret to NFL scouts, however. In fact, there is a school of thought among draft experts that it is Cushing who, of the three, may end up having the most successful NFL career.

The reasoning behind this thinking is due to a few things. For one, Cushing’s intensity level is unmatched. He was called a bulldog by both USC Head Coach Pete Carroll and linebackers coach Ken Norton, Jr. He plays the entire game at one speed – full speed – and can wreak absolute havoc on offenses due to his relentless motor and game-changing playmaking ability.

Another reason for the scouts’ love affair with Cushing is the New Jersey native’s versatility. He is capable of playing any linebacker position, both on the inside and on the outside – an asset that makes him capable of fitting in with any defensive scheme.

Lastly, teams can’t get enough of Cushing’s athleticism. He was actually recruited out of high school as a strong safety, but his work in the weight room led to such a dramatic weight gain that he grew into the linebacker position. Despite packing on the extra muscle, Cushing has managed to maintain the quickness and speed he displayed as a defensive back prospect.

As with every potential draftee, Cushing has a few question marks surrounding him. One is that he and the rest of his USC teammates look better on tape because they all have played with such a strong supporting cast. Critics claim that if they did not have each other, they would be less impressive individually as prospects. A more serious concern is one that has dogged him since high school, and that is the issue of steroids. Despite never having failed a single drug test, Cushing has had to consistently endure claims that he uses steroids, including a recently surfaced report that was categorically denied by Cushing’s handlers and coaches.

It’s unlikely that this “bulldog” will let the rumors get to him. The gym rat who wears an “I Hate Haters” t-shirt when he works out knows a thing or two about deflecting criticism. Because what really matters is that on draft day, Brian Cushing will be feeling the love.

Latest on Cushing:

Pete Carroll denies internet report that Cushing and USC linebacker Clay Matthews used steroids

Mel Kiper Jr. predicts the Houston Texans will take Cushing with the 15^th overall pick, while his ESPN colleague Todd McShay says that Cushing will go no. 25 to the Miami Dolphins.

Cushing Says:

On being called a bulldog by USC linebackers coach Ken Norton, Jr.:

“It’s a violent sport where the more vile the name coaches call you, the higher the compliment. What other business could you be in where a coach calls you a [expletive] and you love every second of it?”

In response to the steroids allegations that seemingly follow him everywhere he goes:

“I really believe it’s almost the American point of view now where people build people up just to see them fail. As records are made to be broken, heroes are made to fall. Love turns into jealousy.”

Cushing on the Web:

USC Profile

Stats and personal info from his college career

Wikipedia page

Information and links to other articles on Cushing

Sports Illustrated Feature Story

Describes Cushing’s toughness, willingness to play through pain

NFL Draft Scout Profile

Stats and measurables

NY Daily News Feature Story

Describes how the NY-area native turned down Penn State and Joe Paterno

YouTube video of Cushing’s 2008 highlights

Vontae Davis wants to be known as more than just Vernon Davis’ little brother.

And understandably so. After all, Vernon’s most noteworthy action of the 2008 NFL season was when the San Francisco 49ers tight end was banished to the locker room in the middle of a game by Head Coach Mike Singletary for demonstrating less than team-oriented behavior.

But when it comes to some comparisons, he’ll gladly take them. Like when his physical skills are compared to Vernon’s eye-popping athleticism and top-flight talent. Vontae says he owes a lot to Vernon, that his big brother helped him out in developing into the football player he has become – a football player poised to become a first-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Davis, an early-entry prospect out of the University of Illinois, is considered one of the top cornerbacks in the draft. The 6-0, 200-pounder possesses incredible athleticism, capable of both running with the league’s fastest receivers and coming up to the line of scrimmage both in run support and on corner blitzes. In three years with the Illini, Davis earned the reputation of one of the nation’s hardest-hitting defensive backs.

Davis did not have the type of year he had hoped to in 2008, but much of that can be attributed to the across-the-board struggles that the Fighting Illini defense suffered from last season. Many teams chose to completely avoid throwing Davis’ way for fear of his playmaking ability, and he finished the season with a statline of 78 tackles, 3 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions. He had a career-high 4 picks in 2007, the same season in which he recorded 13 tackles in a Rose Bowl loss to the University of Southern California.

He also played the role of recruiter during his time in Illinois. He convinced his Dunbar High School (Washington, D.C.) teammate Arrelious Benn, a dynamic playmaking wide receiver – and potential future NFL draft prospect – to join him in Champaign.

Vontae’s own reason for choosing Illinois came in part because he didn’t want to follow in Vernon’s footsteps by attending the nearby University of Maryland. He wanted to be known for his own accomplishments, not his brother’s.

There is a good chance Vontae is feeling the same thing now. Supposedly, NFL teams have reservations about drafting him because of character questions, meaning that they don’t want to invest in a player as emotionally volatile as his big brother Vernon. Coaches can’t afford undisciplined players at the cornerback position, and Vontae’s own benching by Illinois coach Ron Zook in 2008 has raised questions about his coachability. Recent rumors that Vontae tested positive for marijuana at the scouting combine are not doing anything to ease teams’ concerns, either.

However, the positive comparisons to Vernon will likely have the biggest effect on Vontae’s draft status – after all, talent is king in today’s NFL. And if Vontae can develop into the shutdown cornerback he’s capable of becoming, then it might be Vernon Davis who will have something to prove: that he’s more than just Vontae Davis’ big brother.

Latest on Davis:

ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. says Davis will go no. 25 to the Miami Dolphins, while colleague Todd McShay says he will be taken by the Baltimore Ravens with the no. 26 pick

Approximately 20 teams held interviews with Davis at the scouting combine

A comparison of Davis to Ohio State cornerback prospect Malcolm Jenkins

Vontae Says:

On comparing himself to the Oakland Raiders’ cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha:

“In the long run, when it all gets said and done, I’ll be in Nnamdi’s shoes.”

On his older brother Vernon Davis:

“He’s my older brother so he’d always think he could bully me and do all this. But I respect that because I look up to him. He pushed me a lot through high school. He did things that made me be a better player. He woke me up at 5 o’clock in the morning to go throw the ball, and it helped.”

On potentially being selected by the Miami Dolphins:

“I like the coaching staff and who could ask for a better place to play than Miami.”

Davis on the Web:

Wikipedia page

Stats and info

Illinois profile

Complete statistics and highlights from his college career

ESPN profile

Stats and info

Scouting report

Includes combine numbers, strengths and weaknesses

Washington Post feature

Vontae dishes on his ability, relationship with big brother Vernon

YouTube clip of Vontae Davis’ 2008 highlights

I remember back in high school when I discovered Final Fantasy 7 and my life changed forever. 10 years later I’m better than all my friends at riding chocobos and using potions. Hooray. I suppose we could compare my gargantuan accomplishment with Brian Orakpo’s if I try really hard. Seems Orakpo started as a mere basketball star, and by the time he matriculated, had discovered he was in fact one of the best defensive football players in the country. Big whoop.

Facetiousness aside, it takes a hell of a lot of work to reach the level that Orakpo has, especially in so short a time. According to Orakpo’s high school teammate Drew Kelson in an article on Inside Texas.com:

“Freshman football was merely about playing in front of all your classmates right on the campus football field. Simply having a uniform and getting a chance to play was cool.”

That is not the kind of atmosphere I have been led to expect from Texas high school football. Shame on you Friday Night Lights. No, I take it back; I can’t stay mad at you.

So Orakpo spent his first couple of seasons at Lamar High School in Houston impressing the ladies and looking good. Not too shabby. But there came a time for the young Orakpo when he realized that he could actually make something out of this football thing, perhaps a big something. By the time high school was over, Orakpo had been recognized throughout the country as a defensive prospect and had been recruited to play for the University of Texas.

Now Orakpo really gets serious. Red-shirting his freshman year, Orakpo hit the weight room with a vengeance, adding muscles onto his muscles and generally becoming enormous. By the time his time for active duty rolled around, he was ready.

In his first collegiate appearance, Orakpo had a pressure, two tackles, and forced a fumble. He would go on to play in every game that season, starting once. He earned a spot on The Sporting News Freshman All-American 1st team and was voted defensive freshman of the year by the same outlet.

As a sophomore his numbers continued to go up. He was awarded the Lowe’s Most Improved Defensive Player of the Year and helped the University of Texas to a 3rd place rank for least rushing yards allowed per game.

2007 was going to be the year Orakpo arrived as a true defensive phenom. He was in the starting lineup and was ready to tear up the field, that is until injuring his right knee during UT’s first regular season game. Orakpo was sidelined for the next four games, returning against Oklahoma, but appearing on the field for only 17 plays (though he did record a sack). Despite his shortened playtime, Orakpo worked himself back to his previous form. In fact, when Texas played Arizona State in that year’s Alamo Bowl, Orakpo had a sack, a pressure on the quarterback, and even posted career highs in tackles and tackles for losses (six and three, respectively).

OK, now it’s Orakpo’s time. He’s healthy, experienced, and can bench more than 500 pounds. Orakpo was a force to reckoned with last year, let’s go through the numbers a bit: 42 tackles, 4 forced fumbles, 30 pressures, and 11.5 sacks (a number that led his team and was sixth in the nation). Orakpo also helped his team to a 12-1 record, and thrust Texas into the top spot in the Big 12 in scoring and rushing defense, total defense, and a second place spot in pass efficiency defense.
Orakpo won just about every trophy available: The Lombardi for the country’s best lineman, the Hendricks Award for best defensive end, and The Nagurski Trophy for the nation’s top defensive player. He was 1st team All-American on pretty much everyone’s list and was the Big 12 Player of the Year. Also, let’s keep in mind that he earned all this acclaim even with limited playing time for one game against Kansas due to injury.

So we begin the speculation, is Orakpo a first round pick? Definitely. Almost certainly in the top ten. But, despite all his accomplishments, teams may be wary of him for a couple of reasons. He’s got nearly everything a coach or scout would want to see in a defender: speed off the snap, great jumping ability for blocking passes, and of course enough strength to tear a quarterback in half, but let’s remember those injuries he’s had over his career. During the NFL Combine he even tweaked a hamstring and couldn’t complete all the drills. While he still dominated the Combine in the events he participated in, and the injury wasn’t serious, it may hint at a larger problem down the road. Only time will tell if Orakpo can endure longer seasons in the NFL while staying injury-free. All the weight-training in the world won’t be enough to reverse time.

Overall, Orakpo is still a hot prospect and promises to make an impact on whatever team may choose him. Currently, it seems the Cleveland Browns are the most interested, and with the 5th pick in the draft the most likely to get him. He’s been working out and running drills for them on numerous occasions and they have all but given him a key to the locker room. Ah, but then, there’s a lot of teams below the Browns that would love to wheel and deal Orakpo, or at least the 5th pick, over to them, notably the Packers at the 10 spot.

All in all, Orakpo is an explosive player with a work-ethic that’ll aid him a lot in the years to come, adding 50 pounds of muscle over his college career attests to that. Injuries notwithstanding, Orakpo is an awesome natural athlete. Let’s try not to worry overly much about his durability either, when Brian Orakpo sets his mind to something, he’ll be sure to impress.

Latest on Orakpo
Peforming in linebacker drills during the Texas Pro Day, Orakpo blew away the onlookers with a dominating performance. One of the most interested of the NFL reps was Green Bay Packers GM Ted Thompson…

Career
Brian Orakpo Profile CBSSports.com
A listing of awards and accomplishments from high school onward.

News and Commentary
NFLDraftScout Brian Orakpo Player Profile
Combine and Pro Day statistics.

Brian Orakpo DraftCountDown Scouting Report
No-nonsense report on Orakpo’s strengths and weaknesses.

Kelson’s Breakdown: Brian Orakpo at InsideTexas.com:
Interesting insider-perspective from teammate Drew Kelson.

Orakpo says
On possibly moving to outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme

“I’m not the guy that can potentially play the position, I’m the guy that can play the position — and I have the film to prove it.”

Posted on: CBSSports.com

Sources and Links

CBSSports.com
InsideTexas.com
NFLDraftScout.com
DraftCountDown.com

Fight or flight? Offense or defense? Burger or burrito? The duality of man is something I certainly haven’t the space to discuss here. But there is an interesting example of it in the person of Jeremy Maclin. Here we have a man enveloped in occupying two roles, and not just athletically, one who has throughout his life been straddling the border between two worlds, begging the question, “Why not both?”

Let’s start at the beginning: Maclin was born and raised in Chesterfield, Missouri and grew up in Kirkwood, which are both St. Louis suburbs. Maclin was raised by a single mom who had to work tireless hours to maintain a decent life for him and his two brothers. Fortunately, she eventually got some help from the coach of his youth league football team, Dr. Jeff Parres, who had a son the same age as Maclin.

Years of sleepovers and rides home eventually led to Maclin moving in with the Parreses during high school. They even bought him a car so he could drive to school. Maclin is still on good terms with his mother, but considers himself to have two families.

During high school Maclin was a two-sport athlete, garnering praise as a football and basketball player at Kirkwood High School. He couldn’t be held down to one position as a football player either, playing, and excelling, as a safety, punt returner, receiver, and running back.

By the end of his high school career, Maclin racked up quite a list of honors: 1st team all-state as a wideout, all-conference as a safety, was listed as the country’s 24th best wide receiver prospect by Rivals.com, and 3rd best prospect overall in the state of Missouri.

Naturally, Maclin ended up dealing with his fair share of recruiters, eventually confirming his intent to attend the University of Oklahoma. He wound up going to Missouri, however. According to Maclin, his reason for switching to Missouri was based on the “family-atmosphere” of the school and athletic program.

Now begins Maclin meteoric rise to fame, free of difficulties and setbacks. After all the work and dedication it must have taken for him to evolve as a threat from anywhere on the field, nothing bad could happen, right? If you answered positively to that I’ve got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you. Arriving to a training session early for his upcoming season as a true freshman, Maclin tore his ACL, which is one of the more damaging injuries a player could sustain.

It must have looked as if Maclin had hit the spiral of decline before ever playing in a college game; he certainly was off the active list for the duration of his first season. Even if he started playing again he’d probably end up like Danny Manning, a shell of his former potential.

Jeremy Maclin wasn’t having it. He spent the off-season training to be stronger and faster than ever. His freshman year redux in 2007 was historic.

Maclin proved himself a dangerous weapon at multiple positions even at the collegiate level, returning punts and kickoffs, running the ball, and receiving. I haven’t the space to list everything he did here, but the highlights are as follows: He was the only player that season to score a touchdown from four different positions, broke numerous records for total all-purpose yards, becoming the leader all-time among freshman in Division 1A and 5th all time among everybody with 2,776, named a consensus 1st team All-American, and even scored as a passer during a two-point conversion.

There were some heavy expectations laid (being named to the Playboy Pre-season All-American team being one of them) on Maclin after that, and by all accounts in 2008 he surpassed them. Maclin finished his second college season ranked 6th in total receptions with 102 for 1,260 yards as well as becoming only the second player in NCAA history to gain more than 2,000 career yards for receiving and kick-returning.

When Maclin officially declared himself a part of the NFL Draft, he was expected to be picked somewhere in perhaps the high teens. His performance at the recent combine, as well as fairly poor showings by other receivers (read Michael Crabtree), has significantly raised his value and place in line. His breakaway speed is stunning and he’s got great hands. In fact the only real doubt as to his ability is in his ability to adapt to an NFL system of route-running.

A lot of teams could use the receiving and utility-player prowess Maclin brings to the table. Of particular note are the Cincinnati Bengals who gave up receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh to Seattle recently. A selection by them would boost Maclin into the top ten, as Cincinnati has the 6th pick overall.

Will Maclin be returning kicks next season? That remains to be seen, though it’s unlikely he’d pull double duty very often. However, if his past work is any indication, living on both sides of the coin isn’t something he’d back away from.

Latest on Maclin

Maclin has visited several pro teams already, including the Cincinnati Bengals. His stay with them, barring some disaster, would seem a fairly likely sign that he’s going to be wearing orange and black next season. Of course, it’s still entirely possible that a team in the top 5 might not pick him. Stranger things have happened.

Career

Player Bio: Jeremy Maclin – Missouri Official Athletic Site
An exhaustive listing of Maclin’s statistics and awards.

News and Commentary

Jeremy Maclin Zone
Official fan site devoted to all things Maclin.

ESPN: Chat with Jeremy Maclin – SportsNation
Recent interview with Maclin fielding questions from internet posters.

Jeremy Maclin 2009 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile
Listing of Maclin’s combine statistics and recent Maclin news.

Maclin Says
On his strengths and weaknesses:
“My biggest strength is my playmaking ability. I feel every time I touch the ball I can make a big play. A lot of scouts do not like the fact that I have not played outside receiver, but it’s something I think I can step in and do, so I would not really call it a weakness.”
As posted on: ESPN SportsNation

Sources and Links
MUTigers.com
ESPN.go.com
MaclinZone.com
NFLDraftScout.com

B.J. Raji has never had much trouble with offensive linemen, quarterbacks, or even running backs. It’s those associate deans he’s had to watch out for.

Prior to his 2007 season at Boston College, he was assured by an associate dean that he only had to complete two summer courses to be academically eligible to play that season.

Unfortunately, he actually needed three — which meant that Raji would be academically ineligible for the 2007 season.

Raji was devastated when told the news by then-BC coach Jeff Jagodzinski. But instead of sitting around and feeling sorry for himself, he went to work: dominating for the Eagles’ scout team and hitting the gym hard every day.

Then, back on the field in 2008, he took all the frustration out on his opponents, exploding for 42 tackles and seven sacks from his defensive tackle position.

Given how well everything has ended up working out for Raji, it must be hard for him to stay mad at the associate dean who contributed to his missing the 2007 season. Raji currently stands poised to become a top-10 pick in April’s NFL Draft, with a very good shot at going in the top 5.

Raji finds himself in such high demand because of the 6-2, 340-pounder’s ability to plug up holes in the running game and wreak havoc on quarterbacks in the passing game. He has emerged as the best prospect among all defensive tackles, a position that seems to always be increasing in value in the minds of NFL coaches and executives. Albert Haynesworth, considered one of the league’s best players at the position, just signed a seven-year, $100 million contract this offseason with the Washington Redskins. Many scouts and NFL general managers see Raji as a player who could potentially impact the game the same way Haynesworth and other dominant defensive tackles do.

Teams do have a few reservations about selecting Raji high in the first round, including is his weight. When Jagodzinski first arrived at the Eagles’ coach in 2007, he made it his number one priority to see to it that Raji trimmed down his size so that his quickness would not be bogged down. Teams don’t want to see the big man tipping the scales past the 340 mark. Also, concerns have been raised concerning Raji’s character because of his academic issues in 2007.

There is little concern, however about Raji’s on-the-field performance in 2008. Raji and fellow defensive tackle prospect Ron Brace formed a fearsome combination in the middle of the Eagles’ defense. Their presence was so formidable that many teams entered into games against BC without any plans to run the football whatsoever, because they were so intimidated by the hulking, disruptive defensive linemen.

Becoming the same kind of impact player in the NFL shouldn’t be too much of a challenge for Raji. And offensive linemen, running backs and quarterbacks should all be put on notice.

At least in the NFL, Raji won’t have to worry about any of those pesky deans.

Latest on Raji

The Detroit Lions, owners of the draft’s top overall pick, have reportedly met with Raji privately.

ESPN analysts Mel Kiper, Jr. and Todd McShay are split on where they think Raji will go in the draft, but both have him being selected within the top 5 picks.

Raji on the Web

NFL Draft Scout Profile: Stats and measurables

Boston College Profile: Personal info and statistics from Raji’s Boston College career

ESPN.com Profile: Stats on Raji

Q&A With Niner Nation blog: Raji dishes on his BC career, draft prospects

Midseason Feature by the Boston Globe: Discusses Raji’s rising draft stock

SI.com Feature: This midseason article details Raji’s comeback from lost season in 2007

Raji Says

On being ineligible during the 2007 season:

“All I wanted was to play on Saturdays. It hurt not to be out there.”

On switching full time from basketball to football in high school:

“I guess reality struck when I stopped growing. I wasn’t going to be Allen Iverson.”

On why a team should pick him:

“The reason a GM should pick me is because I believe that I can have an immediate impact on a defense and along with that I will put the teams before me.”