Well…We’re Movin on up

These are players I have been amazed by at some point of this young season. Feel free to inform me of players you feel should be on here, because I’m open ears at this point of the season.

Ryan Matthews
Fresno State- Running Back
NFL Comparison - Ryan Grant

At 220 pounds, Matthews is a tough runner, that is capable of cracking a huge run on any carry. I’ll admit I didn’t know who he was until I watched the Wisconsin game a few weeks back.

The nation’s leading rusher has put up 592 yards in the first four games this season. He has five runs of 55 yards or more. In week three vs. Boise State, he ran the ball 19 times for 234 yards and 3 touchdowns (69, 68 and 60 yards). This last week, Matthews showed he is more than capable of handling the work load, with 40 offensive touches. He finished with 177 total yards of offense, verse a tough Cincinnati defense. Keep your eye on Matthews this season, because I don’t see him slowing down a bit. Fresno has a very weak remaining schedule, so Matthews should finish with some huge 2009 numbers and have a decision to make about his future.

Eric Norwood
South Carolina - Outside linebacker
NFL Comparison - LaMar Woodley

Norwood is a player I thought had the talent to leave early last year, but he has put himself into position to land a much fatter paycheck in the 2010 NFL draft. I decided to wait until the Ole Miss game to make my final evaluation of Norwood before I put him on this list. He came into the game with 4 sacks and a pick for six. He dominated the Ole Miss offense. He added two more sacks (6 on the year), partially blocked a punt, and commanded a double/triple team the rest of the game. Eric Berry is my favorite player in all of football, but I won’t be a bit surprised if Eric Norwood is the SEC player of the year. Big props to my man Mocking Dan…He gave everyone a huge heads up last week….This guy is a player.

Alterraun Verner My NFL Mock Draft- #32 to the Pats
UCLA- Cornerback
NFL Comparison - Asante Samuel

Yes, I’m still big on Verner. More than likely Verner is a zone guy. He reads routes well, and is the type of corner that likes to look at the QB in his back pedal. Verner has had 3 picks in the last two games, with a nice 24 yard average on returns. Corners like Verner don’t usual go in the first or second round, but I am one that feels this guy will perform well at the next level. I don’t feel this class is stacked at the position, so he has a chance to sneak up on draft boards.

Marshawn Gilyard
Cincinnati- Wide receiver
NFL Comparison- Eddie Royal

After the first four games, Gilyard has 32 catches, 442 yards and 6 touchdowns. He also has a punt return for a touchdown. He is a very explosive player that knows how to get open. I had him ranked higher than most before the 2009 season, but I’m even higher on him now, as continues to make plays every time I see him. I agree with Mocking Dan, that he probably isn’t a number one. I still think because of his return ability and the need for an explosive receiver, he will land in the first or very early second round. I think he will be an Eddie Royal/ Santonio Holmes type of player at the next level.

Keep an eye on

Montario Hardesty
Tennessee- Running back NFL Comparison- Julius Jones

Hardesty is a hard runner. He has made it very hard for prized freshman Bryce Brown to steal carries. No one in the country has run harder or done more for his team than Hardesty. Playing in an offense that has no chance of stretching the field, Hardesty’s hard nose running has put him seventh in the nation in yards (485). After battling knee injuries, this guy has proven he is worthy of being evaluated by NFL teams. If he continues to impress verse the tough SEC teams, Hardesty could be a big surprise when it comes to draft day evaluations.

DeAndre McDaniel
Clemson- Safety NFL Comparison- Antonie Bethea

Capable of covering a ton of ground, McDaniel caught my eye early in the Thursday night game vs. GTech week two. He plays the deep ball well, and has great hands for a defensive back. With four picks in 2009, McDaniel has shown he is more than just a ballhawk. He has 35 tackles in the first four games and shown he can deliver big time hits. The safety class in loaded in the 2010 draft, but if McDaniel continues his impressive play, he might leave early and be worth a high 2010 draft pick.