Mel's Big Board

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Ohio State's Hawk Flys Above All Others On Defense

By Mel Kiper Jr.

Special to ESPN Insider

While USC quarterback Matt Leinart remains at the top of the board with good reason, there is no question that Ohio State outside linebacker A.J. Hawk has solidified himself as the top senior prospect on defense. Leinart's arm strength has noticeably improved this season, allowing him to upgrade his rating from the end of 2004. The loss of offensive coordinator Norm Chow hasn't slowed down USC's awesome offensive production. Hawk simply is all over the field, showing superior instincts along with picture-perfect ability as a form tackler.

UCLA tight end Marcedes Lewis combines incredible athleticism with impressive natural pass-receiving skills. He'll be quite a weapon in the NFL. Florida State linebacker A.J. Nicholson and Ohio State's Bobby Carpenter both made a move into the top 25 board. Nicholson is coming off a career-high 19-tackle, two-interception performance against Boston College, while the physically talented Carpenter has been very consistent. Carpenter's teammate, center Nick Mangold, shows the type of skills you look for in a future Pro Bowl caliber pivot man in the NFL.

The entire list:

1. Matt Leinart, QB, USC (6-foot-4, 225 pounds) | previous rank: same

Leinart does not have a cannon arm but does have a keen understanding of the complex offense, and barring injury he should remain at the top of the draft board. He is super accurate, distributes his passes all over the field and always knows where to go with the ball.

2. A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State (6-1½, 242) | previous rank: same

An instinctive player and sure tackler, Hawk racked up an amazing 141 total tackles last season. He knows which angles to take to the ball and finds his way through traffic very well. There is very little separating Hawk from Chad Greenway, whose teams will face each other Saturday in Columbus.

3. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia (6-5½, 295) | previous rank: same

Ferguson is light on his feet, has long arms and is a superior overall tackle. He toys with defensive ends in pass protection and is also a very good run blocker.

4. Marcedes Lewis, TE, UCLA (6-6, 258) | previous rank: 5

Lewis has legit 4.5 speed and a perfect frame for the position, and the UCLA staff needs to take it upon itself to improve significantly on last year's total of 32 receptions. There is no reason Lewis can't catch five or six passes a game if the questionable Bruins quarterbacks can get the ball to him.

5. Chad Greenway, LB, Iowa (6-2½, 244) | previous rank: 4

Has become one of the top-flight linebackers in the nation over the last two years. A smart player with great physical skills, Greenway knows how to find the ball and can go all over the field to get to it.

6. Jimmy Williams, CB, Virginia Tech (6-2½, 207) | previous rank: same

A former safety who moved to corner before last season, Williams showed in the first few games of 2004 that he has awesome natural skills, fluid movements and enough size to deal with today's big receivers.

7. DeMeco Ryans, OLB, Alabama (6-1½, 235) | previous rank: 10

Coming off a great junior season, Ryans is a defensive leader on a Crimson Tide team that is 3-0 for the second straight season.

8. Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College (6-5½, 260) | previous rank: 11

Kiwanuka recorded 11½ sacks last season but there is still room for improvement as he enters his fifth year. He has tremendous natural talent but still needs a little work on the finer technical points. If that happens he will be the most feared sack artist in the nation this year.

9. Jason Allen, CB/S, Tennessee (6-2, 205) | previous rank: 8

Moving back to corner from safety, where he led the SEC with 123 total tackles last season. Another big corner who can deal with big wideouts.

10. Hank Baskett, WR, New Mexico (6-3, 220) | previous rank: 14

An interesting player who is a big target with good speed. Already has 399 receiving yards in the Lobos' first three games.

11. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis (5-9, 215) | previous rank: 9

Coming off a 205-yard performance last week versus Chattanooga. A tremendously creative runner who averaged 6.2 yards per carry in his first three seasons and scored 37 rushing touchdowns. Has worked his way back to 100 percent after breaking his leg in the GMAC Bowl and should be a top-10 overall pick.

12. A.J. Nicholson, OLB, (6-2, 235) | previous rank: unranked

Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week following a career-high 19 tackles and two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) in the Seminoles' win at Boston College.

13. Claude Wroten, DT, LSU (6-2, 293) | previous rank: 20

A junior college transfer last year, Wroten's six sacks in 2004 came in the final five games. Will be fun to watch Saturday against a determined Tennessee offense.

14. Tye Hill, CB, Clemson (5-9½, 181) | previous rank: 21

An outstanding pure cover corner with great recovery speed. Three-year letter winner, Hill tied the Clemson record for passes defended in a season in 2004 with 21.

15. D'Qwell Jackson, ILB, Maryland (6-0½, 230) | previous rank: 16

He had a game-high 15 tackles in Maryland's loss last week versus West Virginia. He reminds me a lot of former Miami linebacker Jonathan Vilma.

16. Jesse Mahelona, DT, Tennessee (6-2, 297) | previous rank: unranked

A very solid interior lineman who continues to be a thorn in the side of centers and guards.

17. Bobby Carpenter, OLB, Ohio St. (6-3, 255) | previous rank: unranked

A newcomer to the board this week, Carpenter has caught my eye with his game-to-game consistency.

18. Babatunde Oshinowo, DT, Stanford (6-2, 318) | previous rank: same

In a 3-4 defense, Oshinowo is the ideal nose tackle. He's a powerhouse from a physical standpoint with quickness and agility. A real force to be reckoned with on the interior.

19. Dominique Byrd, TE, USC (6-3, 260) | previous rank: unranked

Overshadowed in an offense that has Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush and Dwayne Jarrett. Byrd had 37 receptions in 2004, all coming in the Trojans' final eight games.

20. Eric Winston, OT, Miami (6-7½, 315) | previous rank: 12

A left tackle for the Hurricanes, he could move to the right side in the NFL. He has given up too much outside pressure in Miami's first two games, and hasn't been able to neutralize the pass rush of the defensive ends he's facing. A former tight end with great athleticism, Winston is coming off a knee injury that cost him most of 2004.

21. Rodrique Wright, DT, Texas (6-5, 310) | previous rank: 7

Wright had only one sack and three tackles for loss last season compared to eight sacks and 12 tackles for loss in 2003, but the drop-off can be attributed to a high ankle sprain that dogged him most of the season. A hard worker with great attitude and intelligence, he could be a high first-rounder when all is said and done.

22. Justin London, LB, UCLA (6-1, 234) | previous rank: 25

London is off to a good start for the undefeated Bruins. Leads the team with 17 solo tackles in the first three games.

23. Thomas Howard, LB, UTEP (6-2½, 233) | previous rank: 13

Came to UTEP as a walk-on defensive back and is now a potential first-rounder. Howard is a gifted athlete with 4.4 speed who makes a "Wow!" play in every game.

24. Nick Mangold, C, Ohio St. (6-4, 290) | previous rank: unranked

He has the type of skills that will make him a future Pro Bowler at the next level.

25. Marcus McNeill, OT, Auburn (6-7½, 335) | previous rank: 15

A mountainous tackle with the feet, quickness, balance and strength to warrant a high first-round grade.

DROPPED

Johnathan Scott, OT, Texas (6-6½, 310) | previous rank: 17

A very intelligent player who has allowed only half a sack in the last two seasons, Scott looks primed to put together a phenomenal senior year.

Jeremy Trueblood, OT, Boston College (6-8, 322) | previous rank: 19

The tallest member of the BC team has been a reliable three-year starter.

Gabe Watson, DT, Michigan (6-3½, 330) | previous rank: 22

Does not put up a huge number of tackles but is very adept at plugging the middle of the offensive front, thus freeing the middle linebacker to run to the football.

Davin Joseph, OL, Oklahoma (6-3, 312) | previous rank: 23

Has moved outside to left tackle after playing last season at guard, but Joseph will likely be a guard at the pro level. Joseph will be especially important this year as he will be protecting the blind side of Oklahoma's quarterback.

James Wyche, DE, Syracuse (6-5½, 263) | previous rank: 24

Wyche really started to come into his own late last year. He's always been athletically and physically gifted, and last year there was a dramatic difference in his play compared to 2002 and 2003. As a freshman and sophomore, Wyche had a total 3½ sacks and 8½ tackles for loss. In 2004, Wyche had 5½ sacks and 15½ TFL and in his first game of 2005, he goes out against West Virginia and made his presence felt with seven tackles, one forced fumble, and one pass breakup.

Mel's Hot Juniors

Quarterback

Omar Jacobs, Bowling Green

Brady Quinn, Notre Dame

Running back

Reggie Bush, USC

Laurence Maroney, Minnesota

Michael Bush, Louisville

Lorenzo Booker, Florida State

Brian Calhoun, Wisconsin

LenDale White, USC

Wide receiver

Chad Jackson, Florida

Santonio Holmes, Ohio State

Tight end

Vernon Davis, Maryland

Anthony Fasano, Notre Dame

Leonard Pope, Georgia

Offensive line

Justin Blalock (RT), Texas

Winston Justice (RT), USC

Aaron Sears (LT), Tennessee

Joe Thomas (LT), Wisconsin

Kyle Young ©, Fresno State

Defensive line

Haloti Ngata (T), Oregon

Mario Williams (DE), NC State

LaMarr Woodley (DE), Michigan

Ray Edwards (DE), Purdue

Linebacker

Ahmad Brooks, Virginia

Ernie Sims, Florida State

Defensive back

Darnell Bing (SS), USC

LaRon Landry (FS), LSU

Devin Hester (CB) Miami

Ashton Youboty (CB) Ohio State

Bernard Pollard (S) Purdue

Richard Marshall (CB) Fresno State

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