* declared for the NFL Draft '03 - deadline Jan.15th

1. * CHARLES ROGERS - 6'4" 210 LBS. - MICHIGAN ST. -
Big gifted junior athlete is the latest in a long line of fine wide outs to come out of the Big Ten in recent years. He has outstanding size/speed ratio and the ability to be the best of them all. He is a consistent big play performer who was the most dangerous wide out in the conference last season and the top overall receiver in the nation. He led the Big Ten the past two years with 25 TDs and an impressive 20 yard average per catch. He saw heavy coverage this fall, but he established himself a dangerous playmaker with the ability to make the big play despite double coverage, combining with passer Jeff Smoker to form one of the most dangerous duos in college football. Rogers is in the mold of the great NFL receivers like Randy Moss and Terrell Owens, combining the fine size of 6.4" to go with the legitimate 4.4 speed to cause nightmares for defensive coordinators. He has the talent to be one of the super blue chip prospects in this NFL Draft '03 class and a very early selection, most likely a top five pick.

2. + ANDRE JOHNSON - 6'3" 210 LBS. - MIAMI -
Sturdy athletic receiver has been the go to receiver for the national title contender the past two seasons. Although the Hurricanes' program has produced many fine wide outs over the past 15 years, this very talented and gifted junior may have as much ability of any of them, going all the way back to Michael Irvin. He has fine athletic ability and an excellent size/speed ratio, which was very evident in his dominating performance in the '01 season's title game, when he caught 7 passes and scored twice. He is quick for an athlete of his size and capable of making fast cuts and creating consistently good separation. He uses his size well to outjump defenders and commands special attention in most critical passing situations. He is one of several talented junior wideouts who could enter the NFL Draft '03 and is considered a sure fire first round selection this spring. His ability to come up big in the most important games will earn him special notice by NFL scouts. He did have minor shoulder surgery in September, but he returned a continued his fine play.

3. + KELLEY WASHINGTON - 6'3" 215 LBS. - TENNESSEE -
Athletic overage underclassman displayed the ability to become one of the premier playmakers in the nation this season while working as the primary target of fine QB prospect Casey Clausen. He is very physical receiver and has an outstanding size/speed combination, which helped him to quickly develop as a freshman in '01. He was the go to receiver as the '02 season opened after junior Dante' Stallworth entered the NFL Draft '02 last spring. Unfortunately, he was sustained a neck injury that ended his season early in the year. Washington has fluid moves that defy his size. He is deceptively fast and is capable of getting deep consistently. He is a very physical receiver who goes over the middle and works the sidelines well. He formed a fine relationship with talented junior passer Casey Clausen until being hurt. He is capable of taking the short pass for a big play, using his outstanding natural strength to fight off defenders. After a lengthy baseball career, he has been a fast maturing sophomore who appears ready for the NFL if he decides to declare. He must prove he is healthy though, to warrant an early round pick after the neck surgery this fall. He is capable of 1000 yard receiving seasons as a pro, in addition to double digit scoring numbers. He is another underclassman with outstanding triangle numbers and the well developed talent to become a big flight NFL performer if he checks out medically.

4. * TEYO JOHNSON - 6'7" 225 LBS. - STANFORD -
Huge hybrid receiver/tight end surprisingly entered the NFL Draft after his sophomore season in the Pac 10. Teyo is a truly rare athlete for the position. He has great height and basketball like agility to create very difficult matchups in pass coverage. He barely scratched the surface of his athleticism on the football field. During the '02 season, he caught only 41 passes for 467 yards, but an amazing 8 TDs. That's one score every six receptions, an unheard of ratio for any receiver. He is the type of player who will be drafted much higher than his production indicated on the talent poor Stanford club. He gives an offense a unique weapon especially in the red zone.

5. * BRANDON LLOYD - 6'2" 190 LBS. - ILLINOIS -
Smooth athletic junior receiver has the speed and running skills to become a dangerous NFL performer after a fine college career. He totaled over 2000 yards with 19 TDs the past two seasons. He is a fine playmaker who operated without the help of talented veteran QB Kurt Kittner this past fall. He is a well-rounded athlete with both speed and quickness. He shows the ability to get open and separate consistently in patterns with the sure hands to be a consistent pass catcher. He is a good runner after the catch, showing both elusiveness and the speed to break plays. He has good body control and leaping ability which he uses well to adjust to the tough catch. He is the type of player with the talent to be a fine playmaker in the NFL with further development.

6. BRYANT JOHNSON - 6'2" 210 LBS. - PENN ST. -
Athletic senior receiver completed his college career with a nice effort in the Penn St. passing game. He came off his best effort as a junior to improve his talent further during his senior campaign. He led the Nittany Lions in receptions and yardage over his final two seasons. He is a strong athletic wideout with the triangle numbers NFL clubs seek in a starting pro receiver. He rebounded from a poor '00 season dealing with numerous drops and inconsistent route running to develop into a solid pro prospect. He needs to show continuous improvement to develop further as a receiver, but he has the athletic package to be a nice surprise with some refinement on his natural skills.

7. * ANQUAN BOLDIN - 6'2" 210 LBS. - FLORIDA ST. -
Athletic junior wideout returned from a knee injury that cost him the '01 season. He is a fine athlete and former QB who has made a quick adjustment to the wideout position and shows some playmaking ability over his limited playing time. He is an athletic receiver with the triangle numbers to become an NFL player with further development. He has excellent size and athletic ability and has learned the position quickly this fall in his most extended playing time as a receiver. He became one of the feature weapons in the Seminole wide-open attack and has the overall athleticism to become a fine pro in time. He has a chance to jump up the charts significantly with a big workout in the postseason.

8. TAYLOR JACOBS - 6'1" 200 LBS. - FLORIDA -
Smooth senior receiver became the go to receiver for the Gators high powered passing game this season. He is a sure handed receiver with the big play ability to be a factor as an NFL performer. He has soft hands and the ability to run after the catch. He has developed nicely in the Gators pro style offense and is capable of making a quick adjustment to the NFL game. He has learned to make adjustments in his routes and read defenses for coverage purposes. He is a sturdy athlete with the quickness in his cuts to create consistent separation. He works the sidelines well and shows the ability to run all the routes including an excellent fad pattern. He finished with a strong senior season to move up further in this deep receiving class.

9. BILLY McMULLEN - 6'4" 210 LBS. - VIRGINIA -
Big senior possession receiver has been one of the most consistent performers in the nation in recent years. He creates a tough matchup for cornerbacks and has learned to use his fine size and athletic ability to the fullest. He is a big athletic receiver who has performed brilliantly with the Cavaliers since starting during his freshman season. He has used his fine size and agility to win most match-ups. He has the leaping skills to manhandle most corners and is especially dangerous in the red-zone. He has the prototypical skills the pro scouts look for in a NFL possession type receiver. He has sure hands and looks the ball in big situations. He gets good separation in his patterns and finds the openings in coverage. He uses both his size and strength well to break tackles and turn the underneath pattern into a big play. Billy has the talent to move up further with a big postseason.

10. KAREEM KELLY - 6' 185 LBS. - USC -
Fast senior receiver has the speed to get deep and hit the home run. He has flashed big play ability over his career, and his production has improved working with talented passer Carson Palmer. Kareem has the blazing speed that cannot be coached. He has made nice strides in his route running and defensive recognition as a receiver, but still needs further work on those key areas. He has the extra gear to get open deep as well as the openfield running skills to break any reception the distance. He is the type of player who could light it up at a workout and fly up the charts this spring.

11. KEVIN CURTIS - 5'11" 185 LBS. - UTAH ST. -
Fast smallish senior wideout has performed brilliantly over his career, setting new school records in virtually every receiving category. He is both quick and fast and has the ability to break any reception the distance. He performed well in the just completed Senior Bowl against top cornerbacks. He displayed fine hands and route running which should make him an ideal slot receiver in the NFL next season.

12. J.R. TOLVER - 6'1" 200 LBS. - SAN DIEGO ST. -
Smooth senior wideout had a tremendous final season, displaying playmaker ability on a consistent basis. He is a sturdy athletic receiver with the ability to break tackles and run after the catch. He has fine hands and the ability to get open consistently which has earned him the to go label with the Aztecs. He has a strong frame and yet the quickness in his cuts of a much smaller athlete. His ability to run after the catch makes him a dangerous playmaker. He could move up further with continued success during the postseason with a big effort at a high profile all-star game.

13. * SHAUN McDONALD - 5'9" 165 LBS.- ARIZONA ST -
Explosive smurf receiver has been one of the best playmakers in the Pac 10 over the past two seasons. He lead the Pac 10 in '02 with 13 TD receptions and a fine 17 yard average per catch His run after the catch ability makes him a dangerous playmaker every time he touches the ball. His sub 4.4 speed and openfield running skills should make him a big play weapon as a role player in the NFL most likely as a slot receiver and return specialist.

14. JUSTIN GAGE - 6'4" 210 LBS. - MISSOURI -
Big tough senior wideout returned for his final season after an impressive performance as a junior. Justin is a big athlete with the movement skills of a much smaller receiver and uses his large frame well to shield off cover man displaying fearless ability going over the middle. He has sure hands and will usually win a jump ball situation. He lacks the top deep speed to be a consistent threat in that aspect of the game, but he certainly combines all the athletic ability to become a fine possession receiver - size, agility, hands and toughness.

15. DOUG GABRIEL - 6'2" 200 LBS. - CENTRAL FLORIDA -
Fast senior receiver has the big play ability to strike from anywhere on the field. He has developed quickly over recent seasons, showing the separation speed and run after the catch ability to become a dangerous deep threat. He is a well built athlete with the strength to break tackles and the quickness in his routes to gain separation and get open. He has the fine speed to be a legitimate deep threat which he displayed consistently over his senior season as one of the emerging home run threats in the country.

16. TERRENCE EDWARDS - 6'1" 165 LBS. - GEORGIA -
Fast lean receiver has nice running skills after the catch with the speed to go the distance from anywhere on the field. He needs to improve his strength to get off the line and go over the middle to establish himself as an NFL player. He emerged as a fine playmaker for the Bulldogs potent offense, showing the ability to get quickly into his routes and stretch the field. He has the elusiveness to be a dangerous openfield runner. He does need to fill out as an athlete with strength work a definite must to play in the NFL.

:: comments to frank coyle