Most Improved Players

Every year, the college football season produces some unlikely stars. During the Spring players are continually working on their game in hopes of improving upon last year's effort.

I am going to list the players that I feel will show the greatest improvement from last season to this one. Some of these players missed some of last year due to injuries or suspensions, and some of the players just didn't play to their potential.

Here are the players that will get their shit straight this year and show out:


1.Sammie Stroughter- WR Oregon St.- Stroughter played at an All-American level two seasons ago. Last year, Sammie battled a knee injury and depression. Stroughter should once again be among the PAC-10's better receivers and return men.

2.Justin Willis- QB SMU- Two years ago Willis flashed some signs of brilliance that finally produced some excitement around the SMU program. Last year, Willis stunk it up and head coach Phil Bennett was fired. I expect Willis to have a HUGE season under new HC June Jones. Justin is easily more talented than any QB Jones worked with at Hawaii.

3.Jasper Brinkley- LB South Carolina- Brinkley missed last season due to a knee injury. If Jasper can stay healthy, he will be an ALL-SEC performer.

4.Lance Smith- RB Wisconsin- Smith was relegated to only playing home games for the Badgers last season due to academic issues. This year, Wisconsin will have full use of Smith's services. He is the lightning to P.J. Hill's thunder.

5.Derrick Williams- WR Penn St.- I am always expecting so much from this guy. He just hasn't lived up to most expectation at Penn St. Once again, I believe Derrick Williams will be a top-tier receiver for the Nittany Lions.

6.Jonathan Dwyer- RB Georgia Tech- Dwyer should see a lot more carries this year under new head coach Paul Johnson. Johnson's old Navy teams were a fixture on top of the rushing leader board year after year. Dwyer is more talented than any back Johnson coach at the Naval academy.

7.Thaddeus Lewis- QB Duke- Lewis is a very talented QB that is surrounded by an awful Duke football team. New head coach David Cutcliffe has coached both Peyton and Eli Manning. He now gets to work his magic with Lewis.

8.Ricky Jean-Francois- DT LSU- Francois was suspended for most of last season due to academic problems. He was re-instated in time for LSU' NC win vs. Ohio St. Buckeye fans will tell you that Ricky Jean-Francois is a BEAST.

9.Dexter McCluster- WR Ole Miss- McCluster will be running the same position that Darren McFadden ran for Houston Nutt at Arkansas. We all know how that turned out.

10. Duke Calhoun- WR Memphis- Calhoun may be one of the most talented WR's in the nation. With an improved Will Hudgens at QB, Calhoun should have a breakout year.

11.Derek Kinder- WR Pittsburgh- Kinder missed most of last season due to injury. He should help the Panthers get back to a bowl game this season.

12. Quentin Chaney- WR Oklahoma- Chaney had a breakout game last year against West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl. His numbers should increase this season as he moves into the starting lineup.

13. Marvin Austin- DT North Carolina- The Tar Heels may have the best defense in the ACC this season. Austin has NFL potential and should lead the D-line all year long.

14.Casey Dick- QB Arkansas- There is not a QB in the land that has had a tougher college career than Dick. Fortunately for Casey, Bobby Petrino is in town and his teams know how to throw the ball.

15.Allen Bailey- DE Miami- Miami had an uncharacteristically horrible defense last season. The Hurricanes brought in a new DC to go along with a new attitude. Allen Bailey looks to revive the tradition of great Miami defensive linemen.

16.Daniel Dufrene- RB Illinois- Last year's leading rusher, Rashard Mendenhall is gone to the NFL. Fortunately for the Fighting Ron Zook's, Dufrene is a great RB himself. He filled in admirably last season for Mendenhall with the latter needed a breather.

17.Artrell Woods- WR Oklahoma St.- Woods missed last season due to injury. He should be back in full force to join QB Zac Robinson and this record-breaking OSU offense.

18.Darrell Jalloh- WR West Virginia- Darrius Reynaud left a gaping hole in the Mountaineer's receiving corps. Jalloh and Tito Gonzalez will look to replace Reynaud's numbers.

19.Joe Haden- CB Florida- The entire Gator defense should be much improved this season. Haden showed signs of greatness early last season, but like the rest of Florida's secondary he faded down the stretch.

20. Sergio Kindle- LB Texas- Kindle has not lived up to his expectations at Austin. He will look to finally earn the admiration of Longhorn nation this season. New defensive coordinator Will Muschamp will have Kindle in rare form this year.

21.Matt Panfil- DE TCU- Panfil filled in for Tommy Blake last season while he dealt with family issues. Panfil will be the full time started for the Horned Frogs this year as they look to bounce back from a disappointing campaign.

22. Patrick Robinson- CB Florida St.- Robinson will be aided by playing alongside stalwart CB Tony Carter. If Robinson can play up to his potential it will be pretty tough to pass the ball on this Seminole defense.

23.Michale Greco- QB Central Florida- Greco will finally be the full time starter for the Knight this season. Last year, many fans were calling fro Greco to get the start over Kyle Israel. Israel is gone and it is now Greco's turn to run George O'Leary's offense.

24.B.J. Raji- DT Boston College- Raji missed most of last season for a variety of reasons. BC Will rely on it's defense more this season and they will look to Raji to lead the way up front.

25. Armando Murillo- CB Nebraska- Nebraska is in the same situation as Florida. Their secondary started out strong only to fade down the stretch. Bo Pelini will not let that happen again.