LOCK IT UP - College Football - 2009 Season/2010 Off-Season

[ThaxbyChamblis]

Sands

 

[ThaxbyChamblis]

June 9, 2010
http://vmedia.rivals.com/flash/cont...lheight=60&lshadow=1&sFontColor=000000&sLink=http://vmedia.rivals.com/flash/cont...lheight=60&lshadow=1&sFontColor=000000&sLink= [h1]These triplets are a nightmare for defenses[/h1]
David Fox
Rivals.com College Football Staff Writer

The 1990s Dallas Cowboys were well-known for their "Triplets," acombination of elite players at three positions: quarterback, runningback and wide receiver.
For the Cowboys, Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin eachcaused headaches for opposing defenses on the way to the Pro FootballHall of Fame.
Today, we'll look at the top offensive triplets in collegefootball for the 2010 season. The three individuals aren't necessarilythe most talented three players at their positions, but they areplayers who force defensive coordinators to game plan for them.

BEST OFFENSIVE TRIPLETS (QB/RB/WR)
15. ARIZONA
The triplets: QB Nick Foles, RB Keola Antolin, WR Juron Criner The buzz: The Wildcats' offense loses coordinator Sonny +$%@!, but it will retain the same philosophy under Bill Bedenbaugh -- whose roots also came from Mike Leach's Texas Techteams. Arizona will benefit from having Foles as the starter allseason. He didn't become the full-time quarterback until the fourthgame last season. Thereafter, he averaged 260 passing yards per gameand completed 66 percent of his passes against Pac-10 foes. Antolinsplit carries with Nic Grigsbywhen Grigsby was healthy last season. Criner was one of four Arizonareceivers to catch more than 40 passes, but he was the only one to top500 yards; he also had nine touchdowns.
14. MISSOURI
The triplets: QB Blaine Gabbert, RB Derrick Washington, WR Jerrell Jackson The buzz: The first season with Gabbert at quarterback wasnearly as productive as those led by Chase Daniel. At 6 feet 5 and 240pounds, Gabbert is the pro prospect Daniel wasn't. Gabbert passed for3,593 yards and 24 touchdowns last season but completed fewer than 60percent of his passes. Washington wasn't as productive last season ashe was in 2008, when he rushed for 1,036 yards and 17 touchdowns.Jackson will look to replace Danario Alexander, who was the bestreceiver in the country over the second half of last season.
13. NEVADA
The triplets: QB Colin Kaepernick, RB Vai Taua, WR Brandon Wimberly The buzz: Kaepernick and Taua were the most productivequarterback/running back combination in the nation last season, rushingfor 2,528 yards and 26 touchdowns. Both are able to pick up yards inbunches. Meanwhile, the passing attack gradually is improving.Kaepernick completed a career-high 58.9 percent of his passes lastseason. Nevada's offense dominated nearly every WAC opponent, but its"pistol" offense stalled against Boise State and other quality teams onthe schedule.
12. CINCINNATI
The triplets: QB Zach Collaros, RB Isaiah Pead, WR Armon Binns The buzz: The Bearcats' offense has lost Mardy Gilyard, TonyPike and Brian Kelly, but it could be just as productive as it was lastseason. Collaros will be the starter after being a super-sub a yearago. He's a dual-threat quarterback with an ample amount of confidence.Binns had his most productive games of the season against Syracuseand Connecticut, two games Collaros started last season. The Bearcatslove to pass the ball, but Pead is good enough to flourish in abalanced offense.
11. PITTSBURGH
The triplets: QB Tino Sunseri, RB Dion Lewis, WR Jonathan Baldwin The buzz: Lewis and Baldwin are among the top five in thecountry at their positions, making Sunseri the X-factor. Actually, he'sthe X-factor for the whole program; if he has a solid season, Pittshould have enough to win the Big East. Baldwin will challenge tobecome Pittsburgh's third Biletnikoff Award winner, following AntonioBryant and Larry Fitzgerald. Lewis is chasing Pitt history, too. OnlyTony Dorsett has run for more yards in a season for the Panthers.Sunseri knows the territory -- his father, Sal, was a linebacker atPitt and is a former Panthers assistant. Tino also is a hometown heroafter winning a state title at Pittsburgh Central Catholic. Bill Stullproved last season that Pitt's starting quarterback doesn't need to bea superstar with Lewis and Baldwin leading the way.
10. UTEP
The triplets: QB Trevor Vittatoe, RB Donald Buckram, WR Kris Adams The buzz: Buckram may be the nation's most underratedrunning back. He was fourth in the nation in rushing last season at1,594 yards, and he's the nation's No. 2 returning rusher afterPittsburgh's Dion Lewis. Buckram also had 453 receiving yards. Vittatoequietly has been one of the nation's most productive quarterbacks thepast three seasons, topping 3,000 yards each year. But Vittatoe iscoming off a season in which he set a career high in interceptions andcareer lows in touchdowns and completion percentage. Adams, who hasgreat size (6-3/195), had 50 catches in 2008 but struggled a bit lastseason. With Jeff Moturi gone, expect Adams to be the Miners' go-to guythis season.
9. WISCONSIN
The triplets: QB Scott Tolzien, RB John Clay, WR Nick Toon The buzz: The Badgers' trio isn't as flashy as some otherson this list, but Tolzien, Clay and Toon get the job done. As usual atWisconsin, a bruising running back is the centerpiece. Defenses knowthe 248-pound Clay will get plenty of work, but he still averages 5.4yards per carry for his career. Although Wisconsin retains itsrun-first style, the Badgers are opening up the offense. Tolzien becamethe first Badgers quarterback to complete more than 200 passes in aseason. In recent seasons, Wisconsin has relied extensively on itstight end in the passing game, but Toon figures to change that thisseason. He had 54 catches for 805 yards and four TDs last season.
8. OKLAHOMA
The triplets: QB Landry Jones, RB DeMarco Murray, WR Ryan Broyles The buzz: As much as any group on this list, these threeSooners have the most to gain by working together over the summer.Jones didn't become the full-time starter until the Oct. 24 gameagainst Kansas.Broyles missed a game with an injury and combined for three totalcatches in the games before and after. Murray missed a game and splitcarries with Chris Brown. Broyles was the most productive of the group,finishing the season with 89 catches for 1,120 yards and 15 touchdowns.Jones threw 26 TD passes but also 14 interceptions; expect the firstnumber to go up and the second to go down as he becomes morecomfortable in the offense.
7. OHIO STATE
The triplets: QB Terrelle Pryor, RB Dan Herron, WR DeVier Posey The buzz: After two mostly up-and-down seasons, Pryor showedwhy he was the No. 1 recruit in the country in 2008 with hisperformance against Oregonin the Rose Bowl; he threw for 266 yards and ran for 72 more. If hecontinues at that level, Pryor will be a Heisman candidate. Poseybecame Pryor's top target as the season went on and finished with eighttouchdown catches. He has big-time speed and is a top-flight deepthreat. Herron missed three games with an injury and split carries withBrandon Saine, but Herron did finish with 600 yards and seven touchdowns. A healthy season could mean 1,000 yards.
6. TEXAS A&M
The triplets: QB Jerrod Johnson, RB Christine Michael, WR Jeff Fuller The buzz: Johnson has a chance to become the Aggies' firstfirst-team All-Big 12 quarterback after setting eight school recordslast season. The Aggies were a top-five offense thanks to Johnson'sdual-threat production (3,579 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, 506 rushingyards, eight TDs). Despite starting only a third of the season, Michaelshowed big-play ability as a freshman while sharing time with Cyrus Gray.The offense could reach its full potential with a healthy Fuller, a6-4, 215-pounder who had seven touchdown catches in nine games.
5. ALABAMA
The triplets: QB Greg McElroy, RB Mark Ingram, WR Julio Jones The buzz: The Crimson Tide's three offensive leaders includethe defending Heisman winner, a potential first-round pick and aquarterback who is undefeated as a starter. Ingram rushed for 1,658yards and 17 touchdowns last season to win the Heisman. The 6-4,211-pound Jones is a physical talent, but Alabama's run-first systemcuts into his numbers. McElroy isn't one of the nation's top-20 mosttalented quarterbacks, but he was an able game manager for the nationalchampions in '09. He finished the season with 2,508 yards and 17touchdowns while completing 60.9 percent of his passes.
4. HOUSTON
The triplets: QB Case Keenum, RB Bryce Beall, WR James Cleveland The buzz: This has the potential to be the most prolifictrio, particularly Keenum and Cleveland. Keenum has passed for 10,691yards and 88 touchdowns the past two seasons. He threw for 5,671 yardslast season, a figure that led the nation by 1,417 yards. The onlyconcern is that he threw 15 interceptions last season, including ninein the final two games. Cleveland was one beneficiary of Keenum's arm,as he was one of four Houston receivers who caught at least 70 passes.Cleveland led the Cougars with 104 catches, 1,214 yards and 14touchdowns. Last season, Beall split carries with freshman CharlesSims. Now that Sims is ineligible, Beall will shoulder the load as hedid in 2008; that season, he rushed for 1,247 yards and 13 touchdownsand was the Conference USA freshman of the year.
3. BOISE STATE
The triplets: QB Kellen Moore, RB Jeremy Avery, WR Austin Pettis The buzz: Boise State would make the top 10 even if Doug Martin and Titus Youngwere to replace Avery and Pettis, respectively. Moore has lost one gamein two seasons as a starter and has been one of the most efficientquarterbacks in the country in his two seasons as the starter. Pettishas been one of the beneficiaries; he caught 63 passes for 855 yardsand 14 touchdowns last season. He has good size and speed and runscrisp routes. Avery usually gives way to Martin near the goal line, buthe still ran for 1,150 yards and six scores last season. He hasbreakaway speed and also is an effective receiver.
2. VIRGINIA TECH
The triplets: QB Tyrod Taylor, RB Ryan Williams, WR Jarrett Boykin The buzz: At times last season, Taylor looked awfully closeto reaching his potential as a passer, and we're taking a leap of faiththat Taylor consistently will play at a high level this season. In2008, Taylor had two touchdown passes and seven interceptions; lastseason, Taylor led the ACC in passing efficiency with 13 TDs and fiveinterceptions. He doesn't run as much as once did, but he still iscapable of picking up chunks of yards on the ground. Williams steppedin after a season-ending injury to Darren Evansto become one of the top tailbacks in the nation as a redshirtfreshman. He topped 20 carries in each of his last six games and scored11 touchdowns in his last four games. At a school not known forreceivers, Boykin gives the Hokies someone who can test opposingsecondaries and stretch the field; Boykin averaged 20.9 yards per catchlast season.
1. WASHINGTON
The triplets: QB Jake Locker, RB Chris Polk, WR Jermaine Kearse The buzz: Some NFL draftniks rated Locker as the topquarterback in the 2010 class had he left school early. Scout will havea chance to examine Locker's leadership skills this season now that hehas a realistic chance of reaching a bowl. Under Steve Sarkisian,Locker now plays more of a pro-style game and set career-highs with2,800 passing yards and 21 touchdowns while decreasing hisinterceptions last season. He remains a phenomenal athlete who rushedfor 986 yards and 13 touchdowns as a freshman and has dabbled inbaseball. In season full of elite freshman running backs, Polk seemedto fall through the cracks despite becoming the first Washingtonfreshman to ever rush for 1,000 yards. Kearse gives Locker a legitimatedeep threat; he averaged 17.3 yards per catch last season.

 

[airmaxbuckeye]

Boom Herron won't sniff 1,000 yards for Ohio State this season...hopefully he doesn't get as many carries as he did last season. Great kid...but there's more talented backs on the roster.

 

[rawjs]

Where do you guys see Kelvin Benjamin ending up?

 

[papi chulo]

Originally Posted by rawjs

Where do you guys see Kelvin Benjamin ending up?

If he qualifies i think hes all Miami

 

[rawjs]

^Is he related to Travis Benjamin?

 

[rook]

So i ask this question: In 2012, College football would be...?

 

[papi chulo]

Originally Posted by rawjs

^Is he related to Travis Benjamin?

Nope

  

 

[rawjs]

Originally Posted by RoOk

So i ask this question: In 2012, College football would be...?

...Hopefully not the last great thing we see before the end of the world

 

[5am6oody72]

Originally Posted by dreClark

2. VIRGINIA TECH

The triplets: QB Tyrod Taylor, RB Ryan Williams, WR Jarrett Boykin The buzz: At times last season, Taylor looked awfully closeto reaching his potential as a passer, and we're taking a leap of faiththat Taylor consistently will play at a high level this season. In2008, Taylor had two touchdown passes and seven interceptions; lastseason, Taylor led the ACC in passing efficiency with 13 TDs and fiveinterceptions. He doesn't run as much as once did, but he still iscapable of picking up chunks of yards on the ground. Williams steppedin after a season-ending injury to Darren Evansto become one of the top tailbacks in the nation as a redshirtfreshman. He topped 20 carries in each of his last six games and scored11 touchdowns in his last four games. At a school not known forreceivers, Boykin gives the Hokies someone who can test opposingsecondaries and stretch the field; Boykin averaged 20.9 yards per catchlast season.

That legendary VT offensive attack

While I don't agree with that trio being ranked that highly, I do think we will have our best offense since 99 next year. Boykin's 20.9 YPC is kinda misleading IMO, he's not a burner or a deep threat. It has more to do with our style of offense throwing the deep ball off of play action after establishing the run. We don't throw too many 10-15 yard routes to Boykin.

Funny story about Boykin. One of my friend's GF is pretty well off and she knows a buncha guys on the team including Boykin. Since he knows her dad's rich, from time to time he will just straight up ask her if her dad can buy him stuff, ranging from a car to a giant fish tank/aquarium

 

[bigmike23]

Masoli is gone from oregon, got caught with weed

 

[ThaxbyChamblis]

What an #%$ clown.

 

[5am6oody72]

Just saw Masoli kicked off of the team.

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindducksbeat/2010/06/oregon_quarterback_jeremiah_ma.html

Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli kicked off team after arrest on marijuana possession
Published: Wednesday, June 09, 2010, 12:15 PM Updated: Wednesday, June 09, 2010, 12:41 PM
Tyson Alger, The Oregonian Tyson Alger, The Oregonian
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jeremiah-masoli2-120109.jpgThomas Boyd/The Oregonian
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Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, the would-be Hesiman Trophy candidate who led the Oregon Ducks to a Rose Bowl, has been kicked off the team today after derailing his college career with a second legal incident in six months.

According to Springfield Police Sgt. Tom Borchers, Masoli was stopped by Springfield police at 9:17 p.m. Monday at the intersection of Kruse Way and Hutton Street after exiting a driveway without stopping. The officer cited Masoli for driving with a suspended license, failing to stop while exiting a driveway and possession of one ounce or less of marijuana.

Others in the car were not cited, and Borchers did not name them.

Masoli will be arraigned in Springfield municipal court at 8 a.m. June 24. None of the charges against Masoli carry a jail sentence, Borchers said.

Read previous Masoli court documents
Plea petition from fraternity house burglary

Judgment document from fraternity house burglary
It is not immediately clear, however, how the new case could affect the year-long probation Masoli is currently serving after pleading guilty in March to a second-degree burglary charge. That case, in which a felony was bargained down to a misdemeanor, stemmed from a theft from the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house in Eugene in January. Hours after Masoli admited his guilt in that case, head coach Chip Kelly suspended his star quarterback for the entire 2010 season.

Calls to Alex Gardner, the Lane County district attorney who prosecuted the burglary case, and John Kim, Masoli's attorney in the burglary case, were not immediately returned.

Today, after news of the marijuana arrest, the Ducks announced Masoli had been dismissed from the team for "failure to adhere to obligations previously outlined" by Kelly.

Masoli led Oregon to 10-3 records each of the past two seasons and its first Rose Bowl appearance in 15 years in 2009. He was selected a second-team all-league choice by the Pacific-10 Conference coaches a year ago after completing 177 of 305 passes for 15 touchdowns and six interceptions, in addition to running for 668 yards and 13 scores.

The San Francisco native finishes his Oregon career as the school's all-time rushing leader among quarterbacks (1,386 yards) and ninth on the program's career total offense chart (5,277 yards).

Masoli, whose scholarship is no longer active now that the academic year has concluded, has one season of collegiate eligibility remaining should he transfer to another program.

Stay with OregonLive.com for more on this developing story.

-- Tyson Alger


Dumb $$%.

 

[39478]

Masoli = Idiot.

See ya moron

 

[T0INE]

All this Super conferences talk is crazy.

They won't go into effect for another two years, correct?

 

[N41D]

The triplets: QB Jerrod Johnson, RB Christine Michael, WR Jeff Fuller
 

 

[651akathepaul]

I don't think that hurts Oregon much anyway. Masoli never seemed too smart and I never thought he was the greatest QB either. Only thing he brought was some leadership, but even that felt by default and not natural.

I'm sure Oregon will be just fine.

 

[jus3]

http://twitter.com/BFeldmanESPN

BFeldmanESPN
  
USC has been hit with a two-year post-season ban in addition to the loss of scholarships, among other penalties from the NCAA.

 

 

[grusumm18]

Originally Posted by JUS3

http://twitter.com/BFeldmanESPN

BFeldmanESPN
  
USC has been hit with a two-year post-season ban in addition to the loss of scholarships, among other penalties from the NCAA.

 

smh like you're surprised?!?

lol at dillon and kyle

kiffin ftl

losing 10/yr is gonna suck too, but i cant believe its gonna be that many

 

[eneyekayee]

Originally Posted by shabooyah1124

Originally Posted by papi chulo

Anymore news on the Demar Dorsey situation?

It's official now. Dorsey will reopen his recruiting. @**@%# A.

 

[after h0urs]

Originally Posted by JUS3

http://twitter.com/BFeldmanESPN

BFeldmanESPN
  
USC has been hit with a two-year post-season ban in addition to the loss of scholarships, among other penalties from the NCAA.

 

Either NCAA has some serious evidence on SC or they're just aiming high to appease the public knowing it'll get corrected later through appeals.  Guess we'll see tomorrow.

 

[calibeebee]

Originally Posted by dr funk 13

Masoli = Idiot.

See ya moron

no crap! It's been a roller coaster day to be a duck fan.  Pac-10 expanding

(goodbye chances of ducks ever dominating), USC suspended from post season for 2 seasons

, masoli kicked off team for being a douche

 

[elpablo21]

Originally Posted by dreClark

1. WASHINGTON

The triplets: QB Jake Locker, RB Chris Polk, WR Jermaine Kearse The buzz: Some NFL draftniks rated Locker as the topquarterback in the 2010 class had he left school early. Scout will havea chance to examine Locker's leadership skills this season now that hehas a realistic chance of reaching a bowl. Under Steve Sarkisian,Locker now plays more of a pro-style game and set career-highs with2,800 passing yards and 21 touchdowns while decreasing hisinterceptions last season. He remains a phenomenal athlete who rushedfor 986 yards and 13 touchdowns as a freshman and has dabbled inbaseball. In season full of elite freshman running backs, Polk seemedto fall through the cracks despite becoming the first Washingtonfreshman to ever rush for 1,000 yards. Kearse gives Locker a legitimatedeep threat; he averaged 17.3 yards per catch last season.

plus Middleton = The Quartets

 

[ThaxbyChamblis]

Originally Posted by grusumm18

lol at dillon and kyle

What makes you say that?

Post season ban = less pressure to play seniority over the youngsters since you can't go to a bowl anyways (USC tends to ignore seniority anyways "The best player plays" , but now they have even more reason to do so) = More P.T. for Dillion and Kyle (and the other frosh) = By the time they are Jr's they are gonna be $#@*!%$ RAW.

FSU commitment Eric Beverly tore his ACL and will miss his Sr. Season.

 

[5am6oody72]

Originally Posted by dr funk 13

Masoli = Idiot.

See ya moron

What I always wonder, is how so many of these athletes have suspended licenses in the first place, word to Marcus Vick.

I mean, it's one thing to have your license suspended, but if you are dumb enough to drive with a suspended license, make sure you leave the weed at home! How hard is that to realize? And if you do have something on you, you drive like a SAINT no matter what.