Bowl Preview Series: BCS National Championship Game
by Matt Miller
By Luke Paul Chandler
Finally, it’s here. The craziest college football season in years is down to its last game. The national championship game between Ohio State and Louisiana State is filled with intrigue and speculation. More than anything else, however, it’s full of top prospects.
Allstate BCS National Championship
LSU vs. Ohio State
New Orleans (Super Dome)
8 p.m. ET (Fox)
Summary: The Tigers and Buckeyes meet for the biggest prize of all in college football. Both teams are loaded with prospects that will be playing on Sundays in the near future. The Tigers roster is more of a veteran unit then the younger Buckeyes, but in all this game could see nearly 15 players drafted in April.
Draft-worthy Senior Prospects
Ohio State
OT Kirk Barton, 6-6, 310 pounds - Barton is a physical run blocker who controls at the point of attack. He’s a solid technician and does well at pushing the pile. His solid lateral movement and footwork allows him to redirect blockers with ease.
FB Dionte Johnson, 6-0, 242 pounds - The veteran Johnson, has only been the starter for one season, but has been an integral part of the offense for three years now. Johnson is not your typical sledgehammer fullback, but he has soft hands out of the backfield, and is athletic for the position.
LSU
DT Glenn Dorsey, 6-2, 299 pounds - The Buckeyes offensive line has not seen a defensive tackle with Dorsey’s skill set all year, who racked up almost every post season award imaginable this year. Dorsey is a top pass rusher who gets off the line quickly, and has good use of his hands. Look for this to be the matchup of the game, and Buckeyes center Jim Cordle has had trouble this year with quicker defensive tackles.
WR Early Doucet, 5-11, 206 pounds - The speedy Doucet had a bit of a disappointing senior season due to injury, but when healthy he’s a vertical threat who will challenge the Buckeyes secondary. Doucet has great deep speed, but he can be disrupted by more physical cornerbacks.
FB Jacob Hester, 6-0, 228 pounds - Hester is listed as a fullback, but he gets many touches at halfback throughout the game. Hester is the Tigers bruising back, used to protect leads and wear out the clock. Hester’s more natural position may be halfback, as he shows good quickness, footwork, and vision when running the ball. Hester has soft hands, but is not very experienced in the passing game, and will need work.
OLB Ali Highsmith, 6-1, 226 pounds - The unheralded piece of the Tigers defense is the fast, but undersized Highsmith. Ali projects to the pros as a will linebacker in a Cover-2 defense because of his lack of physicality and ability to shed blocks. Luckily, his defensive linemen keep him free to roam.
CB Chevis Jackson, 6-0, 180 pounds - Jackson had a big reputation heading into his senior year, but he has played lackluster this season. He has been abused by bigger wide receivers that are stronger than him. Jackson still has amazing leaping ability and ball skills, but is a work in progress.
SS Craig Steltz, 6-2, 205 pounds - In a secondary filled with big names, the unheralded Steltz showed great ball skills and awareness in his first year as a starter. Steltz has solid recognition in zone coverage, but is a bit of a gambler. He has a thick frame and can hit, but doesn’t always wrap up properly.
CB Jonathan Zenon, 6-0, 179 pounds - The lesser known half of the LSU cornerback duo, Zenon has had an up and down season. Former defensive coordinator Bo Pelini relied on his corners to play tight man to man to coverage, and Zenon just wasn’t holding up well by season’s end. Zenon needs a big bowl game to get back in scout’s eyes.
Draft Eligible Underclassmen to Watch
LSU
DE Tyson Jackson, 6-5, 292 pounds, Jr. - The powerful defensive end is carrying on the tradition of former Tiger defensive ends Marquise Hill and Marcus Spears. He’s a powerful, long armed pass rusher who can dominate at the point of attack. Jackson has the ability to step into a team as a two gap defensive end, and likely could start right away for most NFL teams who run a 3-4.
DT Marlon Favorite, 6-1, 300 pounds, Jr. - Favorite was big name coming out of high school, and the results have been mixed for him. This year he saw his most extensive action after the injury to Charles Alexander. Physically, Favorite still is very raw and lacks lower body strength, so it would be in his best interests to stay for another year. He has filled paperwork with the Advisory Committee though.
WR Demetrius Byrd, 6-2 195 pounds, Jr. - The Tigers top red zone threat is Byrd. He’s a tall receiver with good hands, and can be a game-breaker. For as good as Byrd was at times, he did disappear at times.
OG Herman Johnson, 6-7, 335 pounds, Jr. - Johnson is a road grading mauler in the ground game for the Tigers. He currently plays left guard, but he has the physical skills to dominate at right tackle also. He possesses great upper body strength, and a good hand punch.
Ohio State
DE Vernon Gholston, 6-4, 265 pounds, Jr. - Gholston mans the important Leo position for the Buckeyes, which is a hybrid linebacker-end. Gholston is a physical specimen with amazing upper and lower body strength, and a knack for getting to the quarterback.
CB Malcom Jenkins, 6-1, 202 pounds, Jr. - The Buckeyes star corner thrives in aggressive press man coverage, and is one of the strongest corners in the nation. Jenkins can peak into the backfield a bit too often and be exposed vertically.
MLB James Laurinaitis, 6-3, 240 pounds, Jr. - The decorated Laurinaitis is likely playing in his last collegiate game. He is a play-maker in zone coverage with good ball skills for a linebacker. He is comfortable blitzing, and teams with a power ground game can neutralize him with his lack of physical play.
WR Brian Robiskie, 6-3, 196 pounds, Jr. - The son of Dolphins wide receivers coach Terry Robiskie, Brian is tall, lean receiver with great leaping ability. He makes plays on the ball in air well, and is an above-average athlete.