The NCAA's Swiss Army Knives

These players do it all.  They run, throw, catch, and take back both kinds of kicks.  Some even play a little defense.  And in 2005, their breadth of football skills will be one of the leading stories in all of college football.  In fact, it's very likely the Heisman Trophy winner will be amongst this group of players.

So get ahead of the curve and take stock in these prominent players, and throw in any other names that come to mind in our comments section below---

• Reggie Bush, USC
• Maurice Drew, UCLA
• Michael Bush, Louisville
• Selvin Young, Texas
• Ted Ginn, Jr., Ohio State
• Steve Breaston, Michigan

Feel free to suggest others.  We'll take a further look at this trend a little later on.

Update---here are some additions to our list:

• Skyler Green, LSU
• Lorenzo Booker/Leon Washington, Florida State
• Marshawn Lynch, California
• Miami CB/KR Devin Hester
  

GREAT group of football players, right there.  Remember how great it was to watch a few versatile guys like Rocket Ismail and Desmond Howard (a Heisman runner-up and Heisman winner)?  Then there was this decade-long drough, more or less, without anyone of that skill and recognition playing the game.

Now, that type of player is back, in great quantity and quality.

Comments

[Michael]

I'll throw out three. First, Devin Hester for Miami. Moved from WR to CB but he's electric, especially when he's returning kicks.

Then two QBs (you said run and throw, after all). Vince Young is the obvious one if we're talking about making defenses look like swiss cheese...the other guy is a personal fave, I just wish he could stay healthy- Drew Stanton from Michigan State.

[CFR]

I like the Hester suggestion, and it's been added.

As for the QB's, I should have made it more clear about it being a skill position guy, or someone who doesn't have the ball in his hands every play. At least in my mind.

The two QBs you noted are outstanding runners, though. Stanton's very under-the-radar, but I like his running skills. Obviously Young is in a class of his own in terms of running skill. Great athletes and worth just mentioning their names to get us excited for the season!