Top 40 players from 2003 (Part IV)

In our first installment we looked at players 31-40 and in installment II we looked at players 21-30. Installment III looked at players 11-20. In our final installment we look at players ranked 1-10.

The same caveats apply, namely:

1) Obviously the grades are subjective.

2) The grades are split into 5 categories:
a. Bust
b. Marginal Contribution
c. Solid Contribution
d. All-Star
e. All-American

3) In one case, a player’s career was permanently ended early by an injury. This player was given an incomplete. With those in mind here are #'s 1-10:

10. Antonio Cromartie – DB – Florida State (Tallahassee, FL) – Only played two seasons at FSU. First team All-ACC as a sophomore in 2004, but college career ended in July of 2005 with torn ACL. Sat out 2005 season and then was drafted by San Diego in the first round of the 2006 draft. Final Grade: Solid Contribution.

9. Lamarr Woodley – LB - Michigan (Saginaw, MI) - Transitioned to a hybrid DE/OLB was the Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year in 2006 and Lombardi Award Winner. 12 sacks as a senior, 24 for his career. School record 10 forced fumbles. Selected by Steelers in 2nd round of ’07 draft. Final Grade: All-American.

8. Nate Robinson – DL – Miami (FL) (Irvington, NJ) – Signed with Rutgers after not meeting entrance requirements at Miami. Injuries limited time as a freshman and was kicked off the team after sophomore season. Transferred to Akron where he was a reserve in 2006. Started six games in 2007, recording 26 tackles including 2 sacks. Final Grade: Bust.

7. Prescott Burgess – DB – Michigan (Warren, OH) – Moved to LB where he had a solid career. Two year starter, but never made first or second All-Big Ten. Selected by Baltimore in the 6th round of the 2007 draft. Final Grade: Solid Contribution.

6. Whitney Lewis – WR – USC (Oxnard, CA) – Caught 0 passes in two seasons at USC. Transferred to Northern Iowa where he played RB in ’06 and receiver in ’07. Final Grade: Bust.

5. Jamarcus Russell – QB – LSU (Mobile, AL) – 25-4 as a starter, first team All-SEC in 2006 including SEC title and Sugar Bowl victory. Set school record by completing 67.8% of his passes in ’06 and tied record of 28 TD passes. Finished career third on Tiger’s all-time passing list with 6,625 yards. Number 1 overall pick by Oakland Raiders in 2007 draft. Final Grade: All-Star.

4. Tony Hills, Jr. – TE – Texas (Houston, TX) – Suffered a knee injury as a HS senior and moved to OL at Texas. Earned a starting position in 2007, but was injured against Tech and missed the A&M and bowl games. All-Big 12 in 2007. Selected by Pittsburgh in the 4th round of ’08 draft. Final Grade: Marginal Contribution.

3. Reggie Bush – RB – USC (Spring Valley, CA) – One of the most decorated college football players of all time. Heisman Trophy winner in 2005 with 2,890 all purpose yards, including 1,740 rushing (8.7 per carry) and 16 touchdowns. Finished career with 3,169 rushing yards and a 7.3 average per rush. Left school with a year of eligibility left and was the second overall pick of the ’06 draft by the Saints. Final Grade: All-American.

2. Ernie Simms – LB – Florida State (Tallahassee, FL) – Started final 24 games and was All-ACC as a sophomore in ’04 and honorable mention in ’05. One of 10 semi-finalists for the Butkus Award in ’05. Left school a year early and was the 9th overall pick of the NFL draft in ’06. Final Grade: All-Star.

1. Kyle Wright – QB – Miami (FL) (Danville, CA) – 18-11 as a starter, 5,835 passing yards, 59% completion percentage, 38 touchdowns, 31 interceptions. Never more than honorable mention All-ACC (2005). Final Grade: Marginal Contribution.