(Highlights here)
Before you even watch the film on Devin Bush, he leaves such a lasting impression. Wearing college football's best uniform, with Tom Brady's former number on it. He's already good in my book. Throw in a visor and dreads, and this is the best player in the country if we're going to judge books by their covers.
But seriously, Devin Bush is an unbelievable athlete, darting into opponents' backfield with relative ease. Bush is definitely a playmaker for Michigan's defense. As a sophomore last season, Bush tallied a total of 106 tackles (50 solo, 56 assisted). Of those 106, ten were tackles for loss. He also totaled 5.5 sacks. Bush defended seven passes and had one interception in 2017. Entering the preseason, Devin Bush is on watch lists for the Walter Camp Award and the Butkus Award. He was a finalist for the Butkus award as a sophomore.
Rodney Anderson, RB, Oklahoma Sooners
(Highlights here)
A lot of people, myself included, are very curious as to what Oklahoma's offense will look like without Baker Mayfield, as it's been awhile since we've experienced that. Well I think it's safe to say that junior running back Rodney Anderson will be playing a major role in Lincoln Riley's schemes. Anderson was certainly a significant contributor to the Sooners' offensive machine in 2017; the Texas native rushed for 1,161 yards and 13 touchdowns, and racked up 281 receiving yards and 5 receiving touchdowns on 17 catches. He's versatile, and that's exactly how Oklahoma got to where they did in 2017. The offense was versatile and defenses were troubled greatly by it.
There will be an increase of pressure on Anderson with Mayfield now in the NFL, but Oklahoma gets top tier athletes as recruits. Not that athletic recruits are as vital as a Heisman winner, but the Sooners shouldn't be falling into a pit of irrelevance in Baker's absence. Anderson has the always-lethal combo of talent and experience. He is listed at 6 foot 1, 220 pounds. He's on the preseason watch list for the Walter Camp Award. In 2017, he was honored on the All-Big 12 Second Team.
Raekwon Davis, DE, Alabama Crimson Tide
(Highlights here)
The 2019 NFL Draft will have a surplus of talented defensive linemen, with Alabama's junior defensive end Raekwon Davis being one of them. In 2017, the 6 foot 7 inch, 306 pound monster had the third most tackles on Alabama's defense with 69 (24 solo, 45 assisted). He recorded ten tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. Two of the Tide's turnovers were products of Davis: a fumble recovery against Texas A&M and an interception in the National Championship against Georgia. He also had a sack on Georgia's Jake Fromm that game.
As if his horrifying stature wasn't enough, Davis is also quick and violent with his hands off the snap of the ball. His handwork is done so easily that it looks like he's doing it on a blocking dummy in practice. And if he finds it necessary to bullrush, good luck holding your ground on that. Davis will be a key component of what should be yet another dominant Alabama defense. With the fall just around the corner, Davis is on the preseason watch lists for the Walter Camp Award and the Nagurski Trophy.
Myles Gaskin, RB, Washington Huskies
(Highlights here)
There are a pretty good amount of people out there suspecting the Washington Huskies to make the College Football Playoff for the second time (I'm not particularly in that camp but that's a different story for a different time). A major contributor to this forecast is senior running back Myles Gaskin, who is one of the most entertaining and skilled ball-carriers in the country. In 2017, Gaskin finished the season with 21 rushing touchdowns, the most out of any running back for a Power 5 team last year. He also recorded 1,380 rushing yards, falling just outside of the national top 20 in that category. Washington quarterback Jake Browning looked to Gaskin a good amount in the passing game too, as the running back hauled in 19 catches for 232 yards and three touchdowns.
Gaskin's speed and magnificent athleticism make for grade-A television; his ability to just break free and put on the jets is simply awesome. When you first take a look at the 5'9" 195 pound running back, you expect purely speed. But surprisingly, the kid has a knack for breaking tackles; he can bounce off of defenders very successfully before breaking free ahead. Washington uses Gaskin in a flashy manner too, as we saw him run some wild cat and trick plays last year.
Myles Gaskin holds the University of Washington school record for career rushing touchdowns with 45. He's also only 52 yards away from being the school's rushing yard leader; he currently has 4,055. As Ted Wells would say, it's "more probable than not" that Myles Gaskin will break the school's rushing yards record very soon into the first game of the season. "Not so fast my friend," interrupts Lee Corso, as he reminds you that Washington opens up 2018 against Auburn, which has one of the top defensive lines in the nation. "HOWEVUH," interjects Stephen A. Smith, Gaskin is seemingly talented enough to get 52 rushing yards in that first game to reach the record-breaking milestone. If not, the Huskies host North Dakota in their second game, so that record is his for the taking. Thanks for still reading after those kind of bizarre insertions of ESPN personalities (and a delusional lawyer) and their catch phrases... Myles Gaskin is going to be awesome.
Julian Love, CB, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame football is one of those programs that is constantly under the national microscope year in and year out, with as extreme of a range as you can get regarding preseason expectations. Every year, you hear about how the Fighting Irish are back, set to roll through their schedule. Then there are the takes that Notre Dame is constantly overrated due to history, and that they're going to get folded like a chair all season long. And then there's the in between. And then there's also the "honestly I have absolutely no idea let's just wait and see" crowd, which is where I'm currently standing. Well, I know they won't be putrid; they obviously get talented recruits and have been more than competitive under Brian Kelly. But between their schedule and my lack of trust in Brandon Wimbush, I have my doubts of them being a national contender (in terms of the playoff). Having said that, one thing I'm sure of is that Julain Love is a premiere cornerback in college football.
In his sophomore season, Love tallied up 68 total tackles (45 solo, 23 assisted) and three interceptions. Two of his interceptions were returned for touchdowns: 59 yards to the house against Michigan State and a 69 yard interception-to-endzone trip against NC State. His other pick against Wake Forest didn't put points on the board, but he still gained 20 yards after the interception (totaled 153 yards after interceptions). Love also recorded 20 passes defended last season.
Julian Love enters his junior season on the preseason Thorpe Award watch list, which honors the nation's top defensive back. He is also on the Nagurski Trophy watch list, which goes to college football's top defensive player. The Irish open up the 2018 season against Michigan which is huge for both programs. Julian Love will have to step up big time as Michigan's new quarterback Shea Patterson can really sling the ball all over the field.
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