Campus Confidential

By Adam Abramson

Tonight I'll be riding the trusty underdog steed that is the University of Massachusetts in the DI-AA championship game against the reigning Mountaineers of Appalachian State. After speaking to coach Rob, who has met both staffs, he talked up UMass enough for me to pick them two weeks in a row. Take the 3 the Minutemen are getting!

I’ve probably said this on here before, but I love recruiting. Work has taken me out of the game somewhat this fall, but I’m usually able to rattle off at least 75% of the Top 100 prospects, where they come from and even some numbers. Yes, I’m that pathetic.

The one change I’m making to this team is no fullbacks. To be honest, I don’t know of one freshman fullback. There, I said it. So we’ll go with two running backs.

Finally, see if you notice something about all of the guys I have listed below.

All-Abramson Freshman Offense

*(Second team in parenthesis)

Quarterback
Mitch Mustain, Arkansas
(Tim Tebow, Florida)

Running Backs
Javarris James, Miami; CJ Spiller, Clemson
(Chris Wells, Ohio State; C.J. Gable, Southern California)

Wide Receivers
Percy Harvin, Florida; Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina
(Duke Calhoun, Memphis; David Harvey, Akron)

Tight End
Brandon Warren, Florida State
(Cody Slate, Marshall)

Tackles
Sam Young, Notre Dame; Andre Smith, Alabama
(Trent Williams, Oklahoma; Jason Fox, Texas)

Center
See note below

Guards
John Jerry, Ole Miss; Joe Thomas, Pittsburgh
(Sergio Render, Virginia Tech; Michael Oher, Ole Miss)

Returner
Brandon James, Florida
(Jacoby Ford, Clemson)

Punter
Kyle Loomis, Oregon State

Kicker
Joshua Shene, Ole Miss

All-Abramson Freshman Defense

Defensive Ends
Eric Norwood, South Carolina; Greg Hardy, Ole Miss
(Ricky Sapp, Clemson; Kevin Hogan, Kent State)

Defensive Tackles
Marcus Tillman, Ole Miss
(See note below)

Linebackers
Patrick Lavine, Oklahoma State; Mark Herzlich; Boston College; Micah Johnson, Kentucky
(Chris Collins, Oklahoma State; Brandon Spikes, Florida; Marcus Ball, Florida State)

Cornerbacks
Alterraun Verner, UCLA; Vontae Davis, Illinois
(Anthony Webb, Kansas; D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt)

Safeties
Myron Rolle, Florida State; Taylor Mays, Southern California
(Barry Church, Toledo; Emanuel Cook, South Carolina)

• The thing in common? Everyone on this list is a true freshman. Yes, the redshirt freshman this year get screwed. I originally wanted to include them on this list, but I decided last second not to…If they play hard next year, they can be on the 2007 All-Abramson Underclass team.

• Honestly, I looked for 30 minutes. 30 freaking minutes…I couldn’t find one true freshman offensive center. As far as redshirt freshmen centers: Rafael Eubanks, Iowa and Josh McNeil, Tennessee are two studs.

  
  

• The masterful Furnk once again brings up a great point about Michigan’s Alan Branch. My underclass defensive tackles were tough…the top 3: Okam, Dorsey and Branch could honestly be first-round draft picks if they came out this year. I went with Branch on the second-team because of this one reason (if it’s dumb, call me out): LaMarr Woodley. He scares opposing OCs so much that I think pressure was taken off the middle of the line to help out on the exterior.

• Touché to Jeremy’s comment about Taco Bell/No Fear. My friend Tim had the greatest retort when I informed him of Marty Moates', the founder of No Fear shirts, passing: "He was taking up too much space, I guess."

• I know Chris Collins, Jacoby Hurt and Marcus Ball were hurt for part or most of this year, but what I saw from them was impressive enough to earn second-team honors.
  

When signing day rolls around in February, I’ll put together my team of 2007 true freshman dream team…but I’ll do some things before then.

This weekend is dedicated to the bowl preview. It’ll be on the site when you wake up Monday morning. Until then, feel free to chat about All-Abramsons with me, I’ll respond to all.