• Clemson DE Ricky Sapp played through injuries for most of his junior season, and did not look as quick as he did earlier in his career. His sack totals are still not great — he only has two on the season, both coming against Boston College — but his upfield quickness, athletic ability and long arms have really piqued the interest of evaluators, who do not see him escaping the first round, where he could fit as either a 4-3 right defensive end or 3-4 rush linebacker.

• LSU senior DE Rahim Alem has been disappointing this season since moving into a full-time role, proving that his best position in the NFL will likely come as a situational pass rusher. He lined up in the neutral zone twice against Florida trying to get an early edge, and SEC blockers have too easily been able to neutralize and wear him down this season, when he has not been able to come off the bench with fresh legs and catch blockers off guard.

• The premium placed on pass rushers tends to lead many underclassmen out of school early when they possess rare gifts that cannot be coached. Julius Peppers and Mario Williams were both drafted among the top two picks not because of their consistent performance in college but because of their exceptional upside. In this year's draft, Florida's Carlos Dunlap and South Florida's Jason Pierre-Paul both possess unique physical skill sets — and Paul really put himself on the map the past two weeks against Florida State and Syracuse, when he snagged a one-handed interception and returned it for an 18-yard TD. He has vines for arms and exceptional athletic ability, comparable to a young Jevon Kearse. Physically, Dunlap looked like he could jump to the pros from the time he entered the Florida program, possessing the rare size and wingspan to line up anywhere along the line, but his motor tends to idle and he still has not figured out how to use his hands or play with the type of power he possesses.

• Manny Hazard set the NCAA record for receptions in a season in 1989 for Houston's run-and-shoot offense, when he grabbed 142. After a 22-278-3 performance against Kent State last week, Bowling Green senior WR Freddie Barnes has 75 on the season and at his current pace, would finish with 150 and establish a new record. The 6-1, 210-pounder was not on the radar of scouts prior to the season, but his production will warrant closer scrutiny.

• Alabama senior LB Cory Reamer really stood out on special teams against Mississippi, showing great awareness in ripping the ball out of the hands of RS Dexter McCluster while he was throwing him to the ground on a punt after blocking a punt earlier in the game. McCluster had to be helped off the field after landing awkwardly on his shoulder. Playing on nearly every special team, Reamer also brings versatility at the linebacker position, having moved inside from his "Sam" linebacker position the week before after Don't'a Hightower went down with a season-ending knee injury. The converted safety receives high marks for his football intelligence and could make a living as a core special-teams player and serviceable linebacker in the pros.

• Michigan senior RB Carlos Brown has stood out more than his more heralded teammate Brandon Minor early in the season, but the history of injuries that has limited Brown caught up to him again last week, as he sat out against Iowa and has been wearing a red jersey in practice much of the season. Questions about his long-term durability continue to worry NFL scouts.

• Michigan junior CB Donovan Warren has picked off passes in each of the last three weeks, returning an errant pass for a TD against Iowa on the opening defensive play and also swaying momentum late in a 36-33 victory over Indiana, when he snared the ball away from Indiana WR Damarlo Belcher. His instincts have stood out, as he keys the quarterback well, shows good route recognition and has a knack for jumping routes.

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