In its preseason rankings of the top 25 college players at each position, the popular website lists Gerald Riggs No. 10 at running back and Erik Ainge No. 17 at quarterback.
Here’s what CFN.com had to say about Riggs:
“Forgetting about all the past off-the-field issues, Riggs should be a sleeper in the Heisman race this year and on a salary drive to be a high draft pick in 2006. He led the team with 1,107 yards averaging 5.7 yards per carry along with six touchdowns. A tremendous blend of speed and power, he scored the game-winning touchdown in the final minute to beat Kentucky and then ripped apart a great Auburn defense for 182 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries (and got another long touchdown called back).”
CFN.com’s top five backs, incidentally, are: 1-Reggie Bush (USC), 2-Adrian Peterson (Oklahoma), 3-Laurence Maroney (Minnesota), 4-DeAngelo Williams (Memphis) and 5-Andre Hall (South Florida). Tennessee fans will get an up-close look at Williams when the Tigers visit Neyland Stadium Nov. 12.
Other than Riggs, the only Southeastern Conference running back to make CFN.com’s list was Mississippi State’s Jerious Norwood, who sneaked in at No. 25.
The top five quarterbacks are: 1-Matt Leinart (USC), 2-Vince Young (Texas), 3-Omar Jacobs (Bowling Green), 5-Reggie McNeal (Texas A&M) and 5-Brad Smith (Missouri). Florida’s Chris Leak is No. 9, Vanderbilt’s Jay Cutler No. 13, Alabama’s Brodie Croyle No. 18 and Georgia’s D.J. Shockley No. 22. Notre Dame’s Brady Quinn, who the Vols face Nov. 5 in South Bend, is No. 24.
CFN.com also ranks the top 25 wide receivers but no UT players grace the list. Auburn’s Courtney Taylor is ranked No. 3, while two LSU wideouts – Skyler Green (18) and Dwayne Bowe (22) – also made the top 25. Tennessee will try to contain Green and Bowe Sept. 24 at Baton Rouge.
No Vols made CFN.com’s ranking of the top 25 tight ends but three guys UT will face this fall did -- Georgia’s Leonard Pope (No. 2), Notre Dame’s Anthony Fasano (No. 11) and LSU’s David Jones (No. 13).
CFN.com’s rankings of the top 25 offensive linemen will be posted later. So will its rankings of the top 25 players at the various defensive positions.