The popular websits lists Vol senior Cody Douglas No. 12 among the top 25 NCAA guards in its “Preview 2005” section. Georgia’s Max Jean-Gilles is tabbed No. 1 at the position. The only other Southeastern Conference player mentioned among the NCAA’s premier guards is LSU’s Nate Livings, who is rated No. 19.
CFN.com’s top five guards are as follows:
1. Max Jean-Gilles, Georgia
2. Corey Hilliard, Oklahoma State
3. Matt Lentz, Michigan
4. Josh Beekman, Boston College
5. Will Allen, Texas
Interestingly enough, CFN.com does not list UT’s Arron Sears among the country’s top 25 offensive tackles. Three SEC players made the list, though – Auburn’s Marcus McNeill at No. 2, LSU’s Andrew Whitworth at No. 4 and Ole Miss’ Tre Stallings at No. 22.
Here’s CFN.com’s top five tackles:
1. D’Brickshaw Ferguson, Virginia
2. Marcus McNeill, Auburn
3. Davin Joseph, Oklahoma
4. Andrew Whitworth, LSU
5. Justin Blalock, Texas
Not surprisingly, Tennessee does not place anyone among CFN.com’s top 25 centers. The Vols are a bit unproven at that position heading into the 2005 season. The SEC has three representatives among the top 25, however – Mike Degory of Florida at No. 3, Russ Tanner of Georgia at No. 4 and Kyle Roper of Arkansas at No. 8.
Here’s CFN.com’s top five centers:
1. Greg Eslinger, Minnesota
2. Marvin Phillips, California
3. Mike Degory, Florida
4. Russ Tanner, Georgia
5. Kyle Young, Fresno State
CFN.com previously rated Tennessee’s Gerald Riggs, Jr., No. 10 among college running backs and Vol teammate Erik Ainge No. 17 among NCAA quarterbacks. No Vols made the top 25 at wide receiver or tight end.
Collegefootballnews.com will release its top 25 players at the various defensive positions later.