[dirno2000]

With two first rounders it's not too soon to start thinking about the 2008 draft. Some names to keep an eye on when college football season rolls around:

1. Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville: If he had entered this year's draft, which he considered, he might've even been the top overall pick.

2. Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas: He's as good Adrian Peterson, this year's top back, if not better. McFadden has the explosive speed, plus power.

3. Sam Baker, T, USC: He will be the next in a long line of great offensive lineman from USC. He's a massive man at 6-6, 310 pounds.

4. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU: He's a power player who will see a lot of double-teams this year. Ben Grubbs, this year's top guard, said Dorsey was his toughest opponent.

5. Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC: You can never have enough good pass rushers in a draft, and this guy tops them all. He really brings it off the edge.

6. DeSean Jackson, WR, California: This junior can fly. Every time he touches the ball, the opposition has to fear the big play. He's a heck of a return man as well.

7. Jake Long, T, Michigan: He's just behind Baker on the list of top tackles. He's the key to the Michigan running game.

8. Calais Campbell, DE, Miami: This junior can be a special pass rusher. He has great size and speed. At 6-8, 265 pounds, he's huge.

9. Kenny Phillips, S, Miami: At 6-2, 205 pounds, this junior is a good tackler and has great speed. He could be the next great safety in the league.

10. Chad Henne, QB, Michigan: Don't think he's another John Navarre. I tend to think he's closer to Tom Brady than Navarre.

11. Barry Richardson, T, Clemson: At 6-7, 330 pounds, he's a huge man who is a good athlete for his size. He graduated high school in three years, so he has the smarts, too.

12. Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan: This junior is coming off a nine-touchdown season. He has 4.45 speed, which will help his stock.

13. Dan Connor, LB, Penn State: The scouts think he's a much better prospect than Paul Posluszny, who went in the second round Saturday. Connor is much more active.

14. Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia: At 5-10, 195 pounds, this junior doesn't have great size but has big-play speed.

15. Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida: He had two sacks of Troy Smith in the national championship game, which served notice that Harvey will be a force in 2007. He might see more doubles with all his line mates leaving for the NFL.

16. Frank Okam, DT, Texas: At 6-5, 320 pounds, he is a power player in the middle of the Longhorns line. He does need to be more consistent.

17. Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona: He enters 2007 as the class of the corner group. At 6-0, 195 pounds, he has good size and speed.

18. James Davis, RB, Clemson: He will split carries with sophomore C.J. Spiller, so Davis' numbers might not be as good as they can be. But he has feature-back skills.

19. Paul Oliver, CB, Georgia: He is a smooth cover player who did a great job on Calvin Johnson last year. In a week corner class, Oliver might be a top-15 pick.

20. James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State: At 6-3, 245 pounds, he plays the game with a nasty streak. He had 111 tackles last season and runs well for a man his size.

21. Early Doucet, WR, LSU: Some scouts say he's better than Dwayne Bowe and Craig Davis, two LSU teammates who went in the first round Saturday.

22. Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State: He surprised many last season by becoming the Buckeyes' top pass rusher. A former linebacker, he should get heavier in 2007.

23. Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU: He has a lot of raw ability and needs to show more of it in 2007. At 6-5, 290 pounds, he has great size.

24. Jared Gaither, T, Maryland: This 6-9, 330-pound junior was bothered by a back injury last season, but when healthy he's a dominant player.

25. Bruce Davis, DE-OLB, UCLA: He's a speed rusher from the defensive end spot, but might have to move to linebacker on the next level because he's only 245 pounds. He plays with a tenacious style.

26. Kenny Iwebema, DE, Iowa: His season was cut short in 2006 because of shoulder surgery. But when he's on the field, he's a force off the edge.

27. Keith Rivers, LB, USC: Said he was told he'd be a second-round pick if he had entered this year's draft. With another season, he's into the top 32.

28. Chris Long, DE, Virginia: The son of former NFL great Howie Long had a breakout season in 2006. He has a ways to go to get to his father's level, but he's coming.

29. Justin King, CB, Penn State: He's a top-end corner, but this junior was arrested last week for his part in an off-campus fight. With all the concerns about character, he better use 2007 to clear that up.

30. Limas Sweed, WR, Texas: At 6-5, 218 pounds, he is a big receiver who has made a lot of big plays the past two years. He doesn't have burning speed, but he has enough to separate.

31. Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas: He gets overshadowed by playing with McFadden, but Jones has big-play speed. On any other team, he's a star.

32. Brian Cushing, LB, USC: He played defensive end last year, but he will move to linebacker in the NFL. He would be an ideal 3-4 outside linebacker. He's a tough guy.