College Preview 10/2

ESPN’s Thursday night football features two Big East teams as Pitt travels to Tampa to take on South Florida at Raymond James Stadium.

The best player in this game isn’t draftable right now; that would be Pitt sophomore running back LeSean McCoy. He’s 5-11, 210 pounds out of Harrisburg, PA. If he stays injury free and decides to leave school a year early, he’ll be one of the first players taken in the 2010 NFL Draft. Last year, he ran for nearly 1,400 as a true freshman.

Otherwise, most of the players the pros are keeping an eye on in this game are on the defensive side of the ball.

Kickoff is 6:30 P.M.

Pitt

#40 MLB Scott McKillop – 6-1, 240 pounds, SR-Redshirt. McKilllop came into the season having played 35 games for the Panthers. He became a starter last season at middle linebacker and finished with 151 total tackles, three sacks, one INT, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. His tackle total led the nation last year. So far this season, he had 40 tackles and one sack. He picked up 10 tackles and one sack against Iowa in a Pitt victory. McKillop has all the intangibles to play in the NFL, but lacks top-end speed for a linebacker, so he’s considered anywhere from a fourth to sixth-round projection.

#56 OT Joe Thomas – 6-5, 305 pounds, JR. Thomas came into the program and was thrown right into the starting lineup when injuries claimed the starting right guard. He’s played that position over the last two years, but is projected as a tackle in the NFL because of his size and athletic ability. He’s started all games this season at right tackle. If he should decide to come out early, he’s viewed as a fourth/fifth round talent.

#95 DT Mick Williams – 6-1, 287 pounds, JR-Redshirt. Williams broke through in the ‘07 season and became a starter along the Panthers defensive line. He finished with 29 tackles and three sacks. His ‘06 season was shortened by a shoulder injury that cost him eight games. So far this year, he has nine tackles and two sacks. He’s considered a fourth/fifth-round prospect.

South Florida

#95 DE George Selvie – 6-4, 245 pounds, JR-Redshirt. A two-year starter for the Bulls, Selvie led the nation last year in tackles for negative yardage, pulling the ball carrier down 31.5 times. He also had 14.5 sacks in ‘07 and now has 20 for his career in 26 games/starts. Big and strong, he’s also known for his work ethic. So far this season in five games he h as 17 total tackles and two sacks, giving him 22 sacks in 31 games. A strong senior season will push him into the first round.

#27 OLB Tyrone McKenzie – 6-2, 235 pounds, SR-Redshirt. The Bulls are McKenzie’s third stop in college football. He started at Michigan State, transferred to Iowa State and then left Ames for South Florida because of family health issues. The NCAA granted him a hardship transfer. The important season for him was ‘07 when he had 121 tackles as the strong-side linebacker. He has also played inside linebacker. In five games this season, he has 31 total tackles, one sack and one INT. A big senior season may push him into the late second round.

#5 FS Nate Allen – 6-2, 205, JR. Allen stepped into the starting role at FS last year, contributing 86 tackles, four interceptions and three forced fumbles. He scored two touchdowns off turnovers and caused three turnovers in an upset victory over Auburn. In five games this season he has 14 tackles and one interception. Good speed and size combination.