College Preview 9/19

The Big 12 heads east Friday night as Baylor (2-1) visit Connecticut (3-0). The Bears have victories over Northwestern State (LA) and Washington State, and a loss to Wake Forest. The Huskies have beaten Hofstra, Temple and last weekend they stopped Virginia 45-10.

Game time is 7 p.m. on ESPN2

Baylor

OT Jason Smith – 6-5, 300 pounds, SR-Redshirt. Despite a strained MCL in his right knee, Smith started seven games in ‘07 for the Bears at left tackle. He’s a two-year starter at both left and right tackles, who began his football career as a tight end. The pros love his athletic ability, but he’ll need a lot of work on fundamentals and techniques. A strong season could push him into the late second round.

WR David Gettis – 6-4, 209 pounds, JR. Gettis averaged 13 yards a catch last year for the Bears. He had 12 plays in ‘07 that went for 25-plus yards on catches and returns. He returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown last year against Kansas in Lawrence. With 4.4 speed, Gettis can push himself into the third round with a big season in ‘08.

ILB Joe Pawelek – 6-3, 236 pounds, JR-Redshirt. Pawelek was the Bears second leading tackler last year, with 99 total takedowns, one INT, two fumble returns and three forced fumbles. His freshman season he had 86 tackles, two sacks and an interception. So far in ‘08 he’s had double-digit tackles in all three Baylor games. He’s considered a third-fourth round prospect.

Connecticut

CB Darius Butler – 5-11, 187 pounds, SR-Redshirt. Thin and skinny, Butler has sub 4.5 speed on the corner where he’s been very productive as a three-year starter for the UConn. In 34 starts he has 140 tackles and 10 interceptions. In ‘05, he was also the Huskies primary kick returner and averaged 33.8 yards a return, with a 90-yard TD. This season, he’s taking snaps at WR as well and scored on a 13-yard reverse against Virginia last week. In the opener against Hofstra, his kickoff return for a score was wiped out by a penalty. He’s considered a good second-round talent.

OLB Cody Brown – 6-2, 248 pounds, SR. The only thing that has stopped Brown over the last two seasons was a broken arm that cost him six games in the ‘06 season. At defensive end in the UConn scheme, he’s racked up 13 career sacks in 29 games. His athletic ability and size makes him better suited for the LB position in the pros, especially in the 3-4 defense. He should be a third to fifth-round selection, but could move up because of that athletic ability.