Ultimate Units

Sporting News, The, August 23, 1999

TSN picks the best position groups in the nation--units that not only are blessed with talent but mesh just right

Whereas an All-American team is constructed from hodgepodge of superior individual talent, these ultimate units are put together by selecting groups of players who have meshed like no other. For these running mates, the ultimate compliment is they complement one another.

Offensive backfield: Tennessee

Tennessee won a national title with Tee Martin learning on the job, and Jamal Lewis playing in just four games because of a knee injury.

Now the Vols have a polished Martin, a healthy Lewis and the return of the two Travises, Stephens and Henry, both of whom came up big in relief last season.

Consider the options in the backfield. Stephens is a nifty, shifty runner. Henry is a powerful, punishing runner, and Lewis is the total package, perhaps the best in the nation when healthy.

The knee-jerk reaction for opponents would be to stack the line, hut with Martin's evolution as a passer, that strategy comes with peril.

Martin is an efficient playmaker who can beat you with the deep ball or by scrambling out of trouble. Martin threw only two interceptions in his last 179 attempts a year ago and at least one touchdown in the last seven games. And, of course, his most important stat: 13-0.

Offensive line: Florida State

The biggest concern surrounding Florida State is whether quarterback Chris Weinke, who is coming off of a neck injury, can stay healthy.

But here's a comforting thought for Seminoles diehards: Look who's surrounding him. Five starters return in the line, four weighing 300 pounds or more.

Anchoring the unit is tackle Ross Brannon (6-8, 300 pounds) and Jason Whitaker (6-5, 300), a star-quality guard. Both are considered to be among the best at their positions in the nation.

The other returning starters are guard Jerry Carmichael (6-4, 310), center Eric Thomas (6-3, 295) and tackle Tarlos Thomas (6-5, 310). The depth is excellent with center Jarad Moon and tackle Charron Dorsey in the wings.

This unit won't rest on past accomplishments and future predictions. The 'Noles would like to improve on their '98 average of 3.5 yards per rush. Brannon, Whitaker and Co. need to provide more running room for holdover Travis Minor and ballyhooed freshman Nick Maddox.

A little extra juice in the running game should make things easier for Weinke. That and his human barricade.

Receivers: UCLA

Though Cade McNown deserves the credit he got for his outstanding senior year, he did have help in the form of two big targets: 6-4 Danny Farmer and 6-5 Brian Poli-Dixon, who combined for nearly 2,000 yards receiving and 19 touchdowns last year. Farmer averaged 22 yards per catch; Poli-Dixon netted 10 TDs in 44 receptions.

Though Farmer and Poli-Dixon don't have blazing speed, they are smart route runners and have good hands.

This dynamic duo has help. Brad Melsby (20.7 yards per catch in '98) and intriguing talent Freddie Mitchell also can supply big plays. Mitchell was limited to three games in '98 because of a broken leg, but he has excellent quickness and can stretch the defense, which could make guarding the big guys over the middle nearly impossible.

The new quarterback (probably Drew Bennett) will be challenged replacing McNown, but he'll have plenty of helping hands to ease the transition.

Defensive line: Virginia Tech

You would expect Virginia Tech defensive line coach Charley Wiles to say he expects bigger and better things from his players, but it has to be a tad disconcerting for opponents to hear him say, "I'll be disappointed if we're not better than last year."

After all, the Hokies' front four was one of the best in the nation in '98, and the unit welcomes back four senior starters, including star Corey Moore.

The Hokies' defense is fun to watch, a unit built on speed and tenacity, not overpowering size. Moore is just 212 pounds, but there isn't a better end in the nation. The other end is John Engelberger, a former walk-on who gets consistent penetration, tie and Moore combined for 21 sacks in '98. Chris Cyrus provides great depth.

The primary role of most tackles is to tie up blockers to free other defenders to make plays. But at Tech, Nat Williams and Carl Bradley are playmakers. Williams led Big East linemen in tackles and Bradley tied for fourth.

Defense is the foundation of this team. The Hokies ranked fourth in the nation in scoring defense in '98, allowing just 12.9 points per game. And with the starting front seven returning, Wiles should expect even better results. With so much ability up front to make plays at or behind the line, the Hokies are comfortable breaking in an overhauled secondary.

With a schedule that is built for success, many have tabbed the Hokies as a dark horse to make national noise this season.

Gaining big-time respect isn't always easy when you call Blacksburg home, but it's not any tougher than trying to score on the Hokies.

Linebackers: Penn State

Jerry Sandusky is going out in style. The Nittany Lions' defensive coordinator of 22 years is retiring, but not until working one more season with the best set of linebackers in the nation.