Conference Call

Sporting News, The, Oct 16, 2000

THIS WEEK'S SPOTLIGHT: Top freshman performers

Before we go any further, let's get the weighty issue out of the way.

Jared Lorenzen is big. Really big.

After three hours of running around The Swamp in Gainesville, Fla., last month, Big Jared's 6-4 frame weighed in at a whopping 297 pounds.

The only thing that separates Lorenzen, Kentucky's rising freshman quarterback, from the linemen in front of him is his jersey number--22. Then you see the rest of his numbers, and it's easy to understand why Lorenzen is one of the nation's top freshmen.

In six games Lorenzen has thrown for 1,902 yards and 12 touchdowns and has given the Wildcats' pass-happy, dink-and-dunk offense a deep threat.

The novelty has become a rising star and a serious problem for opposing defenses. He is accurate, has surprisingly quick feet and is nimble (yes, nimble) in the pocket.

"He's a very talented player, that's for sure," says Ole Miss coach David Cutcliffe. "I think too much is made of his weight and not enough of his talent at such a young age."

Young guns

ACC: QB Philip Rivers, N.C. State

Big East: DE Nathaniel Adibi, Virginia Tech

Big Ten: QB Jeff Smoker, Michigan State

Big 12: WR Roy Williams, Texas

Conference USA: LB Rod Davis, Southern Miss

MAC: CB Brandon Hefflin, Toledo

Mountain West: WR Dwight Counter, New Mexico

Pac-10: QB Jeff Krohn, Arizona State

SEC: QB Jared Lorenzen, Kentucky

WAC: TE Jeremy Johnson, Fresno State