Cal Depth Chart

The California Golden Bears (Go Bears!) host the North Tar Heels tomorrow in the opener of the 2018 football season. In advance of the game Cal released their first depth chart of the season.

Offense 

Wide Receiver (X)
17 Vic Wharton III
18 Moe Ways

Left Tackle
79 Patrick Mekari
76 Henry Bazakas
75 Will Craig

Left Guard
61 Valentino Dalloso
64 Gentle Williams

Center
57 Adison Ooms
74 Ryan Gibson

Right Guard
75 Michael Saffell
74 Ryan Gibson

Right Tackle
71 Jake Curhan
72 Kamryn Bennett

Tight End
11 Ryan Hudson
83 Ian Bunting
87 Kyle Wells

Quarterback
 3 Ross Bowers
 5 Brandon McIlwain
 7 Chase Garbers

Running Back
28 Patrick Laird
29 Marcel Dancy
33 Derrick Clark
31 Alex Netherda
34 Christopher Brown Jr.

Fullback
99 Malik McMorris

Slot Receiver
  9 Kanawai Noa
10 Jeremiah Hawkins
25 Nikko Remigio

Wide Receiver (Z)
 2 Jordan Duncan
81 Brandon Singleton

Defense

Defensive End
93 Luc Bequette
91 Chinedu Udeogu
99 Siulagisipai Fuimaono
55 Lone Toailoa

Nose Guard
98 Chris Palmer
90 Rusty Becker
97 Aaron Maldonado

Defensive End
44 Zeandae Johnson
96 Tevin Paul
92 Gabe Cherry

Outside Linebacker (Rush)
19 Cameron Goode
23 Malik Psalms
43 Deon White

Inside Linebacker (Mike)
59 Evan Weaver
54 Evan Tattersall

Inside Linebacker (Will)
59 Jordan Kunaszyk
42 Colt Doughty

Outside Linebacker (Sam)
36 Alex Funches
15 Ben Moos
13 Joseph Ogunbanjo

Cornerback
24 Camryn Bynum
20 Josh Drayden
22 Traveon Beck

Free Safety
27 Ashtyn Davis
28 Quentin Tartabull

Strong Safety
 6 Jaylinn Hawkins
21 Evan Rambo

Cornerback
 3 Elijah Hicks
 7 Chigozie Anusiem

Special Teams

Kicker
39 Greg Thomas
46 Gabe Siemieniec

Kickoff
46 Gabe Siemieniec

49 Chris Langrebe

Punter

37 Steven Coutts

49 Chris Langrebe

30 Dario Longhetto

Long Snapper

47 Alonso Vera

45 Slater Zellers

Holder

37 Steven Coutts

14 Chase Forrest

 5 Brandon McIlwain

Kick Returner

27 Ashtyn Davis

29 Marcel Dancy

Punt Returner

17 Vic Wharton III

  9 Kanawai Noa
25 Nikko Remigio


Go Bears!

Throwback Thursday: Six Degrees of Steve DeBerg. Again.

This fun Flicker is originally from 2011. I brought it back a year ago and I'm bringing it back today.

***

Most people are familiar with the party and road trip sensation "6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon". If you aren't familiar with it, the object of the game is to connect any actor/actress to Kevin Bacon in six moves or less. It is based on the premise that Bacon has been in enough movies with enough people to be closely connected to everybody in the field. Who can forget his terrific performance in Animal House? 6 Degrees is a crowd pleaser. I've always wanted to play this game using football players and coaches but no one will play with me.

In the football version, former QB Steve DeBerg would be a fine place to start. Like Bacon, his work spanned decades, he played for a lot of teams and had a bunch of teammates and coaches. Besides, the words degree and DeBerg are strikingly similar. Not many QBs can say that they lost their job to Joe Montana twice, on different teams in different decades.

For the truly adventurous, I would recommend connecting players from the early days of the NFL to today. Let's give it a try:
Chicago Bears RB Red Grange from the '20s and '30s to former Minnesota Vikings and current Washington Redskins RB Adrian Peterson

Grange played for George Halas
Halas coached Mike Ditka
Ditka coached Leslie Frazier
Frazier coached Peterson

If you can connect a player or coach to Halas, your work is mostly done. That guy had connections to everyone and was around the league for nearly 70 years.
Good times. Give it a try.

***

Here's one that actually uses the game's namesake, Steve DeBerg. DeBerg threw the football a lot in his long career. How about we connect him to one of the NFL's first prolific passers, Benny Friedman?

Friedman was a teammate of Mule Wilson on the New York Giants
Wilson was a teammate of Dutch Clark on the Portsmouth Spartans
Clark coached Red Hickey on the Cleveland Rams
Hickey coached Jimmy Johnson on the San Francisco 49ers
Johnson was a teammate of DeBerg on the 49ers

Football is fun.

Each AFC Team's Most Deserving Hall of Fame Candidate

It's the AFC's turn. Here's a look at a deserving Hall of Fame candidate from each AFC Team.

Baltimore Ravens

Ed Reed, S
He's a Hall of Famer in 2019. Simple as that. 

Cleveland Browns

Mac Speedie, WR
I feel like the voters are punishing Mac Speedie for playing in the All-America Football Conference and the CFL. That's the only thing can explain his absence from the Hall of Fame. He was one of the best receivers in the AAFC. He led the league in receptions four of his seven seasons in the AAFC and NFL. He was the receiving yards leader twice. He was All-Pro three of his four years in the AAFC. He made the Pro Bowl two of his three seasons in the NFL. He should be in the Hall of Fame. 

Cincinnati Bengals

Ken Riley, CB

The Bengals have three deserving Hall candidates from the 1970s and 1980s. Cornerbacks Ken Riley and Lemar Parrish and quarterback Ken Anderson. If the voters do tackle the deserving Bengals players, I'd bet that Anderson gets their attention first. Quarterbacks always get attention first. Anderson's deserving but Riley was one of the best corners of his era.

Pittsburgh Steelers

L.C. Greenwood, DE

One of the best defenses in the history of the league has four players in the Hall of Fame. L.C. Greenwood should be the fifth. That Steel Curtain defense wasn't just about Mean Joe, the two Jacks at linebacker, and Mel Blount. 

New York Jets

Larry Grantham, LB

I feel like the voters have had some animosity towards players from the AFL days. Look how long it took to get movement on Johnny Robinson. Larry Grantham was one of the best linebackers to play in the AFL. 

New England Patriots

Stanley Morgan, WR

Stanley Morgan was one of the best deep threats the NFL has ever seen. From 1979-81, he averaged over 22 yards per catch. Who does that? By today's passing standards Morgan's numbers pale in comparison (other than that 22 yards per catch) but they are ridiculous for the time in which he played. 

Buffalo Bills

Tom Sestak, DT

Another AFL player that hasn't received deserving Hall of Fame attention. The Bills had one of the best defenses in the pass-happy, wide-open league. Tom Sestak was a big reason for that. He controlled the line of scrimmage. 

Miami Dolphins

Bob Kuchenberg, G

This choice came down to a couple Dolphins from their Super Bowl-winning days. Bob Kuchenberg and safety Jake Scott. The Dolphins played in three Super Bowls, winning two, in the early 1970s with an imposing rushing attack. Center Jim Langer and guard Larry Little are in the Hall of Fame. A case can be made for Kuchenberg to join them. 

Indianapolis/Baltimore Colts

Mike Curtis, LB

The Colts have a few candidates. Fullback Alan Ameche, corner Bobby Boyd, and Mike Curtis. I went with Curtis simply because of the way an imposing Colts defense took on his fiery personality. He was one of the best middle linebackers in the league in an era of some great middle linebackers. Butkus, Nitschke, Nobis, Buoniconti.

Tennessee Titans/Houston Oilers

Charley Hennigan, WR

The numbers that Charley Hennigan put up in the early 1960s were ridiculous. 

1961: 82 catches, 1746 yards, 21.3 yards/catch, 12 TDs

1964: 101 catches, 1546 yards, 15.3 yards/catch, 8 TDs.

No one did that in the 1960s. His play helped lead the Oilers to the first two AFL titles. 

Houston Texans

Is it too early to consider J.J. Watt for the Hall of Fame?

Jacksonville Jaguars

Tony Boselli, T

It feels like Tony Boselli is going to be part of one of the next couple Hall classes. He'd be in already if injuries hadn't shortened his career. He was the best tackle in the league for most his career. 

Denver Broncos

Randy Gradishar, LB

The Broncos have a few deserving candidates. Defensive end Rich Jackson, and linebackers Randy Gradishar and Karl Mecklenburg. I actually liked Mecklenburg better than Gradishar. I thought that he was the more versatile defender. He could cover, roam sideline to sideline, and rush the quarterback. Gradishar might've made a slightly greater impact. The individual honors are mostly a push. Gradishar took home an NFL Defensive Player of the Year award and gets the nod here for it as well as the fact that he's been waiting longer.

Oakland Raiders

Lester Hayes, CB

It's a coin flip between Lester Hayes and receiver Cliff Branch. Both were among the best in the league at their respective positions and both are deserving of Hall of Fame discussion. 

Kansas City Chiefs

Tony Gonzalez, TE

He'll be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2019. 

Los Angeles Chargers

Don Coryell, Head Coach

I would've thought that Don Coryell would be in the Hall already. He did as much for the advancement of the passing game in the NFL as nearly any coach. Not getting his high-flying Chargers into a Super Bowl hurts. 

Each NFC Team's Most Deserving Hall of Fame Candidate

Senior finalists. Contributor finalists. The Pro Football Hall of Fame has been on my mind. Again. Here's a look at a deserving Hall of Fame candidate from each NFC Team.

Minnesota Vikings 

Chuck Foreman, RB 

I might be the only Vikings fan that doesn't think Jim Marshall first when I think of a Vikings player not in the Hall of Fame that should be in the Hall of Fame. Marshall was great, a team leader. He was the heart of the team during their best stretch in franchise history. He's one of the most important players in the history of the team. But, I don't see him as a Hall of Fame football player. He was a very good football player and a great Minnesota Viking. If he ever does make it, I'll be in Canton to celebrate it. This is supposed to be about Chuck Foreman. He was a Hall of Fame-caliber football player. He opened his career with five-straight Pro Bowl appearances. From 1974-77 he was arguably the best running back in the league. He was certainly the most versatile. In 1975, he was seven rushing yards short of leading the NFC in rushing, receptions, and touchdowns. No back has ever done such a thing. The knock on his career, and as a result his Hall of Fame candidacy, is that injuries caused his career to tail off considerably after those first five seasons. 

Green Bay Packers

Lavvie Dilweg, E
1920s All-Decade, 7x All-NFL, three NFL titles. Lavvie Dilweg should've been in the Hall long ago.

Chicago Bears

Ed Sprinkle, DE
I've gone back and forth on Ed Sprinkle. Sometimes I think that he was a thug in the Hardy Brown mold and other times I think that he was among the game's best players. What isn't in doubt is that he was one of first and best pass rushing ends. 

Detroit Lions

Alex Karras, DT
Alexx Karras' Hall of Fame absence has always been a mystery to me. To hear his opponents talk about him you'd think that they were talking about Warren Sapp. The voters should listen to former players more. If he's being punished for his gambling suspension in 1963, Paul Hornung had the same suspension. And a lot of Hall of Famers had the same sort of "sketchy" acquaintances that Karras had. 

New York Giants

Charlie Conerly, QB
Charlie Conerly was the quarterback and leader of the great New York Giants teams of the 1950s. If the voters listened to how his teammates spoke of him, he'd already be in the Hall. 

Dallas Cowboys

Chuck Howley, LB
Making five All-Pro teams, six Pro Bowls, winning a Super Bowl, and taking home a Super Bowl MVP award (while on the losing team) is often enough to end up in Canton. 

Washington Redskins

Jerry Smith, TE
Hall of Famers Mike Ditka and John Mackey are considered the first playmaking tight ends. Jerry Smith was right there with them. 

Philadelphia Eagles

Bobby Walston, WR
Bobby Walston's fellow receivers on the 1950s All-Decade Team are in the Hall of Fame. Raymond Berry and Tom Fears. Walston was also a very good kicker, twice scoring over 100 points in a season. 

New Orleans Saints

Sam Mills, LB

The Saints had an excellent group of linebackers in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Rickey Jackson is in the Hall of Fame. Pat Swilling could be. Sam Mills was the leader of the group and one of the best inside linebackers in the league.

Atlanta Falcons

Tommy Nobis, LB
Maybe if Tommy Nobis had played for a team other than an expansion team he'd get more attention. He still played well enough on a terrible team to make the 1960s All-Decade Team. Tackle Mike Kenn is another former Falcons player deserving of Hall consideration. Perhaps even more deserving. 

Carolina Panthers

Sam Mills, LB
Sam Mills holds this spot until Steve Smith Sr. becomes eligible. Mills played his best years with the New Orleans Saints. He gave the expansion Panthers a defensive leader and playmaker. He earned All-Pro honors in his second season with the team at the age of 37.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

John Lynch, S
Two Hall of Famers from the great Buccaneers defenses of the late 1990s and early 2000s feels light. John Lynch is deserving and it seems like he's been right on the voters doorstep for a few years now. Hardy Nickerson is deserving of consideration as well. 

San Francisco 49ers

Billy Wilson, WR
The voters have to at least talk about Y.A. Tittle's favorite receiver. 

Seattle Seahawks

Steve Hutchinson, G
Steve Hutchinson will be in the Hall of Fame. It's only a matter of when. 

Los Angeles Rams

Nolan Cromwell, S
I thought that Nolan Cromwell was the best safety in the league for much of his career. Others thought pretty highly of him as well. 3x All-Pro, 4 Pro Bowls, and the 1980 NFC Defensive Player of the Year. He was also a terrific holder. 

Arizona Cardinals

Marshall Goldberg, RB

The "glory" days of the Cardinals franchise was a couple years in the late 1940s. When they played in Chicago. They won and lost an NFL title. The backfield was the strength of those teams. Charley Trippi is the only one of the backs in the Hall of Fame. Marshall Goldberg has been a Senior Finalist twice. So he's been in the discussion but perhaps his opportunities have passed. 

After Preseason Game #3 Vikings 53-man Roster Prediction

The Minnesota Vikings are through three preseason games. So here's a slightly more educated shot at the their 53-man roster.

Quarterbacks
  8 Kirk Cousins
  3 Trevor Siemian
  1 Kyle Sloter

  Cut: Peter Pujals

The only question here is whether Kyle Sloter passed Trevor Siemian on the depth chart. Soter has performed much better in the preseason games. Siemian is the one that's looked like he's yet to throw a regular season pass. I suppose there's the question as to whether the Vikings keep two or three quarterbacks. In my opinion, the Vikings recent run of losing quarterbacks for extended stretches of games answers that question.

Running backs
33 Dalvin Cook
25 Latavius Murray
32 Mike Boone

Cut: Mack Brown, Roc Thomas

Dalvin Cook and Latavius Murray are a very nice combo. The competition for the third running back role between undrafted rookies Roc Thomas and Mike Boone has been fun. Both have had terrific moments in the preseason games. It isn't over but Boone has probably shown a bit more.

Fullback
C.J. Ham

IR: Johnny Stanton

Cut: Kobe McCrary, Luke McNitt

C.J. Ham gets the nod. Fullback is still a new position for him and he improved through the 2017 season. It shouldn't be a surprise if the Vikings find a spot for Johnny Stanton on the practice squad if he doesn't win the fullback job. The position's new to him as well. He was a quarterback at UNLV and even had some snaps at linebacker.

Receivers
14 Stefon Diggs
19 Adam Thielen
11 Laquon Treadwell
13 Stacy Coley
84 Chad Beebe

Cuts: Kendall Wright, Tavarres King, Cayleb Jones, Brandon Zylstra, Jeff Badet, Korey Robertson, and Jake Weineke, 

The roster certainties at receiver are Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, and Laquon Treadwell. Many have written Treadwell off as a bust. I don't think that the Vikings see it that way. He had seven starts last year. There's no doubt that this is a big year for him. He was a first round pick. He has to show first round production. I think that Treadwell has a breakout season this year and gives the Vikings one of the best receiving trios in the league. After the top three, there's question. I'm going with Stacy Coley and undrafted rookie Chad Beebe for now. Late game heroics on Friday and solid play throughout training camp might've earned Beebe as spot on the roster. The one thing keeping Coley from being a sure thing is his availability. He's hurt way too often. Healthy, he's one of the top five receivers but he seems to always be on the sideline. Kendall Wright is the most proven of the receivers fighting for a roster spot. If for no other reason, Beebe edges him simply because of special teams. Beebe plays on them. Wright doesn't. Cayleb Jones, Brandon Zylstra, and Jake Weineke will be tough cuts. All could find a place on the practice squad.

Tight ends
82 Kyle Rudolph
89 David Morgan
83 Tyler Conklin

IR: Josiah Price

Cuts: Blake Bell, Tyler Hoppes

The question at tight end is whether the Vikings keep three or four at the position. If it's three, Kyle Rudolph, David Morgan, and rookie Tyler Conklin are the three. I think it's three because of needs at other positions (offensive line).

Offensive line
71 Riley Reiff
63 Danny Isidora
65 Pat Elflein
74 Mike Remmers
69 Rashod Hill
     Brett Jones
76 Aviante Collins
75 Brian O'Neill
79 Tom Compton
67 Cornelius Edison

IR: Nick Easton, Cedrick Lang

Cuts: Colby Gossett, Josh Andrews, Storm Norton, Dieugot Joseph, J.P. Quinn, Kaleb Johnson, Kareem Are, Jacob Judd

The offensive line has been an issue for a while and there's been issues, health issues in particular, throughout training camp. The loss of left guard Nick Easton for the season was a significant hit. He's athletic and a little nasty. His ability to get under the skin of defensive players was an underrated perk of his game. His ability to get to the perimeter to help on sweeps and screens was critical to the offense. The competition at left guard starts with Tom Compton and Danny Isidora . I'd like to see Aviante Collins more in the mix. He's played some at left guard but he appears to be headed to the swing-tackle role. His athletic ability (4.81 40-yd at the Combine) could replace the athletic ability and mobility the Vikings had with Easton. Injuries have forced the interior of the line to a tag-team affair and it hasn't been pretty. Pat Elflein has been on the PUP list while he rehabs from offseason ankle and shoulder surgery. The Vikings need him back. In case he doesn't come back in time for the start of the season the C/G Brett Jones was acquired from the New York Giants yesterday for a seventh round pick. At least right guard Mike Remmers returned to practice last week. The Vikings need to get their starting five sorted out and on the field as soon as possible. The start of the season is so close. I want to put rookie Colby Gossett on the roster but I haven't seen enough of him to do so.

Defensive line
97 Everson Griffen
93 Sheldon Richardson
98 Linval Joseph
99 Danielle Hunter
96 Brian Robison
94 Jaleel Johnson
92 Jalyn Holmes
90 Tashawn Bower
91 Stephen Weatherly

IR: Hercules Mata'afa, Ade Aruna

Cuts: Ifeadi Odenigbo, David Parry, Curtis Cothran, Jonathan Wynn

Despite a challenge from the corners, the defensive line remains the Vikings' strongest position group. The competition will be fierce and the cuts will be tough. The starters are set with Everson Griffen at right end, free agent addition Sheldon Richardson at 3-technique, Linval Joseph at nose tackle, and Danielle Hunter at left end. Brian Robison, Stephen Weatherly, and Tashawn Bower provide nice depth on the outside. If there's a weakness it's the inexperience on the inside. Jaleel Johnson and Jalyn Holmes are promising youngsters that have to step up. Johnson looks ready. If the inexperience in the middle is too much of a concern for the coaches, David Parry could find a spot on the roster. That could be at the expense of one of the young pass rushers. I just don't see the team paying that price. The Vikings might trim somewhere to keep Ifeadi Odenigbo on the roster.

Linebackers
55 Anthony Barr
54 Eric Kendricks
42 Ben Gedeon
50 Eric Wilson
57 Devante Downs

Suspended: Kentrell Brothers

Cuts: Antwione Williams, Reshard Cliett, Garrett Dooley, Brett Taylor, Michael Needham

Antony Barr and Eric Kendricks are the linebacker group. With the Vikings in a nickel defense about 70% of the time these days, they are usually the only two linebackers on the field. As a rookie, Ben Gedeon was the third linebacker in base defense last season. Eric Wilson is a serious threat for that role. As a Cal alum, I'm hoping that rookie Devante Downs can grab a roster. He was a dynamite, do-everything defender before a knee injury cut short a tremendous final season in Berkeley. He has the all-around talent to be an impact player. He just has to stay on the field. Kentrell Brothers has backed up Kendricks for a couple seasons and played a prominent role on special teams. Unfortunately for the team (and player) Brothers is suspended for the first four games. I doubt that it keeps him from making the team but it'll be interesting to see what the Vikings do with his roster spot in those four games. There's a chance that only five linebackers are kept in order to keep extra talent at another position.

Cornerbacks
29 Xavier Rhodes
26 Trae Waynes
23 Terence Newman
20 Mackensie Alexander
21 Mike Hughes
35 Marcus Sherels
37 Holton Hill

Cuts: Jack Tocho, Horace Richardson, Trevon Mathis, Craig James

Seven cornerbacks is an expensive luxury that's paid for by another position.  If one of the seven is in jeopardy of making it seven it's Holton Hill. He looked like a roster-lock in practices but his play in preseason has, at best, been rough. I think that he's too physically gifted and has too much potential to be made available to the league. Despite his struggles in games, the coaches have seen starter ability in Hill. I've never seen the Vikings go this deep at corner with this sort of quality. I remember years in which they had no corners with quality starter ability. The team has put a lot of resources toward the position. Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, and Mike Hughes were first round picks by the team. Mackensie Alexander was a second round pick. Terence Newman was a first round pick by the Dallas Cowboys about a hundred years ago.

Safeties
22 Harrison Smith
34 Andrew Sendejo
28 George Iloka
41 Anthony Harris

Cuts: Jayron Kearse, Tray Matthews

This group changed considerably when the Vikings signed former Cincinnati Bengal and Mike Zimmer pupil George Iloka last week. Whether he bumps Andrew Sendejo from the base defense remains to be seen but he upgrades the talent level of the safeties, the defense, and the team. After a couple practices he played and contributed on Friday. He tipped a pass that resulted in the interception by Anthony Harris that triggered the comeback win. The signing also might've cost Iloka-clone Jayron Kearse a spot on the roster. 

Kicker
  7 Daniel Carlson

Released: Kai Forbath

Daniel Carlson won the kicking competition when Kai Forbath was cut last week. Fans and media flipped out when Carlson missed his first two field goals as the undisputed kicker. If he misses kicks in games that matter I'll worry.

Punter
  4 Ryan Quigley

Long snapper
47 Kevin McDermott

***

The real roster-trimming is Saturday. 

Minnesota Vikings Roster. Again.

There were so many changes to the 90-man roster of the Minnesota Vikings that it had to be posted again. Injuries forced most of the changes. Three players were injured in last week's preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. A fourth was injured during one of the practices against the Jaguars that preceded the game.

Ade Aruna, DE
Johnny Stanton, FB

Josiah Price, TE

Cedrick Lang, OT

Those four boosted to six the number of players that the Vikings now have on injured reserve. It's August and the Vikings already have six players on injured reserve. That's way too many and it has to stop.

The Vikings also settled the kicking competition that's been raging since the spring when they released Kai Forbath. Rookie Daniel Carlson is the kicker moving forward. 

The Vikings made a big move to improve the defensive backfield by signing safety George Iloka after his surprising release by the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday.

And finally, the Vikings tackled depth and health issues on the interior of the offensive line today by acquiring C/G Brett Jones from the New York Giants. It's being reported by some in the know that the Vikings will send a seventh round pick in 2019 to the Giants. Did new Giants head coach Pat Shumur do his former team a favor? Who knows? I don't. Starting center Pat Elflein has yet to removed from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. With the the regular season two weeks away, the concern over Elfein's availability early in the season, let alone the start of the season, grows by the day. Jones is center insurance and perhaps he moves to left guard when Elflein does return. And he will return.

With the addition of Jones the Vikings need to release a player. Until that happens, here's the Vikings current 91-man roster. 

Offense

Quarterback
  8 Kirk Cousins
  3 Trevor Siemian
  1 Kyle Sloter
  6 Peter Pujals

Halfback
33 Dalvin Cook
25 Latavius Murray
31 Mack Brown
32 Roc Thomas
44 Mike Boone

Fullback
30 C.J. Ham
48 Kobe McCrary
43 Luke McNitt

Wide Receiver
14 Stefon Diggs
19 Adam Thielen
11 Laquon Treadwell
13 Stacy Coley
17 Kendall Wright
15 Brandon Zylstra

16 Cayleb Jones
84 Chad Beebe

12 Tavarres King
85 Jeff Badet
18 Korey Robertson
  9 Jake Weineke

Tight end
82 Kyle Rudolph
89 David Morgan
81 Blake Bell
83 Tyler Conklin
86 Tyler Hoppes

Offensive Line
71 Riley Reiff
79 Tom Compton
65 Pat Elflein
74 Mike Remmers
69 Rashod Hill
     Brett Jones
75 Brian O'Neill
76 Aviante Collins
63 Danny Isidora
78 Dieugot Joseph
67 Cornelius Edison
64 Josh Andrews
73 Colby Gossett
66 Kaleb Johnson
72 Storm Norton
59 J.P. Quinn
68 Kareem Are
61 Jacob Judd

Defense

Defensive Line
97 Everson Griffen
93 Sheldon Richardson
98 Linval Joseph
99 Danielle Hunter
96 Brian Robison
91 Stephen Weatherly
90 Tashawn Bower
94 Jaleel Johnson
92 Jalyn Holmes
95 Ifeadi Odenigbo
60 David Parry
78 Jonathan Wynn
66 Curtis Cothran

Linebacker
55 Anthony Barr
54 Eric Kendricks
42 Ben Gedeon
50 Eric Wilson
40 Kentrell Brothers
57 Devante Downs
56 Antwione Williams
43 Reshard Cliett
58 Garrett Dooley
45 Brett Taylor
49 Michael Needham


Cornerback
29 Xavier Rhodes
26 Trae Waynes
20 Mackensie Alexander
21 Mike Hughes
23 Terence Newman
35 Marcus Sherels
37 Holton Hill
24 Horace Richardson
39 Jack Tocho
46 Trevon Mathis
36 Craig James

Safety
22 Harrison Smith
34 Andrew Sendejo
28 George Iloka
41 Anthony Harris
27 Jayron Kearse
38 Tray Matthews

Kicker
  7 Daniel Carlson

Punter
  4 Ryan Quigley

Long snapper
47 Kevin McDermott

***

Injured Reserve

62 Nick Easton, G

61 Ade Aruna, DE

51 Hercules Mata'afa, DL

48 Johnny Stanton, FB

87 Josiah Price, TE

68 Cedrick Lang, OT

Contributor Finalists

Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen and former Dallas Cowboys scout Gil Brandt were nominated this week as contributor finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2019. Their ultimate Hall of Fame fate as well as that of recently-named senior finalist Johnny Robinson will be decided on the eve of the Super Bowl in February. The chances of all three are excellent.

The contributor category recognizes "individuals who made outstanding contributions to professional football in capacities other than playing and coaching." Scouts, general managers, personnel executives, commissioners, and owners had long been on the wrong side of Hall of Fame votes when they were in direct competition with players and coaches. The Hall of Fame did something about that by creating the contributor category. It operates in the same manner as the senior category. Two contributors are nominated for odd-numbered years and one is nominated for even-numbered years. It's the reverse for the senior finalists. 

Modern-era owners are benefiting greatly from the new arrangement as Jerry Jones and Eddie DeBartolo, Jr. have been honored in Canton that past two years. Pat Bowlen should make it three. The Broncos have seen tremendous on-field success during Bowlen's 34 years owning the team. The team has the best home winning percentage, 2nd-best overall winning percentage, seven Super Bowl appearances, and most importantly three Super Bowl titles. 

It can be argued that Gil Brandt deserved Hall of Fame induction without benefit of the contributor category. Pretty much everything that we know about the draft evaluation process was developed or refined by Brandt. He was a scout for the Dallas Cowboys from the moment that the team was founded in 1960 to the moment that Jerry Jones bought the team and discarded everything that took place before him. Brandt pioneered the use of computers in the evaluation process, popularized the use of pschological tests, and helped in the formation of the scouting combine. Since his departure from the Cowboys he's remained involved with the scouting world on the media side at NFL.com. His contributions on the media side of the draft are some of the best out there. 

Congratulations to Pat Bowlen and Gil Brandt. 

More Minnesota Moves

It's the third quarter of August and the Minnesota Vikings have been adding players as if it were March. Most of the moves were forced by injuries as four players were added to the injured reserve list.

Ade Aruna, DE
Johnny Stanton, FB
Cedrick Lang, OT
Josaih Price, TE

The four boosted to six the number of players on injured reserve. That's too many for the third quarter of August. The loss of four players forced the signing of four players.

Kareem Are, G
Jacob Judd, C
Kobe McCrary, FB
Luke McNitt, FB

The Vikings now have three fullbacks on the roster. It's feeling a lot like 1970.

The Vikings also decided to end the Kai Forbath-Daniel Carlson kicking competition by releasing Forbath. That left an open spot on the roster and the Vikings went fairly big in filling that spot by signing former Cincinnati Bengals safety George Iloka. On Sunday, the Bengals surprised many in the football world when they decided that Iloka was an expensive luxury in their secondary. They did him a favor by releasing him now to give him a chance to get settled with a new team before the season. Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer was the Bengals defensive coordinator when Iloka was a fifth-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Zimmer coached Iloka for two seasons and the Bengals have run a Zimmer-like defense for three of the four years since. Coach and player are familiar with each other and Iloka is very familiar with the Vikings defense. Zimmer said on Wednesday that Iloka probably knows about 85% of the defense. Iloka put the estimate at 80%. Whatever the estimate, it's a nice place to start

The Vikings pursued Iloka when he was a free agent in 2016. The Bengals offer kept him in Cincinnati then but he's in Minnesota now. The Vikings will find a role for him. That could be as a starter opposite Harrison Smith in the back of the defense. Or it could be a specialized role in situational defenses. Andrew Sendejo has developed into a solid starter in the Vikings defense. He's smart and dependable and fans have been trying to replace him since he emerged as the starter in 2015. If the Vikings pursued Iloka in 2016, they've been trying to replace him as well. Sendejo's value as a starter is probably best seen when he's not in the lineup. There's a visible slip in the play of the defense. His dependability can't be ignored and Sendejo won't slink to the bench easily. In Iloka the Vikings are adding a very good football player. The defense got better. The team got better.

Since the turn of the century the Vikings secondary has often resembled something close to a clown show. Improving the group has been an emphasis for Zimmer and the front office. They've succeeded. In 2013, the year before Zimmer was hired, the defensive backfield looked like this:

Cornerbacks
Xavier Rhodes
A.J. Jefferson
Josh Robinson
Chris Cook
Marcus Sherels

Safeties
Harrison Smith
Robert Blanton
Jamarca Sanford
Andrew Sendejo
Mistral Raymond

At least they could boast talented potential in Rhodes and Smith. Here's a projected look at the Vikings 2018 backfield:

Cornerbacks
Xavier Rhodes
Trae Waynes
Mackensie Alexander
Mike Hughes
Terence Newman
Holton Hill
Marcus Sherels

Safeties
Harrison Smith
Andrew Sendejo
George Iloka
Anthony Harris
Jayron Kearse

The improvement over the last five years has been remarkable. If undrafted rookie Holton Hill can play in games more like he's played in practices the Vikings can go six-deep at cornerback. There have been years since 2000 in which the Vikings had zero starting caliber corners. Now, they have five, and perhaps six. With the addition of Iloka, safety has become a strength as well. The first thought that many had when he was signed was that Sendejo's job as a starter was in jeopardy. If anyone's job is in jeopardy it might be the player that was drafted to be George Iloka in the Vikings defense. Jayron Kearse. Both are ridiculously sized at 6'4". They look like basketball players at the back of the defense. It's unlikely that the Vikings keep five safeties. Especially if they keep seven cornerbacks. Although Hill's performance in both preseason games might've taken him off of the roster-lock list. All that will play itself out in just over a week. No matter how it does play out the Vikings got better as a team with the addition of Iloka.

Flea Flicker Breakout Players For 2018-AFC. Again.

It's the AFC's turn on this breakout player redo redo.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Now: T.J. Watt, LB
July: TJ Watt, LB
May: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR
Injuries kept TJ Watt from breaking out as rookie last year. When he was on the field it was difficult to keep him away from opposing quarterbacks. If he can stay on the field, he breaks out this year.

Cleveland Browns
Now: Christian Kirksey, LB
July: Christian Kirksey, LB
May: Christian Kirksey, LB
It's a consensus. In my opinion, Christian Kirksey has already broken out but he doesn't get much attention. Perhaps it's because he plays in Cleveland. For the first time since the original Browns were still in Cleveland the team has several players that can be considered candidates to break out.

Cincinnati Bengals
Now: Tyler Boyd, WR
July: Tyler Boyd, WR
May: Tyler Boyd, WR
Another consensus. For some reason I keep thinking of Boyd like I thought of Reggie Wayne when he was just getting started with the Indianapolis Colts. Both went to teams that were in great need of a receiver to step up opposite an established star. Wayne opposite Marvin Harrison and Boyd opposite A.J. Green. I thought that both would step up immediately. It took a little while for Wayne. Boyd's entering his third season with the Bengals. I've been a fan of Boyd since his University of Pittsburgh days. He has the talent to be a very productive player, if not a star.


Baltimore Ravens
Now: Matt Judon, LB
July: Hayden Hurst, TE
May: Hayden Hurst, TE
I was leaning toward keeping Hayden Hurst as my Ravens breakout player. I switched to Matt Judon because the Ravens need a pass rusher opposite Terrell Suggs. They also need a pass rusher to take the baton from Suggs. Judon feels like the one.

Buffalo Bills
Now: Harrison Phillips, DT
July: Harrison Phillips, DT
May: Harrison Phillips, DT
Another consensus. I probably would've gone with receiver Zay Jones until he lost his mind this offseason. I considered corner Tre'Davious White but he broke out as a rookie. Instead I'll go with the player that felt tailor-made for Buffalo and the Bills. Phillips is a disruptive, all-effort grinder and looks like he could be Kyle Williams' brother.

New England Patriots
Now: Sony Michel, RB
July: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR/KR
May: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR/KR
I nearly kept Cordarrelle Patterson as my pick. He's a dynamic talent with the ball in his hands and Josh McDaniels will find a way to get the ball in his hands. McDaniels needs to get the ball into the hands of rookie Sony Michel as well. He can hurt a defense in a lot of ways but he has to stay on the field.

New York Jets
Now: Teddy Bridgewater, QB
July: Teddy Bridgewater, QB
May: Teddy Bridgewater, QB
Surprise! A Teddy Bridgewater consensus. Despite all the rave reviews and drooling over rookie quarterback Sam Darnold, Bridgewater has been the Jets best quarterback. He deserves to start. If not for the Jets he deserves to start somewhere.

Miami Dolphins
Now: Kenyan Drake, RB
July: Kenyan Drake, RB
May: Kenyan Drake, RB
The Dolphins opened the door for Kenyan Drake when they traded Jay Ajayi during the season. He took advantage and had some shining moments. The Dolphins then cluttered their backfield in the offseaon by signing Frank Gore and drafting Kalen Ballage. I think that Drake keeps his spot as the top ballcarrier.

Indianapolis Colts
Now: Quenton Nelson, G
July: Andrew Luck, QB
May: Andrew Luck, QB
An offensive lineman deserves to be a breakout player and rookie Quenton Nelson should be a breakout player.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Now: Donte Moncrief, WR
July: Donte Moncrief, WR
May: Donte Moncrief, WR
It looked like every Jaguar that could break out last year did break out. I considered linebacker Myles Jack but I'm going with a player new to Jacksonville. Not long ago the Jaguars had one of the most intriguing, young receiving combos in the league with Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns. This offseason, Robinson left for Chicago and Hurns left for Dallas. In a perfect Jacksonville world the Jaguars will win games with Leonard Fournette running the ball and a terrific defense. To get past the AFC title game the Jaguars need more from their passing offense. Moncrief was brought in to give the passing game a boost.

Houston Texans

Now: Braxton Miller, WR

July: DJ Reader, NT

May: Braxton Miller, WR

The Houston Texans offense would be a lot more difficult to defend if the versatile Braxton Miller can be utilized to his fullest. 

Tennessee Titans

Now: Corey Davis, WR

July: Corey Davis, WR

May: Corey Davis, WR

Corey Davis was the fifth pick in the 2017 NFL Draft because he's a difference-making talent. The Titans need him to break out. Marcus Mariota really needs him to break out. Davis' rookie season was slowed, stunted, stalled by nagging injuries. When he was on the field it felt like he tilted it. He has to stay healthy and gain better route discipline. If he can do that he has the talent to break out big.

Denver Broncos

Now: Garrett Bolles, OT

July: Garrett Bolles, OT

May: Garrett Bolles, OT

Another lineman gets the nod! New Broncos quarterback Case Keenum has the ability to make something positive happen when blocking breaks down. That takes some of the pressure off of Bolles to be perfect on every snap. He has the talent to make giant strides in his second season. If he does, Keenum won't have to rely on his quick feet to make something happen. He'll be able to stay in the pocket with his blindside safe.

Oakland Raiders

Now: Karl Joseph, S

July: Karl Joseph, S

May: Karl Joseph, S

It was taking too long to sift through all of the players that Jon Gruden added to the roster this offseason. So, I'll go with a player that I've liked since his college days at West Virginia. Karl Joseph was one of my favorites in the 2016 NFL Draft. If he was a few inches taller than his current generous listing of 5'10" he might've been a top-10 pick. Instead the Raiders got a steal with the 14th pick. He has the talent to become a dynamic playmaker at the back of the defense.

Los Angeles Chargers

Now: Forrest Lamp, G

July: Denzell Perryman, LB

May: Denzell Perryman, LB

Another lineman! An injury wiped out Forrest Lamp's rookie season last season. He was one of the my favorite players in the 2017 NFL Draft. If he's fully healed the Chargers offense will be improved and Phillip Rivers will be happy. 

Kansas City Chiefs

Now: Kendall Fuller, CB

July: Kendall Fuller, CB

May: Reggie Ragland, LB

I couldn't believe that the Washington Redskins included Kendall Fuller in the Alex Smith trade. It was certainly the Chiefs gain. They made room for talented thrower Patrick Mahomes II and they got a young, talented, ready-to-break-out cornerback. They needed one since they had sent Marcus Peters packing. Fuller probably would've been my breakout candidate for the Redskins if he hadn't been traded to the Chiefs.

Flea Flicker Breakout Players For 2018-NFC. Again.

This is the third time that I've named breakout players since May. That seems excessive. Halfway through this scintillating preseason breakout players are on my mind again. Here's one more look at a potential breakout player from each NFC team. I've also listed my previous two selections.

Minnesota Vikings
Now: Laquon Treadwell, WR
July: Laquon Treadwell, WR
May: Dalvin Cook, RB
Dalvin Cook? Jaleel Johnson? Anthony Harris? David Morgan? Mike Hughes? Each could be the pick. I picked Laquon Treadwell as the Vikings breakout player last year. He didn't. He's yet to produce as a first round pick should so most consider him a bust. His slate's clean with new offensive coordinator John DeFilippo and new quarterback Kirk Cousins. Treadwell's lack of production through two seasons isn't due to lack of effort. He's working hard. According to head coach Mike Zimmer, Treadwell sometimes works too hard. He's often working after practices. So much so that he's often spent for the next practice. He will get opportunities this year and I believe, again, that he'll break out.

Green Bay Packers
Now: TEs
July: Jaire Alexander, CB
May: Blake Martinez, LB
The Packers added Jimmy Graham and Marcedes Lewis this offsesaon. Aaron Rogers doesn't need a big target to be an effective quarterback. A pass catcher of any size is a terrific target for a quarterback as accurate as Rodgers. Graham and Lewis are giant targets and matchup nightmares.

Chicago Bears
Now: Anthony Miller, WR
July: Roquan Smith, LB
May: Roquan Smith, LB
Tight end Trey Burton was nearly the pick but Anthony Miller gets the nod. The Bears need Mitchell Trubisky to be the quarterback that he was drafted to be. The best way to get there is to surround him with weapons. In a receiver room that was bolstered in free agency by Allen Robinson, Miller might be the most talented pass catcher in the room. As a rookie.

Detroit Lions
Now: Kenny Golladay, WR
July: Kenny Golladay, WR
May: Jarrad Davis, LB
Kenny Golladay had some nice moments last year as a rookie. He should have many more in his second season. He has the size to be open even when he's not. He has a quarterback in Matthew Stafford that can get him the ball anywhere on the field.

New York Giants
Now: Evan Engram, TE
July: Alec Ogeltree, LB
May: Evan Engram
The Giants have so many explosive weapons on offense. Odell Beckham Jr. and Saquon Barkley will get so much attention that Evan Engram and Sterling Shepard could get a little lost. I don't think that I've ever seen one team field physical freaks the likes of Beckham, Barkley, and Engram.

Washington Redskins
Now: Jonathan Allen, DE
July: Jonathan Allen, DE
May: Jonathan Allen, DE
Well, this was a consensus. It felt like Allen was on the verge of breaking out last as a rookie until his season was cut short by a foot injury. He's a terrific, disruptive player that can line up anywhere on the defensive front.

Philadelphia Eagles
Now: Sidney Jones, CB
July: Corey Clement, RB
May: Dallas Goedert, TE
Sidney Jones was one of the my favorite players in the 2017 NFL Draft. A pre-draft injury essentially made his rookie season a redshirt season. The injury also made him a second steal for the Eagles. He's healthy now and he should make an impact. 

Dallas Cowboys
Now: Michael Gallup, WR
July: Michael Gallup, WR
May: Jourdan Lewis, CB
The Cowboys have a giant need for a receiver to step up. Without having played an NFL game Michael Gallup is already the most promising receiver on the team.

New Orleans Saints
Now: Marcus Williams, S
July: Marcus Williams, S
May: Marcus Williams, S
Another consensus. Marcus Williams was the target of way too much criticism for his passive attempt to tackle Stefon Diggs on that thrilling final play of the Saints season. The Saints wouldn't have even been in a position to win the game if not for Williams' interception that triggered his team's comeback. He's a terrific safety and looks like a cornerstone player for the Saints.

Atlanta Falcons
Now: Calvin Ridley. WR
July: Takkarist McKinley, DE
May: De'Vondre Campbell, LB
Apparently I see a few candidates on the Falcons. On a team that has Julio Jones on one side of the field the other receiver should get a lot of opportunities. The two Alabama wideouts should form a frightening pair.

Carolina Panthers
Now: D.J. Moore, WR
July: Curtis Samuel, WR
May: D.J. Moore, WR
Cam Newton needed another receiver. D.J. Moore is already the best receiver on the team. Big, good route runner, excellent hands. Newton hasn't thrown to very many receivers with excellent hands. He should like that.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Now: Chris Godwin, WR
July: Vita Vea, DT
May: Vita Vea, DT
When Jameis Winston finally gets on the football field he'll be surrounded by nice group of pass-catching playmakers. Chris Godwin might be the least known but provide the biggest boost.

San Francisco 49ers
Now: Ahkello Witherspoon, CB
July: Ahkello Witherspoon, CB
May: Jerick McKinnon, RB
I nearly picked DeForrest Buckner but decided that he's already broken out. If Richard Sherman is healthy, Ahkello Witherspoon will be tested often. He has unique size for a corner. He'll learn from Sherman and perhaps eventually play like Sherman.

Los Angeles Rams
Now: Gerald Everett, TE
July: Gerald Everett, TE
May: Gerald Everett, TE
One more consensus. The Rams have a plethora of offensive weapons. Everett seems to get lost among that collection. Head coach/playcaller Sean McVay and quarterback Jared Goff have to find a way to take advantage of Everett's silly physical talents.

Seattle Seahawks
Now: Shaquem Griffen, LB
July: Rashaad Penny, RB
May: Rashaad Penny, RB
Shaquem Griffen gets a lot of attention for having one hand. I wish that he'd get the attention that he deserves for being a terrific football player.

Arizona Cardinals
Now: Budda Baker, S
July: Budda Baker, S
May: Sam Bradford, QB
In college, at Washington, I thought that Budda Baker compared favorably to Tyrann Mathieu. Similar size. Similar play-making ability. Now, he steps into the role that Mathieu played so well for the Cardinals.

Vikings Roster Moves

The Minnesota Vikings made several roster moves yesterday. The most significant was probably the release of kicker Kai Forbath. When Auburn kicker Daniel Carlson was selected in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft it was pretty clear that Forbath's time on the roster was coming to an end. Carlson and Forbath competed for the kicking job through offsesaon workouts, training camp, and two preseason games. The team's decision-makers decided that they'd seen enough. Daniel Carlson is the new Vikings kicker. 

The release of Forbath was just one of several roster moves that the Vikings made yesterday. The remaining moves were forced by injuries. Players were leaving Saturday's preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars so frequently that the dreaded cart seemed to have a permanent spot on the field. Rookie defensive end Ade Aruna was placed on injured reserve with what looked like a torn ACL. Tackle Cedrick Lang and fullback Johnny Stanton were both injured against the Jagaurs. Stanton has already had surgery. Lang may have. Tight end Josiah Price tore an ACL during a joint practice with the Jaguars last week. Lang, Stanton, and Price were waived with injury designations yesterday. It's likely one or more will join Aruna on injured reserve. That could boost to six the number of the players that the Vikings have on injured reserve through the midpoint of the preseason schedule. 

Ade Aruna, DE

Nick Easton, G

Hercules Mata'afa, DL

and perhaps:

Cedrick Lang, OL

Johnny Stanton. FB

Josiah Price, TE

In terms of front line players, the Vikings haven't been hit too hard by injuries. In terms of numbers across the roster, the Vikings have been hit very hard by injuries.

Cornerback Mackensie Alexander sprained an ankle during the Jaguars game. He will miss some time. Hopefully, he won't miss a lot of time so a roster move isn't necessary. The Vikings have a deep, talented cornerback group. They can get by without Alexander but he's an important part of the group. He was leading the competition for the nickel corner job. The position is a backup on paper but a starter in playing time. They need him on the field. 

The release of Forbath and injury moves involving Aruna, Lang, Stanton, and Price left five openings on the Vikings roster. Two were filled yesterday.

From Vikings.com

SIGNED

PLAYER                        POS.         EXP.                          COLLEGE

Kobe McCrary.................... FB............... R........................... Minnesota

Kareem Are......................... G............... 1....................... Florida State 

McCrary (6-1, 240) joins the Vikings as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Minnesota after spending rookie minicamp with the team on a tryout basis. The Chipley, Florida native rushed for 738 yards and 11 touchdowns in two seasons with the Gophers, leading the team with 5.3 yards per carry as a senior. McCrary was also the recipient of the Minnesota’s 2017 Gary Tinsley Award for his underdog mentality and continual persistence. Before enrolling at Minnesota McCrary spent two seasons at Butler Community College, where as a sophomore he amassed 1,190 yards on 225 carries and led the NJCAA with 22 rushing touchdowns. 

Are (6-6, 325) joins the Vikings as a free agent after most recently spending time with the Oakland Raiders, where he signed as an undrafted free agent in 2017 and was released at the conclusion of the 2017 preseason. Prior to joining the Raiders Are spent three seasons at Florida State, starting eight games at left guard as a junior before earning second-team All-ACC honors for a senior season spent blocking for All-American running back Dalvin Cook and ACC Rookie of the Year quarterback Deondre Francois. Before arriving in Tallahassee, the Elmont, New York native played one season at Fort Scott Community College, where he became a PrepStar Maganize JUCO All-American and was ranked as the nation’s No. 1 JUCO offensive guard. Are joins fellow Seminoles Dalvin Cook and Xavier Rhodes on the Vikings roster.

That leaves the Vikings roster at 87 players. 

Preseason Top 25 High School Football Rankings

Football is heating up at all levels of the game. Here's MaxPreps Composite Top 25 High School Football Rankings.

1. (tie) St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)
Average rank: 2
MaxPreps Xcellent 25: 1
USA Today: 2
MaxPreps Computer: 1
High School Football America: 4


1. (tie) Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) 
Average rank: 2
MaxPreps Xcellent 25: 2
USA Today: 3
MaxPreps Computer: 2
High School Football America: 1

3. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) 
Average rank: 3
MaxPreps Xcellent 25: 3
USA Today: 1
MaxPreps Computer: 3
High School Football America: 5

4. Allen (Texas)
Average rank: 5.5
MaxPreps Xcellent 25: 4
USA Today: 4
MaxPreps Computer: 12
High School Football America: 2

5. St. John's (Washington, D.C.)
Average rank: 6.25
MaxPreps Xcellent 25: 6
USA Today: 6
MaxPreps Computer: 4
High School Football America: 9

6. Grayson (Loganville, Ga.)
Average rank: 6.75
MaxPreps Xcellent 25: 5
USA Today: 5
MaxPreps Computer: 14
High School Football America: 3

7. St. Frances Academy (Baltimore)
Average rank: 9.5
MaxPreps Xcellent 25: 7
USA Today: 9
MaxPreps Computer: 7

High School Football America: 15

8. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Average rank: 10.25
MaxPreps Xcellent 25: 8
USA Today: 7
MaxPreps Computer: 9
High School Football America: 17

9. Chandler (Ariz.)
Average rank: 14
MaxPreps Xcellent 25: 10
USA Today: 8
MaxPreps Computer: 16
High School Football America: 22

10. (tie) Folsom (Calif.)
Average rank: 17.75
MaxPreps Xcellent 25: 19
USA Today: 20
MaxPreps Computer: 8
High School Football America: 24

10. (tie) St. Louis (Honolulu)
Average rank: 17.75
MaxPreps Xcellent 25: 12
USA Today: 14
MaxPreps Computer: 5
High School Football America: NR

12. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
Average rank: 18
MaxPreps Xcellent 25: 11
USA Today: 11
MaxPreps Computer: NR
High School Football America: 10

13. Lake Travis (Austin, Texas)
Average rank: 18.75
MaxPreps Xcellent 25: 9
USA Today: 10
MaxPreps Computer: NR
High School Football America: 16

14. Hoover (Ala.)
Average rank: 19.75
MaxPreps Xcellent 25: 21
USA Today: 12
MaxPreps Computer: NR
High School Football America: 6

15. Marietta (Ga.)
Average rank: 20.25
MaxPreps Xcellent 25: 15
USA Today: 16
MaxPreps Computer: 10 
High School Football America: NR

16. Central (Miami)
Average rank: 20.5
MaxPreps Xcellent 25: 13
USA Today: 15
MaxPreps Computer: NR
High School Football America: 14

17. Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.)
Average rank: 21
MaxPreps Xcellent 25: 23
USA Today: 13
MaxPreps Computer: NR
High School Football America: 8

18. Pickerington Central (Pickerington, Ohio)
Average rank: 22.5
MaxPreps Xcellent 25: 22
USA Today: 17
MaxPreps Computer: NR
High School Football America: 11

19. Katy (Texas)
Average rank: 23.5
MaxPreps Xcellent 25: 14
USA Today: 19
MaxPreps Computer: NR
High School Football America: 21

20. Centennial (Corona, Calif.)
Average rank: 26.25
MaxPreps Xcellent 25: 17
USA Today: 25
MaxPreps Computer: 23
High School Football America: NR

21. Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.)
Average rank: 27.5
MaxPreps Xcellent 25:  NR
USA Today: 23
MaxPreps Computer: NR
High School Football America: 7

22. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.)

Average rank: 29
MaxPreps Xcellent 25: 18
USA Today: NR
MaxPreps Computer: 18
High School Football America: NR

23. Narbonne (Harbor City, Calif.)
Average rank: 29.75
MaxPreps Xcellent 25: 24
USA Today: NR
MaxPreps Computer: 15
High School Football America: NR

24. Warren Central (Indianapolis)
Average rank: 30
MaxPreps Xcellent 25: NR
USA Today: 21
MaxPreps Computer: NR
High School Football America: 19

25. University Lab (Baton Rouge, La.)
Average rank: 30.5
MaxPreps Xcellent 25: NR
USA Today: 22
MaxPreps Computer: 20
High School Football America: NR

Others receiving attention:

Ranked in 2 Polls
Owasso (Okla.)

Ranked in 1 Poll

Dutch Fork (Irmo, S.C.)

Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.)

Mission Viejo (Calif.)

Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.)

Pittsburg (Calif.)

Rome (Ga.)

St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia)

St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.)

Trinity (Louisville, Ky.)

Wekiva (Apopka, Fla.)

North Little Rock (Ark.)

DePaul Catholic (Wayne, N.J.)

Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

Bingham (South Jordan, Utah)

Bishop Dunne (Dallas)

Archer (Lawrenceville, Ga.)

Archbishop Hoban (Akron, Ohio)