Aug. 18, 2000 SportsLine.com/Lindy's reports

Jamar Fletcher, CB, Wisconsin (Jr., 5-10, 170)
	With 14 interceptions in 21 games, Fletcher sinks his teeth into the opposition... and then he'll happily tell them all about it. He's a bit cocky, but all those picks -- including five that he's taken back for touchdowns -- give him the right to talk and talk and talk. More...
	Tackles	TFL	INT	PBU	Starts
1999	54	3	7	10	12
Career	96	4	14	22	24

Fred Smoot, CB, Mississippi State (Sr., 6-1, 179)
	When we last saw the Mississippi State defense, it was intercepting five passes and holding Clemson to seven points in the Peach Bowl. Smoot, who had one of those picks in addition to his five in the regular season, will be counted on to do even more in a defense that lost eight starters.
	Tackles	TFL	INT	PBU	Starts
1999	57	4	5	9	12
Career	57	4	5	9	12

Carl Nesmith, S, Kansas (Sr., 6-3, 215)
	Kansas scours the nation's junior colleges as well as any school, and last season came up with Nesmith, who became the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. He's nicknamed "The Butcher" for the way he carves up unfortunate ballcarriers.
	Tackles	TFL	INT	PBU	Starts
1999	89	3	3	5	5
Career	89	3	3	5	5

Andre Dyson, CB, Utah (Sr., 5-10, 177)
	Great closing speed allows Dyson, the brother of Tennessee Titans receiver Kevin Dyson, to step in and take passes away from receivers, something he did six times last season. Another cornerback to watch from the Mountain West Conference: UNLV junior Kevin Thomas.
	Tackles	TFL	INT	PBU	Starts
1999	41	1	6	17	11
Career	84	2	8	30	18

Jarrod Cooper, S, Kansas State (Sr., 6-1, 210)
	Cooper, a four-year starter at strong safety, is the leader of a group that returns three members from the nation's best secondary. The Wildcats allowed opponents to complete about 1 of 3 passes -- 118 of 315 (37 percent).
	Tackles	TFL	INT	PBU	Starts
1999	77	1	0	12	11
Career	242	23	1	24	33

Robert Carswell, S, Clemson (Sr., 5-11, 215)
	Carswell set a school record for tackles by a defensive back last season (126), an amazing total considering there wasn't much to clean up because hardly anything got past linebacker Keith Adams. Carswell also intercepted six passes from his free safety spot.
	Tackles	TFL	INT	PBU	Starts
1999	129	1	6	3	12
Career	282	7	6	13	29

Andre Lott, CB, Tennessee (Sr., 5-11, 185)
	Has been overshadowed by Deon Grant and Dwayne Goodrich, but those guys are gone and Lott is the only returning starter in the Vols' secondary. Tennessee's opponents might have a better chance going against junior Willie Miles at the other corner.
	Tackles	TFL	INT	PBU	Starts
1999	45	1	1	10	12
Career	69	1	1	11	12

Derrick Gibson, S, FSU (Sr., 6-1, 211)
	A big-time pro prospect who jeopardized his playing status after being arrested for soliciting a sexual favor from an undercover police officer in early August. But coach Bobby Bowden said Gibson's punishment won't include missing football, so the strong safety will be there on Aug. 26 trying to stop BYU.
	Tackles	TFL	INT	PBU	Starts
1999	79	3	4	8	12
Career	148	5	5	9	25

Jimmy Williams, CB, Vanderbilt (Sr., 5-10, 186)
	One of the nation's hidden gems, Williams is one of the reasons Vandy fans believe the team can finally get to a bowl this season. Williams will help in many ways -- as a top cover man, as a punt and kicker returner (he has touchdowns both ways) and maybe even a little bit as a receiver.
	Tackles	TFL	INT	PBU	Starts
1999	59	2	2	10	11
Career	138	4	6	18	27

Maurice Hines, CB, Marshall (Sr., 5-8, 193)
	The Herd's cornerback combination of Hines and Danny Derricott is as good as it gets, even if they don't have a lot of size. Derricott makes some spectacular plays, but Hines is the better pure corner and nobody will be able to run past him.
	Tackles	TFL	INT	PBU	Starts
1999	63	4	5	8	13
Career	151	7	7	14	26

Al Blades, S, Miami (Sr., 6-2, 200)
	Miami didn't allow a touchdown pass in its final 27 quarters of 1999, a remarkable feat that becomes more mind boggling when considering the Hurricanes played against Michael Vick and Joe Hamilton in that time. Blades, the free safety, headlines a starting group that returns intact.
	Tackles	TFL	INT	PBU	Starts
1999	72	2	2	5	10
Career	72	2	2	5	10

Pig Prather, S, Mississippi State (Jr., 6-3, 191)
	Having a pig in the Dog Pound worked out well for Mississippi State, which rescued Prather from a crowded running back situation and stuck him on defense last year. He's got a knack for the big play, and is extremely slippery when returning kicks and punts.
	Tackles	TFL	INT	PBU	Starts
1999	89	2	1	3	11
Career	171	2	2	6	18

R E L A T E D   L I N K S

All-America checklist: Quarterbacks All-America checklist: Running backs All-America checklist: Receivers All-America checklist: Tight ends All-America checklist: Offensive linemen All-America checklist: Defensive linemen All-America checklist: Linebackers All-America checklist: Special teams Badgers' Fletcher willing, able to take on anybody

T O P   N E W S