After a status-quo Saturday that saw few upsets on the gridiron, many of the nation's top NFL prospects at linebacker and on the offensive line stood out. There was also some uninspired play by a few of the country's top junior prospects.

BYU's Beck gets hot, while Irish's Zbikowski struggles

Posted: Tuesday October 3, 2006 3:39PM; Updated: Tuesday October 3, 2006 4:23PM

After a status-quo Saturday that saw few upsets on the gridiron, many of the nation's top NFL prospects at linebacker and on the offensive line stood out. There was also some uninspired play by a few of the country's top junior prospects.

Risers

John Beck, QB, BYU: Beck is a strong-armed passer who possesses terrific deep accuracy. He's averaging 321 yards passing in five games this year while also completing 68 percent of his throws. Connecting on three second-half touchdowns, Beck led the Cougars over conference rival TCU last week, snapping the Horned Frogs' 13-game win streak. He lacks pocket-passer height, standing a shade under 6-foot-2, but he's still moving toward the draft's first day. He will get several postseason all-star-game invitations and could elevate his grade even higher.

Aaron Sears, OL, Tennessee: The Volunteers' offense has been explosive this season, thanks in large part to the return of coordinator David Cutcliffe and an offensive line that has allowed only four sacks. Sears, the leader of the unit, has been a dominant force in pass protection and as a run blocker. Highly rated coming into the season, he is still on the upswing and could sneak into the draft's initial 40 selections.

Doug Datish, C, Ohio State: The former offensive tackle replaced Nick Mangold at center this season and has taken to his new position like a duck to water. Datish was dominant last Saturday against Iowa and has a compelling all-around game. As Mangold did last April, Datish could end up as the first center drafted next year.

Patrick Willis, LB, Mississippi: Willis has been a shining star in what has been a bleak season for the Rebels. He has 50 tackles after five games and has shown improvement in coverage this season.

Brain Smith, LB-DE, Missouri: Lining up in a three-point stance for the Tigers, Smith is a feared pass rusher who constantly makes plays in the backfield. Through five games he has seven sacks and eight tackles for loss. Undersized to be an every-down defensive end in the NFL, Smith is projected by most as a rush linebacker in a 3-4. Teams are now stamping him as a top 75 selection.

Sliders

Tom Zbikowski, S, Notre Dame: An aspiring professional boxer, Zbikowski is known for his aggressive, take-no-prisoners attitude on the field. And while he stands out stuffing the run, he's becoming a one-dimensional defensive back. He has struggled in pass coverage and displayed marginal ball skills. Most scouts think Zbikowski would be making a mistake by entering the draft.

Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska: More was expected from the big defensive end than has been delivered this season. He's had minimal impact as a pass rusher, which is his forte, recording only one sack to date. He was manhandled by USC's Sam Baker weeks ago and his draft grade is starting to slip. Carriker must pull it together quickly and finish the season strong.

Aaron Rouse, S, Virginia Tech: In the big matchup against Calvin Johnson and Georgia Tech last weekend, Rouse came up on the short end. Considered a potential first-round pick, his play this season has been unspectacular. Rouse looked confused in run defense and was very late to the flanks in pass coverage. He has seemingly ceded the top safety spot to LSU's Laron Landry.

Deshawn Wynn, RB, Florida: After consecutive 100-yard rushing games, it seemed Wynn was finally turning the corner. But his penchant for inconsistency reared its ugly head against a stout Alabama defense. The Gators back totaled just 50 yards on the ground on a gimpy ankle. With LSU, Auburn and Georgia up next, Wynn has a chance to get back on course and improve his grade if he returns to full health.

Greg Olson, TE, Miami (Fla.): With the tremendous tight-end talent that has come from the Hurricanes program, many have anointed Olson as the next elite player at his position, but nothing could be farther from the truth in the mind of scouts. Olson is far from a polished player, looking unnatural in many aspects of the game. As with Zbikowski, many scouts agree it would be a mistake if this junior enters the draft.

Draft notes

As if there weren't enough reasons to be impressed with Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson, scouts found another intangible to the big receiver's game -- his toughness. Johnson, suffering from a left quadriceps injury, was listed as a game-time decision against Virginia Tech. He not only played but was a major factor in the Ramblin Wreck's victory over their conference foe, catching six passes for 115 yards and two scores.... Another ACC receiver still has many questions surrounding him. Some in Coral Gables are wondering if Ryan Moore will ever dress for the Hurricanes this season. After a sensational freshman campaign in '03, when he caught 44 passes, Moore watched his play slide due to injury and inconsistency the next two seasons. Despite that, BLESTO Scouting services made Moore the No. 2 senior prospect from Miami before the year began, assigning him a second-round grade. After several off-the-field incidents, one that is now in the hands of the Miami-Dade County State Attorney's office, Moore was indefinitely suspended by coach Larry Coker.