Kiper: Underclassmen to watch in Orange and Fiesta Bowls

[Yomar]

Top underclassmen playing

in Orange and Fiesta

Thursday, January 2 Updated 1:48 PM EST

Editor's note: Mel Kiper Jr. looks at the top underclassmen playing in the Orange Bowl between Iowa and USC and the Fiesta Bowl between Ohio State and Miami. Of the 50 players listed, 21 are from Miami, 13 from Ohio State and eight each from Iowa and USC.

Top 50 underclassmen in the Orange and Fiesta Bowls

1. Andre Johnson, WR, Miami (Jr.)

2. Willie McGahee, RB, Miami (So.)

3. Maurice Clarett, RB, Ohio St. (Fr.)

4. Mike Williams, WR, USC (Fr.)

5. Kellen Winslow, Jr., TE, Miami (So.)

6. Will Smith, DE, Ohio St. (Jr.)

7. D.J. Williams, OLB, Miami (Jr.)

8. Sean Taylor, DB, Miami (So.)

9. Chris Gamble, CB/WR, Ohio St. (So.)

10. Kenechi Udeze, DE, USC (So.)

11. Michael Jenkins, WR, Ohio St. (Jr.)

12. Dallas Clark, TE, Iowa (Jr.)

13. Darrion Scott, DE, Ohio St. (Jr.)

14. Jonathan Vilma, LB, Miami (Jr.)

15. Carlos Joseph, OT, Miami (So.)

16. Roscoe Parrish, WR, Miami (R-Fr.)

17. Vince Wilfork, DT, Miami (So.)

18. Keary Colbert, WR, USC (Jr..)

19. Robert Gallery, OT, Iowa (Jr.)

20. Shaun Cody, DL, USC (So.)

21. Shane Olivea, OT, Ohio St. (Jr.)

22. Kevin Beard, WR, Miami (Jr.)

23. Jason Geathers, WR, Miami (Jr.)

24. Maurice Brown, WR, Iowa (Jr.)

25. Eric Winston, TE, Miami (Fr.)

26. Adrien Clarke, OL, Ohio St. (Jr.)

27. Antrel Rolle, CB, Miami (So.)

28. Winston Justice, OT, USC (Fr.)

29. Mike Patterson, DT, USC (So.)

30. Bob Sanders, DB, Iowa (Jr.)

31. Tim Anderson, DT, Ohio St. (Jr.)

32. Fred Russell, RB, Iowa (Jr.)

33. Maurice Sikes, DB, Miami (Jr.)

34. Chris Myers, OG, Miami (So.)

35. Maurice Hall, RB, Ohio St. (So.)

36. Jarrett Payton, RB, Miami (Jr.)

37. Nate Kaeding, PK, Iowa (Jr.)

38. Kelly Jennings, CB, Miami (R-Fr.)

39. Craig Krenzel, QB, Ohio St. (Jr.)

40. Rocky McIntosh, LB, Miami (R-Fr.)

41. Jermelle Lewis, RB, Iowa (So.)

42. A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio St. (Fr.)

43. Omar Nazel, DE, USC (Jr.)

44. Vernon Carey, OT, Miami (Jr.)

45. Hershel Dennis, RB, USC (Fr.)

46. Branden Joe, FB, Ohio St. (So.)

47. Orien Harris, DL, Miami (R-Fr.)

48. Mike Nugent, PK, Ohio St. (So.)

49. Kyle Cobia, FB, Miami (So.)

50. Ed Hinkel, WR, Iowa (R-Fr.)

Others worth noting

Iowa -- Jared Clauss, DT, (Jr.); Sam Aiello, OL, (Jr.); Edgar Cervantes, FB, (Jr.); Grant Steen, LB, (Jr.); Kevin Worthy, LB, (Jr.); Clinton Solomon, WR, (Fr.); Antwan Allen, DB, (Fr.); Jovon Johnson, DB, (Fr.)

USC -- Alex Holmes, TE, (Jr.); Jacob Rogers, OL, (Jr.); Melvin Simmons, LB, (Jr.); Marcell Allmond, CB, (Jr.); Kevin Arbet, CB, (Jr.); Brandon Hance, QB, (Jr.); Jason Leach, DB, (So.), Brandon Han****, FB, (Fr.), Justin Wyatt, DB, (Fr.)

Ohio State -- Ben Hartsock, TE, (Jr.); Bryce Bishop, OG, (Jr.); Ivan Douglas, OL, (Jr.); Richard McNutt, CB, (Jr.); Robert Reynolds, LB, (Jr.); Lydell Ross, RB, (So.); JaJa Riley, RB, (So.); Bam Childress, WR, (So.); Simon Fraser, DE, (So.); Dustin Fox, CB, (So.); Brandon Schnittker, FB, (R-Fr.); Ryan Hamby, TE, (R-Fr.); Rob Sims, OT, (Fr.); Nick Mangold, OL, (Fr.); Mike Kudla, DL, (Fr.); Mike D'Andrea, LB, (Fr.); Bobby Carpenter, LB, (Fr.); E.J. Underwood, DB, (Fr.)

Miami -- Brock Berlin, QB, (Jr.); Frank Gore, RB, (So.); John Square, DE, (So.); Quadtrine Hill, RB, (R-Fr.)