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Wisconsin DE Erasmus James is one of the fastest rising senior prospects in the 2005 draft class. After he missed the entire 2003 season with a hip injury, there were lots of questions about James' durability, fitness, explosiveness and strength. With 13 total tackles, including 5.5 for loss, and three sacks in just three games, James has had nothing but answers during the first month of the 2004 season.

While the production is what gets most fans' attention, it's the manner in which he is providing that production that has been most impressive – and more important – to NFL scouts. First off, James has shown terrific stamina and is playing with a wonderful motor as an almost every-down player. His ability to beat offensive tackles with a blend of quickness, power and athleticism is exciting, as is his continued ability to fight through the double-team attention he has received the last two games.

James' draft status likely will hinge on what the doctors report during postseason workouts and physicals, but if there is no long-term concern regarding his hip, and if James can put up solid workout numbers following an impressive senior season, he could very easily sneak into the first round of April's draft.

It might sound ridiculous, but the comments by Texas RB Cedric Benson that he would prefer winning the Heisman Trophy to beating Oklahoma did not sit well with many NFL officials. Like it or not, several league personnel people are starting to shy away from Texas players, much like they shied away from Florida receivers during Steve Spurrier's reign.

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