2008.10.30
Harris No. 5 corner among seniors, Kiper says
Senior cornerback is the only Virginia Tech player listed on NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr.'s latest "Top Five" list among seniors for next April's draft.
Harris, who declared for this past April's draft as a junior only to withdraw his name a couple days later, was Kiper's fifth-rated cornerback in the Oct. 23 update.Virginia had two players on the list: Offensive tackle Eugene Monroe (second) and outside linebacker Clint Sintim (fourth).
Other ACC players making Kiper's list include: Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji (first); Wake Forest outside linebacker Aaron Curry (first); Wake Forest cornerback Alphonso Smith (second); Wake Forest place-kicker Sam Swank (second); Clemson running back James Davis (second); Georgia Tech defensive end Michael Johnson (second); nd defensive tackle Vance Walker (fourth); Georgia Tech defensive tackle Vance Walker (fourth); Florida State place-kicker Graham Gano (fourth); and Clemson safety Michael Hamlin (fifth).
The only player from the state making the rankings was Liberty's Rashad Jennings, who was the No. 5 running back among seniors.
Virginia Tech's Sergio Render is rated No. 1 among offensive guards on Kiper's top-five juniors. Tech's Kam Chancellor is second among junior safeties, behind Southern California's Taylor Mays. Hokies punter Brent Bowden is the fourth-rated punter.
Jeremy Gilchrist, who transferred from Tech to Hampton University, also is turning heads of some draft analysts. Todd McShay of Scouts Inc. said Gilchrist could be a mid-round prospect in next April's draft as a wide receiver-return specialist.
Gilchrist has returned three of his 15 punt returns four touchdowns this season. He's also averaging 14.3 yards on 21 catches. While he is undersized at 5-foot-10, Gilchrist possesses very good vision, elusiveness and burst in the open field, McShay said.
-- Randy King
