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Irish eyes smiling on Big BoardBy Mel Kiper Jr.
Special to ESPN.com
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Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn remains the top player on my 2007 Big Board of the nation's Top 25 senior prospects, and he likely will reside at the top when the upcoming season begins.


There will be some changes to the Big Board even at this time of the year, and this week two new players are in my Top 25, including one of Quinn's teammates.

Overall, 10 to 12 additional seniors received strong consideration for my Big Board, an indication that the 2007 draft will provide the NFL with a lot of quality talent. Furthermore, a host of high-profile juniors will have the option in mid-January of declaring for the draft.


Remember, this is the time of year when I spend countless hours evaluating prospects from games that were played over the last two years. So even though it's the offseason, there will be changes to the board between now and the start of the season.


The next update to my Big Board is slated for July 18.


1. Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame (6-4, 231) | previous: 1
2005: 64.9 completion pct., 3,919 passing yards, 32 TDs-7 INTs


2. Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin (6-8, 306) | previous: 3
2005: First team All-Big Ten


3. Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson (6-5, 260) | previous: 2
2005: 9½ sacks, 15 tackles for loss


4. Quentin Moses, DE, Georgia (6-5, 250) | previous: 5
2005: 11½ sacks, 20½ tackles for loss


5. Drew Stanton, QB, Michigan St. (6-3, 230) | previous: 11
2005: 66.5 completion pct., 3,077 yards, 22 TDs-12 INTs


6. Levi Brown, OT, Penn St. (6-5, 324) | previous: 14
2005: First team All-Big Ten


7. Paul Posluszny, LB, Penn St. (6-2, 229) | previous: 4
2005: Team-high 116 tackles, 3 sacks


8. Jeff Samardzija, WR, Notre Dame (6-4, 231) | previous: 7
2005: 78 receptions, 1,274 yards, 15 TDs


9. Michael Bush, RB, Louisville (6-3, 250) | previous: 6
2005: 1,143 rushing yards, 23 TDs


10. Kenny Irons, RB, Auburn (5-11, 200) | previous: 12
2005: 1,293 rushing yards, 13 TDs


11. Quinn Pitcock, DT, Ohio St. (6-3, 295) | previous: 21
2005: 28 tackles, 3 tackles for loss


12. LaMarr Woodley, DE, Michigan (6-2, 268) | previous: 13
2005: 7 sacks, 14 tackles for loss


13. LaRon Landry, DB, LSU (6-2, 204) | previous: 8
2005: All-SEC for third straight year


14. Tim Crowder, DE, Texas (6-4, 270) | previous: 9
2005: First team All-Big 12


15. Brandon Meriweather, DB, Miami (6-0, 188) | previous: 10
2005: Led team with career-high 115 tackles


16. Ryan Harris, OT, Notre Dame (6-5, 288) | previous: 17
2005: Started all 12 games (32 straight starts)


17. Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno St. (6-1, 200) | previous: 15
2005: 1 INT, 7 pass breakups


18. Leon Hall, CB, Michigan (5-11, 193) | previous: 20
2005: Team-high 4 INTs


19. Michael Griffin, DB, Texas (6-0, 205) | previous: 16
2005: 3 INTs, team-high 124 tackles


20. Zack Bowman, CB, Nebraska (6-1½ 198) | previous: unranked
2005: 2 INTs, 11 pass breakups


21. Tom Zbikowski, S, Notre Dame (5-11, 202) | previous: unranked
2005: Team-high 5 INTs, 71 tackles


22. Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska (6-6, 280) | previous: 18
2005: 9½ sacks, 17 tackles for loss


23. Doug Free, OT, Northern Illinois (6-7, 302) | previous: unranked
2005: First team All-MAC; started 36 straight games


24. Justin Blalock, OT, Texas (6-4, 329) | previous: even
2005: First team All-Big 12


25. Jason Hill, WR, Washington St. (6-1, 210)
2005: 62 receptions, 1,097 yards, 13 TDs


Dropped
Rufus Alexander, LB, Oklahoma (6-1, 231) | previous: 19
2005: 17 tackles for loss; team-high 102 tackles


Victor Abiamiri, DE, Notre Dame (6-4, 260) | previous: 22
2005: Team-high 8 sacks, 15 tackles for loss


Patrick Willis, LB, Mississippi (6-2, 230) | previous: 25
2005: Led SEC in tackles per game (12.8)


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