50 Best of the Non-BCS: Number 37
The Verdict: At 6-foot-2, 252-pounds, Marshall defensive end Albert McClellan may just be one of the best defenders in Conference-USA. Named to the All-Conference freshmen team during his rookie season in 2005, McClellan was a one man-wrecking crew for the Thundering Herd in 2006 en route to earning Conference-USA Defensive Player of the Year honors. His 19 tackles for a loss and 11.5 sacks led the conference that year, and coming into the 2007 season it looked as though the athletic junior might become one of the hottest prospects to ever come out of Huntington. A pre-season knee injury derailed those prospects, although McClellan returned last season to record 58 stops and 2.5 sacks despite not being fully recovered. A 'tweener prospect with elite initial quickness off the line, McClellan commands the respect of offensive linemen whenever he steps out on the field, making him one of the best defenders in any non-BCS conference.
Tomorrow's Player:We're taking the day off tomorrow so you can listen to our totally awesome podcast.
Past Players: [#50: Navy LB Ross Pospisil] [#49: Fresno State RB Ryan Mathews] [#48: Wyoming DT John Fletcher] [#47: BSU WR Briggs Orsbon] [#46: EMU QB Andy Schmitt] [#45: Marshall TE Cody Slate] [#44: LA Tech WR/KR Philip Livas] [#43: CSU Gaurd Shelly Smith] [#42: Wyoming FS Chris Prosinski] [#41: SMU receiver Emmanual Sanders] [#40: UTEP QB Trevor Vittatoe] [#39: CMU DE/DT Frank Zombo] [#38: Nevada RB Vai Tuau]
