That may have changed.   Taylor came out today looking like he turned the corner in his development.  Against Southern Miss, a strong C-USA team, Martinez went 26/34 passing for 354 yards and not one, not two, not three, not four, but five touchdowns.

He’s a Junior so he will be 2013 NFL Draft eligible…. are we looking at the 2013 CAM NEWTON?

I’ll chill… but we COULD be looking at the next Russell Wilson.

The Badgers’ new adidas TECHFIT football uniform highlights the history of the Wisconsin “W” and celebrates the school’s rich football heritage. The white uniform features red shoulders and showcases a bold red “W” on the chest and player numbers above the heart.

Wisconsin’s red helmet featuring a black face mask and white “W” and the team’s adizero Smoke gloves showcasing the “W” logo pay homage to Badger pride. The reflective black uppers of the team’s adizero cleats combined with the red electro-plated bottom, will bring a bright and exciting look to Wisconsin’s footwear during their Unrivaled game.

The use of the “block W” harkens back to the days of Wisconsin’s 1962 Big Ten championship team, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this fall. That team wore the “block W” on their helmets and went on to play USC in the 1963 Rose Bowl, one of the most famous bowl games of all time.

They should rename this game to the red bowl.

Some people will like these though.

Pics below

This is definitely going to hurt his draft stock. Not because he has “character issues,” but because the team that drafts him is going to have to pay a GOOD lawyer.

Dennard is charged with third-degree felony assault of a police officer. Police say he struck the officer during a disturbance outside a Lincoln bar about 2:15 a.m. Saturday.

Dennard was dressed in a dark blue jail jumpsuit during a hearing that lasted about a minute. He was released from Lancaster County Jail early in the evening after posting $500.

We’re glad to get him out of jail,” said his attorney, Terry Dougherty. He declined further comment.

Dennard’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 15. If convicted, he could face five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Source: ESPN

“Dennard is an idiot”

“How could he let this happen the same week of the draft”

And to all of that I must be the voice of reason. Let’s wait to hear the facts and see if any charges will be pressed. It seems that people forget so quickly that guys like Darren McFadden and Ronaldo McClain were arrested in far more random incidents not that long ago.

Alfonzo isn’t an idiot. At least he doesn’t seem like one on the surface. No man is going to purposely get arrested five days before the NFL Draft. From what I’ve read it seems like he got into it with some guys at a club or bar and struck a police officer in the melee. This looks like it could be coincidental, we don’t know.

Just ask yourself would anyone you know knowingly punch an uniformed officer?

CHICAGO

Butkus Award Collegiate Finalists:

• Lavonte David, Nebraska
• Dont’a Hightower, Alabama
• Jarvis Jones, Georgia
• Luke Kuechly, Boston College
• Manti Te’o, Notre Dame
• Courtney Upshaw, Alabama

Butkus Award High School Finalists:

• Kwon Alexander, Oxford High School, Ala.
• Mike Barton, Concord De La Salle High School, Concord, Calif.
• Noor Davis, Leesburg High School, Fla.
• Quanzell Lambert, Timber Creek High School, Sicklerville, NJ
• Antonio Morrison, Bolingbrook High School, Ill.
• Jabari Ruffin, Downey High School, Calif.

Last season’s Butkus Award winners included: Clay Matthews, Super Bowl-winning Green Bay Packers; Von Miller of Texas A&M University and #2 overall NFL draft pick by the Denver Broncos; and Tony Steward of St. Augustine, Fla., now at Clemson.

The Butkus Award® draws attention to the I Play Clean campaign, which aims to end steroid use in organized sports.  Dick Butkus encourages past and current athletes, coaches and fans to pledge their support at www.iplayclean.org or www.facebook.com/i.play.clean.  Considered one of the greatest football players in history, Butkus was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979, following an illustrious career with the Chicago Bears, University of Illinois and Chicago Vocational School. Meanwhile, his son Matt was a defensive lineman for the University of Southern California, and joins his father in philanthropic efforts. More information is at www.thebutkusaward.com or www.facebook.com/51.butkus.

The Butkus Award is part of the National College Football Awards Association, a coalition of the major collegiate awards. More information is available at www.NCFAA.org.

Not only has he compiled monster yardage (660 yards passing, 737 yards rushing so far) but he has also led the Huskers to the #7 ranking in the nation.

But is he the best prospect possibly… ever?!

Let’s look at the outburst he put on Kansas State Thursday night.  241 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. Insane numbers for a QB.  But was also insane was the mere 7 pass attempts Martinez put up in the game.

So as the national media hype machine gears up to start pushing Martinez, I have to say cool off on “crowing him” (shout out to Dennis Green) because Martinez is not throwing the ball nearly enough to be a legit pro Quarterbacking prospect.  As of right now he only averages 14 pass attempts per game. Nebraska’s scheme just isn’t going to give us a good enough look at Martinez’ ability to sit back and dissect a defense right now. Maybe next year.

All in all, is Martinez the best athlete when he steps on the field?

99% of the time that is correct.

But is he one of the best Quarterbacks in the nation?

Not so fast my friends.