Calvin Johnson runs a 4.33 in the 40

Calvin Johnson, preparing for the league's scouting combine in Indianapolis next week, was clocked at 4.33 in the 40. He also recorded an 11-foot standing broad jump and had a vertical leap of 43 inches.

While Johnson might not be the first player chosen, he is clearly separating himself as the top player in the 2007 NFL draft. Johnson is a rare talent. He is 6'-4", 234 pounds, and runs a 4.33 40 yard dash!

His combination of size, speed, hands, intelligence and work ethic are unheard of at the receiver position. Think Randy Moss talent with a Marvin Harrison work ethic. In fact Johnson is actually 25 pounds bigger then Moss and if the 4.33 - 40 is accurate, just as fast.

Six receivers in Kiper's updated top 20

It looks like there will be a lot of talent at wide receiver in the 2007 NFL draft. Mel Kiper lists six wide outs in the top 20 on his latest big board.

Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech (1)
Ted Ginn, WR, Ohio St. (8)
Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC (13)
Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU (18)
Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee (19)
Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina (20)

Bowe impressed everyone at the Senior Bowl. He has size and speed and made some circus catches during the week. He did drop a few easy throws and will need to work on his consistency. Ginn, Meachem, and Rice are quick and athletic and are expected to put up big numbers at the combine. Johnson has a shot at being the number one pick in the draft if the Raiders pass on a QB. Jarrett doesn't have the speed of the other receivers, but has great size, good hands, and should make a good pro wide out.

Samardzija giving up football for baseball

Notre Dame wide receiver Jeff Samardzija announced he will give up football to focus on his baseball career.

Samardzija is a right-handed pitcher and was the Cubs' fifth-round pick last summer. He signed a $7.25 million contract with the Cubs.

Samardzija was a possible first round pick before this announcement as most assumed he would choose football over baseball.

Gator decisions: Caldwell, Moss, Nelson, Smith

Four underclassmen for the National Champion Florida Gators announced their decisions on Friday. Wide receiver Andre Caldwell announced he will return to Florida while defensive end Jarvis Moss, safety Reggie Nelson and cornerback Ryan Smith will enter the NFL draft.

Nelson, an attacking safety with big time play-making ability, finished the season with six interceptions. He's expected to be a first round pick.

Moss is an athletic end who will be coveted by NFL teams for his pass-rushing abilities. He finished the 2006 season with 7.5 sacks and 12 quarterback hurries.

Smith, a talented but tiny corner, led the Gators with 8 interceptions.

Anthony Gonzalez enters the NFL draft

Ohio State Junior wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez will forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft.

Gonzalez had 51 catches for 734 yards and eight touchdowns this season

Jarrett signs with agent, will enter draft

USC wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett has signed with an agent and will enter the NFL draft. Jarrett is a talented receiver with great size (6-5) and athletic ability. He's expected to be a first round pick.

Calvin Johnson to enter the draft

Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson announced Monday that he will enter the NFL draft. Johnson is expected to be a top five pick in the 2007 NFL draft and is an option for the Raiders with the first pick overall.

Johnson's combination of size, speed, athleticism and body control are rare. He's one of the best receiving prospects to enter the draft in a long time.

Sidney Rice will go pro

South Carolina sophomore Sidney Rice is giving up his final two seasons of eligibility to enter the NFL draft. This season, Rice caught 72 passes for 1090 yards and 10 TDs. He also set the school record for career TD receptions with 23.

Rice is a tall (6-4), talented receiver who is raw but has a ton of potential. He could go late first or early second round depending on how he does in post-season workouts.

Robert Meachem will go pro

Tennessee wide receiver Robert Meachem has decided to forgo his senior season and declare for the NFL Draft.

Meachem has great size (6-3, 210), speed and agility. After being highly recruited coming out of high school, he disappointed in his first two seasons at Tennessee. However this season Meachem finally lived up to his hype, finishing the year with 71 receptions for 1298 yards and 11 TDs.

Meachem is currently expected to be a late first or early second round pick. His stock could rise if he performs well in post season workouts.

CJ's Gator Bowl show, his last college game?

Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson put on a show at the Gator Bowl. The junior receiver finshed the game with 9 receptions for 186 yards and 2 TDs and most expect it will be his last.

Johnson is one of the most talented receiving prospects to come along in a while. His combination of size, speed, and body control is rare. If he enters, he is arguably the top player in the draft, and should be a Top 5 pick.

Sweed to return for senior season

Texas wide receiver Limas Sweed plans to return for his senior season.

"My intentions are to come back," Sweed said Tuesday.

Sweed has 11 touchdown catches this season, one shy of tying the school record held by Roy Williams.

Ohio State juniors consider entering NFL draft

Four Ohio State juniors have asked NFL officials for an opinion on their draft status, signaling that they are considering leaving school a year early. Receivers Ted Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez, running back Antonio Pittman and offensive tackle Kirk Barton have sent in NFL paperwork for a draft evaluation.

Most expect Ginn, a probable first rounder, to go pro. Gonzalez doesn't receive the hype that Ginn does, but some scouts feel he's just as talented and could head to the NFL also. Pittman is expected to return to OSU.

Vols' Ainge to Return, Hopes to Have Meachem Back

Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge announced he will return to the Vols for his senior year and he is hoping that junior wide receiver Robert Meachem will return with him. "He's a great football player,'' Ainge said. ``I think if he were to stay then obviously that would help our team out tremendously, and I think that would help him out too." Meachem has 1,149 yards and 10 touchdowns in 11 games this season. If he declares, he's probably a second rounder and is currently ranked sixth at WR by FF's Robert Davis.

Sidney Rice will Return to USC Next Season

Receiver Sidney Rice told South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier he will return next season. Rice, a redshirt sophomore, is eligible to enter the 2007 NFL draft because he is three years removed from high school. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Rice could still change his mind and enter the draft where he has an outside shot at going in the first round. This shot has one USC teammate, Syvelle Newton, unconvinced he is actually going to return. “I can’t see Sidney coming back,” Newton said.

Ted Ginn Considering NFL

In a recent interview, Ohio State's Ted Ginn Jr. commented on his NFL plans, stating "Right now, I wouldn't say it's too early (to consider the future), but I'll see how the rest of the year goes." If Ginn declares he should be a first round selection and one of the top receivers in the draft.

Jeff Samardzija in Kiper's Top 5

Kiper just updated his big board and Notre Dame's Jeff Samardzija moved into the top 5. While this is surprising, one has to remember that Kiper's board only includes seniors and Samardzija will fall once the top juniors declare. If they declare, expect the following junior receivers to be rated higher then Samardzija: Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech, Dwayne Jarrett, USC, Ted Ginn Jr, Ohio St.