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ENDS: AL COWLINGS, Southern California, 6 ft. 5 in., 250 lbs.; and PHIL OLSEN, Utah State, 6 ft. 4 in., 261 lbs. Beyond the plenitude of sparkling quarterbacks, the scouts are most elated over the number of brutal, brobdingnagian defensive linemen. Cowlings, who led Southern Cal's heralded "Wild Bunch" that allowed only 95.6 yds. rushing per game, was described by one scout as "a big Belgian horse." But Cowlings is fast (4.9 for the 40) and, says one report, "he's mean, with the right determination and attitude to play defense. He eats quarterbacks." Many pros say that Olsen compared favorably with Big Brother Merlin of the Los Angeles Rams. "If he's got any negatives," says one scout, "we don't know about them." Another scout worries that "he can occasionally be fooled by the quarterback," but adds that he is so tall and maneuverable that he can perform that rare feat —deflecting the pass a split second after the quarterback releases the ball.
TACKLES: MIKE McCOY, Notre Dame, 6 ft. 5 in., 287 lbs., and MIKE REID, Penn State, 6 ft. 3 in., 250 lbs. The pros regard McCoy as easily the best defensive lineman in the country —big, fast, as aggressive as a water buffalo. He could be the No. 1 draft choice—and Reid will not be far behind. "Now here is the classic defender—a guy who is strong, durable and intelligent. He sniffs out the play quickly and bores in with a stubborn, vicious pursuit," says one report. A few scouts worry that he may be too small for a pro tackle, but most think that he could be one of the big leagues' top linebackers.
LINEBACKERS: STEVE KINER, Tennessee, 6 ft. 2 in., 225 lbs.; DON PARISH, Stanford, 6 ft. 4 in., 232 lbs; and JOHN SMALL, The Citadel, 6 ft. 4 in., 238 lbs. Kiner is a devastating tackler who "has both the size and speed to plug up a hole quickly or drop back for pass coverage." Parish impressed most scouts with his speed and range—"enough to keep up with the speediest of flankers on pass defense." Scouts are full of encomiums for Small, "a defensive technician with the kind of quickness and reaction that lead him directly to the play. He has size, strength, speed, keen eyes, leadership, brains—and on top of that, he just loves to hit people."
CORNERBACKS: STEVE TANNEN, Florida, 6 ft. 1 in., 193 lbs.; and TIM FOLEY, Purdue, 6 ft. 1 in., 195 lbs. Following the Vince Lombardi stratagem of picking good athletes rather than just good football players, the pros are eager to grab Tannen, who, in addition to stints at offensive end for the Gators, is a versatile track man. "This boy has exceptional coordination," says one scout, "and enough speed and mobility for man-to-man coverage in the pros. And that's saying something." Foley is regarded as an ideal cornerback—quick on the uptake in a passing situation, yet alert and aggressive enough to ruin a power sweep. But the one player the scouts are really hankering after is only a junior and therefore ineligible for the upcoming draft: Ohio State's JACK TATUM (6 ft., 204 lbs.), whom one pro labels "the finest natural football player in the country. He's ready for us right now—no question about it."