Nebraska running back Correll Buckhalter was impressive in the East-West Shrine Game. (Allsport)

Running back Correll Buckhalter of Nebraska elevated his draft status tremendously over the week showing the combination of size, speed and natural running skills to join the upper echelon of backs for the NFL Draft 2001. He will probably be selected ahead of teammate Dan Alexander, who has started as the Cornhuskers' I-back most of the past three seasons.

Wide receivers Andre King, Joey Getherall and T.J. Houshmanzadeh all impressed NFL scouts after being limited to situational roles during their college careers. King gave notice of his playmaking ability after being relegated to third wideout in Miami's talented receiving corp.

Getherall displayed the running skills that made him one of the more exciting players during his stay at Notre Dame. Despite his smallish size, he continues to make big plays as a receiver and return specialist and draw the attention of scouts as a fine role player.

Houshmanzadeh is another Oregon State player who has risen quickly up the charts off a fine senior season. His combination of size, speed and athleticism will command attention this spring despite being another quality wide receiver in the very deep and talented class for 2001.

More draft analysis

Rising Offensive Players

1. Jonathan Beasley, Kansas State
QB, 6-1, 210
Athletic passer helped his cause over the week of practices and game, displaying a live arm and excellent mobility. He threw two key touchdown passes that won the game for the West.

2. Tim Hasselback, Boston College
QB, 6-2, 210
Accurate senior passer had an impressive week in front of scouts, showing a fine touch and good decision making. He has the tools to become a nice developmental QB at the next level.

3. Correll Buckhalter, Nebraska
RB, 6-0, 220
Powerful tailback had a strong week in the spotlight after backing up Dan Alexander most of his career at Nebraska. He ran with quickness and power and also displayed sure hands as an outlet receiver.

4. Derek Combs, Ohio State
RB, 5-11, 210
Slashing senior tailback showed the ability to run between the tackles and was most impressive catching the ball and following his blockers in the open field.

5. Joey Getherall, Notre Dame
WR, 5-7, 165
Diminutive wideout/return specialist continues to defy the odds as a player. He displays soft hands with both the elusiveness to make defenders miss and the acceleration to run away from tacklers.

6. Steve Smith, Utah
WR, 5-9, 175
Quick wideout completed his third impressive all-star game with two touchdown receptions. He displays quick footwork and acceleration to get open consistently in addition to the running skills to make things happen after the catch.

Andre King emerged from the shadows of his more renowned Miami teammates. (Allsport)

7. Andre King, Miami
WR, 6-1, 190
Athletic receiver took advantage of the opportunity to see extensive action and displayed well-rounded skills for the position. After being the third wideout behind Reggie Wayne and Santana Moss at Miami, he showed quickness in his route running, the speed to get deep and running skills after the catch to make plays.

8. T.J. Houshmanzadeh, Oregon State
WR, 6-1, 200
Strong wideout continues to rise up the draft charts with a nice effort over the week, culminating with a big performance in the game. He has the speed to get behind the secondary and the body control to adjust quickly to the ball in flight.

9. Leonard Davis, Texas
OT, 6-6, 360
Massive left tackle gave a strong performance over the week that solidifies his No. 1 rating among offensive linemen. He showed the ability to dominate as a drive blocker and the footwork to mirror in pass protection.

10. Casey Rabach, Wisconsin
G, 6-4, 310
Versatile wide-body lineman had a fine week, showing the ability to play either the pivot or guard. He gets a strong surge as a drive blocker and has the mobility and strength to match up in pass blocking.

Rising Defensive Players

1. Aaron Schobel, TCU
DE, 6-3, 255
Quick pass rusher showed an assortment of moves off the edge, including a good inside counter move in addition to a fine swim move. He ranks with the best pass rushers in this class and raised his stock over the week.

2. Reggie Hayward, Iowa State
DE, 6-3, 250
Fast pass rusher displayed the quick first step NFL scouts look for in an outside defender. He uses his hands and arms well to separate from blockers and finishes the play with the upfield speed to harass the passer.

3. Casey Hampton, Texas
DT, 6-1, 320
Strong wide body displayed a strong push in the middle that allowed him to collapse the pocket as a pass rusher and disrupt the ground game as a run stuffer.

4. Markus Steele, USC
LB, 6-2, 225
Athletic linebacker showed no ill effects from the ankle injury that limited him over the second half of the 2000 season. He displayed the speed to cover the field and the agility and instincts to drop in coverage.

5. Edgerton Hartwell, Western Illinois
LB, 6-1, 235
Hard-nosed defender had another nice week against big-school talent by displaying the quickness and power to fill the hole and the speed to go sideline to sideline.

6. David Mitchell, Ohio State
CB, 6-0, 195
Unheralded, athletic corner had a strong week in coverage, showing the ability to match up well with big receivers. He improved his stock over the week and could be the sleeper in this defensive backfield class.

7. Terrance Carroll, Oregon State
CB, 5-11, 210
Tough, hard-hitting safety displayed good run support skills that included quick reactions to fill the hole and sure tackling in the open field.

Coyle, a full-time NFL scout, has published Draft Insiders' Digest, an NFL Draft and free agency publication for the last 10 years.

He attends practices, games and individual workouts across the country as well as breaking down game films to study the nation's top players. He writes for numerous pro weeklies on the NFL Draft and free agency in addition to game matchups and player profiles.

Coyle attends NFL minicamps in May and June and numerous training camps throughout the summer. He is a frequent guest on sports talk shows from coast-to-coast, and has also been a personnel consultant to several NFL teams in recent years.