TIME'S All-America Team: The Pick of the Pros

(3 of 4)

ENDS. Walt Patulski, Notre Dame, 6 ft. 6 in., 260 Ibs., and Sherman White, California, 6 ft. 5 in., 250 Ibs. A consensus All-America, Patulski is lauded by one team as "the best we've seen for many years." All but unstoppable on the pass rush, he dazzled the experts with his "amazing agility and lateral mobility." One scout predicts that Patulski may be the first defensive lineman ever picked No. 1 in the draft since the Colts made Michigan State's Bubba Smith their first choice in 1967. White is a former high school basketball star who never played football until he reached college. Quick and aggressive, he led the Golden Bears in tackles and pass deflections this season. Though the scouts feel his play needs "more consistency," they also rate him as "can't miss." Another defensive end who will be drafted high is Herb Orvis, Colorado, 6 ft. 5 in., 236 Ibs. TACKLES. Mike Kadish, Notre Dame, 6 ft. 4 in., 265 Ibs., and Larry Jacobson, Nebraska, 6 ft. 6 in., 250 Ibs. One expert described Kadish as "stronger and a better rusher than Mike McCoy," the former Notre Dame All-America now with the Green Bay Packers. Charging through the middle like a bull rhino, Kadish led the Irish defensemen this season with 97 tackles. "He's a kid," says an admiring scout, "who plays with pain." Jacobson in-flic's pain. Heading one of the nation's toughest defensive units, he forced opposing backs to run wide of the middle —and even then he often caught them from behind. Says one scouting report: "Quicker than hell, superb attitude, a potential pro great." LINEBACKERS. Jeff Siemon. Stanford, 6 ft. 2 in., 223 Ibs., Willie Hall, Southern Cal, 6 ft. 3 in., 215 Ibs., and Mike Taylor, Michigan, 6 ft. H in., 224 Ibs. Siemon "hits 'em real good and has that extra speed for pass coverage." In short, says one scout, "he likes to pop people." So does Hall, especially on the blitz. He impressed most scouts with his speed and range—"more than enough to pick off an interception and go all the way." Taylor is no behemoth, but he hits like one. "He's a real sticker," says one scout, "with a nose for the ball. I'd compare him with Wil lie Lanier," star of the Kansas City Chiefs. Mark Arneson, Arizona, 6 ft. 2 in., 210 Ibs., is described by one pro talent watcher as "super quick, aggressive and a leader."

CORNERBACKS. Clarence Ellis, Notre Dame, 6 ft., 178 Ibs., and Willie Buchanan, San Diego State, 6 ft. 1 in., 179 Ibs. Though he needs more experience in man to man coverage, the scouts consider Ellis "the kind of solid hitter who intimidates pass receivers." The same goes for Buchanon, a "sure tackier who can pivot and backpedal with amazing quickness." He is such a "superb athlete," says one report, "that he has never been fully tested by college receivers. They just stayed away from him." Rated a shade behind these two prospects is Craig demons, Iowa, 6ft. 1 in., 190 Ibs.