Top 10 Players Returning From Injury

Rashidi Barnes, Colorado. The 6-foot, 190-pound free safety was
leading the Buffaloes in tackles when he suffered a concussion
against Baylor last Sept. 26. In practice the following week he
tore the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He
missed four games and saw limited action in the team's final
four games. Barnes, now a senior, has recovered fully and was
Colorado's most effective defensive player during the spring.

Amp Campbell, Michigan State. After starting the Spartans' first
two games last season, the 6-foot, 200-pound senior cornerback
suffered a severe neck injury last Sept. 5 against Oregon and
underwent spinal fusion surgery. Campbell has been medically
cleared to play and will be granted a sixth year of eligibility
if he completes his degree by the end of the summer.

Alge Crumpler, North Carolina. A budding star, the 6'3",
260-pound tight end tore the medial collateral ligament in his
left knee in March 1998 and missed all of last season. Crumpler,
a junior, was second in the shot put at the '99 ACC track and
field championships and participated in spring football
practice. He is expected to start this season.

Reuben Droughns, Oregon. Before breaking his right ankle against
UCLA last Oct. 17, the 6-foot, 205-pound running back was
averaging 168.4 yards rushing per game. If he says healthy,
Droughns, who's a senior, could contend for Pac-10 Player of the
Year.

Doug Johnson, Florida. The 6'2", 219-pound senior quarterback
started the team's final six games, but he broke his left leg
against Syracuse in the Orange Bowl. That kept him out of spring
practice. He's healthy and holds a slight edge over Jesse
Palmer, who missed five games with a broken clavicle.

Dan Kendra, Florida State. Once thought to be the Seminoles'
quarterback of the future, the 6'2", 240-pound Kendra tore the
ACL in his right knee in April 1998 and missed all of last
season. With Chris Weinke locked in at quarterback, Kendra, a
senior, will play fullback.

Jamal Lewis, Tennessee. Before he suffered a season-ending knee
injury against Auburn last Oct. 3, the 6-foot, 225-pound running
back was averaging 6.8 yards per carry. Lewis, a junior, saw
limited action in the spring, but should be ready for the
Volunteers' opener on Sept. 4.

Mike Lenix, Toledo. The 6'4", 285-pound senior guard has
suffered injuries throughout his career, including a chronic
aching back that required surgery last December and kept him out
of spring practice. The NCAA has granted him an unprecedented
seventh year of eligibility, and he is expected to vie for a
starting position.

Bobby Newcombe, Nebraska. Despite tearing the posterior cruciate
ligament in his left knee in the Cornhuskers' 1998 opener, the
6-foot, 195-pound quarterback started six games and scored eight
touchdowns before undergoing knee surgery last December.
Newcombe, a junior, sat out spring practice, but has been
cleared to play. He is listed as the starter.

Nathan Simmons, Oklahoma State. The 5'10", 197-pound tailback,
who's the son of Cowboys coach Bob Simmons, was the team's
leading rusher before he tore the ACL in his right knee against
Baylor last Nov. 21. Simmons, who graduated in May, is expected
to be one of the top ground-gainers in the Big 12 this year.

--B.J. Schecter

COLOR PHOTO: PETER READ MILLER