DEFENSE

ENDS. Wally Chambers, Eastern Kentucky, 6 ft. 5 in., 251 lbs., and John Matuszak, Tampa, 6 ft. 7 in., 275 lbs. Though players from these schools might ordinarily be classified as "sleepers," no pro scout worth his binoculars could possibly overlook this imposing pair Chambers is rated as "natural" who will "equalize" his lack of college competition within the first two weeks of training camp." Reports one scout: "What can you say about a huge roughneck who is fast enough to overhaul running backs downfield? He may be the first pick." Matuszak has been terrorizing opposing backs all season long. A punishing pass rusher, he is a "devastating force" who has "that special instinct for sensing where the play is going." Willie Harper, Nebraska, 6 ft. 3 in., 207 lbs., is also a prime prospect, but most scouts would recommend him as a linebacker rather than a defensive end.

TACKLES. Greg Marx, Notre Dame, 6 ft. 5 in., 235 lbs., and Dave Butz, Purdue, 6 ft. 7 in., 279 lbs. The Fighting Irish have long been a kind of front-four farm team for the pros (recent graduates include Walt Patulski of Buffalo, Mike McCoy of Green Bay, and Kevin Hardy of San Diego). Marx, though, is rated as "the best pass rusher to come out of South Bend in recent years." Beyond that, the scouts like his hustle, an "enthusiasm that makes him attack as though it were more than just a game." Butz possesses all the S's--"size, speed, strength and spirit."Exceptionally agile for a big man, he "pops through there before the pass blockers are set up."

LINEBACKERS. Steve Brown, Oregon State, 6 ft. 2 in., 225 lbs., Jim Youngblood, Tennessee Tech, 6 ft. 3 in., 235 lbs., and Rich Glover, Nebraska, 6 ft. 1 in., 234 lbs. Brown is a savvy, savage defender who all but took Stanford apart singlehanded in one game last year with 22 tackles and three interceptions. "He really eats 'em up," says one scout. "There's no getting away from him. When he hits a man on the 20-yd. line the man goes down on the 20-yd. line." Youngblood is touted as the "finest middle linebacker around." He "hits like a ton" and can prove it. One scouting report has it that Youngblood once took on a wrestling bear in a carnival and dispatched the beast with a single blow. Glover, a two-time All-America, has been unstoppable as a middle guard for the Cornhuskers. Scouts predict that he will be just as menacing as an outside linebacker. Though a mite small for that position, he may "more than make up for it with his speed, range and knack for diagnosing plays."

CORNERBACKS. Jackie Wallace, Arizona, 6 ft. 4 in., 198 lbs., and Burgess Owens, Miami, 6 ft. 3 in., 183 lbs. He needs more experience in pro-style zone defenses, but Wallace is the kind of rangy, racing defensive back that the pros covet. A deft and definitive tackier, he ranked among the top ten in pass interceptions this season. Owens is a speedster with "great balance and body control." On pass defense, reports one scout, he exhibits "unusual reach and jumping ability He'll be a persistent interception threat in the pros." Other surefire defensive backs are James Thomas, Florida State, 6 ft. 1 in., 185 lbs., and Mike Holmes, Texas Southern, 6 ft. 1 in., 190 lbs.

SAFETIES. Cullen Bryant, Colorado, 6 ft. 1 in., 219 lbs., and Brad VanPelt, Michigan State, 6 ft. 5 in., 221 lbs. The line on Bryant is "powerful, sharp pursuit, a mean cookie." "He can spot a runner five steps," says one scout, and then he will "not only catch him but pound the hell out of him." Versatile is the word for VanPelt. A seven-letter man in three sports, he is tall and tough enough to also be considered as linebacker. Says one scout: "For a big guy he can fly. He's always in the right place, sometimes making half the tackles for State."

SPECIALIST. Ray Guy, Southern Mississippi, 6 ft. 4 in., 192 lbs. Averaging a booming 46 yds. a kick this season, until he suffered an ankle injury, Guy is a premier punter with several pluses. The "hangup time" of his kicks (4.7 sec.), explains one scout, allows "outstanding coverage opportunity." As a placekicker, he booted a 61-yd. field goal. He also happens to be an outstanding defensive back and is fourth in the nation in interceptions.

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