Doesn't the injury have to figure in to your evaluation of his "college" career? Wooten was still very good in his senior season (I remember the game turning fumble he caused at Iowa that sent Stanzi out of the game), but Lowry's interception at Duke and his dominating presence at Nebraska (not to mention Wisconsin) made him a primary figure in at least three wins for us last year. Obviously, our entire defense was a lot better last year than it was in 2009, Wooten's senior year, so that figures in as well, but I think Dean belongs in the discussion. Will be interesting to see how he does at the next level.
Wootton was probably better when he was healthy. But since 2000 I haven't seen a more consistent, productive DE at Northwestern than Lowry. He was a rock of stability, with flashes of greatness resulting in several crucial victories, from his first year.
It is sort of a hard measurable but part of greatness in athletics is not only the body's ability to develop but also durability to sustain the development. If I remember correctly Howard had a weakness in his ankles. No sooner did he need one repaired the other gave out. I'll bet if he had just been an average guy walking around the world, his ankles would have been just fine. Similar thing with Persa's achilles. He had developed his leg muscles so aggressively that the achilles popped after the play when he was jumping up and down to see or celebrate. A regular person can't do that.
Actually, lots of regular people pop their achilles doing nothing out of the ordinary. I think that's how it happens most of the time. That is what is so scary about those injuries. They just happen. It may have been genetic but I doubt it had anything to do with his work outs.
