Welcome Back

Here are five players who are ready to resume starring roles after missing significant time due to injuries in 2003.

FRANK GORE, Jr., RB, MIAMI

He rushed for 468 yards and four touchdowns last season before he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee, a year after tearing the ACL in his right knee.

MATT GROOTEGOED, Sr., LB, USC

Torn ligaments in his left ankle sidelined the Trojans' defensive leader and Butkus Award front-runner for four games last season.

MICHAEL MCGREW, Sr., WR, VIRGINIA

The Cavaliers' No. 1 receiver (27 catches for 428 yards in '02) sat out 2003 after breaking his leg last summer, but he's now quarterback Marques Hagans's top target.

LANCE MITCHELL, Sr., LB, OKLAHOMA

After leading the Sooners with 124 tackles in '02, Mitchell (left) tore the ACL in his left knee in the Sooners' third game last year; his position was filled by Teddy Lehman, who went on to win the Butkus Award.

WILL THOMPSON, Sr., DE, GEORGIA