Joining us at War Memorial were Sullivan and two former Arkansas standouts - Bruce James (All American defensive end in 1969 and 1970) and David Bazzel (a linebacker in the early 80s). The three have spent this season marveling at McFadden's feats, but unlike the national media members, these guys had a chance to see the running back dominate before he was a Razorback.

At Pulaski Oak Grove High School, Darren McFadden carried the football. He also played linebacker. And safety. And a little quarterback too. Count Sullivan, James, and Bazzel as three guys who are not shocked to see McFadden's success at the next level.

"No surprise at all," Bazzel said. "I mean, we saw him in high school, and you knew that he was special."

"He's graceful as a thoroughbred," James said, "but he's as strong as a Clydesdale. And he's got that linebacker mentality with that stiff arm. And if you ever notice, when he gets hit, he always falls forward. That's always what, when I played, great backs always fell forward."

James should know a thing or two about great backs. In addition to McFadden, he has witnessed the high school days of Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith, and Marcus Dupree - an Oklahoma stud who suffered an injury and never lived up to his potential.

"They play football, (the) running back position the same," James said. "They're brutal ... they punish people."

That's more or less what McFadden and his teammates hinted at when we spoke to them on Tuesday.

"Basically," McFadden said, "I'm trying to tackle the person who's trying to tackle me."

Bazzel has never had to tackle Darren McFadden. I'm sure that's one thing he'll be saying he's thankful for on Thursday. But back in his day, Bazzel played against some big time players, like Eric Dickerson and Bo Jackson.

"(McFadden) runs a little bit like Eric Dickerson," he said. "Long legs. Long stride. But, he's definitely got the combination of size and strength that are unique. And speed."

When I met McFadden yesterday, it was easy for me to pick up on his humbleness. I asked him who he thought should win the Heisman. He said Troy Smith.

"He's been doing a great job all year," McFadden said. "He's got his team (12-0)."

Sullivan, James, and Bazzel aren't necessarily disagreeing with that, but there is no running back in the country they'd rather have on their favorite team.

"If you had to start a team," Bazzel said, "the combination, I mean, he's thrown for touchdown passes. He's run kickoffs back. He's caught touchdown passes. He's done everything."

Reggie Bush, anyone?

"And he's done it all with ease," Sullivan added.

So when did these guys realize that McFadden was going to be a superstar?

Bazzel recalls watching a high school game on the field. McFadden was playing safety at the time. There was a pass out to the flat.

"I'm standing on the sideline and the guy is coming at me with the ball all of a sudden like a heat-seeking missile," Bazzel said, as he slammed his hands together." McFadden comes out and just blows the guy up on the sidelines, and you realized just how talented he is."

"First time he touched the ball his senior season against Robinson," Sullivan recounted, "bang! Eighty yards for a touchdown."

Believe it or not, McFadden was not heavily recruited. He knew all along where he wanted to go to school, and he is starring there in 2006.

"There was no recruiting at all," James said. "He was just born to be a Razorback."