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R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Chris Martin

Will someone find Aretha Franklin? Dennis Northcutt needs some R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

Northcutt, "Mr. Everything," is getting no national media hype or press, even though he is dominating all sides of the football game like Champ Bailey and Charles Woodson in years past.

Here is a man who has dominated opponents as a wide receiver and special teams player and has recently picked up defensive back duties to help his team's ailing secondary.

I am both astounded and ashamed that there have been no mentions of Northcutt for the Biletnikoff Award (for the nation's top receiver) or the Heisman Trophy.

We are talking about a man who resembles Barry Sanders on the football field, the only exception is that Northcutt lines up in the slot.

Northcutt has more moves on the football field than Michael Jackson has in the "Thriller" video.

Northcutt is leading the Pacific 10 Conference in receptions (48), punt return yardage and second in receiving yardage (826), but still no mention of Northcutt in the national press.

Yes, the Pac-10 looks like the Mountain West Conference this year, but that shouldn't hinder Northcutt's national campaign for the Biletnikoff Award and Heisman Trophy.

Head coach Dick Tomey has always taken a hard-line stance against campaigning for personal awards, but Northcutt's case is different.

He is by far the best receiver in the nation. Troy Walters of Stanford is undersized and overrated, Michigan State's Plaxico Burress had one good game against Michigan and Chafie Fields of Penn State is inconsistent.

This all leads to Northcutt, who was been the most consistent and dominating wide receiver in college football this year.

And what about Peter Warrick, you ask?

He was (notice the past tense) the best receiver in the nation, but you must be playing to qualify for awards, and since the Tallahassee police did something no other defense could do, they caught him, he doesn't count.

Typical for a Free Shoes and Clothes U. player, which is another plus for Northcutt, since he is a good citizen both on and off the field.

What is the matter here, how can a player of Northcutt's caliber be overlooked?

Let the national campaign start, if Michigan State quarterback Bill Burke can be considered a Heisman candidate, Northcutt should be among the likes of Ron Dayne and Drew Brees.

Chris Fowler and Lee Corso listen up, Aretha is singing, so give the man the respect he deserves.