NCAA Scouting
Senior Prospect Tracker - Bowl Games Part One
by Paul Emery
December 31st 2011
 
Many people don't like these early Bowl games, but try telling that to the Louisiana-Lafayette players and fans as they pulled out a last second win. These games also offer the chance for draftable players to show up big when the pressure is really on.
 
Temple vs Wyoming (New Mexico Bowl)
 
Temple
 
Evan Rodriguez – TE/HB – at 6'3” Rodriguez lacks ideal height for a pro TE – but he's a solid receiver and should push for a roster spot as a modern day HB/FB. He is mostly used as a HB by Temple and did a nice job sneaking out the back door on a play fake – catching a short out and getting 12 yards after the catch. His soft hands were on show earlier in the game when he caught a nice pass down the seam. As a blocker he's not afraid of contact, but at times he was a little off balance and released blocks a little too early as a result. I wouldn't expect him to come off the board before the third day, but he should be able to push for a roster spot.
 
Derek Dennis – OG – Temple's power running game sees Dennis pulling a lot. He's not super fast moving – but he does a good job of engaging and getting movement. When not pulling he got some movement against Wyoming's smaller defensive line. Temple didn't throw much (12 passes), he looked comfortable in pass protection, but was a little upright. Looks to be a later round type who will suit a power team.
 
Adrian Robinson – DE – the main point I took away from this game with Robinson was not his pass rush ability, which was on show, but his discipline. On a trick play – the design was a throw back pass to the QB – but Robinson blew it up by having tight coverage on the signal caller. This type of play doesn't show up on the stat sheet, but it prevented a big play. He was also very disciplined against the zone read runs by Wyoming – making sure the QB didn't keep and get out against the grain – making a couple of stops on such plays. He showed his motor chasing a running play down from the backside and forcing a fumble on the play. Rushing the passer he showed a nice spin move and had a couple of QB pressure plus a sack. At times he was slow off the ball and this is something I've noted in previous games. At 250 lbs he's likely a 3-4 OLB prospect – he's only 6'2”, so lacks the length to be a super high pick. He does have ability though – he just needs to work on his get off.
 
Tahir Whitehead – OLB – Whitehead took some false steps at times, but overall he had a solid game. His athletic ability was on show – able to beat blockers to the point of attack and make several tackles. At 228 lbs – he joins a very crowded weakside LB field and he's certainly behind the likes of Lavonte David – but for those teams who don't want to spend a high pick on the position he'll be an option on day three.
 
Wyoming
 
Tashaun Gipson – CB/FS – Gipson has experience at CB, but moved back to Safety early in the 2011 season. At 6'0”, 203 lbs – if he can run fast enough in the post season I would expect him to stay at CB where size/speed prospects for press man teams carry great value. He lined up at CB on one paly and was tested – but he was very physical with the receiver at the line, disrupting the timing and resulting in an incomplete pass. His tackling was inconsistent – he tended to go for a cut type of tackle – not wrapping his arms and he missed a couple of tackles. If he can run well at the Combine I think he'll be an interesting commodity on Draft day – he's rated in the later rounds, but has something about him...
 
Ohio vs Utah State (Potato Head Bowl)
 
Ohio
 
LaVon Brazill – WR – Brazill was playing with a torn meniscus in his left knee and so his 8 catches for 108 yards and a score was a fine effort. Durability is the big concern with him as he missed much of 2010 with injury. If he's unable to run in the post season, this will further dent his stock. His touchdown catch was a really nice play – a 44 yard post route and a nice high catch in soft hands, with a CB in close proximity. His late catch took the ball down to the 1 yard line and was a nice snatch away from his body. He dropped one pass earlier in the game – but on the whole he looked very natural catching the ball. Hopefully surgery will go well on the knee and he'll be able to run before the Draft – if the medical is clear I'd be willing to spend a late round pick on him for sure.
 
Utah State
 
Robert Turbin – RB – Turbin announced he was coming out early after the game, so a nice opportunity to talk about this Junior entry. He ran for 101 yards from 20 carries on the day – taking his yardage total for the year to 1517 yards. He's a well put together back at 216 lbs and he does a nice job running low and getting good yards after contact. He did a nice job on his long run of the day (29 yards) using a jump cut to get into the crease. When he has a hole he shows good explosion and he's not someone who defenders are going to relish tackling. I also thought he showed nice patience. He looks to have decent speed – he was able to get outside comfortably. I think he's made a solid decision coming out early – depending on which other backs decide to come out early he could push for a late first round slot – but with the value of the position lower these days, he's more likely to be second round pick and I think he can contribute early.
 
Bobby Wagner – ILB – Wagner has been very productive over his career but at 6'1” 230 lbs he has size limitations when projecting him to the next level. He looks to have long arms though, so could add some bulk to project as more than a weakside LB (a class which is loaded this year). Many of his tackles were after solid gains. He had one tackle for loss and another tackle for a short gain – but otherwise he tended to peel back and make plays. I saw an article on NFL Draft Scout recently that said he's a 2nd/3rd round pick – but in a very crowded weakside LB class (David, Brown, Spence and Lewis are all way better) I just don't think he'll go this high. Now, he does have a Senior Bowl invite – so he must have something – he might be one I need to do a little more work on...
 
Louisiana-Lafayette vs San Diego State (New Orleans Bowl)
 
Louisiana-Lafayette
 
Ladarius Green – TE – Green was struggling early in the season with a knee injury and after seven weeks of the season he only had 14 receptions. He finished the season with 51 catches, so when healthy in the second half of the season he really took off. Green had a big night with 5 catches for 121 yards and a score. He looked very athletic and his route running was impressive. He ran a couple of routes from the slot, where he drifted towards the corner – setting up his man nicely before sharply cutting back to the post. His TD was on such a route and he also had a nice 44 yard gain on one later in the game. Against physical press coverage he struggled somewhat – including some struggles getting off the line (on one crossing route he was bumped at the line and almost was knocked down – but the timing of the play was thrown off). He stayed in on pass protection some and did well – but isn't a dominant run blocker. He's a modern day TE who will spend much of his time in the slot. He looks very natural catching the ball and very athletic. I think he'll be a top 100 selection.
 
Dwight 'Bill' Bentley – CB – Bentley is listed at 173 lbs, so probably won't be a super high pick. He blitzed off the edge a fair amount in this one and made some tackles in the run game doing so. He is a zone coverage CB who has a nice break on the ball – but San Diego State didn't really challenge him that much. He read Lindley's eyes on one play – moving up on a short route only for Lindley to throw behind him in the soft spot in the zone – this will happen more at the next level, so his aggressive nature can and will be used against him. He's a good special teams player and he also caught a pass on a fake punt. He projects over the slot at the next level for a zone heavy team.
 
San Diego State
 
Ryan Lindley – QB – in commentary they were talking about Todd McShay having him rated in the 4th round, but I think this is a bit low. NFL Draft Scout have him in the 4th round region right now and I think even this is a little low. Looking at Lindley's passing chart for this game is very different to looking at the average chart of Nick Foles or Brandon Weeden. There were a lot more passes down the field and just over 35% of his passes were in the 10-20 yard region with 6 of his 49 passes over 20 yards. Many of his shorter passes were screens – but there weren't any of the little swing passes to WR's which spread offenses use heavily.
 
Lindley's arm is clearly of NFL quality. He can throw the 15-20 yard out route on a rope. Indeed most of his throws are of that nature and I would like to see a little more touch on his passes. The key to me thinking Lindley should be rated in the 2nd/3rd round region is what he does with his eyes. Most of these spread QB's don't know how to move defenders with their eyes – but Lindley does. On one of his touchdown passes against Cover-2 zone coverage (2 deep Safeties) he held the Safety inside with his eyes and then came off and threw the skinny post to his man – with the Safety a step late. He did the same earlier in the game and threw his best pass of the night – a perfect corner route over a defensive back to his man in the back corner of the end zone.
 
Many of his throws show he anticipates things – he doesn't need to throw to an open man, he can throw to a spot and have his man then make a play. A couple of times he did this after looking a man off and didn't see the coverage and almost got into trouble. Two very deep passes were a touch underthrown and had a little too much air on them – so being able to throw that deep pass like Robert Griffin III needs work.
 
His accuracy is his weakness. A few passes were high and this is the negative with him. The reason for the lack in accuracy is his footwork. After taking the snap from under Center he takes a couple of short steps and then huge steps back. Even when in the shotgun he then takes a big step back and when he has to go from this wide base to his narrow throwing base the ball sails. Jake Locker dealt with this problem last year stemming from a baseball background and Lindley will need to completely retool his drop. However – this is eminently correctable – his arm, release, ability to go through his progressions (while rolling or stepping up in the pocket also) and ability to move defenders with his eyes makes him a day two pick for me.
 
Miles Burris – OLB – plays at the line some in San Diego State's 3-3-5 defense. Had a couple of QB pressures off the edge as a pass rusher, but generally was controlled. On one QB pressure he dipped his inside shoulder and got very low, but wasn't able to replicate this. He had a free road to the QB on one blitz, but wasn't able to bring the ULL man down. When playing off the line he was able to get downhill nicely. Lateral speed is a question mark as he was beaten to the edge on one play. Looks like a later round type – possible 3-4 ILB or 4-3 type.
 
Abel Perez – PK – Perez came into the game with 5 from 13 attempts as his senior year has been poor. This is a poor kicker class, so he's still in with a camp shot. He missed a 36 yarder – pulling it wide right (he's left footed). He made a 27 yarder – getting good height on the kick. His kick-offs had good depth, but he'll need to find his junior form to make a roster.
 
Brian Stahovich – P – had a nice game with 4 punts for a 49 yard average – including a nice 48 yard effort from his own end zone. His season average is almost 44 yards – slightly down on his 45 yard average last year. He should get a camp shot.
 
Florida International vs Marshall (St. Petersburg Bowl)
 
Florida International
 
T.Y. Hilton – WR – Hilton's first two games of the year made me think he could be a pretty high pick despite being 5'10” 183 lbs. Unfortunately he tweaked a hamstring in the third game and after that seemed to be battling a variety of nicks and his production from mid October was down. With almost a month to get healthy, this promised to be a reminder for scouts of his big play potential. Unfortunately he took a helmet to his leg and was struggling with a bruise. Football is a game for tough people and although he returned to the game – his body language was negative – holding his leg and he did a bit of a Beanie Wells. He had 8 catches for 88 yards – plus 3 rushes for 23 yards and a score – but didn't break one. It will be interesting where he eventually goes. His stock has been slipping and there wasn't quite enough here to rescue it – but still if he can run super fast at the Combine he could still sneak into the second day.
 
Marshall
 
Vinny Curry – DE – Curry had a frustrating day against FIU's quick passing offense. He got a couple of QB pressures, but on the whole the ball was out before he had a chance to get to the QB and add to his 11 sacks this year. Curry has a nice first step, he also showed he can get under his man and get push. One thing of concern was that he struggled to hold up at times on the FIU jet sweeps run at him – because he flies up the field, too often he left a gaping hole. He was also driven back off the line a couple of times. He has two double digit sack seasons in a row – but could he be a Jerry Hughes type? The more I do this, the more I think guys like Ryan Kerrigan despite not being as fast are better than the Hughes type as they offer a little more than speed. Hopefully Curry will show up at the Senior Bowl – his battles in the pit against some decent OT's should be interesting.
 
Louisiana Tech vs TCU (Poinsettia Bowl)
 
Louisiana Tech
 
Lennon Creer – RB – out injured (ankle).
 
Adrien Cole – ILB – Cole is rated as a late round prospect mainly because of his height, or lack thereof (listed at 5'11”). He's listed at 250 lbs, but doesn't look quite that big. He tended to make his tackles after peeling off a block – rather than taking on. He also looked a little slow to read and react at times. On the positive side, the ESPN commentators mentioned he gave his Bowl gift, a $300 gift card, to the Make a Wish Foundation – a classy move. Unfortunately on the field he did nothing to make me think he's anything more than a late rounder.
 
TCU
 
Tank Carder – OLB – Carder's stock has gone down since TCU's Rose Bowl appearance 12 months ago. Despite the fact he has decent size at 237 lbs he has really struggled to get off blocks this year. On one running play right at him in this one he was held up by a slot WR, not a play he'll want scouts to relive too many times. On the positive side, he did look good in coverage – he was nice and physical, able to get a good bump on his man. He did a nice job reading and reacting – particularly on screens and blew one up. He looks like a mid round pick – I don't know how well he'll test out at the Combine and this could limit him.
 
Arizona State vs Boise State (Las Vegas Bowl)
 
Arizona State
 
Gerell Robinson – WR – in a game where many ASU players just didn't show up, at least Robinson can take pride from a fine performance. He finished with 13 catches for 241 yards and a score. His performance was deserving of more than a 56-24 drubbing. Robinson caught 29 balls last year and eclipsed that in his senior year finishing with 77 catches on the year. In this one he showed he can catch the ball away from his body with soft hands, shield defenders from the ball with his big body (6'4” 222 lbs) and also showed some power after the catch. He's a Marques Colston style of receiver, he probably won't run a 4.4 40 – but he has talent and certainly should be drafted, which didn't look like being the case coming into the year.
 
Omar Bolden – CB – there were rumblings in October that Bolden, who tore his ACL in the spring, would be back this year. He has been on the scout team – but still was not ready and didn't play. It does sound like he's doing OK with his rehab and hopefully will be able to run at the Combine.
 
Boise State
 
Kellen Moore – QB – Moore finished 26 from 34 for 293, 2TD's and 2 INT's. Looking at his passing chart, this was a typical Kellen Moore one. The vast majority of his passes were under 10 yards. He threw only 2 passes over 20 yards and only 8 in the 10-20 yard region. So it's a case of piecing a puzzle together over several games for him as he makes very few NFL type throws. Interestingly he made a 15 yard out throw from the far hash and it took a while to get there, so it's clear he lacks a prototypical arm and certainly when compared to Ryan Lindley in that respect is way behind. However, as Andy Dalton has shown this year – you don't need a cannon to become successful at the next level – but it does reduce which teams will be interested in you. I thought his general accuracy was off at times. A few passes were behind his man and at the next level will be considered bad throws. One of his interceptions was due to the pass being behind his receiver, who batted it to an ASU defender. Moore has received a Senior Bowl invite and in what is usually a fairly basic pro style offense he will get to show if he can get through progressions – in this offense he more often than not just gets the ball to his first read, depending on what the defense is showing. I think Scouts Inc. 6th round rating of him which was mentioned in the broadcast is about right – but his intangibles are probably worth a round or two, as Dalton found out last year.
 
Doug Martin – RB – the in game graphic by ESPN mentioned Scouts Inc. have Martin rated in the fourth round at the moment. I have him in the late second round for now – although that's before juniors and at the RB position there will be plenty coming out. Martin started the game with a bang returning the opening kickoff 100 yards for a score. He's a shorter back at 5'9”, but as you found out with Pitt's Dion Lewis being a favourite of mine last year, I don't have a major problem with this. He's more of a weaver than a sharp one cut zone runner. He does have a jump cut to find the whole and also a nice little shoulder dip move when he's trying to get outside. He's low to the ground anyway and to further help him, he runs very low to the ground and has power after contact. He broke a number of tackles and was also able to push the pile – getting 3 yards on one play where the blocking was poor. He finished with 151 yards on the ground, plus 3 catches for 26 yards. I certainly think he's pushing Dan Herron for the top senior RB – we'll see how the Ohio State man does in the Bowl game and post season.
 
Nate Potter – OT – Potter probably won't stay at left tackle at the next level. He was beaten outside for speed in pass protection twice and so looks to be best suited to the right side. His technique is very good though – he sinks in pass protection and has good hand placement. When he gets his hands on his man, then he controls them nicely. He got out to the second level nicely and indeed he looks a little more athletic than BYU's Matt Reynolds – but isn't quite as powerful as Reynolds. His technique helps him, but doesn't offer as much upside as a Mike Adams for example, who has the feet to stay at left tackle. He could sneak into the late first round if a playoff team has a right tackle need, but is likely to be a second round pick – and a relatively safe one as well.
 
Tyrone Crawford – DE – I find it very difficult to scout Boise State defensive players in general. They rotate heavily anyway – but also don't seem to be on the field that long against most opposition. So it's tough to get in the flow with these guys and really get a good feel for them. Crawford managed to show up a couple of times – he got into his man on an early running play, getting off the block and making a tackle for no gain. He was also in on a couple of tackles for loss. He was controlled as a pass rusher. Crawford saw some time as a 3-4 DE – but at 276 is best suited to the 4-3 as a pro. He's a junior college transfer with a nice frame and in some ways is similar to Penn State's Jack Crawford in that both do offer some upside – I think both have room to grow and it might take a year or two, but I think they can push for a starting job down the line.
 
Shea McClellin – DE – McClellin is highly regarded by National Football Post's Wes Bunting, but I don't like him quite as much. He offers versatility – in this one he lined up at inside and outside linebacker as well as defensive end. At 6'3” 262 lbs he doesn't have great length and so might be best suited at ILB in a 3-4 defense. He doesn't have great explosion off the ball – but he has a high motor and a nice spin move. He had a sack – a stunt inside beat senior C Garth Gerhart to the gap and the play. As mentioned with Vinny Curry, it seems the speed only pass rushers have a higher bust rate – so perhaps I should like McClellin more. However, I see him as a mid rounder only – the Senior Bowl has yet to invite him, so maybe that's shared by the scouting community in general.
 
Billy Winn – DT – Winn has had an inconsistent season. At times he flashes top ability and indeed based on his highlights from last year I started him in the late first round region before the season. He's slowly moved down my board and coming into the game I had him rated as a second rounder. One thing in his favour is that he's scheme diverse. He can play in a 4-3 as a one gap three technique – or in a 3-4 one gap as a five technique (much like Corey Liuget). He had two sacks in this one – but really was fairly quiet. Arizona State clearly saw him as the danger man – double teaming him on many occasions. He did show his quickness a few times – on one his sacks there was a low snap, but he had already beaten the Guard off the ball. He also got penetration and blew up a running play. I don't think the fact he rotates so heavily helps him. The day before I watched this game, I was catching up on some other games and watched Penn State's DT Devon Still stay in the game pretty much every defensive snap. I think Winn will show up well at the Combine – it will be interesting how he does in the pit at the Senior Bowl – certainly I think he has the talent to light it up, but his inconsistency does make me a bit wary.
 
George Iloka – CB/FS –Clemson's Marcus Gilchrist was drafted earlier than many thought in April because he was a guy who could play Safety and Corner. The modern day NFL loves Safeties who are comfortable in man coverage. So Iloka'a late season move to CB is a big advantage for him. He started off this game at his usual Safety spot – but moved over to CB. He showed good man coverage on one play – being nice and physical with his man down the field, having good inside position and turning nicely for the ball. At Safety he had over the top coverage responsibility and looked very comfortable in this role. He's not great at coming downhill and on one RB swing pass he was turned upfield by a blocker. He also missed a couple of tackles – something I've noted in other games. He's received a Senior Bowl invite and in practice he will be asked to cover the top senior WR's man to man – if he can perform well here he could push himself into the second day and perhaps as high as Gilchrist in what is a fairly weak Safety class.
 
Nevada vs Southern Mississippi (Hawaii Bowl)
 
Nevada
 
Rishard Matthews – WR – injured his knee in the Idaho game – was cleared to play, but the ESPN commentators reported he didn't feel able to do so.
 
Brett Roy – DT – Roy has been moving up some Draft boards, but at 260 lbs and not looking like a super athlete, I think his stock will only go so high. He projects outside to DE at the next level, but he doesn't make plays with his quickness – they tend to be off his very high work ethic. There could be a place for such a player at the next level, of course, but in terms of stock I think he's more than likely to be a third day pick. In this one he had a very quiet game. A few times he was double teamed – but even when he was blocked by just one man, he struggled to make an impact. He was able to get one QB pressure – just throwing off the right tackle on his way to Austin Davis. However, this was not his best game.
 
James-Michael Johnson – ILB – as mentioned in the commentary, Johnson has received an invitation to the Senior Bowl. This is the fifth Nevada game I've seen and I've not really clicked with him as a day two prospect. I currently have him as a fourth round pick at best. Now, when he is able to read the play and flash up into the play clean – he looks very good. He read a double reverse and make a tackle for loss for example. He struggled more when he had to get off blocks – on one cut block he did manage to hurdle the guard, but took himself out too far and allowed the RB to cut back under him. He also will take gamble and on Woodyard's 41 yard run he lost. The guard was pulling in front of the play and Johnson decided to go under his man – unfortunately he wasn't able to catch up to the play which turned into a big gain. The correct technique would have been to move laterally, slide off the block and have a better angle on the back. Lavonte David does this from time to time – but he's more explosive than Johnson and generally gets away with it. In coverage Johnson was out over the slot WR at times and did a nice job getting a bump – even on one play when he was near the line on a fake blitz. Certainly he has ability – but he needs a little work. Of course a top Senior Bowl week will launch his stock much higher, but for now I'll leave him in that fourth round region.
 
Isaiah Frey – CB – Frey was much as he's been in most of the other games I've watched. He will gamble and although he's had some nice plays this year – he was unable to make a big play in this one. He gambled on a short slant and missed the ball – and committed himself inside so much the receiver got some nice yardage after the catch. He was called for holding one time and should have been called earlier in the game on a post route, but got away with it. On a few other occasions he had nice coverage – one play in the end was very nice as he was in great position with his head turned for the ball, something he hasn't always done this year. Over the season I think he's a later round guy, but I think with some work he could certainly stick at the next level and at 6'0” 190 lbs if he runs a fast 40 time he could go earlier than I think he plays warrants – such is the importance of speed at the position.
 
Southern Mississippi
 
Austin Davis – QB – 18 from 41 passes, 165 yards wasn't the stat line Davis was looking for to finish his college career. On a windy day in Hawaii, he did have to TD passes to lift his team to the win. He wasn't helped by his receivers, there were several drops and it's also worth noting there were a number of throw aways in his 23 incompletions. Passes over 10 yards were an adventure with the wind, he only completed 3 and none over 20 yards. As with many spread systems, the bulk of his passes were outside the hash mark – with 17 to the left and 10 to the right (66% of passes). These systems don't call for the QB to sit and go through progressions – but on the winning TD pass he stayed in the pocket and waited for Bolden, his second read, to clear on a crossing route. His release was quick – but it wasn't the game he would have wanted to push him up boards. However, I still like him as a day three option as I think he has talent.
 
Danny Hrapmann – PK – Hrapmann attempted three long field goals, so this was a nice game to look at him. He missed the first from 50 yards – it almost hooked back in, but he just started it too far outside. The second he made from 49 yards – getting nice height on the kick. His final attempt was wide right from 48 yards. His kick offs had good depth and he also had a nice run on a fake punt, something he's done before.