Prospects to Watch

? Aloysius

mz. said:
Alo, though this is far from documented, one of the "in the know" guys on my 'Cuse board has received word that Arthur Jones will be returning to Syracuse for his Senior season.
Another great season and this guy creeps into Round 1 IMO.

Yeah, both Jones and Duke DT Vince Oghhobaase announced that they'll be returning to school. Both are solid 3-4 DE prospects, and both could make it into Round 1.

Another guy who'll be up there is Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy. As a redshirt sophomore, he's already ranked #14 on McShay's Top 32. If he doesn't declare this year, he should be the top DT taken in 2010.

? Aloysius

@lemosley01 said:
Thanks - as I was watching him a little last night, he didn't seem ridiculously fast. He does have a knack for getting to the football, and that certainly can't be undervalued.
Sounds like another year of college ball will do him good.

I agree. Hughes probably should stay in college another year and solidify his Round 1 grade.

Another concern I've heard from draft geeks is that Hughes may be a product of TCU's incredible defense. Chase Ortiz, the DE-OLB we signed (& cut) as a UDFA this year, was able to notch 9 sacks and 16.5 TFL for TCU last year.

With that in mind, perhaps Hughes' 14 sacks aren't quite as impressive. However, if he can replicate that success with opposing offenses gameplanning for him next year, that'll be extremely impressive.

? Aloysius

Here's a little porn for Notre Dame fans:

Crum's career defined by toughness

? mz.

Dammit, Alo. You're more on top of my Cuse prospects than I am!

Bonus points for linking to the Daily Orange.

? Aloysius

Ha. Just searching for the next Jameel McClain

Here's a good article on another prospect I really like, Cal DT-DE Rulon Davis.

Durability concerns, along with Rulon being older than the average prospect (he's 25), should result in him being a late round/UDFA type. But if he can stay healthy, he could develop in a nice rotational 3-4 DE - he's 6'5", 282 lbs. & runs a sub-5.0 40.

Could be a real diamond in the rough.

? Aloysius

Here's Todd McShay breaking down tonight's Hawaii/Notre Dame matchup.

? Aloysius

Central Michigan vs. Florida Atlantic
Friday, December 26th - 7:30 PM (ET), ESPN

Note: I've let SI's Tony Pauline fill in the holes in my prospect knowledge on this bowl. Not having seen either of these teams play this year, I don't really have a good feel on any of these guys.

Central Michigan Prospects:

Dan Lefevour, QB, #13 (rJunior)
- 6'3", 228 lbs., 4.79 40 (e)
- Projected: Round 3
- Says Pauline: The Chippewas signal caller has been a three-year starter and an All Conference performer every season. He's a big armed passer who can throw the deep ball with accuracy. Lefevour must improve the finer points of the quarterback position but carries a third-round grade at present time.
Andrew Hartline, OT, #74
- 6'5", 294 lbs., 5.14 40 (e)
- Projected: Round 7
- Says Pauline: CMU's starting left tackle is a smart, feisty blocker who's best in a small area. He'll be drafted in the late rounds then moved to the right side of the line in the NFL.

Florida Atlantic Prospect(s):

Frantz Joseph, ILB, #56
- 6'2", 235 lbs., 4.73 40 (e) [*[ Projected: late Round 6/ early Round 7
- Says Pauline: The Boston College transfer is a ferocious run defender who flies around making plays. Frantz comes off a solid season but lacks the true size/speed numbers to be anything other than a late round pick.

And here's Todd McShay previewing the matchup:

? Aloysius

West Virginia vs. North Carolina
Saturday, December 27th - 1 PM (ET), ESPN

West Virginia Prospects:

Quinton Andrews, SS, #8 (rJunior)
- 5'11", 208 lbs., 4.52 40 (e)
- Projected: Round 3
- Says Pauline: Andrews is a hard hitting run defender who elevated his game this season. He's considering entering the draft but projects as a top 75 pick if he returns to school and completes his game.
Pat White, QB-ATH, #5
- 6'0", 192 lbs., 4.48 40 (e)
- Projected: late Round 3/ early Round 4
- Says Pauline: White is a prospect who draws a variety of opinions around the league. He's a college quarterback but is built like a receiver and shows ball carrying skills. White has recently peeked the interest of scouts with his signal caller abilities. Pre-draft events such as the Senior Bowl and combine will go a long way in determining where White is eventually selected in April's draft.
Morrty Ivy, LB, #44
- 6'1", 236 lbs., 4.76 40 (e)
- Projected: Round 5
- Says Pauline: Ivy is a stout, hard-nosed football player yet a limited athlete. He'll get consideration in the late rounds by a defense that employs a 3-4 alignment.
Selvish Capers, OT, #66
- 6'6", 290 lbs., 4.93 40 (e)
- Projected: Round 6
- Says Pauline: Capers is quickly learning the ropes at offensive tackle after playing tight end early in his career. He's a big athlete with a large amount of upside and worth the investment of a late round draft pick.

North Carolina Prospects:

Hakeem Nicks, WR, #88 (Junior)
- 6'1", 210 lbs, 4.57 40 (e)
- Projected: late Round 2/ early Round 3
- Says Pauline: Nicks is a reliable possession wideout who has been ultra-productive since his freshman season. He's got the makings of a good second receiver for an NFL offense.
Trimane Goddard, SS, #31
- 5'11", 195 lbs., 4.57 40 (e)
- Projected: Round 6
- Says Pauline: Goddard has developed into a complete safety, effectively defending both the run and pass. He's an opportunistic defensive back who picked off seven passes and broke up five more this season. Goddard lacks classic safety size, yet has played well enough this season to elevate himself into the middle rounds.
Garret Reynolds, OT, #75
- 6'7", 310 lbs., 5.28 40 (e)
- Projected: late Round 5/ early Round 6
- Says Pauline: Reynolds is a king-sized right tackle who controls opponents once engaged in a block. He lacks the great athleticism but has enough talent to be a backup on the NFL level.

? Aloysius

Champs Sports Bowl
Wisconsin vs. Florida State
Saturday, December 27th - 4:30 PM (ET), ESPN

Wisconsin Prospects:

Matt Shaughnessy, DE, #93
- 6'5", 253 lba., 4.74 40 (e)
- Projected: Round 2
- Says Pauline: Shaughnessy is a fierce pass rusher who makes a lot of plays behind the line of scrimmage. He has the size to stand up over tackle as a linebacker but the body type that will eventually mature into a defensive end. Shaughnessy could slide into the draft's initial 50 picks.
Kraig Urbik, OG, #63
- 6'7", 332 lbs., 5.29 40 (e)
- Projected: Round 3
- Says Pauline: Urbik is a four-year starter who's effectively played the guard and tackle positions. He's a workmanlike lineman who lacks the eye-popping athleticism, yet is just a good football player. He's worthy of a third-round grade but is likely to be drafted a frame later.
Andy Kemp, OG, #75
- 6'5", 315 lbs., 5.19 40 (e)
- Projected: Round 5
- Says Pauline: Kemp is a three-year starter and an All Academic performer who plays smart football. He gets the most from his ability. Kemp is likely to fall into the draft's late rounds but has the resiliency to stick around the league for many years.
- Kemp played next to Joe Thomas his sophomore season. He'd be a great guy to bring in on Day 2 to serve as Eric Steinbach's backup
DeAndre Levy, OLB, #11
- 6'3", 228 lbs., 4.56 40 (e)
- Projected: Round 6
- Says Pauline: Levy elevated his game last season and is watching his draft stock soar. He possesses good size and is fast enough to start in the NFL. He will be a steal in the middle rounds.
P.J. Hill, RB, #39 (rJunior)
- 5'11", 236 lbs., 4.59 40 (e)
- Projected: late Round 6 / early Round 7
- Hill has really fallen off the draft radar. His yearly yardage has steadily decline from his 1,569 yard peak his freshman year, and he's been outshined by sophomore John Clay this year. Rather than come back and be Clay's backup, I expect Hill to declare for the draft and be an intriguiing late Day Two option.

Florida State Prospects:

Everette Brown, DE-OLB, #99 (rJunior)
- 6'4", 252 lbs., 4.65 40 (e)
- Projected: Round 1
- Says Pauline: The athletic Brown is the Seminoles premiere pass rusher. He's slowly developing a complete game, has been stamped with a first-round grade by NFL scouts and is expected to enter next April's draft.
- Pay close attention to Brown: with a great Combine, he could climb up to being a top-10 pick. Considered a bigger, more physical Kam Wimbley, Brown could be a guy we consider taking with our 1st Round pick.
Antone Smith, RB, #6
- 5'9", 190 lbs. 4.54 40 (e)
- Projected: Round 7 / UDFA
- Says Pauline: Smith is very much like former Seminole running backs Leon Washington and Lorenzo Booker; small but quick and elusive. He's got the ability to create his own yardage. Similar to Washington and Booker, Smith will be used as a situational back at the next level.
Myron Rolle, S, #3 (Junior)
- 6'2", 218 lbs., 4.52 40 (e)
- Projected; late Round 6 / early Round 7
- Says Pauline: The Seminole defensive back has terrific size/speed numbers and has shown a lot of skill over his FSU career. Recently awarded a Rhodes scholarship, Rolle has stated this will be his last season on the college football field. He has yet to decide whether he will opt for the NFL draft or take advantage of his scholarship and study abroad. (Rolle decided to go to Oxford after Pauline posted this).

Note: if the draft projections and Pauline's comments slightly conflict, it's because they come from different sources. The projections come from nfldraftscout, and I favor their projections to Pauline's. Still, it's good to notice that there's some debate as to when some of these guys will be taken; it reflects the uncertainty of most of these guys' draft stocks.

? Aloysius

Cal vs. Miami
Saturday, December 27th - 8 PM (ET), ESPN

Cal Prospects:

Alex Mack, C, # 51
- 6'4", 314 lbs., 5.12 40 (e)
- Projected: late Round 2 / early Round 3
- Says Pauline: Mack has been one of the nation's most dominant blockers the past two seasons. He possesses the size, skill and intellect to quickly start at center as a rookie. Mack is also likely to slide into the late part of round one next April.
- As you can see, there are diverging views on where Mack will be selected in this year's draft. A lot of it comes down to whether Mack is strong enough to take on big NT's, something he'll likely have a chance to prove at the Senior Bowl.
Syd'Quan Thompson, CB, #5 (rJunior)
- 5'9", 187 lbs., 4.49 40 (e)
- Projected: Round 3
- Says Pauline: Thompson was a freshman All-American whose game leveled off as a sophomore. He returned to form this year and has soared up draft boards. Thompson offers the size and speed to start in the NFL and will be a top 60 pick if he continues to improve.
Zack Follett, LB, #56
- 6'2", 238 lbs., 4.68 40 (e)
- Projected: Round 3
- Says Pauline: Follett is another three-year starter for Cal and a defender constantly making plays behind the line of scrimmage. He offers solid size/speed numbers and is likely to be drafted in the middle rounds.
- Though Follett plays outside linebacker in Cal's 3-4 scheme, I think his future in the NFL is playing 3-4 ILB.
Worrell Williams, ILB, #1
- 6'1", 248 lbs., 4.73 40 (e)
- Projected: Round 4
- Says Pauline: The athletic Williams has been a steady player on the Cal defense since breaking into the starting unit as a freshman. He' displays an array of skill and is a three-down linebacker. Fast times at the combine could push him into the third round.
- I consider him a poor man's D'Qwell Jackson, but nfldraftscout compares him to Andra Davis...
Anthony Felder, ILB, #7
- 6'2", 238 lbs., 4.76 40 (e)
- Projected: Round 7
- Says Pauline: Felder really stepped up his game last year on a squad with two other talented linebackers. He's a stout run defender who showed enough skill in '08 to get late-round consideration.
Rulon Davis, DE, #94
- 6'5", 282 lbs., 4.97 40 (e)
- Projected: UDFA
- Durability concerns, along with Rulon being older than the average prospect (he's 25), make him a late round/UDFA type. But if he can stay healthy, he could develop into a solid 3-4 DE. Could be a real sleeper.

Miami Prospects:

Darryl Sharpton, ILB, #50 (rJunior)
- 5'11", 235 lbs., 4.58 40 (e)
- Projected: Round 4
- Says Pauline: Sharpton is the most recent Hurricane linebacker whose game is characterized by speed and intensity. His style very much parallels former Miami greats such as Jon Vilma and Ray Lewis. Sharpton offers terrific potential and could be a first-round pick in 2010.
Bruce Johnson, CB, #22
- 5'10", 182 lbs., 4.43 40 (e)
- Projected: late Round 4 / early Round 5
- Says Pauline: The athletic senior offers terrific size (5-10, 180) and speed (4.42 40) at the cornerback position. He was highly rated by NFL scouts entering the season, yet his play on the field falls short of expectations. Johnson offers a large amount of upside potential, which could solidify him as a top 75 choice.
Antonio Dixon, NT, #96
- 6'3", 324 lbs., 5.17 40 (e)
- Projected: UDFA
- Says Pauline: The Hurricanes defensive tackle is a prospect who's shown flashes of brilliance but has never pulled the pieces of his game together. He's an underachiever of sorts, but his sheer size (6-3, 325) and potential at nose tackle will garner late-round consideration.

? Aloysius

Tonight, Frantz Joseph (Florida Atlantic) really impressed me. The Boston College transfer looks like a solid Day Two 3-4 ILB prospect.

nfldraftscout's comparison of him to Desmond Bishop is perfect: Joseph's also a hard-hitting LB who plays much bigger than his size (6'2", 235 lbs.).

Bishop was a guy Phil wanted to take in the 6th Round in '07, only for the Packers to take him right before we picked. He's shown signs of emerging this year, notching 12 tackles, a sack, a stuff, and 2 forced fumbles against Houston a few weeks back. After that game, some in the Wisconsin media speculated that Bishop could be a better WLB for the Packers than A.J. Hawk.

From the little I've seen of Joseph, I could easily see something similar happening with him. Draft him on Day Two this year, and he could emerge as someone who ends up challenging D'Qwell for the ILB spot next to Aaron Curry ().

One of the negatives I noticed tonight: Joseph doesn't have great speed. nfldraftscout has him running a 4.73 40, but I wouldn't be surprised if he times slower than that. He didn't look too quick chasing a big reverse play in the 3rd Quarter (a play that ended up being overturned).

However, that may just mean that he isn't a Tampa 2 guy; I think he's quick enough to play in a 3-4.

weneedLebron

Aloysius said:
Ha. Just searching for the next Jameel McClain
Here's a good article on another prospect I really like, Cal DT-DE Rulon Davis.

Durability concerns, along with Rulon being older than the average prospect (he's 25), should result in him being a late round/UDFA type. But if he can stay healthy, he could develop in a nice rotational 3-4 DE - he's 6'5", 282 lbs. & runs a sub-5.0 40.

Could be a real diamond in the rough.

Couldn't agree with you more. His size, speed, and maturity are all above other draftee's and nobody has heard much of him. Certainly a steal for some team/

? mz.

Jahvid Best impressed the heck out of me.

? Aloysius

Yeah, he's a better version of C.J. Spiller, a guy I know you're a fan of.

This year, Spiller rushed 5.3 yards per carry. Best? An amazing 8.0 ypc.

Best isn't draft-eligible, but he should be a hot topic in draft discussion next year or the one after. Size (5'10", 195 lbs.) and durability will be the main questions about his game.

I expect Cal will use him more in the receiving game next year. With Nate Longshore graduating, their passing game should significantly improve.

? mz.

Aloysius said:
Size (5'10", 195 lbs.) and durability will be the main questions about his game.

I agree. Both he and WVU's Noel Devine (even smaller than Best) are going to make some team very very happy they drafted him (ala Steve Slaton). Those two guys are just awesome.

Aloysius said:
I expect Cal will use him more in the receiving game next year. With Nate Longshore graduating, their passing game should significantly improve.

What happened to Longshore? Wasn't he decent last year?

And wasn't Tedford supposed to be the QB guru...Longshore must be THAT shitty.

? mz.

Oh, and:

North Carolina Prospects:
* Hakeem Nicks, WR, #88 (Junior)

o 6'1", 210 lbs, 4.57 40 (e)

o Projected: late Round 2/ early Round 3

o Says Pauline: Nicks is a reliable possession wideout who has been ultra-productive since his freshman season. He's got the makings of a good second receiver for an NFL offense.

STUD.

? Aloysius

For sure. nfldraftscout's already upped his grade to late Round 1/early Round 2.

Nicks' stats from today:

8 catches, 217 yards, 3 TD's

And that catch:

I'm guessing that sub-par 40 times will drop Hicks into Round 2, where he'd be a great value - he's the perfect possession receiver.

? mz.

That catch was just stupid.

I couldn't hand-pick a better complement to a Braylon-Edwards-who-catches-the-ball than Nicks.

? Aloysius

Independence Bowl
Louisiana Tech vs. Northern Illinois
Sunday, December 28th - 8:15 PM (ET), ESPN

Just one major prospect to watch in this game, but he's a guy the Browns have already sent a bunch of scouts to watch, N. Illinois DE-OLB Larry English.

Larry English, DE-OLB, #51
- 6'3", 254 lbs., 4.76 40 (e)
- Projected: Round 2
- Says Pauline: English, a four-year starter who's accumulated 31 combined sacks since his sophomore season, has been zipping up draft boards. He lined up at defensive end for NIU, yet shows the necessary athleticism and skill to stand up over tackle as an outside linebacker in the NFL. Scouts expect English to be selected in the third round next April.

English should be run through linebacker drills at the Senior Bowl and the Combine, but you'll be able to see Sunday night what a good pass-rusher he is. I've seen him compared to Dwight Freeney; it could be that some Tampa 2 teams will look at him as an option at RDE.

Here's a scouting report on him that was written before this season:

Positives:
Solid linebacker build, with more than adequate upper body strength and legs for the position. Good motor, hustles down or across the field until the play is completed, even if initially blocked. Changes direction in space well. Secure wrap-up tackler when man is in his area. Can use his arms to keep linemen and fullbacks off him when standing up. Stays balanced and upright most times on stretch plays. At times he can bounce off a block using his punch. Has quick, violent hands to stay free. Stays at home on option plays until last possible moment. Able to drop back off the line in zone blitzes and stay with tight ends.

Negatives:
Lacks the bulk to play with his hand down in the NFL, as he does in college. Gets engulfed by better left tackles on inside pass rush moves, lacks the strength to bull rush and doesn't quite have the speed to get the corner consistently (but has good closing speed when standing up). Fails to hold his ground when directly out of his stance and can't get off the block quickly enough to get to the ball. Will need to prove he can handle coverage duties against better tight ends and that he has zone awareness. Needs to get lower in his backpedal, stands a bit tall.

If we don't bring in a pass-rusher in free agency, this guy will be a serious option for us in Round 2.

? Aloysius

mz. said:
What happened to Longshore? Wasn't he decent last year?

His '07 season started strong, but he kinda went DA towards the end of the year. His declining play killed Lavelle Hawkins' draft stock, and he got benched early in their bowl game. Backup Riley came in and saved the day. Ever since then, he's been the fan favorite...and Longshore's confidence & decision-making has been in the crapper.

And wasn't Tedford supposed to be the QB guru...Longshore must be THAT shitty.

True. And Tedford must not think too highly of Riley if he's playing Longshore ahead of him.

Maybe I should revise my prediction that Best will be a bigger receiving threat next season...