Who Caught My Eye Week 14 plus

December 9, 2015

Here are a group of prospect thumbnails from Week 14 and a few games a week earlier. I will continue to post weekly reviews based on accumulated game tapes that I have not watched yet. Then before we know it the Bowl season will be underway.

ROBBY ANDERSON/WR/TEMPLE 6’3/190 #19
Since this is a thumbnail I don’t have time or space to detail the travails and travels of ANDERSON during his on again/off again career at TEMPLE. Let’s just leave it that as a senior he broke out and established himself as a legit pro prospect. He’s not a burner, but he eats up yardage with his long strides and can go up to get high throws. He also has above average hands. In the AAC Conference Championship Game he was Temple’s biggest weapon by far. He hauled in 12 balls for 150 yards and a TD. Some of those catches came at the expense of HOUSTON CB/WILLIAM JACKSON, who is one of the top senior prospects in the country on the Corner. In 13 games this season ANDERSON totaled 64 receptions at a rate 13.64 yards/catch and scored 7 TD. His measurables at the Combine will be critical to his Draft status come April. Some of his answers to questions about his questionable dedication to the game and his teammates will also be important during the interview process. All in all, he could well become late draftable.

MORGAN BURNS/CB/RS/KANSAS STATE 5’11/195 #33
I was mightily surprised to see K-State upset WEST VIRGINIA last Saturday. The Mountaineers seemed to be on a role over the last month of the season. But then again never underestimate the coaching ability of that Old Fox Bill Snyder. And don’t ever forget the power of Special Teams. For it was a 4th Quarter Kick Return of 97 yards for a TD by BURNS that flipped the scoreboard in the Wildcats favor. Despite the loss of TYLER LOCKETT to the NFL this off-season the return game has been in good hands with BURNS. BURNS has 1047 yards worth of KR this season including a team record-tying 4 TD. 3 times this year BURNS was voted as Special Teams player of the week in the Big 12 for his efforts. BURNS is also a decent DB for the Wildcats. At the least he should have a shot at winning a job on an NFL roster next year for his Special Teams play and secondary sub-package potential. He has a nose for the ball and is not afraid to stick his nose into the action. He was the team’s 3rd leading returning tackler and interceptor from 2014. His Pro Day will likely be very important for his Draft status. I’d mark him down as a savvy, veteran defender with a chance to go in Round 7, or to make some noise as an URFA next summer.

LEONTE’ CAROO/WR/RUTGERS 6’1/215 #4
CAROO had the distinct disadvantage of playing for a bad football team his senior season, as well as missing multiple games with leg issues. In fact he only played in 8 games. But he had some amazing performances along the way. In the season’s finale against Maryland he hauled in 7 catches for 183 yards and a TD. He has more speed than you might think when totally healthy. He displayed excellent fundamentals as a receiver and made some amazing “hand” catches. He made an over the shoulder sideline catch against the Terps that was highlight reel quality. He sports a well muscled frame and has a reputation as a very hard working player, which NFL coaching staffs really appreciate given the diva attitude of more than a few top receivers at the pro level. In his 8 games this season he totaled 39 catches, which included 10 TD and an eye-popping average of 20.7 yards/catch. During his Rutgers career he scored a TD almost every 4 receptions. Ability wise, I think he’s the equal of former Knight WR/SANU, but he’s clearly more productive. Assuming he is 100% healthy I expect he may really impress with his work out numbers at the Combine. He’s a 2nd or 3rd Rounder in my opinion.

JACOB COKER/QB/ALABAMA 6’4/235 #14
Chalk up COKER as a late bloomer for the Crimson Tide. After transferring from FSU he lost out to Blake Sims in 2014 for the ‘Bama starting QB job. He was even benched early this season. But after the Tide lost to Ole Miss in a game he did not start, OC LANE KIFFIN put his eggs firmly in COKER’s basket and he delivered. His confidence and effort led him to a point that just as Alabama began to roll it was COLKER leading the Offense along with HENRY/RB. COKER looks a lot like BLAKE BORTLES in physical stature. He is jumbo sized and athletic enough to roll from the pocket and extend plays. He consistently showed that he can be very accurate on long ball throws, even on the run. He also showed his teammates that he is willing to sacrifice his body to run for first down yardage as needed. He came to own the ‘Bama huddle. In the SEC Championship game he did just what he needed to, to help beat the QB challenged GATORS. He played almost error free football and went 18/26-65.7%- 204 yards- 2 TD- 0 INT. On the season he hit on 65.7% of his throws and threw only 8 INT compared to 17 TD passes. I’m now on the side of saying that COKER may indeed get drafted, although late. He looks to me to have enough going for him to be an NFL back-up QB in the mode of SHAUN HILL/VIKINGS.

JACK CONKLIN/OT/MICHIGAN STATE 6’6/320 #74 JR
Meet another former walk-on who grew physically, and responded to good coaching, during his years in college. He’s very long and functionally strong player. Hew can handle pass pro, but his real strength is in mauling defenders for inside runs. He is not graceful at times, but he has good balance and stays on his feet. He shows nice, long arms, and hands that can deliver a jolting initial punch in pass pro. Expect him to start his NFL career at RT, but with additional coaching he could eventually slide over to the LT spot. He and his line-mates completely controlled the tired Iowa defense on their game winning, 4th quarter drive that was essentially accomplished almost entirely on the ground. Although he is athletic enough to pull and get to second level blocks he has some challenges finishing off his defender. On several occasions in Ohio State game, he got out in pace but was unable to finish his blocks on LB/JOSH PERRY. No need to worry about his overall ability. If he comes out early, I clearly envision him as a First Rounder, but not Top 12 like some have projected. He’s not that polished… yet.

SU’A CRAVENS/LB/SOUTHERN CAL 6’1/225 #21 JR
Probably the most athletic and dynamic defender at USC since a guy named POLAMALU terrorized the PAC-10, then made his mark in the NFL. CRAVENS is a bit undersized for a traditional NFL LB, but in this day and age of NFL offenses, being mobile is more important than being big. And this guy is so mobile that he’s as much a S as a LB for the Trojans D. His range is incredible and he really brings it with some of his tackles. He led the Trojans this season with 78 tackles. The detail of his efforts tell you his true versatility. His 78 tackles included; 14.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 2 INT, 8 PD, 2 FF. In the big win over UCLA he got beaten to the end zone early, in his coverage, but bounced back with 2 PBU in the 2nd Quarter of action. I’m thinking his overall production as a pro LB will be similar to the wide ranging play of LAVONTE DAVID of the BUCS, who is a blanket-the-field defender. If he comes out of school early I expect him to explode at the Combine athletically and be a late First Rounder in the 2016 NFL Draft. This player shows many of the attributes needed to excel at the highest level of competition. In this era of guys labeled as LB who are really just edge-rushers a player like CRAVENS could be super desirable to a 4-3 defensive scheme looking for a star/impact player. A team like the GIANTS could seriously upgrade their LB corps with an athlete like this to work on the outside.

KYLE FRIEND/OC/TEMPLE 6’2/305 #79
Some team looking for a meat and potatoes guy to man their OC slot is going to fall in luv with the gutsy FRIEND and grab him by about Round 6. FRIEND, was 2nd team All-AAC as a junior, and 1st Team All-AAC as a senior in 2015. He lost some time to injury this past season, but was back in form in time for the Championship Game with Houston. He’s tough as nails and a bit more athletic than he looks at first blush. Very strong with his hand punch after the snap of the ball. He may have a bit of trouble with the bigger, more powerful NT guys, but it won’t be for lack of effort or smarts. Should not have any problem handling line calls right away. I don’t think he’s NFL level at any other position than OC, which of course will diminish his overall value as a prospect. But he’s the gritty kind of guy most of us have come to recognize as the prototype for an NFL OC. If an opening develops on his team that allows him into the lineup, expect him to be hard to move back to the bench. Does the little things well. Late draftable, or an URFA.

TYRIQ McCORD/LB/MIAMI 6’3/240 #17
Over the past few seasons MIAMI has turned out some solid, if under-appreciated LB prospects.
Last year THURSTON ARMBRISTER went undrafted, after a solid campaign, then won himself a roster spot with the JAGUARS. Injuries have pushed him into action ad he is responding well overall. This year I say watch out for McCORD, who has quietly put together a solid season for the ‘Canes. He started 12 games as a junior and 8 more in 2015. When RAPHAEL KIRBY went down to injury halfway through the season it was McCORD who the coaches went to and he has responded. In his 8 games started he has 29 tackles including 5.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks & 3 QBH. He did some major damage in the W over PITT. He was credited with 4 tackles, which were very productive. He had 1 TFL, 1 sack, 1 QBH & 1 Forced Fumble. In a 3rd Quarter possession I saw him line-up outside to blitz (his QBH); drop into pass coverage shallow over the middle; shoot the 1-gap and stone the runner at the line-of-scrimmage, on successive plays. He’s an active player, but it seems to take him a while to determine where the ball is and where he should be going. I especially disliked the fact that he stood flat-footed most of the time after the snap, while trying to decide his next move. That will not fly in the fast paced NFL. He must get off the balls of his feet and keep his feet moving. That would seem to me to be a coachable thing. So despite liking some aspects of his game I would project that he’s an URFA prospect for next April. Then in a Training Camp he’ll have to excel on Special Teams and show progress from scrimmage in response to coaching during practices.

ANTONIO MORRISON/LB/FLORIDA 6’1/229 #3
Anyone who followed College Football in 2015 pretty much knows that FLORIDA’s 10-Win season was fueled primarily by its stingy and opportunistic Defense. And for the second year in a row MORRISON, the tackling machine, led the team in tackles. MORRISON had 101 tackles in 2014, coming off a knee injury that cost him all of the 2013 campaign. He came up with 97 tackles in 13 games this year. Throw in their upcoming Bowl game with Michigan and he should be over that magical 100 tackle mark again. He pursues from sideline to sideline, and though lacking ideal size, his athleticism should allow him to stay on the field for 3 downs for most NFL defenses. He is a solid open field tackler and flows very well to the ball. In the Conference Championship loss to ‘BAMA he recorded 11 tackles, including a TFL. He shows some cover skills against RB & TE slipping out in the flat, or over the shallow middle of the field. Mark him down as a natural coverage unit star on Special Teams, which is where many Rookies make their initial impressions at the pro level. I project him as a late/middle round, 5th or 6th, prospect.

PAUL PERKINS/RB/UCLA 5’11/208 #24 JR
PERKINS carried the UCLA Offense at times the past two seasons and certainly helped Frosh QB JOSH ROSEN shoulder the load as an immediate starter in 2015. PERKINS is a slashing runner with very good vision, and what he lacks in burst/speed he makes up for with cutting ability and great balance. PERKINS gets a lot of his yardage after initial contact. He is also an excellent target in the passing game. He is the all-time leading receiver as a RB for the Bruins program. He is also solid in pass-pro. He will deliver a blow to blitzers and is also adept at slipping out into the flat for a screen pass and run-after-catch yardage. It should also be noted that he has a nose for the end zone. In essence I think he brings the same package to the pro game as a guy named MATT FORTE. In 2015 PERKINS gained 1275 yards rushing at 5.71 yards/carry. He also ran for 13 TD. In addition, he caught 27 passes including another TD. He more than did his share n the showdown loss to crosstown rival SOUTHERN CAL rushing 17 times for 95 yards and 2 TD. In his spare time he caught 5 balls for another 36 yards. Most of that came after getting dinged up a bit in the first half. PERKINS has had enough touches in college to more than justify an exit to the NFL before the tread gets any more worn on his tires. For a team looking for their version of MATT FORTE I would expect him to be worth a 2nd Round Pick.

BRANDON ROSS/RB/MARYLAND 5’10/210 #45
In today’s pass first, run later NFL every team seems to be looking for their RB prospects to come on Draft Saturday. So in that vein, I would like to nominate ROSS as a viable rotation RB prospect. Needless to say, the poor season that the Terps had in 2015 does not help his cause. But NFL talent evaluators have to look under every rock to find enough viable prospects to fill their rosters. I struggled through watching 3 Maryland games this season, including the season ender against Rutgers. I saw no quit in ROSS’ effort and productivity. He toted the rock 28 times for 173 yards (6.2 ypc) and 3 TD in that contest. On the season he gained 958 yards rushing, at an average of 6.4 ypc. He also found the end zone 10 times. Those are darn good numbers on a 3-9 team with marginal OL and QB situations! He’s a tough guy with good balance. He can make cuts in the midst of being hit and struggle forward for another 3-4 yards after contact. He does his best work battling between the tackles, but I saw him break several rubs well into the secondary. He is also a willing blocker for his QB in the pocket. IMO, ROSS should be late draftable and I firmly believe he can be a part of a 3-man RB corps. I’d also bet on his ability to help out on Special Teams units as well. So let me project him somewhere Round 6 thru URFA, but with an NFL future.

RASHAWN SCOTT/WR/MIAMI 6’2/205 #11
SCOTT missed the 2014 season with shoulder issues. He started slowly upon his return, but by October was the Hurricanes most productive and reliable receiver. He has good size and quicks to go with his nice sized frame. He’s very polished and precise in his route running which has made him a favorite target for QB/BRAD KAAYA. He impressed me greatly with his work against PITT in the regular season finale for the ‘Canes. He showed soft, pliable hands with some nice grabs. Maybe best of all, he was quick to turn defender on a couple of errant KAAYA throws and prevented PITT DB from making interceptions. He also showed excellent ability to use the sideline as a weapon, by tapping his feet down to record receptions. At the end of the day, and a solid W for Miami, SCOTT had recorded 7 receptions for 74 yards and a TD. In his 10 healthy starts for the season he had 47 catches for 620 yards and 5 TD. He looks to me like an ascending player. He was listed this week as having accepted an invite to play in the Shrine Game in January. Add that to a Bowl Game appearance and he could find himself ending up on the invite list for the Combine as well. If he gets that invite I could see him posting some impressive numbers in INDY. If he passes his medical exams with flying colors I’d also anticipate him being draftable come April. He may be moving ahead of some other receivers in prospect lists over the next couple of months.