Who Caught My Eye Week 6

October 13, 2015

GERONIMO ALLISON/WR/ILLINOIS 6’4/200 #4
Much like his Apache Chief namesake, who kept the US/Mexican cavalries chasing him around, opposing secondaries spend a lot of time on gameday trying to keep this wily WR under control. The JC transfer caught 41 balls last season for the ILLINI, and already has 40 catches through 6 games in 2015. He has a long, almost stick-figure physique that can hopefully fill out a bit for the pro game. His long arms and sure hands provide a very large target area for his QB WES LUNT. He is also dangerous after the catch. He averaged almost 15 yards per reception last season. Against a solid, vet IOWA secondary ALLISON pulled in 8 catches for a whopping 148 yards and 1 TD. That’s an impressive 18.5 ypc. The Illini own a solid 4-2 record with ALLISON being a big part of their Offensive production. He looks draftable to me. Could make some noise at an All-STar venue.

JUSTIN BURRIS/CB/NC STATE 6’1/207 #11
BURRIS is another example of a guy who plays football smart and hard. He may look average at best in his underwear, if he even gets a Combine invite next Feb, but he knows how to play football. If he’s deemed fast/quick enough to play CB at the pro level his size will be very attractive to scouts. He’s not a ball-hawk, but is physical in coverage and a solid tackler. He is now up to 35 career starts in the tough ACC. He was flagged for a second quarter PI vs VA TECH, but I thought it should have been a no-call when I watched the replay. He looks to me like a solid player who could be a sub-package defender, with enough size and physicality to stand out on Special Teams units. Watch this guy as a priority URFA type.

TRAVIS FEENEY/OLB/WASHINGTON 6’4/225 #41
Another solid performer who many fans East of the Rockies don’t know about. FEENEY broke into the starting line-up in 2013 as a redshirt frosh for the Huskies. The long/lean athletic player recorded a solid 60 tackles last season and is carrying on his work in 2015. He was very active against the Trojans. He made several Special Teams tackles last week which prompted me to look up his profile, only to find out he was voted the Huskies Special Teams player of the year in 2014. Seemed like I saw him somewhere near USC return men on just about every Punt. He runs very well and pursues the ball from scrimmage. Shows some ability to drop into pass coverage, both short and deep. In today’s NFL his pass coverage skills will allow him to stay on the field for passing downs. He recorded 3 PBU and 2 INT in 2014. Not much of a pass rusher at this point in his career. Watch for his name to climb up a lot of prospect charts in the next two months.

DEVON JOHNSON/RB/MARSHALL 6’1/243 #47
JOHNSON is finally rounding back into form after some early season injuries. He’s built like a FB and started out as a TE at Marshall. But last season behind a veteran OL he ran for over 1700 yards and 17 TD. Against an improved S. MISS Defense he gained 82 yards on 22 carries, including 1 TD. He breaks a lot of tackles on interior runs and can straight-line motor once he gets some momentum going for him. Defenders in the secondary find him hard to get off his feet and don’t relish tackling him. JOHNSON should have a shot in the NFL for a team that still uses a FB and/or a 1-Back set at times. He will need to polish up his blocking skills and embrace Special Teams work. He could also make a dangerous and versatile Red Zone weapon. He still has TE hands and can catch better than many true FB. Late draftable perhaps.

TRE MADDEN/RB/SOUTHERN CAL 6’1/225 #23
Despite the coaching mess in SoCal this guy is bouncing back very nicely from a lost 2014 season because of a severe turf toe injury. He looks healthy now and is using his slashing one-cut running style to accelerate through some decent holes and push the ball into the secondary. He’s sharing time with 2 talented underclassmen in the typical 3-deep RB talent for the Trojans. In the tough loss to Washington MADDEN stood out with 120 yards gained on 17 carries (7.05 ypc) and a TD. He also caught a screen pass, which he has shown a talent for in the past. He’s not a long ball threat, but will burst though holes and break a few tackles for multiple 10-15 yard gains. Though he has nice size he has a tendency to get nicked up a bit. If he doesn’t get caught up in a team collapse with the coaching changes he should work his way into a draftable position if he stays healthy.

BRAXTON MILLER/WR/OHIO STATE 6’2/215 #1
Two shoulder injuries/surgeries ended the QBing career of this 2-time Big 10 Offensive Player of the Year. But from a pro prospect standpoint the resultant switch to WR may have been a blessing in disguise. The position switch is still a work in progress, but based on his play to date the long term potential is exciting. HC MEYER still uses MILLER in multiple exotic ways on a limited basis, but he is turning into an exciting, explosive weapon as a true receiver. Against the TERPS, MILLER ended the day with 5 catches for 70 yards and a TD. The highlight of his day came on a 2nd Quarter scoring drive during which he made a nice leaping catch for a key third down conversion and then got open for a 33 yard TD catch. His route running is still developing, but he has the look of a game breaking option as a wideout. Look for MILLER to continue this progress and crack the Top 100 prospect list as a A WR.

DADI NICOLAS/DE/ER/VIRGINIA TECH 6’4/235 #90
The TECH coaching staff is upset with NICHOLAS and his practice & playing habits in 2015. And I can clearly see why. This guy has what we used to call senior-itis. It’s a self induced affliction, whereby established performers go through the motions in their final season. On the positive side this affliction usually goes away with time. NICHOLAS is a long armed, long legged Edge Rusher who probably has not much value to a team beyond that skill set. Right now he is not hustling to the ball and looks like he’s looking for a flag to grab rather than tackling anyone. He as credited with an amazing 35 QB Hurries in 2014, but showed almost nothing to my eyes in the W over NC State. He hardly looks like he weighs even his program listed 235 lbs. And his frame does not look like it can accommodate a serious bulk-up. He is going to have to show an awful lot in the second half of the season, and an All-Star venue to claim a Top 100 prospect ranking. I’d be considering taking him off my Draft Board if I were an NFL Scout.

REGGIE RAGLAND/ILB/ALABAMA 6’2/252 #18
I am going to try to contain myself here, but every ‘BAMA game I watch I find myself saying “WOW!” a couple of times to something this guy does. He’s as athletic as C.J. MOSLEY, but a lot bigger and more physical. He’s a throwback to the thumpers like BUTKUS and NITSCHKE. In today’s NFL I think he has the pro potential of BRIAN URLACHER, but already has the size while in college. He had 95 tackles in 2014 on a Defense led by LANDON COLLINS/S (with over 100 tackles) now blowing people up for the GIANTS. When RAGLAND tackles people they often go flying. ARKANSAS has a lot of very large players, but he blew them all up with regularity. Even a shoulder stinger only kept him off the field for a few plays. In the 4th Quarter he was 20 yards downfield breaking up a throw to a TE. He had multiple break-ups to Backs and TE coming short over the middle of the field. When he makes an open field tackle it looks like an explosion. This man is the real deal, and I cannot imagine an NFL team with a 4-3 scheme not wanting this player early in Round 1 of the 2016 NFL Draft. He should also make an impact Inside in a 3-4 pro scheme as well.

BRIAN RANDOLPH/S/TENNESSEE 6’0/209 #37
There are so many demands on the S position in the NFL these days that many folks complain annually about the lack of S prospects. RANDOLPH, and his effort against UGA, is a good example of why I think those complaints are off base. RANDOLPH does his best work in the box, supporting the run and attacking the pocket. He had 88 tackles in 2014. But he is also adept at zone coverage in passing situations. He flashed into the screen several times following the ball in the air. My biggest criticism of his play vs UGA was overrunning and missing tackles in the open field on several occasions early on. But conversely, he made multiple solid form tackles in space later in the game. It was RANDOLPH who flashed into the picture near the goal line, to go high and bat away the final pass of the day intended for MALCOLM MITCHELL and seal the win for the VOLS. I am guessing he will post some nice effort and numbers at an All-Star venue and the Combine. He looks to me like a Round 4 prospect for the 2016 Draft.

JOHN THEUS/OT/GEORGIA 6’6/313 #71
THEUS has been starting since his frosh season and is currently one of the best all-around OT in the SEC. He moves well for a big guy and can push defenders around. He uses his hands and arms well to control his blocks and sustain them. He gets to second level blocking assignments smoothly and also shows agile feet and balance in his pass pro back-pedal. THEUS seems to be get a quick jump out of his stance at the snap of the ball. He put in a solid effort, with positive results against the VOLS. He is not elite, but should get interest as early as Round 2, Top 100 for sure. Reminds me of former Bulldog JON STINCHCOMB, who went on to a solid pro career after his time at UGA.

MICHAEL THOMAS/WR/SOUTHERN MISS 6’1/186 #88
This guy looks a lot longer than his listed 6’1 height would seem to indicate. It would be nice if he could add a few pounds for the pro game, but he has the moves and the hands to play pro ball already. He is also dangerous once he gets the ball in his hands. Against an always tough Marshall D he hauled in 7 catches for 109 yards and 1 TD. Though not a blazer he can stretch a defense. He works the sideline well and can high-point throws. He will have a long journey to get drafted but should make an All-Star roster, perhaps the SHRINE or NFLPA. He has a chance to easily eclipse his team leading 41 catches from 2014 now that he has a good throwing QB slinging the ball around. Do not confuse this THOMAS with the other guy at Ohio State, but don’t overlook him either.