NELSON AGHOLOR/WR/SOUTHERN CAL #15 6’0/185 … AGHOLOR emerged last season as he grabbed the top receiver spot on the team because of multiple injuries to Marqise Lee. He’s stepped it up another notch this season, and most folks feel he’ll go pro at the end of this, his junior year. The Trojans knew last week that they would need offensive production to beat CAL. AGHOLOR, helped CODY KESSLER get the team off to a fast start with 8 catches, for 120 yards and a TD, in the first quarter. He finished the day with 16 catches for 216 yards and 2 TD. He is also a dangerous threat as a Punt Returner, and teams now try to kick away from him even if it costs them yardage on their punting averages. In 2013 he averaged 19.1-yards per punt return. His end of year numbers are going to be big and I would expect him to enter the 2015 NFL Draft. Because he’s not huge or a speed burner I expect Round 2 to be his home. But he should become a highly productive No. 2 receiver fro some team in the League. And don’t forget those punt return skills.
MICHAEL BENNETT/WR/GEORGIA #82 6’3/205 … This long, lean receiver is leading the Bulldogs in receptions in 2014. And he’s been about the only receiver to stay healthy so far this season for the team. He’s a solid route runner with reliable hands who can outstretch most defenders for high and/or wide throws. His length should make him a solid option once his team gets into the red zone. In games where the UGA running game is clicking passing the ball is an afterthought so 2014 receiving stats are down given the work this year of CHUBB & GURLEY. In that running attack he is a willing and effective blocker which the NFL demands of its wideouts. I would expect it to be nip and tuck whether he gets drafted or not once 100 underclassmen declare. But he should put up a solid fight for an NFL roster sot in a Training Camp. Finding some spots for him on Special Teams will be huge.
LANDON COLLINS/FS/ALABAMA #26 6’1/215 … On a team full of 5-star recruits COLLINS has been getting mucho attention for the Crimson Tide since he burst onto the scene as a true freshman. He’s your prototype in-the-box, dish out the punishment tackling machine. He has adequate coverage ability, but that is not his forte. He pursues the ball and dishes out tackling punishment on a regular basis. His NFL key to greatness will lie in his ability to accept pro coaching and improve in his cover skills, especially down the field. That’s likely to happen because he is a superior athlete and highly coachable per the ‘Bama staff. He seems to have a nose for the ball and comes flying out of nowhere on some of his hits. He reminds of former OKlahoma All-America Safety ROY WILLIAMS, who had a solid NFL career, but never quite picked up his game in coverage. He should be the first S taken in the 2015 NFL Draft assuming he comes out early. He’s more of an impact player than former teammate HA HA CLINTON-DIX, but doesn’t bring Ha Ha’s cover skills to the field of play. He is a definite first rounder.
ERECK FLOWERS/OT/MIAMI #74 6’6/320 … May be the most aggressive, physical OT I have watched this fall. He has a mean streak and is tough as nails. Is back playing only two weeks after a surgical procedure. He will play hurt, and make defenders wish he didn’t. He’s good in pass-pro and just buries people on running plays. You’ll see him running way downfield looking for a second or third level block. He spent a lot of the night against FSU stoning MARIO EDWARDS at the line of scrimmage, and that is man’s work. There is some serious question as to whether FLOWERS is coming out or not, but my sense is that I’m not the only person who sees him as a First Rounder already. Why stick around for a more serious injury to bite him during another year at the U. I think there will be multiple first round OL taken again next May, but I can’t think of any who are better all-around players than FLOWERS. His rare combination of size and athleticism is very hard to find at such an important position as LOT.
MELVIN GORDON/RB/WISCONSIN #25 6’1/215 … I’ve been watching game tape on GORDON for the past few weeks getting ready to do a thumb nail in this space. And then in the Big 10 West showdown game with Nebraska he blows things up with an effort for the ages. He broke TOMLINSON’s single game rushing total with 408 yards and 4 TD, on only 25 carries. He sat out the entire 4th Quarter as the Badgers buried the Huskers. Most impressive to me was his average of 16.32 yards per carry, which is also a new NCAA single game record. He has speed, quickness, burst and incredible field vision to find openings. And once he finds an open space to run to he is not going to be caught from behind! What should also impress NFL scouts is the fact that he has worked his butt off in the weight room and with conditioning work, to go from a skinny speedster, to a ripped runner who breaks tackles and drives the pile forward on most carries. Badger coaches gush about his positive attitude and work ethic. He should finish the season with around 2500 yards assuming a Big 10 Championship game and major BOWL for the Badgers. He looks to me like he’ll be the most likely RB in the 2015 NFL Draft to end the two year drought of no First Round RB draftees. Sorry Badgers fans, he has to go pro after his work this season. It is his destiny.
JARVIS HARRISON/G/T/TEXAS A&M #51 6’4/325 … It has been an up and down ride this season for the Aggies in the post-Manziel era. They got off to a quick start, then stumbled badly, and recently look to have regained their momentum. HARRISON has been a surprising factor in their recent rebound. Injuries & performance have caused them to shakeup their OL, which included a shift of top prospect CEDRIC OGBUEHI from LT back to his RT slot. To replace him HARRISON was moved outside from LG to LT, and the result has been a significant upgrade of the overall OL unit. HARRISON was a late 3rd Day Draft prospect inside at OG. But his solid play at the critical LT slot is causing NFL personnel people to stand up and take notice. He moves his feet well and displays good hand use. He’s plenty strong and has been surprisingly effective in pass pro. He’s not a Top 100 guy, but given his current play and apparent versatility I think he’s pushed himself solidly into middle round consideration. It would be nice to see him work in an All-Star venue in January. The Combine will also be an important showcase for him. His stock is clearly rising and his timing is excellent.
ROB HAVENSTEIN/OT/WISCONSIN #78 6’8/327 … There has been a discernible pattern established over the past 20 years that UW is one of the great running teams in D1 football. Having great RB, patience with the run game, and having less than stellar QB for the most art all contribute greatly to that trend. But let’s not forget the guys along the OL who are opening holes for all these runners. The Badgers have a huge OL group again this year but no elite prospects. But if you watch game film carefully you will see several players capable of playing at the next level for a small number of NFL teams that still feature the power running game, like San DIego, Baltimore, Washington, Buffalo. Meet someone’s next RT in Mr. HAVENSTEIN. He’s a huge, towering man with decent footwork and a great work ethic. He’s also a smart looking football player when you watch him on tape. He looks like the next in line of a recent group of Badgers who are not elite but can play at the NFL level (CARIMI/WAGNER/KONZ). HAVENSTEIN also shows flashes of leadership in his play and attitude, always helping up his runners after the tackle and being in the celebration group after a score. He’s not going to blow up the Combine, but in an All-Star venue he’ll impress with his hard work and FBI, IMO. At last count ROB was up to 38 career starts for the Badgers. He was selected 2nd Team All-Big 10 last year. He looks like a solid pick for the right NFL team in Rounds 4/5.
BRETT HUNDLEY/QB/UCLA #17 6’3/227 … Early this season the UCLA Offense struggled mightily to move the ball and score with any consistency. But watching the tape from their week 11 game against Washington I saw an offense that was clicking on all cylinders and the biggest contributor was HUNDLEY. I think some of the change is that the young players around HUNDLEY have improved over the course of the season. But HUNDLEY himself looks much more confident and efficient now than back in September. He’s a solid passer with an above average arm and he delivers a highly catchable ball. He has the ability to put touch on his throws when needed, as opposed to a lot of young guys who break receivers fingers on 10 yard fastball throws. He also looks like a QB who now has enough confidence in his OL to work through his progressions and spread the ball around the field. He seems to be reading defenses well right now. He still poses a serious running threat because of his athleticism, but is looking to throw the ball first instead of just taking off. He’s made major progress this season and I highly endorse his early entry into the NFL Draft. I’m not convinced he’s an elite Pick, but I don’t see how he escapes Round 1 in May. His numbers for the Washington game in a big UCLA road win: 29/36 – 80.5% – 302 yards- 2 TD – 0 INT, and he ran for 2 more TD. By the way he is completing over 70% of his throws on the season.
ERIC LEFELD/OT/CINCINNATI #71 6’6/310 … The Bearcats Offense continues to be explosive this year under HC TOMMY TUBERVILLE with an explosive passing attack, in addition to a solid running game. And much of that success starts with the senior anchor of that OL, ERIC LEFED. The tall, long LEFELD is the most experienced and versatile performer in that unit. He demonstrates excellent footwork and excels in pass pro. He uses his long arms well to punch and hold off pass rushers. LEFELD displays good balance and stays on his feet. He doesn’t bury defenders in the run game, but does control them well with his hand/arm work. It might also help if he could bend that long frame a bit more to bring down his pad level. Natural knee bender in pass-pro.He could use a bit more sand in his pants to drive defenders in the run game, but he is effective and gets to second level blocks well. He’s been a starter since his freshman year and has been an All-Conference performer each of the past two seasons, Big East in 2012, AAC in 2013. I would expect him to make it 3 years in a row in 2013. He played very effectively in the big home win over East Carolina in which his offense scored 54 points to win. And mark my words the ECU Defense has some serious pro prospects. I expect LEFELD to be an early Saturday draftee, with a chance to start in the NFL in a couple years.
STEVEN NELSON/CB/OREGON STATE #2 5’10/195 … This JC transfer has stepped in from the get-go for the Beavers and been one of the most dependable defenders in the Pac 12. He has good quickness and solid ball awareness. He also falls into that category of being relatively small, but not afraid at all to provide run support from his CB slot. He had 8 PBU and 6 INT last season. He’s been even better in his second season as a starter. Last week in the big win over Arizona State he was credited with 10 tackles and 3 PBU. My hunch is that he will slide right into an NFL secondary as a sub-package defender as a Rookie and will win a starting job soon thereafter. NELSON has only 2 INT this season, but that is due in part because opponents find it easier to pick on other Beaver DB and leave NELSON alone. It should also be noted that he has still chipped in with 55 tackles through 10 games this year. Based on what I have seen of him he’s knocking on the door as a Top 100 prospect.
LOUIS TRINCA-PASAT/DT/IOWA #90 6’3/290 vs. Northwestern … What you see is what you get in most Iowa products of the FERENTZ coaching regime. TRINCA-PASAT has saved his best work for last in his Hawkeye career. He is more noticeable and making more plays as a senior. The Northwestern game marked his 33rd straight start at Iowa. He’s basically a stout short area guy who plays with good functional strength and mobility. This year he has shown more penetration as a senior. He looks to me like a guy who could play effectively inside in a 4-3 scheme, or at DE in a 3-4 set. The Chicago native raised his play another notch against his hometown Northwestern team. He had 5 tackles against the Wildcats and 3 of them were sacks. He was chosen as the Week 10 Senior Bowl senior of the week on defense for that game effort. And he just accepted an invite to play in that game. He’s been a great sidekick for CARL DAVIS/DT, who I profiled earlier in the season, and who also will be in Mobile in January. TRINCA-PASAT has elevated his status this season from URFA to late round draftee in my opinion.
BROOKS WILLIAMS/OLB/EAST CAROLINA #48 6’1/230 … Got another sleeper for you here in a guy who had only started 2 games coming into his senior season. He’s made his way from invited walk-on to a starter. He’s been a star on Special Teams the past two seasons. His combination of strength and speed is uncanny. The coaching staff feels he’s one of their most productive players right now. That’s saying a lot on a very talented and competitive team. He brings some pass-rush from multiple slots and is improving greatly in his pass coverage responsibilities. I’m not sure if he’s going to get much action in the post-season or not. I could see him deserving a spot in the NFLPA Game. He may not be at the Combine, but he could post some impressive numbers at his Pro Day. He’s very active and chases the ball without losing track of his assignments within the defensive scheme. Despite all the scoring in the game with Cincinnati there was some defense being played and one of the most noticeable guys was indeed Mr. Williams.
