KAELIN CLAY/RS/WR/UTAH #8 5’10/190 … CLAY first caught my eye earlier in the season after Utah had beaten Michigan & UCLA to get my attention as a team. The JC recruit was busting things open with some swerving/curling return work against Oregon State and USC. Most recently, with the season ending injury to DRES ANDERSON, the team’s No. 1 receiver, CLAY has gotten reps as a wideout and used his speed and quickness to get open and pile up some yards after catch. Players with his explosiveness are in high demand in today’s NFL. His return work and skill set that fits the model of a slot receiver is attractive. He should pop some eyeballs during speed and agility drills at the Combine, or his Pro Day for the UTES. For the season CLAY returned 19 punts for an average of 17.7-ypr and 3 TD. He stepped up big time as a receiver in the finale @ Colorado. He caught 10 balls, for 88 yards and 2 TD. His progress from JC to starting WR and PR man should be enough to have caught the eyes of many personnel people. I have to believe that he now has an excellent chance to be drafted, albeit in a later round.
SAMMIE COATES/WR/AUBURN #18 6’2/210 … I watched COATES several times back in September and saw a supremely talented athlete who was trying get by on speed alone. His ability to locate and catch the ball was average, at best. In the past month I have been impressed with the progress he has made as a receiver. He can still take the top end off a defense because of his speed. He’s a smooth runner, who has that extra gear. And now he’s finding the ball in the air sooner and adjusting to it to make the catch. This has helped increase the target area he presents to his QB tremendously. He burned ALABAMA deep 4 times in the Iron Bowl. He caught 5 balls, for 206 yards. That’s a spiffy 41-yards per catch. COATES pulled in two deep balls for TDs of 34 & 68 yards. He just blew past ‘Bama defenders in the secondary. It should also be noted that Auburn has several other top receivers for QB/MARSHALL, meaning a few less targets for COATES. He looks and plays bigger than his size numbers and I think he’ll post a very fast 40-time for his length at the Combine. I have been converted to a believer in 3 months time. COATES has improved markedly this season. This guy is a potential First Rounder next May and should exit Auburn to go pro.
DANTE’ FOWLER/DE/OLB/FLORIDA #6 6’3/260 … FOWLER is what I consider a “flash player”. He will be a non-factor for a quarter at a time and then make 2-3 plays in the next quarter. Since his main skill is as a pass rusher that scenario may be acceptable to some NFL teams in their attempt to pressure opposing QB. He did get moved around the defensive formation for the Gators, even standing up at times and dropping into pass coverage. He certainly is not relentless in his play all the time to my eyes. He paces himself a bit more than NFL coaches will like. His best value may come as a situational player who is told to go all out for a few plays them rested. He needs to tighten up his tackling fundamentals. He will get overpowered and neutralized too often on running plays. He certainly had some impact on WINSTON of FSU in the pocket on Saturday, but was not a consistently dominant player. The key with FOWLER will be his willingness to work harder and accept coaching as a pro. NFL teams will likely have to make up their minds on FOWLER in the coming months, because I doubt he goes back to Gainesville for a new coaching regime. A good team that can play him in spots could ratIonalize taking him in Rounds 2/3, but a team looking for full-time starters could be in for frustration with FOWLER. He has potential, but productivity means a lot more in the NFL than potential.
KEVIN HOGAN/QB/STANFORD #8 6’4/230 … If you look at game tape and/or stats for HOGAN in the upset win over UCLA you can see why he is considered a solid NFL prospect by many. In a game controlled by the Stanford D and a solid running attack HOGAN was solid in completing 16/19, 84%, 234 yards, 2 TD and 0 INT. That is what HOGAN is capable of when the game is under control and he doesn’t have to win it on his own. But what has concerned me the past two years is his inability to win the big one with the pressure on his right arm and head. His 2014 campaign has been his personal best, but the team around him has lost way too many close ones. For the full 12 game 2014 season he was 218/332 – 65.6% – 2603 yds, 17 TD – 8 INT. He is also a decent running option if the pocket breaks down. But watching him from week to week has been very frustrating for me. Barring a QB-whisperer miracle as a pro, at his best HOGAN looks like the next ANDY DALTON. And based on most of DALTON’s big game performances that is not a compliment. He has the option to return to school for another year, but I’m not sure what more he can learn under SHAW’s coaching staff and that style of play. If a pro career is his next step in life then he might as well come out and get to Mobile to work with a pro coaching staff. I wouldn’t be drafting him any sooner than Round 4 though.
JIMMIE HUNT/WR/MISSOURI #88 6’0/215 … People have been underestimating the talent on this Mizzou team since they entered the SEC. But if you peruse some NFL rosters you will find the Tigers well represented in the HC/Pinkel years. With some creative wrinkles the PINKEL regime has created an Offense that can throw and run with equal effectiveness. Each year they seem to have multiple prospects at WR & RB, and 2014 is no exception. HUNT appeals to me the most in the current group based on his consistent play and his explosiveness and strength to the ball. In their showdown with resurgent Arkansas, HUNT did his part with 5 catches for 61 yards and a TD. He’s a husky looking guy who surprises defenders with his speed and quickness. For the season HUNT averaged 15.6 yds/catch to lead the team. He was banged up for several games, but stayed on the field for the most part and played the decoy role. He is also a solid blocking presence. He will probably need to prove to NFL personnel people that he has sub 4.5-speed in the 40 to get drafted. If he can’t do that I suspect he will be an URFA, but will compete had for a roster spot next summer. He is a guy who could greatly benefit from All-Star Game exposure at any venue.
ARIE KOUANDJIO/OG/ALABAMA #77 6’5/315 … With his brother graduated and on the BILLS roster, ARIE has become the leader of the ‘Bama OL. He played well against Auburn and drew attention and praise from MUSBURGER/PALMER during their telecast of the Iron Bowl. ARIE is huge, but has decent, though limited, mobility for his size. It takes him a while to get that body moving, but he is really hard get past or around for defenders. Some of that is due to very long and strong arms, which he uses effectively without holding his opponents in the trenches. Stays on his feet and is smart in response to stunts and loops by defenders. He can get to second level blocks, if he gets a good jump at the snap. ARIE is experienced enough to keep his head on a swivel and see what is going on around him. He’s best in a short area, so OG suits him well. For my taste, this guy is underrated by many and has a good chance to start in the NFL, perhaps right away for a needy team. If he can show some decent movement at the Combine he could crack into Round 3 of the May Draft.
JEREMY LANGFORD/RB/MICHIGAN STATE #33 6’0/205 … Say hello to one of college footballs most consistent runners who just isn’t flashy enough to grab headlines with guys like Yeldon, Gordon & Gurley around. The former DB just finished off the 2014 season with his 9th straight 100+ yard rushing game against a gritty Penn State defense. For the season he carried the ball 249 times for 1360 yards and 19 TD. That’s a solid 5.5ypc average. He’s also a decent receiver though he’s seldom used in that role by HC DANTONIO. He’s been Mr. Reliable for the Spartans gaining 1422 yards as a junior. But he’s not a speedster, nor is he a bulldozer. Those two details concern pro scouts. But he runs with excellent balance and seems to see the whole field enabling him to avoid some tacklers in the open field. LANGFORD has average speed but very good quickness to get through the hole. His jump-cut is impressive and most of the time he has just enough speed to turn the corner. He’s a strong runner for his size and will punish DB who try to tackle him. He may not break many 30 yard runs, but he can churn out some 15-20 yarders with regularity. He reminds me of JOE RANDLE from OKlahoma State, who runs as a back-up right now for the Cowboys. If a run on RB (excuse the pun) should occur early in the 2015 Draft, LANGFORD could find himself in the Top 100. If he’s faster and more explosive at the Combine than we all think right now he could solidify a Round 3 grade. He’s currently committed to the Senior Bowl.
SHAQUILLE MASON/OG/GERGIA TECH #70 6’1/310 … MASON is an excellent run blocker, as you might expect at Tech, with better than average athleticism. He fires off the ball and can get to second level blocks in a heart beat. He’s built low to the ground and plays there much of the time. With his quickness and strength he rocks defenders with his initial hit. Stays on his feet and gets good leverage because of his low pad level. He will need work on his pass-pro which he seldom uses in Paul Johnson’s system. But given his overall ability and smarts it should not take long for him to become adequate at protecting his QB from an inside pass-rush as a pro. I think he will be the exception to the recent trend of Tech OL not working out at the NFL level. As long as he goes to a power running scheme, or as close as there is to that in today’s NFL, he should have a chance to win a starting OG position in a couple of seasons. He will be limited to the interior exclusively because of his lack of height & length. That could well mean he only gets a few years to prove himself, because he’s not going to be a multiple position game day back-up. I look for him in Round 4-6 n May.
DAMIAN SWANN/CB/GEORGIA #5 5’11/180 .. SWANN is a smart, experienced DB with decent athleticism and good instincts. He’s been a 3-year starter on a talented UGA defensive unit. He showed his value in the OT Loss to Tech on Saturday. He scored a defensive TD against Tech when he scooped up a fumble at his own team’s 1 yard line and scampered 99-yards for a TD. At the time it totally flipped the field for his defense which was on its heels. Though recording only 3 INT in 2014 he is around the ball a lot and breaks up a lot of would be catches. SWANN had 8 PBU in 2013. He is also not hesitant to join the fray in run support. This season he ranked 4th overall in tackles for the Bulldogs with 62. SWANN also looks to have some potential value as a pro in a zone blitz role. In 2014 he racked up 4.5 TFL and 2 sacks. At the least he should have the potential to provide an NFL team with a slot position cover man, as well as other sub packages and Special Teams play. Early in his UGA career he returned punts part time. He is scheduled to play in the SHRINE Game in January. He has a chance to go s early as Round 3, but given the expected glut on underclassmen likely to declare he could end up being an early Saturday selection in the 2015 NFL Draft. I really like this guys attitude and hard/smart play.
ANTHONY TELFER/TE/SOUTHERN CAL #82 6’4/250 … In a big year for the TE class TELFER would likely end up as an URFA. But this year anyone needing a good young TE is going to have to dig deep in the prospect depth charts. What makes TELFER interesting is that he is a good athlete, who can and will block in addition to running patterns. I’ve seen him do some nice receiving work on the sidelines, which isn’t normally a strong suit for true inline TE. His day’s work in the blowout win against Notre Dame was 3 catches, for 28 yards and a TD. He is a long target with good, not great hands, as a receiver. He is also a willing, effective blocker both in the running game and downfield for the wideouts and runners. What you see on tape is probably what you’ll get in Training Camp from this guy. If he can post some solid numbers at the Combine, and play effectively in an All-Star game he might get drafted late next May.
JAMES VAUGHTERS/DE/OLB/STANFORD #9 6’2/255 … This superior athlete, with that highly coveted pass rush ability is drawing attention and curiosity as he technically enters the Draft process without an NFL position. He’s listed as playing the “RUSH” slot for the Stanford D. He plays at times with his hand down, but most often standing up. But much of the time when standing up he is on the line of scrimmage and ready to penetrate into the backfield. He was a significant player in Stanford’s big win over UCLA. He held the edge well on his side of the field and brought some pressure to bear on HUNDLEY on several occasions. Playing part time and in a specific role VAUGHTERS played in all 12 games in 2013 recording 46 tackles, 9 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 1 FF, 3 QBH & 3 PBU. Clearly he has good all around athleticism, but he’s too small to play full time as a DE. His best pro slot would appear to be in a 3-4 scheme as a stand-up OLB. So now NFL personnel people must evaluate his ability to play some of his time in reverse. We know what he can do going forward and it is promising. I would expect him to get drafted unless he falls on his face at his Pro Day, but right now I can see him going anywhere between the 4th and 7th Round. It certainly would help to classify him as a pro prospect if he were to get a roster slot at the Shrine venue.
JAKE WATERS/QB/KANSAS STATE #15 6’1/210 .. Even if JAMEIS WNSTON & MARCUS MARIOTA enter the 2015 Draft the quality QB group for the 2015 Draft is pretty thin. So that has had me scrambling to find some project QB prospects to draft late and compete for back-up spots in NFL Training Camps. The light just went on in my head this past weekend that even though I have touted WATERS for the CFL, he may be able to give the NFL an initial whirl. His size is less than ideal, but there are lots of back-ups in the League who are smaller than him. His arm is at least average, as is his accuracy. A good QB coach might be able to help clean up some of his technique flaws and thus improve his overall throwing. He has good mobility, as evidenced by his 440 yards and 8 TD rushing in 11 games this season. It wasn’t his toughest test, but his numbers were quite good against Kansas last weekend, and Kansas has not been a patsy the second half of this season. WATERS passed for 21/27 – 78% – 294 yds – 4 TD – 0 INT. What I like best about WATERS is that he is a fierce Competitor, notice that capitol C. The JC rank graduate is the consummate leader and controls a huddle and locker room. I think some NFL team with a thin QB group has to take a long look at this guy in Round 6/7 next May. Here’s hoping he’s at the Shrine or NFLPA venue next month.
