Weekly Prospects Review – November 26th, 2014

November 26, 2014

VICTOR BEASLEY/OLB/CLEMSON #3 6’2/225 .. Like most, I have been watching BEASLEY in action for 3 seasons now. And I am still wondering exactly how he fits into the NFL game. And let’s not beat around the bush here, he’s too small to play any other way than standing up as a LB. I will bet dollars to doughnuts that when the Combine rolls around he’s going to be 6’2 and under 230 lbs., no matter what they do at his performance camp. He spends much of the game in the opponents backfield as evidenced by his 2014 stats thru 11 games: 15.5 TFL, 9.0 sacks. But overall he’s 10th on his team with only 24 total tackles. That does not make an elite player in my estimation. He’s elite at playing in the opponents backfield, but that does not make him an overall pro prospect. He’s known as a high character young man around the Clemson campus and that should count for something in this day and age of high scrutiny for bad actors in athletics. He should make a great passing down rusher and a special teams coverage ace, but I’m not drafting him until Round 2. His best chance for Round 1 is for a good team, in need of more pass rush, to grab him late in the round.

TEVIN COLEMAN/RB/INDIANA #6 6’0/210 … If you’re not impressed with the work of COLEMAN amid the glamour of new NCAA rushing records every week then you can’t see the forest thru the trees. His IU team is down to about their 6th string QB because of injuries and transfers, and it isn’t pretty most Saturdays for they’re passing attack. So opposing defenses realize they are going to get heavy doses of COLEMAN running the ball. And despite any real element of surprise the best IU RB since ANTHONY THOMPSON is still piling up yardage and moving the sticks for the Hoosiers. Last Saturday, against the hearty Ohio State defense he carried the ball 27 times for 228 yards and 3 TD, as IU gave the Buckeyes a big scare. He’s a slashing runner with good burst and excellent balance. He also sees the field well and can cut back for extra yards. Doesn’t have GORDON speed, but scored on a 90-yard run against the Buckeyes, so he’s clearly not just a grinder. He’s now up to 1906 yards rushing at an average of 7.9 ypc. With his final game coming up against Purdue look for him to crack that coveted 2000-yard mark. By the way COLEMAN’s 7.9-ypc is not that far behind the speedy Badger MELVIN GORDON who is at 8.3-ypc. Expect COLEMAN to enter the 2015 Draft and be a 2nd Round Pick.

GARRETT GRAYSON/QB/COLORDAO STATE #18 6’2/220 … As a senior who has blossomed under the direction of new HC JIM McELWAIN (3rd year), GRAYSON is still an unknown to most fans east of the Mississippi River. But out west he’s a polished team leader who has the Rams sitting at 10-1 heading into their finale at Air Force. He led the Rams to a 58-20 pounding of New Mexico Saturday passing for 23/29 – 79.3% – 389 yards – 3 TD – 0 INT. I’ve watched CSU play 3 times this year and GRAYSON reminds me of a young AARON RODGERS. He has quick feet and can run if needed. He has a quick compact delivery and the ball comes out of his hand quickly. He throws a catchable ball and has touch when needed. He can move the pocket and extend plays with his legs, though not a real scrambler. At times he seems a bit slow to identify blitzes and react to them. He has enough arm to make all the throws and throws an accurate deep ball. Like a RODGERS he’ll need a couple of years learning and adapting to the pro game, but the potential and tools are all there. But buyer beware, guys who develop like RODGERS did are few and far between. Because of the value of QBs I would expect him to have a solid chance to go in the Top 100 ala GARRAPOLO last year. Expect to see him in Mobile or St. Pete trying to make that lasting late impression on NFL personnel people to get into a Friday draft slot. I wouldn’t take a chance until Round 4 at this point in time.

ISIAH MYERS/WR/WASHINGTON STATE #88 6’0/185 … In the Mike Leach system of Offense you can never have too many good receivers. If a player has natural receiving talent his system and the coaches will bring out the best in a WR. MYERS is a good example of that as he has emerged, since LEACH took over the program and installed his offensive scheme, as a legit pro prospect with his development and steady play for the Cougars. He showed some flashes of talent in 2013, but this season he has really emerged. He’s a quick guy who runs good, sharp patterns. He shows dependable hands and is able to run consistently for yardage after the catch. With a game to go – the Cougars play Wasington to conclude the season this coming weekend – MYERS has 82 catches for 1017 yards and 13 TD. He caught my eye a while ago when I watched the Cougars play in an attempt to get a read on their other top receiver VINCE MAYLE. MYERS looks like the real deal and could be a very valuable Saturday draftee.

CAMERON ERVING/T/C/FLORIDA STATE #75 6’6/305 … It speaks high volume of a pre-season All-American, in his senior year, who is willing to change positions 3/4 way through the season for the betterment of the team. That was what FLEMING did when he switched this November from the NFL prestigious LT slot to OC because of injuries at OC and the emergence of Frosh OT Roderick Johnson. I don’t think most scouts will be looking at him as a potential NFL OC so let’s hope he finds his way to Mobile for Senior Bowl action to clarify his position status in front of NFL personnel and under pro level coaching. He’s doing just fine at his new position with a few hiccups of course. He’s a long athlete who’s game is more finesse than brute strength. He moves his feet well and is adept at pass pro especially. I have notes from early in the year that I did not see him as an elite LT prospect and might expect him to find his first pro home at RT. His work will bear watching in the post season. I currently have him as a 2nd Rounder, mid to late.

NICK PERRY/S/ALABAMA #27 6’1/210 … Almost every week while watching college game action I am pleasantly surprised by the play of someone who wasn’t on my watch list for that game. The big showdown between ‘BAMA & MISS STATE opened my eyes, again, to PERRY. He went into 2013 as a starter, got hurt in September, and was gone for the remainder of the year. As often happens at BAMA, Nick Saban plugged in another 5-Star recruit and on they went. Well, PERRY came back with a vengeance and has been holding down his old job admirably this season. I think he had a better all-around game than COLLINS in the showdown with State. He has nice size and above average athleticism. He also plays smart with a high energy level. He’s very aggressive in his run support and has solid cover skills. Best of all he seems to see he entire field quite well. He helped the Crimson Tide get off to a solid start with a first quarter INT of PRESCOTT. PERRY is 4th on the Bama D in tackles through 11 games with 58. He seems to play like a guy with FBI, which is what all NFL teams want in their deep spots in the secondary. Hopefully, everyone is watching him and we a get a good look at him at an All-Star venue. This guy looks draftable to me with his current level of play. Nice comeback from injury Mr. PERRY.

DENZEL PERRYMAN/LB/MIAMI #52 6’0/230 … Without question PERRYMAN is the best LB prospect at ‘The U’ since RAY LEWIS played there almost 2 decades ago. People worry about his size, but that was also a concern with LEWIS coming out of college a bit short and lightweight for many folks’ taste. He’s a smart player, who still makes a ton of tackles, but is much more assignment sure today than he was 3 years ago. He delivers the big blow and can intimidate lesser opponents. I’ve watched Miami play 5 times this season and can honestly say that if the entire DL played with his attitude and effort DENZEL would have bigger numbers and Miami a couple more W’s for the season. In the disappointing loss to Virginia last Saturday PERRYMAN did all he could to propel his team to victory. He notched 15 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 FF, and I think he clearly forced a second fumble early in the game that HC AL GOLDEN failed to throw the appeal flag on. He goes into the final game of the season needing only 4 tackles to hit 100 again for this year. Clearly, his lack of ideal size seems to be keeping from being touted as a First Rounder for next May. But he’s got to be a Top 100 guy for a team that needs a tackling machine, with a high rev motor… well, like RAY LEWIS. There I have said it. See you in Mobile come January DENZEL.

DAK PRESCOTT/QB/MISSISSIPPI STATE #15 6’2/230 … Just as with DAK’s idol TIM TEBOW some years back, I am not here to denigrate his accomplishments on the college football field, but to project what I think he can/will do at the pro level. DAK please stay in school and see if DAN MULLENS and his staff can refine your mechanics and your decision making a bit next season! In the big showdown game with Alabama two weeks ago we got a good view of some of the challenges PRESCOTT will face adapting to the NFL game. He has a good, not great arm, and good not great running ability. He’s a team leader, but clearly needs to improve in reading defenses and seeing the entire field. Right now much of Prescott’s game revolves around making plays in the middle of the field. He throws a lot over the middle and runs between the tackles much of the time. Neither of those things is highly desirable in the NFL with bigger, faster bodies running around every game trying to hurt the QB. Many of DAK’s teammates were over matched against the Crimson Tide leaving him with more than ever to do on his own. But the stats don’t lie and though he did enough to keep his team competitive until the end he left a bit to be desired overall. For the game PRESCOTT passed for 27/48 – 56% – 290 yards – 2 TD – 3 INT. He also carried 22 times for another 82 yards. I do not see him as an elite pro prospect right now, and wouldn’t draft him until Round 3, at best. His style of play is not going to fit the NFL game and his athleticism is not elite. He’s a cross between TEBOW and GENO SMITH right now.

JAKE RYAN/LB/MICHIGAN #47 6’3/235 … RYAN has been a star for the Wolverines defense since HC HOKE arrived in Ann Arbor. He was plugged in as a starter as a redshirt frosh. He’s been a smart player and a tackling machine ever since. He lost half of the 2013 season to an ACL tear to his left knee. He is still wearing a sizable brace on that knee, but it looks like with every passing week that he’s past that injury. We’re still waiting for the Wolverines to have a big W on the year, but RYAN’S body of work speaks for itself. Through 11 games he has recorded 104 tackles, 13 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 3 FF & 3 PBU. RYAN fits that old LB cliche’ of being mobile and hostile. He runs that Michigan D. The biggest question about him now is likely to be his best positional and scheme fit as a pro. In a 4-3 scheme he’s got to play outside, and probably on the strong side since he’s not a big pass-rush threat. In a 3-4 he’s likely to fit best inside if he has a beefy partner in there to work with ala ex-Wolverine LARRY FOOTE. He’s already accepted an invite to play in the Shrine Game where coaches will work him at multiple spots in practice. His medical check and performance numbers at the Combine will be critical to his Draft status. If he checks out well, he should go late in the 3rd Round.

SHAQUILLE RIDDICK/DE/WEST VIRGINIA #4 6’6/245 … This player who left small school Gardner Webb under the NCAA graduate student transfer rule looks to have made a solid decision to show his wares for a year at the top level of college football. I can’t wait to see his arm and hand measurements in Mobile in January. His main talent is using that long lean body and natural pas-rush ability to pressure and sack QBs. And as we all know that is a highly sought after quality in today’s NFL. Now the bad news, relatively speaking, I’m not convinced he’ll ever be able to add much weight and I fear he’s too long to stand up at OLB and function on a regular basis. So that probably leaves us with the likely option of a situational pass rusher and possible kick blocker on Special Teams. Through 11 games in D1 his numbers clearly indicate his potential, but also his challenge to step it up a level. In 11 games he has 24 tackles, 9 TFL & 6 sacks. I think he’s really been hindered at WVU because he’s basically playing DE in a 3-4 DL set up. That puts him in a vulnerable spot trying to play the run game. His best bet is likely to come in a base 4-3 scheme with a big strong DT beside him. RIDDICK may be very similar in style and potential to WILLIE YOUNG/DE, now with DA BEARS. He’s a Day 3 guy that some NFL team will have to be patient and work very hard with before they see any tangible results out on the field.

BRANDON SCHERFF/OT/G/IOWA #68 6’5/320 … Please read what I write next carefully, because it is neither meant as a slight to SCHERFF or a knock of HC KIRK FERENTZ. What you see today of an Iowa senior prospect is what you will get next year in Training Camp. Just like DBs for Saban at Alabama, FERENTZ specialty is coaching up his OL in the NFL style of play. And based on that I say that SCHERFF is a First Rounder, but not Top 10, and is just as likely to start at the pro level as an OG as an OT. He is very large framed and carries his weight well. He’s stronger right now that BULAGA was coming out a few years ago. I also think he’s legit in his size and strength compared to GALLERY who was pumped up way back when. He has decent feet and stays off the ground most of he time. He probably makes a solid RT, like BULAGA, but might make a dominant OG at the NFL level. His hand punch is strong, but I want to see his arm length at the Combine. He moves his feet well, but is clearly better going ahead than backwards. In essence what I am saying is in drafting him some team gets an instant starter, but not likely an elite OT. I should also say I like his mental and physical toughness. I saw him limp off the field several times this season, only to return a possession or two later. Mark him down as Round 1 from my viewing, but not an elite athlete/player. Hope to see him up close in Mobile in January.

WESTLEE TONGA/TE/UTAH #80 6’4/250 … As UTAH emerged as a solid team this fall TONGA also came through as a top all-around senior TE prospect. He’s a big, long target with natural strength and dependable hands. He can get downfield and make some grabs. He also will run through tackles after the catch. He’s a solid, willing inline blocker who can stay on the field for 3 downs. In the UTES loss to Arizona TONGA had a day not unlike most of his solid season. He caught 4 balls, for 68 yards and 1 TD. He plays the game smart and hard, and could also help out on special teams as needed, particularly as a return team blocker. He has just enough athleticism to go with his size to make a solid 2nd/3rd string NFL TE. Plus NFL teams will really like his energy and high effort style of play. I look for him to get drafted around the 5th or 6th Round.

TRAE WAYNES/CB/MICHIGAN STATE #15 6’1/185 … I decided to go back to the Ohio State loss, in which the Buckeyes seemed to pretty much score at will against the vaunted Spartan Defense, to eyeball WAYNES. It was hard to some degree to get a read on WAYNES because the Buckeyes kept so far away from him that he was out of camera range much of the night. But I kept watching, especially other views from replay and will report the following to you… WAYNES is ultra-confident in his ability to lock down his man. He was in the receivers face within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage almost every play. He has that long limbed, flexible Spider Man body with extra long arms. He isn’t afraid to tackle, but at his size he wisely picks his spots and isn’t going to jump in a pile for effect. I doubt that his man was targeted more three times all night. Any time the Spartans coaches moved him to the other side of the field the Buckeyes took the play the other way Most of his numbers for this season are modest, but I’m telling you it’s because opponents just stay away from him. 11 games played, 34 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 2 INT & 6 PBU. I think he’s a better NFL press-cover Corner than DENNARD last year. A team that plays mostly zone will be wasting a lot of talent if they draft him. If he comes out I do not see how he gets out of Round 1. He could also blow up the Combine with his arm and hand measurements and his speed and leg explosion. DEION SANDERS has to be in luv with this guy of he’s watched him play much.