It was another weekend of all-day driving as i returned to Florida, but with night games and taping I saw enough game action to pull together another 11 pro prospect thumbnails.
CONNOR COOK/QB/MICHIGAN STATE 6’4/220 #18
I chose to go back and watch the tape of the Michigan game two weeks ago to thumbnail COOK. I like CONNOR COOK, and believe he can be an NFL starting QB, but I do not see an elite player here. He’s still a 50% passer, not a 60% guy. In this game, against an admittedly tough Wolverine Defense he went 18/39, for 328 yards and 1 TD. He has cut down on his INT numbers as he has progressed during his college career, but his accuracy is too variable for my taste. He has a slightly above average arm, but I don’t see much zip on most of his throws. His mobility is limited, though he can keep plays alive some of the time. He’s too slow to escape the pocket and break long runs. I’m not convinced I see him as a First Rounder next April. But he has a chance to earn a starting job in the NFL in time, in a short passing Offense that runs the ball first to set up he passing game. To my eyes he’s a bit bigger version of ex-teammate KIRK COUSINS, and that is not meant as a knock. But he’ll likely be serviceable, not a star at the next level.
EZEKIEL ELLIOTT/RB/OHIO STATE 6’0/225 #15 JR
ELLIOTT just continues to pile up yardage week after week, doing just as much as his team needs from him while they sort out their QB situation. Against Rutgers he pounded the rock 19 times for 142 yards and 2 TD. They don’t require much of him in the passing attack, but he is a solid blocker in pass pro and is a natural pass catcher with reliable hands. If you get the ball to ELLIOTT in space, he will get you extra yards. Any way you get the ball into his hands good things usually happen. He can get the tough inside-the-tackles yards in short yardage situations and break long runs just as readily. He seldom goes down on the first hit he takes. He’s certainly ready to compete at the pro level next season if he chooses to come out early. Mark this young man as the next RB to be taken in Round 1 by some NFL team.
TAYLOR FALLIN/OT/MEMPHIS 6’6/325 #77
A really big guy with good, sound fundamentals. He has solid pass pro technique and gets lots of reps because of their prolific passing attack. He can maul a bit at the line of scrimmage and gets to second level blocks well for his size. Has a wide base, aka a big caboose. Sets up squarely and stays on his feet well, allowing him to block until the whistle sounds most of the time. Uses his hands and arms well to move blockers the direction he wants them to go. He’s not an elite prospect but has veteran savvy and understands his job. Has a chance to rank in the Top 100 if he shows well as an All-Star venue and/or the Combine, but I see him likely to be selected in Round 4-5 range.
KEYARRIS GARRETT/WR/TULSA 6’4/221 #1
While I was oohing and aahing at the play of LYNCH for Memphis last week, this young man caught my eye by total surprise. His size is impressive, but so was his speed at that size. He was absolutely dynamite catching balls over his shoulder and playing tag with the sidelines. He high-pointed several balls for catches, but was also good enough running his routes that he did indeed get separation from defenders multiple times. He catches over the middle, on the sidelines and deep. As Tulsa tried to keep pace with MEMPHIS/LYNCH, GARRETT led the way. He pulled in 14 catches for 268 yards and 3 TD on the night. His overall play reminded me of ALSHON JEFFERY in some of his best games at South Carolina. I saw nothing that would indicate this was a fluke game for GARRETT. Give him a high recommendation to the Shrine Game brass, Mr. Shonka.
GRAHAM GLASGOW/OC/MICHIGAN 6’5/303 #61
GLASGOW is a very good athlete who has played more OG than OC to date. Stays after his man until the end on every play. Needs to keep concentrating on keeping his pads low, because he’s taller and longer than the average OC. Looks to have a high FBI the way he calls out OL assignments. Because of his athleticism he is quick to react to the action around him and help pick up stray defenders. GLASGOW shows good balance and stays on his feet and in the thick of the action. Easily gets himself into position for second level blocks. He’s a natural fit in HARBAUGH’s Offensive system and is probably moving his draft stock up, in this his senior season. His ability to play all 3 interior line positions will help him as a potential Saturday draftee.
ADAM GOTSIS/DT/GEORGIA TECH 6’6/290 #96
Another Aussie native who is still pretty inexperienced at American football, but has the body and athleticism to tease personnel people with his perceived potential. Has been reasonably productive in the Tech program. He’s over the Center most of the time in their 4-3 scheme, but I think he might be best served in a base 3-4 scheme as a 5-Technique. I think his arms and wingspan measurables will be impressive at the Combine, and he has shown a knack for getting his arms up to deflect thrown and kicked balls. In the big upset win over FSU GOTSIS was credited with 4 tackles, including 1 Sack. He’s not a sack master but gets enough push to pressure the pocket. He’s a project whose best football likely lies ahead a couple of years into his pro career. I tab him as an intriguing prospect for early on Day 3 of the Draft.
CHRIS HAIRSTON/RB/EAST CAROLINA 6’/200 #22
I look at the burst this guy demonstrates when handed the football and a crease opens, and wonder why he is not featured more. He gained 528 yards in 2014, and led the team at 6.7 yards/carry. Last week against Temple’s stout defense he gained 65 yards on only 8 carries. That’s just over 8 ypc for you mathematically challenged folks. He scored 1 TD. HAIRSTON is also a sure handed receiver, though not thrown to much. At the very least his quick-cut style will get what is blocked, if not more. He’s up to 525 yards on the season, through 7 games. He’s not a powerful runner, as his size indicates, but looks elusive and quick enough to me to fit into a 3-man NFL RB rotation. I’d like to see him up close at the Shrine venue. He looks late draftable to my eyes right now.
KEITH LUMPKIN/OT/RUTGERS 6’7/317 #74
He looks all of his listed 6’7, but I’m not buying that he only weighs 317. Has over 30 starts at LT in his Rutgers career. When he earned a starting job as a Soph it looked like he’d be a premier player and pro prospect by his senior year. But he now looks very stiff in either direction. He has nice long arms and big hands which he puts to good use, but it is sometimes painful to watch him try to blow out of his stance and get downfield. He clearly lacks the foot speed to play on the left side as a pro. The Rutgers Offense looks to be slow overall in their play development, and I fear LUMPKIN will really struggle to keep up with the pro game pace. To his credit, he held his own when BOSA lined up at DE opposite of him. I could see him getting drafted late, by a power running team like the CHARGERS or REDSKINS. But I just can’t look past the stiffness he displayed trying to move around against Ohio State.
PAXTON LYNCH/QB/MEMPHIS 6’7/240 #12 JR
WOW! I just happened to run into the MEMHIS/TULSA game last Friday night in a hotel room. This guy is phenomenal. He has a strong arm. He reads the field and goes through receiver progressions very well. He can put touch on his throws and looks to throw a very catchable ball overall. He is also dangerous when he takes off running. I don’t see any logical reason (other than a luv for the college life) to not come out for the 2016 NFL Draft, and when he does I think he will blow up the Combine ala CAM NEWTON/ANDREW LUCK. I realize the Tulsa Defense is not equivalent to the Alabama D, but this guy is dominant with all the QB tools you look for. He also displays good ball handling skills and faking ability. He looks mentally and physically ready to move on, and may just be the best QB prospect for the next Draft. Looks to have total command of the huddle and max respect of his teammates. His stats for this game: 32/44 (73%), for 447 yards and 4 TD, and another rushing TD of his own. I’m all-in on this guy’s NFL potential.
TYLER MATAKEVICH/ILB/TEMPLE 6’1/232 #8
The tackling machine for the undefeated Owls is headed for an unprecedented 4th consecutive year of 100+ tackles. But it is not just his volume of work that impresses, it is his uncanny ability to discern where the ball is and where it is going that makes him so impactful. The Owls had to tough out a win vs. ECU last week and in great part it was his ability to locate and go to the ball that allowed the Temple D to control the flow and pace of the game. He reminds me of LUKE KUECHLY, with a little less speed. He attacks the ball, but he is very solid and instinctive dropping into pass coverage. He’s also a sure tackler whether in a crowd or out in space. Sacks are not his forte, but he recorded one in the first quarter against ECU. He’s just a natural football player and I have very little doubt he will have a solid NFL career. He looks to be solidly entrenched in my Top 100 Prospects list.
DELVON SIMMONS/DE/SOUTHERN CAL 6’5/295 #52
This big bodied guy looks well over 300 lbs. at first glance to me. He is somewhat limited in his range by a somewhat stiff gait. But he gets to the ball and makes plays on a regular basis. I would say that overall he’s serviceable and steady, showing athletic flashes at times. He recorded a Sack in the upset win over UTAH. If he’s really under 300 lbs. I do not see him holding up inside in the NFL. And he’s not quick enough to pose much of a pass rush threat outside. So let us presume that DE in a 3-4 front, like USC plays most of the time is his best position. Gaining a dozen pounds and working on upper body strength and hand usage should be high on his improvement effort IMO. He looks late draftable to me and could impress post-season.
