QUICK DRAFT DISH: WEEK 9

WEEK NINE

BYU @ BOISE STATE

Ø  BYU SR TE DEVIN MAHINA is not much of a prospect for me at this stage. Mahina is a solid blocker, but he doesn’t offer much as a receiving threat. Mahina has unreliable hands and he isn’t very athletic.

OREGON @ CAL

Ø  CAL RSOPH ILB HARDY NICKERSON is not a highly rated prospect to me right now. He is undersized and takes bad pursuit angles. He is the son of the NFL great by the same name. He needs at least more year to refine his technique and get bigger before he even thinks of declaring for the draft.

MINNESOTA @ ILLINOIS

Ø  MINNESOTA SR RB DAVID COBB is a hardnosed runner. Cobb is rarely brought down on first contact. He has decent speed and is average in the passing game.

DELAWARE @ WILLIAM & MARY

Ø  WILLIAM & MARY SR WR TRE’ MCBBRIDE is very athletic. McBride has very good speed and is good with the ball in his hands. He is very raw as a wide receiver. He has return game ability.

Ø  WILLIAM & MARY SR DE MIKE REILLY is a high motor guy. He has great size. He was drawing double-teams nearly the entire game against Delaware.

NORTH CAROLINA @ VIRGINIA

Ø  VIRGINIA SR RB KEVIN PARKS is a prospect I may have prematurely typecast as “just another guy”. In this game, Parks showed very good elusiveness and change of direction. He also has soft hands. He is still no more than a third down back in the NFL, but he may not be just a camp body like I wrote a month ago.

MISSISSIPPI STATE @ KENTUCKY

Ø  KENTUCKY SR DE ALVIN DUPREE is a versatile pass rusher. Dupree is quicker than fast. He has very good closing speed. He can be a stand up outside linebacker or a hand-down defensive end. Dupree is a likely second day pick, with a chance to elevate himself into the first round.

WEST VIRGINIA @ OKLAHOMA STATE

Ø  WEST VIRGINIA SR OG QUINTON SPAIN is a very solid guard prospect. He is very strong at the point of attack and is very athletic for his size. Spain is quick to the second level. He could be a fast riser as the draft process plays out.

SOUTH CAROLINA @ AUBURN

Ø  AUBURN SR OC REESE DISMUKES is one of the top center prospects. Dismukes has started every game for the Tigers since he stepped on campus. He has great power at the point of attack. Dismukes gets to the second level quickly. It is hard to gauge what kind of pass blocker he is, because is so rarely asked to be a traditional pass blocker. This is not unlike the issue I had when watching Greg Robinson a year ago and he went 2^nd overall. With all that being said, Dismukes will be battling OREGON SR OC HRONISS GRASSU for the top spot in my center rankings.

SOUTHERN CAL @ UTAH

Ø  UTAH SR DS BRIAN BLECHEN is a solid and slightly underrated prospect. Blechen has good range and solid speed. He is a solid tackler. He has had multiple injuries that will affect his final grade.

ARIZONA STATE @ WASHINGTON

Ø  WASHINGTON SR ILB JOHN TIMU is going to rise up draft boards. Timu has good speed and very good cover skills. He diagnoses plays quickly. He does a good job of filling the gaps on running plays.

What We're Watching: Week 10

10/30/2014

Florida State-@-Louisville-6:30pm-ESPN

10/31/2014

Cincinnati-@-Tulane-7pm-ESPN2

11/1/2014

LA Monroe-@-Texas A&M-11am-SECN

Washington-@-Colorado-12pm-P12N

NC State-@-Syracuse-2pm-FSN

Harvard-@-Dartmouth-2:30pm-SNY

Houston-@-South Florida-3pm-ESPNNEWS

Stanford-@-Oregon-6:30pm-FOX

Tennessee-@-South Carolina-6:30pm-SECN

Colorado State-@-San Jose State-7pm-CBSSN

Utah-@-Arizona State-10pm-FS1

What We're Watching: Week 9

10/24/2014

BYU-@-Boise State-8pm-ESPN

Oregon-@-Cal-9pm-FS1

10/25/2014

Minnesota-@-Illinois-11am-ESPNU

Delaware-@-William & Mary-11:30am-SNY

North Carolina-@-Virginia-11:30am-ACCN

Mississippi State-@-Kentucky-2:30pm-CBS

West Virginia-@-Oklahoma State-2:30pm-ESPN

South Carolina-@-Auburn-6:30pm-SECN

Southern Cal-@-Utah-9pm-FS1

Arizona State-@-Washington-9:45pm-ESPN

Quick Draft Dish: Week 8

WEEK EIGHT

UTAH @ OREGON STATE

Ø  UTAH SR DE NATE ORCHARD is a high motor player. Orchard has very good quickness and hand usage. He has very good closing speed. Orchard can stand up in a 3-4 or a 4-3 defense and be very successful. He can also succeed with his hand down. This was my first full viewing of him, and if the more I watch of him matches this performance, his ranking will skyrocket.

BAYLOR @ WEST VIRGINIA

Ø  WEST VIRGINIA SR WR KEVIN WHITE has been on fire all season. He came into this season as an unknown, and is now considered a first round pick by many. White has 1,020 receiving yards in seven games. He has great body control and snatches the ball out of the air.

Ø  WEST VIRGINIA SR DE SHAQUILLE RIDDICK had his first great game as a Mountaineer. Riddick is a rare player who transferred up from FCS (Gardner-Webb) to FBS. Against Baylor, Riddick recorded three sacks. Riddick is a work in progress, but he has a chance to be a Top-100 player by the end of the year.

FURMAN @ SOUTH CAROLINA

Ø  SOUTH CAROLINA SR TE RORY ANDERSON tore his triceps during this game, and is expected to miss the next four games.

IOWA @ MARYLAND

Ø  MARYLAND JR WR STEFON DIGGS is a tremendous athlete. He is a dangerous runner with the ball in his hands. He catches the ball well. He is a lackadaisical route runner. At this point, Diggs would be better suited to return to school next year.

BROWN @ PRINCETON

Ø  PRINCETON SR QB QUINN EPPERLY did not play in this game due to turf toe. This was likely going to be my only shot of seeing Epperly play this year, unless he plays in an all-star game.

TEXAS A&M @ ALABAMA

Ø  TEXAS A&M SR TE CAMERON CLEAR is a huge tight end prospect. At 6’6” 274, he is a solid blocker in the run game. He has soft hands, but he isn’t much of a route runner. A team will take a shot on him in the late rounds or as a free agent, and they will get a nice project to work with.

SOUTHERN MISS @ NORTH TEXAS

Ø  NORTH TEXAS SR OG CYRIL LEMON is an okay prospect. Lemon plays right tackle for the Mean Green, but his style projects to guard at the next level. Lemon is solid with this combo blocks, and can get to the second level. Lemon has poor footwork in pass protection. He is a late round/free agent prospect at best.

NOTRE DAME @ FLORIDA STATE

Ø  NOTRE DAME JR DE SHELDON DAY was very active and disruptive in this game. Day projects mainly as a 34 defensive end, but could play the under defensive tackle in a 43. Day projects to me right now as a day three pick with upside.

WASHINGTON @ OREGON

Ø  OREGON JR TE PHAROAH BROWN impressed me for the second straight week. During this game, Brown showed that he can run after the catch. He took a quick pass and turned it into a 66-yard gain. I have moved Brown to the top of my tight end rankings.

STANFORD @ ARIZONA STATE

Ø  STANFORD JR OT ANDRUS PEAT is a highly rated offensive tackle prospect. Peat’s biggest strength is his second level blocking. He is a dominator there. Peat has an athletic back pedal. He doesn’t use his hands well at times, and that can get him in trouble. 

What We're Watching: Week 8

10/16/2014

Utah-@-Oregon State-9pm-FS1

10/18/2014

Baylor-@-West Virginia-11am-FS1

Furman-@-South Carolina-11am-SECN

Iowa-@-Maryland-11am-ESPN2

Brown-@-Princeton-2:30pm-SNY

Texas A&M-@-Alabama-2:30pm-CBS

Southern Miss-@-North Texas-6pm-ASN

Notre Dame-@-Florida State-7pm-ABC

Washington-@-Oregon  -7pm-FS1

Stanford-@-Arizona State-9:30pm-ESPN

Quick Draft Dish: Week 7

WEEK SEVEN

FRESNO STATE @ UNLV

Ø  UNLV SR OC ROBERT WATERMAN is a very solid player. He doesn’t do anything great, but he has no glaring weakness. Waterman can be a solid reserve interior lineman at the next level, backing up all three positions. I would project him to be a 7^th round-priority free agent type.

Ø  UNLV SR WR DEVANTE DAVIS missed another game with an ankle injury. It isn’t known when he will be able to return, but the Rebels offense clearly misses him.

INDIANA @ IOWA

Ø  INDIANA JR RB TEVIN COLEMAN has good burst and good speed. Coleman is a much better runner going wide than he is between the tackles. That is not to say he can’t succeed between the tackles. He is adequate in the passing game.

OKLAHOMA VS. TEXAS

Ø  TEXAS JR DT MALCOLM BROWN is a very disruptive player. Brown uses his hands very well to shed blocks, and live in the opponent’s backfield. He has good size (6’3” 305). He mostly played 3-tech for Texas in this game, but he can play other spots.

DUKE @ GEORGIA TECH

Ø  DUKE SR OG LAKEN TOMLINSON is one of the best offensive guard prospects. He is an absolute mauler in the run game. He has great power and a good punch. He pulls well, but it is not the best part of his game. He also has an injury history.

OREGON @ UCLA

Ø  OREGON JR TE PHAROAH BROWN has a size/speed combination that intrigues me. I had never focused on him before the UCLA game, and now I want to watch more. Brown has soft hands and runs really well. He isn’t the most physical blocker, but he gets the job done. If he chooses to enter the draft, he could be one of the top players at the TE position. This is really a down year for tight ends.

TCU @ BAYLOR

Ø  BAYLOR SR ILB BRYCE HAGER is a solid player. Hager is a jack of all trades, but a master of none. Hager reminds me of a type of player that eight years down the road, you hear his name called and you say “Huh, that guy is still playing?”.

AUBURN @ MISSISSIPPI STATE

Ø  MISSISSIPPI STATE SR DE PRESTON SMITH is a stout defender. Smith sets the edge very well in the run game. Smith is also very good at rushing the passer. He doesn’t get the press of his teammates, but he could hear his name called on day two.

ALABAMA @ ARKANSAS

Ø  ARKANSAS SR DE TREY FLOWERS is a very good prospect. I was very impressed by his run defense. Flowers diagnose plays quickly. He can win as a pass rusher, and was able to that in this game, just not when he was lined up against a tackle.

MISSISSIPPI @ TEXAS A&M

Ø  TEXAS A&M JR OC MIKE MATHEWS has the pedigree and the tools to be a multi-year starter in the NFL. Matthews has quick hands and the power to handle one-on-one blocking situations. He is quick when he pulls, and finishes his blocks. His brother Jake was a top-6 pick a year ago. Mike will not be drafted that high (this year if he comes out, next year if he doesn’t), but he can play in the league for ten-plus years.

What We're Watching: Week 7

10/10/2014

Fresno State-@-UNLV-9pm-CBSSN

10/11/2014

Indiana-@-Iowa-11am-ESPNU

Oklahoma-vs-Texas-11am-ABC

Duke-@-Georgia Tech-11:30am-ACCN

Oregon-@-UCLA-2:30pm-FOX

TCU-@-Baylor-2:30pm-ABC/ESPN2

Auburn-@-Mississippi State-2:30pm-CBS

Alabama-@-Arkansas-5pm-ESPN

Mississippi-@-Texas A&M-8pm-ESPN

Quick Draft Dish: Week 6

WEEK SIX

ARIZONA @ OREGON

Ø  OREGON SR OC HRONISS GRASSU is one of the top center prospects. Grassu is a very good run blocker. He holds up well at the point of attack. Grassu rarely gets beat pass blocking, keeping the pocket clean up the middle.

MARSHALL @ OLD DOMINION

Ø  MARSHALL SR QB RAKEEM CATO lacks prototypical NFL QB size (6’0” 188). Cato has a strong arm and he normally makes good decisions. He sometimes relies too much on his fastball, when he should throw his changeup. Cato will likely be a priority free agent after the draft.

Ø  MARSHALL SR WR TOMMIE SHULER also lacks size (5’7” 190), but he makes up for it with quickness and great hands. Shuler has a knack for being open. He also should be able to find a spot in a NFL camp.

TEXAS A&M @ MISSISSIPPI STATE

Ø  MISSISSIPPI STATE JR OLB BENARDRICK MCKINNEY is an extremely versatile linebacker. McKinney can play on the edge, line up in the middle, play with his hand down, or even drop out to play slot corner. McKinney doesn’t have great speed, but he makes up for it with incredible instincts. McKinney can play in any NFL defensive scheme, and never have to leave the field.

ALABAMA @ MISSISSIPPI

Ø  MISSISSIPPI SR QB BO WALLACE is the ultimate Jekyll & Hyde player. In some games he looks undraftable, but in others, he looks like a solid day two pick. It is that inconsistency that will not allow me to get behind Wallace as a prospect.

Ø  ALABAMA JR RB KENYAN DRAKE was injured during the second quarter with a nasty leg injury. Alabama has stated that Drake has a broken ankle. It was reported that he will need at least 8-10 weeks before he can even begin rehab. I thought Drake had a chance to be a top 100 prospect, but now his draft status and perhaps even his career are in jeopardy.

OKLAHOMA @ TCU

Ø  OKLAHOMA JR OC TY DARLINGTON is an athletic pivot man, albeit and undersized one. Darlington is listed at 288 pounds. He struggled when engaged with a power rusher like TCU SR DT CHUCKY HUNTER. Darlington can play the position, but he needs another year in the Oklahoma weight room in my opinion.

LSU @ AUBURN

Ø  AUBURN SR QB NICK MARSHALL has the size, arm strength, and athletic ability to play quarterback at the NFL level. I don’t think he has the in-pocket tools to make it. A team may take a flyer on him late to play QB, but he likely will transition back to corner, where he played at Georgia.

SOUTH CAROLINA @ KENTUCKY

Ø  SOUTH CAROLINA JR RB MIKE DAVIS had his burst back during this game. Davis was able to explode through the hole, ripping off several big runs. Perhaps the “Head Ball Coach” should have given his star back a few more touches and the Gamecocks may not have fallen in the game.

Ø  SOUTH CAROLINA JR WR SHAQ ROLAND didn’t make the trip with the team. Roland missed a team meeting during the week and was suspended. This is the second time in as many years that Roland has missed time due to disciplinary issues.

ARIZONA STATE @ SOUTHERN CAL

Ø  ARIZONA STATE JR WR JAELEN STRONGG answered the questions I had about him attacking the football. Strong had a huge game against the Trojans, including catching a Hail Mary pass at the end of the game.

NEBRASKA @ MICHIGAN STATE

Ø  MICHIGAN STATE DE SHILIQUE CALHOUN is a tremendous player. He has an explosive first step and he has an array of pass rush moves. He uses his hands well. He doesn’t have great speed, but he makes up for it with a tremendous ability to diagnose a play. His instincts are excellent. Calhoun right now is a top-15 player for me.

What We're Watching: Week 6

10/2/2014

Arizona-@-Oregon-9:30pm-ESPN

10/3/2014

Utah State-@-BYU-9:15pm-ESPN

10/4/2014

Marshall-@-Old Dominion-11am-FSN

Texas A&M-@-Mississippi State-11am-ESPN

Alabama-@-Mississippi-2:30pm-CBS

Oklahoma-@-TCU-2:30pm-FOX

LSU-@-Auburn-6pm-ESPN

South Carolina-@-Kentucky-6:30pm-SECN

Arizona State-@-Southern Cal-6:30pm-FOX

Nebraska-@-Michigan State-7pm-ABC

Quick Draft Dish: Week 5

WEEK FIVE

UCLA @ ARIZONA STATE

Ø  ARIZONA STATE JR WR JAELEN STRONG is a big, fast wideout. Strong is a solid route runner. He doesn’t attack the ball enough in 50/50 catch situations he should win. Strong can be one of the top wide receivers in this class. He must first clean up his shortcomings, since he has all of the physical tools.

MIDDLE TENNESSEE @ OLD DOMINION

Ø  OLD DOMINION SR QB TAYLOR HEINICKE is a veteran signal caller. He does not have a big frame or a big time arm. Heinicke does throw a very catchable ball. He puts nice touch on his deep passes. He also can make plays with his feet when the play breaks down. Heinicke will likely be a late-round pick or a free agent. He could make a solid #2 quarterback for years.

USF @ WISCONSIN

Ø  USF JR TE SEAN PRICE has good size. He uses it well in run blocking, which I think is his best trait. Price is a poor route runner, and he struggles to get open. Price should not even consider leaving early.

NORTHWESTERN @ PENN STATE

Ø  NORTHWESTERN SR OC BRANDON VITABILE is a solid pivot man, but not anything special. He has solid technique, but lacks the strength to play the position at the top level. I can’t see him being drafted at this point.

ARKANSAS VS. TEXAS A&M

Ø  ARKANSAS SR DE TREY FLOWERS was very active at the line of scrimmage, knocking down several passes.

Ø  TEXAS A&M SR OT CEDRIC OGBUEHI struggled some in this game. The Arkansas defensive ends gave him fits. This is something to monitor going forward.

LOUISIANA TECH @ AUBURN

Ø  LOUISIANA TECH JR RB KENNETH DIXON looked a little banged up against Auburn. Dixon still showed god burst, but the tackle breaking ability I saw from him the last couple of years, seemed lacking. He still has good hands. He has carried the ball a lot at LA Tech, so he may leave after this season.

CINCINNATI @ OHIO STATE

Ø  CINCINNATI RSOPH QB GUNNER KIEL continued the great start to his college career. The first start of his I watched against Toledo, he didn’t struggle at all. Against OHIO STATE, he had plenty of success. I still don’t think Kiel will come out after this season, but he will be one of the top ranked QB’s going into next season.

Ø  CINCINNATI JR WR CHRIS MOORE had one of the craziest stat lines I have ever seen. Moore caught three passes for 221 yards and three touchdowns. That is a nice tidy 73 yards per catch.

MISSOURI @ SOUTH CAROLINA

Ø  SOUTH CAROLINA SR DT J.T. SURRATT is a massive run plugger. He sheds blocks well and has a little pass rush upside. He could play nose guard in a 34 defense at the next level. His stamina levels are what you would expect from a player his size. Surratt is likely a day three pick.

NOTRE DAME VS. SYRACUSE

Ø  NOTRE DAME JR OT RONNIE STANLEY is a solid tackle prospect. Stanley has long arms, good feet, and good power. Stanley isn’t in the upper tier of tackle prospects, but if he continues to progress, but if he continues to progress, he could elevate himself to the top of tier two.

OREGON STATE @ SOUTHERN CAL

Ø  OREGON STATE SR QB SEAN MANNION has an NFL frame. Mannion has decent arm strength. He does not have any ability outside of the pocket. He can however make the throws he needs to make from the pocket.

Ø  OREGON STATE JR WR RICHARD MULLANEY stood out to me. Mullaney high points the ball well, and wins contested catches. Mullaney has great size (6’3” 195 pounds). I look forward to seeing more of him.

NEVADA @ SAN JOSE STATE

Ø  SAN JOSE STATE SR DT TRAVIS RICITI has okay size (6’5” 290 pounds), but lacks the physicality needed to play the position at a high level. He can’t get off blocks with leverage or hand usage. From what I have seen at this point, I do not think he is draftable.