Quick Draft Dish: Week 2

WEEK TWO

LOUISIANA TECH @ WESTERN KENTUCKY

·       WESTERN KENTUCKY SR RB LEON ALLEN (#33) was considered a mid-round prospect coming into the season. Allen is a three down back with good size and speed. In the third quarter of this game, Allen suffered a pretty horrific leg injury that will keep him out the rest of the season. It is possible he could pursue a medical hardship and obtain another year of eligibility.

·       LOUISIANA TECH SR RB KENNETH DIXON (#28) is one of the top senior running back prospects. Dixon has good burst and has some wiggle to his game. He has great hands. He never has to leave the field. He has been highly productive for the Bulldogs since his freshman season.

UTAH STATE @ UTAH

·       UTAH STATE SR QB CHUCKIE KEETON (#16) was one of the top quarterback prospects two years ago. After multiple knee injuries, he looks like a shell of his former self. He still has the mobility needed, but he can’t seem to fully be able to plant to maximize his arm strength. He took a beating in this game as well. He probably isn’t draftable anymore because of his medical concerns, and that truly is a shame.

UMASS @ COLORADO

·       UMASS SR WR TAJAE SHARPE (#1) is a big fast wide receiver prospect. Sharpe has great hands and is a solid route runner. Sharpe is electric after the catch. He doesn’t get much pub, but my guess is he will by season’s end. I will get at least one (maybe two) more viewings this year, and hopefully I will get to see him live in Mobile at the Senior Bowl.

KENTUCKY @ SOUTH CAROLINA

·       SOUTH CAROLINA SR TE JERRELL ADAMS (#89) is a solid mid-round prospect. Adams is solid as an inline blocker. He has soft hands, and can open up the middle of the field. He has the occasional concentration lapse and has dealt with a few minor injuries.

NOTRE DAME @ VIRGINIA

·       NOTRE DAME JR OLB JAYLON SMITH (#9) is a tremendous player. Smith will play all over the field. He excels in coverage, even lining up in the slot covering receivers. Smith reads and diagnoses plays quickly. He is a sure tackler. There isn’t much he doesn’t do well. At worst, he is likely a top 15 pick next year.

MIDDLE TENNESSEE @ ALABAMA

·       ALABAMA SR QB JACOB COKER (#14) is not exactly seizing the opportunity given to him. Coker is a graduate transfer from Florida State. He sat behind Jameis Winston and then transferred to Alabama where he sat behind Blake Sims a year ago. Coker has the size (6’5” 230), and has slightly above average arm strength. Coker is not the best decision maker. If backup quarterback Cooper Bateman was any better, he likely would have been replaced already. As of this time, I do not think Coker is draftable.

OKLAHOMA @ TENNESSEE

·       OKLAHOMA SR WR STERLING SHEPARD (#3) is the prototype NFL slot receiver. Shepard is small in stature (5’10”), but is shifty, has great hands, and is a good route runner. Shepard is also an excellent return man. He is comparable to Seattle rookie wide receiver Tyler Lockett (3^rd round/Kansas State), but not quite as dynamic.

LSU @ MISSISSIPPI STATE

·       LSU SR OG VADAL ALEXANDER (#74) is currently the starter at right tackle for the Tigers. Alexander does not have the athleticism to block the edge at the next level. He does however have traits that could translate to Pro Bowl level in the NFL at the guard position. He is very strong at the point of attack. He gets to the second level and finishes blocks. Alexander plays with a mean streak that can’t be taught.

OREGON @ MICHIGAN STATE

·       MICHIGAN STATE SR QB CONNOR COOK (#18) is currently my number one rated quarterback prospect. Cook has NFL size (6’3” 218), has plenty of arm strength, and is a fairly accurate passer. He does go through spells where his mechanics get a little choppy, and his accuracy suffers because of it. These are things that can be cleaned up.

·       MICHIGAN STATE JR TE JOSIAH PRICE (#82) jumped out to me in this game. Tight end talent always seems to be at a premium in the draft, and Price showed me an ability to get open and make plays. I will have to go back and focus on his blocking, but his route running and hands were very good in this game.