East-West Shrine Bowl Prospects

Following are some players who have impressed in practice reports.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/EastWest-Shrine-Game-notebook-Day-1.html

1. Jeff Mathews, QB, Cornell

Clearly the best quarterback on either team Monday, Mathews appeared to quickly make up for his struggles as a senior at Cornell. Garnering a second-round grade coming into his senior season, Mathews showcased arm talent, velocity control and vertical placement on day one. He’ll look to build on a strong initial practice as the week progresses, but the key for evaluating Mathews will be to see how he handles a pass rush—which is where he struggles most—footwork-wise.

2. Jordan Najvar, TE, Baylor

A late invite, Najvar has already made the most of his opportunity. He didn’t always get a chance to show it at Baylor, but the sure-handed pass-catcher made several smooth, in-traffic catches Monday when working down the field. Separating from linebackers and attacking the ball at the highest point against zone coverage, Najvar has emerged as a “move tight end” prospect that scouts will follow this week.

3. Andre Hal, CB, Vanderbilt

Hailing from a solid, yet underappreciated, Vanderbilt defense, Hal showcased plus fluidity and quickness his senior year. However, his adjustments to the ball and overall footwork were inconsistent and he was out of position at times this season despite having the athleticism to finish plays. One day one, however, Hal consistently won in the red zone, getting his head around quickly and denying his receiver. With Missouri’s E.J. Gaines out of the game due to injury, Hal has been pegged as the top defensive back in attendance.

Jeff MathewsCornell quarterback Jeff Mathews was one of several players who stood out Monday in Florida.

4. Hakeem Smith, SAF, Louisville

Smith may be undersized and the less heralded of the two Louisville safeties in this class (junior Calvin Pryor is reportedly the top safety on some teams’ boards), but he impressed in his first day at the Shrine Game. Playing both safety spots, Smith filled in the box with authority and displayed impressive positioning for a day one practice and looked balanced and controlled in nickel coverage. If he can bulk up during the draft process, Smith could emerge as a top-5 safety in this year’s class.

5. Matt Hazel, WR, Coastal Carolina

One of the many small school players in attendance, Hazel earned his invite thanks to strong hands and his ability to finish at the catch point. And on day one he won in exactly those two areas, finishing catches in traffic and providing his quarterbacks a big target on the outside on the many hitch routes the offense ran on day one. Hazel may not be the best deep threat, but he’s quickly emerging as the go-to receiver for the East quarterbacks during practice.

 

From Walter Football.com:

According to the practice reports on the site, players from that list who are impressing scouts or who have gotten a positive mention are:

WR John Brown
OLB Prince Shembo
QB Jeff Matthews
OLB Dakota Starr
WR Matt Hazel
ILB Max Bullough
C Gabe (Ben?) Ikard

According to the practice reports on the site, players from that list who have struggled or perhaps not a very good prospect are:

S Daniel Sorensen
CB Bene Benwikere
C James Stone


Other players listed as looking impressive or who received positive mentions are:

QB Jimmy Garoppolo
CB Andre Hal
WR Chandler Jones
WR Sentavious Jones
DE Josh Mauro
DT Evan Gill
OLB Derrell Johnson
DT Bruce Gaston
LB Glenn Carson
DT Zachariah Kerr
RB Rajion Neal
DE Cassius Marsh
OG Austin Wentworth
CB Alden Darby
QB Keith Wenning

 

http://www.gbnreport.com/shrinereport.html

Thursday, Jan. 16

I was impressed with the quickness and footwork of Georgia Tech DB JEREA THOMAS who has been playing safety this week. The position surprises me because I’m not aware of many, no make that any, 5-9, 191-pound safeties in the NFL. My memory says I saw him at CB watching TECH play multiple times this past season. He showed his ball awareness with a nice end zone INT of a deflected ball during 11-on-11. He’s made plays all week and should be a late round pick in May.

Coastal Carolina WR MATT HAZEL has proven once again that small school guys generally respond positively to the higher level of player competition and coaching at these venues. HAZEL has looked better and more comfortable every day this week. I fully expect him to have a good game Saturday.

Valdosta State WR SEANTAVIOUS JONES is another small school player who has really improved as the week has gone on. He looked particularly dangerous today on end zone throws. He was very effective on back shoulder catches.

 

http://www.gbnreport.com/shrinereport.html

Wednesday, Jan. 15

One of the biggest surprises on this squad to me has been South Dakota OLB TYLER STARR. The strapping 6-4, 249-pounder has been all over the field during 11-on-11 action. He topped today off with an acrobatic sideline pick. He wasn’t on my radar at all a week ago. Now he’s a nice addition to my draftable LB list. (Jets interviewed him)

Michigan State MLB MAX BULLOUGH has also been outstanding so far. He weighed in at a whopping 265 lbs. on Monday. He has been incredibly active and around the ball constantly. He had a big interception in the middle of the field during 11-on-11 this afternoon. I’m still not convinced that this is his ideal playing weight, but it does not appear to be hindering his play so far.

Big Wisconsin DT BEAU ALLEN is throwing his weight around quite effectively, both literally and figuratively. The big inside player, who indicated to me that despite the lack of glamour playing on the Nose he enjoyed the change in scheme this past season in Mad Town. The standard 4-3 scheme used in these All-Star Games is still looking like it plays to his bulk and strength. He’s been pushing OL teammates all week.

Baylor TE JORDAN NAJVAR is also making an impression this week with his practice work. The big physical specimen has shown both blocking and receiving skills. He also catches your eye with his 6-6, 262 pound frame. In a speed receiver offense, NAJVAR had only 10 catches last season, but he looks like a solid all-around TE prospect this week.

KEITH WENNING of Ball State continues to look like the best of the West QB group. He throws the best spiral and long ball of the three on this squad. He is also mobile enough to escape pocket pressure. There are times he looks a little hesitant to try to squeeze the ball into his receivers. QB Coach CHRIS PALMER appears to be working on both a few sloppy throwing throwing mechanics as well as his psyche with WENNING.

I decided that since I always end up spending too much time watching the big uglies work I would at least start my morning with DB drill work. Lo and behold, who should be camped out directly beneath the goal post watching the same group but TED THOMPSON? It’s a large group of DB despite the absence of E.J. GAINES who is nursing wounds from the Mizzou Bowl game. I quickly identified two good sized CBs who looked smooth with their footwork in ball direction drills in ANDRE HAL of Vanderbilt and small-college star PIERRE DESIR of Lindenwood. HAL had a strong steady career at Vandy and reminds me some of CASEY HAYWARD his former Commodore teammate who is now with the PACKERS. He’s not flashy and is probably best suited in a primarily zone cover scheme, but he can turn his hips and accelerate quite nicely after a change of direction. He also locates he ball well. DESIR is the highly touted small school guy who has the length of frame and arms that scouts always look for and rarely find. He’s on a pretty big stage compared to what he’s used to from small school days. He seems a bit slower than HAL in reacting to the ball, but can get to it and shows good coordination and balance.

I continue to be drawn to the smaller school guys and couldn’t keep my eyes off of the big energizer bunny, ZACH KERR of Delaware. Though lacking a bit in finesse, KERR displays a high rev motor and great enthusiasm for the game. Krumrie calls him Delaware and offers advice and encouragement constantly. In later scrimmage type work KERR inflicted some big hits on blockers and ball carriers. He has a knack for pushing the middle right into the pocket. He’s not running anyone down from behind, but he will chase.

I’m still thinking that Cornell QB JEFF MATHEWS is the top overall QB down here. But his lack of play against top-level competition is showing in his hesitancy to squeeze the ball into his receivers against D1 level CBs. He holds it a bit longer than you would like and is gong to get sacked way too often. He certainly has NFL talent and athleticism, but he’s going to be a grooming project before he’s ready to compete for a starting job as a pro.

His work is far from perfect, but I keep seeing good things from Tennessee C/G JAMES STONE, who has moved from OC to OG this week. He’s showing more strength than I expected, and in a limited area is moving his feet very well. He’s quick in a short area and uses his hands very well to move bigger DL away from the pocket. He’s also quick to the second level blocks on running plays. He’s been much more impressive than I remember from the film study I did of him at OC for Tennessee.

The best RB for my money continues to be another RAJION NEAL, another former Volunteer who is a solidly built guy who has shown incredible quickness, cutting ability and flat out speed. He took one to the house during 11-on-11 work this morning. He faked a couple of defenders out of their jocks with one jump-cut. Then he outran everyone to the end zone. He looks to me like the best RB out of Tennessee since the equally unheralded ARIAN FOSTER. Yes, I like him that much this week.

Louisville OLB XAVIUS BOYD used his speed and athleticism to be all over the field this morning. He penetrated into the backfield on multiple occasions during 11-on-11, but on a couple of occasions the ball was headed in the other direction. His athleticism will be highly coveted by NFL personnel people, but his “guessing” and lack of assignment discipline will also cost him in some personnel evaluations. His overall play clearly indicates he has a future as a starter in the pros, just maybe not immediately.

I mentioned Louisville OLB DERRELL JOHNSON on Monday and I continue to be impressed with this large, athletic LB. He put his hand down on the ground for some blocking/pass rush drills and showed an impressive combo of power and speed. In an NFL defense where the DC is creative and willing to move this guy around he could become a star. He will have to work on his pass drops, but has enough going for himself already to be a top 100 pick and see plenty of action in sub packages… at the least.

 

http://www.gbnreport.com/shrinereport.html

Tuesday, Jan. 14

I had the Pigskin Paul stop watch primed and ready for measuring the hang time of RICHIE LEONE’s punting efforts. Other than one early shank his 7 punts I watched were all between 4.13 and 4.70. And his leg strength looked good. His punts were high but also long with everything well over 40 yards. I would estimate the average at about 45 yards. I’ll be checking STEVEN CLARK in the morning East practice.

I spent considerable time watching the WR group today. I think the surprise of the group may be QUINCY ENUNWA of Nebraska. He’s a good-sized guy at 6’2/225, who can really move for his size. He has long arms and nice big hands that he uses to hand snatch almost everything thrown his way. He was very impressive catching hard, short throws in a circle drill. He also displays quick feet. He may have flown somewhat under the radar in college because of a pretty vanilla Offense at Nebraska and lack of an elite throwing QB. He looks to me like a guy who could have a better pro career than in college.

BERNARD REEDY/WR/TOLEDO may be the best looking “little guy” of the receiving corps so far. He is both quick & fast, with good if not great hands. He’s also directing traffic and helping his fellow receivers identify coverage in drills. I would assume he would also be of help in the punt return game. Another “unknown” small school guy who has caught my eye more than a few times thus far is SEANTAVIUS JONES/WR/Valdosta State. He looks even longer than his listed 6’3”. He stride nicely and generates speed in about 10-yards. His legs are longer than those of ERIN ANDREWS. In fact watching him at times I am reminded by daddy long-legs JACOBY JONES of the RAVENS. He also appears to be a solid hands-catcher.

Also tied to scope out the work of small school standout DAKOTA DOZIER/Furman who is practicing inside at OG this week. My initial take is that he has the athleticism to play at the next level and is a natural knee bender. But he is going to have to beef up by a good 10-15 lbs. to hold up against big NFL DT. His arms do look long and he seems to have a good grasp of the importance of hand positioning inside the chest cavity of opponents.

Surely the best DB work in two days has come from CARRINTON BYNDOM/CB/TEXAS. He has decent size (5’11/190) and plays with a feisty attitude. He will hit anything moving with the ball. He also showed deep cover ability on several long throws this afternoon. What was most impressive was his ability to turn his head, while running full speed in coverage, and find the ball in he air. He had several impressive break-ups in passing work today. He also shows the ability to turn his hips at full back pedal; speed to react to the ball and/or receiver.

Without a doubt the biggest/long body on this squad is DANNY KISTLER/OT/Montana. He towers above his fellow OL, and his is a large group. He has long arms and uses them well at times to keep defenders off of his body. But he does appear raw at times and can get twisted in circles by a faster DE. He looks like NFL material, who should go in the late rounds and could blossom in a couple of years under the guidance of a vet OL Coach.

Another OL of note may be GABE IKARD/OC/Oklahoma. He’s a sound blocking technician and looks like a very solid 290 lbs. He may need a bit more bulk, but he appears functionally strong and seems like a real student of the game. He’s constantly asking formation and assignment questions of his OL coach, and it doesn’t seem like it’s because he doesn’t understand what’s going on. I feel like he’s making sure he understands what everyone’s assignment is and why.

 

http://www.gbnreport.com/shrinereport.html

Monday, Jan. 13

Some of the small school guys got off to a solid start today. Delaware DT Zach Kerr, for example, was in on a lot of plays and beat his blockers into the backfield on a regular basis, while Richmond DE Kerry Wynn played long and strong. He also showed good foot movement. He looks to have those very long arms that can be so handy in pass rush and at blocking passes.

At least for today, the most versatile and effective offensive lineman was Tennessee G/C James Stone. He looks bigger and plays stronger than his listed 6-3, 300.

I would say the QB with the best mechanics and the strongest looking arm (no coincidence there most likely) was Jeff Matthews from Cornell.

I was very impressed with the burst and overall quickness of Tennessee RB Rajon Neal, a late replacement for Wisconsin’s James White who moved on to the Senior Bowl in Mobile.

No surprises here that Miami WR Allen Hurns was the smoothest, fastest looking WR on this squad, who can really stretch that 6’2, lean frame for high throws. At the same time, Ball State TE Alex Bayer looks to be able to go deep better than one might expect from a 6-4, 253-pound TE. He bears watching this week.

The DT group for the West may lack in numbers (only 3) but they make up for that in girth and talent. Indeed, the three - Beau Allen of Wisconsin, Justin Ellis of Louisiana Tech and Derrick Hopkins of Virginia Tech - make up a formidable group who showed size, strength and intensity all practice.

Michigan State’s Max Bullough was very active and lathered today. So much so that I could not muster the courage to ask him why he was suspended from playing in the Rose Bowl. Maybe another time…
Colorado State OLB Shaq Barrett who played as a DE with his hand down much of the time in college, looked athletic and very natural in his footwork as a stand-up OLB. So was USC’s Devon Kennard, who has a similar college resume and was also was very athletic and aggressive as an OLB today.