I'll start the thread off with some mid-major quarterbacks and a tight end that many people probably don't know about RIGHT NOW: Junior QB Dan Lefevour (Central Michigan), Junior QB Nate Davis (Ball State), Senior QB Tommy Brandstater (Fresno State), and Senior TE Bear Pascoe (Fresno State). In 2007, Lefevour rushed for 1000 yards and 19 scores and threw for 3652 yards and 27 touchdowns. Even though Central Michigan is in the MAC, Lefevour leads one of the most exciting offenses in all of college football. As a passer, Ball State's Nate Davis put up nearly identical stats to Dan Lefevour, throwing for 3667 and 30 TDs. He not much of a runner, but he has the speed to escape pressure and he's great throwing on the run. Both of these guys are the next great MAC quarterbacks following in the footsteps of Ben Roethlisberger, Byron Leftwich, and Chad Pennington. Davis and Lefevour are potential first rounders. In 2007, Brandstater led an inexperienced Fresno State team to 9 wins. Most major sports magazines have them ranked in the 2008's Top 25. Out of the three listed, he is the most NFL ready. He's a 3 year starter with great size (6'5 230). He was inconsistent his first year, but the Bulldogs o-line was banged up, and their receivers were very young. Brandstater threw for 15 TDs and 2600 yards in a run first offense at Fresno State. He only threw 5 interceptions. If Fresno State makes a run to the BCS, like they are expected to do, Brandstater has a legitimate shot at being a first round pick. Bear Pascoe is by far the most underrated player in all of college football...and I'm not just saying that because he's a Fresno State Bulldog. Pascoe, a former high school quarterback, lines up all over the field: WR, FB, H-Back, RB, but most importantly at his "new" natural position TE. He's 6'5 270ish pounds and he runs in the 4.7s. In 2007, he caught 44 balls for 553 and 4 TDs -- Not eye-popping stats, but still very good. His biggest strength is his blocking. He's basically a guard that can play tight end. 80% of Fresno's runs go to his side, and he leads the way for the nation's 22nd ranked rush offense. He'll be very valuable to whoever takes him in next year's draft. If he isn't one of the top 3 tight ends taken, I will be very surprised.
I only know as much as you've posted about these guys, but they have some pretty sick throwback names similar to the old 40's and 50's players
I hope Lefevour or Brandstater come to the Jets. Best jersey ever. Not only will they be awesome players, but they have awesome last names.
Nate Davis is the shit. Andre Brown is a RB to keep an eye on. Xavier Fulton, the LT from Illinois, is going to shoot up boards. William Beatty is a Big East guy to watch...from UConn. Keiland Williams should be talked about way more than he is. Greg Hardy is an absolute monster. He's the physical freak DE of this draft that could/should have alot of them. Evans, both Johnsons, and Okarpo are going to test really well too.
Add: Terrill Byrd (UConn) Ekom Udofia (Stanford) BJ Raji and Ron Brace (BC) Eugene Monroe (Virginia) Brandon Swain (West Texas A&M) Vance Walker (GT) That DT from Duke...can't remember his name though. I think he was in Nesquick's initial mock. I like DeMonte Bolden. Oderick Turner. Ronnie Palmer from Arizona. The S from VT is pretty good...Chancellor. Patrick Chung seems to have been forgotten with Mays, Rolle, and Moore at S. Javarris James and several other Hurricanes will probably end up better pros than college players because well...the U is just not itself right now.
Derek Peagues, the guy is a beast can play corner or safety with low 4.4 speed. Also can return kicks and can hit. Domonique Johnson CB out of Jackson State, really dont know much about him yet but he is kinda DRC clone, 6'2 180 4.4 speed. He went to Mizzou where he started the 1st 4 games of the season but got injured and returned later on. Transfered last year and had 5 picks.
Greg Hardy = This year's Gholston/Wimbley/Ware/Merriman He's sick. http://www.sportsline.com/spin/story/10376291
Nate Davis has become a national name. He's being labeled the next great MAC QB. Lefevour will bounce back in 2009. He's been plagued with injuries all season long. Brandstater has been the victim of conservative play calling. He's still putting up decent numbers, but the fact that he's had 3 offensive coordinators in 3 years really hurt him in '08. In my opinion, Pascoe is the best blocking tight end in college football. He should go no later than the 3rd round. He close to 270 now. When he's on the field, it's like having an extra offensive lineman out there. He's got deceptive speed and great hands. The only guys that should go ahead of him are Chase Coffman, Brandon Pettigrew, and Jermaine Gresham. South Carolina has a few guys that could surprise in the pros: WR Kenny McKinley - Not very big, but he's consistent. LB Jasper Brinkley - if you pay attention to SEC football, you'll know who this guy is. He's a beast at inside 'backer in the 3-4. S Emmanuel Cook - many scouts are calling him a BIG Bob Sanders
http://forums.theganggreen.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=1005575 Clint Sintim - A Virginia player I compare to Karlos Dansby. Like every Al Groh player, he's been well coached and is an extremely high character prospect. High motor, good blitzer, improving in coverage, solid tackler, plays the run well...I think he can play inside or outside in a 3-4. The type of guy who could sneak into the first. Connor Barwin - Another LBer. He's a former TE who had a monster game against Rutgers for UConn this year. Quick and explosive, could be a workout warrior candidate. Someone will take this guy late, he's too athletic to ignore. Corey Wootton - Northwestern. 6'7 270 and only 21. If he comes out, 4-3 teams will be all over him, but with that frame he can be whatever a team wants him to be. If drafted by a 3-4 team, can take a similar career path as Chris Canty. Nate Davis is still the shit. Like every QB, I'd rather he stay another year in college, but guys like he and Stafford probably won't if they can go high in the draft this year. Ekom Udofia - Solid DT prospect from Stanford. Stout. Not really much to say about him...solid depth guy...could go day 2...very good HS career...meh in college but size and skillset will interest someone I think. I'm mad I missed yesterdays VT/Maryland game. If anyone saw it, got anything about any players in yesterdays game.
Scouts have been saying that Bear Pascoe looks slow on the field and that his blocking skills are questionable. I know previously that the consensus was, as you have him, the best blocking TE in college football, but it seems that it may no longer be the case. McKinley is a guy that fits this thread - no one talks about him. Brinkley and Cook however are guys that either have been or are being constantly talked about. Brinkley was considered a Day 1 pick last year but he got injured and had to return for his senior year. Cook is, as you said, drawing big name comparisons and being talked about as a possible Day 1 safety.
What scouts? Bear Pascoe has been slowed by an ankle injury all season. He missed two of the previous 3 games because of it. Pettigrew is a great blocker as well, but Pascoe is still better in run blocking. His blocking skills have never been questioned, I don't know where you're getting that. Link please?
Charles Scott RB LSU he is a very physical back and he has great balance and is able to break tackles extremely well. His speed is not tremendous but he wont go down without a fight
Why is no one talking about Iowa's running back Shonn Greene? He's probably going to be a Heisman finalist...and no one is saying anything. He's 5'11 235 with a 4.4 time. If he comes out, Wells and Moreno will have some competition.
I mentioned him here, he'll probably be the 4th RB taken if Wells,Moreno, and McCoy come out. http://forums.theganggreen.com/showthread.php?t=33680&page=5
Where did you get a 4.4 40 time from? Everything I've read about him says he'll run in the 4.55 - 4.6 range
Coming out of Milford Academy, Greene ran a 4.57...I have a buddy that's a huge Iowa fan, and apparently Greene upped his speed since he's been a Hawkeye - I know for a fact that he's been clocked at 4.48.
