Scouting reports on top five specialists By Nolan Nawrocki - April 24, 2009 This article is the last in a 14-part series in which we feature scouting reports on the top five draft prospects at each position, as published in the 2009 Draft Preview book. The order in which the prospects are ranked is based on Nolan Nawrocki's rankings as of the start of the series. If you'd like to read reports on more than 400 prospects, you can order the 2009 Draft Preview book today at the PFW Store. 1. P Thomas Morstead, #15 (6-4, 225, 4.9 est.) SMU Notes: Redshirted in 2004. Did not play in 05. Connected on 13-of-18 FG attempts in 06, including a 50-yarder, and made 34-of-35 PATs. Also punted 50 times for an average of 43.8 yards with a long of 65 and dropped 17 punts inside the 20-yard line. Hit on 13-of-20 FG attempts in 07, including three from 50-plus yards, and nailed all 43 PATs. Also punted 57-44.6-L72-21 (one blocked). Was named a team captain in 07. Made 11-of-15 FG attempts in 08 with a long of 49 yards and made 29-of-30 PAT attempts. Punted 59-41.8-L67-20. Positives: Good size. Works hard in the weight room. Very good leg strength and gets good rise on his punts. Terrific hang time. Well-respected by teammates. Negatives: Can think too much and overanalyze. Does not have great hands. Did not play in a lot of big games. Summary: Good-sized, long-limbed, loose-legged punter who launches the ball high and gives his coverage team ample time to get down the field. Should be drafted and immediately will upgrade a special-teams unit. Grade: Late draftable prospect. 2. P-PK Graham Gano, #43 (6-0 3⁄8, 194, 5.15 est.) Florida State Notes: Born in Scotland. Served as kickoff specialist in final six games in 05, kicking off 26 times for a 60.5-yard average with five touchbacks and two out of bounds. In 06, punted 67 times for a 40.8-yard average with a long of 63, 17 punts inside the 20-yard line and six touchbacks. Kicked off 68 times for a 59.7-yard average with 22 touchbacks and five kicked out of bounds. In 13 games in 07 punted 59-43.4-L64-19 with one blocked and kicked off 63 times for a 61.0-yard average with 12 touchbacks. Tore meniscus in right knee two weeks before start of 08 season, had surgery and missed first two games. Played 11 games, making 24-of-26 FG attempts, with misses coming from 52 and 50 yards. Won Lou Groza Award for nations top kicker. Was 10-of-12 beyond 40 yards with a long of 53 yards. Punted 22-42.7-L58-8. Positives: Very versatile and can do it all proved himself a quality kicker and punter. Excellent backspin on punts. Stole the show in the Champs Sports Bowl by dropping four punts inside the 4-yard line and can place the ball with precision. Looks natural as a placekicker. Good range and accuracy. Showed toughness by playing through injury. Negatives: Thinly built. Does not have extensive experience after sitting behind Gary Cismesia for two seasons. Can hasten his get-off as a punter. Will have to prove capable of handling wind and variable weather conditions. Summary: Emerged as a senior and was very consistent. Versatile jack-of-all-trades capable of changing games by flipping the field. Grade: Late draftable prospect. 3. KO-PK David Buehler, #14 (6-1, 227, 4.56) USC Notes: Father was a three-year letterman (1969-71) on USCs track team. Uncle, George, played offensive guard with the Oakland Raiders (1969-78) and Cleveland Browns (1978-79). David attended Santa Ana (Calif.) College in 2005 and played kicker, linebacker and running back. Had 25 touchbacks on 58 kickoffs in 05. Also recorded 24 tackles and one interception on defense and carried nine times for 50 yards (5.6 avg.) with five touchdowns and one TD catch on offense. Transferred to USC in 06 and appeared in 11 games in 06, mainly on special teams. Hit his only FG attempt (49 yards vs. California, the longest by a Trojan since 1998) and also kicked off in two games (Stanford and Michigan). Of his eight kickoffs, six pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line with three touchbacks. Hit 16-of-19 FG attempts in 07, with a long of 47, and 52-of-54 PATs. Also kicked off 84 times for 64.6-yard average with 18 touchbacks. Made 9-of-13 FG attempts in 08 with a long of 43, missing three FG attempts against UCLA (41, 40, 40) and a 30-yarder against Arizona. Kicked off 88 times for a 67.9-yard average with 48 touchbacks. Positives: Has NFL bloodlines. Good athlete was recruited as a safety. Ran in the 4.5-range at the Combine and bench-pressed 25 reps. Good open-field tackler. Very good short-to-intermediate distance 20-of-22 inside 40 yards for his career. Gets good lift and height on his kicks. Has a leg to handle kickoffs and tallied touchbacks on 55 percent of his kickoffs as a senior. Mentally tough. Negatives: Did not attempt a kick beyond 49 yards at USC. Made only 2-of-5 kicks between 40-49 yards. Was not tested in many clutch situations to evaluate performance under pressure. Lacks experience kicking in inclement weather. Summary: Well-built, strong-legged, athletic kicker who cannons the ball on kickoffs and has upside as a placekicker. Long-distance accuracy and ability to handle pressure remain question marks, but he can win a job as a kickoff specialist for a team looking for a luxury. Grade: Late draftable prospect or priority free agent. 4. PK Sam Swank, #38 (6-0, 193, 5.0 est.) Wake Forest Notes: Broke school freshman record for scoring in 2005 with 86 points. Made FG attempts with a long of 52 yards and 29-of-29 PATs. Also kicked off 55 times, averaging 61.2 yards with 19 touchbacks. Did not punt, as Seattle Seahawks 2006 seventh-round pick Ryan Plackemeier handled those duties. Set 11 school records as a kicker in 06 after hitting on 23-of-31 FG attempts with a career-long of 53 and made 33-of-33 PATs. Kicked off 70-60.5-22 and punted 70 times with an average of 41.2 yards with 19 inside the 20-yard line. Tied the NCAA record for most 50-yard field goals in a game with three vs. North Carolina State. Made 18-of-21 FG attempts in 07, with a long of 52, and hit on 44-of-44 PATs. Also posted 74-61.9-6 on kickoffs and 76-39.8-21 on punts. In 08, made 11-of-17 FG attempts with a long of 49 yards and nailed 18-of-19 PATs. Recorded 28-64.0-7 on kickoffs and 18-37.6-L47-10 on punts. Strained his right quad in practice before the Clemson game and missed five games. Positives: Good, consistent leg strength. Nice trajectory and height. Showed good deep accuracy his first three seasons connected on 9-of-12 FG attempts beyond 50 yards prior to injury-plagued 08 season. Has shown composure with time running out beat Ole Miss with a last-second field goal before getting hurt. Was voted team MVP by teammates as a sophomore and is well-respected. Very good get-off times and elevation has not had a kick blocked. Can be an emergency punter. Negatives: Durability was an issue as a senior and affected his performance must prove he is healthy and that injury is not lingering. Summary: If healthy, has the chops to win a job and has proven he can come through in the clutch from long distance. Grade: Late draftable prospect. 5. P Kevin Huber, #47 (6-0 7⁄8, 220, 4.9 est.) Cincinnati Notes: Redshirted in 2004. Punted five times for a 33.2-yard average with three punts inside the 20-yard line in 05. Booted 2-50.5-0 in 06. Led the nation in punting average in 07, booming 57-46.9-20 with a long of 62 yards. Also served as the holder for FG attempts and PATs. Punted 60-45.0-L64-20 in 14 games in 08. Positives: Intelligent. Steady and level-headed. Good work ethic. Strives to get better at his craft and knows the way to the weight room. Excellent production. Very good leg strength. Nice placement to hem opponents inside the 20-yard line. Gets good lift and hang time. Only two punts leaked into the endzone as a senior. Served as the holder on placements. Well-respected. Negatives: Was less than impressive at the Senior Bowl. Get-off times are just average 1.3 to 1.4 seconds. Could hasten his delivery. Did not punt his first two years at Cincinnati. Summary: Good-sized, directional lefty who shows the ability to keep the ball outside the numbers. Hard worker with above-average leg strength to win a job. Grade: Late draftable prospect. > http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2009/top5spec.htm
re our new FB : Brannan Southerland Height: 6-0 | Weight: 242 | 40-Time: 4.68 Strengths: Decent speed and athleticism...Extremely tough...Very strong and powerful...Terrific short-yardage / goaline runner...A great blocker who can really get out and fit on the second level...Solid hands...Good awareness...Team leader...Fantastic work ethic...Great special teamer. Weaknesses: Health and durability are concerns...Wasn't overly productive...Not really a dominating lead blocker...Does not look very comfortable as a receiver...Does everything well but nothing amazing...Limited upside. Notes: Essentially a four-year starter in the SEC...Was named a captain for the Bulldogs...Earned the team?s David Jacobs Award as a player who by example portrayed courage, spirit, character and determination as well as the Leon Farmer Award for dedication to the strength and conditioning program...Missed spring drills in 2006 due to shoulder surgery...Fractured the navicular bone in his left foot late in the 2007 season and the resulting surgeries and rehab basically wiped out his senior year...Versatile fullback who can be a threat as a runner, receiver and blocker...Definitely has the talent to play in the NFL and perhaps even start in the right situation as long as he can stay healthy. > http://www.draftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/fb/Brannan-Southerland.php
