Small School Scouting Notebook: October 10th

As will be standard every Monday afternoon, Optimum Scouting will begin it’s weekly “Small School Scouting Notebook”, which will be the best location for small school scouting notes from the weekend.

Our staff and myself will watch as many games at the non-FBS levels as possible each week and give an evaluation away from just stats so you can see exactly what we see each week for some of the top small school prospects.

This week’s scouting notes are thanks to Eric Galko, Damond Talbot, Mark Dulgerian, and Sean Welek.

California PA

-As I’ve said many times before, California PA is loaded with talent. The best of the bunch is still receiver Thomas Mayo, who was nearly impossible to contain for Gannon this weekend. His ability to get vertical and in good position is very impressive, and the only thing that limits him is spotty QB play.

-Also at receiver,  Chedrick Cherry is getting a bit underappreciated for this team, but his toughness as a receiver, soft hands in traffic, and consistency in routes makes him a fringe NFL prospect if teams can find a way to hide his lack of size/build.

–Robby Green, the Alabama transfer at CB/S continues to show the ability to use his length as both a nickel coverage man as well as the ability to deliver a great pop as a run stuffer. He keeps his balance well and drives.

-While he’s only a junior, Rontez Miles just jumps off the film as an impact playmaker. Division II players rarely should declare for the draft, but he’d be a solid 3^rd rounder if he was a senior right now, that’s how impressive he is as a safety.

Gannon

-Got a chance to see Randy Colling, the best Gannon prospect in some time, play at defensive tackle, and while I wasn’t blown away, his lateral movement and overall size is enough to give him a chance as an NFL 5-technique. He didn’t keep his feet or use his power well enough to be dominate in a game where Rishaw Johnson (OG of CalPA didn’t play) however.

–Chris Cook at free safety also made a few nice plays as a centerfielder and attacks the ball well from that spot. He doesn’t lack great coverage skills with slot receivers and lacks great recovery speed in shorter zone coverage though, likely limiting his NFL potential.

Murray State

-While Mike Harris, running back, didn’t play in this one, I did get a chance to scout cornerback/return specialist Dontrell Johnson. Johnson has great explosive and accleration as a returner and gets to his top speed with great vision. He also attacks the ball well as a cover cornerback and uses speed to get into good position as a defender.

Florida A&M

-QB Damien Fleming was looking comfortable in the pocket, was making the plays and exploiting the Howard Defense. He was showing good arm strength and accuracy.

-Lavante Page, RB was looking very good as well and was hitting the hole with strength and power. He would hit a hole and make a move to the outside the LB’s were getting stuck inside and weren’t able to make plays.

-John Ojo, Senior Safety of Florida A & M was a ball hawk, he picked off two of McGhee passes early on and was around the ball the entire game.

Howard

-Junior LB Keith Pough was all over the field and was constantly in on plays. He has a great motor and is a great tackler. He had a huge forced fumble to give the Bison’s the ball back.

–Jerry Willis DT and Demarcus Folsom LB were also playing at an extremely high level. Folsom made a few very difficult plays in the backfield including a nice sack, and Willis was clogging holes the entire game.

-MVP of the night was DeCarlos Knight (CB) for Howard, who was all over the field and made some very difficult plays, he was the emotional leader that help set them up for the game winning field goal.

Cal Poly

-Jake Romanelli is listed as a fullback and has been the second most impressive player on the Mustangs this season (behind Asa Jackson).  Romanelli recorded his third straight 100+ game and has shown much more patience and vision as a runner this year.  He is a power runner who breaks through arm tackles and displays very good balance to gain extra yards.  He doesn’t offer much as a receiver but he is a strong pass blocker. Romanelli is also idea in goalline situations.

-Asa Jackson, cornerback, he continues to make big plays, including a game critical interception for TD that sparked the Mustangs rally.  He is often the best athlete on the field and has a nose for the ball.  He’s not a true shut down cover corner but he is a heady player who plays with sound technique and good, quick footwork. When the ball is in his hands he shows good vision and creativity as a runner.

-Gavin Cooper, defensive end, played his first game of the season after sitting out the first 3 with injury.  His impact was minimal but he showed flashes as a pass rusher and getting to the ball carrier in the backfield.  He looked somewhat stiff and was a bit out of shape but he should end up being the impact player he was last year once he gets his legs back.

Kentucky Wesleyan

–Khalid Harris, cornerback, lays safety has good AA and range good quicks & speed. Would like to see more toughness, take better angles as a tackler and provide more in run support.

-Running back Thomas Gordon is good athlete with very good quicks and speed. Plays behind a very poor OL so doesn’t put up the numbers he is capable of but has a chance to be a scatback at the next level.