In another week of the Scouting Notebook, I’ll start off talking about the Penn State situation as it relates to evaluating prospects for the next level. Also, with our Top 100 Big Board being released tomorrow, I’ll give a little preview of what to expect and why.
I’ll talk about the 3 best future NFL defenses in college football right now, North Carolina, USC, and Alabama. And finally, the Top 10 Heisman Finalisits as of now.
A Scouting Look at the Penn State Situation
What happened at Penn State are horrific acts, there is no denying that. The horrific acts go further than just what Jerry Sandusky did, but by the cowardliness of the others involved with the program that didn’t do nearly enough.
So as I take a quick look at how this problem at Penn State could have an impact on prospect evaluation, keep in mind that I’m not trying to be insensitive, bur see how character can be displayed in situations of hardship around a person.
Even Nebraska coach Bo Pellini thought that maybe the game shouldn’t have even happened. That type of clouding situation will most certainly have an impact on the men around that football program. But to continue on a season that has already been guaranteed a bowl game will take a lot of pride, character, focus, and mental strength.
The seniors and captains on the team need to show leadership. In future talkings with coaches and scouts, I’ll be looking to see which players stepped up into the role of providing for and pushing teammates to continue their goals as football players. Each player can show perseverance in getting through this embarrassing time at Penn State. Each player needs to show that they can keep their cool in social and print media, showing restraint and maturity. And finally, each player, if they play at the next level, will face family and social frustrations in the future, and need to show they can handle that added stress and not let it impact their on the field ability for their future employer.
As expected, they came out a little flat as a team. But only a handful of players truly stepped up in the game against a very talented Nebraska team. Devon Still, the teams best prospect, showed a great motor and consistently fought to drive this defense to success. He was active already in leading this team, and the ability to come out this past weekend and play at a high level to motivate his teammates on the field.
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Tuesday’s Big Board Preview
Here’s a few scattered notes on what our Big Board will look like tomorrow when it’s released:
-Andrew Luck will be atop our Big Board, as expected and likely is among every board across the NFL. And while he’s beginning to be a little exposed, keep in mind this is what happens when a player stays in college for another year. However, Matt Barkley of USC is approaching Andrew Luck levels in our eyes. While he’s not as elite as Luck, I’ve like Barkley since he showed promise as a freshman, and he’ll likely be the highest ranked quarterback besides Luck in years as well.
-Justin Blackmon, Alshon Jeffery, and Michael Floyd will be battling for the number one receiver spot in our rankings. Blackmon has outstanding versatility and can be a feature receiver and a big play threat. Jeffery is a big bodied receiver who could have a pre-jail Plaxico Burress type impact. And Floyd is maybe the most polished of the receivers and is ready to step in and be a feature receiver very early. As of now, Blackmon has the edge.
-Matt Kalil of USC is the top offensive tackle in this draft by a near consensus, but after that it’s tough to peg the number two. Jonathan Martin of Stanford is the favorite right now because he moves so well and seems to be a great athlete. Riley Reiff has great size and balance as a run blocker and kicks out well in pass protection. And Mike Adams has bounced back from his suspension be the dominant, complete, well rounded left tackle that he was a year ago.
-The defensive tackle and cornerback have a lot of talent early in the draft. Defensive tackle could have 4-5 players selected between pick 16 and 32, lead by Jared Crick (coming off injury), Devon Still, and Jerel Worthy. Cornerback has four potenital number one corners in Kirkpatrick, Claiborne, Gilmore, and Jenkins, along with 2-3 others that could be very good starters long term.
-The defensive end and offensive guard class are a little weaker than usual this year. For defensive ends, only 2 seniors look like they’ll be drafted in round one, and likely both will be after pick 16. Juniors could be heavy in this area. As for guards, Cordy Glenn is firmly in round one, but they may need a junior to declare in David DeCastro of Stanford to give this class another Top 50 pick.
-It’s a very versatile linebacker class, which is great news for NFL teams and makes draft projectors jobs a little more difficult. Because there is a lot of talent, including 4-5 potential first rounders and a handful more in round 2, teams can get very picky and select players precisly on scheme.
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USC, North Carolina, and Alabama Load the Draft on Defense
These three teams are loaded talent-wise on the defensive side of the ball, and all three have many players that not only are on NFL radars, but could be drafted and early on in the upcoming NFL draft.
Alabama’s top defensive prospects are linebacker Courtney Upshaw, junior cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, junior safety Robert Lester, defensive tackle Josh Chapman , and safety Mark Barron. All five are firmly in the 1st round mix.
North Carolina’s top defensive prospects are defensive end Quinton Coples, outside linebacker Zach Brown, and junior defensive end Donte Paige-Moss. All three are in the first round mix.
USC’s top defensive prospects are junior defensive end Nick Perry, defensive tackle Armond Armstead, and junior safety TJ McDonald. All three are in the first round mix.
Alabama has the most depth and talent in the group, with the five Top 40 prospects listed above along with cornerback DeQuan Menzie, inside linebacker Jerrell Harris, and junior linebackers Donte’ Hightower and Nico Johnson all could be 2nd-4th round prospects themselves. USC is loaded on the defensive line with five prospects being potential draft selections. And the fact that North Carolina still has one of the highest amounts of prospects despite clearly being tops in that catagory last year is outstandingly impressive and shows the recruiting ability of Butch Davis, the former head coach.
CORRECTION: Armond Armstead is expected to have a medical redshirt granted this year. He was projected by us to be a Top 40 pick. (Thanks to @AFC2NFC)
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Top 10…Heisman Finalisits As of Now
The Heisman Trophy still has a ways to be determined, but there still are a few favorites (likely the Top 5) that should be firmly in the mix if they continue to win consistently.
As of now, the undefeated Brandon Weeden is hard to argue against as the top candidate, as he’s been tearing up teams (including Texas Tech 66-6 last week) and is in charge of a very prolific offense. However, two runners Trent Richardson and LaMichael James also have a strong chance to push ahead if Weeden does lose in the future. Also, the extremely productive and still undefeated Case Keenum and the now “legendary” Andrew Luck both should be in the mix the rest of the year.
1. Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State
2. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
3. Case Keenum, QB, Houston
4. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
5. LaMichael James, RB, Oregon
6. Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma
7. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State
8. David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech
9. Tahi Boyd, QB, Clemson
10. Robert Griffin, QB, Baylor
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