Throughout the college football season, certain players will outperform preliminary draft grades while others wilt under the pressure of preseason hype. With the unpredictable nature of the sport, prospects can see their draft grades fluctuate from 1st round consideration to undraftable. A variety of factors come into play when watching a certain player from season to season, as improvements in mechanics, technique, work habits, etc. can dramatically change the image of a given player.
Going over the Big 12 wide receiving class of 2012, three seniors have seen their individual draft stocks rise and fall in unexpected fashion. Two of the three, Ryan Broyles and Jeff Fuller, are losing draft value due to both injury and lackluster play, while Kendall Wright is improving his draft status with each and every impressive performance. All three wideouts have 2nd round draft grades here at Optimum Scouting, but its important to review how each individual’s season has proceeded to date.
Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma, RS SR, 5’10, 188 lbs
Arguably one of the most productive wideouts in the college game today, Ryan Broyles currently holds the record for career receptions in FBS history with 349, as well as being the all-time leader at Oklahoma in career receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns among other notable records. Broyles also reigns as the active career leader in punt returns and return yardage, returning at least 1 punt in 41 of 48 career games played.
A Big 12 slot receiver very much in the mold of a Wes Welker, Broyles maintains a lean frame with good strength for his size. Broyles possesses great awareness as a route runner, showing the ability to adjust quickly to defensive coverages post-snap. Not sudden or even sharp in his route breaks, but consistently finds a way to get himself open by understanding when to push his route stem fully or when to sit down into the soft spots of zone coverage. At his best when given a free release on the inside, against zone coverage, where he can sift through defenders to find the “holes” of the defense. Flips his head around with good timing and feel for when the ball should be released, catching just about everything thrown his way. Broyles is more of a body catcher than people realize, but flashes the ability to snag passes away from his body. Bodies in traffic don’t seem to phase Broyles’ concentration and focus, as he continually shows the ability to make catches in contested throwing windows. Extremely well conditioned and tough player, who rarely steps off the field. For Oklahoma, Broyles will almost always line up as the far inside receiver in Trips receiver sets, as the slot receiver in Doubles receiver sets, and occasionally as the Z receiver, exclusively to the right side of the given formation.
While the big knock on Broyles is his lack of elite, top-end speed, he more than compensates this deficiency with impressive short area quickness and elusiveness to make defenders miss. He quickly accelerates up field after the catch and is a big play threat every time he gets his hands on the football. Broyles deals with contact in mid-route, due to his lack of girth and ideal size, but shows the body control and balance necessary to keep his feet underneath him. Runs his routes with high pad level and lines up in an upright stance. A natural route runner that doesn’t have to really break down or drop his hips to get in and out of his cuts. Overall as a prospect, Broyles leaves evaluators with the lasting impression of a polished, smooth, and solid slot receiver.
In a senior season in which he was on pace to surpass his previous career highs in receiving yards and touchdowns, Broyles suffered a season ending torn ACL injury. Now facing adversity in preparing for the NFL Draft, Broyles’ draft will rely heavily upon his rehabilitation of that knee. The one positive about the whole injury is that Broyles’ game has never been built around speed or explosion, but rather his technical savvy and feel for football has led to his sustained success at the college ranks. Broyles, who earlier in the season was considered as a late 1st round draft pick, will now likely become a mid to late 2nd round draft pick. A slip to the 3rd round is not entirely out of the question, due to the uncertainty of health and assumed inability to perform in all-star week practices during the pre-draft season.
Jeff Fuller, Texas A&M, SR, 6’3, 220 lbs
Another highly productive receiver coming out of the Big 12 in the 2012 draft class, Jeff Fuller owns the Texas A&M career receptions, receiving yardage, and receiving touchdowns records. Caught more than 41 passes in each of his 4 seasons as a starter, including 50 or more receptions in 3 of his 4 seasons. Fuller turned down the NFL following his junior season to improve his draft stock and help A&M win their first bowl game since 2001, however this has not been the senior season he wanted.
Fuller missed much of the fall camp due to a hamstring injury and versus Idaho, reaggravated the hamstring. Fuller himself has stated that it came about through the breakdown of scar tissue, so it could be a re-occurring injury down the road. Also added to his injury report are a sprained ankle and concussion. Thankfully, Fuller hasn’t missed any game action as a result of these injuries, but they are important to note at any rate.
Built very much like Brandon Marshall, Jeff Fuller is a long bodied receiver that carries a muscular frame with elite arm reach and powerful hands. Fuller is without question, a physical specimen that very much looks the part of an NFL wideout. Standing at 6’3 and a firm 220 lbs, Fuller utilizes his body very well to shield defenders away from the football on deep comeback or out routes. When running the back shoulder and goal line fade routes, Fuller has been extremely dominant, snatching the ball away from his body with authority and using his big frame effectively. Not quite as physically powerful as Plaxico Burress but possesses the same style of play and similar route limitations. Now I will say that over the past few weeks, Fuller has taken noticeable strides in his ability to set up defenders mid-route and stay balanced on double move routes. He still has much to learn in terms of route running savvy, but it’s good to see Fuller making in-season adjustments and improvements. While he does possess elite physical measurables, Jeff Fuller has not been remained consistent enough with his on-field play in order to be considered a 1st round draft pick. The three biggest faults I have found in Fuller are his inability to beat press coverage, inconsistency in attacking the football, a lacking of focus, and attitude issues.
Given his excellent size and long frame, Jeff Fuller is a long strider who takes a few steps to really get going. Not overly explosive or quick off the line of scrimmage, Fuller has struggled mightily against physical, press man coverage. He must refine his press release footwork, hand technique, and burst in order to be successful at the NFL level. Fuller does not work back to his quarterback on a consistent basis, especially on curl routes, allowing the opposing cornerback to really drive on the pass and make a play. Also will drift on “in” breaking routes, giving room to opposing corners to sink underneath and make a play on the football. Does not adjust well to poorly thrown passes, giving little to no effort when bodies are all around. Must work on his ability to track the deep ball, attack the football more aggressively, and continue along route pattern instead of drifting.
My final beef with Fuller has to be his focus and attitude issues. All of the previously mentioned problems are correctable, but focus and attitude must come from within. The mental drive and fortitude of a player is as important as any physical trait one can have. This isn’t to say Fuller isn’t a mentally tough person, this is just a matter of effort. Understandably, this has been a very disappointing season for the Aggies who came into the season with hopes of being a national contender and possible Big 12 champion. Neither of the two will come about this year, as Texas A&M has lost game after game in heartbreak fashion. As teams have keyed in on Fuller’s weaknesses such as his struggles versus physical, press coverage, Fuller has shied more and more from his usually powerful self. As noted earlier, Fuller simply is not attacking the football with the same intensity. Compounded on top of all that, focus drops have also plagued the 4 year starter. All of this pent up frustration which has cumulated throughout the season and sometimes just in individual games, leads to Jeff Fuller mentally “clocking out” of games so to speak. Body language being the main communicator of this, you can just feel Fuller’s frustration. It has become clear to me that he simply wants the season to end so he can move onto the NFL level. I hope he can regain some of his 2010 regular season form and improve his draft standing throughout the pre draft season and combine, but as of now Fuller has a slipping 2nd round grade that is tilting towards the 3rd round.
Kendall Wright, Baylor, SR, 5’10, 190 lbs
In stark contrast to the previously mentioned players, the last wide receiver covered in this article, Kendall Wright has seen his draft stock rise dramatically. Another 4 year starter with excellent production, Kendall Wright has caught a pass in every single collegiate game played (46 consecutive), holds the school record for receptions, and is on the cusp of setting new school records for receptions and receiving yards in a single season. He currently owns or shares 9 school records. So far this season, Wright has recorded 7 or more catches in every single game, has totaled over 100 yards receiving in 6 of 9 games played, as well as recording a touchdown or more in all but 3 games. Recently named as a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award (given to nation’s top wideout), Kendall Wright has been an extraordinarily productive wide receiver at Baylor University.
As a prospect, Kendall Wright is slightly smaller version of Greg Jennings and a more solidly built version of Titus Young. Possesses great long speed and really explodes off the line of scrimmage; a dangerous vertical weapon that understands how to stem his route and stack on top of the cornerback. Tracks the deep ball with impressive focus, body control, and field awareness. Electric with the ball in his hands and accelerates very quickly to top speed. Catches the football extremely well in traffic and does good job of snatching passes away from his body. Has tendency to round off his routes, but natural speed and explosion allow him to create separation. After the catch, Wright is a powerful runner with body strength and balance to run through contact. Can attack defenses in a variety of ways; jet sweeps, reverses, digs, drags, outs, stops, curls, go routes, and deep fades, you name it and he’ll run it.
Equally impressive, has been Kendall Wright’s toughness, gamer mentality, and on-field confidence. So far in the 2011 season, Wright has fought through multiple ankle sprains, shoulder bruises, big hits, nicks, and bruises, while not missing any starts and maintaining a high level of production. Never satisfied with a good play, Wright will always fight for extra yardage, take on contact, and try to create a big play every time he touches the football. He views himself as the best player on the field at all times, and is a fiery competitor that will allow his emotions to get the best of him. Wright’s play thus far has propelled him into the upper half of the second round and he now legitimately has a shot at breaking into the back end of the 1st round with continued success, health, and a strong pre-draft season.
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