The New Year is underway with some great football games, and this Saturday should offer another fun matchup. The 8-4 East Carolina Pirates face off against the Florida Gators in the 2015 Birmingham Bowl. The once-powerful Gators enter at just 6-5 and coming off another coaching change, so they’re vulnerable in this matchup against the veteran Pirates.
Let’s take a look at the top NFL prospect to watch in this rare matchup featuring these two teams.
By: Ian Wharton
ECU
Shane Carden, QB, #5
Doesn’t have good enough arm talent to overcome any type of technical flaw, but he needs an overhaul of his footwork, so he’s a project with little upside. Has good ball placement and touch on short passes. Struggles to see underneath defenders and make throws in tight windows. UDFA
Breon Allen, RB, #25
Pure speed/scat back type with 1 year of production. Good receiver out of the backfield. Could contribute as a third down guy for a passing offense. Unable to pass block. UDFA
Justin Hardy, WR, #2
Above average athlete with a good, strong frame. Plays from the slot, which exemplifies his toughness and high FBI. Creates separation with great footwork and body control. Fantastic hands and catch radius. 2nd rounder.
Cam Worthy, WR, #9
Big frame but lacks any real refinement. Decent hands but body catches a lot. Raw route runner that doesn’t have the nuances like how to release off the line down. Late rounder.
Terry Williams, NT, #54
Freakish athlete for his size, but he rarely plays significant snaps. Has been suspended for off the field issues before. Great quickness and strength, but consistency is a huge question mark. Early day 3.
Maurice Falls, LB, #48
Good size and average quickness/speed. Lacks any real pass rush moves, so his best fit is likely as a WLB in the NFL. Good finisher. UDFA.
Detric Allen, CB, #4
Another HWS guy that hasn’t been able to put it all together. Instincts are average and his positioning leave him unable to play the ball. UDFA/Late rounder
Florida
Dante Fowler, Edge, #6
Florida’s top prospect is a likely first rounder due to his combination of speed and pure power. Fowler is a bully off the edge, with his 6’3”, 260-pound frame, and he could fill a multitude of positions at the next level. He should have a big day trying to chase down Shane Carden.
Matt Jones, RB, #24
Jones surprisingly declared early for the NFL draft already, and he’s going to have to put on a show for his name to rise in a very deep class. Jones is a bigger, slower back that can do well in short yardage situations. But he’s not very dynamic and lacks much wiggle in his hips and in the open field.
Tyler Moore, RG, #73
Another early entry to the draft from the Gators, Moore is projected to be a late round prospect. He’s got good size at 6’6”, 312 pounds, but his technique is poor and he’s not overly athletic. Moore has a tough matchup against a deep and fast defensive line from ECU, so his game will also be under the microscope.
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