Even though the Shrine Game and Senior Bowl are completed and the “major” All-Star games are complete, another All-Star game that NFL teams are certainly aware of and are attending is still on the dockett with the “Players All-Star Classic” in Little Rock, Arkansas and run by the same people that ran the Texas vs. Nation game a season ago.
This game once again features some outstanding small school talent, especially on this North offense.
Quarterbacks
1. Dominique Davis, East Carolina
A former Boston College recruit and transfer to ECU, Davis is a very natural thrower with impressive physical tools; long armed, with good build and height at 6’3, 215 lbs, Dominique Davis runs well and shows solid change of direction skills. Raw playmaker that has tendency to throw off his back foot, panics under pressure, and rarely gets his back half all the way through the throw. Sports a noticeable, rolling-hitch to his delivery, but maintains a tightly wound, compact throwing motion. Davis spins a clean ball and should have one of the strongest arms in Little Rock. Needs to show improvement in pass drop footwork, and more specifically, show the ability to manipulate the pocket without bailing on his read.
2. Alex Tanney, Monmouth
Switching over from the South squad to accommodate the arrival of Jordan Jefferson, Alex Tanney isn’t your typical Division-III prospect. Tanney is a big guy that can absolutely stand in under pressure at the next level and take a hit. Though not a running quarterback by any stretch of imagination, Tanney does have functional mobility to buy extra time or simply get good depth on designed roll-outs. Has a very quick, good looking release, as well as solid accuracy across the board. His performance this week could make or break his chances of getting drafted in April; needs to show scouts that he can adjust to the speed of the game and handle the big moment.
3. Matt Blanchard, Wisconsin-Whitewater
Despite being a Division III quarterback, Blanchard has the size, frame, and arm to be considered one of the premier small school quarterbacks. He has the big arm (not elite arm strength however) and was very productive this year and throughout his time at Wisconsin-Whitewater, but was rattled at times and suffered from some inconsistencies. He’ll be going against Alex Tanney on his roster and Aaron Corp, Dane Simoneu on the other roster as the top small school quarterback at the game, a title he very well could battle for.
Running Backs
1. Lampford Mark, Nevada
Finished the season strong as he split carries with also NFL Draft eligible Mike Ball this season, Mark didn’t get any playing time the first half of the year. But he ended his season (and career) with six straight 100+ yard games (including two over 180) and 10 touchdowns in those six big games. A compact runner at 6’1, 200, this week could be a chance to prove he’s more than just a late bloomer, he’s an NFL running back prospect.
2. Darryl Whiting, Fordham
Tall and long , this small schooler shows very good burst, a one-cut running style tailored to zone-schemed teams, and the acceleration to get by the first and second levels of a defense. A bit tight hipped, Whiting still shows good foot speed, cutting skills, and ability to change directions. Also anticipates defenders in space well, taking advantage of poor angles. Runs a little too high for my liking, but that is not going to change, as he is a tall back. Possesses the size, athleticism, and ability to make defenders miss, but does not have great long speed. Accelerates well in short bursts and could impress some teams with his overall skill set.
3. Derrick Coleman, UCLA
A priority free agent grade player, Derrick Coleman is a fullback type, downhill runner with above average balance and feet. Very powerful and a great competitor, Coleman churns his legs through contact and does a nice job of keeping his feet underneath himself. Secures the football with two hands in tight quarters, utilizing his frame effectively as a goal-line back. Productive in limited touches, Coleman led his team with 11 rushing rouchdowns. Runs with power behind his pads and a thick build. I am very interested to see how he looks in weigh-ins, not only regarding his overall weight but more so with his overall physique and muscle tone. The guy runs with great pad level and ball security, has good feet for a bigger back, decent vision, and a solid burst to and through.
Running Back to Watch – Joe Martinek, Rutgers
Known as “Jersey Joe” to the Rutgers faithful, Joe Martinek is a tweener that will likely be primarily given looks as a 3rd down back. An extremely versatile player that has lined up in the slot, as an H-Back, and as the featured back for Rutgers, Martinek shows great awareness in pass protection, never misses an assignment, and does a nice job in scan protections. Shows some suddenness to and through as a runner, and the balance to keep his feet after initial contact. Has a bit of snap at the point as a blocker and runner, displaying a tightly wound, tight-hipped core that seems to have developed strength. Has thick lower half with impressive leg drive for his size; looks like a fullback/H-Back at the next level, but has 4.7-type speed that makes him viable as a 3rd down back. A high motor, selfless guy that showed a willingness to step aside for the betterment of the team, Joe Martinek should land a good impression with teams this week in Arkansas.
Wide Receivers
1. Derek Moye, Penn State
Former track star in Pennsylvania, Moye has been one of the few on the Penn State offense to stay consistent throughout this season. A long, athletic receiver, Moye has good short area to vertical separation skills, but doesn’t seem to have the explosiveness in his cuts to get separation on a diverse set of routes. Still, at his length and with his vertical speed, he could have a solid week and put himself closer to a safe draft pick in a loaded WR class this year.
2. Julian Talley, UMass
Talley may be the most versatile receiver in this game thanks to the ability of his to play on the outside, in the slot (maybe his best NFL fit), as a runner on reverses, and as both a kick and punt returner. Talley needs to be moved around as he doesn’t seem able to consistently create his own separation, he has some quickness and transition after the catch, and his return abilities alone should be able to intrigue NFL teams.
3. Michael Willie, Arizona State
Tall and lean receiver that has the frame to bulk up. One speed guy with limited separation ability. Has some quick twitch in his game but not overly elusive and kind of leggy. Again, Willie is a long strider with average top end speed. Flashes solid hands and ability to go up through contact to make the catch, but has some concentration issues.
Receiver to Watch – Phillip Payne, UNLV
After a remarkable first impression, tying the UNLV freshman record for touchdowns in a season and supplying multiple Sportscenter highlights to ESPN, Phillip Payne was unable to build upon his production year to year due to uncertainty at the quarterback position. Has good, not great size, but much like Willie from ASU, is a one speed guy. Uses his hands well to defeat press coverage and should do well against some of the smaller defensive backs this week, but does not eat up cushion quickly and likely will struggle when matched with off-man coverage in 1 on 1 drills. Only flashes the ability to go up and separate vertically with defenders, bodying up or boxing out as a red zone target. Really struggled to consistently separate downfield, and is a raw route runner. His specialty involves the goal-line fade and high pointing the football; however as mentioned earlier, only flashing the ability to create separation with his vertical jumping skills at the point of the catch. Drifts when locating the football, giving the defender room to undercut the throw and make a play on the ball. Very talented and underdeveloped, Phillip Payne needs a good week here.
Tight Ends
1. James Hanna, Oklahoma
Hanna is a reliable pass catcher that has a good feel for the soft spots of zone coverage. Size-wise looks like an H-Back on film and depending on his measurement, we will have more of an idea as to where he might be best suited at the NFL level. Attacks the seams down the middle of the field well and shows some savvy as a red zone target. Likely an undrafted free agent, Hanna does have an outside shot at being selected on Day 3 of the NFL Draft.
Tight End to Watch: Anthony Miller, Cal
Seemed to regress this year but that could be because of emergence of Keenan Allen and the need for extra blocking. As a junior Miller showed consistently reliable hands but had his fair share of drops in his senior year. Above avg athlete who can adjust to poorly thrown ball but shows some stiffness. Improved as in line blocker but struggles w hand placement and can occasionally get abused by better ends.
Offensive Linemen
1. Darrion Weems, Oregon
Good athlete at the offensive tackle position, Weems seems to have a real good understanding of the game. Displays a good kick step in pass pro and shows good pop in his hands at the point of attack. Could afford to add more bulk and strength to lower half; needs to solidify a draftable grade with a solid week.
2. Mark Asper, Oregon
Moved to G but can also play OT. Known for saving a man’s life at Lawrey’s annual “Beef Bowl” before the Rose Bowl this year. Great size for OT but is a bit heavy footed in pass pro and struggles some with redirection. Generates good power through his lower half in run game as in line blocker. Versatile depth guy with chance to go late in the NFL draft
3. Paul Cornick, North Dakota State
The typical, tough-minded, blue-collar right tackle for North Dakota State, Cornick is best suited inside at guard, which is where he will play this week for the North squad. Three major areas of concern with Cornick are his pad level, leverage, and hand placement. Never putting all three of those together for a snap, Cornick struggled to consistently create a push in the run game. Displays tenacious hands at the point of attack and a mean streak to clean up the pile, but tries to roll underneath defenders too early, leaving him vulnerable with poor leverage. This early snap at the point ultimately leads to his hands landing outside defender’s shoulder pads, thereby limiting his ability to control his man, drive in the run game, and avoid holding penalties. Not a tremendous athlete either, Cornick could stand to lose some unhealthy weight and trim down to the 290’s range. Weigh-ins will likely set the tone for how Cornick’s week will go.
Offensive Lineman to Watch – Carson Rockhill, Calgary
Pretty good natural athlete; extremely raw and has benefited against much lesser competition. Needs to spend a year or two at the CFL level before taking on the NFL. Will be very interesting to see how he reacts to the size and speed of Division I defensive linemen. Could start out as a practice squad member at best.
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