2012 Shrine Game: East And West Weigh-In Results/Notes

For some prospects, the weigh-in is the end all-be all, as some prospects need to prove they have the size, length, girth, wingpan, or overall build to play or even just last in the NFL. The weigh-in, which is basically an underwear, meat-market type affair that would look strange and improper for a non-NFL Draft follower, is a crucial part of the evaluation process.

These heights and weights are courtesy of NationalFootballPost.com, as only NFL teams were allowed in, but Wes Bunting was included in that as well. 

The link to the weigh-in is here: http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/EastWest-Shrine-Weighin-Results.html   

East Weigh-In Notes
-Five offensive linemen showed 81″ wingspan or longer. An 80 foot wingspan gives you around a 6’8 grasp, and to me, that usually the golden number for an NFL left tackle and generally the same goes for a right tackle as well. Jeremiah Warren of South Florida is a likely guard in the NFL, but he had one of the longest wingspan’s at the event at 83 1/4. Also a guard, but a guy who has the build, room to bulk up, and talent to kick outside is Desmond Wynn of Rutgers, who had an 82 1/8 wingspan. With his body type and likely play, he could be a faster riser on draft day.

-As for the already-slated-as tackles, Joe Long of Wayne State had 84 3/8 wingspan, Lamar Holmes of Southern Miss had 82 1/8 wingspan, and Jeff Adams, who may be the only potential NFL left tackle at the Shrine Game, had 81 3/8 wingspan at a well-built and athletic looking 6’6, 306.

–BJ Cunningham of Michigan State not only measured in a pedestrian 6’1, 209, but registered the smallest hand size of any receiver at the event with 8 1/4 inch hands. That’s a MAJOR concern and red flag, as small handed receivers usually mean drop-likely receivers, which also leads to undrafted or late round receivers.

–Julian Miller of West Virginia measured in at 6’3, 256, but I was hoping he’d come in a little heavier. As of now, he’s without a position, and I’d rather he just bulk up to the 270-280 range and be an athletic 5-technique or a long 4-3 defensive end. It’ll be interesting to see where coaches put him this week.

–Akiem Hicks of Regina (Canada) sure looked the part, at 6’4, 325, with 10 1/8 inch hands and an 84 inch wingspan. Those numbers alone combined with a decent NFL combine may get him drafted, but he needs to show explosion and some developed rush moves before he’s a lock.

–Brandon Lindsey measured in at just 6’1.5, 255, which doesn’t bode well in his hopes of being an outside rusher in the NFL, even in a 3-4 scheme. Still, he had 10 3/4 inch hands which will help get some seperation as he rushes, but he’ll get a chance as a 4-3 OLB this week a lot.

-Josh Norman sure looked the part of the new “ideal” NFL cornerback with his length and overall physicality potential for him. He and Tysyn Hartman of Kansas State had good length in the secondary.      

-Finally, the punter from Florida State, Shawn Powell, was built like a defensive end at 6’3, 253, and looked like he was going out to long-snap as an offensive linemen initially. Not sure how valuable that is for a punter, but I’m guessing having the size to lay a hit can’t be a bad thing.

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West Weigh-In Notes
-Similar to the East, Marcel Jones of Nebraska and Ryan Miller of Colorado both had the wingspan of a potential NFL tackle. Also, Northwestern’s Al Netter is listed as a guard and measured in at 6’4.5, but has an 81 1/4 wingspan (longer than Miller’s) and I think still could be considered a right tackle prospect. We’ll see if he plays there.

-Speaking off offensive linemen, I want to consider NC State’s TE George Bryan in that same mold as well. He does only have 78 3/4 wingspan, a concern for sure, but he has 6’6 size, powerful off the snap, and would be a good athlete if he became an right tackle convert. He’s already around 265, so if he can get up to 285-290 by the draft, he could be worth the project.

–Kentrell Lockett showed up a lot lighter than expected at 254 (6’5), but his wingspan of 84 3/8 inches is remarkable and I’ll be curious to see how well he uses it. Now likely only a 3-4 rush linebacker, if he can use his length well and quickly, he could be a worthwhile mid-rounder.

–Devon Wylie of Fresno State, who stole the show in practice the first day, was only measured/weighed-in at 5’9, 186. But, his legs were very defined, he looked physical and like he could take some hits, and his explosion combined with those two traits make him a likely fast riser leading up to the draft.

–Jarius Wright of Arkansas had just 8 3/4 inch hands, the smallest of the receivers on the West roster, and still a legit concern for an NFL prospect at receiver. Still, he seems reliable enough to be able to grab passes away from his body well enough.

–Bobby Rainey of Western Kentucky was a late addition, but with his 5’7, 208, compact and powerful frame, he could start getting some Maurice Jones-Drew comparisons. Now I certainly wouldn’t go that far, but with the success of MJD and Darren Sproles, NFL teams will take a closer look at compact, low to the ground running backs.

–Tyrone Crawford of Boise State was built thicker and more powerfully that I remember from film at 6’4, 285, but carried it well, looks like he can be a powerful rusher, especially crashing inside. He also has 80 1/8 wingspan, which opens the door for a potential 5-technique in the NFL.