Turning a new page in Thanksgiving tradition with the departure of Texas A&M to the SEC, Texas now faces off versus Big 12 newcomer TCU in what should be a tight ball game.
Playing in Austin for this game, Texas, with Jonathan Gray receiving an increased workload of 52 carries in the previous 3 games, has experienced new life offensively. While Gray’s touches were a result of lingering injuries to starters Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron, both have fully recovered and should be heavily involved in the game plan.
For the TCU Horned Frogs, playing on the road hasn’t been the issue in their inaugural Big 12 season, as they are 4-1 as the visiting ball club. Coming off a bye week after their close loss to Kansas State, expect Gary Patterson’s defense to be up to the challenge versus Texas.
Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas – 6’1, 218 #4
Vaccaro has been one of my favorite prospects to scout in the Big 12 over the past two seasons for one, multi-layered reason –versatility. Capable of playing over the top as a centerfielder in cover 1 or cover 3; covering the deep half in cover 2; buzzing down into the flats as the roll-down safety in cover 3; robbing the middle of the field as the free underneath defender in man coverage; and playing bump-and-run or off-man coverage versus the opposition’s top slot receiver; Vaccaro literally does it all for Texas defense in pass coverage, which will only boost his next level value. Vaccaro possesses ideal size and speed for the position, a “plus” first step out of his plant and drive, and a combination of football instincts and intelligence that set him apart from the rest of the senior safety class. Beyond his polished coverage skills, Vaccaro doubles as an explosive tackler and edge blitzer. Processing and reacting immediately to run flow, this Texas safety attacks the line of scrimmage with violence and aggression. That aggression has been a double-edged sword throughout his career, as it’s led to both big hits and crucial missed tackles. In order to take the next step as a prospect, I’d like to see more consistent tackling form. At any rate, we’re talking about a day 1 starter and impact defensive player that should hear his name called on the first night of the NFL Draft.
Alex Okafor, DE, Texas – 6’4, 265 #80
5-star recruit Alex Okafor sports blue chip talent, as both a power-speed rusher off the edge and run stuffing contain defender for the Texas defense. Possessing the “plus” physical traits sought after at the defensive end position, Okafor’s combination of athleticism, explosion, quickness, and power, display a very well rounded game with the upside to develop into an even better pass rusher. Understanding how to win with his hands at the point of attack, Okafor’s ability to make plays off of blockers will endear him to scouts around the league, as an end capable of manning the strong side in a 4 man front. Exploding out of his stance and quick to engage blockers, Okafor creates an instant push up front, sets a firm edge against the run, and has shown read and react skills. Okafor’s strength certainly rests in his ability to power through blockers with his hands and leg drive upon initial engage. Glimpses of dominance flash across the screen with Alex Okafor, but consistency remains an issue. Too often Okafor leaves with the impression that he isn’t making the most of his physical tools by not taking over games in the manner he is capable of doing. That being said, he’s finally begun to produce numbers that equate to his talent level, improving from 7 sacks in 13 games last season to 8 sacks in just 10 games as a senior. Capable of working into the top 15, Okafor, as of now, is a late 1st round type of player with a relatively high floor and very high ceiling, as a prospect capable of developing further.
Mike Davis, WR, Texas – 6’1 188 #1
Another former 5-star recruit, Mike Davis struggled to live up to expectations early in his career, experiencing focus drops throughout his 2011 campaign. This season however, Davis has showcased fluid athleticism, sharp change of direction skills, and vertical speed to be a next level, impact player, and potential early declarer for the 2013 draft. Firing out of his release and accelerating right away to top speed, Davis does a nice job of eating up the cushion given by his opponent. Most encouraging with Davis, have been his precise one-cut route running, where he’s been able to cleanly get in and out of his breaks for consistent separation. Despite being listed at 6’1, 188 lbs. Davis plays much larger and taller than his frame would seem to suggest, as he maintains great balance and body control to beat defenders at the catch point. Though it’s more likely he returns for his senior season, Davis would be a fringe 3rd or 4th round draft pick if he decided to take the NFL route a year early.
Jeremy Hills, RB, Texas – 6’0, 205 #5
Lost in the mix of 5-star recruits at Texas, is a legit NFL prospect in Jeremy Hills. Not on my radar by any means prior to this season, Hills has proven himself in limited touches and 3rd down opportunities. Having the second gear to explode to and through the hole, I’ve been intrigued with Hills’ toughness, balance, and motor through initial contact, as he can fight through arm tacklers and finish with leg drive. On passing downs, Hills has done a solid job of picking up the free rusher, snapping his head around as the checkdown target, and converting 1st downs late with his receiving ability. An undrafted free agent type of prospect, it would take an incredible predraft workout for Jeremy Hills to climb up into a draftable range.
Texas Others to Watch:
D.J. Monroe, RB/WR, Texas – 5’9, 175 #26
Marquise Goodwin, WR, Texas – 5’9, 180 #84
(JR) Mason Walters, OG, Texas – 6’6, 320 #72
(JR) Josh Boyce, WR, TCU – 6’0, 203 #82 Running routes from the X, Z and slot receiver positions for TCU’s passing attack, Josh Boyce impresses off the cuff with a bigger-than-listed frame, sharp change of direction skills and smooth athleticism. Able to gather and adjust to off-target throws with fluidity, Boyce flashes the hands and reactions to be a dominant possession receiver at the next level. With all that in mind, Boyce isn’t considered among the top junior-eligible receiver prospects due to focus drops and lack of elite top end speed. He’ll need to cut down on drops and time well in workouts in order to be selected in the 3rd round (should he even declare).
Skye Dawson, WR, TCU – 5’9, 183 #11
A former two-sport athlete that gave up track prior to his junior 2011 season, Skye Dawson is an undersized, speedy slot receiver and return specialist that is still developing as a route runner and very dangerous with the ball in his hands. Despite not having the best open field vision as a returner, Dawson is able to place doubt and hesitation into closing kick or punt coverage defenders with his outstanding start and stop ability in space; accelerating to full speed in a flash and decelerating just as quickly, Dawson can be difficult to bring down in one-on-one tackling situations. In a similar fashion, Dawson releases out of the slot with a stutter-go technique that is meant to, again, create hesitation on the part of the defender; in slow playing the release before quickly accelerating to full speed, Dawson is able to win with short area burst and attempt to create further separation downfield with his top end speed. Where he struggles, however, involves downfield contact and hand checking throughout the route. Furthermore as a route runner, Dawson could dramatically improve his separation at the top of his route by setting up his cuts with either a shoulder dip or nod; rounding off his breaks and not changing speeds at the route break, Dawson telegraphs his intended pattern to covering defenders. Being a smaller, undersized receiver, Dawson really can get beat up at times when working down the seams, and will need to use his hands more frequently to fight for positioning. Having next level speed, body control and competes, Dawson will likely stick on an NFL roster next year as a priority free agent.
Kenny Cain, ILB, TCU – 6’1, 225 #51
Quick at diagnosing and filling his assigned gap in the run game, Kenny Cain displays very strong instincts in the read/react phase of the linebacker position. Keeping his shoulders squared to the line and not popping up out of his stance, he’s able to work laterally while fighting with his hands to stay disengaged from blockers, flow to the football and remain in an ideal tackling position. Can be exposed in the passing game when unable to get his hands on crossing patterns; lacking the straight-line speed to stay stride for stride with those crossers on mesh concepts, Cain relies heavily upon legal contact (5-yards from the line of scrimmage) to re-route wide receivers and disrupt the timing of the play. Kenny Cain plays to his undersized weight of 6’1, 225 lbs. at times, but appears much thicker than his listing would suggest; with that in mind, Cain may struggle to bulk up even further at the next level and would ideally be situated in a defense that features a 4-man front. I like how he takes on blockers by bringing his hands and hips to the point of attack, as he flashes the ability to work himself free of blockers en route to the ball carrier. In order to be considered more than a priority free agent, he’ll have to improve his straight-line speed and overall fluidity in space.
TCU Others to Watch:
(JR) Matthew Tucker, RB, TCU – 6’1, 227 #29
Blaize Foltz, OG, TCU – 6’4, 310 #66
(JR) Stansley Maponga, DE, TCU – 6’2, 265 #90
(JR) Jason Verrett, CB, TCU – 5’10, 180 #2
(JR) Elisha Olabode, S, TCU – 5’10, 192 #6
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