While there are plenty of NFL Draft prospects to discuss in this matchup, the coaching ties between the two teams are definitely worth mentioning. Back when he was the head coach at Houston, Texas A&M’s head coach Kevin Sumlin brought on now-West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen as his offensive coordinator. On top of that, Sumlin’s current offensive coordinator, Jake Spavital, began his coaching career in Houston as a graduate assistant under both Sumlin and Holgorsen. Spavital followed Dana Holgorsen to Oklahoma State and West Virginia, before being hired as Texas A&M’s co-offensive coordinator.
Holgorsen and Spavital have joked about knowing each other’s play call signals, and it’ll be interesting to watch how the two coaching staffs adjust their up-tempo offense to one another. More importantly, both squads have talented prospects to evaluate for the upcoming draft, highlighted by West Virginia senior WR Kevin White and Texas A&M’s Cedric Ogbuehi. Keep reading to find out more on White, Ogbuehi and the other top prospects on display in the Liberty Bowl.
By: Alex Brown
Texas A&M
Trey Williams, RB, #3
Though not overly productive (70 carries for 474 yards and 6 TD this season), Trey Williams is one of the more talented underclassman RB prospects eligible for the 2015 draft. Williams’ greatest attribute is his elusiveness, as he shows graceful feet to avoid tacklers. He’s prone to forcing bounce cuts to the outside, but has the natural athleticism and explosive burst to work his way into a timeshare in the NFL. His ability to return kicks will help him get on the field right away.
Cedric Ogbuehi, LT, #70
Ogbuehi has had his fair share of struggles as a senior, particularly with hand usage, but still remains a highly talented prospect. From arm length, to foot speed, to body control in pass pro and downfield as a second level blocker, the Texas A&M tackle more than looks the part. The issue with Ogbuehi right now is how poorly he times his initial punch and fails to establish control at the point of attack. There are flashes of pop through his hands, but not on a consistent basis. He looks more like a talented, developmental prospect than a sure-fire first round pick.
Jarvis Harrison, LG, #51
Harrison is a massive being with long, powerful arms to latch and control opponents off the snap. Whenever Texas A&M’s starting RT Germain Ifedi went down with a knee sprain, he showed the flexibility to kick outside at left tackle. Although he’s a top-heavy blocker that can struggle when forced to redirect laterally, Harrison moves well enough to earn a look as a next level RT.
Germain Ifedi, RT, #74 (RS SO)
Ifedi sprained his knee back in November but made a speedy recovery to play in the Aggies’ final home game versus LSU. Ifedi shows great initial quicks for his size and has the physical tools of an NFL RT with long arms, heavy hands and a wide body. Much like his teammate Cedric Ogbuehi, Ifedi struggles to get his hands up in a striking position and is often forced into recovery mode. Although he’s draft eligible, I anticipate Ifedi returning to school in order to log a season of game film at LT.
Deshazor Everett, CB, #29
Coming into the season, Everett had the hype of a potential top 100 selection but that excitement was soon tempered. Everett is a plus-sized cornerback that excels in run support, but struggles at the catch point to locate and finish plays. With his lack of recovery speed and ball tracking skills, his only scheme fit at CB will be in a Cover 2 defense. With his tackling skills and experience wearing multiple hats in the secondary, teams will view Everett as a mid to late round safety prospect.
Others to watch:
Malcome Kennedy, WR, #84
Cameron Clear, TE, #85
Mike Matthews, OC, #54 (JR)
DeVante Harris, CB, #1
West Virginia
Kevin White, WR, #11
Really looks the part of an NFL wide receiver with plus size and length to body up smaller corners, locate and adjust to high point receptions. Shows ability to stick his foot in the ground and convert routes to back shoulder targets, presenting a high upside as a redzone weapon. White isn’t a burner, likely running in the 4.5 range, but he’s a fluid mover at his size and uses his hands well to fight through contact downfield. Overall body control as a vertical route runner is elite and he shows great balance in locating the throw. He’s climbed from a preseason day three prospect to a day one possibility.
Quinton Spain, LG, #67
Quinton Spain has an absolutely massive body with a wide-base, broad shoulders and plus arm length. He’s not an efficient blocker but is still able to control opponents with his overpowering upper half strength. Too often Spain is catching blocks and on his heels in recovery, an issue that needs to be corrected before he takes the NFL stage. Spain is athletic enough to pull and locate in a power-run system, but needs to continually work to improve his balance and ability to redirect laterally. Ultimately, his plus size, strength and physicality could push him inside the top 100 overall and scheme fit will play a huge role in his NFL production.
Shaquille Riddick, DE, #4
Transferring in from Gardner-Webb, Shaquille Riddick started the season on the bench before starting 7 of the final 8 games and leading the team with 7 sacks. He’s a bit of an upright, leggy athlete that struggles to sink his lower half, but impresses with closing burst and plus effort. Riddick routinely works a pull-through move to disengage from blocks, making the most of his condor-like wingspan. His best fit will likely be as a 3-4 OLB prospect, as he needs to be given space to stunt around the front seven. Riddick’s wiry frame, lack of a plus anchor or edge flexibility will make him more of a mid-to-late day three prospect.
Karl Joseph, S, #8
Joseph can do so many things at a high level and fits the bill as an NFL starter. From a build and physicality standpoint, he compares favorably with Baltimore Ravens safety Matt Elam. With that said, Joseph is a more consistent, controlled tackler and a more skilled coverage player. He shows the ability to press at the line of scrimmage, and turn and run with slot receivers in man coverage, while also having the range and diagnose skills to play over the top of the secondary. If he declared, I would give Joseph a mid to late first round grade.
Others to watch:
Dreamius Smith, RB, #2
Mario Alford, WR, #5
Mark Glowinski, OG, #64
Brandon Golson, OLB, #2
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