The winners from the final day of padded practices for 2015 Senior Bowl Scouting for the North squad were Ali Marpet, Nate Orchard, Hayes Pullard, Jeff Luc, Ibraheim Campbell and Eric Rowe. For the practice, Alex Brown broke down quarterbacks and skill players while Ian Wharton took notes on running backs, linebackers and the line play.
Quarterbacks
-For the North, none of the quarterbacks stood out in a positive light. Baylor’s Bryce Petty did not showcase any anticipation or field vision for reading coverage. During 7-on-7 pass skeleton drills, he only completed passes to checkdowns and also threw one interception. His inability to scan past his first read is a huge drawback for NFL teams.
-East Carolina QB Shane Carden had his struggles as well, tossing two interceptions during an early team walk-through and another interception during a later portion of team drills. His lack of velocity and awkward delivery make it almost impossible for him to execute intermediate passes without perfect timing.
-Oregon QB Sean Mannion was just as underwhelming today, showing sluggish feet during pocket footwork drills and not displaying the arm you’d expect from a passer with his frame. Mannion was more efficient at locating targets during 7-on-7, but wasn’t able to separate himself from the other two passers.
Running Backs
-Minnesota running back David Cobb separated himself as a pass blocker, showing that he has a strong base and ability to mirror pass rushers effectively. Cobb is a solid interior runner, but his ability to impact a team right away as a blocker is key for his draft projection and likeliness to get on the field.
-Nebraska’s Ameer Abdullah was bullied by blitzing linebackers, and his lack of bulk is going to limit his contributions as a pass blocker. He works hard, but doesn’t have the power to jolt the rushers back. He looked good on several inside running plays, specifically when he had to one cut up the field.
-Yale fullback Tyler Varga is a fun player to root for. He had a diving catch out of bounds, highlighting his athleticism and focus. He is not agile, though, and this hurts his route running and blocking potential.
Wide Receivers
-While Carden had his struggles, his ECU receiver Justin Hardy set up routes with controlled footwork and displayed his excellent hands at the catch point. Like we’ve said all week, Hardy doesn’t have elite speed or explosiveness but is extremely nuanced at the position and skilled as a route runner. He’ll contribute day one out of the slot.
-Duke receiver Jamison Crowder is a fun package receiver to evaluate with his exceptional quicks and refined routes, but it’s tough to overlook his diminutive frame. Crowder was knocked off path and into the sideline versus a longer corner in Eric Rowe, and also had his fair share of rough snaps during redzone one-on-ones. During team, he also didn’t help Shane Carden out on an interception, as he did not settle into the soft area of zone coverage on a simple seam pattern. He’s refined as a route runner and able to create separation, but he’ll need to learn how to avoid contact through the route.
-A receiver that showed improvement versus the press was Stanford wideout Ty Montgomery. Built like a halfback, Montgomery simply didn’t show the quicks or footwork to win at the line of scrimmage during the first two days of practice. Today, he set up defensive backs and fought through the contact. With that said, he doesn’t move fluidly as a route runner and looks more like a complementary piece than a primary target.
-Another receiver that showed improvement was Tony Lippett from Michigan State. Avoiding contact and getting to landmarks as a route runner, Lippett looked very smooth in his release technique and route breaks. He skied for a few acrobatic catches and also used his length well during contest reception drills.
-Ohio State’s Devin Smith could not handle cornerbacks at the line of scrimmage and still needs to develop as a route runner. From footwork to hand use, Smith doesn’t have the technique to defeat press coverage. He caught the ball better today and extended for multiple high targets, but needs time to become more than a vertical weapon.
Tight Ends
-The North tight ends lack any exceptional qualities but both Notre Dame’s Ben Koyack and Kent State’s Casey Pierce could be backup types in the league. Pierce continued to build on a solid week of practice, tracking the ball well and finishing catches away from his frame. For Koyack, he doesn’t threaten defenses as a receiver but is a reliable blocker on the edge.
Offensive Line
-The star of the week was Hobart’s Ali Marpet. The DIII lineman has been fantastic at guard, jolting rushers back despite not having an ultra strong frame. His leverage and hand placement is very refined, and it shows in team and individual drills. He’s a stud that is looking like a potential Day 2 pick.
-Laken Tomlinson and Jamil Douglas had somewhat inconsistent final practices, but both leave with a positive impression. When everything works, they’re each very good. Both sometimes allow the defender too far into the pocket, leaving them to reset their feet. They still win, so that’s a positive, but it’s something to improve upon.
-Pittsburgh tackle T.J. Clemmings continues to struggle in pass pro. He’s a rare athlete for the position, but all of the edge guys were using speed to power to get inside of his frame. Clemmings lacks the technical skill to punch and keep edge rushers at bay, and once he loses the initial position advantage, he doesn’t recover. He is a major project at tackle right now.
Defensive Line
-Washington’s Danny Shelton has been utterly dominant this week in team and individual workouts. He is so quick off the snap with his first step and uses his power to shed blocks with ease. He does struggle against doubles, though, and that’s an area that could hurt his case as a nose tackle.
-Harvard edge rusher Zack Hodges was hurt, but still practiced today. He looked good when moving in team drills, but very still and noticeably injured during individual workouts. He should be praised for fighting through his knee injury. 
-Utah edge Nate Orchard had a huge day. He looked extremely quick as a wide 9 end showed the burst and hands en route to many wins in individual and team routes. He had an impressive interception on a screen play, where he read the play, disengaged quickly and scooped the ball up.
-Iowa tackle Carl Davis continued to have a good well as well. He’s strong as an ox when he has leverage, and he’s been low all week. He takes on doubles well and can get upfield into the backfield on some run plays.
-The worst player this week was Stanford’s Henry Anderson. He was on the ground most of his reps, failing to get low or get inside of the blocker. He’s strong, but has zero technical skill right now and doesn’t have quickness to win with.
Linebackers
-USC inside linebacker Hayes Pullard had a fantastic day. Pullard dominated team and individual drills, showing light, quick feet and great coverage fluidity. He is able to turn and run downfield with running backs, and he logged an interception where he rode the hip of Abdullah until the ball arrived. His ability in run fits was also on display, as he filled a run lane perfectly and re-directed the back inside.
–Jeff Luc continued to have a strong week. The former Cincinnati Bearcat doesn’t move incredibly well, but he does so at least enough to warrant playing. He’s able to read the QB in coverage effectively and handle backs in the flat. His real impact comes against the run, where he has a nose for the ball and disengages really well.
-Texas off ball linebacker Jordan Hicks had a good showing in coverage as well. He isn’t a terrific athlete, but he’s smart and gets the job done. He logged an interception by staying on top of the back, then jumped underneath for the ball. He may have solidified his outlook as a potential starting caliber strong side linebacker.
Defensive Backs
-The big winner of the day was Northwestern safety Ibraheim Campbell. In one-on-one’s with the receivers, he locked up Devin Smith and Jamison Crowder with ease. He shows physical hands and patient footwork to cut off the receiver’s release, and moved well downfield. In the team setting, he followed the quarterback’s eyes to intercept a seam pattern and was consistent with his run fits.
-Another safety that continued to build on positive momentum was Utah’s Eric Rowe. At free safety, he picked off a seam pattern and did a good job of reading the eye level of opposing North quarterbacks. In team setting, he also lined up some at cornerback and excelled at rerouting the receiver’s release in Cover 2 press alignment. He’s a plus length defensive back with ball skills to make plays, so he’ll be a valued commodity.
-Oregon State cornerback Steven Nelson performed well again in press looks and competed throughout the practice, but needs to be more patient in off-coverage and less grabby. I love Nelson’s willingness to be physical and his foot quickness is good enough to work from the slot. In the right system, he could play inside or outside but he needs to operate quieter with his hands to avoid interference calls at the next level.
-Miami (OH) corner Quinton Rollins moved far more efficiently during individual drills and in his backpedal than previously this week. He’s taken to coaching well and looked better in downfield coverage thanks to improved timing of his hip turn. His athleticism and ball skills could lead to a corner or safety projection, but he’ll still need time to develop the technical aspects of defensive back play.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
