In a battle of two senior quarterbacks with plenty to prove, Jacoby Brissett of NC State hopes to show NFL scouts that he’s more than a flashy passer, and can perform big in his final collegiate game against an SEC foe. Opposite him, Dak Prescott leads a Mississippi State team that had higher expectations this season, but boasts plenty of junior talent, led by WR De’Runnya Wilson.
By: Eric Galko
NC State
Jacoby Brissett, QB #12, 6’4, 238
With ideal NFL size, mobility, flashes of pocket presence, and Ben Roethlisberger-like plays where he can escape tacklers and finish throws, it’s easy to see how Brissett COULD develop into a high level NFL starter. But Derrik Klassen said it best: “It’s easy to like him for his rare poise, but it’s just as easy to be disgusted by him because of his inability within the structure of the offense.” He hasn’t proved to be a reliable quarterback outside of a select few games, and despite the fact that his peaks are excitingly high, it’ll take a tremendous performance here, at the Senior Bowl, and in private workouts before he gets a sniff at the top-two rounds.
Juston Burris, CB #11, 6’1, 207
As NC State’s best defensive player, Burris wasn’t often targeted this season as the team’s shutdown cornerback. With limited action on field, it’s easy to dismiss Burris, but he’s quietly one of the better cornerbacks in the ACC and a senior to watch in the draft process With plus length and a natural hip turn as he works vertical without giving up underneath routes, there’s a reason he wasn’t often targeted in college, and why he could have better NFL success than he had college attention.
Others to Watch
Joe Thuney, OT #54
Alex Barr, OG #71
Mike Rose, DE #90
Hakim Jones, SAF #1
Mississippi State
Dak Prescott, QB #15, 6’4, 235
Once thought of as a potential high-round draft pick during his Heisman contending junior season, Prescott has failed to develop into an NFL quality passer. He’s long shed the Tim Tebow comparison, as especially this season has proven to be an effective pocket passer when need be. Against LSU, his second-half performance nearly led them to a victory almost solely because of his pocket decisiveness and progressions. But Prescott lacks the ball placement on perimeter throws, has an inconsistent deep ball, and needs ample work in pocket footwork and natural pressure feel before he can e a capable NFL starter. Still, he could hear his name called on Day 3 as a project passer, and may be worth the development time.
De’Runnya Wilson, WR #1, 6’4, 215 (JR)
A bit of an upright runner and slow starter, Wilson gets work in the slot and on the perimeter for the Dak Prescott-led offense. Running his routes with some patience and choppy steps allows him to turn into a runner after catch quickly along with adjust to throws at a high-level. His lack of great vertical speed or natural separation with routes is an issue, but he can be a James Jones-type receiver at the NFL level. He also boxes out very well on interior and redzone routes, using his wide frame and length to give Prescott a clear throwing window. He should stay in school another season, though with Prescott gone, he may opt to leave with him.
Chris Jones, DT # 98, 6’3, 303 (JR)
Working as a three-technique and nose tackle in the Bulldog defense, Jones offers plus upper half strength to win at the initial contact point, push back a blockers chest-plate and settle in run defense in anticipation of the runner. Possessing a plus-motor and working with great leverage as he attacks down the line, Jones’s ability to stay strength at the initial block point, work laterally with control while blocked, and finish away from his frame could make him a top-two rounder should he consider declaring in 2016.
Others to Watch
Justin Malone, OG #70
Rufus Warren, OT, #77
Taveze Calhoun, CB #23
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