2016 NFL Draft: Music City Bowl Scouting Preview: Louisville vs. Texas A&M

By: Patrick Callaway

Louisville

James Burgess, ILB #13, 5’11”, 236
Burgess is a short and stocky versatile inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense that can stop the run, rush the passer and cover in passing situations. He has great instincts that allow him to quickly diagnose plays and shoot gaps or make breaks on the ball on passes. This All-ACC linebacker will be a Day 3 draft pick that could come in and start right away on all four downs for a NFL team. James will best fit as a 3-4 ILB or 4-3 Will linebacker. His major flaw is his ability to make plays from sideline to sideline in the running game. He consistently shows the ability to make plays on inside runs but rarely on outside running plays. James will have the opportunity to show a vast array of his abilities against the Texas A&M offense that can run the ball but also has a good passing game.

Sheldon Rankins, DT/DE #98, 6’1” 303
Rankins is an average height defensive tackle with a large round body that is a run stopper. The All-ACC defensive lineman does a good job of firing off the ball low and hard and using his hands to lock out blockers and control the P.O.A. He has good lateral quickness that allows him to stunt easily to make big plays in the opposing backfield. His major flaw is his pass rushing ability that is caused by his lack of a first step and poor hand usage. Sheldon has the ability to play as an interior lineman or an end. He will be a Day 2 draft pick that will best fit as 3-4 DE and will immediately be a solid backup on base downs.

Josh Harvey-Clemons, SS #25, 6’5” 225 (JR)
Josh is an extremely tall and thin but defined versatile safety that plays the rover position for Louisville. In his first season at Louisville since transferring from the University of Georgia, he aligns at the rover position for the Cardinals where he is able to display his ability to play run support as well as cover receivers in the slot in zone coverage. His major flaw is his ability to play off man coverage on slot receivers because he lacks the fluid backpedal and quick hips needed to play man coverage in the slot. Harvey-Clemons reminds me of Ray Ray Armstrong (Miami-San Francisco 49ers) due to his height and ability to play more of a linebacker role, especially in sub-package situations. If he declares this year he will be a Day 3 pick that can immediately contribute on 3^rd and 4^th downs for a NFL team. It will be interesting to see his coverage abilities versus the elite receivers that the Aggies have.

Texas A&M

Tra Carson, RB #5, 5’11” 235
Tra is a short and muscular power running back. Even though he predominantly lowers his shoulders to gain yards he uses a combination of good vision and great footwork to cutback into lanes in the zone running scheme that the Aggies use. His major flaw is his lack of speed through the hole that prevents him from breaking long runs. Carson reminds me of Terrence West (Towson-Baltimore Ravens) due to his ability to make smooth and multiple cuts as a big running back. Carson will be an UDFA that will need to improve his speed to have an impact on the NFL level.

Mike Matthews, Center #56, 6’2” 290
Mike is an undersized interior lineman that can pass block and run block. He does a good job of getting on the edges when pulling and delivering blocks. The three-year starter does not have the athleticism of his older brother Jake (Texas A&M-Atlanta Falcons) as made evident by his lack of knee bend. He also appears to struggle with power rushers. Matthews will have his hands full versus the big and powerful Louisville defensive line. Mike will be an UDFA that needs to improve his strength and technique to make a NFL roster.

Germain Ifedi, OT #74, 6’6” 335 (JR)
Ifedi is a tall, long and lean Right Tackle that can pass and run block. He possesses great athleticism that allows him to stay in front of and redirect with the best speed rushers and also has the strength to handle power rushers and move defenders off the point in the running game. His strong punches stop rushers’ initial charge and he has the footwork and hip bend to stop their counter moves. His major flaw is his pass set at times where he places too much of his weight over his toes and throws him off balance which most NFL defenders will take advantage of and use some sort of a club and rip move to beat him. He has the ability to play Guard as well as Right Tackle. He reminds me of Gregg Robinson (Auburn-St. Louis Rams) due to his body type, strength and pass blocking ability. The All-SEC player is a Junior that I would expect to declare this year and be a Day 1 draft pick that would be an immediate starter at RT for a NFL team. It will be good to see Ifed test himself against veteran and talented group that Louisville has.