It’s safe to say that the 2014 season hasn’t gone to plan for the “Ole Ball Coach” and the South Carolina Gamecocks. After recovering from a horrible opening week loss to Texas A&M with an upset victory over Georgia, Steve Spurrier’s team lost in consecutive weeks to Missouri and Kentucky. Once presumed a contender, the Gamecocks are a long way from returning to the Georgia Dome for the SEC title game.
But that isn’t to say 2014 has been bad for the entire team. Senior left guard A.J. Cann has enjoyed a breakout season in which he’s now considered one of the top, if not the number one rated interior offensive line prospect in the country. Facing a group of talented Auburn defensive tackles this week, Cann will face his toughest opponents to date this season. Continue reading to find out why this offensive guard is so highly regarded in scouting circles, and why he’s the player to highlight in this week’s Scouting Spotlight.
By: Alex Brown
Evaluating Auburn’s Senior-led Defensive Line
I’ll be the first to say that true sophomore Montravious Adams (#1) is the most gifted athlete on Auburn’s defensive line; however, seniors Gabe Wright and Angelo Blackson are the prospects to keep an eye on for the 2015 draft class. Both grade out as plug-and-play rotational DTs with the ability to land 3rd or 4th round draft grades from NFL scouts.
With Gabe Wright, NFL teams are looking at a quick-footed, balanced athlete at the 3-technique position. He’s a bit undersized as a 6’3, 280 pound lineman, but Wright possesses a plus first step and a non-stop motor to impact the game. Wright is an ideal fit for a Cover 2 defense that seeks an attacking, slanting defensive tackle, but don’t expect him to be able to anchor and two-gap. His lack of anchor strength is a concern and could limit him as a rotational piece until he improves his functional playing strength.
Next to Wright, Angelo Blackson is a much different monster. He’s bigger, stronger and more explosive in his movements, with the ability to split double teams and create immediate disruption off the snap. And like Wright, Blackson plays with high energy and effort. Unfortunately, his style of play can be best termed as reckless. Aggressive to work upfield, he has a tendency of running himself out of the play and has his fair share of missed tackles. He’s a powerful and athletic lineman, but his technique isn’t where it needs to be and he’ll need time at the next level.
In this game, I want to see how effective these two seniors can be against a South Carolina offensive line that’s led by left guard A.J. Cann.
Breaking Down A.J. Cann’s Physicality and Pass Pro Ability
When it comes to evaluating offensive linemen, physicality, toughness and strength are non-negotiable traits. It starts at the point of attack and if you don’t have the requisite strength, you’ll be bullied at the next level.
In evaluating A.J. Cann’s junior tape, I saw above average-to-good power at the point of attack. He was an effective run blocker and had adequate anchor strength. As a senior however, he’s made noticeable improvements with his punch and overall blocking strength to finish blocks in a more punishing fashion.
The following inside zone run showcases just how explosive Cann is through his lower half. Here, he’s able to get underneath the defensive tackle’s pad level, bring his hips through the contact point and run his feet for the pancake block. His punch lands directly on the chestplate of the defender, enabling him to secure an inside fit and control the blocker at this point. Playing with proper technique and under control, Cann makes it look easy.
On this next play, Cann doesn’t come out of his stance with the same quickness and that’s by design. Although not overly forceful on the initial engagement as the previous block, Cann is quick to absorb the initial force of the defender and reset his base. Instead of panicking and lunging to recover, notice how he gathers his feet to reset his anchor. By digging his feet into the dirt and playing with ideal base width, Cann is now able to lockout and drive his opponent 3-yards upfield for another pancake.
Just as important as pushing people around, an NFL guard must have quick feet to mirror in pass protection and be able to pickup blitz or stunts along the front seven. In evaluating Cann’s skill set, his ability to diagnose DT twists upfront stands as one of his best traits.
Right off the snap, an uncovered A.J. Cann steps inside to assist the center in protection. In the process of blocking the inside shaded DT, Cann’s eye level is up and scanning for potential threats. You see not only the vision to locate the defensive end twisting all the way across the formation, but the lateral quickness to cutoff a gifted edge rusher in Missouri’s Shane Ray (current SEC sack leader).
Final Takeaway
Auburn likes to play Angelo Blackson as a one-technique or shade nose tackle, so I have a feeling we’ll see more of Gabe Wright versus A.J. Cann. Still, Blackson will draw help from Cann, even as a nose tackle, and will get opportunities to rush as a 3-technique.
Based on my scouting, A.J. Cann’s anchor strength is good, not great. His athleticism is similarly solid, albeit not spectacular. In this game, he’s facing prospects in Gabe Wright and Angelo Blackson that will test both of those qualities –Wright having plus quicks for a defensive tackle and Blackson possessing explosive strength in spades.
As much of a test as it will be for A.J. Cann, Auburn’s DT prospects Gabe Wright and Angelo Blackson have the stage to prove their worth as fringe day two prospects. And for Cann, could he potentially be a first round offensive guard for the 2015 NFL Draft? It’s is a matchup that NFL Draft evaluators should have circled and one that I’ll be keeping a close eye on this Saturday.
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