In the first set of weekly prospect match-ups previews, I’ll talk a look at the top six FBS match-ups of the weekend to watch as well as a few small school games to watch.
This week, some bigger games like Oklahoma vs. Florida State and Michigan State vs. Notre Dame obviously have loads of NFL talent, but match-ups like Pittsburgh and Iowa, Penn State and Temple, Maryland and West Virginia, and Washington and Nebraska will feature some good chances to scout some potential mid to high round draft talent in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Maryland vs. West Virginia
Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia vs. Kenny Tate, OLB, Maryland
I got a chance to really watch Geno Smith this week so far this season, and based on his progression from 2010 to 2011 and his play thus far, there is no reason that he shouldn’t be up for the Heisman if his team continues to win and he could be a solid 2013 quarterback prospect.
However, his biggest weakness as of now is his sometimes overconfidence in his arm, especially in the middle. Kenny Tate is an outstanding athlete who’s moved from safety to linebacker in Randy Edsall’s defense, but he still has the coverage ability to make Smith pay across the middle, or at least let his receivers hear footsteps. Maryland has a solid secondary to begin with, so Smith won’t have an easy path to production, but he has the talent to prove that he can perform at a high level against very good defenses.
Penn State vs. Temple
Bernard Pierce, RB, Temple vs. Devon Still, DT and Michael Mauti, ILB, Penn State
A game I’ll be live at this weekend, I’m excited to get my second live look at Bernard Pierce. This time, instead of the usual small to average sized crowd, he’ll have to take on not only an always good Penn State defense, but a stadium full of likely non-Temple fans.
Devon Still is a good athlete in the middle, and Michael Mauti (junior) appears to be the next in a very, very long line of outstanding Penn State linebackers. Still and Mauti will get a chance to show they can be the forces inside to stop one of the best running backs in the country. Also the massive Temple offensive line will have to match-up on Still as well as the host of defensive end talent for Penn State as well.
Pittsburgh vs. Iowa
Lucas Nix, OT, Pittsburgh vs. Broderick Binns, DE, Iowa
Last year, I loved Jason Pinkston as an offensive tackle from Pittsburgh, who ended up being drafted in the middle rounds by the Cleveland Browns. This year, Lucas Nix is yet another great Pittsburgh offensive tackle. What’s unique about Nix, though, is that he doesn’t have any limits as far as size, length, and athleticism is concerned. He’ll be up against a deep yet inexperienced Iowa defensive line, with the exception of Broderick Binns. Nix will have to show he handle all types of rushers at the right tackle spot and prove that he should be a top 50 selection come spring time.
Brandon Lindsey, DE, Pittsburgh vs. Riley Reiff and Markus Zusevics, OTs, Iowa
Now that Lindsey is at more of a 5-technique in Todd Graham’s defense, he won’t have as many one on one opportunities against tackles, it’ll be harder to get a true match-up without a blitz or a natural outside rush. Still, watching Lindsey, who’s the next in what has become a great set of Pittsburgh defensive ends, explode off the line and make that one sudden move and go is very impressive for when he does kick back to a 4-3 end in the pros.
Riley Reiff is the better tackle of the two, and has the potential to continue the Iowa history of producing high draft pick offensive tackles. Only a junior, Reiff could emerge as even a high first round pick if he performs well because of the lack of great tackles in this upcoming draft class. As for Zusevics, he’s being a bit overlooked right now, and could be himself a top 5 round draft pick if he leads the way as a run blocker as well as show off some pass blocking skills, starting with his match-up against Lindsey this weekend.
Washington vs. Nebraska
Chris Polk, RB, Washington vs. Jared Crick, DT and Lavonte David, OLB, Nebraska
The Pac-10, minus USC, is more often than not for speedy backs who are more of rotational guys and scat backs at the NFL level thanks to the type of in space offenses run in the conference. However, CHris Polk, a junior, isn’t necessarily like that. He’s a physical in the box runner who, when he picks up speed, can break off a big play and is hard to tackle.
To stop him, two potential first round picks for Nebraska will have to play well and stay at home. Jared Crick, one of the best defensive linemen in the country, will need to eat up the middle and not allow Polk to have a full head of steam through the hole. Crick does a great job causing disruption at the line, and if he can consistently demand double teams in the middle, that should allow Polk to bounce outside more than he wants to. Lavonte David at linebacker needs to showcase his range for if/when Polk does move outside of his desired hole, and needs to show he can bring down bigger, NFL built backs.
Jermaine Kearse, WR, Washington vs. Alfonso Dennard, CB, Nebraska
Without Jake Locker, Washington won’t have nearly of as good of a passing offense this season. However, Jermaine Kearse is a great talent at receiver that has flashed brillance at times but also struggled with routes, getting open, and reeling the ball in. Alfonso Dennard is close (prospect-wise) to Prince Amukamara last year, and should give Kearse headaches all day. If Kearse can be impressive against Dennard though, even just for a few plays, NFL teams could see that as potential and take a shot early on Kearse thanks to it.
Michigan State vs. Notre Dame
Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State vs. Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame
Based on our quarterback rankings here at Optimum Scouting, you can tell that we really like Kirk Cousins as a quarterback prospect. However, I’m not ready to give him that top 20 grade that gives teams some peace of mind when they take a quarterback that high. He’ll have a chance to showcase his ability against a high profile Notre Dame team, which features Harrison Smith in the defensive backfield.
A great talent in the back third of the field, Smith can both come up in run support as well as dictate when a quarterback throws the ball. If he can show the latter off in this game against a very smart quarterback, he should prove he can play the free safety spot in the NFL. While his performance won’t show up in the stat book, if Cousins is consistently aiming at the corners or checking down from deep, Smith is doing his job.
Edwin Baker, RB, Michigan State vs. Manti Te’o, ILB, Notre Dame
Baker is similar to Javon Ringer in production (though not nearly long enough) and has power to even be a higher draft pick come spring time. He’s explosive and doesn’t waste steps in his moves, which is important for running backs lacking big time speed. Manti Te’o of Notre Dame, just a junior, is viewed as one of the best linebackers in the country, and he’ll need to show he’s a sound form tackler as well as has the range to keep up with Baker to keep that title in and past this game.
Oklahoma vs. Florida State
Frank Alexander, DE, Oklahoma vs. Andrew Datko and Zebrie Sanders, OTs, Florida State
Frank Alexander doesn’t wow me when I watch him play, but he has a good first step and can move laterally well for a defensive end. Not viewed by us as a top three round prospect, he’ll have a chance to prove us wrong against two of the 2012 NFL Draft’s best tackles in Andrew Datko and Zebrie Sanders. Both are viewed as top 3 round prospects, with Datko fighting for the number one tackle spot in this class. They should be able to handle Alexander, but if not, that may open some red flags early in the year.
Greg Reid, CB, Florida State vs. Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma
Ryan Broyles has the potential this season to be the all time leading receptions leader in FBS history. With Landry Jones at quarterback, one of the best in the country, he has a great chance to get there by season’s end. Against a team with the talent level of Florida State, however, it won’t be easy to put up big numbers. Reid, quite undersized at 5’8, 185, is a playmaker at corner, has great hands, and attacks the ball quickly. It should be a good match-up of a fundamental, hole-in-defense receiver like Broyles against a quick, instictive, aggressive corner in Reid when they do match-up in this one.
SMALL SCHOOL: James Madison vs. Liberty
Chris Summers, WR, Liberty vs. Mike Allen, CB, James Madison
Definitely a game to watch if possible, this game features around 4-5 prospects that have a great chance of being drafted come April. Chris Summers maybe has the highest ceiling of them all, as he’s a tremendous athlete who is starting to develop more as a receiver. He has top three round potential if he continues to impress. Mike Allen of James Madison isn’t getting nearly enough love in my opinion, but he’s the fastest player on his team (by pre-season workouts) and has decent size for a cornerback. If he can shut down Summers when they are matched-up, that should be a major boost for his stock.
SMALL SCHOOL: North Alabama vs. Abilene Christian
Mitchell Gale, QB, Abilene Christian vs. Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
Mitchell Gale, only a junior, isn’t even considering leaving school early, but as a small school prospect, when you get a chance to shine at any point in your college career, it has major scouting implications. Going against the best cornerback in the country in Jenkins along with a host of other great North Alabama talents, Gale should have his hands full. While he likely won’t attack Jenkins all that much in this one, he will need to show that he can check down well and not make mistakes in what should be a great Division II battle.
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