Senior Offensive Prospects to Watch For QB-
Tom Brandstater, Fresno St: Lacks polish and is a major developmental prospect but has been on scouts’ radar thanks to his size and arm strength. A three-year starter who has produced good numbers in a spread offense. Arm strength is king come draft time and Brandstater has that in spades. Improving in all facets of quarterbacking but has some ways to go yet.
Chase Clement, Rice: Must admit, I haven’t seen enough of him to make a full evaluation but so far, Clement is coming off as a sleeper. One of Rice’s all-time players as he holds all of the teams records in passing and total offense as well as 6 C-USA records. Extremely athletic but has average size and arm strength. Accuracy is decent but not elite. Has tools to work with but may have to take the long route to NFL success.
RB-
Devin Moore, Wyoming- Moore is small (5’9, 190lbs) by all measure of the word but few senior backs will match his elite speed. Moore answered questions about his ability to handle a full workload by rushing for 1,301 yards as Wyoming’s featured back. Took to a leadership role in 08. Returns kicks and punts and has decent hands out of the backfield with a good understanding of the route tree. Versatile, home-run hitter.
Shannon Woods, Texas Tech: Bounced back from a tough 2007 season with an All-Big 12 2nd Team selection in 08. Will need to explain his 2007 benching and dismissal prior to Gator Bowl. Has a nose for the end zone and can catch passes out of the backfield. Not a tough inside runner, lacks size (5’11, 195) and speed is questionable. Has to test well but has potential to develop into a player in the NFL.
Darrell Mack, Utah: A bruiser with great size at 5’11, 220lbs. Rushed for 1,204 yards as featured back in 2007 but split time in 2008 with shiftier Matt Asiata and took on more of a blocking role. Handled quasi-full back duties very well. Not a true fullback but could survive in that role. Lacks great acceleration but has enough top end speed to be a RB. The unselfish type who could succeed strictly on character and carve out a long career.
FB-
Fui Vakapuna, BYU: A very intriguing prospect with an interesting history. Spent two years on a church mission in Carlsbad, California before returning to football. Has potential as a short yardage back and scored 8 rushing TD in 2006. Injuries have limited his effectiveness over the last two seasons and he has taken on more of a FB role. Enjoys contact is a true FB prospect.
WR-
Brian Robiskie, Ohio St: Tough, smooth athlete with great hands and body control. Has prototype size, build and wingspan. Will high-point the ball and make plays across the middle. Has deceptive speed but lacks elite burst and quickness. Inconsistent throughout career and had a down senior year.
Sammi Stroughter, Oregon St: Resilient player who has overcome a lot of off-field adversity in his life. Tough with good speed and quickness. Started off his college career in spectacular fashion, culminating in a Pac-10 2nd team selection in 2006. Short and lacks bulk and has suffered major injuries in past. Has bounced back from tough 07 with Pac-10 1st team selection. Currently very underrated after injury and problems of 07.
Greg Carr, Florida St: Incredible wing span, arms look like Stretch Armstrong doll arms. Tall (6’6”) and lanky (215) but has good definition and is a TD machine. Overlooked as a prospect. Speed is questionable and not a great route runner but is a sleeper thanks his basketball style frame and ability to out jump opponents. Should be dangerous on fade routes and jump balls.
Dicky Lyons Jr., Kentucky: Hurt knee in Oct 08 but flashed big play potential in 06 and 07. Tough kid who fights for everything and expects nothing. Small at 5’11, 185lbs but is shifty and has great open field moves, burst and acceleration. An exciting player to watch because of his determination.
Eron Riley, Duke: 2008 preseason arrest hurts stock as does playing for a basketball school. On the field, Riley has been the Blue Devils best prospect for some time and has been productive despite poor production from Duke passers. Has been the teams MVP and the player opponents key on. Has good size (6’3, 205) but lacks speed and polish. Good developmental prospect with a history of success.
TE
Dan Gronkowski, Maryland: Not a factor in the passing game outside of dump offs but a great, physical blocker. Three-year starter who had a breakout 2008 campaign with 29 catches for 287 yards and 3 TD. Imposing at 6’6, 260lbs and can add another 5-10 pounds to his frame.
OT-
Garrett Reynolds, North Carolina: OT is loaded this year but there are still a few guys flying under the radar, Reynolds being one of them. The main reason being that he is a right tackle for the Tar Heels and that, well, he plays for the Tar Heels. Stands 6’7, 310lbs with room to carry more weight. Needs to add strength and improve his punch but he’s tenacious, a three-year starter and consistently was the Tar Heels best lineman.
OG-
Roland Martin, Michigan St: With 34 career starts under his belt, Roland Martin is a lunch pail prospect who brings great size (6’5, 330) to the RG position. He possesses decent athleticism for his size and works hard but he doesn’t play with enough intensity every play.
Jeff Niedermier, Buffalo: Doesn’t get much pub playing for Buffalo but Niedermayer is one of the most consistent and intense lineman in college football. Has great athleticism and is good at getting to the second level of a defense. Doesn’t have the size or strength you would hope for but could have a future as a zone blocker.
C-
Juan Garcia, Washington: Under the radar due to a serious foot injury suffered in April 2008 but recovered sufficiently enough to earn All-Pac 10 Honorable Mention. Injuries also nearly ruined his career and caused him to miss the entire 2004 and 2005 seasons. Looking past the injuries, Garcia has great size at 6’3”, 310lbs and is quite intelligent. Potential to be a serious player if he proves injuries are behind him.
K-
Ryan Succop, South Carolina: Succop didn’t have the greatest 2008 as he battled an abdominal injury but he has LB size at 6’2” 220lbs and can hit from 50+. Accurate from 40-49 yards and can boom kick-offs. Also has experience as a punter for SC. Needs to speed up his motions as he has had problems with blocked kicks in the past.
Tom Brandstater, Fresno St: Lacks polish and is a major developmental prospect but has been on scouts’ radar thanks to his size and arm strength. A three-year starter who has produced good numbers in a spread offense. Arm strength is king come draft time and Brandstater has that in spades. Improving in all facets of quarterbacking but has some ways to go yet.
Chase Clement, Rice: Must admit, I haven’t seen enough of him to make a full evaluation but so far, Clement is coming off as a sleeper. One of Rice’s all-time players as he holds all of the teams records in passing and total offense as well as 6 C-USA records. Extremely athletic but has average size and arm strength. Accuracy is decent but not elite. Has tools to work with but may have to take the long route to NFL success.
RB-
Devin Moore, Wyoming- Moore is small (5’9, 190lbs) by all measure of the word but few senior backs will match his elite speed. Moore answered questions about his ability to handle a full workload by rushing for 1,301 yards as Wyoming’s featured back. Took to a leadership role in 08. Returns kicks and punts and has decent hands out of the backfield with a good understanding of the route tree. Versatile, home-run hitter.
Shannon Woods, Texas Tech: Bounced back from a tough 2007 season with an All-Big 12 2nd Team selection in 08. Will need to explain his 2007 benching and dismissal prior to Gator Bowl. Has a nose for the end zone and can catch passes out of the backfield. Not a tough inside runner, lacks size (5’11, 195) and speed is questionable. Has to test well but has potential to develop into a player in the NFL.
Darrell Mack, Utah: A bruiser with great size at 5’11, 220lbs. Rushed for 1,204 yards as featured back in 2007 but split time in 2008 with shiftier Matt Asiata and took on more of a blocking role. Handled quasi-full back duties very well. Not a true fullback but could survive in that role. Lacks great acceleration but has enough top end speed to be a RB. The unselfish type who could succeed strictly on character and carve out a long career.
FB-
Fui Vakapuna, BYU: A very intriguing prospect with an interesting history. Spent two years on a church mission in Carlsbad, California before returning to football. Has potential as a short yardage back and scored 8 rushing TD in 2006. Injuries have limited his effectiveness over the last two seasons and he has taken on more of a FB role. Enjoys contact is a true FB prospect.
WR-
Brian Robiskie, Ohio St: Tough, smooth athlete with great hands and body control. Has prototype size, build and wingspan. Will high-point the ball and make plays across the middle. Has deceptive speed but lacks elite burst and quickness. Inconsistent throughout career and had a down senior year.
Sammi Stroughter, Oregon St: Resilient player who has overcome a lot of off-field adversity in his life. Tough with good speed and quickness. Started off his college career in spectacular fashion, culminating in a Pac-10 2nd team selection in 2006. Short and lacks bulk and has suffered major injuries in past. Has bounced back from tough 07 with Pac-10 1st team selection. Currently very underrated after injury and problems of 07.
Greg Carr, Florida St: Incredible wing span, arms look like Stretch Armstrong doll arms. Tall (6’6”) and lanky (215) but has good definition and is a TD machine. Overlooked as a prospect. Speed is questionable and not a great route runner but is a sleeper thanks his basketball style frame and ability to out jump opponents. Should be dangerous on fade routes and jump balls.
Dicky Lyons Jr., Kentucky: Hurt knee in Oct 08 but flashed big play potential in 06 and 07. Tough kid who fights for everything and expects nothing. Small at 5’11, 185lbs but is shifty and has great open field moves, burst and acceleration. An exciting player to watch because of his determination.
Eron Riley, Duke: 2008 preseason arrest hurts stock as does playing for a basketball school. On the field, Riley has been the Blue Devils best prospect for some time and has been productive despite poor production from Duke passers. Has been the teams MVP and the player opponents key on. Has good size (6’3, 205) but lacks speed and polish. Good developmental prospect with a history of success.
TE
Dan Gronkowski, Maryland: Not a factor in the passing game outside of dump offs but a great, physical blocker. Three-year starter who had a breakout 2008 campaign with 29 catches for 287 yards and 3 TD. Imposing at 6’6, 260lbs and can add another 5-10 pounds to his frame.
OT-
Garrett Reynolds, North Carolina: OT is loaded this year but there are still a few guys flying under the radar, Reynolds being one of them. The main reason being that he is a right tackle for the Tar Heels and that, well, he plays for the Tar Heels. Stands 6’7, 310lbs with room to carry more weight. Needs to add strength and improve his punch but he’s tenacious, a three-year starter and consistently was the Tar Heels best lineman.
OG-
Roland Martin, Michigan St: With 34 career starts under his belt, Roland Martin is a lunch pail prospect who brings great size (6’5, 330) to the RG position. He possesses decent athleticism for his size and works hard but he doesn’t play with enough intensity every play.
Jeff Niedermier, Buffalo: Doesn’t get much pub playing for Buffalo but Niedermayer is one of the most consistent and intense lineman in college football. Has great athleticism and is good at getting to the second level of a defense. Doesn’t have the size or strength you would hope for but could have a future as a zone blocker.
C-
Juan Garcia, Washington: Under the radar due to a serious foot injury suffered in April 2008 but recovered sufficiently enough to earn All-Pac 10 Honorable Mention. Injuries also nearly ruined his career and caused him to miss the entire 2004 and 2005 seasons. Looking past the injuries, Garcia has great size at 6’3”, 310lbs and is quite intelligent. Potential to be a serious player if he proves injuries are behind him.
K-
Ryan Succop, South Carolina: Succop didn’t have the greatest 2008 as he battled an abdominal injury but he has LB size at 6’2” 220lbs and can hit from 50+. Accurate from 40-49 yards and can boom kick-offs. Also has experience as a punter for SC. Needs to speed up his motions as he has had problems with blocked kicks in the past.
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