CFB Scouting Reports: Week 8

Florida vs. Mississippi State

I got a real good look at Tim Tebow and focused on his footwork.  Tebow's footwork is terribly inconsistent and I believe it accounts for most of his inaccuracy.  He knows he has a powerful arm, and fails to transfer his weight from his left leg (back leg) to his right leg (front leg) on almost every throw.  QB's should end up with their back leg in front of the front leg during the follow through.  Tebow's back leg kicks out to the side and sometimes ends up in front.  Often times he just continues to balance on his right leg, but never transfers his weight, as evidenced when a QB steps over during the follow through.  When Tebow knows he really has the thread the needle and gun the football, he way oversteps his throw.  Instead of planting his right leg just outside his shoulders, he oversteps by about a foot, which sinks his hips, and elongates his stance to the point where he can't transfer weight and follow through.  Good news: this is all easily fixable.  Not sure what Scot Loeffler is doing- I have to assume that preparation for games is taking up Tebow's time, and less time is being spent on footwork and mechanics in-season.  After seeing this, I really can't wait to see Tebow in the Senior Bowl, where he'll have prep time to fix his footwork.  Also, breaking news: Tebow took a snap from under center- just a handoff though. 

Carlos Dunlap has the pure athletic ability to be selected first overall in the draft.  But he may be the most raw DE I've seen all year- pure speed rusher with no moves other than a bull rush (which he rarely uses) and just trying to run around the blocker.  Terrible hand use- shows no technique at all and cannot counter.  Pursues well to his side, but has trouble finding the ball when team run away from him.  Wastes a lot of motion.  Most of his big plays came while playing LDE against MSU Soph. RT Addison Lawrence, who's listed at 6-4/295.  Lawrence is not much bigger than Dunlap, and Dunlap manhandled him at times.  But when Dunlap lined up at RDE and faced MSU Jr. LT Derek Sherrod (6-6/310) the most he could come up with was a batted pass on a 5-10 QB.  Did not face the double teams that I thought were coming his way- Florida played a 40 front almost the entire game but MSU only offered chip help to their OT's most of the time- and still struggled against the bigger blocker in Sherrod.  Played hard for the most part- he did loaf on run plays away from his side, but other than that he seemed to go full bore.  Immature.  Constantly talking to opponents, especially when they are on the ground.  Hits late/cheap a lot- he'll really lays into ball carriers a second after they hit the ground.  Was central to the near-brawl between UF-MSU at the start of the game.  The most talent of anyone in the draft- boom or bust player than is still raw playing DE or rushing the passer.

Jermaine Cunningham isn't as physically talented as Dunlap.  Both DE's come off the ball extremely fast, but Cunningham is much more polished, taking good angles, using his hands well, and showing a pretty good inside counter move, which he beat Sherrod on cleanly.  Plays hard all the time, but sometimes gets washed out on plays to his side because he doesn't have the bulk to hold the edge against bigger OT's.  Fluid in his movements, dropped into coverage a couple times, and could transition to 30 front OLB.

Anthony Dixon played as well as can be expected against the Florida defense.  He ran hard but didn't show a whole lot in terms of elusiveness.  Caught the ball well, and I think it surprises the Gators.  Looked faster than I expected, which may indicate he's over some of his weight issues- which in turn may indicate he's matured a bit. 

Jamar Cheney looks back to full strength to me (broke his left legs last year).  Looked really fast from his MLB position, getting to Florida's outside runs easily and also getting deep in his drops.  Was somewhat physical in taking on blocks, but only during run blitzes.  When he was not blitzing, he slipped a lot of blocks and was nowhere near as physical in taking on blockers.  Could do well as a WLB in a 40 front that emphasizes speed over size.

Connecticut vs. West Virginia

Noel Devine was dynamic, but I’m not sure how well his game translated to the NFL.  He’s even smaller than Jahvid Best, and isn’t a short back that’s thickly built, like Ray Rice or Jones-Drew.  He may have a spot on a power team, a la Chris Johnson, even though Devine isn’t as big as Johnson.  What Devine can do is stretch the defense laterally before cutting up field- most defenders can’t even get the right angle to get to him, much less keep up with him.  He’s going to have to prove worth to a team as a scat back and special teamer, in addition to being a change of pace back.

Jarrett Brown wasn’t particularly impressive as a passer.  Unlike Pat White, Brown is really limited to the Mountaineer system because of his accuracy and ability to throw in a timing offense.  Brown’s best bet is to transition to athlete, playing some receiver, some back, and some QB.  Could bring value in a Josh Cribbs-type role.

Really impressed with Selvish Capers.  The former TE plays RT for West Virginia but is really a LT.  Handled UConn star Lindsey Witten when they lined up across each other.  Technique was good in terms of footwork but doesn’t have the lower body strength at this point in his career to be a mauling, run blocker.  Super athletic and easily got to the second level.  May need reps learning a pro style blocking scheme.  Has athleticism that can’t be taught though.  Future starter at LT, and with time in an NFL weight room, could be special. 

Marcus Easley played very well.  Looks bigger than UConn lists him, and is more explosive than I expected to see.  Could not be covered by WV.  Has an impressive YPC and decent stats despite missing the first two games.  I don’t know how much of those yards are with the ball in the air, and how much are YAC- his long TD catch against WV was an intermediate throw and Easley took it the rest of the way. 

I saw Witten earlier in the year, and he looked good, but was somewhat average in this game.  Had a “by the way” sack on Brown on the last play of the second quarter.  Handled by Capers when they faced each other- UConn staff began to rush him more from the right side of the defense.  WV’s offense- short passing- doesn’t really allow rushers to excel, so this may be an aberration.

North Carolina vs. Florida State

I’d love to see pictures of Levon Kirkland and Marvin Austin side by side.  That’s who Austin reminds me of.  Squatty build with huge legs, huge upper body, with a thick midsection that looks mostly muscle and not a whole lot of fat.  Movement skills are incredible.  Runs like a linebacker or a small end, and it’s really noticeable on twists and stunts.  It’s almost shocking to see someone his size moving like he does.  Holds up against the double team and will split the double teams at times as well.  Played hard the whole game- may have been due to the national coverage- and dominated the middle of the FSU OL.  Not as disruptive as Suh, but comes close.  Good hand fighter.  Thick upper body and gets hands off him quickly with rips and chops.  Can spin and counter like a pass rushing end.  Really impressive; I came away thinking that he would be ideal as a 3 technique DT or 1 technique in a 40 front that played one gap.  Unless he shows a trend of lack of hustle, or has some character issues that make teams shy away, I can’t see him dropping out of the top 15 players selected.

Deunta Robinson wasn’t as special as I thought he’d be.  Was generally in good position, but the couple times he wasn’t it was a killer.  Terrible tackler for a FS who block-tackles, relying on the force of his hit to take the defender down.  Needs to learn how to keep his head up and wrap up if he wants to be successful in the NFL.  Has the physical skill though.

Really impressed by Christian Ponder.  Poised and under control.  I’ve seen him three times: in a tight game against Miami, in a blowout against USF, and playing from behind against UNC.  His demeanor has been the same in all games.  Doesn’t play in a system, so to speak, and is every bit as accurate as Colt McCoy.  Ponder was 33-40 but FSU receivers dropped three balls that I saw.  Mobile and feels the rush.  Smart- consistently makes the right play.  Doesn’t have elite arm strength but has more than enough to be effective on deep routes, and I don’t see any throw he can’t make.  Jimbo Fisher says he’s the most talented college QB he’s coached, including JaMarcus Russell.  On field leadership is evident.  Seems to carry himself a bit like Brett Favre, where he doesn’t crush teammates that don’t make plays, but still gets them to play better.  I think he has the “it” factor from watching his play and how his team responds to him.  Already graduated and could declare.

Patrick Robinson is a great cover corner- that’s what you get though.  UNC receivers had a hard time getting much on him passing.  Looks like a cover corner in terms of body frame and athleticism.  Doesn’t really like the tackling portion of the game.  Gives a half-hearted effort to contact, looking like he’s moving away from the ball carrier- almost like he’s bracketing the ball carrier- while waiting for other to make the tackle.  Played on the short side part of the night and was on an island the whole game.  Played Tampa 2 style a couple times.  Each time he did he was out of position, late to diagnose and react, and didn’t support the run well.  Man cover corner strictly who is good at what he does.

Stanford vs. Arizona State

This was a really fun game to watch.  With so much spread being played, watching the Cardinal play old fashion smash-mouth football was neat.  Stanford has reportedly out-muscled most of the teams they’ve played this year (despite not being able to keep leads).  That report is very much true.  I absolutely love the attitude that the Cardinal players exude.  I don’t think Jim Harbaugh has much time left at Stanford- if they keep playing that way, a bigger program or the NFL may come calling. 

No Cardinal played more smash-mouth than FB Owen Marecic.  The junior is an absolute beast.  Hits like a truck.  Stanford uses him as a sledgehammer lead blocker, and hit consistently clears out LB’s.  Also a factor in the short passing game. 

Toby Gerhart is a load as a runner, but I don’t think he’s nifty enough to run every down, and he isn’t quite the hammer that Mike Alstott was.  More of a Brian Leonard.  Runs with a lot of power and does not go down on first contact.  Plays almost exclusively in the I-set or offset in the shotgun, so he gets a good running start at the defense.  May have some durability issues with his left knee; wears a knee brace on his left leg that looks almost like an upper shin guard, designed to protect his knee cap.  Also may choose to play baseball.  Would be perfect for a team designing a running game similar to the Giants, with a couple backs carrying the load.  Could also be a FB in a scheme where he’s not asked to be the lead blocker for iso’s and dives a lot.  Competitive player who will add toughness to whomever he plays for.

Really liked what I saw from RT Chris Marinelli.  Reminds me of Brad Butler- taller RT with some grit to his game.  Shuffled his feet well and stayed with rushers, including when Dexter Davis rushed against him.  Could be a nice late round pick that develops into a starter.

Andrew Luck needs to be in the conversation regarding future CFB stars.  This kid can play.  Super accurate.  Delivers the ball with a lot of velocity- you can hear the ball striking the receiver’s hands.  Can also throw with touch.  Mobile.  In a couple years this kid’s going to be special, IMO.

Bo McNally was impressive.  QB’s the defense from the FS position but is probably a better SS prospect at the NFL level.  Takes good angles and arrives with a thud.  Not the fastest guy- could be a good special teamer and back-up safety, sort of similar to Coy Wire in those regards, but he’s not the athlete that Wire was/is.

Shawn Lauvao was underwhelming.  Playing LT for the Sun Devils but would be better as a guard.  Lacks the foot speed to play on the edge.  Got run around by some average Cardinal ends, and also got walked back to the QB. 

Dexter Davis was also underwhelming.  Didn’t hold his ground against the more physical Cardinal blockers.  Works really, really hard but doesn’t have the physical tools or the technique to be effective at DE.  Often used a spin move where instead of spinning away from the blocker, he just spun in front of the blocker.  Not going to hold up as a DE but good bring value as a high energy 30 front OLB. 

Chris McGaha has a NFL future.  Decent sized, competitive receiver with great hands and great feel for coverage.  Won’t beat anyone deep (often) and could struggle against physical cover corners.  If used out of the slot, he could be extremely effective as a ball control possession receiver.  Could be a great steal in the draft if he goes to a team that runs a lot of spread.