Texas A&M vs. Northwestern; Meineke Car Care Bowl NFL Draft watch notes

by Dan Kadar on Dec 31, 2011 11:18 AM EST in 2012 NFL Draft

It's a battle for all the car parts in the Meineke Car Care Bowl between Texas A&M and Northwestern (noon, ESPN).

Some NFL Draft analysts are quite on A&M's Ryan Tannehill. At times, it's easy to see why when Tannehill fires passes to the outside on a line. He also has good size and nice athleticism for the position. But it's hard to not overlook the second-half troubles he's had at times this season. Tannehills is still developing as a quarterback after starting his career with the Aggies as a wide receiver. One scouting point to note about Tannehill is his release. He changes throughout the game based on the passes he's throwing the pressure he faces.

It would be impossible to fill Von Miller's role in the Texas A&M defense, but junior Sean Porter did an admirable job. Coming into today's game he was 8.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. His first step is good and he's athletic enough to dip around the edge.

Injuries besieged Aggies cornerback Coryell Judie throughout the regular season. He went from being a lockdown corner who can return kicks to someone who struggled through a hamstring issue all year. He may finally be healed for the bowl game, but it's too late to really resurrect his draft stock. He's another player who needs a good Senior Bowl (if invited).

Northwestern is typically light on draft prospects. Defensive end Vince Browne has had a down season, but could get picked up in the later rounds. Offensive tackle Al Netter will have to show he can play tackle and guard.

Download the bowl watch list, put together by 3k, here.

2013 NFL Draft watch: Texas A&M lost running back Christine Michael in November, so it's likely he'll return for his senior season. Michael is a good combination of size and speed, but will need to come back strong after tearing his ACL.

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If Netter succeeds in that chore,

a multi-position OLman is right up TT and MMs alley especially if and likely a late rd pick up.

by Tarynfor12 on Dec 31, 2011 11:52 AM EST reply actions

I'm really high in Tannehill

I like this kid a lot. I see him ending up as a top 15 pick. My pro’s for him are the things he does naturally: he’s accurate, has a strong arm, leadership, etc. My con for him are lack of experience.

The only game that Texas A&M collapsed in that I place in Tannehill’s lap is Oklahoma State.
A&M had the 14th ranked offense in the country but the 66th ranked defense, and A&M played a lot of good offenses. So I don’t place everything on Tannehill’s shoulders.

Re-starting the official Buffalo "Draft a quarterback in the First Round in 2012" campaign.

by Der Jaeger on Dec 31, 2011 12:00 PM EST reply actions

Other Aggies that I think people ought to watch

Tony Jerod-Eddie
Terrence Frederick

Also, I think true sophomores Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews are both 1st round tackles.

Welcome to Houston, J.J. Watt, Brooks Reed, Brandon Harris, Rashad Carmichael, Shiloh Keo, T.J. Yates, Derek Newton, and Cheta Ozougwu!

by krkenney on Dec 31, 2011 12:46 PM EST reply actions

Northwestern

Hey now. As an alum, I’m biased, but Drake Dunsmore and Jeremy Ebert (71 rec for 1025 yds & 11 TDs in 11 games) turned in pretty solid seasons and are at least late-round prospects, as is DB Brian Peters. Even if undrafted, Ebert might have it in him to be somebody’s Dane Sanzenbacher next year. We NU grads have to take NFL recognition where we can get it.

by J. Ryan on Dec 31, 2011 3:56 PM EST reply actions