Early Look at the "deep" 2013 Draft

[Deadlift]

This is what happens when someone doesn't truly folow college football.. Some of the players that he writes about may very well end up being big reaches -- like Fluker, Montgomery and others -- but he's mostly writing that "guys are big," or were ranked very-highly coming out of HS, and that is enough to make them 1st rounders. Of course, he totally overrates Fluker's (and Seantrel Henderson's) "athleticism"...

He lists 8 Whites, but a few of them are currently big projects (and underclassmen), Taylor Lewan at 31 and Bray at 32. They need to show A LOT this year if they want to enter early and be 1st rounders. He thinks that a lot of Juniors' will "become Supermen" this year.. if you have to wait to see what happens with so many players, how can you throw around words like "deep class?" :crazy:

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/...ley-headlines-a-class-that-already-looks-deep

3. D.J. Fluker, T, Alabama (JR): I know the college people hype Barrett Jones, but Fluker is the better player. Fluker plays right tackle with Jones at left, but he will move to left in the NFL.

haha

13. Seantrel Henderson, T, Miami (JR): He was the top recruit coming out of high school, but he hasn't always played up to the hype. He's a massive tackle at 6-8, 345 pounds, and he's a good athlete. This is the time to turn it on.

14. Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina (JR): At 6-1, 232 pounds, he runs hard and tough. He has to stay on the field as injuries have dinged him some and he's coming off a knee injury.

Probably isn't 6-foot-1.

15. Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU (JR): He has been a situational pass rusher much of time in at LSU, but he should do more this season. He has great quickness off the corner. Needs to get bigger at 6-5, 240 pounds.

If LSU is using this veritable Superman (according to all MSM-sources) situationally, maybe that is saying something..

19. Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State (JR): He was supposed to be the "other" end at FSU to Brandon Jenkins, but this raw player from Germany impressed last season. He's just learning the game.

25. Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma: There are some scouts who don't like Jones, saying his arm isn't good enough. But he will have to play himself off this list.

26. Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame (JR): When you watched Notre Dame, this kid really showed up. He is the next in a long line of good tight ends for the Irish.

Some good players here, with Werner and Landry needing to have big seasons. I'll be pulling hard for Landry Jones to get better.

31. Taylor Lewan, T, Michigan (JR): At 6-8, 310 pounds, he is a big tackle who overpowers opponents. He does need to improve his footwork.

32. Tyler Bray, QB, Tennessee (JR): He is 6-6, has a good arm and understands the passing game. It helps he has two good receivers.

Barrett Jones should be in the 1st round, rather than as a "just missed"...


Just missed: Ray-Ray Armstrong, S, Miami; Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama; Marquess Wilson, WR, Washington State; Joseph Fauria, TE, UCLA; Barrett Jones, G-T, Alabama; Gerald Hodges, OLB, Penn State; Kenny Stills, WR, Oklahoma; Johnny Adams, CB, Michigan State; Alex Hurst, T, LSU; Ricky Wagner, T, Wisconsin; John Simon, DE, Ohio State; Kwame Geathers, DT, Georgia; Brandon Jenkins, DE-OLB, FSU; Jonathan Brown, LB, Illinois; Akeem Spence, DT, Illinois; Sean Porter, OLB, Texas A&M Tony Jefferson, S, Oklahoma; Marquess Wilson, WR, Washington State; Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee; Knile Davis, RB, Arkansas; Robert Lester, S, Alabama; Chris Faulk, T, LSU; Jelani Jenkins, OLB, Florida; Da'Rick Rogers, WR, Tennessee; Baccari Rambo, S, Georgia; Oday Aboushi, T, Virginia
____________________________________________

I will add some White athletes to this thread in a few weeks. Still doing research.

 

[celticdb15]

DE's Craig Roh and Bjoern Werner IMO are potential first round talents and John Simon also has a ton of talent to go along with that white mans work ethic. At Tight End Eifert from ND and Ertz from Stanford are some studs.

edit*
Barkevious?? Seriously wtf

 

[TwentyTwo]

Strong Year for the TE's...NFL.Com Rankings
All of these players should be starting one day
1. *Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame, 6-6/251
2. Joseph Fauria, UCLA ,6-7/258
3. *Zach Ertz, Stanford, 6-6/249
4. Jake Stoneburner, Ohio State, 6-5/245
5. Philip Lutzenkirchen, Auburn, 6-5/250

OT's possible 1st Rounders...
*Taylor Lewan, Michigan, 6-8/302
*Jake Matthews, Texas A&M, 6-5/305
Ricky Wagner, Wisconsin, 6-6/322

Werner is still learning the game & has tremendous upside!

 

[Don Wassall]

Found this description of Ryan Swope in a Bleacher Report article. If he was black, would he already be pigeonholed as a slot receiver with his size and speed, and projected to be drafted in rounds 3-5?

Ryan Swope had the best season for a wide receiver in the history of A&M football in 2011. His 89 receptions and 1,207 yards are the most ever for a single season at A&M.

He should graduate in 2013 as the most prolific wide receiver ever to set foot on the A&M campus.

In Kevin Sumlin's offense, Swope has a legitimate chance to catch over 100 passes for 1,500 yards in 2012. He should be one of the top receivers in the SEC.

Swope is 6'0" tall and 206 pounds of muscle. He runs the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds. He projects as a slot receiver in the NFL and should be drafted somewhere between Rounds 3-5.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...o-will-be-picked-in-the-2013-nfl-draft/page/5

 

[Carolina Speed]

Found this description of Ryan Swope in a Bleacher Report article. If he was black, would he already be pigeonholed as a slot receiver with his size and speed, and projected to be drafted in rounds 3-5?

Ryan Swope had the best season for a wide receiver in the history of A&M football in 2011. His 89 receptions and 1,207 yards are the most ever for a single season at A&M.

He should graduate in 2013 as the most prolific wide receiver ever to set foot on the A&M campus.

In Kevin Sumlin's offense, Swope has a legitimate chance to catch over 100 passes for 1,500 yards in 2012. He should be one of the top receivers in the SEC.

Swope is 6'0" tall and 206 pounds of muscle. He runs the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds. He projects as a slot receiver in the NFL and should be drafted somewhere between Rounds 3-5.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...o-will-be-picked-in-the-2013-nfl-draft/page/5

Mr. Swope is an exceptional talent....... and if he were black he would still be a RB..... and we would have him along with Burkhead, Line, and McGuffie coming in next years draft.

Imagine not 1 or 2, but 4 major white RB prospects possibly drafted in 2013.

 

[dwid]

If Marcus Lattimore were White he would be considered a tweener at best, maybe like Jacob Hester type, but even Hester showed better burst. I understand being patient and setting up your blocks, but when there is a huge crease there, he just doesn't have a second gear. Burkhead and Line are both faster but I am sure Burkhead will get criticized for not having enough 40+ yard runs (I think Lattimore has 1, and only a few over 30). If you watch his games, he has wide open space against TROY of all teams and gets caught by a db with a bad angle. When a guy like Burkhead has an open lane you can see him get faster. Lattimore just has one gear. He is like a slower version of T.A. McLendon, big impact his rookie year, always seeking contact like that, plagued by injuries, came out his junior year and nobody would sign him, he did have some off the field issues though.

It is a shame that we never got to see what Swope could do as a rb. I thought he was in the same class as Burkhead/Wegher/McGuffie coming out. McGuffie hasn't shown the vision to be a consistent runner. I was hoping this year he would finally put it all together but he isn't going to get the chance, with a Percy Harvin role at best, which probably will work better for his chances in the NFL. I don't know what happened though, he didn't seem to have a problem following blocks at Michigan, it might be due to inconsistent blocking and going through multiple qbs.

Burkhead is going to have to put together some highlight runs and huge games this year similar to what Gerhart did his final season to get considered early in the draft. Most of the amazing stuff he does is hard to see without better angles, he is amazing maneuvering in tight spaces.

 

[Carolina Speed]

dwid, so with all that said, Burkhead will probably be the only white rb to get a legitimate shot in the NFL?
McGuffie in a slot position or moved to defense, Line moved to fullback?

How about a complete reversal with Swope? Let's move him to RB when he goes to league? That would be interesting.

Yeah, McGuffie has been kind of a mystery to me. He had one of the best high school highlights I have seen. Of all the highlights I've seen, McGuffie was simply quick, fast, athletic, and elusive. More than almost anyone. I guess we could chalk it up to vision along with some injuries? Also, success in high school doesn't always translate to college to The NFL....and McLendon, wow, saw him play in high school. He was pretty good.

 

[whiteathlete33]

Mr. Swope is an exceptional talent....... and if he were black he would still be a RB..... and we would have him along with Burkhead, Line, and McGuffie coming in next years draft.

Imagine not 1 or 2, but 4 major white RB prospects possibly drafted in 2013.

Nfldraftscout has Swope ranked as the third wide receiver for next years draft. I've been checking draft sites for years now and that is as high as I've ever seen a white receiver ranked. Sadly, he'll probably forced into the slot.

 

[FootballDad]

Nfldraftscout has Swope ranked as the third wide receiver for next years draft. I've been checking draft sites for years now and that is as high as I've ever seen a white receiver ranked. Sadly, he'll probably forced into the slot.

Although Swope will be a slot guy, it's actually where he fits best. At A&M, he runs virtually zero deep routes, and looks nothing like a flanker. He basically is still a running back out in the flat taking extended handoffs and getting most of his yards after the catch. And he is really good in space, I watch A&M games just to see him make the bruvas on the other teams look bad. And Cyrus Gray was "better" than Ryan Swope. Yeah right.

 

[dwid]

No, not just Burkhead at rb. Line should be a top pick but they are probably going to use competition against him and he will fall. There aren't many 230 pounders that are that quick. Its why they use so many smaller guys in passing spreads, its more about quickness because 4 receiver sets and nobody gets blocked as well. Imagine what the numbers he would put if he had a pro style offense with 2 receivers, 2 tight ends that can block better, only one or two guys to make miss at the second level. The receivers in his system can't block very well, at the NFL level they might do a little better. He is just so light on his feet and changes direction so well. If they didn't have dbs giving 10 yard cushion he would have bigger runs, he actually needs to use his power more. After they used him as a goal line back he spent an entire offseason learning how to be more elusive, his first season as a feature back there were times where he tried to make a db miss when he could have given him a stiff arm. He got better last year so hopefully it will be even better this year, he has the tools to put the perfect combo of speed/agility and power. And as far as other backs n passing spreads, none have put up the numbers like him in recent memory, most with big numbers are either more run oriented, if they pass a good deal then they use lots of zone read with a dual threat qb.

I would like to see more runs out of the pistol so he has a downhill start before getting the handoff, they used this more last year but not as much. Lots of fake screens where they handed it off and draws. I know June Jones likes to run but Line is the guy who keeps the offense moving and should be used to his fullest potential and used on more variety of plays.

as far as getting switched to fullback, I don't see it. I think they might just try to bury him on the depth chart wherever he gets picked, similar to the much lesser talented Lex Hilliard, (who isn't White, but I don't think hes black either). Hilliard is big but nowhere as quick. As far as competition Line has played well against bigger opponents which will probably be ignored, back when TCU had a better defense he put up big numbers.

Like Burkhead, Line's flaws are minimal and every player has them. Most of its the way they are used and what the defense is giving them but still room for improvement. Its just our backs have to be close to perfect as prospects to get real consideration. The scouts just can't see the upside and potential for improvement, for some reason every talented White player they see has already "peaked", even though they mature later and their skills usually get better while guys like Lattimore stay the same. I guess its the false belief that our guys are excelling in college because of being coached up while blacks are somehow just getting by on pure athleticism. If a black guy can't be coached up to his potential in somewhere like the SEC where money buys the best coaches in college football then I don't see how its going to change in the pros. They said Gerhart was coached up by his father who was a former runningback and high school coach. It might have helped him but its not going to be anywhere the level of nfl position coaches (well some, not all are good) and learning from other backs that have recently played in the NFL. Gerhart looked much quicker in the NFL than he did at Stanford, don't know if if was coaching, better training etc or a combo but he was much quicker in the few games he started for Adrian Peterson. Someone like Ray Rice constantly gets tips from Marshall Faulk to improve his game. Also another example of early peaking by a black player is Dion Lewis who lit it up as a freshman and never improved.

Many times position coaches actually hurt our players with stereotypical beliefs. Ive seen it happen at the FCS level. A guy make people miss cuts back across the field and scores on a 50 yard run and the coaches are telling him "YOU CAN"T DO THAT", even thoug he just did with 2nd or 3rd string blocking against the 1st string defense, and he did it multiple times, the guy was 5'10 and like 190 pounds. They told him "No you just get the ball and run straight, don't make too many drastic changes with direction". I think this might have happened with Jake Sharp. Before he started he made plenty of guys miss in the open field, then came the 67 yard shovel pass, he weaved in and out of guys very quickly for that. Then he became the starter and him trying to make guys miss in the open field gradually went down, he just started trying to run as fast as he could in a straight line after getting the handoff, I just chalked it up as being impatient to set things up in the open field, but it could have been a coaching issue beacuse he was doing more before he was the full time starter. Obviously trying to make guys miss isn't a problem for Line but they may have put too much emphasis on it. As we know coaches aren't perfect and are many times wrong, Sometimes you just got to let the guys play and let the guy figure it out for himself, espescially at a position like runningback where you rely on instincts, espescially if you have no experience playing the position.
This is the guy currently coaching Zach Line at the rb spot.

Hes an "avid golfer" but probably limited info on technique to run. Im sure he knows how to let the backs recognize defenses, how to run in different blocking schemes, technique in pass protection etc but the running part, no. People don't realize that backs are constantly coached up in the running aspect, many of these schools with less money don't have the best position coaches like the SEC.

They are doing great the way they are used, but they still have the talent to raise it to another level. The only thing with Line is C-USA, although it wasn't overlooked with a guy like Matt Forte, but he did run for 2k one season. I am thinking Line will havo get close to that to get consideration plus run at least a 4.5, which I think he can do. For some reason guys like Mark Ingram can run 4.6+ as well as Shonn Greene, not to mention Blount who runs 4.7 but a White guy will have to run in the 4.5 range.

Yes Swope could do well as the slot guy, like I said in another threat, they should just do like CFL and change the position name to slotback. It fuses two positions together, its why he wheres a number in the 20's, and why Welker, and many other slot receivers wore numbers in the 20's in college. However it would be nice to see him get handoffs as well.

McLendon was talented but I would say he peaked in high school/freshman year. They were expecting him to keep getting better. Plagued by injuries and off the field stuff, like to smoke a lot of weed and didn't like to practice. Very physical guy like Lattimore, except he was faster. Very serious off the field issues that I can't recall, more than smoking some weed which half the players do now. I have only a few games with him from his freshman year when I was watching Phillip Rivers, the main one I have watched multiple times is NC State vs Texas Tech with Welker as a young guy.

with McGuffie, sometimes I wonder if it was the drop off in talent surrounding him at Rice and the coaches. Many of the coaches responsible for their 10 win season a few years back are gone. Maybe he could put it together in the NFL as a back, but we know he won't get the chance. Maybe if they use him half and half he might get a few handoffs like Percy Harvin. I think he would at least make a great 3rd down back.

 

[Riddlewire]

as far as getting switched to fullback, I don't see it. I think they might just try to bury him on the depth chart wherever he gets picked, similar to the much lesser talented Lex Hilliard, (who isn't White, but I don't think hes black either).

The media doesn't agree. They're getting an early start on "shaping the narrative".

 

[dwid]

After he is timed in the 40 it will probably change. There were still talks about Gerhart being a fullback at this time, even after his breakout season. I don't think a team is going to draft him as a fullback when he has never blocked. Hester blocked, Hillis blocked, Leonard blocked etc and even all of those guys were mediocre as run blockers, mainly great at pass blocking. They might draft him with the idea of him being some type of hybrid but I will remain optimistic and continue to think the msm will fail into converting him into a fullback unless he says hes willing to play waterboy if it helps the team, at least if he maintains the same level of play.

Those guys probably haven't even seen him play. He isn't physical enough to do it, or perhaps he isn't playing more physical to avoid being cast as a fb? If he manages to have a monster season like in 2010 and drafted it would be hard to put him there. He would be a major project at fullback so the key would be to get drafted with at least a 4th round pick or earlier. If he duplicates 2010 then he shouldn't fall more than 4th round since he is at least a 2nd round talent, but I guess you never now with the caste system. 2 White backs in the same draft might be hard for them to digest, but him falling to the 6th and sitting on the bench like Lex Hilliard seems more plausible than being put at fullback, unless its in some weird Brian Leonard "fullback" role where he is basically a 3rd down back and rarely run blocks, basically pass blocks, runs routes and takes a few draws.

 

[white is right]

After he is timed in the 40 it will probably change. There were still talks about Gerhart being a fullback at this time, even after his breakout season. I don't think a team is going to draft him as a fullback when he has never blocked. Hester blocked, Hillis blocked, Leonard blocked etc and even all of those guys were mediocre as run blockers, mainly great at pass blocking. They might draft him with the idea of him being some type of hybrid but I will remain optimistic and continue to think the msm will fail into converting him into a fullback unless he says hes willing to play waterboy if it helps the team, at least if he maintains the same level of play.

Those guys probably haven't even seen him play. He isn't physical enough to do it, or perhaps he isn't playing more physical to avoid being cast as a fb? If he manages to have a monster season like in 2010 and drafted it would be hard to put him there. He would be a major project at fullback so the key would be to get drafted with at least a 4th round pick or earlier. If he duplicates 2010 then he shouldn't fall more than 4th round since he is at least a 2nd round talent, but I guess you never now with the caste system. 2 White backs in the same draft might be hard for them to digest, but him falling to the 6th and sitting on the bench like Lex Hilliard seems more plausible than being put at fullback, unless its in some weird Brian Leonard "fullback" role where he is basically a 3rd down back and rarely run blocks, basically pass blocks, runs routes and takes a few draws.

The Bengals currently have two fullbacks on their roster and Brian Leonard isn't among them. Chris Pressley is the active fullback(as of 2011). I think the confusion about Leonard's role is because the media people are lazy and stereotyping. I can't see them having enough football knowledge to say he is old running fullback as that would have to understand what that type of player was. Most of the people that type in stats on players are interns or rookie staffers who's football knowledge goes as far as Madden video games. Ps Hilliard is mulatto and the Dolphins viewed him as hybrid I just don't know if he was ever used as a modern fullback.

 

[Leonardfan]

Castewhore's are pushing black quarterback logan thomas as the next black qb to be drafted high. He is not very good and played in a bad conference. He also lost Danny Coale.The good news is Barkley should win the heisman and be drafted first overall.

 

[TwentyTwo]

Nice post! Yall covered the RB's; can't add a lot that hasn't already been said...those BleacherReport guys can be a joke at times...they obviously do not watch enough college football to mention Ryan Swope(#3 WR mentioned above) like that...he would fit nicely in the Percy Harvin role.

Maybe WR-Connor Vernon should be mentioned in Rounds 3-5 by Bleacher Report instead?? T.J. Moe & the 6'-5" 220 Mike Shanahan(comparable to Marques Colston) should also get a look in the upcoming draft!

Rex Burkhead is only ranked #18...when he should be at least 8 or 9...Zach Line can be Feature-back at the next level at 230...if they are going to mention Fullbacks; then mention Zach Boren(252lbs) or 6'-3" 255 bad azz Braden Wilson....if Wofford's Eric Breitenstein goes late/or sign as undrafted free agent...will they force him to add 10-15lbs and play battering ram like Jacob Hester??

Other tackles i did not mention in above post...LSU's Alex Hurst(Right Tackle) 6'-6" 340 could sneak into late 1st Round or at least by Round 2-3. Nebraska's Jeremiah Sirles 6'-6" 320 & Tanner Hawkinson have great upside!

Southern Utah's QB Brad Sorenson 6'-4" 225 is climbing up 13' Draft Boards....

I hope the best for Sam McGuffie...maybe he can comeback strong & do what Devon Wylie did(when they are healthy) & play the Dexter McCluster role; who might need to look over his shoulder with the much faster rookie-Wylie now in KC!

 

[TwentyTwo]

Now for the defense....Can easily see the 5'-10" John Boyett as a starter in the NFL!

Other Safeties I would expect to get selected in the 13' Draft.....
Cody Davis (6'-2" 200) , Brandan Bishop(6'-2" 210), Drew Frey(6'-3" 200), Cooper Taylor 6-4" 220 (legit 4.5) & Notre Dame duo of Zeke Motta 6"-2" 215 & Dan McCarthy...Jordan Kovacs could get a chance in a camp as well??

DE's...Studs Simon, Woerner & Roh were already mentioned...also add 6'-7" + Margus Hunt from SMU! Travis Long & Brad Madison should also be picked.

And...All of these players should hear their names in the13' Draft

DT's... Baker Steinkuhler, Joe Vellano, Scott Vallone, Dave Kruger & Garrett Goebel

OLB's...Chase Thomas, Jake Knott, Sean Fisher, Mike Taylor, James Morris & Storm Klein

ILB's...Patrick Larimore 6'-3" 250; Michael Mauti(if he stays healthy?), Steve Greer, Will Compton, Tom Wort & Tanner Brock?

 

[Leonardfan]

LB Kiko Alonso from Oregon is also someone to watch. I know the name doesn't sound white at all...lol. He was mvp of the rose bowl

 

[celticdb15]

Chris Borland (Wisco) is a LB to watch 143 tackles last season!

 

[Truthteller]

LB Kiko Alonso from Oregon is also someone to watch. I know the name doesn't sound white at all...lol. He was mvp of the rose bowl

Thanks for the heads up. After seeing such an "exotic" sounding name I had to google him just to check him out. Real name is Kristian Alonso. Seems like an almost perfect NFL prospect: Described as a freak athlete with Urlacher's size, solid speed and a bit of a criminal record, which should help give him immediate "street cred" with his future defensive teammates in the pros. My guess is if he runs real well next year he could be drafted in the top several rounds, based on what I've read about him tonight. His hispanic sounding name will not hurt his cause, as some retarded DWF's might even view him as non white.

I will definitely keep an eye on him going forward. I know the few minutes I've watched Oregon the last couple years, they had a Jim Leonhard clone at safety and he'll be returning, also, next year.

Flattering Article: http://www.registerguard.com/web/sports/27916866-41/alonso-oregon-clay-aliotti-kiko.html.csp

 

[TwentyTwo]

Thanks..did not realize Kiko Alonso was already a Senior...it's a shame he missed the LSU game last season...some were calling for him to be kicked off team..no doubt a big-time talent comparable to Urlacher! Would not suprise me to see him get drafted very early...he sounded like a street guy in his interview & seemed to be a perfect fit for the Cincinnati Bengals.

That Leonhard clone is John Boyett

 

[celticdb15]

SMU DE Margus Hunt has an 82-inch wingspan and benches 225 pounds 35 times. (US Presswire)

I've been compiling the annual Freaks List for almost a decade now. It's a top 10 that spotlights the top workout warriors or players who amaze their teammates and coaches with what they can do in the weight room, on the track or in some other "wow" aspect of athleticism. Over the years, the Freaks List has featured guys ranging from Calvin Johnson to Adrian Peterson to Owen Schmitt to a bunch of guys who ended up getting drafted by the Raiders. Anyhow. With a big thank you to coaches, players and sports information directors around the country, here is the 2012 Freaks List. (I considered any players who are already on campus and will be eligible this fall.)
1. Margus Hunt, SMU, DE/KB: The native of Estonia sounds like a PlayStation football creation: A 6-foot-8, 280 pounder with an 82-inch wingspan. Yet despite those long arms, he can still bench 225 35 times, and his coach, SMU track coach Dave Wollman, predicts Hunt will rep it 45 times next year at the NFL combine and clock a 4.60 40-yard dash. Hunt has cleaned 384 pounds, snatched 345 and vertical jumped 36 inches. "He's off-the-scale powerful," said Wollman. "On that kind of frame, seeing the cleans and the snatch go that high to the ceiling, it is amazing."

unt is a prodigious track talent. He won gold medals in the shot and discus at the 2006 World Junior Championships in Beijing, becoming the first junior athlete to ever achieve such a double. He didn't leave his country and move to Dallas to play college football. He moved to Texas to train with Wollman, but SMU hasn't been able to get back its men's track program. Hunt still wanted to train with Wollman, who had mentored another decorated discus thrower from Estonia. To help cover the cost of tuition, Wollman figured with Hunt's size and athleticism, he might be able to help the Mustangs football team. After Hunt blasted blocking sleds and ran a 4.70 40 during a tryout, June Jones said, "Oh yeah, I'll take him."

That move has paid off nicely for the Mustangs on the gridiron. Hunt has blocked 14 kicks in three years and had 7.5 tackles for loss last season, including a breakout three-sack performance in SMU's bowl win over Pitt. Wollman has coached 19 Olympians in his career and Hunt has the athleticism and is hard-wired to become No. 20. "He's the most kinetic aware of any athlete I've ever had," Wollman said, launching into a dissertation about Hunt's wondrous hand-eye coordination and a remarkable acute level of body awareness. As a football player, Hunt is still pretty raw, having only played -- and trained for the sport -- for just a few years. He says this offseason he's working to get his legs bigger and hopes to lower his center of gravity. Hunt has even put his track career on hold for football, which has bothered some folks back home, he said: "I was called a national traitor because I 'started doing some stupid sport.' My mom reads the Internet comments. I had to calm her down. But no matter what, Estonia will always be my home country."

Wollman is optimistic that his protégé won't just make it in the NFL soon, but that Hunt's visibility and what he's done for Mustang football will also help bring the men's track program back to SMU.

5. John Simon, Ohio State, DL: It seems like the Youngstown product has been on this list dating back to the days of Manny Lawson/Vernon Davis. As a 16-year-old, Simon could do 31 reps at 225 when he was turning heads at Cardinal Mooney High, setting weight room records for that storied Ohio prep program. There are heftier D-linemen, but perhaps none who are as strong pound-for-pound. The 6-2, 270-pound Simon is the definition of the word powerhouse. His relentless approach is just as evident on the field as it is in the weight room. "Donald Duck could be the strength coach if John Simon were the only guy in the weight room," said Urban Meyer. According to Mickey Marotti, who has trained more than his share of Freaks in his days at Florida, Simon benched 225 38 times, timed a 4.6 40 and broad jumped more than 10 feet, but the new Buckeyes strength coach says the Freakiest thing about the defensive tackle is his weight room intensity. And, it's that which makes just as big of an impact on his teammates 365 days a year as it does on his opponents on game day.

8. Jay Prosch, Auburn, FB: A transfer from Illinois, where he earned Freak status for power cleaning more than 400 pounds, the 255-pound fullback has impressed the Auburn folks on the field and in the weight room. Earlier this spring, Prosch broke the Tigers record in the power clean that was previously held by Jay Ratliff and Ronnie Brown when they each did two reps at 371. Prosch did his power-clean double at 380. And, Auburn strength coach Kevin Yoxall said that was after Prosch had just come off surgery. Prosch also was electronically timed at 4.72 in the 40. "He's well over 250 and he looks like he weighs 230," said Yoxall, adding that people probably should've known the guy was blessed with some great genetics all the way back to when he was a toddler. Yoxall's proof: he saw a picture of a young Prosch at 7 holding up some big fish he'd caught. "He was jacked at 7 years old."

9. Blaize Foltz, TCU, OG: The Horned Frogs O-line had a Freak a few years back in agile giant Marcus Cannon (a 350-pounder who could do a double front flip off a diving board.) Foltz, a first-team All-MWC guard in 2011, doesn't possess that kind of flexibility, but he's probably as strong as any man in college football. The 6-4, 310-pound movement science major benches 580 pounds, squats 800, incline benches 530 and has cleaned 430. "Honestly, we've gotten to a point where we stop him now for safety sake," says TCU O-line coach Eddie Williamson. "He could probably do even more than what those numbers indicate if we didn't."

10b. Eric Richter, Colorado, DT: The 6-3, 315-pound Californian only got in action for seven plays last fall for the Buffs, but it's not for a lack of strength. When CU players were tested this offseason on the bench press, Richter banged out 51 reps at 225, 10 more reps than he did a year ago. "He doesn't need a cheerleader, he doesn't need a audience," says CU strength coach Malcolm Blacken, "he just needs a lot of weight on the bar to get motivated. A strength coach's dream -- a real living and breathing Frankenstein!"

 

[Carolina Speed]

Thanks..did not realize Kiko Alonso was already a Senior...it's a shame he missed the LSU game last season...some were calling for him to be kicked off team..no doubt a big-time talent comparable to Urlacher! Would not suprise me to see him get drafted very early...he sounded like a street guy in his interview & seemed to be a perfect fit for the Cincinnati Bengals.

That Leonhard clone is John Boyett

NFL Draft Scout has Boyett the no. 4 FS of 97.

 

[Deadlift]

Pass-rushing OLB's


Travis Johnson (6-3 240) -- San Jose State
Chase Thomas (6-4 240) -- Stanford
Dan Giordano (6-4 250) -- Cincinnati

DT's

Colt Nichter (6-2 305) -- Vanderbilt
Rob Lohr (6-4 290) -- Vanderbilt
Will Pericak (6-4 290) -- Colorado

Other LB's

Joey Ehrmann (6-4 225) -- Wake Forest
Brian Wagner (6-2 225) -- Akron

At least 140 tackles last season. Get's overlooked because Akron is a MESS..


DE's

Brendan Kelly (6-6 255) -- Wisconsin
Ross Forrest (6-4 265) -- TCU

TE's

Ryan Otten (6-5 240) -- San Jose State
Matt Furstenburg (6-4 245) -- Maryland

 

[celticdb15]

Fast-rising Florida State junior Bjoern Werner says he's not thinking about N.F.L. Draft; will wait until season ends.

Florida State defensive end Bjoern Werner named A.C.C. Defensive Player of Year.

I've heard rumblings that he could be a top 5 pick!

 

[Leonardfan]

Hey everyone,

Since the college football regular season is behind us and the pre-draft process is about a month away starting with the Senior Bowl I figured I would throw my list together of draftable white prospects for everyone here to keep an eye one. Feel free to pick apart and add to this list as well.

QB, TE and OT - specifically LT look very deep this year if the juniors declare. I know those are all Caste positions but having a lot of quality young QBs available in this draft will help replenish the ranks of aging white star QBs in the league.

Here is my list:

2013 NFL Draft
** Underclassmen - not declared yet
*** Injury History

QB
Mike Glennon QB NC St
Matt Barkley QB USC
Tyler Wilson QB Arkansas
Landry Jones QB Oklahoma
Ryan Nassib QB Syracuse
Zac Dysert QB Miami (OH)
Sean Renfree QB Duke
Brad Sorensen QB Utah St.
Ryan Aplin QB Arkansas St.
Collin Klein QB Kansas St.

RB/FB
Zach Line RB SMU
Rex Burkhead RB Nebraska
Zach Boren FB Ohio St.
Michael Zordich FB Penn St.

WR
Ryan Swope WR Texas A&M
Conner Vernon WR Duke
Jared Abberderris WR Wisconsin
Brent Leonard WR ULM
Sam McGuffie WR Rice
Taylor Stockemer WR Arkansas St.
Mike Shannahan WR Pitt

TE
Travis Kelce TE Cincinatti
Tyler Eifert TE ND **
Zach Ertz TE Stanford **
Jake Stoneburner TE Ohio St.
Philip Lutzenkirchen TE Auburn
Zach Sudfeld TE Nevada
Ryan Griffin TE UCONN
Ryan Otten TE San Jose St.
Nick Case TE Colorado
Matt Furstenburg TE Maryland
Ben Cotton TE Nebraska
Vance McDonald TE Rice

OT
Luke Joeckel OT Texas A&M **
Jake Matthews OT Texas A&M **
Eric Fischer OT Central Michigan
Taylor Lewan OT Michigan
Brian Winter OT Kent St.
Lane Johnson OT Oklahoma
Kyle Long OT Oregon
Ricky Wagner OT Wisconsin

OG
Barret Jones OG/OC/OT Alabama
Braden Hansen OG BYU
Blaize Foltz OG TCU
Sam Brenner OG Utah
Josh Dworaczyk OG LSU
Jeff Baca UCLA
Carson York OG Oregon
Chris Jacobson OG Pitt
J.C. Tretter OG Cornell
Chris McDonald OG Michigan St.

OC
Graham Pocic OC Illinois
Braxston Cave OC Notre Dame
T.J. Johnson OC South Carolina
Matt Stankiewitch OC Penn St
Dalton Freeman OC Clemson
James Ferentz OC Iowa

DE
John Simon DE Ohio St.
Margus Hunt DE SMU
Bjoern Werner DE Florida St. **
Craig Roh DE Michigan
Pete Massaro DE Penn St.
Brad Madison DE Missouri

DT
Brent Russell DT Georgia Southern
Baker Steinhulker DT Nebraska
Jared Smith DT New Hampshire
Joe Vellano DT Maryland
Rob Lohr DT Vanderbilt
Scott Vallone DT Rutgers
Dave Kruger DT Utah

OLB
cHASE Thomas OLB Stanford
Kiko Alonso OLB Oregon
Jake Knott OLB Iowa St.
Travos Long OLB Washington St.
Nathan Williams OLB Ohio St.
Mike Taylor OLB Wisconsin

ILB
Mike Mauti ILB Penn St. ***
A.J. Klein ILB Iowa St.
Will Compton ILB Nebraska
Jake Johnson ILB Southern Alabama

S
Zeke Motta S Notre Dame
John Boyett S Oregon ***
Brendan Robinson S NC St.
Jordan Kovacs S Michigan
Drew Fret S Cincinatti
Cooper Taylor S Richmond