Rumblings Draft Scouting: College Football Recap, Week 4

we may very well see him in action next week

I thought Tebow got knocked out on a passing attempt (sack), not a rushing attempt??

We had a brief discussion of him before but South Florida’s Jason Pierre-Paul (DE), really impressed me against Florida State. He ended up winning the Big East Defensive Player of the Week after being a disruptive presence the whole day. He’s got great size at 6’6", 260+ lbs, and is still a long way from reaching his potential. Here’s a nice article from ESPN on him from yesterday. As he continues improving and learning what it takes to be successful, him opposite George Selvie makes for one devastating tandem.

Clayborn is finding his stride this year. Fun to watch. Bigger and more physical than Hawks d-ends of recent past.
Wouldn’t be surprised if LB Pat Angerer finds his way onto an NFL roster next fall, either. Iowa coaches LBs well on pass defense and Angerer logs his share of ints.

Bulaga’s thyroid is, according to Ferentz, healed, not a recurring condition, and will play against Ark St this weekend.
Hope to not overlook Ark St with Michigan coming to Iowa City for a prime time ABC tilt. (will be there!) Go Hawks!

Here’s a few players I’ve seen/focused on a few times over the past couple seasons:

Eric Norwood, OLB, South Carolina. No outstanding traits that jump out at you, but Norwood is still dominant. Reminds me of David Pollack, who also had no outstanding traits but was still dominant. Norwood has been beating up on NFL-calibur talent for a couple seasons now. Good burst off the ball, not elite. Relentless and in great condition. Goes the same speed all game, and simply wears down opponents. Really noticable later in game when he seems to be moving a step fast than everyone else on the field. Wins with power and excellent use of hands. Squatty build gives him leverage similar to Dwight Freeney, but Norwood is mostly power as opposed to Freeney, who wins with finesse. Good speed and immediately closes into the blocker’s body, and then overpowers the blocker who can’t extend. This makes him almost impossible to single block at the college level. Will run around slow-footed blockers. Will need to prove that he can muscle better NFL tackles, and will need to improve his finesse moves, as NFL tackles eat up power rushers that can’t counter. Intense. On-field leader both vocally and with deeds. Good closing speed and senses the kill both with the sack and tackles. Never-say-die attitude. Average qualties going backwards as a LB, but good diagnostic skills reading action in front of him. Will stack and shed at the point and can track to the sideline. Best as a 3-4 OLB but could do well as a 4-3 stongside LB in a scheme like Tennessee’s or Philadelphia’s. Could play the edge in a 4-3 for teams that don’t mind undersized ends. A guy you want on your team and the kind of player that helps build a championship defense. Anticipated draft range: low first to second.

Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame (Junior). The best pro prospect in college football at the QB position. Great build. Powerful arm with a nice motion that doesn’t change from throw to throw. Throws with velocity on the ball and make every pro throw. Accuracy is excellent both in the pocket and on the move. Hits receivers in stride. Sometimes underthrows deep routes, but almost all QB’s do that from time to time. Played hurt against Purdue and without Michael Floyd, but still came back to win the game. Doesn’t get flustered in the pocket. Re-sets his feet and makes the throw like a pro already. Trusts his arm too much and sometimes throws deep into double coverage. Already appears to me to read the entire field and can go through his progression with ease despite playing in a pro style offense. This undoubtably comes from Charlie Weis’ coaching. Plays with a calm swagger. Both Clausen’s and the Irish offense’s body language indicates that they feel that Clausen not only can but will win the game. This normally comes with proven QB’s like Bradford or Tebow, so Clausen’s ability to create confidence is more impressive considering Notre Dame’s recent average play the past two years. Mental qualities were under question earlier in his career, but his understanding of where to go with the football leads me to believe that he’s spending lots of time in the film room. Still, more of a tough guy QB then a thinking QB. Tough and will play hurt. Mobile and can run for good yardage, but won’t be confused with Vince Young. Clausen is NFL ready now and is a top 5 pick lock unless something dramatic happens. Day 1 starter who can lead a team. Anticipated draft range: top 5 pick.

George Selvie DE South Florida. Former center who plays like it. Power to speed rusher. Average off the snap at times, other times he’s late, and sometimes he’s the first player moving showing outstanding explosiveness and a good first step. I can’t tell if it’s due to scheme or if he’s not able to anticipate the snap on some downs. Thin build at 250 with the ability to bulk up. Reminds me of Osi Umenyiora with his long arms and muscle tone. Powerful lower body. Overpowers lighter OT’s and can’t be blocked with a back. Has limited moves. Tends to puts his facemask into the blocker and drive him to the QB. Shed blockers easily. Not super fast, but can bend off the edge and get to the QB at times. Diagnostic skills need to improve, as he’s out of position at times. Never gives up, as he’s often more than 10 yards downfield making tackles. His size suggests that he could move to 3-4 OLB, but I think that’s a big jump for a player attempting to hone how to read an offense and be in the right spot. Probably just a 4-3 DE at this point. Will play hurt. Not going to be the guy for a defense, but could be a excellent complimentary rusher, especially if he stays at RE where he will have an easier time powering the OT. Anticipated draft range: I don’t see Selvie running well at the combine, but if he plays well at the Senior Bowl and runs a good 10-yard split, he could be a lower first round pick.

Short bits: Jahvid Best didn’t seem so great this weekend. I don’t see him as the high draft pick that was talked about last week. Sledding will be tougher this weekend against USC… Greg Hardy showed a lot playing hurt against South Carolina. He was clearly laboring on a hurt ankle, but still got to the QB and make a difference. Not sure if the light went on for him, or he just understands that his play and attitude this season will determine his draft position… Jerrell Powe played decent against South Carolina. For being so big, he doesn’t anchor well and can’t really split the double team while holding two gaps, but seemed to be able to burst through one-gap easily for how big he is… Jevan Snead is not playing well. His performance over the rest of the season is something to watch in terms of his ability to bounce back from bad performances… Eric Decker impressed me more and more every week. Uncoverable against Northwestern. Great hands… Christian Ponder is a future NFL QB in my mind. Still makes bond-headed plays, but he’s smart, has all the physical traits required, and looks to be a good on-field leader.