BFTB Scouting: College Football Week 8

Week 7 recap:

• Texas A&M OLB Von Miller didn't get to produce like I thought he would. Missouri spread out the field and he had to go into coverage. This strategy hurt A&M since Miller is their best pass rusher. Later in the game they shifted him to a DE spot and he ended up with a sack.
• Nebraska WR Niles Paul has a tough day vs. Texas. That could have been expected considering Texas' secondary, however Paul mostly beat himself. Scouts still like his potential, but this game hurt his stock.
• Pretty epic days for 3 WRs. Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles (15 rec. 182 yds. 1 TD), Notre Dame's Michael Floyd (9 rec. 157 yds. 3 TDs) and Cincinnati's Armon Binns (8 rec. 175 yds. 3 TDs). Not sure if any of this boosts their stocks that much except for maybe Binns. Scouts have been waiting for Binns to produce big with his new QB. This is a start.
• Both of the Clemson defenders on our watch list made an impact against a solid Maryland team. Da'Quan Bowers was a beast collecting 3 sacks, another tackle-for-loss and a couple of hurries. DeAndre McDaniel had an interception with a 33 yard return.
  
• Jacquizz Rodgers defended his crown as Mr. Beaver. He had 4 TDs (3 rushing and 1 receiving) in an overtime loss to Washington. He is the Oregon State offense.

Every week I'll also ask all of you to please share what games you'll be watching and what players you'd think would look good in blue and gold or just generally impressed/disappointed you.

Akeem Ayers, UCLA, OLB, Junior, 6'3, 249 lbs (1st round) - Unlike many of the athletic LBs I've mentioned before in this column, Ayers is a guy that has the strength to take on blockers and maintain gap discipline. This is a big key to being a quality run defender in the NFL. He can definition drive his man back on initial contact. Not only is he strong, but he can cover a lot of ground too allowing him to seal off an edge or close quickly on a QB or ball carrier. He also has long arms which allow him to make tackles even when he doesn't get in the best position. UCLA uses him in coverage a lot, but his real potential may lie as a pass rusher, which is exactly what the Chargers need right now.

Rahim Moore, UCLA, S, Junior, 6'1, 196 lbs (1st or 2nd round) - This smallish safety just has a knack for the position. He's difficult to fool and rarely takes false steps that cost him in coverage. His abilities as a deep defender are pretty much unparalleled at the college level. He can react to the ball and makes plays. He has over a dozen interceptions in his time at UCLA. His size is currently an issue, but scouts say that his frame has room to add bulk and he certainly doesn't shy away from contact just because other players are bigger. Adding Moore to the Chargers secondary would be a perfect fit as he could play the deep responsibilities freeing up the other safety to play more in the box, which it seems like more and more safeties are best at.

Kelvin Sheppard, LSU, OLB, Senior, 6'2, 244 lbs (2nd or 3rd round) - I passed on mentioned Sheppard the previous times I covered LSU, but he's been turning some heads. The big knocks on him have been his toughness and his technique. However, he's been trying to prove doubters wrong all season by playing at a high level. The Chargers need OLBs, so I don't want to pass up an opportunity to find a future Bolt.

Nick Fairley, Auburn, DE/DT, Junior, 6'4, 299 lbs (1st or 2nd round) - Another fast riser like Sheppard. Fairly just started turning head just like his team has in the past few weeks. He's probably not a great fit for the Bolts considering that I think they'll stay away from drafting defensive line, but he's worth mentioning. He's good at splitting double teams and getting penetration, but no one is really sold on his ability to hold the line against a double team to free up his teammates like a 3-4 DE would do. He's tied for 2nd in the SEC in sacks and leads that league in tackles for a loss. He was a handful for Arkansas Razorbacks last week.

Bruce Carter, North Carolina, OLB, Senior, 6'3, 225 (1st or 2nd round) - I passed over Carter before because of his size and because he was under investigation and thereby not playing. I'm pretty sure I did mention him waaay back when I did my bowl game previews last year, but he never declared for the draft. Well, he's back playing and perhaps I was too hasty to dismiss his size. His speed and range are fantastic and he's a fundamentally sound tackler. He also has played special teams and blocked 6 kicks in his collegiate career. Suffice it to say he's one heck of an athlete just like his partner Quan Sturdivant. His size keeps him from being able to shed blockers, but in the open field his quickness, speed and explosiveness hide his lack of bulk when he goes in for a tackle.

Tracking Prospects Mentioned In Previous Articles: