BFTB Scouting: College Football Week 9

Week 8 recap:

• UCLA OLB Akeem Ayers didn't have a flashy game in the blowout loss to Oregon, but he had a solid game both in coverage and stopping run even if his teammates didn't.
• UCLA S Rahim Moore was very good in run support like his teammate Ayers, but he actually struggled in coverage which was supposed to be his strength. It very well could be a case of him trying to do too much on a poor defense however.
• Purdue DE/OLB Ryan Kerrigan was on the wrong end of a blowout as well, but he did record and a sack and forced Ohio St. to adjust to his disruptiveness. He's still on track for mid-first round.
• Huge game from Alabama WR Julio Jones with 221 yds including some catches that were really, really difficult. He's a guy that people were looking to see turn his skills into production. He has impressed. Oh, and he did it with a broken hand. Cincinnati WR Armon Binns is another player like that and he's had back-to-back games with well over 100 yards. Binns did this without a broken hand. Slacker.
  

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.

Robert Sands, West Virginia. S. Junior, 6'4, 221 lbs (2nd to 4th round) - Sands is big and he's pretty fast. His length makes him a long strider that can cover a lot of ground as well as get after balls in the air. His size also limits his ability to turn quick and would have trouble with quick slot receivers in underneath coverage. Tackling is not a problem. He's a vocal leader on the field and from what I hear he carries himself well off the field.

Noel Devine, West Virginia, RB, Senior, 5'7, 177 lbs (middle rounds) - Its probably cliche to say this, but on the field he's a semi-Sproles clone. He a tough run with diminutive size. He's a willing pass blocker and runs good routes. He's had a high level of production throughout his collegiate career. Off the field he's had a checkered past stemming from his tough childhood and some arrests, but reports say that he's matured. He also hasn't proven that he can produce in the return games, which make him less valuable than a Sproles or Dexter McCluster. He also has to answer questions about his top end speed.

Brandon Hogan, West Virginia, CB, Senior, 5'10, 194 lbs (middle rounds) - He's good at reading QB drops and has quickness to break on the ball. Plays with a high level of intensity. He's a willing and able tackler in the run game. He can get beat in man-to-man situations. Has trouble holding onto the ball, but does have 2 interceptions this year. There are some character concerns including a DUI and resulting suspension earlier this year.

Vincent Brown, San Diego St., WR, Senior, 6'0, 197 lbs (middle rounds) - His big knock coming into the year was being injury prone, but he's stayed healthy all year. He also doesn't have ideal height, but that's not a deal breaker. He's not a great route-runner, but he does have some feel out there and can use his hands and footwork to find openings in zone coverages. He also has some burst that allows him to get some last minute separation as well as yards after the catch. He doesn't have the speed necessary to be a consistent deep threat, but can track deep balls well. He's a decent blocker and can take on players much bigger than him in the run game.

DeMarco Sampson, San Diego St., WR, Senior, 6'2, 209 lbs (late rounds or undrafted) - People look at Sampson and see an NFL WR's body. He even moves on the field like an NFL WR and can get separation on deep routes. However, he's very inconsistent catching the ball, doesn't work his man that well, needs work running his routes, is not a big helper in the run game and hasn't shown value on special teams. He still can be fun to watch since he's big play or bust and kind of like the Chargers' Buster Davis in that regard.

Brandon Hicks, Florida, OLB, Senior, 6'1, 222  lbs (3rd round or later) - Athletic and slightly undersized he'll need to bulk up for the next level. He probably could play either OLB or ILB in the 3-4. He does well in coverage, but he's also got the burst to go after the QB and get a sack. Has good fundamentals and even at his size as the strength to make violent hits. He's a project, but one that could really pay off.

A.J Green, Georgia, WR, Junior,  6'4. 208 lbs (1st round) - Under different circumstances I might not even mention Green. He's so liked by scouts that he's almost assuredly going in the top half of the first round and in a different universe we would even be able to imagine the Chargers picking that high in 2011. From some of the grades I'm looking at the only WR in the last 4 drafts to grade higher was Calvin Johnson and the only player of equal grade was Michael Crabtree.The biggest key to his game is body control. He can deceive defenders as he's developing his routes, he can position himself to shield defenders as the ball arrives and he can adjust to poorly thrown balls. He's also smart, can read coverages and take proper angles to avoid would-be tacklers. Has a high level of concentration when making a catch so he can work in traffic as well as one-one-one situations. He could use work as a run blocker.

Shareece Wright, USC, CB, Senior, 5'10, 184 lbs (middle rounds) - He flashes potential to be a good bump and run corner. Shows a mean streak and will hit hard when making a tackle. On the outside needs to us the sideline to help him.. Hasn't produced at a high level when going for the ball and would benefit from picking up some interceptions this year. His size, speed and strength might be less than adequate for the next level.

Ron Johnson, USC, WR, Senior, 5'10, 187 lbs (middle rounds) - A speedy, undersized WR who can produce big plays, but lacks consistency. Hard worker off the field, but on the field shies from contact, goes down easily and has trouble concentrating on the catch. He is a decent deep threat and has produce in big games over his career.

Tracking Prospects Mentioned In Previous Articles: