Combine Time: Small School Risers & Fallers

[cowboyjoe]

Combine Time: Small School Risers & Fallers
Written by Josh Buchanan
Tuesday, 24 February 2009 18:59
Hartwick QB Jason Boltus did not light on the world on fire as he has the potential to do but he did show he belonged. He ran a 4.83 40 on electronic clocks but was in 4.7s on hand helds while benching 26 reps for a modern day combine record for QBs. He also did a 31.5 vertical, 9’3 broad jump, and 7.0 3-cone. His athletic ability showed and he could even improve his times at the pro day in which he is likely to run again but won’t lift. He has anywhere from a late 4th to 7th round grade on most boards. He has likely gone from a 7th round pick to a possible 5th or 6th round pick after his performance. Don’t be surprised is he jumps up a little bit more after his pro day as well.

Abilene Christian WR Johnny Knox made some money with a 4.34 40, 10’2 broad jump, and 4.15 short shuttle. Now he will be classified as a mainly straight line speed guy so he could fall lower than you would expect with his 40 but he has gone from 7th-PFA to 5th-6th round.

Central Arkansas TE Marquez Branson ran a 4.71 40, 22 reps and a 35-inch vertical. Might have solidified himself as a late rounder after many thought he might not be a draft pick due to skipping out on an all-star game without a legitimate explanation.

Richmond DE Lawrence Sidbury has moved up draft boards after posting a 4.64 40 (fastest among DL), 35-inch vertical, 10’0 broad jump, and 4.43 short shuttle. He also looked very athletic and smooth in his drills and showed why he is a premier pass rusher. His motor is still questioned but his ability is not. Sidbury has moved from 4th round to 2nd-3rd round consideration.

Nicholls State CB Lardarius Webb ran a 4.46 40, 6.77 3-cone, and showed he is faster than expected. Teams had him as a 4.55-4.60 type who is a tweener and is now a tweener with 4.4 speed. Likely pushes his value up from 7th round to 5th-6th round.

[Silverstar]

I think Knox will go higher than a 5th round pick.

[DaBoys4Life]

where are the fallers? This just the riserS?

[Silverstar]

Originally Posted by DaBoys4Life

where are the fallers? This just the riserS?

Here are some according to nfldaftscout...pre combine though


Fallers

Alex Boone OT Ohio State A first-team All-Big Ten selection and likely mid-round draft pick just a few weeks ago, Boone may have eliminated any chance of his being drafted after police allegedly had to control the 6-7, 330-pound offensive tackle with a Taser. Arrested shortly before midnight on Feb. 1, police arrived on the scene to see Boone reportedly jumping on car hoods and yanking a tow-truck cable. The arrest was Boone's second for an alcohol-related offense. He was also arrested for drunk driving in April of 2006.

Maurice Evans DE Penn State Evans learned Feb. 3 that he was being placed on Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition and probation for one year for his arrest five months ago for marijuana possession. Evans' stock had already been down after posting only three sacks in 2008. That came after leading the Nittany Lions with 12.5 sacks in 2007 and ranking as a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation's elite defensive end.

Brian Cushing OLB Southern California By most accounts Cushing was among the more impressive linebackers throughout the week of practice at the Senior Bowl. Rather than focusing on his athleticism and instincts on the field, however, scouts in the stands were buzzing about reports that Cushing spends thousands of dollars a month on nutritional supplements. While no one is claiming Cushing's supplements should be confused with illegal steroids, it does raise questions about how maxed out Cushing might be -- questions that could push the All-American down the board considering the top-end talent this year at linebacker.

Mike Mickens CB Cincinnati Considering his experience (47 career starts) and pedigree (four-year all-conference selection, 2008 All-American), it might seem unfair of scouts to drop Mickens after he was forced to leave the Senior Bowl early due to inflammation in his knee. He was characterized by head coach Brian Kelly as "100 percent" before the Bearcats' loss to Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl, so scouts expected to see him perform well in Mobile. However, Mickens did not appear to be himself early in the week of practice. This, along with the fact that Mickens weighed in at only 176 pounds, raised doubts even in the minds of scouts who were once Mickens supporters. A strong showing at the Senior Bowl could have put Mickens into the first round. If unable to post an impressive workout at the Combine, Mickens now could slide into the third.

Terrance Taylor DT Michigan Taylor certainly doesn't have the prototypical build scouts are looking for in a dominating defensive tackle, but that is exactly what appeared to be as a junior, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors. Taylor's play dropped off as a senior, however, and dropped even further with a disappointing week of practice at the East-West Shrine Game. If there were teams operating a 4-3 alignment that had interest in the squarely built Taylor, they likely lost interest after the former Wolverine showed virtually no lateral burst or agility in separating from blocks. A team operating out of the 3-4 scheme may still consider bringing Taylor aboard, but with little competition for his services, Taylor could be available late on Sunday or perhaps even go undrafted.

[Chocolate Lab]

I thought that Nichols State CB looked pretty good. Better than a lot of others.

[DaBoys4Life]

Originally Posted by Silverstar

Here are some according to nfldaftscout...pre combine though


Fallers

Alex Boone OT Ohio State A first-team All-Big Ten selection and likely mid-round draft pick just a few weeks ago, Boone may have eliminated any chance of his being drafted after police allegedly had to control the 6-7, 330-pound offensive tackle with a Taser. Arrested shortly before midnight on Feb. 1, police arrived on the scene to see Boone reportedly jumping on car hoods and yanking a tow-truck cable. The arrest was Boone's second for an alcohol-related offense. He was also arrested for drunk driving in April of 2006.

[View Full Quote]Maurice Evans DE Penn State Evans learned Feb. 3 that he was being placed on Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition and probation for one year for his arrest five months ago for marijuana possession. Evans' stock had already been down after posting only three sacks in 2008. That came after leading the Nittany Lions with 12.5 sacks in 2007 and ranking as a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation's elite defensive end.

Brian Cushing OLB Southern California By most accounts Cushing was among the more impressive linebackers throughout the week of practice at the Senior Bowl. Rather than focusing on his athleticism and instincts on the field, however, scouts in the stands were buzzing about reports that Cushing spends thousands of dollars a month on nutritional supplements. While no one is claiming Cushing's supplements should be confused with illegal steroids, it does raise questions about how maxed out Cushing might be -- questions that could push the All-American down the board considering the top-end talent this year at linebacker.

Mike Mickens CB Cincinnati Considering his experience (47 career starts) and pedigree (four-year all-conference selection, 2008 All-American), it might seem unfair of scouts to drop Mickens after he was forced to leave the Senior Bowl early due to inflammation in his knee. He was characterized by head coach Brian Kelly as "100 percent" before the Bearcats' loss to Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl, so scouts expected to see him perform well in Mobile. However, Mickens did not appear to be himself early in the week of practice. This, along with the fact that Mickens weighed in at only 176 pounds, raised doubts even in the minds of scouts who were once Mickens supporters. A strong showing at the Senior Bowl could have put Mickens into the first round. If unable to post an impressive workout at the Combine, Mickens now could slide into the third.

Terrance Taylor DT Michigan Taylor certainly doesn't have the prototypical build scouts are looking for in a dominating defensive tackle, but that is exactly what appeared to be as a junior, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors. Taylor's play dropped off as a senior, however, and dropped even further with a disappointing week of practice at the East-West Shrine Game. If there were teams operating a 4-3 alignment that had interest in the squarely built Taylor, they likely lost interest after the former Wolverine showed virtually no lateral burst or agility in separating from blocks. A team operating out of the 3-4 scheme may still consider bringing Taylor aboard, but with little competition for his services, Taylor could be available late on Sunday or perhaps even go undrafted.

Those aren't small schools though =/.

[BAT]

Originally Posted by Chocolate Lab

I thought that Nichols State CB looked pretty good. Better than a lot of others.

You and me both. I was hoping to steal Webb with one of the 7ths. The kid is playmaker, at DB or KR.