Kaiser
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 16,628
- Reaction score
- 28,430
I'll copy the writeups from Dane Brugler's draft guide on our UDFA below. He had CB Kam Kelly as a late 4th (do they move him to FS?) and DE James Hearns as a 7th. Some players were listed without writeups. Also be sure to read his writeup of the tackling ability of Charvarius Ward, its hilarious.
For CBZ posters, this is exactly why you should spend the $10 for Brugler's guide prior to the draft. For Brulger's lawyers, this is Fair Use!
JORDAN CHUNN | Troy 6000 | 239 lbs. | rSR. RB, Troy
SUMMARY: A two-star running back recruit out of Madison County, Jordan Chunn was a highly productive two-way player in high school, rushing for 2,229 yards and 43 total touchdowns as a senior to earn 4A Offensive Player of the Year honors. He contributed from the get-go at Troy until he shattered his right collarbone (Sept. 2015), taking a medical redshirt. Chunn’s best collegiate season came in 2016 with 1,288 rushing yards and 16 scores. He is a well-built workhorse back who shows the body fluidity to transition his momentum off his plant foot to cut-and-go. Despite his size, Chunn tends to concede too easily as a runner with too many solo tacklers getting him on the ground. His 10 career fumbles stick out like a sore thumb. He missed playing time as a senior due to a laceration on his right leg, which required 18 stiches, and durability is a question mark. Overall, Chunn is a “what you see is what you get” runner, but has a chance to find a third-down role.
GRADE: Priority Free Agent
DAVID WELLS | San Diego State 6055 | 256 lbs. | rSR. TE, San Diego State
SUMMARY: A three-star tight end recruit out of Clovis North, Wells was a high school quarterback who moved to tight end prior to his senior year, recording 60 catches for 1,188 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2012. San Diego State was the first to offer him and stuck to that pledge after other schools (Fresno State, Nevada, etc.) came calling. Wells spent the majority of his first few seasons on special teams before a breakout junior season with 25 catches for 294 yards and four scores, earning Second Team All-MWC honors. His production as a senior declined and appeared to be an afterthought in the Aztecs offense. However, Wells was a substantial part of the team’s success due to his blocking. He looks the part of a NFL tight end with his sturdy, large frame and the competitive spirit to match. Overall, Wells is a sluggish athlete with heavy legs in his route-running, but he can find a NFL career if he continues to develop his technique and point-of-attack balance as a blocker.
GRADE: Priority Free Agent
JAMES HEARNS | Louisville 6024 | 239 lbs. | rSR. DE, Louisville
STRENGTHS: Arc speed to threaten the corner and chase from the backside…flashes a closing burst once he has a rush lane…swarming motor and plays hungry for the quarterback…quick spin move and displays the ability to adjust his plan mid-rush…peppers blockers with his punch…works hard to hold the edge and make plays on his side of the field…looks comfortable in space to avoid blockers and find the football…strong rip move as a tackler, combining for nine forced fumbles the last two seasons…competes with the on-field energy that NFL coaches will appreciate…graduated with his undergrad degree (Dec. 2017)…expecting his first child in April 2018 with his girlfriend (Kennadi Carbin), a Louisville soccer player…led the team in sacks his junior and senior seasons.
WEAKNESSES: Tweener size and skill-set with questionable growth potential…straight-linish athlete and lacks the hips to make tight turns…herky-jerky movements hinder his ability to quickly redirect in space…hand fighter, but doesn’t go anywhere…spends too much time attached to blockers, lacking the play strength to easily disengage…finds himself too far upfield often…doesn’t play with a stout base and can be moved in the run game, ending up where the blocker wants him…doesn’t conduct himself with discipline (unnecessary roughness penalties, etc.), forcing the coaches to remove him from games…not every team will be comfortable with his off-field maturity, including an incident where he was shot in the elbow (Dec. 2016) at an off-campus party (Hearns: “It ended up teaching me a lot about just being out, period.”)…older prospect and will turn 25 years old as a NFL rookie.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Louisville, Hearns moved between a stand-up rusher and hand-on-the-ground defensive end as the Cardinals’ scheme evolved the last few seasons. He led the team in sacks each of the last two seasons and although several would be categorized as coverage sacks, his motor got him home before anyone else. Hearns never quits fighting to the quarterback and several blockers in the ACC couldn’t keep up with his motor and plays speed. However, that won’t be the case with most NFL blockers and he will need to expand his rush plan and improve his consistency vs. the run to see the field. Overall, Hearns is a tight-hipped rusher, but his determined edge speed and active hand use could earn him a rush specialist role in the NFL, ideally as a wide-nine defensive end.
GRADE: 7th Round
JOEL LANNING | Iowa State 6012 | 235 lbs. | rSR. LB, Iowa State
SUMMARY: A three-star recruit out of high school, Joel Lanning led Ankeny to a 14-0 record and state title in 2012, finishing with 3,384 total yards and 39 total scores as a senior quarterback – also an all-state wrestler. He was a top-five recruit in the state of Iowa and signed with Iowa State over Nebraska. He played quarterback until moving to MIKE linebacker as a senior (third in Big Ten with 114 tackles), also seeing snaps on offense in the “Lan Ram” package at quarterback – played in 1,001 snaps in 2017 across all three phases. Lanning comes to balance on the move, lowering his pads and bursting through his target as a tackler. He looked inexperienced in coverage in his one season at linebacker, but trusted his instincts to guide him, staying away from mental mistakes. Overall, Lanning has a great backstory that illustrates his team-first mentality and with his determination and natural football IQ, he has a chance of making it as a NFL special teamer, linebacker or fullback.
GRADE: Priority Free Agent
CHARVARIUS WARD | Middle Tennessee 6005 | 198 lbs. | SR. CB, Middle Tennessee State
SUMMARY: A three-star recruit out of high school, Charvarius Ward (CHAR-Vair-E-US) didn’t play football at McComb until his senior season, posting 48 tackles and one interception. His next stop was Hinds CC for two seasons where he started two seasons at cornerback. Ward transferred to Middle Tennessee and became a full-time starter as a senior right cornerback, recording a team-best 14 passes defended. He passes the eye test with his height/length and collected 21 passes defended in his two FBS season, although he needs to be a better finisher at the catch point. When Ward wants to tackle, he stays low and finishes, but he tends to make business decisions, allowing his teammates to be the hero. On film, there are too many examples of him falling asleep at the wheel and his delayed diagnose skills lead to completions or grabbing. Overall, Ward has undeveloped play strength and instincts, but his speed and length for the position gives him a fighting chance.
GRADE: Priority Free Agent
KAMERON KELLY | San Diego State 6015 | 204 lbs. | SR. CB, San Diego State
STRENGTHS: Good-sized athlete with plus length…patient, but fluid lower body in press, collecting his feet to transition…clobbers receivers off the line of scrimmage and takes their lunch money…skilled handwork downfield to slow routes without drawing attention…natural ball skills with double-digit career interceptions, averaging 12.2 yards per return (10/122/0)…impact blitzer, blowing through running back blocks (see 2017 vs. Stanford)…plays the run like a former safety, attacking alleys and shutting down the edge…squares his target in the open field and hits through him…extensive experience on special teams coverages, including a punt block in 2014…senior captain and plays with the utmost confidence…starting experience at both safety and cornerback.
WEAKNESSES: Speed of a safety, not a cornerback…receivers are able to stack and separate vertically…needs to clean up numerous technical quirks in reverse that lead him astray…transitions with a hitch with his hip turn…panics when receivers gain a step, grabbing jersey…susceptible to double-moves and his route anticipation and vision are a work-in-progress…room to clean up his tackling strike zone, often hitting too high…tougher than strong and his lack of upper body power shows when hung up on blocks…missed the second half of his true freshman season due to compartment syndrome in his right leg (Oct. 2014), requiring emergency surgery and a long hospital stay – also missed half of his junior season in high school with an injury.
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at San Diego State, Kelly started as the “WAR” safety as an underclassman before moving to left cornerback for his senior season. He earned First Team all-conference honors at his new position and looked at home in press coverage. Kelly is an aggressive run defender and competes with a physical edge, disrupting routes at the line of scrimmage and taking offense when a quarterback dares to throw in his direction. He can pattern match early in the rep, but struggles to match long speed and secondary burst at the stem. Overall, Kelly is a versatile competitor and while some NFL clubs will return Kelly to safety, press-heavy teams will take advantage of his physical nature at the line of scrimmage.
GRADE: 4th-5th Round
DONOVAN OLUMBA | Portland State 6017 | 192 lbs. | rSR. CB, Portland State
SUMMARY: A no-star cornerback recruit out of high school, Donovan Olumba (oh-LOOM-buh) was a wide receiver and cornerback at Salpointe Catholic, also running track (13.17 in the 100-meters). Playing only one season of varsity high school ball, he went under-recruited and ended up at Division-II Alderson Broaddus (located in West Virginia) where he played three seasons at corner. Olumba transferred up a level to FCS Portland State, spending the 2016 season on the scout team. He went from third-string to starter in 2017, posting seven passes defended. Despite a mediocre senior season, Olumba has the measureables that attract NFL eyes with his combination of height, length and speed. His transition tends to stall due to wild footwork, causing him to play tight at the top of routes. He is an inconsistent run defender with suspect play strength for NFL work. Overall, Olumba is an undeveloped traits-based prospect who could earn a practice squad spot in training camp.
GRADE: Priority Free Agent
For CBZ posters, this is exactly why you should spend the $10 for Brugler's guide prior to the draft. For Brulger's lawyers, this is Fair Use!
JORDAN CHUNN | Troy 6000 | 239 lbs. | rSR. RB, Troy
SUMMARY: A two-star running back recruit out of Madison County, Jordan Chunn was a highly productive two-way player in high school, rushing for 2,229 yards and 43 total touchdowns as a senior to earn 4A Offensive Player of the Year honors. He contributed from the get-go at Troy until he shattered his right collarbone (Sept. 2015), taking a medical redshirt. Chunn’s best collegiate season came in 2016 with 1,288 rushing yards and 16 scores. He is a well-built workhorse back who shows the body fluidity to transition his momentum off his plant foot to cut-and-go. Despite his size, Chunn tends to concede too easily as a runner with too many solo tacklers getting him on the ground. His 10 career fumbles stick out like a sore thumb. He missed playing time as a senior due to a laceration on his right leg, which required 18 stiches, and durability is a question mark. Overall, Chunn is a “what you see is what you get” runner, but has a chance to find a third-down role.
GRADE: Priority Free Agent
DAVID WELLS | San Diego State 6055 | 256 lbs. | rSR. TE, San Diego State
SUMMARY: A three-star tight end recruit out of Clovis North, Wells was a high school quarterback who moved to tight end prior to his senior year, recording 60 catches for 1,188 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2012. San Diego State was the first to offer him and stuck to that pledge after other schools (Fresno State, Nevada, etc.) came calling. Wells spent the majority of his first few seasons on special teams before a breakout junior season with 25 catches for 294 yards and four scores, earning Second Team All-MWC honors. His production as a senior declined and appeared to be an afterthought in the Aztecs offense. However, Wells was a substantial part of the team’s success due to his blocking. He looks the part of a NFL tight end with his sturdy, large frame and the competitive spirit to match. Overall, Wells is a sluggish athlete with heavy legs in his route-running, but he can find a NFL career if he continues to develop his technique and point-of-attack balance as a blocker.
GRADE: Priority Free Agent
JAMES HEARNS | Louisville 6024 | 239 lbs. | rSR. DE, Louisville
STRENGTHS: Arc speed to threaten the corner and chase from the backside…flashes a closing burst once he has a rush lane…swarming motor and plays hungry for the quarterback…quick spin move and displays the ability to adjust his plan mid-rush…peppers blockers with his punch…works hard to hold the edge and make plays on his side of the field…looks comfortable in space to avoid blockers and find the football…strong rip move as a tackler, combining for nine forced fumbles the last two seasons…competes with the on-field energy that NFL coaches will appreciate…graduated with his undergrad degree (Dec. 2017)…expecting his first child in April 2018 with his girlfriend (Kennadi Carbin), a Louisville soccer player…led the team in sacks his junior and senior seasons.
WEAKNESSES: Tweener size and skill-set with questionable growth potential…straight-linish athlete and lacks the hips to make tight turns…herky-jerky movements hinder his ability to quickly redirect in space…hand fighter, but doesn’t go anywhere…spends too much time attached to blockers, lacking the play strength to easily disengage…finds himself too far upfield often…doesn’t play with a stout base and can be moved in the run game, ending up where the blocker wants him…doesn’t conduct himself with discipline (unnecessary roughness penalties, etc.), forcing the coaches to remove him from games…not every team will be comfortable with his off-field maturity, including an incident where he was shot in the elbow (Dec. 2016) at an off-campus party (Hearns: “It ended up teaching me a lot about just being out, period.”)…older prospect and will turn 25 years old as a NFL rookie.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Louisville, Hearns moved between a stand-up rusher and hand-on-the-ground defensive end as the Cardinals’ scheme evolved the last few seasons. He led the team in sacks each of the last two seasons and although several would be categorized as coverage sacks, his motor got him home before anyone else. Hearns never quits fighting to the quarterback and several blockers in the ACC couldn’t keep up with his motor and plays speed. However, that won’t be the case with most NFL blockers and he will need to expand his rush plan and improve his consistency vs. the run to see the field. Overall, Hearns is a tight-hipped rusher, but his determined edge speed and active hand use could earn him a rush specialist role in the NFL, ideally as a wide-nine defensive end.
GRADE: 7th Round
JOEL LANNING | Iowa State 6012 | 235 lbs. | rSR. LB, Iowa State
SUMMARY: A three-star recruit out of high school, Joel Lanning led Ankeny to a 14-0 record and state title in 2012, finishing with 3,384 total yards and 39 total scores as a senior quarterback – also an all-state wrestler. He was a top-five recruit in the state of Iowa and signed with Iowa State over Nebraska. He played quarterback until moving to MIKE linebacker as a senior (third in Big Ten with 114 tackles), also seeing snaps on offense in the “Lan Ram” package at quarterback – played in 1,001 snaps in 2017 across all three phases. Lanning comes to balance on the move, lowering his pads and bursting through his target as a tackler. He looked inexperienced in coverage in his one season at linebacker, but trusted his instincts to guide him, staying away from mental mistakes. Overall, Lanning has a great backstory that illustrates his team-first mentality and with his determination and natural football IQ, he has a chance of making it as a NFL special teamer, linebacker or fullback.
GRADE: Priority Free Agent
CHARVARIUS WARD | Middle Tennessee 6005 | 198 lbs. | SR. CB, Middle Tennessee State
SUMMARY: A three-star recruit out of high school, Charvarius Ward (CHAR-Vair-E-US) didn’t play football at McComb until his senior season, posting 48 tackles and one interception. His next stop was Hinds CC for two seasons where he started two seasons at cornerback. Ward transferred to Middle Tennessee and became a full-time starter as a senior right cornerback, recording a team-best 14 passes defended. He passes the eye test with his height/length and collected 21 passes defended in his two FBS season, although he needs to be a better finisher at the catch point. When Ward wants to tackle, he stays low and finishes, but he tends to make business decisions, allowing his teammates to be the hero. On film, there are too many examples of him falling asleep at the wheel and his delayed diagnose skills lead to completions or grabbing. Overall, Ward has undeveloped play strength and instincts, but his speed and length for the position gives him a fighting chance.
GRADE: Priority Free Agent
KAMERON KELLY | San Diego State 6015 | 204 lbs. | SR. CB, San Diego State
STRENGTHS: Good-sized athlete with plus length…patient, but fluid lower body in press, collecting his feet to transition…clobbers receivers off the line of scrimmage and takes their lunch money…skilled handwork downfield to slow routes without drawing attention…natural ball skills with double-digit career interceptions, averaging 12.2 yards per return (10/122/0)…impact blitzer, blowing through running back blocks (see 2017 vs. Stanford)…plays the run like a former safety, attacking alleys and shutting down the edge…squares his target in the open field and hits through him…extensive experience on special teams coverages, including a punt block in 2014…senior captain and plays with the utmost confidence…starting experience at both safety and cornerback.
WEAKNESSES: Speed of a safety, not a cornerback…receivers are able to stack and separate vertically…needs to clean up numerous technical quirks in reverse that lead him astray…transitions with a hitch with his hip turn…panics when receivers gain a step, grabbing jersey…susceptible to double-moves and his route anticipation and vision are a work-in-progress…room to clean up his tackling strike zone, often hitting too high…tougher than strong and his lack of upper body power shows when hung up on blocks…missed the second half of his true freshman season due to compartment syndrome in his right leg (Oct. 2014), requiring emergency surgery and a long hospital stay – also missed half of his junior season in high school with an injury.
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at San Diego State, Kelly started as the “WAR” safety as an underclassman before moving to left cornerback for his senior season. He earned First Team all-conference honors at his new position and looked at home in press coverage. Kelly is an aggressive run defender and competes with a physical edge, disrupting routes at the line of scrimmage and taking offense when a quarterback dares to throw in his direction. He can pattern match early in the rep, but struggles to match long speed and secondary burst at the stem. Overall, Kelly is a versatile competitor and while some NFL clubs will return Kelly to safety, press-heavy teams will take advantage of his physical nature at the line of scrimmage.
GRADE: 4th-5th Round
DONOVAN OLUMBA | Portland State 6017 | 192 lbs. | rSR. CB, Portland State
SUMMARY: A no-star cornerback recruit out of high school, Donovan Olumba (oh-LOOM-buh) was a wide receiver and cornerback at Salpointe Catholic, also running track (13.17 in the 100-meters). Playing only one season of varsity high school ball, he went under-recruited and ended up at Division-II Alderson Broaddus (located in West Virginia) where he played three seasons at corner. Olumba transferred up a level to FCS Portland State, spending the 2016 season on the scout team. He went from third-string to starter in 2017, posting seven passes defended. Despite a mediocre senior season, Olumba has the measureables that attract NFL eyes with his combination of height, length and speed. His transition tends to stall due to wild footwork, causing him to play tight at the top of routes. He is an inconsistent run defender with suspect play strength for NFL work. Overall, Olumba is an undeveloped traits-based prospect who could earn a practice squad spot in training camp.
GRADE: Priority Free Agent
