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Diamonds in the Rough: Beavers' Canfield could trump Tebow
Dec. 2, 2009
By Rob Rang
NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst
Tell Rob your opinion!
The line separating the elite NFL scouting departments from the ones sweating out their job statuses in December can often be traced back to their ability to unearth a few diamonds in the rough. They range from small-school prospects in the first round to overlooked undrafted free agents and can make or break a draft class.
Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome is often characterized as one of the NFL's most astute talent evaluators. Since 1996, Newsome's first season as Baltimore's vice president of player personnel, he is credited with drafting Jonathan Ogden (1996), Ray Lewis (1996), Peter Boulware (1997), Chris McAlister (1999), Jamal Lewis (2000), Todd Heap (2001), Ed Reed (2002), Haloti Ngata (2005), Joe Flacco (2007) and Michael Oher (2009). The first seven men listed have played in the Pro Bowl. Ngata, Flacco and Oher have the talent to do the same soon.
Senior Sean Canfield's size and arm should help his stock on draft day. (Getty Images)
For all of Newsome's success in the first round, it's his picks in the middle and later rounds that have really bolstered Baltimore's roster -- or that of other teams after moving on. Players like center Jeff Mitchell (fourth round, 1997), wide receiver Brandon Stokley (fourth, 1999), outside linebacker Adalius Thomas (sixth, 2000), inside linebacker Edgerton Hartwell (fourth, 2001), running back Chester Taylor (sixth, 2002), nose guard Aubrayo Franklin (fifth, 2003) and center Jason Brown (fourth, 2005).
I define "diamonds in the rough" as players who haven't received the attention their physical abilities warrant. Some played for smaller schools or ended their careers injured. Others play at nationally prominent programs, but broke out as seniors after being forced to wait for playing time. Still others enjoyed a great deal of college success, but have been incorrectly pegged as not having NFL-caliber skills. All are viewed as draftable by NFL teams, though most are unknown to the average fan.
Below are diamonds in the rough Newsome and other NFL talent evaluators will be tracking as bowl season and the collegiate all-star circuit approach.
Quarterback: Sean Canfield, Oregon State, 6-4, 215, 4.96 40-yard dash: Having battled Lyle Moevao for the right to start, Canfield entered his senior season barely a blip on scouts' radar. The strong-armed southpaw's breakout campaign and experience in a pro-style offense make him a more attractive prospect to some scouts than Colt McCoy or Tim Tebow.
Others to keep an eye on:
Jonathan Crompton, Tennessee, 6-4, 228, 4.78
John Skelton, Fordham, 6-5, 256, 4.88
Rusty Smith, Florida Atlantic, 6-5, 230, 4.82
Chris Turner, Maryland, 6-4, 220, 5.06
Running back: Lonyae Miller, Fresno State, 5-11, 220, 4.52: Ranked among the better senior running back prospects by scouts entering the season based on his 6.8-yard average per carry in 2008, Miller was beaten out for the starting job by junior Ryan Mathews -- who currently leads the NCAA with an average of 149 yards rushing yards per game. Watch for Miller to complete a true rarity -- earning a draft selection despite being a senior backup.
Others to keep an eye on:
Andre Anderson, Tulane, 5-11, 212, 4.54
Toney Baker, N.C. State, 5-10, 225, 4.53
Joique Bell, Wayne State (Mich.), 5-11, 224, 4.54
Andy Hartmann (FB), Mississippi, 5-10, 243, 4.75
Tight end: Jimmy Graham, Miami, 6-8, 260, 4.72: In terms of producing NFL talent, "The U" can hardly be characterized as "the rough," but Graham, a former basketball standout for the 'Canes, certainly has flashed enough to attract the attention of NFL scouts. Little was expected of Graham when he decided to play football this year, but he has proved to be a reliable end zone target. His rare size and athleticism could warrant a late-round selection as a developmental prospect.
Others to keep an eye on:
Jeron Mastrud, Kansas State, 6-5, 253, 4.82
Tony Moeaki, Iowa, 6-3, 252, 4.84
Nathan Overbay, Eastern Washington, 6-5, 270, 4.86
Scott Sicko, New Hampshire, 6-4, 242, 4.75
Jeremy Williams caught 84 balls for 1,113 yards in 2009. (Getty Images)
Wide receiver: Jeremy Williams, Tulane, 6-1, 205, 4.52: The wide receiver earning the most attention from the state of Louisiana is LSU's Brandon LaFell, but in Williams the Green Wave feature their own athletic pass-catcher with legitimate NFL size. Like former Green Wave standout Matt Forte, Williams may just be an impressive Senior Bowl or workout away from the second round.
Others to keep an eye on:
Seyi Ajirotutu, Fresno State, 6-3, 210, 4.56
Chris Carter, Cal Davis, 6-0, 195, 4.49
Donald Jones, Youngstown State, 6-1, 210, 4.56
Andre Roberts, Citadel, 5-11, 180, 4.49
Offensive linemen: Mike Iupati, Idaho, 6-5, 330, 5.20 (OG): Moscow, Idaho, might sound foreign, but NFL scouts have become well acquainted with the Vandals campus with their scouting of this massive blocker. NFLDraftScout.com's top-rated guard since September, Iupati's girth, physicality and surprising athleticism stand out on film. If he can duplicate his success in the WAC at the Senior Bowl, Iupati could earn a first-round grade -- a rare accomplishment for a pure guard.
Others to keep an eye on:
Kenny Alfred (C), Washington State, 6-2, 300, 5.24
Zane Beadles (OT/OG), Utah, 6-4, 305, 5.28
Vladimir Ducasse (OG), Massachusetts, 6-5, 330, 5.32
Derek Hardman (OT), Eastern Kentucky, 6-6, 300, 5.23
Defensive line: Austen Lane, Murray State, 6-6, 258, 4.65 (DE): The preseason Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year after posting 63 tackles, 22 tackles for loss and 12 sacks in 2008, Lane was double-teamed on nearly every snap this season. It hasn't helped -- Lane has been nearly as statistically dominant (64 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks in 11 games). Quick off the snap and possessing very long arms (reportedly 37 inches), Lane could join the likes of Jared Allen (Idaho State), DeMarcus Ware (Troy) and Robert Mathis (Alabama A&M) as productive pass rushers from the so-called "small schools."
Others to keep an eye on:
Alex Carrington (DE), Arkansas State, 6-5, 284, 6-5, 284, 4.78
Hall Davis (DE), Louisiana-Lafayette, 6-5, 272, 4.76
Jay Ross (DT), East Carolina, 6-3, 314, 5.09
Torrell Troup (DT), Central Florida, 6-3, 314, 5.28
Linebacker: Koa Misi, Utah, 6-2, 263, 4.74 (OLB): Like former teammate Paul Kruger, Misi's pro future might lie at outside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme after a college career spend at defensive end. A natural edge rusher with a history of big plays in big games, Misi is even stronger (545-pound squat) and more athletic (36-inch vertical) than his former teammate, a second-round pick who hit the national spotlight with a big interception in Baltimore's overtime win against Pittsburgh last Sunday.
Others to keep an eye on:
Donald Butler (ILB), Washington, 6-1, 235, 4.80
Reggie Carter (ILB), UCLA, 6-0, 240, 4.73
Boris Lee, Troy (ILB), 6-0, 245, 4.74
O'Brien Schofield (OLB), Wisconsin, 6-2, 248, 4.63
Defensive back: Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, Indiana (Penn.), 6-1, 205, 4.48 (CB): To stand out at the lower levels, cornerbacks have to be dominant -- which is precisely what Owusu-Ansah has been. Voted all-conference each of the past two seasons, including first team at cornerback and returner as a senior, Owusu-Ansah has been rarely targeted by the opposition. Like former small-school standouts Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Tennessee State) and Leodis McKelvin (Troy), to earn the first-round grade his eye-popping statistics would seem to warrant, Owusu-Ansah will need to perform well at the Senior Bowl and in personal workouts.
Others to keep an eye on:
Jon Amaya (SS), Nevada, 6-1, 210, 4.46
Cody Grimm (SS), Virginia Tech, 5-11, 210, 4.68
Robert Johnson (SS), Utah, 6-2, 200, 4.52
Patrick Stoudamire (CB), Western Illinois, 5-11, 198, 4.49
Rob Rang is a senior analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange.
Dec. 2, 2009
By Rob Rang
NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst
Tell Rob your opinion!
The line separating the elite NFL scouting departments from the ones sweating out their job statuses in December can often be traced back to their ability to unearth a few diamonds in the rough. They range from small-school prospects in the first round to overlooked undrafted free agents and can make or break a draft class.
Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome is often characterized as one of the NFL's most astute talent evaluators. Since 1996, Newsome's first season as Baltimore's vice president of player personnel, he is credited with drafting Jonathan Ogden (1996), Ray Lewis (1996), Peter Boulware (1997), Chris McAlister (1999), Jamal Lewis (2000), Todd Heap (2001), Ed Reed (2002), Haloti Ngata (2005), Joe Flacco (2007) and Michael Oher (2009). The first seven men listed have played in the Pro Bowl. Ngata, Flacco and Oher have the talent to do the same soon.
Senior Sean Canfield's size and arm should help his stock on draft day. (Getty Images)
For all of Newsome's success in the first round, it's his picks in the middle and later rounds that have really bolstered Baltimore's roster -- or that of other teams after moving on. Players like center Jeff Mitchell (fourth round, 1997), wide receiver Brandon Stokley (fourth, 1999), outside linebacker Adalius Thomas (sixth, 2000), inside linebacker Edgerton Hartwell (fourth, 2001), running back Chester Taylor (sixth, 2002), nose guard Aubrayo Franklin (fifth, 2003) and center Jason Brown (fourth, 2005).
I define "diamonds in the rough" as players who haven't received the attention their physical abilities warrant. Some played for smaller schools or ended their careers injured. Others play at nationally prominent programs, but broke out as seniors after being forced to wait for playing time. Still others enjoyed a great deal of college success, but have been incorrectly pegged as not having NFL-caliber skills. All are viewed as draftable by NFL teams, though most are unknown to the average fan.
Below are diamonds in the rough Newsome and other NFL talent evaluators will be tracking as bowl season and the collegiate all-star circuit approach.
Quarterback: Sean Canfield, Oregon State, 6-4, 215, 4.96 40-yard dash: Having battled Lyle Moevao for the right to start, Canfield entered his senior season barely a blip on scouts' radar. The strong-armed southpaw's breakout campaign and experience in a pro-style offense make him a more attractive prospect to some scouts than Colt McCoy or Tim Tebow.
Others to keep an eye on:
Jonathan Crompton, Tennessee, 6-4, 228, 4.78
John Skelton, Fordham, 6-5, 256, 4.88
Rusty Smith, Florida Atlantic, 6-5, 230, 4.82
Chris Turner, Maryland, 6-4, 220, 5.06
Running back: Lonyae Miller, Fresno State, 5-11, 220, 4.52: Ranked among the better senior running back prospects by scouts entering the season based on his 6.8-yard average per carry in 2008, Miller was beaten out for the starting job by junior Ryan Mathews -- who currently leads the NCAA with an average of 149 yards rushing yards per game. Watch for Miller to complete a true rarity -- earning a draft selection despite being a senior backup.
Others to keep an eye on:
Andre Anderson, Tulane, 5-11, 212, 4.54
Toney Baker, N.C. State, 5-10, 225, 4.53
Joique Bell, Wayne State (Mich.), 5-11, 224, 4.54
Andy Hartmann (FB), Mississippi, 5-10, 243, 4.75
Tight end: Jimmy Graham, Miami, 6-8, 260, 4.72: In terms of producing NFL talent, "The U" can hardly be characterized as "the rough," but Graham, a former basketball standout for the 'Canes, certainly has flashed enough to attract the attention of NFL scouts. Little was expected of Graham when he decided to play football this year, but he has proved to be a reliable end zone target. His rare size and athleticism could warrant a late-round selection as a developmental prospect.
Others to keep an eye on:
Jeron Mastrud, Kansas State, 6-5, 253, 4.82
Tony Moeaki, Iowa, 6-3, 252, 4.84
Nathan Overbay, Eastern Washington, 6-5, 270, 4.86
Scott Sicko, New Hampshire, 6-4, 242, 4.75
Jeremy Williams caught 84 balls for 1,113 yards in 2009. (Getty Images)
Wide receiver: Jeremy Williams, Tulane, 6-1, 205, 4.52: The wide receiver earning the most attention from the state of Louisiana is LSU's Brandon LaFell, but in Williams the Green Wave feature their own athletic pass-catcher with legitimate NFL size. Like former Green Wave standout Matt Forte, Williams may just be an impressive Senior Bowl or workout away from the second round.
Others to keep an eye on:
Seyi Ajirotutu, Fresno State, 6-3, 210, 4.56
Chris Carter, Cal Davis, 6-0, 195, 4.49
Donald Jones, Youngstown State, 6-1, 210, 4.56
Andre Roberts, Citadel, 5-11, 180, 4.49
Offensive linemen: Mike Iupati, Idaho, 6-5, 330, 5.20 (OG): Moscow, Idaho, might sound foreign, but NFL scouts have become well acquainted with the Vandals campus with their scouting of this massive blocker. NFLDraftScout.com's top-rated guard since September, Iupati's girth, physicality and surprising athleticism stand out on film. If he can duplicate his success in the WAC at the Senior Bowl, Iupati could earn a first-round grade -- a rare accomplishment for a pure guard.
Others to keep an eye on:
Kenny Alfred (C), Washington State, 6-2, 300, 5.24
Zane Beadles (OT/OG), Utah, 6-4, 305, 5.28
Vladimir Ducasse (OG), Massachusetts, 6-5, 330, 5.32
Derek Hardman (OT), Eastern Kentucky, 6-6, 300, 5.23
Defensive line: Austen Lane, Murray State, 6-6, 258, 4.65 (DE): The preseason Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year after posting 63 tackles, 22 tackles for loss and 12 sacks in 2008, Lane was double-teamed on nearly every snap this season. It hasn't helped -- Lane has been nearly as statistically dominant (64 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks in 11 games). Quick off the snap and possessing very long arms (reportedly 37 inches), Lane could join the likes of Jared Allen (Idaho State), DeMarcus Ware (Troy) and Robert Mathis (Alabama A&M) as productive pass rushers from the so-called "small schools."
Others to keep an eye on:
Alex Carrington (DE), Arkansas State, 6-5, 284, 6-5, 284, 4.78
Hall Davis (DE), Louisiana-Lafayette, 6-5, 272, 4.76
Jay Ross (DT), East Carolina, 6-3, 314, 5.09
Torrell Troup (DT), Central Florida, 6-3, 314, 5.28
Linebacker: Koa Misi, Utah, 6-2, 263, 4.74 (OLB): Like former teammate Paul Kruger, Misi's pro future might lie at outside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme after a college career spend at defensive end. A natural edge rusher with a history of big plays in big games, Misi is even stronger (545-pound squat) and more athletic (36-inch vertical) than his former teammate, a second-round pick who hit the national spotlight with a big interception in Baltimore's overtime win against Pittsburgh last Sunday.
Others to keep an eye on:
Donald Butler (ILB), Washington, 6-1, 235, 4.80
Reggie Carter (ILB), UCLA, 6-0, 240, 4.73
Boris Lee, Troy (ILB), 6-0, 245, 4.74
O'Brien Schofield (OLB), Wisconsin, 6-2, 248, 4.63
Defensive back: Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, Indiana (Penn.), 6-1, 205, 4.48 (CB): To stand out at the lower levels, cornerbacks have to be dominant -- which is precisely what Owusu-Ansah has been. Voted all-conference each of the past two seasons, including first team at cornerback and returner as a senior, Owusu-Ansah has been rarely targeted by the opposition. Like former small-school standouts Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Tennessee State) and Leodis McKelvin (Troy), to earn the first-round grade his eye-popping statistics would seem to warrant, Owusu-Ansah will need to perform well at the Senior Bowl and in personal workouts.
Others to keep an eye on:
Jon Amaya (SS), Nevada, 6-1, 210, 4.46
Cody Grimm (SS), Virginia Tech, 5-11, 210, 4.68
Robert Johnson (SS), Utah, 6-2, 200, 4.52
Patrick Stoudamire (CB), Western Illinois, 5-11, 198, 4.49
Rob Rang is a senior analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange.