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http://footballsfuture.com/2011/sleepers.html
NFL Draft Sleepers
By: Robert Davis
As we approach the mid way point of the NFL season, most colleges are already in the second half of their seasons. So we are deep enough in to start to see how prospects are shaping up for the draft. Here are a few players that may be sliding under the radar a bit in terms of their draft status.
Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada
Kaepernick signed with Nevada with a bigger reputation on the diamond, but the focus on the gridiron has paid off. He has become one of the best dual threat QB’s in the country, and is evolving into a legitimate draft prospect. Kaepernick has great size, and still has some room to bulk up. He is a good athlete with quick feet in the pocket, and the speed to get out and pick up yardage as a runner. He has a good arm, capable of making all the throws. On top of the physical tools, Kaepernick is a team leader with a great work ethic. The downside to him is that he runs a gimmick offense, and will have a lot to learn at the next level. Running out of the Pistol formation, he has accumulated over 4,900 yards and 42 touchdowns through the air, with 2,300 yards and 33 touchdowns coming on the ground the past two seasons. The talent is obvious, but he will be a major project at the next level. He is a kid you want to root for, and someone that could pay off huge a couple years down the road.
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Benjamin Ijalana, OL, Villanova
There are always lineman at the lower levels that surprise and impress, jumping over much bigger names from bigger schools. Ijalana is this year’s top model. He has started every game during his career at tackle for Villanova, but his NFL career may be at guard. Tackle is the premium position, and with his experience outside, he may be given a shot to remain there. With his frame, he makes the ideal guard if he is not able to hack it as a tackle. He has quick feet in a short area, has the power to push defenders off the line, and will drive them to the ground. Whether he is given a shot to play tackle or is drafted as a guard, Ijalana is a kid that should hear his name called in the top 100 and could become a starter quickly in the NFL.
Kenrick Ellis, DT, Hampton
Ellis is a mountain of a man, and impossible to move off the line of scrimmage. With so many teams running variations of a 3-4 and needing a nose tackle to run it properly, Ellis is going to be a hot commodity in April. At 6'5 340lbs, he has a tremendous frame and is an immovable object in the middle of the defensive line. He originally began his career at South Carolina, but was dismissed for a violation of team rules but has been a standout at Hampton since arriving on campus. He already has 52 tackles, ten for loss this season in just five games. Ellis is going to have to answer questions about his dismissal from South Carolina, but if he can convince teams he has matured, he could be taken very highly. Players with his size, strength, and ability to control the line of scrimmage are rare.
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Korey Lindsey, CB, Southern Illinois
Lindsey doesn’t jump out at you when you first take a look at him. He’s got decent height, but he is a bit lean, and he’s not a guy that jumps out on film as a blazer. He does standout as a football player though. He has the hips and quickness to turn and cover receivers out of their breaks. His best trait may be locating the ball and going up and getting it. Entering his senior season, Lindsey has picked off 13 passes, six each of the past two seasons, and one as a freshman. He’s also not afraid to come up in run support and make the tackle. The speed question is the biggest issue Lindsey will have to answer, and that won’t be addressed until the post season. All star games and his 40 times will do a lot to determine his draft stock, as teams already know he has the ball skills, toughness and quickness to play at the next level.
NFL Draft Sleepers
By: Robert Davis
As we approach the mid way point of the NFL season, most colleges are already in the second half of their seasons. So we are deep enough in to start to see how prospects are shaping up for the draft. Here are a few players that may be sliding under the radar a bit in terms of their draft status.
Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada
Kaepernick signed with Nevada with a bigger reputation on the diamond, but the focus on the gridiron has paid off. He has become one of the best dual threat QB’s in the country, and is evolving into a legitimate draft prospect. Kaepernick has great size, and still has some room to bulk up. He is a good athlete with quick feet in the pocket, and the speed to get out and pick up yardage as a runner. He has a good arm, capable of making all the throws. On top of the physical tools, Kaepernick is a team leader with a great work ethic. The downside to him is that he runs a gimmick offense, and will have a lot to learn at the next level. Running out of the Pistol formation, he has accumulated over 4,900 yards and 42 touchdowns through the air, with 2,300 yards and 33 touchdowns coming on the ground the past two seasons. The talent is obvious, but he will be a major project at the next level. He is a kid you want to root for, and someone that could pay off huge a couple years down the road.
....
.....
Benjamin Ijalana, OL, Villanova
There are always lineman at the lower levels that surprise and impress, jumping over much bigger names from bigger schools. Ijalana is this year’s top model. He has started every game during his career at tackle for Villanova, but his NFL career may be at guard. Tackle is the premium position, and with his experience outside, he may be given a shot to remain there. With his frame, he makes the ideal guard if he is not able to hack it as a tackle. He has quick feet in a short area, has the power to push defenders off the line, and will drive them to the ground. Whether he is given a shot to play tackle or is drafted as a guard, Ijalana is a kid that should hear his name called in the top 100 and could become a starter quickly in the NFL.
Kenrick Ellis, DT, Hampton
Ellis is a mountain of a man, and impossible to move off the line of scrimmage. With so many teams running variations of a 3-4 and needing a nose tackle to run it properly, Ellis is going to be a hot commodity in April. At 6'5 340lbs, he has a tremendous frame and is an immovable object in the middle of the defensive line. He originally began his career at South Carolina, but was dismissed for a violation of team rules but has been a standout at Hampton since arriving on campus. He already has 52 tackles, ten for loss this season in just five games. Ellis is going to have to answer questions about his dismissal from South Carolina, but if he can convince teams he has matured, he could be taken very highly. Players with his size, strength, and ability to control the line of scrimmage are rare.
.....
....
Korey Lindsey, CB, Southern Illinois
Lindsey doesn’t jump out at you when you first take a look at him. He’s got decent height, but he is a bit lean, and he’s not a guy that jumps out on film as a blazer. He does standout as a football player though. He has the hips and quickness to turn and cover receivers out of their breaks. His best trait may be locating the ball and going up and getting it. Entering his senior season, Lindsey has picked off 13 passes, six each of the past two seasons, and one as a freshman. He’s also not afraid to come up in run support and make the tackle. The speed question is the biggest issue Lindsey will have to answer, and that won’t be addressed until the post season. All star games and his 40 times will do a lot to determine his draft stock, as teams already know he has the ball skills, toughness and quickness to play at the next level.