RS12
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Andrew Billings/DT/Baylor: During an interview early Saturday morning on WEIR 1430, I was asked to name one junior prospect who would make an unexpected charge up draft boards. My answer? Andrew Billings. Hence it was more than gratifying watching his performance as Baylor knocked off Oklahoma State some 15 hours later. Billings finished the game with 2.5 tackles for loss as well as 2 sacks and was a dominant force throughout the contest. On one sack Billings bull-rushed a double team block, collapsing the pocket to bring down the quarterback. The big-bodied junior is an athletic, three down defender with the ability to line up at several spots in a multitude of schemes. He has all the makings of a mid-first round choice.
Kenny Clark/DT/UCLA: Clark has been a dominant force throughout most of the season and put his prowess on display during the Bruins victory over Utah. The stats were nothing outstanding, 4 tackles with 1 tackle for loss, but Clark’s ability to attract double team blocks and command the attention of Utah’s offensive line created opportunities for teammates. Like Andrew Billings the UCLA junior is a three down defender with potential in a variety of schemes. As reported several weeks ago Clark is expected to enter the draft and could slide into the late part of round one.
Tyler Matakevich/LB/Temple: The Owls are in the midst of a wonderful campaign spearheaded by their stingy defense, a unit led by Matakevich. The productive four year starter posted a team leading 11 tackles during the all important victory over Memphis, whose offense was held to no touchdowns and under 240-total yards. Matakevich is smart, tough and rarely makes mental errors but has size limitations (under 6-feet/235lbs). In many ways he reminds me of former Detroit Lion Stephen Boyd, a size limited fifth round pick who went on to become a three time Pro Bowl selection.
Darien Harris/LB/Michigan State: Harris is another who does not measure well for the tape but plays big time football. He posted six tackles during the upset victory over Ohio State, including some very important stops. It raised his season total to 71 tackles, ranking him second on the Spartans defense. Built more like a traditional weak-side linebacker, Harris will be good value on the draft’s last day as either a run stopping inside linebacker or a one-gap pursuit defender.
Bucky Hodges/TE/Virginia Tech: The tight end position will be dictated by underclassmen in next year’s draft and Hodges, who’s expected to enter the event, will be near the top. An imposing figure on the field, Hodges plays more like a possession receiver, displaying the ability to get downfield and snatch the ball from the air. He attracts the attention of opponents, as he did on Saturday against North Carolina, yet continually comes away with important receptions during the games critical moments. Still rough around the edges, Hodges carries a great amount of upside and grades as a top 100 pick.
http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=11031
Andrew Billings/DT/Baylor: During an interview early Saturday morning on WEIR 1430, I was asked to name one junior prospect who would make an unexpected charge up draft boards. My answer? Andrew Billings. Hence it was more than gratifying watching his performance as Baylor knocked off Oklahoma State some 15 hours later. Billings finished the game with 2.5 tackles for loss as well as 2 sacks and was a dominant force throughout the contest. On one sack Billings bull-rushed a double team block, collapsing the pocket to bring down the quarterback. The big-bodied junior is an athletic, three down defender with the ability to line up at several spots in a multitude of schemes. He has all the makings of a mid-first round choice.
Kenny Clark/DT/UCLA: Clark has been a dominant force throughout most of the season and put his prowess on display during the Bruins victory over Utah. The stats were nothing outstanding, 4 tackles with 1 tackle for loss, but Clark’s ability to attract double team blocks and command the attention of Utah’s offensive line created opportunities for teammates. Like Andrew Billings the UCLA junior is a three down defender with potential in a variety of schemes. As reported several weeks ago Clark is expected to enter the draft and could slide into the late part of round one.
Tyler Matakevich/LB/Temple: The Owls are in the midst of a wonderful campaign spearheaded by their stingy defense, a unit led by Matakevich. The productive four year starter posted a team leading 11 tackles during the all important victory over Memphis, whose offense was held to no touchdowns and under 240-total yards. Matakevich is smart, tough and rarely makes mental errors but has size limitations (under 6-feet/235lbs). In many ways he reminds me of former Detroit Lion Stephen Boyd, a size limited fifth round pick who went on to become a three time Pro Bowl selection.
Darien Harris/LB/Michigan State: Harris is another who does not measure well for the tape but plays big time football. He posted six tackles during the upset victory over Ohio State, including some very important stops. It raised his season total to 71 tackles, ranking him second on the Spartans defense. Built more like a traditional weak-side linebacker, Harris will be good value on the draft’s last day as either a run stopping inside linebacker or a one-gap pursuit defender.
Bucky Hodges/TE/Virginia Tech: The tight end position will be dictated by underclassmen in next year’s draft and Hodges, who’s expected to enter the event, will be near the top. An imposing figure on the field, Hodges plays more like a possession receiver, displaying the ability to get downfield and snatch the ball from the air. He attracts the attention of opponents, as he did on Saturday against North Carolina, yet continually comes away with important receptions during the games critical moments. Still rough around the edges, Hodges carries a great amount of upside and grades as a top 100 pick.
http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=11031
