Shrine game primer

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Defensive Ends

1. Za’Darius Smith, Kentucky

While his teammate Bud Dupree has received first-round buzz, Za’Darius Smith has an NFLfuture thanks to his composed, controlled style as a backside edge player, keeping his hands and upper body positioned very well. He sets up his edge rushes at a high level, utilizing positioning, patience and hand placement to get around the edge. His ability to hold the edge well is what could eventually lead him to a situational starter role in the NFL, and he should be able to take advantage of the lackluster offensive tackles at the Shrine Game.

1. Martin Ifedi, Memphis

Dealing with a knee injury during the year, Ifedi is a DE/5-technique hybrid defensive lineman, as his vision, subtle hand/arm usage as a rusher, and disengaging with body positioning at a high level. He’s been able to finish in the backfield in his career, and he’ll have the opportunity to do more of the same, especially on inside pinch rushes at the Shrine Game.

1. Kyle Emanuel, North Dakota State

The Buck Buchanan award winner this year (FCS’s top defensive player), Emanuel put together a highly productive season as an edge rusher, finishing in the backfield and adjusting off of his initial rush at a high level. He may be an NFL 3-4 outside linebacker, but he’ll need to show his edge ability can translate against FBS blockers.

1. Davis Tull, Tennessee-Chattanooga
2. Jermauria Rasco, LSU
3. Anthony Chickillo, Miami (FL)
4. Ryan Russell, Purdue

http://optimumscouting.com/draft/2015-shrine-game-defensive-prospect-scouting-preview.html

 

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Running Backs

1. Malcolm Brown, Texas

One of the best one-cut power runners in the 2015 NFL Draft, Brown’s plus plant and cut speed along with balance once he picks up speed. With ideal size and built, Brown does a great job of finishing broken tackles and adjusting his upper half to take on more tacklers. He lacks great initial speed, and struggles to adjust laterally after the first cut, but his explosive cut upfield and size give him the tools to emerge as the Shrine’s best runner.

1. Johnathan Crockett, North Dakota State

A respected small school runner at one of the country’s best FCS schools, Crocket has carried the load for the Bison the past two seasons. Able to gain speed quickly initially, Crockett is a fluid athlete in space to adjust against tacklers and elude at the second level. He keeps his hips tight through an initial hole, but does play a bit sporadic laterally when initial hole isn’t apparent, and could stand to be more patient as he works on the edge more.

1. Zach Zenner, South Dakota State

With highly impressive upper body break tackle ability, adequate top end speed and decisive steps in the open field, Zach Zenner is more than productive runner at the FCS level. His plus patience and ability to control his speed is what should allow him an NFL career as a rotational back. His lack of great lateral quickness is what likely holds him back from being more.
http://optimumscouting.com/draft/2015-shrine-game-offensive-prospect-scouting-preview.html