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will be collaborating on a weekly article posted mid week during the college football regular season to review the prior weeks most notable performances from a NFL Draft 2010 perspective.
NFL Draft Prospects - Week 12
Photo - TE Dennis Pitta - BYU
Frank Coyle / Head Scout
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Draft Insiders’ Digest –19th Season
TE Dennis Pitta - BYU
Mobile senior tight end had a season high in receptions (11), receiving yards (111) and touchdowns (2) as the Cougars beat Air Force. He combines natural receiving skills with fine hands route running and the speed for the position to become a great addition to a pro offense. He has the speed to stretch the field and run after the catch ability to pressure a defense. He has the size to improve as an inline blocker, though he needs technique and strength work to warrant playing inline in the NFL. He is an exceptional H-back prospect for the pro game.
WR Freddie Barnes - Bowling Green
Smooth senior receiver has been instrumental in the Bowling Green passing offense this season. He is a fast rising prospect who flashes impact ability at times despite some erratic QB play. The fifth-year senior posted 12 catches for 197 yards and two TDs and added 15 yards on the ground in the win over Akron. He combines very good speed, agility and hands along with a fine level of development that will make him highly valuable for the pro game. He displays a well developed skill set for the position that has allowed him to get open, catch the ball and make yardage after the reception. He needs to display these skills in the postseason vs top competition to continue his fast rise up personnel charts.
RB Montario Hardesty - Tennessee
Short compact senior running back had a strong performance in the Vols win over Vanderbilt. He is a well built back who has performed this season in his first full season as a starter. Against Vanderbilt, he rushed 32 times for 171 and 1 TD. He is effective running inside where his lateral quickness and strength allows him to move through holes fast with the power to break tackles. He lacks outstanding size, speed and quickness that will keep him from the top tier of backs, but he is a tough honest runner with some natural skills that could earn him much attention over the postseason. He is the type who could surprise as a backup in the right setting.
LB Sean Weatherspoon - Missouri
Athletic senior linebacker has been instrumental in the success of the tough Tiger defense over the past few seasons. Spoon closed out his home career in fine fashion, as he registered 8 tackles, including 2 huge TFLs and 1 QB sack, as the Tigers put a dominating 4th-quarter defensive showing to help MU to its 34-24 win against Iowa St. He plays a very physical style of defense and attacks the line of scrimmage in a downhill fashion. He has the versatility to play a few positions, showing the ability to flow to the ball very well and finish with strong sure tackling.
LB Sam Maxwell - Kentucky
Aggressive senior defender had a dominant performance vs Georgia that was instrumental in their victory. He is a savvy defender with a quick first step and the power to gain a fast advantage to defeat blocking angles. Maxwell led Kentucky with a career-high 11 tackles, including one TFL in the Wildcats’ 34-27 win. In the final three minutes of the game, Maxwell made two game-saving plays. With Georgia driving for the potential tying touchdown, he stopped Georgia tailback Caleb King at the 1 yard line. On the next play, Kentucky recovered a Bulldog fumble. With 1:45 remaining, he intercepted a pass, clinching the win for the Wildcats. He showed the talent to make plays both inside and at the sidelines. His fine instincts and his ability to run well and drop in coverage at 6’3” 245 lbs. could allow him to be an every down defender and capable of playing in either pro scheme.
Denis Krusos - Editor
Pro Football Draft Network
www.profootballdraftnetwork.com
OT Chris Scott, Senior, Tennessee
The Vols cruised past Vanderbilt 31-16. Tennessee rushed for 201 yards and averaged 5 yards per carry. Scott did an excellent job run blocking and consistently drove his feet upon contact. The left tackle did not surrender a sack and used his long arms to keep pass rushers at bay. Scott is versatile and has also played guard. He is massive, yet runs well enough to pull and reach the 2nd level. The durable offensive lineman could climb draft boards if he shows that he is serious about his conditioning.
QB Ryan Perrilloux, Senior, Jacksonville State
Perrilloux had another productive game in leading Jacksonville State to a 34-26 win over Eastern Kentucky. He completed 13 passes in 24 attempts (54%) for 191 yards (8 yards per attempt) and a touchdown. Perrilloux also ran for 115 yards on 9 carries (12.8 per) and a touchdown. He leads the nation in passing efficiency and threw only 2 interceptions all season. Perrilloux is the finest quarterback prospect to come out of the Ohio Valley Conference since Tony Romo. He can get the ball downfield and is accurate. Perrilloux has all of the physical tools to start in the NFL. However, he has a checkered background and his immaturity resulted in him being dismissed from LSU. He will be grilled during interviews with NFL teams prior to the draft regarding his dependability. How well he answers these tough questions will determine how high he is drafted or even if he is.
CB Patrick Robinson, Senior, Florida State
Robinson had a strong game in Florida State’s 29-26 victory over Maryland. He displayed solid tackling skills with 7 stops, 2 tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Robinson also had a pass break-up, but the Seminoles woes in the front seven limited his opportunities. Florida State has struggled all season with stopping the run and mounting a pass rush. Robinson has the size, quickness and speed to cover NFL receivers. His play against Maryland revealed a willingness to help in run support. He should test well in the post-season because he is an exceptional athlete.
CB Alterraun Verner, Senior, UCLA
The Bruins’ 23-13 victory over Arizona State was led by the defense. Verner provided UCLA with an early lead when he intercepted a pass and returned it 68-yards for a touchdown. Verner also recovered a fumble and had 3 tackles. The UCLA cornerback is undersized and does not have blazing speed, but he has a feel for where the ball is going. Verner has 12 career interceptions and a school-record 4 returned for a score. His ball skills and fine character are making NFL talent evaluators take notice.
OT Trent Williams, Senior, Oklahoma
The Sooners disappointing season continued with a 41-13 defeat to Texas Tech. OU rushed for only 48 yards on 26 attempts (1.8 per) and surrendered 3 sacks. Williams entered his senior year widely considered a future 1st round pick. He has not played like a 1st rounder. He has not dominated as a run blocker and made too many mental mistakes. His transition to left tackle has not been smooth and he clearly looks more comfortable on the right side. Williams is impressive physically and still is a strong candidate to be selected in the 1st round of the 2010 NFL Draft. However, he has not earned this position with his play this season.