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Fast Rising Pro Prospects for the NFL Draft '07
Midseason Report – Free & Exclusive for Full subscribers
The Top 25 Rising Prospects from the '06 College Season
Frank Coyle and Don Hope
www.draftinsiders.com
QB Tyler Palko - Sr. - 6'2" 220 lbs. - Pittsburgh
Tough senior leader has rebounded from a subpar ’05 performance with a strong final performance that has elevated the Pitt club this season. He attempted to do too much in the struggling Panther offense last season, but has been the catalyst for the Pitt success in the Big East. He has made few mistakes this fall after forcing things as a junior that caused many mistakes. The lack of a ground game forced him to carry the offense and he was not capable of doing that and as a result he forced too many passes. He is a fine athlete who excelled early in his first career and was able to regroup this fall to establish himself as a prime pro prospect once again. He has been an accurate thrower in the short game and makes sound decisions when he gets ample time to read a defense and setup. He has also made the key play this season using his mobility in short yardage and goal line situations. He is the type of player who has gained valuable experience at the position and is ready to take a critical step up in the rankings. He has the athletic package to be a highly regarded prospect with further development.
OLB Prescott Burgess - Sr. - 6'3" 245 lbs.- Michigan
Maybe the most improved player in the nation. As a senior, he has made many big plays in both run support and pass coverage, in addition as a pass rusher. He shows good read and react skills that utilizes his quickness and his ability to use his hands to play off blockers. He has played both outside spots in the standard 4-3 defense. He is better in space and shows fine coverage skills both in his awareness of routes and fine positioning in his zone responsibilities. He has made some big plays on passes that have changed games this season. He has shown leadership on the talented Michigan veteran defense that will see half the players in the NFL soon. Burgess needs some work on his technique and ability to play off blockers, in addition to further strength development to play the run better at the point of attack. He gets caught in traffic and fails to stay alive at times at POT at times. He is quick in pursuit and has the speed to make plays across the field. He has the frame to fill out further and could also project at the SAM position, but needs to be more stout at the line of scrimmage. Fast developing prospect.
Lombardi Award – Semi Finalists
10/18
A pair of returnees highlight the list of 12 college football standouts named as semifinalists for the 37th Rotary Lombardi Award, presented by Wachovia Bank. This year's dinner, which benefits the American Cancer Society, will be held on December 6 at the Hilton Americas Hotel in Downtown Houston.
Linebacker Paul Posluszny of Penn State and offensive tackle Joe Thomas of Wisconsin were each semifinalists in 2005, with Posluszny eventually being selected a finalist. They are joined by linebackers Buster Davis of Florida State and Patrick Willis of Mississippi; offensive tackles Justin Blalock of Texas and Dan Mozes of West Virginia; defensive ends Gaines Adams of Clemson, Mkristo Bruce of Washington State, Quentin Moses of Georgia, Brian Smith of Missouri, and LaMarr Woodley of Michigan; and defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock of Ohio State. All 12 players are playing their senior seasons for their respective schools.
Lombardi Award - Semi Finalists (12)
DE Gaines Adams - Clemson
OT Justin Blalock - Texas
DE Mkristo Bruce - Washington St.
LB Buster Davis - Florida St.
DE Quentin Moses - Georgia
OC Dan Mozes - West Virginia
DT Quinn Pitcock - Ohio St.
LB Paul Posluszny - Penn St.
DE Brian Smith - Missouri
OT Joe Thomas - Wisconsin
LB Patrick Willis - Mississippi
DE LaMarr Woodley - Michigan