WR Nelson Agholor :
Scouting Reports:
USC profile page: http://www.usctrojans.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/nelson_agholor_807569.html
NFL: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/nelson-agholor?id=2552600
CBS: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1996508/nelson-agholor
CFF Player Profile: Nelson Agholor, WR: https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/04/29/cff-player-profile-nelson-agholor-wr/
Articles:
Faster than fast: Speedsters poised to shine (Nelson Agholor, WR, USC: Agholor is not a straight-line speed guy. And that's OK, as plenty of pure straight-line speed guys -- like Darrius Heyward-Bey, who was drafted seventh overall by the Raiders in 2009 but has averaged just 402 receiving yards in six seasons since -- end up failing to make much of an impact in the NFL. The thing with Agholor is, when you combine his 40 time (which, at 4.42 seconds, is still pretty good, even if it's not best-in-class) with his impressive showings in the short shuttle and three-cone drill at his pro day, you have a picture of a receiver who can burn when he needs to and change direction with alacrity. Agholor is a good route-runner who could be the big surprise among this year's receiver crop. With his speed, quickness, hands and fluidity, he's got a shot to be this year's version of Odell Beckham Jr.) (4-29-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000488744/article/nelson-agholor-amari-cooper-among-speedsters-who-will-shine
NFL draft WR preview: Could 2015 class surpass historic 2014 crop? Maybe (Nelson Agholor, USC: Height: 6-0. Weight: 198. Scouting report: His production spiked in 2014, when he compiled 104 catches for 1,313 yards and 12 TDs. Has reputation as heady, reliable player who runs precise routes. Does not bring elite size or athleticism to the table, but his return skills provide a nice bonus on special teams. Insider's take: "He has a chance, If he's in the right offense — if he plays with Peyton Manning or Tom Brady — he'll have 100 catches. He's as good a catch-and-run guy, is comfortable catching the ball (and) tough a guy as I've seen." — Collinsworth. Projected round: First/second.) (4-28-15): http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2015/04/28/wide-receiver-preview-devante-parker-kevin-white-amari-cooper-cris-collinsworth/26505289/
Unsung draft prospects lead All-Underrated Team (Wide Receiver: Nelson Agholor, USC: As for Agholor... it's not often that a USC guy is underrated, but it certainly seems as if he's been under the radar throughout the pre-draft process. He's a highly prolific player (104 receptions for 1,313 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2014), and he can excel outside and in the slot. Add in his value as a return man, and it's easy to see Agholor as a special-teamer right away, with the ability to grow into a number-two receiver role on a number of NFL teams.) (4-28-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/04/28/2015-NFL-draft-underrated-prospects-garrett-grayson-david-johnson
Nelson Agholor carrying an NFL mindset along with his special talent (4-23-15): http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/nfl-draft-nelson-agholor-already-has-a-pro-mindset-042315
Patriots work out USC WR Agholor on Thursday (4-23-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000487673/article/usc-wr-nelson-agholor-works-out-for-patriots
Strong foundation guides Agholor's journey to draft (4-21-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/video/2015/04/20/nfl-prospect-nelson-agholors-journey-call
O'HARA'S DRAFT PREVIEW: Wide receivers and tight ends (WR Nelson Agholor, Southern Cal.: A three-year player and two-year starter, the Nigerian-born Agholor caught passes and returned punts and kickoffs for the Trojans. He had 56 catches for 918 yards in 2013 and 104 for 1,313 yards in 2014. Agholor has shown the ability to make acrobatic catches.) (4-20-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARAS-DRAFT-PREVIEW-Wide-receivers-and-tight-ends/da38b7ca-348e-4e60-82d3-1914e8045b57
Lions draft preview: Receivers will be worth a look (6. Nelson Agholor, USC: The 6-foot, 198-pound Agholor isn't especially impressive physically, but he:s a great route-runner and finds way to get open. He ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash and lacks ideal strength to play on the outside. But he returned four punts for touchdowns the last two years, which should help him be a second-round pick.) (4-18-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/04/19/lions-draft-preview-receivers-will-be-worth-a-look/26040003/
Taxing to slow down these guys: Agholor leads draft's top returners (WR Nelson Agholor, USC: Particulars: 6-foot-0, 198 pounds; 4.42 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. The skinny: Agholor is one of the top receivers in the draft and is coming off a 104-catch junior season. But he also showed great ability as a punt returner in his final two seasons at USC, averaging a combined 14.6 yards per return, with four TDs. He doesn't have elite speed, but he does run well and is extremely quick, especially in tight spaces. He's one of the draft's fastest risers, according to NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock.) (4-15-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000485526/article/2015-nfl-draft-top-six-returnspecialist-prospects
Fast-rising USC WR Nelson Agholor to work out for Panthers (4-14-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000485301/article/fastrising-usc-wr-nelson-agholor-to-work-out-for-panthers
Looking at receiver prospects in 2015 draft for Lions (Nelson Agholor, USC (6-0, 198): The No. 7 receiver and No. 35 overall prospect might not be around when the Lions pick in Round 2, but if they pass on a receiver in Round 1 and he's there, he could be a steal. He won't be a deep vertical threat all that much, but he could be good in the slot and has return skills. His NFL.com profile has an NFL comparison as ... Ryan Broyles. So he could be the healthy version of what the Lions hoped Broyles would be.) (4-13-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/16520/looking-at-receiver-prospects-in-the-2015-draft-for-the-lions?ex_cid=espnapi_public
Mayock: Eight wide receivers have first-round grade this year ("Nelson Agholor from USC is perhaps the fastest riser in the entire draft," Mayock said. "He's an impeccable route runner who can play inside or outside. He has tremendous value as a punt returner." High praise for Agholor, the Trojans top wideout last season, who might be looking to go one round earlier than former second-round teammates Robert Woods and Marqise Lee did in 2013 and 2014. Agholor was dealing with a hand injury at the NFL Scouting Combine, which prevented him from showing off his full complement of skills, but he put on a show at USC's pro day and has been the talk of draft circles ever since. It remains to be seen if he can sneak into the first round, but it's clear that Mayock agrees with others that this is one loaded group of wide receivers in the draft.) (4-10-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000484839/article/mayock-2015-wr-class-has-eight-players-with-firstround-grade
Mike Mayock's five fastest-rising prospects in 2015 NFL Draft (Mayock's list of the top-five fastest risers included wide receivers -- USC's Nelson Agholor (No. 1) and UCF's Breshad Perriman (No. 3)) (4-10-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000484862/article/mayock-nelson-agholor-leads-2015-nfl-drafts-fastest-risers
Ranking the draft's top 10 wide receivers available (9. Nelson Agholor, USC: Agholor increased his production in a pro-style offense over three seasons, culminating in his 104 catches for 1,313 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2014. Former teammates Marqise Lee and Robert Woodstook similar skill sets to the NFL, and Agholor seems ready to help any offense with his combination of fluid speed, body control and route awareness. He may be a hybrid player at the next level because he's not exceptionally physical, and he works better in bigger spaces where his targets aren't as contested.) (4-7-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/04/06/2015-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-rankings-amari-cooper-kevin-white
Minnesota RB Cobb, USC WR Agholor could be mid-round draft steals (Another player who fits the bill of being a potential draft steal played his college ball a bit further west though. "Wide receiver Nelson Agholor out of USC has all of the tools," analyst Solomon Wilcots said. "He has the ability, a real good mind and, more importantly, is a competitor." Agholor's name has been shooting up draft boards in the past week or two, and it would not be all that surprising if he winds up going to early in the draft. He might be selected too early to even be disqualified as a "draft steal." On the other side of the ball, however, there is one name to watch out for.) (4-6-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000483729/article/david-cobb-nelson-agholor-could-be-2015-nfl-draft-steals
Nos. 49-45: Offensive weapons bound for Round 2 ( 47. Nelson Agholor, WR, USC: Bio: Steady progression over this three years at USC—18 catches and 341 yards receiving as a freshman, 56 catches and 918 yards as a sophomore, and an impressive 104 receptions for 1,313 yards and 12 touchdowns last year. That 2014 performance garnered Agholor a first-team All-Pac-12 nod and third-team All-America. His 104 catches were the seventh-most in the FBS for ‘14, while the dozen touchdowns paced his conference. Agholor nearly hit the 1,000-yard career mark as a return man, too. He landed on 983 yards combined on punt and kick returns, with four punt-return touchdowns. Strengths: Sees the field well, helping him both as a receiver and return man. His production bringing back punts (19.1 yards-per-attempt average as a sophomore and 14.6 for his career) may be what gets him on the field quickest in the NFL. Has the vision to pick his way through defenses and the footwork to make decisive cuts in the open field. Solid in his route-running, be it on the outside or in traffic. Comfort level with the latter—not to mention his size—could push him inside as a dangerous slot receiver. Not only manages to find gaps in the defense, Agholor makes himself readily available to his quarterback. Catches the ball and gets upfield. Kept getting better and better throughout his USC career, an appealing trend as he heads toward the pros. Weaknesses: In a nutshell, strength. One of the main reasons teams may view him as a slot receiver is that he can get banged around outside. He’s terrific once he works off the line, but he cannot always do that when he has to face CBs get in his grill. Similar problems arise when Agholor is asked to block or make contested catches. While energy is there to take on any challenge, the physical ability to battle through contact is not overwhelming. Has enough burst to stretch the field, just doesn’t always make the plays once there. Hands are no issue whatsoever when the concentration is there; when it’s not, he’ll drop catchable passes and make fielding punts a bit of an adventure. Between the hash marks-type threat in the red zone—offensive coordinators won’t be calling any jump balls for him. Conclusion: Robert Woods caught 40 passes in his rookie season out of USC (2013); Marqise Lee made 37 grabs last year, while battling through injuries during his NFL debut campaign. If he stays healthy through 2015, Agholor has a chance to lap the first-year totals of his former teammates. He will have some difficult Sundays when matched up against aggressive, physical cornerbacks. Overall, though, Agholor's game features the polish to transition well into the league. There are more dangerous overall weapons at WR in this draft, like Kevin White and Amari Cooper, but Agholor will be as solid as they come once the top tier has come off the board. Pro Comparison: Jarvis Landry, Dolphins (Round 2, 2014).) (4-2-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/04/02/2015-nfl-draft-ranking-si-64-jay-ajayi-carl-davis-nelson-agholor
Mayock: Four WRs will be among top 20 picks in draft (Also of note, Mayock appears to be quite high on his No. 8 prospect at the position, USC's Nelson Agholor, after he had a good month that included positive reviews out of his pro day. "One of the best route runners in this draft," Mayock said. "I think he has more upside than (former USC WRs) Robert Woods or Marqise Lee.") (3-30-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000482642/article/mayock-four-wrs-will-be-among-top-20-picks-in-2015-nfl-draft
Which prospects will be surprise first-round picks of 2015 draft? ("I'm going to go with Nelson Agholor from USC," Jeremiah said. "You can play him outside, you can play him inside. I know he has a slight frame but he has burst and can also return punts and kicks. He has a lot of value and is a very, very bright guy who has impressed teams with his football knowledge. The top of the second round is where I have him, in the 30s, but I can easily see him sliding up into the first round." Agholor had a good showing at both the NFL Scouting Combine (despite a hand injury) and his pro day, so don't be surprised if he goes earlier than many expect after the draft gets underway April 30 in Chicago.) (3-25-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000481529/article/nelson-agholor-michael-bennett-could-be-surprise-firstrounders
2015 Pro Days: Top prospects at Southern Cal rely on position drills (Agholor perhaps had the most riding on the workout as he dislocated a finger during receiving drills at the Combine. Though he'd shown reliable hands in catching 179 passes for 2,571 yards and 20 touchdowns during his three seasons with the Trojans, the throng of NFL coaches on hand for Wednesday's workout were eager to see how he'd perform after suffering the injury roughly three weeks ago. The six-foot, 194 pound wideout and returner, caught the ball cleanly and performed well in other drills, registering a 36.5" vertical and a 10'5" broad jump.) (3-11-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25103255/pro-days-top-prospects-at-southern-cal-rely-on-position-drills
USC pro day: Williams says he has workout scheduled with only one team (Wideout Nelson Agholor, who will likely be the second USC player off the board in this year's draft, opted to stand on his 40-yard dash time from the combine (4.42) but went through the shuttle, agility and receiver drills after he was unable to go through the full slate at the combine due to a hand injury. He looked quick and ran crisp routes but did have a handful of drops. He told reporters after the workout that the misses he had Wednesday will be something he'll go back and work on as he tries to develop into a complete NFL receiver.) (3-11-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000478340/article/leonard-williams-stars-with-titans-on-hand-for-usc-pro-day
Draftee doppelgängers: Five prospect/pro comps (Nelson Agholor, WR, USC - NFL COMP: Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Denver Broncos. Agholor and Sanders are both smooth athletes who make hay as excellent route-runners. They possess the toughness to work in high-traffic areas of the field and are also slippery after the catch. Sanders was a draft-day steal by the Pittsburgh Steelers back in 2010, selected in the third round at No. 82 overall. With a stacked group at wide receiver for the second consecutive draft, Agholor will be a great value pick when he likely comes off the board in Day 2.) (2-25-15): http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/0ap3000000473974/article/marcus-mariota-ryan-tannehill-my-prospectpro-comparisons
Saturday's best performances from the NFL Scouting Cominbe (Southern Cal's Nelson Agholor reportedly dislocated a finger and finished his day early, NFL Network's Kimberly Jones reported. But impressions of the Trojans wide receiver were very favorable before the mishap. All you really need to see on Agholor's athleticism comes courtesy of a high school basketball dunk that NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah alerted us to via Twitter.) (2-21-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000472774/article/saturdays-best-and-worst-at-the-nfl-scouting-combine
Kevin White clear cut no. 1 WR (USC WR impressive. USC WR Nelson Agholor ran a better-than-expected 40-yard dash, clocking 4.42 seconds. There were questions about Agholor's straight-line speed, and his 40 time might remove those from the evaluation equation. "I've got a second-round grade on him," Mayock said, calling him a "crisp route-runner" and a "natural hands catcher." Agholor probably would've tested well, too, but he suffered a dislocated finger during a receiving drill and had to shut it down for the day. Agholor (6-0 1/8, 198) had 104 receptions for 1,313 yards and 12 TDs this season; he was seventh in the nation in receptions, ninth in receiving yards and tied for seventh in TD receptions. Mayock also touted Agholor's return skills; Agholor had four punt-return TDs in his career.) (2-21-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000473098/article/jeremiah-west-virginias-kevin-white-top-wr-prospect-in-draft
WR 2015 Combine Field Drills Recap (USC wide receiver Nelson Agholor had a really nice day. He ran well in the 40 with 4.42 time officially, which tied him for seventh. In the field drills, Agholor looked polished and caught the ball well until leaving early with a dislocated finger. Last year, he had some drops, but Agholor's hands looked good at the Combine. Agholor (6-0, 298) did what he needed to at the Combine.) (2-21-15): http://walterfootball.com/combine2015workoutWR.php
2014 Combine: Winners and losers from Day 2's media session (Nelson Agholor, WR, USC: Like Hundley, the USC wideout knows what a throng of cameras looks like and wasn't nervous at all when it came time to step up and answer questions. He gave precise answers, expounded when needed, and even shook reporters' hands after meeting a few of them.) (2-20-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000472334/article/2015-combine-winners-and-losers-from-day-2s-media-session
2015 NFL Scouting Combine: Takeaways from Day 2 (Receiver Nelson Agholor entered the combine as a potential second-round pick, and that's pretty good for a pass catcher who primarily played running back in high school. He noted that he went to USC out of Florida largely because of the school's reputation for developing players at wide receiver and because of their pro-style offense. As a result, he not only wants to take after former teammates such as Robert Woods and Marqise Lee, but also has been breaking down the games of Reggie Wayne and Antonio Brown in order to emulate them at the next level. Agholor mentioned Brown, in particular, several times as a comparable player for what he can do between the lines.) (2-19-15): http://www.nfl.com/combine/story/0ap3000000471879/article/2015-nfl-scouting-combine-prospect-takeaways-from-day-2
Allen, Agholor will test their skills at the Combine (Nelson Agholor, who like Allen also hails from Florida, is also scheduled to take the field on Saturday. "One of my favorite route runners in the draft," Mayock said of Agholor. "(He) gets in and out of breaks, catches the football, makes you miss like the punt returner that he is." Agholor has a second round grade according to Mayock's calculations. If that were to hold up, he'd join recent USC wide receivers Robert Woods and Marqise Lee as Trojan wideouts to be taken in the second round. His ability to return punts gives him "extra value," Mayock says. Agholor returned four punts for touchdowns in his career.) (2-20-15): http://www.foxsports.com/west/story/buck-allen-nelson-agholor-forner-usc-trojans-will-test-skills-at-nfl-combine-022015
2015 NFL Combine Weigh-In Analysis: WRs (USC wide receiver Nelson Agholor (6-0, 198) was an inch shorter and about 10 pounds heavier than his listed weight. Agholor is big enough to line up outside and work out of the slot. It will be important for him to show solid hands in the field work.) (2-19-15): http://walterfootball.com/combine2015weighinWR.php
2015 Combine Preview: WR (Best trait: Production – Agholor was productive at everything he did at USC, which was a lot. He caught 104 passes for 1,313 yards and 12 touchdowns this past season and also averaged 10.4 yards per punt return with a couple more scores. His punt-return average in 2013 was 19.1 with two touchdowns. Concern: Speed and strength – The 40-yard dash at the Combine will be important for him. Talent evaluators peg him as quicker than fast (much like Riddick). He has a bit of a lean frame. The skinny: Is he fast enough to play on the outside or strong enough to play inside vs. press corners? Those questions will be answered in the pre-draft process, but he appears at the very least to be a player who can step in right away and compete for return duties.) (2-16-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/2015-Combine-Preview-Wide-receiver/6710afb0-21ea-42e5-828e-ad6f5d9027f9
Agholor projected as a second round pick (2-16-15): http://www.latimes.com/sports/usc/uscnow/la-sp-usc-nelson-agholor-nfl-draft-20150217-story.html
NFL combine options wide open for Lions (A likely second-rounder, Agholor lacks the size (6-foot) to make up for him not being a burner, but his production (104 catches for 1,313) was impressive in 2014.) (2-16-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/02/15/combine-options-wide-open-lions/23475107/
Lions NFL Combine preview: WRs (Nelson Agholor, USC (6-foot-1, 190 pounds): Rated as the No. 12 receiver and No. 70 overall prospect by ESPN, he had 104 catches for 1,313 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2014. He returned two punts for touchdowns in both 2014 and 2013.) (2-11-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/15170/lions-nfl-combine-preview-wide-receivers
The most interesting prospects to watch at the Combine (USC WR Nelson Agholor may only develop into a slot option, but he can be an immediate factor on special teams in the return game. Don’t dismiss him because of a lack of blazing speed. He can be a dangerous punt returner for a team.) (2-10-15): http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/The-most-interesting-players-to-watch-at-the-NFL-Combine/
What we're hearing about top prospects (The scoop: "Right off the bat, his draft value has a ceiling because he's a slot receiver. At least that is how I see it. I don't think he has the speed to get open outside. He's a good value in the middle rounds, though, because of his return-game potential." -- NFC South scout on USC WR Nelson Agholor. The skinny: Agholor is an intelligent, instinctive receiver with an advanced feel for getting himself open against zone coverage, but he lacks a speed component to force cornerbacks to respect him over the top and might not be physical enough to play outside. Those weaknesses combined with his lean frame (6-foot-1, 190 pounds) mean his best position could be working from the slot as a reliable possession receiver. He's also a dangerous punt returner who can step right into that job on Day 1. That's a valuable player, but one this NFC scout believes will be a mid-round draft pick.) (2-10-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000469399/article/sources-tell-us-what-were-hearing-about-top-draft-prospects
NFP Prospect Focus: Nelson Agholor and Stefon Diggs (1-6-14): http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/nfp-prospect-focus-nelson-agholor-and-stefon-diggs/
Ten underclassman who should forgo the 2015 draft (Agholor has the size and is playing at a high level. He's a great technician and hard worker, too. I still think there's room for him to help himself at the college level going up against Pac-12 competition, though. He faces good talent every day in practice at USC and could really vault himself up the board with another year of seasoning. Another year with Trojans wide receivers coach Tee Martin could do wonders for Agholor.) (12-15-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000444906/article/ten-underclassmen-who-should-forgo-2015-nfl-draft
Agholor still impresses ND coach Brian Kelly (Agholor caught six passes for 89 yards last season in USC’s 14-10 loss to the Fighting Irish in South Bend, Ind. Agholor has 85 receptions this season, 10 for touchdowns. But UCLA limited the junior to three catches for 24 yards. Agholor also muffed a punt a that led to a Bruins touchdown.) (11-25-14): http://www.latimes.com/sports/usc/uscnow/la-sp-usc-nelson-agholor-impresses-notre-dame-20141125-story.html
NFL scouts share notes on USC and UCLA draft prospects (NELSON AGHOLOR, USC receiver — Trojans receivers were selected in the second rounds of the last two drafts — Robert Woods in 2013 and Marqise Lee this year — and Agholor could keep that streak alive. He has 82 catches, 10 for touchdowns, and has a school record with four punt returns for touchdowns in his career. Scout 1: He's a perfect No. 3 [receiver] in the NFL for a team, a slot receiver, and return specialist. With those slot guys, you want to see them compete over the middle, but you also want to see them be able to separate versus man coverage underneath, be able to find the windows versus zone, and then be able to run after the catch because a lot of times you're catching it on the run on a quick slant and you want to get upfield quickly, make a guy miss, and run. He's got some of that to him. Scout 3: He's not dynamic after the catch, but he has speed to take it to the house. In tight quarters, he's not going to be a jitterbug.) (11-20-14): http://www.latimes.com/sports/football/nfl/la-sp-usc-ucla-nfl-prospects-20141121-story.html#page=1
Week 13 Prospect Preview (Coming off the most productive game of his career, Agholor will almost certainly see more attention from UCLA's secondary in this match-up. His performance against Cal last week (16 catches, 216 receiving yards, two scores) didn't set school records, but he is the first Trojans' pass catcher to record back-to-back 200-yard receiving games and is one of only four wideouts nationally with 80+ catches, 1,000+ receiving yards and double digit touchdowns in 2014. Agholor was limited to only four catches and 35 yards against the Bruins last season so he'll be looking for revenge this year and scouts want to see him be more controlled and reliable with his routes, field awareness and process finishing catches.)(11-20-14): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24822379/nfl-draft-prospect-preview-who-to-watch-in-week-13
Week 12 Stock Report (It was the Kessler-Agholor show last Thursday night as USC outlasted Cal. The Trojans' wideout set career-bests with 16 catches for 216 yards and two touchdowns, not quite USC records, but he did become the first in school history to record back-to-back 200-yard receiving games. Agholor is an athletic pass catcher with sharp cuts, before and after the catch, and the body control to make fluid adjustments on the ball. He tends to be a little wild in his movements at times, but he runs hard and picks up speed as he goes, showing surprising toughness as a finisher to get every yard he can. Although not viewed as a first round prospect, Agholor, who is only a junior, will have a tough decision to make after the season, possibly following in the footsteps of former USC wideouts Robert Woods and Marqise Lee by leaving school early to be a second round pick.) (11-18-14): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24818692/nfl-draft-week-12-stock-report-melvin-gordon-top-running-back
Agholor has had a big hand or two in USC's success (11-18-14): http://www.latimes.com/sports/usc/la-sp-usc-football-20141119-story.html
Scout's take: Can Mel Gordon outshine past Wisconsin RBs? (The Trojans' No. 1 receiver is starting to play up to the hype that scouts attached his name prior to the season. After delivering a mixed bag of production for most of the season, Agholor has posted back-to-back 200-yard games, including a 16-catch, 216-yard effort with a pair of scores against Cal. The 6-1, 190-pound junior showcased his full repertoire of skills (route-running, ball skills and run-after-catch ability) in the performance. Although scouts have seen Agholor flash those skills routinely during his tenure at USC, the fact that he has posted consecutive big games suggests that his game is still ascending heading into the final month of the season. With scouts placing a heavy emphasis on the way a prospect finishes the season, Agholor's strong performance could convince evaluators that he is capable of developing into a No. 1 WR as a pro.) (11-17-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000429903/article/scouts-take-can-melvin-gordon-outshine-past-wisconsin-rbs
Week 12 Risers and Sliders (Entering the season I gave Agholor a very low grade and have been proven wrong. The dynamic receiver has impressed scouts all season long and he turned in a career performance against Cal last week with 16 receptions for 216-yards and 2-scores. Though not a true deep threat Agholor is a terrific timing receiver who creates after the catch and has a nose for the end zone (10 TDs this year). He is expected to enter the draft and fits into the initial 80 picks.) (11-17-14): http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=10182
Kessler, Aholor propel USC past Cal (Agholor caught a career-high 16 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns, and Kessler passed for 371 yards and four scores in USC's 38-30 victory over California on Thursday night. Agholor had another spectacular night under the Coliseum lights, becoming the first receiver in USC's storied history to post back-to-back, 200-yard games. The Trojans' lower-key successor to Robert Woods and Marqise Lee had nine catches for 139 yards after the first snap of the second quarter.) (11-14-14): http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/pac12/2014/11/14/agholor-kessler-propel-usc-past-cal-38-30/19011917/
Agholor put on show in USC win over California (Agholor became the first receiver in the Trojans' illustrious history to record back-to-back games of more than 200 yards through the air, finishing the night with 16 catches for 214 and two touchdowns. That comes nearly two weeks after torching Washington State for a career-high 220 yards.) (11-14-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000427936/article/nelson-agholor-puts-on-show-in-usc-win-over-california
What we're hearing about top prospects (The scoop: USC WR Nelson Agholor reminds an NFC scout of a young Reggie Wayne in the way he runs routes and gets in and out of cuts. One concern the scout expressed about Agholor was field awareness. He stepped out of bounds a yard short of the first-down marker on 4th-and-2 late in the fourth quarter against Utah. It would have sealed the game for USC had he stayed inbounds. Also, earlier in the game on a third-down pass he didn't run a route deep enough and he caught the ball a yard short of the first down. The skinny: The comparison to Wayne is apt. Agholor has really worked to make the transition from playing running back in high school to becoming a top-flight wideout in college. The field awareness issues are part of the learning process. Those are things that can be cleaned up. USC loves his work ethic and thinks he's going to keep getting better.) (10-29-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000419864/article/sources-tell-us-what-were-hearing-about-top-nfl-prospects
Agholor catches 3 TDs in route of Colorado (Agholor finished with six catches for 128 yards. He has 48 receptions this season, seven for touchdowns.) (10-18-14): http://www.latimes.com/sports/usc/la-sp-usc-notes-20141019-story.html
What we're hearing about top prospects (The scoop: Nelson Agholor is unquestionably one of the most polished receivers in college football, but one veteran NFC scout says Agholor isn't even the most talented receiver at USC. He said the Trojans have a number of young receivers with more explosion, athleticism and overall talent. The skinny: The scout's comments were not a dismissal of Agholor's talent or pro potential, but instead a tribute to the recruiting job done by the Trojans' staff amid tough sanctions. With guys like Juju Smith, Adoree Jackson and Brice Dixon already making plays as freshmen, NFL scouts will be spending a lot more time at Heritage Hall checking blue-chip pass catchers. Some believe Jackson, Smith and true freshman WR Ajene Harris are all capable of being two-way players.) (9-4-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000389066/article/sources-tell-us-what-were-hearing-about-nfl-prospects
Video - Agholor makes a circus catch (8-30-14): http://pac-12.com/article/2014/08/30/video-nelson-agholor-makes-circus-catch
2015 NFL Draft: USC Preview (With star Marqise Lee struggling for much of the 2013 season with injury, Agholor emerged as Southern Cal's most reliable receiver and punt returner. He recorded 56 catches for 918 yards and six touchdowns and another 343 yards and two scores as a returner in a breakout campaign that earned him a host of post-season accolades, including some All-American nods. Like former teammates Lee and Robert Woods, Agholor sports a lean, athletic frame, good lateral agility to elude and sudden acceleration. Agholor shows good quickness and balance as a route-runner and is asked to run a variety of routes in USC's pro-style scheme. He generally catches the ball cleanly with his hands (some bobbles, however) and secures it quickly. He possesses very good vision to set up blocks, as well as the courage and quickness to cut-back against the grain to take advantage of over-pursuing defenders.Agholor currently ranks as NFLDraftScout.com's No. 2 receiver in the 2016 class.) (6-25-14): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24597322/nfl-draft-usc-preview
WR Kenny Bell:
Scouting Reports:
Nebraska profile page: http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=204880399
NFL: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/kenny-bell?id=2552421
CBS: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1751721/kenny-bell
NFL Draft Scout: http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=105249&draftyear=2015&genpos=WR
Articles:
Don't Sleep On These Prospects (Wide Receiver: Kenny Bell, Nebraska - This draft is loaded with legitimate WR prospects and you could argue as many as 20 could earn at least a third-round grade. When mining for late-round value, it's important to find a player who can help in multiple areas. Bell, the son of former Broncos WR Ken Bell and the Cornhuskers' all-time leading receiver, is very lean with little functional football strength so he can get bullied at the line of scrimmage with press coverage. He does, however, have a high football IQ, very quick feet and the ability to stick his foot in the ground and go. As a fourth of fifth option, running out of stacked formations, Bell could serve as a vertical threat. He's also a solid blocker despite his slight frame and should be a solid specials teams coverage option. "You can rely on me to make big plays when they need to be made and I consistently catch the ball, do my assignments, and I'm consistently reliable both on and off the field," Bell said when talking about his strengths. "In this day and age I think it's very, very important for guys to be just as reliable off the field as on the field." ) (4-21-15): http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=nfl/writers/extrapoints/archive/extrapoints_042115.htm
Nebraska WR Kenny Bell flying under the radar, not concerned with hype (4-13-15): http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/nfl-draft-nebraska-kenny-bell-wide-receiver-flying-under-the-radar-041315
Looking at receiver prospects in 2015 draft for Lions (Kenny Bell, Nebraska (6-1, 197): He has good speed and great leaping ability (41.5-inch vertical at the combine). He isn't overly strong, putting up only seven bench press reps at the combine, but is a smart player. He also can be a kick returner, which he was at Nebraska. He's the No. 17 receiver and No. 104 prospect, so he could fit well in the third round for Detroit.) (4-13-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/16520/looking-at-receiver-prospects-in-the-2015-draft-for-the-lions?ex_cid=espnapi_public
2015 Pro Days Notebook - Part I (Kenny Bell – WR – He helped himself running a 4.38 in the 40.) (3-8-15): http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2015-pro-days-notebook-part-i/
Randy Gregory, Ameer Abdullah shine during drills at Nebraska pro day (While it was no surprise to see Abdullah try to improve on his combine 40, seeing Bell suit up to run twice was a bit of a shock to some of the scouts who were impressed with his 4.42 combine 40. The son of former Denver Broncos return specialist Ken Bell didn't disappoint Thursday, turning in what appeared to be the fastest times recorded Thursday by a solid margin. "I can run faster and weigh the same," Bell said of what he wanted to prove. "I ran fast. Low 4.3s today.") (3-5-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000476783/article/randy-gregory-ameer-abdullah-shine-at-nebraska-pro-day
Bell, Abdullah score high marks at the Combine (If Abdullah's Saturday began with a respectable but hardly jaw-dropping 40-yard-dash time of 4.60 seconds, it ended with a dynamic exhibition of the former Husker running back's explosiveness. By day's end, Abdullah had recorded the top performances among running backs in four of the seven drills: the vertical jump (42½ inches), broad jump (130 inches), three-cone drill (:06.79) and 20-yard shuttle (:03.95 ). He was also third in the 60-yard shuttle (:11.18). That followed a Friday performance on the bench press in which the 5-foot-9, 205-pound Abdullah put up 24 reps of 225 pounds, seventh in his position group, which included fullbacks. Those results should keep most from worrying about the fact Abdullah didn't place in the top 10 among running backs with his 40 time. While former NFL coach Brian Billick called Abdullah's 40-yard dash "very pedestrian," he also said it was also pretty consistent with how Abdullah's peers ran.) (2-21-14): http://journalstar.com/sports/huskers/football/abdullah-bell-score-high-marks-at-nfl-combine/article_c5ffec26-13db-5e07-ba84-9cdb1a4fd549.html
2014 Combine: Winners and losers from Day 2's media session (Kenny Bell, WR, Nebraska: Bell had one of the biggest gatherings among those seated at a table, and having the best afro in the room wasn't the only reason he was the star of the show. He gave thoughtful answers and really was able to come across as a well-rounded receiver who has the skills to block as well as he catches.) (2-20-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000472334/article/2015-combine-winners-and-losers-from-day-2s-media-session
Bell bulks up for NFL battle (2-20-15): http://www.omaha.com/huskers/kenny-bell-bulks-up-for-nfl-battles/article_2ef260c8-8597-502a-b541-4cfbe43c48dd.html
Bell talks combine prep (2-19-15): http://www.omaha.com/huskers/blogs/kenny-bell-talks-nfl-combine-prep-bo-s-departure/article_6374d5e8-b85c-11e4-af01-1ff75807cec5.html
Bell block that was penalized (12-2-14): http://deadspin.com/5964960/nebraskas-kenny-bell-delivered-the-best-legal-block-in-college-football-this-season-so-of-course-he-was-flagged-for-it
Bell scores heroic overtime TD in Nebraska comeback win (11-28-14): http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/11/kenny-bell-heroic-overtime-touchdown-nebraska
2015 NFL Draft: Nebraska Preview (The top senior receiver in the Big Ten, Bell has led Nebraska in receiving each of the last three seasons and will look to make it four straight as a senior in 2014, a feat only a few receivers have achieved. He ranks third in school history in receiving yards (1,901) and needs only 578 yards this season to pass former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers for the top spot in the Nebraska record books. Bell has adequate height, but is rail-thin and doesn't have the body type to get too much bigger. However he has deceiving strength for the position and is one of the best blockers in all of college football, exhibiting excellent leverage and effort to occupy defenders on the perimeter. Bell has the polish expected of a three-year starter and senior with crisp routes to create separation and the ability to track the ball and finish at the catch point. His average size and speed will limit how highly NFL scouts grade him for the next level, but Bell's work ethic, reliability and detailed approach will ensure he makes a living in the pros.) (7-30-12): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24643196/nfl-draft-nebraska-preview
Scouting Reports:
Georgia Profile Page: http://www.georgiadogs.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/chris_conley_742368.html
NFL: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/chris-conley?id=2552652
CBS: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1824756/chris-conley
Articles:
Scouting the SEC: Georgia's Top Prospects in 2015 NFL Draft (Chris Conley, WR, Senior (6-2, 213, 4.32): NFLDraftScout.com Rank: #122 overall/#18 WR, Projection: 4th Round. Given Georgia's focus on the run, Conley's production in college wasn't eye-popping - he averaged just 40 catches for 654 yards and six touchdowns the past two seasons - but that was enough to lead the Bulldogs in these categories during that time. While those numbers pale in comparison to other wideouts in this class, few possess Conley's combination of straight-line speed and explosiveness, as demonstrated with a terrific Combine workout that included a 4.35 second 40-yard dash, 45" vertical jump, 11-7" broad jump and 18 repetitions of 225 pounds - each of which ranked among the best of any receivers tested in Indianapolis this year. Conley's untapped potential could earn him Top 100 consideration though he'll need to develop more consistency as a hands-catcher at the next level, too often double-clutching or simply letting opportunities slip through his fingers at Georgia or even during the positional drills at the Combine.) (4-26-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25163820/scouting-the-sec-georgias-top-prospects-in-2015-nfl-draft
NFP Prospect Focus: Chris Conley and Justin Hardy (4-9-15): http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/nfp-prospect-focus-chris-conley-and-justin-hardy/
2015 NFL draft: this week in pro days (Georgia’s combine superstar WR Chris Conley stood on his athletic numbers from the combine, for good reason, but caught the ball very well and completed his meteoric rise on draft boards.) (3-20-15): http://optimumscouting.com/draft/2015-nfl-draft-this-week-in-pro-days-2.html
UGA's Gurley and Conley having different draft experiences (Chris Conley is having a much different experience with scouts. They are all raving about his NFL Combine performance. “A lot of people who were surprised, which is a good thing,” said Conley, the former Georgia wide receiver. “A lot of people were impressed with the workout today. Really, most of the feedback has been, hey you'll be fine. Just keep working. Keep working, keep your head down. Ignore the noise and keep working.” Conley only ran position drills at pro day. He wants to prove that the combine was only a start. “That I can continue to get better, some guys relax after the combine. They drop weight or they are not ready to perform when it comes to position drills. Right now it is about work. You're not employed yet. You're not done,” Conley said.) (3-18-15): http://www.wrbl.com/story/28554828/ugas-gurley-and-conley-having-different-draft-experiences
Top Combine Performers at Lions position of need (Chris Conley, 6-2, 213, Georgia: Had one of the best workouts among receivers with a terrific 4.35 in the 40 to go along with a 45-inch vertical, 11'7'' broad jump and 18 reps on bench press.) (2-24-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000473997/article/marcus-peters-paul-dawson-among-combine-duds-with-promise
WR 2015 Combine Stock Report (Chris Conley didn't have great production at Georgia - he caught 36 passes this past season - but what he did in Indianapolis will have scouts and general managers watching more film on him. Conley, at 6-2, 213, ran a 4.35 40 with a 1.53 split, some of the fastest numbers of any player at his position. He also notched a 45-inch vertical and an 11-7 broad jump. Perhaps Conley is just a great athlete, and not a real football player, but some team will give him a chance.) (2-24-15): http://walterfootball.com/combine2015stockWR.php
21 prospect takeaways from Combine (Conley earns freak label: Georgia's Chris Conley was already starting to rise up a few boards as teams dug into him more, and that should continue after a freakish performance at the combine. The wideout posted terrific numbers in the 40 (4.35) and vertical jump (45 inches), and he looked solid during drills.) (2-24-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000473788/article/21-prospect-takeaways-from-2015-nfl-scouting-combine
2015 NFL Combine: 25 Takeaways (5 players sending us back to the tape - Chris Conley, WR, Georgia: Jones was the only combine participant to set a world record but Conley caught scouts attention with a spectacular performance of his own, clocking in at 4.35 seconds in the 40-yard dash and leading the combine with a staggering 45" vertical jump. He had 36 catches for 657 yards as a senior.) (2-23-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25079684/nfl-combine-25-takeaways-include-risersfallerspro-days
Five players who boosted their stock at the Combine (Chris Conley - And the 2015 Workout Warrior Award goes to Chris Conley. The Georgia wideout came into the combine not knowing whether he’d even be drafted. After posting a 4.35 40-yard dash and 45-inch vertical, the big-play receiver should hear his name called come May. Conley was the Bulldogs’ big-play threat the last two seasons – a role he is clearly suited to play on Sundays.) (2-23-15): http://q.usatoday.com/2015/02/23/the-five-players-who-helped-their-stock-most-at-the-nfl-combine-draft-kevin-white-bud-dupree-vic-beasley-chris-conley/
10 prospects who helped themselves at the Combine (Chris Conley - What he proved: Viewed as a late-round prospect, possibly an undrafted free agent, Conley used the weekend to force scouts to go back and re-evaluate his college tape. His 4.35-second time in the 40 and a combine-best 45-inch vertical,raise questions about why he wasn't more productive during his four-year Georgia career.) (2-23-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/02/10_prospects_who_helped_their.html#7
The good, the bad and the ugly Scouting Combine Performances (Vertical jump - Best: Georgia receiver Chris Conley went 45 inches in the vertical, part of an all-around great Combine showing that will surely help his draft stock.) (2-23-15): http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/23/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-scouting-combine-performances/
Combine Notebook Part II (Chris Conley – If the Georgia receiver wanted to get noticed, he accomplished his goal. He proved to be the most explosive receiver in this year’s draft with the numbers he put up yesterday. He ran 4.35, has a vertical jump of 45″ and an astounding 11’7″ in the long jump. I have never seen a guy go 11’7″ before in that drill.) (2-22-15): http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2015-nfl-combine-notebook-part-ii/
NFL Scouting Combine Winners and Losers (Other off-the-radar prospects such as Georgia’s Chris Conley, Nebraska’s Kenny Bell, William & Mary’s Tre McBride and Georgia Tech’s Darren Waller all raised their stock with strong weekends on the field.) (2-22-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/nfl-scouting-combine--biggest-winners-and-losers-so-far-184030592.html
Saturday's best performances from the NFL Scouting Cominbe (Georgia WR Chris Conley set the combine standard among wide receivers in the vertical jump with a 45-inch effort. That was three inches better than the next best wide receiver, Arizona State's Jaelen Strong. Conley also managed to lead the way in the broad jump as well (139 inches). Georgia WR Chris Conley didn't exactly put up big numbers in college, but the number he put up at the combine -- 4.35 seconds in the 40-yard dash -- won't hurt his draft hopes at all. Considered a mid-round pick, Conley might have his future after football -- a movie-making career -- already figured out.) (2-21-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000472774/article/saturdays-best-and-worst-at-the-nfl-scouting-combine
Kevin White clear cut no. 1 WR (A star is born. A receiver who opened a bunch of eyes was Georgia's Chris Conley, who might have been best-known before Saturday for his love of "Star Wars." Conley (6-1 7/8, 213) put on a show at the combine. He ran the 40 in 4.35 seconds, turned in a 45-inch vertical jump and a broad jump of 11 feet, 7 inches. That is the best broad jump -- by three inches -- in the past 10 combines by a receiver and the best vertical jump by 1.5 inches in that span by a receiver. "Those were some freaky numbers," Jeremiah said. Former NFL coach/current NFL Network analyst Brian Billick said those were the kinds of numbers that would send coaches scurrying back to look at more tape of Conley. Davis noted that Conley caught just a combined 81 passes in the past two seasons, "but look at the production here at the combine." Mayock called him "the workout warrior of the week so far." The bottom line: Conley was considered a fringe third-day pick by most before Saturday, but consider that changed.) (2-21-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000473098/article/jeremiah-west-virginias-kevin-white-top-wr-prospect-in-draft
Saturday at the Combine (Promising developments - It’s no overstatement to say Georgia WR Chris Conley may have earned himself in excess of one million dollars on Saturday. He turned those crusty “Mean Girl” scouts into doe-eyed, heart-fluttering fanboys by slapping down 4.35 and 4.41 40-yard dash times, along with a 11-foot-7 broad jump (third best in the history of the combine) and 45-inch vertical (tied for third best since 2003). The 6-foot-2, 213-pounder also has 33 3/4-inch arms, which would get him labeled as having a “reach advantage” in most MMA fights. Conley came into the day as a late Day 3 prospect—some analysts didn’t believe he was worthy of a pick—but he will leave Indianapolis having earned Day 2 consideration. Knee and ankle injuries in college hampered his production. I still view Conley as a mid-Day 3 prospect. He has No. 3 NFL receiver upside.) (2-21-15): http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/52333/351/saturday-at-the-nfl-combine
2015 Combine: Day 4 (The surprise of the day was Georgia WR Chris Conley finishing with 40 times of 4.41 and 4.35. Conley also recorded an absurd 45 inch vertical leap, and a 11 foot 7 inch broad jump. Conley also was clean through the gauntlet, so expect him to move up a lot of draft boards.) (2-21-15): http://optimumscouting.com/draft/2015-nfl-combine-day-4-news-notes.html
Conley performs like a stud in the 40, vertical and long jump (2-21-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25076361/2015-nfl-combine-chris-conley-shines-in-40-vert-and-long-jump
Video - Conley dominates at the Combine (2-21-15): http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-combine-top-performers/0ap3000000472942/Chris-Conley-dominates-at-the-combine
Conley impresses at Combine (2-21-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/02/21/chris-conley-nfl-combine-georgia-vertical-broad-jump-40
Conley is your 2015 Combine workout warrior (2-21-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/chris-conley-is-your-2015-combine-workout-warrior-212710807.html
Conley among Saturday's NFL combine winners (2-21-15): http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2015-02-21/who-is-chris-conley-georgia-wide-receiver-nfl-combine-2015-40-times-stats-numbers-draft-kevin-white-amari-cooper
Conley in early running for NFL Combine's top workout warrior (2-21-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25076361/2015-nfl-combine-chris-conley-shines-in-40-vert-and-long-jump
2015 NFL Combine - Friday (There’s always one receiver who runs faster than expected or jumps higher than anticipated. This year it could be Chris Conley of Georgia who could break into the 4.3’s (listed as a 4.55s forty by scouts entering the season) and later jump north of 42-inches in the vertical.) (2-20-15): http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=10452
2015 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Notebook (Chris Conley of Georgia had a very nice day at receiver, leading the National team with 45 yards on two catches. He has a very good work ethic and is a solid route runner that has some big-play ability. He may end up as more of a possession receiver at the next level, but he may surprise because he has a good feel for the position.) (1-19-15): http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2015-nflpa-collegiate-bowl-notebook/
Small school stars take center stage in NFLPA Bowl (Georgia wide receiver Chris Conley had the most efficient day at receiver, leading the National team with 45 receiving yards on two catches.) (1-18-15): http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/01/18/small-school-stars-take-center-stage-in-nflpa-collegiate-bowl/
2015 NFLPA Bowl: Thursday Practice Notes (What a day for Chris Conley; he was like a 7/11 today, always open and feeding us good stuff. He had multiple deep routes where took the top off and made nice over the shoulder catches. In the red zone drill he made a great shoestring catch from Hendrix in the corner of the end zone keeping both feet in bounds.) (1-17-15): http://optimumscouting.com/draft/2015-nflpa-bowl-thursday-practice-notes.html
2015 NFLPA Bowl: Wednesday Practice Notes (No real stand outs amongst the WRs and TEs. They all played pretty well and consistently beat the guys across from them. Many of there catches were uncontested or deep balls. There were not many drops. If I had to pick one guy that looked the best it would be Chris Conley, with his speed he beat the corners deep multiple times.) (1-16-15):
2015 NFLPA Bowl: Interview with Chris Conley (1-16-15): http://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/1/16/7558327/2015-nflpa-bowl-interview-with-university-of-georgia-wide-receiver-nfl-draft
2015 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Preview of the Top 10 Prospects (A tall, lanky receiver option, Conley was the Bulldogs leading receiver, getting work on the outside, in the slot, and on a multitude of routes. Conley’s separation in the mid-field leaves much to be desired, but his ability to attack vertically as well as position his body in the short-area to give his quarterback a throwing lane. He should quickly become the quarterbacks’ favorite outside option.) (1-11-15): http://optimumscouting.com/draft/2015-nflpa-collegiate-bowl-scouting-preview-top-10-prospects.html
Conley shrugs off shoulder work (12-18-14): http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2014/12/18/3474890/conley-shrugs-off-shoulder-work.html
Week 14 Risers and Sliders (Sleeper Prospect: Chris Conley/WR/Georgia: The Bulldogs have found ways to slip receivers into the late part of the draft. Receivers who then go on to have moderate success on Sunday. Kris Durham immediately comes to mind and Conley could be next. The sure handed pass catcher is a consistent underneath target who finds ways to get open or wins out in battles. Though his production has been slightly down this season the senior comes through for Georgia during important moments, including late in the Georgia Tech game on Saturday. His pre-draft workouts won’t excite anyone but his work ethic and personality will surely be embraced by NFL coaches and will help him stick as a fifth receiver.) (12-1-14): http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=10255
Conley making impact as a receiver, filmmaker and much more (11-14-14): http://www.si.com/college-football/2014/11/14/chris-conley-georgia-bulldogs-sec
Two college players to watch (Conley and Michael Bennett aren't exactly what Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry were at LSU, but each Georgia receiver has a legit shot at going in the middle rounds of the 2015 NFL Draft, and both have proven to be productive four-year players. Conley edges out his teammate as a prospect, projecting to be a tough, solid Jason Avant-type receiver at the next level. "He's not a great talent, but he's steady with solid hands and good enough speed," an AFC area scout said. "He's a heady player in routes, really good at finding soft spots in zones." The scout said playing an athletic Vols defense should provide a valuable test for Conley, who has to prove he has the top-end speed to make it in the NFL.) (9-26-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000401027/article/nfl-envisions-londonbased-team-in-2022-notes-across-league
Conley says shoulder injury not slowing him down (9-4-14): http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/college/ugas-conley-says-shoulder-injury-not-holding-him-b/nhGKJ/
Conley's direction in life (8-26-14): http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/11408774/georgia-bulldogs-receiver-chris-conley-your-average-college-athlete
2015 NFL Draft: Georgia Preview (After the injury to Mitchell, Conley emerged as Georgia's leading receiver last season, more than doubling his previous year's catch total with 45 receptions for 651 yards and four scores. Conley has good build-up speed, as well as the body control and soft hands to make tough receptions.) (8-24-14): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24660625/nfl-draft-georgia-preview
WR Titus Davis:
Scouting Reports:
CMU Profile Page: http://www.cmuchippewas.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/titus_davis_895969.html
NFL: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/titus-davis?id=2552426
NFL Draft Scout: http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=95261&draftyear=2015&genpos=WR
Articles:
Draft Prospecting: The MAC (Titus Davis, WR, Central Michigan -- in a time where fans love to focus on speed scores, it’s easy for a guy like Titus Davis to get lost. He ran a 4.51 at the Combine and that is actually faster than expected; he plays more in the 4.58-4.65 range. He also had the smallest hands (8.25”) of any player in Indy and wasn’t very impressive in the agility drills, either. Yet Davis has a lot of feathers in his cap which should allow him to make it in the NFL. The two primary functions of a wide receiver are to get open and catch the ball, and few do both better than the Chicago-area (Wheaton) product. Nobody in Chippewa history has done either better. Davis has exceptional footwork on his routes. Exceptional. There is zero wasted movement, and he uses his shoulders, head and feet to set up moves and breaks so beautifully. Davis is great at working back to the QB or finding the soft spot in the coverage and presenting himself as a target. And even though his hands are tiny for a 6’1” guy, he is very adept at securing the ball away from his body. There is a place for a reliable, sure-handed wideout who can get open and move the chains. I’m not sure it’s going to get him drafted, but there are a cadre of teams where Davis would represent an upgrade as the #4 wideout. He will have to be great right away in camp, however, and that makes his road a tough one. Marginal athletes like Davis don’t get many chances. Current projection: potential Mr. Irrelevant.) (4-8-15): http://football.realgm.com/analysis/2607/Draft-Prospecting-The-MAC
Trio of Chippewas impress at Central Michigan's pro day (Wide receiver Titus Davis (6-foot 1/8, 200 pounds) stood on his numbers from the NFL Scouting Combine. Davis had a good pro-day workout, running and catching the ball well. Davis holds the Chippewas' career receiving records for yards (3,700) and touchdowns (37), which is impressive given that CMU produced Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowl receiver Antonio Brown (a sixth-round pick,/a> in the 2010 NFL Draft).) (3-20-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000480356/article/trio-of-chippewas-impress-at-central-michigans-pro-day
Confidence pays off for Central receiver Davis (3-3-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/2015/03/03/confidence-pays-central-receiver-davis/24347511/
Lions Combine Gleanings (Titus Davis from CMU has the shortest arms (29 5/8″) and smallest hands (8 1/4″) of any player here. Not receiver, but player. That does not help his draft stock. He’s a guy the Lions could target as an undrafted free agent.) (2-21-15): http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2015/02/lions-combine-gleanings/
Davis trying to prove himself at Combine (2-21-15): http://www.mlive.com/chippewas/index.ssf/2015/02/ex-central_michigan_receiver_t.html
2015 NFL Combine - Friday (I’m told Titus Davis of Central Michigan, who missed time in 2014 with a knee injury, is a 100% fit for his combine workout.) (2-20-15): http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=10452
Local contingent set to impress at Combine (Titus Davis: The 6-1 receiver (No. 30, ESPN) was highly productive with at least 740 yards and eight touchdowns in each of the last four seasons.) (2-18-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/2015/02/17/local-contingent-set-impress-nfl-combine/23588061/
The most interesting prospects to watch at the Combine (Central Michigan WR Titus Davis: When you think of Chippewa receivers, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Antonio Brown probably comes to mind. But Davis is no slouch, as he is CMU’s career leader in receiving yards at 3,705 and has a school-record 37 touchdown receptions. The 6-2, 190-pounder had at least eight scoring receptions in each of his four seasons at CMU, and he has a chance to impress the league if he can do well in drills, particularly with a good time in the 40.) (2-10-15): http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/The-most-interesting-players-to-watch-at-the-NFL-Combine/
Intriguing little-known combine invites (Central Michigan WR Titus Davis: Pittsburgh Steelers star Antonio Brown, who is one of the NFL's best receivers, is a Central Michigan alum. But it's Davis who holds most of the important school receiving records. He is CMU's career leader in receiving yards with 3,705 yards. He also has a school-record 37 TD receptions -- 13 more than Brown, who was a CMU standout from 2007-09 and does hold the school record for receptions. Davis also is the only player in FBS history with at least eight TD receptions in each of his four seasons. Davis (6-2, 190) looks to be a third-day pick (Rounds 4-7), but he could create more interest with a good 40 time.) (2-7-15): http://www.nfl.com/combine/story/0ap3000000469331/article/clemson-de-among-intriguing-littleknown-combine-invitees
Central Michigan redshirt senior WR Titus Davis recorded six receptions for 139 yards and four touchdowns in Wednesday's 49-48 loss to Western Kentucky in the Bahamas Bowl (If the Chippewas had converted a two-point conversion to win the game with no time remaining, Davis' last touchdown, a 75-yard score, completing a Hail Mary followed by three laterals, would have gone down as one of the most iconic plays in school history. It might anyway. The Chippewas scored 34 straight points in 12 minutes to storm back from a 49-14 deficit before coming up short. Injuries held Davis to one catch for 11 yards in the school's first four games. At full strength in the last nine, he posted 59 catches for 971 yards and 13 scores. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Davis reportedly has a forty in the 4.4s. Over the summer, TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline graded Davis as a Round 4 prospect, and noted NFL scouts "think highly" of the prospect.) (12-24-14): http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=CFB&id=130966&line=38021&spln=1
CMU hands out year-end awards, names Titus Davis MVP (11-24-14): http://www.mlive.com/chippewas/index.ssf/2014/11/central_michigan_football_hand.html
Davis breaks CMU career receiving TD record with game winning score as Chippewa clip Buffalo on the road (Titus Davis has had a knack for making big catches his entire Central Michigan career. Davis’ latest one was a 7-yard touchdown reception with 8:08 to go in the fourth quarter at Buffalo Saturday afternoon, not only sending the Chippewas to a 20-14 victory but also adding another piece of history to the senior wide receiver’s illustrious career. With the score, Davis passed Bryan Anderson (2006-09) for the CMU all-time record in touchdown receptions as he now has 29. Davis had tied the record last week with two touchdown catches against Ball State. Davis finished with six catches for 100 yards and the touchdown.) (10-25-14): http://www.themorningsun.com/sports/20141025/titus-davis-breaks-central-michigan-career-receiving-touchdowns-record-with-game-winning-score-as-chippewas-clip-buffalo-on-road
Davis day to day with knee injury (9-2-14): http://www.themorningsun.com/sports/20140902/central-michigan-head-coach-dan-enos-calls-wide-receiver-titus-davis-day-to-day-with-knee-injury
Davis suffered a knee sprain in comeback win over Chattanooga (8-29-14): http://www.themorningsun.com/sports/20140829/nate-schneider-central-michigan-shows-impressive-fortitude-in-rallying-but-titus-davis-injury-questions-cast-a-shadow-over-win
Titus Davis was suspended from the Little Ceasers Bowl in 2012 (12-24-12): http://www.mlive.com/chippewas/index.ssf/2012/12/central_michigan_suspends_thre.html
WR Devin Funchess:
Scouting Reports:
Michigan Profile Page: http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/devin_funchess_810569.html
NFL: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/duke-johnson?id=2552461
CBS: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/2001877/devin-funchess
NFL Draft Scout: http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=123054&draftyear=2015&genpos=WR
Articles:
Injury Analysis for 2015 Draft (Devin Funchess, Michigan: Injury History - Funchess suffered from turf toe in 2014 in which he missed one game but was hobbled throughout the season. Analysis - Turf toe sounds pretty innocuous but its actually a really painful injury that affects the players ability to push off and explode. The fact that he played through it is good and bad. Good in that it showcased his determination and ability to tolerate pain. Bad in that he could have injured the ligaments even more than had he rested it.) (4-28-15): http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/53796/468/injury-analysis-for-2015-draft
Analyst: Waynes, Funchess among most overrated in draft ("Funchess is a tweener who some project as a 'move' tight end in the NFL," Renner wrote. "Our analysts saw a different story, as we thought he had neither the radical size advantage to out-muscle corners nor the quickness to consistently beat linebackers. To top it off, he showed very little promise as a run blocker.") (4-23-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/2015/04/23/pro-football-focus-waynes-funchess-overrated/26238507/
O'HARA'S DRAFT PREVIEW: Wide receivers and tight ends (WR/TE Devin Funchess, Michigan: Most analysts rank him with the receivers, but some see him as a tight end. It’s understandable, given his college background. Funchess had 62 catches in 2014 after the move from tight end to wide receiver in an offense that lacked competent quarterbacking. He improved his stock with a best time of 4.47 in the 40 at his Pro Day after an official 4.70 at the Combine.) (4-20-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARAS-DRAFT-PREVIEW-Wide-receivers-and-tight-ends/da38b7ca-348e-4e60-82d3-1914e8045b57
Lions draft preview: Receivers will be worth a look (8. Devin Funchess, Michigan: The 6-foot-4, 232-pound Funchess has the build of a player who's physical enough to contribute immediately, and his 4.47-second 40-yard dash at Michigan's pro day was an indication he's an NFL athlete. The problem is he doesn't catch contested balls and has shaky hands overall. Still, his size and athleticism should land him in Round 2.) (4-18-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/04/19/lions-draft-preview-receivers-will-be-worth-a-look/26040003/
NFL draft positional rankings: Wide receivers a banner group once more (Overrated - Devin Funchess: We can’t figure out what to make of the extremely talented but very inconsistent Funchess, who has all the physical tools to dominate but seldom does. Some of that surely can be blamed on the Wolverines’ bad QB play the past two seasons and for a toe injury that nagged the 6-4, 232-pound receiver/detached tight end all last season. But there are too many drops and not enough refinement in his game right now to feel safe about him as a prospect. He has boom-or-bust prospect written all over him.) (4-17-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/nfl-draft-positional-rankings--wide-receivers-a-banner-group-once-more-190245745.html
Former U-M QB Devin Gardner taking NFL visits (4-15-14): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2015/04/15/devin-gardner-nfl-draft-football/25814017/
Nos. 34-30: Who can sneak into the end of Round 1? (33. Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan: Bio: Though the 2015 tight end class is considered to be pretty light after Minnesota's Maxx Williams, Funchess—who's listed as a wide receiver because he moved to that position after the '13 season—could change that as a hybrid player. The NFL has been moving for years to "big receivers" listed as tight ends, and Funchess looks the part in several ways. At either position, he can threaten a defense from the slot to the flex to the seam, but he'll have to play to his size before he can take over the NFL. Finished his collegiate career with 126 catches for 1,715 yards and eight touchdowns. Strengths: Has a big frame (6'4", 232 pounds) with a freakishly defined upper body and a wide lower base -- looks more like a tight end. Long arms and an impressive catch radius. Displays smooth acceleration off the snap and the ability to get downfield quickly, though he's more of a glider than a burner. Could be a credible weapon everywhere from the slot to outside. Can physically overpower cornerbacks at times—if you're going to play press against him, you'd better mean it. Consistency will likely be helped greatly by a more consistent quarterback situation in the NFL. Reasonable consistency on short and intermediate crossing routes with room for improvement. Weaknesses: Not as smooth in short spaces, and takes too long to transition when working angles as a receiver or as a blocker. Very inconsistent hands and tracking ability—tends to wait too long to bring the ball in, and loses yards-after-catch advantage his size should give him because he fails to accelerate to the ball. Should be a more imposing blocker at his size. Surprisingly inconsistent when asked to high-point the ball; again, he should be better at this given his size. Overall, Funchess needs to streamline his attributes and take better advantage of his physical gifts. NFL team may rate him as a hybrid tight end. Conclusion: While Funchess will appeal to NFL teams with his size and physical play, he's got undeniable limitations he may not be able to get past. He's a very uncoordinated player at times, and that will show up more in the pros, where the windows to get and stay open are smaller and close more quickly. He may be best utilized as a slot and flex weapon at the start of his NFL career while he figures the rest of his required skill set out, but Funchess really doesn't project as an outside deep receiver at the next level in any way but sheer size and raw physical ability. Pro Comparison: Kelvin Benjamin, Panthers (1st round, 2014).) (4-7-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/04/06/2015-nfl-draft-ranking-si-64-denzel-perryman-arik-armstead-michael-bennett
Ranking the draft's top 10 wide receivers available (5. Devin Funchess, Michigan: Is he a big receiver, or a hybrid tight end? In today's NFL, a player like Funchess may stand on both sides of that increasingly blurred line. At 6'4" and 232 pounds, Funchess has an impressive physique and plays with a lot of power at times. He caught 126 passes for 1,715 yards and 15 touchdowns over three seasons for a Michigan team whose offense and quarterback situation wasn't always ideal, and he caught those passes from just about everywhere in the formation. He's got the catch radius to compensate for a lot of quarterback mistakes, and if you're going to play press coverage against him, you'd better bring your A-game. On the downside, Funchess takes too long to transition into cuts when he moves through routes, and he needs to be more efficient with his physicality.) (4-7-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/04/06/2015-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-rankings-amari-cooper-kevin-white
Top five most dangerous red-zone WR prospects (4. Devin Funchess, Michigan: Who better than a converted tight end to understand the importance of playing physical football closer to the goal line? At 6-5 and 230 pounds, and with leaping skills like these, the former Michigan star is bound to be a matchup problem. The question scouts have on Funchess is whether he has the speed and quickness to get open on a long field. But on a short field, guys Funchess' size don't need much separation to be a threat. NFL fit: Houston Texans. Andre Johnson is out, leaving the Texans with a relatively small receiving corps. With a little luck, he could slip to Houston in the second round.) (3-23-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000480772/article/top-five-most-dangerous-redzone-wr-prospects
2015 NFL Draft: Top 10 Position Changing Prospects (Devin Funchess, Michigan – TE or WR: As a recruit and up until this past season, Funchess was viewed as a tight end prospect. However, the team chose to move him to receiver, with the reasoning being unclear. At receiver, he was much more easily featured in the offense, being the only legitimate option in the offense, and didn’t have to be an inline blocker as much. However, based on his past years, he’s not a “poor” blocker and shows plus effort. His NFL team won’t want him as a full-time inline blocker, but he can add tight end value if he adds more bulk. He’s a unique mix of Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olson.) (3-23-15): http://optimumscouting.com/draft/2015-nfl-draft-top-10-position-changing-prospects.html
Michigan's Funchess reveals injury, works out for NFC South team (3-21-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000480494/article/devin-funchess-reveals-toe-injury-works-out-for-falcons
Which player has boosted stock most through pro-day workout? ("For me, (it's) Devin Funchess from the University of Michigan. He got to make his case (that he's) a wide receiver," said NFL Media analyst Charles Davis. "... He ran 4.7 (in the 40) at the combine and that immediately screamed 'tight end.' Came back and ran much better, moved better at his pro day and is making his case again to be a wide receiver." Funchess, who played tight end and wide receiver in college, certainly was able to shift the conversation about which position he should play in the NFL with his pro-day performance. With plenty more pro days ahead in the coming weeks, Funchess and Mannion will be far from the only ones to give themselves a boost with a workout as the clock ticks down to draft day.) (3-20-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000480425/article/analysts-sean-mannion-devin-funchess-are-top-proday-risers
2015 NFL Draft: Lance Zierlein's top 10 tight end prospects (3. Devin Funchess, Michigan: Zierlein's bottom line: Has mismatch-caliber size, but lack of vertical talent and below-average hands might negate the size to an extent. Funchess was used outside and inside at Michigan and had success from the slot. He has the feel of a hybrid player who can be a big guy at wide receiver or a mismatch nightmare as a move tight end with more weight on his rangy frame.) (3-19-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000479892/article/2015-nfl-draft-lance-zierleins-top-10-tight-ends
2015 NFL Draft: 8 greenest prospects with highest upside (Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan: A career tight end until last year, Funchess (6-5, 230 pounds) made the switch to wide receiver and posted a solid year with 62 catches for Michigan. But getting open against NFL cornerbacks, particularly against press coverage, which isn't very common at the college level, is going to be a new challenge.) (3-17-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000479542/article/2015-nfl-draft-8-greenest-prospects-with-highest-upside
U-M's Funchess 'just went natural' to improve 40 time (3-17-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2015/03/17/devin-funchess-40-nfl-draft/24898229/
2015 Pro Days Notebook Part II (Devin Funchess – TE – At Indy he ran a disappointing 4.7 in the 40. There were reports that he ran as fast as 4.48 at the Michigan pro day this week, but people I talked to said it was much closer to 4.56. Still that is a drastic improvement. Just so you know, it’s not unusual that there are discrepancies between different scout’s times.) (3-15-15): http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2015-pro-days-notebook-part-ii/
Michigan pro day: Funchess a first-round talent; two other prospects rising (3-15-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000479103/article/devin-funchess-frank-clark-shine-at-michigans-pro-day
2015 NFL Draft: Five Takeaways from this week's Pro Day workouts (The stock of Michigan wideout Devin Funchess took a tumble at the combine when he was clocked at 4.70 seconds in the 40-yard dash. However, the 6-foot-4, 232 pounder was clocked much faster on Thursday, recording a time of 4.48 seconds, according to the Wolverines' official athletic website -- a performance that could vault him right back into second round consideration. In reality, Funchess is probably not as fast as he was clocked at his Pro Day nor as slow as he appeared during his Combine workout. Frankly, Funchess looks like a 4.55 player on tape. He possesses the long-strides, body control and sticky hands that have helped standouts in the NFC South like Vincent Jackson (Tampa Bay) and Kelvin Benjamin (Carolina) emerge as touchdown machines. While Funchess needed an improved 40-yard dash time to steady his stock, scouts were eager to see Southern Cal's Nelson Agholor work out after his combine performance was interrupted by a dislocated finger suffered during pass-catching drills. The slippery 6-0, 198-pounder "looked good" according to a high-ranking scout on hand for the Trojans' Pro Day, standing out in his position drills almost as much as his teammate Leonard Williams -- NFLDraftScout.com's top-ranked prospect overall -- did in his.) (3-13-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25106583/nfl-draft-five-takeaways-from-this-weeks-pro-day-workouts
2015 NFL Draft: This Week In Pro Days (Michigan’s Devin Funchess improved his poor combine 40 time of 4.70 to 4.48 at his pro day, which could lower the concerns teams have about his speed. Either way Funchess will be a tough red zone matchup and his willingness to go across the middle will benefit his quarterback.) (3-13-15): http://optimumscouting.com/draft/2015-nfl-draft-this-week-in-pro-days.html
Notes from Michigan's pro day (Lions went to Michigan's Pro Day. Devin Funchess needed to show he was faster than the pedestrian 4.70-second 40-yard dash he ran at the NFL combine last month. So when Michigan had its pro day on Thursday, the wide receiver who is a potential first round pick in this spring’s draft chose to run it again instead of standing on his work in Indianapolis. Turns out it was a smart move, as Funchess seemed much happier with his performance leaving Schembechler Hall. “Fast, real, real fast,” Funchess told ESPN.com about his 40 time as he walked out of Schembechler and got into his car. The 6-foot-4, 232-pound receiver said he did not know his exact time, but Jim Kielbaso, one of Funchess’ trainers, tweeted that unofficially “several scouts had Funchess under 4.5 on his 40.” Michigan later tweeted Funchess ran a 4.48-second 40-yard dash. Funchess declined to say more about his pro day other than he was pleased with his performance.) (3-12-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/15923/notes-from-michigans-pro-day
That's better: Michigan test results show vastly improved 40 for Funchess (3-12-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000478655/article/michigan-test-results-show-devin-funchess-vastly-improves-40
U-M football pro day: Faster 40 time for Funchess (3-12-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2015/03/12/michigan-football-pro-day/70220864/
NFL Draft Top 50, Nos. 41-50: Devin Funchess talented but flawed player (41. Michigan WR-TE Devin Funchess 6-4, 232: Funchess shifted from tight end in the Wolverines' offense to wideout last season and had a disappointing final season. Partly to blame was an early season injury and bad quarterback play, but Funchess also showed a bit too passive of a mentality at times and lacks the long speed to envision him having a Mike Evans-like impact on offense. Funchess is not a tight end, and — despite a first-round-caliber body — too often played like a fourth-rounder. He's an enigma and will require some polish to his game to project him any higher than this. The team that drafts him will need a plan and some patience, and might need to get him to play with better concentration and urgency. NFL comparison: A less explosive Kelvin Benjamin. Draft range: Late first round to mid-second round.) (3-2-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/nfl-draft-top-50--nos--41-50--devin-funchess-talented-but-polarizing-prospect-205430152.html
Funchess still a WR in the NFL (2-26-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2015/02/26/michigan-football-devin-funchess/24069877/
WR 2015 Combine Stock Report (Funchess stock is down. Michigan's former coaching staff came up with an incredibly moronic idea last summer: They decided to turn their star tight end into a receiver. Devin Funchess predictably struggled to separate from cornerbacks, which is why I always listed him as a tight end in my 2015 NFL Mock Draft. Funchess confirmed that he'll have to stay at tight end with an ugly 4.70 40.) (2-24-15): http://walterfootball.com/combine2015stockWR.php
21 prospect takeaways from Combine (Funchess still a question mark: Michigan product Devin Funchess had a lot riding on his 40-yard dash as he attempts to prove he can be a full-time wideout in the NFL as opposed to a tight end, his natural position. Clocking the slowest 40 of the group (4.70) means plenty of clubs will re-evaluate him with his hand in the ground.) (2-24-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000473788/article/21-prospect-takeaways-from-2015-nfl-scouting-combine
Winners, losers: Not good for U-M's Funchess (TE Devin Funchess, Michigan: Funchess will get drafted high, almost certainly in the first couple rounds, but his disappointing 40 time (4.7) and struggles in the gauntlet drill — a series of quick turns and catches — make it more likely teams will consider him a tight end than the receiver he hopes to be drafted as.) (2-24-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/02/24/nfl-combine-winners-losers/23921989/
Maize-N-Brew: Pro Day gives Devin Funchess last chance (2-24-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2015/02/22/maize-n-brew-devin-funchess/23866207/
2015 NFL Combine: 25 Takeaways (5 players who hurt themselves - Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan: After switching from tight end to receiver this past season, scouts viewed Funchess as a potential Kelvin Benjamin clone. After getting clocked at 4.70 seconds in the 40-yard dash, however, scouts now wonder if the 6-5, 232 pounder has the burst to get past cornerbacks or the strength and aggression to move back inside.) (2-23-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25079684/nfl-combine-25-takeaways-include-risersfallerspro-days
2015 Combine: Players who helped, hurt their draft stock (Who hurt their draft stock - Michigan WR Devin Funchess: He started his Michigan career as a tight end and moved to wide receiver this season. But he clocked just 4.7 in the 40 Saturday, which was disappointing. He remains a matchup problem because of his size (6-4 1/4, 232), but those expecting a 40 time in the high 4.5s/low 4.6s left shaking their heads. A wide receiver running a 4.7, no matter how tall, is disconcerting.) (2-23-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000473645/article/2015-combine-players-who-helped-hurt-their-draft-stock
Five players who hurt their stock at the Combine (Devin Funchess - Funchess opted to work out with the WRs for the same reasons Saints star Jimmy Graham petitioned to have himself declared a WR when it came time for him to be paid under the franchise tag: money. Big-time wide receivers are worth more than even the best tight ends. Because Funchess failed to prove at the combine that he could be anything more than a good tight end prospect. He worked with the WRs and had the slowest 40 time. He measured an inch shorter and five pounds lighter that Green-Beckham but registered only a 4.70 40-yard dash. Funchess can certainly be a versatile pass-catching tight end in the NFL, but he needs to focus now on becoming a capable blocker and over-the-middle option instead of aspiring to run long routes on the outside.) (2-23-15): http://q.usatoday.com/2015/02/23/five-players-who-hurt-their-stock-at-the-nfl-combine/
Video - Funchess runs the 40 (2-21-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/2015-NFL-Combine-Devin-Funchess-runs-the-40/cc099c89-f760-40c4-83a7-ee3f337f2d07
Lions Combine Gleanings (Bad day for Devin Funchess. A 4.70 40 with a 10-yard split that ranked 3rd-worst among all wideouts crushes any upward momentum. At 232 pounds he’s not nearly big enough to play tight end, and he’s nowhere near fast enough to play wideout. His hands were smaller than expected as well, and NFL teams have aggressively questioned him on why he seems to struggle catching the ball. I compared him to former Lion (for a minute) Dorin Dickerson at the Shrine Game to a NFL defensive coordinator and he readily agreed. That negative take is going to get a lot more traction in the coming weeks. My advice to Funchess: embrace being a full-time tight end and bulk up to 250 before the draft. His frame will hold it. It’s a dreadful TE class and he could thrive in the role.) (2-21-15): http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2015/02/lions-combine-gleanings/
Buzz worthy and buzz kill players from Saturday at the Combine (Funchess is one of the buzz-kill players. The former Michigan standout was viewed as one of the most athletic hybrid (WR/TE) prospects in the draft, but a disappointing 40 time (4.70) will lead scouts to question his ability to thrive on the perimeter. Funchess' lack of explosiveness could make it hard for him to work free from defensive backs on vertical routes, and his lack of supreme strength (17 reps of 225 pounds) makes it tough to envision him moving defenders off the ball as a tight end. Thus, the Wolverine playmaker could be a man without a position at the next level.) (2-21-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000473193/article/kevin-white-shines-devin-funchess-struggles-at-nfl-combine
Saturday at the Combine (Concerning Reports - Michigan WR Devin Funchess posted a pair of discouraging 4.70 forty times. The WR/TE tweener (or “hybrid,” if you’re a glass-half-full kind of cat) is a hand-slapping blocker who, if he sticks at receiver, will be amongst the league’s most plodding. Draft analyst Mike Mayock still believes Funchess is a matchup nightmare, comparing him to Kelvin Benjamin and Jimmy Graham. Maybe so, but Funchess’ 2014 game tape is uninspiring—and, at times, infuriating, as the prospect at times was clearly checked out of Michigan’s nightmare season—and his combine performance won’t act as a “Men in Black” look-into-this-light memory eraser, as he'd no doubt hoped it would.) (2-21-15): http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/52333/351/saturday-at-the-nfl-combine
WR 2015 Combine Field Drills Recap (Some have projected Michigan's wide receiver Devin Funchess as a first-round pick. Last season, Funchess had trouble separating from defensive backs and was given numerical proof to be a problem in the NFL when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds. It was a troublesome time for Funchess (6-4, 232), who should add weight and move back to tight end. ) (2-21-15): http://walterfootball.com/combine2015workoutWR.php
TE or WR? Funchess turns in a slow 40 time (2-21-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/02/21/devin-funchess-nfl-combine-michigan/23791991/
2015 NFL Combine - Friday (Tony Pauline grades Funchess the no. 1 TE.) (2-20-15): http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=10452
2015 NFL Combine: WRs Weigh-In Analysis (Funchess checked in at 6-foot-4, 232-pounds. He looks like a tweener wide receiver and tight end. He has nice sized hands (9 3/4) but he had some issues with drops last season. His 40 time is going to be critical to how teams view him and it could have a significant impact on how high he goes in the draft.) (2-19-15): http://walterfootball.com/combine2015weighinWR.php
2015 NFL Combine: Five things to know (When asked which position he prefers to play, Michigan's Devin Funchess simply responded: "Ballplayer." He said NFL teams have been speaking to him as both a tight end and wide receiver and will play wherever teams want him.)(2-19-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25074274/nfl-combine-five-things-to-know-dgb-passes-the-eye-test
Funchess says Beilein once asked him to try out for Michigan Basketball Team (2-19-15): http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2015/02/devin_funchess_says_john_beile.html
Devin Funchess impresses with vertical jump in training: http://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2015/02/16/michigan-football-devin-funchess-nfl/23492029/
Takeaways from Mayock's media session (Michigan's Devin Funchess played one season at wide receiver after beginning his career at tight end, but could show better at the combine this week than Kelvin Benjamin, the Carolina Panthers' first-round pick last year of similar size. Mayock said he expects Funchess to run a better 40-yard dash than Benjamin's 4.61 at last year's combine, and said Funchess shows better movement skills as well. Nevertheless, that's not likely to translate into Funchess being drafted higher than where Benjamin was taken: No. 28 overall.) (2-16-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000470752/article/mayock-rgiii-trade-makes-clubs-leery-of-trading-up
Funchess shows off leaping ability (2-16-15): http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2015/02/devin_funchess_shows_off_leapi.html
Lions NFL Combine preview: WRs (Devin Funchess, Michigan (6-5, 230): Rated as the No. 4 receiver and No. 22 overall player by ESPN, moved from tight end to receiver midway through his career. He had 126 catches for 1,715 yards and 15 touchdowns in his career. He’s a somewhat enigmatic player, though, because he has a tendency to drop passes. His 2014 stats are skewed because three of his four touchdown catches came in the season-opener against Appalachian State. He also wasn’t helped by iffy quarterback play throughout his career.) (2-11-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/15170/lions-nfl-combine-preview-wide-receivers
Ten underclassman who should forgo the 2015 draft (Funchess encountered some difficulties in his first season as a wide receiver (he moved from tight end) as Michigan struggled, but he looks the part. However, if he's going to be a true wide receiver, another year in school would help him as he continues to shape his body and refine his route running at the position. He will have the challenge of working in a new offensive system with a new head coach if he changes his mind about turning pro and elects to return, though.)(12-16-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000444906/article/ten-underclassmen-who-should-forgo-2015-nfl-draft
NFL Media Analyst Daniel Jeremiah loves Michigan junior WR Devin Funchess' size and catch radius." ("Devin Funchess- Love the size and catch radius. Has build up speed and he's physical after the catch. Not very sudden, not crisp route runner," Jeremiah tweeted. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Funchess has great short area run after catch ability for a player of his size. Funchess could emerge as a late first-round selection, but drops at a supposed strength are a question. Expect the Michigan prospect to fill a Kelvin Benjamin type role in the NFL, but some patience might be necessary.) (12-10-14): http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=CFB&id=131714&line=37602&spln=1
Funchess declares for draft (12-9-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000441405/article/michigan-wrte-devin-funchess-declares-for-2015-nfl-draft
5 things to watch (Actually, we could've used this as a key for the past few weeks. This has been a forgettable season for Devin Funchess after the first half of the season-opener against Appalachian State. He's spent the past month dropping passes, struggling to get open and really doing nothing in terms of playing through or against contact. Michigan hasn't taken many shots down the field toward him for some reason, but he's rarely open. Funchess has NFL talent. But he hasn't played like it for a full game all season. Someone on this offense (probably multiple people) are going to have to have super efforts for the Wolverines to have any shot. Funchess is absolutely one of those guys.) (11-25-14): http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2014/11/5_things_to_watch_ohio_states.html
Two college players to watch on Saturday (It's not often that evaluators can't decide whether a player is a wide receiver or a tight end, but that's the case here. One AFC college director told me Funchess is strictly a wideout. Another veteran exec said he sees him purely as a move tight end. Meanwhile, an AFC GM said he could be either. One thing you can say for certain about Funchess, at 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, is that this "problem" is a good one for him. The exec compared him to Julius Thomas. The GM said he sees him in a Jimmy Graham-type role: "He's very talented, a legit first-rounder." And the Michigan State tape figures to be the first one a lot of scouts pop in, with Funchess likely to see a lot of Spartan standout Trae Waynes. Funchess isn't the only receiver to watch in this one, either. State's big outside target, Tony Lippett, has improved big-time this year, and the college director said he could see him sneaking into the second round.)(10-24-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000416520/article/john-elways-design-benefiting-peyton-manning-denver-broncos
What we're hearing about top prospects (The scoop: "(Devin Funchess) is playing wide receiver this year, but he's the poster child for this era's tight end in the NFL." -- retired NFL front-office executive. The skinny: This is the second time the Michigan receiver has been mentioned in this space. Two weeks ago, an NFC personnel executive assigned Funchess a Jimmy Graham comp and said he preferred the wideout as a tight end at the next level. That seems to be a growing consensus among NFL scouts. At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, he certainly has the body of an NFL tight end.) (10-15-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000411533/article/sources-tell-us-what-were-hearing-about-top-nfl-prospects
What we're hearing about top prospects (The scoop: "Devin Funchess is one of the best players I've seen this fall. He could play wideout at the next level but I prefer him at tight end. He can do a lot of the things that make Jimmy Graham special." -- NFC personnel executive. The skinny: Not all is bad coming out of Ann Arbor, apparently. After catching three touchdowns in the first half of Michigan's season opener, Funchess has been hampered by a leg injury that he says will give him "pain for the rest of the season." He leads the Wolverines with 24 catches for 321 yards and the three TDs, despite missing an entire game with the injury. Last year he transitioned from tight end to receiver, but it looks like his days as a tight end aren't over yet for the 6-foot-5, 230-pound player. Graham, by the way, is two inches taller and 35 pounds heavier.) (10-1-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000403674/article/sources-tell-us-what-were-hearing-about-top-nfl-prospects
Matchups to watch in week 2 (When Funchess requested the No. 1 jersey in the spring, he certainly understood the expectations that accompanied wearing a jersey that's associated with some of the most prolific pass catchers in school history (Anthony Carter, David Terrell and Braylon Edwards). He certainly lived up to the tradition in the opener when he snagged seven receptions for 95 yards and three scores. The former tight end dominates defenders with his superior size (6-5, 230 pounds) and length, Funchess has the ability to box out defenders or win contested balls on the outside. Thus, he presents an imposing challenge to the smallish defenders on the perimeter.) (9-5-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000389761/article/buckys-best-top-cfb-matchups-to-watch-in-week-2
Funchess out to prove he's no. 1 (9-4-14): http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/106578/devin-funchess-out-to-prove-hes-no-1
Week 4 Prospect Preview (Funchess is a freak athlete for his size and has all the makings of a future top-15 draft pick if he eliminates the drops.) (9-20-14): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24713910/nfl-draft-week-4-prospect-preview
2015 NFL Draft: Michigan Preview (A player just scratching the surface of his potential, Funchess is an impressive athlete and is the Wolverines' top offensive playmaker with Jeremy Gallon now in the NFL. Funchess, who is in the WR/TE hybrid mold with a tall, workable frame and lean muscle tone, lined up at both receiver and tight end as a freshman and sophomore, but is expected to be a full-time wideout in 2014. He has excellent initial burst off the line to get vertical in a hurry with long, full strides, flashing flexible and easy movement skills rare for a player his size. Funchess tracks well with smooth body control to make natural adjustments on the ball, but has WAY too many drops on his resume and needs to improve his reliability and finishing ability through the catch point. The effort is there for him as a blocker, but his technique needs work as he's often caught off guard with his blocking assignments. Funchess is a mismatch nightmare against linebackers and smaller defensive backs and with improved consistency, he has all the makings of a future first-round pick, reminiscent of a younger Jermichael Finley at Texas.) (7-25-14): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24636994/nfl-draft-michigan-preview
WR Justin Hardy:
Scouting Reports:
East Carolina Profile Page: http://www.ecupirates.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/justin_hardy_714361.html
NFL: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/justin-hardy?id=2552418
CBS: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1762379/justin-hardy
NFL Draft Scout: http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=108193&draftyear=2015&genpos=WR
Senior Bowl Profile Page: http://www.seniorbowl.com/player-view.php?p=521&squad=North
Articles:
Draft Prospecting: The American Athletic Conference (AAC) (Justin Hardy, WR, East Carolina--sometimes it’s easy to see the role a player will fill. Justin Hardy is one such player. He’s going to be a slot receiver playing inside and underneath an outside vertical threat, and he’s going to be very good at that. Hardy is smooth, shifty and slippery as both a receiver and a runner after the catch. There is no wasted motion, no superfluous steps. The Pirates used him on a ton of quick-hitting slants, bubble screens, outs and crosses, getting him isolated in space and taking advantage of his litheness and surprising strength for a 5’11” receiver. Hardy is very adept at flashing himself as a target, or finding the soft spot in a zone quickly. One real plus to his game is that Hardy attacks the football in the air like he’s much bigger than he is, which is important for a player typically making catches in tight quarters. He’s not a lid-lifting vertical threat and he won’t wow anyone with his athleticism, but he’s going to catch a lot of passes for a lot of first downs for a lot of years. That’s what he did in Goldsboro, and he’ll do it in Charlotte or Atlanta or Chicago, all teams which could sorely use his services as early as the third round. His blocking and mental toughness are plusses. Current projection: late 3rd-early 5th round.) (4-25-15): http://football.realgm.com/analysis/2611/Draft-Prospecting-The-American-Athletic-Conference-AAC
Most undervalued prospects (WR Justin Hardy, East Carolina: The skinny: Hardy (5-10, 192) lacks size and top-end speed, but he is the leading receiver in FBS history (387 receptions). "He runs the route you want run," Davis said, and he also said Hardy's status as a former walk-on means he "will play with that perpetual chip on his shoulder." Davis said Hardy will be "underdrafted," but will "overdeliver.") (4-18-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000486246/article/jeremiah-steven-nelson-one-of-drafts-most-undervalued-players
NFP Prospect Focus: Chris Conley and Justin Hardy (4-9-15): http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/nfp-prospect-focus-chris-conley-and-justin-hardy/
Draft prospect Justin Hardy emulated Jerry Rice, including catching bricks (3-14-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/draft-prospect-justin-hardy-emulated-jerry-rice--including-catching-bricks-214625186.html
14 players that need to have strong pro days (Justin Hardy – East Carolina – I never thought Hardy was a burner, but his average time of 4.58 is not quite fast enough.) (2-27-15): http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/14-players-that-need-to-have-a-strong-pro-day/
2015 Combine - NFL Sunday (Word at the combine has the Kansas City Chiefs very high on East Carolina receiver Justin Hardy, which makes perfect sense. Hardy’s route running skills, ability to separate in underneath coverage and dependable hands would fit a hole in the Chiefs offense.) (2-22-15): http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=10463
2015 NFL Combine - Friday (Don’t expect a blistering forty time from Justin Hardy as he’ll clock around 4.5-seconds. I’m told Hardy has been running exceptional three cone times in training and could make run at the combine record. That represents his route running and separation skills.) (2-20-15): http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=10452
2015 NFL Draft: Nine questions teams are asking heading into the Combine (How do drops fit into the WR equation? College teams throw way more than they used to, providing plenty of video of receivers catching and dropping passes. More and more, teams use drop ratios when analyzing wide receivers. Carolina's Justin Hardy was No. 2 in receptions (121), dropping one of every 35 passes.) (2-10-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/pat-kirwan/25064446/nfl-draft-nine-questions-teams-are-asking-heading-into-combine
Next (little) man up? Crowder among top undersized WRs in 2015 draft (Justin Hardy: Hardy is one of those players that was totally overlooked coming out of high school. He was a walk-on at East Carolina and turned himself into quite a player -- he holds the FBS record for career receptions (387). Hardy is a very good route runner and showed no fear going over the middle to make a grab. He has excellent hands and is strong after the catch. He has plenty of motivation, too. As a former walk-on coming out of a non-Power Five league, Hardy continues to feel like he has something to prove. As far as he's concerned, he was snubbed when he was left off the list of finalists for the Biletnikoff Award after last season. He feels like he has a lot to prove, and he plays that way.)(2-5-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000468283/article/jamison-crowder-among-top-undersized-wrs-in-2015-nfl-draft
Senior Bowl Review: Offense (It was surprising to see Hardy play more on the outside than in the slot during Senior Bowl week. The easy projection is inside and Hardy saw a lot of time there at ECU. Long arms and hands match his game.) (1-25-15): http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/51877/351/senior-bowl-review-offense
What we learned from Senior Bowl ( the best route-runner of the bunch, according to Jeremiah, was one less heard of: East Carolina's Justin Hardy.) (1-24-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000462872/article/eight-things-we-learned-from-the-2015-senior-bowl
2015 Senior Bowl Scouting: Thursday North Practice Notes (Hardy set up routes with controlled footwork and displayed his excellent hands at the catch point. Like we’ve said all week, Hardy doesn’t have elite speed or explosiveness but is extremely nuanced at the position and skilled as a route runner. He’ll contribute day one out of the slot.) (1-22-15): http://optimumscouting.com/draft/2015-senior-bowl-scouting-thursday-north-practice-notes.html
Senior Bowl: Pauline's Wednesday Risers (Hardy is not a receiver who passes the eyeball test as he measured just over 5-10, 190 during weigh-ins. He is also not a wideout with blinding speed. But numbers aside, Hardy is a terrific receiver and a very good football player. On Wednesday he was unstoppable, using quickness and terrific hand technique to separate from defenders before catching everything thrown in his direction. Hardy is a natural at the position and is very smart, which will make him a welcome addition to any roster.) (1-21-15): http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/article-1/Senior-Bowl-Paulines-Wednesday-Risers/8d4c6c7f-a748-487a-aa87-50074dd6d0ec
Optimum Scouting's 2015 Senior Bowl Scouting: Wednesday North Practice Notes (The biggest performer for the North team was ECU slot man Justin Hardy. Hardy measured in slightly smaller than he was listed, but it didn’t matter as he shredded the North cornerbacks on short, intermediate and deep routes. He’s solidifying his claim as the top receiver here.) (1-21-15): http://optimumscouting.com/draft/2015-senior-bowl-scouting-wednesday-north-practice-notes.html
2015 Senior Bowl: Mixed bag from Petty on Day 2 (Hardy struggled. Several throws his way ended up on the ground. He had trouble extending from his body to pluck and finish, allowing the ball to pop off his hands. There is more than enough tape on Hardy for scouts to see what he can do as a pass-catcher, but it can be discouraging in this setting to see so many drops from a player who is viewed as a reliable slot option in the NFL.) (1-21-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24982030/senior-bowl-mixed-bag-from-qb-bryce-petty-on-day-2
Hardy among standouts from Day 1 (He checked in a little shorter than expected at 5-foot-10 1/2, 190 pounds during Tuesday's weigh-in, but played bigger than his size during one-on-one drills and the team periods to turn a few heads. More than anything, he was clean out of his breaks and was able to haul in just about everything in his radius, despite average quarterback play.) (1-20-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000461313/article/justin-hardy-among-standouts-from-day-one-at-senior-bowl
Senior Bowl: Pauline's 20 To Watch (Hardy has been ultra-productive since his freshman campaign, but unlike Smith, he shows no elements of being a downfield threat. Can Hardy separate against the top defensive backs from the senior class? Is he fast enough to be anything other than a fourth receiver at the next level? His film and production are top notch but Hardy needs to show he physically matches up against top competition.) (1-19-15): http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/article-1/Senior-Bowl-Paulines-20-To-Watch/aaef3e25-9c9b-4850-89e1-6ba8aa98f2f1
2015 Senior Bowl Preview (ECU’s Justin Hardy seamlessly projects to the slot, and I will be paying attention to how he fares outside. However, that is not where he wins, so expectations should be tempered. He is a role player.) (1-19-15): http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/51714/351/2015-senior-bowl-preview
2015 NFL Draft Stock - Post New Year's Bowls (Hardy definitely helped himself in the Birmingham Bowl against Florida as he showed the skills to compete with an elite corner like Vernon Hargreaves. With size not being an issue, it was good to see Hardy demonstrate the quickness to get separation from the Gators' defensive backs, including a catch or two on Hargreaves. Hardy also made a splash play. Just after halftime, he raced for 67 yards on a wide receiver screen. Hardy followed his blockers and bolted downfield before Brian Poole caught him from behind to prevent a touchdown. Hardy caught 11 passes for 160 yards and the score against Florida. He totaled 121 receptions for 1,494 yards with 10 touchdowns for the year. The 6-foot-1, 188-pounder could help himself more with a strong Senior Bowl. ) (1-4-15): http://walterfootball.com/draft2015stock_20.php
Hundley playing as well as anyone in college football and other prospect notes (WR Justin Hardy, East Carolina: Whenever a former walk-on cracks the starting lineup and makes a significant contribution as a playmaker, scouts certainly respect the "feel good" story. But when that player breaks the FBS record for career receptions and displays the physical ability to thrive at the next level, scouts will make strong arguments to their peers that the prospect deserves a solid grade when the draft board is put together in pre-draft meetings. Hardy has worked his way into Day 2 consideration by displaying strong hands, ball skills and precise route-running ability on the way to snagging 355 receptions for the Pirates during his four-year career. Against Tulane, Hardy continued to solidify his resume as a standout receiver with a nine-catch, 104-yard effort that pushed him past Ryan Broyles on the reception list. Given the importance of production on a scout's final evaluation, Hardy's outstanding numbers will make him an intriguing player to watch throughout the pre-draft process.) (11-24-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000433700/article/scouts-take-brett-hundley-playing-as-well-as-anyone-in-college
Hardy breaks record as ECU beats Tulane 34-6 (11-22-14): http://www.nola.com/tulane/index.ssf/2014/11/justin_hardy_east_carolina_get.html
Hardy on brink of setting FBS career receptions record (11-19-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000430975/article/east-carolinas-justin-hardy-on-brink-of-setting-fbs-record
Week 12 Stock Report (The Biletnikoff Award, which goes to the top FBS' wide receiver, announced their ten semifinalists this week and East Carolina senior WR Justin Hardy didn't make the cut. However, the Pirates star receiver will likely make history on Saturday against Tulane as he is currently four receptions away from breaking Ryan Broyles' record of 349 career catches, the all-time NCAA record. A former walk-on, Hardy is currently rated as a mid-round draft pick.) (11-18-14): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24818692/nfl-draft-week-12-stock-report-melvin-gordon-top-running-back
At ECU, Carden-Hardy success is broken record (10-9-14): http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2014-10-09/shane-carden-justin-hardy-east-carolina-passing-attack-record-breaking-rise-from-scout-team-aac-power-5-bowl
Hardy embodies the ECU way (9-19-14): http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/09/19/4162538/decock-justin-hardy-embodies-the.html
Nineteen things you need to know from Week 2 CFB action (Sleeper Watch: Justin Hardy did it again. And this time, he can't be knocked for his level of competition. We told you to keep an eye on the East Carolina wide receiver on Friday, and he delivered against South Carolina with 11 catches for 133 yards. So now, they know him all over the Carolinas. They'll know him soon enough on the first day of the NFL draft, too, according to his coach.) (9-7-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000390011/article/nineteen-things-you-need-to-know-from-week-2-cfb-action
WR Tony Lippett:
Scouting Reports:
Michigan State Profile Page: http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/tony_lippett_716692.html
NFL: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/tony-lippett?id=2552427
CBS: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1762314/tony-lippett
NFL Draft Scout: http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=109827&draftyear=2015&genpos=wr
Articles:
MSU's Tony Lippett eager for draft weekend (4-29-15): http://www.wxyz.com/sports/msus-lippett-eager-for-draft-seen-as-both-wide-receiver-and-cornerback
Analyst: Waynes, Funchess among most overrated in draft (While Waynes and Funchess didn't get much love from Pro Football Focus, Michigan State receiver Tony Lippett did, checking in at No. 6 on its list of most underrated draft prospects (also on pay site). " ... When you watch him on film, he's the type of player who beats cornerbacks even when it looks like he's been beaten in the route," Pro Football Focus' Gordon McGuinness wrote of the Big Ten's Receiver of the Year. "Somewhat similar to Stevie Johnson, he's the type of player who routinely finds his way to the ball after losing out early in the play, which helped him finish the year with a yards per route run average of 3.65, the second-most in this draft class next to Alabama's Amari Cooper.") (4-23-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/2015/04/23/pro-football-focus-waynes-funchess-overrated/26238507/
NFL draft positional rankings: Wide receivers a banner group once more (Sleeper - Tony Lippett, Michigan State: Look past some marginal test numbers and you see a very productive football player who can compete and contribute in a number of ways. Lippett was the Spartans’ big-play receiving weapon in 2013 and 2014, taking a huge step last season in his route running (especially at the top of the stem) and his ability to separate despite lacking elite speed. He also took extensive snaps at cornerback last season (and as a freshman, when it was his primary position) and could be a rare double contributor. Lippett also projects to be a three- or four-unit special-teams player, making him a very valuable piece. Although he might never be more than a very good third receiver in the NFL, Lippett should have a home in the league — a la Jason Avant — for a decade or more.) (4-17-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/nfl-draft-positional-rankings--wide-receivers-a-banner-group-once-more-190245745.html
Looking at receiver prospects in 2015 draft for Lions (Tony Lippett, Michigan State (6-2, 192):He is one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft and could fill a developmental need at receiver or corner for Detroit. The question of where to use him could knock him down draft boards and put him in a spot where the Lions could maybe pick him up in the sixth round. He is more polished as a receiver but might have more potential as a corner. He is the No. 24 receiver and No. 177 prospect in the draft. Wrote more about him here.) (4-13-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/16520/looking-at-receiver-prospects-in-the-2015-draft-for-the-lions?ex_cid=espnapi_public
WR or CB? Lippett drawing draft buzz at both spots (4-10-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/04/10/tony-lippett-2015-nfl-draft-two-way-player
Top five most versatile draft prospects (3. Tony Lippett, Michigan State: Unlike Thompson, it appears there is some legitimate debate as to which side of the ball Lippett will land in the NFL. His college experience is heavily vested at the wide receiver position, but he played well at the end of his senior year as a cornerback and has the length to combat bigger receivers. What's more, Lippett himself says scouting opinions are split. Although he lacks experience at corner, he's stuck in a long line of draft class depth as a receiver. As such, it's not a given that he would be drafted higher as a receiver. NFL fit: Kansas City Chiefs. The club has already been in touch with Lippett, and has as big a need for receiving help as any team in the NFL.) (3-27-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000481818/article/2015-nfl-draft-top-five-most-versatile-prospects
2015 NFL Draft: Five Takeaways from this week's Pro Day workouts (Similarly, wideout Tony Lippett enjoyed a strong performance during positional drills, showing off impressive fluidity for his 6-foot-2 (and 5/8"), 191 frame and also catching the ball well. Lippett is a solid second-tier receiver prospect but some clubs see him projecting even better at cornerback, where he played occasionally for the Spartans.) (3-20-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/blog/rob-rang/25116353/nfl-draft-five-takeaways-from-this-weeks-pro-day-workouts
Michigan State's Lippett: Teams split 50-50 on where to play me (3-19-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000480075/article/tony-lippett-teams-divided-on-whether-to-play-me-at-wr-or-cb
Trae Waynes of Michigan State substantiates high draft stock (Wide receiver Tony Lippett (6-2 5/8, 191) ran the 40 in 4.59 and 4.57 seconds. Lippett has a reputation for not having real good hands, but that didn't appear to be the case at MSU's pro day. Lippett had a lot of balls thrown his way during the workout with only one drop.) (3-18-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000479907/article/trae-waynes-of-michigan-state-substantiates-high-draft-stock
Lippett open to playing CB, has talked to the Lions (2-19-15): http://www.mlive.com/spartans/index.ssf/2015/02/michigan_state_wr_tony_lippett_7.html
Local contingent set to impress at Combine (The 6-2 receiver (No. 19, ESPN) silenced some doubters at the Senior Bowl, but some teams still might look at him as a cornerback.) (2-18-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/2015/02/17/local-contingent-set-impress-nfl-combine/23588061/
Lions NFL Combine preview: WRs (Tony Lippett, Michigan State (6-3, 190): The No. 18 receiver and No. 118 player overall by ESPN, he is a rare two-way player. In addition to being the Big Ten receiver of the year after 65 catches for 1,198 yards and 11 touchdowns, he also played cornerback both early in his career and as a senior.) (2-11-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/15170/lions-nfl-combine-preview-wide-receivers
2015 NFL Draft Diaries 1.0: Lippett (2-10-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000469717/article/2015-nfl-draft-diaries-10-tony-lippett
Senior Bowl Review: Offense (Tony Lippett, Michigan State - The Senior Bowl is not the type of place Lippett shines, despite my previous conclusion that it would be. Lippett is a fluid mover who creates space with route and can win with slivers of separation on contested catches. He also offers a 6’2.5” frame with nearly 33” arms. No flash, lots of substance here.) (1-28-15): http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/51877/351/senior-bowl-review-offense?pg=2
Senior Bowl Rules of Thumb (Others with uneven performances include: Michigan State WR Tony Lippett, not showing enough physicality at the position and lacking top-end speed to challenge up the field. More than one evaluator wanted to see him playing cornerback instead, and that’s his brighter NFL future if he chooses to switch back to fulltime defense.) (1-25-15): http://football.realgm.com/analysis/2592/Senior-Bowl-Rules-Of-Thumb
Michigan State redshirt senior WR Tony Lippett "could be a No. 4 WR in the NFL, but he should be a Day 3 pick, not the second- or third-round pick he has been mentioned as," wrote Scout's Inc. ("He is a guy who had a quick rise this season, standing out on tape for making a lot of contested catches, demonstrating good body control and ball skills to win 50-50 balls against defensive backs," wrote Todd McShay, Steve Muench and Kevin Weidl. "We didn't see any of that ability from Lippett this week as he faced better competition at cornerback. Moreover, he didn't show good body control as a route-runner and struggled to separate." The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Lippett finished with 1,198 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns this past season. An NFC East scout said Spartans HC Mark Dantonio played Lippett at cornerback late in the year "because he thinks he is legit at the position and as good as Chris Gamble." Scouts don't seem to agree.)(1-24-14): http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=CFB&id=131261&line=38964&spln=1
Lippett caught a 7-yard pass at the end of the third quarter from East Carolina quarterback Shane Carden, made a special teams tackle and threw incomplete on a double-pass play in the fourth quarter (1-24-15): http://www.mlive.com/spartans/index.ssf/2015/01/michigan_statessenior_bowl_ton.html
2015 Senior Bowl Thursday South Practice (Another receiver that showed improvement was Tony Lippett from Michigan State. Avoiding contact and getting to landmarks as a route runner, Lippett looked very smooth in his release technique and route breaks. He skied for a few acrobatic catches and also used his length well during contest reception drills.) (1-22-15):
Seven things we learned from Day 2 of the Senior Bowl (Michigan State wide receiver Tony Lippett is playing wide receiver at the Reese's Senior Bowl this week, his primary position with the Spartans. But after getting a chance to play some defensive back as a two-way contributor near the end of his senior season, NFL coaches and scouts have also asked him about that aspect of his game. Lippett began his college career in the secondary and said he is open to the idea of playing defensive back in the pros if that's what it takes. Lippett's pro potential as a defensive back is no joke. For now, however, he has flashed some impressive catches at receiver during practice. Four NFL clubs have shown the most interest in him thus far, Lippett said. "I spent some time with the Bucs wide receiver coach, the Vikings wide receiver coach, the Patriots scout, the 49ers scout. Those are the teams I spent probably more than 20 minutes with," Lippett said. "They like my size, and they're interested to know how I will run at the combine.") (1-21-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000461757/article/what-we-learned-tony-lippett-draws-senior-bowl-interest
Charles Davis: Lippett should consider CB (1-21-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000461599/article/charles-davis-michigan-states-tony-lippett-should-consider-cb
2015 Senior Bowl Scouting: Tuesday South Practice Notes (Another player that had a tough time with the press was Michigan State WR Tony Lippett. While long, lean and agile for his size, Lippett takes the path of least resistance versus physicality. He has to improve at protecting his chestplate from jams at the line of scrimmage and be much more physical through the release. There were some flashes of fluidity to avoid contact and create separation, but physicality gave him trouble in this practice.) (1-20-15): http://optimumscouting.com/draft/2015-senior-bowl-scouting-tuesday-north-practice-notes.html
Local prospects to watch at the Senior Bowl (Tony Lippett, WR, Michigan State: After a stellar senior season, the Crockett High product proved to be a draft-worthy receiver, but some teams could still look at him as a cornerback, too. The 6-3, 190-pound Lippett had 65 catches for 1,198 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, and his speed will be a hot topic this week.) (1-20-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/01/19/lions-gm-mayhew-gets-ready-gauge-senior-bowl-stars/22029643/
Top 20 prospects to watch at the Senior Bowl (Lippett has the ideal physical skill set for the next level with a long, athletic frame capable of adding strength. He has worked hard to improve at the catch point, but is still developing as a route runner and technician. Concerns about his building his frame, getting off press and gaining separation outside of vertical routes will be tested during practices.) (1-20-15): http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2015-01-20/2015-senior-bowl-nfl-draft-players-to-watch-prospects-lael-collins-rashad-greene-sambralio
NFL Draft Watch: 20 players to watch at the Senior Bowl (Michigan State WR-CB Tony Lippett — Want to see how Lippett can impact a game ... in all three phases? Turn on the bowl game win over Baylor in which he caught five passes for 74 yards as a receiver, had a 19-yard rush, made two tackles and broke up a pass as a cornerback and delivered a huge block on the Baylor kicker following a blocked field-goal attempt. The 6-3, 186-pound Lippett is expected to play receiver at the Senior Bowl but could be asked to pull some double duty by the Tennessee Titans' coaching staff if they're intrigued.) (1-19-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/nfl-draft-watch--20-players-we-ll-be-watching-at-the-senior-bowl-025609307.html
Ten prospects to watch in the Senior Bowl (Tony Lippett, WR, Michigan State: Lippett is listed as a wide receiver for the event. Will he take any turns at cornerback? The 6-3, 185-pounder pulled double duty for Michigan State down the stretch, catching five passes and holding up well on the other side of the ball during that bowl win over Baylor. He finished the year with 11 receiving touchdowns and more than 1,100 yards, which is why he's starting off on offense at the Senior Bowl. His versatility is pretty unique, though.)
(1-19-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/01/19/senior-bowl-2015-preview-blake-sims-bryce-petty
2015 Senior Bowl Preview (There is nothing flashy about Lippett’s frame or athleticism, however, he is one of the best route runners in this class and wins in contested situations.) (1-19-15): http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/51714/351/2015-senior-bowl-preview?pg=2
2015 Senior Bowl: North Offense Preview (Lippett has the ideal physical skill set for the next level with a long, athletic frame capable of adding strength. He’s worked hard to improve at the catch point, but is still developing as a route runner and technician. His bulk concerns, ability to get off press, and gain separation outside of vertical routes will be tested during practices.) (1-17-15): http://optimumscouting.com/draft/2015-senior-bowl-north-offense-scouting-preview.html
Lippett finishes Michigan State with triple threat performance in Cotton Bowl win over Baylor (1-2-14): http://www.mlive.com/spartans/index.ssf/2015/01/tony_lippett_finishes_michigan.html
NFL draft talent showcased in other New Year's Day Bowls (For the Spartans, the best performance might have come from wide receiver turned cornerback Tony Lippett, who shuffled between offense and defense in this contest. Lippett emerged as the Big Ten's top receiver this season but with 2015 again projecting as a very strong year for receivers (and relatively weak at cornerback), Lippett's versatility won't be lost on scouts.Unlike most athletes with his height, the 6-foot-3, 190 pound Lippett is a fluid athlete, capable of changing directions and accelerating smoothly to handle coverage responsibilities. Given the way the value teams are placing on long, lanky cornerbacks in today's NFL, Lippett's pro future could lie on that side of the ball.) (1-1-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24929327/nfl-draft-nfl-talent-showcased-in-other-new-years-bowls
What we're hearing about top prospects (The scoop: "(Michigan State coach Mark) Dantonio is playing him at cornerback because he thinks he is legit at the position and as good as Chris Gamble, who played both ways when Dantonio was at Ohio State." - NFC East scout on WR Tony Lippett. The skinny: Dantonio was the defensive coordinator at Ohio State from 2001-2003 and saw Gamble first-hand. Lippett's receiving production skyrocketed this season; he averaged 18.7 yards per catch with 11 touchdowns. The interesting wrinkle has come late in the season as Dantonio has asked Lippett to play on both sides of the ball for the first time since Lippett's freshman season. As a cornerback, Lippett was targeted eight times for just 13 yards and three passes defensed. Scouts are excited to watch Lippett play both receiver and cornerback at the Senior Bowl practices, but they still see him as a wide receiver in the NFL.) (12-10-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000441953/article/sources-tell-us-what-were-hearing-about-top-nfl-prospects
Lippett has made most of Senior year (11-20-14): http://www.mlive.com/spartans/index.ssf/2014/11/michigan_state_wr_tony_lippett_5.html
Week 11 Prospect Preview (One of the most improved players in the country, Lippett led the Spartans in receiving last season, but he has already surpassed his totals from last year with 42 catches for 889 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 111.1 receiving yards per game. His developed chemistry with Connor Cook has been evident and it's been tough to find weaknesses in Lippett's game this season. He uses his big, quick hands to locate, adjust and attack, plucking the ball and staying focused in contested situations. He has developed better patience in his routes to manipulate defenders and use his footwork to sell patterns and create room to work. Lippett's arrow as a NFL prospect is definitely pointing north.) (11-8-14): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24785870/nfl-draft-week-11-prospect-preview
Week 8 stock report (While Connor Cook has shown considerable improvement at the helm of Michigan State's offense, so has Lippett on the other end of so many of Cook's passes. He leads the Big Ten in receiving yards (786) and receiving scores (8) so far in 2014 and has recorded 100+ receiving yards in five of seven games this season, including a 123-yard effort Saturday against Indiana. Lippett put on a clinic catching the ball with his large, strong hands, using every inch of his wide catching radius to snare passes away from his body. He has improved his route running with excellent footwork in his breaks to sell patters, hold defenders and create room to work after the catch, including using a mean stiff arm. Lippett doesn't have game-breaking speed, but he is above average in several other categories, which will help him on draft weekend.) (10-20-14): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24761269/nfl-draft-week-8-stock-report
Evolution of Lippett (10-30-14): http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/110103/evolution-of-michigan-states-tony-lippett
Lippett appreciative of praise of Brady Hoke, says there's still room to improve (10-23-14): http://www.mlive.com/spartans/index.ssf/2014/10/michigan_state_tony_lippett_ap.html
Week 8 Stock Report (While Connor Cook has shown considerable improvement at the helm of Michigan State's offense, so has Lippett on the other end of so many of Cook's passes. He leads the Big Ten in receiving yards (786) and receiving scores (8) so far in 2014 and has recorded 100+ receiving yards in five of seven games this season, including a 123-yard effort Saturday against Indiana. Lippett put on a clinic catching the ball with his large, strong hands, using every inch of his wide catching radius to snare passes away from his body. He has improved his route running with excellent footwork in his breaks to sell patters, hold defenders and create room to work after the catch, including using a mean stiff arm. Lippett doesn't have game-breaking speed, but he is above average in several other categories, which will help him on draft weekend.) (10-8-14): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24761269/nfl-draft-week-8-stock-report
What we're hearing about top prospects (The scoop: An NFC scout said the improvement in Michigan State wide receiver Tony Lippett has been dramatic in less than a year's time. He said the redshirt senior carries himself differently and that he embraces the role of being a No. 1 wide receiver on a top team. The skinny: Lippett went long stretches without getting the ball in Saturday's loss to Oregon, but he never became discouraged and continued to block downfield. When the Spartans did go to him, he used his body well and showed good hands. Lippett, who has the third-most receiving yards (300) among FBS receivers, is tough to bring down after the catch, too. He deserves to be on the radar of NFL scouts.) (9-10-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000392526/article/sources-tell-us-what-were-hearing-about-nfl-prospects
Time at CB, QB helped Lippett become a top Big Ten WR (9-25-14): http://www.mlive.com/spartans/index.ssf/2014/09/time_at_cornerback_quarterback.html
Lippett has grown into go to WR (8-25-14): http://www.mlive.com/spartans/index.ssf/2014/08/michigan_state_senior_tony_lip.html
2015 NFL Draft: Michigan State Preview (The team leader in receptions a year ago, Lippett finished last season with 44 catches, 613 receiving yards and two scores and with Bennie Fowler no longer on the roster, the Detroit native is expected to be the top receiver for the Spartans. The Michigan State receiving crew lacked consistency last season, but Lippett has the talent to break through that negative suggestion.) (7-28-14): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24640106/nfl-draft-michigan-state-preview
Tyler Lockett:
Scouting Reports:
Kansas State Profile Page: http://www.kstatesports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/tyler_lockett_763638.html
NFL: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/tyler-lockett?id=2552430
CBS: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1860834/tyler-lockett
NFL Draft Scout: http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=109859&draftyear=2015&genpos=WR
Detroit Lions Draft: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2015/02/tyler-lockett-scouting-report/
Detroit Lions 2015 NFL draft prospect: Kansas State wide receiver Tyler Lockett: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/04/detroit_lions_2015_nfl_draft_p_14.html
Articles:
Which prospects are undervalued/overvalued? (Undervalued - 1. Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State: Just like last year's draft class, the 2015 group is loaded at the receiver spot. Lockett lacks ideal size at 5-foot-10, 182 pounds, but he's a pristine route runner with excellent hands. The K-State product is also a top-shelf kick returner, which adds even more value. Lockett's likely to get picked in the third round this week, but he will outperform several wideouts taken above him.) (4-29-15): http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/0ap3000000488658/article/nfl-draft-tyler-lockett-undervalued-bud-dupree-overvalued
Zierlein: 10 things to believe amid so much draft misinformation (10. The "little guys" make a move: Aaron Donald proved last season that size matters, but strength, leverage, talent and heart matter even more. Look for undersized Clemson nose tackle Grady Jarrett and Kansas State wide receiver Tyler Lockett to buck the traditional size concerns and go even earlier than current projections, as teams love their play demeanor and consistency of performance on the field.) (4-29-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000488910/article/ten-believable-things-amid-so-much-nfl-draft-misinformation
Zierlien: 2015 NFL Draft's safest prospects (Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State: In a draft considered to be deep at wide receiver, Lockett stands out as one of the surest bets in the draft. If there's one receiver universally loved across the board by NFL executives, scouts and coaches, it would be Lockett. Locket plays with a huge chip on his shoulder, which is the source of his ultra-competitive nature. He has legitimate 4.4 40 speed with short-area quickness that is tough to handle for most cornerbacks. He's been schooled on the nuances of the position by his father, who played the position at Kansas State and in the pros. Did I mention he's an outstanding return man, as well? Lockett is a safe pick who should bring great bang for the buck depending on where he is drafted.) (4-28-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000488373/article/brandon-scherff-amari-cooper-among-drafts-safest-prospects
Second round preview: Detroit Lions could add speed to offense in NFL draft (One of the leading candidates will be Kansas State's Tyler Lockett, who could play immediately at slot receiver. He also happens to be the best punt returner in this draft. Lockett averaged a prodigious 15.2 yards per punt return during his four-year career, plus another 28.5 yards per kick return. He took it to the house every 17.5 touches on special teams. He also caught 106 receptions for 1,515 yards and 11 more touchdowns. "Really productive in the role throughout his career and he's explosive," ESPN's Todd McShay said. "He's got really good vision, and just like most highly productive returners, he's fearless. He can make sharp cuts, he can accelerate off of his cuts. He's a legit 4.4 guy." Lockett should still be around well into the second round because of concerns over his size, which is 5-foot-10 and 182 pounds.) (4-28-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/04/detroit_lions_could_add_speed.html
NFL Draft All-sleeper Team (WR: Tyler Lockett, Kansas State. Forget that he's only 5-foot-10, 185 pounds. All Locket did in college was make plays, both as a receiver and as a return man. He's a quick-twitch athlete who makes precise cuts and can generate separation in a split second. He's elusive and explosive in the open field, and he was occasionally Kansas State's entire offense, catching 106 passes last year. He also finished his career with four return touchdowns. Draft him, and he'll find a way to get open and make defenders miss.) (4-23-15): http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/120082102/nfl-draft-2015-best-sleepers-tyler-lockett-josh-robinson-stefon-diggs
O'HARA'S DRAFT PREVIEW: Wide receivers and tight ends (WR Tyler Lockett, Kansas St.: Small package physically, giant-size production. As a junior in 2013 he led the Big 12 in receiving yards per game (105.2) and all-purpose yards (1,859) and set the school’s one-game record with 440 all-purpose yards vs. Texas. In 2014 he led the nation with an average of 19.0 yards per punt and was No. 1 in the conference with 112.6 receiving yards per game and 2,047 all-purpose yards.) (4-20-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARAS-DRAFT-PREVIEW-Wide-receivers-and-tight-ends/da38b7ca-348e-4e60-82d3-1914e8045b57
Most undervalued prospects (WR Tyler Lockett, Kansas State: The skinny: Analyst Daniel Jeremiah said it's easy to spot Lockett on tape: "He's the guy who's always open." This draft has a number of top-level receivers, Jeremiah said, which will cause Lockett to slide a bit; Jeremiah thinks he will be available in the second round. He would be good value there: "He's open on every single play," Jeremiah said.) (4-18-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000486246/article/jeremiah-steven-nelson-one-of-drafts-most-undervalued-players
Lockett's Visit With Lions Included Reviewing Film With Lombardi, Meeting With Marciano (4-17-15): http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/04/17/locketts-visit-with-lions-included-reviewing-film-with-lombardi-meeting-with-marciano/
Tyler Lockett best return man option in this draft class says ESPN analyst (4-17-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/04/tyler_lockett_best_return_man.html
Taxing to slow down these guys: Agholor leads draft's top returners (WR Tyler Lockett, Kansas State: Particulars: 5-10, 182; 4.40 in the 40 at the combine. The skinny: Lockett is the leading receiver in school history (receptions and receiving yardage), and his return ability is sort of icing on the cake. While Lockett lacks ideal size, he is quick and runs good routes. He led the nation in punt-return average last season (19.04 yards, with two TDs), and it was his first season in that role. Previously, Lockett had been a dangerous kick returner, with four TDs in that facet.) (4-15-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000485526/article/2015-nfl-draft-top-six-returnspecialist-prospects
Country's No. 1 punt returner, Tyler Lockett of Kansas State, takes pre-draft visit to Detroit Lions (4-15-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/04/detroit_lions_host_kansas_stat.html
Possible Lions draft targets 3.0 (Kansas State WR Tyler Lockett: So the Lions might not go receiver in the first round, but they could on Day 2. Lockett has the ability to be an effective slot receiver, should Detroit need him to be such.) (4-14-15): http://www.freep.com/picture-gallery/sports/nfl/lions/2015/04/14/possible-lions-draft-targets-30/25766415/
Looking at receiver prospects in 2015 draft for Lions (Tyler Lockett, Kansas State (5-10, 182):He is a slot receiver and return man who could be available in the third round. The issue for him is his size -- his build is one that won't work for an outside receiver -- so that could be an issue for a Lions team looking for versatility at many spots. He's the No. 11 receiver and No. 57 overall prospect but if he's there in the third round, he could be intriguing.) (4-13-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/16520/looking-at-receiver-prospects-in-the-2015-draft-for-the-lions?ex_cid=espnapi_public
Lions Will Host Kansas State Wide Receiver Tyler Lockett On Pre-Draft Visit Next Week (4-6-15): http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/04/07/lions-will-host-kansas-state-wide-receiver-tyler-lockett-on-pre-draft-visit-next-week/
Miami's Dorsett atop list of draft's top undersized wide receivers (2. Tyler Lockett, Kansas State: At 5-10, 182 pounds, Lockett is definitely on the small side, but he has plenty of experience playing against press coverage because opposing defenses tried to take advantage of his size at the line of scrimmage during his Kansas State career. That could be good and bad -- he has more experience than most releasing against press, but it also foretells where he could struggle in the NFL. The scouting word on Lockett is that he consistently gets open, and could be a mid-round steal. He caught 106 passes for 1,515 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior and is known to be a high-character guy as well. NFL fit: New York Jets. In Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall, the Jets have a couple veteran receivers they can play outside. Lockett could be a nice complement in the slot position, where he might have an easier time releasing downfield.) (4-6-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000483594/article/2015-nfl-draft-top-five-undersized-wide-receivers
Lockett Could Be Game-Changing Type Of Returner That Marciano Wants (4-2-15): http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/04/02/lockett-could-be-game-changing-type-of-returner-that-marciano-wants/
SI 64: Nos. 59-55: Duke Johnson, Phillip Dorsett, Tyler Lockett, more (55. Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State: Bio: Tyler Lockett followed in his father Kevin's footsteps to Kansas State in 2011 and promptly began chipping away at receiving records, held by his father, Jordy Nelson and anyone else who's caught passes for the Wildcats. Lockett really picked up steam in 2013 and '14, when he racked up a total of 187 receptions for 2,777 yards and 22 touchdowns in those two seasons. The 5'10", 182-pound speedster opened some eyes at the combine, and he's one of the more intriguing second-level receivers in this class. Strengths: Displays not only the speed you'd expect, but outstanding route definition—Lockett knows how to stick his foot in the ground and make a decisive cut. Shows top-end velocity no matter what—whether he's selling a deep route or looking for openings in zone pockets. Excels in slants, posts and any route where designed separation is a factor. Dynamite return man who can change a game when he gets into the open field. Great hands-catcher who can make plays along the boundary. In a general sense, if Lockett gets an opening, he's a threat to score a touchdown. Weaknesses: Lockett will probably be limited to the slot with occasional outside forays due to his size; he's not a physically dominant player by any means. Has trouble with contested catches at times. Tougher defenders can define his routes for him and more physical cornerbacks can make him disappear. Tends to balk in traffic and will need to address his ability to catch in crowds. May be negatively affected by a higher percentage of press coverage in the NFL. Occasional bouts with drops; concentration may be an issue. Conclusion: With the increasing number of starting slot receivers in the NFL. Lockett will get a lot of looks in the second day of the draft, because he's a very quick player who understands the subtleties of his position in ways that transfer well to the next level. However, he's going to have to become more physically imposing in several different ways before he'll be able to maximize his attributes against smarter, stronger and better defenders. He's a smart, hard-working player who can help as a receiver and returner, so the work is worth the time invested. Pro Comparison: Kenny Stills, Dolphins (Round 5, 2013).) (3-31-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/03/31/2015-nfl-draft-ranking-si-64-phillip-dorsett-tyler-lockett
Tyler Lockett's NFL draft stock enhanced by versatility - K-State receiver projected for second or third round (3-31-15): http://cjonline.com/sports/catzone/2015-03-26/tyler-locketts-nfl-draft-stock-enhanced-versatility
Catching Up with Tyler Lockett (3-30-15): http://www.kstatesports.com/blog/2015/03/catching-up-with-tyler-lockett.html
Bengals coach watches Tyler Lockett at Kansas State pro day (Wide receiver Tyler Lockett (5-foot-11, 181 pounds) stood on his combine numbers but put in a great workout. He's very fast with excellent quickness, and is also a talented kick returner. I believe he'll be a second-round pick.) (3-15-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000479113/article/bengals-coach-watches-tyler-lockett-at-kansas-state-pro-day
K-State’s Tyler Lockett wins Jet Award (Kansas State’s all-time leading receiver, Lockett led the nation with a 19.1-yard punt return average and ranked third nationally in all-purpose yards per game at 176.6. The Tulsa product led the Big 12 in punt returns, receiving yards and all-purpose yards and finished his career ranked second among all Wildcats in all-purpose yardage, trailing only Darren Sproles.) (3-15-15): http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/03/19/k-states-tyler-lockett-wins-jet-award-what-is-the-jet-award/
Jeremiah: Kansas State WR Tyler Lockett will be NFL draft steal (3-5-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000476647/article/jeremiah-kansas-state-wr-tyler-lockett-will-be-nfl-draft-steal
Top Combine performers at Lions' positions of need (Tyler Lockett, 5-10, 182, Kansas State: He ran a very strong 40 at 4.40 and was one of the more fluid route runners in drills. He was good at the Senior Bowl and now the Combine. Scouts love consistency.) (2-25-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Top-Combine-performers-at-Lions-positions-of-need/f2c56770-76b7-4c9f-a274-37439fed8d9c
Kevin White, Tyler Lockett sparkle at NFL combine (Made some money: Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State. The Wildcats all-time leading receiver erased any questions about his speed. His 4.4 was among the best receiver times, and he backed it up with a 4.07 in the 20-yard shuttle and 11.14 in the 60-yard shuttle. His playmaking during his four years spoke volumes about his talent and he just reiterated those skills with a stellar combine.) (2-23-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/big12/post/_/id/96502/white-lockett-sparkle-at-the-nfl-combine
Video - Lockett's Combine workout (2-23-15): http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-combine/0ap3000000478905/2015-Combine-workout-Tyler-Lockett
Kevin White shines, Devin Funchess struggles at NFL combine (Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State: The diminutive playmaker continues to check off all the boxes as a potential Day 2 pick. Lockett followed up a sensational week of work at the Senior Bowl with a terrific showing at the NFL Scouting Combine. He blazed the 40-yard dash in 4.40 seconds and displayed exceptional explosiveness in the rest of the athletic drills, notably leaping 35.5 inches in the vertical jump and just over 10 feet in the broad jump. Most importantly, Lockett showed outstanding savvy and poise running routes in the positional workout. He was one of the most polished route-runners in his group, exhibiting good balance, body control and burst getting out of breaks. In addition, he displayed excellent hands and ball skills reacting to passes thrown late and delivered slightly off the mark. With Lockett also possessing exceptional return skills to complement his natural receiving talents, the Kansas State product is poised to make a sudden move up the charts following his performance in Indianapolis.) (2-21-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000473193/article/kevin-white-shines-devin-funchess-struggles-at-nfl-combine
2015 Combine Preview: Wide receiver (Tyler Lockett: School: Kansas State, Ht/Wt: 5-9, 181 - Best trait: Football knowledge – His father, Kevin, played in the NFL and the younger Lockett certainly seemed to pick up a lot of the nuances of the game from his old man. He plays bigger than his size might indicate. He's a smart player who caught 106 passes for 1,515 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2014. Concern: Size – He's slightly built and could struggle in the NFL against physical cornerbacks with speed. The skinny: He could step into the NFL as a third or fourth receiver with the potential to be a game breaker on special teams. He averaged 19.1 yards per punt return in 2014 with two touchdowns.) (2-16-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/2015-Combine-Preview-Wide-receiver/6710afb0-21ea-42e5-828e-ad6f5d9027f9
Combine options wide open for Lions (Tyler Lockett, Kansas State: If the Lions want a speedy return threat, the 5-foot-9 Lockett could be a good option in the second or third round.) (2-15-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/02/15/combine-options-wide-open-lions/23475107/
Zierlein: 9 draft prospects who should ace combine interviews (Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State: From Zierlein's scouting report: His father was a standout wide receiver at Kansas State and played in the NFL. Intelligent player on field who has clearly learned from his father. ... Scouts say his personal character and football character are top-notch.) (2-13-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000470315/article/zierlein-nine-draft-prospects-who-should-ace-combine-interviews
Jamison Crowder among top undersized WRs in 2015 NFL Draft (Tyler Lockett, Kansas State: The particulars: 5-9 5/8, 181. The take: Lockett can be an elite kickoff and punt returner right out of the gate. Has a toughness to him. He was the No. 1 WR on a team that was very deliberate offensively, and every possession was a grind. Defenses knew Lockett was going to get the football a lot, and he still produced, even at his height. He played split out wide and in the slot at KSU. He's a good route runner and is explosive. Lockett competes really well for the ball downfield and has excellent hands. He comes from great bloodlines, too, as his father and uncle were both big-time players for the Wildcats.) (2-5-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000468283/article/jamison-crowder-among-top-undersized-wrs-in-2015-nfl-draft
Lions NFL combine preview: Wide receivers (Tyler Lockett, Kansas State (5-11, 175): The No. 14 receiver and No. 85 overall prospect by ESPN is explosive. He had 1,351 receiving yards in 2014 and nine touchdowns. He has return skills, too, averaging 21.2 yards per kick return and 19 yards per punt return this season -- including two touchdowns.) (2-9-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/15170/lions-nfl-combine-preview-wide-receivers
Senior Bowl Review: Offense (Tyler Lockett, Kansas State - Lockett caught everything this week. He did not catch everything this year, especially against Auburn. He is another small who plays big, even potentially on the outside in two receiver sets.) (1-28-15): http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/51877/351/senior-bowl-review-offense
Senior Bowl Rules Of Thumb (To Tyler Lockett. Kansas State’s wideout was already firmly in my top 60 prospects, but most folks tabbed him a round or two lower because he’s smallish and his small hands force him to frequently use his body to secure the catch. I’ve argued his incredible quickness and polished experience in making those types of catches trumps the concerns. A lot more people are seeing Lockett in a different light after an outstanding Senior Bowl week. He ran a route so viciously on Tuesday he actually injured Kansas CB Jacorey Shepherd with his freakish agility. Factor in Lockett’s prodigious production as a return man for the Wildcats and you’ve got an ascending player who could realistically come off the board in the late second round.) (1-25-15): http://football.realgm.com/analysis/2592/Senior-Bowl-Rules-Of-Thumb
Recapping the best and worst of Senior Bowl week (Lockett made the All Senior Bowl Team. There was a plenty to choose from at receiver this week. Dorsett and Lockett consistently stood out from my vantage point. The 5-foot-9 Lockett is extremely polished and ready to step in as a playmaker, likely in a variety of ways.) (1-24-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/01/24/senior-bowl-recap
2015 Senior Bowl Scouting: inside the XOS film room with Josh Norris (A player I was too low on entering the event was Kansas State’s Tyler Lockett. He’s a fast, quick-footed and well-nuanced receiver that understands how to create consistent separation with his routes, but the concern going into the event was Lockett’s inability to catch the ball away from his frame. Cutting down on the drops this week and tracking downfield throws without issue, I was glad to see Lockett perform at such a high level. He’s a technician with obvious quickness and obvious limitations from a size perspective, but someone that an NFL team will want in their passing game.) (1-23-15): http://optimumscouting.com/draft/2015-senior-bowl-scouting-inside-xos-film-room-josh-norris.html
Senior Bowl Day 2: Speedy Lockett gets noticed; line talent stands out (Even though he's in full South team uniform and carrying his Kansas State helmet, it can take a couple minutes to find Tyler Lockett on the field after practice. The 5-foot-9 receiver is easily hidden amongst the towering linemen and receivers holding court with reporters, scouts and prospective agents. Wednesday's action was another story, as Lockett made himself omnipresent in passing drills. His most eye-popping highlights came during one-on-one matchups between the South's receivers and cornerbacks. Lockett first snagged a pass off a sharp in route, then beat separate defenders -- intriguing Northwestern State prospect Imoan Claiborne and ex-Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall -- for two straight deep touchdowns. Lockett used a nifty stop-and-go move to blow past Marshall (as he probably should, given Marshall's recent transition back to the secondary). His grab against Claiborne was even better. Claiborne ran stride for stride with Lockett up the sideline for about 30 yards, hand-fighting all the way, but Lockett cleared a tiny pocket of space for himself just in time to make the grab. The size discussion will follow Lockett (5-9, 181 lbs.) up through the draft. He's proving in Mobile, though, that his 249 career catches and more than 6,500 total yards as a receiver/returner were legit. "I describe my game as just real fundamental. Very technique sound," Lockett said, with a Baltimore Ravens scout standing by to chat him up. "I'm not really a flashy guy. The biggest thing is I'm all technique sound, I'm a great route-runner, working to get off the ball better. The Jaguars' coaching staff, which is in charge of Team South this week, will feature Lockett in a variety of ways, if practices are any indication. On top of lining him up out wide and in the slot, the South has worked on an end-around for Lockett. He also brought home the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year award in 2014, so Lockett could drop back to field a kick or punt on Saturday. "If [teams see me] a third-down guy," Lockett said, "I'm going to be a third-down guy; an option guy, I'm going to be an option guy; if I'm a deep threat, I'm going to be a deep threat. "I want to be able to be versatile in every situation." Lockett's father, Kevin, set several Kansas State receiving records -- many later broken either by Tyler or Kevin's brother, Aaron. Kevin Lockett was a Round 2 pick of Kansas City in 1997, en route to 233 career catches split over four teams. Tyler Lockett, though three inches shorter, could reset the family standards yet again if what we've seen from him is any indication.) (1-22-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/01/21/senior-bowl-day-2-notebook-tyler-lockett-lael-collins
Tyler Lockett thriving against bigger cornerbacks at Senior Bowl (1-22-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000462300/article/tyler-lockett-thriving-against-bigger-cornerbacks-at-senior-bowl
Senior Bowl: Buzz-worthy, buzz-kill players from Day 1 (Kansas State WR Tyler Lockett and Duke WR Jamison Crowder: Lockett and Crowder could carve out key roles in the NFL as dynamic return specialist/slot receivers. Each displays the speed, quickness and burst that coaches covet as multi-purpose playmakers, yet they have the potential to run routes and make contributions as WR3's early in their careers. Watching Lockett run routes at the South practice, I was impressed with his stop-start quickness and burst getting out of his breaks. He has a knack for setting defenders up with a little wiggle at the top of routes, and his strong hands stood out when he plucked the ball effortlessly out of the air in drills.) (1-20-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000461370/article/senior-bowl-buzzworthy-buzzkill-players-from-day-1
Senior Bowl: Pauline's Day 1 Risers (Tyler Lockett/WR/Kansas State – Speed was not an issue for Lockett as he lived up to expectations and outraced opponents all day. What stood out was the way Lockett went over the middle and snatched the ball from the air in the middle of traffic. His pass-catching fundamentals, which had been a problem in the past, were top notch today as he played bigger than his just-under-5-foot-10 frame.) (1-20-15): http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/article-1/Senior-Bowl-Paulines-Day-1-Risers/8ca339eb-e851-4b82-9e65-de2eead6d34c
Senior Bowl Notebook: Weigh-In And Tuesday Practices (Kansas State WR Tyler Lockett--a personal favorite--measured shorter and lighter than expected at just 5’9.5” and 181. His hands are also small, and body-catching is a legit knock on him which reared its ugly head in South practice too. Yet he’s absolutely electric off the line, easily the best route runner on either squad. There is no wasted movement and he’s incredibly slippery to try and jam.) (1-20-15): http://football.realgm.com/analysis/2589/Senior-Bowl-Notebook-Weigh-In-And-Tuesday-Practices
K-State’s Tyler Lockett wants his production to do the talking at Senior Bowl (1-20-15): http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article7844136.html
Senior Bowl: Pauline's 20 To Watch (Marcus Hardison/DL/Arizona State – The junior college transfer has slowly developed into a complete player. He possesses the measurables to line-up in a variety of defensive systems but is he NFL ready? Is he someone who can see action as a rookie on Sundays? And if not, will Hardison be stamped as a career back-up?) (1-19-15): http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/article-1/Senior-Bowl-Paulines-20-To-Watch/aaef3e25-9c9b-4850-89e1-6ba8aa98f2f1
2015 Senior Bowl: North Offense Scouting Preview (Tyler Lockett, Kansas State: As a package-specific receiver, Lockett can make it in the NFL with his combination of quick feet and patient technique as a route runner. He does a great job of breaking down defensive backs with his footwork and attacking leverage to create separation. In addition to excelling as a route runner, he’s dynamic as a returner. Concerns with Lockett center around his diminutive frame and inconsistent hands, as both combine to present passers a small margin for error when it comes to ball placement. Because he understands how to get open and can contribute on special teams, Lockett will be a sure-fire day three draft selection.) (1-17-15): http://optimumscouting.com/draft/2015-senior-bowl-north-offense-scouting-preview.html
All Tyler Lockett does is get open -- and he'll do it at the next level, too (1-16-15): http://www.foxsports.com/kansas-city/story/all-tyler-lockett-does-is-get-open-and-he-ll-get-open-at-the-next-level-too-011615
UCLA's Brett Hundley closes career with Alamo Bowl win (Waters' favorite target was the shifty Tyler Lockett, who was arguably the best player on the field Friday. He did it all on offense, posting 13 catches for 164 yards and two touchdowns, and also had several long returns on special teams. He consistently got behind the UCLA defense using his speed and was devastating on crossing patterns. Lockett will leave the Little Apple holding virtually every K-State receiving record and heads to the NFL as one of the most productive members of this year's draft class at wide receiver.) (1-2-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000453216/article/uclas-brett-hundley-closes-career-with-alamo-bowl-win
Big 12 prospects with most on the line in bowl games (8. Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State: Bowl game: Alamo vs. UCLA, Jan. 2. Analysis: Lockett, who recently made CFB 24/7's All-American Team as a return specialist, has set just about every Wildcats receiving record, and he undoubtedly wants to end his college career on a high note against the Bruins. If he can get behind a quality secondary and continue to look good on special teams, Lockett's stock will continue to rise.) (12-19-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000445950/article/big-12-prospects-with-most-on-the-line-in-bowl-games
2015 NFL Draft Stock Report: Zack Hodges, Tevin Coleman moving up (WR Tyler Lockett, Kansas State, SR: Over his past two games, Lockett has posted 196 receiving yards – not combined, but 196 receiving yards in each contest. Against West Virginia last Thursday, he finished with 10 catches for 196 yards and although the Mountaineers kept him out of the end zone as a pass-catcher, Lockett returned a punt 43-yards for the score. Kansas State's all-time leading receiver, Lockett has the frame that will turn off NFL teams, but his production, quickness and savvy ability to create before and after the catch remind some of Indianapolis Colts WR T.Y. Hilton. Locket has the athleticism and toughness for the NFL, but he's also an above average route runner, showing subtle movements to set up defenders and get open.) (11-25-14): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24839573/nfl-draft-stock-report-indianas-tevin-coleman-moves-up
NFP Prospect Focus: Tyler Lockett and La'el Collins (Tyler Lockett – Wide Receiver – Kansas State: Lockett is a fourth-year senior and a three-year starter for Kansas State. His father is Kevin Lockett, who was the all-time leading receiver in Kansas State history until Tyler broke his record this season. Kevin also enjoyed a seven-year career in the NFL. Through Thursday night’s game, Tyler has 70 receptions for 1,074 yards and six touchdowns this season. For his career, Lockett has caught 213 passes for 3,269 yards and 24 touchdowns. He has also been an accomplished punt and kickoff returner during his career. In four seasons, Lockett has averaged better than 29 yards on kickoff returns and scored four touchdowns. On punt returns his career average is 14.1 yards per return with two scores. Lockett isn’t a big guy, being listed at 5011 – 175, but he has good length and seems to have the frame to carry at least 185 pounds. He is a very good athlete with speed, a burst, change of direction and body control. While he is not a true burner, Lockett is fast enough with an estimated 4.47 speed. Lockett has notched 213 receptions through 44 collegiate games. Lockett is very polished as a receiver. He runs excellent routes and can consistently uncover against both man and zone coverages. He has very good initial quickness and can get to full speed in a hurry. In addition, Lockett can set up a defender with moves and shows excellent ability to gain separation coming out of cuts. He is productive as both a deep and short receiver and isn’t shy about competing for balls in traffic. After the catch, Lockett is a very good runner with top run instincts. While he has very good hands, Lockett can have some concentration drops and that is frustrating. Still, he makes a number of acrobatic-type catches. As a returner, he tracks the ball well and again shows his top run instincts. Lockett can consistently make the first man miss and get upfield. Overall, Lockett is an interesting prospect. He doesn’t have the size that clubs are now looking for at the position, but he is too good and productive to overlook. I see him more as a slot receiver and a returner at the NFL level. He can play outside but needs to get a little bigger and stronger. Ten years ago, he may have been a lock to be a first-round type, but with his size, that may no longer be the case. Still, Lockett has the talent and skill set to play early in his career and I doubt he gets out of the second round.) (11-22-14): http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/nfp-prospect-focus-tyler-lockett-and-lael-collins/
Tyler Lockett outduels Kevin White as Kansas State tops WVU (The speedy Lockett continued to rewrite school record books by posting a 10-catch, 196-yard night through the air in which he routinely found himself open against the West Virginia secondary. He also showed why he will be high on NFL draft boards when the spring comes around by returning a punt 43 yards for a touchdown just before halftime.) (11-20-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000431654/article/tyler-lockett-outduels-kevin-white-as-kansas-state-beats-wvu
2015 NFL Draft: Tyler Lockett's 321 all-purpose yards spark Kansas St. (With his father, former KSU star Kevin Lockett watching proudly from the stands, Tyler hauled in 10 passes for 196 yards, as well as returning three kickoffs for 59 yards and two punts for 66 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown.) (11-20-14): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24824562/nfl-draft-tyler-locketts-321-all-purpose-yards-spark-kansas-st-win
K-State’s Tyler Lockett breaks father’s receiving record (Perhaps the lone positive for Kansas State on Saturday was the record-setting play of senior receiver Tyler Lockett. Lockett caught 11 passes for 196 yards and one touchdown. A good night to be sure, but what made it special was that it shot him to the top of K-State’s record book. He is now leads the program in receiving yards with 3,073, passing his father, Kevin. “I thank God for putting me in this position and giving me the opportunity to even be up there as one of the great K-State receivers,” Lockett said. “I never thought I would be in a position to even get close to my dad’s record, and now look at it, I surpassed it.” Lockett said he expected his father to congratulate him for the achievement. “My dad says if anyone is going to break it he wants his son to break it,” Lockett said. Lockett couldn’t truly celebrate the record, though, because K-State lost. “It would have been a lot better had we won the game,” Lockett said. “I am all about team.”) (11-9-14): http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article3673972.html
Kansas State beats Texas behind Jake Waters, strong defense (Receiver Tyler Lockett, a possible second-day pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, topped the 100-yard mark through the air once again and was elusive anytime he touched the ball.) (10-25-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000416906/article/kansas-state-beats-texas-behind-jake-waters-strong-defense
Miscues doom Oklahoma in upset loss to Kansas State (Water's favorite target was, not surprisingly, Tyler Lockett, a potential early round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. He caught six balls for 86 yards and had one nifty touchdown in the second quarter in the back of the end zone. Considering he was going against one of the Big 12's best cornerbacks, Zack Sanchez, and frequently was double-covered, it was an impressive outing for Lockett.) (10-18-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000412604/article/miscues-doom-oklahoma-in-upset-loss-to-kansas-state
Bucky's Best: Top CFB matchups to watch in Week 8 (Lockett, the nation's most explosive punt returner, is also a polished receiver with a game ideally suited for the next level. Although Lockett's numbers are down from last season, he remains the Wildcats' most dynamic offensive weapon and he could be the focal point of the game plan against a Sooners defense that typically sells out to stop the run. With plenty of chances to win on the perimeter against one-on-one coverage, Lockett could enhance his value as a potential No.3 receiver/return specialist with a big game against Oklahoma.) (10-17-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000412390/article/buckys-best-top-cfb-matchups-to-watch-in-week-8
Prospect Watch: Tyler Lockett drawing comparisons to Devin Hester (10-17-14): http://www.si.com/nfl/2014/10/17/2015-nfl-draft-prospect-watch-tyler-lockett-tevin-coleman
Seventeen things you need to know from Week 5 in CFB (Behold, the Lockett Rocket. Kansas State star receiver Tyler Lockett piled up 246 all-purpose yards -- 84 receiving and 162 in the return game -- to lead a 58-28 win over UTEP. The highlight: a 58-yard punt return for a touchdown.) (9-28-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000401262/article/seventeen-things-you-need-to-know-from-week-5-in-cfb
2015 NFL Draft: Week Four Stock Report (WR Tyler Lockett, SR, Kansas State: It will be a long time before Kansas State players and fans forget the loss last Thursday as the Wildcats came close to knocking off top-10 ranked Auburn, but missed opportunities left them short. Three missed field goals and three turnovers were the difference, but it was a first quarter interception that was especially heartbreaking for the KSU faithful because it should have been seven points. On 2nd-and-goal from Auburn's one-yard line, quarterback Jake Waters delivered a quick strike through the linebacker level to an open Locket, who was running an inside route from the slot. It was a sure touchdown, but the ball bounced off his hands as he tried to trap it against his body and bounced into the defenders' grasp for the turnover and touchback. Lockett had a few other drops in the game, which has been a pattern over his career with his smaller hands and tendency to run before securing the ball. He runs like the wind with the lighting quick feet to create separation and create, but a small catching radius and history of drops is not a good combination for a target of his size.) (9-23-14): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24721530/nfl-draft-week-four-stock-report
Week Four: Risers & Sliders (Tyler Lockett/WR-RS/Kansas State: There’s a wide variety of opinion on Lockett’s next level ability but his performance against Auburn had detractors saying “I told you so.” The speedy wide out dropped two passes in the first quarter of his teams loss to the Tigers, including one which slipped through his hands in the end zone. Dropped passes and poor pass catching technique is nothing new for Lockett. On film he’s body catcher who seemingly needs to grasp the ball against his frame to secure the reception. This leads to drops, double catches and a lot of missed opportunity. He’s the type of player who’ll wow coaches with big plays from the line of scrimmage or long kick returns then at the same time break hearts with his inability to cleanly catch the ball.) (9-22-14): http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=10031
Auburn locks down Kansas State WR Tyler Lockett in 20-14 win (Lockett didn't have a catch in the second half until KSU quarterback Jake Waters found him for a short gain with 5:50 remaining. By that time, the Tigers had the game all but put away with a 20-7 lead. He now has just 190 receiving yards for the year in three games, well under the pace he set as a junior last season.) (9-19-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000397007/article/auburn-locks-down-kansas-state-wr-tyler-lockett-in-2014-win
Auburn QB Nick Marshall ideally suited to play safety in NFL (There is always a spot in the NFL for a dynamic returner with big play ability. Thus, Tyler Lockett will certainly create a buzz in war rooms around the league after putting on a spectacular showing on special teams against Auburn. The 5-11, 175-pound senior averaged 23.7 yards per return on three attempts against the Tigers, displaying exceptional speed, quickness and burst in the open field. While NFL scouts will question his size and durability based on his slender frame, Lockett shows enough toughness as a returner to silence the skeptics concerned about his ability to survive and thrive in the league as a specialist. As far as his chances of cracking a lineup as a wide receiver, I believe he's a natural fit as a No. 3 wide receiver at the next level. He is a polished route runner with a knack for getting open on short and intermediate routes against "off" coverage. He needs to continue to work on winning against rugged defenders using physical tactics at the line, but he's slippery and flashes enough quickness to separate from defenders out of breaks. Given the importance of having two-way players at the bottom of the roster, Lockett's ability to contribute as a returner/receiver could make him an intriguing prospect to watch leading up to the draft.)(9-19-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000397078/article/auburn-qb-nick-marshall-ideally-suited-to-play-safety-in-nfl
Five prospects with much on the line in Week 4 of CFB (Kansas State WR Tyler Lockett vs. Auburn: Lockett is overlooked sometimes -- he's an undersized wide receiver who also happens to be about as good of a kick returner as there is in the country. He has a chance to make waves with a big Thursday night against the defending SEC champs, though. He'll surprise you with how many big plays he makes as a wide receiver, but his numbers often don't jump off the page because he plays in the Wildcats' ball-control offense. A huge game against Auburn, a top-five team that played for a national title last season, could give him a big boost.) (9-18-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000396662/article/five-prospects-with-much-on-the-line-in-week-4-of-cfb
Nineteen things you need to know from Week 2 CFB action (Tyler Lockett has been unlocked. So how did FCS lightweight Stephen F. Austin hold one of the top wide receiver prospects in the country, Kansas State's Tyler Lockett, to one catch last week? Don't ask the Cyclones. After a forgettable nine yards against SFA, Lockett exploded in a 32-28 win over Iowa State Saturday for six catches and 136 yards.) (9-7-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000390011/article/nineteen-things-you-need-to-know-from-week-2-cfb-action
CFB's most underappreciated offensive difference-makers (Kansas State WR Tyler Lockett: It seems we hear so much about Lockett being undersized -- he's listed at 5-foot-11, 175 pounds. Well, it hasn't stopped him from becoming one of the best receivers in college football. When the Wildcats need a big play, Lockett is the guy they look to. He can change the course of a game on special teams as a returner, too. Kansas State's offense isn't one you would call overly dynamic. Lockett gives it the dose of explosiveness it needs.) (8-14-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000377851/article/cfbs-most-underappreciated-offensive-differencemakers
2015 NFL Draft: Kansas State Preview (WR Tyler Lockett, Senior: Arguably the top wideout in the conference, Lockett doesn't look like much, but he runs like the wind with sudden footwork in his breaks to create separation before, during and after the catch. He is a smaller target with a limited overall catching radius and smaller hands that will lead to double catches and him fighting the ball at times. However, Lockett is very dangerous in space, using his quick, decisive feet to sell routes and speed to stretch the field and take the top off a defense. He runs a lot of vertical and deep routes on tape, including a deadly stop-and-go move – just ask former TCU corner Jason Verrett, a first round pick last month. Lockett finished top-three in just about every Big 12 receiving statistic last season with 81 catches for 1,262 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns and will likely compete with Baylor's Antwan Goodley for the distinction of the conferences' top wideout in 2014. He doesn't have ideal size for the NFL level, but will compete to be a top-five senior wide receiver in the 2015 class.)(6-3-14): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24579633/nfl-draft-kansas-state-preview
K-State's Tyler Lockett has 3 TDs in Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl (Kansas State junior wide receiver Tyler Lockett had his third three-touchdown game of the season, helping the Wildcats rout Michigan, 31-14, in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl. Lockett had 10 catches for 116 yards and the three scores; he had two TD catches in the first quarter and one in the second against a shaky Michigan secondary. It was his seventh 100-yard game of the season. Lockett finished the season with 11 touchdown receptions, and nine of those came in three games -- he also had three TD catches against West Virginia and Oklahoma. Lockett (5-foot-11, 175 pounds) also finishes with 81 total receptions this season, second-most in Kansas State history to the 122 by current Green Bay Packers star Jordy Nelson in 2007. Lockett's big game helped K-State (8-5) win for the sixth time in its final seven games, and it also should put him in the upper tier of receivers nationally for the 2014 season. Lockett doubles as a dangerous return man and should be one of the most important offensive players in the Big 12 next season.) (12-29-13): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000305003/article/tyler-lockett-catches-3-td-passes-as-kstate-rolls-past-michigan
WR Tre McBride:
Scouting Reports:
William and Mary profile page: http://www.tribeathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205092344
NFL: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/tre-mcbride?id=2552428
CBS: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1825510/tre-mcbride
NFL Draft Scout: http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=65830&draftyear=2015&genpos=WR
Articles:
Unsung draft prospects lead All-Underrated Team (Wide Receiver: Tre McBride, William & Mary: McBride will be driven down to the middle rounds by the small-school bias and the fact that this receiver class is so deep, but the tape shows that he's got legit NFL-level talent. He's solidly built with decent speed and a lot of toughness after the catch. And he's a great return man, which gives him an advantage when his NFL team looks to get to final cuts and special-teamers are given more value.) (4-28-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/04/28/2015-NFL-draft-underrated-prospects-garrett-grayson-david-johnson
2015 NFL Draft: WR Tre McBride among 2015 Firstborn Favorites (Early Rounds (Top-100 picks) - Tre McBride, William & Mary (6-0, 210, 4.41) -- Last summer when I started to study the upcoming senior class, I turned on William & Mary tape, not expecting much. Wrong. McBride immediately jumped off the screen and looked like a Pierre Garcon clone from his days at Mount Union. I've been singing McBride's praises ever since.) (4-24-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25161990/nfl-draft-wr-tre-mcbride-among-2015-firstborn-favorites
The best draft backup plans once top prospects thin (Parker's dominance in the air is arguably the most impressive aspect of his game, and McBride follows suit. Despite standing just six feet tall, two inches shorter than Parker, McBride displays an uncanny ability to adjust to the football in the air—his 64-catch senior year is dotted with incredible highlight-reel plays. He's also intelligent enough to find openings in the defense, then pick up yards after the catch. McBride offers bonus value as a return man. He was the CAA Special Teams Player of the Year in 2013 and compiled more than 1,200 yards on kick returns during his career.) (4-22-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/04/22/2015-nfl-draft-sleepers-leonard-williams-bobby-richardson-tre-mcbride
2015 draft positional overviews: WRs, TEs (Top small-school prospect: William & Mary's Tre McBride. McBride was a three-year starter for the Tribe, a FCS program, finishing his career with 196 receptions for 2,753 yards and 19 touchdowns. McBride (6-0, 210) has good size and speed (4.41 in the 40 at the combine, with a tremendous unofficial 10-yard split of 1.51 seconds). He tracks the ball well and moves easily in and out of cuts. He potentially could play outside or in the slot; his size would be interesting when used in the slot. McBride (his given name is Douglas McArthur McBride III) seems a lock to be the first William & Mary wide receiver drafted since 1973, when David Knight was an 11th-round pick by the New York Jets.) (4-21-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000486838/article/2015-nfl-draft-positional-overviews-wide-receivers-tight-ends
Lions host William and Mary wide receiver Tre McBride (4-17-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Lions-host-William--Mary-wide-receiver-Tre-McBride/a1a5768c-178a-4bde-be14-28702692c99a
Video - Pre-draft visit: WR Tre McBride (4-17-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Pre-draft-visit-WR-Tre-McBride/64aab81d-573e-445f-9574-1a949055ab0f
NFL draft positional rankings: Wide receivers a banner group once more ( Small-school wonder - Tre McBride, William & Mary: He’s an interesting study. Turn on the Villanova tape and, wow — it’s all on display. The 6-0, 210-pound, smooth-running flanker bursts out of his stance and breaks and has big-play ability in the air. The game is not too big for him, and McBride could have a chip on his shoulder, but he also could use some coaching to iron out the finer points of playing wideout in the league. But his special-teams value and explosive talent should get him drafted in the third or fourth rounds.) (4-17-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/nfl-draft-positional-rankings--wide-receivers-a-banner-group-once-more-190245745.html
Receivers Tre McBride, Keith Mumphery meet with Broncos (4-16-15): http://blogs.denverpost.com/broncos/2015/04/16/broncos-meet-with-receivers-tre-mcbride-keith-mumphery/33594/
2015 NFL Draft: Rang's Diamonds in the Rough (Tre McBride, William and Mary, 6-0, 210, 4.41: It isn't often that a "small school" receiver ranks as one of the more polished pass-catchers in his class but McBride's pro-ready build, body control and hand-eye coordination project very well to the next level. McBride didn't receive a great deal of attention from FBS schools out of high school after playing running back but dominated the lower level of competition throughout his time at William & Mary and was the best player this year at the East-West Shrine Game. Considering the switch from running back, McBride shows surprising vision and body control as a receiver, consistently winning contested passes because of his ability to track and high-point the ball. McBride isn't as explosive as his 40-yard time would suggest but he's a legitimate top-100 candidate who could surprise with a relatively smooth transition to the NFL.) (4-13-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25147084/nfl-draft-rangs-diamonds-in-the-rough
Tre McBride draws 18 NFL teams at William and Mary pro day (McBride (6-0 3/8, 206 pounds) is a wide receiver who's probably going to surprise a lot of people who aren't draftniks. The fact that 18 teams were there to see him gives you a good hint of his abilities, and he's also had separate workouts with six teams. At his pro day, McBride had a good workout and stood on his impressive combine numbers, including a 4.39 40-yard dash, a 38-inch vertical, a 6.96 3-cone drill, and a 4.08 short shuttle.) (4-4-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000483519/article/tre-mcbride-draws-18-nfl-teams-at-william-and-mary-pro-day
The biggest question surrounding William & Mary WR Tre McBride, according to ESPN's Kevin Weidl, is "if he can become more consistent with his approach to the game" in order to reach his potential. (The analyst believes McBride is right on the Day 2/Day 3 line right now. The 6-foot, 205-pounder drew rave reviews throughout Senior Bowl week from the scouting community. NFL Media draft analyst Lance Zierlein compares the William & Mary star's skill-set to Patriots' WR Brandon LaFell. McBride, who posted 64 receptions for 809 yards and four touchdowns last season, ran a 4.41 forty at the combine and "looked outstanding catching the ball with smooth routes and above average body control," CBS Sports' Dane Brugler noted, adding that McBride is a "Pierre Garcon-like player" who "has the tape that could land him in the top-100 and his combine performance won't hurt that prediction.") (3-21-15): http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=CFB&id=133387&line=40717&spln=1
2015 NFL Combine: Kevin White's 4.35 40 time and more WR notes (William and Mary WR Tre McBride really impressed me over the summer based on his junior tape and then he followed it up with a strong senior season and is continuing that momentum here in Indianapolis. He ran an unofficial 4.41 in the 40-yard dash and looked outstanding catching the ball with smooth routes and above average body control. McBride gathers himself so effortlessly in his route breaks, showing off natural hands and overall receiver traits. A Pierre Garcon-like player, McBride has the tape that could land him in the top-100 and his combine performance won't hurt that prediction.) (2-21-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25076639/nfl-combine-kevin-whites-435-40-time-and-more-wr-notes
NFP Prospect Focus: Tre McBride – WR – William and Mary (2-18-15): http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/nfp-prospect-focus-tre-mcbride-wr-william-and-mary/
7 sleepers who could break out at NFL scouting combine (Tre McBride, WR, William and Mary - McBride’s impressive performance in the Shrine Bowl earned him a few closer looks, and it’s easy to see what many like about him. The 6-2, 205-pound target would be an asset to any quarterback with his ability to win jump balls. If McBride shows above-average speed and quickness at the combine, he could shoot up draft boards.) (2-17-15): http://sportswire.usatoday.com/2015/02/17/nfl-combine-draft-sleepers/
These smaller-school players have the most to prove at 2015 NFL combine (WR Tre McBride, William and Mary: With an impressive performance in the receiver drills, McBride could vault himself further into the conversation at his position among a very talented but undefined group. He's got the size (6'1", 205 pounds), speed, agility and numbers (118 receptions for 1,698 yards and 15 touchdowns over his last two seasons) to be special in the right offense at the next level. McBride is an excellent return man with impressive ability to get vertical on contested catches.) (2-16-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/02/16/nfl-combine-small-school-players-shane-carden-david-johnson-lynden-trail
In the FCS Huddle: Chance to turn some heads (Douglas "Tre" McBride, WR, William & Mary, 6-1, 205: Terrific athlete who works hard on his technique to offset lack of size and blazing speed ... Breaks well and attacks the ball with a smooth, polished style ... Best season was as a sophomore (55 receptions, 897 yards, 10 touchdowns), although he had over 50 receptions and 800-plus yards in each of his final three seasons ... Was the CAA special teams player of the year in 2013 and racked up 1,294 kickoff return yards in his William & Mary career ... Has fared well against FBS competition and played in the East-West Shrine Game ... Josh Buchanan's draft evaluation: sixth round.) (2-16-15): http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2015/02/02/slovakia-international-nemec-joins-nycfc/
Zierlein: 5 game-film stars to watch closely at the NFL combine (Tre McBride, WR, William & Mary: I started tape work on McBride in early January in preparation for the East-West Shrine Game and I was blown away by the acrobatic catches he was making on his 2013 tape. I couldn't wait to get from target to target because McBride's body control and concentration was on display so frequently. He had a solid week at Shrine practices and needs to build on that with a serviceable 40-yard dash at the combine, as his play speed and ability to get separation on the NFL level is in question. Watch these McBride highlights and thank me later.) (2-12-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000470260/article/zierlein-five-gamefilm-favorites-to-watch-closely-at-combine
2015 East-West Shrine Game Recap (Two receivers were playing well, but the struggles of the quarterbacks really hurt how much they could standout on Saturday. One of the stars of the week was William & Mary wide receiver Tre' McBride. In the game, McBride had a nice catch to move the chains. He was running routes well with quickness to get open but the quarterbacks weren't delivering the ball.) (1-18-15): http://walterfootball.com/eastwest2015recap.php
Rules Of Thumb From The Shrine Game (Thumbs Up - To Tre McBride. The wide receiver from William & Mary was somewhat of an unknown commodity heading to St. Pete. While the CAA is highly respected, it’s still FCS-level. There was a question if the prolific receiver could step up and hang with the higher level of competition. Mission accomplished. McBride wasn’t perfect in the East practices. He’s not a great leaper and lacks elite burst off the line. Yet no other receiver on either roster was better at creating space for himself with crisp feet, savvy set-up of moves and changing of speeds to make his top gear appear faster. He looks like a 4th round pick.) (1-18-15): http://football.realgm.com/analysis/2587/Rules-Of-Thumb-From-The-Shrine-Game
Ten things to watch in the 90th East-West Shrine Game (6. East wide receiver Tre’ McBride, William & Mary (No. 3): One could easily argue that the 6-1, 205-pound McBride not only looked like the most talented receiver during week, but also the most polished. That is an amazing accolade for an FCS player. His speed and precise footwork were noteworthy. He showed the most consistency in separating from man coverage and catching the ball. Smaller, quick receivers in all-star practices often can separate and catch early in the week as corners give them lots of space during coverage drills. As the days go by, those DBs inevitably become more aggressive and physical in their coverage, and a lot of receivers wilt like lettuce under a heat lamp. McBride continued to create separation and finish plays. This bodes well for him as he tries to make it to the next level, and he should have a big game Saturday if his quarterbacks can get him the ball.) (1-17-15): http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2015-01-16/nfl-draft-90th-east-west-shrine-game-practice-john-crockett-justin-coleman-damian-swann
2015 NFL Draft: Smith, Chickillo, Shaw flash at East-West Shrine Game ('Tre McBride, WR, William and Mary (6-1, 205): McBride generated some buzz this week with his performance in practices and showed impressive fluidity as a route-runner in this game. He showed good balance and burst outside to generate separation, as well as enough suddenness to sneak past corners on double-moves. McBride caught a few passes, showing good hands, but was unable to keep a shorter corner from slapping the ball away late in the game.) (1-17-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24971103/nfl-draft-smith-chickillo-shaw-flash-at-east-west-shrine-game
2015 Shrine Game: Five prospects who created buzz among NFL scouts (WR Tre McBride, William & Mary (6-1, 205) - Entering the week, McBride was my highest-rated Shrine Game prospect and after a full week of practice, that hasn't changed. At 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds with 4.50 speed, he doesn't have imposing size or blazing speed, but he prides himself on the details, selling routes and using his foot quickness in his breaks to create just enough separation. McBride did an excellent job attacking the ball in the air with his quick eyes and hands, also taking reps as a punt returner. He is more smooth than explosive, reminding me a lot of Pierre Garcon when he entered the NFL out of Mount Union. Although he comes from the FCS level, McBride has impressed against FBS competition in the past (West Virginia in 2013, Virginia Tech in 2014) and certainly did again this week.) (1-16-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24965202/shrine-game-five-prospects-who-created-buzz-among-nfl-scouts
2015 East-West Shrine Game Stock Report (Tre' McBride, WR, William & Mary: There was one wide receiver that really stood out at every practice and that was McBride. McBride destroyed the cornerbacks in the one-on-ones as he consistently got open using his quickness and route-running to get separation. McBride showed some speed to get downfield and challenge defenses vertically. McBride (6-0, 205) has enough size as well. Of all the players at the East-West Shrine, he maybe did the most to help himself.) (1-16-15): http://walterfootball.com/eastwest2015stock.php
Jeremiah: Four most impressive prospects at Shrine Game drills (William & Mary WR Tre McBride: Jeremiah definitely is a fan. He says McBride (6-1, 205) is "a smooth athlete who tracks the ball well." McBride doesn't have elite speed, but he does run well and moves easily in and out of cuts. McBride (whose given name is Douglas McArthur McBride III) received recruiting attention from Duke, Northwestern, Virginia and the service academies, among other schools, as a high school senior in the Atlanta area, but ended up at FCS member William & Mary. McBride is a savvy route runner with good hands.) (1-15-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000459372/article/jeremiah-four-most-impressive-prospects-at-shrine-game-drills
Norris: E-W Shrine Review (1. WR Tre McBride, William & Mary - The clear top prospect at the event. McBride consistently generated separation from corners in one on one drills at a variety of levels with a variety of routes. McBride still came down with contested or acrobatic catches even when covered. He is not locked to one alignment and McBride could even win from the slot.) (1-15-15): http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/51648/351/norris-e-w-shrine-review
2015 Shrine Game: Day Three East Practice Notes (William & Mary wide receiver Tre’ McBride once again looked the most polished of the East receivers. This is unique, as one would not usually expect an FCS player to come off looking better coached than his big school counterparts. McBride’s footwork on his routes has been very good, and he has the speed to beat defensive backs. His hands are solid, and scouts could be heard praising the work he has done throughout the week.) (1-15-15): http://optimumscouting.com/draft/2015-shrine-game-day-three-east-practice-notes.html
Jeremiah: Tre McBride leads standouts from Shrine Game drills (William & Mary WR Tre McBride: Jeremiah said McBride (6-foot-1, 205 pounds) has stood out because he is "a smooth athlete who tracks the ball well." McBride doesn't have blazing speed, but he does almost seem to glide at times, moving easily in and out of cuts. McBride also has return skills and seems a lock to be the first William & Mary wide receiver drafted since 1973 (David Knight was an 11th-round pick by the New York Jets). McBride, who is from the Atlanta suburbs, finished his career with 196 receptions for 2,753 yards and 19 touchdowns. He would be the first offensive player from the FCS school drafted since 1992 and the fifth overall from the school this century.) (1-14-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000459028/article/jeremiah-tre-mcbride-leads-standouts-from-shrine-game-drills
2015 East-West Shrine Game: Wednesday's East Team Practice Report (There has been one wide receiver who has really stood every practice, and that is William & Mary’s Tre’ McBride. He continued that with another impressive session on Wednesday. McBride destroyed the cornerbacks in the one-on-ones. He got it started by getting separation on an out route for a nice gain. He burned Florida Atlantic safety Damian Parms on a deep post for a long reception. This week, none of the defensive backs have been able to run with McBride consistently, as he is quick receiver who uses smooth route-running to get open. McBride (6-0, 205) has enough size as well. Of all the players at the East-West Shrine, McBride has maybe done the most to help himself.)(1-14-15): http://walterfootball.com/eastwest2015practice5.php
2015 Shrine Game: Day Two East Practice Notes (There has been much said about William & Mary wide receiver Tre’ McBride, and I felt he delivered fairly well on his reputation during Tuesday’s practice session. Of all the wide receivers, McBride showed the best combination of movement skills, physical ability to deal with the press, and ability to finish plays.) (1-14-15): http://optimumscouting.com/draft/2015-shrine-game-day-two-east-practice-notes.html
Notes from Shrine Game Day 1 and 2 (Tre McBride struggled with his footing on day one but found his stride in day 2 with curl routes and dig routes. McBride is one of the smoothest athletes here but he looks vastly smaller once his pads come off.) (1-13-15): http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2015/01/notes-from-shrine-game-day-1-and-2/
Shrine Bowl Practices: Monday, Tuesday Notes (Guys who are not having good weeks so far: William & Mary WR Tre McBride, not meeting the FCS “star” hype at all)
(1-13-15): http://football.realgm.com/analysis/2583/Shrine-Bowl-Practices-Monday-Tuesday-Notes
2015 East-West Shrine Game: Tuesday's East Team Practice Report (There was one wide receiver who has really stood out the past two days, and that is William & Mary’s Tre’ McBride. McBride (6-0, 205) started the practice by getting separation on a go route during one-on-ones with a nice over the shoulder catch. He continued to show quickness and was sudden as a route-runner. In reaching out to some team sources, they agreed that McBride was impressing and is helping himself this week with his ability to get separation from defensive backs.) (1-13-15): http://walterfootball.com/eastwest2015practice3.php
2015 East-West Shrine Game: Top 15 NFL prospects to watch (6. Tre McBride, WR, William & Mary: With burst and control off the snap along with high level finishing skills as a pass-catcher, McBride is a reliable slot threat in the NFL. His focus as a route runner at the second level and blocking effort will win him over with scouts on film, but he’ll need to showcase his lateral shiftiness and transition as a runner as well as separation from his above average routes to emerge as a top-100 contender.) (1-12-15): http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2015-01-12/2015-shrine-game-nfl-prospects-mock-draft-tyeler-davison-kasen-williams-malcolm-brown
Pauline's Shrine Game Preview (Tre' McBride/WR/William & Mary -- Stamped as a potential late-round pick prior to the season, McBride responded with a career campaign which has improved his draft stock. He's a well-sized receiver with enough speed to stretch the field but scouts want to know if McBride possesses the grit and toughness necessary to compete at the next level. He's been labeled as soft by a number of area scouts, something he must disprove the next three days.) (1-11-15): http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/article-1/Paulines-Shrine-Game-Preview/dd800dcb-2e26-4397-8b97-a6c0ac60d6ba
2015 Shrine Game: Offensive Prospect Scouting Preview (Tre McBride: With plus burst and control off the snap along with high level finishing skills as a pass-catcher, McBride is a reliable slot threat in the NFL. His focus as a route runner at the second level and blocking effort will win him over with scouts on film, but he’ll need to showcase his lateral shiftiness and transition as a runner as well as separation from his above average routes to emerge as a top-100 contender.) (1-10-15): http://optimumscouting.com/draft/2015-shrine-game-offensive-prospect-scouting-preview.html
10 Players To Watch During Shrine Game Week (Tre McBride, WR, William & Mary: McBride is a physically impressive FCS receiver. At a listed 6’2”, he appears bigger than that while playing against smaller-school opponents. He shows strong hands and the ability to reach out and pluck the ball away from his body. It’s always a challenge for the lower-level players to step up in games like this to make an impression they belong. Last year, John Brown from Pittsburg State proved he could more than hang with the big boys, but Seantavius Jones demonstrated he wasn’t ready to swim in the deeper pool. I have a feeling McBride’s body control and speed will make him one of the breakout stars of the week on offense. He was also a great kick returned for the Tribe, which builds draft value.) (1-9-15): http://football.realgm.com/analysis/2580/10-Players-To-Watch-During-Shrine-Game-Week
2015 NFL Draft: East-West Shrine Game offensive preview (WR Tre McBride, William & Mary: The owner of numerous school receiving records, McBride has an athletic frame with fluidity and body strength to match up at every level of the field. He's not overly sudden, but displays good quickness in his breaks, drawing comparisons to Pierre Garcon.) (1-8-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24944770/nfl-draft-east-west-shrine-game-offensive-preview
Fifth-ranked Villanova comes back to beat W&M 35-31 (After a meager 4-yard-per-catch average at New Hampshire, wide receiver Tre McBride hauled in 11 passes for a career-best 209 yards, including two long touchdowns. His 359 yards in receptions and returns set a school record.)(10-19-14): http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-spt-wm-villanova-fb-gamer-20141018-story.html
William and Mary aims to bounce back in FCS opener versus Hampton (All-conference wide receiver Tre McBride also suffered an ankle injury, and head coach Jimmye Laycock said Tuesday that his status for Saturday is uncertain.) (9-2-14): http://www.dailypress.com/sports/colleges/dp-spt-wm-fb-presser-week2-20140902-story.html
Week One: Risers & Sliders (Small School Prospect of the Week: Tre McBride/WR/William & Mary: The Tribe lost a lopsided contest to Virginia Tech by a score of 34-9 yet McBride came away with four receptions for 62-yards against a secondary with a pair of solid next level prospects. A player that’s been on our radar for two years, McBride offers solid size (6-foot/200lbs) as well as speed (4.4s forty) and has stood out as a pass catcher and game changing return specialist. He’s a small school prospect deserving of a combine invitation and late round consideration.) (9-1-14): http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=9996
2015 NFL Draft: Harvard DE Hodges best of 'small school' prospects (WR Tre McBride, William & Mary (6-1 | 205 | 4.44 | #3): Like most of the players on this list, McBride physically looks like he belongs in the SEC with a tall, well-built frame and functional muscle definition. Despite the Tribe's run-first offense and instability at the quarterback position, McBride recorded 63 catches for 801 yards and five scores in 2013, leading the CAA with 27.5 yards per kickoff return.) (8-20-14): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24669944/nfl-draft-harvard-de-hodges-best-of-small-school-prospects
WR Keith Mumphery:
Scouting Reports:
MSU Profile Page: http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/keith_mumphery_722794.html
NFL: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/keith-mumphery?id=2552420
NFL Draft Scout: http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=110742&draftyear=2015&genpos=WR
Articles:
Trae Waynes of Michigan State substantiates high draft stock (Wide receiver Keith Mumphery (5-11 3/4, 208) did the 60-yard shuttle in 11.91 seconds and stood on the rest of his numbers from the combine. Mumphery also caught the ball well with just one drop. He's a likely priority free-agent pickup for a team following the 2015 NFL Draft.) (3-18-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000479907/article/trae-waynes-of-michigan-state-substantiates-high-draft-stock
Lions Combine Gleanings (Spartans WR Keith Mumphery had just a 32.5″ vertical and weighed in 6 pounds heavier than he did a month ago at the Shrine Game. That’s really not good for a slot guy, where explosiveness is critical.) (2-21-15): http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2015/02/lions-combine-gleanings/
Mumphrey draws inspiration from hometown NFL star Steve Smith (2-21-15): http://www.mlive.com/spartans/index.ssf/2015/02/michigan_state_keith_mumphrey.html
Local contingent set to impress at Combine (Keith Mumphery: Likely a Day 3 pick or priority free agent, the receiver has to show top-level athleticism after lackluster production.) (2-18-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/2015/02/17/local-contingent-set-impress-nfl-combine/23588061/
2015 Shrine Game: Day 3 East Practice Notes (Mumphery has had a hard time finishing on a consistent basis. He could not finish a catch during the Wednesday session if his life depended on it.) (1-15-15): http://optimumscouting.com/draft/2015-shrine-game-day-three-east-practice-notes.html
Shrine Game Practice: Wednesday East Notes (he impressed earlier in the week but had a rough day. He looks indecisive in some routes and didn’t show a lot of fight for the ball in the air. Worse, every time he made a mistake or got beat in a rep he was quick to mouth off an excuse. It really turned off the scouts I was standing with. It also agitates the defensive players. If there’s a scuffle in the game itself, I predict Mumphery is at the epicenter.) (1-14-15): http://football.realgm.com/analysis/2584/Shrine-Game-Practice-Wednesday-East-Notes
10 Things I’ve Learned from Shrine Game Practices (He’s flashed legit NFL skills as a slot guy, shiftiness off the line and quick, strong hands. Yet whenever anything doesn’t go his way, he’s always pointing a finger. The corner held me. I needed that throw outside, not to the defensive help. I had him earlier but the throw was late. While those excuses may be true, nobody wants to hear them. More than one scout has expressed disgust with his act. Shut up and play!) (1-14-15): http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2015/01/10-things-ive-learned-from-shrine-game-practices/
Shrine Game: Louisville prospects highlight East practice (He has impressed this week with his acceleration off the line of scrimmage and out of his breaks, playing with the field speed to create as a ballcarrier. Mumphery is a name worth remembering throughout the process.) (1-14-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24961765/shrine-game-louisville-prospects-highlight-east-practice
Notes from Shrine Game Day 1 and 2 (Mumphery was a standout. He and Crockett were by far the most vocal of all athletes and they had decent showcases as well) (1-13-15): http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2015/01/notes-from-shrine-game-day-1-and-2/
Notes from Shrine Game Day 1 and 2 (Mumphery made a positive impression. He's a natural in the slot) (1-13-15): http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2015/01/notes-from-shrine-game-day-1-and-2/
East Team Interview Notes from Monday (The Lions interviewed WR Keith Mumphery) (1-12-15): walterfootball.com/eastwest2015interviews1.php
Walterfootball's East Practice Notes for Monday (Mumphery had an impressive start to the week as he worked himself open on a number of plays. He caught passes in zone and and also ran some nice routes to get separation.) (1-12-15): http://walterfootball.com/eastwest2015practice1.php
Tony Pauline's Shrine Preview (Mumphery takes a backseat to teammate Tony Lippett, yet many scouts believe he'll be a better NFL receiver. He easily moves his 220-pound frame around the field, playing to his 4.4s forty speed. Inconsistency has been an issue for the athletic wide out as he's been a token player in the Spartans offense. Teams on hand at the Shrine Game want Mumphery to beat up on his competition every day in practice.) (1-11-15): http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/article-1/Paulines-Shrine-Game-Preview/dd800dcb-2e26-4397-8b97-a6c0ac60d6ba
Stock Report: Michigan State's Keith Mumphery caps career day with game-winning TD catch in win against Baylor (1-2-15): http://www.mlive.com/spartans/index.ssf/2015/01/stock_report_michigan_state_vs_11.html
Keith Mumphery: Making An Impact On And Off The Field (10-2-14): http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/100214aag.html
Mumphery shows versatility, makes mark in Spartans' win in win over Wyoming (9-27-14): http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports/college/msu/football/2014/09/27/mumphery-big-day-wyoming/16350331/
'The light has come on' for speedy Michigan State senior receiver Keith Mumphery (8-14-15): http://www.mlive.com/spartans/index.ssf/2014/08/the_light_has_come_on_for_mich.html
Michigan State receiver Keith Mumphery opens up: 'It sucks going 7-6 ... after some games I cried' (4-15-13):
http://www.mlive.com/spartans/index.ssf/2013/04/michigan_state_receiver_keith.html
JJ Nelson:
Scouting Reports:
UAB Profile Page: http://www.uabsports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/jj_nelson_714240.html
NFL: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/j.j.-nelson?id=2552656
NFL Draft Scout: http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=110839&draftyear=2015&genpos=WR
Articles:
Taxing to slow down these guys: Agholor leads draft's top returners ( WR J.J. Nelson, UAB: Particulars: 5-10, 156; 4.28 in the 40 at the combine. The skinny: He is almost painfully skinny, but he also has elite speed (his 40 time was the fastest at the combine this year). He isn't much as a receiver, but his return ability is enticing. He had six return TDs -- five on kickoffs, one on punts -- in his college career. Nelson led the nation in kickoff returns last season, averaging 38.3 yards on 22 returns, and also ranked 15th in punt returns. He was the only player in the top 15 in both categories.) (4-15-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000485526/article/2015-nfl-draft-top-six-returnspecialist-prospects
Looking at receiver prospects in 2015 draft for Lions (JJ Nelson, UAB (5-10, 156): The fastest receiver at the combine, the Lions brought him in for a pre-draft visit. He's tiny compared to most NFL receivers and would likely be a return specialist with slot potential, but not much. He's likely a seventh round pick.) (4-13-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/16520/looking-at-receiver-prospects-in-the-2015-draft-for-the-lions?ex_cid=espnapi_public
Miami's Dorsett atop list of draft's top undersized wide receivers (5. J.J. Nelson, UAB: Nelson could easily be an undrafted free agent, so the truth is, the draft isn't going to be spilling over with smallish receivers. The smallest of the small, Nelson is just 5-10 and 156 pounds. That's even lighter than San Francisco 49ers receiver/return specialist Trindon Holliday (5-5, 166), who has had to make his NFL living strictly on special teams. That might have to be Nelson's path, as well, but like Holliday, his speed is special. Nelson's 4.28 40-yard dash was the swiftest time of the entire NFL Scouting Combine. He caught 35 passes for 655 yards at UAB last season, but averaged 38.4 on kickoff returns. NFL fit: Arizona Cardinals. The best fit for Nelson is easy enough: Just go straight to the bottom of the NFL's kickoff-return rankings, where the Cardinals lagged with a 19.0 average. Nelson could compete to replace Ted Ginn, who was released by Arizona this offseason, as a return specialist.) (4-6-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000483594/article/2015-nfl-draft-top-five-undersized-wide-receivers
Lions host WR JJ Nelson (4-2-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Lions-host-speedster-JJ-Nelson-for-visit/cc2bdb6a-b06e-41c4-b4f4-4e062fd7d1a1
Video - Pre-Draft Visit: JJ Nelson (4-2-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Pre-draft-visit-WR-JJ-Nelson/9e9add14-2cbd-4ce2-b543-678bf8993ddc
J.J. Nelson talked to more than 10 teams, earned the respect of Amari Cooper, Kevin White at NFL Combine (2-26-15): http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/02/former_uab_wr_jj_nelson_talked.html
How combine star J.J. Nelson's profile has grown after $100K Adidas fiasco (2-25-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/news/how-j-j--nelson-s-profile-has-been-raised-after--100k-adidas-fiasco-224834037.html
2015 NFL Combine: 25 Takeaways include Risers/Fallers/Pro Days (Five most intriguing players - J.J. Nelson, WR, Alabama-Birmingham: Clocked at a blistering 4.28 seconds in the 40-yard dash, Nelson was the fastest of this year's combine participants. He looks more like a track star in shoulder pads than a traditional wide receiver at a spindly 5-10, 156 pounds, but caught the ball well during drills in Indianapolis.) (2-24-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25079684/nfl-combine-25-takeaways-include-risersfallerspro-days
21 prospect takeaways from 2015 NFL Scouting Combine (Combine's fastest man draws interest: J.J. Nelson might have the distinction of being the final player drafted out of UAB -- the school shuttered its football program -- but he also walked away with the much better title of the combine's fastest man after a 4.28 in the 40-yard dash.) (2-24-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000473788/article/21-prospect-takeaways-from-2015-nfl-scouting-combine
The good, the bad and the ugly Scouting Combine performances (40 yd dash - Best: UAB wide receiver J.J. Nelson ran the 40 in 4.28 seconds, fastest at this year’s Combine and 0.04 seconds off Chris Johnson’s record.) (2-23-15): http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/23/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-scouting-combine-performances/
2015
NFL Combine: Field Drills Recap - Wide Receivers (The fastest 40 time
came from UAB's J.J. Nelson with 4.28. Nelson is very undersized (5-10,
156), and that helps him to run faster, but it was good to see Nelson
succeed considering he's the final player from UAB to be in the Combine
after the school shut down its football program.) (2-22-15): http://walterfootball.com/combine2015workoutWR.php
Video - JJ Nelson runs the 40 yd dash at the Combine (2-22-15): http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-combine/0ap3000000472927/J-J-Nelson-speeds-through-the-40-yard-dash
Fastest WRs at the Combine rarely pan out (2-22-15): http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/22/fastest-receivers-at-the-combine-rarely-pan-out/
2015 NFL Combine: Kevin White's 4.35 40 time and more WR notes (UAB WR J.J. Nelson isn't a well-known name and at 5-10 and 156 pounds, he doesn't have the size that will scare many defensive coordinators. But his 4.29 40-yard dash showed that he has the speed that defenses need to respect. Nelson also helped himself in the receiving drills, displaying sudden feet and easy change of direction in his routes, not having to slow himself at the catch point. His size obviously limits his next level role, but with four special teams touchdowns in 2014, he should be able to return kicks and punts while competing for offensive snaps.) (2-21-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25076639/nfl-combine-kevin-whites-435-40-time-and-more-wr-notes
Day 2 combine risers/sliders: WR White shows he's top-10 worthy (J.J. Nelson, WR, UAB: Nelson carries the weight of the shut-down UAB football program on his slight 5'10" frame. Not since Aaron Lockett (uncle to '15 draft hopeful Tyler Lockett) weighed in at 155 pounds at the 2002 combine has a prospect been as small as the 156-pound Nelson. If teams can get past the size issues, though, Nelson might be capable of transitioning his game to the pros. He posted the fastest 40 time for wide receivers on Saturday, at an unofficial 4.29 seconds, then followed that up by nailing pass-catching drills.) (2-21-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/02/21/nfl-combine-day-2-risers-sliders-kevin-white-jaelen-strong-jameis-winston-marcus-mariota
Saturday at the NFL Combine (J.J. Nelson's 4.28 forty was tops amongst receivers. The UAB product led the country in kickoff return average (38.3 yards) and kickoff returns for touchdowns (4) last season. His school no longer fields a football team, but Nelson will find a new one on Day 3 in April.) (2-21-15): http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/52333/351/saturday-at-the-nfl-combine
2015 NFL Combine: Day 4 News And Notes (UAB’s J.J. Nelson ran a 4.28 but only measured in at 5’10 1/4 and 156 pounds. He won’t last long player receiver at that weight but the speed makes him a Trindon Holliday type of option as a returner.) (2-21-15): http://optimumscouting.com/draft/2015-nfl-combine-day-4-news-notes.html
Fastest combine receiver J.J Nelson played at now-defunct football program (2-21-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/fastest-combine-receiver-played-at-now-defunct-football-program-023501495.html
At 156 pounds, UAB's J.J. Nelson a flyweight who can really fly (2-21-15): http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2015-02-20/jj-nelson-uab-alabama-birmingham-wide-receiver-prospect-2015-nfl-combine-nfl-draft
'I really did not see this coming' says UAB WR J.J. Nelson of being named a first-team All-American (12-12-14): http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/12/i_really_did_not_see_this_comi.html
UAB WR J.J. Nelson named Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Week for third time this season (11-10-14): http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/11/uab_wr_jj_nelson_named_confere_1.html
UAB WR J.J. Nelson named Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Week after big game at Arkansas (There's a video of his TD return in there) (10-27-14): http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/10/uab_wr_jj_nelson_named_confere.html
UAB QB Cody Clements, WR J.J. Nelson day-to-day leading into Arkansas game (The 5-foot-11, 160-pound Nelson, who leads Conference USA in yards per catch, was shaken up after taking a hit on a 3-yard pass, his lone reception of the game, with 3:29 left in the third. He sported a foam neck brace when he walked in and out of the Blazers' locker room before boarding the team bus, following the game. "He's good. I just think he's a little sore and we'll evaluate him as the week goes on. Everything came back negative," Clark said. "It was scary to see that mass of humanity piled in there on him. He's not a big guy.") (10-20-14): http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/10/uab_qb_cody_clements_wr_jj_nel.html
Size ain't nothing but a number for Conference USA leading-receiver UAB's J.J. Nelson (10-14-14): http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/10/size_aint_nothing_but_a_number.html
Week 2 Risers and Sliders (J.J. Nelson/WR/Alabama-Birmingham: Scouts handed Nelson a late round grade entering the season and the speedy wide out proved his worth against Mississippi State, who field a pair of next level cornerbacks. The speedster caught 5 passes for 144 yards with 1 score. He also averaged 11 yards on three punt returns. In two games this season Nelson has totaled 7 receptions for 202 yards, an average of 29.9 yards per catch. Nelson is small with a rail thin build but a vertical threat which causes opponents to play back on their heels.) (9-8-14): http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=10009
WR Devante Parker:
Scouting Reports:
Louisville Profile Page: http://www.gocards.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/devante_parker_755970.html
NFL: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/devante-parker?id=2552409
CBS: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1851283/devante-parker
NFL Draft Scout: http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=120277&draftyear=2015&genpos=WR
Walterfootball: http://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2015dparker.php
Bob Sturm's Profile: http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/2015/04/2015-draft-profile-devante-parker-wr-louisville.html/
CFF Player Profile: DeVante Parker, WR: https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/04/24/cff-player-profile-devante-parker-wr/
Articles:
Injury Analysis for 2015 Draft (DeVante Parker, Louisville: Injury History - Missed one game due to a sprained shoulder in 2013. Fractured his foot at the start of the 2014 season and missed 7 games. Analysis - The foot is the big concern. First year wide receiver players coming off a fracture in the foot usually struggle with injuries the first year or two back. Examples of wide receivers who have fractured their feet and were injured in a year or two that followed: Julio Jones (hamstring, ankle then refractured the foot), Demaryius Thomas (refractured the foot and then tore Achilles), Hakeem Nicks (refractured the foot) and Michael Crabtree (tore Achilles).) (4-28-15): http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/53796/468/injury-analysis-for-2015-draft
Greg Cosell's draft preview: Dorial Green-Beckham is a huge wild card (DeVante Parker, Louisville: Parker is long and lanky, and is smooth and fluid in his movement. But he is not vertically explosive. He did not play as fast as he timed, and at his best as a short and intermediate route runner. Parker does not have naturally light and quick feet, he's more measured and methodical. At times he's herky-jerky as a route runner. Parker showed some build-up speed but is not a quick in-and-out of breaks receiver. He has a long body with less than ideal lateral quickness. Parker showed good quickness coming off the line of scrimmage working against press man coverage, but he must get stronger. He also must become much more compact and refined as a route runner. There's a lot of wasted motion in his routes. Parker does have excellent body control, he can make contested catches in traffic, but overall I did not see Parker as the same level of prospect as Davante Adams coming out of Fresno State last year.) (4-26-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/greg-cosell-s-draft-preview--dorial-green-beckham-is-a-huge-wild-card-181904431.html
O'HARA'S DRAFT PREVIEW: Wide receivers and tight ends (WR DeVante Parker, Louisville: Another impressive athlete with exceptional hands. Parker was a four-year player at Louisville. A broken bone in his left foot forced him to miss the first seven games in 2014, but what a finish in the next six games: 43 catches for 855 yards and five TDs.) (4-20-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARAS-DRAFT-PREVIEW-Wide-receivers-and-tight-ends/da38b7ca-348e-4e60-82d3-1914e8045b57
Lions draft preview: Receivers will be worth a look (3. DeVante Parker, Louisville: The 6-foot-3, 209-pound Parker missed the first half of the season with a foot injury, but proved how much of an impact he can make with 43 catches for 855 yards in six games. He lacks strength and might struggle with press coverage, but has great body control and can position himself to high-point catches. He'll likely go top 15.) (4-18-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/04/19/lions-draft-preview-receivers-will-be-worth-a-look/26040003/
Best WRs in the draft (DeVante Parker, Louisville: Even though Cooper and White have become the faces of the receiver battle, Parker certainly has the film, length and athletic upside to merit being the top receiver in the 2015 NFL Draft class. Between losing Teddy Bridgewater to the NFL and dealing with injury early in the 2014 season, Parker lost the media hype battle with Cooper and White. But between his Bridgewater 2013 film and 2014 return performances, he showed why he has No. 1-receiver ability. Parker is the draft’s best in-air and away-from-the-body receiver, possessing awesome length and wildly impressive body control. His routes aren’t all that explosive or crisp right now, but 2014 showed a more precise focus in that area. If he can gain separation, his ability to finish even with defenders draped around him, could lead to Odell Beckham Jr. comparisons quickly in the NFL.) (4-14-15): http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2015-04-14/nfl-draft-2015-best-receivers-ranking-amari-cooper-kevin-white-devante-parker-jaelen-strong
2015 NFL draft: The five safest picks of the first round (4. DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville. Two wide receivers? You bet. After the countless immediate impact rookies from this position last year, there’s another awesome top trio in Cooper, Parker and West Virginia’s Kevin White. While White could go through the roof as a NFL player and be taken earlier than both for that reason, he’s just raw enough to keep him out of Safeville. Parker is more what you see is what you get, and there’s much to love at 6-3, 209. His size allows him to go up and get everything. His savvy makes him very difficult to cover on either short-to-intermediate or deep routes. He also has proved to be tough to bring down after the catch. Where he might fall short of Cooper in terms of pedigree, he’s right there with polish. At the worst Parker can deliver right away as top No. 2 and quickly develop into a No. 1. The question is, will he last long enough for that Vikings reunion with Teddy Bridgewater at No. 11?) (4-13-15): http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2015-04-13/2015-nfl-draft-safest-picks-amari-cooper-leonard-williams-todd-gurley-scherff-parker-jameis-winston-marcus-mariota
Looking at receiver prospects in 2015 draft for Lions (DeVante Parker, Louisville (6-3, 209):Parker shouldn't be available when the Lions pick at No. 23, but the franchisebrought him in for a visit so he's worth putting on the list. He's the No. 3 receiver and No. 9 prospect on the board, so if he's around when Detroit picks, it would be extremely tough to pass on him despite greater need elsewhere. He has the size and speed component that could fit in well as a player who could learn behind Johnson for a little while.) (4-13-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/16520/looking-at-receiver-prospects-in-the-2015-draft-for-the-lions?ex_cid=espnapi_public
Mayock: Eight wide receivers have first-round grade this year (Mayock thinks Louisville's DeVante Parker and fast-rising UCF prospect Breshad Perriman, will be taken in the top 20 of the draft.) (4-10-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000484839/article/mayock-2015-wr-class-has-eight-players-with-firstround-grade
Lions host Louisville WR DeVante Parker (4-9-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Lions-host-Louisville-WR-DeVante-Parker/3bafe813-658a-44fb-9471-03f20a2440fd
Video - Pre-draft visit: WR DeVante Parker (4-9-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Pre-draft-visit-WR-DeVante-Parker/aaaf54c7-6230-484c-8e6a-a9ad4cd779e7
Parker visited the Vikings (4-9-15): http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/09/devante-parker-visited-vikings/
Stats, trends favorable toward NFL draft's 'middle class' of receivers (DeVante Parker: Parker is one of the home run threats of this year’s class. He gained 49 percent of his receiving yards on passes thrown 20 yards or longer last season. From the start of Week 8, when Parker returned from injury, to the end of the season, only Ohio State’s Devin Smith matched Parker’s 12 catches on passes thrown 20 or more yards downfield (and Smith played four more games.) (4-6-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/104397/stats-trends-favorable-toward-nfl-drafts-middle-class-of-receivers
Jeremiah: DeVante Parker in discussion as No. 1 WR in draft (3-23-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000480875/article/jeremiah-devante-parker-in-discussion-as-no-1-wr-in-draft
DeVante Parker seals first-round status at Louisville pro day (DeVante Parker (6-foot-2 7/8, 212 pounds) stood on his numbers from the combine and had a fabulous workout. He appears to be over the injury that caused him to miss the first half of last season, and his combine and pro-day performances have really helped him a lot. He'll be an early first-round pick.) (3-16-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000479322/article/devante-parker-seals-firstround-status-at-louisville-pro-day
Conway: DeVante Parker would be great fit for Houston Texans (3-9-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000477529/article/conway-devante-parker-would-be-great-fit-for-houston-texans
DeVante Parker, Jaelen Strong poised to rise up draft boards (Parker is regarded as the ninth-best player in the draft, according to NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah. Analyst Bucky Brooks has him rated as the No. 8 player in his latest Big Board. Parker is starting to occupy a similar spot on most people's boards coming out of the combine, where he impressed with a good 40-yard dash time. In the latest NFL.com mock drafts, Parker is projected to go as high as the No. 12 overall pick to the Cleveland Browns; Davis thinks it is the New Orleans Saints who will snatch him up as the 13th pick in the first round.) (3-3-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000476227/article/devante-parker-jaelen-strong-poised-to-rise-up-draft-boards
Video - 2015 Combine workout: Devante Parker (2-23-15): http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-combine/0ap3000000478927/2015-Combine-workout-DeVante-Parker
Video - 2015 Combine: WR Devante Parker (2-23-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/NFL-Combine-WR-DeVante-Parker/3cdc6d4f-5cd2-478e-aa6e-05d9c9b1a35f
2015 NFL Combine Notebook – Part II (Devante Parker – Parker ran faster than I anticipated. At 6’3 – 209, I thought he would run about 4.50, so going 4.45 was a pleasant surprise. He did not perform any of the agility drills, but his jumps of 36.5″ and 10’5″ were good for such a big receiver.) (2-22-15): http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2015-nfl-combine-notebook-part-ii/
2015 NFL Combine Field Drills Recap - Wide Receivers (Louisville
wide receiver DeVante Parker also had an excellent Combine to keep
himself in top-20 consideration. Parker ripped off a fast 40 of 4.45
seconds and that was better than expected. In the field drills, Parker
looked like a natural with how he attacks the football. Parker (6- 3,
209) did well in the gauntlet drill, but he seemed to run it slow to
help him make catches. Parker may be the third receiver selected in
April, but he was impressive at the Combine.) (2-21-15): http://walterfootball.com/combine2015workoutWR.php
2015 NFL Combine: Day 4 News And Notes (Louisville’s
Devante Parker ran a 4.45 with a split of 1.56 in his first attempt.
That speed with his 6’2 1/2 frame should cement him in the top 15.) (2-21-15): http://optimumscouting.com/draft/2015-nfl-combine-day-4-news-notes.html
2015 combine: Winners and losers from Day 2's media session (DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville: Buzz is typically media-driven coming out of the combine, and the Louisville receiver looked like he wanted to be elsewhere when taking questions from reporters. He gave short and choppy answers, but more than that, it didn't seem he had the confidence that other receivers typically have in this setting.) (2-20-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000472334/article/2015-combine-winners-and-losers-from-day-2s-media-session
2015 NFL Combine Five Things To Know: DGB passes the eye test (3. Parker to the Vikings? For the past few months, I have mocked Louisville WR DeVante Parker to the Vikings at 11th overall because not only would it answer one of Minnesota's top needs, but a reunion with former Cardinals teammate Teddy Bridgewater makes too much sense. Parker agrees. "It would be good, we have a great connection," Parker said on Thursday. During the 2013 season at Louisville, Parker caught 55 passes from Bridgewater and came close to joining him in the 2014 NFL Draft before deciding to return for his senior season. He missed the first seven games of 2014, but was one of the best receivers in the country in the second half of the season, finishing with 43 receptions, 855 receiving yards and five scores in only six games. Parker mentioned the Vikings, Raiders and Dolphins as three of the teams he has met with so far -- three teams that currently own top-15 selections in the 2015 NFL Draft. When asked what makes him so effective as a receiver, the soft-spoken Parker kept it short and sweet. "I'm blessed with the ability to outrun defenders and catch the ball.") (2-19-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25074274/nfl-combine-five-things-to-know-dgb-passes-the-eye-test
2015 NFL Combine Weigh-in Analysis - Wide Receivers (Louisville's
DeVante Parker (6-3, 209) showed good size at the Combine. He was as
big as his listed numbers. The consensus opinion has Parker behind White
and Cooper. In speaking with NFL teams, they have Parker third as well.
Thus a good Combine will be important for him and his chances of going
in the middle of the first round.) (2-19-15): http://walterfootball.com/combine2015weighinWR.php
NFL
draft combine: Five players to watch (WR DeVante Parker, Louisville:
This should be another good year for receivers, though without an elite
talent up top. Parker is one of a handful of pass catchers who could be
first off the board at his position. He's big at 6-feet-3 and 209
pounds, but there are questions about his speed. If he turns heads in
the 40 this week, watch him climb into top-10 consideration.)
(2-14-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/02/14/nfl-scouting-combine/23414139/2015 NFL Scouting Combine: Wide receivers, tight ends to watch (DeVante Parker, Louisville: Here's the dark-horse candidate to be the first receiver off the board. He had 43 receptions for 855 yards (19.8 yards per catch) this season despite missing six games with a foot injury; he absolutely torched FSU's mega-talented secondary in a narrow loss, finishing with eight catches for 214 yards (27 yards per catch). He is a big guy (6-3, 211) with an 80-inch wing span whose athleticism is off the charts: vertical jump of 36.5 inches, broad jump of 10-10, a squat of 455 pounds, a bench press of 335 pounds. But he didn't seem quite as explosive when he returned from his foot injury, and his 40 time will be important.) (2-11-15): http://www.nfl.com/combine/story/0ap3000000469391/article/2015-nfl-scouting-combine-wide-receivers-tight-ends-to-watch
Jeremiah: Louisville WR DeVante Parker worthy of top-15 pick (2-10-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000469754/article/jeremiah-louisville-wr-devante-parker-worthy-of-top15-pick
Why Louisville WR DeVante Parker made first team (12-11-14): http://espn.go.com/blog/acc/post/_/id/78377/why-devante-parker-made-first-team
DeVante Parker shines on Senior Day (Louisville's superstar wide receiver burned Kentucky for six catches for 180 yards and three touchdowns and won the Howard Schnellenberger Most Valuable Player award during the Cardinals' 44-40 victory on Senior Day. Now with 33 career TD catches, he tied Ibn Green (1996-99) for U of L's all-time lead.) (11-30-14): http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/louisville/2014/11/29/devante-parker-shines-senior-day-louisville-football-beats-kentucky/19676327/
Notre Dame: Cole Luke shuts down Louisville's DeVante Parker (Louisville receiver DeVante Parker averaged about eight catches and 163 yards in games against North Carolina State, Florida State and Boston College before heading to South Bend last weekend. But Parker, who CBS Sports projects as the 17th overall pick in next year's NFL Draft, only caught four passes for 65 yards against Notre Dame. Sophomore cornerback Cole Luke had a lot to do with that. Luke matched up with Parker for most of the afternoon and broke up two passes, though some miscommunication led to the 6-foot-3, 208-pound Parker catching what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown. Fellow sophomore cornerback Devin Butler guarded Parker on what turned out to be a 21-yard touchdown that put Louisville ahead for good in the third quarter. Luke's biggest mistake of Saturday was not following Parker from the boundary to field side - that was his assignment after Cody Riggs re-aggravated a stress reaction in his foot and had to leave the game.) (11-24-14): http://www.csnchicago.com/notre-dame/notre-dame-cole-luke-shuts-down-louisvilles-devante-parker
2015 NFL Draft: Missouri's Shane Ray highlights Week 10 Stock Report (Louisville came very close to pulling the upset over Florida State last week, thanks in large part to two dangerous senior weapons on offense: WR DeVante Parker and RB Michael Dyer. Parker missed the first seven games with a foot injury, but has been nothing short of fantastic over the last two games. Although he's still looking for his first touchdown, he already ranks second on the team in receiving yards (346), averaging over 20 yards a catch. West Virginia's Kevin White has emerged as arguably the top senior wideout, but Parker has quickly reminded everyone that he's also in the first round discussion. After he left Auburn, Dyer had been an afterthought for most college football fans, but scouts and draft evaluators have kept a cautious eye on the talented back and when healthy, he's showing what made him one of the top high school recruits in the country. After missing most of the season due to injury, Dyer has started the last two weeks and hasn't disappointed with 52 carries for 307 rushing yards (5.9 average) and four touchdowns, including three scores against the Seminoles. Dyer's situation is a little more complicated in regards to his draft status, but there's no question his talent will be attractive to next level teams.) (11-4-14): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24783412/nfl-draft-shane-ray-highlights-week-10-stock-report
DeVante Parker proving his worth for Louisville (11-4-14): http://espn.go.com/blog/acc/post/_/id/76746/parker-proving-his-worth-for-louisville
Week Ten: Risers & Sliders (DeVante Parker/WR/Louisville: Parker missed the first seven games of the season after undergoing foot surgery but hasn’t missed a beat upon return. After a tune-up game in which he caught 9 receptions for 132 yards against North Carolina State, Parker took his game to another level against Florida State and manhandled the defending national champions who start a pair of NFL prospects at cornerback. The numbers, 8 catches for 214 yards, tell just a part of the story as Parker had Ronald Darby and P.J. Williams of the Seminoles playing back on their heels and twisting in the wind trying to slow him down. And despite losing the contest Parker was the star of the game. His forty time in pre-draft workouts will determine how early in the top forty Parker is selected.(11-3-14): http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=10147
College Game of the Week: Seminoles at Cardinals (DeVante Parker, WR: +2.7: Breakdown: He was the Cardinals aerial attack on Thursday from the first snap to the last. Parker had an absurd 16 targets for a 45.7% target rate. Was the only receiver on Louisville able to challenge the Florida St. secondary down the field. Got away with an obvious push off on his 51-yard catch early in the fourth quarter, but still went for seven catches for 163 yards outside of that play. Signature Play: On the first play from scrimmage Parker glided right past Tyler Hunter on a post route for a 71-yard gain.) (11-1-14): https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2014/11/01/college-game-of-the-week-seminoles-cardinals/
2015 NFL Draft: Jameis Winston highlights Week 10 Prospect Preview (WR DeVante Parker, Louisville, SR: Entering the 2014 college football season, Parker was my top-ranked senior wide receiver prospect after his performance as a junior (55 catches, 885 yards, 12 touchdowns). But he broke a bone in his left foot in August and was sidelined for the first seven weeks of the season. Parker returned two weeks ago against NC State and quickly made an impact with nine receptions for 132 yards, his sixth career 100+ yard receiving performance. Near full health, he is one of the most impressive wideouts in the country with his tall frame, speed to stretch the field and wingspan, giving him a large catching radius. Parker vs. Seminoles junior CB P.J. Williams (6-0 | 196 | 4.48 | #26) is a must-see match-up.) (10-30-14): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24775308/nfl-draft-week-10-prospect-preview
2015 NFL Draft: Jameis Winston, DeVante Parker show NFL tricks (10-30-14): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24775926/nfl-draft-jameis-winston-devante-parker-show-nfl-tricks
U of L's Parker gets high-tech help for foot (9-16-14): http://www.courier-journal.com/story/uofl-beat/2014/09/15/louisville-receiver-devante-parker-getting-better/15675867/
Louisville receiver DeVante Parker out 6-8 weeks with injury (Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker suffered a broken fifth metatarsal in his left foot Friday and will have surgery on Monday afternoon, coach Bobby Petrino said Monday.) (8-25-14): http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2014/08/25/louisville-receiver-devante-parker-broken-foot-out-6-8-weeks/14574227/
2015 NFL Draft: Louisville Preview (WR DeVante Parker: A two-time first-team all-conference honoree in the BIG EAST/AAC with 28 career TD receptions, including a school record-tying 12 last season, Parker has developed into one of the most reliable and consistent pass-catchers in the country while steadily progressing from a raw athlete to a skilled wideout over his three years at Louisville. At 6'3 with long arms, soft hands and superb leaping ability, Parker is as tough of a receiver to defend as there is anywhere in the country as he utilizes great body control and timing to win any ball thrown in his vicinity regardless of how well-covered he is. After the catch, Parker demonstrates impressive shiftiness despite being a long-strider and has a nice second gear to create distance once he's in the open field. Parker's initial burst and quickness off the line is only marginal, so he'll need to continue improving with his hands to routinely beat press coverage, and he lacks elite straight-line speed to separate vertically. He's also still developing as a route-runner as he lacks sharpness on cuts, and doesn't always work his way back to the ball, but he has shown steady improvement in this area. Parker has first-round talent, and will certainly be a consideration there with another season like the last two.) (7-15-14): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24622540/nfl-draft-louisville-preview
WR Breshad Perriman:
Scouting Reports:
Central Florida: http://www.ucfknights.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/breshad_perriman_742493.html
NFL: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/breshad-perriman?id=2552597
CBS: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1984950/breshad-perriman
NFL Draft Preview 2015: WR Breshad Perriman: http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/nfl-draft-preview-2015-wr-breshad-perriman/
Detroit Lions 2015 NFL draft prospect: Central Florida WR Breshad Perriman: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/04/detroit_lions_2015_nfl_draft_p_30.html
Articles:
Players being overrated in the lead-up to the draft (Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida: The NFL loves upside. The notion drives the entire draft, to some extent—teams do as much research as they can on prospects, only to cross their fingers and hope they'll get the anticipated level of bang for their buck. But there always are a few guys who garner a longer look based almost entirely on the dream of what they might some day become. Perriman is front and center for that movement in 2015. He is a big, brilliantly athletic, home-run threat at the wide receiver position ... who also is not all that far along is his development as a player. Perriman's hands are a concern, as is his route-running. Per the NFL Network's Lance Zierlein, Perriman, at 13.8%, had "far and away the worst" drop rate of any early-round receivers last season. And yet, he has been mentioned throughout the past few weeks as a likely Round 1 pick, perhaps even a top-10 option. Maybe down the road, his game matches up with that hype. Right now, the buzz surrounding him has surpassed the actual product.) (4-29-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/04/29/2015-nfl-draft-overrated-prospects-breshad-perriman-arik-armstead
Which prospects are undervalued/overvalued? (Overvalued - 2. Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida: The scouting world stopped and took notice after Perriman ripped off a mid-4.2 40-yard dash at his pro day. This has launched his draft stock into the stratosphere, with some discussing him as a potential top-15 pick. That's way too high for a player who drops a ton of balls, has hip tightness and doesn't play nearly as fast as he was timed. Perriman has value as a developmental deep threat, but I'd feel much more comfortable selecting him at the top of the second round than the top half of the first.) (4-29-15): http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/0ap3000000488658/article/nfl-draft-tyler-lockett-undervalued-bud-dupree-overvalued
NFL draft WR preview: Could 2015 class surpass historic 2014 crop? Maybe (Breshad Perriman, Central Florida: Height: 6-2. Weight: 212. Scouting report: His blazing 40-yard dash times at UCF's pro day came in below 4.3 seconds. Explains why he averaged better than 20 yards per catch over the past two seasons. The son of former Detroit Lions WR Brett Perriman, Breshad seems to have better pro tools than his dad but needs to improve his concentration and route running. Insider's take: "Once he learns how to use his speed to set up corners, I think his upside is as dramatic as any wide receiver in this draft." — NFL Network chief draft analyst Mike Mayock. Projected round: First.) (4-28-15): http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2015/04/28/wide-receiver-preview-devante-parker-kevin-white-amari-cooper-cris-collinsworth/26505289/
Get to know the draft's most intriguing prospects (Breshad Perriman, UCF: One of the most tantalizing 2015 prospects given his rare blend of size, speed and athleticism, Perriman made 50 catches for 1,044 yards with nine touchdowns last year. The Lithonia, Ga., native, was a two-star recruit coming out of Arabia Mountain High, but blossomed into a star on campus—including when he caught a game-winning (and horribly defended) Hail Mary to stun East Carolina last December.) (4-27-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/04/27/2015-nfl-draft-prospect-facts-brett-hundley-ameer-abdullah
Winston, Gregory are among biggest boom-or-bust 2015 draft prospects (Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida: The fastest way to hit a boom-or-bust list is to shoot up draft boards suddenly after running a fast 40-yard dash time at the NFL Scouting Combine or a pro day. To be fair, I had Perriman mocked in the first round to the Patriots even before his 4.27 40 time at his pro day, but that is because the tape showed blazing speed and unusual short-area quickness for a player his size. Perriman has the traits at wide receiver that every team covets and he will go in the first round of this year's draft, but his route running and hands are issues right now. Perriman caught just 50 of 99 targets, and some of those incompletions were because of his routes. Perriman had eight drops and a drop percentage of 13.8 percent, which is far and away the worst of any of the top receivers in this year's draft.) (4-27-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000488295/article/2015-nfl-drafts-biggest-boomorbust-prospects
Draft Prospecting: The American Athletic Conference (AAC) (Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida--a couple of months ago Mel Kiper Jr. trumpeted the super-speedy Perriman as a potential top-15 pick. Most folks scoffed, as they tend to reflexively do whenever Mel stirs the pot. It turns out the most notorious draftnik was fed good information, because Perriman could very well be a top-10 pick when the draft unfolds. That’s rich for my blood, but I see the allure. The son of former Lions receiver Brett Perriman has great size at 6’2” and 212 pounds, but his calling card is speed. Here’s what Gil Brandt, the Godfather of the NFL Draft, had to say after Perriman’s pro day: Perriman (6-foot-1 3/4, 212 pounds) was clocked between 4.19 and 4.27 seconds in the 40, but the official times being forwarded along to teams are 4.24 and 4.27. He had a 36 1/2-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-7 broad jump. He did 18 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. Perriman -- who has 32-inch arms and 9 5/8-inch hands -- caught the ball better than expected during his positional workout. Some people thought that he didn't have very good hands, but you didn't see that today in his workout. He also showed very good change-of-direction skills. He’s a major vertical field-stretcher, which he showed at UCF by averaging over 20 yards per catch and showing the ability to get both above and behind just about any coverage. There is real burst off the line and out of cuts, and nobody is catching him in the open field. Perriman can make the tough catches on the sidelines and isn’t afraid to cross the field on drags and slants in traffic. Brandt alluded to the hands, and count me in the skeptical category. It’s odd that the son of a pretty good NFL wideout looks so unnatural catching a football, but that’s Breshad Perriman. I like to say the primary function of a wide receiver is to catch the ball, and that’s been an ongoing struggle for him. Many that he does come down with are trapped against his shoulder or double-clutched after bouncing from one hand to the other. He also doesn’t run his routes with consistency, which makes throwing to him more difficult than it needs to be. On a 12-yard out, sometimes he runs 11 and slants deeper, others he drifts outside before breaking and winds up getting to the spot too early. These are coachable flaws, but there is no guarantee it ever clicks. His grade for me is very team-specific. With a QB like Alex Smith or Nick Foles checking down as a primary option, Perriman is not worth more than a 3rd round pick and will be wasted, like driving a Ferrari and being stuck behind a Prius that just will not get out of the damn left lane. For a gunslinger like Ben Roethlisberger or Philip Rivers, Perriman should carry top-20 overall value and could have the impact of a faster Demaryius Thomas. Really. Current projection: Top 15 pick.) (4-25-15): http://football.realgm.com/analysis/2611/Draft-Prospecting-The-American-Athletic-Conference-AAC
Greg Cosell's draft preview: A third WR belongs in Cooper/White top tier (Breshad Perriman, UCF: Perriman has the movement of a smaller receiver, and plus suddenness for a big receiver with his body type. He has excellent acceleration off the line of scrimmage when he had free access. He showed short-area burst and explosion on vertical routes; you can see a second gear. But what I liked about Perriman was he played big and powerful. That will transition well to the NFL. Perriman has an NFL body with excellent height/weight/speed combination (6-foot-2, 212 pounds and a 40-yard dash time of less than 4.3 seconds) and long strides that eat up ground. At this point Perriman is not a refined route runner, as he has a tendency to round off his routes. But there’s a lot to work with. Perriman is not as purely explosive as Julio Jones was coming out of Alabama, but he is similar in size and movement. You could make the argument that Perriman has similar size and movement traits to Dez Bryant. He has all the physical tools and traits NFL teams look for in a receiver.) (4-25-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/greg-cosell-s-draft-preview--a-third-wr-belongs-in-cooper-white-top-tier-233216303.html
Perriman is rising football factory's latest product (4-23-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/news/emerging-ucf-football-factory-s-latest-gem--speedy-wideout-breshad-perriman-222522513.html
O'HARA'S DRAFT PREVIEW: Wide receivers and tight ends (WR Breshad Perriman, Central Fla.: First noticed nationally as the son of former NFL and Detroit Lions WR Brett Perriman, he added to his stature with a blazing 40-time in his Pro Day workout. A three-year player, he had a strong 2014 season with 50 catches for 1,044 yards, 9 TDs and 20.9 yards per catch. His size-speed combo is more impressive than his hands.) (4-20-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARAS-DRAFT-PREVIEW-Wide-receivers-and-tight-ends/da38b7ca-348e-4e60-82d3-1914e8045b57
Lions draft preview: Receivers will be worth a look (7. Breshad Perriman, Central Florida: The 6-foot-2, 212-pound Perriman opened plenty of eyes with his 4.24-second 40-yard dash at his pro day, but many people already thought he had first-round potential. He's big, fast and physical, and he has good genes as the son of former Lions receiver Brett Perriman. He'd be drafted higher, but has a lot of work to do running precise routes.) (4-18-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/04/19/lions-draft-preview-receivers-will-be-worth-a-look/26040003/
NFL draft positional rankings: Wide receivers a banner group once more (Could rise in the draft - Perriman: Any receiver standing 6-2 and 212 pounds who runs a sub-4.3 40-yard dash at his pro day is going to get a second — and perhaps a third — look from scouts. And that was what was required after one of the most maddening 1,000-yard seasons from Perriman, who would catch a 50-yard post on one play and turn around and drop a 4-yard out route the next. The son of former Detroit Lions receiver Brett Perriman has more raw skill than his father but is unpolished and needs far more play-to-play consistency. But that rare, blazing speed and his penchant for making highlight plays is expected to vault him into Round 1 after it appeared he was, at times, third on the pecking order at UCF behind Rannell “Speedy” Hall and J.J. Worton at receiver.) (4-17-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/nfl-draft-positional-rankings--wide-receivers-a-banner-group-once-more-190245745.html
Nine biggest athletic freaks in 2015 NFL Draft (Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida: Specs: 6-2, 212 pounds, 34-inch arms, 9 1/4-inch hands. Draft status: Like Green-Beckham, Perriman needs some work when it comes to running routes and learning the finer points of the position. He's also known to drop a few balls. Still, he's worked his way into first-round status because of his athleticism, and NFL clubs all over the league are bringing him in for visits. He did what? Nobody north of 210 pounds should be allowed to run a 4.24 40-yard dash, but Perriman did just that at his pro day. And a couple of unofficial times clocked him sub-4.2.) (4-14-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000483902/article/2015-nfl-draft-byron-jones-leads-nine-most-athletic-prospects
Breshad Perriman visits Bears (4-13-15): http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/13/breshad-perriman-visits-bears/
Looking at receiver prospects in 2015 draft for Lions (Breshad Perriman, UCF (6-2, 212): The son of former Lions receiver Brett Perriman, also had a pre-draft visit with Detroit. His sub 4.3-second 40-yard dash at his pro day shot him up draft boards and he's now the No. 4 receiver and No. 21 prospect in the draft. Like Parker, he is unlikely to be around at No. 23, but he'd force an interesting decision if he is.) (4-13-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/16520/looking-at-receiver-prospects-in-the-2015-draft-for-the-lions?ex_cid=espnapi_public
Detroit Lions top 5 possible first-round draft picks (Wide receiver Breshad Perriman (Central Florida) would, of course, be the best story since his dad, Brett Perriman, was a solid wide receiver for the Lions from 1991 to 1996. The older Perriman is 5-foot-9, but his son is 6-foot-2 and uses his size and strength to make a catch. It’s his speed that has boosted him up the draft boards. He ran a 4.26 40-yard dash at his pro day. He’s one of three wide receivers the Lions welcomed for pre-draft visits. The others were Louisville’s DeVante Parker and UAB’s J.J. Nelson.) (4-11-15): http://oplions.blogspot.com/2015/04/detroit-lions-top-5-possible-first.html
Mike Mayock's five fastest-rising prospects in 2015 NFL Draft (Mayock's list of the top-five fastest risers included wide receivers -- USC's Nelson Agholor (No. 1) and UCF's Breshad Perriman (No. 3)) (4-10-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000484862/article/mayock-nelson-agholor-leads-2015-nfl-drafts-fastest-risers
Mayock: Eight wide receivers have first-round grade this year (Mayock thinks Louisville's DeVante Parker and fast-rising UCF prospect Breshad Perriman, will be taken in the top 20 of the draft.) (4-10-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000484839/article/mayock-2015-wr-class-has-eight-players-with-firstround-grade
Self-starters: Prospects who've boosted their stock ( Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida: Perriman is the kind of prospect that some see as a top-20 type (with off-the-charts testing numbers to back that up) and others wouldn't draft in the first two rounds. Perriman (6-2, 212)ran a 4.25 40 at his pro day, which puts him in Dorsett's neighborhood -- with a lot more size. He's viewed by some as a project, but there's a lot to work with here.) (4-10-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000484739/article/bud-dupree-aj-cann-among-prospects-who-truly-helped-selves
UCF's Breshad Perriman visits with the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-10-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000484751/article/ucfs-breshad-perriman-visits-with-the-pittsburgh-steelers
Ranking the draft's top 10 wide receivers available (10. Breshad Perriman, UCF: Breshad's father Brett played in the NFL from 1988 through 1997 for four different teams (most notably theLions), but he was more of a slot receiver. Breshad presents a bigger frame at 6'2" and 212 pounds, and he has a lot of things you want in a big receiver: speed, the ability to make contested catches and the occasional strength to create openings against aggressive coverages. He left school early after 50 catches for 1,044 yards and nine touchdowns in his junior season, and he could be even more productive in the NFL if he learns the entire route tree and develops a better sense of pure strength in traffic.) (4-7-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/04/06/2015-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-rankings-amari-cooper-kevin-white
UCF's Perriman will be a frequent flier in coming weeks, with multiple team visits (4-16-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000483562/article/report-ucf-wr-breshad-perriman-has-6-team-visits-scheduled
Which prospects have helped their stock most? (Another player who tested well and has scouts buzzing about him is UCF wideout Breshad Perriman, who leaped into the Day 1 draft discussion on the strength of his 4.24-second 40-yard dash at his pro day. "Some people had him solidly in the second round," NFL Media's Charles Davis said. "Then he ran his 40 at his pro day. Now he's almost certainly in the first round.") (4-2-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000483295/article/jeremiah-clemsons-vic-beasley-has-flown-up-nfl-draft-boards
Report: UCF's Breshad Perriman visiting with Eagles (4-2-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000483135/article/report-ucfs-breshad-perriman-visiting-with-eagles
Report: Dolphins schedule visits with wideouts Parker, Perriman (4-2-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000483316/article/report-dolphins-set-to-host-devante-parker-breshad-perriman
Lions host Breshad Perriman (4-1-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Lions-host-speedy-receiver-Breshad-Perriman/3513abcf-4633-49ad-937d-c8fa17c16095
Video - Pre-draft visit: WR Breshad Perriman (4-1-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Pre-draft-visit-WR-Breshad-Perriman/65a52b85-04c6-4cf3-bc3d-734fd1c2cda9
Round 2 picks with room to grow (62. Breshad Perriman, WR, UCF: Bio: The son of Brett Perriman, who caught 525 passes and gained over 6,500 yards for four different NFL teams, Breshad Perriman is a different player than his dad. He's bigger (6'2", 212 to 5'10", 180) and more of an outside receiver. The younger Perriman took a little while to get up to speed, catching 26 passes in 2012 and 39 in '13, but he really broke it open last season with 50 catches for 1,044 yards and nine touchdowns. There's work to be done before Perriman will be able to match UCF alum Brandon Marshall in overall productivity, but the potential is there. Strengths: As his career 19.5 yards-per-catch average implies, Perriman is an outstanding deep threat. But he's also adept at using his size and cut ability to get under coverage on slants and drags. Has a long wingspan that he knows how to use to beat close coverage for contested catches. Can be really tough to beat on 50/50 balls. Runs out of the snap well and digs his foot in to start a route. Big and physical enough to deal with press coverage, able to gain consistent yards after the catch. Could be a huge upside player for a team patient enough to deal with the raw spots in his palette. Weaknesses: High-waisted player who gets a bit sluggish in his breaks at times—is not a sudden mover except in a straight line. May not have the pure burst and acceleration needed to be a top-class receiver; could be better cast as a complementary threat in an NFL passing game, though this could be partially countered with technique fixes. Will need to round out his route knowledge in the NFL. Must gain a better sense of concentration in traffic, and he must use his body better to avoid being re-directed too often. Conclusion: Perriman made his biggest splash in the court of public opinion when he ran a sub-4.3 40 at his pro day, but as they say, it's important to go back to the tape—and he doesn't always play to that speed. That said, there's enough on the tape to make one wonder if, in the right environment and given the proper tools, Perriman might not wind up as the best receiver in this draft class. It's a longshot, but he flashes that potential from time to time.) (3-30-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/03/30/2015-nfl-draft-ranking-si-64-breshad-perriman-cedric-ogbuehi
A Few Pro Day Takeaways (Brett Perriman was a pretty good NFL receiver but he never had the jets to make you look at you stopwatch twice to see if it was working correctly. His son, Breshad, does. The younger Perriman looked like an Olympic track star at UCF's pro day, recording blazing 40 times of 4.25 and 4.27. And he wasn't a one-trick pony, also putting up an impressive 37-inch vertical leap. If Perriman's father can teach him the art of route-running, Breshad should be able to pop the top off any defense rather early in his career.) (3-30-15): http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=nfl/writers/extrapoints/archive/extrapoints_033015.htm
Mayock: Four WRs will be among top 20 picks in draft (One big riser in Mayock's rankings, though, is UCF's Breshad Perriman, who ran a blistering fast 4.25 40-yard dash at his pro day last week. Mayock previously had Perriman tied for fifth in his rankings, but that 40 time moved him neck and neck with Louisville's DeVante Parker, per Mayock, who said he believes that all four -- White, Cooper and Perriman and Parker -- will go in the top 20 of the draft.) (3-30-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000482642/article/mayock-four-wrs-will-be-among-top-20-picks-in-2015-nfl-draft
Pro Days Notebook Part III (Breshad Perriman – WR – Perriman did not work out at Indy so there were scouts and coaches from just about every team in attendance. He didn’t disappoint. He ran twice, timing 4.25 and 4.27. He also had a 37” vertical jump and a 10’7” standing long jump. He also was very consistent catching the ball. I doubt Perriman gets out of the first round.) (3-30-15): http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/pro-days-notebook-part-iii/
2015 Pro Day: Five Takeaways from this week's Pro Day workouts (In terms of eye-popping results, the workout of the week belonged to Central Florida wideout Breshad Perriman, whose pair of sub 4.30 second times in the 40-yard dash could vault him into the first round. It wasn't just speed that the son of former Detroit Lions' standout receiver Brett Perriman demonstrated Wednesday, however. In front of a packed house that reportedly included Pittsburgh Steelers' GM Kevin Colbert, New England Patriots' head coach Bill Belichick, and receivers coaches from nine different clubs, Perriman also demonstrated explosiveness in the vertical jump (36.5), broad jump (10-7) and bench press (18 reps of 225 pounds). He also had a terrific positional workout, showing fluidity as a route-runner and better hands than on tape.) (3-27-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25125638/pro-day-five-takeaways-from-this-weeks-pro-day-workouts
2015 NFL Draft: This Week In Pro Days (Central Florida’s Breshad Perriman blazed through the 40 in an unofficial 4.25. Even better news for the WR, was that he caught most of the balls thrown his well.) (3-27-15): http://optimumscouting.com/draft/2015-nfl-draft-this-week-in-pro-days-3.html
UCF WR Breshad Perriman recorded a drop rate of 14 percent during the 2014 season, according to College Football Focus (3-26-15): https://twitter.com/PFF_Steve/status/580805576617246720
Breshad Perriman of UCF uses fast 40 to boost draft stock (Wide receiver Breshad Perriman, who was unable to work out a month ago at the NFL Scouting Combine due to a injured hamstring, boosted his stock in the 2015 NFL Draft a lot with fast 40-yard dash times and a good positional workout. Perriman (6-foot-1 3/4, 212 pounds) was clocked between 4.19 and 4.27 seconds in the 40, but the official times being forwarded along to teams are 4.24 and 4.27. He had a 36 1/2-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-7 broad jump. He did 18 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. Perriman -- who has 32-inch arms and 9 5/8-inch hands -- caught the ball better than expected during his positional workout. Some people thought that he didn't have very good hands, but you didn't see that today in his workout. He also showed very good change-of-direction skills. The knock on Perriman is that he is not the hardest-working player, but he helped himself a lot at UCF's pro day and should be a low first-round to high second-round draft choice. He certainly has the pedigree. His father, Brett Perriman, was in attendance to watch the workout. Perriman had two career 1,000-yard receiving seasons while with the Detroit Lions, including a 108-catch, 1,488-yard season in 1995.)
(3-25-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000481537/article/breshad-perriman-of-ucf-uses-fast-40-to-boost-draft-stock
UCF WR stuns scouts with amazing 40-yard dash clocking at pro day (3-25-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000481430/article/breshad-perriman-wows-scouts-with-425second-40yard-dash
WATCH: UCF's Breshad Perriman blazes a ridiculous 4.2* 40-yard dash (3-25-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/blog/rob-rang/25122723/watch-ucfs-breshad-perriman-blazes-a-ridiculous-42-40-yard-dash
Did UCF receiver Breshad Perriman just run a sub-4.2-second 40-yard dash? (3-25-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/did-ucf-receiver-breshad-perriman-just-run-a-sub-4-2-second-40-yard-dash-184248728.html
Pro Day Weekly Preview: UCF WR Breshad Perriman makes his first round case (The Breshad Perriman train is about to pick up steam… (March 25). After straining his hamstring during Combine training, Perriman wasn't cleared to run in Indianapolis and chose not to lift on the bench press, making his pro day a must-see event for NFL scouts. He is very well-liked in NFL circles with his size/athleticism combination so teams are eager to put testing numbers next to his name to see how it matches up with his film. Despite losing 2014 first round pick Blake Bortles at quarterback, Perriman had his most productive season as a junior and proved to be a big-play threat at every level of the field as the starting “X” receiver. With a good showing at Central Florida's pro day, many around the league think its possible Perriman could sneak into the top-20 picks.) (3-22-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25119201/pro-day-weekly-preview-ucf-wr-breshad-perriman-makes-his-first-round-case
UCF WR Breshad Perriman had a drop rate of 12.96% in 2014, according to PFF's Steve Palazzolo. (Perriman had 7 drops on 54 catchable passes (12.96%). Ranked 81st of 91 qualifiers) (3-4-15): https://twitter.com/PFF_Steve/status/565961952900702209
2015 NFL Draft prospects facing pivotal pro days (Breshad Perriman, WR, UCF
Measurables: 6-2, 212: Skinny: Perriman is receiving some attention as a potential first-rounder, and to keep the hype train on track, a good workout is vital. He is a big, physical receiver -- one of many in this class. One thing Perriman has had to have noticed: "Big receivers" Amari Cooper, Dorial Green-Beckham, DeVante Parker, Jaelen Strong and Kevin White all ran faster than 4.50 in the 40 at the combine, and all but DGB were faster than 4.45. Pro day: March 25.) (2-26-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000474163/article/2015-nfl-draft-prospects-facing-pivotal-pro-days
O'Hara: Perriman values his father's advice (2-25-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARA-Breshad-Perriman-values-his-fathers-advice/401ddf77-4b00-468e-8324-92f318c628da
Don't be shocked if Lions pick a receiver in first round (Here's another name who can't be dismissed -- Breshad Perriman. Sound familiar? He's the son of former Lions receiver Brett Perriman. Central Florida's Breshad Perriman is 6-2, 212 pounds and has seen his draft stock rising lately after leaving school following his junior year. He had 50 receptions for 1,044 yards and nine touchdowns last season, including a memorable Hail Mary catch for the winning touchdown on the final play to beat East Carolina in the American Athletic Association championship game. NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock believes Perriman is "special" and could be emerging as a first-round pick. The buzz slowed somewhat during the NFL Scouting Combine this past weekend because a hamstring injury kept Perriman from participating. He will have another chance to check off that box, especially with his 40-yard dash time, at UCF's pro day. Mayock said Perriman makes acrobatic, contested catches but ... he also drops some easy balls at times. Concentration would seem to be his biggest problem there, but the size, athleticism and Lion blood could make him at least a consideration at No. 23 if Detroit doesn't find value at some other areas of need.) (2-24-15): http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/ucf-knights/knights-notepad/os-breshad-perriman-nfl-grade-post.html
Breshad Perriman set to one-up his dad in NFL draft (2-19-15): http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/sports/football/breshad-perriman-set-to-one-up-his-dad-in-nfl-draf/nkFSq/
UCF WR Breshad Perriman riding momentum from Hail Mary catch as draft stock soars (2-19-15): http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/ucf-knights/knights-notepad/os-ucf-breshad-perriman-riding-momentum-hail-mary-catch-draft-stock-soars-20150219-post.html
NFL Scouting Combine: Prospects with plenty to prove (Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida: Perriman caught just 50 passes last season -- but he averaged 20.9 yards per catch. That's the kind of number that'll light a fire in you. He appears to have outstanding speed and size, and he obviously has a knack for the big play. He also has a solid football pedigree: His father, Brett, was a second-round pick by the New Orleans Saints in 1988 who went on to play in the NFL for 10 seasons. If Perriman shows he can catch and run routes and demonstrates that there's improvement on the horizon, he could make a huge jump at the combine. UPDATE: Perriman will not be able to work out at the combine because of a hamstring issue; instead, he'll work out at his pro day on March 25.)(2-18-15): http://www.nfl.com/photoessays/0ap3000000471169
Mayock's thoughts on prospects (On UCF WR Breshad Perriman: "I put the Perriman tape on about three weeks ago and I almost fell over. And then I had a bunch of people tell me he didn't have good hands and, boy, do I disagree with that, even though he's got more drops than he should. There's kind of a way to interpret that. A wide receiver who has too many drops should have bad hands, right? Well, I look at his hands and say he makes acrobatic catches, he makes high-point catches, he makes contested catches. However, once in a while he drops an easy ball, but I think he's a natural hands catcher. I think he's got height and weight. I think he runs good routes. To me, he looks like a first-round wide receiver. I need to see what he's going to run this week. If he runs 4.50, 4.48, 4.51, people are going to be looking at him as a potential first-round wide receiver, and they should." Combine workout day: Saturday.) (2-17-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000470842/article/mike-mayock-nebraskas-randy-gregory-needs-to-add-weight
Breshad Perriman NFL Combine: 40-time key, draft analyst said (Mayock On Perriman: I put the Perriman tape on about three weeks ago and almost fell over. [inaudible] People tell me that he doesn't have good hands and boy do I disagree with that even though he's got drops than he should. So there's kind of a way to interpret that, a wide receiver that has too many drops should have bad hands, right? Well, I look at his hands and say he makes acrobatic catches, he makes high point catches, he makes contested catches, however every once in a while he drops an easy ball. But I think he's a natural hands catcher. I think he's got height and weight, I think he runs good routes...To me, he looks like a first round wide receiver. I need to see what he's gonna run this weekend. If he runs, a 4.5, 4.48, 4.51, people are going to be looking at him as a potential first round wide receiver and they should.) (2-16-15): http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/ucf-knights/os-breshad-perriman-nfl-combine-post.html
These are the players who will impress you at the NFL scouting combine (Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida: Perriman joins Coates as a receiver late Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis — notorious for picking the biggest and fastest even if they hadn’t proven it on the field — would love. He has remarkable quickness and top-end speed for a receiver his size (6-3, 214 pounds). But his penchant for drops and unrefined routes make him a project. He’ll be hard to ignore at the scouting combine, which he could use to vault into the first round.) (2-16-15): http://sportswire.usatoday.com/2015/02/16/nfl-scouting-combine-top-players/
NFP Prospect Focus: Breshad Perriman (2-15-15): http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/nfp-prospect-focus-breshad-perriman/
Brandt: Breshad Perriman ascending as draft prospect (2-12-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000470277/article/brandt-breshad-perriman-ascending-as-draft-prospect
Lions NFL combine preview: Wide receivers (Breshad Perriman, UCF (6-3, 214): He is rated as the No. 20 receiver and the No. 266 overall prospect by ESPN. The son of former Lions receiver Brett Perriman, he caught 115 passes in his career for 2,243 yards and 16 touchdowns. He averaged more than 20 yards per receptions in both 2013 and 2014. If the Lions choose other areas in the early rounds, he could be a decent mid-round pick.) (2-11-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/15170/lions-nfl-combine-preview-wide-receivers
ESPN NFL Draft expert projects Breshad Perriman in second round, praises Terrance Plummer (Kiper On Breshad Perriman: Perriman, you saw what he can do. He's a tough, tough guy to cover. He's got a lot of ability, he can beat you vertically, come across in traffic. He's the kind of guy that may be a second round possibility. Very, very good football player, has a chance to be...depending on workouts because that's gonna be very important for these guys to see how they test. He could even be the fourth, fifth wide receiver taken.) (1-21-15): http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/ucf-knights/os-nfl-draft-espn-breshad-perriman-post.html
Perriman's Hail Mary TD - UCF stuns East Carolina with Hail Mary for AAC title (12-4-14): http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/aac/2014/12/04/ucf-stuns-east-carolina-with-hail-mary-32-30/19933045/
Scouting report: NFL potential for UCF trio of receivers (At 6-3, 214, Perriman has excellent size and big frame on the outside. He has the physical profile of an ideal X-receiver, with impressive strength and a filled out body. Most receivers would require some time in the NFL on a strength program, but he is a grown man already. As a big strider who covers a lot of ground quickly, he has impressive speed for his size. Not a freaky athlete, but he looks like a mid-4.5 guy — great for his size. Perriman adjusts mid-air to the ball well, acting like defenders aren’t there. Destroys off-coverage by boxing out and eating up any cushion present quickly. Somewhat heavy feet when he has to win off the line of scrimmage — not surprising for his size — but it means he needs to win with his body or improve his foot speed. Perriman sells his routes well and changes direction without having his upper body out of control. Comebacks and digs are easy for him to win. Would like to see him high point and aggressively nab the ball more often. There are times where he has single coverage and won’t go over the cornerback in a dominant fashion. Has a good catch radius with his length. Not an explosive leaper but a good one, which separates him from a higher athletic grade. Summary: Perriman has the traits to be one a very good wide receiver in the league, although not elite. He’s got potential to be a Vincent Jackson-type receiver if he becomes more assertive at high pointing. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Perriman flourish quicker in a vertical offense than a horizontal attack. Draft prediction: Second round) (10-31-14): http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2014-10-31/nfl-draft-scouting-report-ucf-receivers-jj-worton-breshad-perriman-rannell-hall
2015 NFL Draft: American Athletic Conference Preview (WR Breshad Perriman, UCF, RS Junior (6-2 | 209 | 4.58 | #11): One of Blake Bortles' favorite targets a year ago, Perriman finished fourth on the team in catches (38), but was second in receiving yards (811) and was among the leaders in all of college football with a 20.8 yards per catch average. He needs to be more reliable as a hands-catcher and eliminate the drops, but he uses his size and athleticism well.) (7-15-14): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24621970/nfl-draft-american-athletic-conference-preview
WR Devin Smith:
Scouting Reports:
OSU profile page: http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/devin_smith_758535.html
NFL: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/devin-smith?id=2552459
CBS: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1871319/devin-smith
NFL Draft Scout: http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=120198&draftyear=2015&genpos=WR
Senior Bowl Prospect Profile: http://www.seniorbowl.com/player-view.php?p=743&squad=North
Articles:
NFP Prospect Focus: Dorsett, Smith and Coates (Devin Smith – WR – Ohio State (6000 – 196 – 4.42): Smith is a three year starter who kept getting better from year to year. That said, he still has a tremendous amount of upside. Strong Points – Smith has good size and can show some physicality and toughness. He timed 4.42 and plays faster. He is a top athlete with speed and body control. He is a very good vertical threat, has good hands, and does an excellent job adjusting to deep throws. He is a consistently good runner after the catch and a willing blocker. He has been a core special teams player at Ohio State. Weak Points – He still needs to develop his overall route running ability. His hands are a bit small (9”). While he has good hands, he will body catch some throws. At times, he has trouble getting off a jam. Summation – Smith is a better player than his production shows. He is an excellent deep threat and is outstanding at adjusting to the deep throws. With his speed and run instincts, he is dangerous after the catch. His game still needs to be fully developed, but he will be a very good special team’s player while he is learning. I see him as a role player as a rookie and a full-time starter by his second year. He would be a very good second round pick who could sneak into the bottom of the first round because of his speed.) (4-29-15): http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/nfp-prospect-focus-dorsett-smith-and-coates/
Greg Cosell's draft preview: Dorial Green-Beckham is a huge wild card (Devin Smith, Ohio State: Smith is a vertically explosive receiver with the easy ability to run by college corners. Overall he's a very fluid mover with an almost effortless stride; he flashed great quickness as a speed cut receiver. But at this point he will not win isolation routes outside the numbers against quality NFL corners.
Smith's game right now is almost totally reliant on speed, with almost no nuance at this point. How he will handle press coverage? Can he get off the jam and get into his routes?
I expect him to struggle against press coverage because he's long and lanky without much body strength. There's little polish or refinement as a route runner, as he did not run many routes at Ohio State. There will be a long learning curve to understand the details and subtleties of NFL route running, but he has one commodity you cannot teach: speed.) (4-26-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/greg-cosell-s-draft-preview--dorial-green-beckham-is-a-huge-wild-card-181904431.html
O'HARA'S DRAFT PREVIEW: Wide receivers and tight ends (WR Devin Smith, Ohio St.: A four-year player and three-year starter for the Buckeyes, he’s considered a finesse player. For the 2014 national champs he caught 33 passes for 931 yards and a nation-leading 28.2 yards per catch.) (4-20-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARAS-DRAFT-PREVIEW-Wide-receivers-and-tight-ends/da38b7ca-348e-4e60-82d3-1914e8045b57
Lions draft preview: Receivers will be worth a look (10. Devin Smith, Ohio State: The 6-foot, 196-pound Smith plays faster than the 4.42 in the 40 he ran at the combine. He averaged an absurd 28.2 yards per catch last year with 12 touchdowns on 33 catches. The problems are he has shaky hands and will have to prove he can do more than run deep, which he struggled to do at the Senior Bowl.) (4-18-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/04/19/lions-draft-preview-receivers-will-be-worth-a-look/26040003/
Ranking the draft's top 10 wide receivers available (8. Devin Smith, Ohio State: As my colleague Chris Burke wrote in his SI 64 scouting report, Smith is more than just a speed receiver—it's the way he tracks the ball and adjusts to bad passes on deep routes that makes him special. But you could make a case for him as a devastating deep receiver alone. In 2014, Smith averaged an amazing 28.2 yards per catch and scored 12 touchdowns on just 33 total catches. He'll have to round out his route palette in the NFL, but he'll also benefit from a more complete passing game wherever he lands at the next level. Teams looking for a vertical threat will be lining up for him.) (4-7-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/04/06/2015-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-rankings-amari-cooper-kevin-white
Nos. 44–40: Underrated playmakers from top teams ( 43. Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State: Bio: As a senior on Ohio State’s national championship-winning team, Smith posted 931 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns … on just 33 catches. The math on that works out to a mind-blowing 28.2 yards per catch and a touchdown every 2.75 times he hauled in a pass. For his career Smith averaged 20.1 yards on 121 catches, finishing with 2,501 total yards receiving and scoring 30 times. He was an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten member in 2014. Smith returned kicks and punts during his first two Ohio State seasons. Strengths: Will be tabbed by some as a “speed” receiver, but it’s actually what he does once he gets downfield that separates him in this class. Simply incredible when the ball is in the air, tracking it about as well as you’ll see from a college receiver. Able to get win the position battles with cornerbacks and safeties, too, so those deep passes find their home. Adjusts to underthrown passes when necessary. Also goes up and finds the football in the air, leaping and high-pointing it. Explodes in and out of breaks at times, perhaps hinting that he could become a dangerous intermediate weapon if he refines his approach. Has a chance to be one of those receivers that drives cornerbacks (and opposing fans) nuts wit the number of penalties he draws. Remember, NCAA rules permit defenders to keep their hands on receivers until the ball is in the air. Without the benefit of that cushion, Smith more easily will find his way deep and he has the know-how to create contact. Never missed a game in college. Weaknesses: Everything about his game on plays closer to the line of scrimmage needs more consistency. Route-running could become a real plus but it’s middle-of-the-road right now—rounds some off, doesn’t always hit the gas when headed inside, etc. Will have to get better at reading defenses to become more than just a deep threat; it won’t always work to just go long. Is less of a sure thing catching the football on short and intermediate routes than when he has to go get it downfield, but might just be a timing thing and letting the ball get too close to his body when he’s working back toward the line. To be a top-two receiver on a team, he’ll have to show more interest in blocking. Otherwise, he will be relegated mostly to three-receiver sets and passing downs. Decent size but nothing more. Physical cornerbacks will succeed at frustrating him on occasion. Conclusion: There might not be a player in this draft class as dominant in one specific area as Smith is at winning on the deep ball. NFL defenses will have to account for him whenever he sets foot on the field. Whether or not he can package that skill with a more complete game remains to be seen. Improvement in his routes and a better awareness for the coverage he is facing—both very teachable areas—would skyrocket Smith's upside. For a team with a very specific need for a home-run threat, he's still worth Round 1 consideration now. Pro Comparison: Torrey Smith, 49ers (Round 2,Ravens, 2011).) (4-3-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/04/03/2015-nfl-draft-ranking-si-64-jaelen-strong-jalen-collins-ameer-abdullah
2015 NFL Draft: Lance Zierlein's top 10 wide receiver prospects (8. Devin Smith, Ohio State: Zierlein's bottom line: Smith isn't just combine-fast, he's game-fast and he would have had more than 12 touchdown catches during the 2014 season if he didn't have to slow down and wait on throws so often. Smith has the feet and hips to become much more than a deep-ball specialist and should be able to step right into a gunner spot on special teams. He still needs to learn his craft and improve his hands, but he has rare speed to score from anywhere on the field.) (3-18-5): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000479835/article/2015-nfl-draft-lance-zierleins-top-10-wide-receivers
2015 Pro Days Notebook Part II (Devon Smith – ran the 3-cone in an outstanding 6.82 and stood on the rest of his Indy numbers. Scouts in attendance said he was inconsistent catching the ball while doing positional drills.) (3-15-15): http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2015-pro-days-notebook-part-ii/
2015 NFL Draft: This Week In Pro Days (WR Devin Smith chose not to run on his pro day, and just focus on catching the ball. The speedy deep threat showed good hands and his world class speed will make his a great asset to a team looking for a vertical passing attack.) (3-13-15): http://optimumscouting.com/draft/2015-nfl-draft-this-week-in-pro-days.html
Ohio State's pro day draws huge contingent of notable NFL personnel including Mayhew (Wide receiver Devin Smith (6-foot-0 1/2, 201 pounds) did the three-cone drill in 6.83 seconds and then stood on the rest of his numbers from the NFL Scouting Combine. Smith had a good workout, but needs to work on how he catches the football. He doesn't catch the ball real well with his hands and has a tendency to trap the ball against his body.) (3-14-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000478966/article/ohio-state-draws-huge-contingent-of-notable-nfl-personnel
2015 NFL Draft: TE Jeff Heuerman attracts NFL eyes at Buckeyes' pro day (Mayhew was there. Another top-100 prospect, Smith (6-0, 196) ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and decided to stand on that time. But he did join Heuerman running routes and catching passes from former Ohio State quarterback, Troy Smith, who hasn’t played in the NFL since 2010. Heuerman and Smith caught the ball well according to those in attendance and both solidified themselves as second day prospects.) (3-14-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25106520/nfl-draft-te-jeff-heuerman-attracts-nfl-eyes-at-buckeyes-pro-day
All 32 NFL teams attending national-champion Buckeyes' pro pay (Smith had just 121 career receptions, but 25 percent of them (30) went for TDs and he averaged 20.7 yards per catch. Smith can line up wide or in the slot, and while he remains somewhat raw, he has to be extremely enticing for any team looking for a true deep threat.) (3-14-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000478760/article/marvin-lewis-mike-tomlin-in-attendance-at-ohio-states-pro-day
NFL Draft Top 50, Nos. 41-50: Devin Funchess talented but flawed player (42. Ohio State WR Devin Smith 6-0, 196: He is a fluid and fast "X" receiver who can take the top off a defense. Although Smith didn't run the 40-yard dash in the 4.3-second range the way some expected, he can get deep and often was underthrown in a 33-catch final season with the Buckeyes in which he averaged a whopping 28.2 yards per reception and scored 12 touchdowns. Smith's route tree was limited, but he was used inside and out and could be a better pro than a collegiate player. Cornerbacks struggle to contain him in man coverage, and safeties must be mindful of his vertical ability, even if Smith could fill out his frame and add strength. He is also a quality gunner who can help out immediately on special teams, adding to his value. NFL comparison: Kenny Stills. Draft range: Second round.) (3-2-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/nfl-draft-top-50--nos--41-50--devin-funchess-talented-but-polarizing-prospect-205430152.html
NFL Combine 40 yd dash results (It’s funny how a time of 4.42 seconds can provide validation for some players like Cooper while creating doubts about others. As a former track star at Ohio State, Devin Smith was expected to perform slightly better than he did on Saturday. By racking up 12 touchdowns with an astronomical 28.2 yards-per-reception average last season forpredic the Buckeyes, Smith established himself as one of college football’s most dangerous deep threats. But he probably won’t be the fastest man on the field once he moves on to the NFL.) (2-23-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/02/21/nfl-combine-40-yard-dash-jj-nelson-marcus-mariota-phillip-dorsett
2015 Combine - NFL Sunday (Many were surprised Ohio State receiver Devin Smith was unable to break into the 4.3’s during yesterday workout, timing in the mid 4.4’s. So what happened? I spoke with people from Smith’s camp who told me the problem was all in the initial ten yards. Throughout combine training Smith had been clocking 1.45-seconds in his ten time but yesterday for some reason he ran 1.55’s. The one-tenth difference kept Smith out of the 4.3’s. It’ll be interesting to see what happens during the Buckeyes pro-day.) (2-22-15): http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=10463
Video - Devin Smith runs the 40 (2-21-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Ohio-State-University-Devin-Smith-runs-the-40-yard-dash/36d380bd-2ede-4f4a-81e4-bcf4a3dd0df5
WR 2015 Combine Field Drills Recap (Another deep-threat receiver for the first or second round is Ohio State's Devin Smith. Smith also tied for seventh in the 40 with a time of 4.42 seconds. He did fine in the field drills, doing enough to keep pace with the first- and second-round receivers.) (2-21-15): http://walterfootball.com/combine2015workoutWR.php
Saturday at the Combine (Concerning Reports - Ohio State WR Devin Smith’s forty times of 4.42 and 4.47 were perfectly acceptable, but I think they probably end up costing him a call at the end of Round 1. Smith, a pure burner on offense who also provides some special teams value, isn’t well-rounded enough as a receiver to go on Day 1 amidst a stacked perimeter class. Had he run in the 4.3s, as had been his plan, I think a team at the end of Round 1 may have talked themselves into the Torrey Smith comparison and squeezed the trigger. Now, Devin Smith may have even fallen behind fellow burner Dorsett in the grand pecking order. For the record, Rotoworld has never considered Smith (nor Dorsett) a first-round pick.) (2-21-15): http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/52333/351/saturday-at-the-nfl-combine
2015 NFL Combine - Friday (If receiver Devin Smith runs as well as expected the comparisons to Torrey Smith will begin.) (2-20-15): http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=10452
3 to watch at Combine (The second-round option: Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State
Detroit currently lacks a consistent third receiver behind Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate. Smith is an accomplished burner who averaged a staggering 28.2 yards per catch last season, with 12 of his 33 receptions resulting in a touchdown. He's expected to post one of the best 40-yard dash times at the combine. The Lions like Corey Fuller, but the former track star remains inconsistent, particularly when it comes to getting separation and making plays on deep throws. If the team had a reliable deep threat, it could really open up the offense.) (2-18-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/02/3_to_watch_at_combine_best_of.html
Top contenders to post the 2015 combine's fastest 40 (Perhaps the most dangerous deep threat in college football last season, Devin Smith emerged as a breakout star during Ohio State’s championship run. He teamed up with Cardale Jones to lay waste to Wisconsin’s defense in the Big Ten championship game, hauling in three long touchdown receptions in the Buckeyes' 59-0 win. That performance was no anomaly—in racking up 33 receptions for 931 yards and 12 touchdowns, Smith averaged a ridiculous 28.2 yards per reception as a senior. Smith also competed on Ohio State’s track and field team for three years, tying for second in the high jump in last year’s Big Ten outdoor championships. It’s clear he has the athleticism to cut it in the NFL, and he should be a joy to watch at the combine.) (2-16-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/02/16/nfl-combine-fastest-40-yard-dash-times-devin-smith-phillip-dorsett-sammie-coates
Potential Combine Stars (Smith should contend for the fastest time in the 40-yard dash, but his most impressive numbers might be recorded during the vertical and broad jumps. He has an extensive high school track background, having claimed an Ohio state title in the long jump. He also competed on the track team at Ohio State during his freshman year. The hyper-athletic receiver could put on the best all-around show at Lucas Oil Stadium.) (2-16-15): http://www.nfl.com/combine/story/0ap3000000470652/article/potential-combine-stars-phillip-dorsett-shane-ray-devin-smith
Combine prospects with the most to gain or lose (Not only is Smith fast, but he has the lower body explosion that will test well with the vertical and broad jump tests. He was the state of Ohio's long jump champ out of high school, also running a 10.56 100-meter dash.) (2-12-15); http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25067278/nfl-combine-prospects-with-the-most-to-gain-or-lose
Speed merchants: Which prospects will run fastest 40 at combine? (Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State - From Zierlein's report: Smooth speed merchant with instant gas off the line. ... Electrifying foot quickness. Game-breaking speed with necessary feel of a downfield receiver. ... Smith isn't just combine-fast, he's game-fast and he would have had more than 12 touchdown catches during the 2014 season if he didn't have to slow down and wait on throws so often.) (2-11-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000470002/article/2015-nfl-scouting-combine-which-prospects-will-run-fastest
Lions NFL combine preview: Wide receivers (Smith is rated as the No. 5 receiver and No. 26 overall player by ESPN. He led the Buckeyes in receiving yards (931) and touchdowns (12) this season. The athleticism is impressive, too, as he sprinted and high jumped with Ohio State’s track team, including jumping 7-0.25 feet at the Big Ten championships last year. ) (2-11-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/15170/lions-nfl-combine-preview-wide-receivers
Most fascinating pro comps for draft prospects (Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State - The NFL comp: DeSean Jackson. The skinny: Smith might not be quite as fast as Jackson, but he's very fast. His ability to track the ball deep and consistently take the top off a defense is very reminiscent of Jackson.)
(2-4-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000468159/article/most-fascinating-pro-comps-for-prospects-in-2015-nfl-draft
Senior Bowl Review: Offense (I still think Smith is a role player, but he can dominate in the vertical or downfield game. Can he, and will he be asked, to be more than that is the question. Winning at multiple levels is not a strength right now, and I’m of the opinion prospects do not improve as often as it is discussed.) (1-25-15): http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/51877/351/senior-bowl-review-offense
Senior Bowl Rules Of Thumb (Ohio State WR Devin Smith, confirming he’s strictly a one-dimensional offensive weapon. He seems incapable of running any route shorter than 25 yards. But man he’s awesome down the field. He also earned consistent kudos for his work on special teams.)(1-25-15): http://football.realgm.com/analysis/2592/Senior-Bowl-Rules-Of-Thumb
Mayock: Three Senior Bowl speedsters could post blazing 40 times at Combine (Devin Smith is one of the three players): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000462916/article/phillip-dorsett-shooting-for-429-40yard-dash-at-combine
2015 Senior Bowl Scouting: Thursday North Practice Notes (Devin Smith could not handle cornerbacks at the line of scrimmage and still needs to develop as a route runner. From footwork to hand use, Smith doesn’t have the technique to defeat press coverage. He caught the ball better today and extended for multiple high targets, but needs time to become more than a vertical weapon.) (1-22-15): http://optimumscouting.com/draft/2015-senior-bowl-scouting-thursday-north-practice-notes.html
Interview with Devin Smith (1-22-15): http://walterfootball.com/seniorbowl2015interview4.php
Senior Bowl: Pauline's Wednesday Risers (Smith, who thrived as a vertical receiver during his time at Ohio State, effectively ran underneath patterns during the second day of Senior Bowl practice. He ran crisp routes and quickly came back to the ball exiting breaks, then extended to pluck the pass from the air. Smith, 6-0, 190, made a number of impressive catches in the short field when battling defenders to come away with the ball.) (1-21-15): http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/article-1/Senior-Bowl-Paulines-Wednesday-Risers/8d4c6c7f-a748-487a-aa87-50074dd6d0ec
Optimum Scouting's 2015 Senior Bowl Scouting: Wednesday North Practice Notes (Smith had multiple drops, and didn’t stand out nearly enough. Smith continued to excel on deep routes, but his heavy feet were cumbersome as he tried to win on quick hitting slants and comebacks.) (1-21-15): http://optimumscouting.com/draft/2015-senior-bowl-scouting-wednesday-north-practice-notes.html
Inside scoop from Wednesday at the Senior Bowl (Smith has shown flashes of explosiveness that was seen in college) (1-21-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000461759/article/sources-tell-us-inside-scoop-on-prospects-at-senior-bowl
2015 Senior Bowl Observations - Day 1 (Smith wants to show scouts here he's more than just a deep threat. He ran plenty of short and intermediate routes in Tuesday's practice. His ability to cover punts has been mentioned by pro personnel, he said, and the receiver is willing to do anything to improve his value in the eyes of an organization. He says teams love him at the gunner spot.) (1-21-5): http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2015/01/senior_bowl_2015_observations.html
McShay compares Devin Smith to Torrey Smith (1-21-15): http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=CFB&id=131740&line=38872&spln=1
2015 Senior Bowl Monday's North Practice Report (Smith had a mixed debut. He ran some quality routes and showed off his
good speed. He ran well on a wide screen for about 10 yards in traffic
on a screen pass in the team scrimmage. However, Smith also dropped a
pass in the middle of the field on a short route. It would help Smith's
draft stock if he showed the ability to function as a possession
receiver along with being a deep threat.) (1-20-15): http://walterfootball.com/seniorbowl2015practice2.php
2015 Senior Bowl Scouting: Tuesday North Practice Notes (Smith didn’t win over doubters, as he had difficulty with the footwork and timing of the full route tree. At times he would turn late for the football, while other times he lacked the route break balance to create separation. He’s a one-trick pony as a vertical weapon and that was fairly obvious during today’s practice.) (1-20-15): http://optimumscouting.com/draft/2015-senior-bowl-scouting-tuesday-north-practice-notes.html
Mayhew eager to see Senior Bowl stars; 5 prospects to watch (The 2015 receiver class is brimming with talent, and the 6-1 Smith could be a perfect fit for the Lions. Smith, who averaged a ridiculous 28.2 yards per catch in 2014, could step in Day 1 and become the deep threat the Lions hoped Corey Fuller would be last season. ESPN ranks him as the No. 5 wide receiver in the draft and 24th prospect overall, but he'll have to prove this week that he can win on short and intermediate routes, too.) (1-20-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/01/19/lions-gm-mayhew-gets-ready-gauge-senior-bowl-stars/22029643/
10 Senior Bowl prospects for Detroit Lions fans to watch (Devin Smith is one of those prospects) (1-20-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/01/10_senior_bowl_prospects_for_d.html#3
Senior Bowl: Pauline's 20 To Watch (Smith has built a lot of momentum for himself lately and even Buckeye head coach Urban Meyer pronounced his senior wide out is flying up draft boards. He displayed himself to be a terrific vertical receiver for the national champs but is Smith a complete wide out or the beneficiary of terrific quarterback play? Is he capable of running good routes and making the underneath receptions? Scouts want to know how NFL ready the Buckeye pass catcher really is.) (1-19-15): http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/article-1/Senior-Bowl-Paulines-20-To-Watch/aaef3e25-9c9b-4850-89e1-6ba8aa98f2f1
NFL Draft Watch: 20 players we'll be watching at the Senior Bowl (Smith is nicely built at 6-1, 198-pounds but is smooth-muscled and might be a unitasker in the NFL unless he can display a full route tree. The quarterbacks here might not play the best to his skill set, but Smith can win people over by beating one-on-one coverage consistently. There's always a need for deep speed.) (1-19-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/nfl-draft-watch--20-players-we-ll-be-watching-at-the-senior-bowl-025609307.html
2015 Senior Bowl: 10 offensive prospects to watch (A nine route monster, Smith has been one of the best deep threats in college football with 12 touchdowns on only 33 receptions in 2014 – that's a touchdown every 2.75 catches, best in the NCAA. But he has been very inconsistent on non-vertical routes and needs to prove himself as more than just a downfield target.) (1-18-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24975640/senior-bowl-10-offensive-prospects-to-watch
2015 Senior Bowl: North Offense Scouting Preview (The draft’s top vertical threat, Smith has the unique ability, rivaled by only DeSean Jackson to have remarkable consistency in finishing vertical catches. His concentration, timing, and follow-through as a deep passing game target alone makes him a top-40 option, even though he’s a bit lackluster in other parts of his game. A few of those plays during Senior Bowl practices could really kick up the first-round interest.) (1-17-15): http://optimumscouting.com/draft/2015-senior-bowl-north-offense-scouting-preview.html
Prospects galore in OSU-Oregon game (Smith is effective as a gunner in large part because of his speed, which is also what will put him on the radar at receiver. Smith is lethal deep -- he's carrying a ridiculous 27.7 yards-per-catch average -- and doesn't mind fighting for the football.) (1-12-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/01/12/2015-nfl-draft-college-football-playoff-championship-oregon-ohio-state
OSU's Urban Meyer: Devin Smith's stock is soaring (1-10-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000456028/article/ohio-states-urban-meyer-devin-smiths-draft-stock-is-soaring
Devin Smith has fought through adversity to become OSU's deep threat (12-31-14): http://www.nola.com/sugarbowl/index.ssf/2014/12/devin_smith_has_had_to_fight_t.html
What wearing hearing about top NFL prospects (A NFC North scout said Smith will shoot up draft boards) (12-3-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000438326/article/sources-tell-us-what-were-hearing-about-top-nfl-prospects
NFL Draft: Week 11 prospect preview (Smith is a frustrating prospect because he shows the striding speed to stretch the field, but also inconsistent tracking skills, which makes him late to adjust and leads to focus drops. Aside from go routes downfield, he is unproven as a route runner, but has made a career out of getting behind the secondary for big plays, using his deep speed deep and also contributing on special teams coverages.) (11-6-14): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24785870/nfl-draft-week-11-prospect-preview
7 points to know about OSU's Devin Smith and the big play (9-2-14): http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/2014/09/7_points_to_know_about_ohio_st.html
WR Jalen Strong:
Scouting Reports:
Arizona State Profile Page: http://www.thesundevils.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=207911647
NFL: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/jaelen-strong?id=2552463
CBS: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/2061051/jaelen-strong
NFL Draft Preview 2015: WR Jaelen Strong: http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/nfl-draft-preview-2015-wr-jaelen-strong/
CFF Player Profile: Jaelen Strong, WR: https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/04/22/cff-player-profile-jaelen-strong-wr/
Articles:
Injury Analysis for 2015 Draft (Jaelen Strong, Arizona State: Injury History - Fractured wrist and a concussion in 2014. Analysis - Played through the wrist injury in 2014 and claims he did not require surgery. A fracture in the wrist comes with a high degree of risk for Wide Receivers.) (4-28-15): http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/53796/468/injury-analysis-for-2015-draft
Zierlien: 2015 NFL Draft's safest prospects (Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State: I've never been a huge fan of Strong as a first-round talent, but I've always felt like he would a solid second-rounder. NFL general managers and coaches worry less about the round and more about the player they are getting. I haven't found any team that has a negative thing to say about Strong. Sure, there are some who don't see on tape the same speed he showed at the NFL Scouting Combine, but beyond that, every coach and evaluator I've spoken with lauds Strong for his ability to play to his size, go get jump balls and make contested catches -- all important characteristics for long-time starters in the NFL.) (4-28-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000488373/article/brandon-scherff-amari-cooper-among-drafts-safest-prospects
Greg Cosell's draft preview: Dorial Green-Beckham is a huge wild card (Jaelen Strong, Arizona State: Strong has a lot of physical talent with excellent size and good overall movement but he's not a sudden explosive mover. At this point Strong is not the kind of receiver you can line up outside the numbers and expect to win isolation routes versus quality NFL corners. He is not a refined route runner and will need to be taught how to be compact in his movement because there are too many moving parts; good coaching could help him a lot. What Strong does well is he's a big-bodied receiver with the ability to high point the ball and make contested catches. He has powerful hands at the catch point and attacked the ball in the air. That's one of the strengths of his game. Strong also showed excellent body control and good hand-eye coordination to make tough catches.) (4-26-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/greg-cosell-s-draft-preview--dorial-green-beckham-is-a-huge-wild-card-181904431.html
WR Jaelen Strong visiting Houston Texans (4-22-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000487427/article/wr-jaelen-strong-visiting-houston-texans
O'HARA'S DRAFT PREVIEW: Wide receivers and tight ends (WR Jaelen Strong, Arizona St.: A transfer from Pierce College, Strong had two big seasons at ASU – 75 catches in 2013 and 82 in 2014 with 2,287 yards and 17 TDs combined for the two seasons. A 42-inch vertical jump at the Combine led the top receivers.) (4-20-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARAS-DRAFT-PREVIEW-Wide-receivers-and-tight-ends/da38b7ca-348e-4e60-82d3-1914e8045b57
Lions draft preview: Receivers will be worth a look (4. Jaelen Strong, Arizona State: The 6-foot-2, 217-pound Strong plays like his name, whether he's competing for a catch or battling for yards after it. He ran a 4.44-second 40-yard dash, but doesn't play that fast. He'll go in the first round because he consistently makes plays.) (4-18-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/04/19/lions-draft-preview-receivers-will-be-worth-a-look/26040003/
Arizona State WR Strong meeting with Steelers in pre-draft visit (4-17-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000486044/article/arizona-state-wide-receiver-jaelen-strong-visiting-pittsburgh
Jaelen Strong has broken bone in wrist, likely needs surgery (4-15-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000485583/article/jaelen-strong-has-broken-bone-in-wrist-likely-needs-surgery
Five Surefire Busts in the 2015 NFL Draft (5. Jaelen Strong WR Arizona St.- This one may shock more people than the other potential bust candidates. Strong is widely considered a top prospect by many with his ability to make grabs in traffic and locate/adjust to poorly thrown footballs. Unfortunately, Strong is largely overrated as a route runner. Not only does Strong lack the suddenness or burst to separate but he also lacks the awareness to sit in zone coverage. Strong often tips his body and head in the direction of his route before breaking towards that direction which will let Corners get in his hip pocket. Strong struggled mightily against of the nations top corners in Steven Nelson. Nelson was able to read Strong’s routes and out physical him at the catch point as well.) (4-14-15): http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2015/04/five-surefire-busts-in-the-2015-nfl-draft/
Best WRs in the draft (Jaelen Strong, Arizona State: The final receiver on the list and generally ranked behind the previous three, Strong has the remarkable upside to be the top receiver in the 2015 class in due time. A junior college transfer, Strong is more raw than the others, especially as a route runner in the mid-field and in adjusting off his initial route. But as a natural athlete, he has the rare ability to explode in-air and maintain focus on finishing catches in differing foot platforms and routes. Strong has the tools to grow into one of the NFL’s best receivers. He is the furthest away from being ready to shoulder the load as a team’s feature receiver, but he may possess the most upside of any on this list.) (4-14-15): http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2015-04-14/nfl-draft-2015-best-receivers-ranking-amari-cooper-kevin-white-devante-parker-jaelen-strong
Looking at receiver prospects in 2015 draft for Lions (Jaelen Strong, Arizona State (6-2, 217):He's the No. 5 receiver and No. 28 prospect on the board and like Parker and Perriman has the size and speed combination coaches and quarterbacks love. His hands might be better than Parker's or Perriman's and he could be around at No. 23. The Lions might have bigger need areas and could get semi-similar value later in the draft. His 42-inch vertical is enticing.) (4-13-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/16520/looking-at-receiver-prospects-in-the-2015-draft-for-the-lions?ex_cid=espnapi_public
Ranking the draft's top 10 wide receivers available (7. Jaelen Strong, Arizona State: Strong may be the most pro-ready receiver in this draft class outside of Cooper—he has a command of the subtleties that other receivers spend years trying to master. He's 6'2" and 217 pounds, with legitimate 4.4 speed in a straight line and impressive playing strength. Had his quarterbacks been more consistent, he may have put up even better numbers than he did in two seasons of action at Arizona State, and as they were his totals are nothing to sneeze at: 157 catches for 2,287 yards and 17 touchdowns. Some team is going to take Strong in the late first or early second round, and they're going to be rewarded over time with a fine receiver with a lot to offer, especially when he gets better at tracking the deep ball and running his routes with more crispness.) (4-7-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/04/06/2015-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-rankings-amari-cooper-kevin-white
Nos. 44–40: Underrated playmakers from top teams (41. Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State: Bio: In two season with the Sun Devils, Strong totaled 157 catches for 2,287 yards and 17 touchdowns, becoming one of the Pac-12's most productive receivers from the start of his time on the field despite a tenuous-at-best quarterback situation. Unable to qualify for the one FBS offer he received out of high school (Eastern Michigan), Strong spent 2011 as a highly productive JUCO receiver at Pierce College in Los Angeles, and redshirted for ASU in '12. Strong doesn't explode off the tape, but all the elements of a complete NFL receiver seem to be in place, or on the way. Strengths: Primary attribute is that he'll most likely become an entirely new receiver with a consistent and accurate NFL quarterback—his passers at Arizona State were inconsistent at best. Has learned to expand his catch radius as a result. Well-built player (6'2", 217 pounds) with the upper-body strength to deal with press coverage and win physical battles downfield. Can break free of tight coverage to snatch the ball out of the air with excellent timing. Knows how to use his hands to get separation. Understands how to stay open and extend the play when his quarterback moves out of the pocket. Willing and above-average blocker. Fearless when extending his body to make a catch and has no trouble taking hits in traffic. Credible receiver outside and in the slot. Weaknesses: Not a burner off the snap at all, though he does have another gear as he gets going—tends to lope when he runs, and he's not all that sudden in his breaks. Route exactness is a work in progress, as he rounds deeper routes off and doesn't run quick-breaking routes consistently. Needs to track the deep ball better and avoid letting the ball sink into his body—must stab the ball with his hands more often. Conclusion: While Amari Cooper and Kevin White will the lion's share of accolades among receivers in this draft class, there's a growing feeling that Strong may be among the most productive NFL targets in this group—especially when he's put in an offense with a functional and reliable quarterback. He's an aggressive, consistent player with speed that will surprise, and an upside hidden by the limitations of others. The best is yet to come with Jaelen Strong. Pro Comparison: Muhsin Muhammad, Panthers(Round 2, 1996).) (4-3-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/04/03/2015-nfl-draft-ranking-si-64-jaelen-strong-jalen-collins-ameer-abdullah
Jeremiah: Strong, Collins strong options for Eagles in Round 1 (4-2-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000483084/article/jaelen-strong-landon-collins-could-be-options-for-eagles
Mayock: Four WRs will be among top 20 picks in draft (Mayock thinks Arizona State's Jaelen Strong (No. 5) will sneak into the bottom of the first round.) (3-30-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000482642/article/mayock-four-wrs-will-be-among-top-20-picks-in-2015-nfl-draft
Top five most dangerous red-zone WR prospects (3. Jaelen Strong, Arizona State: A couple excerpts from Strong's NFL.com scouting report tell the tale here: "Former high school basketball player who knows how to keep defenders on his hip ... Good strength in hands and makes contested catches ... Decent leaper who will climb the ladder for a catch or sink and secure low throw." The Arizona State star knows how to adjust to the ball in the air, too. NFL fit: Cleveland Browns. Less than a year ago, Cleveland was identified as having the shortest wide receiving corps in the NFL. The roster isn't quite the same today, but with Josh Gordon's status more tenuous than ever, Strong could be a nice fit for the Browns at No. 19 overall.) (3-23-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000480772/article/top-five-most-dangerous-redzone-wr-prospects
2015 NFL Draft: Lance Zierlein's top 10 wide receiver prospects (5. Jaelen Strong, Arizona State: Zierlein's bottom line: Individual elements of Strong's game aren't awe-inspiring, but scouts really love the entirety of his game and where it is headed. His strength, size and ability to catch contested throws will be coveted by some, but his issues with separation quickness can only be solved if he becomes much better in his route-running. Strong looks the part of a physical, possession receiver with a relatively high floor.) (3-18-5): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000479835/article/2015-nfl-draft-lance-zierleins-top-10-wide-receivers
Slam dunks: Williams leads list of 10 safest prospects in draft (WR Jaelen Strong, Arizona State
Like Kevin White, the only question on Strong at the combine was how well he would run. He answered that emphatically with a 4.44 clocking in the 40-yard dash. He has an exceptional ability to win battles for the ball in traffic, making contested catches with strong hands and a 6-2, 217-pound frame. One NFL scout has compared him to the New Orleans Saints' Marques Colston, and Colston is approaching 10,000 career receiving yards in the NFL.) (3-18-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000479720/article/slam-dunks-10-safest-prospects-in-2015-nfl-draft
The Top 5 Receivers in the 2015 NFL Draft (4. Jaelen Strong – Arizona State: Like I said, this is the year of the big receiver. Strong is as big as any of the other receivers in this group standing 6’2 – 217. He is also very long with 32 ½” arms. Being that Strong is a long strider, he doesn’t look as fast as he really is. At Indy, he ran 4.44 so he is right there with the other top receivers. I look at Strong as a very smooth athlete who makes things look easy. He can get open on any kind of route, and with his jumping ability (42” vertical) he is going to win all jump balls. Like the others, he was very productive with 82 catches for 1165 yards and 10 TD’s. He needs to improve his overall route running skills, but his upside is unlimited. When you factor in that he has only played two years at the FBS level, you can understand what I mean. I see him becoming a legitimate number 1 receiver for his team by his second or third year. He should have top production for years to come.) (3-6-15): http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/the-top-5-receivers-in-the-2015-nfl-draft/
2015 NFL Draft: This Week In Pro Days (All 32 teams attended Arizona State’s pro day to watch highly regarded wide receiver Jaelen Strong take the field. Strong delivered catching every pass in his 56 play workout. The 6’2 219 pounder looks to be a top 20 selection in the draft.) (3-6-15): http://optimumscouting.com/draft/2015-nfl-draft-week-pro-days.html
2015 Pro Days: Five Takeaways from Week One (Strong, Hardison pull scouts to ASU - Every team in the NFL was represented Friday at Arizona State's Pro Day. Though star wideout Jaelen Strong might have been the big draw, he largely elected to stand pat on his terrific Combine performance (which included a 4.44 second showing in the 40-yard dash and a 42" vertical) but wowed during the positional drills, catching every pass thrown his way.) (3-6-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/blog/rob-rang/25096075/pro-days-five-takeaways-from-week-one
Strong catches everything at pro day (Wide receiver Jaelen Strong (6-foot-2 5.8, 219 pounds) ran the 20-yard short shuttle in 4.19 seconds and the three-cone drill in 7.33 seconds. He stood on his numbers from the NFL Scouting Combine in the 40-yard dash (4.44 seconds), broad jump (10 feet, 3 inches) and vertical jump (42 inches, which was second-best among wide receivers at the combine). Strong went through a 56-play scripted positional workout, which was run by San Diego Chargers wide receivers coach Fred Graves. Strong did an exceptional job in the workout, catching everything thrown his way.) (3-6-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000477086/article/jaelen-strong-catches-everything-at-arizona-states-pro-day
Sun Devils make good of pro day (Jaelen Strong: After a strong NFL Combine performance quieted detractors of Strong's biggest question mark (his speed), the physical receiver got in some drills Friday and also worked with Taylor Kelly during a throwing portion of the pro day. Strong did well (4.19 seconds) on a 20-yard shuttle drill that timed back-and-forth speed. He finished the 3-cone drill at 7.33 seconds, but nothing that occurred Friday will likely shake up his stock. Where he excelled: Strong said he wanted to "get in and out of breaks" well during his route-running on Friday. What's his stock looking like: The 40-yard dash of 4.44 seconds at the combine settled that mystery and likely pushed Strong into the first round. The other knock, his unpolished routes, was addressed at ASU's pro day. "The biggest thing for me was speed. I knew what I was going to go out there and do at the combine," he said. What's next: Strong will spend a little more time with his family now that he's well-positioned in the draft. Making it to the NFL will be emotional. "Watching Vince Young go, watching Reggie Bush go, I remember all that," Strong said. "It's a big thing for me. To actually hear my name called and see my name pop up on the screen, I might shed a tear.") (3-6-15): http://www.foxsports.com/arizona/story/nfl-draft-2015-jaelen-strong-asu-football-pro-day-damarious-randall-030615
NFL Draft Top 50, Nos. 31-40: Cedric Ogbhuehi tumbles but has talent (38. Arizona State WR Jaelen Strong 6-2, 217: Strong might get lost in the hype of a gifted WR draft class, but he's an athletic possession receiver (that's not a knock) who can carve up defenses with his skills, especially against smaller, less physical cornerbacks. Watch him go back and forth with Washington's Marcus Peters, one of the more talented corners in this draft crop, and you can see Strong's competitiveness and basketball-like skills. He might not be a No. 1 in the NFL and projects as an excellent sidekick "Z" receiver in a West Coast type of offense. Strong is not a deep burner and has a cap on what he'll be in the NFL, but there's a lot to like about his ability to track and snag a high volume of passes in the right scheme. NFL comparison: Eric Decker. Draft range: Late first round to mid-second.) (3-3-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/nfl-draft-top-50--nos--31-40--cedric-ogbhuehi-tumbles-but-has-talent-195053796.html
DeVante Parker, Jaelen Strong could be poised to rise up draft boards (Former Arizona State receiver Jaelen Strong is also gaining some steam at the tail end of the first round after being labeled as a second-round selection. "You talk about a big-bodied guy who understands attacking the football at its highest point -- at Arizona State he did a lot of back-shoulder catching, and I love that because you can never guard him," NFL Network's Curtis Conway said. "His stock is rising after the combine.") (3-3-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000476227/article/devante-parker-jaelen-strong-poised-to-rise-up-draft-boards
2015 NFL Combine: 25 Takeaways (5 players who helped themselves - Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State: Scouts liked the aptly-named Strong's bulked-up 6-2, 217 pound and his aggression in securing contested passes but in proving his explosiveness (4.44 seconds in the 40-yard dash) and leaping ability (42" vertical jump), the former Sun Devil may have sealed up a spot in the first round. If so, he'd be the first skill-position player from ASU to hear his name called in the first round since Todd Heap was picked No. 31 overall by Baltimore back in 2001.) (2-23-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25079684/nfl-combine-25-takeaways-include-risersfallerspro-days
NFL Scouting Combine Winners and Losers (Arizona State’s Jaelen Strong pushed his way into the first-round discussion.) (2-22-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/nfl-scouting-combine--biggest-winners-and-losers-so-far-184030592.html
Arizona State WR Jaelen Strong talented enough to be in discussion at No. 23 for Detroit Lions (2-21-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/02/detroit_lions_jalean_strong.html
Day 2 Combine Risers and Sliders (Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State is picked as a riser: He's big, physical and constantly hauls down contested catches, so NFL teams may have been willing to overlook a lack of speed from Strong. "He's not going to run fast, but it won't matter because any team who drafts him is going to have a plan for him," an unnamed NFC West scout told NFL.com. Except Strong did turn on the jets during Saturday's workouts, clocking in with an (unofficial) 4.44-second time in the 40 and a 1.57-second 10-yard split. The former number is almost in line with the likes of Devin Smith (4.42) and Sammie Coates (4.43), two players coveted as deep threats. "That’s everybody’s big question," Strong said of his speed earlier in the week. "Everybody wants to know what I’m going to run. I can’t wait to get out there." Strong admitted that he still needs to polish up his game, namely when it comes to getting out of his breaks. But with the 6'2", 217-pound receiving topping off his build with legit speed, the odds of him landing in Round 1 rose.) (2-21-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/02/21/nfl-combine-day-2-risers-sliders-kevin-white-jaelen-strong-jameis-winston-marcus-mariota
Lions Combine Gleanings (Jaelen Strong is not a guy often considered a candidate for the #23 pick but it’s not all that unrealistic. He would be the outside wideout to play opposite Calvin Johnson, allowing Golden Tate to play more exclusively in the slot. The big Arizona State wideout clocked an official 4.44 in the 40 but rocked the vertical jump at 42″. His 1.57 10-yard split on his 40 time is among the best of any wideout and blew away much smaller/quicker guys like Jamison Crowder and Mario Alford.) (2-21-15): http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2015/02/lions-combine-gleanings/
WR 2015 Combine Field Drills Recap (Arizona State wide receiver Jaelen Strong had two good 40 runs to show that he has enough speed. His official 40 time of 4.44 was very good considering there were speed questions about him. He also had a tremendous vertical leap of 42 inches, one of the largest in recent years. That illustrates why Strong is such a dangerous red-zone threat. In the field work, Strong (6-2, 217) did his job to keep himself in the mix to be a late first-round pick.) (2-21-15): http://walterfootball.com/combine2015workoutWR.php
2015 Combine: Day 4 (Arizona State’s Jaelen Strong measured in at 6’2 and 217 pounds, and posted a vertical leap of 42 inches. His leap was the third best of the last 10 years of the combine for the receivers. His 40 time of 4.51 was an excellent response to questions of his downfield speed.) (2-21-15): http://optimumscouting.com/draft/2015-nfl-combine-day-4-news-notes.html
2015 NFL Draft Preview: WR Jalen Strong (2-20-15): http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/nfl-draft-preview-2015-wr-jaelen-strong/
2015 NFL Combine Weigh-In Analysis: WRs (Arizona State wide receiver Jaelen Strong (6-2, 217) is put together well. He is a physical receiver and a red zone threat. Strong is an inch shorter than his listed height, but he's big enough to offer a mismatch with his height and strength.) (2-19-15): http://walterfootball.com/combine2015weighinWR.php
NFL combine options wide open for Lions (The 6-foot-3 Strong could be an option late in the first round and would be a good big-body receiver to play opposite Johnson.) (2-16-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/02/15/combine-options-wide-open-lions/23475107/
Lions NFL Combine preview: WRs (Jaelen Strong, Arizona State (6-3, 215): Rated as the No. 6 receiver and No. 30 overall player by ESPN. He put together back-to-back 1,100-yard seasons in his two years at ASU. Caught 82 passes for 1,165 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2014. In 2013, he had 75 catches for 1,122 yards and seven touchdowns.) (2-11-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/15170/lions-nfl-combine-preview-wide-receivers
What we're hearing about top prospects (The scoop: "He's not going to run fast, but it won't matter because any team who drafts him is going to have a plan for him. When he has a quarterback who can throw him open, his speed won't matter much. I love him." -- NFC West scout on Arizona State WR Jaelen Strong. The skinny: No one aspect of Strong is awe-inspiring, but scouts love the entirety of his game and where it's headed. Corners don't fear his speed -- he's a long-strider who takes a while to build speed, and he rarely gets separation deep against man-to-man coverage -- but his strength, size and ability to catch contested throws will be coveted by some teams. Think Dwayne Bowe.) (2-5-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000467815/article/sources-tell-us-what-were-hearing-about-top-nfl-prospects
Most fascinating pro comps (Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State - The NFL comp: Dwayne Bowe.
The skinny: They're very similar in body type and speed. Bowe went in the first round without having great speed, and the same could happen to Strong. Both can make contested catches and use their size very effectively.) (2-4-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000468159/article/most-fascinating-pro-comps-for-prospects-in-2015-nfl-draft
Top 2014 performances: Jalen Strong (1-28-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/83892/top-2014-performances-jaelen-strong-2
Jalen Strong has big finish in Sun Bowl (Strong announced he was entering the 2015 draft earlier this week, and his final game for Arizona State featured seven receptions for 103 yards. It was his fifth 100-game game of the season and his sixth game with at least seven receptions. NFL Media analyst Bucky Brooks has said Strong has the potential "to be a No. 1 receiver" in the NFL. He is known for his physical nature, strong hands and overall athleticism, and perhaps the biggest question with Strong is his top-end speed. His 40 time will be scrutinized in the run-up to the draft; he seems likely to clock in the 4.5s, though a mark in the high 4.4s is possible. Strong looks to have a shot at being one of the top three receivers drafted, though being one of the top five seems more likely. Strong is a Philadelphia native who arrived at Arizona State last year after a stint at a junior college. He finished this season with 82 catches for 1,165 yards and 10 touchdowns; he had 75 receptions for 1,122 yards and seven TDs last season.) (12-27-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000449632/article/arizona-states-jaelen-strong-has-big-finish-in-sun-bowl-win
NFL draft prospect Jalen Strong's path to Arizona State stardom (12-23-14): http://www.si.com/college-football/2014/12/22/jaelen-strong-arizona-state-sun-devils
Strong announces NFL intentions (12-22-14): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24911226/nfl-draft-sun-devils-wr-jaelen-strong-announces-nfl-intentions
Kiper breaks down Jalen Strong (On Strong: "I think he's a second-round pick who could become a late first if he runs well,'' Kiper said. "The big question will be separation speed, quickness out of your break, explosiveness out of your break. Pro day's going to be very important for Jaelen Strong, there's no question about that. He can't go to any postseason all-star games as (a junior).") (12-11-14): http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/asu/2014/12/11/espn-draft-expert-mel-kiper-breaks-down-asus-jaelen-strong-dj-foster/20247677/
Week 13 risers and sliders (Arizona State receiver Jaelen Strong receives a lot of attention on the outside as the junior is in the midst of a career campaign. Speak to scouts and you’ll get a different point of view. Many are concerned with his lack of speed, quickness and the struggle he’ll have separating at the next level. Several area scouts have stamped Strong as a third rounder based off the film and many grade Dres Anderson of Utah as a better receiver prospect for the next level.) (11-24-14): http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=10237
Strong expected to return against Wildcats after sitting out with a concussion (11-24-14): http://www.foxsports.com/arizona/story/arizona-state-s-jaelen-strong-expected-to-return-against-rival-arizona-112414
Jalen Strong's one-handed grab gets nation's attention (11-10-14): http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/heat-index/2014/11/10/jaelen-strongs-one-handed-grab-gets-nations-attention/18802141/
Strong plays chess while opposing D plays checks (11-4-14): http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/79839/jaelen-strong-takes-on-defensive-back-study
NFP Prospect Focus: Jalen Strong and Ty Montgomery (11-1-14): http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/nfp-prospect-focus-jaelen-strong-and-ty-montgomery/
ASU survives wind, talented Washington defense (Though he only caught three passes, Strong led the No. 14 Sun Devils to another key conference win, pushing the Sun Devils past the Huskies 24-10. The 6-foot-4, 212 pound redshirt junior sparked ASU's scoring with a 16-yard touchdown in front of Peters in the second quarter. Though it didn't get his teams points directly, Strong's fourth quarter catch on a deep post also proved critical. For a player with his lanky build, Strong showed very impressive balance and quickness to shake Peters for 23 yards on the route, setting up the Sun Devils' game-winning score. It was the seventh touchdown of the season for Strong, matching the total the highly regarded JUCO transfer posted last year when he earned second team All-Pac-12 honors. The 6-foot, 198-pound Peters won his share of plays, as well. He baited ASU quarterback Taylor Kelly into a similar throw moments later and broke ahead of Strong, very nearly intercepting the 12th pass of his three-year career. Peters helped limit Strong to just three grabs for 55 yards despite the fact that he was targeted eight times. To put that in perspective, Strong had averaged nine catches for 125 yards in four previous Pac-12 contests.) (10-26-14): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24768659/nfl-draft-asu-survives-wind-talented-washington-defense
Stock Report (WR Jaelen Strong, Arizona State: The big-bodied pass catcher has been on the radar of scouts for the past year, but his 10-catch, 202-yard effort against the Trojans will make him the center of conversation in the NFL scouting community. Strong exhibited the size, strength and ball skills that scouts covet in No.1 receivers, while dominating the Trojans on the perimeter. The 6-3, 212-pound junior scored three times, including a 46-yard reception on a Hail Mary to win the game for the Sun Devils. With the NFL trending toward "big" receivers on the perimeter, Strong's standout performance showcased his potential at the next level.) (10-6-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000406770/article/stock-report-bo-wallace-on-the-rise-dylan-thompson-falls
Week 6 Stock Report (In five games, Strong has posted double-digit catches three times, including an outstanding performance Saturday at USC. He finished with 10 catches for a career-best 202 yards and three touchdowns, but the lasting image of Strong from the game will be him undercutting stagnant Trojan defenders to attack a Hail Mary in the final seconds for the winning touchdown. The play will be on repeat in the minds of Arizona State fans. Strong, meanwhile, is making a case to be a Biletnikoff Award finalist. He is tall, athletic, tough and plays the position like a power forward, locating and attacking with his hands. Strong has the skill-set to be one of the top-five receivers drafted next spring and his continued development will determine just how high he goes.) (10-6-14): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24740896/nfl-draft-week-six-stock-report
Week 6 risers and sliders (Jaelen Strong/WR/Arizona State: I was cool towards Strong entering the season as I saw no single distinguishing skill in his game yet the junior has put together a string of dominating performances in the early going. The latest was against USC in which Strong caught 10 passes for 202-yards and 3-touchdowns, the last score being the game clinching 46-yard Hail Mary. Strong is not a true deep threat but catches the ball well and wins out for contested passes. I’ll hold final judgment until his true size/speed numbers are recorded but must admit Strong has definitely improved his draft stock this season.) (10-6-14): http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=10068
Hundley, Bruins D tame Sun Devils (While the game was a tough one for the Sun Devils as a whole, their top NFL prospect fared well. The aptly-named Strong used his 6-foot-4, 212 pound frame to repeatedly post-up UCLA defenders, shielding them from the ball and catching passes away from his frame. His ability to consistently win on contested passes was utilized on a variety of back shoulder-fades and comebacks. Strong, a projected first-round pick as a redshirt junior, led the Sun Devils with 12 catches for 146 yards but was kept out of the end zone as ASU struggled to move the ball consistently with backup quarterback Mike Bercovici taking over for the injured Taylor Kelly.) (9-26-14): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24725088/nfl-draft-hundley-bruins-d-tame-sun-devils-tease-scouts
2015 NFL Draft: Arizona State Preview (Choosing the Sun Devils over offers from a number of other high profile programs such as South Carolina, Miami and Nebraska, Strong exploded onto the FBS-scene in 2013, hauling in 75 passes for 1,122 yards and seven touchdowns to earn Second Team All-Pac-12 honors as a JUCO-transfer (Pierce College). Strong only played one year at Pierce (67 passes for 1,263 yards and 15 touchdowns in 10 games) and therefore has two more years of athletic eligibility for the Sun Devils. A third highly productive season in a row, however, could make the 2014 season Strong's last at the amateur level, as Strong is currently NFLDraftScout.com's No. 3-rated WR in the 2016 class. Strong is aptly named as he is a well-built receiver whose height, body control and leaping ability make him a difficult matchup for cornerbacks. He runs hard and forces defenders to take him to the ground, fighting through arm tackles to generate good yardage after the catch. His size makes him equally effective on the perimeter (where he excels on back-shoulder fades) and when dragging across the middle. Strong accelerates quickly off the line, making him an effective vertical threat. Strong's talent is undeniable but he's far from a finished product. He generally catches the ball with his hands and can make the dazzling acrobatic reception but fights the ball on occasion and needs to do a better job of extending his arms fully to high-point passes and take full advantage of his height advantage. He's going to need to sharpen up his route-running, as well, as too often he gets by on simply posting up defenders at this level.) (6-26-14): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24589733/nfl-draft-arizona-state-preview
WR Tyrell Williams:
Scouting Reports:
Western Oregon profile page: http://www.wouwolves.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2536
NFL Draft Scout: http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=1002069&draftyear=2015&genpos=wr
Nepatriots Profile Page: http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2015/03/scouting-report-tyrell-williams-wr.html
Articles:
Tyrell Williams, Western Oregon wide receiver, develops into NFL prospect (4-27-15): http://www.oregonlive.com/nfl/index.ssf/2015/04/tyrell_williams_western_oregon.html
Detroit Lions host speedy Division II WR Tyrell Williams for pre-draft visit (4-13-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/04/detroit_lions_host_star_divisi.html
NFL Draft Needs: Ravens (Round 6 (204): WR Tyrell Williams, Western Oregon - A late round small school prospect, Williams has drawn plenty of attention from the NFL despite being rarely mentioned by the media. Specifically from the Patriots and Lions.) (4-10-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl-draft-needs-ravens-192900823--nfl.html
Tyrell Williams to visit the Lions on Monday (4-9-15): https://twitter.com/Rand_Getlin/status/586320579403218944
Williams excells at pro day (3-26-15): http://www.wouwolves.com/news/2015/3/26/FB_0326151358.aspx
College Football: Williams Catching His Dream (3-25-15): http://www.polkio.com/news/2015/mar/25/college-football-williams-catching-his-dream/
Patriots visit with athletic Division 2 wideout (3-20-15): http://www.csnne.com/blog/patriots-talk/reports-patriots-visit-athletic-division-2-wideout
Patriots 2015 NFL Draft Sleepers: Western Oregon WR Tyrell Williams draws New England's attention (3-19-15): http://blog.masslive.com/patriots/2015/03/patriots_2015_nfl_draft_sleepe.html
Sean Mannion of Oregon State has look of an NFL QB at pro day (Western Oregon wide receiver Tyrell Williams (6-3 1/2, 204) ran the 40 in 4.42 and 4.44 seconds. He had a 39 1/2-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-7 broad jump. He did the 20-yard short shuttle in 4.11 seconds and the three-cone drill in 6.55 seconds. Williams is a potential free-agent pickup for a team following the draft.)(3-13-14): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000478953/article/sean-mannion-of-oregon-state-has-look-of-an-nfl-qb-at-pro-day
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