2016-17 CFB SEASON / '17 NFL DRAFT

[NinerSickness]

Who are the most intimidating hitters in CFB right now?

A name that sticks out to me is Reuben Foster ILB Alabama. Dude hits like he enjoys pain.

I didn't know this, but apparently this dude was wounded by a gun shot at 18 months (while his mom was holding him) by his dad, who fled & lived under a false identity for 16 years.

Yikes. I'd say I hope that didn't f**k him up, but I can't see how the odds could be in his favour on that one.

Anyone know anything about the guy off the field? PWillis had an insanely rough childhood, but he turned out ok. Hope the same is true for Foster.

Look how this monster just runs right through a block:

[NinerSickness]

Hey Mem, as one of our resident Vol's fans (Ray is too, right?), what do you think of Jalen Hurd? Been watching some Tennessee, and he stuck out.

He's a big, tall RB, and that's not necessarily the kind of guy I look for in a RB. Kelly's offense likes to use 'backs as receivers a lot, and his height could be an advantage in the passing game.

Went to high school in Tennessee & plays for the Vols; if he went to LSU or Ohio state would he be getting way more hype?

[Mem49er]

Hey Mem, as one of our resident Vol's fans (Ray is too, right?), what do you think of Jalen Hurd? Been watching some Tennessee, and he stuck out.

He's a big, tall RB, and that's not necessarily the kind of guy I look for in a RB. Kelly's offense likes to use 'backs as receivers a lot, and his height could be an advantage in the passing game.

Went to high school in Tennessee & plays for the Vols; if he went to LSU or Ohio state would he be getting way more hype?

Hurd is a complete back in that he can run, catch and is a devastating blocker in pass pro.

I think playing behind a poor O line and on a team without many accolades has hurt his hype. Both of those should improve this year.

We also haven't used him in enough runs from the I, IMO. Hoping that changes this year and he's a (very) darkhorse Heismam candidate.

He is very tall which is a concern but he runs with good pad level. Also don't know about his top end speed but I think that might be in part due to some of the other issues ( O line and offensive play design).

Overall, I think he's a top 5, maybe top 3 RB prospect from this year assuming he declares; which I think he will.

[NinerSickness]

Elijah Hood, RB Tar Heels

Not a single Tar Heel was drafted this year, so it's not like he's surrounded by pro'-level talent. And he hasn't done much as a receiver, but he runs hard. 6'0 is a little tall for my taste, just like with Hurd. but he's another RB on my radar.

Hoping Kelvin Taylor makes the need for a RB a moot point...

[NinerSickness]

There's a LB I would call a sleeper except that the only reason he didn't play much is the gluttony of talent Alabama has on defense:

Rashaan Evans, LB Alabama


He just covers a lot of ground really quickly. Listed at 6'3 225 as a freshman, but I'm sure he's gained some weight since then. Even more than Reuben Foster & Reggie Ragland (both huge hitters), he has the kind of explosive burst that could make him special. Granted, he's listed at a lower weight, but I don't think it's too much lower. I don't know if the team is going to use him as a rush OLB opposite Tim Williams or an ILB, but if he's an ILB, he'll be one on whom I'll keep a close eye. I think they're going to use him as an OLB though...

I also like his personality a little more than Reuben Foster. Foster had a nightmare of an upbringing, and it's hard for some people to shake that. Evans seems a little more positive & upbeat.

Could he be the next Jamie Collins??? (who happens to be a FA after this season by the way)

[NinerSickness]

A ]QB I haven't seen people write much about is Mason Rudolph, Ok. State:



Only 20 years old, so it's a little early to criticize his lack of arm strength (it should get better). His footwork, release, quickness to get rid of the ball, etc. seem pretty average at this point. But the one thing that stands out about him is long-range accuracy. Like Alex Smith, he's good at dropping the ball in the right spot on a "rainbow" pass (where he doesn't need "zip" but just has to place it in the right spot).

If he comes out after his Jr. season, he could be one of those QBs who has people kicking themselves for passing on just on potential (like Aaron Rodgers). He could also be the next Teddy Bridgewater, but time will tell. This loaf isn't baked yet.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Elijah Hood, RB Tar Heels

Not a single Tar Heel was drafted this year, so it's not like he's surrounded by pro'-level talent. And he hasn't done much as a receiver, but he runs hard. 6'0 is a little tall for my taste, just like with Hurd. but he's another RB on my radar.

Hoping Kelvin Taylor makes the need for a RB a moot point...

I'm a huge fan of Elijah Hood. A talented RB who will end up being drafted somewhere in the middle rounds - and essentially will develop to be a very good starter in the NFL (a la David Johnson). When ranking the second tier RB prospects, guys like Royce Freeman, and John Connor (health aside) are rated higher than him at this point but it wouldn't surprise me one bit if he is the one to emerge being the better back in the pros.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Nick Chubb - RB - Bulldogs

Based on conversations with orthopedic experts, Gridiron Now's Tony Barnhart said that he is "going to be surprised" if Georgia senior RB Nick Chubb plays early in 2016.

"The orthopedic people that I’ve talked to say from the date you injure the way he injured that knee, it’s a calendar year," Barnhart told 1010XL in Jacksonville. Chubb suffered his left knee injury on the team's first offensive series against Tennessee on October 10. HC Kirby Smart has played the "cautiously optimistic" card when it comes to the 5-foot-10, 228-pound senior, but has not committed to Chubb starting the season-opener against North Carolina on September 3. We should have a much better idea of Chubb's recovery and readiness when preseason camp boots up in August. The yearlong rehab timetable Barnhart cites is by no means hard and fast for every player.
Source: 247sports.com

May 28 - 6:01 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Art Briles - C - Bears

Baylor announced the firing of HC Art Briles, the probation of AD Ian McCaw and the removal of Ken Starr as school president.

Anybody expecting a quiet Memorial Day weekend in Waco will have to adjust their expectations. Following the review of a report by the law firm Pepper Hamilton regarding the hostile environment at Baylor, wholesale changes will be made. With Briles' firing -- technically, he has been "suspended indefinitely with intent to terminate according to contractual procedures" -- Yahoo Sports' Pat Forde has reported that DC Phil Bennett will take over as interim head coach. The university has yet to confirm that. As for what has been confirmed, Starr will be removed as school president effective May 31. Baylor's release indicated that he will remain with the university as Chancellor. Former dean David Garland will serve as interim president until a replacement can be found. Further fallout from this earth-shaking news should continue over the coming days.
Source: Scott Bell on Twitter

May 26 - 12:51 PM


Art Briles - C - Bears

A release of the Baylor board of regents' finding of facts that led to the firing of HC Art Briles noted that "[t]he choices made by football staff and athletics leadership, in some instances, posed a risk to campus safety and the integrity of the University."

"In certain instances, including reports of a sexual assault by multiple football players," Baylor's findings read, "athletics and football personnel affirmatively chose not to report sexual violence and dating violence to an appropriate administrator outside of athletics." The report went on to document that in some cases, members of the coaching staff met privately with those accusing former football players of sexual assault or violence and did not report misconduct. Baylor's full fact-finding report can be read at the source link. It was announced earlier on Thursday that HC Art Briles will be terminated, AD Ian McCaw has been placed on probation and school president Ken Starr will no longer serve as school president effective May 31.
Source: baylor.edu

May 26 - 1:10 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

This kid was a 5 star recruit coming out of high school. He was definitely on my list of players to keep an eye out for in terms of development as a potentially high 2017 NFL draft prospect:

Tony Brown - DB - Crimson Tide

With his time of 13.52 seconds in the 110-meter hurdles at the NCAA East Regional, Alabama junior CB Tony Brown qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Brown's 13.52-second mark was good for fourth place. It stands as a career-best time for the 6-foot, 196-pounder. He earned first-team All-American honors in track and field last season. The corner earned unfortunate headlines in early April after the NCAA hit him with an indefinite suspension for reasons unknown. The Crimson Tide are currently appealing that suspension.
Source: 247sports.com

May 29 - 7:30 PM

[NinerSickness]

Nick Chubb - RB - Bulldogs

Old-school, down-hill runner who hasn't really been used as a receiver.

[clyde21]

Hey Mem, as one of our resident Vol's fans (Ray is too, right?), what do you think of Jalen Hurd? Been watching some Tennessee, and he stuck out.

He's a big, tall RB, and that's not necessarily the kind of guy I look for in a RB. Kelly's offense likes to use 'backs as receivers a lot, and his height could be an advantage in the passing game.

Went to high school in Tennessee & plays for the Vols; if he went to LSU or Ohio state would he be getting way more hype?

Kalen Ballage is a better version of Hurd, IMO.

Look out for Bo Scarbrough, too. This is him...at 17:

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Adoree' Jackson - DB - Trojans

USC junior CB/WR Adoree' Jackson has run a 10.38 second 100-meter dash.

Off the gridiron, the 5-foot-11, 185-pounder boasts a pair of Pac-12 long jump titles and was excused from spring practice to try out for a long jump spot in the Rio Olympics. On the field, the Trojans' football MVP in 2015 is an ace corner and one heck of a part-time receiver. Jackson is No. 11 on Mel Kiper's Big Board, while CBS Sports draft analyst Rob Rang ranks him as the No. 8 underclassman draft prospect.
Source: NFL.com

Jun 3 - 8:55 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Best RB prospect since AP. At this stage of the process he's up there in terms of rating with some of the all-time elite backs such as Ladanian Tomlinson, Adrian Peterson, Marshal Faulk, and Reggie Bush. He's not in the Bo Jackson and Herschel Walker level as of yet:

Leonard Fournette - RB - Tigers

LSU junior RB Leonard Fournette runs a 4.35 second 40-yard dash and power squats 600 pounds.

You get the idea that Fournette is capable of both when watching him on the field, but the above concrete numbers confirm that he's just as big of a freak in the weight room and on the track as he is on the gridiron. The 6-foot-1, 230-pounder is most often compared to Adrian Peterson and Bo Jackson. As a true sophomore, Fournette posted 1,953 yards rushing and ranked fourth nationally with 22 rushing scores.
Source: NFL.com

Jun 3 - 7:02 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Samaje Perine - RB - Sooners

Oklahoma HC Bob Stoop says junior RB Samaje Perine can broad jump more than 10 feet.

According to Stoops, Perine also runs the 40-yard dash in the 4.5 range. The 5-foot-11, 243-pound bowling ball has rushed for more than 3,000 yards over his first two seasons on campus. Expect another monster season this fall from the Heisman darkhorse.
Source: NFL.com

Jun 3 - 7:29 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Bad comparison! Mariota was an elite prospect, raw but elite nonetheless. Watson is nowhere the QB that Mariota was:

Deshaun Watson - QB - Tigers

NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah compared Clemson junior QB Deshaun Watson's skill-set to that of Marcus Mariota.

Let's call it a soft comparison. While Jeremiah does see similarities in the toolboxes of Watson and Mariota, he views the latter as "bigger, faster, stronger and more accurate." Beyond the comp, the analyst wrote that Clemson's star gunslinger "has an uncanny ability to escape pressure," adding that the 6-foot-2, 205-pounder is "very accurate on the move, especially when rolling to his right side." Jeremiah would like to see Watson pack on another 10-15 pounds and work on his short passing game, writing that "[h]e misfires on too many layups underneath." There is still work to be done here, but Watson is already an elite talent and should draw strong interest as a potential top-10 draft selection. He could rise as high as the No. 1 overall pick for 2017 should he declare for the NFL at the end of his junior season.
Source: NFL.com

Jun 2 - 6:54 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

I really like this kid. He's so underrated and I think he has a lot of potential - he plays the game a lot like David Johnson of the Cards, even though Johnson is much bigger and stronger. He's a tough explosive player that could easily fit in coach Kelly's scheme. Keep an eye out for him.

Boom Williams

[Mem49er]

http://www.todayspigskin.com/nfl-draft/derek-barnett-eyeing-top-edge-honors-2017-nfl-draft/

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Saquon Barkley - RB - Nittany Lions

Penn State sophomore RB Saquon Barkley ranked No. 1 in Pro Football Focus' elusive rating last season.

Elusive rating is one of the neater proprietary stats PFF produces, as it attempts to isolate a runner's effectiveness independent of his blocking. You knew that Barkley's blocking was crap in 2015, and you knew Barkley was tremendous; this stat should give you some context for how Barkley may have performed behind LSU or Stanford's offensive lines. PFF also charted Barkley as finishing with the ninth-most missed tackles as a runner and the sixth-best yards after contact per rush average.
Source: Pro Football Focus

Jun 10 - 1:13 PM

[I_am_1z]

Saquon Barkley - RB - Nittany Lions

Penn State sophomore RB Saquon Barkley ranked No. 1 in Pro Football Focus' elusive rating last season.

Elusive rating is one of the neater proprietary stats PFF produces, as it attempts to isolate a runner's effectiveness independent of his blocking. You knew that Barkley's blocking was crap in 2015, and you knew Barkley was tremendous; this stat should give you some context for how Barkley may have performed behind LSU or Stanford's offensive lines. PFF also charted Barkley as finishing with the ninth-most missed tackles as a runner and the sixth-best yards after contact per rush average.
Source: Pro Football Focus

Jun 10 - 1:13 PM

So weird, because I've been calling him the best RB in the nation. I guess people are finally catching up