A Sea Of Red

Obviously we have a big game ahead of us this week. However, I want to get the conversation rolling about who has the best chance at the next level, and why.

Give it your best shot.

Offense

Darrin Peterson- he has great vertical speed, hands like vacuums and some sick playmaking skills that will be a major asset at the next level. The biggest thing I see that he needs to work on, I think, is run blocking. if he can get that shored up, and have another big year in 2015, he will find himself on a few third day boards, maybe late second with a huge year.

Defense

Jacob Hagen- what can't he do? Pass coverage, physical hitter, great in run support, always around the ball forcing turnovers, I don't know if he gets a call to Indy, but he definitely will get some calls from teams looking for a safety.
Chima Uzowihe- great burst off the line, speed into the backfield and you have seen his specia, teams ability. definitely one to watch next year

Jacob Hagan is a better NFL prospect on video than Aikens (who by the way is playing safety now after being drafted as a CB).. I don't know if he has the measurables in terms of 40 speed or vertical jump though. If he runs in the 4.5 range, he will be drafted, and maybe higher than Walt was.

Lunsford and woodrum will both get looks. Neither is likely to get drafted but there aren't a ton of kickers with lunsfords leg out there. I think Chimas size will hurt him. I'd add nick Newman max sommer and an abnar to the list. Again not saying they will be drafted but I think they get a look. Newman still has a lot of time to develop. Obviously Petey is the guy that has the best chance.

Mitch Hanson. Has been getting a lot of looks from scouts and high praise from coaching staff.

Newman looks like an NFL athlete to me. 6'4", and did you see the air he got on that blocked FG? He was at least 3 yards behind the line and it looked to me like if Chima hadn't gotten it, he would have. His feet had to be 3 feet off the ground at least. Problem with Nick is he is playing LB for us and would need to gain about 20 or more pounds to play there at the next level. They moved him from safety because he supposedly was having to "starve himself to maintain a safety's body" He's been at LB all year and hasn't gained any weight. If he doesn't beef up enough to be an NFL LB, he could still be a prospect as a safety, but not playing the position in college would work against him.

Hagen – On a best case scenario, If he is able to shine in either the Senoir Bowl, or East / West Shrine game, the result will be a low draft 6-7 round, or at worst a camp invite with the hope of making the team through special teams.

Peterson – If he continues to progress a possible pick 6-7th round or camp invite.

Uzowihe – Camp invite, but would have to be able to convert to a pass rushing LB (i.e. Arthur Moats)and make the team via special teams. But can he perform /tackle /cover in space?

Newman – If this kid can slap on 30-35 pounds of muscle, learn his craft, pay attention to studying film and the opponents tendencies. He will be an NFL draft pick. Right now you can see he’s just playing with speed and instinct, if he starts to figure out how to shed blocks, read his “keys” and tackle with better form and leg drive. Teams will be leery of executing a play on whichever side he is playing on. I love that this kid plays with bad intentions.

Barring injury, Lunsford will play at the next level. Thankfully his overall game is still improving to begin to match his insane leg strength. I agree that him being drafted may be a stretch. But NFL teams have already taken notice. It is the one position on the field that is easiest for scouts to judge.

thecaveallegory wrote:Obviously we have a big game ahead of us this week. However, I want to get the conversation rolling about who has the best chance at the next level, and why.

Give it your best shot.

Welcome to the board

jcmanson wrote:

thecaveallegory wrote:Obviously we have a big game ahead of us this week. However, I want to get the conversation rolling about who has the best chance at the next level, and why.

Give it your best shot.

Welcome to the board

confessions: i was a member for quite some time, but about a year ago stopped due to Reddit, and I forgot my login info. However, I am back and it feels gooooood. basically I am a recovering Reddit addict

Recognition is the first step. It is indeed highly addictive. I don't even let myself go there much anymore.

Sly Fox wrote:Barring injury, Lunsford will play at the next level. Thankfully his overall game is still improving to begin to match his insane leg strength. I agree that him being drafted may be a stretch. But NFL teams have already taken notice. It is the one position on the field that is easiest for scouts to judge.

I'm with you on this. He would actually be at the top of my list. He's got the leg and pretty solid accuracy
Petey needs to catch the easy ones first

This may be ridiculous since he has yet to suit up for the flames, but what about Kevin Grooms? C-USA Freshman of the year I believe, if he does well in his last season of eligibility and proves his off the field struggles are behind him, he may get some looks.

I think Grooms is going to do well to earn carries at RB competing with Abnar and Rice (assuming Rice is 100%). I'm hoping he can be a real impact player on special teams to start and maybe as a 3rd down back. That would no doubt be his role at the next level anyway if he does well enough next year to get a look. No way he could be an NFL RB. He couldn't handle the blocking responsibilities.

Turner Gill

olldflame wrote:I think Grooms is going to do well to earn carries at RB competing with Abnar and Rice (assuming Rice is 100%). I'm hoping he can be a real impact player on special teams to start and maybe as a 3rd down back.

I agree with what you are saying, but Grooms isn't coming here to sit. He is going to get every opportunity to play. Managing the RBs will be a major balancing act next season.

olldflame wrote:I think Grooms is going to do well to earn carries at RB competing with Abnar and Rice (assuming Rice is 100%). I'm hoping he can be a real impact player on special teams to start and maybe as a 3rd down back. That would no doubt be his role at the next level anyway if he does well enough next year to get a look. No way he could be an NFL RB. He couldn't handle the blocking responsibilities.

Grooms isn't going to be a 3rd down back. He's better than Rice and Abnar. We'll be loaded in the backfield next year.

Unless, of course, someone decides to redshirt.

jcmanson wrote:Unless, of course, someone decides to redshirt.

I couldn't remember if DJ had redshirted or not.

Another option is DJ going to the slot in the Zach Terrell/Mike Brown/Gabe Henderson role.

SuperJon wrote:

jcmanson wrote:Unless, of course, someone decides to redshirt.

I couldn't remember if DJ had redshirted or not.

Another option is DJ going to the slot in the Zach Terrell/Mike Brown/Gabe Henderson role.

Another possibility. Bottom line is, Grooms will play. And play a lot.

I'd definitely agree that petey is the best nfl prospect. Don't know what his 40 time is but the ability to get open and be a home run threat definitely works in his favor. And he's a junior too so he has 1 more year if eligibility. Chima I could see getting drafted as a 3-4 pass rush linebacker. Heck I'm a huge redskins fan n I'd take him especially if orakpo leaves. Again he's only a junior so he has time to put on some weight. Hagen I believe his 40 time is around 4.6 so he might lack the top- end speed but he should at least get a look he has great instincts n reads qbs great. Would love to see him get a chance with the redskins. Lunsford idk if his accuracy is good enough he misses too many easy fgs. He's only a junior so he has time to get even better accuracy. Maybe he could make a team as a kickoff/long fg specialist but most teams hate keeping 2 kickers with only 53 roster spots. So it just depends if he can be more consistent. Woodrum might get a look he also has 1 more year of eligibility but his accuracy isn't nfl level yet n receivers like Peterson shells n gabe do make him look good along with very good protection on the oline. Not sure how he'd do in an nfl system. There are probably others that bc their freshmen or sophomores just haven't gotten their chance to shine yet but could emerge.

It's a good problem to have. Our skill players (QB, RB, WR) will be deep next year.

jcmanson wrote:

SuperJon wrote:

jcmanson wrote:Unless, of course, someone decides to redshirt.

I couldn't remember if DJ had redshirted or not.

Another option is DJ going to the slot in the Zach Terrell/Mike Brown/Gabe Henderson role.

Another possibility. Bottom line is, Grooms will play. And play a lot.

lol, sources

Hadn't considered DJ redshirting. You don't see it much with a senior; especially a first team all conference performer, but this is a pretty unique situation. It's not an option for Rice or Grooms. Not a bad idea.

We basically have 3 starters at RB coming into spring ball (Des Rice, DJ Abnar and Kevin Grooms) plus Kaigler, Macon and Mosley). I think we are pretty well stocked at the position