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NCAA Scouting
NFL Draft Prospect Tracker – Week 13
by Paul Emery
November 28th 2012
 
   
 
TCU at Texas
 
TCU
 
Matthew Tucker RB 14 carries for 57 yards and 2 TDs rotating with two other backs. Has had steady production throughout his career, but production looks like it will be down a bit this year with the increased depth at the position. Showed a good burst up the middle. Has the ability to break tackles and also showed a nice spin move. Got low and finished his runs very nicely. Likely a day three selection at best depending on 40 times.
 
Skye Dawson WR didnt get going. Caught a swing pass, his only catch of the day did have some room, but a poor pass forced a diving catch and no yardage after the catch. Ran twice on fly sweeps but only managed three yards. Also had a kick return for 23 yards after he muffed it initially. Isnt as good as Jeremy Kerley, but should get a camp look with a team in need of a slot receiver.
 
Blaize Foltz OG looked to be a free agent level talent. Balance was an issue at times, doesnt look to be a great athlete and also not the most naturally flexible. Got called for holding struggling with a run blitz from a LB. Always tough to say someone isnt a great prospect, but Im afraid he didnt look anything special. Texas
 
Marquise Goodwin WR credited with one catch for 18 yards but it was basically a fly sweep, but the ball was tossed forward to him. Had three kick returns at an average of 22 yards a return. Did look very fast, but left the game with a hand injury as he was trying to catch a low ball. I do wonder if the speed and return ability might push him higher than anyone expects, certainly no one figured T.J. Graham to be a third round pick last year.
 
Alex Okafor DE hurt his ankle returned, but after the half he was limping around had it retaped and just couldnt go. He showed good backside discipline twice before the injury, including blowing up a reverse/WR pass. He lacks a top burst off the edge, but has decent hand use. He was relatively quiet before the injury, but tough to judge him on limited action.
 
Kenny Vaccaro FS Vaccaro is higher on my board than most (15 on my recent top 50) and he showed why in this one. Versatile, confident, aggressive and physical is how I would sum him up. In the goal line defense he has his hand on the ground and flew off the edge to blow up a goal line run. He also got downhill and took on the lead blocker on a stretch shedding the block to set the edge and force the RB into inside pursuit. He looked extremely comfortable in man coverage, for example sticking to Dawson like glue on a medium out route. Texas use zone blitz principles, so hes also comfortable in zone coverage and blitzes often as well. This is my fifth Texas game and hes been very consistent when Ive seen him, although others say he has not been. Even with the inconsistencies, hes still a modern day safety and perfect for the multiple defenses being employed by teams looking to slow down wide open offenses. Better than Reid or Lester for me and I would be willing to take him in the first round.
 
Small School Watch Tuskegee at Alabama State
 
Tuskegee
 
Derrick Washington RB 22 rushes for 95 yards and a TD plus 3 catches for 32 yards. Washington is getting second chance at the D2 level. He was a 1,000 yard back for Missouri in 2088 and managed 865 yards in 2009. He was then convicted of sexual assault and served 120 days in prison before being released. Clearly a class above this level of competition, Washington now has 1,399 yards rushing on the season adding 210 yards from 13 catches.
 
Washington showed an ability to create from nothing, taking a play designed to go off tackle, bouncing out and getting a nice gain. He looked best when he could make one cut and get north and south, something he did in Missouris system. He looked very natural catching the ball and also held up well in pass protection he was 1 on 1 with a DE and stayed on his feet to make a good block. He also threw a pass, showing a good arm! A former team captain at Missouri, his conviction was his first and hopefully hes now on the straight and narrow, but it will still affect him on Draft day and he may have to go the undrafted free agent route despite being a draftable talent.
 
Alabama State
 
Greg Jackson QB/athlete didnt actually start the game at QB, but took over and went the rest of the way. Operating a spread system he showed a decent arm, but is likely to be viewed as an athlete by the NFL (9 TDs on the year but 10 INTs). It was his ability to run that was exciting, 15 carries for 106 yards. He showed some nice moves and also decent speed. Some say Denard Robinson might be a day two pick, but Id much rather take a kid like this as an undrafted free agent to see if he can move positions.
 
Terren Jones OT playing left tackle good size at 66 338 lbs. Looked a little heavy footed setting up in pass protection, so a pro right tackle or guard. Looked good when he got his hands on his man in pass protection, sat in his stance got his arms extended and had a nice initial punch. Did struggle against edge speed a little and also stopped his feet on an inside move, but his guard bailed him out. Not as good in the run game, tended to bend at the waist too much and was off balance. Didnt dominate as much as a man of his size should. Might be a bit tall for a guard, so could be a tweener and I would rank him as an undrafted free agent.
 
Kejuan Riley FS generally playing as one of two deep safeties in a Cover-2 look, occasionally rolling over to Cover-3 (1 deep safety). Stayed at home on a WR option pass, was all over the receiver and broke up the pass nicely. Showed his range to the sideline, the WR jumped for a high ball and he made sure he had no chance of landing in bounds. Missed one tackle on Washington near the goal line but did respond with a nice stop for no gain on 3rd and goal. Speed a slight question took a while to catchup to the FB on a long run. Looks to be a zone guy who can patrol deep centre field, but will need to run a decent time to get drafted and Im not sure he will…
 
Nebraska at Iowa
 
Nebraska
 
Rex Burkhead RB first game back after missing four with a sprained knee. Didnt play in the first half, but did so in the second half and 16 carries for 69 yards and a TD doesnt tell the story. Really gave his team a lift and his score was the decider. Showed some quickness to make people miss in addition to some nice power. Not sure hell run as fast as Roy Helu Jr. in a straight line at the Combine, but is very tough and clearly a leader for the team. Must showed he can pass protect, something hes not asked to do much of. Somewhat of a projection from the type of offense hes in and has been hurt by his injury, but could be really nice day three value should his stock not take off in the post season process.
 
Ben Cotton TE 3 catches for 39 yards led the way for Nebraskas receivers, which sums up the conditions for the QBs. Caught all 3 passes with hands away from his body, hands looked very natural. Not overpowering as a blocker though, waist bent at times and released too many blocks early. Has decent size (66 255 lbs), so would like to see better in the blocking department but should get a camp look and if he runs well a late round call.
 
Cameron Meredith DE/DT playing inside at 260 lbs at times and even against a smaller center he was dominated. Hasnt shown me anything all season, including the Southern Miss game, so I would think hes going to struggle to get drafted.
 
Baker Steinkuhler DT left the game before the half with an injury and didnt return hopefully hes OK for the big game next week (which we cant see in the UK as we dont get Fox games time ESPN America resolved that I think…). Has a nice frame at 65 290 lbs but needs to get stronger should have dominated against Ferentz, but lost his battles for the most part. I could see him going in the 6th or 7th rounds and then being stashed on a practice squad for a year to get stronger as he has the frame to two gap.
 
Will Compton ILB really struggled to get off blocks and thus make an impact. Make a couple of tackles flying up, but also took himself out of too many plays. The type who will have to make it on special teams coverage units, but will need to show more to stick for any length of time.
 
Daimion Stafford FS had an interception on a tipped pass, plus a pass breakup but generally not tested as the wind was the best defense against the pass in this one! Was a little late reacting to a sideline route, but was able to get over and knock the pass away. Showed he can get downhill to make a TFL, but most of the time was out of the TV picture.
 
Brett Maher PK/P does everything in the kicking game. Made a 52 yard field goal with the wind with ease he could have made it from 60+ in that direction! Also had a 26 yard field goal. Used the rugby style punt much of the day, averaged 43 yards on 6 punts. Uncorked a 61 yarder which went out of bounds at the Iowa 4 yard line a terrific effort. Had a traditional punt to the 10 yard line also, so a nice job of pinning Iowa deep. Kick-offs were deep, but with the wind, so he had help. Is 18 for 24 on the year with only two misses on kicks under 40 yards. Leg might well see him drafted.
 
Iowa
 
James Vandenberg QB 11/24, 92 yards, 0 TD and 2 INT. Has not had a good year, had 25 TDs last year but only 7 so far this (with 8 INTs, slightly up on last year). Very tough conditions with a strong wind, but he didnt the big arm to cut through it. Accuracy was off on many passes, but again the wind was a major factor. Really tough to judge him on a day many QBs would have struggled, but the body of work would suggest he doesnt have the momentum to get drafted.
 
Keenan Davis WR just the one catch for 11 yards after being shut out last week against Michigan. Was steady to start the season, but has just 3 catches in the last 3 games. Did break a tackle after his catch, but hasnt lived up to a pre-season billing of a mid round pick of late.
 
James Ferentz C the excellent Ed Cunningham mentioned in commentary that Ferentz would have a pro future if he was 310 lbs, so he has noticed his struggles in pass protection against power as I have in previous columns. However, against a smaller Nebraska defensive line he had an excellent game. He was pushed back a little a couple of times in pass protection, but generally held up very well. A little like Ryan Wendall coming out of Fresno State hes now in his fourth year in the league and his first as a starter. Ferentz has a chance to develop in this way and perhaps the Patriots might be the ones to give him that chance.
 
Micah Hyde CB wasnt particularly tested with Nebraska only throwing 14 times. In his usual Cover-2 zone coverage most of the time. Had what is a fairly common pass breakup in that defense able to peel back and knock a pass away, something he seems to do most weeks. Hes a good special teams player he gets down quickly in punt coverage and also had a nice 29 yard punt return. Must show he can cover man to man and run fast in the post season process to have a chance to crack the top 100.
 
West Virginia at Iowa State
 
West Virginia
 
Geno Smith QB I really dont envy teams who will be picking in the top 10 and have a desperate need for a QB this year. I dont think I would be comfortable with any of them, including Smith. Now, this was an OK performance stat wise (22/31, 236 yards, 2 TD and 0 INT) but a good 100 yards of that was on the little throw forward fly sweeps to Austin, which I could make! Ive only seen Smith three times this year (Fox issues in the UK see Nebraska game comments), so I will have to catch up on cut up tape, which I never like doing. Each of the games Ive seen the wind has been an issue and it was again here. As such on passes thrown over 10 yards down the field in the air, he was 3 out of 7 including a bad miss early to an open receiver. At times the nose of the ball is up, so the wind gets under it and the ball hangs horribly. Those wobbly spirals are also tough to catch and Bailey did a nice job of using his body to help on a deep post (not often I say body catches are good!).
 
Decision making is the primary concern with Smith for me. He spends too long on his first man and in many ways is like Nick Foles last year and EJ Manuel this. I would be scared to death of taking him in the top 10 with Blaine Gabbert perhaps done in Jacksonville (never have I been so disappointed to get one right!) Im just hoping my Jags dont try for a QB something that could happen if Gene Smith goes and Mike Mularkey wants his own signal caller.
 
Tavon Austin WR after the first two games of last year I said T.Y. Hilton might be a late first round pick. After struggling with injuries the rest of the way, he dropped to the late 3rd round. Having managed to stay healthy Austin might very well be able to sneak into the first round. Like Hilton hes a dynamic playmaker. He has wonderful moves in the open field and can change direction without slowing. Hes very dangerous in space and is very patient as a returner and was unlucky a punt return TD was called back for holding. He still managed to find pay dirt on a 75 yard catch which was a fly sweep turning the jets on down the sideline and out running angles the secondary thought they had. Was used at RB for the second week in a row and had 74 yards on 14 carries, with 6 catches for 99 yards (the fly sweeps being forward passes). Added the fine punt return, curtailed at 42 yards by the holding call. In short (no pun intended) an undersized impact player.
 
Stedman Bailey* – WR 7 catches for 82 yards. A negative of Austin at RB was that coverage could rotate to Bailey (J.D. Woods had 6 catches generally in single coverage). Now has 95 catches on the year and has 34 in the last 3 weeks! Had three big plays a 7 yard TD on an out route, a 27 yard catch finding the soft spot against Cover-2 (sideline behind the CB and in front of the safety) and a 23 yard post, which was a horrible wobbly pass from Smith which he did a nice job of catching. Looks slower than Austin, but ran in the low 4.4s coming out of his school, so is plenty fast enough. Will have a decision to make after the season, but with his QB leaving its often the case receivers wont want to break in a new QB.
 
Tyler Bitancurt PK/P 3 out of 4 on his field goals made from 35, 42 and 44 yards but missed from 46, but only just he hit the upright, that horrifying doink sound for a kicker. Wasnt great punting, but into the wind it was tough duty 3 punts at a 30 yard average. Not as good as Maher (see above).
 
Iowa State
 
Jake Knott OLB out for the season after should surgery, not great news for a linebacker Combine medical will be big for him.
 
A.J. Klein OLB has moved outside to the weakside linebacker spot in a reshuffle post Knott injury. Was relatively quiet in the first half, but made more plays in the second half. Needs to tackle better, had three missed tackles. Flashed the ability to set and edge, but other times was overpowered. Certainly struggled to get off blocks, Joe Madsen held him up a few times. Should excel on special teams, but on my first watch I didnt see anything special, but I will watch one or two more to be fair to him.
 
Michigan at Ohio State
 
Michigan
 
Denard Robinson QB/RB I guess early on the Buckeyes werent sure if Robinson would throw, but after the first few plays when it was clear he still couldnt (nerve problem in his throwing elbow meaning he cant grip the ball) it was surprising he had so much success running the ball. He had 10 carries for 122 yards which included a breathtaking 67 yard run. He showed the ability to make sharp cuts and broke some tackles, not expected from a 195 lb man. He did fumble, but was forced to carry the ball in his left hand, so was a big target. If youve read my comments on Robinson on my other watches, you know Im not a fan of position changes, but he does possess a skill set which might have a creative offensive co-ordinator very interested in drafting him.
 
Roy Roundtree WR 3 catches for 92 yards and a TD. Has struggled to find his sophomore form, but does tease you at times. He has decent size and showed some speed on his long TD (although he was wide open and then the safety took a bad angle), but the production the last two years should mean hes a day three pick.
 
Taylor Lewan* – OT I thought he struggled and certainly did not look like the top 10 pick Mel Kiper thinks he might be. He was up against a redshirt freshman backup (Adolphus Washington in for John Simon) and was beaten clean for speed giving up a sack (plus a forced fumble on the play). Throughout he was ducking his head into contact, which made him easy to swim over and also left him badly off balance. He did better against Nathan Williams, but too much of concern here for me to rate him highly.
 
Ohio State
 
Reid Fragel OT Fragel is someone who I took note of early in the year with his aggressive play. The exciting thing to watch was how he has come on in pass protection. He looked far more co-ordinated and was sitting in his stance very nicely. That aggressive streak was again on show, he finishes his blocks extremely well. Still in need of added weight, the former TE should continue to improve and it wouldnt shock me if he was a mid round pick.
 
John Simon DE out with a knee injury.
 
Johnathan Hankins* – DT Hankins was number one in my recent top 50, but in a year where no one has really separated themselves at the top of the class, Hankins was pretty quiet. As mentioned every time I see him, he plays DE much of the time in a 3 man front and at 335 lbs it doesnt really suit him. His best moments in this one came when he was inside and I see him as a 0 or 1 technique as a pro. To be fair to him he was double teamed consistently throughout the game as Michigan felt he was the danger man, particularly with Simon out. He did a really nice job getting off Lewan at the goal line to make a tackle for no gain, got down the line and in on a tackle plus cleaned up a sack and forced a fumble. He worked hard, chasing plays away from him consistently. Not bad, but he was quieter than I have seen in past weeks. Id love to ask the coaching staff why hes not played inside more, seems they want to play this system and put a very round peg in a square hole. Still a top 10 talent though.
 
Bradley Roby* – CB at this time of year the rumours start circulating as to who is coming out early and Robys name has been mentioned. A redshirt sophomore, he does look talented, but I think there was enough negative things in this one to think returning would be in his best interests. Listed at 511 he looks a bit taller perhaps as he has long arms. He looks like he can press, but wasnt asked to a great deal. In off coverage he struggled. He had a number of catches caught on him, including a 30 yard skinny post where he only just managed to trip the receiver up after the catch. Needs to work on his break up on the ball, it was too easy to catch passes in front of him. He also got called for pass interference, hitting the WR and grabbing the jersey a little to draw the flag. Does look athletic and talented, but still raw. Hopefully his family can afford for him to stay another year.
 
Auburn at Alabama
 
This game was ugly. Auburn were poor offensively, so very tough to really take anything from Alabamas defensive prospects as they played about ten snaps all game and were on the bench long before the game mercifully ended. So just a quick gloss over Alabama defensively with much more (hopefully) next week in the SEC Championship.
 
Auburn
 

Onterio McCalebb RB has flashed in previous Auburn games, but against this defense (and special teams) he struggled to get going. -3 yards on the ground, 1 catch for 11 yards and averaging 18 yard per kick return. Hes not the first this defense has done this to though.
 
Emory Blake WR came out of the game with a degree of credit with 3 catches for 56 yards really the only bright spots for a dismal offensive performance. The son of former Bengals QB Jeff, he has decent size at 61 197 lbs and even with a poor season, has still managed a career high 50 catches. Should know what being a pro entails, so could be a decent late round flyer.
 
Philip Lutzenkirchen TE out after hip surgery.
 
John Sullen OG looked like he was calling the signals for the line from guard (usually the centers job). Had a decent game, the highlight being burying C.J. Mosley on a run block. Has the right idea in pass protection, but at times will over extend himself lunging at his man. At 336 lbs moves well when pulling. Looks like a solid prospect.
 
Corey Lemonier* – DE didnt start, but played pretty much every snap after the first few plays, so not sure what thats about (the same last week when I saw Auburn). Started the year well in terms of sack total, but has been quiet in SEC play. Has a nice frame (64), but would benefit from a little more bulk (242 lbs). His hand placement is very good, but he needs to play a little lower and get stronger to really take it from there. At times was slow off the line, perhaps thinking a little too much. Worked hard, kept trying and I actually like him may need a little time to add that bulk the extra year he still has could work for him and turn him into a very high pick, but with the mess in Auburn he might want to move on…
 
Alabama
 
Eddie Lacy* – RB all too easy, had some huge holes and ran for 131 yards on only 18 carries with 2 TDs. He didnt get into double figures in carries the first two weeks, but has seen more of the ball moving forward. Is able to turn the corner, often with the help of Michael Williams setting an edge, although hes not going to run a 4.3 at the Combine. Has a nice spin move to gain extra yardage and has strong legs which he keeps churning. Runs with good lean and gets everything he can. Has cracked the 1,000 yard barrier and after the Bowl game (National Championship he hopes), he has a decision to make. He might not get a line like this to run behind though!
 
Michael Williams TE 1 catch for 5 yards, but once again it was his blocking that stood out. Gary Danielson called him the best blocking TE in college football and he might well be right. Its amazing how many times he sets an edge and springs a long run. Not the best athlete in the world, but still a reliable short range receiver. Maybe more of a number 2 TE, but has a place at the next level and certainly a fairly safe draft pick.
 
D.J. Fluker* – OT looked a little heavy footed setting up in pass protection at times, his hands drop with each step (exposing his chest) but it didnt cause him a problem in this one. Ive been waiting for someone to really expose him, but perhaps Jarvis Jones might next week (fun matchup). Hes very powerful and a pure pro right tackle, not sure an extra year will lift his stock much, so like Lacy theres a decision looming for him.
 
Chance Warmack OG Ive not been as high on Warmack as others, but thought this was the best game Ive seen from him this year (my 5th Alabama game). He did a better job sitting in pass protection, Ive felt he has played too high and he also showed he can mirror. He was beaten outside one time, his feet didnt move and he just couldnt handle the speed, but it was the only blip on the day. Helped clear some big holes with very nice power. I still prefer Jonathan Cooper (North Carolina), but I might be the only one!
 
Barrett Jones C after struggling against Texas A&M;, Jones was back to good form. Looked very athletic getting to the second level and engaged nicely. Generally sat in his stance in pass protection, his feet went back and out a couple of times but he did show he can re-anchor, which one has to be able to do at the next level. The NFL is clearly going to love his versatility, hes perhaps a borderline first rounder in terms of his play, but a Nick Saban coached guy who can play anywhere along the line should see him taken high.
 
Jesse Williams DT got some penetration, something that has been on show more as the season has progressed. As always, tough to move in the run game got off and made a couple of tackles.
 
C.J. Mosley* – ILB clearly athletic, made some tackles with good closing speed. Got buried on one play by Sullen, but did show he can get off blocks. Still think he might like to return to be able to play in the base defense and improve in that area, but as it is a lot of NFL teams will like him as he can help them in nickel.
 
Nico Johnson ILB not in the game much, saw more time in the third quarter before the bench cleared and did force a fumble with a diving tackle. Old school two down LB.
 
Dee Milliner* – CB was only thrown at twice. Responded very well on a 12 yard curl was tight to his man and did a great job of getting his hand in and knocking the ball out, really skilled play. Tipped away another curl, but the WR did have separation in front but the pass was high to help him. Good size, physical and overall on the season has been very good.
 
Robert Lester FS Lester was found out against Texas A&M;, but to be fair to him he responded with a good game on Senior Day. Hes a real ball hawk, again showing he can make the opportunistic play getting an interception on a tipped pass. He looked good tackling and was more active than in some games Ive seen. The questions in man coverage raised against A&M; are still there and hell need to show up well at the Senior Bowl (if invited!) to push his stock back up but there enough zone teams around that he can still fit in, many see it as the answer to spread type offenses (although I think press man is the way forward).
 
Notre Dame at USC
 
Notre Dame
 
Theo Riddick RB Riddick is in his first year at RB and was an afterthought in the pre-season rankings. He has rushed for 880 yards, with a good final game he could break the 1,000 yard barrier. He looked one of the better players on show in this one, showing a really nice burst through the hole. He certainly looked like he was feeling it and was not happy at being rotated in the first half. Ran with authority, broke tackles and added three catches looking at home in the slot as one would expect from a former WR. One to keep an eye on in the post-season process as hes certainly helped himself with a good senior year.
 
Cierre Wood* – RB I read somewhere that Wood is likely to come out early, but he hasnt impressed me particularly this year. Just looks to be an average back and certainly struggled in this one with only 20 yards on his 8 carries. Took a backseat to Riddick, although he has had three 100 yard games this year.
 
Tyler Eifert* – TE 4 catches for 69 yards although his blocking wasnt as good as it was against Boston College. Failed to set the edge against a CB for example, really needs to win that battle. Was split out wide and was a mismatch against a 190 lb CB. Interestingly when matched up against T.J. McDonald didnt have any joy, perhaps they should have forced that matchup more. Still showed he can box out and almost had a TD reaching over his man, but not quite being able to make the spectacular catch. Production is a touch down on last year, but hasnt been targeted that much at times. A good prospect, but will only be a first round pick if someone has a need late on the first day.
 
Braxston Cave C had a great game, completely dominated inside moved his man out and created some huge holes. Got to the second level very well also and did a nice job of engaging and holding his blocks. A little high at times in pass protection, but still the best center on the field and really helped his stock.
 
Manti Te’o ILB the question coming into the year with Teo was pass coverage, but 7 interceptions should answer that one! Sometimes prospects come back and have a poor senior year, but I do prefer prospects to come back where possible (except RBs) so its great this young man has been rewarded with a National Championship game and a possible Heisman year. He was a little quieter in this game than earlier in the year (same against BC), he took a few too many false steps and got himself out of position. But he did make some nice plays, including a really nice play showing quick feet to beat the guard and make a tackle. The pick was really nice play, taking a look to see where Lee was, baiting the young QB and making the catch. Still looks like a top 10 pick from the overall body of work.
 
Bennett Jackson* – CB Jackson is another name that Ive been seeing in terms of coming out early. He has good length (60) and showed good speed when up against Lee on deeper routes. However, when matched up against Robert Woods he struggled more. Woods has excellent quickness and he struggled to stay with him on a slant and go and then was beaten on his TD pass, getting beaten off the line and then getting nowhere near when Woods made a sharp cut in. Later in the game Lee caught a 53 yarder on him, he was actually doing OK speed wise but got out muscled for the ball (listed at 185 lbs and looked it). Looks to have some talent, speed and frame but could do with getting up closer to 200 lbs.
 
Zeke Motta FS sometimes I think prospects rise artificially because of their teams performance. After Texas A&M; beat Alabama suddenly Luke Joeckel is the highest ranked prospect on one scouting services board. Motta has seen such a rise, being mentioned as a possible mid rounder. Like Robert Lester against A&M;, his limitations were shown up in this one. Lee just blew by him on a deep route and hes not going to be able to matchup man to man against receivers at the next level, something that is very much en vogue. In two deep zone, he also took a bad angle on a Lee up route and was very lucky the throw was poor. Looks to be more of an in the box safety, who is a good tackler, but Im not sure they carry a high grade these days.
 
USC
 
Matt Barkley QB out with a shoulder injury.
 
Robert Woods* – WR Woods had 111 catches last year, but finished the regular season with 73, so clearly a down year. Generally Matt Barkley has favoured Lee, but it seemed Wittek has more chemistry with Woods. Woods catch a bunch of swing passes, so it was nice to see him run more routes this week. He looked extremely quick out of his breaks and made an elite cut to get open in the end zone on his TD (although it was almost wasted as he had beaten Jackson off the line with quickness). Only one of his seven catches was a swing pass. He showed good hands, hanging on despite a big hit on one play. I think hell probably come out early and despite not being an elite A.J. Green type talent, hes still very good but has been hurt by Lees emergence as the number one threat for the Trojans (and well have to wait at least one more year for him).
 
Khaled Holmes C didnt have a good game. Earlier in the year Star Lotulelei lit him up in the first part of the game, but he was playing on a bad ankle. No mention of any injury concerns (although USC do not release them to the media), so a concerning display. Really struggled with Nixs power. Got over powered far too often and once again didnt show he can sit and anchor. Looks to be a day three prospect.
 
Morgan Breslin* – DE with 12 sacks the Junior College transfer has put himself on the map. Listed at 62 he actually looks a bit longer. Didnt have his best game and indeed had a poor play on a 3rd and 4 jumping offside to give the Irish a first down. Tried to stack/shed on one play at him, but couldnt get off the block so needs to get a little stronger. A little similar to Lemonier, he has the right idea but couldnt take advantage of some good hand placement. Balance was a concern rushing the passer, got jammed and fell quite a few times. Interesting prospect, no doubt Coach Kiffin will want to keep him, but 12 sacks might have him seeing a pay day.
 
Nickell Robey* – CB played outside, not necessarily an ideal role for a 58 CB. With guys like T.Y. Hilton and Tavon Austin around, the NFL needs someone to cover them and Robey is perfect. Despite being smaller, he is very physical and was able to get a jam at the line as called for by Coach Monte Kiffins Cover-2 scheme. He had two passes caught on him, giving too much cushion on a 20 yard skinny post and the same on a 10 yard slant (was side-on dictated by scheme, although he didnt look completely comfortable). If Austin is a first rounder, then Robey must have a chance for every action there is a reaction and all of that!
 
T.J. McDonald FS I think this game will have helped his stock. A few times he was matched up against Eifert and he won the battles. With TE so popular around the league I think scouts will pick up on those matchups and note how well he performed. Looked under control when tackling, which hasnt always been the case (and no personal fouls in this one, another issue). Has excellent size and can certainly bring it.