|
A Glimpse at the Future
by Sam Monson
19/2/2008
Football is over for the 2007 season. There are no more games to be played, the Championships have been won. But that’s not the end of the football season, hell no! Now ladies and gentlemen is where the real fun starts, its talent evaluation time. The NFL is about to get a look at 300 college prospects in a closed environment for the first time when the 2008 Scouting Combine opens its doors at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. We’re just a few short months away from teams getting their chance to draft the college stars they’ve had their eyes on for years. But all that’s still to come.
Here we’re taking a look not at the college prospects soon to wow the NFL, we’re taking a glimpse into the future, the Diner has its crystal ball at the ready (it came free with a Christmas Cracker..) and we’re looking at the NFL stars of the future, the college stars of tomorrow, some of the best players to come out of High School this year.
Terrell Pryor QB
 Pryor is one of the most talked about prospects to come out of High School in years, and he is only adding to the hype with a lengthy decision about which College he will attend, which has lasted well beyond the fanfare of national signing day, which saw most of the nation’s top High School prospects commit to their colleges.
Pryor is physically dominant, and draws comparisons to Vince Young in the way he can take over games on the ground with his legs. He possesses an arm that is far better than Vince Young’s however, and if he finds himself in the right system with the right coaching, could wind up being a star. Pryor may not have the kind of polished game that would enable him to start and thrive right away, but he spent diligent time searching for the kind of offensive system that would best suit his talents. Oregon and Michigan remain both major players in the race for his signature because of the spread offense that both employ, which would best utilise Pryor’s physical talents. Dennis Dixon and Pat White were made into stars within those offenses last season, and Pryor has athletic skills that those players would be envious of.
Pryor has been the top of most college’s shopping lists for a couple of years now, and he’s had a long exposure to the kind of media spotlight that he’ll have to contend with as he ascends to the NFL. Pryor is most definitely one to keep an eye on for the future. This kid could be a future 1st round pick.
 Julio Jones WR Alabama
Julio Jones is something special. Jones, a 6’4, 215lb 18 year old from Alabama has chosen to stay at home, signing for Alabama to play for Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide. Jones was the number one wide receiver in the nation this year, and was number two overall on the ESPN 150 a list of the 150 top High School recruits in the nation.
Jones has drawn comparisons to Michael Irvin, and his blend of size, speed, power and agility makes him one of the best prospects to come along in years.
He has the size and power to physically dominate, with outstanding body control, and a willing desire to help out in the run game, where he can be a fearsome perimeter blocker. He is also lethal after the catch, where he has a mean stiff arm, and is one of the most difficult receivers to tackle that there has been.
Jones is the total package at WR, and should make a major impact right away at Alabama. His measurables make him one of the most exciting prospects to come along in a decade, and should ensure that he is well on his way to the NFL. Keep an eye on Julio Jones; the kid with an NFL body might end up being as dominant in College as he was in High School.
Patrick Johnson CB LSU
Continuing the trend for this year’s glimpse at the future, Patrick Johnson already has prototype NFL size, but he has yet to begin his college career. The top ranked cornerback in the nation ended up signing for LSU, after passing up all of the Florida schools late in his decision making process.
Johnson is an explosive playmaker, with added value in the return game. He has excellent hands due to his playing time on offense, where he amassed nine touchdowns and 733 yards rushing last season. He has the ability to high-point the ball well, and has the height to match up well with most receivers. He’s also dangerous in the open field with the ball in his hands, and can be an impact player on defense as well as in the return game.
He can live with the best receivers in the game, and has terrific recovery speed, which enables him to close on balls in the air, as well as jump on routes underneath. Johnson would be a sound prospect at corner in the NFL draft this year, let alone for a player just entering college. Another one to keep in your memory for the future.
Marcus Forston DT Miami
Forston only ranks 27th on the ESPN 150, but is the nation’s top defensive tackle, and during both practices and the game at the US Army All-American game he was virtually unblockable, putting in the kind of eye-popping performances that have made people elevate Sedrick Ellis to the top 5 positions in this year’s NFL Draft after a similar performance at the Senior Bowl week.
The key word with Forston is explosion. He has the kind of initial burst that scares offensive linemen and coaches, because he is always the first man off the ball, and routinely gets the kind of penetration that totally disrupts an offense.
Forston also shows good hand placement, again much like pro-prospect Sedrick Ellis, and this allows him to make initial contact, shed his block, and get penetration. He is quite light and very athletic, showing the ability to get after a QB or RB in the flat and make a play. He is a sure tackler and takes good angles to the ball, and despite his size, he is more than explosive enough to make up for it, notching 21 sacks as a High School senior.
Forston heads to the U of Miami, where he will lead the rejuvenation of their defense, and is amongst the reasons some experts predict Miami will be back within national title contention inside of two years.
Arthur Brown LB Miami
 Arthur Brown is rated by USC Coach, Pete Carroll as the best linebacker he has seen in the last seven years. That’s some praise when you take a look at the linebackers that USC alone have churned out. Brown is the best linebacker prospect in the nation, and is a physical monster. At 6’1 and 225lbs he draws comparisons to Detroit Lion, Ernie Sims, because of the sheer speed and hitting ability the two share.
Brown was one of the most heavily recruited players in the nation, with over 50 scholarship offers coming in, but eventually decided on Miami, where he will help other members of their stellar recruiting class try to bring Miami back to the spotlight.
Brown is a hitting machine, and has more short range speed and explosion than anybody else in this recruiting class. His last few steps before contact are lightning fast, and he hits with the force of a locomotive. The best part about Brown is that his technique is not great, which means he has room to improve above and beyond what he already is. That’s some thought for a player that notched 400 tackles and 23 sacks in his final 3 years of High School.
So there It is folks, stick those names in your long-term memory, the Diner has just given you a glimpse at the future, and it looks good!
|
