hagan714

DT

Maurice Murray New Mexico St. 6-3 290 5.00

Playing for Long Beach City College in 2004 as a true freshman, Murray went on to record 38 tackles (16 for loss) and 12 sacks. In 2005, Murray transferred to New Mexico State University, but did not play in the 2005 campaign due to a knee problem. During his junior season, Murray was moved from defensive tackle to defensive end where he started eight of the team's nine games, amassing only 24 tackles with 2 for loss. But, he rebounded with a semi-productive senior season in which he had 24 tackles with 5 of them for loss and he also recorded 3.5 sacks.

Murray is a deceptively good athlete with relatively good speed (5.10-40) for his size. He is quick off the ball and stays low to maintain a good center of gravity. Murray does well on line stunts and can get close to the ball quickly. Moving easily through traffic, Murray is powerful and can drive back a pile. He has improved in his two years at New Mexico State, although his stats did not reflect it. He still needs to get a mean streak and better coaching is also a necessity.

Murray is a deceptive player. He has all the ability to make it, but his stats did not measure up with his talent. This is an area of real concern! He will work out better than he plays. On talent alone, he's rated as a middle round pick, but due to a lack of production at a lower level school, Murray will slide deep in the draft. In fact, there's a chance he would not be drafted. Nevertheless, Murray is talented enough to merit a look late. He has the ability to make a contribution as a spot backup player.

JAKE VISSER, FERRIS STATE, 6011, 276, 5.03 40

Visser has earned AFCA All-America mention as a senior and honorable mention All-America honors as a sophomore with 30.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks in those two years. Visser will have to gain weight and get his speed down but flashes ability on tape. He is solid against the run and a good pass rusher but needs to work on developing more moves. The biggest red flash is the lack of size but you can’t ignore his production. He is also engaged, which shows a great sign of mental maturity and responsibility. If he can gain weight and drop his 40 time

Frank Morton, Tulane, 6020, 331, 5.35

DE/OLB

Curtis Johnson, Clark Atlanta, 6025, 242lbs, 4.64

Johnson wasn’t considered a prospect by the NFL’s scouting services last spring, however, his play in 2007 and the East-West Shrine Game opened the eyes of all 32 NFL teams and he earned an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine. This past year he finished as a consensus All-American with 13.5 sacks and 27 tackles for loss. Johnson is expected to make the move from end to linebacker and has the athleticism to do it. It will take some time before he is ready to contribute on more than special teams, however, he is a project worth taking on in the mid rounds. Johnson should come off the board in the 5th to 6th round range.

Strengths:
Excellent natural athlete...Good speed and quickness...Strong and powerful...An explosive tackler and hitter...Well-built with a solid frame...Great pass rusher...Big special teams potential..Productive and dominated his level..Still has some upside.

Weaknesses:
'Tweener who will probably have to make a position change...Did not play against top competition...Lacks great size and bulk...Marginal instincts / awareness...Raw and he has a ways to go technique-wise (footwork, hand use, etc.)...Intelligence?

Notes:
Brother, J.R., played at Syracuse and bounced around the NFL for a while...Played defensive end in college but will probably be a outside linebacker in the pros..Had some academic issues out of high school and ended up at Morrisville St...Received a lot of DI interest and was slated to attend Morgan St. but changed his mind and chose Clark-Atlanta instead..Had a strong showing at the East-West Shrine Game and showed promise standing up...A top DII sleeper and developmental prospect.


Marcus Richardson Troy 6-3 225 4.55

Richardson was redshirted in 2005, playing in seven games (but seeing limited action in each of them). In 2006, Richardson started all of the team's eleven games at strong side linebacker. He recorded 59 tackles (seven for loss) and broke five pass attempts. He played eleven of the team's thirteen games during his sophomore season. But he missed two games due to a broken collarbone, yet still recording 40 tackles with 4.5 for loss and registered 1.5 sacks. In 2007, he started all of the school's twelve games, finishing the season with 60 sacks (5.5 for loss) and also registering 2.5 sacks. He also lettered on the school's track and field team, competing in the 100 meter dash and the triple jump.

Richardson is a natural, fluid athlete. He is quick and fast (4.56-40) with great range, who is able to move well laterally. He can run with any back or tight end out of the backfield and will also go toe-for-toe with some wide receivers. Adjusting well when the ball is in the air, his great leaping ability (registered 39' vertical jump) enables him to batter many balls. Richardson is a willing run stopper and his long arms help him rap ball carriers well. But, he is undersized and needs to add weigh. His production is below his athletic level and his pass recognition needs work. Occasionally, he will bite on some play fakes and is overly aggressive, not playing with consistency.

Richardson is an above average athlete who has a lot of football ability. His consistency and lack of production will downgrade his stock and his size is also concern. All that said, Richardson will probably be selected late in the draft. He should make a pro roster and could produce immediately on special teams. In time and with coaching, he could make a contribution on defense.

OLB/DE Vincent Redd, Liberty, 6060, 263, 4.50

More than a dozen scouts lined the field for Liberty’s pro-day workout today and former Virginia transfer Vince Redd came away the big winner.


An all-Conference selection last season, the outside linebacker measured 6-feet 6-inches, weighed 263 pounds then turned in an outstanding workout.


Redd timed his forty’s in the mid-4.5 second area, with some stopwatches reading as fast as 4.48 seconds. He posted a 39-inch vertical jump and 9-foot-10-inch broad jump.


The only stain on his otherwise outstanding performance was the bench press, where he was able to only complete 13 reps.

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

hagan714

TE

Kolomona Kapanui, West Texas A&M, 6032, 271lbs, 4.64

Kapanui was a member of USC's 2001 recruiting class but decided to transfer due to the academic work load, lack of playing time, and a hip injury. He came to West Texas A&M and showed the Hawaiian-born tight end could light it up. The two-time All-Lone Star selection also earned AP and d2football.com All-America honors in 2007 with 39 catches for 481 yards and seven touchdowns. He will have to show he can be durable and take below average size for the position and use it in the NFL. If he can stay healthy and learn the system he will have a chance to be a solid steal on day two. He will be at the NFL Scouting Combine later this month and should land in the late rounds with a good workout.

Drew Atchison, William & Mary, 6056, 247lbs, 4.74 40

Atchison spent most of '05 on the travel squad and then caught 12 passes in '06 and caught 34 balls for 475 yards and six touchdowns in '07. He earned honorable mention All-America honors by The Sports Network and VASID All-State honors this year, respectively. He also played baseball in college with three appearances in '04. He catches most balls with his hands and has great size for the position. He struggles to block linebackers and safeties in space and lacks straight-line speed. He played in the 2008 East-West Shrine Game but does not have an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine. He will be a 7th-PFA type project for a team wiling to take the time to develop this raw prospect. He should end up as a priority free agent signing after the draft.

Strengths: Atchison is an intriguing tight end with great physical tools. He has great size, good speed and is a threat in the redzone. He displays the ability to stretch the field and be a big play with his leaping ability. He makes tough catches over the middle and adjusts well to errant throws. He runs good routes and finds openings over the middle. He's still developing and is a developmental player with upside.

Weaknesses: He's not a great blocker and has to develop strength in his upper body. He has to move better laterally and get out in the flat quicker. He only has two years experience playing at the collegiate level and didn't face top competition.

Overview: A former baseball player at William & Mary, Atchison decided to give up baseball in the middle of his sophomore season to play football. Atchison is a very intriguing player with great size and athleticism. At 6-foot-6, 245 pounds, Atchison had 34 receptions for 475 yards and six touchdowns this past season. He was invited to the East-West Shrine game and displayed nice hands, but has to get stronger and develop better technique blocking the opposition. He's a developmental prospect who reminds me of Kevin Boss when he came out of Western Oregon last year.

Darrell Strong Pittsburgh 6-5 265 4.80

An intriguing athlete with NFL size and speed, Strong struggled until his senior season to make a positive impact for the Panthers. Developed into a legitimate receiving threat and an improved blocker after being known more in the past for his untapped potential and off-field indiscretions. Strong's improved maturity and production as a senior, however, as well as his obvious physical tools should earn him consideration in the middle rounds.

Positives: Rare combination of size and overall athleticism. ... Good foot quickness and downfield speed for the position. ... Flashes explosiveness out of his breaks to generate separation from the defender. ... Soft hands for the reception. ... Improved maturity on and off the field as a senior.

Considered an under-achiever until his senior season. ... Off-field issues, including being cited for harassment and criminal mischief. ... Not the blocker his size and athleticism would lead you to believe. ... Inconsistent effort, marginal explosion at the point of attack and too often doesn't sustain. ... Has shown a tendency to add weight in the off-season.

Joey Haynos Maryland 6073 259, 4.80

Overview
Another product of the Terrapins' renowned training room, Joey Haynos, a former walk-on at Maryland, spurned basketball scholarship offers from other universities to join the Terps' football program in 2003.
Positives: Has a rare-sized frame, with long, lean limbs, very large hands and room to add at least another 15 pounds of bulk without having the additional weight impact his quickness...Has decent upper-body muscle development, showing a fluid running stride to get into his patterns cleanly...Has the straight-ahead speed, arm extension and power to defeat the jam and prevent the defender from impeding his route...Flashes the initial quickness needed to get off the snap to gain advantage...Has the leg drive to generate additional yardage breaking arm tackles after the catch...Physical route-runner with the power to dominate larger defensive linemen and the has the short-area burst to separate from linebackers on underneath routes...Despite his tall frame, he does a good job of sinking his weight and keeping a good pad level to make proper body adjustments going for the ball in flight...High-intensity player who seals the corner with authority and has the range to get out and lead on sweeps...Uses his size well to shield the ball from defenders and shows no flinch going up for the ball in a crowd...Very tough and assertive going for the ball in traffic...Has a nice feel for the short area, adjusts to uncover and uses his arms to prevent the defenders from mirroring his moves...Smart, instinctive route-runner who runs crisp patterns, showing the body control to time his moves in the open...Very alert of the sideline and has enough acceleration to separate from the second-level defenders after the catch...Quick breaking off his routes when the quarterback is flushed out of the pocket...Uses his long running stride to gain advantage over the slower linebackers in the open field...Has the strength to fight through press coverage and makes sharp cuts out of his routes in the short area...Uses his hands efficiently to gain separation from the defender, fighting aggressively to stay open...Has a great work ethic and is a product of the Terps' weight room, adding more than 50 pounds to his frame since arriving on campus...Comes out of his stance with a fluid motion and has shown much better hand punch to shock and jolt the initial defender when releasing off the line...Has also improved his plant-and-drive agility, demonstrating sharper cuts out of his breaks as a senior than he did earlier in his career...Runs good crossing patterns, seams and short, inside routes with functional playing speed...Has the soft hands to catch outside his body's frame...Maintains good body control tracking the ball in flight and makes defenders fight for the ball as he uses his impressive reach to haul down the pass at its highest point...Uses his size to his advantage when going over the middle, doing a nice job of shielding the defenders from the ball...Bends his knees and keeps his feet moving shuffling back in pass protection, as he also shows alertness to the defender's position when dropping back in pass protection...Position-type blocker with a wide leg base and good balance...Shows the vision at the second level to be effective as a cut blocker, as he can position, change direction and sustain with good body flexibility...Will consistenly uproot the defender while firing low off the snap as a drive blocker...Shows the ability to reach and shield the opponents downfield.

Negatives: Has a rare-sized frame, but shows just adequate lower-body muscle development and strength...Does a good job of sinking his hips, but due to his tall frame, he looks a bit stiff when changing direction and will sometimes lose leverage as a blocker...Is good when he keeps his pads down, but when he gets too tall in his stance, his base narrows...Has improved his hand punch to counter the press, but needs to continue adding upper-body strength in order to defeat the jam at the pro level (needs better power to post up on the pro defender)...Has also shown marked improvement with his hand placement when blocking as a senior, but earlier in his career, he struggled some keeping those hands inside his framework and, when he got his hands too wide and narrowed his base, he was susceptible to the bull rush due to leverage issues.

Compares To: BEN UTECHT-Indianapolis...Haynos is a better position blocker than Utecht, but like the Colts' tight end, he has the long reach, large hands and body control to secure a catch in a crowd. Haynos uses his size to shield the ball from defenders and with his long running stride, he creates a mismatch for safeties attempting to cover him when running up the seam. He struggles some to gain leverage blocking in-line due to his size, but compensates with a strong hand punch and good hand placement. He works the sideline better than most college tight ends, showing urgency getting to the off-target throws and the reach and field awareness to make sideline catches seem routine

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

hagan714

OC

Eric Scott, Kentucky, 6033, 275, 4.95

Strengths: Scott is a versatile player who has experience playing at guard. He's fundamentally sound and plays with a good degree of intelligence. He's effective in space, moves well laterally and holds his own against bigger defenders. He's patient and doesn't overextend at the point of attack. He's a good athlete and gets to the second level.

Weaknesses: He's still developing as a player, as he's played three different positions during his collegiate career. He has to use his hands more effectively and not allow defenders to initiate contact. He has to develop a mean streak and finish off blocks.

Overview: Scott started his career at Kentucky as a tight end and then moved to defense and played defensive end. The following year he moved back to offense to play center before starting at guard. This past year, he started the entire season at center and was invited to the Texas vs. Nation game. He faired well during the week and showed his athleticism to scouts.

OG/OT

Chris Clark, Southern Mississippi, 6-4, 298

Strengths: Clark is a smart, durable lineman who was consistent at the collegiate level. He's quick off the snap and immediately engages opponents at the line of scrimmage. He delivers a quick, initial jolt to the opposition. He's efficient and possesses good range. He has good tools and blocks well on the move. He's a hard worker and finishes his blocks.

Weaknesses: He's not a natural knee bender and plays a little stiff. He has to work on his agility and get out on the edge quicker. He has a nice frame, but has to get stronger.

Overview: Clark started 38 consecutive games for Southern Mississippi; 30 starts at left tackle and eight at left guard. He's versatile and helped the Golden Eagles to obtain record setting offensive success. He only allowed 1.5 sacks this past season and just seven for his entire career. The 6-foot-4, 298-pound Clark has to add bulk to his frame to compete at the next level.

Draft Projection: Seventh round - Free Agent


Andrew Crummey Maryland 6-5 301 5.15

Crummey has a good athlete that shows some agility on the field. He can move well laterally, and has shown the ability to get out and block on the move. He sets up well in pass protection and does a good job of keeping the defender in front of him. He has shown some pop at times and the ability to clear running lanes by driving his defender off the ball. He may have the ability to play guard and center in the NFL.

Crummey needs to bulk up and get stronger. He doesn’t show consistency as a drive blocker, and will need to get stronger to improve as a run blocker.

Crummey is a decent OL prospect that has some potential at guard and center. He does not have any one standout physical trait, but he is tough and versatile.

Marshall Ausberry and Stephem Senne of Liberty
did not fare as well. The offensive lineman measured in at a massive 6-feet-5-inches and 345 pounds. He was only able to complete 18 reps on the bench and ran his forty's in times of 5.35 and 5.40 seconds.


The Tennesee Titans and Washington Redskins have shown a lot of interest in Ausberry recently.

Stephem Senne fared much better than Ausberry. Senne measured in at 6-feet-4.5-inches and 321 pounds. He completed 24 reps on the bench, touched 33 inches in the vertical jump then ran 5.26/5.33 seconds in the forty. Senne's other marks included 4.68 seconds in the short shuttle and 7.84 seconds in the L-drill.

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

hagan714

QB

T.C. Ostrander Stanford 6-21/8 227 4.90

Strengths:
Adequate height and very good bulk...Has a pretty good arm and can make all the throws...Great passing mechanics...Can throw on the run...Very tough and stands tall in the pocket...Smart...A hard worker...A good leader...May have some upside.

Weaknesses:
Very limited starting experience....Too aggressive at times and decision making is questionable...Is not super accurate...Has to learn to get rid of the ball...Not much of a threat to run...Football IQ is marginal....Has some health / durability concerns.

Notes:
The abbreviation "T.C." stands for Thomas Clinton..Father Clint attended Stanford ( 1966-71 ) and was a member of the track and field team...His mother is a former competitive distance runner...Backed up Trent Edwards for most of his career and then had his senior season cut short by a seizure...Only 12 career starts...Classic developmental signal caller who might one day turn into a solid backup in the NFL.

Sam Keller Nebraska 6-35/8 241 4.91

With his prototypical NFL frame, strong arm, and ability to move well and be effective, Keller has the tools to be a first-round pick. He also has the intangibles, according to Scout.com's Chris Steuber, 'He buys time for receivers, displays a good sense of timing, and rarely has pass catchers waiting on his throws. He has excellent awareness spreading the ball around to different targets and getting everyone involved in the offense.'

But, his injury issues and the fact that he has been prone to inconsistency as well (as shown by his interception numbers) drop him lower than he could be. He could be selected late on the first day, or might wind up being taken early on the second day. He could wind up as one of the steals of the draft, because if he can stay healthy and hone his skills for a couple of years, he could definitely succeed as a starting QB in the NFL.

Anthony Morelli, Penn St., 6035, 231, 5.00

Morelli has all the physical tools to be a standout pocket passer at the next level. He has good size, a very good arm, and the ability to sit in the pocket and see the defense. He is capable of making all the throws and showed a lot of improvement as the season went on in terms of leadership.

Morelli also needs to play more disciplined on a consistent basis and not force balls into coverage trying to make the big play. He doesn’t appear to see the entire field all the time and makes some questionable plays.

The talent is there with Morelli, he just needs to be more consistent and disciplined. He had a solid two seasons as a junior and senior, and is worth a shot in the NFL. He will need time to develop, but he is worth taking and developing.

RB

Kalvin McRae Ohio 5-91/8 203 4.66

McRae is one of the most interesting prospects in this year NFL draft. A three year started at Ohio, McRae began his career in 2004. He led the team in rushing with 559 yards in 142 attempts. In his sophomore season, McRae rushed for 1,153 yards on 209 attempts, while scoring seven TDs. After the season, he was selected to the First Team All-MAC. He re-validated this honor in 2006. He set the school all time record with three consecutive 200+ yards games. In 2007 he gained over 1,500 yards in total offense, again making the All-MAC team.

McRae was a productive feature back at Ohio. He runs with good instinct and has good vision. He is more quick than fast (4.50-40), changes direction smoothly and is a north-south runner. He protect the ball well and is a good receiver. He also extends his hand and will catch a ball thrown away from his body. McRae is only an average blocker, but shows good blitz recognition. But, his competition level is not a real concern. He has a good, not great, set of skills and he need to show more toughness inside. McRae could struggle with a complex system in the next level.

McRae is a good prospect. Although he does not excel at anything, he does bring a good skill package to the next level. He will need to add strength. His lack of inside running ability would hurt his draft status. He really needs to impress scouts at his Pro Day and the Combine. Right now, he has a middle of the draft skill set, but he could be a sleeper.

Jehuu Caulcrick, MichiganSt., 6000, 255, 4.67

Jehuu Caulcrick is an absolutely massive specimen of a running back. The MichiganState senior has proved to be a rather valuable asset on the goal line this year. Caulcrick rushed for 813 yards and 21 TDs and averaged 3.93 yards per carry. His yards per carry average was down this year from his career 4.5 mark. He has gained 2336 yards for his career so far and has caught 26 passes for 233 yards. His 39 career touchdowns leaves him 1 touchdown away from averaging 10 per year. Caulcrick runs low to the ground for a 6'0", 255 lbs. running back. He runs with tremendous power and always lowers his shoulder and delivers a hit at the end of his runs. Caulcrick has a similar style to New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs. He isn't quite as fast as Jacobs, but has nimble feet. He can cut back and find holes to power through. Caulcrick has good hands and will make a good receiver out of the backfield in the NFL. Caulcrick will have to prove at the combine he has the speed to play half back in the pros. He will also get a look from many teams as a full back. If Caulcrick can improve his blocking, he can play a hybrid role like Greg Jones in Jacksonville.

Louis Rankin, Washington, 5110, 211, 4.40

Rankin burst onto the scene in 2007, rushing for 1,294 yards and six touchdowns with a 5.6 yard per carry average. Rankin was thought of as a total bust since arriving four years ago at the University of Washington until this season. Rankin is a stout runner at just under 6' and 211 pounds. He has been unofficially timed in the 40 at 4.55, according to ESPN.com. Rankin is a shifty runner that likes to put his shoulder down and run over defenders. He was a member of the second team All-Pac-10 team this year. He was troubled in 2007 with a minor hip pointer, but played relatively injury free throughout his career at Washington. Rankin has not done much as a receiver out of the backfield, finishing with 20 receptions for 126 yards and 2 touchdowns. Rankin does well in pass blocking situations and will likely make an immediate impact on special teams. Rankin is not likely to be drafted prior to the third or fourth round without eye-popping numbers at the combine.

Seahawks | L. Rankin runs fastest during team workout
Fri, 11 Apr 2008 07:57:49 -0700
KFFL has learned that of 16 participants at a workout with the Seattle Seahawks Friday, April 11, University of Washington RB Louis Rankin ran the fastest time in the 40-yard dash of the group, a time of 4.40 seconds.

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

biloxi-indian

Peterson signed by Packers.

Packers | Peterson agrees to terms
Sun, 27 Apr 2008 17:42:41 -0700

Josh Buchanan, of NFLDraftBible.com, reports the Green Bay Packers have agreed to terms with undrafted rookie free-agent TE Michael Peterson (Northwest Missouri State). Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

KFFL - Hot off the Wire - NFL Breaking News, Notes and Fantasy Football Information

hagan714

WR

D.J. HallAlabama 6019 193 4.53

Hall goes down as one of the best receivers in the history of the storied Alabama program. He leaves as the school's all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. He also set the single-season record for receptions in 2007, as he hauled in 67 passes for 1,005 yards and six touchdowns. He was the only Crimson Tide receiver to have at least one catch in every game this season. He was voted by the coaches to the All-Southeastern Conference second team. He is the only player in school history with two 1,000-yard seasons, as he had 62 receptions for 1,056 yards in 2006 (which included seven 100-yard games).

Hall has proven he can be a go-to receiver. He will have a size advantage over most corners, while having the speed (4.49 40-yard dash) to beat defenders down the field. He has good hands that have helped him make numerous catches in tight coverage, which is also where he takes advantage of being a great leaper. He runs good routes and he makes plays after the catch. Having played against top competition confirms his ability.

His past conduct will be a concern for NFL teams, as he was suspended multiple times during his collegiate career. There are also questions about his work ethic. He'll have to hit the weight room hard because he must to get stronger, otherwise he will have trouble getting off the line, as well as bouncing back from the hits of NFL defensive backs. He has the potential to be a playmaker and with a good combine, he could go in the second round.

Hall has a nice blend of size, speed, and athleticism. He has shown to be a go to receiver, making big plays when called upon and making them all over the field. His height gives him an advantage over most corners, but he still has the speed to get open and to outrun defenders to get down the field. Hall has very good hands, showing the ability to hold on to the ball in tight coverage and making the difficult grab.

Hall is still a bit lanky and will need to bulk up to go over the middle on a consistent basis in the NFL. He may not be able to take the beating from NFL safeties or linebackers if he doesn’t get stronger.

Hall is a player that has gotten better every year, and still has room left to improve. If he can add a little more weight, he could be an all around playmaker in the NFL.

Lance Leggett Miami (FL) 6031, 194, 4.43

Leggett has a fantastic combination of height, athleticism, and speed. He is long and lanky, and coupled with his athleticism, allows him to be a force in the red zone. He is a difficult matchup in one on one situations. Leggett also has good speed and has the ability to get down the field and outrun defensive backs to make big plays.

While he has very good height for the position, Leggett is very thin and must bulk up. He does not carry enough weight to consistently go over the middle, and physical corners in the NFL may be able to overpower him.

Leggett has big time upside. He has an excellent package of skills, and could put on a show in the post season with his natural gifts. He must round out his skills and get stronger to live up to his potential though. He will need to bulk up to be more than just a vertical threat in the NFL.

Bruce Hocker Duquesne 6-4 205 4.55

He is a smooth athlete with better than clocked (4.5-4.40) speed, who gets separation quickly. He has a good size and he has long arms that can be extended to catch balls thrown away from him. Also, he has a quick release from the line and uses his body well to shield defenders off. Hocker has good hands and is not afraid to go across the middle, but will come back to the quarterback when the plays brake. With good concentration, he is a willing downfield blocker. He was the best wide receiver at his level, but competition level is a concern. He is a long strider who sometimes tended to lose focus and will drop passes as a result. Also, his route running needs a lot of work; He is not a polish product and needs work on receiving mechanics.

Hocker is a big and powerful receiver. He is faster than his clocked time and should be a good red zone player. But, he is unpolished and needs a lot of mechanical corrections. The level of competition is a major question mark with him. Can he play the way he did in college at the next level? Hocker clearly posses the attributes to make an NFL roster and a team will probably take a chance on him late in the draft.

Ernie Wheelwright Minnesota 6-5 215 4.55

Ernie Wheelwright has had a somewhat disappointing career at Minnesota. He burst onto the scene unexpectedly in 2004 as a freshman, catching 30 passes for 654 yards and 7 TDs. These are good numbers for a Gopher receiver during the Marion Barber and Laurence Maroney days. Production, however, never escalated as Minnesota thought it might. He finished 2007 with 66 catches for 775 yards and 9 TDs. These aren't bad numbers, but far less than expected from Wheelwright. His career totals are respectable, with 159 catches for 2434 yards and 26 TDs in 49 career games. Wheelwright has a huge frame at 6'5" and soft hands. Unfortunately, he doesn't run the sharpest routes and will occasionally quit on his route altogether. Wheelwright doesn't have very good speed for a wide receiver, not even one of his size. He is rumored to run in the 5.0 range in the 40 yard dash. Because of his size, Wheelwright will get some looks in the late rounds of the draft. His best bet may be to bulk up and move to tight end. If he improved his blocking and became stronger, his lack of speed wouldn't be as significant at the TE position.

Ernie Wheelwright played for the West team in the 2008 Hula Bowl. Official stats were not kept for the game, but Wheelwright impressed during practices. According to reports from ESPN, Wheelwright surprised his coaches with his speed. His size gave corners fits during practice and he reportedly caught the ball very well

Amarri Jackson South Florida 6-5 195 4.60

Jackson has a fantastic combination of size and athleticism. He has excellent height, and towers over most corners. The impressive part is that he combines that height with tremendous athleticism. He can go up and get the football over any defensive back, and makes the difficult catch look easy. Jackson also has very good quickness for a player his size, and can change direction and make plays with the ball in his hands.

As tall as Jackson is, he is terribly thin. His body will not allow him to go over the middle and take a hit consistently. He can make plays on the outside and down the field because of his height, but he will need to get stronger to play over the middle. He may also lack the straightline speed to get separation down the field in the NFL.

Jackson is an intriguing mid round option. He may lack true burner speed, but he has the quickness, athleticism, and height to be a playmaker in the NFL. If a team can be patient and teach him to be a more complete receiver, he could be a steal in a few years.

Selwyn Lymon, Purdue, 6040, 215

Purdue wide receiver Selwyn Lymon has declared for the NFL draft. The red shirt sophomore declared following his dismissal from the Boilermaker football team this season. Lymon has all the physical tools to be a great wide receiver, but appears to lack the desire to work for it and the common sense to stay out of trouble. At 6'4" and 215 lbs., he has elite size and fantastic speed to accompany it. He can be a handful in the redzone when and if he tries to get open. Lymon caught 73 passes for 1030 yards and 5 TDs in 25 career games. On rare occasions, he looked inspired and frankly unstoppable. Unfortunately, he can't stay out of trouble. He red shirted his first year on campus because he was an academic non-qualifier. In 2007, he was stabbed in a bar fight during the offseason (drinking underage with a fake ID), after starting a fight with a female patron. During November, he was arrested for a DUI and resisting arrest. No NFL team in their right mind will draft Lymon, especially in the Roger Goodell era. Lymon is, however, so talented he will likely receive multiple training camp invitations. If he shows he's willing to work hard and runs good routes, his size and speed may land him a roster spot.

Jayson Foster, Georgia Southern, 5071, 169lbs, 4.39

Foster has done it all at the FCS level with back to back All-America seasons and winning the Walter Payton Award in 2007. He passed for 1,203 yards and 6 touchdowns and put up over 3,000 yards of total offense. He was also an AFCA and AP All-America choice while picking up SoCon Offensive Player of the Year honors. He will have to make the transition to receiver after playing quarterback last year but has played the position previously. He will need to gain weight and become more consistent catching the ball. He shows superior speed and versatility for an NFL team looking to pick an all-purpose speedster on day two of the draft.


Luke Dillon, DefianceCollege, 6040, 233, 4.46

This:

NFL | Dillon works out at Pro Day
Fri, 7 Mar 200812:16:27 -0800

Defiance College WR Luke Dillon worked out at OhioStateUniversity's Pro Day Friday, March 7. Dillon ran a 4.46 40-yard dash and measured in at 6-foot-4 and 233 pounds.

Lead me to this:

Luke Dillon's record-breaking college football career is over, but his work is just beginning.

Dillon, 21, of Temperance, set season records for pass receptions and receiving yards and the career mark for touchdown catches at Defiance College.

He leaves Thursday for the Ignition training center in Cincinnati where he will spend eight weeks working out and preparing in a pre-NFL combine format. That will be followed by a Pro Day at the University of Toledo or Ohio State University.

"The entire NFL - all 32 teams - will be there (at Pro Day) as well as the Arena League and the CFL (Canadian Football League)," Dillon said. "After that, they can approach you about signing or drafting you."

Dillon's goal have changed considerably after he came out of nowhere and produced a spectacular college career that was capped off by being named to the Division III All-American team two weeks ago.

At one time, his goal was to hook up with an Arena Football League team. Now that's No. 4 on his list.

"I've changed my goals," he said. "Now my No. 1 goal is to be drafted by an NFL team. If that doesn't work out, I just want to get signed by an NFL team. After that it's the CFL and then Arena ball. If I have a huge injury I'm going to law school, but it would have to be a pretty serious, life-threatening injury."

How serious is Dillon about playing profession football? Serious enough to spend thousands of dollars for eight weeks at Ignition. That's just to get ready for his Pro Day where he would be rated on the bench-press, 40-yard dash, pass-catching and other skill areas.

As a Division III college player, Dillon finds himself in the back of the line.

"I've been on this agent hunt for about a month now," he said. "I'm catching a lot of flack because I'm a Division 3 player. They don't know anything about me. That's frustrating."

The son of Dr. Thomas and Dee Dillon is the youngest of nine children. The 6-5, 225-pound wide receiver played at Toledo St. Francis before transferring to Missouri Military his senior year.

He was the last player recruited by Defiance four years ago but became one of its greatest.

Dillon played tight end as a college freshman and caught only one pass. Switched to wide receiver the next year, he had 40 receptions for 504 yards and 5 touchdowns. As a junior, he caught 43 passes for 745 yards and 9 touchdowns.

This past season Dillon was named Co-MVP of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference and All-North Region first team. He ranked sixth in the nation with 9.3 (93) catches and 124.1 (1,241) receiving yards per game with 14 touchdowns.

The outstanding season earned him a spot in the Aztec Bowl, the NCAA Division III all-star game played last month in Chihuahua, Mexico.

"That was a great, great experience," he said. "I got out of school for 10 days. It was the biggest thing I've ever been involved with. They must have taken 2,500 pictures while I was there. We got to tour all around the city and we spent an evening at the governor's palace. They had about 30,000 people at the game."

Dillon has 10 credits left before graduating in May. He already has completed all the course requirements for his major (criminal justice) and minor (psychology).

At one time he planned to immediately attend law school after graduation, but football has put those plans on the back burner.

"I ended up taking my (law school) admissions test the day before I left for Mexico," he said. "I still will apply to some schools."

Now football is ready to take over again.

"I've been looking for an agent. I spoke to one today," he said last week. "I'm just trying to get everything in line for the Pro Days. That's been really hectic."

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

andersen

Ernie Wheelwright? Now, I'm feeling like an oldfart.

andersen

We still need some moxie on the WS.

hagan714

Luke Dillon, DefianceCollege, 6040, 233, 4.46

not much in reviews on the kid. A lot news write ups. He has my interest sparked

jeanpierre

That guy is your Dallas Clark development player; Mickey Loomis was probably told the Check Book is smoking when we haven't even written a check...

Frigging Chiefs, Packers, Ravens got a bunch of the guys I liked...