ESPN #2 QB Braxton Miller Chooses Ohio State

ESPN150's number two overall quarterback, Baxton Miller has chosen to play his college ball at The Ohio State University.

For those not familiar with Braxton, he is an option quarterback from Ohio. There is no surprise that he would choose tOSU. What the question is now is will he play as a freshman or will he wait for Terrell Pryor to leave before he see's the field?

Underclassmen Who Have Declared For the Draft

Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois
Dezmon Briscoe, WR, Kansas
Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
Abe Koroma, DT, Western Illinois
Ryan Mathews, RB, Fresno State
Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame
Donovan Warren, CB, Michigan
Damian Williams, WR, Southern Cal
Mike Williams, WR, Syracuse

Golden Tate and Jimmy Clausen Peace Out of Note Dame

Jimmy Clausen and Golden Tate have decided that they will take their talents to the NFL next year. The wheels are falling off at Notre Dame. In my opinion this is a great move for the two of them to get the hell out of dodge as soon as possible. They aren't going to be competing for anything next year in South Bend anyways. On to their NFL possibilities...

Jimmy Clausen should be a top 15 pick in what some are calling a terrible QB draft (Clausen, Locker, Pike, Tebow, Bradford)

Golden Tate is a late first rounder to high second rounder right now. It is interesting because potentially he and Clausen could end up on the same team next year.

Knowshon Moreno, Matt Stafford #1 and #2 Overall?

Is it possible that the runningback and quarterback from the #1 ranked Georgia Bulldogs could be drafted #1 and #2 overall next year? It's very possible.

Moreno has proven himself to be in the top tier of underclassman runners. He is ahead of the likes of Noel Devine, Percy Harvin, and Joe McKnight in my opinion. Between him and LeSean McCoy it's a toss up for first back taken if they both happen to come out.

Stafford is one of college football's best. He doesn't have the resume' of Tim Tebow or Rudy Carpenter but he projects to a better pro at this point. Tebow comes from the Uber Meyer misdirection offense which produces statistical monsters, and Carpenter has been solid but not great at Arizona state.

If Georgia can escape the SEC and win a title this year these two young players may make noise in the next NFL Draft.

Perriloux Will Play For Jackson State

Perriloux will finally make a good decision and transfer to Jacksonville State where he can play ASAP next year. As of right now they have no clear cut starting QB so Perriloux has the job as long as he doesn't mess it up. How many times do people hand out second chances? Not many. Don't mess this one up Ryan.

Jackson State wants Ryan Perriloux

The smoke totin', backdoor casino sneaking, nightclub brawling former LSU Quarterback might get another chance. The coach of NCAA National Subdivision Jackson State says that he will try to persuade Ryan Perriloux to join his team. Perriloux has a long history of disrespecting team rules and getting into trouble but you cannot deny his potential as an option QB.

If Perriloux transfers to Jackson State he can play immediately as it is a National Subdivision team. Other players in his position such as Maurice Clarett were also suggested to go this route when kicked off prominent Division I teams.

If Perriloux wants a shot at the NFL he probably doesn't have to do this but it certainly would help his case to show he can turn it around. He has talent but huge character concerns would most likely keep him out of the upper rounds of an NFL Draft.

Archives

2009 Prospect: James Davis RB Clemson

James Davis
6'0 220
26 Career TDs: most among active ACC players.

How high can he go next year with CJ Spiller taking more carries in the backfield?

Davis is hearlded for his speed and vision and has the NFL body already. He compares nicely to Clinton Portis but as a Senior, would come into the league much more mature.

We will keep an eye on Mr. Davis this fall.

Archives

Kevin Smith's Pro Day

Find more videos like this on I'm Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith working out for the scouts at UCF's Pro Day.

Rodgers-Cromartie only has 1 kidney

And the constant evaluation of draft prospects gets weirder and weirder. First it was Glenn Dorsey's "injuries" (which have never kept him out of a game at LSU, mind you) and now it's this.

According to the LA times, the Tennessee State CB only has one kidney due to one failing when he was 8 years old. I don't think anyone thought that one kidney missing hurt his Senior Bowl yet there are some teams that will "wipe him down" the draft board for this.

Maybe Antonio can lend him one?

Jonathan Stewart a second round back? Dont count on it.

I recently saw a feature on ESPN in which they were predicting the NFL Draft on a team-by-team basis. Now normally I have respect for Mel Kiper and his draft rankings (predicting Jon Beason as a top prospect last year among other "gems") but what Mel had to say about Jonathan Stewart was appalling. He claimed that the Texans would not draft Stewart, but that is a moot point because he added that Stewart was not a first round choice!

I don't see how Stewart's surgery drops him out of round one. Especially since he posted a tremendous combine with a 4.48 40 yard dash while needing surgery! So he will be out for 3 months, who cares. Stewart is still the second best back in this draft.

Who's the man at defensive tackle?

With Glenn Dorsey finally working out, I feel that we can now get a better grasp on who falls where as far as the defensive tackles go in this draft.

In my first round I have:

1. Glenn Dorsey
2. Sedrick Ellis
3. Trevor Laws
4. Dre Moore

With Glenn and Sedrick being can't miss top 10 picks and Laws and Moore in that 20-31 "let's grab him before the second" area. Moore hasn't been playing football that long and teams will see him as either glass half full or empty. Laws is a great character guy with a nonstop motor but undersized. I feel they both sneak in with Dorsey and Ellis in the first.

In my second round I place the following prospects

1. Pat Simms
2. Kentwan Balmer
3. Red Bryant

Balmer is an interesting prospect who seems to be on a career upswing, but some teams may view him as an overachiever. Simms has all the tools but serious chemistry and character issues. Bryant has the size you look for and is most likely creeping towards the middle of round 2 right now, depending on how much a team likes Balmer or Simms.

Glenn Dorsey


Sedrick Ellis


Trevor Laws


Dre Moore

Random Analysis

I'm going to throw out some random analysis on my behalf... which comes from watching mainly C USA games and ACC games... but I also watched every SEC game I could get which was a lot of Arkansas for some strange reason... anyways.. here is my analysis from how they play, not the combine.

I have come around on Matt Ryan. I do not think he is benefiting from a weak QB class at all. He took a team with lackluster talent and made them look real good every Saturday. He moves well in the pocket and finds the open man, doesnt force it.

Chris Johnson is my homer pick. Ive watched is maturity from a freshman surprise all the way to NFL Draft Prospect so I have to support him. Is an effortless runner, with elite speed, and has soft hands. Waits for his blockers instead of trying to outrun everyone which resulted in the most all purpose yards in the nation.

I absolutely love Mike Hart as a prospect. He doesn't fumble and is tough. Built small and compact and gets those tough yards. He benefited a lot from Long but no one will deny he was a quality back in college. May never be the man in the NFL but will be a great #2 man.

Darren McFadden is an elite runner who comes once every five drafts or so. Big and strong with a great stride and the speed to house it when he gets to the second level. Unreal stiff arm as well and breaks the arm tackles with ease. Put his team on his back against LSU and cemented himself as the first runner taken.

I think Limas Sweed is the next Plaxico. He has great speed for his size and has good leaping ability. A terror in the redzone with 20 career TDs and would have broke the school record if he didnt get hurt. Came to the combine healthy and I have him ranked as my #1 WR.

I saw a bunch of WVU and I will join the Schmitt fans. He is a bull in a china house. In other news, Slaton looks like kick returner at the next level. I dont think he is big enough nor quick enough to make guys miss.
Kenny Phillips is a first round talent. Sure he played not to get hurt, but he has the size, bulk, speed, and experience you look for in a future safety. A hard hitter and sure tackler. I dont believe any of the misinformation about him. I will admit he needs work against the deep ball.

Thats all I have for now.. Ill think of more guys I watched later.

Scott Wright Agrees With Me Again

Maybe great minds do think alike.

In the latest NFL Draft Countdown mock, Wright now has Jeff Otah going #5 overall to the KC Chiefs. I had him going there in my March 10th mock if you may remember...

A Sleeper to Look For: Erik Ainge

One of my favorite sleeper picks in the 2008 NFL Draft is Quarterback Erik Ainge from Tennessee and I will tell you why.

He's a natural leader who can make all the throws you need to at the next level. As a freshman, the bright lights did not phase him and he broke Peyton Manning's freshman record for TD's thrown. Not only that, but he also had to fend off Brent Schaffer and Casey Clausen from taking snaps from him.

He has battled numerous injuries but very quietly put together a strong Senior season passing for 3522 yards, 31 touchdowns, and only 10 ints in the SEC. His mobility is a concern yet in 2007 he was only sacked 3 times...

At 6'5 and 225 lbs Erik Ainge has the prototypical frame for the NFL. It would behoove a team with a shaky Quarterback situation (San Francisco, Green Bay, Baltimore) to take this guy in the 3rd round.

Limas Sweed Breakdown

Is Limas Sweed the #1 receiver in the draft? I'm certainly leaning towards ranking him that way and many other draftniks have thrown their hat in proclaiming Sweed the best.

His Resume

Sweed started 39 straight games at Texas before injuring his right wrist early last year. He has amassed 20 Td's (second in Texas history) and 1,915 yards on 124 catches as a collegiate performer.

The Lowdown

At 6'4 and about 215 pounds, Sweed is the biggest of the big 3 wide receivers in the draft. He's a little bigger than Malcolm Kelly and a giant compared to De'Sean Jackson. Sweed lacks elite speed but has more than enough speed with a 4.52 40 yard dash time. Sweed has also proven himself to have quite the knack for the endzone with 20 touchdowns.

Projection

I predict Sweed to be close to Roy Williams and Plaxico Burress in terms of skill and production as a pro. It may take him close to 5 years before he becomes an elite like Plaxico but I'd expect him to put up around 6 tds easily as a rookie. Sweed will come off the board in the top 15 picks, most likely to Buffalo at 11 and Denver at 12.

Chris Johnson ESPN Interview

Here's the fastest man at the combine and fellow Pirate, ECU's Chris Johnson representing on ESPN.

McFadden for Barber deal?

As I stated a few days ago, the tuna is offically open for business. According to Pro Football Talk there is a deal on the table that is:

Rights to Barber, and either the 22nd or 28th pick, for the Dolphins' #1 Overall Pick.

In that scenario the Cowboys would select McFadden with the #1 overall selection. While I like McFadden a lot as a game breaker, Marion Barber is FAR more accomplished and is the 'sure thing' right now. I would not do this trade if I were Jerry Jones, but I know where this one is going...

Prospect Breakdown: Owen Schmitt

Every year there is a player that everyone seems to love, and this year its WVU's toughman fullback Owen Schmitt.

Positives
As someone who's seen Schmitt play in person I can tell you that he is an excellent lead blocker and pass protector. He also has soft hands and runs with a reckless abandon. He is a team guy, everyone on his team loves to be around him and you can genuinely feel that. His elite strength has been documented as well.

Negatives

Schmitt is not a great athlete. He runs straight ahead and seldom any other direction. His head on style of play may get him seriously hurt in the NFL if he is unlucky.

Best Case Scenario: Mike Alstott
Worst Case Scenario: Mike Karney

Bottom Line: Even if you're not in desperate need of a fullback Schmitt is a great option at the top of round 3.

McFadden Beats #1

Has Darren McFadden reasserted himself as the #1 overall prospect in the 2008 draft? After the overtime upset of #1 LSU, the answer may be yes. McFadden put up his usual unbelievable numbers out of the wild hog offense which included 32 carries for 206 yards and going 3/6 passing with a Td. Dear Mike Shannahan, please get this kid at all costs. You blew it with Lawrence Maroney and Marshawn Lynch.. get it right this time! Travis Henry is unreliable!

That's my inner blue and orange speaking out, but yeah... McFadden is a beast.

Random Thoughts: October 29

Wow did Andre Woodson blow it

I bet ESPN's producers messed up their pants when Matt Ryan completed that lucky pass

I TOLD YOU Mike Crabtree was one of the best receivers in the Nation

Mark Sanchez: next year, there's always next year

Ohio State is still playing a one game season

No Mike Hart... no problem

Dennis Dixon for Heisman!

Georgia put a whooping on Florida and Tim Tebow's Heisman hopes

Georgia's running back Moreno is a beast

Heisman Watch:

Matt Ryan: 2,469 yards 19 tds
Dennis Dixon: 1885 yards 16 tds, 492 yards 8 tds rushing