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View Full Version : Who to Watch-Outback Bowl — Jan. 1 Florida vs Michigan



MelK
12-31-2002, 10:44 PM
Top 200 draft rank (Seniors)

8-Taylor Jacobs/WR/Florida
41-Todd Johnson/S/Florida
92-Earnest Graham/RB/Florida
144-Mike Nattiel/OLB/Florida

52-Victor Hobson/OLB/Michigan
118-Charles Drake/S/Michigan
140-BJ Askew/FB/Michigan
141-Bennie Joppru/TE/Michigan
146-Cato June/S/Michigan
160-Dan Rumishek/DE/Michigan

From the top 200 Senior prospects listed by NFL Draft Blitz (http://www.nfldraftblitz.com/top200seniors.htm)

MelK
01-01-2003, 10:38 AM
Taylor Jacobs/WR/Florida
(http://www.nfldraftblitz.com/srwrprofiles.htm)


(6-0, 200, estimated 4.43 40 time)

2002 Season Stats: 10 games, 64 catches, 1000 receiving yards, 8 receiving touchdowns /// 3 carries, 43 rushing yards, 0 rushing touchdowns

2001 Season Stats: 11 games, 38 catches, 712 receiving yards, 7 receiving touchdowns /// 4 carries, 27 rushing yards, 0 rushing touchdowns

Positives: Is very fast and is an explosive runner. Is a solid route runner. Has pretty good hands and does a fine job running after the catch. Has played his best in the big games.

Negatives: Is not a very physical player. The offense he plays in at Florida may make him look better than he really is.

Overall analysis: After having a breakthrough season in 2001, Jacobs caught a huge break when underclassmen teammates Jabar Gaffney and Reche Caldwell decided to turn pro. If both would have returned to Florida, Jacobs would have likely been a number three wide receiver and probably would have figured to go no higher than the middle of day two in the 2003 draft. Jacobs is a track man with legitimate speed, and is a very fluid runner in and out of his cuts. He is a solid route runner and appears to have a very reliable set of hands. However, Jacobs is not a physical player and will get pushed around by the tougher defensive backs. Jacobs had a fine senior season, and was successful in demonstrating that his performance as a junior couldn’t be solely attributed to then-Gators head coach Steve Spurrier. As a result, Jacobs has enjoyed a steady ride up the draft board all year and now figures to go in the early to mid round two portion of the 2003 NFL draft.




Source- NFL Draft blitz

MelK
01-01-2003, 10:41 AM
Todd Johnson/S/Florida (http://www.nfldraftblitz.com/srsprofiles.htm)

(6-1, 201, estimated 4.57 40 time)

2001 Season Stats: 11 games, 72 tackles, 2 interceptions, 3 passes broken up, 2 fumble recoveries

Positives: Possesses good safety size. Very smart player that possesses excellent football instincts. Has played both strong and free safety while at Florida.

Negatives: Does not have enough athletic ability to cover slot receivers one on one. Lacks great recovery speed and needs to be able to quickly recognize plays to be effective.

Overall analysis: Johnson is a very good NFL free safety prospect due to his tremendous football instincts. Johnson moved into the starting lineup as a sophomore, lining up at the strong safety position for the first 4 games and then moving to the free safety spot for the remainder of that season. Since that time he has remained in Florida’s starting lineup and has earned All-SEC recognition. Johnson is a classic free safety, a player who can effectively roam the “centerfield” area and can lay a lick on the opposing offensive player. He may not have great speed and athletic ability, but he makes up for it with his toughness, instincts and leadership. Johnson looks to have a bright future as a potential NFL starter, and as a result he currently carries a solid second round grade.



Source- NFL Draft Blitz

MelK
01-01-2003, 10:43 AM
Earnest Graham-Florida (http://www.nfldraftblitz.com/srrbprofiles.htm)

(5-9, 215, estimated 4.58 40 time)

2002 Season Stats: 12 games, 218 carries, 965 rushing yards, 9 rushing touchdowns /// 22 catches, 93 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns

2001 Season Stats: 9 games, 125 carries, 650 rushing yards, 9 rushing touchdowns /// 12 catches, 129 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns

Positives: Excellent running back build. Runs low and hard, maintaining a good pad level. Will fall forward on contact and pick up the extra yard. Can catch the ball.

Negatives: Lacks top speed and will not present a breakaway threat at the next level. Has missed a considerable amount of time with various foot, knee and ankle injuries.

Overall analysis: Graham is a good running back prospect, but not a great one. Graham is a tough, in between the tackles runner who runs with good lean and possesses good balance. He can catch the ball and has been a very productive back when healthy. It also must be noted that Florida’s offense has always appeared to be more efficient when Graham is in the game. However, Graham does not have a top gear and that will limit his draft stock. And even though this player has never suffered what would be considered a major injury, NFL scouts have to be concerned with the amount of playing time that Graham has missed due to nagging injuries. Graham appears to have a solid late day one grade, and could eventually prove to be a good NFL running back when considering his running style.

MelK
01-01-2003, 10:45 AM
Mike Nattiel/OLB/Florida (http://www.nfldraftblitz.com/srolbprofiles.htm)

(6-0, 229, estimated 4.60 40 time)

2001 Season Stats: 11 games, 66 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 interception, 2 passes broken up, 1 fumble recovery

Positives: High-energy player who has excellent speed for the position. Fluid athlete who has good change of direction ability. Shows great range on the football field.

Negatives: Is short and is not very big. Lacks height and that could impact his coverage ability at the next level. Has not made many impact plays while at Florida.

Overall analysis: Nattiel was one of the nation’s top linebacker recruits when he arrived at Florida in 1999. And while Nattiel has been a very good linebacker while at Florida, he hasn’t been a playmaker week in and week out as many had expected. Nattiel is a top athlete. He has great speed, is very agile and can adjust and change directions very well. However, he’s not a big guy and he could have trouble in pass coverage at the next level when considering his lack of height. But when a player possesses the natural ability that Nattiel does, he’s likely to gain the attention of many NFL scouts. Nattiel has enough skill to emerge as a top linebacker prospect, but to do so he will have to take his game to the next level as a senior. Currently Nattiel figures to be selected in the fifth round area of the 2003 NFL draft

MelK
01-01-2003, 10:48 AM
Victor Hobson/OLB/Michigan (http://www.nfldraftblitz.com/srolbprofiles.htm)

(6-1, 244, estimated 4.68 40 time)

2001 Season Stats: 11 games, 72 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 5 sacks

Positives: Has a good linebacker build and is very strong for his size. Is good at playing off blocks and getting in the opponent’s backfield. May be able to play to play any linebacker position at the next level.

Negatives: Is a somewhat inconsistent player, will have some games where he is not much of a factor. Lacks height if asked to play on the strong side of the defense. Needs to work on his pass coverage skills.

Overall analysis: From a pure physical and athletic standpoint, Hobson is one of the more attractive senior outside linebacker prospects. Hobson is big and physical, but also has very good speed and athletic ability. About the only thing he lacks is good linebacker height. As a player Hobson brings speed to the position and he is not afraid to play a physical game. However, he will have to work on his pass coverage skills if he is to become a complete NFL linebacker. Also of note is that there are some games where Hobson is a non-factor, and if he’s to become a top pick he will have to play better week in and week out during his senior season. Right now, Hobson is carrying a late day one/early day two grade.


Source- NFL Draft Blitz

DraftBoy
01-01-2003, 11:45 AM
Graham, and Perry have looked especialy good today and we are only in the 2nd quarter. Too bad we dont need a RB.

MelK
01-01-2003, 01:38 PM
Bennie Joppru/TE/Michigan (http://www.nfldraftblitz.com/srteprofiles.htm)

(6-5, 249, estimated 4.88 40 time)

2002 Season Stats: 12 games, 47 catches, 499 receiving yards, 5 receiving touchdowns

2001 Season Stats: 11 games, 12 catches, 73 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown

Positives: Good route runner who looks like a natural pass-catcher. Does a good job of identifying defenses and finding the open areas in zones. Improving player who really had a good senior season.

Negatives: Is not a powerful player and is a very average, finesse-type blocker. Isn’t a super athlete and may be as good as he is ever going to get.

Overall analysis: After a redshirt year in 1998, Joppru ended up competing and seeing part time action over the next three seasons at a crowded tight end position at Michigan. However, Joppru got his chance to shine as a senior and he took full advantage of it. Joppru looks like a natural when catching the ball; he has great hands and can find the open areas in a defense. As a blocker, Joppru is very average. He’s not a big and powerful player, but can generally get the job done with proper technique. Joppru doesn’t figure to be a big-play tight end once he reaches the NFL, but he could develop into an outstanding possession tight end. Joppru didn’t really figure to be a top tight end prospect at the beginning of the year, but with his fine effort as a senior he has steadily moved up the draft board. Right now Joppru figures to go in the early day two area, and even has an outside shot of being selected on the first day of the draft.

NFL Draft Blitz

MelK
01-01-2003, 01:42 PM
Aaron Walker-Florida (http://http://www.nfldraftblitz.com/srteprofiles.htm)

(6-6, 261, estimated 4.78 40 time)

2002 Season Stats: 12 games, 25 catches, 365 receiving yards, 3 receiving touchdowns

2001 Season Stats: 11 games, 16 catches, 179 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns

Positives: Possesses good size and athletic ability for his size. Has a nice set of hands and is a good pass-catcher. A player who gives it his all on every play. A very smart individual.

Negatives: Does not have great speed and probably won’t represent a downfield threat at the next level. Is not a powerful in-line blocker.

Overall analysis: After seeing some playing time in a backup capacity as a redshirt freshman in 1999, Walker has started the majority of Florida’s games over the last three seasons. And over that stretch of time, Walker has improved each and every year. Walker has great size and is a pretty good athlete for his size. He isn’t the fastest tight end, but he is a reliable target underneath and will catch a long ball every now and then. He does an adequate job blocking with his technique but lacks the power to become a top in-line blocker. Overall, Walker is a complete enough player to do everything that a tight end is asked to do. Currently Walker carries a third round grade.


NFL Draft Blitz