High school scouting reports 11-20
by Flynn Hill
Read the first 10 reports here.
11. Jaccobi McDaniel
Position: Defensive Tackle
Height: 6’0
Weight: 270
School: Madison (FL
Committed to: Florida State
Positives: What’s not to like about McDaniel? He’s probably best suited to play nose tackle, but can line up in a gap. No matter what, he’s going to require a double team because his motor isn’t going to stop until the whistle blows. He stays low, uses leverage and plays with an excellent pad level. McDaniel rarely gets pushed back and at least creates a stalemate. Most of the time, he’s found in the back field blowing up the play. He’s got an explosive initial burst and overpowers most interior linemen. He’s a tremendous athlete for a nose tackle, with an estimated 33-inch vertical jump and sub-4.9 40-yard dash. He’s got a nose for the ball and is often seen on film chasing down running backs. He’s got tremendous hand quickness and does a nice job of hand fighting.
Negatives: His height is a bit of a deterrent. How much weight can he really add to his below-average frame? He’s raw in terms of technique. McDaniel uses mainly a bull rush to get by blockers, whereas last year’s top defensive tackle, Marcus Forston, used a variety of finesse and power moves. He’s really going to need to vary his techniques for rushing the passer. While his motor is always running, it can lead to him running himself out of plays.
Overall: McDaniel, while most certainly not the biggest, is one of the best in the class of 2009. He is a fearless competitor who will not back down from anyone. He may have to redshirt his freshman year in order to get up to size with other defensive linemen, but he’ll win over critics with his unrelenting style of play in time.
Best Case Scenario: DT Warren Sapp while on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Worst Case Scenario: DT Dewayne Robertson, Denver Broncos
Junior year statistics: 70 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries
12. Cierre Wood
Position: Running Back
Height: 6’0
Weight: 190
School: Santa Clara
Committed to: Notre Dame
Positives: Wood is a dynamic running back prospect who can hurt you in a number of ways. He has very good speed, but is quicker than he is fast, which says a lot about him. His 3.92 pro shuttle time really does show on film. He’s got tremendous vision and sees the cutback lane extremely well. He changes direction with ease, especially when he gets the ball on tosses and stretches to the outside. He breaks initial contact rather easily, mainly with an array jukes and spins. He has fluid hips and is tough to bring down, even when defenders have him wrapped up. He shows the ability to not only catch the ball on screens and swings, but can be split out and still catch the ball.
Negatives: He’s not a power back by any stretch of the imagination. While he does break first contact, he’s not going to do it by putting his shoulder down and running over someone. He’s probably never going to be an every down back and needs to be utilized in a Reggie Bush-type role. He needs to get a bit bigger to take the punishment of the college game. Wood also does play at one of the lowest levels of football in California. It’s unknown if he’s just a product of the competition.
Overall: Wood is a threat to take it to the house for six on any play he touches the ball. He’s a game breaker and will make an immediate impact if for nothing more than returning kicks. Even though the competition is weak, he’s head and shoulders the best player on the field every time he steps foot on the field. Wood will be very interesting to watch for Charlie Weis and the Irish.
Best Case Scenario: RB Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints
Worst Case Scenario: RB Jerious Norwood, Atlanta Falcons
Junior year statistics: 2,600 rushing yards, 42 touchdowns
13. Vontaze Bufict
Position: Middle Linebacker
Height: 6’2
Weight: 235
School: Centennial (CA)
Committed to: Southern Cal
Positives: He looks like a college linebacker right now. This is a man in every sense of the word. He’s fundamentally sound and always runs downhill, not allowing ball carriers to get that extra yard or two. Burfict is a devastating hitter and everyone must account for where he is on the field because of it. He’s got the best pass defense skills at the position in the class. He didn’t allow anyone at the Nike football training camp to win a rep over him in the pass defense drills. He shows good football IQ, especially with how he can dissect a screen and blow up the play. He’s a very good blitzer and has excellent timing.
Negatives: His reported 4.5 40-yard dash speed just doesn’t show up on film. He’s not a slow player by any means, but he’s just not as fast as his 40 time indicates. His lateral speed isn’t tremendous. Burfict shows a bit of a tendency to arm tackle. He’s a sucker for the big hit and sometimes looks like he’d rather make the highlight reel hit rather than the fundamental tackle.
Overall: Burfict is one of the more impressive players in the class because of his physical maturation and his ability to change a game with his hitting ability. He’s the most college-ready linebacker in this class with guys like Manti Te’o and Nico Johnson. Burfict can definitively make an impact, although it will be interesting to see what he can do with other guys like Chris Galippo already on the depth chart at Southern Cal
Best Case Scenario: LB Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears
Worst Case Scenario: LB Ahmad Brooks, Cincinnati Bengals
Junior year statistics: 162 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 4 forced fumbles
14. Dre Kirkpatrick
Position: Cornerback
Height: 6’2
Weight: 180
School: Gadsden (AL)
Committed: Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Louisiana State, Southern Cal
Positives: Kirkpatrick has great size and speed. He’s a fluid athlete who can lock on the quickest and fastest of receivers. Because of that, he can play in either man to man or in zone schemes. He has a tremendous wingspan and does a great job of batting down passes. His six interceptions a year ago with teams throwing away from him show that he has tremendous ball skills. He’s very good in run support as he is one of the most physical corners in the country. He uses his length and quick hands to disengage receivers blocking him in run support and in swing passes. Kirkpatrick recognizes plays very well and makes great breaks on the ball when it’s in the air.
Negatives: His backpedal doesn’t look as natural as you see in most top corner back prospects. He doesn’t have true burner speed and will probably get beaten by faster receivers in the class like Logan Heastie. He tends to gamble a bit too much in coverage.
Overall: You won’t find many corners with the physical gifts that Kirkpatrick has. While he doesn’t have blinding speed, he’s deceptively quick and can lock down on the best receivers. He should learn the bump and run in no time and shouldn’t look back after that.
Best Case Scenario: CB Asante Samuel, Philadelphia Eagles (Bigger version)
Worst Case Scenario: CB Antrel Rolle, Arizona Cardinals
Junior year statistics: 58 tackles, 6 Interceptions
15. Jelani Jenkins
Position: Outside Linebacker
Height: 6’0
Weight: 200
School: Our Lady of Good Counsel (MD)
Considering: Southern Cal, Miami (FL), Maryland, Clemson, Notre Dame
Positives: On film, Jenkins appears to be shot out of a cannon. A star on both sides of the ball, he shows he can really move when carrying the ball at running back. He’s got breakaway speed on offense and can certainly close on defense. For instance, he was able to catch one receiver who had a 10-yard head start on him. If he doesn’t jar the ball loose on a bone crushing hit, he’s always looking to strip the ball from the carrier’s grip. When he makes contact, he keeps his legs driving to prevent extra yardage from being attained on him. He’s excellent coming off the edge on the blitz, but can be equally effective when he comes through the middle. Jenkins does a nice job of shedding blocks. He’s also as high character of a guy as you’ll find, as he carries a 4.0 GPA.
Negatives: His pass defense is average, at best. He’s not extremely fluid in pass coverage. His hips sometimes look a bit confused as to which way to turn. While he does do a good job of taking on and shedding blocks, occasionally he’ll over pursue and run around blocks. At the next level, backs will be able to cut up field on him. He’s obviously going to have to get bigger and stronger, as there’s no possible way he can compete at linebacker at a mere 200 pounds.
Overall: Jenkins is a very exciting prospect who can change a game because of his hitting ability. He’s best suited for outside linebacker, preferably the weak side, but if he develops his pass defense skills, can become a scary hybrid strong safety/linebacker. Although he can play on offense in college, Jenkins will excel at linebacker. At the minimum, he can make early contributions on special teams.
Best Case Scenario: LB Lance Briggs, Chicago Bears
Worst Case Scenario: LB Cato June, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Junior year statistics: 791 yards rushing, 16 touchdowns, 60 tackles, 4 sacks
16. Logan Heastie
Position: Wide receiver
Height: 6’2
Weight: 192
High School: Great Bridge (VA)
Committed to: West Virginia
Positives: He’s the biggest deep threat in the class by a wide margin. Heastie has really good size for the position and burner speed. He’s listed as running a 4.3 40-yard dash and it’s pretty accurate. On film he consistently is seen with a minimum of two to three steps behind the corner. He shows nice fluidity out of double moves such as the post corner. He has very good hands and shows good concentration, especially on balls that are tipped. He’s an explosive receiver and does a decent job when he goes over the middle of taking one step and going up field.
Negatives: He’s not nearly as fast when he has the ball. Before the ball is in the air, he looks to be uncatchable, but right after he catches it, he just doesn’t look to have the same speed. He’s limited to only being a receiver on the outside. He does need to get stronger in order to beat jams. Lastly, Heastie needs to not round off his cuts on routes such as ins and outs.
Overall: He has No. 1 receiver potential written all over him. At the least, he can make an immediate impact as running nothing more than a go route. He’s a game breaker on the outside who has strong hands and is best used in a spread offense with a vertical passing game.
Best Case Scenario: WR Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals
Worst Case Scenario: WR Troy Williamson, Jacksonville Jaguars
Junior Year Statistics: 53 receptions, 977 yards, 16 touchdowns
17. Sam Montgomery
Position: Defensive End
Height: 6’4
Weight: 220
School: Greenwood (SC)
Considering: Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, South Carolina
Positives: Montgomery’s athleticism is the first thing that jumps out at you on his film. He was an absolute stud last year in just his first year of varsity football since playing in eighth grade. He’s a former basketball player who has very good speed and explosive leaping ability. No pass is out of reach for this lanky end to swat down at the line of scrimmage. He’s got tremendous quickness that overwhelms most offensive tackles. Montgomery has an outstanding frame to put on plenty of weight, a necessity for a player of his size. He shows good flexibility and the ability to get much lower than opposing tackles.
Negatives: He’s so raw to the game that he’s just in the infancy of his development. He needs good coaching for his pass rushing technique. He doesn’t use his wingspan very efficiently in the pass rush, as he locks up in close with defenders too often. While he gets lower than opposing linemen he just doesn’t appear to have a tremendous burst out his stance. Even though his reported 40 time is 4.44, it doesn’t show up as that in games. His first love is basketball so there is always the question as to if he’ll get distracted along the away by it.
Overall: Montgomery is one of the most intriguing prospects in this year’s class. There’s so much untapped potential in him, that he can become the best player in this class. But the road will be long for him to reach his maximum potential. With the right coaches, he has unreal potential.
Best Case Scenario: DE Osi Umenyiora, New York Giants
Worst Case Scenario: DE Brandon Miller, Atlanta Falcons
Junior year statistics: 65 tackles, 15 sacks, 20 tackles for loss
18. David Oku
Position: Running Back
Height: 5’9
Weight: 185
School: Carl Albert (OK)
Considering: Florida State, Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Tennessee
Positives: Oku is an explosive and elusive runner. He has breakaway speed and excellent agility. He makes sharp, clean cuts on a dime and changes direction very well. He reads his blocks tremendously well and has the vision to cut the play back to the opposite side of the field. While he does have home run speed he has great patience and lets his blocks set up. He has unbelievable balance, as he as the ability to spin off defenders and keep on trucking. He really does need to be wrapped up and taken down to the ground or he will break the tackle. He has excellent wiggle in his hips and sheds arm tackles easily.
Negatives: Clearly his size is the biggest knock on him. He will probably never get bigger than 200 pounds because his frame will not allow it and will probably never be an every down back. He shows that he can catch the ball out of the backfield, but not enough to know he’s a sure handed back. It’s probably just the offensive scheme, but it’s still something that’s unproven. He’s probably a liability in blocking. He bounces a majority of his carries to the outside and doesn’t really get the tough yards.
Overall: Few players in the class are as big of a home run threat as Oku is. If there is daylight, he will find it and get a huge gain. He’s probably best suited as either a change of pace back or in a spread option scheme. Regardless, Oku is one of the more likely in the class to make a SportsCenter top 10 plays list because of one of his runs.
Best Case Scenario: RB Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles (Not as good of a receiver)
Worst Case Scenario: RB Selvin Young, Denver Broncos
Junior year statistics: 182 carries, 1,628 yards, 9.0 ypc, 20 touchdowns, 4 catches, 71 yards, 1 touchdown
19. Mason Walters
Position: Center
Height: 6’6
Weight: 290
School: Wolfforth (TX)
Committed to: Texas
Positives: Walters is a natural center with tackle size. It’s rare to see such a massive center prospect at the high school level. He’s got tremendous quickness and makes powerful first contact, both when a lineman is head up on him and when he pulls. After he makes one pancake block he always moves on to another and plays until the whistle blows. He has quick hands and beats most linemen to get his hands to the inside. Walters has great feet and can really move. He gets to the second level rather easily. He shows very good upper body strength as many times he is able to get a pancake block by simply benching his opponent to the ground and having his feet follow quickly.
Negatives: He tends to get a bit high when he’s snapping from the shotgun. He’s able to outmuscle a lot of these players but it won’t be the same at the next level. His ability to pick up linebackers on the blitz is unknown at this point. While his upper body appears to be very strong at this point, his lower body needs to catch up. He gets his pop from his upper body and doesn’t really roll his hips into defenders for the pancake.
Overall: Walters is one of those rare center prospects who come along once in a blue moon. He’s the highest rated since Southern Cal center Jeff Byers, who was the top overall lineman in his class. He simply manhandles linemen right now without a tremendous deal of technique. He has the versatility to play any of the five positions on the line, a true rarity in the game today.
Best Case Scenario: C Matt Birk, Minnesota Vikings
Worst Case Scenario: C Melvin Fowler, Buffalo Bills
20. Aaron Murray
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6’1
Weight: 210
School: Plant (FL)
Committed to: Georgia
Positives: Murray is the most accurate passer in the class. He has very good, not great arm strength., but he can stretch the field. He excels in the intermediate passing game and is able to find the seam in the defense relatively easily. He’s intelligently fearless when throwing the ball downfield. His release is very quick and efficient. He’s extremely athletic and has tremendous mobility, both inside and outside the pocket. He can beat most defenses with his arm as well as his legs and can scramble for a first down when needed. He plays in a spread offense right now and runs the zone read extremely well, showing that he has an excellent overall football IQ. He always keeps his head staring downfield when on the run.
Negatives: He’s on the short side at just 6-foot-1. It doesn’t show up as much now because he’s constantly in the shotgun, but things may change when he goes under center as much as he will at Georgia. On film it doesn’t appear as though he goes through all of his reads and looks like he just stares on receiver down. His arm is very good, but it’s not strong enough to roll to his right and then throw completely across his body as he does so often.
Overall: Murray has a great blend of athleticism and throwing ability. He’s best suited for a spread offense, but he can play in any scheme because of his rare skill set. Even though he is shorter than other quarterbacks in this class, he’s the most well-rounded in the class.
Best Case Scenario: QB Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
Worst Case Scenario: QB Luke McCown, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Junior year statistics: 201- 329 (61%), 4,013 passing yards, 51 touchdowns, 7 interceptions