Noel Devine (1 Viewer)

[Raider Nation]

Watching him play in the WVU/Marshall game on ESPN right now.

I've heard people compare him to Jahvid Best. I don't necessarily see that. Best is 2" taller and 25 lbs. heavier. But they are both home run hitters, and Devine is exceptionally strong for his stature.

Entering his junior season, Devine was coveted for his summer workout results: a power clean of 300 pounds, a 500-pound squat, a bench of 435 lbs., a 38-inch vertical leap, a 10-foot-7 inch broad jump, and a 4.04-second pro agility drill time.

Scouting report:

5' 8", 177. Absolutely impossible to knock off his feet, the best balance since Barry Sanders. Devine has the uncanny ability to bounce off of tacklers, run through arm tackles and make people miss in space. Not the biggest, just maybe the best.

So what is he? Can he ever be a 15-20 carry guy? Just a 3rd-down back?2009 highlites

Some of those runs are silly. He is so much faster than everyone else... it's like a video game.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Watching him play in the WVU/Marshall game on ESPN right now.

I've heard people compare him to Jahvid Best. I don't necessarily see that. Best is 2" taller and 25 lbs. heavier. But they are both home run hitters, and Devine is exceptionally strong for his stature.

Entering his junior season, Devine was coveted for his summer workout results: a power clean of 300 pounds, a 500-pound squat, a bench of 435 lbs., a 38-inch vertical leap, a 10-foot-7 inch broad jump, and a 4.04-second pro agility drill time.

Scouting report:

5' 8", 177. Absolutely impossible to knock off his feet, the best balance since Barry Sanders. Devine has the uncanny ability to bounce off of tacklers, run through arm tackles and make people miss in space. Not the biggest, just maybe the best.

So what is he? Can he every be a 15-20 carry guy? Just a 3rd-down back?2009 highlites

Some of those runs are silly. He is so much faster than everyone else... it's like a video game.

Not watching tonight but I have him akin to Dexter McCluster.

 

[Ignoratio Elenchi]

I have no insight to provide, but the commish of my local fantasy league mentioned this guy to me 5 years ago when he was in high school, and told me that whenever Devine entered the NFL, he was going to take him with his first round pick in our draft. For some reason I never forgot that he said that.

 

[Raider Nation]

I have no insight to provide, but the commish of my local fantasy league mentioned this guy to me 5 years ago when he was in high school, and told me that whenever Devine entered the NFL, he was going to take him with his first round pick in our draft. For some reason I never forgot that he said that.

IIRC, he set a boatload of national high school rushing records. Not sure if they still stand.

 

[The_Underachiever]

Been Youtube'in him and he looks pretty darn good.

 

[VaTerp]

Reminds me of Darren Sproles and I think he will have a similar NFL career. Not a feature RB but a very good 3rd down/change of pace guy.

 

[Raider Nation]

I have him akin to Dexter McCluster.

They may be equally "slippery," Jeff, but Noel has a lot more straight-line speed.

 

[TheBoyzguru]

Reminds me of Darren Sproles and I think he will have a similar NFL career. Not a feature RB but a very good 3rd down/change of pace guy.

Cosign. He would do well with a team with a bruising type back. Pittsburgh or a team like even GB could do wonders with him.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

I have him akin to Dexter McCluster.

They may be equally "slippery," Jeff, but Noel has a lot more straight-line speed.

Watching 4th quarter on delay....I've seen plenty of Devine over the years and he's a small scatback with 3rd down potential - at least that'd be the description several years ago. In today's NFL he's going to get compared to Reggie Bush, Jamaal Charles and Ahmad Bradshaw type RBs. Dexter McCluster is a smallish speedster who doesn't have a true position. Devine will be a RB more like Charles, but I think his NFL potential will be more like McCluster. 10-12 touches and high yards per touch - but not exactly a feature RB.Great 1/2 of a RBBC. He'd look good in Atlanta to balance out Turner for example.

 

[VaTerp]

Reminds me of Darren Sproles and I think he will have a similar NFL career. Not a feature RB but a very good 3rd down/change of pace guy.

Cosign. He would do well with a team with a bruising type back. Pittsburgh or a team like even GB could do wonders with him.

Kinda scary to think about what GB's offense would look like with an explosive weapon out of the backfield. Grant is good and I guess they like Jackson but someone like Devine would bring the final piece to the puzzle for that offense.

 

[Nagle2998]

Devine is a great college rb but I worry about him holding up in the NFL but would love to see him as a change of pace guy or 3rd down rb with some future return ability. On a side note I said the same thing about CJ three years ago.

 

[Raider Nation]

Great 1/2 of a RBBC. He'd look good in Atlanta to balance out Turner for example.

So you think the Norwood experiment is just about over? I hope so, because I grabbed Snelling as Turner's handcuff.

 

[Raider Nation]

Devine is a great college rb but I worry about him holding up in the NFL but would love to see him as a change of pace guy or 3rd down rb with some future return ability. On a side note I said the same thing about CJ three years ago.

LOL. If it makes you feel better, you weren't alone.

 

[TLEF316]

i remember when Devine's highlight tapes first showed up here.....

It was after his sophomore year.....of high school.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Great 1/2 of a RBBC. He'd look good in Atlanta to balance out Turner for example.

So you think the Norwood experiment is just about over? I hope so, because I grabbed Snelling as Turner's handcuff.

Funny how another mentioned Green Bay - I was just trying to find an older "power" back between tackles who could benefit from a Reggie Bush-style guy.GB, ATL are just two examples. I'm sure there's more.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Great 1/2 of a RBBC. He'd look good in Atlanta to balance out Turner for example.

So you think the Norwood experiment is just about over? I hope so, because I grabbed Snelling as Turner's handcuff.

....and yes, the Norwood thing is just about over.

 

[rocketsauce]

I remember tearing it up with Devine on NCAA 0....7 I guess. He was a freshman, and you could just flat out smoke EVERYONE on the field. Lots of fun. I always wondered what he's be like at the Pro Level, and thanks to him having a nice career, staying for 4 years, and largely avoiding serious injury, we should get to find out next year!

 

[basher]

Great 1/2 of a RBBC. He'd look good in Atlanta to balance out Turner for example.

So you think the Norwood experiment is just about over? I hope so, because I grabbed Snelling as Turner's handcuff.

Funny how another mentioned Green Bay - I was just trying to find an older "power" back between tackles who could benefit from a Reggie Bush-style guy.GB, ATL are just two examples. I'm sure there's more.

green bay has been in need of someone who brings a little electricity out of the backfield for a few years now. Also, a back who is a more willing participant in the passing game would be nice (although BJack has decent hands)Other teams I can think of who might want him next season: SanFran (gore is great but they have been looking for a long time to find someone to actually spell him ... clearly both Robinson and Coffee were not the answer), NYJ (A more natural fit for what they want to do with their third down back behind greene), Houston (so Devine can replace slaton 2x ), Jacksonville (another team with a stud but someone they want to get off the field more often), Raiders (Al loves his toys but that would mean he would have to cut bait on DMC ... i suppose this really depends on what DMC does this season), and STL (a more natural fit behind SJax). I also wouldn't rule out Jerry Jones.

 

[SSOG]

I have no insight to provide, but the commish of my local fantasy league mentioned this guy to me 5 years ago when he was in high school, and told me that whenever Devine entered the NFL, he was going to take him with his first round pick in our draft. For some reason I never forgot that he said that.

FWIW, Devine first showed up on FBGs back in May 2006 when he was still in high school. He was busy drawing Barry Sanders comparisons.

 

[THE UNDERCOVER BROTHA]

How in the world was he run down a few plays in that highlight??

I thought he was a low 4.2 guy. Been knowing about him for a minute now thanks

to fbg and deion sanders. Not sure how he will translate but wouldnt hold his small statue

against him too much when it come time to draft him. Probably going to be a low 1st rnd rookie

to mid 2nd when that time rolls around.