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RUTGERS v. FRESNO STATE
Week 1 – September 1, 2008
RUTGERS
ANTHONY DAVIS, LEFT TACKLE (6'6 325), SOPHOMORE (# 75):
After earning Freshman All America honors at guard last season, Davis was switched to left tackle for 2008. The transition was not completely smooth. It is obvious that Davis has tremendous strength and had a huge size advantage over the Fresno State line. On a couple running plays, he engulfed his defender and blew him out of the play. However, he was very sloppy in his technique. For example, he does a poor job of placing his hands on the inside of a defender on pass protection, and he stops moving his feet when engaged. He trouble with speed rushers, and as of right now, it looks like his best pro position will be right tackle. He relied on his size and natural strength too much. He will not be able to in the pros. He is still young, as a true sophomore, so there is time.
RYAN BLASZCZYK, CENTER (6'4 295), SENIOR (# 61):
A preseason All Big East pick by many people, I did not come away impressed with his skill set. He was pushed around in the running game and passing game. He allowed too much penetration and did not do a good job helping on pass protection. Marginal pro prospect.
CALEB RUCH, RIGHT GUARD (6'4 285), SOPHOMORE (# 60):
Sometimes when I watch a game, someone comes out of nowhere and just stands out. This is one of those players. Fantastic puller on traps, which Rutgers runs often. He stayed under control when getting to the 2nd level and when pulling (aside from one whiff). He shows quick feet, good strength, and did a great job in pass protection. He knows how to use angles. Has a bright future.
MIKE TEEL, QUARTERBACK (6’4 220), SENIOR (# 14):
Stats: 20-39 263 yards (51.3 %), 0 tds, 2 INTs;
His stats don't look good on paper, but I came away very impressed with Teel. Prototypical size for a qb, Teel also displayed a strong arm, he throws a very catchable ball. He made one big mistake passing and that was throwing the ball into triple coverage on a flea flicker. His 2nd interception was a drop by his receiver. Teel does a good job of going through his progressions and will look off a defender. He does not have a lightning quick release but it is quick enough. He is strictly a pocket passer, he does not have any running skills. A solid prospect.
KENNY BRITT, WIDE RECEIVER (6'4 215), JUNIOR (#88):
Stats: 6 rec. 89 yards (14.8)
There is one thing keeping Britt away from being a first round pick - his suspect hands. He can run all the routes, and has the speed to get deep. He positions himself well, and cannot be bumped off his route. He is not great after the catch, but is a load to bring down. Several defenders tried to tackle him on sideline routes but just fell off. However, he dropped a couple very catchable balls. If he can somehow solve this problem, there will be talk of him being the # 1 receiver in the draft in 2008 or 2009.
TIQUAN UNDERWOOD, WIDE RECEIVER (6'2 185), SENIOR (# 7)
Stats: 6 rec. 73 yards (12.2 avg)
Underwood caught the same amount of passes as Britt, but I did not come away impressed. He is not a great route runner, and I did not see elite speed. He also dropped a couple of passes. Whereas Britt consistently got separation on deep routes, Underwood could barely get a step ahead of the defender.
KORDELL YOUNG, RUNNING BACK (5'9 185), JUNIOR (# 8)
Stats: 26 carries, 94 yards (3.6 avg) 1 TD; 2 catches 19 yards
Definitely does not look 5'9, looks much shorter. Young is a north south runner who reads the initial block well. Makes a small target for defenders and this allows him hide behind lineman. He did this quite often on counter traps. Not a hard cutter, and can be brought down easily. Great pass blocker, he flipped a defender over on one play. Adequate hands, although a drop resulted in an INT at the end of the game. Good, not great speed.
JAMAAL WESTERMAN, DEFENSIVE END (6'3 265) SENIOR (# 90)
Was neutralized by Fresno State line. Showed speed rushing the passer, but he was dominated in the running game. Some of Fresno State's biggest gains came by running right at him. Might have to look at a position switch to OLB at the next level if he wants a chance.
COURTNEY GREENE, SAFETY (6'2 215) SENIOR (# 36)
Tough to get a read on his coverage skills, but he was not much of a factor in the running game.
FRESNO STATE
BOBBY LEPORI, LEFT TACKLE (6'5 290) SENIOR (# 72)
6'5 but looked like he had short arms which can hurt in pass protection. Struggled with inside moves in the run and pass. For the most part, solid in pas protection, and did a good job taking angles in the running game. To have a future in the pros, he might need to make the move to guard. Not much of an athlete.
COLE POPPOVICH, LEFT GUARD (6'2 290) SENIOR (# 62)
Started for most of his 4 years at Fresno State, earning Freshman All American honors in 2005. Strong player, which lets him recover well in the passing game. Does a good job pulling and getting to the 2nd level, but needs to stay under control. When trapping and blocking at the 2nd level, he needs to maintain his blocks, a problem in this game. Opened up some big holes for Ryan Matthews.
TOM BRANDSTATER, QUARTERBACK (6'5 225) SENIOR (# 7)
Stats: 11-24 (45.8 %) 216 yards
Not much to like here. Very weak arm, he can be wildly inaccurate. Went through progressions but missed on his targets quite a bit. Not much of a runner. Marginal pro prospect.
RYAN MATTHEWS, RUNNING BACK (5'11 210) SOPHOMORE (#21)
Stats: 26 carries 163 yards (6.3 avg) 3 tds; 1 catch 20 yards
The real deal. Hits the hole hard and aside from one play, won't bounce the ball to the outside until he gets past the first wave of defenders. Runs a bit upright. Tremendous balance, always falls forward when he is tackled. Reads blocks well, sees the hole and accelerates through it. Deceptive speed. Workhorse, gets better with more carries. Nose for the end zone. Definitely one to watch.
LONYAE MILLER, RUNNING BACK (5'11 215) JUNIOR (# 1)
Stats: 5 carries, 29 yards
Strictly North South runner, he runs hard, but does not show good vision.
BEAR PASCOE, TIGHT END (6'5 260) SENIOR (# 85)
Caught 45 passes last year for a 12.5 average, but I do not see a great pass catcher here. Surprisingly easy to bring down for such a big player. When he concentrates on proper technique, he is a great blocker. Had some great blocks on Ryan Matthews runs.
SEYI AJIROTUTU, WIDE RECEIVER (6'3 210) JUNIOR (# 2)
Stats: 3 rec 116 yards (38.7 avg)
Put him in here only because of the big stat line. 77 yards came on a complete blown coverage. Wide open with no one around him.
AJ JEFFERSON, CORNERBACK (6'0 190) JUNIOR (# 28)
Jefferson will get drafted on his return ability (All American last season), but how he progresses as a cornerback will determine how high. I like what I saw. He was step for step with the receivers, and was called for a very questionable pass interference in the end zone. Didn't break any kickoffs, but he showed last year what he is capable of.
Links to other Scouting the Future Threads:
Clemson v. Alabama
Week 1 – September 1, 2008
RUTGERS
ANTHONY DAVIS, LEFT TACKLE (6'6 325), SOPHOMORE (# 75):
After earning Freshman All America honors at guard last season, Davis was switched to left tackle for 2008. The transition was not completely smooth. It is obvious that Davis has tremendous strength and had a huge size advantage over the Fresno State line. On a couple running plays, he engulfed his defender and blew him out of the play. However, he was very sloppy in his technique. For example, he does a poor job of placing his hands on the inside of a defender on pass protection, and he stops moving his feet when engaged. He trouble with speed rushers, and as of right now, it looks like his best pro position will be right tackle. He relied on his size and natural strength too much. He will not be able to in the pros. He is still young, as a true sophomore, so there is time.
RYAN BLASZCZYK, CENTER (6'4 295), SENIOR (# 61):
A preseason All Big East pick by many people, I did not come away impressed with his skill set. He was pushed around in the running game and passing game. He allowed too much penetration and did not do a good job helping on pass protection. Marginal pro prospect.
CALEB RUCH, RIGHT GUARD (6'4 285), SOPHOMORE (# 60):
Sometimes when I watch a game, someone comes out of nowhere and just stands out. This is one of those players. Fantastic puller on traps, which Rutgers runs often. He stayed under control when getting to the 2nd level and when pulling (aside from one whiff). He shows quick feet, good strength, and did a great job in pass protection. He knows how to use angles. Has a bright future.
MIKE TEEL, QUARTERBACK (6’4 220), SENIOR (# 14):
Stats: 20-39 263 yards (51.3 %), 0 tds, 2 INTs;
His stats don't look good on paper, but I came away very impressed with Teel. Prototypical size for a qb, Teel also displayed a strong arm, he throws a very catchable ball. He made one big mistake passing and that was throwing the ball into triple coverage on a flea flicker. His 2nd interception was a drop by his receiver. Teel does a good job of going through his progressions and will look off a defender. He does not have a lightning quick release but it is quick enough. He is strictly a pocket passer, he does not have any running skills. A solid prospect.
KENNY BRITT, WIDE RECEIVER (6'4 215), JUNIOR (#88):
Stats: 6 rec. 89 yards (14.8)
There is one thing keeping Britt away from being a first round pick - his suspect hands. He can run all the routes, and has the speed to get deep. He positions himself well, and cannot be bumped off his route. He is not great after the catch, but is a load to bring down. Several defenders tried to tackle him on sideline routes but just fell off. However, he dropped a couple very catchable balls. If he can somehow solve this problem, there will be talk of him being the # 1 receiver in the draft in 2008 or 2009.
TIQUAN UNDERWOOD, WIDE RECEIVER (6'2 185), SENIOR (# 7)
Stats: 6 rec. 73 yards (12.2 avg)
Underwood caught the same amount of passes as Britt, but I did not come away impressed. He is not a great route runner, and I did not see elite speed. He also dropped a couple of passes. Whereas Britt consistently got separation on deep routes, Underwood could barely get a step ahead of the defender.
KORDELL YOUNG, RUNNING BACK (5'9 185), JUNIOR (# 8)
Stats: 26 carries, 94 yards (3.6 avg) 1 TD; 2 catches 19 yards
Definitely does not look 5'9, looks much shorter. Young is a north south runner who reads the initial block well. Makes a small target for defenders and this allows him hide behind lineman. He did this quite often on counter traps. Not a hard cutter, and can be brought down easily. Great pass blocker, he flipped a defender over on one play. Adequate hands, although a drop resulted in an INT at the end of the game. Good, not great speed.
JAMAAL WESTERMAN, DEFENSIVE END (6'3 265) SENIOR (# 90)
Was neutralized by Fresno State line. Showed speed rushing the passer, but he was dominated in the running game. Some of Fresno State's biggest gains came by running right at him. Might have to look at a position switch to OLB at the next level if he wants a chance.
COURTNEY GREENE, SAFETY (6'2 215) SENIOR (# 36)
Tough to get a read on his coverage skills, but he was not much of a factor in the running game.
FRESNO STATE
BOBBY LEPORI, LEFT TACKLE (6'5 290) SENIOR (# 72)
6'5 but looked like he had short arms which can hurt in pass protection. Struggled with inside moves in the run and pass. For the most part, solid in pas protection, and did a good job taking angles in the running game. To have a future in the pros, he might need to make the move to guard. Not much of an athlete.
COLE POPPOVICH, LEFT GUARD (6'2 290) SENIOR (# 62)
Started for most of his 4 years at Fresno State, earning Freshman All American honors in 2005. Strong player, which lets him recover well in the passing game. Does a good job pulling and getting to the 2nd level, but needs to stay under control. When trapping and blocking at the 2nd level, he needs to maintain his blocks, a problem in this game. Opened up some big holes for Ryan Matthews.
TOM BRANDSTATER, QUARTERBACK (6'5 225) SENIOR (# 7)
Stats: 11-24 (45.8 %) 216 yards
Not much to like here. Very weak arm, he can be wildly inaccurate. Went through progressions but missed on his targets quite a bit. Not much of a runner. Marginal pro prospect.
RYAN MATTHEWS, RUNNING BACK (5'11 210) SOPHOMORE (#21)
Stats: 26 carries 163 yards (6.3 avg) 3 tds; 1 catch 20 yards
The real deal. Hits the hole hard and aside from one play, won't bounce the ball to the outside until he gets past the first wave of defenders. Runs a bit upright. Tremendous balance, always falls forward when he is tackled. Reads blocks well, sees the hole and accelerates through it. Deceptive speed. Workhorse, gets better with more carries. Nose for the end zone. Definitely one to watch.
LONYAE MILLER, RUNNING BACK (5'11 215) JUNIOR (# 1)
Stats: 5 carries, 29 yards
Strictly North South runner, he runs hard, but does not show good vision.
BEAR PASCOE, TIGHT END (6'5 260) SENIOR (# 85)
Caught 45 passes last year for a 12.5 average, but I do not see a great pass catcher here. Surprisingly easy to bring down for such a big player. When he concentrates on proper technique, he is a great blocker. Had some great blocks on Ryan Matthews runs.
SEYI AJIROTUTU, WIDE RECEIVER (6'3 210) JUNIOR (# 2)
Stats: 3 rec 116 yards (38.7 avg)
Put him in here only because of the big stat line. 77 yards came on a complete blown coverage. Wide open with no one around him.
AJ JEFFERSON, CORNERBACK (6'0 190) JUNIOR (# 28)
Jefferson will get drafted on his return ability (All American last season), but how he progresses as a cornerback will determine how high. I like what I saw. He was step for step with the receivers, and was called for a very questionable pass interference in the end zone. Didn't break any kickoffs, but he showed last year what he is capable of.
Links to other Scouting the Future Threads:
Clemson v. Alabama
Last edited by a moderator:
Watched the first half, definitely agree on Matthews and Brandstater, but I wasnt as impressed by Britt. The hands are a major problem, and on at least one play, he just went through the motions instead of selling his route, and it resulted in a pass breakup instead of a completion. He also seemed to take extra steps to change direction.
). I sure hope Teel has turned the corner in that regard.
I posted this in the game thread in the FFA:
