These notes from the first day reflect that we were just getting to know the playing style of some of these guys. There is also much more detail on our thoughts from day one in the episodes of the audible we recorded last night - we will be getting those up in iTunes as soon as we can - stay tuned - there will be one episode of at least 20 minutes length for each practice, with interviews. The day two notes are more thorough, and we should really round into form for pro day and game day.
QB: John Beck has a meek cadence and is not an imposing athlete at all compared to the other QBs here. Jeff Rowe looks the part but he was very inconsistent and generally down on himself for most of the practice. The most impressive QB by far was Zac Taylor. Nothing about Taylor pops out at you, but he has sound mechanics, very accurate throws and a snap count that makes me want to hide under the bed.
RB: Jackie Battle runs way too upright and only has a future as a FB, but his lower body is too skinny for that. Hope he's having fun in his hometown, because he's not doing much for his draft stock. Stevie Hicks also ran way too upright, although he did show great receiving skills. Jon Cornish, like Zac Taylor, seemed good at everything, although great at nothing. He's not very fluid, but he's an efficient RB with good vision. Selvin Young was definitely the most impressive of the West RBs, he had great lower body strength and leg drive and looked like a terrific one cut ZBS runner - but don't ask him to run outside.
WR: Paul Williams looks like a first round athlete. He has L-O-N-G arms and a smooth stride. Joel Filani was the more consistent of the Tech WRs, but somewhat stiff. Jarrett Hicks was a better athlete than Filani, but had concentration issues, and seems to be sinking like a rock. Jerard Rabb (of the Boise State hook and ladder play fame) is just as impressive an athlete as Hicks and Filani and an interesting sleeper with great quickness. Austin Flynn really struggled to stand out against that competition.
TE: Matt Herian gets the most out of his limited athleticism, he's being helped by having his QB here. Michael Allan was a nice long armed receiver in the air, but very inconsistent.
OL: Adam Koets and Herb Taylor were the best of this group. Robert Kraay is towering but way too thin. He'll be an interesting prospect if he can bulk up. Enoka Lucas also showed why he's one of the top center prospects in the country by firing out of his stance consistently.
DL: Larry Birdine and Mkristo Bruce had trouble beating the OTs, but Brian Robison showed a good first step. Quintin Echols seems like an interesting NT prospect. It was difficult to find much good things to say about the DL because the OL seemed to control the LoS.
LB: The best of this group was a kid named Mike Singletary.. wait he's the coach?!?!?! Desmond Bishop brings the lumber. This guy was hitting hard and often. Brandon Archer showed some nice skills in coverage. Quincy Black also moved well and showed good athleticism.
DB: Dashon Goldson loves to hit but struggles in coverage as a CB - he looks like a safety to me. Tyron Brackenridge was one of the more impressive leapers and showed good recovery speed, but was always out of position. Bo Smith made plays all over the field and showed tremendous recovery speed. John Wendling did not struggle in coverage as much as we expected him to as more of an in the box safety, and he showed some of the best ball skills of any of the DBs.
QB: John Beck has a meek cadence and is not an imposing athlete at all compared to the other QBs here. Jeff Rowe looks the part but he was very inconsistent and generally down on himself for most of the practice. The most impressive QB by far was Zac Taylor. Nothing about Taylor pops out at you, but he has sound mechanics, very accurate throws and a snap count that makes me want to hide under the bed.
RB: Jackie Battle runs way too upright and only has a future as a FB, but his lower body is too skinny for that. Hope he's having fun in his hometown, because he's not doing much for his draft stock. Stevie Hicks also ran way too upright, although he did show great receiving skills. Jon Cornish, like Zac Taylor, seemed good at everything, although great at nothing. He's not very fluid, but he's an efficient RB with good vision. Selvin Young was definitely the most impressive of the West RBs, he had great lower body strength and leg drive and looked like a terrific one cut ZBS runner - but don't ask him to run outside.
WR: Paul Williams looks like a first round athlete. He has L-O-N-G arms and a smooth stride. Joel Filani was the more consistent of the Tech WRs, but somewhat stiff. Jarrett Hicks was a better athlete than Filani, but had concentration issues, and seems to be sinking like a rock. Jerard Rabb (of the Boise State hook and ladder play fame) is just as impressive an athlete as Hicks and Filani and an interesting sleeper with great quickness. Austin Flynn really struggled to stand out against that competition.
TE: Matt Herian gets the most out of his limited athleticism, he's being helped by having his QB here. Michael Allan was a nice long armed receiver in the air, but very inconsistent.
OL: Adam Koets and Herb Taylor were the best of this group. Robert Kraay is towering but way too thin. He'll be an interesting prospect if he can bulk up. Enoka Lucas also showed why he's one of the top center prospects in the country by firing out of his stance consistently.
DL: Larry Birdine and Mkristo Bruce had trouble beating the OTs, but Brian Robison showed a good first step. Quintin Echols seems like an interesting NT prospect. It was difficult to find much good things to say about the DL because the OL seemed to control the LoS.
LB: The best of this group was a kid named Mike Singletary.. wait he's the coach?!?!?! Desmond Bishop brings the lumber. This guy was hitting hard and often. Brandon Archer showed some nice skills in coverage. Quincy Black also moved well and showed good athleticism.
DB: Dashon Goldson loves to hit but struggles in coverage as a CB - he looks like a safety to me. Tyron Brackenridge was one of the more impressive leapers and showed good recovery speed, but was always out of position. Bo Smith made plays all over the field and showed tremendous recovery speed. John Wendling did not struggle in coverage as much as we expected him to as more of an in the box safety, and he showed some of the best ball skills of any of the DBs.
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Bloom
Pretty much what I've seen the last couple years. The guy has heart and vision, but not the measurables to raise his stock IMO. Probably a late round pick, but should make a team, at least as a practice squad player. For those who don't know, Cornish had probably the quietest 1600+ yards combined in D1 this year.
(Was that over the top? 
