March 13, 2025 • 43 mins
John Schmeelk and Tony Pauline are joined by Rick Serritella, from NFL Draft Bible and All Access Football, to discuss some smaller school prospects who are worth a look in the 2025 NFL Draft.
:00 - Small school standouts
11:55 - Defensive players
14:45 - Offensive players
19:00 - Wide receivers
22:35 - Defensive backs
26:56 - Offensive line
31:29 - Other small school prospects
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
It's now officially open. This is Draft Season, brought to
you by Moody's, a proud partner of the New York Giants. Dcode, Rest,
Unlock Opportunity, Learn Moore at moodies dot com. Hello everybody,
John Schmelt, Tony Pauline from sports Keta with You is
always win of A guest for today's show, Rick Saraatella
(00:24):
from NFL Draft Bible All Access Football. Rick is great
on the small school guys. So this is a very
tenuous time in the National Football League, folks. There's a
lot changing we're recording this. I'm gonna just level set
for everybody. It is eleven oh seven am on Tuesday.
Quarterbacks could go who knows where in the next half
an hour when we're recording this for forty five minutes.
So we wanted to do something that was gonna be
(00:46):
unaffected by free agency. We like to do a small
school prospect show every year, so we decided to do
that now because what we talk about today is gonna
be impacted zero by free agency. And Rick is great.
He scouts, He's got up for the CFL, so he
goes all these small school guys. Tony, of course is
great on as well. And Tony's curated a list here
of small school prospect as he's interested in, and I
(01:07):
love to get him and Rick going back and forth
a lot of these guys Vias. Frankly, I don't know
a lot of these guys. Some of them I do
because they were at the combine and stuff like that.
But I'm here to learn. Hopefully you guys could learn
as well. Tony, why don't you lead us off? My friend?
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Well, I think the interesting thing is of all the
small school guys, only seven were invited to the combine,
and there were some surprising notables who were left off
and get invitations to the combine. I mean guys like
Elijah Ponder, cal Poly, Carter Runyon, who we saw at
the shrine, bulf of the tight end from thousand, Lan Larison,
the terrific three down back, situational ball carrier out of
(01:45):
UC Davis who came into the season with mid day
three grades. I know he was injured last year. And
the quarterback from North Dakota State, Camden Miller. I mean,
these guys were, in my opinion, really deserving of combine
in and we only had what seven non FBS guys
(02:05):
who ended up participating or were invited to Indianapolis.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
Rick, were you surprised by that too?
Speaker 3 (02:12):
You know, yes and no. I think that the small
school bias label has grown now with the NIL the
transfer portal, it's almost gone complete opposite where you're almost
saying that, well, why didn't he transfer up, Why didn't
he move up? Why didn't he take the NIL money?
Like what's going on there? But you know, unfortunately, finding
these small school players requires a lot of due diligence
(02:34):
and digging in the crates and Tony throughout some good names.
I think the one player that stands out from that
list is Cam Miller out of North Dakota State because
he's got multiple years of starting experience, three or four
years as a starter, always playing high level football, can
extend plays, has that multi level skill set that NFL
(02:56):
teams value, and quite frankly for those of us who
down at the East West Shrine Bowl, he outplayed Kyle
McCord during the week of practice, right, So I thought
cam Miller was going to get the start in the
game because he was running with the ones all week long,
and then the game came around and they started McCord.
So you know cam Miller got the short end of
the stick. You know another quarterback that I'm interested you know,
(03:20):
we're going to have him on our Draft show this
week with Brian Baldinger is Taylor el gerzmu if you
want to go small school, will go north of the continent.
Wilfred Laurier. I mean, I saw this kid down at
the Tropical Bowl and he lit it up, and the
NFL teams were lining up and the Giants being one
of them to speak with this young man. His intelligence
(03:40):
is through the roof. In fact, I heard that it's
comparable to Kurt Warner. And it's important because when you
talk about the translation, like you know, working with the
Edmonton Elks and having that CFL front office experience, the
rule of thumb is it takes about three years fully
for an American quarterback to transition north of the border.
(04:00):
With the rule changes the speed of the game and
things of that nature. We don't have a model or
a blueprint for that. With Canada quarterbacks coming to America.
They just ran Nathan Rourke out of the league. It
feels like they chewed him up and spit him out.
But I think it's because of the NFL level playbook
the ability to absorb that. And this kid's got a
can I call him the Canadian cannon because he rifles
(04:21):
it into tight windows. He's got plenty of arm confidence.
And then he got the call up to the Senior Bowl.
So we saw him in Mobile. I think you got
to go into this draft thinking like, hey, if we
don't get one of those top two quarterbacks up top,
who's a guy if we're willing to be patient two
or three years down the road, that we can stash
on the practice squad and maybe we hit catch lightning
(04:44):
in a bottle? Taylor el Gerzma is that guy?
Speaker 1 (04:47):
Hi, Tony, why don't we start rolling through? It's funny
you guys mentioned the n L by the way, I
should just bring that up. I was talking to Darius Alexander,
one of the few guys that stayed at one of
these smaller schools right now. Toledo was in in FCS
school or something like that. I asked him share like,
why didn't you transfer? And he's like, look, I liked
my coaches. I felt like older TOOLM. But you just
don't get that as much anymore. Most of these guys,
(05:07):
you know, their final couple of years that they move off.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Shavon Rebels, Yeah, real quick on that. Carson Vincent from
Alabama A and M is another guy from the HBCU
ranks who was at the Senior Bawl.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
He did a good job.
Speaker 3 (05:17):
He got offered big time in IL money and stayed
at the program. He stayed loyal to that Alabama, Alabama
A and M.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Yeah. And Charles Grant Charles Grant of William and Mary
as well. We asked him. We spoke with him at Langdon.
He was offered some significant nil money, but he said,
you know what started my career at William and Marry
and to finish my career at William and Mary.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
Tony, Well, let's go through it. The first three guys
on your list are all offensive linemen. Two of what
you saw at the Senior Bowl, all of which we
saw at the Combine, and.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
One of who was injured has been struggling with meniscus.
Was invited to the Senior Ball, didn't go to the
Senior Ball, was invited to Combine, didn't participate. I think
going into the season, Charles Grant of William and Mary
was the flavor of the mon athletic left tackle William
and Marry good mobile guy, zone blocking type of lineman.
Is he going to be a tackle? Is he going
(06:07):
to be a guard? Didn't Matie. He is a real
good player. But what's going on, in my opinion is
Gray's Abel basically took over that mantle as the top
small school offensive lineman. And you could see it from
the first game of the season when North Dakota State
played Colorado. They played him close and Zabel just stood
out as far as I was concerned, went to the
Senior Bowl, showed just incredible versatility at tackle, at guard,
(06:31):
even took some snaps at center. And now we're moving
towards the draft, where Charles Grant really hasn't done anything
in the pre jeft process. Grays Abel has done everything
that's asked of him. And as a reporter from the combine,
there's some believe that Gray's Abel could slide into the
very end of the very back end of round one.
(06:52):
I don't think it's going to happen, but that opinion
is out there. And then you talk.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
About that way real quick. I don't mean they dropped you.
Dale Jeremiah says he might. For him, he might get
into the top twenty, so you're right, he's moving.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
Yeah. And then Jackson Slater, I mean a guy an
interior guy plays guard some people projecting to center, A big,
thick guy. Another guy who said that he when I
spoke with him at the Senior Bowl, because I spent
some time with him. He also got nil offers, but
decided to finish his career at Sacramento State where he
started in large Port, because his brother's there. He wanted
(07:25):
to play with his brother. But a guy who's probably
going to be a mid day three pick, you know,
a tough, stout, power gap type of blocker who has
the ability to play guard. Maybe you can transition him
over the center.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
Yeah. He was one of those guys at the Senior
Bowl that lined up against Dion Walker and just stoned
him on a lot of those one on one pass
rush thos At a real nice job. Rick, your thoughts
on those three offensive Lindon.
Speaker 3 (07:47):
Yeah, Well, I mean Jackson Slater, I think is a
guy that's going to have to make a living as
kind of one of those utility guys playing all three
interior spots. He's got those alligator arms, you know, up
and down week, you know, for all the good at
the Senior Boy, I saw some things of him kind
of lounging and being out of place at times too.
So Day three guy for Jackson Slater, I thought grays
(08:07):
Abel stole the show. I mean we had some fun
there in the trenches just watching him and the defensive
guy just calling him out, like, hey, I want Zabel,
I want Zabel. And that's because I don't think any
player during the week of Mobile performed at a higher level.
I mean, this guy was the first in line. He
went up against tackles, he went up against edge rushers,
as Tony mentioned, he took snaps at center. To me,
(08:28):
he's a top twenty five talent. I love me some
Gray's Abel. There's nothing flashy about him, but he just
gets the job done and you can plug and play
him at a couple of different various spots. Who is
the other guy that we mentioned, Yeah, Charles Grant is
just a tough guy man, really good football player. New
England drafted a guy a couple of years ago. His
(08:49):
name is slipping my mind. We thought, yeah, strange, you know,
it's kind of one of those deals. Is he a tackle?
Is he a guard? I think he started off at tackle,
winded up moving inside and enjoyed some more success. I
wouldn't be surprised if that's the route Charles Grant goes.
But I mean, this guy's tenacious. I mean he's as
tough as I love me some nasty in the trenches.
(09:12):
And you know that Charles Grant brings it. I'll give
you another guy too, and that was at the East
West Shrine Bowl. That's nasty. I call him Nasty Nast
Jones out of Texas State. I liked what I saw
from this young man. He was not a combine invite, right,
So he's one of those Day three undrafted free agent types.
Speaker 1 (09:29):
I think I like it. And then another guy at
the Senior Bowl, Tony that it'll jumped out to both
of us, mostly because like he lined up in these
defensive line pass rush shows and you're like, which one
of these guys doesn't belong And it's David Walker. Because
he's six to one, he's kind of squatty. He looks
like like someone took a defensive tackle and like shrunk
him in like a miniature machine and like just like
(09:50):
put him in a compressor. But no one could block
the dude rush it off the edge. He was unbelievable
all week.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
Yeah he's not even six to one. I was kind
of generous and boosted him up to six on my rankings.
But I mean, Walker is a great story. He enters
the season basically being given street free Asian grades by scouts,
despite the fact that he was incredibly productive during his
time at the Central Arkansas I transferred from Southern Arkansas
and he goes to the Senior Bowl and he does
(10:18):
what a small school player has to do with the
Senior Bowl, as you mentioned, couldn't be stopped. I mean,
here's this undersized guy. You figure, well, he's gonna get
mold at the point of attack by a lot of
these tackles who're just gonna block down on him. And
they couldn't stop them. And it wasn't just one day.
It was Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. It was every day
this guy took the field. He couldn't be stopped. Now,
(10:39):
I think the question for Walker is where do you
draft him and where do you play him? Is he
a situational pass rusher? Do you put his hand on
the ground, do you stand them over tackle? Do you
do a combination of both? I mean, I think He's
gone from a guy that's a street free agent to
a Day three pick who's going to be a situational
pass rusher, special teams player at the next level. And
(11:03):
he has the ability to do both, as we've seen
throughout the pre draft process.
Speaker 3 (11:09):
Yeah, I think you nailed it, Tony. You got to
just kind of play to his strengths. Use him in
that do what he does best. Unleash the beast, let
him go get the quarterback, let him develop those other
skill sets and grow his reps from there. You know,
I think for you know a lot of good positives.
The one thing I worry about, I guess is, you know,
with the short arms, he does allow the tackles to
get into his chest a little bit, and so how
(11:32):
much of an issue is that going to be at
the next level. That's why I probably stand him up
as a thirty four outside linebacker, let him go after
the quarterback. But you're right, I mean, the the step
up in level of competition was not an issue, and
you wonder, like where did team stack him against the
guy like the kid from Michigan Josiah Stewart kind of
saying similar dimensions he played FBS. He's gonna probably come
(11:53):
off the board, but great showing for the Central Arkansas
product there. And yeah, I look forward to saying he's
probably in that mid to late day three range.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
Yeah, I agree.
Speaker 1 (12:05):
Two other defensive players, Tony, that that you have here
that you really liked, and we've seen some players come
out of Villanova defensive backs as well. It SaaS Waxter
at the cornerback. And then you mentioned him ready to
Elijah Ponder out of cal Poly. What attraction for those
two guys.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
Yeah, Ponder, guy who wasn't invited to the combine. You
watch mcaal Poly comes out of a three point stance primarily,
but he's got decent measurable six two and a half
two hundred and fifty pounds. He's gonna run under four
to seven when they have their pro day. And a
guy that was just a relentless pass rusher. I like this.
He shows the athleticism where he's shown the athleticism in
college to make plays in space if he's got to
(12:40):
change direction and pursue the play from the backside out
to the flanks. A real good pass rusher. Was a
little bit disappointed he didn't get a combine invited. I
thought he definitely deserved one, especially when you look at
his body at work, and I mean, here's a guy
who came into the season with a draftable great he
was granted as the seventh round pick from scouts and
a lot of times, I'm sure Rick will tell you
(13:01):
know that moodes when you're getting down to the number
two hundred and ninety, two hundred and ninety player invited
to the combine, you get into three hundred sometimes that's
what they look at. I was disappointed with Pond and
not getting the inmitation. Waxton really hasn't done too much
in the pre draft process because he's been injured. I
think he's going to be a safety at the next level.
(13:22):
But he is a big, physical corner. He shot a
lot of cover skills. I just don't know if the
speed is there for him to play cornerback on Sunday,
but the physicality is there, ball skills facing the action,
and the size six one and a half two hundred
and eight pounds.
Speaker 3 (13:40):
Yeah, you know, the Villanova kid. I had a chance
to meet down in August that training camp, and to
Tony's point, he was nursing an injury, so he didn't
play but the coaches rave about him his football IQ,
his intelligence, his physicality, And I think there was a
lot of similar concern with the Christian Benford coming out
a couple of years ago, who I believe went undrafted
or seventh round, and he winded up staying at that
(14:02):
cornerback spot. In fact, he winded up out playing the
gentleman that was drafted ahead of him from I think
Florida and Christian Benforts held his own. I think Waxter,
you know, based on what I've seen, smaller body of work,
has a chance to stick at the cornerback and if
he doesn't, well then you got a safety that could,
you know, maybe have some starter caliber traits. Like Villanova
(14:24):
players are hardly highly smart, so what they lack in
terms of measurables, they compensate with smarts and a lot
of times that ability to read and react I think
is where Waxter is gonna have a lot of appeal
the cal poly player. I think when you talk about
pro days and the value of importance, especially with a
small school player whose level of competition is going to
(14:44):
come into question, if he has that kind of speed,
I mean, that's gonna be desirable traits and we'll see
what his versatility looks like. But I'm excited to see
him work out and see what kind of numbers he
turns in.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
All right, Tony, I'm gonna pair or I'm gonna put
three offensive players into the mix. Marcus the Arms out
of the Delaware and someone we've talked about here, a
bunch of really good receiving back on third down. He
was at the Senior Bowl, did a really nice job
down there, had a nice combine as well. Carson Vincent,
you guys already mentioned Alabama and n the offensive tackle
who also was good at the Senior Bowl. And then
Carter Running, someone you also mentioned, Tony. Why are these
(15:18):
three offensive linemen? Why are these small school guys you
think guys that have a good chance of getting drafted
on draft night.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
Well, Carter Running is a former receiver who moved to
tight end, and he looks like a move tight end.
He showed that at the Shrine Bowl. He had a
lot of good moments. He catches the ball well. He's
got excellent size, six to four and change two hundred
almost twenty and thirty five pounds, decent speed. He's not
a you know, he's not a sprinter, but he's a
low four to seven guy and he brings those receiver
traits to the tight end position. Didn't do a bad
(15:47):
job blocking this year, didn't. It wasn't because of lack
of effort, in my opinion, it was because they basically
needed him as a pass catcher and he did a
terrific job of it.
Speaker 1 (15:54):
Another guy who was two hundred and thirty three pounds, right,
I mean, he's just not that big of a guy.
Speaker 2 (15:58):
But he is six four and a half, so I
think he should be able to carry two hundred and
forty pounds, you know, as he basically grows into the
tight end position. But that's why I say he's going
to start off as a as a move tight end.
I mean, Vincent was a guy who, you know, sort
of like David Walker, came into the season with what
(16:19):
were street free agent grades and I never got it
because if you watched the Alabama A and M film,
He's a tall guy who's got good band He blocks
with solid fundamentals, blocks with great pad level, needs to
get a little bit stronger, long arms, long lean. I mean,
there was just so much to like about his game,
and I'm glad that Naggie invited him to the Senior
(16:41):
Ball because he absolutely deserved it. Little hometown flavor there
with Alabama, Bama, A and M and I think he
really really showed well there. I think he did a
very good job there. A late round picked more of
a developmental guy in my opinion, more of a right
tackle prospect. And then Marcus Jarnes, who we've talked about
a couple times on the show, in my opinion, one
of the best better third down backs in this year's draft.
(17:03):
The creative wall carrier makes defenders miss improvisers when plays
right down, you know, well pick and chooses as spots
on the inside and a real good pass catcher out
of the backfield. Struggled with injury last year, which I
think was a little bit disappointing because a lot of
good things were expected from him based on the twenty
twenty three season. But again, you're looking at a Day
(17:24):
three guy from a small school, from a small school
that can help out in situations, third down situations at
the next level where I think your yarns will succeed.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
Which one of those guys jump back to you right.
Speaker 3 (17:36):
Well, you know I couldn't help but to think of
Danny Woodhead. When I saw Marcus Yarns out there in Mobile.
I know the Patriots met with him extensively as well,
but that was one of my favorite moments when they
called him out at the end of practice. Yarns, you
go up against the FBS linebacker and they lined them
up and he went one on one and just shook them,
broke some ankles, got some oohs and ohs. I think
(17:57):
that's what he brings to the table. Now, to Tony's point,
you go and put that twenty twenty four film on,
it's really not a lot of explosiveness. I was kind
of wondering why he got the invite, so he was
a pleasant surprise when we arrived down there in Alabama.
You know, I agree with the Alabama A and M.
I think there's a little bit of some raw upside there,
so probably needs a year with the NFL weight training
(18:20):
program and cafeteria I think will work wonders for him.
And you know, I liked Carter Runyon down there. I
think it was the Shrine Bowl where I saw that
Towson helmet moving up and down the line. I just wonder,
you know, how much you know, we just saw Kyle
Huschcheck get released, Like, how much are teams willing to
spend a fifty three man roster spot on a twenty
(18:41):
to twenty five snap role player? I don't know. I
like Carter Runyon and I liked another pass catching target
at the East West Shrine, e Fton Chisholm, Washington. You
know this is a guy that runs in the slot,
excellent route runner, dependable hands, and he can skew. I mean,
this kid can fly now, and I want to be
surprised he wasn't a Combine invite, but that eft On Chisholm,
(19:05):
I'm probably butchering his name. I want to be surprised
if he hears his name called on day three and right.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
He was like the next guy on Tony's list, An, Tony,
you got a bunch of wide receivers here, so why
don't you get in the Chishen and some of the
other wide receivers you like.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
Chishom was a guy I wrote about September Sports skeid.
I mean, you watch the film Munches them. No one
can cover him. I mean he's one of those smaller,
super quick guys that separate through routes, which is what
the league wants. Now, you know, you don't have to
be a really big guy. You don't have to went
out for the contested pass. If you can separate through
your running ability, you know there is a place for
you in the NFL. And that's what Chishom does, and
he catches everything. His production was off the charts in
(19:39):
twenty twenty three. I got to speak with him a
little bit the Shrine Ball. Really nice, respectful kid. Also
is going to bring some potential as a punt returner.
Has that ability, so I will see how he runs.
I mean, he was estimated to run into four sixes.
I talked to him at the combine. He says at
the Shrine Bowl, he says he's gonna run a lot
f than that. But a real fun guy to watch,
(20:03):
and there's gonna be a place for Chisholm at the
next level. I agree with Rick other receivers on there.
Montana's got another smaller receiver, Junior Bergen, who's sort of
like Chisholm in the sense that he's a little bit smaller.
He's not super fast, but it's a great route runner.
He's got returned potential as a as a punt returner
and he catches everything in sight. And then Sacramento actually
(20:25):
has a pair of pass catchers to keep an eye on,
Jared Gibson, who is a well built guy, more of
a possession type receiver. And Anderson Grover transferred from Washington State,
who's a little bit taller. I'm tall. I talked to
Jackson Slater about these two guys, and he said, if
there's a receiver you want on your team who's gonna
be help you in a locker room, he's gonna produce
(20:47):
for you on the field, it's gonna be Anderson Grover.
But again, all of these guys unlikely it's gonna be drafted,
but keep an eye on them if your team signs
them as PFA's once the draft is over.
Speaker 3 (20:59):
Right, I'm definitely gonna have to earn their keep on
special teams right as a maybe kick returner, and then
worked their way into rotation. That's how you think got
to get in in the back end of those you know,
wide receiver four, wide receiver five spots.
Speaker 1 (21:12):
Your thoughts on those wide receivers, Rick or anyone else
at the wide receiver position that that you liked that maybe, yeah, No.
Speaker 3 (21:17):
I think the Montana kid has some burst and explosiveness, acceleration.
I think he can make an impact in the return game.
You know, he's probably the other one that stands out
to chisholm uh. But yeah, good, good, good call there.
Speaker 1 (21:28):
Yeah. I think it's an interesting group and Tony, I'm
trying to remember. I'm going back at the looking at
the rosters. Wasn't there another I thought it was Sacramento
State wide receiver that was a converted quarterback or was
it San Jose State. I'm thinking of Nick Nash at
the Shrine Bowl. He was there, and I believe he
also ran at the combat I'm not mistaken too converted quarterback.
I think he ran in the four or fives at
(21:49):
the comb I rig you're you're not in your head
a little bit. I enjoyed talk. I talked to him
about five or six minutes that the Shrine Bowl. Really
nice smart kid.
Speaker 3 (21:56):
Yeah, and I think he led the nation and receiving right,
So I gotta like that. You know, acrobatic guy, tall target,
good body balance, works the sideline well. I think he
has a nose for the end zone and just makes plays.
So you got to like that about him. I think
you know you mentioned that the time speed is going
to probably come into question. He's right on the fringe
of that Day three priority free agent.
Speaker 2 (22:18):
Yeah, introduction was off the charts this year. I off
the charge. He doubled almost every category from twenty twenty three,
so he really stepped up. Didn't play in the in
the team's bowl game, which I thought was a bit
of a mistake. Would have been a nice way to
cap off his career. But he's you know, he is
your excuse me, your late round possession type receiver. He's
not a speechter. He's not gonna be anybody in the
(22:38):
foot race, but he's gonna run discipline rounds. He's gonna
find the open spot in the defense, and you know
when you throw the ball to him, he's going to
catch it. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (22:46):
You almost see him being next quarterback right knowing where
to find the holes in the zone and be in
a smart wide receiver. He blocks a little bit too,
So yeah, I agree with you. I think he's I
think will be a fun Day three pick. All right, Tony,
I'm trying to make sure I don't miss anybody here.
Southern arc and saw is Melvin Smith cornerback. What do
you like about him.
Speaker 2 (23:04):
Yeah, and we saw him at the Shrine Ball. He
was a guy who came in the season with a
lot of hype. He's a measurables guy. Five to ten,
one hundred and ninety pounds, runs four four to three.
Needs a lot of work on his ball skills, needs
to polish his game. Didn't get a Combine invite. You know,
if he runs well during Pro Day, what happens is
in the later rounds, teams start to trend towards those
(23:27):
size speed guys. So when you get a cornerback that's
five ten, one hundred and ninety pounds, he runs in
the fourth force. He had a high preseason grade. He
was okay at the Shrine Ball. Really didn't blow and
stand out like some of the other DBAs. Did you
know a guy likes Smith who also has a productive
background as a kick returner. That's a guy who could
be a surprise pick as the draft is closing out
(23:50):
in the late seventh rounds.
Speaker 1 (23:51):
Rick thoughts on him or any other defensive backs, then
you might like that we haven't touched on yet.
Speaker 3 (23:56):
Yeah, he definitely, he definitely looked the part I agree
with Tony. I don't know if you play the part
throughout the week. So he's a guy that you got
to go back circle the film on. But you know,
at the end of the draft, you want to bet
on guys with trades. You want to bet on guys
with upside. You know, in terms of smaller school guys
at the UH at that position, I.
Speaker 1 (24:16):
Wonder safety or linebacker, even anyone on that second level
defense that you might like.
Speaker 3 (24:20):
I don't know. I don't know if he's a small
school guy per se. He came from the small school ranks.
It might have been Sacramento State the school slipping my mind,
but today Buchanan at a cow the linebacker. This guy
is really I think one of the more underrated players
in this year is draft. And maybe because he only
has one year of FBS experience, but I think this
is a linebacker that can play any linebacker spot. He
(24:42):
can line up on the edge and be used as
an occasional pass rusher. They dropped them into coverage, they
moved them all around. So Tedday is a guy who
caught my attention.
Speaker 1 (24:54):
You know, Tony, I'm looking at your list here there's
another Sacramento State guy. Did was Sacramento State? Like the
best team in the country and I missed this somehow.
This year they're they're littered with sacrament those state players here.
Speaker 2 (25:04):
Yeah, I was best the running back Elijah tal Tolliver.
Actually he's in next year's draft. I didn't take the
twenty twenty six guys that I apologize, but he is.
He is a nice size between the tackles, downhill ball
carrier and no Sacramento stated. I mean, Rick could probably
talk to this better than I can. I know they
had they had gone through the quarterfinals in the semifinals,
(25:25):
I believe in twenty twenty three, but last year I
don't even think that they were in the FCS tournament.
Is that correct? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (25:32):
I think they were one of these teams that have
been up and down, up and down. You know, we
had a guy at the NFL PA Bawl for like
a couple of years in a row, then they fell
off the map, then they came back around again. But
you know, there's a lot of talent out there in California.
So when when you're one of these small schools and
you know, they got some Juco springboards out there in
(25:53):
Cali that these guys bounce around to, and you know,
I am looking at a list He's not He's not
necessarily a small school guy, but I think the listening
audience should be aware about him because he is kind
of in our backyard at Temple. Had a chance to
see Dewan Black up close in the person right, and
that was back in August. He was suspended. Now at
(26:13):
the beginning of the season, had some academic stuff going on,
but he brings a big time pedigree, a transfer from Florida.
This guy, I mean, he is explosive, he's physical, he's cut.
He I think he's going to test well at this
Temple Pro Day. And if you're looking for a guy
on Day three or even undrafted free agent with the
(26:34):
off the field stuff that might be able to come in.
And we talk about a situational pass rusher down there
in Temple, Dwan Black and I do believe they got
the best kicker in this year's draft. Starts with a T.
He was at one of these All Star games, Max Trulio,
something to that effect. I mean, the kid has got
(26:54):
a boot and he hit one from seventy split the uprights.
Now Jim Shortz and T shirt and no defense, but
the kid hitted no problems seventy Maddox Trihilio I believe
is the name.
Speaker 2 (27:07):
Yeah, Dewan Black is a David Walker type undersize, but
he's probably more athletic and more explosive than David Walker.
Talking about FCS teams at the top of the game,
got to mention Marcus ware Reguard from Montana State, who
was at the Shrine Bowl, wrote about him a couple
of times. Big, tough, small area blocker, fundamentally sound, had
(27:29):
some moments at the Shrine Bowl where he just really
stood out. Came into the season as a potential late
round choice. I don't think he's going to get drafted,
but again, I mean an offensive lineman that's not going
to cost a lot of money, has the ability to
make a either a power gaps blocking scheme or his
own blocking scheme. He's got that versatility, and he's got
(27:52):
a real good resume behind him at State.
Speaker 1 (27:55):
And he's not He's not the only offensive lineman, Tony.
You have Evan Bernstein at the South Dakota which you
know North Dakota, South Dakota State just you know breed
offensive lineman. It's unbelievable.
Speaker 2 (28:04):
Well in South Dakota State had the kid that's starting
for the Pittsburgh Steelers that they took in the in
the in the fourth front, who was all sort of
shrine Go Shriane Ball. And Bernstein is sort of that
six three, three hundred pounds, you know pound your type
of offensive lineman that just moves people for the running game.
(28:24):
He's not bad in the blocking game, sort of stuck
in the middle. He's got zone blocking size, but he's
a power gap scheme, a power gap type of player,
a style. But that's what McCormick was. And then look
how well he's doing with the Steelers.
Speaker 1 (28:39):
Rig your thoughts on those guys? Are any other offensive lineman?
And I say, small school. Let's be honest. Anything that's
not like the power for now is kind of like
a sport, right with the way the world works out.
Speaker 3 (28:48):
Yeah, no, I know you get a lot of guys
that that jumped down your throat if you say, like
Coastal Carolina, who's really a mid major. But let's talk
about the center there. What's his name, Lampkin? Is it
Willie Lampkin? I mean yeah, five ten, five eleven eighty
inch wingspan. I mean, this guy is just cut from
(29:09):
a different Cloth. I don't know, you know, if he's
gonna last in the NFL, But I can tell you this,
he was a freaking wall at the Senior Bowl. I mean,
this guy just shed the block defenders like no problem,
and you know he probably comes up to my chest.
But I don't know, like the align a guy like
that up in the in the full back role? Do
(29:30):
you play him at center? Can can a five ft
ten center last in the NFL? I think he's the
ultimate case study in the year's NFL draft.
Speaker 2 (29:39):
Yeah, I would agree he Yeah, you watched him when
they got into the huddle and everyone else is six
four six', five and then you see this shoes expression
midget in the huddle that would Be, lampkin and then
he goes out on the next rep and he just manhandled,
Everybody Dion walker all those other. Times you, know no
one From. Mississippi he handled. Them and it's you, know
(30:03):
you got to give him a. Chance you've got to
give a chance to prove that he can't play On.
Sunday because he was so good at The Senior bowl
and handled so much. TALENT i wanted to write about,
him But i'm, like but the guy's five ten and
so MAYBE i fell on that mindset as, well but
he deserves a chance to, play no doubt about.
Speaker 3 (30:22):
It well one more, point one more point About lampkin
Is i'll say this because you, know not everybody might
be in, tune who's listening in the avid football fan
might not be aware of how the combine process. Works
it's a voting scale and each team has a. Vote
and you, know the fact that he wasn't invited to
the combine tells me there's a lot of you, know
(30:43):
there's more questions than, answers or more teams that are
wary than willing to believe in A Willie. Lampkin and
THOUGH i thought it was a travesty quite, honestly because
those are the guys you need to have under the
microscope In indianapolis to figure out is he real or
is he? Mirage SO i thought it was disappointing that
(31:04):
he wasn't at the. Combine that's gonna be one of
the pro days THAT i have circled on the. Calendar
or or.
Speaker 2 (31:11):
Maybe maybe it's just that the guys don't go past
the grades they see in front of them and do
a little research on their. Own and Since Willy lampkin
really wasn't grated before the. Season they're not doing the
research and that's Why Willie lampkin didn't get the votes
needed to go to the. Combine that's what's one of
my pet peeves about the whole.
Speaker 1 (31:30):
PROCESS i think to some teams like to try to
keep these guys. Secret they might think that only they
know About Willie lampkin and no one else. Does they
don't want to everybody knew about.
Speaker 2 (31:37):
It to see you, ball you couldn't miss, them so.
Speaker 1 (31:40):
True all, Right i'm going to open up the floor
to both of.
Speaker 3 (31:42):
You.
Speaker 1 (31:42):
Guys, tony i'm'na let you go. First you need to
go to the small. School, guy you can. Go you,
know guys that you hear either rising or falling anything
you're hearing about the, draft the floor is. Yours and
then start thinking because you're up.
Speaker 2 (31:52):
Next, WELL i MEAN i already mentioned Grades abel and
you guys confirmed it about you, Know rick said he's
the top twenty five. Guy you're talking other people saying
he's the top twenty. Guy Gray zables got a lot
of momentum going and he deserves. It and it's not
just A Senior, bowl not just a combine where he
was actually outperformed by other. People but you go back
and you watch the. SEASON i encourage people if you
(32:12):
can watch that first game Against colorado because he In.
Colorado they don't have a great, defense but they do
have some speedy edge rushers And zabel shut them. DOWN
i think the big question is Watch Charles. GRANT i
believe his pro day is the end Of. March for some,
Reason march twenty sixth sticks out in my. Mind it's a,
huge huge day For Charles, grant who was invited to
(32:36):
The Senior, bowl couldn't, perform didn't perform at the. Combine
And Charles grant was the guy who came into the
season great as A day two pick by, scouts so
a lot was expected of. Him and it wasn't a major.
Injury it was a strained, meniscus is what he told.
Me so it's a real huge. Day and, again one
guy we didn't talk about Was Alan larrason OF Uc,
(32:57):
davis another terrific third down, back entered the season with
fifth round grades from. SCOUTS i know he was injured last.
YEAR i believe he's originally on The Senior bowl roster
and then maybe he had to pull back because of an.
Injury But alarison goes five ten and a half two
hundred and nine, pounds runs in the four or. FIVES
(33:17):
A Marcus yarns type in the sense that he's good
running the ball on the. Inside he has enough agility
to turn the. Corner he's an exceptional pass catcher out
of the. Backfield you, KNOW i still have a draftable
grade on. HIM i have a seventh round. Grade he
may fall out of the, draft but if he, does
he could be a, major a major steel as a
(33:38):
priority free agent signing.
Speaker 1 (33:40):
Reak the floor is. Yours anything you want to?
Speaker 3 (33:41):
Hit, YEAH i got a couple guys worth throwing. Out you,
Know i'll be At Rutgers Pro day. Tomorrow And Keyante
hamilton was a guy who caught my eigeh attention in
The All Star trails at The Hula bowl first and
then getting the call up at The East West Shrine.
Bowl now he's got you, know talk about short. Arms
he's an interior, defender so he can cover them up
a little. Bit but the way he stacks and shed
(34:03):
and can. Stuff deron hung out about six or seven
years In, rutgers so he's got some experience to. HIM
i think there's some bloodlines in the family, there And
i'm looking forward to his pro day, tomorrow so we'll.
See they also have a, Linebacker Tyrene, powell who got
The Singer bowl invite, right AND i think he had
an injury, there so we'll see how much he can
or can't. Do BUT i, mean every Year i'm going To,
(34:25):
rutgers it's like the first name they bring up His.
Powell he's a team. Leader he's apparently gonna test very very.
Well we'll see if he's. Healthy i'd love to see
him compete and. Perform you, know not a small school,
guy but a guy that's you, know been out of,
sight out of. MIND i think he's worth noting Because
Jacory krosky, merit you, KNOW i don't THINK i don't
(34:49):
think there's enough scouts in the league that are going
to be confident enough willing to put their reputation on
the line for this. Kid he TRANSFERRED i think it
was From. Nevada one of the other, Schools, Arizona. Arizona
he winded up At arizona and he played the first,
game and then they found out that there was some
(35:09):
kind of eligibility issue WHERE uh they didn't really know the,
rules so he just sat out the whole. Year he
didn't PLAY, uh and he looked pretty good that first.
Game now he goes TO uh The Hula ball and
he was maybe the top talent down there In. Orlando
AND i do respect The East West Shrine bowl for
sending scouts to The Hulla bawl and scouting those players
so they got the call up to The Shrine. Bowl
(35:30):
he wins THE mvp of the. GAME i, mean this
guy has breakaway. Speed he's showing the ability to catch
out of the, Backfield he's got. ACCELERATION i slapped the
fourth round grade on this. Kid i've got a mid
round grade On jacory Krossky.
Speaker 2 (35:44):
Merrit he's actually started At Alabama state BECAUSE i knew
he was AN hb looked up real quick when you
mentioned it ice In. Arizona you're, right but he Started
Alabama state at H H hbcu.
Speaker 3 (35:57):
Kid, YEAH i knew it was one of those smaller,
schools and you, know again they just had some issues
there with the. Eligibility you, know, Listen Drew, KENDALL i
think just because he doesn't get the shine he. Deserves
he's my number one. Center. GUYS i don't know how
you guys feel about. Him From Boston. College you can
tell he's the son of A Pete kendall hit the,
(36:20):
fundamental the, technique the lateral. Movement this guy is really damn.
GOOD i think he's going to be a starter in
THE nfl and you might be able to get him
in the third round At Drew. Kendall so just a
guy that caught my. Attention and, again like a COUPLE sec,
guys you might laugh and, say like how do they
fall under the? Radar, again The East West shrine did
(36:42):
a heck of a. Job This Johnny walker junior From,
missouri AND i think he led THE sec in. Sacks it's,
like it's hard to believe this guy wasn't invited to the.
COMBINE i think he's A day three pick that that
can bring something off the. Edge and the other guy
In mobile that didn't get the combine. Invite and again
and like how does a guy From georgia stay hit?
Him but like you go Watch Dan, Jackson like he
(37:06):
was a guy In mobile who was so physical jamming.
DEFENDERS i thought he held his own in. COVERAGE i
went back and watched the film On Dan. Jackson this
guy is as tenacious. SAFETY i don't, know, like what
are the questions Surrounding Dan jackson that he didn't get
a combine, in but he looks like the real. Deal
so a couple guys just from The All star scouting.
(37:27):
Trails you, KNOW i had a chance to talk to
a former giant In Roman. Obin his son was down.
There Rj, oben who started off At duke finished At Notre.
DAME i thought he was used a little bit out
of position, there but again you go back and, watch
like he needs to learn how to. Finish but if you're,
talking if you want to bet on a guy with,
upside who HAS nfl, bloodlines who has a pass rush,
(37:49):
repertoire now like he's got a, rip he's got a.
Dip you see him do the spin move like Rj
oben is a guy THAT i think people forget about
because he was out of, position but like At duke
as a double digit sack master kind of. Guy so,
again you, know not guys that are necessarily small school
or mid, majors but just some guys THAT i want
to shine a little love.
Speaker 1 (38:10):
On, NO i like.
Speaker 2 (38:12):
IT i lot A Pea. Kendall Pe kendell was my
number one center coming into the. Season Pe kendall initially
entered the transfer portal and then he entered the. Draft
so by the time he decided to enter the, DRAFT
i was already through my acc film where he's one
of those GUYS i got to come back around and watch.
AGAIN i could see him being the first center. Drafted
(38:32):
he was my first center coming in the. Season and
it's a crappy center. Crop let's be, Honest it's just
not a good. Position it's one of the worst positions
in the. Draft but he is a good. Player going
back To Tyrene, powell if you go back and you
watch the film from twenty twenty, two even the first
half of twenty twenty, Three Tyrene, powell the linebacker From,
rutgers looks like a legitimate top forty five pick six
(38:54):
four and a, half two hundred and fifty, pounds and
they used him as an off ball. Linebacker they didn't
use him up with the line as, scrimmage as a.
Blitzer they Had Mohammed torrey there who got injured last,
year And powell was, outstanding and you're watching, him you're
watching him play in, space and you're, like look at
the size of this. Guy you should be able to
teach him the. Blitzer they just didn't use him as a.
(39:15):
Blitzer what happened was he had Broke he broke his
wrist midway through the twenty twenty three, season so he
wasn't playing one hundred percent the end of that. Year
and then in spring boy Actually february of twenty twenty,
four getting ready for the, season he tore his achilles
in the. Gym and he came back from the achilles,
tear probably too. Soon he came back like seven months,
(39:37):
later began missed the first two games Of rutgers season
in twenty twenty, four played the end Of september Against Virginia,
tech and you can tell watching him on film he
just wasn't one hundred.
Speaker 1 (39:50):
Percent he tore his achilles In march and played.
Speaker 2 (39:54):
At, February, September. February he tore it In february in the,
gym and and he was back on the field in seven.
Months AND i asked, HIM i, said you, know, wow
you feel you were rushed because we interviewed. Him BECAUSE
i Watched powell for three years now AND i, said
do you feel you were rushed? Back and he's, like, no,
NO i wanted to come. Back but you know the
(40:14):
way the college game is these, days they were not
these days for years. Now they put these guys on
the field with injuries when they shouldn't be. Playing but you,
know he wanted to get back on the. Field you
could tell he wasn't one hundred. Percent you could tell
he didn't have the same quickness for. Pop then he
got injured in the ball. Game somebody rolled up on his,
knee which is why he didn't play the senior ball
because he still wasn't, serious but it was still the
(40:36):
nicks and the bruises and getting his knee rolled up
on the ball game at the ballgame basically knocked him
out of playing in the senior. Ball hopefully he runs well.
Tomorrow the fact is, This Tyine powell is going to
be A day three pick if he's able to get
back to health and he's able to get his playing
for him back to where it was in twenty twenty
two and build upon. That somebody's going to get the
(40:58):
steel of the drift because that guy is a redown
linebacker with potential on the blitz and he plays in,
space and he's smartest, heck and he's very. Athletic SO
i hope he does well tomorrow regardless of what happens In.
April he's a good prospect if he's able to get
back to.
Speaker 1 (41:15):
HEALTH i love, it. Gentlemen good. Stuff. Rick let's store
with you where they can find all your great. Content
tell us about The Draft, bible All access and anything
you have coming.
Speaker 3 (41:24):
Out, yeah, no appreciate, it. Guys this has been an enlightening.
Conversation always fun hopping on and, yeah All Access football
Dot com is the best place to find all of our.
Content we got the twenty twenty FIVE Nfl Draft bible
available over. There you'll find Some baldy breakdowns if you
want to come inside the film. Room we're doing a
scouting seminar tomorrow, night as a matter of, fact breaking
(41:45):
down some defensive. LINEMEN i mentioned The draft. Show It's
Aaron friday this, week but typically it airs Every wednesday
at three thirty Pm. Eastern Brian baldinger and myself will
be counting you down to THE Nfl draft and you,
know just crossing the t's not in the, Eyes And
i'll tell you the name is slipping my. Mind But
i'm polishing up all these background reports and scouting, evaluations
(42:08):
and there is a guy in the. Draft his name
is slipping in my. Mind next TIME i, See i'll
have it for. You there's a player in this year's
draft that came back from it TORN acl in five
and a half months and played this. Year and so
they're coming back bigger and faster and. Stronger but, yeah
appreciate the, Time.
Speaker 1 (42:28):
Tony how about? You what do you have coming up
on Sports? Kid any mock? Drafts what are you got?
Speaker 2 (42:32):
Coming you, know it's prode months and THE prodi information
comes fast and. Furious we already have an article about
yesterday's prodees Or monday's protece Is, shae not. Yesterday's it
Was Western michigan and it WAS i forgot the other,
one whatever it. Was but if you want to know
who teams were talking, to who performed well with the,
(42:53):
prode's it's just going to get crazier and crazy as
we get through the month Of. MARCH i rarely leave
the That i'm sitting. In, unfortunately this is the craziest.
Month you, know who's doing, well what teams are talking,
of which players and all the other the down and
dirty stuff that the teams don't want out.
Speaker 1 (43:11):
There That's Draft, season presented By, moody's a proud part
of The New York, giants uniting the brightest mind to
turn today's risk into tomorrow's. Opportunities learn more at moodies dot.
Com next, Week tony AND i will update team needs
after free, agency which will finally give us some guide
as to what these and mock drafts will start getting
slightly more accurate now that we know what players are
(43:32):
with what teams. Here so we'll update team needs next
week and then we'll hit the PRO da circuit moving,
forward and then we'll blink and it'll Be april and
we're like three weeks away from THE Nfl. Draft So,
rick thank, You, tony thank, you and we'll see you
next time On draft season
It's now officially open. This is Draft Season, brought to
you by Moody's, a proud partner of the New York Giants. Dcode, Rest,
Unlock Opportunity, Learn Moore at moodies dot com. Hello everybody,
John Schmelt, Tony Pauline from sports Keta with You is
always win of A guest for today's show, Rick Saraatella
(00:24):
from NFL Draft Bible All Access Football. Rick is great
on the small school guys. So this is a very
tenuous time in the National Football League, folks. There's a
lot changing we're recording this. I'm gonna just level set
for everybody. It is eleven oh seven am on Tuesday.
Quarterbacks could go who knows where in the next half
an hour when we're recording this for forty five minutes.
So we wanted to do something that was gonna be
(00:46):
unaffected by free agency. We like to do a small
school prospect show every year, so we decided to do
that now because what we talk about today is gonna
be impacted zero by free agency. And Rick is great.
He scouts, He's got up for the CFL, so he
goes all these small school guys. Tony, of course is
great on as well. And Tony's curated a list here
of small school prospect as he's interested in, and I
(01:07):
love to get him and Rick going back and forth
a lot of these guys Vias. Frankly, I don't know
a lot of these guys. Some of them I do
because they were at the combine and stuff like that.
But I'm here to learn. Hopefully you guys could learn
as well. Tony, why don't you lead us off? My friend?
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Well, I think the interesting thing is of all the
small school guys, only seven were invited to the combine,
and there were some surprising notables who were left off
and get invitations to the combine. I mean guys like
Elijah Ponder, cal Poly, Carter Runyon, who we saw at
the shrine, bulf of the tight end from thousand, Lan Larison,
the terrific three down back, situational ball carrier out of
(01:45):
UC Davis who came into the season with mid day
three grades. I know he was injured last year. And
the quarterback from North Dakota State, Camden Miller. I mean,
these guys were, in my opinion, really deserving of combine
in and we only had what seven non FBS guys
(02:05):
who ended up participating or were invited to Indianapolis.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
Rick, were you surprised by that too?
Speaker 3 (02:12):
You know, yes and no. I think that the small
school bias label has grown now with the NIL the
transfer portal, it's almost gone complete opposite where you're almost
saying that, well, why didn't he transfer up, Why didn't
he move up? Why didn't he take the NIL money?
Like what's going on there? But you know, unfortunately, finding
these small school players requires a lot of due diligence
(02:34):
and digging in the crates and Tony throughout some good names.
I think the one player that stands out from that
list is Cam Miller out of North Dakota State because
he's got multiple years of starting experience, three or four
years as a starter, always playing high level football, can
extend plays, has that multi level skill set that NFL
(02:56):
teams value, and quite frankly for those of us who
down at the East West Shrine Bowl, he outplayed Kyle
McCord during the week of practice, right, So I thought
cam Miller was going to get the start in the
game because he was running with the ones all week long,
and then the game came around and they started McCord.
So you know cam Miller got the short end of
the stick. You know another quarterback that I'm interested you know,
(03:20):
we're going to have him on our Draft show this
week with Brian Baldinger is Taylor el gerzmu if you
want to go small school, will go north of the continent.
Wilfred Laurier. I mean, I saw this kid down at
the Tropical Bowl and he lit it up, and the
NFL teams were lining up and the Giants being one
of them to speak with this young man. His intelligence
(03:40):
is through the roof. In fact, I heard that it's
comparable to Kurt Warner. And it's important because when you
talk about the translation, like you know, working with the
Edmonton Elks and having that CFL front office experience, the
rule of thumb is it takes about three years fully
for an American quarterback to transition north of the border.
(04:00):
With the rule changes the speed of the game and
things of that nature. We don't have a model or
a blueprint for that. With Canada quarterbacks coming to America.
They just ran Nathan Rourke out of the league. It
feels like they chewed him up and spit him out.
But I think it's because of the NFL level playbook
the ability to absorb that. And this kid's got a
can I call him the Canadian cannon because he rifles
(04:21):
it into tight windows. He's got plenty of arm confidence.
And then he got the call up to the Senior Bowl.
So we saw him in Mobile. I think you got
to go into this draft thinking like, hey, if we
don't get one of those top two quarterbacks up top,
who's a guy if we're willing to be patient two
or three years down the road, that we can stash
on the practice squad and maybe we hit catch lightning
(04:44):
in a bottle? Taylor el Gerzma is that guy?
Speaker 1 (04:47):
Hi, Tony, why don't we start rolling through? It's funny
you guys mentioned the n L by the way, I
should just bring that up. I was talking to Darius Alexander,
one of the few guys that stayed at one of
these smaller schools right now. Toledo was in in FCS
school or something like that. I asked him share like,
why didn't you transfer? And he's like, look, I liked
my coaches. I felt like older TOOLM. But you just
don't get that as much anymore. Most of these guys,
(05:07):
you know, their final couple of years that they move off.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Shavon Rebels, Yeah, real quick on that. Carson Vincent from
Alabama A and M is another guy from the HBCU
ranks who was at the Senior Bawl.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
He did a good job.
Speaker 3 (05:17):
He got offered big time in IL money and stayed
at the program. He stayed loyal to that Alabama, Alabama
A and M.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Yeah. And Charles Grant Charles Grant of William and Mary
as well. We asked him. We spoke with him at Langdon.
He was offered some significant nil money, but he said,
you know what started my career at William and Marry
and to finish my career at William and Mary.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
Tony, Well, let's go through it. The first three guys
on your list are all offensive linemen. Two of what
you saw at the Senior Bowl, all of which we
saw at the Combine, and.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
One of who was injured has been struggling with meniscus.
Was invited to the Senior Ball, didn't go to the
Senior Ball, was invited to Combine, didn't participate. I think
going into the season, Charles Grant of William and Mary
was the flavor of the mon athletic left tackle William
and Marry good mobile guy, zone blocking type of lineman.
Is he going to be a tackle? Is he going
(06:07):
to be a guard? Didn't Matie. He is a real
good player. But what's going on, in my opinion is
Gray's Abel basically took over that mantle as the top
small school offensive lineman. And you could see it from
the first game of the season when North Dakota State
played Colorado. They played him close and Zabel just stood
out as far as I was concerned, went to the
Senior Bowl, showed just incredible versatility at tackle, at guard,
(06:31):
even took some snaps at center. And now we're moving
towards the draft, where Charles Grant really hasn't done anything
in the pre jeft process. Grays Abel has done everything
that's asked of him. And as a reporter from the combine,
there's some believe that Gray's Abel could slide into the
very end of the very back end of round one.
(06:52):
I don't think it's going to happen, but that opinion
is out there. And then you talk.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
About that way real quick. I don't mean they dropped you.
Dale Jeremiah says he might. For him, he might get
into the top twenty, so you're right, he's moving.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
Yeah. And then Jackson Slater, I mean a guy an
interior guy plays guard some people projecting to center, A big,
thick guy. Another guy who said that he when I
spoke with him at the Senior Bowl, because I spent
some time with him. He also got nil offers, but
decided to finish his career at Sacramento State where he
started in large Port, because his brother's there. He wanted
(07:25):
to play with his brother. But a guy who's probably
going to be a mid day three pick, you know,
a tough, stout, power gap type of blocker who has
the ability to play guard. Maybe you can transition him
over the center.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
Yeah. He was one of those guys at the Senior
Bowl that lined up against Dion Walker and just stoned
him on a lot of those one on one pass
rush thos At a real nice job. Rick, your thoughts
on those three offensive Lindon.
Speaker 3 (07:47):
Yeah, Well, I mean Jackson Slater, I think is a
guy that's going to have to make a living as
kind of one of those utility guys playing all three
interior spots. He's got those alligator arms, you know, up
and down week, you know, for all the good at
the Senior Boy, I saw some things of him kind
of lounging and being out of place at times too.
So Day three guy for Jackson Slater, I thought grays
(08:07):
Abel stole the show. I mean we had some fun
there in the trenches just watching him and the defensive
guy just calling him out, like, hey, I want Zabel,
I want Zabel. And that's because I don't think any
player during the week of Mobile performed at a higher level.
I mean, this guy was the first in line. He
went up against tackles, he went up against edge rushers,
as Tony mentioned, he took snaps at center. To me,
(08:28):
he's a top twenty five talent. I love me some
Gray's Abel. There's nothing flashy about him, but he just
gets the job done and you can plug and play
him at a couple of different various spots. Who is
the other guy that we mentioned, Yeah, Charles Grant is
just a tough guy man, really good football player. New
England drafted a guy a couple of years ago. His
(08:49):
name is slipping my mind. We thought, yeah, strange, you know,
it's kind of one of those deals. Is he a tackle?
Is he a guard? I think he started off at tackle,
winded up moving inside and enjoyed some more success. I
wouldn't be surprised if that's the route Charles Grant goes.
But I mean, this guy's tenacious. I mean he's as
tough as I love me some nasty in the trenches.
(09:12):
And you know that Charles Grant brings it. I'll give
you another guy too, and that was at the East
West Shrine Bowl. That's nasty. I call him Nasty Nast
Jones out of Texas State. I liked what I saw
from this young man. He was not a combine invite, right,
So he's one of those Day three undrafted free agent types.
Speaker 1 (09:29):
I think I like it. And then another guy at
the Senior Bowl, Tony that it'll jumped out to both
of us, mostly because like he lined up in these
defensive line pass rush shows and you're like, which one
of these guys doesn't belong And it's David Walker. Because
he's six to one, he's kind of squatty. He looks
like like someone took a defensive tackle and like shrunk
him in like a miniature machine and like just like
(09:50):
put him in a compressor. But no one could block
the dude rush it off the edge. He was unbelievable
all week.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
Yeah he's not even six to one. I was kind
of generous and boosted him up to six on my rankings.
But I mean, Walker is a great story. He enters
the season basically being given street free Asian grades by scouts,
despite the fact that he was incredibly productive during his
time at the Central Arkansas I transferred from Southern Arkansas
and he goes to the Senior Bowl and he does
(10:18):
what a small school player has to do with the
Senior Bowl, as you mentioned, couldn't be stopped. I mean,
here's this undersized guy. You figure, well, he's gonna get
mold at the point of attack by a lot of
these tackles who're just gonna block down on him. And
they couldn't stop them. And it wasn't just one day.
It was Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. It was every day
this guy took the field. He couldn't be stopped. Now,
(10:39):
I think the question for Walker is where do you
draft him and where do you play him? Is he
a situational pass rusher? Do you put his hand on
the ground, do you stand them over tackle? Do you
do a combination of both? I mean, I think He's
gone from a guy that's a street free agent to
a Day three pick who's going to be a situational
pass rusher, special teams player at the next level. And
(11:03):
he has the ability to do both, as we've seen
throughout the pre draft process.
Speaker 3 (11:09):
Yeah, I think you nailed it, Tony. You got to
just kind of play to his strengths. Use him in
that do what he does best. Unleash the beast, let
him go get the quarterback, let him develop those other
skill sets and grow his reps from there. You know,
I think for you know a lot of good positives.
The one thing I worry about, I guess is, you know,
with the short arms, he does allow the tackles to
get into his chest a little bit, and so how
(11:32):
much of an issue is that going to be at
the next level. That's why I probably stand him up
as a thirty four outside linebacker, let him go after
the quarterback. But you're right, I mean, the the step
up in level of competition was not an issue, and
you wonder, like where did team stack him against the
guy like the kid from Michigan Josiah Stewart kind of
saying similar dimensions he played FBS. He's gonna probably come
(11:53):
off the board, but great showing for the Central Arkansas
product there. And yeah, I look forward to saying he's
probably in that mid to late day three range.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
Yeah, I agree.
Speaker 1 (12:05):
Two other defensive players, Tony, that that you have here
that you really liked, and we've seen some players come
out of Villanova defensive backs as well. It SaaS Waxter
at the cornerback. And then you mentioned him ready to
Elijah Ponder out of cal Poly. What attraction for those
two guys.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
Yeah, Ponder, guy who wasn't invited to the combine. You
watch mcaal Poly comes out of a three point stance primarily,
but he's got decent measurable six two and a half
two hundred and fifty pounds. He's gonna run under four
to seven when they have their pro day. And a
guy that was just a relentless pass rusher. I like this.
He shows the athleticism where he's shown the athleticism in
college to make plays in space if he's got to
(12:40):
change direction and pursue the play from the backside out
to the flanks. A real good pass rusher. Was a
little bit disappointed he didn't get a combine invited. I
thought he definitely deserved one, especially when you look at
his body at work, and I mean, here's a guy
who came into the season with a draftable great he
was granted as the seventh round pick from scouts and
a lot of times, I'm sure Rick will tell you
(13:01):
know that moodes when you're getting down to the number
two hundred and ninety, two hundred and ninety player invited
to the combine, you get into three hundred sometimes that's
what they look at. I was disappointed with Pond and
not getting the inmitation. Waxton really hasn't done too much
in the pre draft process because he's been injured. I
think he's going to be a safety at the next level.
(13:22):
But he is a big, physical corner. He shot a
lot of cover skills. I just don't know if the
speed is there for him to play cornerback on Sunday,
but the physicality is there, ball skills facing the action,
and the size six one and a half two hundred
and eight pounds.
Speaker 3 (13:40):
Yeah, you know, the Villanova kid. I had a chance
to meet down in August that training camp, and to
Tony's point, he was nursing an injury, so he didn't
play but the coaches rave about him his football IQ,
his intelligence, his physicality, And I think there was a
lot of similar concern with the Christian Benford coming out
a couple of years ago, who I believe went undrafted
or seventh round, and he winded up staying at that
(14:02):
cornerback spot. In fact, he winded up out playing the
gentleman that was drafted ahead of him from I think
Florida and Christian Benforts held his own. I think Waxter,
you know, based on what I've seen, smaller body of work,
has a chance to stick at the cornerback and if
he doesn't, well then you got a safety that could,
you know, maybe have some starter caliber traits. Like Villanova
(14:24):
players are hardly highly smart, so what they lack in
terms of measurables, they compensate with smarts and a lot
of times that ability to read and react I think
is where Waxter is gonna have a lot of appeal
the cal poly player. I think when you talk about
pro days and the value of importance, especially with a
small school player whose level of competition is going to
(14:44):
come into question, if he has that kind of speed,
I mean, that's gonna be desirable traits and we'll see
what his versatility looks like. But I'm excited to see
him work out and see what kind of numbers he
turns in.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
All right, Tony, I'm gonna pair or I'm gonna put
three offensive players into the mix. Marcus the Arms out
of the Delaware and someone we've talked about here, a
bunch of really good receiving back on third down. He
was at the Senior Bowl, did a really nice job
down there, had a nice combine as well. Carson Vincent,
you guys already mentioned Alabama and n the offensive tackle
who also was good at the Senior Bowl. And then
Carter Running, someone you also mentioned, Tony. Why are these
(15:18):
three offensive linemen? Why are these small school guys you
think guys that have a good chance of getting drafted
on draft night.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
Well, Carter Running is a former receiver who moved to
tight end, and he looks like a move tight end.
He showed that at the Shrine Bowl. He had a
lot of good moments. He catches the ball well. He's
got excellent size, six to four and change two hundred
almost twenty and thirty five pounds, decent speed. He's not
a you know, he's not a sprinter, but he's a
low four to seven guy and he brings those receiver
traits to the tight end position. Didn't do a bad
(15:47):
job blocking this year, didn't. It wasn't because of lack
of effort, in my opinion, it was because they basically
needed him as a pass catcher and he did a
terrific job of it.
Speaker 1 (15:54):
Another guy who was two hundred and thirty three pounds, right,
I mean, he's just not that big of a guy.
Speaker 2 (15:58):
But he is six four and a half, so I
think he should be able to carry two hundred and
forty pounds, you know, as he basically grows into the
tight end position. But that's why I say he's going
to start off as a as a move tight end.
I mean, Vincent was a guy who, you know, sort
of like David Walker, came into the season with what
(16:19):
were street free agent grades and I never got it
because if you watched the Alabama A and M film,
He's a tall guy who's got good band He blocks
with solid fundamentals, blocks with great pad level, needs to
get a little bit stronger, long arms, long lean. I mean,
there was just so much to like about his game,
and I'm glad that Naggie invited him to the Senior
(16:41):
Ball because he absolutely deserved it. Little hometown flavor there
with Alabama, Bama, A and M and I think he
really really showed well there. I think he did a
very good job there. A late round picked more of
a developmental guy in my opinion, more of a right
tackle prospect. And then Marcus Jarnes, who we've talked about
a couple times on the show, in my opinion, one
of the best better third down backs in this year's draft.
(17:03):
The creative wall carrier makes defenders miss improvisers when plays
right down, you know, well pick and chooses as spots
on the inside and a real good pass catcher out
of the backfield. Struggled with injury last year, which I
think was a little bit disappointing because a lot of
good things were expected from him based on the twenty
twenty three season. But again, you're looking at a Day
(17:24):
three guy from a small school, from a small school
that can help out in situations, third down situations at
the next level where I think your yarns will succeed.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
Which one of those guys jump back to you right.
Speaker 3 (17:36):
Well, you know I couldn't help but to think of
Danny Woodhead. When I saw Marcus Yarns out there in Mobile.
I know the Patriots met with him extensively as well,
but that was one of my favorite moments when they
called him out at the end of practice. Yarns, you
go up against the FBS linebacker and they lined them
up and he went one on one and just shook them,
broke some ankles, got some oohs and ohs. I think
(17:57):
that's what he brings to the table. Now, to Tony's point,
you go and put that twenty twenty four film on,
it's really not a lot of explosiveness. I was kind
of wondering why he got the invite, so he was
a pleasant surprise when we arrived down there in Alabama.
You know, I agree with the Alabama A and M.
I think there's a little bit of some raw upside there,
so probably needs a year with the NFL weight training
(18:20):
program and cafeteria I think will work wonders for him.
And you know, I liked Carter Runyon down there. I
think it was the Shrine Bowl where I saw that
Towson helmet moving up and down the line. I just wonder,
you know, how much you know, we just saw Kyle
Huschcheck get released, Like, how much are teams willing to
spend a fifty three man roster spot on a twenty
(18:41):
to twenty five snap role player? I don't know. I
like Carter Runyon and I liked another pass catching target
at the East West Shrine, e Fton Chisholm, Washington. You
know this is a guy that runs in the slot,
excellent route runner, dependable hands, and he can skew. I mean,
this kid can fly now, and I want to be
surprised he wasn't a Combine invite, but that eft On Chisholm,
(19:05):
I'm probably butchering his name. I want to be surprised
if he hears his name called on day three and right.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
He was like the next guy on Tony's list, An, Tony,
you got a bunch of wide receivers here, so why
don't you get in the Chishen and some of the
other wide receivers you like.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
Chishom was a guy I wrote about September Sports skeid.
I mean, you watch the film Munches them. No one
can cover him. I mean he's one of those smaller,
super quick guys that separate through routes, which is what
the league wants. Now, you know, you don't have to
be a really big guy. You don't have to went
out for the contested pass. If you can separate through
your running ability, you know there is a place for
you in the NFL. And that's what Chishom does, and
he catches everything. His production was off the charts in
(19:39):
twenty twenty three. I got to speak with him a
little bit the Shrine Ball. Really nice, respectful kid. Also
is going to bring some potential as a punt returner.
Has that ability, so I will see how he runs.
I mean, he was estimated to run into four sixes.
I talked to him at the combine. He says at
the Shrine Bowl, he says he's gonna run a lot
f than that. But a real fun guy to watch,
(20:03):
and there's gonna be a place for Chisholm at the
next level. I agree with Rick other receivers on there.
Montana's got another smaller receiver, Junior Bergen, who's sort of
like Chisholm in the sense that he's a little bit smaller.
He's not super fast, but it's a great route runner.
He's got returned potential as a as a punt returner
and he catches everything in sight. And then Sacramento actually
(20:25):
has a pair of pass catchers to keep an eye on,
Jared Gibson, who is a well built guy, more of
a possession type receiver. And Anderson Grover transferred from Washington State,
who's a little bit taller. I'm tall. I talked to
Jackson Slater about these two guys, and he said, if
there's a receiver you want on your team who's gonna
be help you in a locker room, he's gonna produce
(20:47):
for you on the field, it's gonna be Anderson Grover.
But again, all of these guys unlikely it's gonna be drafted,
but keep an eye on them if your team signs
them as PFA's once the draft is over.
Speaker 3 (20:59):
Right, I'm definitely gonna have to earn their keep on
special teams right as a maybe kick returner, and then
worked their way into rotation. That's how you think got
to get in in the back end of those you know,
wide receiver four, wide receiver five spots.
Speaker 1 (21:12):
Your thoughts on those wide receivers, Rick or anyone else
at the wide receiver position that that you liked that maybe, yeah, No.
Speaker 3 (21:17):
I think the Montana kid has some burst and explosiveness, acceleration.
I think he can make an impact in the return game.
You know, he's probably the other one that stands out
to chisholm uh. But yeah, good, good, good call there.
Speaker 1 (21:28):
Yeah. I think it's an interesting group and Tony, I'm
trying to remember. I'm going back at the looking at
the rosters. Wasn't there another I thought it was Sacramento
State wide receiver that was a converted quarterback or was
it San Jose State. I'm thinking of Nick Nash at
the Shrine Bowl. He was there, and I believe he
also ran at the combat I'm not mistaken too converted quarterback.
I think he ran in the four or fives at
(21:49):
the comb I rig you're you're not in your head
a little bit. I enjoyed talk. I talked to him
about five or six minutes that the Shrine Bowl. Really
nice smart kid.
Speaker 3 (21:56):
Yeah, and I think he led the nation and receiving right,
So I gotta like that. You know, acrobatic guy, tall target,
good body balance, works the sideline well. I think he
has a nose for the end zone and just makes plays.
So you got to like that about him. I think
you know you mentioned that the time speed is going
to probably come into question. He's right on the fringe
of that Day three priority free agent.
Speaker 2 (22:18):
Yeah, introduction was off the charts this year. I off
the charge. He doubled almost every category from twenty twenty three,
so he really stepped up. Didn't play in the in
the team's bowl game, which I thought was a bit
of a mistake. Would have been a nice way to
cap off his career. But he's you know, he is
your excuse me, your late round possession type receiver. He's
not a speechter. He's not gonna be anybody in the
(22:38):
foot race, but he's gonna run discipline rounds. He's gonna
find the open spot in the defense, and you know
when you throw the ball to him, he's going to
catch it. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (22:46):
You almost see him being next quarterback right knowing where
to find the holes in the zone and be in
a smart wide receiver. He blocks a little bit too,
So yeah, I agree with you. I think he's I
think will be a fun Day three pick. All right, Tony,
I'm trying to make sure I don't miss anybody here.
Southern arc and saw is Melvin Smith cornerback. What do
you like about him.
Speaker 2 (23:04):
Yeah, and we saw him at the Shrine Ball. He
was a guy who came in the season with a
lot of hype. He's a measurables guy. Five to ten,
one hundred and ninety pounds, runs four four to three.
Needs a lot of work on his ball skills, needs
to polish his game. Didn't get a Combine invite. You know,
if he runs well during Pro Day, what happens is
in the later rounds, teams start to trend towards those
(23:27):
size speed guys. So when you get a cornerback that's
five ten, one hundred and ninety pounds, he runs in
the fourth force. He had a high preseason grade. He
was okay at the Shrine Ball. Really didn't blow and
stand out like some of the other DBAs. Did you
know a guy likes Smith who also has a productive
background as a kick returner. That's a guy who could
be a surprise pick as the draft is closing out
(23:50):
in the late seventh rounds.
Speaker 1 (23:51):
Rick thoughts on him or any other defensive backs, then
you might like that we haven't touched on yet.
Speaker 3 (23:56):
Yeah, he definitely, he definitely looked the part I agree
with Tony. I don't know if you play the part
throughout the week. So he's a guy that you got
to go back circle the film on. But you know,
at the end of the draft, you want to bet
on guys with trades. You want to bet on guys
with upside. You know, in terms of smaller school guys
at the UH at that position, I.
Speaker 1 (24:16):
Wonder safety or linebacker, even anyone on that second level
defense that you might like.
Speaker 3 (24:20):
I don't know. I don't know if he's a small
school guy per se. He came from the small school ranks.
It might have been Sacramento State the school slipping my mind,
but today Buchanan at a cow the linebacker. This guy
is really I think one of the more underrated players
in this year is draft. And maybe because he only
has one year of FBS experience, but I think this
is a linebacker that can play any linebacker spot. He
(24:42):
can line up on the edge and be used as
an occasional pass rusher. They dropped them into coverage, they
moved them all around. So Tedday is a guy who
caught my attention.
Speaker 1 (24:54):
You know, Tony, I'm looking at your list here there's
another Sacramento State guy. Did was Sacramento State? Like the
best team in the country and I missed this somehow.
This year they're they're littered with sacrament those state players here.
Speaker 2 (25:04):
Yeah, I was best the running back Elijah tal Tolliver.
Actually he's in next year's draft. I didn't take the
twenty twenty six guys that I apologize, but he is.
He is a nice size between the tackles, downhill ball
carrier and no Sacramento stated. I mean, Rick could probably
talk to this better than I can. I know they
had they had gone through the quarterfinals in the semifinals,
(25:25):
I believe in twenty twenty three, but last year I
don't even think that they were in the FCS tournament.
Is that correct? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (25:32):
I think they were one of these teams that have
been up and down, up and down. You know, we
had a guy at the NFL PA Bawl for like
a couple of years in a row, then they fell
off the map, then they came back around again. But
you know, there's a lot of talent out there in California.
So when when you're one of these small schools and
you know, they got some Juco springboards out there in
(25:53):
Cali that these guys bounce around to, and you know,
I am looking at a list He's not He's not
necessarily a small school guy, but I think the listening
audience should be aware about him because he is kind
of in our backyard at Temple. Had a chance to
see Dewan Black up close in the person right, and
that was back in August. He was suspended. Now at
(26:13):
the beginning of the season, had some academic stuff going on,
but he brings a big time pedigree, a transfer from Florida.
This guy, I mean, he is explosive, he's physical, he's cut.
He I think he's going to test well at this
Temple Pro Day. And if you're looking for a guy
on Day three or even undrafted free agent with the
(26:34):
off the field stuff that might be able to come in.
And we talk about a situational pass rusher down there
in Temple, Dwan Black and I do believe they got
the best kicker in this year's draft. Starts with a T.
He was at one of these All Star games, Max Trulio,
something to that effect. I mean, the kid has got
(26:54):
a boot and he hit one from seventy split the uprights.
Now Jim Shortz and T shirt and no defense, but
the kid hitted no problems seventy Maddox Trihilio I believe
is the name.
Speaker 2 (27:07):
Yeah, Dewan Black is a David Walker type undersize, but
he's probably more athletic and more explosive than David Walker.
Talking about FCS teams at the top of the game,
got to mention Marcus ware Reguard from Montana State, who
was at the Shrine Bowl, wrote about him a couple
of times. Big, tough, small area blocker, fundamentally sound, had
(27:29):
some moments at the Shrine Bowl where he just really
stood out. Came into the season as a potential late
round choice. I don't think he's going to get drafted,
but again, I mean an offensive lineman that's not going
to cost a lot of money, has the ability to
make a either a power gaps blocking scheme or his
own blocking scheme. He's got that versatility, and he's got
(27:52):
a real good resume behind him at State.
Speaker 1 (27:55):
And he's not He's not the only offensive lineman, Tony.
You have Evan Bernstein at the South Dakota which you
know North Dakota, South Dakota State just you know breed
offensive lineman. It's unbelievable.
Speaker 2 (28:04):
Well in South Dakota State had the kid that's starting
for the Pittsburgh Steelers that they took in the in
the in the fourth front, who was all sort of
shrine Go Shriane Ball. And Bernstein is sort of that
six three, three hundred pounds, you know pound your type
of offensive lineman that just moves people for the running game.
(28:24):
He's not bad in the blocking game, sort of stuck
in the middle. He's got zone blocking size, but he's
a power gap scheme, a power gap type of player,
a style. But that's what McCormick was. And then look
how well he's doing with the Steelers.
Speaker 1 (28:39):
Rig your thoughts on those guys? Are any other offensive lineman?
And I say, small school. Let's be honest. Anything that's
not like the power for now is kind of like
a sport, right with the way the world works out.
Speaker 3 (28:48):
Yeah, no, I know you get a lot of guys
that that jumped down your throat if you say, like
Coastal Carolina, who's really a mid major. But let's talk
about the center there. What's his name, Lampkin? Is it
Willie Lampkin? I mean yeah, five ten, five eleven eighty
inch wingspan. I mean, this guy is just cut from
(29:09):
a different Cloth. I don't know, you know, if he's
gonna last in the NFL, But I can tell you this,
he was a freaking wall at the Senior Bowl. I mean,
this guy just shed the block defenders like no problem,
and you know he probably comes up to my chest.
But I don't know, like the align a guy like
that up in the in the full back role? Do
(29:30):
you play him at center? Can can a five ft
ten center last in the NFL? I think he's the
ultimate case study in the year's NFL draft.
Speaker 2 (29:39):
Yeah, I would agree he Yeah, you watched him when
they got into the huddle and everyone else is six
four six', five and then you see this shoes expression
midget in the huddle that would Be, lampkin and then
he goes out on the next rep and he just manhandled,
Everybody Dion walker all those other. Times you, know no
one From. Mississippi he handled. Them and it's you, know
(30:03):
you got to give him a. Chance you've got to
give a chance to prove that he can't play On.
Sunday because he was so good at The Senior bowl
and handled so much. TALENT i wanted to write about,
him But i'm, like but the guy's five ten and
so MAYBE i fell on that mindset as, well but
he deserves a chance to, play no doubt about.
Speaker 3 (30:22):
It well one more, point one more point About lampkin
Is i'll say this because you, know not everybody might
be in, tune who's listening in the avid football fan
might not be aware of how the combine process. Works
it's a voting scale and each team has a. Vote
and you, know the fact that he wasn't invited to
the combine tells me there's a lot of you, know
(30:43):
there's more questions than, answers or more teams that are
wary than willing to believe in A Willie. Lampkin and
THOUGH i thought it was a travesty quite, honestly because
those are the guys you need to have under the
microscope In indianapolis to figure out is he real or
is he? Mirage SO i thought it was disappointing that
(31:04):
he wasn't at the. Combine that's gonna be one of
the pro days THAT i have circled on the. Calendar
or or.
Speaker 2 (31:11):
Maybe maybe it's just that the guys don't go past
the grades they see in front of them and do
a little research on their. Own and Since Willy lampkin
really wasn't grated before the. Season they're not doing the
research and that's Why Willie lampkin didn't get the votes
needed to go to the. Combine that's what's one of
my pet peeves about the whole.
Speaker 1 (31:30):
PROCESS i think to some teams like to try to
keep these guys. Secret they might think that only they
know About Willie lampkin and no one else. Does they
don't want to everybody knew about.
Speaker 2 (31:37):
It to see you, ball you couldn't miss, them so.
Speaker 1 (31:40):
True all, Right i'm going to open up the floor
to both of.
Speaker 3 (31:42):
You.
Speaker 1 (31:42):
Guys, tony i'm'na let you go. First you need to
go to the small. School, guy you can. Go you,
know guys that you hear either rising or falling anything
you're hearing about the, draft the floor is. Yours and
then start thinking because you're up.
Speaker 2 (31:52):
Next, WELL i MEAN i already mentioned Grades abel and
you guys confirmed it about you, Know rick said he's
the top twenty five. Guy you're talking other people saying
he's the top twenty. Guy Gray zables got a lot
of momentum going and he deserves. It and it's not
just A Senior, bowl not just a combine where he
was actually outperformed by other. People but you go back
and you watch the. SEASON i encourage people if you
(32:12):
can watch that first game Against colorado because he In.
Colorado they don't have a great, defense but they do
have some speedy edge rushers And zabel shut them. DOWN
i think the big question is Watch Charles. GRANT i
believe his pro day is the end Of. March for some,
Reason march twenty sixth sticks out in my. Mind it's a,
huge huge day For Charles, grant who was invited to
(32:36):
The Senior, bowl couldn't, perform didn't perform at the. Combine
And Charles grant was the guy who came into the
season great as A day two pick by, scouts so
a lot was expected of. Him and it wasn't a major.
Injury it was a strained, meniscus is what he told.
Me so it's a real huge. Day and, again one
guy we didn't talk about Was Alan larrason OF Uc,
(32:57):
davis another terrific third down, back entered the season with
fifth round grades from. SCOUTS i know he was injured last.
YEAR i believe he's originally on The Senior bowl roster
and then maybe he had to pull back because of an.
Injury But alarison goes five ten and a half two
hundred and nine, pounds runs in the four or. FIVES
(33:17):
A Marcus yarns type in the sense that he's good
running the ball on the. Inside he has enough agility
to turn the. Corner he's an exceptional pass catcher out
of the. Backfield you, KNOW i still have a draftable
grade on. HIM i have a seventh round. Grade he
may fall out of the, draft but if he, does
he could be a, major a major steel as a
(33:38):
priority free agent signing.
Speaker 1 (33:40):
Reak the floor is. Yours anything you want to?
Speaker 3 (33:41):
Hit, YEAH i got a couple guys worth throwing. Out you,
Know i'll be At Rutgers Pro day. Tomorrow And Keyante
hamilton was a guy who caught my eigeh attention in
The All Star trails at The Hula bowl first and
then getting the call up at The East West Shrine.
Bowl now he's got you, know talk about short. Arms
he's an interior, defender so he can cover them up
a little. Bit but the way he stacks and shed
(34:03):
and can. Stuff deron hung out about six or seven
years In, rutgers so he's got some experience to. HIM
i think there's some bloodlines in the family, there And
i'm looking forward to his pro day, tomorrow so we'll.
See they also have a, Linebacker Tyrene, powell who got
The Singer bowl invite, right AND i think he had
an injury, there so we'll see how much he can
or can't. Do BUT i, mean every Year i'm going To,
(34:25):
rutgers it's like the first name they bring up His.
Powell he's a team. Leader he's apparently gonna test very very.
Well we'll see if he's. Healthy i'd love to see
him compete and. Perform you, know not a small school,
guy but a guy that's you, know been out of,
sight out of. MIND i think he's worth noting Because
Jacory krosky, merit you, KNOW i don't THINK i don't
(34:49):
think there's enough scouts in the league that are going
to be confident enough willing to put their reputation on
the line for this. Kid he TRANSFERRED i think it
was From. Nevada one of the other, Schools, Arizona. Arizona
he winded up At arizona and he played the first,
game and then they found out that there was some
(35:09):
kind of eligibility issue WHERE uh they didn't really know the,
rules so he just sat out the whole. Year he
didn't PLAY, uh and he looked pretty good that first.
Game now he goes TO uh The Hula ball and
he was maybe the top talent down there In. Orlando
AND i do respect The East West Shrine bowl for
sending scouts to The Hulla bawl and scouting those players
so they got the call up to The Shrine. Bowl
(35:30):
he wins THE mvp of the. GAME i, mean this
guy has breakaway. Speed he's showing the ability to catch
out of the, Backfield he's got. ACCELERATION i slapped the
fourth round grade on this. Kid i've got a mid
round grade On jacory Krossky.
Speaker 2 (35:44):
Merrit he's actually started At Alabama state BECAUSE i knew
he was AN hb looked up real quick when you
mentioned it ice In. Arizona you're, right but he Started
Alabama state at H H hbcu.
Speaker 3 (35:57):
Kid, YEAH i knew it was one of those smaller,
schools and you, know again they just had some issues
there with the. Eligibility you, know, Listen Drew, KENDALL i
think just because he doesn't get the shine he. Deserves
he's my number one. Center. GUYS i don't know how
you guys feel about. Him From Boston. College you can
tell he's the son of A Pete kendall hit the,
(36:20):
fundamental the, technique the lateral. Movement this guy is really damn.
GOOD i think he's going to be a starter in
THE nfl and you might be able to get him
in the third round At Drew. Kendall so just a
guy that caught my. Attention and, again like a COUPLE sec,
guys you might laugh and, say like how do they
fall under the? Radar, again The East West shrine did
(36:42):
a heck of a. Job This Johnny walker junior From,
missouri AND i think he led THE sec in. Sacks it's,
like it's hard to believe this guy wasn't invited to the.
COMBINE i think he's A day three pick that that
can bring something off the. Edge and the other guy
In mobile that didn't get the combine. Invite and again
and like how does a guy From georgia stay hit?
Him but like you go Watch Dan, Jackson like he
(37:06):
was a guy In mobile who was so physical jamming.
DEFENDERS i thought he held his own in. COVERAGE i
went back and watched the film On Dan. Jackson this
guy is as tenacious. SAFETY i don't, know, like what
are the questions Surrounding Dan jackson that he didn't get
a combine, in but he looks like the real. Deal
so a couple guys just from The All star scouting.
(37:27):
Trails you, KNOW i had a chance to talk to
a former giant In Roman. Obin his son was down.
There Rj, oben who started off At duke finished At Notre.
DAME i thought he was used a little bit out
of position, there but again you go back and, watch
like he needs to learn how to. Finish but if you're,
talking if you want to bet on a guy with,
upside who HAS nfl, bloodlines who has a pass rush,
(37:49):
repertoire now like he's got a, rip he's got a.
Dip you see him do the spin move like Rj
oben is a guy THAT i think people forget about
because he was out of, position but like At duke
as a double digit sack master kind of. Guy so,
again you, know not guys that are necessarily small school
or mid, majors but just some guys THAT i want
to shine a little love.
Speaker 1 (38:10):
On, NO i like.
Speaker 2 (38:12):
IT i lot A Pea. Kendall Pe kendell was my
number one center coming into the. Season Pe kendall initially
entered the transfer portal and then he entered the. Draft
so by the time he decided to enter the, DRAFT
i was already through my acc film where he's one
of those GUYS i got to come back around and watch.
AGAIN i could see him being the first center. Drafted
(38:32):
he was my first center coming in the. Season and
it's a crappy center. Crop let's be, Honest it's just
not a good. Position it's one of the worst positions
in the. Draft but he is a good. Player going
back To Tyrene, powell if you go back and you
watch the film from twenty twenty, two even the first
half of twenty twenty, Three Tyrene, powell the linebacker From,
rutgers looks like a legitimate top forty five pick six
(38:54):
four and a, half two hundred and fifty, pounds and
they used him as an off ball. Linebacker they didn't
use him up with the line as, scrimmage as a.
Blitzer they Had Mohammed torrey there who got injured last,
year And powell was, outstanding and you're watching, him you're
watching him play in, space and you're, like look at
the size of this. Guy you should be able to
teach him the. Blitzer they just didn't use him as a.
(39:15):
Blitzer what happened was he had Broke he broke his
wrist midway through the twenty twenty three, season so he
wasn't playing one hundred percent the end of that. Year
and then in spring boy Actually february of twenty twenty,
four getting ready for the, season he tore his achilles
in the. Gym and he came back from the achilles,
tear probably too. Soon he came back like seven months,
(39:37):
later began missed the first two games Of rutgers season
in twenty twenty, four played the end Of september Against Virginia,
tech and you can tell watching him on film he
just wasn't one hundred.
Speaker 1 (39:50):
Percent he tore his achilles In march and played.
Speaker 2 (39:54):
At, February, September. February he tore it In february in the,
gym and and he was back on the field in seven.
Months AND i asked, HIM i, said you, know, wow
you feel you were rushed because we interviewed. Him BECAUSE
i Watched powell for three years now AND i, said
do you feel you were rushed? Back and he's, like, no,
NO i wanted to come. Back but you know the
(40:14):
way the college game is these, days they were not
these days for years. Now they put these guys on
the field with injuries when they shouldn't be. Playing but you,
know he wanted to get back on the. Field you
could tell he wasn't one hundred. Percent you could tell
he didn't have the same quickness for. Pop then he
got injured in the ball. Game somebody rolled up on his,
knee which is why he didn't play the senior ball
because he still wasn't, serious but it was still the
(40:36):
nicks and the bruises and getting his knee rolled up
on the ball game at the ballgame basically knocked him
out of playing in the senior. Ball hopefully he runs well.
Tomorrow the fact is, This Tyine powell is going to
be A day three pick if he's able to get
back to health and he's able to get his playing
for him back to where it was in twenty twenty
two and build upon. That somebody's going to get the
(40:58):
steel of the drift because that guy is a redown
linebacker with potential on the blitz and he plays in,
space and he's smartest, heck and he's very. Athletic SO
i hope he does well tomorrow regardless of what happens In.
April he's a good prospect if he's able to get
back to.
Speaker 1 (41:15):
HEALTH i love, it. Gentlemen good. Stuff. Rick let's store
with you where they can find all your great. Content
tell us about The Draft, bible All access and anything
you have coming.
Speaker 3 (41:24):
Out, yeah, no appreciate, it. Guys this has been an enlightening.
Conversation always fun hopping on and, yeah All Access football
Dot com is the best place to find all of our.
Content we got the twenty twenty FIVE Nfl Draft bible
available over. There you'll find Some baldy breakdowns if you
want to come inside the film. Room we're doing a
scouting seminar tomorrow, night as a matter of, fact breaking
(41:45):
down some defensive. LINEMEN i mentioned The draft. Show It's
Aaron friday this, week but typically it airs Every wednesday
at three thirty Pm. Eastern Brian baldinger and myself will
be counting you down to THE Nfl draft and you,
know just crossing the t's not in the, Eyes And
i'll tell you the name is slipping my. Mind But
i'm polishing up all these background reports and scouting, evaluations
(42:08):
and there is a guy in the. Draft his name
is slipping in my. Mind next TIME i, See i'll
have it for. You there's a player in this year's
draft that came back from it TORN acl in five
and a half months and played this. Year and so
they're coming back bigger and faster and. Stronger but, yeah
appreciate the, Time.
Speaker 1 (42:28):
Tony how about? You what do you have coming up
on Sports? Kid any mock? Drafts what are you got?
Speaker 2 (42:32):
Coming you, know it's prode months and THE prodi information
comes fast and. Furious we already have an article about
yesterday's prodees Or monday's protece Is, shae not. Yesterday's it
Was Western michigan and it WAS i forgot the other,
one whatever it. Was but if you want to know
who teams were talking, to who performed well with the,
(42:53):
prode's it's just going to get crazier and crazy as
we get through the month Of. MARCH i rarely leave
the That i'm sitting. In, unfortunately this is the craziest.
Month you, know who's doing, well what teams are talking,
of which players and all the other the down and
dirty stuff that the teams don't want out.
Speaker 1 (43:11):
There That's Draft, season presented By, moody's a proud part
of The New York, giants uniting the brightest mind to
turn today's risk into tomorrow's. Opportunities learn more at moodies dot.
Com next, Week tony AND i will update team needs
after free, agency which will finally give us some guide
as to what these and mock drafts will start getting
slightly more accurate now that we know what players are
(43:32):
with what teams. Here so we'll update team needs next
week and then we'll hit the PRO da circuit moving,
forward and then we'll blink and it'll Be april and
we're like three weeks away from THE Nfl. Draft So,
rick thank, You, tony thank, you and we'll see you
next time On draft season
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