College: Clemson Conference: Atlantic Coast Columnist: Andrew Nile

Charlie Whitehurst #6 604.0 227 4.95 QB 2006

Somewhat Positive.

Whitehurst returned to play after having arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder following Clemson's final regular season game. Apparently he was in alot of pain in the last half of the season and played through it, and played well (66% completions). He had a so-so game, partly because Davis took over the game rushing the ball, and also because Colorado's offense didn't put much pressure on Clemson to score. Whitehurst is more athletic than most people think. He has just enough to move outside the pocket to make a pass or pick up a first running. For a player his size that's a nice tool to have. Mechanically I don't like where he holds the ball. He keeps the ball around his stomach in the pocket. That leaves the ball more vunerable to getting stripped, and it lengthens his release. He does have nice touch on his deep balls and above average accuracy overall due to his sound throwing motion. The most positive aspect to his overall game is his accuracy. He leads the receivers away from defenders to avoid big hits and to increase their YAC.


Jamaal Fudge 24 510.0 192 4.50 S 2006

Neutral.

Colorado really struggled throwing the ball, and offensively in general, so Fudge didn't see much action. Towards the end of the game when Colorado's backup QB came in, there was a little more action inthe passing game and Fudge was around the ball. He made some solid wrap-up tackles and a jumped a receiver and batted a ball down. Not much to evaluate.

Charles Bennett 86 604.0 254 N/A DE 2006

Very Positive. Should be in our top 20 DE's

He really impressed in his final college game. He looks and plays much bigger than his listed size. He holds the point of attack, and plays very strong against the run. He has above average field awareness and was rarely out of position tonight. He defended Colorado's screens and draw plays well. He seems to have a strong upper body, using his hand to keep the blockers off him, and then shedding them to drag down the ball carrier. He doesn't have the same size and strength of Richard Seymour, but they have similar playing styles. Could be a two gap defender. He has nice acceleration and can get to the ball quickly in tight spaces, but he doesn't have top end speed for a pass rushing DE.


Tye Hill 8 510.0 178 4.40 CB 2006

Neutral.

He was in the same boat as Fudge because of Colorado's lack of passing offense in the game. When CU did throw, they never threw to his side.


Gaines Adams 93 605.0 265 4.58 DE 2007

Positive.

Adams was making plays all night long. He can get upfield quickly and cause havoc against either the run or the pass. Just a relentless pass rusher. I could easily seem him standing up in the NFL and becoming this year's Demarcus Ware if he jumps early. He has above average insticts and can sniff out screens well. He did get lost on some draw plays tonight, getting upfield to fast. Colorado did a nice job of turning his speed against him, you have to give them credit for that. I'm not sure what kind of strength he has, but he will post impressive numbers at the combine. The 4.58 40 we have listed here seems legit.


Steven Jackson 35 602.0 260 N/A FB 2006

Neutral.

Jackson led the way for Davis' fantastic night. He is quick into the hole and finds a defender to lock on to. He doesn't really blow back the defender off the line like most NFL fullbacks do. He just neutralizes them. His pass protection skills are a little suspect. He doesn't stay with the rusher and move them out of the play. He didn't get a chance to run with the ball or make any catches out of the backfield.

My part of the review:

Colorado Big 12 Conference

Mason Crosby 16 602.0 198 N/A K 2007 - One of the lone bright spots for Colorado in this game was their special teams play. Mason Crosby didn’t get many opportunities to kick in this game (1 field goal and 1 extra point) but his 36 yard field goal would have been good from 56. The kid has a strong and accurate leg and looked very convincing despite the light workload at the office. Although he recorded several touchbacks this season (43 touchbacks on 61 kickoffs), he failed to kick one deep enough to record a touchback in this game. He only had 3 kickoffs but all were very returnable with most of them being caught by the return team around the 10 yard line. POSITIVE

Joe Klopfenstein 89 606.0 250 N/A TE 2006 - Joe couldn’t show off his talents in this game at all thanks to the sputtering Colorado offense and quarterback James Cox’s inability to throw the ball anywhere near his intended targets. He only had one catch for 5 yards but as I said Joe can’t be blamed. He got open but it’s difficult to catch a ball that’s thrown behind you or that’s 10 feet above your head. His run-blocking was very average and got away with what could’ve been a holding call on a short run. NEUTRAL

Joel Klatt 14 601.0 210 NA QB 2006 - Did not play (still suffering from effects of a concussion in Big 12 championship game loss to Texas).

Brian Iwuh 27 511.0 225 4.59 LB 2006 - Brian just looks like a fullback playing linebacker (he even wears number 27 which is usually worn by RBs). Anyway, we’re here to judge how he plays, not how he looks.. and well, his play was mediocre. He read pass plays well and made a few nice tackles (finished with 5 solos on the day) but his speed is something to be desired. He played DE on a few downs and had absolutely no success getting penetration. Overall he didn’t stand out but he wasn’t awful. NEUTRAL

Lawrence Vickers 17 602.0 235 N/A FB 2006 - Lawrence only carried the ball a few times (6 carries for 15 yards) and, not unlike his offensive teammates, couldn’t do much against the Clemson defense. He looks like he may have potential (quick feet and had a great stiff arm) but just didn’t get an opportunity to show what he could do. His blocking could’ve been much better and being a fullback he’ll need to improve that aspect of his game. NEUTRAL

John Torp 29 602.0 205 N/A P 2006 - How should I even begin writing about John Torp’s performance in this game? How about this-- he looked absolutely fantastic! John single-handedly kept the Buffaloes in this game with his high and deep punts which kept Clemson pinned deep in their own end. With the offense going nowhere, John obviously got a workout in this game with 9 punts. He averaged 49.7 yards on those 9 punts (4 inside the 20), with his longest going 68 yards. He had fantastic control on his attempts at pinning the ball deep in the opposition’s field. What's also impressive is not only were the punts traveling far but they were extremely high which gave the coverage team ample time to get down the field, his hangtime was just unreal. Only 2 of his punts were returned for a total of 7 yards. I never thought I’d actually get excited when a punter jogged out onto the field. VERY POSITIVE

Other notables-
Quinn Sypniewski 45 TE Sr. Colorado - The “other Colorado tight end” looked better at run-blocking than Klopfenstein and was a good target for sophomore QB Brian White who came in to relieve an ineffective James Cox. Quinn caught 4 balls for 50 yards and scored the Buffaloes lone touchdown.

Hugh Charles 2 RB Soph. Colorado - Pint-sized but extremely fast and has good running skills. Hugh is only a sophomore, but perhaps is someone to keep an eye on in the coming seasons. His stats weren’t great (30 yards on 13 carries) but there is some talent there.

Nice work guys... It's a pretty sad effort when your punter (Torp) is your best weapon.

Torp IS a great punter tho

Sypniewski has been rising lately...does he have a writeup, Dave? (i don't want to look right now...lol...dialup) He may end up being the 4th or 5th TE taken, and may actually go ahead of Klopfenstien.

No, he doesn't have a writeup Steve. I'm on it though!

Sypniewski is now in the database, Steve.

Thanks Dave! You da man!