...it was cool to hear Doug and Craig James covering this game. Craig, of course, was part of the "Pony Express" at SMU along with Eric Dickerson in the "good old days," and his knowledge of the SMU situation was enlightening. SMU is certainly not all the way back from the death sentence they received from the NCAA several years ago, but they are now 5-4 (first winning record in ages) and on the climb.
SCOUTING SUMMARY:
College: Alabama-Birmingham Conference: Conference USA Columnist: Jim ODell
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes
Larry McSwain 44 6' 1.0" 250 4.69 DE 2007: He is an undersized guy who has no position at the next level, but is a high effort collegiate DE who puts pressure on the QB and finds the ball carrier on running plays.
He seems to have matured as a person too, which was very important. I doubt he can transition to OLB, but he could be a ST gunner for somebody. GRADE: Slightly positive
Clarence Respress 54 6' 1.0" 320 5.10 NT 2007: A very old (26 by draft day) plugger who is hard to move. Doesn't get great pressure up the middle, but ties up two blockers fairly often. Lacks an elite burst, and thus will be a low priority UDFA. GRADE: neutral
Dan Burks 34 6' 0.6" 218 4.60 HB 2007: This kid runs HARD. He is not the biggest, nor the fastest, not the shiftiest guy around, but he may very well be one of the toughest RBs in this draft. Has a shot at the 7th round. Runs a bit upright and exposes himself too much. Has been injured on and off his whole UAB career, but you got to love the tough-nosed approach to the game. Has been very productive when healthy. Never stops attacking. Can catch, and blocks OK. GRADE: Slightly positive
College: Southern Methodist Conference: Conference USA Columnist: Jim ODell
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes
Bobby Chase 82 6' 4.0" 205 4.64 WR 2007: Not a precision guy in his routes. Doesn't square off well. Is more like a smallish TE than an elite receiver. He works hard though. Blocks pretty well for a WR. Wins the jump ball, and has been pretty productive. Subpar QB holds him back in the stat book. Has the look of a priority UDFA. GRADE: Neutral
Ryan Kennedy 89 6' 4.4" 265 4.85 TE 2007: Basically a big body who can catch pretty well and blocks OK. No special features to really set him apart from the slew of middle-round TEs in this draft. Will not be drafted. Needs a great pro day to make a camp. GRADE: Neutral
Joe Sturdivant 29 6' 2.0" 210 4.62 S 2007: Best player in the game. Will come up and stick people. Relishes contact and seeks it out. Perfect SS to be inserted with a good cover guy at FS. May never start, but should be a terror on STs, and may make a roster for that alone. GRADE: Positive
Justin Rogers 40 6' 3.3" 265 4.80 DE 2007: Bulked up on a 10,000 calorie-per-day diet. Lacks natural size and stength. Decent explosion off the ball, but doesn't have elite speed or moves. Is OK against the run, but can be run over if they run at him. Doesn't have a prayer at being drafted. GRADE: Neutral
Brandon Bonds 56 6' 1.0" 300 5.25 NT 2007: Pretty active true nose. Does his job, but is never going to leap out at you or start for an NFL team. Could get into a camp and looks like an ideal NFL Europe candidate. Sheds blockers pretty well. Keeps legs churning. Does not get blown back, but does not blow people back either. GRADE: neutral
Other notes: I thought UAB WR Norris Drinkard might be a PP this year, but he looked awful with an awful QB, proving that Darrell Hackney made people around him better. #60 Haygood, a UAB DT has some potential, and we will have to see how he looks at a pro day...might sneak into the database later on.