...some pretty good defensive prospects (though you'd never know it by the score.) South Carolina QB Blake Mitchell slightly outgunned first-day draft-pick candidate Kevin Kolb of Houston for POTG honors. Mitchell went 19 of 29 for 323 yards with 4 TDs (a Liberty Bowl record) and 1 pick. Kolb was 25 of 36 for 239, 3/1. Sidney Rice caught 8 balls for 140 and a TD, but Vincent Marshall was huge. I don't have his exact stats, but he caught two TD passes (39 and 77) and had to have had well over 150 yards receiving. Everyone who says Marshall is too small for the next level is going to eat their words. The right system will make a killer out of this guy with his 4.3+ wheels. This was a very entertaining game with a bunch of up-and-down-the-field offense and lots of lead changes. The key play that doomed UH was a bad snap on 3rd and goal with 5:39 left in the 3rd quarter and UH already trailing 30-28. Kolb tried twice to field it, and eventually was forced to take the penalty and kick it out of bounds for the penalty. That gave UH a 4th and goal AT THE 50! They never really recovered their offensive stride after that miscue.
SCOUTING SUMMARY:
College: Houston Conference: Conference USA Columnist: Jim ODell
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes
Vincent Marshall 17 5' 7.5" 165 4.37 WR 2007: So explosive. He can do a little bit of anything for you, but was deadly tonight on the deep ball. Can also turn the bubble screen or flat pass into a huge gainer. Great speed and good hands. Also, he is just scratching the surface of his potential in the return game which, I believe, will punch his meal ticket early on at the next level. GRADE: Positive
Kevin Kolb 4 6' 3.0" 225 4.73 QB 2007: A great game manager and decision maker who will backup somebody in the league next year. Has only played in this system though, so he will probably be more valuable to a team that runs something similar. Stands in the pocket and fires a nice ball...usually on target. Can make time with his legs and throws accurately on the run. Doesn't always find the most wide-open guy though...GRADE: Slightly positive
Willie Gaston 10 5' 11.0" 185 4.50 CB 2007: Best game I have seen from Willie this year. The kid will be drafted if he runs sub 4.5. Had three breakups and a pick. Understands coverages and looks proficient in all of them. Does fine man-on-man too. Gets position and doesn't give it up. I bet he's bigger than 185 too...at least he sure plasy like he is. GRADE: Positive
Will Gulley 18 6' 3.0" 219 4.60 S 2007: Prototypical strong safety with elite measurables and explosive hitting ability. Did not always show that explosiveness in this one. Tried to take people on too high. Always involved in the running game. Matched up nicely against Sidney Rice one-on-one a couple of times. Won some and lost some. Will be a workout warrior and may rise up the boards just like former teammate Stanford Routt did. GRADE: Neutral
Marquay Love 99 6' 0.0" 320 5.28 DT 2007: A load, who must be accounted for on every snap. Showed better stamina in this one--rarely coming out. Was matched up with Chris White all night and held his own for the most part. Solid bull rusher with a twist now and then. Is better than Doughty, but is the same type of pure NT type. GRADE: Neutral
SirVincent Rogers 0' 0.0" 0 0.00 OT 2008: still not scouting him until next year.
Jackie Battle 27 6' 1.3" 245 4.60 HB 2007: A big back who was very impressive tonight with two TDs (47 and 3) and at least 75 yards. We have overlooked his potential. He will make a geat FB at the next level and will probably play at 265. Hands are OK, but he bulls people over in the running game and is a solid blocker. We should shift him to FB and rank him pretty high, Jeff. GRADE: VERY positive
College: South Carolina Conference: Southeastern Columnist: Jeff West
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes
Chris White 60 6' 3.0" 320 5.25 C 2007: Chris is definitely one of the better centers in the country. Handled Love well. Most of Boyd's yards came right up the middle. Seals and walls people off very well. Handles the bull rush pretty well. Recoils and repeat punches. Love his size and work ethic. Self starter. GRADE: Positive
Fred Bennett 8 6' 1.0" 200 4.40 CB 2007: Quiet game for Fred. Had a couple tackles and a TFL in the first half, but then they left him alone (wisely). Technically sound. Great size speed combo for the position. Solid 3-4th round pick. GRADE: Neutral
Syvelle Newton 13 6' 2.0" 200 4.45 WR 2007: Played safety all night, and got beaten a couple of times in both the running and passing game.
Did not show anything like the 4.45 we list in this one. I am guessing more like 4.55-4.60. Needs a position--I think WR is the best option. Marshall twisted him inside out on one play...GRADE: Slightly negative
Sidney Rice 4 6' 3.0" 195 4.55 WR 2009: Just an elite greyhound of a receiver. Does it all well. BLOCKS. Got used by Will Gulley a couple of times, but broke out later and was a big key to the Gamecocks victory. Few weaknesses. Needs to beat the jam better and get stronger. GRADE: Slightly positive
Jasper Brinkley 52 6' 1.7" 258 4.55 LB 2008: Best football player in the game. He has such natural instincts and gets to the ball so quickly! makes big plays at big moments--like the huge stop he had on a 4th down play in the 4th quarter. A leader by example. Great size and speed. Has to be a second rounder if he comes out. GRADE: VERY positive
Cory Boyd 3 6' 1.0" 210 4.50 HB 2007: I continue to be impressed by Cory's game. He is a slasher, but can also pick the holes. Squeezes maxmium YAC out of every play. Hands are solid. Speed is adequate. Will play in the NFL--hope it isn't until 2008...I had him for 12-79-2, but he may have had more than than. GRADE: Positive
Stanley Doughty 55 6' 1.0" 324 5.15 NT 2008: DNP. Left team for the NFL draft.
Other notes:
Kenny McKinley is the heir apparent to Sidney Rice as Mitchell's go-to guy if Rice declares. I like his game a lot.
#22 Alridge is a stud SPEED back for UH who we will be talking about A LOT in the years to come.