College: Notre Dame
Conference: 1-A Independents
Columnist: Jeff Carnahan
Name - # - Ht - Wt - Speed - Pos - Class
Brady Quinn - 10 - 6' 4.0" - 231 - 4.70 - QB - 2007
This was not one of Quinn’s better games. He started out very shaky, despite some solid protection and open receivers in front of him. He overthrew more than a few receivers. He settled down some, but was really only able to connect on one long pass (still only 24 yards) that resulted in a TD. Quinn shows good athleticism and the ability to escape the pressure and the pocket to buy time for his receivers to get open. For the most part, he makes good decisions with the ball, although he did blunder a bit when he floated a ball off his back foot that was intercepted. He handles the ball very well and sells play action. He has a lot of moxie and kept battling even when the odds were against him. He has a strong arm, although he has to put his whole body into his deep throws and he loses some accuracy while throwing on the run. (Grade: C+)
Rhema McKnight - 5 - 6' 2.0" - 212 - 0.00 - WR - 2007
McKnight is a physical receiver who spent a lot of time hand fighting with a physical corner in Chevis Jackson. McKnight has tremendous focus and excellent hands. He blocked well in this game too. I didn’t see anyone who seemed to be working harder on the field than McKnight. (Grade: C)
Victor Abiamiri - 95 - 6' 4.0" - 260 - 0.00 - DE - 2007
Abiamiri got inside the RT on a play and got hold of Russell and managed to knock the ball loose and bring down the big QB (who is even bigger than Abiamiri). He showed some good quickness, but he needs to increase his upper body strength. Abiamiri was handled well by Peter Dyakowski for most of the game. I saw Abiamiri sneak into the backfield a couple of times, but he wasn't able to do any damage following his sack/FF. (Grade: D)
Ryan Harris - 68 - 6' 5.0" - 288 - 0.00 - OT - 2007
Ryan Harris has exceptional athletic abilities. He moves his feet as well as anyone I’ve seen this year. He has long arms which he uses well to keep defenders from getting into him. He’s clearly a finesse blocker – not a mauler by any means. He did very well against Chase Pittman, who isn’t an overpowering DE. On one play, Harris had a DE and an OLB to block without help. He managed to get a hand in each one’s chest to slow them both down long enough to give his QB time to make a play. If Harris can get in an NFL weightroom and add 10-15 pounds of muscle, he’ll be a fantastic LT for years to come. (Grade: A)
Jeff Samardzija - 83 - 6' 5.0" - 215 - 0.00 - WR - 2007
Samardzija used his size and speed to get open on short crossing routes and once to avoid a jam by the CB en route to a TD. He showed a little immaturity by collecting an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty early in the game following a short reception along the sidelines against an overmatched Daniel Francis.
John Sullivan - 78 - 6' 4.0" - 298 - 0.00 - C - 2007
Sullivan has a tough decision to make. He has a year of eligibility remaining, should he want to use it as a graduate student. He is one of the top centers in the nation now, although another year could raise his profile a bit. He played quite well against LSU. He is a very good drive blocker, using a great base and solid leverage to get under his opponent. He struggled a bit when asked to block Dorsey by himself, but I think many NFL centers would encounter the same issues. Sullivan showed the ability to get out in front of the play when pulling and eliminate would-be tacklers. (Grade: B )
Tom Zbikowski - 9 - 6' 1.0" - 208 - 0.00 - S - 2007
Zbikowski was missing in action in the first half, when LSU went to the air to establish the offense. Later in the game, when LSU turned to the running game a bit more, Zibby was more noticeable as a run stopper. He’s a sure tackler and shows good speed in getting to the play. (Grade: C+)
Darius Walker - 3 - 5' 10.0" - 208 - 0.00 - HB - 2008
Walker started out very well, running for more than 100 yards on the vaunted LSU defense in the first half alone (aided by back to back runs of 35 and XX yards). He hit the hole quickly, using his strength to break through arm tackles and showed a nice burst between the tackles. He also showed the ability to run outside and turn the corner. He was also utilized as a receiver out of the backfield and showcased soft hands. In the second half, the LSU defensive line took control of the line of scrimmage and Notre Dame went to the air once they fell behind, so Walker did little after halftime. (Grade: B+)
Dan Santucci - 50 - 6' 4.0" - 290 - 0.00 - OG - 2007
Santucci really stood out to me as an outstanding OG candidate for the next level. He shows good athleticism when he’s pulling with enough speed to stay in front of the ball-carrier. When pulling or slipping to the second level, he locates and engages his target quickly. As an in-line blocker, he shows a very solid base and is strong at the point of attack. He has good leverage and bends his knees well. He doesn’t use his hands particularly well, trying to push and shove rather than punch and control. On one play against LSU, he double-teamed Glenn Dorsey (along with the center) and drove him out of the hole, then slipped that block and moved to the second level to take out the MLB (Beckwith) just before the RB arrived on the scene. The play required very precise timing and execution and Santucci handled it extraordinarily. (Grade: A)
Bob Morton - 76 - 6' 4.0" - 292 - 0.00 - OG - 2007
Bob Morton didn’t play nearly as well as his linemates on the left side of the line. Technically, he got too vertical following the snap and found himself getting overpowered by DL with better leverage. He pulled relatively well, getting outside the tackle and downfield to remove obstacles for the RB. He did get outquicked off the snap by the LSU D-linemen on a number of occasions. (Grade: C-)
Derek Landri - 66 - 6' 3.0" - 277 - 0.00 - DT - 2007
Landri was a guy that I really liked coming into this year, as I saw his athleticism and motor last year and was impressed. I looked at his numbers from the season and it appears he did quite well for himself. However, he was nearly invisible against LSU’s interior line. I paid particular attention to him a few times. He shows good quickness and athleticism, and has the speed to pursue the backs down the line, but he just wasn’t able to get any penetration and was handled too easily by the LSU interior linemen. He has an invite to the Combine, so hopefully he can put on a show there and make people forget about this game. (Grade: D)
Ambrose Wooden - 22 - 5' 11.0" - 197 - 0.00 - CB - 2008
Talk about a hit or miss guy. Wooden has outstanding speed and athleticism, but he’s just so darn inconsistent. On one play he’ll be stuck to a good receiver like glue, making a good play on the ball and breaking up a play. On the next he’s out of position or biting on a fake and bad things are happening. He appears to have the potential to be a quality CB. He has all the measurables. He will really benefit from another year at the school. (Grade: C-)
Chinedum Ndukwe - 18 - 6' 2.0" - 219 - 0.00 - S - 2007
Ndukwe has the size and speed and physicality that you look for in a safety. He shows decent instincts as he recognized an offensive formation that LSU ran and anticipated the play and nearly came away with a pick 6. He’s not going to run stride for stride with the fastest WRs, but he has enough speed to get where he needs to go from his centerfield position. He’s a big hitter when he can line up a receiver and he’s a solid tackler when he comes up into the box to help against the run. He still makes too many mistakes though. He bites on fakes and can get abused by a receiver who runs precise routes. He also tends to peer into the backfield too long and then is late getting to the play. (Grade: C-)
John Carlson - 89 - 6' 6.0" - 250 - 0.00 - TE - 2007
Carlson was used primarily as a blocker, with LSU’s impressive defensive line and the multitude of blitzes that were called. He did get out on a sideline pattern to catch one pass, which was fine, but fairly unremarkable. Carlson did hold up well to the blitzing linebackers and defensive backs and assisted nicely on the defensive ends when needed. He stoned DE Ryan Willis one-on-one a few times in the latter part of the game. (Grade: B )
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College: LSU
Conference: SEC
Columnist: Jeff West
Name - # - Ht - Wt - Speed - Pos - Class
LaRon Landry - 30 - 6' 1.5" - 204 - 4.45 - S - 2007
This is getting to be a familiar refrain for me. I just don’t see all the hype surrounding Landry. He was not a major factor in this game, other than the fact that he happened to be in the right place at the right time as a tipped pass popped up in his direction and he had an open sideline to run on. He made a big play and then lost composure and earned an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty following his runback. Early in the game he was in a great position to make a stop on a reverse and whiffed on the tackle. He’s a big hitter, but he’s not a great tackler. When Notre Dame threw the ball deep to David Grimes, it was Landry who was unable to provide support over the top and Notre Dame scored their first TD. Most of his tackles were on RBs who got around the corner and all Landry had to do was to squeeze them out of bounds. There’s no doubting he’s a great athlete, but he was not an impact player today even with the INT. (Grade: C-)
JaMarcus Russell - 2 - 6' 6.0" - 260 - 4.75 - QB - 2008
Where to start? One of the things that impresses me most about Russell is his poise and calm demeanor. The team responds to his confidence in a good way. He showed off his big arm by flipping (and I mean flipping) a pair of 58 yarders with very little effort on his part. He can float the deep ball a bit, but I think that is a result of having big athletic WRs who will go up and get the ball. He showed he has plenty of zip on short, intermediate, and deep passes when necessary. Russell is an athletic QB who can scramble well enough and buy time in the pocket. When Russell is running in open space, he has a deceptively fast, long striding running style – and he’s a load to bring down. He has excellent pocket presence, although he will sometimes try to continue to make plays with defenders wrapped around his lower body. This extra effort resulted in a fumble early in the game. Russell has a very easy throwing style, using his arm and wrist almost exclusively. As a result, his footwork on his throws is shaky. But, on the flip side, he is able to throw on the run and when he’s off balance with a lot more accuracy than most. I’ve been critical of his passes in the past, but he’s throwing as pretty a pass as anyone right now. (Grade: A)
Alley Broussard - 22 - 6' 0.0" - 248 - 4.55 - HB - 2008
DNP
Justin Vincent - 23 - 5' 10.0" - 225 - 4.55 - HB - 2007
I’m one of the few guys still on the Vincent bandwagon. I see a big, quality back who can do a lot of things well. I think he can succeed in the NFL in the right situation (if he really puts his mind to it). Vincent got a lot of time in the game and did some really good things. He’s a patient runner who will set up his blocks, or even ride his blockers, waiting for a hole to open. Once the hole opens, he can get skinny and slip through while still maintaining the power to deliver a blow to anyone waiting on the other side of the hole. He has solid hands out of the backfield and can be used with success on outlet passes. Vincent doesn’t have breakaway speed, but he’s fast enough to get to the second and third level quickly. Vincent is also a very good blocker. He can read the blitz and complete his assignments in pass pro. My only qualm with him in this game is that sometimes he is too patient for a big back, dancing a bit too much in the backfield instead of just trusting his blockers to open holes for him. (Grade: B+)
Dwayne Bowe - 80 - 6' 3.0" - 215 - 4.55 - WR - 2007
Bowe continues to do the things he’s done all year. He is able to get open by reading the position of the defenders in a zone and getting himself in position to receive the ball cleanly. He has excellent hands and shows good athleticism to make the tough catches. He has an excellent vertical leap to get the ball at its highest point and is also a willing and accomplished blocker in the secondary. He was an integral part of the passing attack in this game, routinely getting the better of the Notre Dame secondary. (Grade: A)
Craig Davis - 3 - 6' 2.0" - 207 - 4.40 - WR - 2007
Craig “Buster” Davis is the less-heralded of the LSU receivers, but he’s well-known amongst the scouting world. Davis is a very polished route-runner who adds an element of speed that Bowe doesn’t possess. He too is an athletic receiver with great hands and the ability to catch the ball in traffic. Davis also served as the team’s punt returner in the Sugar Bowl, but only fielded one punt (a fair catch). Davis was used only on short patterns against the Irish, but still made some impressive catches. (Grade:
Brian Johnson - 75 - 6' 4.0" - 307 - 5.25 - OG - 2007
Johnson was very effective against the Notre Dame D-line. He was matched up against Trevor Laws for most of the game and did an excellent job. He was able to lock up the DT and used a powerful lower body to turn and seal him away from the holes on interior runs. He is able to get out and pull, but he’s not the most athletic guy and speed is not his forte. On pass protection, he shows a good punch and recoil. (Grade:
Chase Pittman - 94 - 6' 5.0" - 273 - 4.75 - DE - 2007
Pittman was fairly quiet in this game, and has been most of the year. He battled Ryan Harris most of the game and then gave way to reserve DE Ryan Willis in the second half when the game was well in hand. Pittman dropped into coverage, picking up the TE early in the game, and was in position to make a play on the receiver. He got some penetration at times, but was unable to make any impact. He’s a high-motor guy who keeps battling and battling, but he wasn’t strong enough to overpower Harris, who was athletic enough to match him step for step. (Grade: D)
Jessie Daniels - 31 - 6' 0.0" - 205 - 4.55 - S - 2007
Daniels sat out the first half because of a team rule violation and then was not a factor in the second half. I only noticed him a couple times. If he was hoping to impress scouts today, he did a poor job of it. He does have a good resume prior to the game and should do well in post-bowl activities. (Grade: INC)
Jacob Hester - 18 - 6' 0.0" - 230 - 4.70 - FB - 2008
Mr. Versatility. Hester is listed as a fullback, where he is a very effective blocker and receiver out of the backfield. He also lines up at tailback and averaged more than 8 yards on his 3 carries. Then, the truly remarkable thing about Hester is that he was the sixth leading tackler for the Tigers in this game (with 3 solos). All of those came on special teams. Hester is a real quality player and person. (Grade: A)
Will Arnold - 73 - 6' 4.0" - 319 - 5.25 - OG - 2008
DNP - Injured
Glenn Dorsey - 72 - 6' 2.0" - 300 - 5.15 - DT - 2008
Once again, Dorsey played an outstanding game. He showed quickness and explosion off the snap, power and strength at the point of attack, and good athleticism in pursuit. He faced a lot of double teams from a pair of very good offensive linemen in Santucci and Sullivan, and still was able to make plays. He’s also got the strength and speed to slide out to 3-4 DE when LSU switches defensive schemes. He’d be ideal for any team that varies its defensive fronts because he has the versatility to play a number of different positions on the line. (Grade: B+)
Chevis Jackson - 21 - 6' 0.0" - 190 - 4.40 - CB - 2008
Chevis Jackson did a great job shutting down Rhema McKnight. He was very physical at the line of scrimmage and then provided blanket coverage on McKnight and kept him quiet most of the game. Jackson also showed the ability to recognize the run and get up to make plays. He’ll be a top CB prospect next year. (Grade: A)
Ali Highsmith - 7 - 6' 1.0" - 225 - 4.55 - LB - 2008
Highsmith made a fantastic tackle on the first play of the game, showing exceptional speed and quickness, and sure tackling as he was able to shoot the gap and bring down the RB. He made a few more plays, but He has great range to get anywhere on the field. He did well in pass coverage too, which is important because his gravy train to the NFL might be as a safety in the mold of Michael Boulware. (Grade: B )
Jonathan Zenon - 19 - 6' 0.0" - 176 - 4.45 - CB - 2008
Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis thought he could take advantage of Zenon with Jeff Samardzija while planning for the game. Samardzija has a definite advantage over Zenon in size and physicality. It worked, to some small extent, as Samardzija had 8 catches and a TD, but most of the catches were quick hitters for small gains. Zenon provided very tight coverage on Samardzija for the most part (except when he whiffed on a jam attempt that led to Samardzija’s only TD catch). On one deep play, Zenon had tight, inside coverage on #83. Samardzija pushed off with both hands, but Zenon held position and made an amazing, one-handed interception (that was reviewed and incorrectly reversed). Two plays later, Zenon knew there was a blitz on and when Brady Quinn floated a pass towards his favorite receiver, Zenon was in position to jump the route and make another interception. Zenon played a fantastic game and proved Charlie Weis wrong in the end. (Grade: A+)
Players to watch:
WR Early Doucet (Jr) – Doucet has become Russell’s favorite receiver and is a big play waiting to happen. He had 8 receptions including a leaping effort on a 58-yarder in the first half that led to a Russell rushing TD. Doucet played much of the second half with a bruised knee that appeared to give him problems as the game wore on, but he kept making the big catches. Doucet also had the awareness on special teams to make a key tackle on a fake punt.
WR Brandon LaFell (Fr) – He’s next in line for the big-time LSU receivers. He has size and speed and, now, experience.
DE Tyson Jackson (So) – Combine a big-time motor with quickness and strength and size, and Jackson is one to watch.