Aggies Narrowly Escape Golden Lions
Originally I had circled this game as a possible FCS/IAA over BDwhatever/D-1A match up where David might prevail and 2 decorated QBs, NMSU’s Chase Holbrook and AUPB’s Chris Wallace, but UABP stumbled out of the gate and Wallace is now #2 on the depth chart. Even with all that it took Chase Holbrook coming back from a rib injury to throw for 246 yards and Paul Young kicking his 2nd 37-yard field goal with one second remaining to give New Mexico State a 20-17 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Aggies (3-2) put together their game-winning drive after safety Derrick Richardson intercepted a tipped pass in the end zone with 2:53 to play. Young's kick capped an 11-play drive and the field goal accounted for New Mexico State's only points of the second half. For his career, Holbrook has now recorded four 40-plus completion games, twelve 300 plus passing games, six 400 plus passing games (four against UTEP or UNM). This season, Holbrook has passed for 1,441 yards, 13 touchdowns and completed 135-of-184 attempts for 73.4 percent. He ranks second in the Aggie record books with 47 touchdown passes, second in pass completions (532) and third in passing yards with 6,060He ranks second in the Aggie record books with 47 touchdown passes, second in pass completions (532) and third in passing yards with 6,060 and is now the #1 QB named Chase on my Chase QB power rankings topping Daniels and Clement.
[Note: The Aggies, who wore pink socks and ribbons on their helmets to support breast cancer research.]
QB#12 Chase Holbrook QB 6’4.4” 40 Time 4.92 est. 235 RS. Jr The 2 year starter form Lubbock, TX by way of Southeastern Louisiana University showed true courage in playing through an injury to that sidelined him for five minutes late in the fourth quarter, he took a shot on a blitz stayed on the ground briefly before being escorted to the sidelines by the team's medical staff before returning with about one minute to play and guiding New Mexico State on its final scoring drive. Finishing 31-for-42 for 246 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He was 4-for-6 for 40 yards on the final drive.

CB # 36 Alex Bernard 5’10.7” 193 40 Time 4.58 est. The versatile Brooklyn, NY native has played SS in the past and is currently a CB. I think he has a chance to play FS at the next level.
#69 OT Mike Martinez OT 6’3.7” 335 40 Time: 5.51 est. Martinez was moved from center to tackle in 2006, and started every game for the Aggies. His starts streak has reached 42 games. He will not be an OT at the next level he is a “classic short-area mauler, who is a heavy legged waist-bender.” Actually he is a decent pass protector but he missed many moving targets in the running game. He has a chance to be a reserve at the next level due to his power and versatility. Possible late 6th to priority UDFA.

# 45 DT Maurice Murray 6’3.5” 323 40 Time: 5.01 est. Murray’s a mid-year2005 transfer from Long Beach City College. At NMSU he has played DE and DT which is a testament to just how good an athlete he is, but the smaller AUPB O-Line gave him fits, he held the point but did not wreak havoc in the backfield as expected his day was chipping in on 2 tackles, no TFL. But on measurables and potential he likely won’t last past the middle of the 5th round.

#40 TE Nick Cleaver 6’3.1” 244 40 Time: 4.71 est The “Peyton Hillis back” FB/TE/H-Back combo has very good hands, solid measurables is a good if not great blocker and has better deep speed than one might expect. For those who remember, think Mike Guman, but with much better speed. Unfortunately he did not play; I believe he has a nagging injury. WR Brandon Allen played in his place and had 4 catches for 32 yards, but did not seem to present much of a speed mismatch. He did have a 25 yard catch and run, he’s about 6’1.6” 196 and did not humiliate himself as a blocker, but not a prospect at either position based on what I think.

WR #28 Chris Williams 5’7.6” 168: 40 Time 4.44 est. Junior Chris Williams leads the WAC in scoring (touchdowns) with his eight touchdowns and he is four ahead of the next player, I dare you to watch him and not think of Dante Hall. Williams led the nation in receiving yards per game (117.9) and catches per game (7.66) last season and his 1,861 all-purpose yards also ranked fourth in the nation. AUPB double teamed Williams keeping him in check. He caught six passes for 47 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown in the first quarter. It was his eighth TD of the season and 21st of his career. He needs one more to tie for second place all-time at New Mexico State. Williams also returned three punts for 80 yards. For his career, Williams now sits in third all-time in reception yards (2,009), fifth in pass receptions (136) and second in touchdown receptions (20). At his current pace, Williams will have over 90 receptions, over 1,200 yards receiving and 33 touchdown receptions this year. Size means he will be mostly a special teams and package threat but he could make into the latter part of the 2009 1st day with a great combine or Senior Bowl.
TB#34 5’11.5” 216 4.59 est[ pre injury] 40 Time 4.71 est now Justine Buries is coming back from an ACL tear that ended last season in the 3rd game, he flashed some power but not enough wiggle or speed to be an NFL TB. He had 60 yards on 12 hard-nosed carries. Unless he gains 15 pounds to be become a Howard Griffith-type FB he is not likely a prospect. It is possible that he is not all the way back from the knee, if he is quicker by pro day he could be an UDFA.

Arkansas Pine-Bluff
Note: only a Sophomore TB #8 5’11.6” 212 40 Time 4.54 est. Martell Mallett was the most impressive running back for either squad he had 84 yards on 18 carries and 3 catches for 62 on catch was on the run and outside the frame of the body, impressive for such a young back.
AUPB’s most will known prospect Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Chris Wallace, the 2006 SWAC Offensive Player of the Year did not play, he was not being disciplined, though he got in some hot water last year also and was a DNP against Alabama State both were due to a diagnosis of exhaustion and in the words of SID Tim Munn, “the coaches wanted to go with the hot hand.” His back up-
QB #18 6’1.3 200 40 Time 4.89 est. Jonathan Moore was 16 of 34 234 and 1 crucial pick. All things considered not a bad showing but if true dual threat Wallace had played who knows what might have happened?
#81 WR Jason Jones 6‘1” 182 4.59 est. Decent hands, but not great in setting up DBs with his routes and not a speedster, not a prospect based on this game.

#39 OLB Tim Turner 6’1.6 218 40 Time4.68 est He was very active with 6 solos 7 assist 2 tackles for loss he was every where and he did a pretty good job against the pass as well as stuffing the run. He may project to an in the box SS or an Ian Gold type “Will.” Perhaps a priority UDFA

The more physically imposing LB was #49 Anton Williams 5’9.6” 255 40 Time 4.91 est. this player is like Brain Cox without shins; he plays with a mean streak and has very good instincts. He’s a hitter, he nailed Holbrook and it is amazing that he got back into the game. Williams posted 4 solos 8 assists had 2 TFLs and 1 sack that almost changed the game.

Junior Safety Stewart Franks 6’2.5”205 40 Time 4.49 est. If he continues to develop he could be taken early day 2. He had a good game against solid competition with 6 solo tackles 2 assists and 1 PBU, he has the potential to play either safety spot.

BC,
Chris Williams looks super tiny on the TV. I was watching some of the Auburn NMSU game. He looks like a run n shoot WR from the late 80s. Holbrook throws a nice ball but, in that system they don't throw deep very often. I'll put both in next year for sure and maybe Holbrook in a bit. I want to get a better look at him. I know he's getting hype but, that system is the same one that brought us Tim Couch.

He doesn't LOOK super tiny on the TV, he IS super tiny period, he's 5'7 and change and LISTED at 168, he's about 163 soaking wet, with rocks in his pockets, but he might make it. Holbrook might not have a cannon but he has enough arm and he's a tough guy.

Ice Cube McNeil ????

Vincent Marshall II?

LMBBAO! But he's huge by comparison, Gerald McNeill weighed in at 143 and later "bulked up" to about 155!
I don't know if he's as polished as Mashall but he might be about as quick.

Tim Couch was still a good qb.

Put anyone else behind that Browns line, even Brady or Manning would suck.

Couch was a heck of a QB in college. It's just that in talking about Chase Holbrook he's coming from the same system. Couch didn't fair too well in the pros. Will Holbrook do the same???? Do you think it was Hal Mumme's system or Couch's ability for his college success???

Well every QB's failure or sucess is 20% physical, 25% mental, 25% system and 30% surrounding talent, their system does get the ball out quick but so do over 1/2 of the current pro team's.

Both.

And Craig Yeast.

(The best WR the SEC has ever seen.)

He is another illustration of how important system are; he would have thrived on a late 80's Oilers style team. He had speed, savvy, and hands but when small WRs went out of style he got the shaft.