LSU looked, for a while, that they might just let Bama hang around too long. Bama was outplayed in this one, but some LSU mistakes kept Bama in the game and saw them with a lead well into the fourth quarter. Ultimately, this was a case of one QB (Matt Flynn) overcoming his mistakes and leading his team to a win and another QB (John Parker Wilson) who was unable to make the necessary plays to preserve a win.
College: LSU
Conference: SEC
Columnist: Jeff West
Name - # - Ht - Wt - Speed - Pos - Class
Ryan Perrilloux - - 0' 0.0" - 0 - 0.00 - QB - 2010
Did not play. Was suspended for this game due to his role in a fight at a bar.
Jacob Hester - 18 - 6' 0.0" - 230 - 4.70 - FB - 2008
A very powerful runner. He won’t be taken down with an arm tackle. Teams know this and go low, but he just dives over them for another 3-4 yards. As far as backs go, he’s a good blocker. He’ll never be confused for a Lorenzo Neal-type who will blow up defenders and open wide holes, but he’s very effective at picking up rushers as a pass blocker and hustles on every play.
Will Arnold - 73 - 6' 4.0" - 319 - 5.25 - OG - 2008
Did not play. Recovering from an injury. Coupled with his poor play last season, he’s dropping down draft boards.
Glenn Dorsey - 72 - 6' 2.0" - 300 - 5.15 - DT - 2008
At this point, Dorsey has nothing to prove. He likely would have been a top 10 pick had he entered last year’s draft. He came back because he wanted to win a national championship. Now he’s playing with a sprained knee, and had to come off the field a couple times in this game. Yet he keeps returning to the field. Dorsey has the heart of a champion and is able to perform at a very high level, even when hobbled by an injury. He was easily the best defensive player on the field for LSU tonight. He faced constant double teams, yet he was able to get penetration into the backfield for a couple of stops including a sack. He was a beast against the run, tying for the team lead in tackles. He’s just so much better than anyone else on the field and his ability helps his teammates feast on single coverage.
Chevis Jackson - 21 - 6' 0.0" - 190 - 4.40 - CB - 2008
Had an early interception where he had help over the top and was able to keep his eyes in the backfield. He made a nice play on the ball. He was tested a couple more times (including a second INT that he dropped) and had tight coverage each time. On the flip side, Jackson was called for a couple penalties (a PI call that might have been a TD otherwise – LSU held Bama to a FG on that drive – and a holding penalty that was irrelevant to the play).
Ali Highsmith - 7 - 6' 1.0" - 225 - 4.55 - LB - 2008
Overrated. He made a nice tackle early in the game on Terry Grant, and I didn’t notice him much after that. He’s getting a lot of unwarranted attention, in my opinion. He’s fairly solid against the pass, but he gets rag-dolled by blockers and often needs help to finish a tackle. He may fit into a scheme like the Colts run with smaller backers, otherwise he may have to earn his bread as a safety at the next level.
Jonathan Zenon - 19 - 6' 0.0" - 176 - 4.45 - CB - 2008
Zenon got smoked by DJ Hall on a stop-and-go early in the game when Zenon peeked into the backfield and bought a pump. He made a couple tackles after short catches, and one tackle on a long QB scramble, but did little else in the game. On one play I noticed he got beat on another straight fly pattern, but the QB was hurried and had to throw the ball underneath. Not his best game.
Early Doucet - 9 - 6' 0.0" - 207 - 4.40 - WR - 2008
I’ll continue to go on record saying that Doucet is the best WR available in this draft, regardless of which underclassmen might declare. He does everything and does it well. He even took a reverse handoff in the game and threw a pass right on the money to Matt Flynn. He reminds me a lot of Reggie Wayne. He gets open using precise routes or deep speed. He’s got the courage to go across the middle and the hands and athleticism to fight for the ball in traffic.
Tyson Jackson - 93 - 6' 4.5" - 292 - 5.00 - DT - 2009
Jackson had a fairly quiet game until the fourth quarter when he took over. He had two sacks in the final quarter. The thing that stands out about Jackson is his size. He’s tall and even looks a bit lanky (despite his weight) at end. With his height, he was able to get up and bat away three balls in the game. He looks like he needs to continue to spend time in the weight room to increase his strength, but his endurance can’t be questioned as he went hard each play and eventually reaped the benefits at the end of the game. He gets a bit too upright at times—not good when you’re already giving up leverage to shorter blockers. All-in-all, he’s one of the better DE prospects for the 2009 draft.
Craig Steltz - 16 - 6' 2.0" - 204 - 4.60 - S - 2008
Steltz played one of his more unimpressive games. I barely noticed him in this game. He made a couple stops against the run, but spent most of his time in the deep secondary and wasn’t very involved.
Matt Flynn - 15 - 6' 3.0" - 228 - 4.80 - QB - 2008
All-in-all, Flynn played a good game. He made some mistakes (3 INTs on consecutive possessions in the second quarter) that I’m sure he’d love to have back, but they were more a result of good Bama defensive play than poor decision-making on Flynn’s part. Flynn appears to see the field very well. When he has time, he’s able to get though his reads and find the open receiver. When things break down in the pocket, Flynn shows good mobility to get outside the pocket and keep the play alive. He’s not a running QB, but he’s able to scramble some and make plays with his feet. Flynn has a good arm and is able to make all the throws.
Mit Cole - 81 - 6' 4.0" - 258 - 4.75 - TE - 2008
I didn’t notice Cole at all. Keith Zinger got the start at TE and Richard Dickson was the TE catching passes in this game.
Marlon Favorite - 99 - 6' 1.0" - 295 - 4.95 - DT - 2009
Favorite played a very quiet game, which is disappointing considering all the attention given to Dorsey.
Herman Johnson - 79 - 6' 7.0" - 351 - 5.25 - OG - 2009
Johnson is a monster. He is just so much bigger than anyone else on the field. He’s able to get to the second level and just destroys players once he gets there.
Luke Sanders - 35 - 6' 5.0" - 235 - 4.70 - LB - 2008
Not sure what happened to Sanders. I saw him in the game early, but I don’t recall him making any plays at all.
Steven Korte - - 0' 0.0" - 0 - 0.00 - FB - 2009
DNP
Players to watch:
MLB Darry Beckwith (Jr) – A tackling machine who has the size and speed to play at the next level.
DE Kirston Pittman (Sr) – He’s undersized, but probably not suited to play LB. He did look good in this one as he game a very good (but young) offensive lineman in Andre Smith a tough time.
C Brett Helms (Jr) – A bit smallish, but very athletic and wonderful technique. Quite an adept hand-fighter in close quarters.
LT Ciron Black (So) – Great potential. Better as a run blocker than pass blocker at this time. Still inexperienced.
WR Demetrius Byrd (Jr) – Didn’t get much PT before this year, but the speedy receiver appears to be next in line after Doucet. Big game tonight.
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College: Alabama
Conference: SEC
Columnist: Jeff West
Name - # - Ht - Wt - Speed - Pos - Class
Nick Walker - 88 - 6' 5.0" - 270 - 4.80 - TE - 2009
I’ve been a big fan of Walker for a couple years now and he’s really starting to put it all together now. He’s able to get open short and also find the seam. He made a couple nice catches in this game and is very tough to tackle (although he has to stop fighting for extra yards or he’ll start getting the ball stripped from him). He’s also a solid blocker and stoned a very good DE in Tyson Jackson one-on-one on a few occasions. He’s a complete TE who will certainly be coveted when he enters the draft.
Wallace Gilberry - 92 - 6' 4.0" - 264 - 4.75 - DE - 2008
Gilberry lines up as the 3-4 DE in this defense, and plays it quite well. He’s able to disengage from the blocks and keep contain to the outside. He’s able to beat a man one-on-one by getting good leverage and using his hands to keep the defender off-balance. He shows good power for his size as he’s constantly facing a guard and tackle. I think Gilberry is best suited to play a 4-3 end at the next level and could be a real sleeper in this draft.
Simeon Castille - 2 - 6' 1.0" - 190 - 4.45 - CB - 2008
Castille is a big physical corner. He’s got great size and is willing to assist against the run, where he has good tackling skills. He’s reasonably fast, but probably not fast enough to be an elite CB at the next level. He got beat badly tonight on a long TD by Demetrius Byrd who ran right by him, otherwise he was very solid and showed good technique.
D.J. Hall - 22 - 6' 3.0" - 186 - 4.50 - WR - 2008
Hall only had a couple catches in this game as the QB struggled mightily, but he faked out the defender and went 67 yards for an early TD. Hall has the size/speed combo that scouts become enamored with, plus he has the big-time production to boot. He’s well on his way to a first-day selection in April.
Keith Brown - 81 - 6' 3.0" - 205 - 4.55 - WR - 2008
Keith Brown has to be one of the most underrated WRs in the nation. He’s battled some injuries, but he’s healthy now and is really making an impact. He reminds me a lot of the big LSU receivers of recent years (Bowe, Clayton, Davis) in that he’s able to gain separation, beat guys deep, make catches in traffic, and block downfield. He’s not going to go out and run a 4.4 and set the draft world on their ears, but he’s going to be a very effective NFL receiver and a bargain at that. When he and DJ Hall both got significant PT as sophs with QB Brodie Croyle, I thought Brown was the better of the two then. He didn’t step up the way Hall did in his junior year and I think Wilson has a bit more rapport with Hall. But Brown found a seam into the endzone and made an outstanding fingertip catch for a TD (his second of the game) in this one.
Matt Caddell - 11 - 5' 11.0" - 190 - 4.50 - WR - 2008
Caddell had a decent game, considering Bama was relatively unable to get much going through the air. He showed very good quickness and good routes as a slot receiver. He’s not afraid to go across the middle and take a shot if needed. He’s also a solid contributor on special teams, which might serve as his meal ticket onto an NFL roster.
Keith Saunders - 94 - 6' 3.0" - 250 - 4.80 - DE - 2008
Keith Saunders wasn’t able to get anything going defensively in this game. He’s playing a bit out of position at OLB as I think he’s better with his hand on the ground. I only saw him make one tackle (on a QB scramble where the play had broken down) in the entire game.
Antoine Caldwell - 59 - 6' 4.0" - 300 - 5.10 - C - 2009
DNP.
Bobby Greenwood - 93 - 6' 5.0" - 260 - 4.80 - DE - 2009
Greenwood looked like he would be an effective 4-3 DE, but with Bama running a 3-4 alignment, he’s been relegated to backing up Keith Saunders at the Jack backer position. I noticed him on the field, but he was completely ineffective from this position. If I was an NFL team running a 4-3, I might bring Greenwood into camp and see what he’s got. I think he has the athletic ability and the drive to be an effective 4-3 edge rusher.
JohnParker Wilson - 14 - 6' 2.0" - 210 - 4.75 - QB - 2009
Wilson started out completing some passes, but got progressively worse as the game progressed. He would generally make the correct read, and showed some nice ability to move around to buy time, but he doesn’t even have a college arm, let alone one for the next level. Nearly all of his balls had too much air under them and many floated right over the receiver or fell into the waiting arms of a defender.
Prince Hall - 21 - 5' 11.0" - 255 - 4.75 - LB - 2010
Coming off a great debut last fall, Hall got off to a bad start with Coach Saban and hasn’t really recovered yet. He’s playing second string right now and fighting for playing time behind Darren Mustin and Rolando McClain. Hall was invisible for most of this game, although he did make a key stop on Hester at the 1 yard line late in the game that kept LSU from scoring (Hester scored on the next play). He’s got the tools to be a MIKE at the next level, but he’s going to need to add some experience.
Andre Smith - 71 - 6' 4.0" - 348 - 5.20 - OT - 2010
In the next couple years, Smith will emerge as one of the elite LT prospects. He’s got the size, strength, and speed to get there, but against LSU he experienced some problems. Some of them may be attributed to the fact that he entered the game with an ankle injury and during the course of the game injured the other ankle. He allowed a couple sacks to a smaller, quicker edge rusher. As a run blocker, however, he was opening some nice holes. He still gets lost at the second level at times.
BJ Stabler - 61 - 6' 4.0" - 307 - 5.20 - OG - 2009
Stabler is a decent guard who should be in someone’s camp next summer, but he was clearly overmatched against Glenn Dorsey. Bama tried to run behind Stabler about 5 times, but had little to no success on the right side. As a pass defender, he struggled to keep Dorsey out of the backfield, even when he had help from the center.
Players to watch:
FS Rashad Johnson (Jr) – Johnson is a playmaker, pure and simple. He’s got a bit of Brian Dawkins in him with his physical nature.
K Leigh Tiffin (So) – Tiffin looked good, both on kickoffs and FGs. He might be one of the better PKs in the next couple years.
LB Rolando McClain (Fr) – The true freshman is really making an impact. He’s got size and speed and is all over the field.
CB Kareem Jackson (Fr) – Here comes the next great Saban DB. Jackson has size and speed and is getting valuable experience early in his collegiate career.