With sensational sophomore QB Armani Edwards running the show, this one was a visual feast. People are wowed by his feet, but I was really amazed how well he threw the ball in this one. Armani was actually 9-9 for 154 yards and 2 TDs early in the 3rd quarter. The Eagles have an exciting QB prospect of their own in Soph. Matt Nichols who looks like the reincarnation of Ben Roethlisberger. He is a very big, physical QB with good accuracy and is a good runner--nothing like Armani, mind you--but not bad at all. It was hard to believe that Edwards was the QB with this stat line coming in: 3,559 yards passing, 32/8, and Edwards this line (due to injury): 1,346 yards, 9/7...as Armani outplayed Matt. App. State took a 38-21 lead with 4 minutes left and just escaped when they recovered (illegally) an onsides kick attempt that went only 9 yards to run out the clock.

SCOUTING SUMMARY:

College: Appalachian State Conference: Southern Columnist: Bill Carroll

Game Notes
Kerry Brown 76 6' 5.2" 309 5.38 OG 2008: This big stud could be the best OG in all of IAA football. He moves well for his size, finishes his run blocks, and has actually played in the proper position (not OT) for some time. He is a mauler. Looks like a man among boys at this level. Rag dolls smaller defenders. Locks & drives. Gets to the 2nd level and doesn't miss often. I can definitely see this guy getting draft in the 7th or being a priority UDFA. GRADE: Positive

Kevin Richardson 28 5' 7.6" 190 4.56 HB 2008: Kevin came in with a bad ankle, did not start, and split time with So;. RB Devon Moore. He is what he is--a scatback with a bit more power than you would think, and a bit fewer moves that a true scat would use. Not sure where he can fit in at the next level, as he is merely one heck of a sold 5'8"/4.56 college back. No "Barryness" here, and no Kevin Faulkness to his hands, so what do you do? GRADE: Neutral

Corey Lynch 47 6' 0.0" 205 0.00 S 2008: Mister magic. This (for those of you who have been living under a rock) is the guy who was the star of the UM upset. He is a kick blocking/big play specialist. Some like to compare him to John Lynch, but he is not that kind of hitter. I doubt he can cover enough ground to be a draftable safety, but he does a very good job getting to the right place on time. He is a quiet leader, who plays a lot like Tony Lezotte. He did a little bit of everything in this one...almost blocked a punt, blocked a FG attempt, picked off a pass, had about 7 tackles and a FR. Just a darned good football player who won't have the measurables to get drafted, but will be on a practice squad regardless. GRADE: Positive


College: Eastern Washington Conference: Big Sky Columnist: Sam Maxwell
Name

Game Notes
Jared Kuhl 50 5' 11.8" 230 4.75 LB 2008: A John DiGiorgio-type. Reads well. Drops nicely and will not be a liability on 3rd down. Sure tackler. Will get a look because he is a JUCO who didn't do anything prior to this season, and then just took the game by storm. Not big enough or fast enough to excite. But, there is some upside here. GRADE: Neutral


Other Notes:

App. State: Sophomore DE Tony Robertson had a nice game and may grow (now 6'2", 240) into a draftable commodity one day. Bill, I was very impressed with all phases of #18 Justin Woazeah's game at CB again today, and he has stood out to me in the past. Do you like him? He's only 5'10", 175, but he looks a lot bigger when he tackles people. Armani reminds me of Marcus Vick without the baggage. Would you consider that a fair comparison?

EWU: Jr. DE Greg Peach may get a look after next season, as will LOT Rocky Hanni in the 2008 post-draft signing period. Does anybody remember Erik Pears at CSU? That's Hanni...The Apps second-leading tackler is S Bryan Jarrett who had a 52-yard fake Punt rumble for a TD. He's only 5'11", 210, Sam, but you may want to add him. He's a play maker, as is little Kevin Hatch (#15). #10 A.J. Jimerson is a tall RB (6'1", 210) with nice speed and some nice return ability. He had a 78-yard KOR-TD to close EWU to within 3 in the 3rd Q. The best future prospect outside of the QB (Matt Nichols) is frosh OLB D.J. Smith (think Michael Boley in style, but smaller) who is going to be drafted one day, FOR SURE, if he stays healthy.